WHAT?!

I am significantly calmed down since this incident, but that was my reaction plus much pouting and growling. I've been an avid FashionStar Fillies collector for a little over 10 years. With the help of other collectors I've built and maintained http://www.fashionstarfillies.com. I've recently gotten back into active collecting when I won one of the holy grails of the line, Prototype Dara NRFB (Never Removed From Box), on ebay. I haven't made any big updates and changes to the site since 2005. I decided it is time to revamp the site and put up new pictures. After going through my collection I found that I am missing quite a few things that I had borrowed before for pictures. So I set off to ebay to look for some missing parts and came across two auctions selling some of the accessories that were rare and that I needed. Long story short, I lost them both in the last few seconds of the auction. I didn't expect anyone else to put in the top price I had. I was really really furious. Now I have to attempt to find someone that will let me borrow the accessories so I can take complete pictures for the new site. It's not a total loss, but it's sooooooo annoying. On the plus side I was able to acquire most of the rest of the stuff I needed in several other auctions.

In my attempt to take nicer pictures this time around I ordered a photo tent and some flood lights. So far I'm liking it but i think I'll have to try incandescent bulbs instead of compact florescent lights as they don't seem to be as bright. So far, I like the outcome:

This is my test subject Janel. I didn't clean her up or prepare her for the photo in any way as she is actually an extra I'll be selling. It seems like I need more forward light to illuminate her hair but without making it too shiny. I didn't like all the reflection of the flash, even when bouncing and using a diffuser. I don't want the subject to be washed out in an attempt to get the whitest most seamless background. I'm not too great at photography, I guess I'm not artsy enough for it, but I guess with a subject this still, I should be able to figure something out. I'm excited for the site relauch. It's still probably a few months out, but it'll be grand when it gets here.

All Tied Up

Just about every newly packaged item these days is somehow secured with twisty ties. Not like one or two but it seems like fifty! Just about every time that I clean the floors or clear off the counter, I find at least 5 of these things. Short black ones, long white ones, sometimes clear. They just seem to be everywhere. I used to just pick them up and collect them in a sandwich bag thinking they might be useful at some point. I've stopped doing that and just throw them away now, every time I see them. I don't think we buy that much stuff to where they are constantly coming into the house so I'm going to conclude that they are breeding. They're in the kitchen on the counters, in the living room on the floors, in the play room, even in the bathrooms. They're particularly populous around the TV console. Ironically, when Brandon takes a twisty tie off the bread bag, it is inevitably lost forever. Right about the time either one of us is looking for a twisty tie, none can be found. Maybe they're a sub species of roaches. Better a twisty tie infestation than a roach one.

When in Doubt, Throw it Out

I'm sure that phrase applies to a lot of things, but in the context of this post, I'm talking about a roux. For those of you that don't know, a roux is a cooked flour and oil mixture and is the base of many Cajun dishes. It takes skill and practice to know when your roux is just right, and takes just a little hesitation to go past the point of perfection.

When Brandon goes out of town, I tend to cook all the things he doesn't like and just completely indulge. Some months ago my brother had given me some fish he caught on a trip and I've been saving it for just the right day. One of my absolute favorite fish dishes is Courtbouillon, I sometimes call it Fish Gravy. I like it best with catfish, but Brandon abhors catfish and so I never buy it. I can usually get him to eat tuna, tillapia, or salmon so that's typically what I keep around.

Like all things delicious, fish gravy starts with a roux, a dark roux. The darker usually the deeper the flavor. As I was making the roux it was coming along quite well. It got the point where my Cajun sense started tingling and I felt very compelled to add the onions yet for some reason I ignored it and my brain said, just a little darker, it'll be more delicious. So I waited just one more minute and I immediately felt like I messed up. It didn't look burnt or smell burnt, but I was sure it wasn't right. Against my Cajun sense again, I went ahead and added the onions and thought perhaps it would all even out ok. I still felt wrong about it, yet again I went ahead and added the V8 juice and seasonings. At this point, it just really didn't feel right, I pressed on hoping with some simmering it would work out. I tasted, it wasn't right. A few minutes later, I tasted again and it wasn't wrong, but it wasn't right either. Mom's words rang out in my head as they had done earlier: "Oil and onions are cheap, seafood is not." I took it off the fire, dumped it all in the sink and started over.

You were probably hoping that I went through with it all and it was delicious, but no, I started over and finally I felt right again. I cooked up the second batch of roux and I listened to when my Cajun sense told me to add the onions and I obeyed. It was worth the extra time, it was worth dumping those ingredients. When I nestled that fish in the gravy and cooked it just to tender, I knew I'd done it justice.

It was SO good. What a reward. The kids gobbled it down too, always a plus.

Following Footsteps

The kids always do the cutest things when you're not watching (also the worst things too!). I was making dinner and stopped to check on Ian outside. Seriously, if it's warmer than 65 degrees I can't keep that kid in the house. He had snuck out the dog door to play outside so I peered through the back window to find he had found some unused boards from Masten Park and a level and he pretending to build something. SO cute. I didn't want to open the door so I snapped a few pictures from between the blinds. I guess he was inspired by Brandon's recent building project.

Zoey had gotten a lot of dress up stuff for Christmas and had developed full princess mode by decking out in all her dress up stuff at once. Unfortunately (?) a lot of the accessories have already gotten lost or broken, but some days she still manages to princess up. I dunno where she gets that because I never was a girly girl dress up type. Maybe she gets it from her Aunt Pennie, whom always paints her nails so pretty. I'm guessing it was all that girly nail stuff that finally got her to quit sucking her fingers all on her own. The callouses on her fingers where her teeth always hit are finally softening and peeling away. So proud of her for giving it up. For a little purple nail polish, it's worth it to be girly sometimes.

Dinner Conversation

Brandon has gone out of town for a couple of days for a work conference and the kids and I get some time to talk to each other around the dinner table. Zoey is really starting to become quite observant, it's funny some of the things she says.

Zoey: Can I have a cupcake now?
Me: No, you barely ate anything. You need to eat more dinner.
Zoey: awwww! Did you eat all your dinner?
Me: Yes, see there is nothing left on my plate. I can have a cupcake.
Zoey: No, cupcakes are for big girls.
Me: I'm not a big girl?
Zoey: No, you are too old to be a big girl and cupcakes are only for girls.
Me: Awesome.  I'm old.

And in another strain of conversation.

Zoey: Where's Daddy at?
Me: He went to Louisana for work for a few days.
Zoey: Daddy's name is Brandon
Me: Yes it is.
Zoey: and my name is Zoey Masten and Ian's name is Ian Masten and Lowla's name is Lowla Masten.
Me: What's my name?
Zoey: *pause* Your name is Mommy Masten.
Me: *laugh* I guess so. My name is Melanie.
Zoey: oooOOOoohhh.

Nailed It!

Since I've gone back to work I've done several demos and calls over the web to talk about my awesome application and convince companies that they need it. I get a little nervous about those, but not really so bad since I can wear whatever I want and be in the comfort of my own home while I perform the demo. It takes a lot of stress out of the situation.

I'm not sure how much is appropriate to say about who the companies involved are so I give you this key:

Company G - The company I contract for.
Company S - Our partner company we typically get clients from to sell my software
Company V - Purchased our software while I was not working for Company G
Company C - Newest potential client.


Recently my boss called and asked if I could do a demo locally here in Houston for a rather large potential client, Company C. I of course accepted, then the freaking out began. I hadn't had a haircut in almost 18 months, all of my old work clothes had since been thrown out because they didn't fit, were faded or Brandon found something else wrong with them. He's such a clothing natzi! For this particular demo we were working in conjunction with another local company, Company S, that we have worked with before and I had a pre demo with them to boost their confidence I would do a good job. As it happened, after I left Company G when I got pregnant with Ian, they gave a demonstration of the software to Company V and it was an embarrassing disaster, although Company V still bought the software (yep, the software is THAT awesome...maybe I'm biased). Company S was really upset about how it all went down and did not want the same thing to happen at this demo for Company C. So not only do I feel very frumpy and unpolished, I also have these huge expectations to do a good job hanging over me.

The week before the demo I fretted about trying to find some appropriate clothes, and I'm just gonna take a minute here to rant. Finding nice professional stuff for someone my size is basically impossible. Any normal common store like Target or Kohls or even your big department stores like Dillards and JC Penney have a severe lack of selection for small women. In most brands I wear an XS or size 2 or less. I seriously seriously HATE the marking system for women's clothes. It's perfectly worthless! I would much rather buy my clothes like men do, with a measurement! It makes so much more sense. One of the biggest reasons I LOVE sewing clothes. You can make all the alterations so it fits perfect. It's too bad our local fabric stores just don't carry the variety of materials best suited for apparel. What they do have is so limited. I can't order fabric online, I have to touch it to know I'll love it. Back to purchased clothing. Even when I do find clothes that are my size, the fit usually isn't flattering or comfortable. Hence, I hate, HATE, HAAATTTEEE clothes shopping! Ask Brandon, I think in the almost 7 years we've been married, I've gone seriously clothes shopping maybe 3 times. Thanks to a recommendation from my SIL I went to Ann Taylor LOFT in Kingwood and it was like a dream! I couldn't believe how WELL the clothes fit, and the amount of clothes in my size, the professional grown up styles. I was totally in heaven, but they were pricey, even with their 40% off sale. I picked up a pair of slacks, a pair of jeans, and a classic white button shirt. The next 2 hours I spent at the mall finding shoes and some additional shirts. Sears carried some nice shirts my size. I finally went home exhausted but feeling more confident.

The days leading up to the demo I spent hours going over every possible event in the application to make sure it all worked exactly like I expected. I set up two instances in case one failed I would have a backup. I usually do all my development on our office desktop machine so I ran into several issues when I installed a compact instance on my laptop, but I did get it all working just like I expected. Night before I went to bed quite confident. I'd done everything I could possibly do to make sure this demo went off without a hitch. Strangely, I didn't feel too nervous.

Demo day comes and I don't have a single issue, I find the location with ease, no problems setting up the demo. All the introductions went well. The discussion was great, and the demo worked perfectly, not a single thing went wrong, except at the very end when we were having closing discussions I couldn't stop coughing no matter how much water I drank. Thankfully I decided last minute to bring my "drugstore" I usually keep in my purse and a cough drop saved the day. Company C was very interested and eager to have the software but they required another meeting with corporate. So I'll go back in a couple weeks to give another demo and answer technical questions. Company S's faith was restored in Company G and they were very happy at the outcome of this meeting. It was awesome!

At the end of the day I was completely exhausted from being on high alert for so long but it was worth it. I feel very accomplished and I LOVE what I do! I love being a mom and I love working and I love that I can do both! I couldn't have all this without an amazing supportive husband, who took care of the kids while I was gone, and takes care of them weekly when I work in the evening.

Final Answer

Since the moment I found out I was pregnant with my daughter Zoey, I dreaded potty training. I'd just heard so many stories and it all really comes down to the will of the child, which is something I can't control, which freaks me out. I like to be in control, can you tell?

Although Zoey hasn't worn diapers for 6 months, even at night, I've refused to consider her potty trained because every day was still a fight. The bribing and the forcing to go potty, constant guessing when she really needed to go because she wouldn't tell me if she did. We started working on potty training with her at I guess about 21 months. It wasn't long before I figured out with her this was going to be a really....really...really long process. But today I come before you and give you my final answer, she's potty trained! She will tell me every time she needs to go potty then run there by herself, pee, wipe, and wash her hands all by herself. No night time accidents. Okay, on occasion she still does pee a tiny bit in her panties before she makes it to the potty, but she'll go upstairs and get clean undies and put them on all by herself.

 I'm so glad it's finally over, just in time to start all over again for Ian. Is there no rest for the weary? I think he'll pick it up faster once we're serious about it. One can hope at least.

Another discovery I made during this process was the choosing of the potty training seat was so frustrating and bothersome. If you're potty training or about to start, let me save you the trouble. I recommend 100 times over any other product, this one:

Mayfair NextStep built in potty seat

Skip the separate small potty, skip the universal separate potty seats. This one is all you'll ever need while you have tiny bums in the house, and my kids are tiny so I expect it will get much use for the next few years. I tried 3 different seats before this one and they were all bulky, slippery, heavy, stinky, or otherwise annoying to use. I basically stopped using any bathroom the kids would because I couldn't stand going in there and removing the seat or moving the kiddy potty, which always resulted in getting pee on me somehow. I thought boys were supposed to be the messy pee-ers but Zoey somehow manages to get it all over. I don't know how. After I bought and installed this all in one, the bathroom doesn't stink anymore, I don't get pee on me, Zoey doesn't get red marks from sitting on it too long, she can put it up and down all by herself, and all her pee always ends up in the potty and not on the potty seat. The lid on the toilet closes all the way. and the whole contraption, both seats snap on and off for easy cleaning. It's just fabulous. Ian likes it too and he hasn't had any problems using it to go potty either. Win Win Win. I'm buying another one for the kids' bathroom upstairs.

A Whole Bunch of Crock

Brandon has been working for ExxonMobil now for 5 years and that company is not called the golden handcuffs for nothing. They really take care of their workers. Benefits are great, compensation is fabulous, and they're always offering gifts and incentives. For Brandon's 5 year anniversary at Exxon he was allowed to choose a gift from a pretty large catalog. Most of the stuff was meh ok, but there was also a pretty nice crock pot in the mix. I have one pretty old, small crock pot that I got from a couple in our ward when we first got married. I was always kind of interested in getting a newer one with a removable bowl and a few more features. The day after Brandon brings his gift home I decide to take it for a spin for dinner that night. I found a well reviewed whole chicken recipe, prepped it up and set it to cookin' on low for 7 hours.

The verdict: meh, it's ok. Brandon really liked the chicken, but I sure wish I had used my usual baked chicken recipe. It was very tender, like stuff in a slow cooker should be. I need to work on my crock skills. Every time I make something in there I never really like it as much as I'm expecting to. I'm asking you, what are your favorite slow cooker recipes?

Adventures in Woodworking

Brandon had mentioned before in the past that he might be interested in learning to do woodworking. I have always hoped to encourage hobbies other than video games. I don't have much against video games, they're good stress relievers and fun to play, but sometimes you need a hobby that is enriching to your mind, has useful skills and invokes a real sense of accomplishment.

For Christmas Santa brought Brandon a new drill, hammer drill, and a nice ratchet set. The first thing he asks is what should I build with my new tools? Some brainstorming went on and we decided on making a bench to put in the hallway to organize our shoes and make a convenient seat for putting on shoes. For years we've had just a large wicker basket to hold our shoes and up until recently, all the kids shoes plus the 4 pairs of shoes Brandon always wants in the basket, it just wasn't enough room and Ian had really taken to dumping out all the shoes so he can flip the basket over and stand on it to reach things on the counter (who teaches these kids these things?!).

We both came up with a general design we liked and then Brandon worked out all the measurements and details and purchased the materials. The bench is 18"x16"x6' has 6 cubbies on each end and a large open space in the center. Each cubby is large enough to fit an adult pair of shoes side by side. Brandon decided to make it from solid pine with oak cubby dividers and stained in pecan. He wanted a darker stain like cherry, so I don't know why he chose a pecan stain. I guess he figured the soft pine would absorb more stain than it did. It looks fine anyway. The whole assembly is grooved, glued, and screwed. It's not gonna fall apart anytime soon. We learned after the fact how to route a straight groove through the center of the piece of wood so he had to do a lot of wood filling to close up the gaps in the seams. It's not too noticeable unless you're looking for it.

When it came down to sanding it before staining, it sat in the garage un worked on for several days. I know how these projects go when you get to your least favorite part of it. After the excuses kept flying, I went ahead and did all the prep sanding myself so Brandon could get right to staining and the garage could be restored to order. It really bugs me when things are out of place and especially half finished! So he spent all day Saturday staining it up, the most beautiful day ever. It was like the perfect spring day. Seriously, is it really winter? While he was doing that I went out to find just the right set of baskets for the center space. After digging through and measuring about a billion baskets at Michaels, I found the perfect pair. These baskets were made just for this bench. Better still they were 50% off. When it was all done and put together, we brought it in and it fit the space perfectly. The shoes fit in just right, the kids were so excited to use the new peice of furniture that they both went running all over the house to find every shoe possible to put in the bench. When Zoey asked what the baskets were for, I told her they were for socks and hats and gloves and the like she immediately went upstairs to find socks to fill them. So funny. I just hope its a while before Ian realizes he can take those baskets out and dump them out and flip them over to reach things on the counter :-P

Funny thing is he only briefly used his Christmas drill, but no other Christmas tools for the project. I think it cost about $140 for the bench. Pretty good price for a solid piece of custom furniture. Brandon is pretty proud of how it turned out ad I really like it too. For a first project with no prior experience, it's downright amazing. We learned a lot, I see plenty of future projects. I intended to take pictures of the whole process of the bench building but somehow that didn't happen so here's the finished product.

Brandon probably should have wrote this blog himself, be he said men don't blog, so check the comments, I'm sure he has something to say for all this.

Happy New Year!

Ok So I know that is sooo yesterday, but I'm sending the new years wishes out to ya'll anyway! We had a really fun time setting off $250 worth of fireworks at my brother's house to ring in the new year. Can you tell Brandon feels a little repressed growing up in Maryland where fireworks are illegal? Well, since we have small children, we set everything off before 8:30 and the kids were in bed for 9. I wasn't feeling too well myself and I went to bed at 10. Our neighborhood doesn't allow fireworks, and in the past New Years and 4th of July the neighborhood stays pretty quiet. I'm thinking this year everyone felt really deprived because of the burn ban in July because no one cared if they got a slap on the wrist, EVERYONE was setting SOMETHING off in our neighborhood. That was even more apparent when midnight rolled around and woke me from my sleep. I'd say there was a solid 20 minutes of constant popping, booming, whistling and crackling. It seems to be a tradition for me, but I always start off the new year with being sick. So far I have to say this new year sucks, but I'm optimistic for the rest of the year.

And for your enjoyment, Zoey's version of "Wheels on the Bus"

the babies on the bus go say wah wah wah
the Zoeys on the bus go say shh shh shh
the mommies on the bus go say shh shh shh

Love that kid.