The Tao of Jenny

More free publicity.

2009-07-17T17:28:28Z

My new friend norda is a very determined self-employed person, and I wish to help, so please to be spreading the word that she can help you with all your BLAKE'S 7 needs, her spouse needs an engineering job in MA, and please to do ALL your geeky shopping at mikescomics. Thank you very much!

Sex Education!

2009-07-17T16:10:32Z

Hey! I learned (well, sort of) something new today! Well, I knew it somewhere in my brain, but had lost it...that the whole of Down There is the vulva, not the vagina. I knew that but couldn't summon it up till it was mentioned on an episode of Oprah today. I feel better now.
(For the newer folk, I am very sexually open and well educated. Minus this bit. :P)
The other most helpful bit from the episode is the suggestion to exchange a 10-second kiss with your partner daily. I like that and intend to implement it. Pecks just aren't enough, imo, they get too routine and I think a ten-second kiss is far less likely to start feeling routine.

Ouch.

2009-07-17T14:21:02Z

I got rear-ended on the way home from the store last night. I had to brake suddenly because of the guy in front of me, and the guy behind me couldn't brake quite fast enough not to hit me.
Thank goodness he had insurance! Poor guy was a wreck...his first accident and he felt so bad. I had to keep telling him it was okay. Everyone is fine...my back is a bit bothersome, but everyone is fine. Mom and Tom convinced me to go to the ER just to be safe, which ate up the entire night. Bah. The boys were cleared and I was X-rayed and then cleared.
Tom took the car this morning and apparently fixing the bumper (which is cracked) is going to be expensive...see "thank goodness he had insurance"!
Everyone got to bed late, but we slept a bit late this morning, so it evens out. Poor Finn is short on sleep still, though, but hopefully he'll get some good napping in. He was pretty upset after the accident. Will was more confused than anything, and he was very good about staying in his seat.
I was okay other than the emotional effect of "there was danger to my babies", which is never fun.

Miss tru2myart had her psychic energy on high, as she was anxious and pacing and finally decided to call me...she called just after we got home from the ER, where I had been anxious and pacing because I wanted to get out of there. :P Very cool, actually. :)

Today, I'm going to do as much of the grocery shopping as I can and probably take the boys to the park for a while...it's a beautiful day.

Weekend plans stand as detailed previously.

Free Publicity.

2009-07-16T18:09:22Z

rhklein was interviewed on Chicago public radio about his website,The Museum of Classic Chicago Television, so go check it out! :)

Cut.

2009-07-16T14:18:29Z

I just cut fourteen people/LJs. I'm sorry, but we either weren't connecting or had lost our connection and I didn't believe that was going to change or, in a couple of cases, you simply aren't present on LJ anymore and we aren't interacting elsewhere. I put a lot of thought and stress into this. Know that I don't wish anyone anything other than the absolute best. There were a few borderline people kept, as always, and new people, as always, were exempt for the most part. If you weren't removed and were kind of hoping to be, feel free to go, I really only want people on my flist who actively want to be in my life.

We went to the reptile show!

2009-07-15T21:13:51Z

There was a reptile show at our library, and we managed to make it a bit late. Will was SO GOOD! I am SO PROUD of him! He sat nice, he was quiet, he raised his hand, he was perfect. *dotes*
He got to hold (part of) a giant albino Burmese python, and we stood less than a foot from an alligator bigger then he is as it strolled and laid down in front of us! (I got a picture of the alligator with my phone, but not the holding of the snake, due to holding Finn the whole time, ohmyback.) Then we went to Nana's, where Will is swimming and I am taking a couple of seconds to post this while it's still fresh. I am SO PROUD of him!

Swimming, Good Food, Bad Sleep, Finances

2009-07-15T13:37:02Z

As of Monday, Will is officially a swimmer. And he doesn't even have to hold his nose to go underwater! :)

Last night, I made soup because I couldn't think what else to do with the bok choy I bought last week because it's been calling to me for months. (I love bok choy.) Here's a tip: Wolfgang Puck's vegetarian broth is one the cheapest at Jewel, and it's GOOOOOOD. So I took a quart of that, threw in about half a pound of bok choy, torn up, a can of black beans including liquid, a handful of chopped green onion, a quarter tsp each salt and pepper, and let it cook together for a while, then added an eyeballed quantity of rice noodles and cooked till done. We sucked it up and wished for more. I apparently have something of a talent for throwing together a soup, with the help of a good broth to start with. :P

Finn pulled another "but I am awake and do not need to sleep" routine last night. Tom drove him again. It did not go as well as hoped. I spent three hours after that in the chair with him. Bah.
(I spent a long time BEFORE that in the chair, too.) I know that when he's done teething and weaning, things will change. I cannot WAIT for that day.

Today looks to be hot, so I'm planning on taking Will to Mom's to swim. I think Finn and I will stay out, though.

I'm kind of at a loss because I was REALLY counting on that auction. Now we have to run half a month off through December. And the thing with the car sales didn't pan out, although Tom made a good connection with a small dealer less than a block away from us...something may eventually come of that. I guess I'll have to sell the breast pump and slings on Ebay, because I'll certainly get more that way than selling them locally. I'll also have to dig through and see what else will go better online. Just what I don't have time, energy, or desire to do. *sigh* At least I have stuff to sell, I know. And we still have to call the resale store lady...I'm afraid to count on that, though. I'm not even going to think about dealing with a garage sale till after Finn's birthday. This weekend will be prepping for that and, if we're lucky, working on the patio area in the back yard.

Tomorrow is Tom's cleaning at the dentist, so at least we'll have a nice late start.

Details.

2009-07-14T14:54:46Z

Yes, I am a dork. The reason I worry is that I don't want to miss out on a relationship that was going to develop. And I don't like upsetting people. Still, it is an emotional burden to me to have non-developing relationships on my friends list. I've talked about it before, but I think about the people on my flist all the time, whether they post or interact with me or not. I wonder if/when they will. I wonder how they are doing and what they are thinking. I stand in readiness to help should they call and I be able. Yeah, it's not just a reading list to me. This doesn't mean I bear any ill will towards people who treat it differently, and I don't mind being read when I'm not reading you (at least for now, I'm still considering going friends only), but I need to have almost entirely friends on my flist for my own sanity. I define a friend as someone I have a connection with, that ineffable chemistry that makes people go "click", and someone I interact with on a level that I find comfortable with that person, which can vary considerably, but generally the more the better. The stronger the former, the less the latter matters, but I do expect a high level of interaction generally.

Anyway. That's that. Still watching the comments there, so if you haven't, do so, if you fit the bill as described.

And, yes, I know we are all getting sick of me talking about this. This should be the last bit for a long time. Next, I will be annoying everyone as I try to fill my flist up again post-cut. :P

Last night was actually a good night, but I slept too hard...I don't even remember the half hour I spent in the chair at one point...so I woke up groggy and sore. Phoo. Hopefully, I will be productive today anyway...yesterday was almost a total wash. I took the boys to Mom's and went swimming, and then stopped at the stores to check out mattress options on the way home. On the up side, I found a mattress and boxspring at the SA for $35. I try not to shop there, but the poor can't be as picky, so...I also got some PJs for the boys, mostly Will, 'cause he needed them. So we have Will's bed (minus headboard or footboard, which is probably for the best), once we pick up the frame from the freecycler, and we'll probably have to buy a mattress pad 'cause the mattress is pretty thin, but I'll wait and see if Will complains before I worry about that. I already have a bedding set I got for him a long while ago, which I'm laundering today along with the new PJs.

I also have to get invitations out. Those are the main priorities. Which I better get to.

Edit: Invites ready to go and I got a mattress pad off freecycle, too...I thought it had gone to someone else, but apparently the person just doesn't check email that often. :P Laundry in the dryer. Finn had a good nap.

ATTENTION

2009-07-14T03:20:46Z

If you will be upset and/or distraught if I unfriend you and you are NOT a frequent (once a month at minimum) commenter or new arrival (in the last 3 months or so) in my LJ, please to be commenting and talking to me about why, exactly, this is, since we (by definition) don't interact all that often, because I am getting very tired of all this worrying.
Comments are screened to be extra enticing, please let me know if it's okay to unscreen. If it isn't, make sure I have an alternate way to reply to you should I feel a need to do so.

Indeed.

2009-07-13T18:25:04Z

Yes, I do say damn a lot. Everyone else in my family says shit, I've noticed. The surest way to learn these things is to have little kids around.

I'm so out of it today it is not even funny.

I have an essay to write on the seagull and the owl. I have, you know, the whole bird oracle to finish...haven't touched it in weeks now. *sigh*

We decided to mimic Will's time capsule rather than design a whole new one for Finn. (It wasn't really personalized to Will at all, but concentrated on the time capsule concept.) I noticed this morning though that Finn's can has deeper grooves than Will's, making some of the decorating...awkward. We'll figure it out.

I've bribed the children with cheese. Will likes it, but Finn is a complete and utter cheese monkey. :P

Soon, we'll go to Mom's to pick up the invites and swim for a bit. (Well, Will will swim. Finn and I may or may not.) Finally remembered why I was going to a store today, so I'll do that before hitting Mom's. (Checking out cushioning options for Will's toddler bed, because he's complained consistently that it's uncomfortable, even the "new" bed didn't change the complaint. Of course, now that we have a twin frame coming, I need to look at getting a cheap twin mattress which would alter things, but...)

Train of thought derailed. At least I posted. :P

Bad night.

2009-07-13T15:36:31Z

Tom didn't even set the alarm and I was in the chair almost all night. Bah. I know it's unfair to blame someone for things they do when half-asleep, but...gah. I had a headache so severe when I woke in the chair that I thought it might kill me for a few seconds.

Damn, Finn noticed I was here. *sigh*

Found a twin bed frame on freecycle! Woot! Gonna pick it up this weekend. Cool.

Too busy. Damn.

Weekend and a thank you.

2009-07-13T01:28:20Z

First, thanks, Gessi! The boys' gifts arrived and are marvelous. I just read Will to sleep with Old Turtle and the Broken Truth and they both have played with the snail. :)

The weekend was almost entirely consumed by the installation of my remote start (gotten last Winter Solstice) into my car. But I have it now, so yay! I'm sure I'll be very, very happy once I've gotten the benefits of having it. :)
Also got Mom's pool cover taken care of, and the usual chores done. Got the invitations for Finn's party ready...Mom has to finish addressing them and they'll go out hopefully tomorrow.

Now Tom and I are trying to manage a little us time, which for once is being ruined by Finn instead of Will! Finn won't go down. He's overtired. He slept on the drive home (7 minutes or so) from Mom's, and that gave him a boost that is just keeping him going. Meantime Will, for once, was so exhausted he voluntarily went to bed and has been sound asleep for fifteen minutes.

No, in case you are wondering, apparently we CAN'T ever get a break. *wry*

Anyway, back to trying to convince the baby to go to bed. We got new Chinese food and I think we may have found a new place! Woot! And now I have to go because the baby does not like me being here. :P

Inspiration.

2009-07-10T19:33:26Z

Grandma found this GREAT mushroom stroganoff recipe and I just made it last night. So we got back from the store (small trip, the big trip MAY happen later or get put off till tomorrow, depending on boy moods and my courage level :P) and I was feeding the boys leftover egg noodles. Well, Finn left a bunch in the end, and then they both (miraculously) fell asleep, so I had time to eat some real food, so I took the plate of noodles Finn left and was trying to think what to do, since I didn't want them plain. And I was inspired from my recipe last night to throw a little sour cream and soy sauce on them, and it made a GREAT little instant sauce. Go, me! I would totally make that again on purpose, even. :)

Amusingly, I was watching the Fashion Show, in which one of the designers made a complete knockoff of a well-known dress and got totally busted for it! There's a big difference between inspiration and plagiarism! :P

The stroganoff recipe uses, in addition to the sour cream and soy sauce, tomato paste, veggie broth, Worcestershire sauce, and...I think that's it besides a little salt and pepper. Would never have thought of it, but it's REALLY good! :)

Downs and ups.

2009-07-10T16:08:59Z

I think Finn has the same yeast infection thing that Will had a while back. Going to pick up Lotrimin today after calling the nurse because I couldn't remember what the doctor had me get for Will.
Last night was the worst no-sleep night EVER. Tom and I both are sleep deprived. Poor teething baby with ouchy parts.
Weather SUUUUUCKS. More rain. Hot enough to be hot, but not hot enough for swimming.
No playdate for this week, and I'm pretty sure they're out of town for the next two weeks, too. Bummer. Especially since Will, at least this week, probably won't be getting any more swimtime, thanks to said weather.
Still not enough money, but we may just scrape by for this month...of course, we upped our credit debt, and now the payment is too high, so we still need to come up with more money to avoid continuing to have issues. Which leads into the ups...
Tom went this morning and got to talk to one of the car dealership guys he needs to talk to, and has a time (tomorrow morning) to talk to the other guy. This first run taught him everything he needs for tomorrow, and was positive, even though the guy is almost certainly not going to go for it. Tomorrow's guy is responsible for two places, so we have the better chance there anyway.
Just did some research and it looks like Tom could expect around $150 for every car sold. If he sold one car a day, he's be making what he was at the gas station. Hopefully, he'll get this chance to see if he really IS a born car salesman as everyone says.
I went to the dentist about the tooth that needs a crown, and going with the HMO this year was a good call...it'll use up $379 of our health account, but that's less than with the PPO. Scheduled for the Wednesday after Finn's birthday.
Got lots of great and interesting responses to yesterday's question...my answer is also in the comments if anyone is curious. :) Thanks for popfiend for the meme!
Lots to do.

Interested in seeing your answers, especially you, Tom! :)

2009-07-09T16:26:18Z

After taking away religion, gender, race, family roles, career, and job titles, how would you define yourself?

I'll reserve my answer for later, 'cause I don't have time now. :P

One more thing...

2009-07-09T14:54:18Z

Finian is pretty much fully walking now. He still falls down a lot and he does still use stuff to brace on if it's handy, but he has walked all through the house by himself. :)

Tiiiiired. Teething sucks. Also, busy.

Damn.

2009-07-08T20:10:45Z

The auction guy finally came...and told us it wouldn't be worth it for us to auction. He estimated we had about a thousand dollars worth of stuff. They don't consider it worth it unless you have about five thousand. Putting our stuff in with other stuff wouldn't work because the cost/labor to haul it and store it would eat up most of the profit. Bah. He did suggest talking to the woman who runs the resale shop in town...she might buy it all for a flat price and haul it away herself. We'll look into that, but our only other option is a garage sale.

In the meantime, I screwed up with the money and I'm trying to pull it out of thin air. I tapped the credit balance in my natural gas account, but it's not enough. We may have to run half a month off through December, and lose our extra money for the holidays. Damn and blast.

Tom is going to follow up with the car dealership in town that was hiring, too. Think good thoughts that that pans out.

I was about to list some stuff on Ebay, but I missed this whole new price structure thing that sucks. Where are people selling stuff (not Etsy stuff, stuff stuff) now?

While I'm here, I'll let you know that I have a Medela Lactina Select breast pump with two sets of the cups/piston/etc for sale, works great, I barely used it and got it myself off Ebay, plus I added another set from another auction on Ebay. I also have two Hotslings, one size 9, one size 6, and two Slinglings, same size equivalents. The Slinglings are pretty much like new, the Hotslings are in good used condition. If you know anyone who might be interested, point them my way, and maybe I can bypass Ebay on those at least.

Birthday and Baby.

2009-07-08T13:55:01Z

Will's birthday went fairly well. Thanks for all the good wishes! :) He had pizza for dinner and a mint chocolate chip ice cream pie for dessert. He had Daddy home all day. He got to go for a bike ride with Daddy. He and Daddy tried to launch the small (relatively...it was something like 5 feet diameter) hot air balloon we got him, but it didn't work out. (We tried to toss it, but he insisted on keeping it. We'll try again when conditions are a bit more perfect.) He tried out his rollerblades, but just inside the house. It was a little too hard, but we'll keep trying. After the balloon didn't work out, he had the choice of swimming or kite flying and picked swimming. I decided to see how he did without his swim vest. We had to ease into it, but he did swim completely without support for a bit...he needs to learn to reach forward with his arms instead of waggling them at his sides, but otherwise, he's pretty well set. When we put the vest back on, I left two of the foam inserts out...I'm thinking we'll gradually remove the inserts and that way he'll build up strength without even noticing. :) All in all, a good day.

Finian, this morning, told me via point and holler that he wanted the Goldfish crackers on top of the fridge! Awesome. :) I also want to note down how much I love his curious face...he makes a perfect O with his mouth, the eyes are all round, and he sounds just like a little monkey, "ooh, ooh, ooh"-ing. Priceless. Generally, he's very expressive and has an opinion about everything...wonder where he gets that from? ;P He started teething again last night (after about two days respite)...joy. But the sooner they're in, the sooner we're done, right?
Food is supplanting nursing pretty smoothly...he's nursing less and less and eating more all the time. The biggest challenge is letting him feed himself, because he LIVES for it and I HATE messes, so will only let him eat non-messy foods. He's eating a lot of American cheese these days. He's a total little cheese-monkey. You can always make him happy with cheese or pasta. My children are totally going to eat nothing but mac and cheese for years. :P

Playdate is in danger of cancellation this week...Tanya is supposed to call me this morning. This afternoon is her only availability, but her one year old naps all afternoon (*envy*), so we'd pretty much have to go over there and keep the kids from waking the baby. It's too cool (and rainy) for swimming, unfortunately. Figures. :P Then they're going to be out of town for the next two weeks, I think, so poor Will is going to be quite deprived. Thank goodness for Mom's pool, if the weather would just cooperate!

I had deep thoughts, but they're gone now. Oh, well.

Four years old.

2009-07-07T13:22:48Z

Today, my William is four years old. Frankly, I'm amazed he made it this far. :P Fearlessness is not a good quality in a small child! But I am proud that he IS fearless, as well as loving, affectionate, polite, energetic, tremendously expressive and astonishingly clever and inventive. I'm less happy with his tendency towards deviousness and occasional incomprehensible small acts of violence, but we'll get that sorted!
He can ride a bike (with training wheels) and knows how to pump on a swing. He's an excellent climber and still has a good sense of how far is too far for him. He's thisclose to swimming without support. He's just started learning to rollerblade. He really likes Clifford the Big Red Dog (on TV), which is nice since I liked Clifford (the book) when I was little. He also enjoys Imagination Movers, Super Why!, WordWorld and Mythbusters! I really love that last one. :)
He still doesn't play much with toys, and prefers to just run around and pretend. He knows his alphabet really well and can count to twelve. He has a big vocabulary, and finally enjoys being read to, but only when he's willing to slow down long enough! His sense of humor runs to the quirky and he is a fascinating dancer. He's a handful, no doubt about it, but he's completely worth it. I love him wildly and I am so glad I am his mom.
The first picture of Will, who, as of this morning, is 40lbs and 3'7" tall. :)

Three more behind the cut!
The face he wanted to make.

The nice smile Mommy asked for.

He wanted a picture of his shoe. I told you, quirky! :P

Teasers.

2009-07-06T23:21:20Z

A few of my favorites...the rest are in the Will 3 gallery of my scrapbook, which you can get to by clicking these. :)

Jumping up and down yelling "Cake!"

This isn't the best shot of it, but it'll do: the face of AWE he made while we serenaded him. :)

Still here!

2009-07-06T15:36:51Z

Finn is having a rough morning...I think after an hour and a half napping on me in a chair, we may be on our way back, but now I'm groggy and stiff from nodding off while sitting in said chair myself.

Trying to scrape up money. The cars really screwed us up. We will become unscrewed, but I'd prefer to do it so we aren't risking more screwage later, which is harder.

Speaking of which, send vibes for Penny, whose car is probably on its last legs and the likelihood of a new one is faint.

Did I mention I was groggy? *shakes head*

Um. Will had a great birthday, with surprise guests including my sister and family (who originally couldn't make it) and my sister's MIL, a really lovely woman I'm always glad to see.
Tom got the last of the glass out of the pool (well, we'll probably still find the occasional piece for a while, but he got everything he could see), so it was officially opened at Will's party, thus allowing for all the neighbor kids to also be over. Swimming and food and REALLY good cake was had. Presents were opened and a big hit. I will post pictures at some point of both this and Will's trip to see the fireworks (Finn and I stayed home), so more then.

Tom's father's mother died...his former step-sister let us know. He'll contact his aunt today, but it's not like we can go the funeral...they all live in Rhode Island, and, aside from his father's funeral, we've had no contact with her at all.

Annnd I'm out of typing time.

Flowers.

2009-07-02T21:48:13Z

I don't care for roses or lilies or carnations or mums. Most flowers are just...you know...okay.
I love the smell of lilacs, and they're nice enough to look at, too.
I've recently decided that I do really like irises. I've always thought daisies (and similar flowers) were nice, along with tulips and sunflowers, but my favorite flower, in the end, is still the dandelion. :)
How about you? Feel free to post pictures!

My phone is happy. :)

2009-07-02T13:57:24Z

Of course, today I'm going to be really busy and won't have time to talk to anyone, most likely, but the boring times will come soon enough! :)
This is essentially my Thursday and Friday smooshed into one, so I have both playdate and grocery shopping (which includes sale flyer browsing and meal planning), which will eat up most of the day. Gotta leave for playdate in something like twenty minutes.
Phase one of project friends cut has been done. Phase two is going to be bad. If I cut you, it does NOT mean I do not love you. It just means I need to make room on my list for people I'm going to really interact with/have a strong connection with.
July is a hideously busy month for me, with both boys' birthdays to deal with. Sorry if I seem around less...it's not for lack of trying!

Who is going to embrace phone conversations?

2009-07-01T20:29:03Z

My husband is Working. My mother is sick to death of my voice. :P I NEED MORE PEOPLE TO CALL ON THE PHONE. Those of you who have non-phone-talking-friendly jobs are excused. Those of you with major IHATEPHONESitis are excused. Those of you who can't handle talking to someone who has to constantly ALSO be talking to a small child and/or a baby are excused. *watches the place clear out* Anyone left? For some reason, Finn has issues with my use of the computer, but I can talk on the phone, also I can't bring a computer to the park with me. Thus my need for phone people. AND if you have a T-Mobile account, you can talk to me for free! DON'T leave your phone number in the comments...if I don't have it, email me. :)
P.S. This isn't like a "right now" thing, but a "generally" kind of thing. Hours when it would be good and/or bad to call you are appreciated!

Weather and teeth.

2009-07-01T17:34:09Z

It's fricking cold! I am getting tired of freaky weather, man. Commit to summer, please!

Teething, as has been frequently and universally observed, sucks. Lesson from last night: Yes, the Tylenol IS doing something. Apparently, it is the difference between frequently awake and ENDLESSLY awake. *wry* So. We *heart* Tylenol. And Tom went in late this morning. *more wry*

Kind of trying to write a story for storied_lives...I don't really feel the urge, but I kind of need something to kick it off. I just hope it takes off...so far my luck with communities has been abysmal and I really like this idea.

Anyway, that's about all I've got on my mind on the moment. Tom okayed the invite for Finn's birthday. Have a loose plan with Mom for food/decoration. Have to make the time capsule (we had one at Will's first, which is the entire reason for doing this, 'cause we can't short Finn.) Finally made dental appointments. Called the auction guy, left message, waiting to hear back. Probably bad timing with the holiday coming up.

And that's REALLY all I have on my mind. Man, I miss being deep.