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    <title>Under Construction</title>
    
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/" />
    <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-601354</id>
    <updated>2013-05-13T21:49:07-07:00</updated>
    <subtitle>The craft blog with a stupid name</subtitle>
    <generator uri="http://www.typepad.com/">TypePad</generator>
    <atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/typepad/MDCz" /><feedburner:info xmlns:feedburner="http://rssnamespace.org/feedburner/ext/1.0" uri="typepad/mdcz" /><atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="hub" href="http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/" /><entry>
        <title>Me Ma</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/05/me-ma.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/05/me-ma.html" thr:count="1" thr:updated="2013-05-14T20:24:33-07:00" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451903f69e20191021c1c72970c</id>
        <published>2013-05-13T21:49:07-07:00</published>
        <updated>2013-05-13T21:49:00-07:00</updated>
        <summary>Lately Oscar has been saying Mommy over and over. "Ma Mee Ma Mee Ma Mee" and at some point it became "Mee Ma Mee Ma Mee Ma" Kinda cute. He also calls shadows "dadows" (both the cat named Shadow that...</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Melissa Haworth</name>
        </author>
        <category scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" term="Holidays" />
        <category scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" term="Oscar" />
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Lately Oscar has been saying Mommy over and over. "Ma Mee Ma Mee Ma 
Mee" and at some point it became "Mee Ma Mee Ma Mee Ma" Kinda cute. He 
also calls shadows "dadows" (both the cat named Shadow that lives at 
daycare and actual shadows on the ground).</p>
<p>So, Mothers' Day. We 
mostly celebrated Saturday with my mom which was good because Sunday I 
woke up to a very sore back and I"m still hobbling around. Nevertheless I
 was able to go on a Mothers' Day family bike ride and enjoy lots of 
lounging around with Tylenol (turns out you're supposed to take 
ibuprofin for a sore back).</p>
<p>Back to Saturday. We went to the 
<a href="http://www.thediscovery.org/" target="_self">Discovery Museum</a> in Sacramento and it was great. Crowded (they were 
having a special event for Intel) but great. The planetarium show was 
fun and who wouldn't love a little rocket man?</p>
<p> 
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901c262491970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5290" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e201901c262491970b" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901c262491970b-500wi" title="IMG_5290" /></a></p>
<p>And look, we all launched on Space Quest</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901c2629ce970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5300" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e201901c2629ce970b" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901c2629ce970b-500wi" title="IMG_5300" /></a></p>
<p>It was great to spend the day with my parents and finally go to a museum that's 5 minutes from home but we've never visited as a family.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901c262fc7970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5308" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e201901c262fc7970b" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901c262fc7970b-500wi" title="IMG_5308" /></a></p>
<p>Mr. H got me lovely flowers--you can tell from Oscar's expression how good they smell! :) and Biscuit decorated and together they brought me breakfast in bed.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901c2633e1970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5310" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e201901c2633e1970b" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901c2633e1970b-500wi" title="IMG_5310" /></a></p>
<p>which I had to eat at the table so I could appreciate the homemade streamers :)</p>
<p>Then I did a lot of nothing all day partly due to sore back and partly due to Mothers' Day. Not a bad day at all. But now I'm done with back pain thankyouverymuch.</p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>Birthday season</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/05/birthday-season.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/05/birthday-season.html" thr:count="3" thr:updated="2013-05-07T08:28:01-07:00" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451903f69e2017eeadf8d2f970d</id>
        <published>2013-05-06T14:11:49-07:00</published>
        <updated>2013-05-06T14:11:49-07:00</updated>
        <summary>Late May is birthday season around here. Two out of four Haworths will get a year older. So will my dad. So a triple party for the three boys is in order. This year's theme, gardens. I finally got the...</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Melissa Haworth</name>
        </author>
        <category scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" term="Holidays" />
        <category scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" term="Oscar" />
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Late May is birthday season around here. Two out of four Haworths 
will get a year older. So will my dad. So a triple party for the three 
boys is in order. This year's theme, gardens. I finally got the favors 
planted.
<p>
<a href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2019101d7f7dc970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1208" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2019101d7f7dc970c-500wi" title="IMG_1208" /></a></p>
<p>Hopefully there will be nice seedlings by party time. Or they'll be 
gifted pots of potting soil. Today I finally finished the invitations. 
The actual invite is just a photo. I added text in PicMonkey (found via 
While She Naps) and printed them at Costco. 19 cents each done and done.
 The photo isn't perfect but it had the perfect amount of background 
space and it was in the garden so good enough.</p>
<p>
<a href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901be1fb32970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1213" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901be1fb32970b-500wi" title="IMG_1213" /></a></p>
<p>For the envelopes I made seed packets. </p>
<p>
<a href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eeadf8dd6970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1210" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eeadf8dd6970d-500wi" title="IMG_1210" /></a></p>
<p>The design was done in PicMonkey and I used a photo I actually liked 
better-Oscar with his favorite veggie fresh from our garden.
<a href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eeadf90b8970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1212" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eeadf90b8970d-500wi" title="IMG_1212" /></a></p>
<p>Best of all, they're finally in the mail.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901be203fc970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1214" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e201901be203fc970b" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901be203fc970b-500wi" title="IMG_1214" /></a><br /><br /></p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>Stream of conciousness</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/05/stream-of-conciousness.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/05/stream-of-conciousness.html" thr:count="3" thr:updated="2013-05-07T12:19:13-07:00" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451903f69e201901bdd814f970b</id>
        <published>2013-05-06T00:01:33-07:00</published>
        <updated>2013-05-06T00:01:33-07:00</updated>
        <summary>I find that when I'm working on projects I think a lot of blog posts. But rarely post. I've decided the month of May is my month to catch up on scrapbooking/photos etc. I'm trying to do a little each...</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Melissa Haworth</name>
        </author>
        <category scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" term="Books" />
        <category scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" term="Family" />
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>I find that when I'm working on projects I <em>think</em> a lot of blog posts. But rarely post. I've decided the month of May is my month to catch up on scrapbooking/photos etc. I'm trying to do a little each day pasting photos into books, printing photos, organizing/deleting photos on my computer. Ideally by the time Oscar turns two (later this month) I'll have is first year scrapbook done. Heck, my standards are low right now, I'm not doing fancy layouts, just pasting photos to pages in a book so maybe I'll catch up to the present day.</p>
<p>In trying to catch up on scrapbooking I've found this blog is useful for reminding me when we did what so I feel I should note that this weekend my sister and her fiance stayed at our house. We spray painted Goodwill vases gold for wedding centerpieces and then spray painted terra cotta pots with laquer for birthday party favors. So basically it was a weekend of spray paint. Oh, and wine. We went wine tasting and then did a good bit of wine enjoying. It was an absolute delight to have them in town.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2019101d372b4970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1190" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2019101d372b4970c" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2019101d372b4970c-500wi" title="IMG_1190" /></a></p>
<p>They formally asked Biscuit to be their flower girl (she accepted) and Oscar to be their ring "bear"er (he will do it) and me to be a bridesmaid (bridesmatron?). So it should be a good wedding. But then Oscar threw a series of little tantrums today leading me to worry about him fulfilling his important ring-related duties. Maybe if he doesn't have a cold and gets lots of sleep the night before we'll be okay. Fingers crossed.</p>
<p>In unrelated news, I made 14 jars of strawberry jam this evening and I'm reading the book <em>Gone Girl</em>. Have you read this book? My friend heard I was reading it and is anxious for me to finish so we can discuss. I'm about 2/3 done and I understand her eagerness. I want to discuss. It's crazy. I'm off to read and really, it's time to stop this rambling.</p>
<p>Good night :)</p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>Good riddance</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/04/good-riddance.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/04/good-riddance.html" thr:count="2" thr:updated="2013-05-09T11:30:41-07:00" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451903f69e2019101b13643970c</id>
        <published>2013-04-30T23:40:59-07:00</published>
        <updated>2013-04-30T23:40:59-07:00</updated>
        <summary>April was not a very good month. Not terrible but just not very good. I'm looking forward to May when I have grand plans for doing some scrapbooking, planning the triple birthday party for Oscar, Mr. H and my dad,...</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Melissa Haworth</name>
        </author>
        <category scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" term="Oscar" />
        <category scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" term="Random" />
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>April was not a very good month. Not terrible but just not very good. I'm looking forward to May when I have grand plans for doing some scrapbooking, planning the triple birthday party for Oscar, Mr. H and my dad, gardening, sewing and generally having fun and being productive.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2019101b13f5e970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1150" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2019101b13f5e970c" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2019101b13f5e970c-500wi" title="IMG_1150" /></a></p>
<p>To kick off a new month, a photo of Oscar which should be excellent blackmail material in the future. Princess tiara--check. No pants--check. Chickens--check. </p>
<p>Kid was in his element :) </p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>Family photos--most days</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/04/family-photos-most-days.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/04/family-photos-most-days.html" thr:count="0" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451903f69e2017d43202748970c</id>
        <published>2013-04-25T22:15:27-07:00</published>
        <updated>2013-04-25T22:17:06-07:00</updated>
        <summary>I am mostly keeping up with my photo-a-day challenge for 2013. A photo-a-day of a family member. I think I have missed 2 days this year. Needless to say they're mostly of the kids. Mostly of Oscar. But here are...</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Melissa Haworth</name>
        </author>
        <category scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" term="Photos" />
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>I am mostly keeping up with my photo-a-day challenge for 2013.  A photo-a-day of a family member. I think I have missed 2 days this year. Needless to say they're mostly of the kids. Mostly of Oscar. But here are a few of my favorites from April.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901b970cc9970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5030" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e201901b970cc9970b" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901b970cc9970b-500wi" title="IMG_5030" /></a></p>
<p>Kid has a total shoe obsession. No idea where that came from!</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea9485ba970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5082" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017eea9485ba970d" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea9485ba970d-500wi" title="IMG_5082" /></a></p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea94875d970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5089" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017eea94875d970d" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea94875d970d-500wi" title="IMG_5089" /></a><br />little temper tantrum in his new outfit.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea949166970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5109" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017eea949166970d" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea949166970d-500wi" title="IMG_5109" /></a></p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea949253970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1035" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017eea949253970d" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea949253970d-500wi" title="IMG_1035" /></a></p>
<p>I'm willing to ignore the giant camera strap for that cute photo of the kids in Biscuit's book nook.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d43203846970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5147" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017d43203846970c" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d43203846970c-500wi" title="IMG_5147" /></a></p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d43203b99970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5153" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017d43203b99970c" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d43203b99970c-500wi" title="IMG_5153" /></a></p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea9499c1970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1062" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017eea9499c1970d" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea9499c1970d-500wi" title="IMG_1062" /></a></p>
<p>A rare one I am actually in and I love it. The expression on Oscar's face! Priceless.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d4320408a970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1071" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017d4320408a970c" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d4320408a970c-500wi" title="IMG_1071" /></a></p>
<p>Daddy's new watch.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d4320427d970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1104" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017d4320427d970c" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d4320427d970c-500wi" title="IMG_1104" /></a></p>
<p>That blue shadow! I didn't notice it until I uploaded the photos.</p>
<p>Anyway, I'm having fun taking snapshots but thinking that at some point I'll try to focus on a few portraits. <a href="http://allbuttonedup.typepad.com/all_buttoned_up/2013/04/picture-your-people.html" target="_self">Melissa of All Buttoned Up posted</a> about a <a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/life-style/family-love/photographing-your-children.html" target="_self">photography book </a>that looks interesting. And clearly I need to do a better job photographing Mr. H. He's cute too!</p>
<p> </p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>Nicer</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/04/its-been-an-overwhelming-few-weeks-usually-i-feel-like-someone-who-can-handle-a-reasonable-level-of-busyness-but-lately-n.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/04/its-been-an-overwhelming-few-weeks-usually-i-feel-like-someone-who-can-handle-a-reasonable-level-of-busyness-but-lately-n.html" thr:count="3" thr:updated="2013-04-29T18:24:11-07:00" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451903f69e2017d4318980a970c</id>
        <published>2013-04-24T23:12:00-07:00</published>
        <updated>2013-04-24T23:11:49-07:00</updated>
        <summary>It's been an overwhelming few weeks. Usually I feel like someone who can handle a reasonable level of busyness but lately, no, I can't. Just too many things at work and home and all I want to do is avoid...</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Melissa Haworth</name>
        </author>
        <category scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" term="Biscuit" />
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>It's been an overwhelming few weeks. Usually I feel like someone who 
can handle a reasonable level of busyness but lately, no, I can't. Just 
too many things at work and home and all I want to do is avoid the 
endless laundry and to-do lists and minor irritations and hassles and go to bed. 
That's not an especially useful approach but at least you're rested.</p>
<p>I
 have been feeling overwhelmed but I do know that, really, things are 
really good. I was thinking that I was still acting okay but have 
received the feedback that in fact I've been a total grump. Oops. So I'm
 working on being nicer.</p>
<p>You know it's bad when your kid makes a 
detailed flow chart to "Make Mom Be Nicer." The "and dad" was added as 
an afterthought. On one hand, I feel bad that she needs a flow chart to 
have a nicer mom. On the other hand, if she followed these diagrams I 
totally <em>would</em> be nicer. Imagine your seven-year-old randomly 
asking, "Do you want me to help you with anything?" and then saying, 
"okay, I'll do it right away!"</p>
<p>Actually, I can imagine that. 
Biscuit is a kind and helpful child, the challenge is mostly in follow 
through. Saying you'll "do it right away" and actually <em>doing</em> it are pretty different. But the concept is good.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901b8f8ec1970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5187" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e201901b8f8ec1970b" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901b8f8ec1970b-500wi" title="IMG_5187" /></a></p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901b8f932b970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5188" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e201901b8f932b970b" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901b8f932b970b-500wi" title="IMG_5188" /></a></p>
<p>Mr. H (the science teacher) says she'll be good at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cladogram" target="_self">cladograms</a> in high school. So that should serve her well :) I was thinking of the conversation prompts used in call centers. Telemarketing is another career option....</p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>Tennis star</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/04/tennis-star.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/04/tennis-star.html" thr:count="0" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451903f69e201901b69c0df970b</id>
        <published>2013-04-19T14:10:17-07:00</published>
        <updated>2013-04-19T14:12:15-07:00</updated>
        <summary>Just over a year ago our not-especially-athletically-inclined daughter declared that tennis is her sport. And then she asked if we had any tennis bats so she could play :) I said, "I think you mean raquets." We signed her up...</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Melissa Haworth</name>
        </author>
        <category scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" term="Biscuit" />
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901b69baa1970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5078" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e201901b69baa1970b" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e201901b69baa1970b-500wi" title="IMG_5078" /></a><br />Just over a year ago our not-especially-athletically-inclined daughter declared that tennis is her sport. And then she asked if we had any tennis bats so she could play :) I said, "I think you mean raquets."</p>
<p>We signed her up for a few lessons through Girl Scouts and played on the courts at the park for a while and then our tennis playing dropped off for summer vacations and rainy winter.</p>
<p>This year she's signed up for Girl Scout tennis and lessons through the local park district and lo and behold she's suddenly, actually a tennis player.</p>
<p>Last night the bar was set at a rally of 15 hits with her dad (trip to Dairy Queen) or 17 hits (trip to Leatherbys Ice Cream). Keep in mind their previous record was 13, a total outlier, and most rallies were under 5 hits.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea67190d970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1055" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017eea67190d970d" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea67190d970d-500wi" title="IMG_1055" /></a></p>
<p>They made it to 25 hits! And then Mr. H screwed up due to uncontrollable laughing. The ice cream sundae she chose was enormous. </p>
<p>What a fun evening.</p>
<p>"I knew I could do it!" she said when we complimented her focus and practice.</p>
<p>(I'm pretty sure it was the new tennis skirt.)</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d42f2c5b9970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1056" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017d42f2c5b9970c" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d42f2c5b9970c-500wi" title="IMG_1056" /></a><br /><br /></p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>Oscar, again, because I like him</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/04/right-now-id-like-to-be-curled-up-in-bed-reading-i-just-started-code-name-verity-and-so-far-it-seems-good-but-i-sat-down-to.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/04/right-now-id-like-to-be-curled-up-in-bed-reading-i-just-started-code-name-verity-and-so-far-it-seems-good-but-i-sat-down-to.html" thr:count="0" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451903f69e2017d42d4bd63970c</id>
        <published>2013-04-15T22:04:10-07:00</published>
        <updated>2013-04-15T22:04:02-07:00</updated>
        <summary>Right now I'd like to be curled up in bed reading (I just started﻿ ﻿﻿Code Name Verity﻿﻿ and so far it seems good) but I sat down to write....something....because at the end of the day I like having this blog....</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Melissa Haworth</name>
        </author>
        <category scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" term="Oscar" />
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> <a href="javascript:mctmp(0);" />Right now I'd like to be curled up in bed reading (I just started﻿ ﻿﻿<a href="javascript:mctmp(0);">Code Name Verity﻿﻿</a>
 and so far it seems good) but I sat down to 
write....something....because at the end of the day I like having this 
blog. Haphazard and random as it may be I like keeping notes about the 
kids and tracking craft projects and generally keeping myself amused.</p>
<p>As for what to write, I think I'm due for an Oscar update. This morning he was a total delight. Mondays, while Biscuit is at school, are our mornings together. Usually we go grocery shopping (the ladies at Trader Joe's are very nice to him) but today was shaping up to be lame so we went on a coffee date instead. It took some convincing but then he really liked the berry streusel coffee cake. I never get baked goods at Starbucks and it was pretty good. I was too cheap to get him a milk but I did share the cake and he was a perfect gentleman sitting in his chair and then wiping up his crumbs. Daycare has taught him well because lord knows he has terrible table manners at home.
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea49109e970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5133" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017eea49109e970d" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea49109e970d-500wi" title="IMG_5133" /></a></p>
<p>After caffination I made what was certain to be an annoying call to the DMV. They have a new service where they will call you back and you don't have to be on hold so we went out and planted some beets and beans in the garden. He really likes sprinkling the seeds (or putting them in the holes I made) and then patting the dirt. Unfortunately he also liked digging up the rows and stepping on my tomato seedlings. The DMV eventually called back and assured me that, sadly, I had to handle my issue at an actual DMV. Luckily, after getting my number and learning of the ~2 hour wait I was able to take Oscar to daycare (the one diaper and two pieces of fruit weren't going to make it--especially over naptime). This is when I am really pleased we pay for full time care even if we don't technically need full time care (I only work three days a week). What would have been a total DMV nightmare turned into a chance to run several errands and then read a few pages of Code Name Verity and then it was (finally) my turn and the person helping me was quite pleasant and overall the entire thing sucked but not as much as I expected.</p>
<p>Then we had a bizarre 30 minute rainstorm at the exact time of Biscuit's tennis lesson so that got cancelled and instead we went to Target to return the 2 pairs of shorts I bought for her and buy 2 pairs of shorts she picked. It'll be all jean shorts this Spring and Summer. But, really, the girl was only convinced to go to Target at all because I told her I saw some shoes she might like (while buying the first pairs of shorts). Then she was out the door like a flash and we held out and did shoe browsing as a reward after shorts trying-on.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d42d4ed33970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5030" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017d42d4ed33970c" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d42d4ed33970c-500wi" title="IMG_5030" /></a><br />I want to pause at this point to be annoyed with Typepad (eating way too many posts lately); iPhoto (seemingly incompatible with Firefox running); and my computer (slow, perhaps bogged down by the 4 gazillion photo files). Anyway, annoyed. </p>
<p>So back to Oscar.  All of the sudden in the last 2 weeks or so he's talking. It's 95% incomprehensible to the passerby but they are clearly real words for real things. Many accompany the sign he already knows (like, car or up, or out) and many are words for things he doesn't have a sign for (wheel and who knows what else.)</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017c38a5d2c8970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5109" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017c38a5d2c8970b" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017c38a5d2c8970b-500wi" title="IMG_5109" /></a><br />﻿﻿﻿He is also really cute at drawing. He does teeny little scribbles then big looping ovals then he runs off with the pencil (or sharpie) and tries to color on the wall/cushion/etc to get attention. Works every time :) </p>
<p>At this point I'm realizing I wrote an Oscar update rather recently so this might be boring. Oh well, better luck tomorrow.</p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>Bedroom after</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/04/bedroom-after.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/04/bedroom-after.html" thr:count="5" thr:updated="2013-04-12T03:53:35-07:00" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451903f69e2017c3872a89e970b</id>
        <published>2013-04-08T10:57:03-07:00</published>
        <updated>2013-04-08T11:11:45-07:00</updated>
        <summary>There's a lot I could say about how this room isn't perfect but at least it is done(ish) and we are back to sleeping in our bed. Any minute now the armoire hardware we ordered will arrive in the mail...</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Melissa Haworth</name>
        </author>
        <category scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" term="Around the house" />
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>There's a lot I could say about how this room isn't perfect but at least it is done(ish) and we are back to sleeping in our bed. Any minute now the armoire hardware we ordered will arrive in the mail and I'll find a plant to put on the box in the corner. And in the meantime we'll continue making messes as initiated by the kids who threw my aptly named decorative throw pillows off the bed mid photo shoot last night. <a href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/04/bedroom-before.html" target="_self">Here is the bedroom before</a>.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d42a1b045970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1007" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017d42a1b045970c" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d42a1b045970c-500wi" title="IMG_1007" /></a></p>
<p>Here is the bedroom from the doorway (sans decorative throw pillows).</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d42a1b246970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1015" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017d42a1b246970c" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d42a1b246970c-500wi" title="IMG_1015" /></a></p>
<p>Here is the (out of focus, dang it) view from the bed.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d42a1b42e970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1009" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017d42a1b42e970c" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d42a1b42e970c-500wi" title="IMG_1009" /></a></p>
<p>Here is a little room tour/overview. </p>
<p>Photo above: The armoire (and nightstand) are the same as before. Mr. H built them when he moved out to go to college so they're nostalgic but we were both done with the knotty pine look. White paint and they look new. Now if the hardware would just show up.... The door to the right is our old hallway door. Mr H doesn't like it there but I want to tack photos to the window panes. We'll see. The leaves to the left of the armoire are from my collection of pressed, heart shaped leaves. The quilts are on a rack Mr. H built and the front quilt is what used to be on the bed.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017c3872f61a970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1010" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017c3872f61a970b" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017c3872f61a970b-500wi" title="IMG_1010" /></a><br /><br /></p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea162ccf970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1016" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017eea162ccf970d" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea162ccf970d-500wi" title="IMG_1016" /></a></p>
<p>My side of the bed. The nightstand is the one I've had since the portacrib moved out. The lamp is old, from Ikea. The wood house is a bookholder Mr. H built (you hold your spot in your book by laying it over the roof). Inside are some rocks I like and on the bottom shelf is my kindle negating the need for a book holder. The bedspread is new. I made it from <a href="http://www.serenaandlily.com/" target="_self">Serena and Lily</a> fabric generously gifted to me by a friend. I added a stripe of mustard linen at the seam and bound the edges with peacock blue. It's oversized to hide the fact that our blankets don't fit right and Mr. H won't tuck in the sheets :) The curtains are the same curtains as before but I overdyed the light green fabric with royal blue dye. I think they make the light in the room too blue but Mr. H likes it so they're staying. And dyeing existing curtains sure helped the budget!</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d42a1c777970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1019" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017d42a1c777970c" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d42a1c777970c-500wi" title="IMG_1019" /></a></p>
<p>On Mr. H's side of the bed is the nightstand he built and the same old lamp but I covered the old lampshare with mustard linen from the bedspread to freshen it up. The little mirror is one of my Junior High woodworking projects (ok, we can't get away from knotty pine after all) and the kids' newborn hospital bracelets are on the little shelf. </p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d42a1cb23970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1017" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017d42a1cb23970c" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017d42a1cb23970c-500wi" title="IMG_1017" /></a></p>
<p>Isn't that cute? It's on the wall between the bathroom door and the headboard wall. Tiny feet!</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017c3872ba05970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_1020" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017c3872ba05970b" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017c3872ba05970b-500wi" title="IMG_1020" /></a></p>
<p>That headboard. I do not recommend making this headboard. And for all the work it's crooked and I don't like how it looks. Dang it. Basically it's an upholstered headboard and I used gel medium to transfer photocopies of a super enlarged photo I took in Alaska. Good in concept, terrible in execution. I think eventually I'll just cover that photo with fabric.</p>
<p>Finally, the paint. It's from Ace Hardware, their new brand that is paint and primer in one. I got the charcoal color as a free quart on free paint day a few weeks ago. It covered in one, heavy coat so I only used 1 quart for that whole wall. I'd recommend it. The other walls are a color called "platinum" and Biscuit helped me paint :) </p>
<p>I think that covers it. One room down on my resolution to style and photograph every room in the house this year!</p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
    <entry>
        <title>Bedroom before</title>
        <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/04/bedroom-before.html" />
        <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/2013/04/bedroom-before.html" thr:count="0" />
        <id>tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451903f69e2017eea15d60c970d</id>
        <published>2013-04-08T09:51:11-07:00</published>
        <updated>2013-04-08T09:52:14-07:00</updated>
        <summary>I have been doing stuff! My goal for the month of March (missed that deadline) was to makeover our master bedroom as a semi surprise for Mr. H. He had to help with the furniture painting and several other items...</summary>
        <author>
            <name>Melissa Haworth</name>
        </author>
        <category scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" term="Around the house" />
        
        
<content type="xhtml" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/under_construction/">
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>I have been doing stuff! My goal for the month of March (missed that deadline) was to makeover our master bedroom as a semi surprise for Mr. H. He had to help with the furniture painting and several other items so, really, the only surprise was the wall paint color but it was fun in theory.</p>
<p>I've been wanting to do some makeovers for a while and I knew that at some point I wandered around our house and took "before" photos of all our rooms. I finally found those photos (January, 2012--I really have been thinking about this for a while). Upon looking at the before photos it is 100% clear that what our house needs is not a makeover but a serious cleaning/decluttering. Just cleaning the bedroom would have accomplished 90% of the result. But cleaning isn't as much fun as redecorating.</p>
<p>So, in the spirit of full disclosure, here are the before photos (the portacrib and diaper pail are long gone from our bedroom but you can see the paint and curtain color (green) the armoire and headboard (pine) and in theory you could see that the quilt is blue and green patchwork if I had made the bed.</p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea15d4be970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5391" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017eea15d4be970d" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea15d4be970d-500wi" title="IMG_5391" /></a></p>
<p>
<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea15da52970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_5392" class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451903f69e2017eea15da52970d" src="http://underconstructionblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451903f69e2017eea15da52970d-500wi" title="IMG_5392" /></a></p>
<p>And now I am immediately going to post the "after" photos to make this post and evidence of my non bed making and non laundry doing not the first thing you see :)</p></div>
</content>



    </entry>
 
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