My oldest son turns 13 this week. Unbelievable!
Here he is as a newborn in 1996.
And here he is now. The thing that baffles me the most is how he could have grown so much and I still look exactly the same. One of the mysteries of the universe, I suppose.
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Friday, July 17, 2009
Here he is as a newborn in 1996.
And here he is now. The thing that baffles me the most is how he could have grown so much and I still look exactly the same. One of the mysteries of the universe, I suppose.11:20 AM| 0 comments
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One of the most fun things I do as a parent, although admittedly trivial in the grand scheme of things, is introduce my kids to things I love and see their reactions. Many favorite movies, books, and television shows of mine are waiting for the boys to be old enough to see or read. Much of my favorite music has already been played repeatedly in the van and around the house.
Last week, using Netflix's online instant viewing feature, we all started watching Simon & Simon, season 1. What a time warp! Imagine private detectives in 1981, before computers, before cell phones, before caller ID for crying out loud! This was one of my favorite shows from the time I was 12 until it went off the air in 1989. A true '80s indulgence. I remember I kept a notebook of all the episodes, who guest starred, plot synopses, and favorite lines from the episodes. Yeah, I was obsessed. Mostly due to the extensively gorgeous Jameson Parker, I admit. I'll have to hunt up the picture of the giant Simon & Simon collage I had on my bedroom wall. It was awesome.
Anyway, for such a dated show, the storylines are usually fun and exciting, if a tad predictable. The best parts of every show are the banter between brothers Rick and A.J. and the times they use disguises to get information. Watching this show again, it's no wonder I wanted to be an actor. It looks like they're having so much fun! And I really like that even though there are plenty of murder mysteries, we don't have to see close-ups of the corpse. And even though the brothers have many lady friends, we don't have to look into their bedrooms. Much better than today's television.
So now every night the boys come running upstairs asking to watch Simon & Simon. I told my oldest two they were lucky I didn't know for sure I'd have two boys in a row or they'd be named Rick and A.J. They didn't seem to mind the idea too much.
8:23 AM| 2 comments
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Friday, July 10, 2009
Last week, using Netflix's online instant viewing feature, we all started watching Simon & Simon, season 1. What a time warp! Imagine private detectives in 1981, before computers, before cell phones, before caller ID for crying out loud! This was one of my favorite shows from the time I was 12 until it went off the air in 1989. A true '80s indulgence. I remember I kept a notebook of all the episodes, who guest starred, plot synopses, and favorite lines from the episodes. Yeah, I was obsessed. Mostly due to the extensively gorgeous Jameson Parker, I admit. I'll have to hunt up the picture of the giant Simon & Simon collage I had on my bedroom wall. It was awesome.
Anyway, for such a dated show, the storylines are usually fun and exciting, if a tad predictable. The best parts of every show are the banter between brothers Rick and A.J. and the times they use disguises to get information. Watching this show again, it's no wonder I wanted to be an actor. It looks like they're having so much fun! And I really like that even though there are plenty of murder mysteries, we don't have to see close-ups of the corpse. And even though the brothers have many lady friends, we don't have to look into their bedrooms. Much better than today's television.
So now every night the boys come running upstairs asking to watch Simon & Simon. I told my oldest two they were lucky I didn't know for sure I'd have two boys in a row or they'd be named Rick and A.J. They didn't seem to mind the idea too much.
Labels: memories, television
8:23 AM| 2 comments
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Can you believe it's the tenth of July and we haven't turned the air conditioner on once yet this month? One third of the way through July, and no AC! Unbelievable.
I am really loving this weather. This is my idea of perfect. Eighty during the day, sixty at night, with little to no humidity, and a light breeze. Hot enough in the sun for the kids to swim, but cool enough I can sit in the shade comfortably. If it were like this every year, I wouldn't dread summer so much.
8:48 AM| 1 comments
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
I am really loving this weather. This is my idea of perfect. Eighty during the day, sixty at night, with little to no humidity, and a light breeze. Hot enough in the sun for the kids to swim, but cool enough I can sit in the shade comfortably. If it were like this every year, I wouldn't dread summer so much.
Labels: summer
8:48 AM| 1 comments
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So here's the deal:
As my "prize" for finishing NaNoWriMo this past year, I got to submit my novel to CreateSpace for publication. It is now, finally, ready and can be ordered here.
BUT WAIT!
If you buy it online it's $9.99 plus $3.18 shipping. I, however, can get discounted copies. So here's what I'm going to do for you. I'm going to buy a case of books and sell them to my friends and family for $8.50 INCLUDING shipping. That's right. I'll even sign it for you if you want.
So if you could leave a comment letting me know you want one, I will order them. Once they're in I'll contact you by email and you can use my Paypal account to pay and give me your address. If you live near me and want to pick it up, I'll even take another dollar off! $7.50! Really, how can you pass that up?
3:16 PM| 3 comments
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Monday, June 22, 2009
As my "prize" for finishing NaNoWriMo this past year, I got to submit my novel to CreateSpace for publication. It is now, finally, ready and can be ordered here.
BUT WAIT!
If you buy it online it's $9.99 plus $3.18 shipping. I, however, can get discounted copies. So here's what I'm going to do for you. I'm going to buy a case of books and sell them to my friends and family for $8.50 INCLUDING shipping. That's right. I'll even sign it for you if you want.
So if you could leave a comment letting me know you want one, I will order them. Once they're in I'll contact you by email and you can use my Paypal account to pay and give me your address. If you live near me and want to pick it up, I'll even take another dollar off! $7.50! Really, how can you pass that up?
Labels: writing
3:16 PM| 3 comments
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I have enjoyed Weird Al Yankovic's songs since the mid-80s, but hadn't listened to any of his newer songs. I figured since I didn't know the songs he was parodying, I wouldn't "get" them. Oh, how wrong I was. And look, he even wrote a song about me!
Plus, check out his new Doors-inspired song, "Craigslist" - absolutely hysterical!
9:06 AM| 1 comments
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Plus, check out his new Doors-inspired song, "Craigslist" - absolutely hysterical!
Labels: funnies
9:06 AM| 1 comments
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The other day we were at a church dinner. Usually, they will announce the order in which the tables are to go up to the food line, but this time they did it a little differently. Anyone 70 or older was allowed to go through the line first.
My seven year old looked up at me. "That's you, Mommy!"
And he seemed truly shocked to find out I am not, in fact, over 70. Then he looked at Hubby. "What about Daddy?"
1:08 PM| 1 comments
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Monday, June 08, 2009
My seven year old looked up at me. "That's you, Mommy!"
And he seemed truly shocked to find out I am not, in fact, over 70. Then he looked at Hubby. "What about Daddy?"
Labels: funnies
1:08 PM| 1 comments
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The other day I had picked some mint from the garden to make mint tea. Since I wasn't ready to use it yet, I put it in some water on the counter. A while late, my kitten jumped on the counter (as he does often). When he saw the mint, his eyes went wide. Then he hooked it with one paw and carried it to the floor.
Once in his possession, he chewed it, tossed it around, shredded it, and just generally enjoyed the life out of it. My older cat entered the room, saw the mint, and grabbed some for himself.
I've heard of catnip, but I never heard that regular spearmint would invoke this kind of reaction in felines. Anybody else?
8:32 AM| 1 comments
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Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Once in his possession, he chewed it, tossed it around, shredded it, and just generally enjoyed the life out of it. My older cat entered the room, saw the mint, and grabbed some for himself.
I've heard of catnip, but I never heard that regular spearmint would invoke this kind of reaction in felines. Anybody else?
Labels: pets
8:32 AM| 1 comments
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If you happen to own a Kindle (the coolest device ever), you can now purchase my first novel, Spanish Summer. The print version should be ready soon, and I'll certainly let you know when you can order it!
2:59 PM| 2 comments
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Labels: writing
2:59 PM| 2 comments
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I took the four year old for his checkup the other day. While doing the physical exam, the doctor asked him a few questions.
"How high can you count?" was one of them.
"I can count to 100... MILLION!" The doctor probably thought he was kidding, but I bet he could count that high given enough time and patience (I've heard him count to over 100). In any case, the doctor was satisfied with 10. And very impressed when I told him that my preschooler knows all his letters and the sounds they make and is reading simple words.
On the way home, he wanted to know how high his oldest brother could count. "As high as he wants to," I said.
"And what grade is he in?"
"Seventh."
"How high can you count, Mommy?" I gave him the same answer, as high as I want to. "And what grade are you in?"
"I'm not in a grade. I finished school."
He paused for a moment. "So when you finish school you're not in any grade anymore?"
"That's right."
Another pause, then, "That's AWESOME!"
8:34 AM| 0 comments
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
"How high can you count?" was one of them.
"I can count to 100... MILLION!" The doctor probably thought he was kidding, but I bet he could count that high given enough time and patience (I've heard him count to over 100). In any case, the doctor was satisfied with 10. And very impressed when I told him that my preschooler knows all his letters and the sounds they make and is reading simple words.
On the way home, he wanted to know how high his oldest brother could count. "As high as he wants to," I said.
"And what grade is he in?"
"Seventh."
"How high can you count, Mommy?" I gave him the same answer, as high as I want to. "And what grade are you in?"
"I'm not in a grade. I finished school."
He paused for a moment. "So when you finish school you're not in any grade anymore?"
"That's right."
Another pause, then, "That's AWESOME!"
Labels: funnies
8:34 AM| 0 comments
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I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. We got a lot of work done around the house and had some relaxing time as well.
My dad is lending me his USB turntable, with which I can transfer all my old records into MP3s. I cannot tell you how excited I am. All those records I collected when I was a kid (you remember, those round black vinyl things?) can now be enjoyed once again! The down side is that I have to sit here while it's recording and separate the tracks. But that's okay - I'm enjoying it.
The other thing I've discovered is Netflix. Well, I wouldn't say discovered so much as received a free month and figured I'd better use it before it expires. Back when we joined this before they didn't have instant movies available on the computer. How cool is that? I might be spending way too much time online in the very near future. Maybe I can watch movies while I transfer my old records! Oh, bliss!
11:40 AM| 0 comments
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Thursday, May 21, 2009
My dad is lending me his USB turntable, with which I can transfer all my old records into MP3s. I cannot tell you how excited I am. All those records I collected when I was a kid (you remember, those round black vinyl things?) can now be enjoyed once again! The down side is that I have to sit here while it's recording and separate the tracks. But that's okay - I'm enjoying it.
The other thing I've discovered is Netflix. Well, I wouldn't say discovered so much as received a free month and figured I'd better use it before it expires. Back when we joined this before they didn't have instant movies available on the computer. How cool is that? I might be spending way too much time online in the very near future. Maybe I can watch movies while I transfer my old records! Oh, bliss!
11:40 AM| 0 comments
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