Saturday, 12 January 2008
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
Post Note: See the finished clipboards HERE
My camera is broken. It happened on Christmas Day about 4:00. No longer did my prized possession operate as it should. Just like that. I didn't drop it. I didn't spill anything on it. And miraculously, none of my children did anything destructive to it. Inside the camera, a little plastic pin, being moved up and down a little too much in too short a period of time, snapped. I found it annoyingly interesting that on one particular website, 5 other people posted that their Canon Rebels did the EXACT SAME THING on THE EXACT SAME DAY! Huh. In-ter-es-ting. But fruitless in terms of getting a quick fix or convincing Canon to recognize this as a documented problem with the camera. I can just envision the camera manual... a section called "Christmas Day and Other Holiday Troubleshooting" with a note that "taking too many pictures could (and eventually will) result in the collapse a major camera element that will cost $150+ to repair! Take precautions to lower your camera shots to 2 shots per moment." (instead of my usual 32 spm.) Grrr.
Now, as my camera sits sadly on a shelf in a camera repair shop, a funny feeling sits down in my stomach. You know that vague feeling you get sometimes that something is out of place, weird...unsettled.... kind of like you've lost your last set of car keys, or your watch, or even worse, your cell phone? That's how I feel. So, I realized something about myself through this painful separation from my camera.... (just halfway kidding).
I realized that like eating and sleeping, releasing my creative energy is right up there for me on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Does that sound ridiculous? Well, it's true, Maslow identified creativity as a valid need! I realized that not being able to snap pictures has taken an avenue of creativity away that usually satisfies me. Instead, I am journaling a lot more, and clipboards. I have been decorating the clipboards! Clipboards in the morning and clipboards in night. When I get my camera back, I will take a picture of one and show you the clipboards I have been making for the kids' teachers for Teacher Appreciation in February. 3 down, 67 to go. Just kidding... I will be relying on other people for help with those. But taking a pic of my clipboards will be a like a Double Shot Coffee Drink from Starbucks... a nice double jolt of creativity. That buzz should last me a good couple of days, and help me get rid of that funny, funky feeling down deep in my gut.
My camera is broken. It happened on Christmas Day about 4:00. No longer did my prized possession operate as it should. Just like that. I didn't drop it. I didn't spill anything on it. And miraculously, none of my children did anything destructive to it. Inside the camera, a little plastic pin, being moved up and down a little too much in too short a period of time, snapped. I found it annoyingly interesting that on one particular website, 5 other people posted that their Canon Rebels did the EXACT SAME THING on THE EXACT SAME DAY! Huh. In-ter-es-ting. But fruitless in terms of getting a quick fix or convincing Canon to recognize this as a documented problem with the camera. I can just envision the camera manual... a section called "Christmas Day and Other Holiday Troubleshooting" with a note that "taking too many pictures could (and eventually will) result in the collapse a major camera element that will cost $150+ to repair! Take precautions to lower your camera shots to 2 shots per moment." (instead of my usual 32 spm.) Grrr.
Now, as my camera sits sadly on a shelf in a camera repair shop, a funny feeling sits down in my stomach. You know that vague feeling you get sometimes that something is out of place, weird...unsettled.... kind of like you've lost your last set of car keys, or your watch, or even worse, your cell phone? That's how I feel. So, I realized something about myself through this painful separation from my camera.... (just halfway kidding).
I realized that like eating and sleeping, releasing my creative energy is right up there for me on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Does that sound ridiculous? Well, it's true, Maslow identified creativity as a valid need! I realized that not being able to snap pictures has taken an avenue of creativity away that usually satisfies me. Instead, I am journaling a lot more, and clipboards. I have been decorating the clipboards! Clipboards in the morning and clipboards in night. When I get my camera back, I will take a picture of one and show you the clipboards I have been making for the kids' teachers for Teacher Appreciation in February. 3 down, 67 to go. Just kidding... I will be relying on other people for help with those. But taking a pic of my clipboards will be a like a Double Shot Coffee Drink from Starbucks... a nice double jolt of creativity. That buzz should last me a good couple of days, and help me get rid of that funny, funky feeling down deep in my gut.
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
Let me just start by saying that I am sorry for all the Luke posts lately. I don't mean to focus on him any more than our other wonderful kids, but he is just at that age that everything he says and does is so darn funny. I could write 10 posts a day about him right now. But, ok, I'll limit myself to one a day.
Today, when I picked him up from school, he offered singsongily, "I have a girlfriend; her name is Emma." Kami, Ellie and I hadn't heard as much about Emma as we had Elly and Abby. So, we asked the obvious question... "Luke... we thought Elly and Abby were your girlfriends..?...?"
He quickly replied, "No I cracked up with them."
So, how do you learn to crack up (break up) with a girl when you are only 4 years old? We all cracked up when he said it, and I have a feeling he may be a real heart cracker when he grows up! ;)
Today, when I picked him up from school, he offered singsongily, "I have a girlfriend; her name is Emma." Kami, Ellie and I hadn't heard as much about Emma as we had Elly and Abby. So, we asked the obvious question... "Luke... we thought Elly and Abby were your girlfriends..?...?"
He quickly replied, "No I cracked up with them."
So, how do you learn to crack up (break up) with a girl when you are only 4 years old? We all cracked up when he said it, and I have a feeling he may be a real heart cracker when he grows up! ;)
Monday, 7 January 2008
Ok, folks... I know bringing up politics is dangerous territory. Everybody has an Opinion (yes, with a capital O). Let me make it clear... I am not ready to walk into the polling booth. In fact, I had barely heard of this man until the Iowa caucuses. But I must say that I Admire what Huckabee says here about evolution and creationism.
Sunday, 6 January 2008
It's just the latest truth I've learned as the wife of a college basketball coach. Snacking has never been a way for me to soothe myself during basketball games (although it carries me through about every other challenge in my life). Food is just not appealing as I watch those guys go to battle on the court. It's kind of like eating while watching a loved one have surgery. Not good. But with the game hundreds of miles away from me, I ordered a nice, juicy, mushroom and swiss burger. I had heard Louie's makes great burgers! And as fate would have it.... when that burger was served, I simultaneously discovered that the Golden Eagles were in OVERTIME. So as the kiddos crammed down their grilled cheeses and pizzas and the Smiths enjoyed their fare of choice, my burger and fries just sat there real lonely. I cut it into fourths, I sprayed a big pond of ketchup on my plate. But it didn't help. I just couldn't take one single bite. I watched the tickers on the 29 TVs in the restaurant. Couldn't find the score anywhere! Finally, I called my dad. "Dad, what happened in the game? I know we were in overtime?! Is it over?" Tick Tick Tick............................ "We won by 9!" Dad reported. I felt like screaming. It probably would've been fine to scream. It was so loud there no one would have noticed. I went back and sat down at the table. And ate the whole darn burger. I learned something else: burgers taste absolutely delicious after a sweet win.
Thursday, 3 January 2008
Those of you who have read this blog know that I always talk about the gusto with which Luke approaches life.
I just loved his gusto-filled comment today: "I'd like to dip the world in ketchup and take a bite."
I know... you're thinking I misunderstood him. Surely, he said he'd like to dip his fries in ketchup. That's what kids LOVE to do. Dip their fries.
I do have one ear that squeaks more than it should, but No, I didn't misunderstand him. Because it all started with his discussion of the massive and varied list of ketchup-worthy items. Mac and cheese. Waffles. Olives. Mommy. Our House. The World.
Coming soon: Luke's Breakdancing Chronicles
I just loved his gusto-filled comment today: "I'd like to dip the world in ketchup and take a bite."
I know... you're thinking I misunderstood him. Surely, he said he'd like to dip his fries in ketchup. That's what kids LOVE to do. Dip their fries.
I do have one ear that squeaks more than it should, but No, I didn't misunderstand him. Because it all started with his discussion of the massive and varied list of ketchup-worthy items. Mac and cheese. Waffles. Olives. Mommy. Our House. The World.
Coming soon: Luke's Breakdancing Chronicles
Tuesday, 1 January 2008
We celebrated with our 2 year "tradition" of going bowling. The kids loved it (Luke bowled a strike! and surprise! I bowled TWO strikes!) Goodbye 2007! And welcome 2008!
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