Get out of here

December 5 was my last post? Wow, you might think I have a life or something. You would be soo wrong. To catch everyone up, let's quickly sum up the last couple months. I had back surgery, it went well, thanks for asking. My family had every nasty flu bug ever created. What else? Hmmm... I had dental surgery, which unfortunately won't be covered under insurance. That is awesome! And at work, our bookkeeper stole somewhere in the neighborhood of $80,000. That is really good news. Back at home, one of our cameras broke, and it may not be worth fixing, too pricey. Anything else to throw on the heap? Well, I better quit now because I am depressing myself.

Now, let's focus on some of the better things that have been going on. Another quick summation, anyone? Graham is talking and eating more, not sleeping much more, but hey, two out of three ain't bad. Chandler has improved his school performance in almost all categories! Take that, auditory processing disorder! He consistently gets perfect 15 out of 15 on his spelling tests and does great in his reading program! Also, it has been a little nicer outside, so the kids have been able to play and run around. Thank you, global warming. The kids really needed some outdoor time, they were driving themselves and us crazy!

Note: I am getting to wrap a train. Not like a present, but I created the bold graphics that will wrap a CTA Train and platforms around Chicago. Pics coming soon.

Also, if you get a chance and want to donate money to our elementary school playground, check out http://www.littlelatte.com/glennplay.html

Is that it? Well, Chandler is having a b-day party this weekend, which will actually be a sleep over for 3 boys with all the pizza and soft pretzels you can eat. I think it will be a lot easier than the theme parties of the past. And enjoy the pics of Graham, I took them on Sunday while he was running around in the yard. Now get outside and play and quit reading this!

Who is this?

I know... but I 've been busy.

I went to Washington D.C. yesterday morning and came back in the afternoon! Talk about modern! I am fancy! Wasn't time to do anything except take a cab to hotel and drop off a package, and then back to the airport! Wheee!!!

On Friday, Chandler and I went to Wildlife Prairie Park with the entire Glenn Second Grade! It was lot of fun, and a little crazy. I only had to chaperone five kids, so it was pretty easy. I had Chandler, his buddy Cameron, Jalen, Brooklyn and Rebecca. They were a really good group to have. We all enjoyed seeing the bison, snakes, cougars, wolves and other critters around the park. Chandler liked the gift shop best (shocked?) and picked up some sea shells (in Peoria?) and some sharks teeth (in Peoria?). He had his wallet burning hole in his pocket the whole day! Cameron liked watching the smelly sheep drop trough. His quote was, "It was awesome that we got to see them poop". How can you argue with that? Pretty much everybody liked the 50 foot slide and the train, even though Jalen kept threatening to "jump out because it wasn't going fast enough". The kids were good (for the most part) and it actually is fun to hang out with a bunch of second graders, once in a while.

We went to ISU's homecoming parade on Saturday. Man, that was fun! Chandler was running all over to gather candy, and we eventually filled the stroller with the sweet goodness! There were a lot of bands, a few costumed characters, some big trucks and a whole bunch of cheap politicians! I got some really good shots of the kids. I hope to put up pics soon.

Graham has been talking a lot more and is able to explain a lot of things. He still struggles with his sentences, but he really talks up a storm! He finally seems to be warming up to school. Occasional boo boo faces, but that is it. Yay, Graham!

Chandler is going as an Star Wars arc trooper for Halloween, and I have to mod his costume, yikes! Graham is going as Yoda, which should be pretty cute! He tried on his costume and he is too small for the hat part and too big for the jacket, but it will work. He will look pretty cute either way.

Gotta go do something else
PO
Mark

Yeawwwn!

Anyone else been really busy? I have been swamped.

Busy as a Japanese Beaver.
The good news is Overtime! The bad news is very little sleep. I have accumulated 26.5 hours of overtime in 8 days and more is on the way. I have pulled an all-nighter and a couple of 2 am shifts in my pursuit to get caught up on work for UIC, Country Insurance and and AR for CHI.
Last week, I travelled to Chicago for a 2-day, 1 night whirlwind of art direction. We started taking shots on Monday morning and finished up at 6:30pm the following night. I was pretty tired, but I met Bob, Teresa and Izzy at the 7-eleven turned QuickieMart (near Midway Airport) to bask in Simpsons glory! We made it back around 11:30pm and I turned in.
While I was up there I had the pleasure of eating the Berry Almond Swiss Oatmeal from the Corner Bakery. Man, that's good eating! Did mention my car broke a spring in Chicago? The good people at UIC helped me find a local mechanic and they fixed it the same day. It sure rides nice now!

No rest for the wicked.
I had a lot to get accomplished when I got back including the premiere issue of a newsletter and an Annual Report comp. I just finished the first issue of the NEW Country View! It goes to press today and I hope it turns out. I really worked my hind quarters off on this one. It is a square format and I got to do illustration for the cover and inside story. You can see the cover shot above. Hooray!
Tomorrow I have to get to the airport at 5am for a last minute photo shoot in London, KY. It is going to be a long day! The next day I take another early flight back home! Fun!!!

Doody Call
Karla has been called for jury duty and I will be out of town. Isn't that convenient? Hopefully, they won't need her.

Boys of Summer
Chandler is immersed in swim lessons and is doing pretty well. Hopefully he can keep up the momentum and enjoy swimming. He starts a reading program this week until school starts. I hope it gets him up to speed for second grade. Graham has been saying a few more words and he slept for SIX whole hours in his OWN BED last night! Props to Karla, she has really been working with him. I usually don't even see the whipper snapper at bed time. Darn work!

The Wiggles
Before I forget, Chandler has got one wiggly front tooth. It is really concerning him since he has never had one like this before, He can twist it almost all the way around in his mouth. I will try to take a pic of the gap it leaves when it finally falls out! Wish him luck!

Boys of Summer

We actually made it to Florida this Summer. We drove down this year with Izzy in tow. They were all pretty good travelers, we made some stops and stayed overnight in a hotel with the worlds grossest swimming pool. The next day was fine unitl we ran into Georgia construction! Needless to say, it took several hours longer than predicted. Once we arrived in Leesburg, we enjoyed the pool and the walking trails around the area. The kids ran around, watched movies, played cards and went swimming, with the exception of Graham. He wasn't allowed to go because of the no diapers clause in the pool regulations. Boo!!! Anyway, we had fun and even went to Epcot while my mom watched Graham. Thank you mom! It was awesome. Chandler got a lot more autographs for his book and we (the parents) even convinced the kids to eat in France. Thank France for bread and chicken!!!

Then Karla and I got to go to Orlando's Florida mall and out to eat for her birthday! We went to a Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant chain. I really liked it and talk about a lot of food! It was really delicious and we had a really good server, Patti, who turned out to be from Springfield, Illinois. Small world.

Afterwards, we traveled to the airport to pick up Chris and company. Then the next day we played cards, went swimming and got packed up for the trip back to the Land of Lincoln.

We got going early and trying to avoid Georgia, we took a different route home. That route went through Alabama, which sucked too! We couldn't make it to our hotel, so Karla called another one a few exits away in Birmingham and they had a room. That hotel rocked! The kids got to swim, play in mud puddles as well as catch and chase several bugs. You can't beat that! We also ordered carryout from Landry's, a chain that started in San Antonio and had the hotel's large breakfast buffet! Man, that was some good eating! Anyway we eventually made it home and chalked up the vacation as a winner.

I hav included a few pictures of Graham and Chandler drawing, one the activities that sustained us in the early moring as well as several evenings. Enjoy! Oh by the way, did I say thank you mom? You helped out out so much!!!! Oh yeah, if you have a family, stay in the Residence Inns by Marriot. They are a life saver.

Fifth disease

We think Graham has this. Chandler had it a few weeks ago, and of course, Graham HAS to do everything his brother does. I'm pretty sure he has a sunburn too, which makes for an itchy Grammy. He hasn't been sleeping much the last few days and Karla and I having been taking turns staying up with him. While he's up, he has been playing with trains and cars and having a lot of fun. That's great, I just wish it wasn't at three in the morning.

Feeling suburban? I am. I have a neighbor who has decided for the last two years to let his lawn go. Why? I am not sure. He spends about 10 hours a day drinking him some Bud Light in that very lawn. Anyway, his creeping charlie and dandelions have invaded my yard, which was pretty much weed free a week ago. They invaded and then conquered it. It is ridiculous. I am going to buy some nasty stuff to spray on my and (covertly) his yard. I also started (only started, it will take a long time) to clean the garage. That task infuriates me, because it is always a mess and unwielding to conform to my OCD tendencies. Oh well, then on to spray the fence. Yikes.

Chandler had the day off of school, a fact that neither Karla or I had any idea about. Man, we rock as parents! Talk about being informed! Chandler and his friend Katelynn, gave us that nugget of info last night.

Going to Florida? I will believe it when I see it. We are going in June and taking Izzy with us. We are going to try to hit Disney and MGM for, yep you guessed it, Star Wars Weekends! What a shock! It should be fun, but we haven't decided number of days or our schedule yet.

Enough of this! I have to go and do some dishes. Yippee!!!
Peace, love and laserdiscs,
Mark

Appa Plush vs. Hunt for Grievous

Back in December (look at Appa Plush blog post from December 2006), I tried in vain to find an Appa plush doll for the boys. Still no luck and Nickelodeon has no solution either. If you go to the Nick site, the message page is TEMPORARILY out of stock. And by temporarily that means FOREVER. I sent them an email for more info and they sent me back the standard form they send to everyone. Sorry, we have many products and we restock new products every day! Keep visiting!

I also had this same experience with a Star Wars battlepack that has been TEMPORARILY out of stock since last SEPTEMBER. Ask ToysRUs about it. Almost the same form as Nick, please check back, as we restock daily. NO, YOU DON'T.

Google either of these two things:
Appa Plush
Hunt for Grievous
Everyone is looking for them or selling them (for 5 to 10 times their price).
If you had bought 10 of each of these you would have spent about $400. If you sold them today you could get $1000-$2500. These aren't limited or collector items. They are toys that were released less than a year ago. It isn't Beanie Babies or Cabbage Patch Dolls fanfare either. I don't understand it. Some wisenheimer(sp?) was selling 75+ Hunt for Grievous sets on eBay back in November for $60 each. Can anyone say store manager?

Anyway, if anyone wants to trade or sell them to me for a REASONABLE price, I would appreciate it. Chandler gets HforG and Graham will get Appa. Even though Chandler will want one too.

I won't need these until Christmas, so maybe I will get lucky. Ha Ha.
Oh yeah, Mattel make the Katara action figure for Avatar. That is annoying and very unPC to not make girl action figures. Fire your CEO now!

Bleck!

I don't want to do this...

The reluctant Jedi Chandler is ready to defend his family and home against any foe. Don't push him. We have been really sick recently, Graham was even in the hospital. But enough of that! Here is some good old fashioned violence!

Lets' roll!

Chandler and Graham really do enjoy each other. Even though sometimes Graham wants what Chandler has and Chandler wants to be left alone, they do spend a lot of time laughing and jumping on each other. They both like to dance and run around the house, and sometimes they ride Chandler's old tricycle around the dining room! I am not sure why Graham is sticking out his tongue. Maybe he wants Chandler to inspect him for thrush.

uh-oh

Today Graham said uh-oh. Chandler started by saying it and then Graham said it back to all of us. Cute kid.

Today I walked on the treadmill for a little over 2 miles. I am trying to do 10 miles a week for a couple of weeks and the increase to 20 miles a week by Spring. I know, good luck. I also have this great collection of DVD's that I want to watch while I walk, but I can't find them. Poor me.

Oh yeah, I got in touch with this guy I used to go to grade school with. It is kind of neat to converse with someone who you haven't spoken to in over 25 years. Gotta love the internet.

Karla made crusted salmon, salad and couscous for dinner tonight. It was really good, but it had a spicy horseradish kick. Afterwards, I had an apple with peanut butter to cool my palette. Yum.

I really need to start thinking about two projects I want to work on. My children's book and stuffed toys. I am not sure when I will have time or the energy to start something new, but I want to be able to find the drive somehow.

I finally finished the initial round of scrapbook paper, rub-ons, etc... It was a lot of hard work. The files were enormous and they took over 5 hours just to resave them. I worked from 8am-3am Monday and Tuesday and from 8am-12am on Wednesday. I skipped lunch a couple of days to make it work. I just found out (which I had a feeling) they want different files. Oh well, I will go in tomorrow and covert them all. It should only take 2-3 hours at the most. I hope.

Brick Boy

Most people assume our oldest acquired his name from the TV show "Friends." But in reality, Karla and I both agreed our first born, regardless of gender, would have her maiden name, Chandler.

And because he is doomed to never have his a name on a novelty license plate or a T-shirt, I am always on the lookout for other things that bear his name. It is a relentless pursuit and has been both enlightening and humorous at times.

First and foremost, at least for printing aficionados, is the letterpress manufacturer, Chandler and Price. If you know of a century old letterpress that is running today, there is a good chance it is a C&P. Author Raymond Chandler, who created the fictional detective Philip Marlowe, also shares his name with our boy.

There are two popular definitions of a chandler. The first meaning is simply one who makes or sells candles, and the second is a person who sells supplies and provisions.

I am also aware of Kentucky politician Happy Chandler and Dr. Chandler who used to make all sorts of weird medicines and tonics. (You can find his signs, medicine boxes and bottles on eBay.) Don't forget your geography, there is also a Chandler, Arizona. However, the most interesting to me is The Chandler Motor Car Company, who produced automobiles in the good old USA during the 1910s and 1920s. That little car company was purchased by another who then had a ill-fated partnership with another car company, the Graham-Paige Motor Co. Coincidence? Actually, yes.

Last, but not least, there is also a Chandler, Oklahoma. And to prove its importance, behold a mighty brick from the Oklahoma Territory! Supposedly, this brick was made BEFORE Oklahoma accepted statehood in 1907. That makes it special. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and do some more useless crap.

A Night in the Museum

This movie is great! Chandler and I met up with the Stearn crew today for a fine old time at the movies. It was funny in all the right places and the quick pace was just right to entertain kids and adults alike. It was a bit like Jumanji, except not as scary. The CG was very convincing and the creatures were right on target! It was really a lot of fun! I recommend taking your 5+ kids to see it today! Get out there and boost that economy! Yeah!

Star Wars Christmas

Well, its over. And man, did my kids get a lot for Christmas. Spoiling is one of my true talents. Chandler recieved a good deal of the Star Wars universe, Battle Packs, the Imperial Shuttle and the toy I always wanted, the At-At. He received the Evolutions clone trooper set, Kit Fisto Starfighter and some other figures, too! He also got a few Avatar toys including the Aang launching Appa. No luck on the stuffed Appa, but I am holding out hope for birthdays. Graham got a wagon, some books and a lot off cars and trucks. He spent a lot of his time in that wagon on Christmas.

Christmas morning Chandler woke up nice and early and got right to business, checking to see if reindeer had eaten the carrots and if Santa had enjoyed his snack of milk and cookies. Uurp. Check. Then we tore open presents and started playing with the toys. Check. Karlas parents came for a visit and after they played with the kids, ate some lunch and played Garbage they went to visit Aunt Judy in Decatur.

The kids were in pretty good spirits for most of the day. Graham was getting over a nasty ear infection, so he was still a little crabby, but he did ok. Chandler had a growth on his neck, (turned out to be a swollen gland from an infection) and it hurts him a little, but antibiotics are on the case. We went to bed early and slept in late. Especially Chandler who slept until after 7:30am! He must of let himself relax after all the Santa anticipation. I'm still a little tired, but I have some time to catch up before next Christmas. Snore.

Toofers

Well, they're out! It wasn't an easy process, but Chandler was a big guy and took it like a small 9-year old. He finally lost his first two teeth. Since his new teeth were bursting out right behind his baby teeth, we decided it was time to consult a dentist. (I must warn you the rest of this tale will be presented second hand, since Karla took our first-born herself.) They went yesterday afternoon, and the dentist wanted Chandler to wiggle those teeth out himself. No luck, apparently wiggling teeth are not one of Chandler's strong suits. So they gave him an option, he could try to wiggle them for the next few weeks or the dentist could pull them out right then and there. Amazingly, he opted for the latter. He must of really wanted those teeth! So they numbed him up and yanked them out. He did great and hasn't complained a bit. He has two small dents where his teeth used to be, but his other teeth are right behind them, so it is hard to tell. I took a few pictures and I will try to put it up soon. I'll add to this post if I do. Oh yeah, he wanted to show his friends, but greed and child-like wonder got the better of him last night and he put them under his pillow instead. Karla had told him since he had two teeth pulled at the dentist, he might get a little extra something from the tooth fairy. And guess what? He got three bucks! Lucky duck.

Peace, love and baby toofs

that looks horrible...

That's what Chandler said about my dad's (Papa) big scar after his surgery last week. Papa is doing ok, but could be better. Chandler and Graham both had fevers on Thursday night and then on Friday morning they were gone. So, me being the optimist (witty comment goes here), I decided to go ahead with the Saturday O&D Christmas party. We cleaned the house, not from top to bottom, mind you, but it got a good old fashioned scrubbing. Karla made food and I kept the kids at bay with music, snacks and lightsaber duels. Actually it wasn't too hard. Chandler was mostly playing in his room and Graham spent all of his time dancing, snacking, looking at books or watching TV.

We took Chandler over to my mom(Meme) and papa's house, because Chandler wanted some quality time with them before they went back to Florida. I had forgot I had about a million presents over there I still have to wrap, so I covered all of them with big comforters and closed the office door. It wasn't necessary, however, since Meme kept Chandler occupied and away from that room. While Chandler was gone, Graham did pretty good and wasn't into much mischief. We decided that Graham might be better at the p's until the party was almost over, so we switched kids. I took Graham to my moms and Chandler came home. Chandler was most excited about Brianna coming over to play. Karla and I finished getting everything ready and finally moved the freezer to the basement! Hooray!

Shortly after, everyone arrived. To keep from boring you anymore than is absolutely necessary, the food was awesome and everyone had a good time. Chandler took everyone's coats and then disappeared with Brianna to play. After a few people left, we returned with Graham and he entertained the remaining guests by properly identifying a cat, dog, tree, duck, his brother, a cow, a bird, an elephant, and saying "moo" for a pig. He also sang the chorus of "Fake Believe" by They Might be Giants, whom Graham refers to simply as "D". Then the bash (ha-ha) broke up and we got the kids to bed at a somewhat reasonable hour. We all slept in a little bit, which means we woke up around 7:00am. Chandler slept the latest on record, 8ish (I think) which broke his previous record of 7:30am. Karla, the kids and I hung around the house and then I, with Chandler in tow, went to find a present for Papa. We did lunch first, which is the custom with Chandler, then off to the store to find the gift. What I wanted to get was the JBL Onstage II. We used to have the JBL Onstage I, and really liked it, but it broke. I forget the details, but since we purchased it from Target (comment of shock and dismay here), we returned and got the much more extravagant, and much more expensive, Apple Hi-Fi. That thing rocks and or rolls! Anyway, I digress (more shock and awe). We went to many stores and no one had exactly what I was looking for, and if you know me, anything else will just not do. We went to all of the super stores, electronic stores and even a few stores in the mall, before I dropped off Chandler at home and went back out to the most evil of all retailers, WALMART (Ahhhhhhh nooooooooo!!!!). In case no one know this about me, I hate Walmart. And until very recently I haven't been in 7 or 8 years. (Thanks to my Star Wars buying obsession, I have travelled its foul smelling corridors a few times in search of hard to find figures). I still hate it, but you have to do what you have to do. Well, I sold my soul for nothing, because they didn't have it either. But, somehow, even in the darkest of places, you can have hope. And by hope I mean this wicked Phillips speaker set with ipod dock that sounded great and was the ipod signature color, white. And by the way, buying a black ipod is boring. It looks like every other piece of media out there. Get a white, silver or any color, just not black, only because black is cliche when it come to electronics. Oh, I have a black ipod. Boring... Yawn. (feel free to place other words of exhaustion here) Speaking of exhaustion I am sure you are exhausted reading this, but I just started this blog and it needs a lot more density. So just put a scarf in it.

So to bring this dissertation to a close, the kids are sick again (shock), Papa APPEARED to like his present, and Meme, Chandler and I, washed, and partially dried seven large comforters at the laundrymat. Then we came home, snacked around and went to bed. I have to lay in our bed with Graham or he gives Karla a hard time, so I did that for a while, came downstairs, realized I had a sore throat, drank some vitamin C, ate a little late dinner and typed this novel. You ask, he gave up sleep for this? I know, probably not worth it.

Oh yeah, one more thing, Chandler has two sets of teeth at the bottom of his mouth. It is a little disturbing. I will take a picture for posterity. He will probably have to have his front baby teeth pulled, yuck!!! His permanent teeth are almost fully in and right behind the baby ones, He says it doesn't hurt and they don't really wiggle at all. Oh well, I 'll just say ...that looks horrible... and leave it there!

Peace my childrens