Japan Before and After Images

If you want to see something pretty interesting, and incredibly eye opening, check out these before/after images.

Click here

You can move a slider to see the difference from before and after the earthquake/tsunami hit Japan. Very astounding.

Day 2 as a Single Working Woman

Today was my first day back at work after a long break, and believe you me, it was tough to go back. But it only took until 2:30 to get caught-up on my e-mails, then 4:30 to be caught up enough to work on today's work, so all-in-all not too bad a day.

I came home to an empty house, which was a little odd. But quickly got going on the last few projects I want to complete before Jared gets home.

Xander is apparently having the time of his life with his cousin. My sister called me at 10pm last night and said the boys were up just giggling hysterically as they would take turns burping. Ah boys. I am glad he is having fun. Having cousins to play with makes life so much more fun.

I heard from Jared again. He said he got to sleep in a tree house this last weekend, and slept on a wooden bench, no pillow, blanket or anything. He said it was interesting. I will be anxious to hear more when he gets back.

In the meantime, I will probably stop updating everyday, as now I am back to "normal" life of not doing anything. So until next post, sometime next month most likely, Ciao.

Day 10 as a SSAHM/Day 1 as a Single Lady

Well today was kiddo's and my last day together. We, of course, slept in our fort, and enjoyed "sleeping in" (aka ignoring the time change). We played Paper Mario and made it to the final level, the moon.

Side Story: Our family has been talking a lot about dreams. We are always talking about what we dreamt about last night, etc. So as we are playing Paper Mario and we finally reach the moon level, Xander shouts out "mom, mom. This is what I dream about. I go to the moon on my rocket ship and to so many planets." He then went on to tell me all about his dreams of being on the moon and in outer space. It was adorable.

Then we got up and dressed and went to Auntie Lulu's house. She is going to watch kiddo for me this week while I have to go back to work (boo). We made it up there much faster than expected, and had a wonderful lunch/dinner of roast, potatoes and carrots. It was delicious.

Then I helped Lulu with a craft project for her craft fair. Then we got kiddo all set-up. I was apprehensive to leave him, because I have never left him for soo long. But he was ready to stay and play, so I said my good byes and off I went.

On the way home, since I had no hubby and no kiddo to bore to death, I drove by my old stomping grounds. I hadn't really been back since I moved away in 1997, and definitely haven't been back since my parents moved 5+ years ago. It was weird, to say the least.

Once I got home, I started getting my projects for this week all ready, so in the small amount of time I have in the evenings I can get them done. Hopefully it will be enough to distract me from how empty and lonely the house feels with everyone gone.

On a side note, only a few more days til Jared comes home (Saturday). Miss ya!

Day 9 as a SSAHM

Today was a much more relaxed day. We woke up early after sleeping in our fort (again) and spent the morning playing video games (we are almost done beating Paper Mario for the bazillionth time). We went to lunch at our favorite Chinese place. Then we came home and cleaned up the office super good.

Jared called for a little bit today. It was fun to talk to him for a minute. He said he is having a ton of fun, but that it is super hot. One more week until he comes home.

Later we went to Grandma's house for a little bit. We had a lot of fun playing with Grandma and Grandpa.

We came home and had a good night sleep in our fort. Now we are ready for our last day together before I have to go back to work. Sigh.

Day 8 as a SSAHM

Today was a much better day than yesterday. We woke up (too early, 6:30 am) and just played until after lunch. Then we went to the Treehouse Museum in Ogden. Kiddo LOVED it! He didn't want to leave. We came home, and it was such a nice day we played outside for quite a while. We set-up the trampoline, which was fun. Then after dinner we re-built our fort and are now getting ready to sleep in it.

People keep asking how Jared is doing. He is good. He says it is hot and he can't stop sweating. Here is proof:

We miss you Jared! Kiddo is excited to see you, and see the present you bought him. He keeps saying when you get home that you guys get to play Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (and he won't let us play it until you get back).

Day 7 as a SSAHM

Wow a whole week. I can't believe I made it, and let me tell you, today the "enchantment" wore off. I think kiddo hadn't been getting enough sleep (because we had been sleeping in our "fort" all week. He woke up this morning in a mood. When it was time to get ready for preschool he had a full-on meltdown. I finally picked him up and carried him (kicking, screaming, ranting, etc.) to school. I took him into class and asked if it was OK if I left him like that. They said it was fine, so I gave them my cell # and told them if he didn't calm down to call me.

I went home to a much needed quiet house, and no phone call ever came (sigh of relief). I spent the 2 hours he was in preschool re-assembling my room. Putting up my drapes, moving furniture back in the room, etc. It is now back exactly how it was, just different colored walls.

Once I picked kiddo up from preschool we came home. He was much better for a while. We played games, and visited. My dad called around 4:00 and said he car broke down, and could we come rescue him in Bountiful. I was super glad to assist, as it is very rare I get to return a favor to my parents.

Once we got home though kiddo had another meltdown. He didn't get what he wanted, or didn't want to do what we were doing, etc. etc. etc. Finally it was bedtime. I told him he had to go to bed in his bed tonight, and he lost it again. Kicking, screaming, bargaining, and all other sorts of kid tactics ensued. We both were tired and frustrated. He just kept crying "I miss my dad. Mom, I miss my dad." We will both be glad when he gets home.

I took a quick picture on my computer to send to Jared of Xander missing his dad:

We both miss you Jared. Just over one more week. I hope we can both make it!!!

Day 6 as a SSAHM

Today kiddo and I got up and went swimming. We swam at the Clearfield Aquatic Center until noon. I thought for sure we would spend our entire time on the slide, but instead he enjoyed the current pool. We were both exhausted when we got done, so we picked up Pizza Hut for lunch (thus in the previous post the reason kiddo at an entire slice by himself).

Then we spent the next little bit cleaning up my room. Pulling up the tape and plastic sheeting. Hanging my blinds and drapes. Cleaning my windows (again) really good. Vacuuming and ultimately deciding my carpets needed cleaned. So we ran and got my mom's carpet cleaner and spent the rest of the evening cleaning my bedroom and hall carpets.

You know, this vacation, is turning into more work than work...

Dear Son...

To my son, who never eats. Where have you gone. Someone has been at the kitchen table for an hour and a half and has eaten an entire slice of stuffed crust pizza, and is on his fifth bowl of cereal. Who are you, and what have you done with my picky, never wants to eat, nothing is good, son? I guess, maybe, we are playing too hard...

Day 5 as a SSAHM

Today we got up early and played games. Then got kiddo ready for pre-school and took him to preschool. He was really excited that mom was going to pick him up and drop him off (usually I just drop him off in the mornings and Jared picks him up). While he was at preschool I finished the last coat of paint in my room.

Once I picked up kiddo we had lunch and played video games until 3:30. Then we went to Boondocks for their unlimited games from 4 til close (an amazing deal). We went and did Star Wars Laser tag, twice. Then mini golfing, twice. Then bowling. Played a bunch of arcade games. We had dinner there and played more arcade games. Kiddo wanted to play laser tag again, but it was full of teenagers, and I didn't want to fight with him about it. But we got everything list above (minus dinner) for $15 a person. It was sooo much fun. We just got him (8:45) and are now ready for bed. I can't wait for tomorrow.

Day 4 as a SSAHM - Updated with pictures

Today we a got up early (6:30) and played games. We ran a few errands, then met my mom to go to the Dinosaur Museum at the point of the mountain. It was fun. Pretty pricey for what it was, but considering it was just kiddo and I it wasn't too bad. We went to a 3d movie too called Sea Rex. Hopefully my sister Emsy posts pictures, since i didn't have a camera.

We came home in pouring rain (that later in the day turned to snow). I did all my ironing when I got home and now we are getting ready for bed (in our fort of course).

Day 3 as a Single Stay at Home Mom

Yesterday was Sunday, we took it easy (we are still sleeping in our fort in the living room though). We got up and went to church. After church we played games, painted another coat of paint in mom's room. Made Brownies (yummy!) and played games the rest of the day.

But, now it is Monday, and the real fun is about to begin....

Day 2 as a Single Stay at Home Mom

I definitely took things easier today. I got the first coat of paint on my walls and ceiling (and my arms are feeling it). I got all the trim and corner 100% done. So now I just need 1-2 more coats on the walls and ceilings. I am really hoping 1 more coat will do it, but since it is over such dark colors it may take two.

Then kiddo and I just played between coats and painting stuff. More fun plans to come.

Day 1 as a Single Stay at Home Mom

Many of you know that Jared left for Africa (Ghana to be exact) for a school project yesterday (Friday) morning. And I am taking 6 days off of work to stay home and play with kiddo. I think I may be a bit over ambitious on what to do together, but since this happens so rarely I want to make the most of it. Here is a list of what I did yesterday:

• Woke up at 5:30 am and took Jared to the airport
• Went Grocery Shopping
• Dyed my hair back brown
• Pulled up all the sheets/laundry/mending/sewing, etc. and everything sorted, washed, hemmed, mended, etc.
• Washed all my walls and base boards
• Cleaned my house, especially my kitchen
• Re-arranged all my furniture
• Moved all my furniture out of my room and start prepping it to be painted (including removing all the blinds in the windows, and washing my draperies)
• Cleaned my ceiling fan, windows
• Patched the holes in my walls
• Not to mention all the time I spent playing video games with kiddo
• Going outside to the playground
• Running to Home Depot for the remaining paint supplies
• Going out to dinner
• Making a wicked fort
• Watching a movie
• And finally falling a sleep

Today I think I am going to take it a bit easier. Considering it is now 8:30 and by this time yesterday, the first 4 things on my list were done. I would post pictures, but Jared took the camera, so you get the next few days of us having serious fun, with no pictures. But hey, no one can accuse me of taking this time off for granted right?