non-blogging

We just got back from a great time at the ocean with lots of family, and to keep things interesting, this week we are moving. It's a whole 15 minutes away from where we live now. So who knows when we'll be internet ready at the new place? Blogging may or may not be scarce...
In the meantime, here is a great site that I am very attached to financially: mint.com It's a website that will connect to all your financial accounts, like banks & credit cards, and instead of going to multiple sites to try and keep track of what you spend where, it tells you in nice little charts and graphs. It can even send you emails when you go over the budget you set up. Love it.

Sewing

I recently borrowed my sister in law's sewing machine for a little bit and I was able to cram in all kinds of mending. Pretty much the entire pile that we have accumulated since we got married almost 3 years ago. One pair of pants turned to shorts, long skirt turned to a short one, 5 long sleeve shirts turned into short sleeves (Brandon always busts out of the elbows somehow), 4 pillows covered, 3 sweaters with holes patched, a skirt & shirt re-hemmed, one skirt turned into a bag, and I sewed a small bag for Calvin since he always tries to carry around my purse and the diaper bag, etc. Now he has one his size, that of course he has no interest in.

Toy Box paint options

Here are some of the things we put in Calvin's room, so whatever design we choose for the toy box it will be in these kind of colors. This is what I have so far, try to image them in more accurate colors and a lot nicer.

Toy Box style A:
Toy Box style B (aquarium):
Toy Box style C:

Feel free to voice your opinion on the poll ->

Special Popsicles

I bought some plastic containers to make homemade popsicles. You know, pour in some OJ or yogurt, etc. However, the company seems to be advertising for use of green pepper popsicles. Seriously? Who designed their packaging? The person was either confused, thinking perhaps the pepper was a lime?? Or maybe they only had two images available on their computer and decided apples and green peppers look appealing enough. I guess it works. I bought them, didn't I? Maybe green pepper popsicles are better I think. Green eggs and ham, right? Can't knock it 'till you try it? ....no, I don't think so.

Done

Brandon proved us all wrong and finished the toy box in a week. Now how long will it take for me to paint it .....?? I'll post some samples and maybe take a poll on some ideas.

Time to draw

Since Calvin is one now and has enjoyed playing with his friends' magna doodles, I figured it was time we got him one of his own. Sometimes I forget it's his toy though and he has to pull it out of my hands. He will be starting art lessons soon...

Chicken pox?!

Calvin woke up this morning with spots. Gradually more & more have appeared and I was thinking it was some kind of allergic reaction, I mean, kids these days get vaccines for chicken pox, right? So they don't get it anymore? Then my friend reminded me that they get the vaccine at their one year appointment - which was last week. And it takes about a week for it to show up. They said it's common to have a "reaction" to the vaccine. The "reaction" is the chicken pox.
It's suppose to be less contagious getting it from a vaccine and it's suppose to be more mild (let's hope!). It should be gone in a few days or so. However, the time he was most contagious was before today and guess who has never had the chicken pox - Brandon.
UPDATE: So the spots kept getting worse & worse and started looking more bizarre than chicken pox, so I took him to the doctor and it's not chicken pox, just some virus he most likely got from one of his vaccines. It doesn't change much besides the fact that he's not contagious now, and he is going to be looking a lot worse than chicken pox.

Toy Box

We have been looking around for a good deal on a toy box and Brandon has decided to make one for us. He says it will be really simple and then I can paint it and make it look cool. My only question is: Will Calvin still be playing with toys when this project gets finished?
You can make your guess at the poll on the side ->

Sweat Fest 2009 Champion

Sweat Fest was a big success. A lot of us slacked off towards the end, but the ones that stuck with it lost some impressive weight. As a group we lost around 185 pounds. The winner was our friend Reid who lost 14% of his body weight! It was great to be part of something that helped my friends & family & me to be healthier.
Maybe we'll have to do the competition again sometime. Or another sort of competition. Any ideas? What else would be a fun thing to compete in?

Morning run

This morning when I was running by this old guy he pointed to where I was coming from and said, "Someone called and they want you to start over!" You could tell he thought he was pretty funny and says it to every runner that looks exhausted. (as I most definitely did) Still, I laughed and it made me stop thinking of the misery of running for a little bit.
Later I ran by this guy & girl outside some very nice apartments getting ready to start a run together. I swear that guy had just put on cologne. He must have been a little too worried about how he was going to smell once he started sweating. Face it guy, that is NOT going to help.

1 year old!

Our baby is one today! Several pictures can be seen here.

Swimming Lessons

Calvin gets so excited to get into the pool. While we wait on the side for our turn he likes to clap for the other kids. I like that he is learning things, but one of the things they have us do in class is gradually dip more and more of their face under the water and now Calvin likes to dip his own face in the water as well. And then drink the water.
And by the way, I have decided the best thing about two piece swimsuits is going to the bathroom. Boys wouldn't understand.

Politely screaming

Calvin has been learning a little bit of sign language lately. Some of the words he seems to get the concept, other ones it's more mimicking. For example, when he screams (which he has discovered a new volume level of this past week, I'm sure the neighbors are enjoying that) we'll put our finger over our mouth and say "sshhh". Instead of realizing that putting our finger over our mouths means he needs to be quieter, he thinks it means, I am upset and I am screaming. So now when Calvin screams he screams with his finger over his mouth. Not catching the concept. (Sorry, I would post a picture, but the camera is MIA)

New List

Calvin has put a countless number of things in his mouth now, there is no end to that list. However, it seems there is a new list that is forming. It's called "What Calvin has put in the toilet" We try to keep the bathroom door closed at all times, but occasionally it is left ajar and Calvin seems to know the exact moment when we are not paying attention to him that he can sneak in there. So far the list includes:

hands
hair brush (twice)
wooden spoon (attempt only)

Fanny packs: Rebuttal

Here is my sister's response to the previous fanny pack post.

p.s. I think she voted on the poll twice

Taking Jiffy Lube down

The clutch went out in our car, lame, right? We took it into the shop and it turns our our transmission is shot too. Some fun. The mechanic told us the cause was lack of transmission fluid. There was only a couple ounces of transmission fluid when there should be two quarts. hmmm. That's funny, we just had the transmission fluid checked and filled a few months ago by Jiffy Lube. Maybe there was a leak? Not according to the mechanic, no leak evidence whatsoever.
So we've been talking with the Jiffy Lube manager and he's trying to claim there was a leak anyway. Even though a couple times he said, maybe we checked the fluids, maybe we didn't. He said if they didn't check it all they would reimburse us for was the service that wasn't performed. Is it just me, or does that sound ridiculous? They didn't put any transmission fluid in the car, therefore the transmission goes out, and it's not their fault? I've never been to court before, but this seems like a good time to try it out.

Fanny packs, seriously?

My sister (who can name herself if she chooses) came over the other day and was browsing on our computer and calling everywhere because she was so anxious to buy a fanny pack. She picked out a blue plaid one and asked what I thought. I figured laughing would communicate sufficiently everything I needed to say. She claims they are coming back, along with other 80's trends like neon colors. Am I out of it? Or is she? see poll on the side for voting options -->

Competition Update: 22!

Our competition officially has a title now. (thank you Brandon) And a logo. And we have 18 participants so far. We're hoping to have 20 by the end of the week so the prize would be $100. (another update: we now have more than 20) If you want to join in the fun... just read the directions again below.

Weight Competition

I think losing weight is a great idea for me. Anyone else with me on this? Who would like to compete for cash? This is the deal:

1. Monday June 1st - Tuesday June 30th Whoever loses the largest percentage of weight wins.
2. Entry fee is $5, winner take all. Email me (theillustrator at gmail) to let me know you're in and I'll send you my address. The money must be received by June 1st to participate.
3. Email me your current weight on June 1st and your final weight on the 30th.
4. I won't share any info except how many people enter, and who wins with their weight loss percentage.

I think it would be great if 10 people or so enter. I am very motivated by money and I could use $50 and less flab. So if you're thinking about it, pull out an envelope, throw in a handful of ones and make it happen. Feel free to throw in more money if you feel inclined to do so : ) Tell your friends, just let me know you know them so I'm not mailing my address to random blog stalkers.
If delivering a baby is going to be part of your weight loss plan, you do not qualify to participate. May the person who sweats the most win.

Swim time

I just signed Calvin up for a parent/ baby swim class with 2 of his baby buddies. His swim shorts are a little big, but I think they'll work just fine. Maybe next summer too since they almost go to his ankles.