Life from Georgia

New Site

2006-12-13T07:04:00.000-05:00

Yes once again I have moved. This time it's permanent. I wantede to make a new place that would be what this is, but also to keep track of things I love and links, through a few computer crashes I need this. It is also really user friendly and packed full of features so that if others want to join in and read it they can do so easily also. Please visit me there from now on, I warn you I am still getting things set, and it's a bit slow due to some server problems but that will all change soon.

GollyGolly.com

if you are confused about the site name be sure to check out the about page there, and everything else too.

So Angry!

2006-11-28T12:07:00.000-05:00

So, today Ashton has been pretty cranky. He woke up from his nap in a bad mood. I was holding him and comforting him for about a half hour while he was very vocally expressing his sadness about not still being asleep. A little later I made him some lunch. Due to his already bad mood, he was screaming because he didn't want to eat it. I managed to get a bean in his mouth, he realized it was good, and then went along with eating his food.

None of this is why I am angry. In the middle of his lunch our bitch neighbor came to the door.

"What is wrong with your child"

"Nothing, he's 2. He is eating his lunch"

"We are just trying to sleep" (it's 11:30 AM mind you) "Can you stop him from screaming"

Ashton senses my tenseness and comes to the door, then screams at her accordingly.

"He's 2."

I shut the door.

I will not apologize for my son acting his age in the privacy of our own home!!!! I would never, even before having a child and realizing what it's all about, never ever complain about someone's child crying, IN THEIR OWN HOME ! This neighbor has also called the police at the unfortunate hour of 3 AM one morning, where Ashton was awake and just generally upset about being awake and not feeling well. All I want to do right now is write a nasty letter and attach it to a econo size box of ear plugs because she better get used to it.

Christmas Toys!

2006-11-10T16:36:00.000-05:00

These are all toys Ashton would love to get for Christmas! I am going to be buying off of this list also, so if anyone visiting here purchases something off the list, do so through the link here so that it gets taken off. Anyway, he would love any types of things like this, and hes mostly into toys for older kids 3-4 years old.

http://www.target.com/gp/registry/2F2FXXQLLVI28

It has been so long!

2006-11-09T18:14:00.000-05:00

Wow, until today I hadn't realized how long it has been since my last post. Hmmm, so much happened.

Firstly, Ashton's tooth seems to be coming back in well. 3 months until the next dentist visit, good news for us all.

We took Ashton to see his first movie in a theater! We saw Flushed Away and he did so well. It was really fun. We can't wait to go to more movies with him. He also loves popcorn.

We had a mini vacation in Colorado, it was really nice to see everyone again and be where we feel the most at home. Ashton was with his Grandparents while we were away, they were very tired when we got back lol.

Hmmm, so much time has passed that I really can't remember what has happened. More updates soon.

Vote for me!

2006-09-22T14:01:00.000-04:00

If you have the time please visit this page I put up and vote for me in the catagories. Votes don't assure you a place in the magazine, but they do help to get your photos noticed by the editors. It would be really great to be published, and paid for it, so please Vote for me!

Lots of Trouble

2006-09-18T21:45:00.000-04:00

This afternoon Ashton was playing as usual. He was watching a movie (Iron Giant - a really fantastic movie if you haven't seen it) and was jumping up and down as he got excited. Somehow he slipped and fell, partially hitting a little chest with his mouth. His front left tooth got pushed up completely into his gums, so far that you can't see any of the tooth.

Usually when this happens it naturally comes back out and is fine, with a possibility of some cosmetic things on the permanent tooth, and the baby tooth possibly having to be removed at some point. If it gets infected, or it doesn't start to come out in it's own, then it will have to be surgically removed.

The hard part is not knowing. We go back in a week for a checkup, then every month until they know what will need to be done. I can pretty much guarantee he will have a dentist phobia for his whole life after today's visit.

For at least the next 2 weeks he can have no pacifier, sippy cup, or any food that needs to be chewed. All three of these prove to be challenging as he won't let us feed him (he is at the age of demonstrating his free will and independence), has never slept without a pacifier, and only likes to mostly dump cups of water on himself or put his hands in them to play (which is usually quite amusing). One good sign is that tonight he went to sleep with out a pacifier incredibly easily. He was exhausted, and we fed him ice cream before bed, and he got his first dose of Children's Motrin which made him quite cute and happy once it kicked in.

I feel so bad for him. If he gets it removed he will be that kid in pre-school with a missing front tooth. I can't help but feel like a bad parent. I know it wasn't my fault, but can't help it. I always let him experience things, not dangerous things, but I let him take little falls, and little bumps to learn about things. He is quite a durable little kid lol, he just bumps his head and comes for a hug, and resumes playtime. I feel so bad that he got really hurt, when he was playing so nicely and not doing anything wrong.

Nothing too serious will come of this (from what they tell us) but I still have to worry, and feel bad.

Also, my cell phone broke, my computer died, and Josh may have to get a colonoscopy (oh but we hope not).

da da da

2006-08-30T10:48:00.000-04:00

Video of Ashton saying things, mainly da da da da da da (I will get vidoe of him saying mroe soon)

So Funny!

2006-08-25T17:27:00.000-04:00

I had to share this:

I was just sitting here at the computer, and Ashton (who was already asleep for the night) suddenly started crying really hard. I ran into his room. He was standing up in his room crying and very distressed. He didn't have his pacifier, and as I went to look for it, and found it. IN HIS PANTS! How a pacifier gets into a pair of pants I don't know, but it was pretty darn funny.

Business Site

2006-08-23T11:52:00.000-04:00

My business site: http://www.faustinaimagery.com

Complete with shopping carts and everything. Let me know if you have any suggestions to make it better. Now, just to figure out all the legal stuff, get some business cards made, and promote promote promote.

The article

2006-08-17T08:42:00.000-04:00

Please read it when you have the time :)

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/08/17/080519.php

back from vacation

2006-08-16T11:27:00.000-04:00

We are back, and today is my Birthday! The trip was amazing. We really had a good time. I will be putting up photos here eventually, but you can see one a day on my photo website too.

Friday:

The drive down went well. Ashton did great in the car for so long. We stopped at a rest stop along the way and he found a nice lady who he ran up to, took her hand, and pulled her all over to show her things. He is so funny. We got there and found out we had been upgraded to a ph suite. While waiting for it to be ready we went to the beach. Ashton was so cute and cautious walking on the sand for the first time.

Saturday:

We went right to the beach at sunrise (since Ashton was up before then anyway). He was excited and afraid of the water at first. He really doesn't like swimming pools at all, the ocean wasn't much different. He did like to walk in the waves and be in the water for a minute or two before running out and covering his entire body with sand.

We drove around forever looking for some breakfast - for some reason our condo just had restraunts for lunch/dinner. We finally settled for Burger King because we were so hungry. We found a grocery store too and got some more snacks for Ashton.

We went back to the beach did some more playing in the sand. Ashton got better with the water, but was still scared. Every time Josh would walk away to look at something or to go in the water Ashton would scream. He got so attached to Josh on this trip, seriously if Josh had to go to the bathroom all I would hear was "dada dada daddy da da da" etc louder and angrier until he got back, cute, but it had it's limits early on.

Sunday:

Josh went out early (just before sunrise) with his snorkel gear and got in the water. He dove for lots of beautiful shells. He touched some fish, some crabs, and had a great time with that.

We then took the water taxi across the bay to Pensacola. Ashton fell asleep in Josh's arms on the boat. It was amazing, Ashton hasn't slept in our arms since he was a little baby. We ate at Surf Burger on the boardwalk and got right back on the taxi. We went over there to rent a jet ski for Josh, but he left his wallet at the condo (need drivers license) so we had to go back. We then packed up again and got in the car and headed back over. Josh had a great time on the jet ski. Ashton and I played on the little public beach there. I don't know if it was just super hot that day, of if the sand was different on that beach (it was a little darker as the sand at our island was pure white powder sand) it hurt so bad to walk on it. I carried Ashton up and down the shore line (in the water a little because I literally burnt my feet). He was pretty upset. Lots of crying for dada. He did run into a super cute little boy his age - the other boy was 1 month older. They did what kids do when they are the same age, just stood and looked at eachother for about 15 minutes. After a while Ashton waved to him, and held out his hand (to hold the other boy's hand) the other boy didn't budge but I was so impressed that Ashton (the younger one) was the one interacting and being friendly. It's pretty amazing to see him do that stuff.

Josh was super tired when he was through and we all went back to the hotel. I think we went into the pool that afternoon (into 1 of 7 pools) Ashton hated it of course, he is afraid of that much water. It was nice though.

Monday:

Monday was my morning to get out alone, so I got my camera gear and headed to the beach. 5 shots later I realized my battery was dead. Turns out that the outlet I had my charger in wasn't working. So that was that. We went to the grocery store again and headed back.

We took a walk along the shore of the beach preserve on property. It was one of the best parts of the trip. We saw so many cool hermit crabs. We found two incredible huge shells. They had crabs in them. We tried to get them to leave the shells so we could keep them but as soon as we would turn our backs they would be walking away. It was pretty funny actually. It was a really beautiful place. I didin't get any shots of the crabs, I wish I had, it's just so hard to concentrate with Ashton trying to grab the camera lol.

It was a long walk, as we got back we all jumped in the pool again.

We left there and went back to the boardwalk to shop and look around. We ended up eating at Hooters. I am almost embarrased to say that, but we did, and it was good.

Tuesday:

Josh went out snorkeling again and I sat on the beach with Ashton for one last play in the sand. After a few hours we got around and checked out. We could have stayed there forever. This is our new vacation spot, the condo was amazing, the resort amazing, and so much to do that will be great for future trips. We can't wait to go back.

The drive back sucked. That's all I need to say about that.

We are all so sore and tired. I had hoped Ashton would like to lounge around more, but it was a very active trip. Funny after a beach trip we are all so worn out. It was great.

I didn't proof read or spell check this, too tired.

very excited

2006-08-07T14:51:00.000-04:00

I am very excited about 2 things:

1. Our vacation is in just a few days! I can't wait any longer!

2. I am being featured in an online artical for my photography! It's a pretty big deal, I am very excited about it. It is about photoblogs, which is wonderful, but I also need to do more internet promotion of my site so non bloggers can see my work, and hopefully purchase prints.

I took down the direct link to my site below, sorry you've got to type it in yourself. I just don't want a link between this site and that one. These things need to stay seperate ya know. Anyway, I am still waiting for anyone to email me some photos to edit (free) or to even comment on this new venture of mine! I hope you all like it.

Here goes.

2006-08-03T10:36:00.000-04:00

I suppose it's time for me to show you all my photography website. It is still getting put together right now as I am adding archives and setting up slideshows, but it's almost there. Right after our vacation I will be setting up the business side of things, getting a copyright, and launching a complimentary business website. This will consist of an easier way to purchase prints of my work and will also be the start of my photo-editing business. That site will have before and after shots of work I have already done for people and such. I really can do work that is compartive to a professional airbrusher, doing retouches, taking out people, and of course making the colors fabulous.

When I started this site it was under the name of Faustina. This is my grandmother's name and, well, a cool name. As things have grown I am known by this unique name and will contunue to go by Faustina for my photography, so if you do leave comments there please call me by that, or I will just edit your comments and take my real name out of them. I hope you all like it.

Please spread the word, and add my site to your webpage links, as I am trying my hardest to improve my internet marketing and that deffinately includes the number of links and page rank. If you or anyone you know are interested in my services I will sell you any print at a great low price, and I will edit your photos for free if you agree to let me use them as examples also.

www (dot) alittlepieceoftheworld (dot) com

I am not dead!

2006-07-21T19:50:00.000-04:00

I know I don't post very often, but there really isn't much to say. If I updated daily this is all you would have to read:

Monday - It's hot. Ashton did cute thing ________
Tuesday - It's hot and humid
Wednesday - It's still hot. Ashton is still cute.
Thursday - It's hot and raining. Gotta run, Ashton just took his pants off.
Friday - It's hot. I had to go outside today. It was hot.

So, that's pretty much my week.

Since I have noticed everyone recently seems to be dieting, exercising, being healthy (all things I am trying to avoid) I though I would share a delightful recipe. Have any of you been to Serendipity in New York? Have you ever heard of their Frrrozen Hot Chocolate? Well, it's delicious. You can get their special mix to make it at Williams Sanoma, or you can make this amazing tasting (tastes exactly like their mix) that is pretty darn healthy (well, healthy may be the wrong word... Not Un-healthy is better.

You must have a blender that can handle ice cubes well to make this.

1 package (packet for 1 cup) fat free lo-cal hot coco mix (any kind, can be the full version if you like)
1 snack pack serving size fat free lo-cal chocolate pudding (you know those little snack pudding cups that kids eat. Again full version is ok too)
1/2 cup skim milk
10 ice cubes

Before making this you must freeze the pudding packs. Dump the milk and the hot chocolate packet into the blender and blend. While blending run your frozen pudding pack under hot water for about 1 min, then peel off the top, and it will slide right out into your blender (Turn off the blender before putting in the pudding if you want to avoid a huge mess). Blend that until it makes it through the pudding chunk and add the ice cubes 1 or 2 at a time until they are all crushed into the mix. You want to let the blender run for a minute or 2 before drinking so that the ice gets really small, kind of like a smoothie texture. This makes a big glass of delicious Frozen Hot Chocolate. You must all try. I would have one every day if I could be constantly stocked with pudding. Enjoy!

I am so excited!

2006-07-18T11:30:00.000-04:00

We are going on vacation! A real vacation! This will be the first time Josh and I have actually gone somewhere (for more that 1 night) with no intentions of visiting anyone! We are going to Portofino Island which is off the coast of Florida. It is a huge resort place with the bay of Pensacola on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. There is a water taxi service to take us to special shopping and entertainment places besides the tons of stuff there is just in the resort. I am so excited! We are going August 11 - 15. I can't wait for Ashton to see the beach. I think it will be so amazing to play in the sand with him all day long. I am going to try to adjust his bedtime before then because he currently goes to bed at about 4pm - if we could extend it a little it would be good to be able to go out for dinner, but if not, it's all room service! I am so excited. Have I said yet that I am so excited?!? We have a two bedroom suite so Ashton can have his own peace and quiet since he goes to bed so early.

We were planning origionally on going to Savannah Georgia since it is closer and there is beach there. There was an oil spill near there that hasn't yet caused any damage but we didn't want to risk it. Portofino is only 6 hours away, which shouldn't be too bad of a drive since Ashton has developed a love of movies. The hotel room at this resort was only $20 more than the one in Savannah so we got a great deal! I have to go and try to find things to sell on Ebay now, I am assuming that the resort may be more expensive that normal places so I am trying to prepare.

I am so excited!

I know that I haven't posted pics in a while

2006-07-15T06:22:00.000-04:00

I have a post planned about a super weird dream I had a few nights ago, hopefully I will get around to that later today.

2006-07-06T19:32:00.000-04:00

Wow. I hadn't realized that it has been so long since my last post. Last weekend was great. Josh had Monday and Tuesday off also for the holiday. It was a great break. The night of the 4th I woke up Ashton to see the fireworks. He was so cute. He pointed and said "ooo" and "wow". He was incredibly sleepy and after a few minutes his whole body started shaking so I put him right back to bed. He probably doesn't even remember it, just a crazy dream to him I'm sure.

He is obsessed with stairs. Most children his age know how to go up and down them on their own, but not him. He desperately wants to do it, but not the safe way for his size, he insists on doing it like we do. Going up is pretty easy for him as he holds onto the rail. We are always rushing to him when he wants to go down them because he just throws his foot over the edge and doens't realize he will probably just roll down. We spend countless hours practicing. I will be sitting on the sofa and he will come over and take my hand and pull me over to the stairs to practice. When he is holding my hand he doesn't even try to balance himself, he just throws himself over the edge and knows I will hold him, it is so cute.

Hmmm... What else? I suppose I will say that I am starting a photography business. I have sold a few prints, and am starting to edit peoples photos for them (due to crappy photographers etc.) Eventually when it's all set up and I get my copyright etc, I will share my website with all of you. Right now it just makes me feel a little better to know that most people I know don't see my work yet. There is a link to my site somewhere... I assume some of you have found it by now, if not - too bad!

Wonderful Things

2006-06-25T18:46:00.000-04:00

A few wonderful things have happened lately.

One, Ashton cuddles! Despite the thought that young children are little cuddle bugs, they really are energy machines that never take a break. Recently since Ashton has been getting molars he hasn't been really "into" playing. He just wants to be held. He now will lay on top of either of us on the couch and watch a movie. He is somewhat fidgety, but it is amazing. We have been waiting so long for this!

Secondly, Ashton just today used his potty! Since teething (it really intrupts everything) I haven't been trying at all. Today before bed we were in his room with him playing and he kept going over and sitting down on it. We then took off his diaper and he once again kept sitting on it. Soon enough he was standing at the potty and peeing! He didn't get there fast enough to sit down but still, it is such an amazing accomplishment for his age! I am so proud!

There was something else I was going to say but I don't remember anymore.

79 year old woman on trial for killing 85 year old boyfriend in their retirement home

2006-06-22T22:12:00.000-04:00

ATLANTA (AP) A security guard, neighbor and two police officers were among the first witnesses in the Fulton County trial of a 79-year-old woman accused of shooting to death her 85-year-old ex-boyfriend after he ended their year-long relationship. Theresa Barnes told jurors today she was less than two hours away from the end of her shift on June tenth, 2005, when Herman Winslow asked her to get Lena Driskell out of his apartment at the retirement center where they lived. Barnes says when she tried to coax Driskell back upstairs, the woman walked up to Winslow -- who was sitting on a couch in the lobby -- pointed a gun to his temple an fired. Barnes says Driskell told her -- quote -- "I'm not scared to go to jail. Call the police." Barnes had worked as a security guard for six months before the shooting happened. She is no longer employed at the Hightower Manor Apartments. Today was the first day of testimony in Driskell's trial, which is expected to last no more than three days. She is charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The defense had been expected to make opening statements today but delayed them. Fox 5 News

Where the Hell is Matt?

2006-06-21T05:39:00.000-04:00

New Video! I love this one, better than the first I think. I love it!

WARNING this post contains at least 13 refrences to Poop!

2006-06-14T11:08:00.000-04:00

The past few days have been hard.

Ashton, who seems very advanced in this area for his age, has begun taking off his diaper. There really is no way to stop it from happening. He can take off his pants (and of course hasn't learned to put them back on) and can take off his diaper. He can lift the flaps, or just pull down to get it off. Kids don't usually start this until maybe 2 years old. At first this was an interesting new thing that he did until...

Poop! The recent problem is him trying to clean himself by removing his poopy diapers in his crib before making any noise that he is awake or needs me. As you can imagine cleaning up a boy and bed covered in poop at 5 am isn't such a pleasant thing.

So potty training starts. For boys you usually start potty training around 2 1/2, although every child has cues to when they are ready. Ashton does seem ready but at a whole year early it will be a challenge. There are some things to notice when your child is ready. One is wanting to be alone to poop. Ashton will rarely go unless he is in his room by himself. Another is taking off the diaper. He also tries to clean himself with wipes when I do it also. I am teaching him the sign (sign language) for "going to the bathroom" and he seems to be catching on. That is the biggest lesson I think in starting this that he can tell us when he needs to go, or be changed.

We bought him a Winnie the Pooh potty chair. Does anyone else find it horribly convenient that his potty has a picture of Pooh on it? I think it's hilarious. So I am trying to get him used to the idea slowly as he is still very little to know exactly what to do on there.

Besides the "removing the poopy diaper debacle" Ashton is teething. Teething is a word non-parents think they know but in all truth "teething" does not really begin until the molars come in. All other teething previous to this does not compare.

Ashton gets blood blisters when his teeth come in. They come in so slowly that his mouth continually heals over the tooth poking out resulting in a huge blood blister. This happens twice for each molar as they tend to have 2 points that emerge. Poor little guy is very angry about it all. He wakes up a lot during the night, won't nap during the day, and generally wants to do nothing but hug his lion and watch TV (which I hate that I have been letting him sit in my lap and watch Ice Age continually through all this). As soon as 1 molar finishes coming in another starts. It is a vicious cycle.

Well I should go I guess, I may have a cranky poop covered baby waiting for me.

I hope you all appreciate the color I chose for the poopy words!

2006-06-09T10:02:00.000-04:00

so, it's the weekend again. We don't have much planned.

My mom is in yugoslavia. Yes you read that correctly. she will be back the 16th. It is kind of a pilgramige trip with people from her church. I hope she takes good photos, I can't even imagine what it looks like there.

Georgia is hot.

I thought I had something to write about, but as it turns out...

10 things unspoken

2006-06-05T13:24:00.000-04:00

So, some of this is a little dark, but it was a fun exercise, pretty cathartic actually.

List ten things you want to say to ten people you know, but never will for whatever reason. Don't say who they are. (these people are all those who will most likely never read this)

1. You picked the wrong girl.

2. You spilled glue in my desk in elementary school, so I stole your brand new highlighter. I am not sorry.

3. I think about you a lot. I hope you life turned out well. I hope you have gotten out of all the bad that changed you. I wish you could have changed then, for us. Part of me will always love you for what you were before it all.

4. I hate your blog! It is ugly!

5. Whether you like it or not, you will always be wrapped around my little finger. I don't plan on having to use this power I have over you, but you are one of those men that a woman can control. I know at the drop of a dime you would do whatever I ask, and I have abused that in the past. I wish I could say that I'm sorry but I like the feeling of power.

6. Unless you change your life around you will NEVER find a woman! No woman sane or insane would put up with your crap!

7. In high school I wanted to tell your boyfriend that you were cheating on him. As it turns out you married the person you were cheating with, and I know that you won't be faithful to him either.

8. You are the perfect example of men who have huge muscles to compensate for a lacking in other areas.

9. You need to cut your hair, you look like a yeti! Seriously, you could look SO much better.

10. I'm sorry for the way things ended. I used to look up to you. We both got caught up on rumors and hearsay. I wish you could have been adult and talked to me about everything. You made the choice to be out of my life, and now I try to imagine that you don't exist.

Yeah, so some of them are kind of heavy but it was fun, you should all try it.

5 things

2006-06-04T19:30:00.000-04:00

5 items always in my fridge

1. Fresh mozzarella (in a big ball for grating into things)
2. Whole milk for Ashton
3. Red onions - I use them in a lot of things I make
4. Baby carrots
5. Lots of things that should have been thrown away long ago

5 items in my closet

1. All the clothes I never wear
2. Misc. stuff I have no where else to put
3. About 10 bikinis that I will most likely never wear again (damn stretch marks)
4. All the clothes Josh never wears
5. Luggage

5 items in my car

1. Toys all over that Ashton throws while riding (he is not pacient in the car)
2. Yoga mat (not that I do much yoga I think it is still there from my pre-natal class)
3. Pages from children's books (Ashton at no time should be left out of sight with books without cardboard pages)
4. Electronics manuals (when we buy something new and get excited we open it right away in the car, all the manuals to our stuff ends up in the glove box)
5. Misc. crap that we never manage to bring inside the house

5 items in my purse

1. A little photo book with shots of Ashton
2. Perfume samples
3. Hand sanatizer
4. Compact/Mirror
5. Digital Camera

Updates

2006-06-02T16:15:00.000-04:00

I just realized I never said anything about how last weekend worked out. Tubing went relatively well. Ashton kicked his feet in the water and ate snacks pretty much the whole time. When he wasn't doing that he was making angry noises and trying to get out. He really doesn't like sitting still at all so he was ready when it was over. Sunday we went to the renaissance fair in Atlanta. It was so incredibly hot outside Ashton was bright pink just from being hot, not from being burnt. We saw this little girl there who was about Ashton's age who was so incredibly calm and quiet. I couldn't believe it. She was down walking around the whole time and stayed with her family and didn't run off or anything. I had to hold ashton most of the time because when he's walking he won't let us hold his hands and he just tries to run away! I really don't know how to let him know if he just stays with us he can walk by himself. Anyway it was fun, and so hot.

Nothing planned for this weekend yet, hopefully it will just be filled with lazy days.

The world's most dangerous train ride

2006-05-31T09:15:00.000-04:00

The world's most dangerous train ride?
by Howie Severino.

Manila by train is like riding into war. The railroad tracks cut through some of the densest urban communities in the country. Irritated by their broken sleep or interrupted card games on the tracks, local toughies pelt the train with anything within reach. I was shooting (my camera) from the front of the train when I got hit by a piece of wood. I was lucky.

Train personnel show scars from rocks. That's why the conductors have screens over the glass windshields. The passenger cars have metal screens too but no glass, so wooden windows are pulled up in certain neighborhoods which are known to harbor shit throwers. Yes, some crazies wait for the train to pass so they can bombard it with poo-poo wrapped in newspapers, otherwise known as "flying saucers."

Others see the train as a convenient garbage disposal system: they throw their bags of garbage onto the moving roof and not have to worry about tardy garbage pick-ups.

Trackside residents nurse a deep grudge against the passing trains, blaming them for the numerous accidents that have occurred along the tracks over the years, even though the railroad was there first. The victims are usually drunks or kids who get in the way of a rumbling behemoth that cannot stop on a dime.

Trains and trackside communities are a fatal mix. But it's yet another consequence of the country's land problem. Many migrants and other poor people just have nowhere else to settle but one of the most perilous places to call home.

Here are some amazing photos taken of the train tracks taken by Sidney Snoeck.

Here is the origional page where Howie Severino writes about this train.

2006-05-25T22:10:00.000-04:00

The greatest thing happened today. I got up, turned on the tv, and found out we have gotten all kinds of stuff "On Demand". I am incredibly excited about this for two reasons. 1 - All this seasons shows have ended and I need something to watch. 2 - We now have "On Demand" channels that we don't even have regularly. We have gotten all the movie channels, all popular cable channels popular tv shows, fitness, etc all for free! There is also the pay-per-view movie type stuff "On Demand" also for a fee (but only $4 so it's really like renting but better since we have a DVR). It's so great.

2006-05-21T18:52:00.000-04:00

I just received one of the greatest compliments! Josh said the chicken lettuce wraps that I made for dinner were better than P.F. Chang's signature chicken lettuce wraps that we LOVE. He honestly doesn't tell me things like that unless he believes the to be true. If anyone wants my recipe let me know - even if you are just passing by this site - just leave your email and I will share. They were very very good. Note to Jazz - yes I imagine your dad could make better but for my level of Chinese cooking skills they were exquisite.

We haven't been doing a whole lot lately. Our health insurance is all messed up again, which reminds me I have to sign up for new coverage tonight. Next weekend is Luke (Josh's youngest bro)'s highschool graduation. We are going tubing down a river afterward. It will be interesting to see what Ashton thinks of that. He love love loves water, but it is a 1 - 1 1/2 hour ride down, and I cannot remember a time when he sat still that long. He also loves to be in the water, I don't know what he will think of sitting on top of it. Cross your fingers everybody that he doesn't scream the whole way down. That would be bad.

I am so full from dinner I can't even think of typing any longer.

2006-05-16T19:16:00.000-04:00

yes, yes I know it's been a while. We all suck at posting lately though don't we? I have been meaning to post things for a few days I just never get to it. Here are a few cute pics of Ashton on Mother's Day anyway.

2006-05-08T16:02:00.000-04:00

So, I have a lot to say I suppose. Lets see if I can remember everything I wanted to write.

Josh is out of town with business for a few days, or more. At the earliest he will be home Thursday I think, If he has to be gone longer than that he will at least fly home for Mothers Day weekend. It's strange having him be so far away but amazingly enough I have already gotten some cleaning done.

During Ashton's morning nap (well "morning nap" really implies that he takes more than one nap but he takes a 2-3 hour nap once a day that happens to be in the morning) I also took a nap. It was about 11:30 when I woke to babbling other baby noises coming from his room. My first thought was "ok, 5 hours until he goes to bed". I know that sounds bad, counting down until my sons bedtime, but I'm sure it was only because of my mental state just after a nap. As soon as I get into his room he is jumping on his bed, laughing, and flailing his body parts everywhere. I swear one minute of a child laughing, so eager to see you, and so in love with you will cure any bad mood.

This brings me to the point of that last little story. Ashton is so wonderful I wanted to share the things he does lately that drive me crazy but are what make me smile when I am having a bad day.

Where should I start? There is the never ending obsession with sticking fingers in my belly button, or the jingle of about 10 strands of Mardi Gras type bead necklaces that he wears quite often, I think I need to address his love of food.

I got extremely lucky with a baby who will eat almost anything I give him. His pediatrician says now is the age when they start to get picky so keep your fingers crossed. Anyway, Ashton is crazy about food. If you snack on something in front of him he practically mobs you to eat whatever it is you have. He loves vegetables, meats, fruits, and everything really. His recent favorite is an orzo pasta I make with zucchini, yellow squash, peas, carrots and a few other things which I will post about another time. Ashton loves food so much that when he feeds himself he goes crazy. This afternoon we were sitting on the couch watching Little Robots (a 10 minute cartoon he loves - I know he's pretty young to let watch tv but 10 minutes a day won't hurt him) and we were eating a slice of cheese. At first when you give him something to hold and eat all by himself he is super neat and cautious with a hand on each side taking small bites from the middle. Somewhere between realizing what he is eating and realizing how much he likes it, his hands start shaking. He loves food so much that he gets so excited his hands shake! By then he has submissed to every urge wanting to devour it immediately. Then it comes. Like with any toddler they have this tunnel vision when they get over stimulated. Weather it is a button on the receiver, or a piece of cheese when that urge gets too strong their inhibitions break lose and they will not stop until they satisfy their emotions. In the receiver case that means every button gets pushed, every knob gets turned, and every setting gets changed. He once actually figured out how to set something I had been trying to figure out for months! With foods this toddler urge makes me laugh every time. So he is sitting there with his cheese in hand and all of a sudden his tiny hands start shaking and so fast (fast enough that you could easily miss it) he forms the rest of the cheese into a ball and shoves it all into his mouth at once. It is so funny. The same occurs with cereal bars, deli meat, crackers, cheerios, all his food really. Sometime I may catch it on video for your enjoyment.

2006-05-02T18:25:00.000-04:00

Today was Harleys last day. He didn't do well overnight and the vet gave us a few options this morning. He could have lived if we would have opted for surgery that would have removed his manhood (by manhood I do mean penis). We didn't want him to live that way. It just wasn't the right thing for us to do. We miss him so much.

We took this picture a few hours before taking him to the emergency vet Sunday night. You can see the pain in his eyes.

I know this sounds kind of creepy but he is being cremated, and we will get him back in a beautiful copper kitty shaped urn. We just want him here with us. No pet has ever meant more to either of us and this was so unexpected.

You are loved Harley.

2006-05-01T16:28:00.000-04:00

Things are looking better for Harley. If all goes well tomorrow he can come home in the evening. I am so relieved, although tomorrow will really tell how sick he is.

I found the greatest website of litle games! They are so cute and well made. You will all love them! You must visit orisinal.

2006-05-01T09:14:00.000-04:00

Harley (good cat) is sick. Josh spent 3 1/2 hours with him in the animal hospital last night. He has a urinary blockage. It may be kidney stones, if it is he needs surgery. He will probably be at the vets for a few days no matter what. I am so sad. I have never had a pet be sick before. Not fun. He is in so much pain he won't even walk, let alone eat or drink or anything. They helped him enough last night that he could come home and sleep before I had to bring him to the vet this morning. I am waiting to hear what they will need to do. When faced with saving your pet/family members life or put a down payment on a car, the choice is easy, but we still don't enjoy it. Hopefully I will have a good update in a few hours.

Video!

2006-04-28T17:48:00.000-04:00

So, I got a little video of Ashton in the park today. I shot it sideways (not thinking) and had to rotate it on the computer. It worked, but now looks kind of squished. Trust me, Ashton is much more proportional in real life, not midget boy here. It was windy today so the audio is kind of loud, leave it turned up though and you can here Ashton talking a little and he says "oh no" once! So cute. At the end you will notice the strategic timing on my part to stop filming when he starts to run away.

2006-04-25T14:33:00.000-04:00

Yes, things are better now. Everything looks right.

Sat. Josh and I went to The Melting Pot. The whole meal was amazing. The thing I HAVE to rave about is the desert. My days since Saturday consist of mainly wishing I had more Oreo cookie crumble covered marshmallows dipped in warm milk chocolate. Yes I said oreo cookie crumble covered marshmallows dipped into milk chocolate. I can not even explain how good it was. It ended up being the best meal we have ever had. I would highly recommend it.

I had a lot more to say. When I put off posting it all leaves me.

2006-04-24T20:53:00.000-04:00

Ahhh! I hate blogger! They have been doing stuff all day and now my template is so messed up! I don't even know where to begin to fix it. Please pretend it looks nice while it's broken :(

2006-04-21T22:17:00.000-04:00

For the very first time today Ashton refused to eat something. It was cheese and garlic tortalini. I was surprised that he didn't want it, I also had some though and the garlic was strong enough that I didn't really want it either. It was so funny how I would keep putting it in his mouth and he would keep spitting it out. I do feel for those parents who go through this every day.

Ashton also put a toy in his diaper! Remember in the Rugrats when those kids would carry around tools and stuff in their diapers? I thought it was pretty funny.

what a strange quiz.

2006-04-20T17:02:00.000-04:00

Find your own pose!

Very strange quiz. Looks like it has the possibility of being comfortable, I may have to try it.

Speaking of sleep... I awoke at 3 am this morning to the sound of shattering glass. Mitsu had knocked a shot glass (thank goodness not a Hard Rock glass) from the window sill. She continued to play with the shards of glass on the floor. I can not even explain the anger that filled me having to clean that up at 3 am! She is so lucky that Ashtong loves her. Damn cats. Well, cat, Harley is perfect.

not much to say

2006-04-19T16:12:00.000-04:00

No real news here. Josh has been super busy with work lately so we are really looking forward to this weekend. Ashton is really trying to talk more now. He is fascinated with the plant hanging in the hallway and with the clock in his room. I think he is saying "What's that?" well, saying it in his own toddler, mushed up, mispronounced kind of way. It sounds kind of like "uts ut" I don't know. I think it's "what's that" but it could just be babbling.

I do have to say I am disappointed with the last post. The only one who commented was Josh - my husband! Seriously now people. Take one second and write something, you had a whole week!

I have this nifty little device that tells me all about who visits here. I know your IP address, browser, screen resolution, location, where you were before this site, what you clicked on while you were here, and how long you stayed. Those of you who do post now and again, I know you are just lazy as I am the queen of lazy, and I don't really care (but want you to know I think you're a bum!). To those lurkers, you know who you are, I know you're there! When you spend an hour reading what I write the least you can do is say hi, or comment on something. I bet you don't even know that I knew you were reading this. Well I do. I expect you to say something now and then because I know you're there trying to hide from me!

If you are reading this and wondering to your self "what in the hell is she talking about?" then this isn't at all directed toward you.

I am taking off comments on that last post, because I am stubborn and bitter! You know I'm really not but I reserve the right to act like it.

Anyone why reads this please answer!!!!

2006-04-12T19:59:00.000-04:00

Anyone reading this must answer the questions! At lease comment something even if you are just passing by. I won't post anything for a few days to let everyone catch up to reading and responding to this :)

1. Who are you?
2. Are we friends?
3. When and how did we meet?
4. What was your first impression?
5. Do you still think that way about me now?
6. Do you have a crush on me?
7. Would you kiss me?
8. Give me a nickname and explain why you picked it:
9. Describe me in one word:
10. What reminds you of me?
11. If you could give me anything what would it be?
12. How well do you know me?
13. When's the last time you saw me?
14. Ever wanted to tell me something but couldn't?
15. Are you going to put this on your blog and see what I say about you?

2006-04-11T16:34:00.000-04:00

Only 56% of students in Georgia graduate highschool! 56%! In my highschool only 3 in my class didn't graduate. It's unbelievable. I don't know what we will do if Ashton doesn't get into the private school we want him to go to. It is well worth the $10,000 a year to keep him safe and learn to value his mind and take advantage of the opportunities he has. I think I will be nervous until the time comes for his interviews and applications in a few years, I can't imagine him having to go to the schools around here. It is too bad that kids everywhere can't get the same educational opportunities as everyone else. I really didn't think there was so much difference between the states. Minnesota has one of the highest graduation rates in the country. It seems like a different world down here sometimes.

Bath Time

2006-04-10T11:50:00.000-04:00

One Week!

2006-04-09T17:18:00.000-04:00

I really can't believe that it has been a week since my last post. Actually I can believe it since nothing much has happened this week. Yesterday was a monumental day for Ashton. At lunch out he used a fork successfully for the first time! Sure, he was just jabbing it into a bowl of orange sherbet but that counts right? For other foods he has us stab the bite and then he takes the fork and gets the food into his mouth, he isn't so good at scooping or spearing quite yet.

Sadly after a whole week I have nothing else to say - I know I haven't been commenting much either, I do read everyone's posts but have a bit of bloggers block I guess you could say.

2006-04-02T17:13:00.000-04:00

Great Weekend! Yesterday we went out to lunch, and walked around the mall - without Ashton. It was nice to be without him for a few hours.

Today Josh surprised me with a trip to Atlanta to eat at Jimmy Johns, one of my favorite places that I didn't know existed here in Georgia. We noticed that we were only 2 blocks from Ikea so we went and got some stuff. I have never been there before but it is now my favorite store. We bought a lot of misc. things for Ashton and his room like this, this, this and these. We also got this and this for us. We also found a lot of extra things we love for whenever we get around to finding a house. Such a fun day! We also went to Walmart. I know, I know my life is pretty boring if I am blogging about shopping at Walmart but we got some cute shoes for Ashton. He grows so fast it isn't worth paying a lot for his clothing. I try to have a few nice name brand pieces for him on special days but lots of cheap stuff for at home. Anyway it was a good time.

2006-03-31T09:28:00.000-05:00

Ha ha ha ha ha. Click on the photos for lost more funny and some incredibly offensive baby and adult t-shirts. Although these are so funny I can't really imagine actually putting your child in many of these.

2006-03-28T19:01:00.000-05:00

Happy Anniversary to me! 3 years, crazy crazy. June 4th will be 4 years from dating - I remember when I told Jazz that we started dating when Josh helped me move to Colorado Springs - I remember how surprised you were, in kind of a "Oh what are you doing now" way. All turned out so well! I will post more about our day today and our plans for the weekend later, just don't feel like typin right now.

Also - check out Lab Rat for a very funny pic of Josh on his 21st B-day

2006-03-25T19:24:00.000-05:00

It's Mardi Gras at our house! Ashton loves wearing necklaces - I know it's kind of strange for a little boy but it is so cute.

I wish I had more to say, but I am at a loss for words I suppose, can't think of anything right now, maybe later.

Random Information

2006-03-21T17:58:00.000-05:00

So, this is a post full of lots of random information.

A few days ago we were running to the store for a few necessities. We noticed packages of beautiful strawberries for $1, it was amazing. These were full size packages, we bought 3 boxes. I have never gotten a full package of perfect strawberries before, ones where nothing had to be thrown out or cut off; it was great. The first box, I cut up and we ate that day. We even gave Ashton some (one of which he almost chocked on but we wont talk about that). The second box, I used to make strawberry syrup for cinnamon French toast. We ran out of milk and cereal and any other breakfast foods so I made the bread in my bread machine and realized that we had no syrup for that bread once made into French toast so I made my own, delicious. The third box I sliced and mixed into my favorite favorite fruit dip. I shouldn't even call it fruit dip since it is so much more rich and decadent than any other fruit dip you may have had. I shall call it spreadable cheesecake.

I will now do something I won't do very often. I am going to share my recipe for "Spreadable Cheesecake". You all have to make it! Once made you need to eat without guilt and come back here and tell me how amazing it was and continue to sing my praises forever. I am serious!

8 oz cream cheese (whipped works best because it's easier to mix but either is fine)

1/4 C + 1T sour cream (the fully fattening version)

1t vanilla extract

1/2 C brown sugar

Mix all together thoroughly and let sit overnight in the fridge. When ready, eat with a spoon, over fruit, or slathered on a body - whatever is easiest for you once it's ready. Btw "T" is tablespoon and "t" is teaspoon for anyone who may not know that.

Next piece of random information I feel like sharing:

Ashton loves Mitsu (the black cat we hate). Yes, hate is a strong word; we hate her. Anyway, he has started picking her up and sitting with her in his lap. It is so funny because he does this by placing his hands around her neck (just like he is chocking her, and probably is), and wrapping his legs around her middle so she can't get free. Sometimes she even makes little noises like she is in pain, but she loves him, and continually comes back for more. I am glad we have her, although she totally disregards us unless her food bowl is empty or she feels like she needs us to open the bathroom door so she can pee in the tub.

And my final piece of information; this has turned into a long post so I'm sure you're happy it's almost over.

I was taking a bath today and was thinking about our new insurance, and that I might have to find a new doctor for Ashton. I realized exactly how many different doctors he has seen in just his 1 year of life. The first was the doctor at the hospital when he was born to do his initial checkup. Next was his checkup 2 days after we left the hospital. About a week later another doctor at the same clinic who saw us because he had gotten pink eye. Then was another doctor at the same office for his 1 month checkup. Next he saw a doctor assigned to us in Georgia with new insurance, it was a horrible checkup they didn't do anything they were supposed to do; very horrible place. Next was the doctor we switched to after the horrible place. We then got new insurance again and started going to an office here in Canton, where since then we have seen 2 of it's doctors for misc. Things. Now we have new insurance yet again and will be possibly switching to another new doctor. Crazy huh. 8 doctors in 1 year. My advice to you all is 1. Don't move as much as we have 2. Get a good insurance policy and stick with it!

OK This random information session is now over.

2006-03-18T19:39:00.000-05:00

I've got a cute picture here from yesterday. We went to the park. Ashton loves the park, although he is very afraid of the grass! Yesterday he actually ventured off the path a few steps voluntarily, it was so funny; after those few steps he came right back to the sidewalk. Anyone who hasn't seen Josh's blog Lab Rat yet, you need to go there now! (unless you are my mom then you should definitely stay away from his page) It is funny and random - and he needs your comments! I have counters up to see who, and when visits all my sites so I will know if you don't go look! You better! Enough with the threats, here's my cute picture. I will try to come up with a non-Ashton related post soon I promise.

p.s. to Jazz - Ashton has just started really playing with the toy you gave him. He was a very hesitant and a little afraid about it before, but today he pulled the string and saw the little train go around him and he giggled and clapped :)

The joys of laundry

2006-03-15T08:14:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pictures of Ashton mobbing me while I try to fold clothes. He takes head dives into the laundry basket! This is a pop-up frog laundry basket that I keep his laundry in. He is fascinated in it. It is the highlight of his day when he gets to sit inside here and mess his clothes up. Such a silly boy. He also is a big fan of vacuuming. He won't leave me alone once I get it out. At least I never have to worry where he is when I am trying to clean. Ashton has also developed an emotional attachment to the remote control for our TV. It never leaves his side. He gets very angry when I won't let him take it into the bath tub! I will try to get a picture of that later.

Not a whole lot of other news.

Check out this list of top 50 dead rock stars. Josh has the day off tomorrow. We might go to a movie. Nothing else to say.

To whom it may concern:

2006-03-14T18:31:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to quickly clarify something for anyone who has started reading this blog not knowing what it is all about.

Most and foremost this is an online journal. Some things I write or have written may surprise or offend some people but they are not meant to in any way. Like any type of personal writing things said in the heat of the moment most likely are not to be taken seriously. If I have feelings about something and rant or rave about it and never clarify or rectify what I feel about that something, it generally means I have forgotten all about it or at least gotten over it enough in my mind that I don't even think it is an issue that needs to be written about here. Please don't take anything here seriously!

Secondly this is a place for my family and friends to see pictures of, and hear info about Ashton. If you are a family member visiting this site please don't take any post in any real consideration as it is only an internal monologue.

I apologize if any of this has offended anyone. If it does, please comment here or contact me directly so as adults the problem can be clarified.

As I have become more and more of a boring person I don't have much else other than Ashton to write about so you all can expect to mostly get cute baby pictures and funny (at least I try to be funny) stories.

Random Ashton Information

2006-03-13T04:27:00.000-05:00

I am up way to early. Poor little guy is cutting 4 teeth I think. He is such a good kid, not even fussy at all. He just has a hard time sleeping as I'm sure I would too if I had a bunch of strange boney things emerging from my gums.

Lately Ashton is in his organization phase. All he does all day is put things into containers, carry said containers around with him, and take these things out of the containers again thus being able to repeat the process. He is also starting to have some idea where things "belong", only I never really have anything where it "belongs"; more like where it lands. Ashton has a rocking horse that has been sitting in my kitchen for about a month (since his birthday party so over a month). I just yesterday decided to put it in his room where it "belongs". Ashton promptly pulled it back into the kitchen, not to play with it but just to put it there. It seems my home will never be organized again, although I don't think it ever was.

Here is a picture of Ashton's new shoes. So so so cute. Yes I am aware that he has no pants on. Once you have children you learn to save the cute outfits for days you go out, minimalizing your laundry most other days. Doesn't he have cute chubby legs? It's funny how chubby his legs looks because he is actually pretty light for his height.

Notice that these little plain shoes are $25 from Baby Gap. I hope I haven't become enough of a bum that the pricetag seems expensive to only me.

Here is one of those days that he gets dressed.

I don't know why he looks slightly angry in this picture. Anyway, no real news with us. We went to see ultraviolet last week, it kinds sucked. Josh is excited for his new job, he starts that in a week. It was 83 degrees here yesterday, I had to turn on my air conditioning. I can see my electric bill rising as we speak.

Hot Hot Hot

2006-03-09T10:47:00.000-05:00

American Idol! I was pleasantly surprised last night (well I had it on TiVo so I didn't watch it until this morning) it was a great show. I have things to say about all the contestants but am too lazy to talk about all of that. I normally am a big fan of Chris (bald rocker guy) - last week his version of Fuel, hemorrhage was amazing. I have always thought that Ace is pretty hot but just not my kind of guy, some how he seems kindof feminine to me, but I LOVE him now. Last night he did a Michael Jackson song (one I had never heard before and don't remember the name of) and it was soo good! I am definitely hot for him now - just that one performance got me to LOVE him. I have no words for how hot that song was, and about half of it was in falsetto, crazy crazy. I am going to look online now for video of it for all of you who didn't catch it. Hot hot hot.

4 things

2006-03-06T17:49:00.000-05:00

I was tagged on another blog of mine to do this and thought I would post it here. The rules go answer 4 things for each group - at the end tag 4 others to repeat (luckily there are exactly 4 people who read this blog) leave a post on their blog so they know to do it. So here goes!

FOUR JOBS YOU'VE HAD IN YOUR LIFE:
retail manager
door to door sales person
weightloss counselor
mother

FOUR MOVIES YOU WOULD WATCH OVER AND OVER:
Do the Right Thing
Great Expectations
American History X
Love Stinks

FOUR PLACES YOU HAVE LIVED:
Hastings, Minnesota
Minneapolis, University of Minnesota
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Canton, Georgia

FOUR TV SHOWS YOU LOVE TO WATCH:
Project Runway
Seinfeld
House
American Idol

FOUR PLACES YOU HAVE BEEN ON VACATION:
Australia
UK
Mexico
New York

FOUR OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS:
Spaghetti
Chocolate
Ice cream
Chinese food

FOUR PLACES YOU WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
New York
Any Beach
Mall of America
Right here with Ashton thrying desprately to get my mouse and keyboard

And I tag - conqueress, suikee, gamaray18, and josh huah.

Exciting News!

2006-03-06T17:36:00.000-05:00

Happy day, happy day. Check out Josh's blog lab rat for details!

I am a Southerner!

2006-03-02T18:20:00.000-05:00

I have realized something absolutely dreadful. I am becoming a southerner. I am not saying anything bad about people who are from the south (although I generally don't like many of them) but I never thought I would be something other than a person from the north with a Minnesota accent. Lately I have been saying "darlin" a lot recently. To the cats, and to Asthon it has become a world of affection. I will NEVER be like waitresses who say it to Josh, me, and to every other person they talk to but seriously. I can't believe it is in my vocabulary. I have also become lazy and started saying "bye" differently. It is a lazy way of saying it that kind of sounds like "ba" definitely southern sounding. I am really going to start trying not to do that one. My new favorite food is "chicken N dumplins" - it is delicious. You should all try it some time.

So, yes I am turning into a southern woman, hopefully my speed of acclimation slows some so I don't turn into a redneck overnight - I need to stay somewhat in the middle until we can move back to Colorado someday.

Beautiful Boy

2006-03-01T20:18:00.000-05:00

My beautiful boy. Sure he has food all over his face but just look at those eyes, baby teeth, and pretty blonde hair! He sure isn't a baby any more - this is his first real "little kid" picture.

Josh's blog

2006-02-28T17:50:00.000-05:00

Yay! Josh finally started a blog! Please pass it on to all of your friends, significant others, random people on the street etc. as I know it will always be a good read. Visit him here: The-Lab-Rat! Please leave him some love and if you leave your url he will blogroll you all also! ps - even those of you who don't really know him - you are all welcome to read and share :)

Computer Skills

2006-02-27T20:51:00.000-05:00

A wonderful display of Ashton's typing skills! You can kind-of see on the screen (ignore the messy house please) what he has typed which was:

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSXXX HNT B VB56G52:55 PM 2/27/20062:55 PM 2/27/20062:55 PM 2/27/20062:55 PM 2/27/20062:55 PM 2/27/2006JHKKGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHMJHNHYHHXXXXXXXD za0000000000000000 U

It was so funny, he would be hitting away with his hands then randomly throw a foot up there to type too!

Don't Ask

2006-02-26T09:31:00.000-05:00

don't ask - you will find out soon enough anyway

Budweiser

2006-02-23T18:20:00.000-05:00

I wonder if these gals know that their bare-breasted-ness is getting spread all over the internet. I have to say, not matter the slightly scary aspect of the picture that I do admire their courageousness to show that much of themselves after probably feeding babies and getting old.

2006-02-22T14:20:00.000-05:00

A monumental day! You always hear how kids grow up so fast, that they grow up overnight; well that is so so so true. Just 1 hour after waking up today Ashton learned 3 new things. He can say "No" which is so cute because he pronounces it like "now", he can say "Ruff" like a dog barking - grrr, ruff ruff. He also found his belly button! That is pretty funny too, he still has a milk belly in the way so he pushes his stomach in with his hands and then puts his fingers in his belly button.

Ashton also got to walk on his own outside in the rain today - I have never put him down much when it is wet outside because he just wants to put his hands in he water. Today he learned the joy of stomping his feet in puddles. So cute.

He is getting his molars. This sucks. He is such a happy kid, and still is with molars cutting but he won't take a nap. This is mostly bad because when he is tired he plays hard and rough. He ends up falling down a lot and getting hurt. Oh well, bedtime is just a few hours away and he will sleep then.

2006-02-20T09:23:00.000-05:00

What has this world come to. I got spammed on my own ebay auction! Right there where a question should have been, an "auto generated" add from some electronics company in Asia. I was pretty mad and deleted the "question" right away. Next time I should stop and think WWJD "What Would Jen Do?" That is what I will do from now on when I need to think of something to say to an offensive or incredibly stupid person!

Without further ado, I give you a conversation with a 1 year old.

dot dow
That's a frog!
dot doooowww

dot dow
That's a duck!
dot dow? dot dot dot dooww

dot dow
Your lion! That's your lion!
DOT DOW

Translation from my very own toddler/English dictionary: dot dow, meaning: 1. Hey! Look at that! 2.What is that! 3. There it is! 4. Oh, that's what that is. 5. I hate you. Stop pointing at these stupid animals and put me down! I am Hungry! Feed me before I have to go searching for cheerios under your comuper desk!

Looking down at my keyboard, I realize that it is very very very dirty. Gross. Better get around to cleaning it.

2006-02-18T18:03:00.000-05:00

1. Do you still talk to the person you had your first kiss with?
Truthfully, I don't even remember who that was.

2. What would you do with 1,000 plastic spoons?
Most likely I would put them in a baggie and shove them somewhere that I would not remember, and I would find them while opening a box years later.

3. What did you do when you weren't in school in the 2nd grade?
Stupid and embarrassing things I'm sure.

4. What is the best thing about your job?
Not having to get dressed, which I rarely do.

5. Do you like more than one person right now?
I hardly know more than one person anymore! But know, I see an occasional hot guy, but that's about it.

6. Are you against same sex wedlock?
I am all for it. If you can find someone to love and want to live your life with you should be able to get married and have the same rights as anyone else regardless of their sex.

7. Did you vote for Bush?
I was very pregnant and didn't feel like standing in line for hours so, no, I didn't vote at all.

8. Where are you going on your next vacation?
Probably Vegas, but that could be a long time. Josh's pneumonia and my dad's funeral used up a ton of vacation time and I don't know when he will have more.

9. Have you dry humped any of your myspace (LJ) friends?
Nope!

10. Are most of your friends guys or girls?
Girls and that is strange for me. I generally hate women, hate almost all women.

11. Do you own any furniture from Ikea?
I have a lamp

12. Last book you read?
My Friend Leonard, James Frey - currently reading The Known World, Edward P. Jones

13. If you could have one super power what would it be?
Telepathy, not in the sci-fi way that requires extreme concentration but in the Mel Gibson way from "What Women Want"

14. Where have you lived most of your life?
Minnesota

15. What was the last convo you had about?
Josh was telling me his days off this week.

16. Where do you see yourself in four years?
That is very hard to say, but I hope wherever it is we will be happy.

17. What's your favorite smell?
Ashton when he's clean and covered in baby lotion.

18. What is your favorite sound?
Josh and Ashton laughing together.

19. Are you moody?
Not moody, only one mood in particular - angry, yes that is me always angry it seems.

20. Favorite movie of all time.
I can't pick just one, I love movies too much.

21. Have you ever done anything vindictive to your classmate?
Probably

22. Have you ever gone to therapy?
Nope

23. Have you ever played Spin the bottle?
Probably did at some point

24. Have you ever toilet-papered someone's house?
Yep that's fun

25. Have you ever liked someone but never told them?
Of course

26. Have you ever gone camping?
Only once I think

27. Have you ever had a crush on your sister's friend?
No sister

28. Have you ever gone to a nude beach?
Nope

30. Have you ever had a stalker?
I have had several "peeping toms"- that probably qualifies

31. Have you ever gone skinny dipping?
Several times

32. Have you ever laughed so hard you cried?
Not cried, peed. Lots of times, especially when pregnant.

33. Have you ever gone to a party where you were the only sober person?
Probably not, I was drunk often a parties.

34. Have you ever been in love?
Yes, yes

35. Have you ever felt betrayed by a best friend?
Lots, lots, lots of times.

36. Have you ever lied to your parents?
Just in case my mom is reading this, I plead the 5th

37. Have you ever been out of the US?
I have been to every English speaking country except New Zealand

38. Have you ever thrown up from working out?
Yep

39. Have you ever gotten a haircut so bad that you wore a hat for a month straight?
I have gotten some pretty bad hair cuts, but have never worn a hat because of it.

40. Have you ever eaten 3 meals from 3 different fast food places in 1 day?
Yes lol, quite a few times, especially while pregnant.

Didn't anyone else notice there was no question 41?

42. Have you ever spied on someone?
Don't think so

43. Have you ever slept with one of your coworkers?
Josh was a coworker!

44. Have you ever seen your best friend naked?
Yep

45. Who was the last person who called you?
Josh

46. When was the last time you slept for more then 12 hours?
I wish I could remember.

47. Have you ever been arrested?
Not yet, hopefully never

48. Most embarrassing CD you own?
Don't have cd's anymore really, lots of embarrassing mp3's though

49. Have you ever stolen anything?
I used to steal boyfriends quite frequently. A Kirby vacuum salesman once told me "You're gonna be a heart breaker when you grow up" turned out, I was for a while.

50. Have you ever drank egg nog?
I used to love it, I now don't see why.

2006-02-17T15:54:00.000-05:00

So, today was kind of an interesting day. We went out to lunch at Stevie B's (the restaurant that Josh almost worked at but passed on). Ashton is learning how to drink out of a normal (big boy) cup so I was helping him get some water. Josh asked me for a napkin and I took my hand of the cup for a split second and Ashton dumped the whole glass of ice water all over his head and body. He was so surprised that he started screaming. I have never been so embarrassed, I felt so bad for him too he must have been so scared! We didn't have a spare outfit with us today so we had to make a Walmart run with the baby boy in soaking wet clothing.

I swear Walmart was hosting "old people employee day". Everywhere we went in that store there were old people who didn't know what they were doing. I am all for equal opportunity employment and non age discrimination but seriously, who puts a 80 year old on the speed lane? This lady had to take a CD casing off and she looked like she was either gonna break her hand or have to call the entire fleet of oldies to help her. Then the beeper went off at the door - her memory loss must have gotten the best of her and forgotten to swipe the magnets. Of course another old lady was the one to try and run to stop us, and took like what felt like an hour going over our receipt.

So we get home, well in the parking lot of home, and I was pretty pissy. Josh decided that it would be a good idea to set off the car alarm to cheer me up. Funny thing is, it kinda worked. Our alarm is messed up and really hard to shut off but it was funny and I am all good now.

p.s. I am really not filled with such hate for elderly employees, just today, and in the speed lane.

2006-02-17T10:16:00.000-05:00

I actually feel kinda bad for Dick, since it was "accidental" and everything - but this is too funny...

2006-02-16T14:42:00.000-05:00

poor poor girl - Teen girl's prosthetic leg stolen for second time

2006-02-16T10:39:00.000-05:00

This is Ashton when he was about 3-4 moths old - just flailing. Took it on my cell, just found it and thought I would post :) might want to turn the sound off - for some reason the sound got screwed up - not like that in the origional file but anyway enjoy.

2006-02-15T09:50:00.000-05:00

Funk

I thought for a change I would today talk about what I like to call my 'Garbage Can Funk'. I am having a problem with my garbage can. It is spotless, sanitized, beautiful actually; but it has a funk. No matter the contents, the number of bags garbage is contained in, or the length of a piece of garbage's stay in it, it has a funk. This particular funk is of the baby poop, spoiled lettuce, ass variety. Every diaper that goes into this can is double bagged in addition to the regular bag. Every piece of leaky stinky food is also double bagged. My house does not smell, often the garbage does not even smell, just my garbage can. It has been bleached, oxy cleaned, washed, scrubbed, and even air freshened. The air freshener was worst, I then had a 'Freshener Funk'. I am at a loss for what to do now, do I just learn to live and love the funk?

2006-02-14T03:41:00.000-05:00

To those of you who aren't big fans of this day, I think I will recommend skipping over this post. It's mushy, cheesy, and I can imagine hard to stomach if you aren't in the mood for some Valentine's Day romance.

101 Things I Love about You
(Things Rosie loves about Josh)

1. I love that every minute I am thinking about you, I know that you are thinking about me too.
2. I love the way you laugh when you play with our son.
3. I love that you know the importance of nice makeup,
4. and that you know what kinds I use and can buy it for me when I'm not there.
5. I love that you aren't perfect,
6. can't sit still,
7. or be quiet;
8. but that you try so hard, just for me.
9. I love the way you look in your new pants,
10. and out of them.
11. I love that you can put up with all my little things,
12. that you say aren't annoying, but I know that they are.
13. I love that you sleep so deeply,
14. I can make all kinds of noise and not wake you,
15. or at least you don't complain.
16. I love how every time I think of you my phone rings,
17. or I get a little message or picture from you.
18. I love that you lie with me until I fall asleep,
19. just so I can sleep well,
20. and that you try to be so quiet.
21. I love that you rub me when I'm sleeping,
22. and you aren't mad when I don't remember it in the morning.
23. I love that you don't get mad if I don't have time to iron your shirts,
24. or pants,
25. or sometimes even wash them.
26. I love your artistic eyes,
27. everything you see is beauty.
28. I love what you can create,
29. from just a blank piece of paper.
30. I love that you are such an amazing dad,
31. even though you don't always remember where the diapers are,
32. or at what time he will be hungry.
33. I love that you actually listen when I talk to you,
34. and that you remember what I say.
35. I love your little surprises,
36. that you come home with every day.
37. There is no one else that could make me happy;
38. but you can make me happy with something as small as a gumball.
39. I love that when you are angry at me you can't stay mad,
40. because you can't help wanting to make me laugh,
41. and you can make me laugh, not matter how upset I am.
42. I love that you try to say "I Love you" to me at least 12 times a day,
43. because anything less is just not enough love.
44. I love how you sing to Shakira, and the Dixie Chicks,
45. and that you are just a little embarrassed when I notice.
46. I love the way you take so long to get ready,
47. and try on clothes,
48. because I know that you are trying to be perfect for me.
49. I love that you think about what would be the best type of soap for me to use,
50. I love that you care about my soap!
51. I can't believe it when you come home with food from 3 different restaurants,
52. just so I can have all my favorite things.
53. I love how we spend every minute together,
54. and still want more time.
55. I love that you appreciate everything that I do for you,
56. and you work just as hard to do things for me.
57. I love that you remember carnations are ugly flowers,
58. and 'bird of paradise' are my favorites.
59. I love that when you are hungry you don't even know where to look for food;
60. and that when I cook, you love everything I make.
61. I love that when Ashton was born you were there,
62. with me every minute,
63. even when you felt sick.
64. I love that everything I was thinking that day, you were too.
65. I love that you don't read baby books,
66. that way you know I will just let you know the important things.
67. I love how you get scared when I feed him something he has never had before,
68. and when he tries to put so much in his mouth at once.
69. I love how you knew how important his 1st birthday was to me,
70. and that you did everything you could to make the day perfect,
71. and it was.
72. I love that you are so caring,
73. and giving,
74. and passionate,
75. and silly.
76. and emotional,
77. and stubborn,
78. and lazy,
79. and hardworking,
80. and sleepy.
81. I love 'Josh Bad N Ugly'!
82. I love that I cannot imagine my life without you,
83. and that you couldn't imagine yours without me either.
84. I love when you buy me things,
85. that I tell you not to,
86. because I am just being stubborn.
87. I love that you hide money from me,
88. so that you can buy me things.
89. I love that you love watches,
90. because I love to buy them for you.
91. I love how you get embarrassed to tell me things,
92. even when they are usually things I already know.
93. I love how you change your mind about everything,
94. like getting a motorcycle,
95. or a new car,
96. or a truck.
97. I love how when you read all of this you will probably cry,
98. and how embarrassed you will be when I tell you I put it online.
99. I love that you are trying your best not to bite your nails,
100. and that you are sucking up your manly-ness to get a manicure for my Valentines Day present.
101. I love how even after listing 100 things about you that I love; it doesn't even scratch the surface of what is amazing about you. I could go on for a Million more.

Happy Valentines Day!

If anyone is still here after these 101 things, let the heaving commence and have a wonderful Valentines Day!

2006-02-13T13:43:00.000-05:00

I was bored this afternoon and decided to flip through a few blogs. I came across this post: F U GEORGIA. I have never really seen anyone with such a blatant disregard for a whole state of people. Truthfully I am not that crazy about Georgia - I call Colorado Springs my home - but this really pisses me off. I was going to post some long and well thought out comment on her site but decided that the last thing I need is to have some random Georgian hating POS mad at me - So I share this post, and I hope you all hate it as much as I do.

2006-02-13T09:20:00.000-05:00

So, I don't want to jinx it, but so far so good; no crap falling down yet.

It has been snowing a lot here - so strange, snowed all day yesterday, and started again just now. Sometimes it sticks to the ground a little bit but never looks like anything more than a cotton tree shedding.

I am so excited for Valentines Day! Tomorrow I will post my V-day present to Josh. He will be embarrassed I think. We are gonna get some Chinese food, rent a movie, and relax. Not too exciting but I think it sounds great!

I feel bad for Michelle Kwan dropping out of the Olympics. That is really too bad. I can't even believe the Olympics are going on again. It must seem like a lifetime between games for the participants but to me it seems like they were just on last week. I haven't been paying attention to what is on when, so we will see if I actually get to watch any of the things I like.

I will be getting around to posting the video and pics from Ashton's party soon. Hopefully in the next few days if I am lucky!

2006-02-12T09:03:00.000-05:00

Ah, after cleaning literally every single surface of my home, it is clean. Well, pretty clean. I can finally relax, until tomorrow when it will probably continue. I don't have much more to say, been too busy cleaning.

Edit: I thought of something else to say - sorry to make you jealous Jen, it is snowing again, and even sticking to the ground a tiny bit.

2006-02-09T19:39:00.000-05:00

Stress
So, a new roof is being put on our building. They said that debris and dust would be falling and that it was recommended that we cover our electronics. In reality there is crap everywhere. Chunks of dry tar the size of quarters, and a fine fine dust that is being ground into my rugs and is in all of our cloths and everything. They have been working from 7 am to 7 pm. I have not been in the house during the day the past three days - how can I have ashton in this stuff. His room isn't affected at all but it is getting tracked around and he gets really mad at me when he can't leave his room. It is impossible to clean because you can't really see the dust on our floor until you try to sweep it up. My vacuum is on it's breaking point getting up the big stuff, I have to re-wash everything in our closet. I haven't called to complain because I don't even know what to say or how to contain my anger. I don't know how anything will ever be clean again. They told me before they started that it would be nothing hazardous to our health but I really don't know if I believe them so I keep Ashton our of all of it. I think they have only done half of our roof. I am going completely insane. It's like my ceiling is falling and the whole world is coming down with it. I am so so so so so so so pissed. So that is my rant. We will be starting to look for houses soon - we will be out of here by June 1st. We are unsure of where we really want to get a house though because Josh may need to move around with his job some in the next few years. Anyway I am pissed, anxious, and going completely insane.

2006-02-06T10:11:00.000-05:00

OMG It's snowing in Georgia!

I recorded this on my digital camera - should have used the camcorder I know, but at least I went a step up from my cell phone.

Yes I live across the street from a Dollar Tree, ghetto I know but there are many other stores not in the video that charge at least $2 for all their stuff :)

2006-02-06T05:09:00.000-05:00

How you know when a toddler is hungry:

You can assume your toddler is hungry when he leaves his toys to spend 20 minutes (20 minutes toddler time is equal to roughly 5 hours real time) striving to get something underneath your desk; and that something turns out to be a single Cheerio!

It is so early in the morning, and of course I am on the computer. Josh is pretty burnt out at work, I think he needs a challenging job - he is miserable doing the same thing every day. It would be nice if he didn't have to work 55 hours each week also.

Today Ashton gets to meet his great-grandma! He knows one of them already and now he gets to meet the other, that will be fun. He loves new people, not a shy boy at all.

2006-02-05T08:11:00.000-05:00

sunday SUNDAY sunday!

I have to say that I am actually happy Josh doesn't like many sports. I am thrilled to not have to watch the Superbowl. I will tune in for the commercials I think.

I can't believe that it is only 8 am! It feels like its... noonish. Josh was off to work at 6, I was up at 4 (damn cats woke Ashton). Speeking of cats, no more cat sex! Yes Mitsu's quest for lovin' has stopped. I am glad Harley is fixed so we won't be seeing kittens anytime soon. We will get Mitsu fixed eventually, just isn't on our list of priorities. Mitsu is the black cat in the photos. ---->

So I finally got this template workin'. Html is a pain in the ass, xml isn't much fun either but I am better at that for some reason. I hope you all like my hard work :)

When I get around to it I will be posting video from Ashton's birthday party! He ate his cake shirtless and rubbed frosting all over himself! It was great. I will be posting all of our pictures also, just deceiding how to archive them and in what program.

You can leave me messages on my ChatBox to the right - reply to posts also but if you just wanna say "Hi" or "Oh I wanted to tell you" kind of stuff leave it there.

Happy sunday SUNDAY sunday!

2006-02-04T17:31:00.000-05:00

Stella Awards!

It's once again time to review the winners of the annual Stella Awards.
The Stellas are named after 81 year old Stella Liebeck who spilled coffee on herself and successfully sued McDonald's. That caseinspired the Stella Awards for the most frivolous successfullawsuits in the United States.

THIS YEAR'S AWARDS GO TO ....

5TH PLACE (TIED): Kathleen Robertson of Austin, Texas, was awarded $780,000 by a jury of her peers after breaking her ankle tripping over a toddler who was running inside a furniture store. The owners of the store were understandably surprised at the verdict, considering the misbehaving toddler was Ms. Robertson's son.(I'd say this was life's payback - Harvey)

5TH PLACE (TIED): 19 year old Carl Truman of Los Angeles won$74,000 and medical expenses when his neighbor ran over his hand with a Honda Accord. Mr Truman apparently did not notice there was someone at the wheel of the car when he was trying to steal the hubcaps. (More paybacks - Harvey)

5TH PLACE (TIED): Terrence Dickson of Bristol, Pennsylvania, was leaving the house he had just finished robbing by way of the garage.He was not able to get the garage door to go up since the automatic door opener was malfunctioning. He could not re-enter the house because the door connecting the house and garage had locked when he pulled it shut. (Karma? - Harvey)
The family was on vacation and Mr. Dickson found himself locked in the garage for 8 days. He subsisted on a case of Pepsi he found and a large bag of dry dog food. He sued the homeowners insurance, claiming the situation caused him undue mental anguish. The Jury agreed to the tune of $500,000

4TH PLACE: Jerry Williams of Little Rock, Arkansas was awarded $14,500 and medical expenses after being bitten on the buttocks by his next door neighbor's beagle dog. The beagle was on a chain in its owner's fenced yard. The award was less than sought because the jury felt the dog might have been a little provoked at the time, as Mr. Williams, who had climbed over the fence into the yard, was shooting it repeatedly with a pellet gun.

3RD PLACE: A Philadelphia restaurant was ordered to pay Amber Carson of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, $113,500 after she slipped on a soft drink and broke her coccyx (tailbone). The beverage was on the floor because Ms. Carson had thrown it at her boyfriend 30 seconds earlier, during an argument

2ND PLACE: Kara Walton of Claymont, Delaware sued the owner of a Night Club in a neighboring city when she fell from the bathroom window to the floor and knocked out two of her front teeth. This occurred while Ms. Walton was trying to sneak in the window of the Ladies Room to avoid paying the $3.50 cover charge. She was awarded $12,000 and dental expenses.(She can now pay her cover charge out of the 12 Grand! - Harvey)

1ST PLACE: This year's runaway winner was Mr. Merv Grazinski of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mr. Grazinski purchased a brand new Winnebago Motor home. On his trip home from an OU football game, having driven onto the freeway, he set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the driver's seat to go into the back and make himself a cup of coffee.Not surprisingly the RV left the freeway, crashed and overturned.Mr. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not advising him in the owner's manual that he could not actually do this. The jury awarded him $1,750,000 plus a new Winnebago Motor home. The company actually changed their manuals on the basis of this suit, just in case there were any other

2006-01-31T13:11:00.000-05:00

I am in the process of making a new template - I didn't really mean for it to look like this but It won't for too long anyway

2006-01-31T13:08:00.000-05:00

2006-01-31T05:17:00.000-05:00

Ashton's birthday was so much fun. When I get around to it I will put video of him eating his cake - super funny (he smeared it all over himself). We got some great pics and video. It was great

On another note:

boy cat + girl cat in heat = lots of disgusting cat sex all over my house. It is so gross. I can't even look at them the same way now. They lost their innocence lol. So, so, so gross and disturbing.

2006-01-25T07:48:00.000-05:00

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Josh!

If josh was life size, he would stand 7 ft 2 inches tall and have a neck twice the size of a human.
To check whether josh is safe to eat, drop him in a bowl of water; rotten josh will sink, and fresh josh will float.
On stone temples in southern India, there are more than 30 million carved images of josh.
The original nineteenth-century Coca-Cola formula contained josh.
Josh can give birth ten days after being born, and is born pregnant.
Josh is the largest of Saturn's moons.
The most dangerous form of josh is the bicycle.
Josh is the world's tallest woman.
It is bad luck to walk under josh!
The only Englishman to become josh was Nicholas Breakspear, who was josh from 1154 to 1159.

2006-01-24T12:10:00.000-05:00

1. Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.

2. In the 1400's a law was set forth that a man was not allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have "the rule of thumb"

3. The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

4. Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the US Treasury.

5. Men can read smaller print than women......BUT...... women can hear better.

6. Coca-Cola was originally green.

7. It is impossible to lick your elbow.

8. The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska

9. The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% .(now get this...) The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%

10. The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $6,400

11. The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour:
61,000

12. Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.

13. The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.

14. The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.

15. Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:

Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs -Alexander, the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar

16. 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321 Go ahead check it with a calculator.

17. If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air......... the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air.........the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground........the person died of natural causes.

18. Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July
4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson.

Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.

19. Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what? A. Their birthplace

20. Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested? A. Obsession

21. Q. If you were to spell out all numbers, starting at one....... how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"? A. One thous (A) nd

22. Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common? A. All invented by women............Yes

23. Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil? A. Honey

24. Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year? A. Father's Day

25. In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes.

When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase......... "goodnight........ sleep tight."

26. It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink.

27. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month ... which we know today as the honeymoon.

28. In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts...So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down." It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"

29. Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups.

When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. This is where we get the phrase ......"Wet your whistle"

~~~~~~~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~~~~~~~~

30. At least 75% of people who read this will ............................try to lick their elbow...........

31. Try to read the paragraph below........see what happens Believe it or not................. you can read it.

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wolhe

2006-01-24T11:29:00.000-05:00

You Are 64% Abnormal

You are at high risk for being a psychopath. It is very likely that you have no soul.

You are at high risk for having a borderline personality. It is very likely that you are a chaotic mess.

You are at medium risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is somewhat likely that you are in love with your own reflection.

You are at medium risk for having a social phobia. It is somewhat likely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement.

You are at medium risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is somewhat likely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer.

How Abnormal Are You?

Oh no! I have no soul!

2006-01-20T15:57:00.000-05:00

poor Ashton has a blood blister where one of his teeth is coming in :( I feel so bad for him - seems like he hurts a lot - on top of that he has some molars coming in too. his birthday is on wednesday - so i am trying to clean and get ready for his party next sunday. my mom is coming on wed and staying for a whole week. she drives me crazy crazy crazy. at least she is staying at josh's parents house so i have some time without her. ashton loves to play with her and have her around but i dont know how i will make it through the week lol. i am excited for this party. i am going all out on food etc. there will be 10 people coming besides us - that is a lot for us to have over here. i hope i get everything done in time. anyway i should go i guess and try to clean some stuff. i am such a slacker.

2006-01-17T05:25:00.000-05:00

LIFE IN THE 1500's

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500s:

These are interesting...

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, and then the women and finally the children last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt Hence the saying "dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying a "thresh hold."

(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, "Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old."

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat."

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or "upper crust."

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whiskey. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a "wake."

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a "bone-house" and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the "graveyard shift") to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be "saved by the bell" or was considered a "dead ringer."

2006-01-12T16:47:00.000-05:00

Taiwan breeds fluorescent green pigs
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10818583/?GT1=7538
crazy crazy

A Picture Share!

2006-01-12T14:47:00.000-05:00

All day i was looking for the cats. I found them sleeping in ashton's stroller!

Ashton's First Haircut!

2006-01-09T17:23:00.000-05:00

A had his first haircut today! It's funny because now that it is cut so short and his hair is so blonde he looks kinda bald :) The second pic is him in the bathtub after the haircut. He really wasn't unhappy like he looks but I thing it is a great photo.

J went to see Hostile the other night with his brothers and their friends. He said it was pretty good. I am glad I didn't go see it though - would have been too much for me. Nothing else much interesting here.

The Stories You Cannot Tell: 14 tips to follow when having an affair

2006-01-09T09:38:00.000-05:00

The Stories You Cannot Tell: 14 tips to follow when having an affair

Oh my god! I cannot believe that people whould go to all this trouble to cheat! This is one of the most shocking things I have seen online recently.

2006-01-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

Directions:
Go to Google and click on the images link. Type in the following and post the first (or your favorite) picture the search engine finds.

1 The name of the town where you grew up - Hastings
2 The name of the town where you live now - Canton
3 Your name - Rosemary Black
4 Your Grandmother's name (pick one) - Faustina
5 Your favorite food - Spaghetti
6 Your favorite drink - vodka collins
7 Your favorite song - best of you - foo fighters
8 Your favorite smell - couldnt think of one

too early in the morning for me to try to lay out the pictures right - they kinda go in order anyway lol

ha ha ha

2006-01-08T11:34:00.000-05:00

Got this from a friends blog - pretty funny :)

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise.
Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take
a nap.

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Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are
these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering
vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

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Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the
water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

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Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

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Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

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Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

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Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?

A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

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Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy? HELLO ...... Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

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Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

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Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?

A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

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Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safe in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Beer in one hand - cheese steak in the other– body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

Cute Picture

2006-01-08T10:23:00.000-05:00

I found this old picture of Ashton and Josh's brother Luke and thought I would post it because I think it is really cute. Ashton is 3-4 months old here.

2006-01-06T18:54:00.000-05:00

Your Stipper Song Is

Toxic by Britney Spears

"With the taste of your lips
I'm on a ride
You're toxic I'm slippin' under"

You may dance for someone - but only to weaken their defenses.

What Song Should You Strip To?

Where the hell is Matt?

2006-01-05T14:47:00.000-05:00

I love this little video. This guy is so cool. I never thought to put it on here but I found his website today and think he is even cooler now. I want to visit everywhere he has been. Someday...

http://www.Wherethehellismatt.com

WooHoo!

2006-01-04T19:03:00.000-05:00

I'm 50% famous!

You've definitely touched on some level of fame, whether it was just for a brief instance or just on a local level. You've probably got enough of a base to stand on and build your fame on what you've already done.

How famous are you?

Take Other Caffeine Nebula Quizzes

Silly Boy

2006-01-04T16:20:00.000-05:00

ok - I have to explain this crazy picture. Ashton loves it when I stack his blocks. He stands up and walks over to them and knocks them down. I wanted to take a picture of him standing next to the blocks. Since he loves my phone this is tricky because I have to keep him from noticing that I have it. So, I have the perfect opportunity to take a picture and I go to do it and my memory on my phone is full so I can't take one. I erase a few things and stack the blocks again and again to do it. When I get a good chance to take the picture Ashton decided to walk over the stack of blocks instead of knocking them down or standing beside them! I could not believe that he walked over them it was so funny. Well, since I had no memory before my phone automatically went down to lowest resolution thus the blurry pic - I love it though. I will always remember him deciding to walk over the blocks!

2006-01-04T11:58:00.000-05:00

So I stole this little questionaire from another blog. Kinda neat to think about. I will post J's answers to this sometime too.

What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
With moving across the country and having a baby we did way too many new things!

Did you keep your New Years' resolutions? Will you make more for 2006?
I don't think I made a resolution - or if I did I didn't keep it. I don't think I have one for this year either - maybe to stop being lazy but I doubt that will happen.

What places did you visit?
Started the year in Colorado, then moved to Georgia, visited Minnesota and Tennesse

What events marked 2005?
Birth of ADB 1/25/05. Movine to GA 3/5/05. 2 year wedding anniversary 3/28/05.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Me, lol. A friend in Colorado. A cousin in Colorado.

Did anyone close to you die?
yep.

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Save more money, go to more movies, take more vacations.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Could have spent less money (although I am sure that if I had it to do over again I would spend the same or much more). Could have eaten less, that would have been great.

What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Would love to buy a house, I think we will because we have a better idea of where we want to be now.

What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory?
Nov 30th

What "things" did you want and get?
We had a big spending year, bought ourselves and Ashton alot of stuff. Nothing too huge but we did get a lot.

What "thing" did you want and not get?
Haven't gotten a 2nd car yet, hopefully soon.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 23. I will have to think about what I did - I think we did dinner and a movie.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More sleep! More time with Josh!

What was the best thing you bought?
I love my Ipod Nano, we got a headrest dvd player in the car for Ashton that he loves, we upgraded some stuff in Josh's computer, lots of great stuff.

Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Josh. We are always calling eachother and sending eachother messages.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My mom, she is going crazy. Every day adds a little bit more crazy.

Compared to this time last year, are you......Happier or sadder?
Happier, Ashton has changed me.

Thinner or fatter?
Well, considering in the beginning of '05 I was 8 months pregnant I am deffinately thinner! I like this question.

Richer or poorer?
Richer I suppose; although we spent most of it.

What were your favorite films of this year?
I love movies. I could not begin to list them all - I will say "A Million Little Pieces" was a book that changed me.

What was your favorite TV program?
Arrested Developement, Seinfeld, Project Runway, The OC, House

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Hmmm, I don't know that I really listened to new people much - maybe Kanye West

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
I love to wear casual scrubby cloths with super nice jewlery - it's comfy but you don't look so much like a bum.

Who were the best new people you met?
Sadly I think the only new person I met was my hair stylest. She is great. Only see her every 3-4 months though. Very sad.

How many different people did you kiss in 2005?
Only the 1 in the romantic way - I am kissin Ashton all the time also.

How many people did you have sex with in 2005?
Kinda personel but again only the 1.

Did you fall in love in 2005?
I did I did, even though it sounds so sappy I fell in love with my baby boy. When he was born he was like this little alien who I didn't know at all and I fell in love. He is wonderful.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I didn't meet anyone new to start hating yet - lol - Truthfully there are few people I hate.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Becoming a mother. I really didn't plan on this whole questionaire being about baby stuff.

What was your biggest failure?
If I could think of one I don't think I would admit it.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
Don't know really.

2006-01-03T05:14:00.000-05:00

Ashton can walk! He would take a few steps after holding on to something before but now he can stand up on his own and takes 5 or 6 steps without falling down - it is so amazing. He takes these tiny little steps, he is so cautious.

2006-01-02T05:25:00.000-05:00

My life is rated R.
What is your life rated?

I actually thought it would be like PG or something lol - I have gotten so boring.