random musings

God has never failed me....sometimes He lets me get real close to the brink, but always saves me from falling. Sometimes I wonder if He wants to make sure I'm not getting to overly confident in my own abilities (I'm sure you're all surprised that I could get overconfident...right?) =)

This time, it's about Tyson leaving his job. I am not worried like I think I should be, especially since music teaching jobs are not really abundant right now. But the dark cloud of misery and stress lifted from our house when Tyson made the decision that he could, under no circumstances, work for Vancouver even for one more year. The relief is so overwhelming I can't worry about what will happen, even if that means I go back to work full time somehow and he stays home/teaches private lessons.

A friend once told us that intelligent and talented people usually land on their feet. Since God gave us the intelligence and talent to work this out (and the skills to make money in multiple ways) I have to believe we will find SOMETHING that does not require us to sell our house at a loss, or for our family to live in separate homes (me living here, Tyson living somewhere else)

But all the same, prayers for opportunity would be appreciated. =)

Realistic children's toys

So Sam has this whale bath toy that is also a shape sorter. And being the random person that I am, started wondering how frustrating that toy would be if the shapes could only be taken out of the whale every three days (a la Jonah of the Old Testament)?

Then, of course, I started thinking about other children's toys that could be made very realistic, totally inappropriate, but more realistic. Like that scene in Fight Club where they talk about how calm the cartoon people on the emergency card are (:30-:60 on the clip I linked)

So starting with the Jonah shape-sorter, here are some other ideas I had for "more realistic" children's toys. As far as toys about Biblical stories go, maybe people wouldn't grow up thinking they're fairy tales and myths if the way we told the story was more accurate.

Noah's Ark: Complete with a cacophony of sounds that you can't turn off, even if you remove the batteries. Also comes with a supply of animal crap, hay, and cattle brands.

Police car shaped scooter: Comes with radar gun and a list of common speeding excuses. The Portland, Oregon version is already egged, and has a list of anarchist-owned businesses you are not allowed to enter.

Big Construction related toys (dump truck, etc.): are all the same. The little plastic driver inside simply says "F***" every time you touch it.

Speed Boat: This one works exactly like the one you had as a kid, except it costs you $5000 every time you take it out to play with it.

The sun came out! FINALLY!

You can always tell when there's been a long rainy spell in the Pacific Northwest because everyone comes out of their caves...er...houses...and tries to do EVERY outdoor activity possible in one day because NO ONE KNOWS how long the sunshine will last! Many of my Facebook friends who live locally have sunburns because it's been so dang long since we NEEDED sunscreen we forgot we owned any!! I say "we" because I'm sporting a nice red patch on my back where I missed with the sunscreen (after diligently applying it to every exposed part of Sam) and then went on a bike ride. Washing your hair in the shower while facing the showerhead? Not so easy, unless you like soap in your eyes.

I managed to get many chores done in the yard, and a couple inside the house, too! Luckily, the garden was not completely destroyed by all the rain, but we shall see how it does this week with all the sunshine. Sam really enjoyed being outside all day, but I don't think he likes that I have the backyard totally blocked from the front to prevent escape. He keeps heading for the compost pile and the blackberries behind the house, instead, and gets mad when I redirect him (too bad for him, I say). I'm not digging this toddler-ear-splitting-squeal-of-anger though....speaking of that squeal...I'm sensing bedtime....Right. About..........Now.

Raising a toddler is like herding cats.

More accurately, having a toddler is a lot like having a dog. Two Facebook layout re-dos ago, I posted something on my status (or a note? I forget....) about how infants are like drunk people.
Why a newborn is like a drunk person....
1. They drink until they throw up.
2. They don't care who they throw up on.
3.They wet themselves.
4. They can't hold their head up straight.
5.They fall asleep in weird positions and in even weirder places.
6. Sometimes, they whine or laugh for no obvious reason.
7. It is often hard to wake them up after they have passed out from drinking.
8.You can't understand what they say.
9.You can't take them to classy upscale restaurants without annoying people.
AND
10. They are always reaching for boobs.
A friend added "they never wake up in the same place they fell asleep"

So now, we have...... HOW A TODDLER IS LIKE A DOG!!
1. They like to dig in the garbage.
2. They like to stick limbs or other body parts in toilet water.
3. If it is food, it is edible, even if it's been on the floor.
4. There are leashes involved.
5. When on walks, there is pulling involved because EXPLORING IS NECESSARY.
6. People give you THE LOOK when you come into a restaurant.
7. You know when they are pooping, and you dread cleaning it up.
8. You have to teach them when and where to pee.
9. Putting cute clothes on them gets an "awwwww" from most people.
10. You constantly find things that were buried or hidden.