PATENT PENDING

My husband is an inventor. He has an extensive pallet of interests in this field but most revolve around new and innovative forms of energy, transportation, weaponry and communication. He is brilliant and I often find myself being inspired to invent (or at least hypothesize) as well!

Well, he calls it ADD and it usually involves me interrupting his detailed explanation of whatever he is working on to excitedly present my own. This, I am sure, gets frustrating for him, but he takes it well and usually spends about 30 seconds quickly and gently debunking me theory.

Like this morning, for example. As he was drawing many a fascinating squiggles and variously angled lines to assist in describing the functions of his theoretical device, I had a brilliant, world changing epiphany regarding renewable (or dare I say "free") energy.

He paused to hear out my amazing discovery. It is as follows:

I suggested creating a bowl shaped reservoir with a wall (like a dam) straight across along its diameter. One side of the "bowl" would be filled to the top with water while the other side is empty. Then to create energy in the same a way a dam would, just open a door at the base of the dam and let the water flow in until that side is full. Then repeat in reverse! You wouldn't have to rely on weather, but just reuse the same water over and over again.

Well, Adam quickly explained to me (in simple picture form to hold my attention) why that would not work. As I'm sure you have figured out, letting out the water from one side would only fill up the other side until the two levels of water are even, therefore creating basically a giant swimming pool rather than a renewable energy source.

Even in the wake of my deflated discovery, I have pressed onward, certain that soon one of my ideas will make it past my first level of peer review (aka: Adam).

And one has! Its slightly more selfish then my search for a free energy source, but in the spirit of capitalism, I think its an untapped source of incredible wealth. It came to me as Adam was describing someone's idea for a massive solar energy plant. With great charisma my sudden epiphany grabbed me by the brain and shook me until I took heed of its incredible possibilities. With all this interest in finding environmentally friendly forms of renewable energy (like solar, wind, etc.) comes a huge financial opportunity to take advantage of!

Which is: I need to claim the sun.

Its brilliant. All organizations, corporations and governments utilizing the sun's benefits will then be required to pay me royalties.

All I need now is a nonflammable flag and an auto piloted rocket.

All Rights Reserved

The Good Job Guru

Upon Adam's arrival home last night, Caleb tells him, "good job flying jets." He is very good at positive reinforcement. He is also very polite. When I tell him I love him he replies with, "thank you." When he kisses me he follows it with, "you're welcome."

He is always telling me "good job" throughout the day. Like when I get him the juice he's been asking for, or when I put his shoes on to go outside.

With all this positive reinforcement, he's training me pretty effortlessly.

Speaking of training... I have begun the potty training process. Technique of choice: Candy. Yes, I bribe my child. Tell me a better way to get a 2.5 year old boy to stop playing with his toy jets and other household objects to tinkle in a plastic chair when sitting in his own waste doesn't seem to phase him.

I have a feeling the female is going to be a lot easier in that regard. She despises a wet or dirty diaper and doesn't hesitate in telling me about it in the loudest way she knows how. The minute the diaper change begins, she is all smiles. She also enjoys bath time and getting her clothes changed. She's so stereotypical.

On a fresher note, Caleb is both lovingly affectionate and an extremely generous big brother. As you can see from this picture...

Jael is never without sufficient blankets, toys and kisses.

Purely Hypothetical

"I have an idea, but you'll need to just hear me out." When Adam says phrases like this I get concerned. As I did about two months ago when he said something along those lines followed by, "instead of renting, we could live in an RV to save money." I vehemently fought such a notion and tried to change his mind. That is until I toured some of the rental options offered here in Virginia Beach. Our price range was slightly lower so that we could put money aside for a down payment on a house in South Carolina. With that in mind, we still were figuring about $1000-$1200 a month. But for such a price we could getting nothing better than old, worn out, beaten up, un-kept and bug infested 2 bedroom/1 bath apartments or small houses. One house had an incredibly horrible moth infected tree out front, which was void of any leafage due to it's inhabitants. The house was also thoroughly infected. Suddenly the RV didn't sound like an all bad idea. In fact as soon as I saw my husband I was nearly begging him to buy me one.

So here I sit, in my dining room/office/living room/kitchen. And I don't at all mind. It keeps things simple since most of our stuff had to stay in storage. I like simple. And I like all the windows.

Between The Sniffles and Chicken Soup, I Shall Blog

Caleb turned 2 years old on April 25th. Adam turned 30 years old on May 23rd. Our marriage turned 3 years old on May 26th. Dash "2" is now 7 months along and kicking furiously at my rib cage. I think he/she wants out as much as I want he/she out. My cravings mostly involve lemon and cake, together. Excepting an odd craving I don't remember experiencing during my last pregnancy. The craving to smell: Windex, the new fresh smelling Dishwasher liquid soap I found, and of course, Sharpies. On several occasions I have said to myself, "I should clean the bathroom" knowing the only reason for such a thought is to smell the Windex while cleaning the mirror... twice. I have had to resist the urge when passing a Sharpie, to rip off the cap and inhale deeply or take a whiff of the dishwasher soap as I squirt it into the trays.

Adam's mom was in town for a few weeks to help us out with Caleb. Caleb called her "Monka," affectionately. He still walks to the guest room door from time to time and calls, "Monka, Monka!" Poor guys is heartbroken when I have to explain to him again that Monka had to go home to Grandpa. He enjoyed having her here very much.

We had a garage and bake sale while Monka was here as well. We sold almost all of our junk which was such a great feeling! Not to mention raking in the dough. Monka and I made homemade Apple Butter and canned it (for future reference- homemade, canned salsa would have done much better here). We made lots of different kinds of cookies (including lemon filled cookies that were definitely my favorite). And I even tried my hand at fudge. One batch turned out. One did not, so much. But it was all a learning experience and we made a little extra money on top of it.

Our efforts were promptly turned into a 50" flat screen HD television.

Adam is now Carrier Qualified as of June 13th. He was flown out commercially to Jacksonville, FL on the 9th. He saw the USS George W.H. Bush from the cockpit of the T-45 after flying solo about 100 miles off shore. He caught the target wire his first landing. Such a stud. :)

That Sick Feeling in the Pit of Your Stomach?

Its the sensation you feel as our beloved country spirals rapidly down the socialist drain. Please make it stop. I'm going to be sick...

Nothing Comes To Mind

I just know I need to write something. Its been months and much has happened.

Discovering we are pregnant with Baby Stoll No. 2. Trying to keep our special secret quiet until Christmas when we would deliver the news to family and friends. The holiday season and beginning of a new year. Morning sickness, expanding belly, heartburn and endlessly craving Skittles. Purchasing a VW diesel Golf. Selling of the beloved Suburban - You will be missed. Procrastinating through entire first trimester before setting up Doctor's appointment. Arriving at Doctor's office and being forced to wait away entire morning. Getting uninhibited looks of disgust from the nurse (or whatever she was) for opting out of an ultrasound and reprimanded by another along with threats of not being seen by the Doctor. More waiting. Doctor is kind and understands our reasoning unlike robotic, by-the-book drones working on his staff. The joining of a writing group to stay motivated in one of my favorite hobbies. The finishing of Phase 1 of flight school by Husband. Preparing for Husband to be very busy and gone for days at a time. Feeling the need to sleep constantly through the day. Chasing after two year old who's favorite word is "No" and favorite pass time is dismantling all kitchen cupboards within reach. Dreaming of remodeling the house when tax return is received. More Skittles. And Girl Scout Cookies. Discovering that just about everyone is pregnant and many are due around the same time that I am. Interesting...