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Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Things that raised our eyebrows this year ....12/16/08
Conversations of note in 2008:
www.ebay.com
I have been on the brink of the decision not to send a Christmas card this year rationalizing it with the thought that my blog has given people more than enough of us. I would save paper, stamps, time, effort, etc....just go green all around. I am a little self-conscious due to the fact that I have heard from several people how much they hate family letters. Then I remembered the people in my life who never read my blog. I specifically remembered an elderly woman from my mission in Iowa who lives in bucocal farm house, who I know will be eagerly anticipating her Christmas cards, who will carefully place them on her chipping mantle, and may read them more than once. I knew I had to do it.Judd Family 2008Proposed House Legislation That Has Absolutely No Chance of PassingI. PROPOSITION 125 authored by Corey Judd (old) Proposal to limit stuffed animals in the house to 125. This equates to approximately 41.333 stuffed animals per child. Any additional fake animals found on the premises will be considered a threat to family space and consequentially confiscated. Any family member who feels the overwhelming inclination to acquire another stuffed animal is urged to step outside the premises and play with the REAL animals (i.e. deer, frogs, coyotes, bark beetles, chipmunks, ticks, porcupines, and the left and right winged owls.) that frequent our 10 acres. Their will be no limits, however, on biking gear or ski paraphernalia. Opposition submitted by Savanna: We would not need so many stuffed animals if Founding Parents would only allow us ownership of even one furry pet. Furthermore, there is convincing evidence that if Founding Father would just strap a stuffed animal to his handlebars while riding to work, he would be just as enamored with it as we are. II. INITIATIVE ANTI-CACAO: SEPARATION OF SCHOOL AND CHOCOLATE authored by Ansel (almost 5)Chocolate is a blatant attack on personal happiness and well-being. Members shall not attend preschool if chocolate is going to be served as a snack. Constituents are free to spit out any chocolate accidentally ingested at any time and in any location. In 1982, only 10% of Halloween Candy consisted of chocolate. Today, the percentage has risen to 86%. This is an alarming statistic. If the distribution of chocolate is not curbed and eschewed, chocolate will be widely accepted as a breakfast entrée and the next thing you know, we will be kicking balls of chocolate in soccer classes. Opposition submitted by Vanessa: You can never have too much chocolate and I already accept it as a breakfast entrée. III. REFERENDUM ROTE GRINDWORK authored by Savanna Judd (almost 11)The existing legislation in place that requires residing students to complete homework in a timely manner shall be overturned and amended to state that homework is OPTIONAL IF residing student is writing a medieval novel. Residing students lose precious writing time at piano lessons, Spanish class, swimming lessons and other various mandatory family outings. School work that is returned with LATE marks shall be overlooked and/or praised for being completed.Opposition submitted by Corey: Lateness will never be accepted. In fact, I am working on submitting legislation that will require schoolwork to be completed before it is even handed out. IV. PLEBISCITE INCOGREADO authored by Emmy (almost 9)Passage of this would make it perfectly acceptable to hide in the corner of bedrooms whilst reading. This law will also allow for unlimited nonresponse to any solicitations or requests for revealing one’s location. Reading a book shall be an activity that is equated with not actually being present in the home. Opposition submitted by Ansel: The Drafters and Framers of our new home included more than enough living space. There is no reason to be smashing oneself in crevices. We should be running freely through the home, jumping on beds, and sliding down banisters.V. BALLOT MEASURE 12-1 authored by Vanessa (older)It is the intent of the Founding Mother of this Union to uphold Freedom of Expression through the medium of SONG. This right has been thwarted, booed, and even forcibly squelched by little hands over mouth. The ratio of time spent chauffeuring, cooking, cleaning, folding laundry, helping with homework, packing lunches, nagging, etc. to time allotted for ditty singing shall be 12 to 1. For example, for every hour of nurturing and protecting, Founding mother is granted 5 minutes of uncensored harmonics.Opposition submitted by Emmy: This ballot question would be considered if Founding Mother could sing the correct words to even one song.
Hairstylist at Great Clips:
"Wow, look at your blonde hair! Hitler would have loved you!!"
Me: "Um, Thanks?"
Ansel:
"Mom, when you are grumpy, you should just sit down and eat."
www.ebay.com
I have been on the brink of the decision not to send a Christmas card this year rationalizing it with the thought that my blog has given people more than enough of us. I would save paper, stamps, time, effort, etc....just go green all around. I am a little self-conscious due to the fact that I have heard from several people how much they hate family letters. Then I remembered the people in my life who never read my blog. I specifically remembered an elderly woman from my mission in Iowa who lives in bucocal farm house, who I know will be eagerly anticipating her Christmas cards, who will carefully place them on her chipping mantle, and may read them more than once. I knew I had to do it.Judd Family 2008Proposed House Legislation That Has Absolutely No Chance of PassingI. PROPOSITION 125 authored by Corey Judd (old) Proposal to limit stuffed animals in the house to 125. This equates to approximately 41.333 stuffed animals per child. Any additional fake animals found on the premises will be considered a threat to family space and consequentially confiscated. Any family member who feels the overwhelming inclination to acquire another stuffed animal is urged to step outside the premises and play with the REAL animals (i.e. deer, frogs, coyotes, bark beetles, chipmunks, ticks, porcupines, and the left and right winged owls.) that frequent our 10 acres. Their will be no limits, however, on biking gear or ski paraphernalia. Opposition submitted by Savanna: We would not need so many stuffed animals if Founding Parents would only allow us ownership of even one furry pet. Furthermore, there is convincing evidence that if Founding Father would just strap a stuffed animal to his handlebars while riding to work, he would be just as enamored with it as we are. II. INITIATIVE ANTI-CACAO: SEPARATION OF SCHOOL AND CHOCOLATE authored by Ansel (almost 5)Chocolate is a blatant attack on personal happiness and well-being. Members shall not attend preschool if chocolate is going to be served as a snack. Constituents are free to spit out any chocolate accidentally ingested at any time and in any location. In 1982, only 10% of Halloween Candy consisted of chocolate. Today, the percentage has risen to 86%. This is an alarming statistic. If the distribution of chocolate is not curbed and eschewed, chocolate will be widely accepted as a breakfast entrée and the next thing you know, we will be kicking balls of chocolate in soccer classes. Opposition submitted by Vanessa: You can never have too much chocolate and I already accept it as a breakfast entrée. III. REFERENDUM ROTE GRINDWORK authored by Savanna Judd (almost 11)The existing legislation in place that requires residing students to complete homework in a timely manner shall be overturned and amended to state that homework is OPTIONAL IF residing student is writing a medieval novel. Residing students lose precious writing time at piano lessons, Spanish class, swimming lessons and other various mandatory family outings. School work that is returned with LATE marks shall be overlooked and/or praised for being completed.Opposition submitted by Corey: Lateness will never be accepted. In fact, I am working on submitting legislation that will require schoolwork to be completed before it is even handed out. IV. PLEBISCITE INCOGREADO authored by Emmy (almost 9)Passage of this would make it perfectly acceptable to hide in the corner of bedrooms whilst reading. This law will also allow for unlimited nonresponse to any solicitations or requests for revealing one’s location. Reading a book shall be an activity that is equated with not actually being present in the home. Opposition submitted by Ansel: The Drafters and Framers of our new home included more than enough living space. There is no reason to be smashing oneself in crevices. We should be running freely through the home, jumping on beds, and sliding down banisters.V. BALLOT MEASURE 12-1 authored by Vanessa (older)It is the intent of the Founding Mother of this Union to uphold Freedom of Expression through the medium of SONG. This right has been thwarted, booed, and even forcibly squelched by little hands over mouth. The ratio of time spent chauffeuring, cooking, cleaning, folding laundry, helping with homework, packing lunches, nagging, etc. to time allotted for ditty singing shall be 12 to 1. For example, for every hour of nurturing and protecting, Founding mother is granted 5 minutes of uncensored harmonics.Opposition submitted by Emmy: This ballot question would be considered if Founding Mother could sing the correct words to even one song.
Judd Family 2008
Proposed House Legislation That Has Absolutely No Chance of Passing
I. PROPOSITION 125 authored by Corey Judd (old)
Proposal to limit stuffed animals in the house to 125. This equates to approximately 41.333 stuffed animals per child. Any additional fake animals found on the premises will be considered a threat to family space and consequentially confiscated. Any family member who feels the overwhelming inclination to acquire another stuffed animal is urged to step outside the premises and play with the REAL animals (i.e. deer, frogs, coyotes, bark beetles, chipmunks, ticks, porcupines, and the left and right winged owls.) that frequent our 10 acres. Their will be no limits, however, on biking gear or ski paraphernalia.
Opposition submitted by Savanna: We would not need so many stuffed animals if Founding Parents would only allow us ownership of even one furry pet. Furthermore, there is convincing evidence that if Founding Father would just strap a stuffed animal to his handlebars while riding to work, he would be just as enamored with it as we are.
II. INITIATIVE ANTI-CACAO: SEPARATION OF SCHOOL AND CHOCOLATE authored by Ansel (almost 5)
Chocolate is a blatant attack on personal happiness and well-being. Members shall not attend preschool if chocolate is going to be served as a snack. Constituents are free to spit out any chocolate accidentally ingested at any time and in any location. In 1982, only 10% of Halloween Candy consisted of chocolate. Today, the percentage has risen to 86%. This is an alarming statistic. If the distribution of chocolate is not curbed and eschewed, chocolate will be widely accepted as a breakfast entrée and the next thing you know, we will be kicking balls of chocolate in soccer classes.
Opposition submitted by Vanessa: You can never have too much chocolate and I already accept it as a breakfast entrée.
III. REFERENDUM ROTE GRINDWORK authored by Savanna Judd (almost 11)
The existing legislation in place that requires residing students to complete homework in a timely manner shall be overturned and amended to state that homework is OPTIONAL IF residing student is writing a medieval novel. Residing students lose precious writing time at piano lessons, Spanish class, swimming lessons and other various mandatory family outings. School work that is returned with LATE marks shall be overlooked and/or praised for being completed.
Opposition submitted by Corey: Lateness will never be accepted. In fact, I am working on submitting legislation that will require schoolwork to be completed before it is even handed out.
IV. PLEBISCITE INCOGREADO authored by Emmy (almost 9)
Passage of this would make it perfectly acceptable to hide in the corner of bedrooms whilst reading. This law will also allow for unlimited nonresponse to any solicitations or requests for revealing one’s location. Reading a book shall be an activity that is equated with not actually being present in the home.
Opposition submitted by Ansel: The Drafters and Framers of our new home included more than enough living space. There is no reason to be smashing oneself in crevices. We should be running freely through the home, jumping on beds, and sliding down banisters.
V. BALLOT MEASURE 12-1 authored by Vanessa (older)
It is the intent of the Founding Mother of this Union to uphold Freedom of Expression through the medium of SONG. This right has been thwarted, booed, and even forcibly squelched by little hands over mouth. The ratio of time spent chauffeuring, cooking, cleaning, folding laundry, helping with homework, packing lunches, nagging, etc. to time allotted for ditty singing shall be 12 to 1. For example, for every hour of nurturing and protecting, Founding mother is granted 5 minutes of uncensored harmonics.
Opposition submitted by Emmy: This ballot question would be considered if Founding Mother could sing the correct words to even one song.
Proposed House Legislation That Has Absolutely No Chance of Passing
I. PROPOSITION 125 authored by Corey Judd (old)
Proposal to limit stuffed animals in the house to 125. This equates to approximately 41.333 stuffed animals per child. Any additional fake animals found on the premises will be considered a threat to family space and consequentially confiscated. Any family member who feels the overwhelming inclination to acquire another stuffed animal is urged to step outside the premises and play with the REAL animals (i.e. deer, frogs, coyotes, bark beetles, chipmunks, ticks, porcupines, and the left and right winged owls.) that frequent our 10 acres. Their will be no limits, however, on biking gear or ski paraphernalia.
Opposition submitted by Savanna: We would not need so many stuffed animals if Founding Parents would only allow us ownership of even one furry pet. Furthermore, there is convincing evidence that if Founding Father would just strap a stuffed animal to his handlebars while riding to work, he would be just as enamored with it as we are.
II. INITIATIVE ANTI-CACAO: SEPARATION OF SCHOOL AND CHOCOLATE authored by Ansel (almost 5)
Chocolate is a blatant attack on personal happiness and well-being. Members shall not attend preschool if chocolate is going to be served as a snack. Constituents are free to spit out any chocolate accidentally ingested at any time and in any location. In 1982, only 10% of Halloween Candy consisted of chocolate. Today, the percentage has risen to 86%. This is an alarming statistic. If the distribution of chocolate is not curbed and eschewed, chocolate will be widely accepted as a breakfast entrée and the next thing you know, we will be kicking balls of chocolate in soccer classes.
Opposition submitted by Vanessa: You can never have too much chocolate and I already accept it as a breakfast entrée.
III. REFERENDUM ROTE GRINDWORK authored by Savanna Judd (almost 11)
The existing legislation in place that requires residing students to complete homework in a timely manner shall be overturned and amended to state that homework is OPTIONAL IF residing student is writing a medieval novel. Residing students lose precious writing time at piano lessons, Spanish class, swimming lessons and other various mandatory family outings. School work that is returned with LATE marks shall be overlooked and/or praised for being completed.
Opposition submitted by Corey: Lateness will never be accepted. In fact, I am working on submitting legislation that will require schoolwork to be completed before it is even handed out.
IV. PLEBISCITE INCOGREADO authored by Emmy (almost 9)
Passage of this would make it perfectly acceptable to hide in the corner of bedrooms whilst reading. This law will also allow for unlimited nonresponse to any solicitations or requests for revealing one’s location. Reading a book shall be an activity that is equated with not actually being present in the home.
Opposition submitted by Ansel: The Drafters and Framers of our new home included more than enough living space. There is no reason to be smashing oneself in crevices. We should be running freely through the home, jumping on beds, and sliding down banisters.
V. BALLOT MEASURE 12-1 authored by Vanessa (older)
It is the intent of the Founding Mother of this Union to uphold Freedom of Expression through the medium of SONG. This right has been thwarted, booed, and even forcibly squelched by little hands over mouth. The ratio of time spent chauffeuring, cooking, cleaning, folding laundry, helping with homework, packing lunches, nagging, etc. to time allotted for ditty singing shall be 12 to 1. For example, for every hour of nurturing and protecting, Founding mother is granted 5 minutes of uncensored harmonics.
Opposition submitted by Emmy: This ballot question would be considered if Founding Mother could sing the correct words to even one song.
its a time for change...1/19/09
Right now, I can't seem to manage more thanI like to change the template on my blog. It is extremely easy and sometimes makes me feel new and reorganized. I'm not into anything fancy or flourished. I never have a problem with the current template. I just crave something different.....all the time.
I wish it was as easy to change the template on my house. Yeah, I know it is less than a year old. Shouldn't I be happy with it for at least 5 years?
For the record, I was never happy with the color of my bedroom. Our builder did a fabulous job in so many ways........BUT......he forced us to commit to the colors of our house based on a 1 inch by 2 inch sample. In fact, when it was first painted, I couldn't even look at it without wanting to puke. I feel strongly about having my bedroom be a non-vomit inducing environment. It was just so NOT what I had envisioned. I was disgusted with myself for letting the color of a few rooms in my new beautiful home (Master bed and bath and office) dampen my spirits so greatly.
If I don’t have "What next?" lined up, daily living lulls me into loss of inertia.If I want to get anything done today or tomorrow, I need to have a reprieve from the monotony in mind.. like a carrot dangling just so far in front of me.
I subscribe to the notion that it is important to live in the now and that a currency mindset can bring happiness (not currency as in money, but currency as in loving what is currently in your life)
I frequently become plagued....usually in the middle of winter when the snow is dirtier than the dirt, I’ve been too weighed down by the now to actually live in it. dishes, and cleaning.
But with a change or vacation planned out, I look at today with enthusiasm and can actually get through the routine in contentment.
An analysis of a mental model reveals that reorganization only results in a quick-fix remedy and its effects may not last overtime which leads to less stability
it doesn't look so bad here, does it? I can't quite capture the minty green nauseating hue...just think of a bridesmaid gown in the 80's. Kind of like that.
But with a change or vacation planned out, I look at today with enthusiasm and can actually get through the routine in contentment.
An analysis of a mental model reveals that reorganization only results in a quick-fix remedy and its effects may not last overtime which leads to less stability
it doesn't look so bad here, does it? I can't quite capture the minty green nauseating hue...just think of a bridesmaid gown in the 80's. Kind of like that.
The new Egyptian Nile green. This should keep me happy for at least another 10 months.
Homegrown Horror...8/7/09
Lately, at certain moments of the evening, when the heat of the day has exhausted even itself, I have felt as if I am living an ideal "Rockwellesque" life. Those few minutes between cleaning up dinner and putting the kids to bed I have been able to put my life on hold, sit on the deck, observe the world, watch the giggling kids roll around on the thickening grass and sigh, 'This is it. I can't want any more than this"
And during one of those brief moments, Corey and I looked at each other, and decided to have a dinner party. We are seldom simultaneously extroverted, and so hosting a dinner party isn't that frequent of an occurrence. But all signs seemed to be pointing in the direction of positive entertaining experience.
We now have a table and chairs for our lower patio, which is an optimal location for sniffing the freshly cut grass.
Our serpentine tenant shed his summer skin and moved on to bigger things
Our garden is producing more than we can handle. Tomatoes better than cotton candy. Even the bottle was unearthed in our backyard (but not the pickles)
multitudes of heavenly hummingbirds come with their chorus of flapping wings
Our garden is a jungle of delight
Adorable Twin baby moose have been lounging and nibbling outside our kitchen window (but if they get near my Japanese maple, I will take wield the chain saw).
We really needed to share our little slice of paradise.
Who knew that Stephen King would massacre Normal Rockwell get-together.
While I was getting all the fresh food ready to serve, I started feeling a little weirdish akin to the weirdish that I felt those 900 days that I was pregnant and was outtaking approximately 75% of my daily food intake. I thought nothing of it, being used to entertaining while feeling under the weather.
A wave of nausea overtook me at the exact moment I was pulling the Bruschetta from the oven. Somehow this temporarily rendered me completely idiotic and I attempted to remove the blazing pan with my upper unprotected arm, rather than my ove-glove shielded hands. Also occurring at this precise moment, our friend's son came running in from the deck screaming with red welts all over his body. Apparently, a wasp family also thought our backyard was the perfect place to call home and made themselves swarm and cozy under our deck table. Eight stingers were quickly implanted in our guests belly within minutes of his sitting down.
Forgetting about my blistering arm and unsettled stomach, I prepared a baking soda ointment to apply to the attack sites. As I was dabbing his skin with the concoction, I knew that this next wave of nausea was one of no return.
I left him and vanished into the bathroom for some serious gut wrenching outtaking.
That was the last my guests saw of me. I tried to venture out between episodes, but never quite made it past the door of my bedroom. It took Corey a while to figure out what had happened to me. I gave up trying to move and spent a few hours with my cheek on the cold granite floor...within an arms length of the toilet.
So if you are in the mood for a good dinner party......
you know where not to come
The marshmallow test....2009
Long ago, before my children were actual beings, I imagined afternoons of collecting my kids from school, bringing them home, and listening to at least 5 minutes of chatter relating the events of their scholastic development. Years passed, my kids have actual personalities that are in no way influenced by my earlier visions. In my house, when the kids are done with school, they are DONE with school and don't want to talk about it. I try not to take it personally, but still feel that there needs to be some dialogue about what is happening. So, out of parental desperation, we instituted a family tradition which has prodded them out of their comfort zones, meaning their comfort zone of non-talking. I won't ask them about school all afternoon. If they want to discuss it, that is fine, but I will give them their space, if needed. But while we are at dinner, each child must relate at least 5 interesting that they did or learned that day at school. It has worked out well thus far.
I was a little concerned this year when Savanna was assigned a teacher who tells a lot of jokes and doesn't give homework. But what I have found is that his method of teaching has been a gift. It is contextualizing her learning. Savanna's boundaries between her education and life don't have such clear cut boundaries any more. Savanna actually lights up when she talks about school this year and was brimming with excitement when she was showing me the order of equations the other night. He must be doing something right. I think he treats them like adults and the kids respond well to that.
Emmy received perfect scores on the Washington State Aptitude Tests last spring and has been accepted to attend a more challenging school once a week. She joined the running club and runs 3 times a week, adding an extra hour to her day. She bought a small package of 8 chocolates and savored them for 2 weeks. She has had to memorize poems this year and bursts into tears when we ask her to vocalize them for us. I still can't get her to tell me much.
didn’t even know the name Dave Brubeck until a few weeks ago. I know now thanks to Matt and Trucker Dave (and Brubeck’s website) how important “Brubeck” is. In case you are unfamiliar with that name as well; Dave Brubeck is a legendary iconic jazz pianist and composer from the 50’s and 60’s all the way up too 2009. I can know associate Brubeck with musical class and beautifully constructed pieces.
However, many people's complex contextual references block and isolate the internal mind to the point of stifling and smothering the mental processes. The mind can then only reprocess the same information it has done so in the past. In the end, you derive the same answers to the same problems and end up back at the point you started.
--- Simplifying Your Context ---
On the extreme, over time, rules beget rules until, eventually, we have a complex data filtration system that kicks out anything that remote resembles some idea or information not completely in-line with our systems of belief. The human mind tends to develop such complexity to answer questions for which it is unsure. It creates a web of cross-connected information to prove that our lives and beliefs are justified.
This type of thought process leads to a stifling existence, little creativity, and a biased view of life as a whole. In the end, we end up with self-composed theories about how things are and should be and are unwilling to accept anything else. Eventually we can become embittered, angry, frustrated, envious, and prejudiced.
Our Amazing Race: Leg 1: Venice October 2009
Basilica San Marco. Situated in the heart of Venice, on the Piazza San Marco, the
There is no sewer system in Venice. Household waste flows into the canals and is flushed into the oceans with the tides 2 times a day. 
Corey points out that if they lose this race, it will be due to the obscene tendency his partner has of stalking the endangered species of Venetial Locals.
Vanessa responds that if they lose the race, it will be due to Corey's tendency to want to eat.
It has been a month since we began our journey. I have a list of excuses for this time lapse in my report of our trip. Halloween costumes, church responsibilities, inordinate amounts of volunteer activity at the school. But what it comes down to is this. In my warped and demented mind, everytime I look at a photo of our trip, I am somehow let down by the vast chasm between the photo and the experience. The click clacking of heels on cobblestone streets, the blaring warmth of the sun after emerging from one of the
Our first leg of the race began with a flight originating in Spokane, stopping in Portland, flying over Greenland and Iceland with a brief layover in Amsterdam. The team: 
Corey and Vanessa: Married 13 years
We were momentarily tempted by the breakfast left by our .(ok, I was tempted. But we knew that we needed to beat the throngs of 50,000 tourists that descend upon the city every day. We arrived in a virtually empty St. Marks Square and were among the first few hundred in line for the Palazzo Ducale. We were also the only ones that I noticed who had their camera bags confiscated. 
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