Okay, when I saw this, I thought of the kids. This is definitely something they would do. At least before the were corrupted by their mother!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Having a Man Around the House...
...makes mowing lawns easier.
As the result of unforeseen circumstances, Valiant was unable to fulfill his mowing obligation for Miss Sue. In the old days, you would have come home from work and headed over to make it happen. In our new world, we're still sticking together, but we're rolling a bit differently.
Yep, Buttercup begged and learned to operate the mower, so she got to collect the paycheck.
(Helping Daddy - June 26, 2002)
As the result of unforeseen circumstances, Valiant was unable to fulfill his mowing obligation for Miss Sue. In the old days, you would have come home from work and headed over to make it happen. In our new world, we're still sticking together, but we're rolling a bit differently.
(July 26, 2010 - 8 years and 1 month later)
Yep, Buttercup begged and learned to operate the mower, so she got to collect the paycheck.
Having a Man Around the House Makes Some Things Easier
After 6 months, I not ashamed to say that I've discovered some things are just easier with a man around the house. I've decided that I should not hold back these thoughts and, instead, I'll share them with you in a new occasional series:
Having a Man Around the House Makes Some Things Easier
Hopefully, these things will put a smile on your face.
So, today, the first one:
Having a man around the house makes removing, washing, and replacing a dust-ruffle on a king-sized bed much easier. Oh, don't get me wrong: I did it and Buttercup and Valiant helped, but it was definitely one of those things that is much easier when you're around. (Yes, that is an old, old picture and no, I didn't rearrange our bedroom.)
Having a Man Around the House Makes Some Things Easier
Hopefully, these things will put a smile on your face.
So, today, the first one:
Monday, July 26, 2010
Peeple Magazine
The new issue of Peeple magazine.
People have been "Tweeting" about it all day.
I personally got a " hoot " out of it.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Little Animals...
One day I was correcting the kids' manners at the dinner table when they responded that life would be simpler if I just let them eat "animal style". Imagine their shock when I said OK. I took away forks and knives and said have at it.
Valiant dug in.
What? You thought your little princess would abstain?
They quickly figured out it was harder to eat without utensils than it was to eat with them. (Laughing so hard you get spaghetti sauce up your nose probably didn't help.)
Animal style...
Fun the whole family can have?
Valiant dug in.
What? You thought your little princess would abstain?
They quickly figured out it was harder to eat without utensils than it was to eat with them. (Laughing so hard you get spaghetti sauce up your nose probably didn't help.)
Animal style...
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Goldilocks
Alright, so I'm learning to crochet beanies. It's fun, and the going around in circles means that you can drop a stitch occasionally without extraordinarily drastic results. My one problem is size. My first hat turned into something sized for the Abominable Snowman, certainly too big for Buttercup's head. And now, I've gone the other way, and made a lovely little brimmed hat that will look great on someone's toddler. Third time's the charm, right?
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The Unfairity Of It All!
Dear Family-
I do not like to complain, but these guys are really starting to wear me out over here. Don't get me wrong, I get that it is a bazillion degrees out during the day and working when it is cooler is great. What I want to know is how people are supposed to get any sleep around here? Today, they started at 6:30 PM. The nice new road that they made is now being jack hammered apart. It would appear that the forgot to put pipes in before they laid down the asphalt. I have attached a nice video of what it is going to be like from now until about 3:00 AM. I hope these ear plugs work!
Annoying! Click
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
We have color...
I know you were saying your world has become all tan-colored, so I thought I'd show you some color...this picture was taken from the car on the 11th of July as we headed home from Grandpa John's. Gorgeous, isn't it?
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
What do you call this?
Dear Family-
Well, today is another of those interesting days. I walked out the door to my building and Wham! A blast of hot steamy air enveloped me. It was easily in the 90's with a humidity well over a 100%. It was startling, but kind of cool at the same time. The windows of the cars were steamed up and if you had to wear glasses, you were kind of screwed. Cranking the AC in the car causes some condensation on the glass which is really odd. It is the same thing that happens to your iced tea glass on a hot summer day. I think the best way to describe it is that is is foggy out even though foggy in our minds tends to conjure up thoughts of it being cloudy and cool. So, I am in search of a name for a day that has hot fog. Any suggestions?
Well, today is another of those interesting days. I walked out the door to my building and Wham! A blast of hot steamy air enveloped me. It was easily in the 90's with a humidity well over a 100%. It was startling, but kind of cool at the same time. The windows of the cars were steamed up and if you had to wear glasses, you were kind of screwed. Cranking the AC in the car causes some condensation on the glass which is really odd. It is the same thing that happens to your iced tea glass on a hot summer day. I think the best way to describe it is that is is foggy out even though foggy in our minds tends to conjure up thoughts of it being cloudy and cool. So, I am in search of a name for a day that has hot fog. Any suggestions?
Monday, July 5, 2010
And yet, the transformation is only skin deep...
...when she saw the previous post, Buttercup immediately launched into this:
Yeah, Mom, but when Dad gets back, he's going to say one Bart-joke and I'll be gone.
Then she proceeds to recite the following, verbatim:
Moe: Hello, Moe's Tavern. Birthplace of the Rob Roy.
Bart: Is Seymour there? Last name Butz.
Moe: Just a sec. Hey, is there a Butz here? Seymour Butz? Hey, everybody! I wanna see more butts!
At that point, she cracked herself up to the point that she could no longer speak.
Pretty on the outside and Bart Simpson on the inside...I guess it could be worse!
Yeah, Mom, but when Dad gets back, he's going to say one Bart-joke and I'll be gone.
Then she proceeds to recite the following, verbatim:
Moe: Hello, Moe's Tavern. Birthplace of the Rob Roy.
Bart: Is Seymour there? Last name Butz.
Moe: Just a sec. Hey, is there a Butz here? Seymour Butz? Hey, everybody! I wanna see more butts!
At that point, she cracked herself up to the point that she could no longer speak.
Pretty on the outside and Bart Simpson on the inside...I guess it could be worse!
Ha!
I told you I'd turn her back into a girl while you were gone! Damn, I'm good...less than six months and she's come back to the dark side! Bwa haa haa!
Lighting Up The Night
Dear Family-
Sometimes it is easy to overlook some really neat things. I think that I have been guilty of that during my time here. I look around and see stuff and do not make the connection of "you should share this". Well, here is something I would like to share. Where I work is literally in the middle of the desert away from pretty much everything. There are a lot of permanent buildings, but there are also a lot of temporary structures and tents. The neat thing is is that every night this base is lit up from one side to the other. Not by street lights, but by hundreds of portable generators with light towers.
As you approach the base at night, it glows from the light provided by these units. What I find truly amazing is that every night and every morning a team of people drives around on ATV's turning these things on and off.
Cool, huh?
Sometimes it is easy to overlook some really neat things. I think that I have been guilty of that during my time here. I look around and see stuff and do not make the connection of "you should share this". Well, here is something I would like to share. Where I work is literally in the middle of the desert away from pretty much everything. There are a lot of permanent buildings, but there are also a lot of temporary structures and tents. The neat thing is is that every night this base is lit up from one side to the other. Not by street lights, but by hundreds of portable generators with light towers.
As you approach the base at night, it glows from the light provided by these units. What I find truly amazing is that every night and every morning a team of people drives around on ATV's turning these things on and off.
Cool, huh?
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Nap Worthy
Dear Family-
Our conversation last week led me in to discussions this week with my coworkers. In particular, I asked people what they normally do during their off time. Depending on the person, it ranged from diving in the Philpines, to going out to eat, to watching movies, and to spending time with the family. Universally, we agreed that during the work week we are too tired to do anything. Even my friend Troy does not do much even though his family is here. He gets home, eats, spends a little time and then crashes. What I also found interesting is that most people kind of rate activities based upon their value relative to taking a nap on their day off. As an example, the diver dude went out with a new girl on his Saturday afternoon. He found the whole thing not worth while and decided to take a nap on Sunday instead of seeing her again. In other words, she wasn't nap worthy. In all seriousness, there really is not a lot to do here and I think that is why I have not put any thought in to having you come visit. It is not a particularly nice country, the people are not charming, and it is really expensive. So am I being boring? I think maybe a little bit. Was I being a martyr? Probably yes. I will definitely be looking to broaden my horizons in the coming weeks by trying some Pakistani and Indian cuisine.
Love you!
Our conversation last week led me in to discussions this week with my coworkers. In particular, I asked people what they normally do during their off time. Depending on the person, it ranged from diving in the Philpines, to going out to eat, to watching movies, and to spending time with the family. Universally, we agreed that during the work week we are too tired to do anything. Even my friend Troy does not do much even though his family is here. He gets home, eats, spends a little time and then crashes. What I also found interesting is that most people kind of rate activities based upon their value relative to taking a nap on their day off. As an example, the diver dude went out with a new girl on his Saturday afternoon. He found the whole thing not worth while and decided to take a nap on Sunday instead of seeing her again. In other words, she wasn't nap worthy. In all seriousness, there really is not a lot to do here and I think that is why I have not put any thought in to having you come visit. It is not a particularly nice country, the people are not charming, and it is really expensive. So am I being boring? I think maybe a little bit. Was I being a martyr? Probably yes. I will definitely be looking to broaden my horizons in the coming weeks by trying some Pakistani and Indian cuisine.
Love you!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Magic Fingers this isn't!
Dear Family-
Life in wonderland can really be odd at times. The area in which I live is still being "developed" so things like curbs, sidewalks, and roads are kind of a work in progress. While I am all for progress, I kind of like my progress to happen between the hours of say, 6 AM to 6 PM. Unfortunately, I am not always consulted ahead of time and therefore things can quickly go down hill. In this case, someone at the "Ministry" failed to consult me and had the bright idea to give the go ahead to begin road construction at midnight. The first night was somewhat of an experience. A low rumbling sound that quickly built in to a roar that proceeded to vibrate my bed and the knick knacks on my dresser. I woke up thinking, "How do I turn this thing off!". And, as quickly as it started, it slowly disappeared in to the realm of a bad dream as stuff stopped moving and the walls stopped reverberating. Unfortunately, 10 minutes later, the whole thing started over again as the huge piece of equipment passed by my apartment again, and then again, and then again. So far, inquiries in to getting this to stop until a reasonable hour have only been met with, "No problem boss". No problem boss? You did it again last night! Yes, big problem boss! I didn't order the deluxe Magic Fingers bed, so please, take it back!
Life in wonderland can really be odd at times. The area in which I live is still being "developed" so things like curbs, sidewalks, and roads are kind of a work in progress. While I am all for progress, I kind of like my progress to happen between the hours of say, 6 AM to 6 PM. Unfortunately, I am not always consulted ahead of time and therefore things can quickly go down hill. In this case, someone at the "Ministry" failed to consult me and had the bright idea to give the go ahead to begin road construction at midnight. The first night was somewhat of an experience. A low rumbling sound that quickly built in to a roar that proceeded to vibrate my bed and the knick knacks on my dresser. I woke up thinking, "How do I turn this thing off!". And, as quickly as it started, it slowly disappeared in to the realm of a bad dream as stuff stopped moving and the walls stopped reverberating. Unfortunately, 10 minutes later, the whole thing started over again as the huge piece of equipment passed by my apartment again, and then again, and then again. So far, inquiries in to getting this to stop until a reasonable hour have only been met with, "No problem boss". No problem boss? You did it again last night! Yes, big problem boss! I didn't order the deluxe Magic Fingers bed, so please, take it back!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Houston, We Have Lift Off!
Your oldest son has moved into his very first apartment. He's happy, he's excited, and he's just a little bit nervous.
Me? I'm just proud of him. He's going to do well. Oh, and I made him smile for a picture that I could send to you!
Me? I'm just proud of him. He's going to do well. Oh, and I made him smile for a picture that I could send to you!
The Power of Marketing
Dear Family-
One of the neat things about living overseas is getting out and about to observe how daily life happens. A lot of the stuff we just take for granted is absent. You are hungry; where do you get food? Your car needs gas, where do you fill up? I could probably plop you down in any city in the US and you could solve each of those problems in a matter of minutes. When you are living somewhere that doesn't share your language or culture, it gets a lot harder. I have found that once you cross the barrier of being able to understand where to go for things, the rest is pretty easy. As an example, I had to go shopping for laundry detergent the other day. I went to the store and was able to find what I needed. I didn't find what I was looking for because I could read the language, I found it because I know what it looks like. After years of seeing the same old packaging, you automatically know what something is by seeing it. Neat, huh? (it is Tide by the way)
Thursday, July 1, 2010
No Fear...
Obviously, no one has told Bean that cats don't like to be on their backs.
She and Buttercup played like this for at least ten minutes.
Welcome To Wonderland!
Dear Family-
I wanted to say a big "Thanks!" for the wonderful Father's Day package that I received this week. I really appreciated the care package the newest arrivals to keep me company. They have a lot of character and I have discovered that they take things quite literally. The concept of "friends for dinner" had to be explained very quickly and, thankfully, left no hard feelings or missing friends. I haven't come up with any names yet, but I am sure that it is coming.
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