heykristigirl's Xanga

Just not sure...

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:10:05 GMT

Well, I need a change. I'm not thrilled with Xanga. If I wanted to pay to keep the blog running I think I'd like the look of it but since I want to blog for free I think I need a change. So I'm trying this: http://chanoligang.blogspot.com/

I don't like the name. The web design is cute but ?? And what in the world do I do with all of these lovely posts here? I'm so computer illiterate that it's scary so any input is helpful. So feel free to wander over to the new place and enjoy if you can...

I don't want to forget...

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:39:54 GMT

She's three. With both my girls on the day they turned three and one day old things changed. Whoever coined the phrase "Terrible Twos" must have not had a three year old at that point... :) We are managing. We will survive this and Lord willing we'll survive it well. (Insert a number of prayers for us here_____________).

HOWEVER. In the mist of her threeyearoldisms this little gal is a hoot! Oh, my - she keeps us rolling with laughter at some point in every day. Her facial expressions alone make us grin. But then when she starts in with telling us a story we will gaffaw no matter how much we try to stiffle it... While I can't recall all of her stories there are a few words I can remember that she won't pronounce properly as she just likes them that way. Trust me, she CAN say them but she won't. See? She's a three year old! Here's the list:

Gad guy - bad guy (My favorite is when she says, "The gad guys will come and get me"!)
Raggalie Rand - Raggitty Anne (We've been over this many times -
                                                          "Say ragg..."
                                                          "Ragg"
                                                          "Now say itty"
                                                          "Itty"
                                                          "Now say Raggitty...."
                                                          "Raggalie!")
                                                          :)
Big Hannah - Nana (many have tried to convince her to call her grandmother by her Nana name but she prefers this)
Little Hannah - her cousin
Spiedbock - sidewalk
Silly cup - sippy cup

Another one I mustn't forget and something I subject you hundreds of readers to ;) is her enthusiasm for a bathroom run. Picture this: A cute three year old comes running to me holding, well, herself and while leaping about says, "Mama, I hafta go tinkle"!!!!!! Then the race is oooon! I'm required to run just as fast as she and we weave our way thru the house to the watercloset where I hafta remove clothing and get her on the potty while we exchange excited yelps about whether she's gonna make it in time and how best to not get in the wrong position and who's doing the wiping and so on. If I could have picked a different middle name for this child it would have been Excitement. In all things she is that!

When she wants to she can play so lovingly and nicely with her brudder and sister. The girls love to role play mudder and daughter games but when she's done with it you know it. :)

I do have one more story to tell. The other day I lined the kids up to cut their hair. I went in birth order which I regret now. Number 2 has long hair and it had tangles and there was some crying. Therefore, when it was time to sit Silliness on the stool for her turn she had to cry too. I told her she didn't need to cry because it wouldn't hurt her - she just didn't know haircuts as she had only had one when she was a little, little girl. Wrong thing to tell her! She then proceeded to cry the entire haircut and repeat over and over, "I don't know haircuts! Mama, stop! I just don't know haircuts!"

Lastly, I've not known any small girl to be so fashion concious! She takes note of all that you are wearing and how your hair is styled and is sure to comment on what she thinks of it. She's turning in to a pretty good dresser herself which sometimes really surprises me.

I think the hardest thing right now is realizing that she's our baby but not really a baby anymore. I know, I know she gave up babyhood a while ago but as the youngest I've held on to her baby title. I'm looking forward to having older kids and all that we can do with them and for them but, oh, I am missing that baby!!! I guess this is why we look forward to having grandkids. In, like, 20 years :)

Hunting and Merry Christmas...

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:26:31 GMT

A few weeks ago Chuckles asked to purchase an item so he could help daddy in his hunting adventures. You see, where we recently moved to there are *cough, cough* flies. Yes, lots of them and they have a knack for sneaking in the house unannounced until you bring out the food and then they like to gross you out by landing on it and rubbing their creepy little arms together as they sit and contemplate their next move.

Papa Chanoli will have none of it! With in a few hours of moving in he was at the hardware store to purchase a fly killer. Because he's Papa Chanoli the killer of choice must involve batteries. So he got the electric swatter that looks like a tennis racquet but has a button that you push and it zaps the little suckers. Now if you think you need to go and buy an expensive Wii for the family I suggest otherwise. Get yourself an electronic fly swatter and open your front door. Papa Chanoli never got so much excersize hunting flies! There is swatting and yelling and running and cheering when they get zapped and our favorite is when they spark and sizzle for a moment!

Now, not one to be left out, Chuckles runs alongside his daddy shouting and pointing to each fly so as to aide his father in the hunt. But you know he can't really handle the fly killer yet as there is some coordination involved. I myself may have mastered it but I'll let you know by summer.... So the dear darling saw the old school model of fly swatter at the store recently and how could I refuse his 99 cent request?

He's a fly hunter now, folks! And it would figure that at this point and time the flies are dead from the frost and we don't leave our doors open for long. So, this kid had to "make do" as we call it 'round these parts. He decided to have a photo session:

He's happy as a lark and it looks like the swatter is living it up too! For now I guess this was my long awaited for Christmas greeting ~

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good (Fly Free) Night!

You knew it was coming...

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:09:15 GMT

So, you all have to know that this post would happen at some point ;) I thought I'd share with you a special delivery that made it to our house a month or so ago...

What could it be?

Hmmm. I wonder if it might be something that will fit here:

Well, what do you know - it is!!! Here they are in all their white washing and drying glory!!!! With a shoe dryer on top....

Here is the first load in the washer:

Here we have the washer and the dryer humming along together for the first time....

And they continue to hum along quite nicely! Boy, am I grateful for the tools to make my work so much easier. Yippeeee! Is it wrong that I want to go and hug them right now?

He's a funny one alright!

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:58:03 GMT

Just a few shots of what really goes on around the joint with this guy :)

Here's Chuckles with his ever popular head gear:

But look he's got a new recruit:

Here's Papa Chanoli clearing out our weed patch and Chuckles decided to "help"...

Oh, you don't see Chuckles? Well, here's where he decided to "help"...

I don't know if you can see him but daddy is outside with a chainsaw and Chuckles just wasn't sure that ear protection would be enough. Frankly, at the start up of the machine he bolted indoors...

In the next photo op we see how he is still sure there might possibly be a loud noise at some point:

I don't know about you but it looks very uncomfortable to sleep with those puppies on...

And here we have Santa's little helper.

Although the elfin outfit is 5 1/2 yrs his junior. Yes, he's wearing an outfit for a 6 mo. old!

He is so not bothered by that fact...

Lastly, I leave you with this. I've had the kids take turns with the camera - letting them give an account of what they see. Here you would think that Giggles is just taking a beautiful picture of Silliness but in the background you can see Chuckles and I doing his schoolwork:

I love the long sleeve shirt with shorts and the ever present vest. I love the protective eyewear confirming his need to always wear something on his head. Oh, and the blue fishing cap - the one he picked out himself and has hand shaped over the last couple of years. And, of course, the umbrella! Who doesn't love trying to teach a kid while sitting under that?!?

So, see - he's a funny one!

The Move...

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:58:02 GMT

I thought you'd all like to see what it looked like while we did our move.

I had the foresight to think of documenting the process - 'cause you all like a good laugh.

Oh, you all are going to love every one of these pictures!

I know you're dying to see so here you go:

Ta Da! While I think I had good intentions I didn't once look or care about finding my camera on the actual moving day. Here is Papa Chanoli, Chuckles and Uncle Phil moving a load of stuff on the Friday before the move.

What I do have for you are some nice candids where you can see the boxes piling up around the place in preparation to take a ride in the moving truck pictured above...

In addition to the boxes you can see the kids are making "Stone Soup". I knew you could spot that straight away! I especially like the three layered hat in the foreground...

Lastly, I leave you with some pictures of Miss Silliness. She's off to battle, folks!

Despite the fact it looks like her sword is broken she was the victor - just ask her! Of course, if you ask Chuckles he'll tell you he was... :)

What I think is funny about these pictures is this area of the living room became the spot where I put my boxes when they were packed. We ended up with no room to manuver in there and I actually blocked myself out of being able to pack some things! Ok, only funny for me but I like to jot these things down so a year from now when I read back over this stuff I can remember crazy details....

November...

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:36:36 GMT

Apparently fall is upon us. I use the term "us" rather loosely as here in our new town the weather is too warm and lovely to be considered fall. Last we spoke it was still October and I was making plans to pack and get ready to move. We've done it. People keep reassuring me that moving isthisclose to the death of a loved one and in this particular move I actually got it.

Most of you don't know but I've not lived anywhere for a long time. I lived in my first home from birth until 3-4, next house from then until 5-6, on to the next place until 12 at which point my family moved into a chicken coop - no kidding - for 6 months, then to the house that would endure my jr. high and high school musical dramas. (Mostly, Def Lepard, Bon Jovi and whatever else played on 93.3 The Zoo FM) After graduating I became a stone that gathered no moss. I think there were 15 moves. I used to be able to load all my stuff, including my little tv into a car and travel on to the next place. Until I got a bed and things got more tricky. A year was the average spent in any one spot. I liked this system - it worked well for eliminating things unnecessary. An excellent way to get reorganized. To redecorate - or not. I liked moving.

The liking part is a thing of the past. Perhaps when our family dynamics change I could get back into liking it but for the next few, er, dozen years please remind me of what I am about to write and how, even though you may possibly find it boring , I NEED to write it so I will remember that I don't want to move. Even if the thought is so tempting and all systems are go and indicate that we should move - remind me that I don't want to. I don't.

Here's why.

There are never enough boxes. But when you finally get enough and you fill them what in the world do you do with them?

Moving with three small children is hard. There were a lot of days where all that happened was mommy packing and kids watching movies. It's ok you say. Sure I know it is but somehow we are still trying to break the habit. It's too easy to just turn that boob toob on while I unpack now :)

Renting a moving truck. Next time we will know to take the insurance at the time of renting. For if we assume our regular insurance co. will cover us and we find out they don't then we will know that you can't go back and ask for it from the truck rental place - it's a one time offer. I do love the advice our ins. agent gave: "My advice? Drive real careful"! Papa Chanoli did and our belongings seem to have all made it. I think. Still looking for a few things. And next time we will confirm the late drop off policy. We drove 20 miles on Sat. nite to find out the place we were taking the truck was not an actual late drop off place. Grrr. So we drove back the 20 miles using disel fuel, mine you, and figured we'd try after church on Sun. Papa Chanoli couldn't find a place to park as the parking lot was full and there was no street parking so he chose to miss church and just get rid of the silly moving truck! As the story goes he got hungry and stopped in to get a candy bar and a soda. There were many folks looking for handouts and as he gave one man some change he asked if the guy knew of a place to get cheap fuel. Ok, Central Valley residents - take special note: C*untry Girl Truck St*p has more than you bargain for. Yes, the "Girl" working the counter works it on many levels as she confessed to her side gig and solicited the man in line in front of my husband. Of course, why stop there - she offered Papa Chanoli a real, sweet deal and after all he had been thru with the silly truck he could only laugh and reject that offer. Somehow, she still wanted to make nice and gave him the disel at the reg. unleaded price.

Deciding where to put a silverware drawer is really hard. (hmmm. It was a big task but to tell the truth I did delight in it, a bit)

The tiredness of it all.

There are so many things to decide.

But wait... I'm starting to see that moving could bring the possiblility of moving to a charming small town

Perhaps moving is like childbirth. You "forget" how bad it was or you just think the end result is worth all the efforts to have something so treasured....

Uh, oh. I'm starting to feel like moving is worth it. But I still don't want to do it... But I could if I had to.

All this thinking makes me hungry. I think I'd better go to my new kitchen and have a snack. People, remind me that moving is just a blip in the sceme of things and that no matter how hard it is 1) it can be done and 2) it's usually worth it.

And lastly, apparently moving makes me confused. But you knew that

****New homeowners tidbit:

There is a chance that it smells like natural gas in your garage and you can think you have a leak in the hot water heater only to find out after you call the Gas and Electric Co. that you have no leak - you live in dairy country and it's a "natural gas" smell from the COWS!

It's official!!!

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:54:12 GMT

We've got keys to our HOUSE!! Yipppeeeee! I had better start packing again :)

Thanks for all your kind words of encouragement - I'll keep you posted to how things go....

Yipppeeeee!

Updates...

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:32:42 GMT

Well, I had hoped to update you with news that I had a house key in my hand but as most real estate transactions go there has been an unknown holdup. Apparently the papers we signed last week expire today and we will now have to resign a new set and perhaps we will get a key next week. I have one word for that - yippee! Ok, so I wanted the dang key, like, last week but if we have to wait another week and then still end up with a key then I say OK! I think I did mention that I had not started packing just to be sure that this was gonna actually happen and I did start but now this glitch has set in so now I'm done packing until further notice....

In other updates:

My girl Silliness is a bit more free spirited that the others. There's one in every bunch I hear. For some reason she actually sat at the table and took a marker to each one of her fingernails and then very proudly came to show me the result:

I mean she was VERY pleased with the way it turned out...

Until she washed her hands.

In other news:

This just in:

(you can fit more than double in a double stroller)

Late Breaking News:

I wandered into the kids' bedroom one morning to be greeted with strange, stinky smelliness. After a bit of searching I am able to report and warn you that you should never stick an ear plug on a hot light bulb:

Ok, well I hope you enjoyed the updates for today! This is Heykristigirl covering for the Chanoli Gang - thank you for joining us!

I've been distracted....

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:58:30 GMT

Apparently I have this blog... Oh, I remember it and think of it often but I've been too focused on other matters. Well, another matter.

What could it be you say?

Well, we bought a house I say!

I can't believe it you say!

I can't believe it either I say!!!

We are on our way to sign the papers so I'm up to about 56% sure this is going to really happen! I'm including a smattering of pictures as I know I have some loyal fans out there who want the whole scoop and nothing but the scoop, so here you go:

Here's the living room:

The kitchen, eating nook and great room:

This is my favorite room:

(for the folks up north: finding a house with an indoor laundry room is a huge bonus!!!)

There's a master bed/bath:

And also a giant toilet:

(I don't know.... I sent Papa Chanoli off with a camera when the inspection was being done and these are the pictures he takes...)

Oh, and a garage!

(a quite stripey one at that!)

The whole house buying business has not at all been what I thought. I mean in my fairytale you find a house, you fall in love with it, make an offer at what the asking price is an you are accepted or denied. WRONG! Maybe for some that is true but for us we had to look at a lot and then make offers over the asking price just to be considered and then deal with a counter offer.... Along with several other parties. So my heart is making strange "palpitations" as I've cried and prayed and prayed and cried that the Lord would make our path clear to a house if it was His will and this is where he has us. I've tried really hard not to get too attached to any one house. After the first time I fell in love with one and lost out that is... I think once I can jump and yell about this my heart will return to it's normal state.

Thanks for praying with us and for us! We are so grateful!!! I still feel like this is premature as we are only signing the papers and I'm not holding a key in my hand yet but we are making plans as though this is gonna happen. I haven't even packed one box yet! I just wanted to be SURE. As we know moving is an adventure so I look forward to updating again soon :)