tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346588942024-03-07T08:02:36.180-08:00Foot In The MouthJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-33682018715758769712008-12-26T19:50:00.001-08:002010-02-07T12:19:00.915-08:00We've moved!!!!same old stuff only more colorful!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.likelegos.com">www.likelegos.com</a><br /><br />And check out my health blog!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.girl-heroes.com">www.girl-heroes.com</a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-61479056984232480142008-10-08T12:19:00.000-07:002008-10-27T21:43:46.294-07:00Of course!Last night when Brent was putting Noah to bed he said to him, "I love you so much."<br /><br />Noah's response, "Of course you do. What father wouldn't love his son." Duh dad!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-8026169204638237942008-04-27T21:49:00.000-07:002008-04-27T22:14:04.547-07:00"love word"The other day I took Nathanael and Noah to Toys R Us to spend Nathanael's birthday money. After two hours, I'm not kidding TWO HOURS (who's says I'm not patient) of helping Nathanael to decide on what he would purchase, I hobbled on sore feet to the checkout line. <br /><br />We were waiting in line when Nathanael asks very matter-of-fact as if he is asking me if I like ketchup on my fries, "Mom you're hot? Huh?"<br /><br />"What?", I ask, caught off guard.<br /><br />"Not hot like the temperature hot," he continues.<br /><br />What? Where is this coming from I'm asking myself. Looking for someone to blame I immediately I feel like beheading Hannah Montana for corrupting my sweet innocent baby. I've never even seen the show, but I don't like that she wears a long blond wig when she has perfectly beautiful natural brown hair. It's just a disguise my friends say. I don't care. She could have chose those black plastic glasses with the plastic nose attached.<br /><br />In the car I ask Nathanael a few questions to try and find out where he heard the word "hot" in that context. I also ask him if he knows what it means. He says he heard it at school. Then smiles and says, "It's kind of a love word, huh, Mom?"<br /><br />"Yes honey. People say it when they think someone is really really beautiful," I say.<br /><br />Then he says, "I sort of wish I would have gotten the remote control boat."Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-33915081541330666762008-04-08T23:15:00.000-07:002008-04-10T21:44:49.817-07:00bicycle<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="300" data="http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=877932&server=www.vimeo.com&fullscreen=1&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color="> <param name="quality" value="best" /> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> <param name="scale" value="showAll" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=877932&server=www.vimeo.com&fullscreen=1&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=" /></object><br /><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/877932/l:embed_877932">Noah: Bicycle</a> from <a href="http://www.vimeo.com/user432413/l:embed_877932">Jenn Nims</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/l:embed_877932">Vimeo</a>.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-548229390385520342008-01-13T20:33:00.000-08:002008-01-14T14:07:30.261-08:00"Christmas Cerelers"Sometimes I get sad. Sometimes I cry. And sometimes joy comes in the funniest of ways.<br /><br />Reindeer.<br /><br />Last week I was sitting at the breakfast table with Brent crying. There was no fighting just crying when two little reindeer trotted into the kitchen holding a sign that said "Christmas Cerelers". Nathanael and Noah had found some old Christmas reindeer antlers and they were singing the Jingle Bells chorus with the focus of a contestant on American Idol. When the chorus ended Nathanael launched bravely into the verse although it was clear he didn't really know the words. And Noah kept right up with him smiling and moving his mouth. The little reindeer finished their performance. As they walked out of the kitchen I heard Nathanael whisper to Noah, "At least we made mommy stop crying." Almost. Sad tears had turned to happy tears.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz8EOXBNovrELkpwlP4-6Xnyi8fJMQpjvWPRkjKV3nZZ3btAT5G0ZcGFVZuwpgDf2QUeA_1l-Fxxxc' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-7695478639865155202007-08-14T09:35:00.000-07:002008-04-10T21:47:38.320-07:00The ConversationalistNoah and I had a conversation walking to his classroom the other day.<br /><br />Me- Do you like writing your name in class?<br /><br />Noah- No.<br /><br />Me- Why not?<br /><br />Noah- It's boring. <br /><br />Me- You know I heard someone say once that only boring people get bored. Are you boring?<br /><br />Noah- Yes. And I'm not talking to you anymore.<br /><br />Me- Why not.<br /><br />Noah- Because you're boring.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-75087032670923807082007-08-13T22:16:00.000-07:002008-04-10T22:16:23.053-07:00Firsts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nims/1112893192/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 204px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1220/1112893192_aa2092cdf3_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Today was Nathanael's first day of second grade and Noah's first day of pre-k. I like firsts. First taste of a new ice cream flavor. First time seeing the Rockies. First time hearing an amazing song. First time driving alone in a car. First time stroking the muzzle of a horse. First buds in spring after a long winter. Firsts are fun. Well most of the time. First shots are not. First speeding tickets are not. First time being made fun of for passing gas in public is not, well unless you are a 11 year old boy. One of the best things about having kids is getting to exerience "firsts" again and again. Many which have been forgotten. Simple pleasures and curiosities such as the first time catching a lighting bug or first time building a river in the sand at the oceans edge to fill up your castle moat. The not so great first can be scary, but this time around I am approaching them with some, I hope, wisdom. And maybe...just maybe with some thought, compassion, and a whole lot of prayer some of the blows of those not so great firsts can be lessened or even dodged. And maybe my boys firsts will sort of erase and help me to unlearn some of the jaded attitudes I have picked up over the years. Instead of being a big black mark my cynical attitude will become more of a smudge. Thankfully, both boys came home excited about their first day of school. Nathanael said he had so much fun. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nims/1112095417/"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1295/1112095417_3c5377d470_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>And I could tell Noah felt bigger and more responsible. He's doing big stuff, sitting down and writing his name before he goes and plays. And I probably should mention, I had my own first. The first Monday in August where I was halfway organized, managed to complete some tasks with a pretty good attitude, sidestep depression, and remember other people are human beings just like me on a Monday. A good first day of second grade. A good first day of pre-k. A good first August Monday for mommy.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-29191415927286924312007-06-15T07:22:00.000-07:002008-04-10T22:30:36.214-07:00The Baby and The BatNoah loves to play "The Baby". If you have played it with him you know "The Baby" can get intense. Thankfully he was a much easier baby than the one he pretends to be! The Baby started as Baby Bat. We'd lay in bed and I'd be Mommy Bat and Baby Bat would cuddle in his mommy's wings. I loved being Mommy Bat so much a bought a t-shirt with bats on it. They weren't serious bats though. Mommy Bat is much more serious than the bats on her shirt.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-38208560148218408702007-06-15T07:05:00.000-07:002008-04-10T22:41:58.123-07:00EnchihuahuaSome call it lies. I call it imagination. <br /><br />We are all driving home from the gym when Noah exclaims I saw an "enchihuahua!" <br /><br />"You did! Where?" I ask.<br /><br />"We just passed it", Noah continues.<br /><br />"Are you sure?" Daddy asked.<br /><br />"Yes, it was black," says Noah.<br /><br />Being animals lovers, we turn around and start looking for the "enchihuahau". But there is not a dog in sight. <br /><br />Noah says very seriously, "It went behind the building." <br /><br />Fooled again...Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-80695384644358448302007-06-11T23:08:00.000-07:002007-06-11T23:24:21.096-07:00I scream. You scream.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFx2D1gXVeU7vB8jd-YGYX_taKULeg9hgG62zMOgFex2TlBNTRIZJy3oPqU-2SMQbedSRO8tJ4i5oHapTYR9yZYuwQSLHLg52JYQ_DqNcSqXfqc-aekkYAvLNU-VPI7vy96-d/s1600-h/icecream+maker.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFx2D1gXVeU7vB8jd-YGYX_taKULeg9hgG62zMOgFex2TlBNTRIZJy3oPqU-2SMQbedSRO8tJ4i5oHapTYR9yZYuwQSLHLg52JYQ_DqNcSqXfqc-aekkYAvLNU-VPI7vy96-d/s200/icecream+maker.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075059832018799282" /></a><br />We all scream for ICE CREAM. Today, Nathanael and I found a brand new, still in the packaging, Rival ice cream maker at the Goodwill store today for $3.99! That's less than one scoop with 3 mix-ins from Cold Stone. You would of thought I gave Nathanael the keys to his very own us Toy R Us when I said we could buy it! We brought it home and Brent was equally excited exclaiming, "It's new. It's even still in the plastic wrap," as he opened up the box. Mmmm...I want organic ;) homemade peach ice cream!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-21673652441706523132007-06-11T23:00:00.000-07:002007-06-11T23:06:27.339-07:00One Million Children BlogWe are going on an adventure you can read about it here <a href="http://onemillionchildren.nimsmedia.com">one million children</a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-1623207404671895432007-05-06T22:51:00.000-07:002007-05-06T22:54:26.064-07:00Tooth FairyNathanael lost a tooth yesterday. Here was his letter, ALL in his own words, to the Tooth Fairy and her, really his, reply to him.<br /><br /><br />May 5, 2007<br />Dear Tooth Fairy,<br />I lost a tooth and I have a big hole! I can fit a straw through it. I like having a big hole in my mouth. Have you ever lost any teeth? Where do you live? I’m hoping to get some money for my tooth. How do you get to our house? In kindergarten we thought you rode on a motorcycle to our house (that was not noisy). My teacher, Mrs. Stein, she read a tooth fairy story about you riding a motorcycle. I think you look very very pretty. Do you live in a mansion? I know that I have a lot of questions. Are you ok with that? Do you have a computer? Do you have a husband? Do you have Valentine’s Day and Christmas, and Thanksgiving Day and Easter? We like doing that. Do you have an office? Do you make lots of money? Do you have lights in your home?<br />Please answer these questions, all of them. Thank You<br />Love,<br />Nathanael Nims<br /><br />Dear Nathanael,<br />I’m so happy to hear that you lost your tooth without actually loosing it this time… searching around the ditch at your grandma’s house was a lot of work!<br />I’m also glad you are finding the hole in your teeth useful by inserting a straw there. It must be nice to be able to smile & drink through a straw at the same time!<br />You like to ask a lot of questions, don’t you? That’s great. It’s so important to ask a lot of questions in life. I’m afraid I can’t answer all of them though, because some tooth fairy things are very secret. When I was a young tooth fairy I did loose my baby teeth, just like you. Then my tooth fairy came and took each tooth to our tooth treasury where we keep all our prized tooth collections. That’s so funny that you thought I rode a motorcycle! Ha Ha .That seems like a crazy way for a fairy to get around, don’t you think? I love to fly. I have wonderful fairy wings that carry me from place to place and keep me safe from harm. Thank you for your compliment, I think you are a beautiful little boy. My house is not large by human standards, but it is beautiful and peaceful and I love it very much. I wish you could visit but I’m afraid no human could ever venture there, it’s a secret!<br />I do not have computer, though I enjoy using the computers at the people I visit’s homes. In fact, I’m typing this on your daddy’s computer right now! These keys sure are hard to push though. I have to jump from letter to letter! I’m not married. I am a young fairy. We have different holidays from you but we do like to celebrate the birth and resurrection of our savior Jesus. We don’t call it Christmas & Easter though. I don’t have an office, my work is done in homes like yours where I find children’s teeth and leave rewards in return. We tooth fairies make a good living collecting and trading teeth. Of course I have lights in my home, I especially like to use candles.<br />Thank you for the beautiful tooth.<br />God Bless You<br />Love<br />The Tooth FairyJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-51852902165127166422007-05-05T22:29:00.000-07:002007-05-05T23:27:51.295-07:00Rock the CasbahWe spent Thursday evening in Santa Barbara as family at our friend's, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Casson</span> and Anna, art gallery opening. <a href="http://galleryocho.com/">http://galleryocho.com/</a> (There are some pictures.) Nathanael and Noah had fun time looking at the art in the gallery, eating chocolates, running around the fountain in the courtyard (which Noah fell into to...brrr.), eating chocolates, chasing other kids, and eating chocolates. After the opening, we decided to have dinner with friends at Chef Karim's, a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Moroccan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">restaurant</span>. For those of you who have never experienced eating at a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Moroccan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">restaurant</span> there are usually a few key differences. They typically wash your hands at the table. You often sit on the floor or on cushions or benches around a low table. You eat with your hands. And there is usually....a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">belly dancer</span>. Which brings me to the point of this post. We had just finished our appetizers when the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">belly dancer</span> came out to entertain us whirling and snaking around the room with her scarves and finger cymbals. A happy and playful dancer, probably about 50, she kept asking Nathanael and Noah to dance with her. Each time the looked wide eyed and shook their heads no as if asking them if they wanted to kiss a cobra. Across the room a large party of about 20-30 decided to liven up the restaurant and got up to dance with the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">belly dancer</span>. At which point the host came over and asked me to join them on the floor. I reluctantly got up and after a moment motioned for my crew to join me. Brent got up to get his groove on and, as most of you know, Noah was then only a step behind. Noah ran up and began to dance and smile with so much joy that people who were having fun started having even more fun watching him. That's when Nathanael couldn't take it anymore. Nathanael, a usually shy child in public places, marched onto the dance floor and started doing a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Moroccan</span> version of the Can-Can. (He had just learned the Can-Can in music class that day and earlier that afternoon he had been busy teaching Noah the kicks.) The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">belly dancer</span> was so impressed with his moves that she grabbed his hands and led him into the center of the circle of people. Always the artist, he danced his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Moroccan</span> Can-Can with the seriousness of a first chair violinist in an orchestra. He kicked and shimmied as hard and fast as his little body would go. When the music ended the room broke out in applause and he looked confused trying to decide if he should be proud and smile, or be embarrassed. Of course we told him how wonderful he was and then ate our meal of lamb, rabbit, chicken, and beef which was very tasty and satisfying. But not nearly as satisfying as spending the evening smiling and laughing with people I love and watching our little artist create the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Moroccan</span> Can-Can.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-76512480536751895942007-04-20T21:59:00.000-07:002008-04-10T22:09:58.719-07:00Star War ShowA Star Wars show is not your ordinary night at the theatre. A Star Wars show is theatre at it's best. Darth Vader, played passionately by Nathanael Nims, battles Luke Skywalker, Noah Nims. They battle, dying and overcoming death again and again. And again. Noah Nims captures the complexity of Luke as he struggles not to be overcome by the dark side. His light saber although mostly blue, changes to red when the pressure to join the dark side becomes to overcome. Nathanael Nims taking on dual roles as Vader and the director, plays Vader with and an unmatched intensity. He astounds the audience with his amazing ability to direct and act at the same time switching roles seamlessly. You'll be at the edge of your padded seat wondering, "Who will win?" <br /><br />Running at the Nims Family Theatre for one night only. To get to the theatre just follow the post it notes labeled "Star Wars Show".Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-16546971764802458832007-04-19T23:27:00.000-07:002007-04-20T21:59:06.863-07:00Serious Shirts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DCfE9-PrsX5CpAy19160auERFKyRX0Jm9dbaLhb0ZVgmBH7l41zX4jkdG8_NNN48NFmfquftt23BMHMxu6cHnzafSbz21N8eEOjdgoY-88VE_gG20cGw_ro_313tiD9vpmQC/s1600-h/panda+shirt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055395955974288866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DCfE9-PrsX5CpAy19160auERFKyRX0Jm9dbaLhb0ZVgmBH7l41zX4jkdG8_NNN48NFmfquftt23BMHMxu6cHnzafSbz21N8eEOjdgoY-88VE_gG20cGw_ro_313tiD9vpmQC/s320/panda+shirt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>The other day, I noticed a kid at the boys school wearing a shirt with two pandas on the front. Not cartoony pandas. They were serious pandas, like photographs. He was leaning his back up against a tree with his long skinny twelve year old legs crossed as he watched other kids run around with each other. He was wearing basic jeans, basic black hightops, basic black sunglasses with a neoprene leash attached, and his deep red serious panda shirt. To me, he stood out among the Old Navy, Element, Gap, Volcom, t-shirt kids. A non-conformist. But not the sort of non-comformist who conforms to a group of non-comformists. He made me think of Toby from Jr. High. Toby always wore serious wolf shirts. Toby was a non-conformist too. He walked fast down the halls between classes. REALLY FAST, like was on the last leg of a power walking race, his expression more serious than the wolf on his shirt. I never saw him doing anything thing else except "Tobe-ing" down the halls. One time, I thought I would impress my friends and get a laugh so I stepped into his path on his way to class. BAM, I hit the floor. He ran into me like a car busting through a barracade in an action movie. He didn't even use his arms, just shoved me out of the way with the velocity of his torso barreling down the hall and never blinked an eye. My friends thought is was the funniest thing they had ever seen. Inside, I felt sort of bad for being an ass and, in a wierd way, I secretly admired him. Not for his social skills but for wearing serious wolf shirts when everybody else sported Hyper Color and IOU shirts. I like animal shirts, have quite a few, but they aren't serious animal shirts. There is a BIG difference. Maybe serious animal shirts will become the next identity of a new subculture. I wonder what sort of music the serious animal shirt group would listen to? I wonder where Toby is now?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFknREuzC3EjSH6dXzLcTD-wIPjsFdCcjIWeus2vVR3ThcG4I7FgvBLHugmmE2CpIyfxQcmA3Xpsx3l5-rdA_8tnQBUGrCqpw2YkqV4xk217qfVuH-pHDBYRiW5MeMux-lTZr3/s1600-h/worf+shirt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055396870802322930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFknREuzC3EjSH6dXzLcTD-wIPjsFdCcjIWeus2vVR3ThcG4I7FgvBLHugmmE2CpIyfxQcmA3Xpsx3l5-rdA_8tnQBUGrCqpw2YkqV4xk217qfVuH-pHDBYRiW5MeMux-lTZr3/s320/worf+shirt.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-1166934754192250722006-12-23T20:21:00.000-08:002006-12-24T19:56:03.493-08:00Take 2...3...4...5...6...91<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nims/331504447/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/331504447_fbe1875d19_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nims/331504447/">production</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/nims/">bnims</a>. </span></div><br clear="all" /><br /><br />It's a wrap. Not really, but we did just finish our first day for the short film Brent and I are shooting. And it feels really good. For those of you who don't know, a few months ago, I set a goal to write and shoot a short film within a year. I was thinking that it would happen this spring, but the idea came for a quirky comedy and we had a trip to Indiana planned for Christmas so we thought let's just shoot then. It sounded easy enough. So far, things have been coming along smoothly. Everybody we asked to play parts said yes, we got the locations, some wonderful friends loaned us some equipment, our family has been supportive, and we captured a lovely sunset from on top of the water tower yesterday. It was an experience. We harnessed ourselves and climbed staight up the center of the tower though a tall tube. When we got to the top we opened the hatch and then connected ourselves to the top of the tower about 150 feet above ground. On top of the tower we have about a 4 foot circle to move around on. All for two seconds of sunset. It was the first time I have ever seen Brent scared and confirmed to us his fear of heights. At one point, I suggested a certain angle and he responded, "How about action and you just start acting," as he gripped the flagpole in one hand and the camera in another. It was "classic" as he says. When we came down I felt closer to him than ever! Back to today, our first full shoot day. We shot at "Junebug's" house, that is my Grandma Webb's house. Junebug is playing the part of the grandma in the movie. We had a ball. Even if the film stinks, I will have some funny memories of Junebug and I cracking up. Our enormous crew of...two...Brent and I set up about 10 am and finished tonight around 10 pm. We did take a 3 hour break to go say hi to the boys and go to the grocery store with my dad. I believe we shot seven scenes today. We took care of the lights, sound, costuming, hair and make-up, continuity, cinematography, directing the actors, ect... I feel like a true "independent" filmmaker...he he...we are not doing anything by the book at this point. Hell...who needs a marker? It's fun and satisfying. The only thing that is missing (besides a buget) is our friends. I look forward to fumbling through the next filmic adventure with a few friends by our sides and on the set!!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-1166503661562420852006-12-18T20:23:00.000-08:002006-12-18T21:23:10.543-08:00Feathery Fun & FishRight now we are in Indiana and will be here for 3 weeks. So far it's great. We got here Saturday and it's been warm, really warm, for December. Today, my mom, sister, Nathanael, Noah and I went to an aquarium in Cincinnati. I love river towns. Looking at them transports me back in time and I start imagining my life as Huck Finn. I also love aquariums. Some people may find them sad and I can understand their point. But since I am afraid of the ocean and would never scuba dive, I enjoy peaking into the other world that makes up most of earth. Saw lots of amazing creatures that one would expect to see at an aquarium. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3926/3822/640/66242/IMG_8438.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3926/3822/320/996920/IMG_8438.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a> <br /><br />We got to pet some sharks, they felt a little like a cats tongue. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3926/3822/640/68301/IMG_8512.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3926/3822/320/131342/IMG_8512.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a> <br /><br />Santa made an underwater visit. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3926/3822/640/682735/IMG_8431.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3926/3822/320/68258/IMG_8431.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a> <br /><br />But the highlight for me was a rain forest exhibit that was filled with, not fish but, Lorikeets. We fed them nectar from little cups. Noah thought they were tops. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3926/3822/640/653519/IMG_8463.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3926/3822/320/452999/IMG_8463.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a> <br /><br />Nathanael was nervous thinking they might bite. <A HREF='http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3926/3822/640/82689/IMG_8468.jpg'><IMG SRC='http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3926/3822/320/765154/IMG_8468.jpg' border=0 alt='' style='display:block;margin 0px auto 10px; cursor:hand; text-align:center'></A> <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a> <br /><br />I found them funny, full of personality. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3926/3822/640/853793/IMG_8459.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3926/3822/320/660823/IMG_8459.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now I want one (along with a penguin), but we have trouble enough finding babysitters for our furry family when traveling, so I don't think that would be wise. Nevertheless they were fun. The boys had a great time and it was fun being with my sister and mom. Now if only we could adjust to the time change. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3926/3822/640/794064/IMG_8540.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3926/3822/320/562603/IMG_8540.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-1163775482450632952006-11-17T06:27:00.000-08:002006-12-08T22:24:36.306-08:00SORRYYesterday, Noah asked me to play a game with him. I walked into his room and he had spread the contents of the SORRY game all over his bedroom floor. We set it up and began to play. He was actually into the game, only distracted by Sunny, our cat, who he had caught and put on my lap. In the end, it was close. Both of our last pawns were in or nearing the SAFETY ZONE. There would be no reason to switch with an 11 card and the SORRY card was a passed turn, so it was just a matter of being lucky enough to draw the right number to bring our pawns into home. Noah was so excited, certain he was going to win. I began to worry because it really looked like I was going to win. We ran out of cards and I picked them up to shuffle. Should I let him win or should I let him learn it's okay to lose? Being a little brother he already loses a lot. Quickly, I glanced at his pawns, one had seven spaces and the other had one space to move to be in home. I needed three spaces to bring lone pawn into home. I saw if I set the cards down the way they were, I would draw a 3 on my next turn and win. I also saw a one and a 7 near the top. Very discreetly, I put the 1 on top, then a invalid SORRY card, followed by a seven.<br />"Noey, it's your turn."<br />He drew a 1 and moved a pawn into HOME. My turn.<br />"Oh I drew a SORRY card. Can't move. Your turn."<br />His large baby hand picked up a card. He has to focus to be able to pick on one and not the entire pile.<br />"Look you drew a 7, count the spaces for you last guy. He's HOME, you won!!!"<br />Noah jumped up, punched at the air with glee, shouted, "I won, I won!"<br /><br />I used our game experience later that night in my musical improv class. We had to talk about an event in our day and then sing a chorus that summed it up. My chorus went like this:<br /><br />Sometimes it's better to lose.<br />Sometimes it's better to lose.<br />If you know what's best for you, you will try it too.<br />Sometimes it's better to lose.<br /><br />I was actually funny but one those things where you had to be there!!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-1163399937836647952006-11-12T22:36:00.000-08:002006-11-12T22:38:57.836-08:00Advertisment<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3926/3822/1600/timeshare_flyer.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3926/3822/400/timeshare_flyer.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here is the postcard for the short I did at Second City. It was a blast.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-1163399343337113042006-11-12T22:18:00.000-08:002006-11-12T22:29:03.350-08:00Good FriendsWe spent the afternoon with our dear friends, Casson, Anna, and Sammie in Marina del Ray. They just moved back to CA from NYC. It was fun and relaxing to feel the freedom to be ourselves. Later, Anna came with me to watch my improv show at Second City. What a love. Because it was a little "shaky". She also gave me a designer bag she had designed. My first real designer bag and designed by a friend. Anna you are a super love. ;) Nathanael and Noah had fun until they got tired. I had fun until I had to ride home in a messy car with wrappers crackling under my feet.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-1163199182575705532006-11-10T14:46:00.000-08:002006-11-10T15:33:44.576-08:00Army CatNoey were walking through our neighborhood yesterday when he exclaimed, "Look mama there's an army cat!" I looked to where he was pointed and there sat a rather round orange and brown calico cat watching us walk by as if he was guarding his porch. Noey then asked, "Where's his gun?"Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-1163197812172958062006-11-10T14:16:00.000-08:002006-11-10T15:33:29.216-08:00"Closed"<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3926/3822/1600/Nathanael-Sale1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3926/3822/320/Nathanael-Sale1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Nathanael had a sale today. Around noon he set up a makeshift table in the back yard with old toys. I mentioned, that I didn't think his chances of getting customers were very high with it set up out back. So he moved it to the front and proceeded using his own marketing techniques such as shouting in a voice laced with annoyance, "I'm having a sale today. Everybody can come." As the minutes wore on and customers didn't flock as expected, Brent overheard him singing a blue-sy song about nobody coming to his sale. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3926/3822/1600/Nathanael-Sale2.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3926/3822/320/Nathanael-Sale2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I said a quick prayer asking God to bring a customer. I guess God wanted him to learn more about perseverance than instant success. (I know the frustration that comes with this lesson.) After 1/2 hour, or so, I heard him shouting again with even more annoyance, "That sale is over in ten minutes, if you want to come and buy anything." Then ten minutes later he came in demanding 2 pieces of Halloween candy. I saw there was more going on than wanting Halloween candy and asked what was wrong. His eyes welled up with tears and he said "Nobody is coming to my sale. I yelled that it was going to be over in 10 minutes and nobody came." He continued through his tears, rather defiantly, "Put up a closed sign." Humph...take that!<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3926/3822/1600/Nathanael-Sale3.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3926/3822/320/Nathanael-Sale3.0.jpg" border="0" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-1162685492636129202006-11-04T16:05:00.000-08:002006-11-10T15:33:08.870-08:00SkullNoey has a small skull about the size of a walnut. It came off of some creepy Halloween necklace my mom bought him. He's obessessed with it. He takes it everywhere, shoves it into his pocket or keeps it gripped in his hand like it's a piece of antiquity. If he miplaces it, he gets this desperate look on his face, the look I would have if I lost my wedding ring . The other night he half woke up crying asking for his skull. I love how kids become obsessed with random objects. A few weeks ago it was little tiny toy shark. I guess adults do the same thing, but usually the objects are a little less unique, unlike the walnut sized plastic skull.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-1162031918489066662006-10-28T02:24:00.000-07:002006-11-04T16:13:24.523-08:00My Affair with the Stay Puff Marshmallow ManAT HOME*, we eat healthy or at least what I believe is healthy, basically an organic whole-food kosher diet. Actually, if you know me well, you know I can get a bit obsessive and annoying about food. I'm sure there is a label for my food obsession. Let me elaborate. Almost all the produce I buy is fresh, organic and nutritious, things like corn and iceberg don't count. I try to eat at least one raw fruit or vegetable at every meal. I don't buy white grains only brown. I try to limit the amount of wheat we eat. The majority of our dairy is organic. I buy high omega eggs with "golden" yolks. I'm even considering switching to raw milk. I don't buy pork, shellfish, or dirty fish (they must have scales). My meat is free range and grassfed or at the least kosher. I buy chicken that has been fed a vegetarian diet without antibiotics or hormones. I don't buy farm raised fish, only wild, and won't eat too much b/c of mercury. I think processed sugar substitutes, of all kinds, are dangerous at best. The closest I come to buying processed food are frozen tamales at Trader Joes or spaghetti sauce. I enjoy detoxes and cleanses. I'm skeptical about soy products. I own a $300 wheatgrass juicer. Huge grocery stores, frighten me, I do my best to avoid them. If I am buying something in a jar or box, I practically memorize the labels. And I'm not just looking for hydrogenated oils, I'm looking for any artificial ingredient, color number something, or preservative that I can't pronounce, don't know what it means or sounds like it was made in a lab. You get the point. I'm anal about my food AT HOME*. I should probably get a WWJE bracelet.<br /><br />But there's a catch.<br /><br />Don't be fooled by my AT HOME* eating habits. I'm a hypocrite. The problem is sugar or rather my addiction to it. I sabotage all my hard work with sugar. And everyone knows sugar is one of the worst things a person can eat. I need to find a support group because I have all the symptoms of an addict. I lie about eating it. I eat it when I say I don't want it. I go out of my way to get it. I hide evidence. I try not to keep it in my house except in the forms of maple syrup, honey, and agave nectar. When I have been desperate, I have drank over of cup of maple syrup, making myself sick and once half a bottle of agave nectar. There's something not right about that. I have even found myself shaking at the checkout line at Ralph's trying not to buy a Reese's cup or York Peppermint Patty. Once I came home shouting to Brent, "I did it", overjoyed, at my triumph of not buying any candy at Ralph's. Brent said, "Good job Baby!". I said, "I rewarded myself with a People Magazine, it has anorexic stars who don't eat sugar on the cover!!" The last 7 years for Lent, I have given up sugar and I don't think I have ever been 100% successful. One year I ate an entire jar of kid's gummy vitamins to get my fix, citing that it didn't count b/c it wasn't technically candy or a dessert. Sugar is like heroin to me, albeit, killing me slower and the damage to my life is not as evident. The worst part is, I have passed on my addiction to Nathanael. Noah, somehow, seems to have been bypassed. He can eat a cookie and stop or save some for later. But Nathanael, well, he is just as bad as me, except that he is honest and shows no shame. He references candy about 5000 times a day. And I totally empathize with him. When I was a kid there used to be this Dairy Queen commercial where it took the audience's point of view down a chocolate river lined with mountains of ice cream and chocolate covered in candy. That was my ultimate fantasy. Willy Wonka was my hero. The same is true for Nathanael. And I don't know what to do about it. About a year ago, I discovered these books, The Sugar Addicts Total Recovery Guide and Little Sugar Addicts. It was enlightening and Nathanael and I began our journey to recovery. The journey lasted less than a week. I feel like giving up but I don't want to, at least not yet. This week has been bad, as is any time, I eat outside my house. When I go on vacation or go to a party, many of my dietary habits go out the window, especially sugar. I can justify every bite. This week, I have ate part of a 1/2 gallon of Blue Bell ice cream, two pizza cookies with ice cream, Joe-Joes, a gas station cinnamon roll, Ben and Jerry's, a cheesecake brownie, and an enormous bag of marshmallows. And this is just what I can remember off the top of my head. I think my insides are exploding with yeast. Every night I have woke up with a stomach ache, I know because of the food I'm eating, especially sugar. This is why I am typing a blog at 3 a.m. And if it wasn't gone, I'd probably be having a bowl of Blue Bell Turtle Fudge right now. Pathetic.<br /><br />*This our AT HOME diet only. It's not a religious thing. So, if you invite us over for dinner, we will HAPPILY eat whatever you make without gagging and judgement. ;) And for goodness sake, if we go out to dinner and I order french fries and a coke, don't judge me!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34658894.post-1161993402600607092006-10-27T16:37:00.000-07:002006-10-28T22:24:08.356-07:00Rock "Me" Like a HurricaneLast night I drove to Tucson to see one of my dearest friends, Juliana, who I call Ju-boo. About ten years ago Ju-boo and I drove through Tucson on our way to live in LA for the summer. It was both of our first times living outside of our parents house not on a college campus and the beginning of a friendship that I know will last the rest of our lives. I love her dearly. Ju-boo now lives in Austin but was in Tucson staying at the Hilton El Conquistador Resort for a business trip and I am in Phoenix for vacation. Perfect timing. A few months ago we were lucky enough to be in NYC at the same time too! Anyway we went to Oregano's and then stayed up late talking. It was wonderful.<br /><br />Unfortunatley, she had to leave early in the morning so our time together was much too short. She left around 6:30 am. Alone in the hotel room I peeked out the drapes. The sun was starting to come up and everything was a mix of Impressionistic colors slightly fuzzy waiting for the warmth and glare of the sun to reveal the details that were hidden in the dawn. I considered going back to sleep because it is rare for me to find time to sleep in. But then realized it was even more rare for me to watch the rocky mountains of Tucson wake up in solidtude. I pulled a blanket off the bed and situated myself in a chair on the balcony with my Bible. The mountains turned from shades of violet and navy blue to a golden hues of tan speckled with green and brown. I love the desert. I find it beautiful. It is so mysterious and sublime. I feel captivated by it's hostility toward man and curious about the creatures who can survive its unforgiving terrain. Okay, I know I'm no Shelley writing about Mont Blanc, but it was gorgeous and peaceful beyond words. So, I read some Psalms and then read Phillippians. That book has really been speaking to me lately. Probably because it is the first and only thing I have read in the Bible in months! The other day Nathanael drew me a drawing with Phillipians 4:13 written on it and since then I keep going back to that book. When the sun had fully risen, I tried to go back to bed unsucessfully. After reading a bit of USA Today I decided to go sit in the spa. The spa was located, along with three other pools, in the center the hotel, a man-made oasis. I sat in the spa chatting with my mom for a while. Then headed over to the pool and read a few chapters from Kitchen Confidential. It's supposed to be a funny memoir about the author's life as a chef. It's okay. After too many pages of few too laughs, I decided to go for a swim. I felt like what one of those beta fish you buy in the tiny little bowls must feel like when they are transferred into a larger tank. The pool was huge and I had it all to myself. I felt small and happy floating while looking at the mountains, doing strokes wtih crappy technique and swimming underwater pretending to be an eel. Finally, before leaving I decided I wanted to go down the 143 foot faux rock waterslide a few times. I walked over to find it closed because there was not an attendant on duty. But if there was no one on duty, then there was no one to catch me. Besides I figured, what would they say, don't do that. It had been along time since I felt so free, like going skinny dipping in highschool with my girlfriends.<br /><br />After my brief act of civilized rebellion :) I took a shower and packed up to drive back to Phoenix. I have always loved driving on the freeway, but since having kids it has become more often a chore than an escape or therapy. A few more hours of freedom and solitude and I wanted to make the most of it. Driving makes me feel like my cells are opening up, taking a big breath, and shouting "Yeehaw!" or "Rock On!" in earnest. I searched for a Christian station hoping to to stay in a mindset of Jesusy awe, but couldn't find any, at least any I could stomach. So I asked God to speak to me through, heaven forbid, "secular" music. I didn't hear any specifics but I felt freedom and peace from deep within as I barreled down interstate 10 in my Grandpa's Buick. I listened to mostly classic rock and 80's. I did hear Snow Patrols "Chasing Cars" part of it speaks to me on a spritual level. And I one point, I found myself singing the chorus of the Scorpions, "Rock You Like a Hurricane" to God, but with a slight change, "He I am. Rock ME like a hurricane.". Totally dorky, I know. I likened it to asking God to light the fire, which in my opinion, is a pretty wierd thing to ask, although I have and do from time to time. I don't know, but in the moment it felt appriate and I felt up to the challenge. By the way, I'm not claiming that the Scorps are a Godly band by any means, the rest of the lyrics of the song, which I had to look up when I got home, are in my opinion, sad and pathetic. I just feel like, and some may disagree and that okay, God sometimes uses the most unlikely people and things to move us, even the Scorpians. Two hours later, with one almost careless running our of gas incident, I arrived back at the condo happy and cheerful feeling renewed ready to gather my boys and Brent up in my arms.<br /><a href="http://www.hiltonelconquistador.com/tucson-water-park.htm">Tucson Water Parks, Water Park AZ, Pools Tucson Arizona</a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02338078716464356565noreply@blogger.com0