Royal and I err on the cautious side when it comes to personal information. We never give out our information (address, phone, SSN, etc) to the cashier, to sign up for coupons, etc. We never use our last name on this public blog- even the title is an acronym!
So, when I had the chance to put my name in the phone book, or pay $2 for privacy, I opted to list our number under the fictitious roommate Edwin Parker. His name shows up on caller ID when we call you, and telemarketers have his name sold to them by our phone company.
Today I got the first call for Edwin. Later, I had a chance to chat with Royal online for about 5 minutes. Part of our conversation follows.
ME: Hey, babe, how are you?I just registered us with donotcall.gov . I just got our first call for Edwin Parker.
I think next phone number we use, our fictitious roommate should have a celebrity name like, Tom Cruise. Or, Steve Jobs. Then, when they ask for them, we can at least laugh...
Royal: hey!
ME: How about Mashed Potato for a roommate
in the phone book
Royal: How about Ima Dummy?
ME: Great! I love it!
How bout: Iona Porsche
How about Iwana sellyousomething
Royal: Wiami aL Loser
ME: Willya Marryme
Royal: Stahp Colling
Royal: Ah this is fun
Gotta go and throw pizzas, though
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Baby Love
I never felt this way about my babies before, but I think I'm in love! I just adore Jimmy. I still don't adore him as much as I adore his Dad, but I just adore him. I love holding him, touching him, kissing his soft, fat little cheeks, rubbing his fat little legs, smelling his greasy, balding head. I just love watching him. And the girls have got it, too! Whenever Little Jim is awake, they come running in, and with high-pitched voices and squeals of delight, they begin malling the poor dear. He is just the best sport about it, too! He loves all the attention. He smiles for them and stares with rapt attention for all their show.
Hatching Adventures part 4
Well, we got our little surviving brood out into the coop!!!!! And, a week later, they are all three still alive!!!
And, we are allowing our Banty hen to sit on a batch of mini eggs. But, this time, if she doesn't mother them, I'm afraid Mother Nature will have to. No more chicks in my living room!!!!
Family Home Evening Fun
When it comes to Family Home Evening, our motto is "Studiously avoid strictness and formality."
(Name that quote in the comment section and win a free.... uh, note of appreciation!)
Anyway, this is Our Snow White skit for Fun Time during Family Home Evening. We performed for Daddy as the sole audience. I'm Snow White, Grace is the evil Stepmother, and Sienna is Prince Charming. Don't forget to notice the artwork! 4 sheets of blank newsprint made the perfect castle backdrop! And, don't forget to notice, tiny fireflies are flitting about. That was Grace's wonderful touch. Grace also did most of the costume design.
(Unfortunately our makeup artist was out on a sick day.)
Friends on a Good Hair Day
Hey! I took some time to do the girls' hair the other day. Yes, it is rare when I get to, but they are sooooo cute when I do!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
I Won an Emmy!
Really. Some of you may know that last summer I worked for a short time at the CBS tv station in Savannah. During that time I created some Public Service Anouncements (PSAs) including a huge United Way "Man of Steel" campaign. It involved the president of Chatham Steel flying like Superman over the City of Savannah and introducing various charities that benefitted from United Way donations. I directed part of the shooting and did most of the editing and visual effects work. Then I left for Kentucky, leaving my coworker, Zach Powers, to finish up. My old boss emailed me saying that the campaing had been nominated for a regional emmy and that he considered the success of the campaign due to my work. My name wasn't officially on the nomination (I guess because I no longer work for them), but I was thrilled that my work did so well.
Saturday they held the Southeast Regional Emmys ceremony, and my work won! So I got an Emmy! (Mostly) I'm putting that on my resume.
Just thought I'd share with you guys.
Here's a link to a news story with a few clips from the campaign in the beginning. http://www.wtoc.com/global/story.asp?s=8542869
The whole thing is a little cheesy, but as Jim Henson used to say about a terrible pun "it's plenty good enough for us." I am proud to have been a part of creating the message of the campaign that resonated with Savannah. The United Way had a record setting year of $8million in contributions last year.
And that's pretty super.
Saturday they held the Southeast Regional Emmys ceremony, and my work won! So I got an Emmy! (Mostly) I'm putting that on my resume.
Just thought I'd share with you guys.
Here's a link to a news story with a few clips from the campaign in the beginning. http://www.wtoc.com/global/story.asp?s=8542869
The whole thing is a little cheesy, but as Jim Henson used to say about a terrible pun "it's plenty good enough for us." I am proud to have been a part of creating the message of the campaign that resonated with Savannah. The United Way had a record setting year of $8million in contributions last year.
And that's pretty super.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Blogularity
Between the surprises and the perks, I just can't believe how fun blogging is. The spectrum of what I can post is one surprise. Finding out all my old friends who read about my life is another. Writing with an apparently imaginary audience is fun. Finally, the reader feedback is the most rewarding perk of all.
As to the variety I can post, I have enjoyed writing everything from adventures with goldfish to our budgeting methods to personal beliefs. I love sneaking in a cute quote from the girls.
The other day, Grace was helping Sienna really sweetly, and I said, "Honey, where did you learn to be so nice?"
She casually said, "At the post office."
Yesterday at breakfast, I put a slice of homemade bread with jam on it next to Sienna. "Can I have a lid?" she asked. (I didn't understand at first.... but she wanted a piece of bread on top of the jam.)
Another unending surprise has been to hear my old friends, and new, say, "I read your blog the other day and..." Or, I get a thoughtful comment on a post from someone I haven't seen in years. I love seeing that!
When I am ready to write, I imagine a ready, eager audience of people who at least know who I am. I'm not really sure how many people read my blog or how often, but I don't see any harm in beefing up the numbers in my mind. :-) Its really quite flattering! Plus, I think it helps me select good quality topics to write about. I also imagine how well you are getting to know me, and I wonder why you keep reading! I suppose when you've had enough, you'll do something better with your time! ;-)
Finally, the best part of all is when one of you leaves a little comment (or emails one to me privately). I love knowing what you think! Most of them are terribly nice, though. Frankly, I'm baffled that I don't get more criticism.
Thank you all for making my blog the great fun that it is! I hope I can keep you entertained enough to keep coming back for more. Wish me luck!
(here are some pics of Jimmy's blessing May 10th in Georgia. Thanks, Grampa Dan!)
As to the variety I can post, I have enjoyed writing everything from adventures with goldfish to our budgeting methods to personal beliefs. I love sneaking in a cute quote from the girls.
The other day, Grace was helping Sienna really sweetly, and I said, "Honey, where did you learn to be so nice?"
She casually said, "At the post office."
Yesterday at breakfast, I put a slice of homemade bread with jam on it next to Sienna. "Can I have a lid?" she asked. (I didn't understand at first.... but she wanted a piece of bread on top of the jam.)
Another unending surprise has been to hear my old friends, and new, say, "I read your blog the other day and..." Or, I get a thoughtful comment on a post from someone I haven't seen in years. I love seeing that!
When I am ready to write, I imagine a ready, eager audience of people who at least know who I am. I'm not really sure how many people read my blog or how often, but I don't see any harm in beefing up the numbers in my mind. :-) Its really quite flattering! Plus, I think it helps me select good quality topics to write about. I also imagine how well you are getting to know me, and I wonder why you keep reading! I suppose when you've had enough, you'll do something better with your time! ;-)
Finally, the best part of all is when one of you leaves a little comment (or emails one to me privately). I love knowing what you think! Most of them are terribly nice, though. Frankly, I'm baffled that I don't get more criticism.
Thank you all for making my blog the great fun that it is! I hope I can keep you entertained enough to keep coming back for more. Wish me luck!
(here are some pics of Jimmy's blessing May 10th in Georgia. Thanks, Grampa Dan!)
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Workout Progress
In answer to Anna's last comment, I just wanted to mention a little about how I'm doing on my workout.
Fine.
Yes! I can occasionally be brief about some things! ;-)
To be more detailed: The workout is just plain pretty darn easy. 20 minutes and its over. 5 days/week off. Its called the 12 Second Sequence. Just very slow weight lifting.
I weigh myself tomorrow, so we'll see what the scale says then. (On this program, you only weigh yourself once/week.)
But, I can see that my upper torso and waistline are slimmer already. Pretty awesome!
My DH's (dear husband's) sister just started a very inspiring private blog about her fitness challenge, and I'd really like to do that too, but haven't found the time. I don't really want to bore my usual readers with the details.
Fine.
Yes! I can occasionally be brief about some things! ;-)
To be more detailed: The workout is just plain pretty darn easy. 20 minutes and its over. 5 days/week off. Its called the 12 Second Sequence. Just very slow weight lifting.
I weigh myself tomorrow, so we'll see what the scale says then. (On this program, you only weigh yourself once/week.)
But, I can see that my upper torso and waistline are slimmer already. Pretty awesome!
My DH's (dear husband's) sister just started a very inspiring private blog about her fitness challenge, and I'd really like to do that too, but haven't found the time. I don't really want to bore my usual readers with the details.
Friday, June 13, 2008
A Very Heavy Soapbox
What I'm about to write (my opinions) may offend you. I wish that were not so, but it is. If I offend you, I love you anyway, and I hope you can overlook our differences of opinion. I can, but I just can't pretend I don't have them.
I am not trying to get physically fit because I am not good enough or because I want to be skinny. I am trying to get fit so I can feel even better physically. I can do more, and do it better when my body is in better shape. I do like being sexy, but only for Royal! And I am sexy enough for him now. (Just ask him!)
I see my loved ones who are not comfortable in their own skin. A near and dear loved one wants to have her body cut up so she can feel more comfortable in it (gender “change”). A loved, more distant friend wants to have her body cut up so she can feel more beautiful and sexy (boob job). Another distant friend is depressed in general, and wants to be “skinny” (size 2). These are intelligent, witty, thoughtful, kind, lovely people!
Let me tell you something... You will feel more sexy, more beautiful, and more complete when you start telling yourself how special your body is. Stop telling yourself you aren't good enough as a size 10 or 12 or 35! Tell yourself that you are good enough as a daughter of God. And with his help, you can improve your current physical fitness.
You will not feel more sexy just because a surgeon disfigures your current body by making some parts larger or cutting some parts out. You will not feel closer to your Heavenly Father when you are a size 2! God gave you a body so special he refers to it as a temple! A Temple! You got your very own! It is special! Even when it is lumpy and saggy and not perfect!
Now, you can get real pleasure from your body when you treat it right. But you must realize the gift that it is. It is a marvelous gift, one you waited thousands of years for and gave up your heavenly home for!!!! If you have a normal body (not in pain) you can do amazing things! You can exercise. You can feel the euphoria of endorphins after a hard run. You can feel the joy of team sports, or playing catch with your 2 year old. You can get stronger, even when you are eighty!
Please consider what you want your daughters to think about their bodies. Think of what you will tell them when they start thinking they are too fat or too skinny or have boobs that are too small. What will you say to them? Tell yourself that now. Start to realize how special you are, so they can learn that too.
I hope I have misunderstood those of you that I have disagreed with. I hope you do love yourselves and your bodies. I hope you never feel the need to have your body cut up to change how you feel/look. You are good enough. You are wonderful! Even those of you who are 100 pounds overweight and feel sorry for yourselves! You are good enough! Your body is a wonderful gift.
I know God, the creator, is our Father! And that is why we are so special.
I am not trying to get physically fit because I am not good enough or because I want to be skinny. I am trying to get fit so I can feel even better physically. I can do more, and do it better when my body is in better shape. I do like being sexy, but only for Royal! And I am sexy enough for him now. (Just ask him!)
I see my loved ones who are not comfortable in their own skin. A near and dear loved one wants to have her body cut up so she can feel more comfortable in it (gender “change”). A loved, more distant friend wants to have her body cut up so she can feel more beautiful and sexy (boob job). Another distant friend is depressed in general, and wants to be “skinny” (size 2). These are intelligent, witty, thoughtful, kind, lovely people!
Let me tell you something... You will feel more sexy, more beautiful, and more complete when you start telling yourself how special your body is. Stop telling yourself you aren't good enough as a size 10 or 12 or 35! Tell yourself that you are good enough as a daughter of God. And with his help, you can improve your current physical fitness.
You will not feel more sexy just because a surgeon disfigures your current body by making some parts larger or cutting some parts out. You will not feel closer to your Heavenly Father when you are a size 2! God gave you a body so special he refers to it as a temple! A Temple! You got your very own! It is special! Even when it is lumpy and saggy and not perfect!
Now, you can get real pleasure from your body when you treat it right. But you must realize the gift that it is. It is a marvelous gift, one you waited thousands of years for and gave up your heavenly home for!!!! If you have a normal body (not in pain) you can do amazing things! You can exercise. You can feel the euphoria of endorphins after a hard run. You can feel the joy of team sports, or playing catch with your 2 year old. You can get stronger, even when you are eighty!
Please consider what you want your daughters to think about their bodies. Think of what you will tell them when they start thinking they are too fat or too skinny or have boobs that are too small. What will you say to them? Tell yourself that now. Start to realize how special you are, so they can learn that too.
I hope I have misunderstood those of you that I have disagreed with. I hope you do love yourselves and your bodies. I hope you never feel the need to have your body cut up to change how you feel/look. You are good enough. You are wonderful! Even those of you who are 100 pounds overweight and feel sorry for yourselves! You are good enough! Your body is a wonderful gift.
I know God, the creator, is our Father! And that is why we are so special.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Slavery or Power Hour?
Well, Friend, if you have been a long-time reader, then you know how we do chores around my house. You know that around Christmas time last year, Royal and I started a new set of chore assignments. And, you also know that I had my 3rd child in March.
You guessed correctly that new mothers don't get many chores done. And you've been wondering who did all the chores after Jimmy was done. You got it! ROYAL.
You also deduced that I've basically recovered since I've been posting like crazy for awhile now. So, you're big question has been: Has Elizabeth been slowly assuming more and more responsibility for the household as she has gotten stronger until she has now re-absorbed all the chores and other responsibilities of the entire household and is that driving her just a little crazy?
YES!!!!! Ding, Ding, Ding! You win! That's right!
So, Royal and I have a Companionship Inventory.
(That's where we sit down for an hour sunday night and do a number of things, [pray, schedule, family goals, each kid's needs, appreciate each other] but it ends with concerns we each have.)
And I say,"Royal, the chores thing isn't working any more."
"Well, lists don't work for me, so how about you just ask me whenever you need help?"
"But I hate asking you for anything! I don't think that will work"
(Long, thoughtful pause as we each brainstorm new possibilities.)
Suddenly a wonderful, exciting, warm idea spreads all over my brain. "Royal, I know! Why don't we decide how much time you have for chores now, and you can just be my personal slave for those times, and I'll tell you what I need you to do?"
"Perfect!"
Now, Friend, what you probably don't know about me is this: I have felt the need for a personal servant for some time now. Therefore there couldn't be a more lovely arrangement as far as I'm concerned. And for Royal, he can now know exactly when his chore obligations have been perfectly fulfilled, so no guilt! He doesn't have to remember where the Honey Do list is, and I don't have to make one up and stress about why it has been lost again!
I call it my Power Hour, but he calls it Slave time. "What can I do for you now, Master?" and
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Pinky?" Have become our new banter. What could be more perfect?
You guessed correctly that new mothers don't get many chores done. And you've been wondering who did all the chores after Jimmy was done. You got it! ROYAL.
You also deduced that I've basically recovered since I've been posting like crazy for awhile now. So, you're big question has been: Has Elizabeth been slowly assuming more and more responsibility for the household as she has gotten stronger until she has now re-absorbed all the chores and other responsibilities of the entire household and is that driving her just a little crazy?
YES!!!!! Ding, Ding, Ding! You win! That's right!
So, Royal and I have a Companionship Inventory.
(That's where we sit down for an hour sunday night and do a number of things, [pray, schedule, family goals, each kid's needs, appreciate each other] but it ends with concerns we each have.)
And I say,"Royal, the chores thing isn't working any more."
"Well, lists don't work for me, so how about you just ask me whenever you need help?"
"But I hate asking you for anything! I don't think that will work"
(Long, thoughtful pause as we each brainstorm new possibilities.)
Suddenly a wonderful, exciting, warm idea spreads all over my brain. "Royal, I know! Why don't we decide how much time you have for chores now, and you can just be my personal slave for those times, and I'll tell you what I need you to do?"
"Perfect!"
Now, Friend, what you probably don't know about me is this: I have felt the need for a personal servant for some time now. Therefore there couldn't be a more lovely arrangement as far as I'm concerned. And for Royal, he can now know exactly when his chore obligations have been perfectly fulfilled, so no guilt! He doesn't have to remember where the Honey Do list is, and I don't have to make one up and stress about why it has been lost again!
I call it my Power Hour, but he calls it Slave time. "What can I do for you now, Master?" and
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Pinky?" Have become our new banter. What could be more perfect?
Monday, June 9, 2008
Father In Law
There's just some things a good husband does really well. One of them is to chew the fat with the Dad. Here's a casual moment with my Hubby and my Dad. 2 of the best men I've ever met.Sunday, June 8, 2008
Little Jim, Little Jim
"Check out my biceps!"
"This one's for the ladies!"
"I never want for female companionship!"
Grandpa Dan Visits again!
We re-tilled the unplanted half of the garden. (hope to plant corn eventually- this season.) I even learned how to use a tiller! This one belongs to Mr. Farmer, our landlord. Sienna is wearing her Kitty Cat boots, and Cinderella Pajamas.
My Early Birthday Present
Well, a very Near And Dear Relation gave me an expensive, early Birthday present- the repair bill for my Canon Rebel. I am very happy to say that I now have a working SLR (single lens reflex) digital camera. I don't have the cord yet, but when I find it, this blog will once again be exploding with current, beautiful photographs.
Another note: I don't believe I will ever buy another Canon camera. I will try Nikon next. I hope they stand behind a better product. I don't recommend Canon because I feel this camera was defective, and I paid for it.
Another note: I don't believe I will ever buy another Canon camera. I will try Nikon next. I hope they stand behind a better product. I don't recommend Canon because I feel this camera was defective, and I paid for it.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Chichi for your viewing pleasure
Here is our first chick, Chichi. And, below that, a pic of the box setup with all the chicks in it. The other chicks are younger but a larger breed. They are yellow. Chichi is brown.
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