New Trick! Hooray!

We have been working on this one for a while but he never seemed interested until today. It's funny how things click in their heads overnight.

Winter Song

Keith reminded me of this great song. We saw this pair on a late night show months ago and loved it...

Depression

I am totally digging these depression glass earrings. Depression glass is clear or colored translucent glassware that was distributed free, or at low cost, in the United States around the time of the Great Depression. I can't quite explain my recent obsession with this glass, pink and pale blue in particular. These are a great "earth-friendly" aka "hippie" way to recycle glass. Borrowed from Etsy seller bottledupdesigns

Keith's Project Du Jour

Keith has been waiting, wishing, no...aching to build an entertainment wall framed around his beloved new flat panel TV. This particular project is stage two of the grand plan, the first being mounting the TV on the brick. The next being cabinets to hide our electronics. He framed our fireplace surround using molding, our existing mantle and some detailed trim. Here is the process:
Before. No frills:
Hanging the cross piece. Painted with an oil based paint. The cords will be hidden behind this:Framing the surround:Almost ready for some finishing touches:Done!
Details, details.
Keith did such a great job on this project. Once he got going it only took two days to complete (after arguing over design details for two weeks.) This is the first time I have given him a strict budget for a project. Because let's face it, we all know how much mischief a man can get into at Lowe's. I don't think he was entirely thrilled, but he actually managed to come in just about $10 over budget. Hooray for handyman Keith!

No ZZZ for mama or child.

We have been having a rough week. I've been sick with a nasty cold and Rems has forgotten how to sleep. He wakes up about midnight and stays awake anywhere from two to four in the morning. Crying it out, feeding, bouncing, music. Nothing seems to work. It seems after all that, he is trying to tell me he'll go to sleep when he is good and ready. It is such a strange contrast from the sweet little baby that would kick and smile when I put him down for the night, then fall asleep without another peep. The only relief I have been able to look forward to is Keith! He has taken Rems down for breakfast and playtime everyday this week so that I can rest and catch up on my z's. He is my knight in shining black T-shirt!

Ca-ching!

Remington was down for the night, Keith was preoccupied with the laptop, so I decided to dedicate some time to grocery shopping with coupons. It took me a little longer than usual (walking up and down the same aisle over and over to find the right thing) and I bought some things I normally wouldn't, but considering coupons, sales, and double and triple coupons, I saved $57! That's a savings of about 39% off my total bill. Yippee!

President Obama

Well, off to a shaky start. A botched oath of office, the most absurd benediction ever, and the worse dressed wife. Not to mention two Senators taken to the hospital (Kennedy and Byrd). His speech was depressing and uninspiring. It was more like a campaign stump speech than an inaugural address. Some of the parts were incoherent. He said "our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint." How naive is that? Security emanates from strength and force! Did the Jews have a just cause against the Nazis? Yes. Did they have any security? No. Was the justness of ending slavery enough to end that evil institution? No, war ended slavery. Stunning stupidity. He spent too much time in the university bubble.

He was also meshing personal responsibility with the necessity of larger government involvement. Which is it? Is the government going to solve all our problems or will it be the citizens? Or is "personal responsibility" synonymous with "don't bitch when I raise taxes"? What happened to "the buck stops here"? I don't know, perhaps it is my personal political bias but something about him troubles me. Perhaps it is because we really do not know who he is. Our only exposure to him has been in the light of a campaign where everyone is on their best behavior and cautious of polls. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

I wonder how long the honeymoon will last with his own party members. I think that all the hype is setting his supporters up for a big letdown. He may be popular now, but that can all change very fast. His approval ratings are about the same as Jimmy Carter's were, back when he took the oath. We all know how Carter turned out.

You gotta be kidding me...

Thank you "Reverend" Joseph Lowery for starting off the new Presidency on such a ?memorable? note. For those who have not yet heard, Lowery delivered the benediction at the inauguration. Here is a quote from his "prayer"
"Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen. Say Amen"

Wow, that will go down as the most retarded, insulting, racist and downright dumb prayer ever given at any inauguration. I'm disgusted.

Michelle Obama

Keith here. Not to sound like a hater, but....I can't let this go without saying something. Who the hell is dressing this woman? She has to go down as the worse dressed First Lady ever.

She wore this to the inauguration of all places. It looks like a couch I saw at Good Will once. Seriously!

This little number she wore when her husband won the election. Is it me or does she look like a black, I'm sorry, African American widow spider.

I don't even know what to say about this one.

Jedi knight? The fashion force is not so strong with this one.

Just for comparison.....

You're my Gyro!

Keith made an excellent meal last night. He is the king of perfection when it comes to tasty vittles. He made quite the feast. The only thing not made from scratch was the pita. I can only take credit for the hummus. Hummus:
Lemon Roasted Potatoes:
Gyros with Homemade Tzatziki:

Clip those coupons!

I clip coupons when Keith brings me a paper from work. I'm always trying out new ways to save and anyone that knows me knows that I love a good deal! While on a friend's blog (thanks Amber!) I read her post about Grocery Smarts, a free website dedicated to saving money on the basics. While the website seems to be for Utah only, it does list Walmart sales and I can print coupons.
Here is the passport code for anyone interested:

g84ckr

What a great way to save on the essentials!

Newsletter: Month 10

January 10, 2008New foods: Oatnut Toast, chicken, oranges
Nicknames: Remo, Remmers, Rems, Remi-toe, Remingtoe, So-so, Remi-so

Dear Remington,

This month begins your official reign of terror.

You have been such a little malcontent for what at first seemed like no reason. Then as time wore on I began to notice the source of your woes...a little pearly white trying to break the surface of your gums. Yes sirree, you are getting your first tooth. This tooth is an important milestone we felt would never come, but it was also brought upon us a lack of naps, screaming, whining, fevers, and interrupted nights of sleep.In addition to tooth trouble, you also had the super wiggles at the beginning of this month. You could scoot backwards so fast in would make our heads spin. You didn't seemed to have any particular destination in mind, but I had to rescue you from yourself several times. The day after Christmas a switch in your head flipped and you finally began to crawl forward. On top of that, you have started to pull yourself up on furniture, your main objective being to pull at Baxter's feet or Niles' ears. They have both lost some of their fondness for you due to this new development. Another interesting aspect of so much movement is FALLING. STRAIGHT BACK. LIKE A BOARD. Somehow you have not had a concussion yet, but you are the master of hitting your head on the only spot of the floor where there is not nearly enough protection.To protect you from yourself I have created a barricade in the family room that includes a rug with a nice soft carpet pad underneath, lots of toys and two roving dogs. Toys aren't enough to keep you away from the oh-so-attractive fireplace, which is surrounded by a soft and cozy brick step, and an ever alluring electrical outlet. I have never understood the importance of baby proofing until now!
Now that you know how to stand, you refuse to go peacefully down for a nap. You sit up the second I put you down. You got your limbs stuck in the crib rungs so many times that I finally had to banish you to your pack and play. You weren't at all thrilled, and I don't even want to count how many hours I spent letting you 'cry it out' only to give up and bounce you for a few minutes in order to get you to go to sleep.
Despite all of your recent troubles, you have managed to keep your precious sense of humor. You love to laugh and jabber. You say 'mama' (I think you know what that means) you wave 'hi' and 'bye' and you love to stretch your hands above your head when we ask, "Who's so big?"We celebrated your first Christmas this month. You got a million board books from me, an awesome push and ride toy from dad, and a barrage of other presents from family and friends. It seemed you were a little overwhelmed with all of the wrapping paper because we gave up after about 30 minutes and ended up not even opening all of your presents until three or four days later. We spent a lovely Christmas Day evening with Marshall's family and you are trying to gain a better appreciation of strangers. Everyone was so sweet to you, but you rarely let your guard down. You really did enjoy eating Cheerios given by my nine year old cousin Alicia. Every time we get together she is gentle and patient with you and you seem to really enjoy her attention. This has been a very interesting and hectic month for all of us. We are so glad that you are growing so fast and hitting a nice stride. You are no longer a baby! You are our little boy!
Love you!

Love,
Mama

Jibber Jabber

Mama is pretty clear and Daddy is something like "Abah"

Bundled

We had a great time making smores with Keith in our new chimenea! So cold outside!

Sad day in the GOM

Keith lost two co-workers in a fatal crash in the swamps of Louisiana yesterday. PHI Inc's pilot Thomas Ballenger, 63, of Eufaula, Ala.; co-pilot Vyarl Wayne Martin, 46, of Hurst, Texas. Six others perished as well.
Our thoughts go out to their families and friends.
It really hits home hard when something like this happens. Keep your loved ones close.

Most hated TV personalities

Why do they bother me so much???
George Stephanopoulos
Barbara Walters
Matt Lauer
Katie Couric
Lester Holt
Donna Brazil
Victoria Recano
Joy Behar


And for the Utah crew...
Hope Woodside and Sandy Riesgraf of Fox 13 news