Sunday, September 30, 2007

Jar Jar Lives Here

I am a self-professed Star Wars junky, but even I thought Jar Jar was LAME--even the Ewoks were tolerable when compared to the floppy-eared buffoon that commanded way too much screen time in Episode I. Anyway, you might find it amusing to know that the twins , in their determination to do things on their own, have adopted Jar Jar's speaking style. Around here we here we often hear things like "Thisa my do it." or "Mesa by my own". It's cute, and I don't know where hey picked it up--I haven't unleashed the Star Wars saga on them yet--but why Jar Jar? Why couldn't they speak like Yoda? I would much rather hear phrases like, "To the potty I go" or "Potty Power I please watch" or "More milk I have please." Hmmm...maybe it's time to sit them down for a viewing of Empire Strikes Back and a language lesson from a 900 year old Jedi Master?

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Autumn, Day 1: Nice

Today was officially the first day of Autumn. It was fairly nice here on the island; high 60s and mostly sunny. I spent most of the day ridding one of the garden areas of a parasitic clover plant and amending soil with smelly compost. Rachelle spent a lot of time inside hanging with the little ladies and being a power mom. The girls and I had popsicles and rode trikes; they did anyway. We also got educated about potty power--again--and how it's bad to steal like the Swiper does on Dora the Explorer. Swiper, no swiping!

Valdez--my lawn club friend and neighbor--launched a rocket with his son, my next-door neighbor re-stained his front porch, and I blasted KEXP while on my anti-clover crusade. Down with clover!! It was a good day; I didn't have to use my AK--as if I had one--and the neighborhood was awash in the usual suburban activities (mowing lawns, puttering around, etc.). This might be one of the last nice weekend days we have until the gray ceiling clamps down on us like vise, so I'm happy I was able to enjoy most of it outdoors.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Exercise is Great, But...

Getting back into a workout routine after slacking for a year is, uh, difficult. I pushed myself today to restart my weekday weight lifting habit, and man did I pay--and I haven't even felt the effects of the second day soreness. I couldn't believe how tired I was after only 45 minutes of lifting weights! In a week or two I should be feeling somewhat better than a lazy 38 year old computer nerd, but right now I feel like a lazy 38 year old computer nerd.

Tomorrow, I will slip on my new running shoes and make an attempt to run around the island--or at least around the block. Btw, I LOVE the Internet for this reason. For procrastinators--who are also impatient--like me, it rocks that I can order pair of shoes a day before I decide to run, and get them the next day. I'll bet Al Gore is a total procrastinator. Didn't he invent the Internet? Just kidding, Al.

Alright...back to the computer nerding activities.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

The Autumn Approach, Grapes, and the Power of the...

As I sit here typing and watching the sun creep through the marine layer, the twins are hard at work studying the art of potty power. Yep. They are--by request--watching a video titled "Potty Power"(thanks, Valdez!). As a result, I have been shuttling them to and from the potty room about every 15 minutes. Great fun!

The days are getting shorter here in the land of fresh, wild salmon, space needles, islands, and fleece formal wear--I jest about the fleece, though people do wear an excessive amount of it here (I have three fleece jackets myself). The trees are also beginning to show the signs of the seasonal shift. Fall is always nice around here, but it does signal the start of long gray days ahead bringing their mood crushing dreariness to weigh down on us Northwesterners. OK, it's not that bad--really.

Tonight, to celebrate the change of season, shell and I get well-deserved night out. We will be attending the annual "Grapes of Wrath" wine tasting party at our neighbors house. OK...going across the street to drink wine, while a neighbor girl babysits the twins isn't exactly the definition of a wild night out, but you take what you can get as a parent. This party is always a good time, so we are looking forward to it!

Kids are clawing at my legs for attention. Gotta run!