All it takes is some Pixie Dust...

Well, Mark, Renee, and I are back from Disney World. We had a wonderful trip (except for my incessant coughing which has NOW turned into bronchitis...ugh...) We started off our trip at MGM Studios and then made our way to the Magic Kingdom, and to EPCOT. On a high note I think we met every character known to man, and by the end of the trip Mark, Renee, and I were expertly hunting them down with vim and vigor. Renee has fallen madly in love with Pluto and Donald, and I honestly don't think she could get enough of them. It is such a joy to watch. Also, Renee took a BIG step this trip and went of Pirates of the Caribbean. Mark and I made sure to time the trip early in the day, so we wouldn't have a "crazed nap-less three year old" on the ride. We narrated the whole boat ride in a rather up-beat manner (much to the JOY of the rest of the boat I am sure) and she made it through with flying colors. I am SO proud of her!!! She's not at all ready for the Haunted Mansion, but for now we are thrilled with this step in her Disney training!! he he he


Here is our little pirate right after the "BIG" ride. She is trying (in vain) to make her very best pirate face!! :)




Here we are at EPCOT before going on the Nemo ride and meeting Crush...Renee now loves EPCOT best of all and her favorite rides include Spaceship Earth (you non-Disney nerds will come to find that this is the ride inside of the EPCOT ball) and the boat ride that instructs you how plants grow (located in the back of the land, next to Soarin...We went on that SEVERAL times, much to Mark's JOY...)





Here is Renee enjoying herself with Cinderella....

And here is my very cute hubby sporting his Mickey ears that we got for FREE! (YES occasionally Disney does GIVE something away!! HA HA HA!!)

Renee's secret garden in EPCOT's world showcase....

On our Anniversary (Oct 5) we attended Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party. Renee dressed up as Tinkerbell, and needless to say she GOT a zillion complements on how cute she was. (No parent EVER hates hearing that....) I personally think I did a kick-butt job on her hair...if I may be so bold!!! he he he

AHHHH yes, Dumbo! We all love this classic!

My little Tink.

Daddy and Tinker-neh doin' the obligatory castle photo....

All it takes is some Pixie Dust...Renee is sprinkling Pixie dust in my hair. She took her fairy job VERY seriously!

Yes, I do have the hots for Tarzan...I can't help it. he he he. A little trivia for those who do not know...Mark and I on our first date went to see Tarzan. I had seen it five times, and needed to know if this "guy" would be able to stomach a Disney movie for me...if not I would have NEVER gone out with him again....ask my sister and Sarah McElfresh...they can verify this fact. :)

The Miller Clan meets Captain Hook and Mr Smee. They did NOT appreciate it when Renee asked where the crocodile was!

Here is Tink with some Disney magic floating around her....(this is an unaltered photo...and one of my favorites!)

Cheers everyone.
Jenny

Silly Photo.

If only elections were really like this...
Jenny

Plastic Politics...

I long for a time far from here. I long to hear real intellectuals debating, not pundits spouting out their five highlighted topics of debate. I would kill to see a candidate step outside the lines of "political correctness" and go for the proverbial jugular. Washington is fake now; they are nothing but empty suits...on both sides of the aisle. It disappoints me and scares me to no end. When we start propping up mediocrity as the norm we destroy excellence in the wake.
Tonight and in the past I have paid close attention to the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates. I don't know why I watch them. It is nothing more than a dog and pony show. I thought both Biden and Palin did a very average job. Palin is new to the scene, you can tell, and Biden is nothing more than a East coast political hack, which you can also tell. Biden was semi-well spoken, but in all honesty I cringe at what the liberal democrat platform stands on (government control of our healthcare, global warming being man-made, the thought that government needs to extend their hands into our child's PRESCHOOL education, and so on. I disdain the idea of a cradle to grave society. Government, leave me the hell alone and get out of my life!). On the other side I think Palin could have ripped off Biden's nuts on a few issues, and she opted for a more mediocre road with less bumps.
When talking about the economic issues that we are facing today the dems LOVE to point out the republicans HATE and avoid regulation at all cost, but that is NOT the case. Take a look at this video from a congressional hearing in 2004. Dems are backing the fraudulent Freddie and Fannie and their illustrious leaders. Republicans are calling for reform and oversight. ARGH. Sarah could have jumped all over Biden's ass and chose not to. If I have one true qualm with the Republican party it is this: They do not fully stand for what they believe in. *sigh*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs
When it comes to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq I strongly agree with McCain. First...for all of you war hating hippies out there. Obama will still have us in Iraq, he won't be leaving anytime soon. Oh well, get over it. I think, and so does Mark, that the surge idea in Afghanistan will work. Currently terrorists are over there killing whole towns, raping women and children who are trying to get educations and there is no support for the Afghan government due to fear. If NATO and allied forces clear areas, and keep them clear from asshole 14th century shitbag terrorists, then the people will gain confidence in their elected leaders, they will start to build and participate more in their country and they will get out from under the control of these evil evil people. Pak harbors terrorists on their border, but it is no fault of their own. In that region you have several tribes that do NOT align with Pak and therefore the military and the government in that area does not control the masses. It is a messy country and the new leadership has so much to deal with. Our goals over there should be to keep a consistent government that will not lose control of it's people. If it does then nukes could fall in the wrong hands, so supporting the leadership is the best thing we can currently do with them.
All in all I still like Palin. She is confident and I relate to her as a mother, and a conservative woman. I like that about her. I think she has a WONDERFUL grasp on the energy issues and I know that she will take a bite out of Washington, and that is needed. I will vote for McCain (HA, like you didn't know) but I do wish and long for a party that truly is willing to speak it's mind. I long for a leader that will not cower behind the speech writers and the notes and the party. I long for a true leader in this time of American Idol candidates.
Jenny

A slump of writing proportions.

I've been in a bit of a creative slump of late. I don't quite know why. For the last few nights I have gazed at my computer screen, and nothing, I mean nothing has come into my brain. *sigh*

So here are some things that I want to do. Take this as my brainstorm to get my mind back on track. I feel so lost right now...

1. I want to go to culinary school in Italy for one of my anniversaries. I love cooking (when I am not doing dishes) and I would kill to spend a week in Tuscany drinking wine and learning how to make some fresh wonderful pasta dishes (did I mention the wine?). I think for my 15 year anniversary this will be in order. Either that or this would be a great trip to do with my mom and sister....did I mention the wine?

2. I want to take classes in Russian History. Russia, to me, is shrouded in mystery. It is a fascinating country that has ties to the east and the west, and I believe that they don't quite know which identity they want to consume their existence. I love the history of Imperial Russia. I love the people that have made than country so troubled. I studied Russia in college and would love to expand more upon my knowledge. It's a mildly weird obsession I have. Don't ask...

3. I want to go on a driving trip across the whole USA. (I might do this with Renee is Mark deploys sometime.) We travel well together. She was perfect on our trip through OK, MO, LA, TX, AL, and GA. This time I would like to go into the American Southwest and explore Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon, and so many other wonderful places. I want to stay in the National Parks and show Renee the rugged beauty of America. I want her to appreciate life without electronics, TV, and school and in all honesty I want to do the same.

4. I want another child. Mark and I are ready for #2. We wanted to be PG already, but as fate would have it our timing was NOT that good. All summer I was away from Mark during those "critical" times of the month...and needless to say we still have no Thing #2. Oh well. Now I am in a holding pattern because my sister is getting married in June of next year...and if I were to get PG this month I would be due on her wedding day. As matron of honor I don't think that would work out so well. hmmm. So we wait. When your clock starts ticking this whole waiting thing really sucks. Renee's going to be 4 or 5 when the next kiddo rolls around...and that's not thrilling me. *oh well* Needless to say there isn't much I can do about it currently.

5. I want to go to a new church. I love Wesley Methodist, but I MISS the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. I miss the structure of the church service and I miss their teachings...so we are going elsewhere. Problem is Evans, GA (and all of the south) don't host many Lutheran churches. We have one in town, but it is a drive. At this point I think it is worth it.

6. I want to paint. I want to paint my whole house. I just finished my kitchen and now I am itching to paint my living room and dining room. I think it might be time to hire a painter...my ceilings are high and I don't have the tools to get up there. Plus, that is a LOT of work. UGH.

OK I am sleepy and off to bed. Sorry for the randomness of this. I just felt the need to TYPE something.
Jenny

Self Portrait

I love my daughter! (in case you haven't picked up on that just yet...) Today little Renee graced my presence with her very first full and complete self portrait! She came into the computer room with a smile on her face. She was holding paper behind her back and she told me that she had made me a "special surprise".

She then handed me a wonderful picture! Initially, I was excited like I am with every drawing she does for me. There were scribbles all over the paper...then I flipped it over (she usually fills up all of the paper for me) and I realized what she had done....she had drawn a picture of herself! She looks a little like Mr Potato Head on green construction paper, and in my book that is perfect! She drew her eyes with blue crayon, her nose with red, her mouth, and her hair also makes an appearance. She also drew two legs and two arms...and fingers! (The arms are vertical black lines and the fingers are the dots surrounding the arms.)

While admiring her spectacular artwork, my sister called...I answered and while I was talking with Katie I noticed a dark blue scribble at the bottom Renee's illustrated head/body area. I thought it was clothes, but when I asked for Renee's clarification she told me it was her "belly button"!

EVEN better. :)

Here is her AWESOME drawing. I hope you like it!

I am a little giddy right now. It may be a little early to judge, but as far as I am concerned I have the next Michelangelo sitting here next to me. Excuse me while I go contact the Louvre.

he he he.

Jenny

The Tree The Tree!

OH the tree is done! It consumed only 3/4 of my life for the past week, but it was SO worth it! I feel like I gave birth to a giant foam board baby. Here are some photos for you to feast on:

Over at Tom's house painting the trunk and the background piece that covers the scaffolding.

Renee posing in front of the bush piece:

The full tree on the stage. Lighting might change a little still, but this is it! YEA!

Another shot...zooming out a bit.
I hope beyond all hopes that I get to do this again. There are talks now that I might get to paint the backdrop for the Nutcracker (the giant Christmas tree) and some princess related scenes for other performances. :) WOOT! I never in a million years thought I could get into the world of the theatre....but this is WAY fun. I love working with the people (most of the time) and I love seeing my work on a stage. I could do this over and over again!

YEA ART!

Jenny

BEETCH Antics

Mark, Renee, and I are back from our first FULL family vacation of the summer. Myrtle Beach was an absolute blast! I'm just glad we got there before Hannah decided to make an appearance! On a really high note the waves were awesome! Mark and I were impressed that they rivaled that of Bellows Beach in Hawaii (6 foot waves at times). Needless to say I got some great body boarding in (a past love of mine). I only busted my knee up once, so I am thrilled! Mark, the poor guy, cut his foot up and his knee, and got some shell lodged in his foot. OOO. At least I got to play Doctor Jenny for a while.

I'm not one who can sit on a beach and sun for 8 hours at a time. A relaxing day for me involves construction of many sand castles, playing in the water, getting freaked out by the nature that consequently RESIDES in the water, catching little beach animals and stuffing them in buckets, and trying (usually not succeeding) to build a fort that withstand the constant battering of waves! The nice part is now I have a little cohort and Renee loves doing many of the same things that I do (minus going into the water...that does not thrill her at all), I so don't look like a total fool when I am out "playing". Man, kids are great!

The first night we took Renee down to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. She loved it (heck, I loved it)! They had a giant "party" hurricane, a dude on stilts making balloon animals, and pretty decent food. After that we rode a few rides and then crashed back at the hotel. Our first day on the beach Renee met a little girl and they played around all morning long making sand pies and burring each other in the dirt. It was very sweet. In the afternoon we discovered our pool and the AWESOME slide that our hotel had. (Once again I'm not one to sit in a chair and soak up the sun....) I tried in vain to get Renee on the slide, but she was having NOTHIING to do with it.
Most days involved the beach in the morning, lunch out or in the room, naps, pool time, dinner, and then either crashing, shopping, or night walking on the beach. It was great. Towards the end of the trip Renee did go down the slide with me, and with some persuading (forcibly pushing her down the slide.) she went all by herself. (Mark caught her at the bottom the first 4 times...after that she was on her own!) Once we got her on the slide she didn't get off. I seriously think we climbed that thing 80 times, and every time she went down it she screamed the WHOLE way! We had people stopping us in the elevator asking if that was the "little sweetie" on the slide that they heard (that's Southern for "shut your child up next time). he he he.



The second to last day Renee almost made me die! She was in our hotel room when she picked up a long decorative pillow, carried it over to Mark and myself, and said "Hey Mom, this is kinda like a beetch." (In Renee's high and squeaky voice.) I did a double take and PRAYED I did NOT hear what I think I just heard....

"Renee, what did you just say?"

"I SAID, Mom it's kinda like a BEETCH!"

Mark coins in (trying not to laugh as I give him the GLARE from hell), "Honey, what is that?"

"It's a BEEETCH! A BEEETCH Dad!"

Praying that my daughter had not just turned down a horrible path I ask her another question, "Renee what do you do with a Beetch?"

"Mom, you sit on it. It's a beetch."

My heart stops beating 200 miles per hour. I thank GOD she doesn't have a potty mouth, and Mark and I lose it and start laughing hysterically. It's her BENCH! Oh how I love my child.


Overall our trip was very fun. The slide, the ocean, the sun, and the family time together...it was perfect. *smiles*

Blessings!

Jenny