That Time Has Come

Dear Readers,

Since 2004 I've been writing here and enjoying every bit of it. I've enjoyed the company, the comments, the friendships I've made. I thank you for everything you've shared with me.. the things you've taught me. I've grown as a person.

It's time for me to move on from blogging. To what? I just don't know. I just know that I've always been my own #1 reader and that I'm not happy with what I'm reading any more. I'm not happy with what I'm writing. Having a blog isn't an interest at this time of my life. So I'm closing things up.

I haven't deleted anything. I want my children to have the archives to read when they are older. And maybe some time in my life I too might want to reflect back on my writings. To review. To relearn. To remember.

I've lost something and I need to go find it. Maybe some day I'll dust this blog off and return. But for now. I'm done.

Truly,
Insanity Infusion

A Tasty Adventure

I'm still in my funky mood, but I did get out the other day to go walking with a couple girlfriends. As usual, they were a lot of fun... lighthearted, funny, and a great support with every topic of conversation that came up.

I also got a new, fun, toy! I got a fancy schmancy espresso machine!

After reading the manual eight times yesterday I decided it was time to whip that baby out of the box and put her to use.

It's very cool... now to find some awesome espresso cups and fun mocha mugs!

Recouping

I finished unpacking the suitcases and ran some errands this morning. Went to Costco and stocked up on all sorts of goodies. But now I'm feeling tired and quiet. I don't feel like doing much else than snuggling with my girls and having the TV on low.

Cleaning House

We're back and had a wonderful time!

I really was unplugged while on vacation and it felt great. I didn't even take that many pictures... although I did miss a few shots - perfect perfect shots - because I didn't have my camera with me. I regret that, but it was nice just to soak up the vacation with my family and not let my technology addiction rear its ugly head.

The munchkins are little brown berries now and I am proud to say they didn't get sunburned once.

My husband spoiled me terribly with luxuries and endless mochas beachside... and even a romantic dinner on the beach - right on the beach - without the kids!

Now I'm trying to get the house in order and do laundry and keep the toymania at a minimum since the girls are so happy to be back with all their things...

However, it's a real challenge explaining to Munchkin #1 that we can't go walking to Waikiki any more.

"Mommy? Hawaii? Waikiki??"

Aloha!

Just saying bye to you all for a few days...

I was going to bring my laptop, but now I just want to be unplugged I think. Granted, I'm sure I'll chat about computers and eye a few of them longingly as I pass them by on our trip, but I just want to soak up the trip and not think about the computer. It's refreshing to do that... reconnect with the you you knew before technology invaded your inner mind.

Have a great few days and I'll be returning on the 28th!!

Coffee Beans and Uncooked Rice

Today is Wednesday and Wednesday means dance class. Well, at least it used to.

Last week after our daughter cried the entire first half of class, after having cried the entire class from the week before (having never really cried at all before then)... the instructor pulled me aside to discuss our daughter's -problem-.

The instructor believed that our daughter was now crying (after not crying for two months) because she wasn't fitting in because we (the parents of our daughter who were advised against the wearing of tap shoes at our daughter's age in our daughter's specific case by an orthopedist) had not put our daughter in tap shoes and she was not being accepted by the other children.

These girls are two.

I am baffled by this woman's inability to move beyond a two year old wearing ballet shoes during a tap session.

I am amazed that she deems her knowledge of children's feet and their well being to be of a higher standard than a doctor's.

The instructor admitted to a behavior change of my daughter's week before last after she reprimanded my daughter for being too squirrely in the class. I wasn't allowed to be in the room, nor were other mothers, so I am not sure what was said or how it was said or any of the other details... I am fine with discipline sure... it's a necessary part of life, but whatever happened resulted in my daughter feeling very insecure and upset whenever she is around this woman.

Last week our daughter was fine... ran right in to the class and started playing and dancing with the other girls. Then the instructor showed up and she had an entire behavior change.

Doesn't seem like a tap shoe issue to me. Seems more like this instructor has a pathological problem with our daughter who, Heaven Forbid!, wears ballet shoes during the tap session.

So after lying awake last Wednesday night very bothered by the situation and not really wanting my daughter to spend so much time being so upset... and concerned that this woman's attitude toward my daughter might squash her outgoing nature and passion for all the fun things little toddlers do....I decided that it was a) silly that I was losing sleep over a DANCE CLASS FOR TWO YEAR OLDS b) that I shouldn't be letting this woman have such a grab on what I do with my child and what I feel is best for them and c) that I don't need to be paying for such ridiculousness!

We pulled her out of this dance class. There's many other classes in town.

I didn't keep my child seeing a doctor I wasn't pleased with, so why would I keep my child seeing a dance instructor I am not agreeing with?

We made our own dance shakers out of a couple old small bottles with flat lids and put coffee beans and uncooked rice in them.

And she's been dancing her heart out... TAPPING... in her BALLET shoes... and smiling all the while.

The Flower Lion

We've been playing instead of doing everything else we're supposed to be doing like laundry and packing and cleaning and organizing and any of those other domestic chores that aren't any fun.

She's Queen of the House Jungle and let's her roar be heard.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Immune :: Safe


2. Together :: Forever


3. Blank :: Slate


4. Professional :: Photography


5. Thousand :: Island Dressing


6. Penetration :: (I hate this word... heh) Um.. To Poke


7. Shutter :: Bug


8. Upside down :: ..Turn That Frown


9. Neck :: Lace


10. Unlisted :: Phone Number

I Was Goosed

My busy schedule continues... such is the life of a photographer and mother of two. It's a lot of fun though, especially with the new friends I've made in town that encourage and support me and tolerate my endless "ooh can we stop walking so I can snap a shot of that..." moments.

The little one is near to crawling now and she thinks her big sister is hillarious. Especially when being scolded.

We leave in less than a week for our trip to Hawaii! We are so excited although I can't say I'm thrilled about all that we have to bring.. TWO car seats.. suitcases... about a bajillion diapers... Ok, I guess it's just the car seats which are really going to be a pain. But they are needed for safety and that's just how it goes.

I think I'll go relish in some quiet time and watch The Food Network with a mug of tea... it's close to 90 outside but I've got the AC cranked and hot tea sounds good.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Edit:

I completely forgot what this post was supposed to be about! ha!

"I Was Goosed"... great title for what I wrote above wasn't it? Hardly...

Excuse me while my brain is half broken.

So I took the girls to the park yesterday and a goose nearly GOBBLED US UP!
It honestly chased us down the sidewalk with its beak and tongue flapping at us and hissing and making all kinds of nasty sounds at us.

The best I could do was grab ahold of the stroller and run like a scared little child. My husband however thought I should have put my camera to good use and knocked that little goosey out cold.

We survived... but I'm not sure I'll look at a goose in quite the same way again.

I'm Not a Waffle Eater, BUT...

Photo copyrighted Williams Sonoma.

...THIS looks mighty scrumptious!

Also, the Wizard of Oz finally stepped out from behind the curtain and revealed the garage secret!

My husband tinted the SUV windows with limousine black tint... very cool... very nice! I'm totally loving it! And miraculously he did it by himself. Although he says he'll never do it again and that it's a good thing he did most of it while myself and the girls were sleeping due to the large amounts of swearing that was spewing out of his mouth.

And remind me that no matter how many miles I've walked in my flip flops in previous years, that I shouldn't walk for two hours in them when it's the first walking I've done in them in awhile. Remind me that I need to work up to lengthy walks. Remind me how painful blisters are and that I don't want them. Remind me to use my brain.

Thank you.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Represent :: Messenger


2. Mumbling :: Under your breath


3. Meetup :: Walking on Monday


4. Tantalizing :: Dessert


5. Fake :: Insincere


6. Dale :: Disney squirrel


7. Deny :: Reality


8. Calories :: Everywhere.I.turn!


9. Roll :: of dollar bills


10. 44 :: Bottles of beer on the wall. Have I drank that many already??

Where I'm At With the Mad Scientist

I can't believe a week has gone by thereabouts since I've blogged last. I don't know where the time is going these days! I've met a lot of new people near me this past week which has lead to a lot of outs and abouts. It's been a lot of fun. The weather has been great and my husband had Friday off work and this weekend he's off as well.

Aside from meeting some new fun people this week, I've also had a new development on my photography front. I was asked to freelance with a company. This is very exciting! We're still working out details, but hopefully I'll start working on that photo shoot soon.

And then there's this situation with my husband. He's working on a ~mystery~ project in the garage. I'm not allowed out there. I hear strange clunking and am smelling odd smells. He's very serious about me not going out there. Same with the girls. No.one.is.to.go.out.into.the.garage. Weird man I married for sure. But I'm being good and not peeking... don't want to ruin whatever it is he's got planned.

My baby girl is growing so fast...

At It Again

We stopped working on it for awhile, but now my daughter is all excited about photography again...

Her Photo Blog

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Out of place :: Wallflower


2. Helicopter :: Traffic report


3. Francis :: Half-elf male avatar I used to game


4. Ryan :: Seacrest


5. Wedding :: June 14


6. Apalled :: @ how you've changed over the years


7. Historian :: Filled with interesting knowledge


8. Powerful :: Emotions


9. Sex symbol :: My husband :)


10. Uncomfortable :: New shoes

Photo Friday: Famous

The Yosemite National Park Falls

Thusday Challenge: Spring

At The Bakery

This morning I woke up early and felt charged up and ready to go. Munchkin #1 and my husband were still sound asleep, but the baby and I were dressed and ready to start our day.

I decided to take the baby with me on an early morning errand to the bakery to pick up goodies for the secretaries at my husband's work (since it is Administrative Assistant's Day). The sun was rising - a beautiful orange yellow sun with a gorgeous purple blue sky and the trees in a morning shade of dark green... it was amazing.

We arrived at the bakery and they were baking up a storm so it smelled delicious in there.. mmm mmm! We grabbed the last two brownie and cookie bar trays available and also nabbed a tray of yummy danishes.

As we were waiting to pay, a group of four elderly people who were there for some juicy morning gossip and a pastry, offered to let us go ahead of them.

"Why don't you go ahead... we're retired, we've got alllll day!"

"Thank you, that's so nice..."

And my sweet baby girl just kept eyeing the gentleman in the group... the only gentleman with three lady companions.

"She's really got her eye on you!" said one of the women.

The gentleman chuckles and replies, "Well, it's not every day she goes to the zoo!"

And I had to laugh - I thought that was so cute and quick witted.

And it looks like Munchkin #2 is going to be as big of a flirt as Munchkin #1, because when he said this with such warm charm, she gave him the biggest gummy smile a baby could.

My girls... such heart stealers.

Exciting To Me

To others this may not be a big deal, but to me it's kind of exciting.

I noticed today that four of my photos have made it on the to Explore listings for the months of March and April (Two for March and two for April).

 
 

Click on the square photo to view the larger, more detailed size.

Do I Look Any Different To You?

I went to the eye doctor again this morning. Everything looks great and I don't have to go back now for a year. Eye is hunky-dory and I ordered my new lenses for my glasses so now I'll see crystal clear once I get them back.

I'm actually wearing my contacts now for the first time in a long while and I don't even need to order new ones... with them in I am seeing 20/15 which I think is pretty darn good, yeah?

So I arrive home, round up the family, and out the door we head again to get mochas and a snack and to go for a drive. We get situated in the car and I turn to my husband and say, "So... do I look any different to you?"

"What do you mean? Different?"

"Well, you know, you're so used to seeing me in my glasses nowadays... do I look different to you wearing my contacts and now wearing my glasses?"

"Uh nope.. you don't. You look just like you..."

And there's a short pause of silence followed by...

"Besides, I don't ever look at you in the face... I always talk to your chest."

Men. You gotta love the honest ones.

Sandwich Skills

My husband worked the better part of yesterday which meant he was tired when he came home. We had talked earlier on the phone about our dinner plans. He decided he really wanted me to order pizza, but that since I was really in the mood for a sandwich... he'd swing by a sandwich place on his way home and get me one for dinner - that way everyone's happy.

When he got home he had a cute story to share with me that I'm going to share with you now:

He orders the sandwich I wanted (turkey on white with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard, pickles - pretty darn basic but it's what I was in the mood for)... and the girl working the sandwich bar looks up at my husband and says, "Oh wow! You must have had a really hard day..."

"Well, I had to work...I'm a bit tired..."

She replies with a smile, "Hopefully my sandwich making skills will make you a good sandwich that will ease your pain a bit then.."

"If it does, it will be easing my wife's pain, because the sandwich is for her..."

"Oh is this for here or to go?"

My husband looks around and chuckles a bit with, "Well, I suppose I could drive home and get my wiffe and bring her back here to eat the sandwich, but she'd probably just rather eat it at home..."

The girl tried to explain that she thought maybe I was sitting in the car and would come in after he ordered .. so on and so forth...

And as my husband paid, she went to walk to the cash register and didn't realize she had the phone cord wrapped around her foot and yanked the phone right off the counter...

Some nights you're on and some nights you're off... poor girl.