Portrait Studio Now Open

Good Morning everyone!

I wanted to update everyone with a few announcements.

As some of you already know, I am starting up a small portrait studio. I have found that I really enjoy photography and enjoy (and have the patience) for retouching and editing photos. My little gimmick is that I do all my 'portraits' in front of a green screen and so clients can choose their own backgrounds.

So, I wanted to announce (or re-announce to some of you) my online portrait gallery. From here you can view photos, and purchase prints or gift items. The site is at: http://tiggermn.smugmug.com

Any questions, please let me know, and I hope that you'll consider me for any family portraits you would like done!

Another thing I wanted to alert you to (and this will mainly affect family and close friends) is that I will no longer be offering my photos to anyone digitally (i.e. burning them on a disc).

The reasoning behind this is, if I am serious about doing this professionally, I need to be consistent and make the process as less confusing for myself and my clients. You will notice on my site that many photos have a watermark and that you cannot right click and 'save as' the photo onto your desktop. I have enabled a locking feature to protect my 'assets'. This is standard practice in the photography world.

Please Note: the watermark will not appear on purchased prints.

If there is something you absolutely must have digitally, you can purchase a digital copy of the photo from the online store under 'downloads' or contact me and we can work something out. I will need to charge a minimal fee, or a more substantial fee if you are requesting a 'final' portrait versus an untouched one.

The reason for this, is that I do need to consider my time. I don't just snap a photo and print it (even for family functions). 95% of the time, I still am correcting the photo, making sure the color is good, etc. I really spend time in making sure that my photos (no matter the setting) really capture the moment exactly and are portfolio quality.

So, I hope everyone can understand and respect the changes that I am making. I know that for some, it will be upsetting, as some depend on me to capture a moment at family gatherings. But, with the way my life is right now, I can no longer do things for free. I really need look at what I am investing in the procedure and receive a fair compensation for it.

Please note: I am still offering family members a discount.

So, I hope you all understand and I look forward to working with you!

Christmas Memories

Well, Christmas is over. Seems like it went by so fast this year.

The kids got a lot of presents this year, I think they got everything they wanted.

Where to start, where to start?

This was Riley's first Christmas, so of course I had to videotape them coming down the hallway. Seeing all the presents and then reading Santa's note... too bad I didn't hit the record button. So they had to 'do-over' the whole thing! LOL.

Riley was his usual smiley self. We tried going round-robin style with the presents, but he was getting unhappy, so we had him open all his. (Grandma helped). He liked ripping the paper open.

Mikayla got a doodle bear, some other toys and hair stuff.

Dominic got He-Man toys that he was really excited about! Lego Star Wars (which him and I played on Christmas day and Yesterday. We have finished both episodes and only have episode 3 left!

Courtney got hair stuff and a few other goodies (I honestly can't remember what thought, I know some stuffed animals).

The kids all got Guitar Hero II. I thought they were gonna pee their pants they were so excited! I also got the whole family a 300GB network storage drive to store all their files, since we all shared computers around the house.

Amy got the food dehydrator she wanted, a makeup kit from Mikayla, A bath set from Courtney and one from Cindy. A crystal Lamp (pink) from Dominic.

I got some scrapbooking supplies (Oh and so did the girls!) and a pajama/sleepwear set and a replacement white long sleeve shirt that got ruined in the wash.

I will be getting the World of Warcraft Expansion Pack in January as well.

then the family became sick (except me). So that was tough, missed a day of work (add to that getting no holiday pay) so this weeks hours are gonna be really short!

Still really tired from having so much fun though this weekend... Can't wait for New Years Day when I can get drunk in World of Warcraft!

You Made This A Christmas to Remember...

If you know me, you should know what that title is from...my absolutle FAVORITE Christmas Song.

Okay, you should know me pretty well...like family member well.

Anyways, it isn't Christmas unless I can hear that album... and fortunately for me, I have the original TV special that goes with it on VHS (that I happened to convert to DVD last year!).

Don't know how or when, but I know will meet again. Blowin back to somehwere, like some wild restless winter's wind.

Sorry, can you tell I am listening to it right now?

Tho the fire is hot, will just have to let it simmer

Sorry...

Everytime I listen to this song, I think of Amy. Actually, any of those mushy kind of songs I think of my wife... You would think after being together for 10 years I would be over that... nope!

I have a feeling that I will be rambling in this post. It is 4:41 in the morning and NOTHING to do at work...

CHRISTMAS... The snows comin down,
CHRISTMAS... I'm watchin it fall
CHRISTMAS... Lot's of people around,
CHRISTMAS... Baby please come home

Sorry, another good Christmas song I like just came on. Ya know, I didn't used to like Christmas. Okay, I did...but only because I got presents. But then I met Amy. And she totally changed my attitude about it.

Okay, I still like getting presents the most. But just having the house decorated, Christmas music playing, baking cookies, making fudge...you can't help but get into the spirit.

All I want for Christmas is you....oooooooo Baby!

Hehe...I just got caught by a co-worker rockin out to my Christmas music...I am just sittin here boppin my head away, like there is no tomorrow...hey, at least I am staying awake! Unlike the rest of this week when I was sick...sick for 1.5 weeks!

Okay, back to my wife and Christmas...would you like to know what my most favoritest and memorable Christmas memory is?

When I met Amy in '97, it was around October. We started dating in November (November 30 to be exact) and my Mom and I were the only ones you liked to decorate the house for Christmas.

My dad, the regular scrooge when it came to decorating (he liked the gift part) had us always put up decorations on my mom's birthday (Dec. 16) and take them down the day after Christmas.

Not a whole lot of time to get into the Christmas mood.

Well, the year of 97 was pretty rough. I lost my job, my sister was having personal problems, My mom was working 3 jobs (found out later to avoid my dad) and my life was very confusing.

So my mom and I were not going to decorate for Christmas. Add to that we didn't really have money for gifts, so Christmas was pretty bleak. I was really bummed out, because it was a tradition with my mom and I as we decorate the tree with ornaments my sister and I made throughout the years.

I don't remember the date, but I think it was in the beginning of December, Amy, My mom and I were gonna go to the Mall of America. Except I was really sick that Saturday, so my mom and Amy were gonna go, while I rested. I literally slept the whole day.

Finally that evening, Amy comes into my room and wakes me up. The room is pitch black and I am just out of it and not sure what is happening.

She helps me to the door and I can't figure out why the hallway is so dark, it can't be that dark in my house (I am still in my bedroom at this point)...

So I start to walk into the hallway and there is paper covering my door! Turns out it is wrapping paper! So I open my "Gift", which is the rest of my house and walk into the livingroom.

There is our Christmas tree, all decked out, decorated. The railing is all decorated, the works. Top it off, there is presents under the tree too and a few of my friends are over as well!

Amy spent the day with my mom gathering my friends, buying decorations and presents and decorating the house and wrapping gifts while I slept!

That was my favoritest Christmas ever! (Well, next to the sharing my children's first Christmas')

Isn't she sweet. A year later we find the actual presents she had bouht for me, but lost in the move to the mobile home in Hilltop. She bought me two Nike Brand Shirt and Boss Brand Jeans. The first actual brand name clothing I ever had! I still have the jeans! I lost the shirts over the years.

Well, almost time for lunch for me...so I guess I should sign off now...

Have a Merry Christmas all and a Happy New Year!

Oh, and in case you didin't figure it out, here is my favorite album and the lyrics to my favorite song:

Dolly & Kenny's Once Upon A Christmas

A Christmas to Remember

Both:
You've made this a Christmas to remember
Springtime feelin's in the middle of December
Strangers meet and willingly surrender
Oh! What a Christmas to remember

Kenny:
Almost went to Aspen but something told me no
I considered Mammoth but there wasn't enough snow
And I even thought of Gatlinburg, it seemed so far to go
So I headed up to Tahoe for a Christmas on the slopes

Dolly:
And I had fantasized about Christmas in this way
Curled up by a fireplace in a Tahoe ski chalet
With a fast talking lover and some slow burning wood
But even in my wildest dreams it never got this good and

Both:
You've made this a Christmas to remember
Springtime feelin's in the middle of December
Change the radio and I'll turn the lights down dimmer
Oh! What a Christmas to remember

Strangers when we met, lovers as we leave
Christmas to remember, too good to believe
Don't know how or when, but I know we'll meet again
blowin' back to somewhere like some wild restless winter's wind

And you've made this a Christmas to remember
Springtime feelin's in the middle of December
Neath the mistletoe you kissed me warm and tender
Oh! What a Christmas to remember

Dolly:
We loved and laughed and played and joked
Sang Christmas songs and talked to folks
Sleighed the fields and skied the slopes
Then to the lodge for dinner
Now it's time for us to go
As our hearts melt like chimney snow
There's just one thing I want to know
Both: Can we do this next winter
Both: Oh! What a Christmas to remember

You've made this a Christmas to remember
Springtime feelin's in the middle of December
Though the fire is hot, we'll just have to let it simmer
Oh! What a Christmas to remember

You've made this a Christmas to remember (Dolly: I'm gonna remember)
Springtime feelin's in the middle of December
Though it's cold outside we'll just stoke the burning embers
Oh! What a Christmas to remember

Other Favorite Christmas Albums are:
Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas




Celine Dion's These are the Special Times

A long overdue update.

Well, it has been quite awhile since I wrote last. And, I guess, a lot has happened that has kept me busy.

Let’s start youngest to oldest.

Riley is getting pretty big. He can stand himself up on things. He crawls VERY fast. The roomba is his friend. He will sneak over there and turn it on whenever he can.

He is also getting in a lot of his teeth. He also gives this great big cheesy grin. Matter of fact, it is the same cheesy grin that Dominic and Mikayla had when they were younger. The one where they scrunch up their whole face and all you see is a big toothy grin. I love it. I could stare at that face the rest of my life and be content.

He also loves the computer even more now. He will play pogo with grandma or Amy, or watch me play WoW.

He still takes his naps with me in the afternoon when Amy sneaks him in bed with me. I never know he is there until he wakes me up. If Amy gets him before I wake up, then they come in around 2:30 and wake me up. There is nothing better than having your baby boy sitting next to you on the bed, gently patting your back to wake you up and going “da da da da”

Mikayla is just like her mother. All attitude. But cute attitude. And she is still my baby girl and still a little princess.

She is still in dance. Unfortunately we don’t know for how long she will be able to stay in dance. She is currently in Pre-Comp. But after that she would go into a competition line. Trouble is, it is EXPENSIVE! So far this year I think comp line has paid about $400 in dues, and that is just since September! They still have more to go!

Dominic is doing pretty well in school. He still will have his moments where he likes to screw around and not pay attention, but we are working on those. He and I have nightly talks. Sometimes we talk about whatever he wants to talk about and sometimes we talk about what I want to talk about and sometimes it is to talk about serious matters (like behaving).

Courtney is doing great in school. Smart as ever, still in the Talented and Gifted Program at school. She does have this knack for turning in homework late. So we are working on that one.

My mom is doing pretty well. She is known around here is the beddie-time grandma. It is her job to put Riley to sleep at night. I think the record is 2 seconds. She literally picked him up, he rolled over to look at her and out he went. He seems to sleep better at night if grams puts him to bed. Sometimes though she has to wear him out by playing pogo with him or watch some TV. It is there special bonding time together.

Amy is busy as ever. It is Girl Scout cookie season and being the Service Unit Cookie Coordinator for the entire Centennial Service Unit (60 troops this year). It is her job to make sure everyone gets their troops order in on time, train the “cookie moms”, and organize all the paperwork. I helped her out this year by putting together a PowerPoint presentation for her to use, so she could make sure that all the trainees (in three different training sessions) got the same information.

I am doing so-so. Working third shift does take its toll. I am always tired. I feel like I never get anything accomplished at home. I still am on the Board at our cooperative. And still the Communications/Marketing Committee Chairperson and Committee Relations Advisor. Not easy work, I am constantly busy.

I have been going back and forth with the decision if I want to run to be on the board again this February, or not. And if I want to stay involved in my committee or not.

• The pro is that I get a say in what happens where I live, I get to be a part of something grand (in its beginnings too!).
• The con is that it takes up so much of my time, some of my neighborhood friendships have deteriorated, I get frustrated with the in fighting and drama.

So I try to figure out if it is really worth it. I know that there is no one else who could do the jobs I do. No one is as organized as a secretary as I am. No one has the skills (let alone the design programs) to do the creative work that I do to try and make this park more professional.

It is also hard being in the ‘public eye’, since I am such a private person.

I hate not having free time and being lazy, like I used to be. Every waking moment is filled with things to do.

But anyways. Enough of that.

Not sure what else I should write. I want to write more, but finding the time is exhausting. I have so many things I want to do. Lose weight, eat right, write more, home projects, office projects. The list goes on and on and on.

In my iPod:

• Aquarius - 25th Annviersary Edition
• Take Me Out - Franz Ferdidnand
• Vacation - Connie Francis
• Eldest - Audiobook (Eragon Book 2)
• Hurt - Christina Aquilera

MySpace.com

Two very old friends found me today on myspace.com.

Both were very influential in my life at a very critical moment. A moment when I was very confused about who I really was and where I wanted to go in life.

Of course, everything cleared when I met my wife, which was at that exact same time.

So I just wanted to say hello very dear friends, I am so glad you found me!

I also realized that I don't have an updated picture of me anywhere. So here are a few:

Happy Birthday to My Awesome dude!

Well, It is Dominic's birthday tomorrow (Sat) and I just want to wish him a VERY happy birthday! I hope it is everything that you wished for, Mr. Man.

You will always be my buddha and I love you SOOOOO much.

I still have to go out and get your gift, hopefully I can find it and hopefully it is something you wanted!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MAN!

My 15 Minutes of Fame

Okay, so I have my 15 minutes of fame coming up this weekend.

As most of you know, I am volunteering my time on the Board of Directors and as the Communications/Marketing Chairperson for the Community that I live in.

Our lender is hosting a radio program this Sunday from 3-4 pm on KFAI raido wave project and they have chosen to interview me for a 10 minute segment about Manufactured Housing Cooperatives and how it has change dour neighborhood and my personal experience.

I am VERY nervous about being on the radio LIVE! So keep me in your thoughts.

Also, I will be featured in an article (in the ARTS section) of the Wall Street Journal regarding Male Scrapbookers in such a female-dominated arena.

My consultant's husband was contacted by the reporter and she was looking for an un-vested perspective, so they contacted me. I had two-phone calls and numerous emails back and forth with the reporter and I even shipped off two of my albums to them to do a photo-shoot of! (Yes, I know, I am nervous that they are not in my hands...)

So I am excited about all this and just wanted to share it with you all.

Also, Riley is on the verge of CRAWLING!!!! He walks pretty good if you hold his hands and he LOVES to jump in his jumper! He really, really wants to crawl, but he doesn't realize he has to move his hands forward too! So he ends up doing a sort of 'belly-flop' instead of moving anywhere.

I will post photos soon!

Get me the FUNK outta here...

Okay, so I am in a funk. I hate it. I hate being in a funk, I FUNKin' Hate it.

I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do with my life. I don't know what to do with my career. I don't know what to do with my volunteer work. Nothin.

Where should I begin... I don't like working third shift. I don't hate it, kind of nice and quiet, but the sleep schedule sucks.

I want to work from home. I want to work, when I want to work. But I am so afraid of taking the leap and trying to start my own business. Could I actually do it? Am I good enough to have my own design studio? Maybe I should go back to school. I don't know.

I am tired of my volunteer work with the Cooperative. WAY MORE work than I ever imagined. Takes up WAY too much time and there is just WAY too much DRAMA! I can't stand drama. I have enough of my own! Then friendshsips get in the way and I don't know if I should be loyal, or make sure the work is getting done...

I don't know if I still want to be on the Board of Directors, or Just be the Communications/Marketing Chairperson or neither. I want my life back, but I can't afford to not be there. NO ONE can do the work that I do. If no one can do it, I fear we could loose our home and then where would I be? I don't know.

I am tired of WoW. Now that I made level 60, everyone expects me to help them out here or do this quest with them there, "because I am level 60 and have nothing else to do" or "Your in our guild so you have to help us".

Well no I don't, I just wanna relax and play and de-stress. I don't even like playin my 60, I have played her for SOOOO LONG! I wanna try a different character, but feel like I just have to check in every now and then otherwise I am labeled "Too Busy To Care". And I don't like that, before I was a 60, I helped everyone I could if they needed it and I happened to not be helping someone else. I did that since level 30. Can I be done now?....

So I left my guild. Not that I really wanted to, but I don't know anyone on there anymore other than my chracters and my two good Friends. And all these new people on there get pretty rude (see paragraph above). It isn't the same guild anymore. Lately I am never actually playing because I either have to try and break up a very heated/insulting discussion (and then get chewed out for trying to calm things down) or I get insulted myself and then don't feel like playin. I don't know.

I am tired of money. Even though I have a job, I am busting my ass to play catchup on bills. Then on top of that my car has to break and cost me $900 to fix (that I don't have). I hate it. Can I please win the lottery? Just once? Can I please win like 500 mil? I would be happy, trust me.

My family still wants a dome home, and I don't know how we are ever going to raise the $40,000 we will need for the downpayment (roughly a $300,000 home and I would need at least 10% to get that kind of a loan, if not more). It is so hard for us to save any money!

I don't know. I really don't know.

The only thing I do know is that I love my family and my wife and my mom and sister and brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws and just plain old in-laws. I love that aspect of my life, I just wish everything else would work out along with it.

"Life is an ocean. A twisting nether at one time, a calming plain another. Forever changing. Sometimes for better, sometimes for worse, but always changing; turning into something beautiful or something ugly. How we swim in that sea, determins our course. We either swim hard, or float through, or drown. But it is our choice that makes the difference." -- Bert Jones

Wow, I just wrote that. I don't really think of myself as a writer, but that just spewed forth from my fingertips. Hmm....somewhat satisfying actually. Kiki? Is this what it is like to write? Not knowing exactly what your writing until you think you are done? And then looking at it and feeling a completion? A gratification? I envy you. No, I take that back. I am lucky to know you.

All the things that you do, creatively at least, inspire me to try the same. You also inspire me to try harder, no matter what life throws at me. You inspire me to just try. Thank you for being my good (best?) friend.

Kiki?... You out there?... Hello?... (hehehe..LOL)

What Day Is It? Can you Please Tell Me? What Day is It? I'm Confused You See!

For those of you who know me, you should now that part of the song from Space Ghost

So, it has been awhile since I last wrote. And actually I didn't write anything, just posted some videos.

I am not that crazy about my job. I don’t know if it is the 3rd shift, the lack of work, or both.

1. I am tired all the time.
2. There is barely any work at work. So it is hard to stay awake.
3. I have so much going on in my life.

Basically we had 3 people out of 5 resign from the Cooperative Board I am on. Which means I am the only resident board member left. So everyone comes to me with their stuff.

Not only am I the Secretary, Communciations/Marketing Chairperson, Committee Relations Advisor; but now I am also the interim President (of sorts) to keep day-to-day operations going and keep in touch with management.

We also are planning an open house for the end of the month! A lot of work!

So much to do, and I have such little time.

I wish I could just quit my job, but I need to money. I do need to find something during the day, and full time. That may make it easier.

Amy may be starting her own cake businesses. That would be very cool!

Okay, back to work… sort of.

To Everything, Turn, Turn, Turn

Well... so much has happened since the last post...

But...

I don't want to get into it. Lets just say, I am done with all the drama.

I am working with a nw client (which is always good). Kelly had her wedding and even though a few things went wrong with the wedding (like my card failing in the middle of the ceremony and I thought I lost everything.) Things did turn out (like finding a great program that restored the card so that I didn't lose those photos).

It was a wonderful day. Kelly looked absolutely GORGEOUS! The Bridesmaids were all beautiful and the Groomsmen all had Zoot Suits and looked dashing!

And Kelly's two children (Devin and Kiana) looked so cute! It was a very fun event.

Now I just have to edit all the photos, upload them and get them printed.

I do start a new job on July 10th. I am excited, it will be nice to work full time again. Even if it is for only a few months.

Til later!

UPDATE: Just noticed that it was exactly a month ago since my last post! Wow, I need to work on that!

This Ain't the Life For Me

Well, it has been a month since I last worked with Best Buy.

In that time I have:

1. Scrapbooked
2. Cleaned My Desk
   
3. Tried to Find a Job
4. Been Re-elected to serve on the Paul Revere Board of Directors
   
5. Worked on cooperative issues
6. Cleaned my Desk
   
7. Prepared for photographing a wedding in June
8. Cleaned my Desk
9. Helped Amy organize stuff
10. Cleaned my Desk
11. Been to Dominic's Spring Celebration at School
12. Cleaned my Desk... Did I mention this already?
    
13. Been to Mikayla's Kindergarten Program
14. Taken a Shower

Okay, so I took a few more showers in between there, but lately I have felt like a bum. I don't know what I would do if mom wasn't living with us. She has kept us afloat.

But, I hopefully will have an assignment starting June 26th. It is second shift (yuck) but it is work, will last 3-4 months. So keep your fingers crossed.

Riley Update: He is getting that cute baby fatness. He looks just like Dominic and myself. He is so cute. We even do this 'Bounce, Bounce, Bounce--Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle' that he gets a kick out of.

And he just loves his daddy! When Amy plays with him, she will get a smile and maybe a chuckle. But when I play with him, he must think I am hysterical, because I get these full-belly laughs. It's great!

Riley also loves our cuddle time in the morning. While Amy takes the other kids to school, he comes and sleeps with me in bed, and we both get a few more hours in. We usually don't wake up until about noon. At which point, Amy comes in and complains that we both stink and need to get out of bed! Riley and I are both 'heaters' and give off heat.

OH! Before I forget. A few weeks ago, Mom and I were up late watchin a movie, and she finally got him to sleep, so I stayed up a bit more and watched some TV.

I finally went to bed about 1 a.m. and just as I finally fell asleep, we wakes up. It was 1:30 a.m. I was so upset and frustrated, Amy was telling me to just calm down, it was okay, so I finally just brought him in bed with Amy and I. She turned on her side to face us, and I was kind of on my side with him in the crook of my arm.

Riley, looked at me, then turned and looked at Amy, then turned and looked at me. He did that a few times, back and forth, back and forth, finally he snuggled back and sighed. It was like he was saying, "I have Mommy, and Daddy, Mommy, Daddy, Mommy, Daddy--I can sleep now."

He then woke up a second later and did it again to make sure we were still there! It was so cute, I was no longer upset and frustrated!

Well, time for me to clean my desk. Talk to you all later.

Riley is here!

Well, I was gonna write out the entire 3-day stay at the luxurious resort of Fairview Hospital. But I don't have that much time. So here is the skinny:

We arrive at 6 a.m. They did their usual checks. Amy got an IV (and did very well for not liking needles) they started to induce her on a very small drip of Pitosin around 7:30 a.m. Her contractions started naturally on their own and they did not need to up the dosage.

We debated if she would have a spinal shot of Phentinal-Markane to numb her from the waist down around 9:00 a.m. Which after a few minutes made her blood pressure drop down to 68/39, And it is usually 140/70. So they had to flush her with fluids through her IV to get her BP back up for about an hour. With the last two she never had any pain medication (the nurses were too late in getting it to her)

After a few hours of that (around 10:45) Amy's contractions started getting harder (she said is was more pressure than pain). The doctor walked in, and she had one push while the Doc was putting her stuff on. Once the doctor was set Amy had three more hard pushes and Riley was out!

That was pretty typical with the other kids as well. Amy does very well at childbirth.

We were able to rest for a moment and then they moved us across the hall to a smaller room. Where Amy, baby and I all took a small nap.

We did find out, while Riley was getting his photo taken, that the people before us in line live in our community.

We came home, to a room full of drawings by the kids.

To see photos go here.

I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter...

That is from a Madelaine Payroux song that I have...

I haven't had a chance to sit down and post, but I am installing Windows XP on a computer, so I have some time (19 minutes to be exact).

It has been crazy around here. We received our tax refunds, so we have been shopping.

We purchased the baby items that we still need. I purchased a bigger flat screen monitor for my design work and a new digital camera that is Professional grade. It has detachable lenses, a separate flash and can take pictures in RAW format.

Most consumers have never heard of a RAW format. Well, let me tell you it is nice. It literally holds all the information that the camera has about that picture. From the aperture, to the ISO setting used, to the Exposure, everything. And it keeps the Red, Green and Blue channels (what make up a color photo) separate, so that in editing the photo, I am able to do a lot more.

Basically, when I open one of these formats in my photoshop, this little menu comes up that lets me change the exposure, aperture, etc. And save those changes, without actually changing the file. Then I can open it up with those changes and save it as something else, yet still keep the original file untouched.

Very handy for all the stuff I do. See the picture above, I even feel more artisitc in my photographing now!

We also purchased an Airport Express. It is a little router, that connects to my wireless internet and allows me to play music over the network to my surround sound, and it lets me hook up a printer to it so that I can use the printer without it having to be connected to a computer.

Amy received a laptop, so that she can be more mobile with her volunteering. It really helps now that she is on a strict bedrest.

Oh, I should mention that...

Well, it turns out that Riley was breech last week, so we needed him to turn. Well he did, but he kept going and now he is sideways.

On top of that, since he is sideways his is pushing her pelvic bones apart, and that is where she was having problems before, due to her fall when she was pregnant with Courtney. She wasn't able to barely walk, and now he is putting even more pressure on it, she says it feels like she is being ripped in two.

So the doctors said she MUST stay in bed or sit in a reclined position. So she has to stay that way for two weeks and hope that he turns the correct way, or else they will schedule her for a cesarean.

I am now officially done volunteering as the Secretary for the Board of Directors for my Community. I am now just the Communications/Marketing Chairperson. So I still have a lot of projects to do (Handbooks, policies, forms, website, flyers, etc.) but it is more fun and more relaxed than being the secretary. I HAD to have the minutes done before the next meeting. Most of the items I do now, just have a due date of SOON.

I am also still working with Best Buy. But not as much. I do have to go in their offices to do some work for a few days, I think next week. So I don't know how we are getting the kids to school.

Not much else is going on. We are just taking it easy until Riley is born. I am a little nervous. It has been so long since we had Mikayla (5 years!)

Til next time,

Big Daddy

DRA-MA

Well, talk about living in the 'Days of Our Lives'. I swear to god, I so am in Salem right now. Where the hell is Marlena? I need a shrink right now.

I am not going to bore you with details. But my park is 'resident-owned' and I was on the interim board as the secretary. We just had our official elections, and OH THE DRAMA! THE HORROR!

I am so frustrated right now. So much crap and I just can't stand it anymore.

So how the hell is your week? Wanna trade? Thank god I have World of Warcraft that I can just veg out in and not worry about it. Just run here, do this quest, kill this monster, and then log out.

I filed our taxes, and as soon as the money is here, my honky-ass is GOING SHOPPING! I need the release! And some new gizmos.

Anways. I think I may try and buy me some Lambrusco wine. My friend Melinda tells me I will like it, so I think I will buy some and try and feel good. Not drunk, mind you! Just a little happy. I don't drink. So this would be the first drop of alcohol since guys weekend in 2004.

Drinking alcohol just doesn't appeal to me, but I could see myself having a glass of wine with dinner or at night. Just one. I am not a lush. (UPDATE: I never did go get any wine or anything. I played World of Warcraft so late, that the liquor store was closed!)

Currently in my Playlist:

• Shakira
• Dolly
• Sheryl Crow (again)
• Allison Krauss

Tying up loose ends...

I am trying to finish up some thoughts that I have going around my head.

1. I have been watching the new Battlestar Galactica (okay, new to me). Pretty damn good!
2. I have been working this past month with my Manufactured Home Park, which is now a Cooperative. I am the Communications Committee Chairperson and interim Secretary on the Board of Directors.
3. World of Warcraft is addictive. BUT I LOVE IT! So much to do!
4. Did I mention that I love iTunes? I do, it makes it so easy to listen to music.
5. I can't wait to see me son.
6. My ear infection is over, but I still have some hearing loss in my left ear. It comes and goes. The doc thinks that the drainage tube (Eustachian) is not at the correct angle and so I get fluid in my ear which blocks my hearing.
7. Still no real job. Which sucks, but I am getting stuff done at home. Anyone need a graphic designer?

I think that is it... here is my iPod playlist:

• La Tortura - Shakira
• I Don't Wanna Know - Sheryl Crow
• One - U2 & Mary J. Blige
• The Cruel War - Dolly Parton
• Twelfth of Never - Dolly Parton

Kids say the darndest things...

Okay, I figure I should list the cute/funny things my kids say, before I forget them and have a record. Plus, I am gonna need some blackmail.

Tayta:
When we lived in Hilltop, there was a ASIAN DELI that was behind our house, we would pass by there occasionally when we were able to enter our park through the back gate.

Around the time that mikayla was learning to identify letters, she would ask Amy what things said. So she asked Amy, "Momma, what does that say", Amy told her, "Asian Deli" but Tayta couldn't hear her, so Amy yelled louder, "ASIAN DELI" and Tayta says right back to her in offense, "I'm not an Agent Smelly". So ever since then, that has been the Agent Smelly place.

Tayta would say, "Zippy Do Da Day" with this weird country accent, that would crack us up.

Buddha:
Just the other day, Grandma Cindy was watching them while both Amy and I were out. Grandma said a not-so-very-nice word (not a swear word, something like hell or damn) and Tayta told her, "Grandma, that is not a nice word" and Buddha leaned over to Tayta and said, "Grandma is old, so she doesn't know any better."

Bear:
Bear had odd words for everything.

One time when her Aunt Jennifer was watching her, Bear kept asking for smell-sorals. Jennifer couldn't figure out what it was, and kept telling Bear that she didn't have any smellsorals, and Bear kept telling her that she did have smellsorals and told Courtney the next time she was over she could have some.

So Bear kept talking to Jennifer like she was insane and by this time Bear was bawling. So finally Jennifer called Amy and asked her, "what in the world is smellsorals?"

Amy was at work and half paying attention, so she didn't know. So Jennifer put Bear on the phone and she told Amy that she wanted Smellsorals. Jennifer got back on the phone and Amy told her that Bear wanted Marshmellows. Amy had to hear Bear say it to know what it was!

Never paint stripes...

Alright, I said it... For a week I have been painting Dominic's room.

We got the crazy idea from his comforter set. It has a matching border and lightswitch cover. So we took the border in and matched the colors at Home Depot with their cool paint computer!

We picked 3 shades of blue (although I argue with Amy that the lighter shade is more purple than blue, but she just ignores me.)

Amy and Cindy cleared out the room, and then took down these strips that covered over where the sheetrock panels were seperated. Amy then mudded them over and used this sheetrock paper stuff to cover it (which we ended up ripping down, cause it bubbled and looked bad) so we just sanded down the mud.

So then we marked the colors and taped out the darkest color. I then painted it, and we let it dry after a few hours and then went to tape up for the medium color. I biffed and went to reposition the paint and it ended up peeling the dark paint. I was pissed.

So I IM'd my good friend Kiki (named changed for security reasons--LOL), who used to paint as a job, and she told me what to do.

So I had to sand the walls, (they were pre-wallpapered panels that had this vinyl like wallpaper) so the KILZ would hold. Then we had to put on two coats of KILZ, then remark the rooms, then tape up for the dark.

So we painted the dark and waited a day for it to dry. IT COULD NOT BE TACKY. Kiki stressed that a lot.

So we then decided instead of doing all that work taping up for all the colors, we decided to have white stripes in between each color, so then I was able to paint the medium and light in one day as well.

So we let that dry, and then peeled off the tape. BUT, the paint bleed underneath (because the vinyl wallpaper stuff is textured), so the lines weren't clean enought for me. So Amy went with white and filled in the white lines.

So, after all that was dry and everything was peeled off and cleaned up, we put up the border.

And we are done! I hope you enjoy the photos.

A few updates.

Okay, this will be a long blog. I realized that I went off on a tangent regarding Christmas Eve, but never detailed the other party. Check previous posts, also, because I added some photos.

First of all, let me talk about the Bares/Koener/Scott/Hotchkiss/Jones Christmas Eve Party.

As soon as we got back from my relatives brunch party, we had to hurry up and finish cleaning, putting out the food. I still had to make Apple Crisp. So I had my mom, core/peel the apples (with our corer/slicer/peeler) while I got the rest ready.

Everyone seemed to arrive at the same time. Which was kinda cool. No waiting!

We visited and ate first. Then had the kids get started on their Christmas Present dice game.

It was really funny, because everytime Devin got "doubles" he would point his two fingers (like a peace sign) at the dice and go "DOUBLES" in this crazed kinda voice. He was so funny.

But at the same time, the kids would get upset that they didn't get doubles and sort of not-so-gently-toss the tray with dice at the next kid. So there was a lot of reminding to be careful going on.

And the kids had a TON of gifts to pick through too!

After that was all done, the adults started in on their version of the game. A lot of stealing was going on! The candy was being fought for so fiercly!

Then we moved on to the Indian Bingo game. Where there is one present per person and you draw a number. 1-?. You want the highest number. So I had #1. So I picked a present. Then whoever had #2, picked a present and then could trade with me if they wanted (not knowing what it was). #3, could then trade with #1 or #2. And so on. So whoever had #14 could trade with anyone.

I got stuck with some JONES SODA. Which is nasty soda that is a "whole meal" There are 6 bottles. One is Turkey and Stuffing, one is Mashed Potatoes and Gravy and so on. NASTY!

After that, we visited a bit more, had family photos taken and then people slowly filtered out.

All in all, it was a FUN night and I can't wait for next year!

A Merry Christmas...with a sad ending.

Christmas morning went well.

We opened all the gifts, the kids played, we saw Courtney off to her dads for the week. I took a nap, woke up and started making dinner.

Right before we sat down to eat our dinner, I went off to go to the bathroom before I sat down to eat and I walked in the bathroom to see Pitter (Amy's cat) laying in on the rug in front of the toilet. Her eyes wide open and her mouth hanging open... I didn't know what was wrong, but I feared the worst. She wasn't moving.

At first I wasn't even sure it was Pitter. I immediately screamed for Amy and she came in and my mom followed closely behind. My mom confirmed that Pitter was no longer with us.

Of course, everything is closed. So we have to wait until Tuesday to find out exactly what happened. We knew she was having problems breathing, but we thought she was okay with the medication we were giving her. Although as time went on, she would stress out more when it came time to give her the medication.

So we had to try and explain to the kids what happened. Courtney is not here, so we are going to wait and tell her when she comes home. No reason to spoil her winter break with her dad, with bad news.

I can't get the image of how Pitter's face looked out of my head.

The eyes and mouth wide open. Did she suffer? She was all alone in the bathroom (the steam helped her breath and she needed to be apart from the other cats) for who knows how long, did she know she was loved? The last time I saw her I was napping and she was laying on me and I pushed her off, did she think I didn't love her?

I will miss her constant vocalizing around the house whenever we walked into the room she was at, she was our only talkative one, and always let us know she acknowledged us.

Farewell, my Purrfect Princess Pitter, may you find happiness wherever you are and know that we love you very much and miss you even more.

Christmas Eve

What a day.

It started out good. We went over to my great-aunts and grandmothers in the morning to do gifts and brunch. My dad wasn't there yet, so we did our gifts and helped finish the get the food ready.

Finally my dad shows up and we said hi, he came in and set his stuff down. And the most horrid thing happened...

My ex-uncle, Skip, walked in (my dad's older brother). I immediately got a headache.

This man verbally abused me for 20 years. This man is so vile, that whenever he was around, my dad would even join in with him and verbally abuse me as well. I think it was a control issue. This man had such an influence in my father's life (as an authorative figure) that my dad became this kid that needed approval.

So he walks in. And I am immediately pissed. Pissed at the fact that they had mentioned that he would be in town and we specifically said we didn't want to see him, if he was going to be there, we would not. They said he wouldn't. For weeks they said he would not be there.

So we were pissed that he was there.

I guess I should explain, the main I reason I don't want to be around this man, was that the last time I saw him, we got into a HUGE argument, because he was trying to do the same thing to my son, that he did to me. Telling us to make sure he doesn't become a fag, etc. And saying this to Dominic, who was only 4 or 5 at the time. And he kept calling him sparky.

So I was extremely pissed, I immediately moved all our dinner plates to another table, away from them. But then they all ate in the living room, so that didn't help matters. Everything was pretty much okay, he didn't try to talk to me or my family. But the tension was in the air. Especially, with my dad, like he knew I was pissed and he was pleased at it. Which made me even more aggravated.

As we were getting ready to leave, they were talking about Mikayla in Dance and Dominic mentioned that he used to be in dance, but now he is wrestling (which he isn't) and then my ex-uncle says, "Good, we don't want you to become a sissy boy" (or something to that nature.)

I was so glad we were on our way out, that I let it slide and we immediately left.

So then we left and came home, and got ready for our next party. Which was such a HUGE hit. We had lots more fun. Everything turned out great and we loved seeing everyone!

Thankfully tomorrow is Christmas and it will be a better day!

Tis the Season to be Jolly...

Fa La La La La, La La La.....BLAH!

I haven't posted in a while, but a lot has been going on. Well, not a lot, but enough to keep my lazy.

I may have a job beginning in January, so hopefully that will go through.

We are busy, busy, busy making Christmas presents for everyone.

Not much else is going on. Amy has had to take it easy for awhile. Riley has been a little too active. She had early contractions a few weeks ago. But she is okay now, she just has to take it easy and relax.

Well, well, well.....

Not much of an update, but I thought I should share something.

Still no assignment. I haven't even heard from my agency. Worries me a little bit.

We are decorating for Christmas already and getting ready for my Christmas Card Party this weekend.

Money is tight, which sucks.

My kids are cute, which is good!

Later!

I go out Walkin...

Well, the kids have a break from school, we have conferences tomorrow, and me and Dominic need to go on our Walk.

Dominic was having a rough time at school, so I thought that maybe me and him needed some Father/Son time. Well, a few weeks back they had the Mile walk at school and they inspired me to go out walking. Well, I decided this would be a perfect opportunity for me and him to go out and talk and bond.

Well, we went and walked once so far (work became hectic and homework was tough) but he really enjoyed it. When we can't go out and walk, we walk in the house, or go in his bedroom and just talk about his day. I think it is really helping.

So tomorrow, we are gonna go for a walk after lunch (then maybe play some games.)

I don't have any assignments now until after January, so my work is trying to find more work for me to do. I hope they find something soon. But at least with this time off, I can revamp my portfolio, read up on the latest design programs and learn them, and finish some projects I have had for a few years now.

Other than that, not much else is going on.

Ya know, there is some really good shows on TV right now. Close to home, medium, ghost whisperer, lost...

Currently in my iPod:

My life is asking for it's bowl of cherries...WHERE'S THE DAMN CHERRIES!?

Life……… could be……… better

I am so tired and exhausted. Not just physically, but mentally too. I wish I had a steady job. I keep looking at the classifieds and I just don’t qualify for all the design jobs out there. It sucks. I found a great one today, but I don’t have enough experience.

I also ran over a concrete barrier today. Nothing huge, just one of those small ones that they have in between parking spaces. But this one is a parking garage, so it was a little smaller, but enough to make scraping noises. So of course, I am all freaked out now. Amy says the car is okay, but I am so paranoid.

And I so wish I had a shitload of money. Enough to build my home (in cash), pay off all my debt, get new cars and all the electronics that I could possibly want.

So, does anyone want to give me money? I’ll dance for you (and the more you give me, the more clothes I will keep on.)

Really. I’m serious. You can pay me through paypal and my email address. It’s really easy. And I do have a webcam so that you can see me dance.

Just, uh, let me know, okay?

Storm Night

Well, we were over at the park community room/storm shelter to sign up for the co-op that is going in place on Oct. 1. And someone comes charging in to make sure the room will be open because a storm is coming. So Amy and I finish up and start walking back to our home (which is across the street) and we see that the sky is dark.

So we get home, flip on the news and see that is is a severe thunderstorm. So we keep watching, thinking were okay, and then they announce that there is a tornado warning for Anoka county. And then, as if on queue, the sirens go off!

So as we are going across to the shelter, some guy comes walking towards me pointing at the sky and I turn and look and literally behind my house, about a block away, there is a HUGE cloud that looks like a un-formed tornado, and it looks like it is touching the ground.

So here we are sitting here, in the storm shelter, I have never seen it this full. And HOT. Too many bodies in such a small place.

I can’t even remember the last time there was a tornado. Gosh, years ago. But I hope it passes us by. There is no radio in here either. So of course, no one has any idea what is going on outside.

I originally brought my laptop to see if I could get online and keep track of the weather, but of course, no, my wireless network is just not strong enough. Which sucks. And there must not be any networks on this side of the park. There is about three by my house (across the street). Oh well. It would have been kind of neat to be THE person everyone looked to for weather info in here. The hero that saves the day (or in this instance, night).

And man, kids these days use such language….

Well, were back at the house and we are sending Cindy out to get Dairy Queen. Aren’t we nice?

Still watching the news though.

Okay, Just as Cindy went outside, the sirens went off, so she is in the house now and we are NOT getting Dairy Queen. Maybe another night.

Gonna go watch the news now..

(UPDATE: After it quieted down, Cindy went out to get ice cream. Dairy Queen was closed because half of their rood tore off from the winds!)

The start of a new school year!

Well, the kids are off to school this week. Courtney and Dominic started their first days of school yesterday. Mikayla started hers today.

It’s so weird not having a child in the house. It’s so quiet. Yet kind of nice.

Amy figured out yesterday that by the time Riley starts Kindergarten, Courtney will be in 10th grade, Dominic in middle school and Mikayla in 6th Grade. How odd is that!

Let’s see if I can figure this out, but the time Riley is born, I will be turning 28 that year. So, when he turns 18, I will be 46? Hell no, how did that happen! When Courtney turns 18 we will be 37. Dominic turns 18, I will be 39. When Mikayla turns 18 I will be, 40. See, that was how it was supposed to happen. When Mikayla turned 18, I would be 40 and the kids would out of the house! Amy and I could travel… shit, now I will be old and decrepit by the time Riley is out of the house… too late to do anything but sit out on the porch and crochet and yell at them dang-blasted kids!

I honestly can’t wait until Riley is born. ANOTHER BOY!!!!! I am so excited! Riley Montgomery Jones. Amy already has a nickname for him… MOOSE. We will see…

It still feels weird not working so much. But, not much I can do about that for now. I like the time off, I just wish I got paid for it.

We went and visited my Grandmother and Great Aunt yesterday. We had a wonderful lunch (Beef Stroganoff – my fav, twice baked potatoes, cauli-broc, fruit salad, fried chicken, salad, black olives, cookies, fudge. What a spread!)

Then the kids went outside and played with hula-hoops and soccer balls. Muriel sat outside with Amy and my mother and watched them.

We had fun, until my grandmother brought up my Uncle Skip and was pressuring me to forgive him for the way he treated me growing up. I told her I didn’t want to talk about it and that I forgave him, but I still want nothing to do with him and nothing anyone says is going to change that.

I know it hurts her that we don’t have a relationship, but, it’s his fault. And he started to pull the same shit with Dominic that he pulled with me, and I won’t have that! But gram just doesn’t understand that. Oh, and she only brought it up because he has a house in Duluth (utter crap) that he is going to leave to some friends of his, but it’s worth a lot of money (no it isn’t) and he could leave it to me. I told her, “I don’t want it!” She started saying it could be a great way to start school funds for the children, and I told her th