Creative Vein

I think I have one. I am thankful for the one. However, it is limited in its capabilities. It can only hold one flow of creativity at a time.

Right now, it is channeling the photographer in me. Hence, no room for the writer in me.

Or maybe I'm overthinking it.

*nods of agreement from those who know me*

Lack of time seems to be a more accurate reason for the lack of posts here at HMFT.

Our Week in Weather

If you don't like the weather here, give it a minute.

*SIGH*

February

New Zoo Revue

Yeah, so we have some pets.

I'm always looking for more, and Joe always dissuades me. Rightly so, because we don't have the room or the money.

We have fish. Two fish. Pink fish. Big gray sucker fish-thing beast.

We have guinea pigs. Both with long, luxurious hair. The red one is Jameson, and the B&W one is Griffin. And they are groovy. Aside from monthly butthair trimming (it's long...it makes butt dreadlocks).

We have a five-foot-long gopher snake. Sammy. He is kind and affectionate. IT'S TRUE. Sammy, unfortunately, eats mice. Live ones. I do not look at the mouse. I take the mouse home, put it in the feeding tank, lower Sammy into the tank, and leave the room. Five minutes later, Sammy is fat and happy.

It was feeding time last week. Get mouse, put mouse in tank, go to grab Sammy, and he freaks out. Hissing and rattling and all pissy. Eyes clouded over...he's getting ready to shed. Hence, his vision is shot. Hence...no eating. For me, this is the mouse's ticket outta here. "YOU'RE FREE!" I exclaim as I set him outside in the garden. He just sits there, thoroughly confused and scared shitless.

"OK...I'll go inside, get the critter box, come out and if he's still here, I'm keeping him."

Happy mouse:

Pissy snake:

The Blogosphere

Since becoming an addict of blogs, I am just floored at how other people's lives touch me. People I have NEVER MET. And I always type this when I comment in their blogs.

" Blahblahmyopinionand I've NEVER EVEN MET YOU."
"OnandonandonandI'mcryingand I've NEVER EVEN MET YOU."

How is this? To truly feel like you know people that you've NEVER MET. I have cried for these people.

Tonight, it was Amy.
Months ago, it was Kate, and Ben, and Liam.

Congratulations, Amy. I can't wait to follow your pregnancy through your eyes. It's gonna be AWESOME.

And to Kate. I see Liam in nature. And my passion for photography was given a healthy boost by Shutter Sisters.

Oh My GOD Treat Yourself

Jenny posted one of the best posts ever.

Come see.

There is a reason she is The Bloggess (cue dramatic music).

It's rude. It's crude. It's HEAVEN ON EARTH.

A Study in Southern Culture

Sunday lunch. Table of four, with twin boys. Fourteen months old.

Mom distractedly hands me two empty sippy cups.

"Can I fill these for you? Milk or water."
"Do you have tea?"
"......hot tea?"
"Iced tea."
"?????Unsweetened????" (surely unsweetened, gotta be unsweetened...)
"Nononono. Sweet."

Sweet tea.

For babies.

Lordy lordy.

January video

I think I've got it...

I've settled on a blog layout.

I could not stop changing my mind. Blame it on the moon, or the weather (which can't stop changing its mind, either).

I'll change it again when Spring arrives and things warm up. But for now...simple, easy. Nothing to distract from gratuitous photos of Jackson's unhappiness.

Does this make me a bad mom? Sharing these photos?

He's just so pitiful. And it's just so sweet. He is feeling better. Will fight like a crazed wild cat if you even come near his face with a Kleenex. My SLEEVES, however, are an acceptable nose-wiping apparatus.

Note to self: Wash snot-encrusted jacket before wearing again.

Changes

1. Recycling. We're doin' it. Even Joe is doing it. He laughed at me when I suggested it. Of course, I didn't take it to heart. I do things every day that warrant a good laugh. I am shocked and amazed at how quickly the recycling has become second nature. It really takes a while for changes to sink in to my stubborn soul. Example: I bought cloth grocery bags. Put them in the car. Forgot to bring them in to the grocery store for a good month.
2. Smoking. Not doing it. As much. I have an occasional smoke when I'm out with friends. Since most of my friends are parents, we share a lack of personal time and social life. So...hmm...four smokes a month? That's about right.
3. Photography. I have always, always had a burning interest in it. So I joined a site called Shutter Sisters. Wanna see the photos I've submitted? Check it. I have lots to learn. But I'm going to have fun doing it.

Other news.

Jackson has his first real sinus infection. Oh, it's a doozy. When he sneezes, ungodly amounts of yellow snot fly from his nose. It's awesome. There is something so satisfying about pulling that out of his face. So he's asleep right now, slathered in Vick's BabyRub, propped at an angle to drain his congested head, and snoozing to the soothing sounds of a cool mist humidifier.

My 20 year reunion is in September. GAWD. I'm pretty freaking excited about it. I haven't been back home in, ohhh...six years? My dilemna is: drive or fly. Flying is fast, but it's up. In the air. Above clouds. No likee. Driving is much more appealing to the control freakmama inside of me. But. Fourteen hours. In the car. With two kids.

Shit. What to do.

Too much time on our hands

Now that I am down to two shifts a week (not for long, hopefully), I am bored.

Really bored.

Winter in the mountains can do that to you.

Hence, this.



Look! It's me. As a cartoon. I also made myself into a fairy on Disney's website. It's your lucky day, though. I'm gonna spare you that one.

Also.



A video compilation of idle minds at play.

Linus

I swear, it melts my heart into a big, squishy puddle when Jackson snuggles his blanket. Thank God he is not particular about the blanket. His only requirement is that it is a flannel receiving blanket. It doesn't have to smell a certain way, or sport a particular pattern. Just be flannel. It's that easy.




















He doesn't carry it with him all day. But it does need to be in his vicinity. Within reach.




















Do not try to take it from him. He will give you the distinctive "Squeal of Displeasure."




















This. This is the best.

December Festivities

November, Pt. 2

Apologies for the quality of this one. Definitely thrown together...

November

Winds. Of Change.

Thank God it is January. 2008. A new year. Big changes on the horizon.

November and December were just NUTS.

Joe and I were offered the opportunity to buy The Best Cellar. At a stellar price. A place we helped to open. We were stoked. It is our dream. It is what we aspire to do. WE. WANT. IT. So begins meetings with the owners and the bank. The SBA. Potential investors. Thoughts and ideas zip in and out of our heads at lightning speed. Can we afford it? Can we make a life for ourselves this way? It is all we think about, talk about. Then BLAM! Another offer.

The Mountain Tavern and Grille is a local restaurant where Joe worked for five years. He was their Chef de Cuisine. He was running the line when they won their first DiRoNa award. He quit three days before our wedding, so you KNOW the reasons for his leaving were strong.

They want him back. And they will pay much more than what he makes now. And we may be able to buy that restaurant when the lease is up in three years.

So. Leave Best Cellar he must. And put The Dream on hold we must. And I am relieved and disappointed. Relieved because the time I want to put into a restaurant? Impossible right now. Not until Jackson is in school. Disappointed because DAMN a restaurant just fell into our laps, and I just can't do it right now. DAMN. DAMN. DAMN.

So throw that whole mess into a slew of birthdays, doctor's appointments, holidays, and Christmas parties at the Cellar, and Heather has been a very busy girl.

But January is finally here. And I sigh a sigh of relief. And try to begin writing here again.

This does not qualify as food

Ok. Maybe I'm a bit fired up from the Patriots/Ravens game. What the HELL. Did New England make a pact with Satan? I think yes. GOD I wanted them to lose. Especially after one of their players taunted the Ravens coach. Taunted. I know it's football. I. KNOW.

So.

Joe has to make congealed salad for two Christmas parties this week. Oh, it is most vile. Please, look.

Congealed. Salad.

Food Network's site does not have a recipe for this. At all. Not one.

Marshmallows and cheddar cheese. Jell-O and mayonnaise. Fruit and cottage cheese, suspended in bright green gelatin. A quivering cube of food madness. "Congealed" is a word that also describes blood. BLOOD.

Why. Why does this abomination still exist.

I am going to bed now...

*shudder*

Walking

"Walking" by Widespread Panic

Wants

Dear Santa,

I would like a coyote for Christmas.

Love~
Heather

The Absent Blogger

Man, I am SLACKING on the blog. Apologies all around. It's...it's...just so damn BUSY. We had a slew of birthdays, Halloween, a night away from the chirrens, early dismissals from school, Fall Fling, and a prospect for me and Joe's future that could be big. Real big. Dream-come-true big. Some of you already know. I'll keep the rest of ya'll posted on new developments.

Photos and video to come. Jackson is thiiiiiis close to walking. Hold on to your shorts eveyone...