The Object of My Frustration

If anyone actually read my blog, they would notice that there's been some lapse in my entries as of late. A couple of posts ago I wrote that I had been cleaning house and I attributed the "blog neglect" to that. And while that was a big part of it, the other contributing factor is this piece of -- um, "equipment," right here:



My camera. I hate it! And I've turned into one of those folks that don't like blog entries without pictures. I go back and forth on whether I should take the plunge and get one of those really nice ones that seem to be the latest "in" thing among every mother and well, their mother.

The truth is that taking a photography course has always been something I've thought about. and I'd certainly have to if I made the big investment. I'm pretty creative, but I'm not a natural photog. Every once in a while when I do get a good picture it's because I got lucky after snapping 359 of them. That being said, I have no doubt that with a little instruction, I'd be snapping some frame-and-mat worthy pictures.

At the start of last summer I made a conscious effort to learn everything there was to know about my old point and shoot before giving the fancy deal another thought. That was all it took for the darn thing to fall on the floor and die on me soon thereafter. Unfortunately, it was a few days before J's Kinder Program and I had to run out and get something else. I didn't even have my iPhone then, so I really had no choice. We ran to Costco and got the one I currently own.

And now, to top it off, the USB cord that also serves as a charger is missing. I'm going to have to go out and spend more money on this thing that I can't stand. Wonderful.

Once again, I'm going to make a conscious effort to learn everything about this camera before giving the fancy deal another thought.

One of a few things can happen: I can learn it and love it; I can learn it and hate it; or, if Murphy's Law is on my side, it can meet the same fate as the other one and rest forever peacefully in camera heaven.

(btw: the fact that the picture above is really ugly, didn't get lost on me. I think I just made my case for why I need to enroll in a class.)

I YA U ME

M has been a talking machine lately. She never ceases to amaze us with the things she picks up and then repeats at the perfect time. She can hold a full-on conversation that will quickly make you forget that she's only a little over two. And that's why it's so cute when she reverts back to her toddler speak.

The other day we were sitting on the couch before bed. She climbed in next to J and began the usual rubbing of his head. She then inched her face into his and said, "I ya you, J." He ignored her. She tried again. Without taking his eyes off of the television set, he acknowledged her with an "Okay" that sounded more like a grunt. Not one to be easily discouraged, she went for it once again:

M: I ya you, J.
J: (Silence).
M: (Continues to stare at him in anticipation of a response ~ there is none.)

And then finally:

M: I ya you me, J?
J: (Silence).
M: I YA YOU ME, J!!!!
J: Okay, M. Yeah, I love you.
M: Okay.

The girl knows what she wants and she's going after it even if she has to beat it out of you!

And, since we're in the "loving" sort of mood: Today is Valentines Day, so I'll throw in a couple of pictures of the kids with their Valentines cards:





A picture of the cards with their kids would be a more accurate description, but whatever. They loved their new shirts: a TS3 one for J (of course), and an Olivia for M.

D even got me a new coffee mug in my favorite yellow color. I ya you, D!

Happy Heart's Day!

Home Organized Home

Hello February ~ Wow. Where did January go without me as much as stopping by to say hello?

One of my things to do this year ~ not a resolution so much as a decision ~ was to get the house organized. Yeah, I know, that's my "thing" each and every day, but that's my excuse for where I've been and it's been so much fun. I'm a junkie. I love order. An organized closet brings me great, great joy.

I stumbled upon this blog,and it's been really nice to know that there are other neurotic folks like me out there. She puts me to shame, really, but that's okay.

I thought I knew pretty much there is to know on this here topic, but to my chagrin, I've learned a new thing or two by reading it.

I used to put things off until I organized this or that or that, but I've come to the conclusion that organizing is a journey...I may never have the whole house organized at once, and that too is okay.

So, without further ado, I'm back. I'll organize AND blog just like I've been doing since I started this here ol' manuscript almost two years ago. Because if there's anything I love almost as much as an organized closet, it's a good blog entry.

Almost.

1.1.11

It will be 100 years before that sequence of numbers will be used as a date again. I think it looks cool in print, but unfortunately, I had no need to write it down anywhere -- not a check, not any sort of form, nothing, which is probably the only logical explanation for

why I'm writing about it now.

This is Google's logo for the new year...those guys are kinda creative over there:

So as to not let the day go unnoticed, I'm going to give a run down of a day in the life of the Koongs, not just any day, 1.1.11:

Daddy:
Up around 7ish I'd say. Hung out with the kids in bed, made breakfast for them consisting of bacon and toast. Gym with M, WalMart to return some tire chains he bought for his trip to Mt. Rainier yesterday, Home. Tacoma to return some shoes. Dinner at Applebees with the family. Watched part of Toy Story 2 with the kids. bed around 8:45.

Mommy:
Slept in until 8:45. Unloaded dishwasher, drove to Lakewood Towne Center with J. Had lunch at Old Country Buffet. Came home and worked on my previous blog entry. Dinner at Applebees with the family, Target. Home; finished blog entry and started this one....the time is 9:20 pm.

J:
Chilled in bed with Daddy and Mia. Had breakfast, played Leapster Explorer. Went to Lakewood Towne Center with Mommy. Bought a Woody Matchbox car with his tooth fairy money, had lunch at Old Country Buffet. Came home, played with Mia upstairs in the play kitchen, went to dinner with the family at Applebees, had a corn dog and an Oreo sundae. Came home and watched Toy Story 2 with Daddy and M. Went to bed at around 8:45 in Daddy's room.

M:
Woke up about 6:30 went and hung out w/ Mommy in Js room because J was sleeping in her bed w/ Daddy -- it's Friday. After Mommy fell back asleep, got up and went to hang out in the fun room with the guys. Had breakfast, went to the gym and WalMart with Daddy. Came home, napped, watched Sesame Street, played in the play kitchen w/ J. Went to Applebees for dinner w/ the family and had a cheeseburger and fries. Came home, watched Toy Story 2 with Daddy and J, went to bed around 8:00.

And there you have it.
Borrrrrrrring,
but if anybody should ask what you did on 1.1.11,
you don't have to look any further than here.

Full

A girl full of cheer.

A street full of fanfare.
That only I seemed to be interested in, but that's besides the point.

Boxes full of toys.

A camera full of not-so-Christmas-card-worthy pictures.

And another.

And one more.

A tree full of lights.
A fridge full of food.

A cutie full of imagination.

A Gospel full of life.

A Christmas Eve full of cozy gifts,

preparations,

and some selfishness,

"Does Santa really need another cookie?"

Stockings full of loot.

The bottom of a Pillow Pet full of money from

the Tooth Fairy --on Chistmas Day no less!

And from Santa, not one to be left out,

a box full of Legos;

a cart full of groceries; and

a morning full of excitement.

A holiday full of grandparents.

A day full of laughs.

Until AK infested our computer with a virus, that is.

A dining table full of family.

A mother full of love.

A mountain full of snow.

And a little guy full of enthusiasm to sled it.

A girl full of sleepy, but watching New Year's Rocking Eve anyway.

A glass full of goodness.

And a wishful metaphor for our being.

A little boy full of motivation to stay up until midnight and ring in

the new year for the first time in his life,

but who at the end of the day, didn't quite make it to the end of this day.

(He was 40 minutes short of his goal, as noted on the clock in the background.)

And a family who joins millions around the world with

a heart full of hope that the 365 days that lie ahead are wonderful ones.

Bring on 2011!