Friday, May 30, 2008

Panda Surgeon

Labels to add to my litany of job descriptions over there. Panda Surgeon. Healer of Stuffed Animals.

Why the sudden increase in stuffed animal infirmities, you may be asking yourself. Well, there's a story to be told here.

Over the past couple of years I've learned to choose my battles with my son. What is really important enough to wage war over and what are things we can come to a compromise on. One of the battles I chose to compromise on was the issue of throwing his stuffed animals. Stuffed animals may now be thrown but only in the playroom and even then, not at people, not at the living animals and not at the windows. It's all about the loopholes with him!

Back to the Panda Bear. Not too long ago, while exercising his right to throw stuffed animals in the playroom, Jacob discovered that if he threw them high enough and at the correct angle they would reach the ceiling fan. Of course, my brilliant child isn't content with merely learning on one level. He must always wander up to a higher level--as in: I wonder what would happen if, say...the fan was actually turned on?

Poor, poor Panda was a victim of this curiosity. Panda hit the ceiling fan while it was spinning. It wasn't the flying off of the fan that did him in. It was more of the being slammed against the wall and the rough landing that almost tore his little leg off.

Fortunately for the lives and limbs of the remaining animals I always allow for rules to be amended. Unfortunately for the same said animals, once Jacob has discovered a new and greater form of destruction it's awfully difficult--nay, impossible--to enforce a cease and desist ruling.

Panda is all stitched up and healing nicely, thanks for asking. Even managed to replace most of his stuffing--though, if you ask me, he could do with a little less stuffing. However, it's got to be rather difficult to remain relaxed and calm when there's an anklesaurus nibbling at your other leg!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Why there's not a DVD player in my car...

Because to miss out on these little gems of conversations would be a tragedy!

This morning on the way to the babysitter's...

"Why are you washing your windshield?"

"Because there's bird poop right at my eye level"

"Why is there bird poop on there?"

"Well, I park the car under the tree and then the birds poop on the windshield."

"I'm going to tell the birds not to poop on your car."

"Oh...okay"

"BIRDS! DON'T POOP ON MOMMY'S CAR!"

"Do you think the birds are going to listen to you?"

big, heavy, almost 3-year-old sigh...

"I think they won't."

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

The crawling game...

Kyleigh spent most of today exploring Kokoo and Babu's home--there's a lot for a 7-month-old baby girl to find! Dead bugs, newspapers, big brother's toys, power cords...

And this is what happens when Mommy puts the computer down at her level--for those who didn't believe me when I said she was crawling!

Saturday, May 24, 2008

I've been negligent

I'm so sorry. I have been slacking on bathroom updates. Some of you just might actually be interested in our home improvement fiasco...um...project.

We did manage to get our plumbing issues fixed--no more leaks and it only took two weeks to replace four feet of copper pipe. We even managed to get our new bathtub installed--two days after my parents got here, but at least we had the toilet and sink usable so no one was having to navigate stairs at 2am to go to the bathroom!

Thursday night my parents moved the rest of their belongings out to their house and are now living out there. The little ones and myself went out to Chez Kokoo this morning and spent a lovely, relaxing day with grandparents and cousins. Jacob had a great time playing in the river. Kyleigh enjoyed being adored and the center of attention showing off her new teeth and crawling skills.

This is what was waiting to greet us when we returned home this evening. Notice something missing?

Hint...THE FLOOR! Oh, and the toilet and the sink.

Whomever (we'll call him Idiot #1) worked on this room the last time neglected to use proper weight plywood for the sub-floor. The cross-species experiment of using raw wood around a bathtub also caused what sub-floor there was to rot beyond any reusable state. So it all had to go. Apparently Husband added to his vocabulary today--one of the reasons we vacated the premises for the day.

But the new tub and surround walls are lovely! Just ignore the toilet in the bathtub. What? That's not where you keep yours?

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

My drug of choice

Once again my suppliers came through. My dad snuck into a liquor store in Nairobi and scored a bag of Chevda for me. While I actually can find this in Indian grocery stores here, it just doesn't taste the same. So, thanks Dad for supporting my habit.

And now I have Jacob hooked. Yes, I know--I'm a lousy mom!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Behind the glamor...

Some person, with nothing better to do, might be wondering what the work space of a "free lance video editor" looks like.

Well, here you go. This is it. The nerve center of Kuona Productions. What didn't make it into the picture is the desk top's monitor--mainly because I didn't want witnesses to the mahjong game kicking my butt.

I'm currently editing simultaneously in NTSC and PAL formats--that's what happens when one has an international client and both formats were used in filming. Fortunately for me--and my budget--the Apple gods made Final Cut capable of doing just that! I did, however, have to purchase a PAL camcorder to play back the PAL tapes (which is why there's a camcorder hooked up to Mini Mac).


And my other piece of essential equipment--without which I would get little to no work done. The swing. Having a very tolerant, happy baby certainly helps as well!

Yep. Beats a cubical and a time clock any day!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Tag, I'm it!

I'm finally a true member in this club we call "blogging"! I was tagged for my first "meme" by Suburbia. So let's play, shall we?

Here are the rules:
Link to the person who tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.

Write six random things about yourself.
Tag six people at the end of your post linking to their blog.
Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Six, neither interesting nor too revealing, things about me:

1. I am not a plumber
2. My first real job was busing tables at Charlie's in Charlotte
3. I have college transcripts from 5 different colleges--from 4 states and 2 countries.
4. I have lived in more houses than years I've been alive
5. I've had plastic surgery
6. I have two tattoos

Now I have to figure out if I know 6 people! So, tag--you're it!

Amy, Gina , Marit, Melanie, Sean, K

You don't have to play if you don't want to--but, come on...it'll be fun!