The Elle Word

Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution...

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:11:00 +0000

..but a metal recycling facility behind your house certainly is. I was looking for some ways to deaden the metal crunching sound in our bedrooms so Elle and I can get our afternoon naps. On Pinterest, I saw that someone had covered foam insulation board with fabric to hang on their walls, so we decided to have some cut to fit our bedroom windows and cover them with fabric. Elle and I went to Home Depot last week to price the boards, we would need 3, and they came in 4' x 8' sheets. Since I couldn't fit them in the car that day, I mentioned it while at my parents that weekend, luckily, Dad had some extra when he insulated the shop several years ago...$50 savings...SCORE! I think I ended up spending about $85 on fabric for the 3, but got home decor fabric for the master, and that's more expensive, but much thicker than regular broadcloth. I have Elle's room done, it turned out pretty cute too, with the matching paisley fabric I found at Hobby Lobby. It helps with the noise and I like it, it's a WIN! Next, to get the master bedroom done.

Shadow box of Elle's newborn pj's, NASA hat from Aunt B and handmade shoes from Tiffany. They look so cute in there!

Here's Elle's Tutu table that mom and I made last fall. I still love the birds I painted, but loathe the look of this chair. It will be in my next garage sale.

Give Me Back My Children!

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:25:00 +0000

What I'm about to say is probably one of my most embarrassing things. I am deeply saddened to tell you that I REALLY REALLY miss All My Children. It's like a part of me is missing...people I have "known" for 15 years are no longer in my life. I've tried watching other soap operas, but just can't get into them.

I was chatting online with friend tonight and she reminded me that we used to have All My Children updates when we worked together. I would either Tivo the daily episode or read what happened online and we would get caught up on the goings-on in Pine Valley.

I wish the show had ended better. I understand that the plan was for the show to move online, but that got the ax in November. I want to know who the other person that David was keeping alive. Babe? And I'm dying to know who JR shot, a good idea, when in Dallas the question was "Who shot JR?" But I need some answers. I think Agnes Nixon should write an epilogue to be published online to give the fans the finale they want...and the crazy ones like me, the finale they need.

Kill Your TV

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:51:00 +0000

I remember seeing this hippies with "Kill Your TV" bumber stickers and wondering why someone would possibly do that. After realizing that we were paying $80/month for basic U-Verse or cable equivilant with only mediocre programming, we decided to just shut it off and go to Netflix streaming, Hulu, plus we bought a lifetime subscription to PlayOn, which is pretty nice. We could affford cable, but there wasn't much on anymore, HGTV become basically House Hunters (boo) and we just decided it wasn't worth it. It was worth dropping the bill by $70/month....80 cost-10 for Netflix. That's just more in savings and I like seeing that grow!

In the past month, I have finished a book I started last spring Bring Up Girls by James Dobson, read I Love You, Ronnie by Nancy Reagan, and am nearly halfway through Ted, White and Blue by Ted Nugent. I've learned that you need to take Ted in small doses, if not, you could become just like him. I also squeezed in You're Broke Because You Want To Be, by Larry Winget late last week. Larry's awesome! Everyone should read Larry's books. And I'm also still working my way through my camera for dummies book.

Plus, I get a lot more done around the house. I've mopped the kitchen floor twice this week.

So, I'm glad we killed the tv. RIP U-verse, it was nice knowing you.

New Year, New You...unless you're southern.

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:48:00 +0000

These are the January issues of magazines that my mom and I get. I love magazines. I like the paper format, I'm not sure I would ever be able to enjoy a magazine as much on the B&N Nook or a Kindle. It's just not the same. This month, as we begin a new year, and the table is wiped clean, all of these covers promote a better you, either by getting in better shape, losing weight, being organized or breaking bad habits...except Southern Living. Their big article was 50 Southern Comfort Foods. They should have saved that until the February edition after some people have failed miserably at their diet attempt. So, if none of the betterment issues inspire you, just take some advice from Paula Dean herself and put some butter on it.

My resolution was to be more organized, which I am doing pretty well with, except for the two sweet little hands like to like to help. My other one is to have some killer abs by the summer. Hello, Jillian Michaels, I'm sure we'll have a love/hate relationship. Why not P90X? I'm just not that dedicated.

The best time to be treated in the ER.

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:40:00 +0000

According to the sign on the interstate, Friday night, you could be treated in the ER at Northwest in Bentonville faster than you could get a pizza. We tried ordering a pizza from Bariola's...they hung up on us...twice. We tried Domino's in Lowell, it would take 40 minutes. I decided I wasn't going to wait 40 minutes for a Domino's pizza so Matt called them back to cancel and they couldn't find our order. Probably for the best anyway, if I had shown up and they couldn't find our pizza I may have gone "Julia Sugarbaker" on someone. The good news is this Razorbacks won the Cotton Bowl that night.

We don't understand the facination so many people have with sports. In our house, we watch things like the History Channel, and listen to PodCasts from Stuff You Should Know (I really like Josh and Chuck) How did I know I was going to marry Matt? He had no interest in sports. That was it for me, we could have gone to the courhouse that very day.

We were watching the movie Real Genius the other day. Val Kilmer has a line "When you're smart, people need you." There will not be another Steve Jobs or Albert Einstein. There will always be another quarterback on the bench waiting to take your spot.

I can hear people now, they are saying "but sports teach teamwork." You know what else teaches teamwork? Being on a team at MIT and producing a vacuuming robot. And when the game is over, you have a vacuuming robot. That's what I call teamwork.

Happy RamaHanuKwanzmas.

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:43:00 +0000

New Year Weim
The Godfather (cue the music)

Too much New Year.

One of the most perfect gifts ever.

Our new addition. When we do gifts in our house, we go big.

It's not a chair?

Learning to pop bubble wrap with Aunt Jen. Canine assistance required.

Pottery Barn chair. Purchased from Amazon at nearly half price. I tried ordering 3 things for gifts from Pottery Barn this year and NONE of them were available. Supply FAIL.

Bah, hum bug.

Recent stuff.

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:36:00 +0000

Thanks for the rain coat, Lolly. We needed it.

Helping dad study for the CISSP exam.

She can fit in the basket, along with one sippy cup, a doll, a bear and her snack bowl, that's enough to be considered a party in a basket.

Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:00:00 +0000

Sweet little lobster

My dad built and installed some shelves on our angled wall with the air return in the middle last spring, we have a lot of storage and a place to decorate. I really like making stuff for Halloween and being able to have a spot to display it. I made all the jars and bottles. I found the labels online and printed them off and just used Mod Podge to attach them to the container. Next year, I might add some temporary black fabric/gift wrap/wall paper to the back of the shelves.

Petey has a lobster costume too. She was tired and not wanting to pose.

Pinterest is my new addiction

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:48:00 +0000

Since the last post, I've joined the Pinterest community, which does suck up a good portion of my day, just a few minutes at a time. I have gotten some really good ideas and made a few things. The first, a chalkboard make out of a platter for the kitchen. I found the platter at a garage sale for $1 and my mom had the chalkboard paint that she had bought at a garage sale for $.25, pretty cheap project...I ended up just free handing the painting, since painters tape doesn't seem to actually work.

For my next trick, I bought a 3XL fushia t-shirt on clearance at Walmart for $3. I had bought Elle this striped tee for $1.75 at Target but it needed something girly...since everyone thinks she's a boy...not that it matters, she could be wearing a shirt that said "I'm a girl" and everyone would still ask me how old HE is....but back to the story....

Shirt before

Shirt after with added yo-yo's, and a matching headband.

And if this photo were rotated, you would see that it is ruffled scarf that I made out of the same shirt. So, for $3 we did pretty good. Watch for my next project!

First Birthday.

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 22:02:00 +0000

By Elle's first birthday, she started walking and had 8 teeth. I can't believe a year has passed so quickly. I remember thinking in just a few months, we'll be out of this stage of not sleeping but it seemed to drag on forever. Looking back, it all seemed to happen in a blink of the eye.

I'm the Birthday girl.

Cake by Aunt Jennifer (not one cake, but 2 cakes, on 2 separate weekends!)

Gifts and banner. I didn't like any I found in the stores...after all, anyone can buy one.

The dessert table. Complete with jelly beans, twizzlers, whoppers, lemon bars, cupcakes and brownie bites

And I'm already thinking about next year!

Summer!

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 22:40:00 +0000

Remy is very fun and entertaining.

HI!!

Elle's first time in the big pool. She really loved it and all the attention from the older cousins.

He's not too happy about sharing, but he deals with it. After all, she is calmer than Abby.

Happy 4th! Homemade ice cream at Lolly's house.

Feeding Remy puffs...this must be why he puts up with everything else she does to him.

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 02:10:00 +0000

Bathtime!

Yes, that is a bubble vomiting frog on the wall.

First time in the new pool.

Remy says "Oh, good, you guys got me a giant water bowl."

Happy First Father's day!

Celebrating Everything

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Mon, 30 May 2011 00:05:00 +0000

I read somewhere that it's a fun idea to celebrate everything. Pi day, sure, apple this year, maybe pumpkin next year. Geek Pride day was last week, which, we celebrate Geek Pride year round in our house. Here's some things we did last month:

First, we started with the Royal Wedding, yeah, we both wore tiaras. What better way to remember it, and we had a great picture that was a lot of fun.

Then we celebrated Cinco de Mayo at Las Fajitas, no photos, but it did involve our "usual" plus what they consider to be a small margarita.

Then, they Kentucky Derby. I made mint juleps, which turned out a little less mint and a little less julep and more straight bourbon. At least it was just us and I didn't have anyone to impress with my mad bar-tending skills.

And for the Kentucky Derby, you have to have hat.

Matt and I "bet" on the final race, which I think is called the Triple Crown. None of my horses even placed, Matt had 3 of the 4, wish we had money on that game.

Please forward my mail to our local Pottery Barn

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Thu, 19 May 2011 20:52:00 +0000

I really want to live in Pottery Barn, like that pregnant girl lived at Walmart or Jimmy lived in the supermarket on Raising Hope last week. It's so organized, uncluttered, clean, cool and crisp. I love the look, all their stuff and most of the homes that are featured in their catalogs. Getting a Pottery Barn catalog in the mail is like getting the Christmas toy catalog as a child, I think I get just about as excited now as I did then. What will we order? Probably nothing, just the same as it was then, but I love looking. Now, I have found that I can get the look for much much less. There was a mirror that I wanted that was around $800, I found one similar to it at Hobby Lobby for $60 on sale.

Recently at Pottery Barn they were featuring their outdoor furniture. I think living in Arkansas and outdoor furniture has a lot of romance to it. We seem to have two seasons in NWA, winter and Hades, we do have a few days that are exceptions and classify as spring and fall, but not many. No need for much outdoor furniture, when Hades sets in usually in May, I will be scurrying from one air conditioned building to another, which is better than last summer, I waddled from one to another.

Remington for President.

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Thu, 05 May 2011 15:50:00 +0000

I really don't have time to post anything, our house is an absolute wreck! My dad installed built in shelves in the living room yesterday, I just got out some summer clothes that are piled on top of the unmade bed, baby stuff is scattered all over the living room and I still need to get ready to leave to go to the vet this afternoon. But this is good.

I thought when I wasn't pregnant any longer the crazy dreams would go away. I THOUGHT, but I was wrong. Last night, I had a dream that I was certain that Remy could win the next Presidential election by write in vote. And his campaign was based entirely on finances. I can't believe that I don't remember the slogan...something about government overspending on budget plus all the government programs like welfare. Remington Yeager for president 2012...because career politicians don't seem to be working out.

Raising Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:30:00 +0000

Matt and I love to watch Raising Hope on Fox. Every week, it seems that Elle has something just like Hope. Usually, it's an outfit, last night it was a plastic bowl. A few months ago, after we started noticing this, Matt says to me "I didn't think we were white trash." I'm fairly certain that we are not, but do annoying people know they are annoying?

Watch full episodes here.

A baby, a bunny and 2 baby chicks walk into a...

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:42:00 +0000

photo studio. Sure, everyone always posts the sweet, cute, perfect little photos that show how much talent that they have, but I think the real story is in the photos that no one sees. Here's ours, these are not edited, so they are not perfect. No animal was harmed during this process and everyone was returned safely across the street to the feed store.

The bunny seems to be praying "Lord, please get me away from this baby and let me get back to the feed store ALIVE."

This is my favorite. She sneaking up on those two unsuspecting little chicks. She looks so mischievous.

"Hmmm...you two again."

"You, come here."

Reach for it.

Soft bunny.

Ack!! (Seriously, the bunny was FINE!)

Uh oh, mom took the bunny away.

I think we're ALL done here.

A trip to Grandma and Grandpa's

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:26:00 +0000

Here's what Elle and I did last week:

At home, Baby Curling

Elle is finally crawling, but rolling is her preferred method of transportation, it's much more efficient.

Inspecting the fireplace. And before anyone freaks out about her being over there, the pilot light is not lit and there's plexi-glass in front, not actual glass.

Doing some quality control on her Birthday present. They were on sale, so we bought them early.

Pictures with the flowers.

She learned the clap (and wave too, but I don't have a picture of that yet)

I painted the shelves for the built-ins Dad built for our living room. Painting sucks.

I made some things for my Mom's bake sale....on the left, those are jars of chocolate dipped marshmellows with sprinkles, on the right, white chocolate covered popcorn and peanuts.

They got Elle an wagon, so we walked over to GiGi's and picked some lilacs.

She really like riding around in it.

Just Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:15:00 +0000

Yea! Sun!!

8 months old

My baby can sit on a bar stool at the counter at 8 months. What can yours do? Or, her dad might be holding her on the stool, whatev.

Coach Purses and the Missouri Highway Patrol

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:37:00 +0000

Matt attended a geek conference in Vegas last week, and I decided that I couldn't be at home 24 hours a day for 4 days with a baby and not go completely insane, so Elle, Remington and I went to my parents. On Tuesday, I was driving from Noel to Gravette and came upon a Highway Patrol check point. I handed the officer my license but couldn't find my current insurance card, I could only find the 2010 card. He commented when I got my purse out that it was a Coach purse and his wife had just bought one. He didn't give me a ticket, or a warning and just said that he was sure I had current insurance since I had my 2010 card and to make sure it get it put in the car when I got home. So, I'm believing that my Coach purse saved me from getting a ticket. I think that validates the cost of the purse.

More stuff Matt says...

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 04:08:00 +0000

"Were you baby curling today?" Elle liked hanging out on the wood floors today and I got some cute pictures, to be posted later.

Curling is the only olympic sport worth watching, and it made a good Simpsons episode.

That's real wine in that communion cup.

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:05:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, we went to dinner with the Pastor of a church we have been going to, along with some other friends. We had a good time. The Pastor ordered a Shiner Bock with dinner.

We've been brought up Baptist, and taught to think that alcohol, no matter what the amount is bad. We've changed our minds, as with everything, it's all about self-control and moderation. I've heard people say that Christians shouldn't drink in restaurants, in case others see them. Drinking in private and hiding it is a much healthier behavior, right?

But what about the alcoholics? What if someone struggling with drinking sees a Christian drinking? Does it motivate them and show them it's okay? I've heard this argument too. So, what about people who are addicted to overeating and are extremely obese. Do we need to stop eating in when in their company? Or someone who is anorexic? Do we need to eat as much as we can in front of them? What about people who are "addicted" to spending too much money by purchasing things they shouldn't be? Does that mean that Christians can never buy a BMW, bigger home, or those expensive jeans?

Let's stop debating over whether or not to drink, in public or at home. Instead we need to demonstrate moderation and self control in everything we do. A beer with dinner, okay, but know you're limit. HOW many calories do you have everyday? Hmm...might be time to cut back. And you might want to consider passing on those new shoes that would only be paid by credit card.

"Call me old fashioned but the man should earn the money" Mary Jo Shively

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:47:00 +0000

I'm tempted to watch Our America on the Oprah Winfrey Network, but I think I'll continue to hold out. Also, I'm watching a show from two weeks ago that we recorded so the show I was interested in isn't on tonight. It was Our America with Lisa Ling and the topic was Mail Order Brides.

Are American men fed up with the feminist movement and are no longer wanting wives in suits while they are paying someone else to raise the kids? Maybe. Are American men no longer finding women with manners? Possibly. Among many other things.

I am currently reading Bring Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson, and it is terrifying me. Our girls growing up way to fast, thanks, Abercrombie and Fitch for the push-up tri angle bikini top for 7 year olds, and women today are brought up to be completely different than in the past. Activists are teaching girls to be more like men...agressive, tough, unemotional and tomboyish.

Manners in a women. Forget it. Eating and talking with food in your mouth, yep, seen that one, guilty myself, on occasion. The lack of thank yous, whether hand written and mailed, said verbally or even emailed, yep, seen that recently too. (One I need to get written to to Elle's Godparents for her new headbands. Thank you, we really love them, and have already worn them several times. We didn't realize how much she "needed" a plain white one!) I realize that we are all busy, but too busy to thank someone when they went out of their way for us? I worked for a very unpleasant women who has opened a charm and manners school, at first, I thought it was a stupid idea, but looking at things from a different perspective of how much I need to teach Elle to be proper and appropriate, I wish I had thought of it myself.

Here's the link to the news segment on the bikinis. I can't imagine why there are so many pedophiles known in today's society. Could it be because our little girls are no longer dressing like little girls? The young girls dancing in the video just baffles me. I can't believe that any parent would allow their child to do that.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/push-bikini-young-girls-abercrombie-fitch-markets-little-business-13231892

Or what about this one for toddlers...it won't even cover their diaper!

In our house, we believe that most of the "raising" of the children is done during the day, between the hours of 8am and 5pm. This is the time when the kids are awake and the time that the parent gets to teach them everything. I only get her for a little while and want to teach her as many good things as I can. We're so thankful that our days aren't rushed, I no longer have to be at work by 7am, which would only leave a few hours each night for us to spend with her...minus cooking dinner, cleaning the house and doing laundry, of course. Instead, our days are filled with playing in the floor, hanging out in the jumperoo or exersaucer, running errands but still doing laundry, it can't wait, but the rest of the house work sure can.

Why, yes, I am crazy.

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:02:00 +0000

I'm crazy because it's 52 degrees, cloudy and I'm having a garage sale. I'm sitting in the garage, alone, freezing, with a bunch of stuff that I don't want any more. Doesn't that sound crazy to you? Two things that I'm very thankful for today: a space heater and a North Face jacket...but it's still cold. I've sold lots of stuff and actually made pretty good money today. Now, if I can just talk myself into doing this again tomorrow....

This is called guilt. Plain and simple. Remy wants on the sofa soooo bad that he will lay his head on your leg until you let him take a nap with you. He was really warm one day last week so he was successful with me, but Matt's already asleep here, so he won't get the okay. That spot, behind your legs, in the corner of the sofa is perfectly sized for a 65lb weimeraner, in case you were wondering.

Elle's new outfit from Josh and Sabrina. Plus, she has pink sequined shoes to match!

And since Michael asked, the frog is the one Matt made, the pink dog is the one we just ordered (thanks Mia!)

Meet Suzanne.

noreply@blogger.com (Uber Geek) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 02:39:00 +0000

This is Suzanne, my brand new Samsung SF410. We named it after Suzanne Sugarbaker and her chrome pistol with mother of pearl handle that I thought she carried. I have yet to find any documentation of this. I can only find that she had a large semi-automatic rifle, but traded down to a small hand gun after accidentally firing it at Julia, Mary Jo and Charlene. If Suzanne Sugarbaker didn't carry a chrome pistol with mother of pearl handle, she should have.

Elle is modeling her new headband and flower that she got as a gift today.

Her hair smells good.

Just hanging out.

Me to Matt: I'll be getting ready for the garage sale this week, so you know that you'll need to park your $15,000 car outside so I can store my $200 worth of junk in the garage, right?