We bundled up the kids to play while Marc shoveled the driveway. We didn't last long, but it was fun. It is bringing back memories of early 2005.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Snow Day in Reno
It has been snowing since yesterday. They say we have had about a foot. Libraries are closed, but Marc braved the roads to open the store. We'll see how long that lasts.
We bundled up the kids to play while Marc shoveled the driveway. We didn't last long, but it was fun. It is bringing back memories of early 2005.
We bundled up the kids to play while Marc shoveled the driveway. We didn't last long, but it was fun. It is bringing back memories of early 2005.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Videos!
It's obvious I can't keep up with the Sid and Lola pages on this site. So for now, some embedded Flash video for your viewing enjoyment. Please, take a stroll through the last YEAR of inactivity in the video department with this brief sampling of fun...
Lola sings Jingle Bells, December 2008
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_3121.FLV 480 368]
Sidney gets fit on the Wii, January 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_3129.FLV 480 368]
Sid dances, January 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_3180.FLV 480 368]
Road trip with Paigey and Grandpa, not sure where we were going...March 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_3382.FLV 480 368]
Ring around the rosie, August 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_4097.FLV 480 368]
Lola sings "sticky", August 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_4102.FLV 480 368]
Sid rolls in on his Spiderman scooter, August 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_4107.FLV 480 368]
Sid bonds with Tasty, October 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_4356.FLV 480 368]
And the masterpiece, the grand finale, Lola presents a classic of our time, Don't Stop Believin', October 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/Journey.flv 480 368]
Lola sings Jingle Bells, December 2008
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_3121.FLV 480 368]
Sidney gets fit on the Wii, January 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_3129.FLV 480 368]
Sid dances, January 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_3180.FLV 480 368]
Road trip with Paigey and Grandpa, not sure where we were going...March 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_3382.FLV 480 368]
Ring around the rosie, August 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_4097.FLV 480 368]
Lola sings "sticky", August 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_4102.FLV 480 368]
Sid rolls in on his Spiderman scooter, August 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_4107.FLV 480 368]
Sid bonds with Tasty, October 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/MVI_4356.FLV 480 368]
And the masterpiece, the grand finale, Lola presents a classic of our time, Don't Stop Believin', October 2009
[flv:http://cheztiar.com/Journey.flv 480 368]
Monday, November 9, 2009
New pictures, finally!
Finally committed to posting some new kids. So embarrassed, some of these date back to May! I'm overwhelmed by the videos I have to post, so those will wait until another good chunk of time, hopefully in the next week. For now:
New Lola pictures
New Sidney pictures
A few miscellaneous pictures
I'm not as thorough as I used to be, posting every cute picture we've got, creating a new album for every little event in our lives. Just don't have the time. So you're seeing the cream of the crop, the tip of the iceberg, whatever you want to call it.
Otherwise, pretty much the same old story for us - busy with kids, EcoReno, etc. Nana has been visiting for a bit, but her time here is drawing to a close and it will be back to the usual day to day activities.
Until next time...
New Lola pictures
New Sidney pictures
A few miscellaneous pictures
I'm not as thorough as I used to be, posting every cute picture we've got, creating a new album for every little event in our lives. Just don't have the time. So you're seeing the cream of the crop, the tip of the iceberg, whatever you want to call it.
Otherwise, pretty much the same old story for us - busy with kids, EcoReno, etc. Nana has been visiting for a bit, but her time here is drawing to a close and it will be back to the usual day to day activities.
Until next time...
Friday, October 9, 2009
Ugh
Feeling just a bit overwhelmed right now...I tend to in general anyway, just trying to keep straight all the "stuff" in our lives: work and various obligations and deadlines there, the store and the various demands it places on us, kids and their various needs, and all the peripheral stuff like bills to pay, chores and yardwork around the house, etc. But right now, something very specific is making me panic.
I got this harebrained idea that for EcoReno's first anniversary/grand opening party, I would do a workshop on building your own solar oven. I've always wanted to, didn't seem too hard, and seemed like a good little "event" to have at the shop. And now, after weeks of trying to secure the perfect sized boxes, accumulating other required items, and scrutinizing various plans, I've reached the conclusion that I'm totally screwed. It's way too complicated, I don't have the right size pieces of cardboard, and I'm in over my head. I really don't want to be a quitter on this, but I just don't see how I can do it. I have no idea if anyone will even show up, if it'll be just one person or a dozen, or what. Failure.
As long as I'm here, a brief update on the assorted other stuff in our lives. Sid is recuperating well from his little surgery recently. Details a bit too personal to go into here, but all seems well in his recovery. Lola's down to two days per week at Noah's Ark, and her time at EcoReno with Morgan seems to be good for all involved. I was lucky enough to have pizza lunch with her at school yesterday! And then dinner at the Santa Fe for Paige's birthday. Overall, everyone is doing OK, a bit of a common cold making the rounds at our house, Nana coming to visit next week, and, as always, lots of being busy all the time.
Someday, I will get some new pictures loaded here. Really.
I got this harebrained idea that for EcoReno's first anniversary/grand opening party, I would do a workshop on building your own solar oven. I've always wanted to, didn't seem too hard, and seemed like a good little "event" to have at the shop. And now, after weeks of trying to secure the perfect sized boxes, accumulating other required items, and scrutinizing various plans, I've reached the conclusion that I'm totally screwed. It's way too complicated, I don't have the right size pieces of cardboard, and I'm in over my head. I really don't want to be a quitter on this, but I just don't see how I can do it. I have no idea if anyone will even show up, if it'll be just one person or a dozen, or what. Failure.
As long as I'm here, a brief update on the assorted other stuff in our lives. Sid is recuperating well from his little surgery recently. Details a bit too personal to go into here, but all seems well in his recovery. Lola's down to two days per week at Noah's Ark, and her time at EcoReno with Morgan seems to be good for all involved. I was lucky enough to have pizza lunch with her at school yesterday! And then dinner at the Santa Fe for Paige's birthday. Overall, everyone is doing OK, a bit of a common cold making the rounds at our house, Nana coming to visit next week, and, as always, lots of being busy all the time.
Someday, I will get some new pictures loaded here. Really.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
long overdue....
Basically, life is busy. We are caught up in being parents, business owners, home owners and our own selves. We are missing out on a few things: vacations, time to blog, sleeping in, and those days where you wake up and can't decide what to do. I would kill for one of those!
Parents: the kids are getting so big! Sid turned two in July and is a talking machine. It is a great age where you can actually start communicating better with your child as they start to use words and can better express their emotions. Sid likes to jump up and down really hard and throw himself onto the floor - when he gets upset for you doing such parental duties such as keeping him away from a hot stove, taking away the scissors, scolding him for taking a gulp of your wine. You know, those parental duties. He finally got his first haircut too. Not too much and I am told by a certain someone that he still looks like a girl. The comments have cut down a bit about 'her.' Lola is going to turn 5 soon. Sometimes I think she is trapped in the body of a twenty year old. She knows it all! I promise, because she tells me all the time. She doesn't start kindergarten until next year, but she can't stop writing or spelling. We S-P-E-L-L everything! She still loves to dress up and wear everyone else's shoes. I think some of it is rubbing off on Sid.
Business Owners: We just moved EcoReno into a bigger, more visible location. It has been great! We are able to get a few more lines and some different things in. Overall, things are continuing to be good and keeping us very busy!
Home Owners: Nothing new around that actual Tiar house. Well, a new car. We sold the Eurovan and bought a minivan. It has been a little adjusting and despite my hesitation, I really like it. It will be very handy with company in town or any additional passenger as anythign else will lend no room with the two car seats.
Me: Busy. Really. I like it though and all for a good reason. Just hope that it all pays off.
Parents: the kids are getting so big! Sid turned two in July and is a talking machine. It is a great age where you can actually start communicating better with your child as they start to use words and can better express their emotions. Sid likes to jump up and down really hard and throw himself onto the floor - when he gets upset for you doing such parental duties such as keeping him away from a hot stove, taking away the scissors, scolding him for taking a gulp of your wine. You know, those parental duties. He finally got his first haircut too. Not too much and I am told by a certain someone that he still looks like a girl. The comments have cut down a bit about 'her.' Lola is going to turn 5 soon. Sometimes I think she is trapped in the body of a twenty year old. She knows it all! I promise, because she tells me all the time. She doesn't start kindergarten until next year, but she can't stop writing or spelling. We S-P-E-L-L everything! She still loves to dress up and wear everyone else's shoes. I think some of it is rubbing off on Sid.
Business Owners: We just moved EcoReno into a bigger, more visible location. It has been great! We are able to get a few more lines and some different things in. Overall, things are continuing to be good and keeping us very busy!
Home Owners: Nothing new around that actual Tiar house. Well, a new car. We sold the Eurovan and bought a minivan. It has been a little adjusting and despite my hesitation, I really like it. It will be very handy with company in town or any additional passenger as anythign else will lend no room with the two car seats.
Me: Busy. Really. I like it though and all for a good reason. Just hope that it all pays off.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Sid's first haircut
Sid has been growing his hair out for two years. He has never had it cut. I get a lot of shocked looks when I inform people, who refer to Sid as a her, that he in act a him. Let me also say that Sid always dresses in boy themed clothes and even if I put him in a shirt that said "I am a BOY," they would still ask about 'her.' Some think it is completely adorable. I do.
Recently though, it was starting to get in his face and eyes. Becoming a bit of a nuisance. We can't put it in a ponytail. It is one thing to let you son have long hair, it is another to let him look completely silly. I took Lola to a kid's themed hair place to get a trim and convince Sid that this would be an okay thing. I had every intention of letting my friend, Kelly, do it. But when it came down to it, I knew he wouldn't sit still for her in his very own home.
She cut into what she called a 'surfer look' which looks more 'page-boy' like. He was very good as he ate is sucker and she trimmed away. Of course, I said not to cut it too short!
Recently though, it was starting to get in his face and eyes. Becoming a bit of a nuisance. We can't put it in a ponytail. It is one thing to let you son have long hair, it is another to let him look completely silly. I took Lola to a kid's themed hair place to get a trim and convince Sid that this would be an okay thing. I had every intention of letting my friend, Kelly, do it. But when it came down to it, I knew he wouldn't sit still for her in his very own home.
She cut into what she called a 'surfer look' which looks more 'page-boy' like. He was very good as he ate is sucker and she trimmed away. Of course, I said not to cut it too short!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Zombies, vans, and photographs
I think I know what it feels like to be a zombie. Or at least feel like zombies look in the movies. Sid seems to be having a pretty severe bout of insomnia the last couple nights, keeping us up off and on for hours. Or more accurately, up, then back to sleep for an hour, then up again, then back to sleep for 20 minutes, and on and on. Last night is a blur of getting up, picking him up, rocking with him, putting him back in his crib, bringing him to our bed, being kicked by him in our bed, Morgan getting up multiple times. Getting up this morning was harder than the worst hangover morning. This has to stop. He's apparently constipated too - I wonder which condition causes the other? Or maybe molars are coming in? I should also mention that our dear babysitter Michelle is now our former babysitter Michelle, off to nursing school she went, so Sid is now with Alicia 3 days a week. So maybe the change of scenery has disrupted him...but he seems happy with the switch. Otherwise, Sid's shaping up to be quite the little man - using lots of words now, and charming the pants off of anyone he meets.
Lola still attending Noah's Ark happily, doing well there, and being her usual beautiful Lola self.
In other news, yeah, I know, the rate of updates around here would make you think we've left the country. Still here, crazy busy, living our lives.
EcoReno moved a few weeks ago, to our new location. Much more visible on the main drag, double the floor space, great vibrant neighborhood, and it seems like we're getting busier. To help make the move happen, with all the financial fallout that entails, we sold our Eurovan to a nice family from Mt. Shasta, went without a 2nd vehicle for about 10 days, and as of last night, are now the proud owners of a 2002, very low mileage, Toyota Sienna. Sigh, a minivan. It's come to that. I wanted a Forester or an Outback, but the practicalities of two kids in car seats, frequent cargo-hauling needs, seating for more than just the four of us, and the minivan became the obvious choice. Should last us a nice long time.
My goal for this fall, since goals like homebrewing and writing a will (yeah, OK, I know my goals are weird and disparate) never seem to materialize, is to get some more photos posted on this site. I'm sure there are a ton on the camera, several of which I could have posted and linked to from this writing to illustrate various things. Time is such a fleeting resource. But since Project Runway and Biggest Loser will kidnap my wife two nights a week, I think I might be able to get these online photo albums updated soon.
Speaking of time, I've got to wrap this up and go get ready for work. Where I also don't have enough time to get everything done. When do I get to slow down? Oh yeah, every night after kids go to bed, enjoying a good beer, and watching TV for a few minutes before bed.
Lola still attending Noah's Ark happily, doing well there, and being her usual beautiful Lola self.
In other news, yeah, I know, the rate of updates around here would make you think we've left the country. Still here, crazy busy, living our lives.
EcoReno moved a few weeks ago, to our new location. Much more visible on the main drag, double the floor space, great vibrant neighborhood, and it seems like we're getting busier. To help make the move happen, with all the financial fallout that entails, we sold our Eurovan to a nice family from Mt. Shasta, went without a 2nd vehicle for about 10 days, and as of last night, are now the proud owners of a 2002, very low mileage, Toyota Sienna. Sigh, a minivan. It's come to that. I wanted a Forester or an Outback, but the practicalities of two kids in car seats, frequent cargo-hauling needs, seating for more than just the four of us, and the minivan became the obvious choice. Should last us a nice long time.
My goal for this fall, since goals like homebrewing and writing a will (yeah, OK, I know my goals are weird and disparate) never seem to materialize, is to get some more photos posted on this site. I'm sure there are a ton on the camera, several of which I could have posted and linked to from this writing to illustrate various things. Time is such a fleeting resource. But since Project Runway and Biggest Loser will kidnap my wife two nights a week, I think I might be able to get these online photo albums updated soon.
Speaking of time, I've got to wrap this up and go get ready for work. Where I also don't have enough time to get everything done. When do I get to slow down? Oh yeah, every night after kids go to bed, enjoying a good beer, and watching TV for a few minutes before bed.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Yearbook photos
I guess the latest thing on Facebook is this yearbookyourself.com thing where you can make fun photos of yourself. I don't do Facebook, but it's kind of quiet at the store today and I couldn't resist. Marc through the decades:
[caption id="attachment_540" align="alignnone" width="210" caption="1968"]
[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_541" align="alignnone" width="210" caption="1978"]
[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_542" align="alignnone" width="210" caption="1986"]
[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_543" align="alignnone" width="210" caption="1990"]
[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_544" align="alignnone" width="210" caption="2000"]
[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_540" align="alignnone" width="210" caption="1968"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_541" align="alignnone" width="210" caption="1978"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_542" align="alignnone" width="210" caption="1986"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_543" align="alignnone" width="210" caption="1990"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_544" align="alignnone" width="210" caption="2000"]
[/caption]
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Briefly
I've basically given up all hope of keeping up with this blog, so at least I can throw out a few informative bleats to keep you all in the loop, recorded for posterity:
EcoReno is moving!
Mice in the garage - head count = six so far.
Hot summer weather!
Selling the van :-(
Watching The Wire, two seasons down.
That is all. We're well, dog and cat are good, life is fine.
EcoReno is moving!
Mice in the garage - head count = six so far.
Hot summer weather!
Selling the van :-(
Watching The Wire, two seasons down.
That is all. We're well, dog and cat are good, life is fine.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Yes, we're still here
I guess one post per month is about the most I can eke out these days. The time flies past without even realizing. No excuses, other than the same ones you've seen before, just too darn busy. And Twitter has become my big timesuck.
The main reason I logged in today was, I did want to share this article about the health care system in Canada vs. the US.
Aside from that, mainly business as usual. Kids are OK, business is OK (but never as good as we'd like it to be!) at the store, and we long for leisure time and activities. We are going to break free and do something fun this weekend for the 4th of July, looking like a two-night stay at the lake, so that should be GREAT!
Brian and Sonya's wedding consumed a lot of last weekend, a great time was had by all - Cosmo and Maureen visiting, me camping with the men bachelor party style in Black Rock country, the Pub and Sub dinner the night before the wedding, the wedding at beautiful Galena Creek park featuring homebrewed hefeweizen by Marc Tiar, and the reception at Brian and Sonya's house afterwards, celebratory as you might expect. It was truly a fun-filled span of days.
Tasty is now an outdoor cat, venturing out most of the time, overnight even on some occasions, and is no worse for the wear. Hopefully the time spent outdoors will cut down on cat dander in the house, a potential help for Lola's allergies. She goes in for her sinus CT scan tomorrow, then back to the ENT a week or so later for assessment. Hoping for the best.
Also since last post, Morgan and I went to see Mamma Mia, her birthday gift redeemed finally, and we had great time. I'm not too macho to say I enjoy a good musical. Sushi dinner before the show didn't hurt.
Well, I suppose that's all I have interesting enough to post for now. I know I never got those videos posted. Someday when I have some free time. Until then, see you next month (easy to say since June ends in about 6 hours!)
The main reason I logged in today was, I did want to share this article about the health care system in Canada vs. the US.
Aside from that, mainly business as usual. Kids are OK, business is OK (but never as good as we'd like it to be!) at the store, and we long for leisure time and activities. We are going to break free and do something fun this weekend for the 4th of July, looking like a two-night stay at the lake, so that should be GREAT!
Brian and Sonya's wedding consumed a lot of last weekend, a great time was had by all - Cosmo and Maureen visiting, me camping with the men bachelor party style in Black Rock country, the Pub and Sub dinner the night before the wedding, the wedding at beautiful Galena Creek park featuring homebrewed hefeweizen by Marc Tiar, and the reception at Brian and Sonya's house afterwards, celebratory as you might expect. It was truly a fun-filled span of days.
Tasty is now an outdoor cat, venturing out most of the time, overnight even on some occasions, and is no worse for the wear. Hopefully the time spent outdoors will cut down on cat dander in the house, a potential help for Lola's allergies. She goes in for her sinus CT scan tomorrow, then back to the ENT a week or so later for assessment. Hoping for the best.
Also since last post, Morgan and I went to see Mamma Mia, her birthday gift redeemed finally, and we had great time. I'm not too macho to say I enjoy a good musical. Sushi dinner before the show didn't hurt.
Well, I suppose that's all I have interesting enough to post for now. I know I never got those videos posted. Someday when I have some free time. Until then, see you next month (easy to say since June ends in about 6 hours!)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Big photo update!
Finally got to clear off the memory card and upload some pictures.
After plowing through so many, it seems like I posted so few. I probably only put about 10% on here, the rest just aren't cream of the crop enough to post publicly. But I've got a hard drive full of memories if you ever want to kill some time...
My next big goal here is movie clips - time to load some new ones. Not sure when, but stay tuned...
After plowing through so many, it seems like I posted so few. I probably only put about 10% on here, the rest just aren't cream of the crop enough to post publicly. But I've got a hard drive full of memories if you ever want to kill some time...
My next big goal here is movie clips - time to load some new ones. Not sure when, but stay tuned...
Monday, May 25, 2009
Holiday update
Memorial Day, a day off work, so I think I can squeeze out an update. Finally. We're supposed to be in mid-BBQ by now, but had a few cancellations so Morgan, kids, and Maggie are out back and I'm computing. Photo update later, for now just the words. On the plus side, the house is nice and tidy.
I feel like I've been productive in what little free time I have - we splurged on a new laptop with our tax refund, so I sold our old one on ebay, as well as our old digital camera with the half-wonky screen; made and hung a swing on the tree out front last weekend, made a raised-bed garden out back which is showing initial signs of success with tomatoes and an assortment of other sprouts coming up. My hops are coming back this year, let's hope for success on them.
I've got a keg of hefeweizen sitting in the closet, waiting a few more weeks for Brian and Sonya's wedding, plus 3 bottles of Mirror Mirror in the garage fridge to enjoy sometime in the distant future. As Brian put it yesterday, we're living in times of some of the best beer availability. It's an obsession, tracking new special releases, what might be available in Reno or not, tasting sessions with friends, stowing ultra precious bottles away to age or wait for the right occasion. I love it.
My other favorite thing besides beer (coffee) also has developments to report - Grandpa Dave sent us a big drip coffee and espresso machine recently that we just put into service. It'll take a few pots to figure out just the right grind, amount, and setting for the perfect cup, but the iced espresso I had earlier put me into this weird "tired from antihistamines but feeling heart palpitations from the caffeine" state that I didn't like very much. I'm reaching equilibrium now, both substances wearing off a bit.
On other fronts, we seem to be battling sickness on a regular basis. We thought Lola's ear infection had passed, but more recently she had such a bad cough that it kept us all up most of the night, so we took her in. She was diagnosed with asthma and put on a daily steroid mist treatment that's not much fun. And her ear was still infected, plus a hold in her eardrum. She seems well enough, but we're to see an ear-nose-throat specialist next week and get this all figured out. Sid's mostly well, except for some mystery diarrhea the last couple days that we have no clue about. Me, just allergies kicking my butt with everything in bloom this time of year, thus the aforementioned antihistamines.
EcoReno continues to keep us busy, although we could certainly use more business. We've more or less decided our biggest impediment to raging success right now (besides the generally poor climate for business everywhere) is location. We get virtually no drop-in serendipitous walk-in traffic, so we might be looking at moving at some point. We'll see. The people who do shop with us really do love our store and our merchandise, we just need more of them. No big news otherwise, we just keep chugging along, looking for ways to grow and succeed.
My work continues to plod forward in a dismal situation - the library's budget cut 36% means doing more work with a lot less. No layoffs for now, but lots of vacancies that means everyone's working harder. Our hours are being cut at the end of next month, and my schedule will change, so the child care situation will need to change as well. And then again in a few months when Sid's sitter goes to nursing school.
Well, I guess I've been a computer hermit long enough. Time to open a cold one and relax on the deck I hosed off earlier today. Days off are good.
I feel like I've been productive in what little free time I have - we splurged on a new laptop with our tax refund, so I sold our old one on ebay, as well as our old digital camera with the half-wonky screen; made and hung a swing on the tree out front last weekend, made a raised-bed garden out back which is showing initial signs of success with tomatoes and an assortment of other sprouts coming up. My hops are coming back this year, let's hope for success on them.
I've got a keg of hefeweizen sitting in the closet, waiting a few more weeks for Brian and Sonya's wedding, plus 3 bottles of Mirror Mirror in the garage fridge to enjoy sometime in the distant future. As Brian put it yesterday, we're living in times of some of the best beer availability. It's an obsession, tracking new special releases, what might be available in Reno or not, tasting sessions with friends, stowing ultra precious bottles away to age or wait for the right occasion. I love it.
My other favorite thing besides beer (coffee) also has developments to report - Grandpa Dave sent us a big drip coffee and espresso machine recently that we just put into service. It'll take a few pots to figure out just the right grind, amount, and setting for the perfect cup, but the iced espresso I had earlier put me into this weird "tired from antihistamines but feeling heart palpitations from the caffeine" state that I didn't like very much. I'm reaching equilibrium now, both substances wearing off a bit.
On other fronts, we seem to be battling sickness on a regular basis. We thought Lola's ear infection had passed, but more recently she had such a bad cough that it kept us all up most of the night, so we took her in. She was diagnosed with asthma and put on a daily steroid mist treatment that's not much fun. And her ear was still infected, plus a hold in her eardrum. She seems well enough, but we're to see an ear-nose-throat specialist next week and get this all figured out. Sid's mostly well, except for some mystery diarrhea the last couple days that we have no clue about. Me, just allergies kicking my butt with everything in bloom this time of year, thus the aforementioned antihistamines.
EcoReno continues to keep us busy, although we could certainly use more business. We've more or less decided our biggest impediment to raging success right now (besides the generally poor climate for business everywhere) is location. We get virtually no drop-in serendipitous walk-in traffic, so we might be looking at moving at some point. We'll see. The people who do shop with us really do love our store and our merchandise, we just need more of them. No big news otherwise, we just keep chugging along, looking for ways to grow and succeed.
My work continues to plod forward in a dismal situation - the library's budget cut 36% means doing more work with a lot less. No layoffs for now, but lots of vacancies that means everyone's working harder. Our hours are being cut at the end of next month, and my schedule will change, so the child care situation will need to change as well. And then again in a few months when Sid's sitter goes to nursing school.
Well, I guess I've been a computer hermit long enough. Time to open a cold one and relax on the deck I hosed off earlier today. Days off are good.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Lola got an ear infection
A mere few hours after the earlier post depicting a happy, newly coiffed Lola, she woke up in pain. From about 11pm until about 3am, we were up and down a few times with a poor, crying in apparent agony, Lola. Called the hotline to ask if we should go to ER, but ended up OK with Tylenol and a hot pack until morning. And of course, as tends to happen in this house, pain leads to crying, crying leads to runny nose and drainage, and a stomach full of said drainage leads to vomiting.
Got in to see the doc, got our prescription, now we're home watching Yo Gabba Gabba and medicating.
Got in to see the doc, got our prescription, now we're home watching Yo Gabba Gabba and medicating.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Lola got a hair cut!
Here are a few picutres of Lola's new hair cut. She was a little anxious, but excited to have a hair cut like her Auntie's!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
oops, wrong blog
Sheesh. I just logged in here thinking it was the EcoReno blog because I needed to post some stuff there. Duh.
As long as I'm here, I guess I'll give a quick roundup of all things us. Not that there's much. I seem to have lost that nagging feeling in the back of my mind, urging me to get new pictures posted, keep this site viable. EcoReno dominates my spare time and psyche, every spare moment I think about what's on our calendar today, tomorrow, this weekend. I do pretty well keeping work stuff off my mind when I'm not at work, except for the occasional day lately (and by lately, I mean the last few months) when I wonder if my job is in jeopardy, if I'm going to end up working at a different location, on a schedule that conflicts horribly with the rest of our lives. When I'm not thinking about the store, I'm addicted to keeping up on all the other blogs, Twitter feeds, and other web-based crap. Go, go, go, story of my life these days. At least the weather seems to be getting nice again, so that means less bundling up, Vespa weather, and sitting outside once in a while. For those keeping track, the kids are well, growing, Sid had a couple ear infections recently, and Lola's doing great in most respects.
A few pics of late, I can't be bothered to actually put them in an album.
Oh for crying out loud. The battery on the camera died before I could get them loaded on here. Must be a sign that I should do this proper, in the albums. Soon. Stay tuned.
As long as I'm here, I guess I'll give a quick roundup of all things us. Not that there's much. I seem to have lost that nagging feeling in the back of my mind, urging me to get new pictures posted, keep this site viable. EcoReno dominates my spare time and psyche, every spare moment I think about what's on our calendar today, tomorrow, this weekend. I do pretty well keeping work stuff off my mind when I'm not at work, except for the occasional day lately (and by lately, I mean the last few months) when I wonder if my job is in jeopardy, if I'm going to end up working at a different location, on a schedule that conflicts horribly with the rest of our lives. When I'm not thinking about the store, I'm addicted to keeping up on all the other blogs, Twitter feeds, and other web-based crap. Go, go, go, story of my life these days. At least the weather seems to be getting nice again, so that means less bundling up, Vespa weather, and sitting outside once in a while. For those keeping track, the kids are well, growing, Sid had a couple ear infections recently, and Lola's doing great in most respects.
A few pics of late, I can't be bothered to actually put them in an album.
Oh for crying out loud. The battery on the camera died before I could get them loaded on here. Must be a sign that I should do this proper, in the albums. Soon. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Publicity
Life has been so busy. That is probably very obvious by how little we get to blog. But when funny, irritating, or weird stuff happens, I feel it necessary to update you all.
EcoReno is awesome. I love doing it and I love making a difference. I have also become very receptive to free publicity. You want a news story on green cleaners? You got it! Anything to get the word out.
I got a call from KOLO a few weeks ago wanting to do a story on green cleaning products. A very nice reporter called and asked if she could shoot footage and then come back to shoot live for their morning show. Yep, the morning show that airs from 5am to 7am. What time should I be here Monday? 4:15am. Again, free publicity.
We shot the some footage on Friday morning - a reasonable time of 10am. We confirmed for Monday morning at 4:15. (Let me remind you that even though there is a Starbucks across the lot, they don't even open that early!) She said the only thing that would keep them is breaking news. I think she said something about WWIII.
I had been having problems with the cell phone, but never gave it a second thought. I drug my butt out of bed at 3:45 after a restless night. I kept thinking that I would over sleep. I got dressed, made myself presentable, and took off into the dark morning. There weren't many people out, a few early morning people heading to work and passed a few guys probably heading home from a bar. Oh, and I got a full moon. Who does that? Okay, besides Kelly Ricciardi? Seriously, a big, white ugly butt thrown in my face. Ewwwwww! Got into the store, locking myself in quickly, and disabled the alarm.
BEEP. BEEP. Ah, a message on the phone. BREAKING NEWS!! Not WWIII, but a body found near Caughlin Ranch. No live shoot for me. There had a been a message left on my cell phone and she hoped that I had gotten it before I left the house. NOPE, because my cell phone is acting up and I didn't do anything to try and fix it. It was a simple fix too - turn off and back on. I headed back home to bed. When I got into the bedroom, Marc asked if I had even left, that is how little time had passed.
The story did air. They used the previously shot footage and I am also happy to say that it aired again during the evening news. I heard it while cooking dinner. So, worth it, but I can tell you that I will be sure that cell phone is working before I head out for a 4:15am shoot!
Other updates: Dad was just here and we had a great visit including the Sacramento Zoo. The kids are great - both getting so big! Sid's sitter, Michelle, is telling us that he is very interested in the potty. Trained before his second birthday? You never know.
EcoReno is awesome. I love doing it and I love making a difference. I have also become very receptive to free publicity. You want a news story on green cleaners? You got it! Anything to get the word out.
I got a call from KOLO a few weeks ago wanting to do a story on green cleaning products. A very nice reporter called and asked if she could shoot footage and then come back to shoot live for their morning show. Yep, the morning show that airs from 5am to 7am. What time should I be here Monday? 4:15am. Again, free publicity.
We shot the some footage on Friday morning - a reasonable time of 10am. We confirmed for Monday morning at 4:15. (Let me remind you that even though there is a Starbucks across the lot, they don't even open that early!) She said the only thing that would keep them is breaking news. I think she said something about WWIII.
I had been having problems with the cell phone, but never gave it a second thought. I drug my butt out of bed at 3:45 after a restless night. I kept thinking that I would over sleep. I got dressed, made myself presentable, and took off into the dark morning. There weren't many people out, a few early morning people heading to work and passed a few guys probably heading home from a bar. Oh, and I got a full moon. Who does that? Okay, besides Kelly Ricciardi? Seriously, a big, white ugly butt thrown in my face. Ewwwwww! Got into the store, locking myself in quickly, and disabled the alarm.
BEEP. BEEP. Ah, a message on the phone. BREAKING NEWS!! Not WWIII, but a body found near Caughlin Ranch. No live shoot for me. There had a been a message left on my cell phone and she hoped that I had gotten it before I left the house. NOPE, because my cell phone is acting up and I didn't do anything to try and fix it. It was a simple fix too - turn off and back on. I headed back home to bed. When I got into the bedroom, Marc asked if I had even left, that is how little time had passed.
The story did air. They used the previously shot footage and I am also happy to say that it aired again during the evening news. I heard it while cooking dinner. So, worth it, but I can tell you that I will be sure that cell phone is working before I head out for a 4:15am shoot!
Other updates: Dad was just here and we had a great visit including the Sacramento Zoo. The kids are great - both getting so big! Sid's sitter, Michelle, is telling us that he is very interested in the potty. Trained before his second birthday? You never know.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Still here
And just like that, a month has passed since my last post. Sigh. I could just repeat what I said last time, that things are just too damn busy, but that will get old because if I had to guess, that will be the refrain around here for a while.
Nana came to visit and has gone back home, kids have been sick (double pew-hawk tonight, in fact, but just due to too much running around->hacking cough->gagging->pewhawk) but are now getting back to their old self, EcoReno is expanding products, networking, and trying to flourish, the library budget is going down in flames, and Brian and Sonya are engaged to be married!
I just don't know where the time goes - a typical day goes like this - up, morning routine, off to work and Morgan delivers kids and heads to the store; after work, one of us picks up kids while the other closes the store, meet at home 6ish, dinner, TV, bed. Vary slightly on weekends. Except Sundays when we're both off. For now. I can claim to have read a book, The World Without Us, which I really enjoyed and found thoroughly fascinating, and we were able to go see Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire, but leisure time is pretty slim.
I basically have no more news right now. Hang in there, loyal readers, the dam is bound to burst someday and regular cheztiar programming will resume.
Nana came to visit and has gone back home, kids have been sick (double pew-hawk tonight, in fact, but just due to too much running around->hacking cough->gagging->pewhawk) but are now getting back to their old self, EcoReno is expanding products, networking, and trying to flourish, the library budget is going down in flames, and Brian and Sonya are engaged to be married!
I just don't know where the time goes - a typical day goes like this - up, morning routine, off to work and Morgan delivers kids and heads to the store; after work, one of us picks up kids while the other closes the store, meet at home 6ish, dinner, TV, bed. Vary slightly on weekends. Except Sundays when we're both off. For now. I can claim to have read a book, The World Without Us, which I really enjoyed and found thoroughly fascinating, and we were able to go see Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire, but leisure time is pretty slim.
I basically have no more news right now. Hang in there, loyal readers, the dam is bound to burst someday and regular cheztiar programming will resume.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Slacking
I am serious slacking. I just caught up with a friend's blog. She had four children, two of them are a set of twins born three weeks ago. I made the excuse that I am busy, which I am, but I still manage to keep up with Perez Hilton!
Sid is getting so big. He is talking, getting into everything, and almost has all his teeth. His favorite thing right now is being chased. He loves it! It is the easiest way to deter him or get him away from things he shouldn't be into. He also loves to be read to and is constantly bringing us books to read.
Lola is great. She is a bit defiant, but I am not too surprised. It is the negative outlashes that surprise me. She
Sid is getting so big. He is talking, getting into everything, and almost has all his teeth. His favorite thing right now is being chased. He loves it! It is the easiest way to deter him or get him away from things he shouldn't be into. He also loves to be read to and is constantly bringing us books to read.
Lola is great. She is a bit defiant, but I am not too surprised. It is the negative outlashes that surprise me. She
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Pony pics
I realize my posting here is getting less and less frequent. The rate at which I do post is inversely proportional to the rate at which I attend to other matters in life. It just never slows down these days, work, the business, kids, shopping, errands, chores, a bit of social, and that's about all the time there is. I've got some time off in coming weeks because Nana's coming to visit, so maybe some photo updates and general blogging will occur. For now, however, may I present some photos from Lola's recent visit with Fantasia, a miniature horse. She went with Paige and Amy and from the look of things, had the time of her life...click for larger...
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Sick
I'm so sick of dealing with sick. My own mild cold symptoms have endured for what seems like weeks. I had a brief visit with actual sickness - sore throat, coughing that kept me up at night - but now it just feels like my ears are plugged a lot of the time, mildly annoying is about all.
Kids, on the other hand...Lola's had a cold the last week or so as well. Nightly filling of humidifers I can handle, but the pinnacle of sick was a few nights ago (between holidays and general daze of sick, inauguration, busy life, etc. I can't keep track of when anything actually occurred) when Lola was coughing her head off, up and down throughout the 2am-5am period, finally coming to bed with us at 5-something. She seems to be getting better, in that slow, long-tail kind of way where you get close the gap between sick and well by half each day but never actually get there.
Sid joined the movement tonight, sort of. He's had a little runny nose for a few days, nothing major. A bit of a cough set in, but still pretty mild, thankfully. He also has a molar coming in, so he's been a bit cranky. The real treat was after putting him to bed, he cried a bit longer than normal so we "rescued" him like we do, giving him a few more minutes of awake time before putting him back in his crib. Only this time, Morgan gave him a squirt of Tylenol to help him sleep with teething pain, followed by a sip of water. Apparently the Tylenol/water combo triggered his gag reflex and, well, let's just say we found out exactly how much mac and cheese he ate and that he doesn't chew his food. Cleanup on aisle 12.
Please, let us get well and stay that way for a while...I can't decide whether sleepless nights or cleaning up "pew-hawk" (Lola's expression for Sid's eruptus) is less desirable in the annals of parental duties.
Kids, on the other hand...Lola's had a cold the last week or so as well. Nightly filling of humidifers I can handle, but the pinnacle of sick was a few nights ago (between holidays and general daze of sick, inauguration, busy life, etc. I can't keep track of when anything actually occurred) when Lola was coughing her head off, up and down throughout the 2am-5am period, finally coming to bed with us at 5-something. She seems to be getting better, in that slow, long-tail kind of way where you get close the gap between sick and well by half each day but never actually get there.
Sid joined the movement tonight, sort of. He's had a little runny nose for a few days, nothing major. A bit of a cough set in, but still pretty mild, thankfully. He also has a molar coming in, so he's been a bit cranky. The real treat was after putting him to bed, he cried a bit longer than normal so we "rescued" him like we do, giving him a few more minutes of awake time before putting him back in his crib. Only this time, Morgan gave him a squirt of Tylenol to help him sleep with teething pain, followed by a sip of water. Apparently the Tylenol/water combo triggered his gag reflex and, well, let's just say we found out exactly how much mac and cheese he ate and that he doesn't chew his food. Cleanup on aisle 12.
Please, let us get well and stay that way for a while...I can't decide whether sleepless nights or cleaning up "pew-hawk" (Lola's expression for Sid's eruptus) is less desirable in the annals of parental duties.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Back to it
Sheesh, over two weeks since last I wrote here. Between holidays and the usual busy-ness of life with two kids and running a business, blogging has taken a back seat, clearly.
We had a nice Christmas, snow and all, and a visit from Aunt Patty to round things out. Lola has hardly had any time on her trampoline that Santa brought, between cold, snow, and punishment for some pretty bad naughty times we've seen in recent weeks, she hasn't had more than a dozen bounces on it, poor thing. We're all enjoying the Wii Fit we got, and myself, I've used my Skeletool and new headlamp multiple times, but hardly touched the two books I got that I'm very excited about. I was truly rewarded with some great stuff.
Weather-wise, irony abounds - our friend in Portland barely made it out of there they had so much snow last month, and today, 2nd week of January, it was almost 60 degrees here. I saw a guy in shorts and short-sleeve shirt outside today! (Oh, and reports from southern France, normally balmy on the Mediterranean coast, are of COLD nasty weather there too!) Weird winter, to say the least.
At EcoReno, business was pretty good leading up to the holidays, but has certainly slowed now. That's not unexpected in retail, particularly in the economic climate we find ourselves in. We're starting our monthly EcoChats, little environmental lectures/seminars, this Saturday, expanding our product selection all the time, building lots of great word of mouth and buzz in the community, and getting publicity more and more. We got a mention on the radio and a TV spot - if you check the EcoReno blog (and if you don't, you really should, we do post stuff there that's worth seeing, and if you like us enough to read this site, you should definitely read that one too), you've already seen this, but it's worth including here too. May I present, a small portion of my 15 minutes of fame:
[flv:http://goecoreno.com/EcoRenoKRNV.flv 480 368]
And lastly, I'm happy to say I've updated photos in Lola's album, Sid's album, and added photos from Lola's (sort of broken second-hand) new digital camera she got for Christmas.
We're nine days away from a new President. Happy 2009 to all.
We had a nice Christmas, snow and all, and a visit from Aunt Patty to round things out. Lola has hardly had any time on her trampoline that Santa brought, between cold, snow, and punishment for some pretty bad naughty times we've seen in recent weeks, she hasn't had more than a dozen bounces on it, poor thing. We're all enjoying the Wii Fit we got, and myself, I've used my Skeletool and new headlamp multiple times, but hardly touched the two books I got that I'm very excited about. I was truly rewarded with some great stuff.
Weather-wise, irony abounds - our friend in Portland barely made it out of there they had so much snow last month, and today, 2nd week of January, it was almost 60 degrees here. I saw a guy in shorts and short-sleeve shirt outside today! (Oh, and reports from southern France, normally balmy on the Mediterranean coast, are of COLD nasty weather there too!) Weird winter, to say the least.
At EcoReno, business was pretty good leading up to the holidays, but has certainly slowed now. That's not unexpected in retail, particularly in the economic climate we find ourselves in. We're starting our monthly EcoChats, little environmental lectures/seminars, this Saturday, expanding our product selection all the time, building lots of great word of mouth and buzz in the community, and getting publicity more and more. We got a mention on the radio and a TV spot - if you check the EcoReno blog (and if you don't, you really should, we do post stuff there that's worth seeing, and if you like us enough to read this site, you should definitely read that one too), you've already seen this, but it's worth including here too. May I present, a small portion of my 15 minutes of fame:
[flv:http://goecoreno.com/EcoRenoKRNV.flv 480 368]
And lastly, I'm happy to say I've updated photos in Lola's album, Sid's album, and added photos from Lola's (sort of broken second-hand) new digital camera she got for Christmas.
We're nine days away from a new President. Happy 2009 to all.
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