If you like sci-fi / fantasy shows, give this a spin: our friend Marc executive- produced a web-only series called Sanctuary. From what I understand, some of the cast and crew are from Stargate and it was all created in Vancouver. Have a look!
A friend has lately been sending me links from a website service called Stumble Upon.
It's basically a browser extension that acts as a "smart" search engine, matching your pre-defined preferences (for instance Movies, Chocolate) with websites other Stumble Upon users have ranked rated. As they advertise, it lets you "channel surf" topics according to your interests by clicking the "Stumble!" button.
Pretty neat, I've been telling enough people about it that I thought I might as well do a post.
Reed passed along this cool website that he said Gen liked, so I thought I'd put it up here for the rest of the parents:
http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/index/play.htm?f
Thanks Reed! We just discovered the interactive games at Sesame Place, so this'll be another handy destination.
What a great fall! Big orange pumpkin moon tonight, and it's been in the 50s during the day. Plus we've had spectacular sunsets for the past two weeks. Hope everyone else is enjoying it too!
I'm happy to report the inspiration for our website, The Trixie Update, is back in action after a nine-month hiatus and funnier than ever.
There are a lot of things to admire about The Trixie Update (the comic writing talent, great photos, all the neat little features), but I envy most is how focused it is.
While Sophie and now Josie provide most of our inspiration for posts, you can tell by looking at our Categories that The Ranch is all over the place: birthdays, books, commentaries, endorsements, games, movies, music, recipes, restaurants, trips... I don't even know what some of them mean anymore! We should probably take a pass at cleaning that up a bit.
At any rate, head over to check in on Trixie when you get a chance!
Just a quick mention before I run to bed, my amazing and talented sister has been hard at work creating some beautiful handbags that the folks in her town can't get enough of. They're currently featured at Just Joy Gifts & Accessories and soon to be available to a wider audience on her website.
I'm so proud of her!
A few months ago, Brandie told me she had seen some paintings by a local artist that she wanted me to have a look at. When we got back to the coffee shop where they were on display though, we found a new installment had replaced the paintings. The coffee shop staff were very helpful in giving us the artist's name and number, and tonight we finally visited his studio to view the piece she liked and others.
I instantly loved the painting Brandie had picked out (Winter Mist, above), which we ended up going home with as a Mother's Day present for her. We'd love to get more and may someday, but we wanted to share the link in case anyone else wanted to pick some up.
With all due respect to my wife, an extraordinary baker, and my step-mother, who makes The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever(TM), Najla makes some damn fine cookies. Now available in your local grocery, use the Najla's Near You feature on her website to find out where you can buy them. My favorite is the Chocolate Walnut Espresso, but I don't think you can go wrong. It went against my better judgement, but a quarter-pound cookie really is excessive so don't feel bad cutting them in half before baking.
So I was thinking about all of the things that I never knew I would need, want or have to have during my pregnancy and thought I would make a post about it.
TUMS: Ultra
My Dr. in California used to have a candy dish in the waiting room full of rolls of Tums so I rarely purchased them, however, this time around, Jake got me the industrial size at Sam's club. They are great! I never experienced heartburn before being pregnant and I sincerely look forward to it disappearing once this is over.
Tylenol Extra Strength
I have struggled with leg cramps at night my whole life but during my pregnancies, I get them so severely that I will keep Jake up at night with my constant stretching and shifting trying to get the cramps worked out. So I take two Tylenol a couple nights a week and it helps me get to sleep. It can't stop the charlie horses that come on suddenly in the middle of the night but I have yet to find a cure for that.
Maternity Pillow from The Company Store
During both my pregnancies I have had trouble sleeping toward the end. You finally get comfortable with one pillow under your head, one under your chin and arm, one between your knees and then you fall asleep and wake up with the entire side of your body falling asleep. So you turn, readjust, repeat about 20 times per night. This great design is actually two pillows connected by a sling in the middle so you place one under your enormous belly and the other behind your lower back. This gives you great support and also makes it easy to readjust should you need to turn over. The benefit I have found is that it actually wedges me in one spot and supports my stomach enough that my side doesn't fall asleep.
Naps
This is the hardest one for me, in fact, Sophie is sleeping now and here I am typing a blog entry rather than taking a nap that I need. I always seem to find something to do with the spare minutes no matter how tired I am. The thing is, realizing that there is always going to be something to do no matter how many hours of the day you keep yourself moving and surrendering to that is the best advice I can give. So, if you are tired, and you need a nap, lay your head on your desk, go to your car, sit on the couch or your bed and take a nap. In fact, I am heading to the couch now in order to get some sleep.
