Progress in the Kitchen

No. I did not learn to cook. What would make you think that?

While we're on the subject . . . . This weekend Michael's aunt asked me to chop an onion for her. As I chopped she and her husband asked me what kinds of thing cooked now that no longer work. "Oh. I don't cook. Its all peanut butter and jelly until Daddy comes home." They thought I was joking. Maybe I should learn to make something . . . .

Anyway, I am excited to tell you that the wainscoting it up in the kitchen! YEAH! It looks fabulous.

I am less excited to tell you that I tried to paint my desk but forgot to sand it first. I'll be redoing that this week and I need some advice. Bearing in mind that the desk is going to be black like the wainscoting--which drawer pulls do you prefer?



You should also know that if I use the dark leafy ones they will both be the same. If I use the hand painted ones there will be one of each.

Also, I decided I still don't like the yellow and bought a gallon of green paint to replace the yellow. What do you think?

In the picture you can see the yellow I painted before and the green I am changing it to. The darker blue strip is the painters tape so just ignore that.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to say that painting is a lot harder when you don't have a tall friend visiting. Seriously.

More on the Feed

Okay. I've been having issues with my feed, but I think they are all fixed now.

Some of you got a post saying you might need to resubscribe, but you shouldn't have to anymore.

Yeah. Sorry about that.

If you're not subscribed and you want to you can use the subscribe button on the sidebar or you can find my feed at this url: http://feeds.feedburner.com/visualanarchy

What Kind of Name is Malmstrom Anyway?

I've been abusing the library's hold system for about two years. I will put a checked-out book on hold even when there is a perfectly good checked-in copy on the shelves. I have a very good reason though.

Lets say I want to read AntiCraft: Knitting, Beading and Stitching for the Slightly Sinister. Because, really, who wouldn't? Now lets say that my local library has acquired a couple copies of this book. One of these copies happens to be checked-in and the other happens to be checked-out. I have two options,

1-- I can drag 2 to 4 children (depending on the time of the year) to the knitting section of the library where they will fuss, pout, whine, and generally annoy while I look for this book. Of course the knitting section happens to be right next to the turn-off-your-cell-phone study area. So every quiet squeak and every not-so-quiet yell will be met by the glares and sighs of those who were fortunate enough to escape their children, or possibly chatty roommates, to study at the library.

or 2-- I can put a hold on the already checked-out copy of this book. When it is returned I will be notified by email and it will be placed on the holding shelves and labeled with the first four letters of my last name: MALM. The holding shelves are conveniently located next to the self check-out stations thus allowing me to quickly come in, pick up the requested books, check them out, and leave with out having to talk to anyone. I don't really like talking to strangers at the library.

Though perhaps an abuse of the system it is obviously the better choice.

Today I had 10 books that were ready to be picked up. I don't keep track of the titles, I just keep track of the number. It's faster that way. I look on the M shelf and grab every book that is labeled MALM. When I have the right number of books I know I've found them all and proceed to check out. Sometimes I don't even know what I've got until I get back in the car.

Today I proceeded to the holding shelves and picked up all the MALMs. I counted-- I had 10. On my way to check-out I noticed one of the books was Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I thought that was a little weird because I own Pride and Prejudice. I decided to look at my books more closely. I checked the title against the list on my account. I realized not only did I have a book that I hadn't requested, I didn't have one of the books I had requested.

Obviously there had been a mistake. I found a librarian and explained the situation.

"Why do you think that Pride and Prejudice is a mistake? Maybe it's not for you." she asked.
"Uh . . . it has my name on it."
"What . . . you think you're the only MALM in the area?"
"Yes. Actually I do."

Apparently I am not.

A quick search of the phone book yielded no less than 4 Malmstroms and I'm pretty sure one of them was wandering around the library today with my copy of Danny the Champion of the World.

I'll tell you what Ms. Malmstrom . . . if you stop touching my books, I'll stop touching yours.

*I feel like I can safely say "Ms." at this point. It was Pride and Prejudice after all.

Avoidance

Me: "Kai, you've played with Noah all day. Its time to start your chores."
Chase: "I played with Noah too."
Me: "You're right. You should probably do some chores too."
Chase: "I don't have any chores."
Me: "Maybe it's time we got you some."
Chase as he disappears into Davis' room: "Uh . . . I'm going in here now."

A Haiku About Heat

It is very hot
Because the our air is broken
Please someone save me.

Proof

Proof that the children eat when Michael is gone.

And they're ridiculously happy about it.

Good News Minute

Kai doesn't have cystic fibrosis. Not that we were really concerned that he did, still it's good to know we were right.

And something even more astonishing--Kai is currently doing chores. Real chores. He just cleaned the bathroom (even the toilet) and now he is unloading the dishwasher. I know it's astounding. How did I get him to do this you might ask . . . money. I told the kids I would give them a penny for every chore they complete this summer. Yes, a penny.

In general I don't really think kids should get paid to do their chores, so when they complained I pointed out that it was more than I normally pay and they decided not to push it.