June, 2010


27
Jun 10

Blog Watch: Hyperbole and a Half

I’m sick and its past my bedtime, but I cannot stop laughing out loud (yes, actually LOLing) at this blog I just found. The posts exactly describe the predicaments of life with terse wit and hilarious MSPaint illustrations!

Hyperbole and a Half

If I were you, I’d check out these posts first (hint-hint):

Sneaky Hate Spiral. “Sneaky hate spirals begin simply enough. In fact, that is one of the hallmarks of sneaky hate spirals – they are merely the confluence of many unremarkable annoyances. … The turning point is usually a minor but slightly jarring incident, initiated by some force of nature that cannot be blamed or scolded – like gravity or sleeplessness or wind. That last specification is very important. In order to send you into truly batshit crazy hysterics, the final straw must cause anger that cannot rationally be directed outward in any way.”

This is Why I’ll Never be an Adult. “…a few times a year, I spontaneously decide that I’m ready to be a real adult. … I sit myself down and tell myself how I’m going to start cleaning the house every day and paying my bills on time and replying to emails before my inbox reaches quadruple digits. Schedules are drafted. Day-planners are purchased. … I prepare for my new life as an adult like some people prepare for the apocalypse.”

The Awkward Situation Survival Guide. “Sometimes you are ogling a pretty girl, sometimes you are trying to get a better look at a horribly misshapen person and sometimes you are just spacing out and your eyes happen to be pointing directly at someone. Whatever the case, when you are caught, you will feel shame. Lots and lots of shame.”

12 Emoticons for the Advanced Writer. “Have you ever been overcome with an emotion but unable to find the right emoticon to express yourself? The answer is yes. And I’m going to help you.”


20
Jun 10

Happy Father’s Day

Father's Day 2010


16
Jun 10

Old Man Snapping Turtle

We had a “visitor” in our driveway today! Thanks to Peashy for noticing it and calling us, otherwise we would never have even known! A big ol’ ugly cranky snapping turtle had stopped to rest in one of the washout puddles in the shade. I say “cranky” only because he looked cranky; he didn’t actually hiss at us at all, which was weird. But he was pretty big– biggest I’ve ever personally seen…

…and it had a SNAIL on its back! How funny is that?! He’s probably been feasting on all the chorus frogs we’ve got out here. We kept a safe distance and took some photos, and I got to teach Gunner all I know about Snapping Turtles, which is this much:

How to identify a snapping turtle: Well, pretty much any turtle you’ll see in the “wild” here in Iowa, you should assume it’s a snapping turtle until you know otherwise. They have claws, long, crocodilian-looking tails, jagged rear shells, and they hiss at you if they feel threatened. Just overall mean and nasty looking (and acting), unpleasant yet fascinating dinosaur-like creatures.

Lesson two: keep your distance. Don’t let the fact that they are turtles fool you, because they could surprise you with how fast they can snap and how far they can actually reach. It’s best to just leave them be; they’ll get to where they’re going eventually.


13
Jun 10

Nola’s Room Makeover, Intro

Now that Nola is no longer a flailing newborn, she needs a proper baby girl’s room to grow into. I have plenty of plans swirling around in my head already, and most of them are simple and I already have most of the stuff I need. It’s just a matter of finding the time and getting it done!

Note the gaping white areas of blank wall space. Boring! My plans include alphabet wall cards, proper curtains, a small set of shelves (like in Gunner’s room), get that motorcycle out of there, switch out the breathable bumpers and mobile for the “new” ones acquired this weekend, and much more! I do like the extra storage under the crib, but I need to get a proper storage tub for the space there. I’ll be posting some “halfway there” pics once I get a few things done. ;)

FYI, here’s what Gunner thinks of the whole thing:

Mmm... root beer...


12
Jun 10

Changing Table Organizers

Munchkin Diaper Change Organizer (vs) Dex Products Ultimate Baby Organizer

Munchkin Diaper Change Organizer Dex Products Ultimate Baby Organizer

Munchkin Diaper Change Organizer 4/5 stars

If you want a soft-hanging organizer, this is the best you’ll get. It does tip forward a bit, as any hanging fabric organizer will, but it has compensated for that with pocketed shelves (as opposed to open shelves like on the Dex Products Ultimate Baby Organizer where everything slides right off). I use this Munchkin organizer with the Prince Lionheart Ultimate Wipes Warmer and it fits great right on top in a very convenient place. It fits everything I need in the organizer, whereas with the Dex Organizer I had to use an extra TV table tray to handle the overflow.

The pocketed diaper middle section is great! It actually holds the diapers in! It’s tricky to “restock” it, but the fact that the diapers do not tip out more than makes up for it! If you want something sturdier, you’ll have to go with hard plastic, because you won’t find a better fabric organizer.

Dex Products Ultimate Baby Organizer 1/5 stars

I purchased this to replace my Munchkin Diaper Change Organizer for use on my baby’s changing table because the Dex has better reviews, but boy was that a huge mistake! I will absolutely be switching back and posting a 4-star review on the Munchkin Diaper Change Organizer.

This Dex organizer has NO PLACE FOR WIPES! It shows a wipes container in the picture, but it must be some kind of freakishly tiny wipes holder, because the shelf that it’s sitting on is only about 4-inches deep. I use a wipes-warmer, and there’s absolutely no way it fits on this (the Munchkin Organizer had plenty of space for it).

I fit everything I need on the Munchkin Diaper Change Organizer, but after switching, I had to use a TV tray table to hold the overflow items that the Dex organizer cannot accommodate: wipes, wipes warmer, baby power, vaseline, diaper pail refills. Oh, and the diapers fall out of this one A LOT because it slants forwards. I can’t even use the two top shelves of it because if my baby kicks or moves and it shakes the changing table, whatever is there falls right off.

I may keep this to hold clothing, burp cloths, sheets, and maybe shoes or socks in the little netted pockets, but there’s no way it will work for organizing diaper-changing supplies. If you want some extra hanging storage, this may be for you, but DON’T count on it as a changing-table caddy.


11
Jun 10

Parents Cover Contest 2010

I submitted some photos of Nola for the 2010 Parents Magazine Cover Contest–wish her luck! It’s too bad some people didn’t read the rules before submitting, as you cannot enter with “professional” photos. The deadline is June 19th, if you’re interested in entering your child in the contest! Here are the pics I submitted:

Aw, my little bald baby girl! You can see the “album” on the Parents.com website here; be sure you click the “I like this” option next to each photo! I’m not sure what the voting is for, as the winners are chosen by a panel of judges, but it’s fun anyway!


11
Jun 10

More Crayon Rolls

Just posted a bunch of new crayon rolls in my Etsy shop!

Crayon Roll Crayon Roll Crayon Roll Crayon Roll Crayon Roll Crayon Roll Crayon Roll Crayon Roll Crayon Roll Crayon Roll Crayon Roll Crayon Roll Crayon Roll Crayon Roll


7
Jun 10

New Website: BTSband.com

New layout up at BTSband.com with some new content and such.

BTSband.com


2
Jun 10

Etsy Finds: Father’s Day II

This is the second annual Father’s Day Etsy Finds on my blog. Father’s Day will be coming up fast–you should be thinking about a gift for that special man in your life!

vintage brass horse book end decor piece by atouchofvintage clock made from a recycled magnetic tape reel by pixelthis 4 Legged Stump Stool rustic plant stand by bearpawrustics Simple Luxury Alpaca Socks - Medium by twiddletoes classic HERRINGBONE fedora by TheVintageWren felted slippers ECO Grey by onstail Mason Bee Nest Box, Recycled Wood by andrewsreclaimed Twisted Aromatic Cedar Walking Stick -- 55-inches by brazoswalkingsticks Handforged railroad spike knife and Custom leather sheath, Cubed twist handle by andrewswoodandmetal Astro Rocket, medium brown by CardboardSafari BYO Stegosaurus Deluxe Kit by kfarrell Secret Decoder by WoodToyShop Hand Crafted Leather Money Clip w/ Shotgun Shell by WDSCollectibles Topographical Error, seafloor contour map. Screenprinted SILK necktie. by toybreaker Super Cool Dad Mug. by funretro


2
Jun 10

Blog Watch: The Dead Walk?!

If you know anything about me, you know I like zombies. So you can only imagine how awesome it is to have zombie news streaming into my reader daily! I especially enjoy the reviews of books and movies and the “insider” news of upcoming films and events.

The Dead Walk?!

I’m just a dude who loves horror movies and gaming. I also happen to write a blog about everything zombie related. Check it out! The Dead Walk?!