Senseo Update...

For those who remember the Senseo blog...I just couldn't take the Senseo. I put it on Craig's List and sold it for $30. Now keep in mind it was free with this Senseo promotion. So, as for me and my family--thanks Senseo! Now the guy who bought it was thrilled! We made him a cup of coffee while he was here and gave him all the bits and bobs that went with it. He was really nice and I think the Senseo has a good home. Looks like it only narrowly avoided the pound and we are very happy for it. I'll stick to delicious pots of tea in my stainless pot from Ireland and lovely pots of coffee in my regular and excellent coffee maker. I will have coffee in my french press when its just little ole' me having a Java break.

Now since today was a 6am day and all children safely made it to school and so far Jules has made it safely home. I will have a entire pot of hot tea and hope for the best when I have to drive to get Zoe. It's easy to understand the tiredness and necessity for caffeine for those blessed with small wakey babies. The shocker is that it doesn't end there--Jules normally wakes up at 8am. Zoe always wake up around the same time. Lovely, however, when they are in school you get up at 6am. This cannot be fair. All well, it's still lots of fun and the kids have never been happier. I asked Jules how his first day at school went when he got in the van today...Jules assured me that he would not be talking about his day at dool' . Then proceeded to tell me that he had snack, played with wooden snaps (????), has friends like Zoe now, his teacher is nice, and he heard a song, but didn't get to sing a song. I'm just sorry he didn't want to talk about his school day. I hope Zoe doesn't tell me about her day, either.

Everyone have a cup of Joe today and think of me!

Zoe gets to wear sandals now and fun clothes finally! Since she brings her gym stuff and changes for gym. It is such a relief from Elementary School where it seemed like she could never dress like a "girl". So she went for it...dress and sandals! Wow--Freedom! I wouldn't be surprised if PISD starts forcing elementary kids to wear boots and hiking gear...just in case of what, I don't know.
Jules has started the "goofy smile" when asked to pose for a picture. I shoot for having him looking into the camera instead of up at the ceiling or closed or strange monster face complete with growling for that special family picture moment. People tell me that is a boy thing. I don't know, I seem to remember Zoe going through a strange stretchy toothy grin from K-1st grade. My pleas of...This is for Poppy and Nana...look at Mummy...look into the camera...put your tongue in your mouth...are met with even stranger poses, so I'm just going to start posing back at him and see what he thinks of that! lol gotta love 'em

most perfect summer salad meal...

Most Perfect Meal...or at least one of my favorites and the doctor loves it, too. It was such a pleasure to make this on a very sweaty hot Friday night in Texas. Zoe was nicely deposited at slumber party (elsewhere) and Jules was chillaxin' with me on the couch. The kitchen was spotless and a pleasure to cook in. What is this perfect favorite salads meal...Roma tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil, olive oil and red wine vinegar; hummus (lemon/garlic in this instance); Faya' (Greek yogurt-2% in this instance), English cucumber (whizzed in processor), little dill, little garlic; wheat tortilla toasted on stove top in pan; and a lovely pot of Earl Gray tea with lemon slices.


I know the salad is Italian, the others are Greek, and the bread is Latino, but hey...I'm American and sometimes the melting pot is the way to go.


yummmmm


Here's Jules in his Batman Jules Cape. My Dad made this for him out of one his old shirts and Zoe drew the batman logo. The next one has his baby doll with the batman cape from his Batman PJ's stuck on its back. He calls is Super Baby and they are watching Noggin at the moment. Even super heroes have to take time to learn their ABC's and 123's.

Pantry & Frigo...

Here is the pantry/frigo side of the kitchen...

See the Invisible Woman Walls...makes lighting it really really easy...

See that drywall stacked up in the laundry area...some sweet day that drywall will go on actual stud wall and ceiling sections, until then, the fridge makes for great lighting and chemical storage...

This is the view from the bar across to the pantry/frigo side of kitchen...

Just think...the opening here used to be where the pantry, so you walked in against a wall and the frigo was in what is the new opening--where the current frigo is used to be empty--totally unused space that provided a shotgun view from the front door directly to the back wall of the house. Much nicer now!!!! Great job Bruce!

Fresh Hair...

Here a few pics of Jules and Zoe with thier new hair cuts. We were going to Zoe's 6th grade Middle School Orientation. She is in for the best year ever!

Here is what "Blank" looks like in the new kitchen...

Here are more pictures that should thrill the home remodeling enthusiast...

The metal shelf behind is not part of the kitchen--it rolls around and has all the tools etc. Note the orange hydraulic orange & chrome bar stool. (we hate them...going to Craig's list them & get other ones--no swivel lock so Jules just bangs them on the bar over and over. It is even hard for a grown up to keep them still. Oh, well...sounded great at the time.

This is view from across the bar...the back wall behind stove will have all tiles & a modern vent hood eventually...sometime around hell freezing over...or was it two weeks? not sure?!?

This is a dark picture (still need lights over the bar area--two weeks...) But it does show sink area and when a curtain panel goes across the top it will be very snazzy.

Another shot across bar...shows a bit more ceiling and edge of cabinets with stainless steel end panels.
Here is what washing something in the sink looks like in the new kitchen...


Here is what making great hot tea looks like in the new kitchen...

Here is what a bowl of "Swain's Oriental Rice" looks like in the new kitchen. I use red bell pepper instead of green, one fresh pablano pepper, Basmati rice, green onion, crumbled bacon, and lite soy sauce--I dedicate it to Natalie...

Bruce,
Here are couple I already had in the computer...I will take some now and load them. Look through the blog at some of the other pics in the meantime. I just "bounced my boobies..." with earphones while Zoe, Jules, and my 3rd son Joey are playing "Star Wars Battlefront" on the Xbox beside me. Jules is giving 'Flick a pretend hair cuts. Since Alecia ('lecia) was here we all get ('atend) hair cuts. Love, Shannon

Hoodswains Rally w/ Barack Obama

(click to see this 1st picture larger)

There is so much to write it is hard to find the words. The Hoodswain's had an incredible day. Gone is that feeling of being completely alone and out numbered in Texas. Not only did we "Stand" for Barack Obama, but we walked and walked and walked for Obama. We took the train downtown avoiding the deluge of cars trying to see him. It was the freedom train from Plano...packed with like minded people going to see Obama. There was such short notice I was surprised to see so many were able to respond. Quite a day for Democratic Texans and Obamicans alike.

The lines weaved throughout the Reunion Arena parking complex finally turning around at the very top of the complex. Dallas skyline is the backdrop as we snaked our way down into the building...this long line of people happily walking, walking, and walking for Obama. We were lucky enough to actually enter the building and get to see him in person and hear him speak! Over 3 thousand people had to stay outside in an overflow area--talking with several who did just that...they were happy to just be there and had no complaints.

I kept it together--no tears! Quite impressive to our Zoe! She expected me to be waterworks the whole time. What we enjoyed most is the solidarity between every kind of person imaginable: white collar, blue collar, the obviously wealthy, the obviously poor, high heeled & Jesus sandled, conservative dark suited & liberal prairie skirted...& the Hoodswains. All rallying around saving this nation from way too many years of a vegetative state.

On the way home we ate at the Irish Pub near the Angelika. We always enjoy our visits there. The day was inspiring--left us feeling hopeful again and not as cynical as certainly Bruce and I had become. Take 2 Obama's and call me in the morning! Peace out.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULES!

Jules turned 3 on February 7th. He had a great day and had a lot to be proud of! He uses the potty with ease...he flys through the air like the greatest of super heroes. We are having so much fun with him. We gave him some new Fireman/Superhero boots which also amazingly double as rain boots! Very handy for all the dangerous situations he may find himself throughout the week. The quilt top on the table is a top Mom made for my cousin Scott. It is so pretty and made a very cheerful table topper for Jules' Birthday surprise. Mom and Dad gave Jules a fire engine that is by far his favorite toy! We gave him Melissa & Doug wooden: curious George puzzle, sandwich making set, fire truck puzzle and a game where you put 4 crazy animals together with the roll of a die. His cake was the Backyardigans (He loves music & this the Backyardigans really deliver).



We all went to eat Spaghetti at a "restaurant" which rounded out a perfect day for Jules. Especially when you factor in not 1 but "2" trips to a park with Poppy!!!! All in all a very good 3rd Birthday. Now I turn 40 on May 23rd...and I want to let everyone know in advance that I expect to do the exact same things on my special day!!! LOL Really though...I will want a little more alcohol & fireman strippers, but the boots are great!

Fixin’ the Kitchen-Update

It is moving along slow & steady. Bruce, (hereto after known as ST), is very thorough & precise in each phase of the project. Pay off…Anxiety-Free Sleep. Good News Everyone! The internet really does make your life easier! ST has used the internet to answer questions of all sorts. With blogs, chatting, FAQ pages, & instruction sites you can explore all aspects of projects & materials. By reading up on each phase ST has managed to avoid most common mistakes & rectify the mistakes that “snuck” through.

Let there be light...Lights are coming along nicely. Flexible tracks are on the way. 2 Murano glass style pendants previously purchased for Mstr bath but unused will hang from track. To defray costs we'll put more spot lights on the track a little later. More can lights will soon go in directly over the sink & in front of the pantry & frigo. Getting all wiring in place is the immediate goal. This picture shows the new window, too! Smaller, cleaner, energy efficient, & get this...acutally opens! Now thats an improvement!

A/C duct will go into newly directed air vents. These were moved back a couple of feet when ST raised the ceiling. The new duct is insulated flexible type that will be so much better! With these things in place…the actual tearing out of the remaining cabinets can be completed. Then all walls can be finished (remaining drywall, taping, mudding--finally painting!!!). Colors in the room are black wood cabinet bases, white/stainless steel/frosted glass upper cabinets, brushed aluminum handles, lighting, shelving, etc. & counters will be some kind of grey speckled w/black & white granite of some kind (covered in next paragraph). Floors will eventually be a light colored wood. We are thinking the walls in this room should be a kind of aqua that feels like sea glass. What shade that will actually be??? Still Searching!?!. The ceiling will be a very luminescent pale almost white shade of same color. That ceiling color will also go down the hall/laundry area on ceiling & walls alike.

The new cabinets are in the house (still in boxes). ST will shift dishwasher to new bar side of U shape kitchen arrangement. This corrects a couple of mistakes the current DW placement has been causing w/kinked drain pipes. Lastly, some kind of counter will be put onto the new base cabinets.

Biggest surprise: kitchen counter choices. Real Estate Fact: You never want to spend more on your house than the value of the property. Most all homes in our price range have Formica counters. To that end, early on ST chose that route feeling the extra money could definitely be better spent in other areas. Actual quotes are showing Formica to cost only slightly less than Granite! That’s how housing markets start to change expectations in what buyers actually buy. Aggrivated that we didn’t really want to spend more than $1500 to $1700 on counters. Sure Granite is nice, looks great on home sale flyer, too. However it does stain & scratch easily. Alternatives: Corian Family and Silestone Family. Both are impervious to stains and scratches but twice to three times more expensive (budget just wont allow). Just when Formica came out with the coolest designs & edge treatment--POW--they now need to reconsider their pricing! We have to pay more for Granite to worry about it holding up. Having said all that--I am excited to see how pretty it will look and we will take care to seal it.

February 5th - Diaper Diaries

Dear Diaper Diary, Feb 5, 2008

I’m going to go ahead and post this Diaper Diary. If you want to read through them, you might go to the first one dated January 25th and come back to this one last...

As of today, he ran to the loo a little late a few times through out and after the official Poo day, but, seems to have a real handle on it now. He goes on his own now and afterwards announces the fabulous outcome. We celebrate--say good bye to the refuse--get stickered up and occasionally when the sticker line is full we get to choose a prize from the dwindling “Prize Bag”. We have started saying, “See Ya, wouldn’t want to Be Ya!” as the official good bye flush. Today we did the switch from the little portable potty to using the big potties with a step stool. He liked getting to use the big potty--so we are "In Like Flynn". I am well impressed with this boy. I am enjoying the freedom from diapers more than I can say! Jules is enjoying the Joy of Independence! He has grown a lot this past week. On Thursday, he turns 3. How fast they grow. I know he owns this accomplishment--Last night, Bruce was telling Jules a good night story that went something along the lines of...Once upon a time there was a little boy named Jules who was a super hero who drove a motorcycle, had lots of animals, went swimming with his friends...and Jules chimed in, "and he peed and pooped on the potty!"

Now, that the potty is conquered, lets see about some part time preschool? I bet Jules would “Fly” there, too. It’s great being a parent. We get to feel Joy in the little things and Great Joy in the Big things! E.T. looks pretty happy, too!

February 1st - Diaper Diaries

Dear Diaper Diary, February 1, 2008

Well, I can’t believe it! Today we had touch down. Yes, that’s right Poo touched down on that well appreciated potty chair! I had to hold back the tears. In reading this from the beginning, I am really surprised it was as difficult as it was and at the same time so easy. He is very proud and there were lots of Huzzahs in the Hoodswain House! He had managed to hold it in all day until 6:09 and I guess even the most rebellious of the rebellious have to go eventually! We had a constant Jules Potty watch. We couldn’t let him sneak off. But, eventually, I saw he just couldn’t hold it in and I ran him in there and Whew! What a relief. Less than a week! Now, I will see if he continues--I will still keep up with reminding or asking if he would like to try to pee or poo.

January 30th - Diaper Diaries

Dear Diaper Diary, January 30, 2008

Well, I let him go to church play time. He wore a pull up (I know…not a good idea) But, I didn’t want to subject a volunteer at church to dealing with dirty cloth underpants. We took him to the little bathrooms adjacent. Hot Sell! He was all into those tiny potties and sinks. We let him stay and impressively, he did not soil his pull up. They said he went the potty every few minutes--he was so excited. He did accidentally pull the pants up wrong once and managed to wee a little on his clothes. But that is an actual accident. When we got home he managed to sneak off and poo in his underpants just after I put them on him. AAAAAAGGGHHHH. Sneaky fella!@#?

January 29th - Diaper Diaries

Dear Diaper Diary, January 29, 2008

Still doing the same…He pees without fail on the potty. No #2, though. He seems to get the process and is proud of it, but when I mention the Pooing, he reminds me, “I Pee on the potty, not poop! I’m going to sneak out of the house tonight for more small rewards for the Prize Bag. I think I need to up the anti if I want him to really be motivated to let #2 know who #1 works for. I’m sticking to not going out anywhere till he poos so far, but, I am waffling on him missing out on Wednesday night play time at the church. This is 2 hours that Mum and Dad get some fine one on one time. Well, see. Last night I picked up lots of matchbox cars and individual play dough cans. Not much motivates my boy more than play dough and any mode of transportation! And when exasperated, I can open a can of playdo for a quick sniff…mmmmmmm…I wonder if I could develop a room freshener that is O’de Play Dough. I am going to let him see the bag and choose prizes when he gets to the end of a row on the sticker chart…or…if he poos. If he poos, well, I’ll buy him a real “mode of transportation”. So, Now starts the dangling of play dough and toy airplanes, cars, and yes I found a blimp, folks!

January 26th - Diaper Diaries

Dear Diaper Diary, January 26, 2008

We are doing pretty good on starting that timer after each “Potty Show”. But sometimes we forget and that is when we have had little accidents. We have managed to miss Pooing in the potty each time so far and its frustrating. That’s the thing about poo, while it is the easiest muscle to work and technically easier to poo than pee on a potty, it is the muscles they can also withhold use of till that sneaky few seconds you are not looking straight at them and then like a flash they have become the secret poo-er. Times like this I really do regret not just doing this at a more obedient 2 years. I was really nervous about it this time round with Jules and didn’t want to do anything wrong. My hesitancy has perhaps not paid off. It will be harder for him since he is more independent and can choose No much more easily. They are so much more compliant at 2—if you say it is the best thing they pretty much believe you. What can I say, I wussed out. After reading my little book from a nursery teacher and reminding my self of the steps, just a week ago, I was well annoyed with myself for procrastinating us to 3 years. Either way, he will still get it—it just may take the full 10 days instead of 3. I am strong, I can make it, I can be patient. Jules is fine, its Mum that has to keep cool when rinsing out dirty pants and brushing poo off of bottom of her tennis shoe. Just keep in mind, Kids grow up sooooo quick that no matter how stressed out or tired you are it passes and you will remember the good stuff fondly and the bad stuff just cracks you up. He just wants to color and do fun stuff, for lords sake!

January 25th - Diaper Diaries

Dear Diaper Diary, January 25, 2008

Start of new diaper free days for Mr. Jules. He is excited about the challenge and is very excited about his Thomas the Tank Engine , Racecar, & Power Ranger briefs. So, far he is not very excited about pooping in the potty. Pee is just fine. We started our schedule from first waking moment to the potty and into briefs. Every 25-35 minutes the timer buzzes and we all shout “IT’S POTTY TIME” and our star goes to sit on the potty for just a few minutes. I ask if he is going to pee? Is he going to poo? So he knows exactly what is expected from these sessions. We have been reading books to entertain us. The guest bath has been renamed “The Jules Room” a place where art is explored in its many facets from books, poetry, singing, magna-doodling and of course just plain “doodling”. Mind you, so far just Pee Doodling. We are still holding out for the main show, Poo Doodling. Zoë made a sticker chart. We worked out each line is actually 19 boxes across. I don’t believe Monk could work with that system! However, Jules likes that Zoë made it for him.

Cup of Frothy Goodness

I have thus far been resistant to the Senseo “cup at time” coffee maker. Now I love coffee, but the snob in me was irritated with a counter space stealing machine that makes one pathetic cup of Joe out of a “coffee disc”. This is all it does, it does not keep your coffee warm and you get 4 oz. in your cup—translation—this for people who do NOT drink 2-3 MUGS of coffee to get going.

This being said—For 1-2 ½ cups of coffee at a time made to actual perfection—all you need is a French press. The drawback: Cleaning it. You have to rinse the strainer screen after each use AND you actually do have coffee grains left afterward that must be dumped. Answer: Garden. They are very good for your plants and smell good. You just fill the press pot with water again (with the strainer removed, duh), swish it around, and then with great flair…TOSS it into the garden. By garden I mean land mass that is not concrete. Lets be honest, I do live in TX and therefore consider any grass that grows instead of bare dirt (back patio) a lush paradise-like garden. If a small shrubbery or dare I say—tree grows well, that’s freakin’ Eden folks! But, I digress (most over used expression commonly used lately)…COFFEE.

While shopping for a Senseo 3 years ago when the popularity was very high a helpful woman aisle-ing with me said, “Don’t get a machine for one cup of coffee!!!! Get a French Press!” It was a light bulb moment for me as I have been using a French Press for 18 years and this simple perfection hadn’t actually occurred to me. The coffee from a Press is like buttery silk coffee bean perfection. There are not enough fluffy and smooth words to describe it. These cups of Joe don’t require a drop of icky coffee creamer or sugar. It is the equivalent of “Camp Coffee” (coffee made over a camp fire in a percolator or sauce pan). Yes, that good. So, I fought off the intensely American urge to purchase, have for my very own, and store in dusty shelves of over-cluttered home one more unnecessary object. Yes, I felt superior--the real well traveled--all knowing--engaging woman--we all want to claim is our friend--kind of Superiority.

Well, Husband/Sex Tool received one as a prize of some kind and so there it sets on the counter of the mid-refurbished kitchen. I made a cup. I really did like the ability to place my beautiful but small specialty tea cups on the tray. I love the way the frothy lovely coffee goodness perks directly into the lovely waiting cup. A frothy layer sits atop the coffee below promising a prompt sumptuous caffeine high. I mean really folks—take a look at this very arty treat for the senses. Tell me you do not want a cup right now!

Bubble-Bursting Moment: It tastes bitter and acrid. Not at all as lovely-jubly as coffee from my French Press. Alas, arty treat does still win out for a bit…I am going to try some other “coffee discs”. Perhaps, I just have the bitter one. I can’t get frothy tops out of my French Press. I can’t get the ease of casually rinsing the “coffee disc” strainer in the sink and pushing the machine to the back of the counter. So, we will play with it while we are post- refurbish in this kitchen of ours and see what happens.
Should Senseo stay or go, now?!? We shall see. Will I pack it up and send it to one of you?!? Yeah, like I could re-package something, get an address on a label, go to the post office and actually mail something!?! I’m not that Superior. I’m working on it; however, I can always make a pot of French Press coffee and feel better about myself.

Fixin' the Kitchen

First--and Foremost...Happy Birthday David! How does 40 feel?!? We're all behind you buddy! Way, way 6 months behind you...lol. Wow!...I bet people who partied with us in Germany would have never thought we would have made it to 40! But, not only have we made it...but...we are pretty, too! Thanks for blazing the birthday path for us each year Dave! We love you!

Second--Christmas was great and I am afraid Christmas Excitement has already been promptly replaced with Renovation Excitement. Poppy and Nana left 2 days after Christmas leaving us free till Jan 7th. How often do you find this kind of time to make this large a mess! In fact, I really wanted to get a family picture in front of the tree and it appears that I simply can't bring myself to get everyone cleaned up enough for a decent picture in front of it, so, I may just have to box that puppy up and get on with my life. By decently cleaned up, I really mean Bruce and I. The kids are cute with little to no effort whatsoever. The aged Papa and Mum, not so cute--even with hours of effort. We pretty much shoot for looking "rested". Rested would be very complimentary.

Bruce is ripping out the kitchen and has done the following as of this blog:

--Ripped out old ceiling
--rerouted electrical that was just hanging below ceiling joists into proper boxes (code)
--rerouted water for fridge (hereto known as Frigo) so we can have ice in new Frigo location
--put up half of ceiling drywall and replaced insulation along the way (I had the misfortune of helping with this or more to the point Bruce had the misfortune of my help-lol)
--tore out old pantry
--put new door way from front room through to kitchen/den
--took down existing A/C duct work from ceiling to shift it into new ceiling above Frigo & Pantry

--Yes, Folks--I said PANTRY!!! This is a happy, happy thing for the Shenanigan!

--working on building pantry walls (I'm trying to work Pantry into as many as I can)

--worked, reworked, and re-reworked kitchen layout till, finally I think we are really satisfied
--picked out door for pantry
--picked out units for kitchen. (Thankfully IKEA puts this job even in ballpark for us!!!)



The kids are enjoying the changes but bored with us being so busy with it. I don't really blame them. But we are making very good progress and Bruce assures me it shouldn't take more than...2 weeks. lol well see :) Meanwhile, I am playing lots of board games with kids, watching lots of kids movies and reading books to Jules. Zoe has been entertaining us by playing PS3 games while Jules and I look on (yawn...) I'm still reading through David Sedaris books, so the laughs are keeping me smiling for real and not the plastered on high eyebrowed kind meant to calm frightened children and animals.


Third--I have a few pics of the progress. I have actually downloaded my camera in preparation of this blog and can send some cute Halloween and Christmas pics. I hear Jules in the living room yelling, "huh oh, somebody needs a hero!" We are never without a hero in the Hoodswain house!