chatter

I am usually more chatty with this blog with short nails. They are still long but I will stop and chat anyway.

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Cloudy was just doing that loud beasty gutteral cat domain thing. Apparently a cat was outside taunting her. She is so freaky when she gets like that. RAW is sleeping in the middle of the living room floor and didn’t hear a thing.

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You never know where you will find inspiration. For me today it was in the form of a pretty shade of green goose poop on my windshield. Instead of cleaning it off I drove home with it and tried to capture it with RAW’s digicamera as I drove down the road.

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Last night I found my 25 year old light meter. I need one of these now with the Rolleiflex. The battery even seemed to work! It is probably a couple stops off, well it isn’t dead at least. Actually it is a biohazard and I need to find out the best way to dispose of it. It has a mercury battery in it.

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I am fairly computer savvy and have been for over 15 years but I just discovered that you don’t have to forward space to go back and delete a character. That there is a delete key that will do that in one forward space motion. I knew the key was there, I guess I wasn’t sure why it was there when the backspace/delete key will work. Duh!

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The stupid thermometer we have would beep anytime the outside temperature was between 28-37

Well known fact #1
Hollace hates, absolutely hates to get her photo taken

Fact #2
Hollace hates homework, especially math, reading, writing, well all of it (except science and art)

Fact #3
Hollace got all 12 spelling words WRONG on last weeks spelling test

Today all these facts are shattered

Tonight we went to the church to get our free 8×10 family portrait taken for the church directory. Hollace did great then told me she didn’t mind getting her picture taken anymore. I got my new Rolleiflex yesterday and she has already volunteered for a photo.

Tonight Hollace actually complained that the math homework was only one page, she wanted to do more! Huh, what? And we found a book she is really enjoying to read, I mean she really looks forward to it. That has never happened before. And while looking at the Scholastic book order Hollace put in a request for Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi. She said it will help her math and looks interesting.

And on fact #3, it really isn’t all her fault that she failed that spelling test, we didn’t go over any of the words. That is one part of her homework that keeps falling through the cracks. So this week we went over the words really only one night but they sticked. She knows them all. She is so going to ace that test tomorrow.

I think I wanted to write something specific here but in the moment of thinking of it and logging on here I lost it.

In the meantime, here is a quick rant:
How much effort would it take to drop a quick email reply saying thanks for sharing those pictures. I know I share a lot of picture on Flickr and my photo blog but I emailed my sisters pictures from cousin Jeff’s and not a single email reply from any other them. I guess because I would quickly drop a line I assume everyone else would have the same courtesy. Also Aunt Bobbie never replied to my email after I found out her daughter was pregnant. I thought for sure she would reply to that. Instead I continually get more forward joke emails from her. Aw people in the electronic age.

I had a flat tire today. I didn’t get far.

I still don’t know what I was going to write.

with Photography that is….film. I have been in a rut for awhile with my DSLR (which btw is broke again, got to send it back in). Maybe going square format with medium format film is the answer.

It started with me buying a Holga camera which is considered a toy camera, a piece of junk actually but it is medium format (120 film) and all the little lightleaks and vingretting is charming, it is very artsy. I said, what the heck it is only $20. I ran my first roll of film in it yesterday. Now I just need to get it processed (eventually I will do my own).

Now it is starting to get pricey. Last week I bought a new scanner so I can scan the 120 film in. What I really have been Jonesing for is a nice classic medium format camera…a Rolleiflex. I was watching 3 auctions for some on ebay and yesterday one of those auctions was down to its last hour so I decided to jump in and won! I think I got a pretty good deal.

Of course now I am nervous that this guy is going to take my money and run. His ratings were a little iffy when he sold something and he won’t accept paypal and he doesn’t mention any return policy. Well what do you expect when you try to be spontaneous? Hopefully he will come through. Ack.

Last weekend we went to Terre Haute to my cousin Jeff’s house for the weekend. It wasn’t as awkward as I thought it might be since we don’t really know them but I was surprised that we didn’t do a thing while there. On Saturday, a beautiful fall day, we really never left the house! I don’t know what I was expecting, maybe visit a fall fest or pumpkin patch, something. I did finally suggest that we go for a walk. Hollace didn’t even want to go since she was in the throws of one of her brainstorms, making a paper zoo or monkey house specifically. The whole weekend was just us sitting in the dining room talking. RAW was in his element and I could never get a word in cross wide (ack, I had that phrase then I lost it… I couldn’t get a word in—what?). My aunt Jody and her partner decided to come and stay for a visit that weekend as well. It was nice catching up.

Lets see, need a new couch, dresser, Adobe Photoshop and Flash upgrade, computer, kitchen remodel, main door, garage door opener, dishwasher…eh um, I need to win the lotto.

A former co-worker approached me for a freelance gig which I reluctantly took. I am very stingy with my free time and really the project was a little beyond me (which I quickly redid at more my speed with similar results). Anyway, I got that money coming and potential other freelance work.

At work another former co-worker wanted me to pass along her resume. I did and she got the job! My company has a job referral program that if you referred someone to a job and they got hired, you get $1,000. Yah! Then I read the rules, it said that the person you referred had to have been away for 18 months. I asked Mia and she said it had been 15 months. Aww come on man, 3 months separates me from $1,000. Oh well, we will see if they let it through. I can only hope.

And one more stab at $1,000. My company had a photo contest of all things. I entered 29 photos. On Nov 1, they announce who wins the $1,000 first prize. I doubt it will be me thought because the images I entered were more in line with stock images which really prompted the contest in the first place. I am sure the winner will be some breathtaking sunset or something. I could still see some money in the yet to be established price they will pay for non winners that they still want to use. We will see.

Last week Hollace became a scientist and the head of Out of this World lab. She started off discovering a new galaxy called Kikowaka. It had quite a few distinct planets and a star on top for its sun. She made a model and could tell you details about each planet.

Later on in the day she conducted tests of acid from the main planet on different objects. Apparently rocks from the galaxy broke up upon contact with the acid (she even showed me one such experiement) but she was disappointed when most of her other tests came out negative. Such earth objects like paper, glass, skin, cat didn’t react at all.

I keep meaning to get over here to update. I had lots to say but can’t remember much anymore.

Today we went to mom and dad’s for a visit. My grama kept saying that Hollace is getting fat and it was pissing me off. I finally told her that comments like that are what is making girls develop eating disorders. But it wasn’t until I finally just told her to shut up that all of a sudden she started saying that Hollace had a perfect shape. She was worried that since she “was fatter” than the last time she seen her that she was going to be a fatty. She then went on to say that when she was in 4th grade she weighted 140 lbs and 160 by 6th grade. Hollace is 73 lbs in 3rd grade. I say she is just right.

That said, I have began to wonder if she is gaining too much weight. She isn’t fat by any stretch but I have begun to notice she has a little tummy where she use to not. Also I noticed her thighs are fuller. She even complained the other day that her thighs were chaffed by her thighs.

According to the charts I just looked up, she is in the 75 percentile for both weight and height. She is 54″ which made me realize this week that she doesn’t need to be in that darn booster seat in the car. When I got that car seat I made a mental note that the limit was 80 lbs. And I recalled that the law mentioned something about 8 year old. But looking up the law on line, the rule is 49″. As I just said, she is 54″ and over 8.5 years old. So I ditched the car seat. Hollace is thrilled.

Even though she is far from a fatty as grama kept saying, I need to keep an eye out. She has been enjoying one too many pizzas lately.

Today Hollace was feeling all grown up as she learned to sew (and made herself a stuffed cat toy) and cooked her own dinner (butter noodles). While she eating her noodles, the large cricket came back out. At virtually the same time, one of these little gnats that we have been infested with landed on her noodles and died. Yeah, that didn’t go over too well either. 😉

After she proclaimed that she is not eating that anymore, she then said she wasn’t sleeping in this house if this cricket is still here. So what did I do? I grabbed Cloudy and put her on it. I had to throw her on the bug 4 times before she noticed it.

What did she do with it? Played with it. She would tap it, it would jump and she would mew. She had this thing all over the house. Not a mean bone in her body which gives me no hope if a mouse ever gets near her that she will catch it.

I finally grabbed a nearly empty Pringles can (I woofed down the last chip and crumbs) and put it on top of the bug. I then got some stiff paper and escorted him outside.

And an update on RAW’s job thing. Today I had to sign a certified letter from the school. I called RAW and he had me read it. Yesterday I was thinking the real problem was with the perve thing but no, it was a typical RAW attitude that did him in. In the mail was the pink slip talking about what went down with RAW calling the kids dogs and that they should be treated that way and for talking rudely to a co-worker who said she was was never talked to like that in her professional life.

Yeah, my suspicion was right, RAW should of never been in that environment. His personality and bad ass attitude definitely doesn’t mix with middle school kids. I guess I could of said that this would be the outcome as soon as the job came up but he would accuse me of not having faith in him. No, I just know him too well.

I just don’t know what kind of job RAW would be suited for. He has no patience and his fuse is too short. I guess if he just remodels my kitchen without too many swears (yeah right) then I will be ok.

When was the last time I wrote here? I can’t recall. I guess once I hit post here I will go find out. Easy enough.

Right now a giant cricket looking bug is menacing the living room. RAW is in Indiana this weekend so I can’t get him to get this big ass bug out of here. I thought about grabbing a glass and capturing him to throw him outside but I can’t do it. He keeps jumping around. I called Cloudy out to get him but she didn’t come. When I found her I couldn’t bring myself to show her incase it wasn’t a cricket and really was some poisonous leaping crazy bug. So the creature is free to do what ever. I hate bugs.

I don’t think Hollace is doing that good in school. She struggles in both reading and math and is getting extra help with both. She is starting to notice and not feel good about herself. I keep waiting for the reading to click but so far not yet. Last week something did click when it came to writing. She hated that too but she started writing stories (adventures of kiwi girl). Previously her stories were picture ones. Her spelling is atrocious but who cares, she is writing. And just like her picture stories, she is a great story teller. She has a begining, middle and end; good story structure and imagination.

She had an assignment to make a camp brochure. They had to come up with a camp and follow a general layout for info and map. Hollace made up an Aquatic camp complete with a duck shaped pond. She got a perfect score on it. Apparently one out of two who did. She won a prize. Both her and Noah got a book. She is excited. She has the creative down.

One of the reasons her last year teacher recommended her 3rd grade teacher was because of the visual. From what I gather, her teacher is a tough one but puts an emphasis on creativity and art. We finally got to meet her at open house. She has a wacky silly side which is cool and acknowledges different style of learning like visual. We will see.

One thing about Aspergers is that they are usually very smart with the school work. That isn’t Hollace but I think she just puts all of her energy to art. She is definitely gifted there.

In another Aspie thing, the other day we had her wiping off the kitchen table. She hates sweeping the crumbs into her hand. So much so that I guess she threw up when faced with it. Interesting reaction.

Last weekend we went camping with Deb and Joe, JoAnn and her family at Devils Lake. Great weather with the exception of arriving and setting up. Everyone but me went on the hike. I found that as an opportunity to catch up on my reading in peace. Joann and her husband hated the hike. She was worried that Mark might have a heart attack or something. RAW then had to take Joe and Joann to get their cars which was left on the other end. Joe for some reason then took them on a wild goose chase into town (they were following him). This pissed off RAW big time and for the most part Joann too. I thought for sure that they fell off the road and was dead or something when they didn’t come back soon. I heard emergency vehicles which only worsen my fears.

I think RAW just quit his lunch aid job at the school. It is sad really. The middle school students started calling him a pervert. Why else would a man be doing this. There were a couple students out to push his buttons and he doesn’t take to that too well. I figured something like this might happen when dealing with middle schoolers. Horrible age for that. He decided it was time to get out before someone started with false aquisations and the police show up at our door.

I got my haircut. It is probably the shortest ever for me. It is chin length. I like it. Everyone noticed it this time.

Well I guess I wrote enough. I wonder if that bug showed himself out of my house. Ack.