September 28, 2005
Child Labor
I figure as long as I'm watching another child, I might as well put them to work! Just kidding of course. Playing in the water and "doing dishes" has kept these two occupied longer than any other activity that we've done this morning. I got out markers and tried to get some stuff done and two minutes later Chris wondered into the office "all done". Then I got out the flash cards to look at and two minuted later, "all done". So I finally agreed to let them wash dishes and its been great, at least lasting 15 minutes now.
It's actually easier having another toddler around, Lizzie is occupied and has a playmate other than myself.
Poor little Julia is napping, she's got a new tooth in and has been pretty miserable these past few days. I don't remember it being this tramatic with Lizzie. I'd feel in her mouth and find several new teeth at once. But with Julia, she's coughing and fussy and yesterday lost her entire breakfast. Poor gal.
They are now both soaked and ready to move on to something else, but it was well worth it.
Posted by JennR at 10:49 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
September 26, 2005
Designer's Dilemma
I often get caught in between doing what a client has asked and designing what I think will look good. I hate making changes to a project when its against every grain in my creative being. I don't think that I have the perfect eye for all things creative and visual but I know when a color is way off or a header or title is too big. It just seems like such a loss. I've learned over the years not to become attached to things that I design because it can be changed in an instant. Whats worse than that senario is when a client already has an idea of what they want something to look like. Actually this can work for or against you depending upon how passionate they are about their idea. It can make the job easier since you don't have to do much creative brainstorming (they already have a direction) or it can be harder because you can't seem to match what they have pictured in their head.
I guess I could just have the attitude that I have the skills to get the job done and I should do exactly as they want- whether its good or bad design. It seems like a waste of a Fine Arts degree to approach things that way.
Making the best of each different project specs and trying to please the client is probably all I can do . . . after all, I'm still getting paid for it even if I hate it and they love it!
Posted by JennR at 10:13 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Bitter mother produce bitter daughters
I read the following earlier this morning:
"Giving, caring parents create giving, caring children. Frustrated, anxious, and fearful parents reproduce themselves. Bitter mothers who teach their daughters to be sweet and kind still produce bitter daughters."
"The first rule of child training is to decide what you want your child to be become and then become that very person yourself. The second rule of child training is don’t complain or be surprised when they turn out to be just like you."
That quote is off the site www.nogreaterjoy.org a ministry about parenting. It's one that I go to every once in a while. It's a bit more extreme than I want to be but there are some great parenting points.
I come back to this idea that my daughter to some extent is going to be a reflection of the type of person that I am, and some times that really puts the pressure on a bit. We try to point them in God's direction as much as possible and I realize that His influence is greater than my own- but I'm talking about all the small situations where she is watching how I handle things and she's mimicking me. She's listening while I talk on the phone and she's watching how I respond to her Dad and I wonder, am I being glorifying to God and am I respecting Andy like I expect her to respect him?
It's such a sobering thought. One that reminds me that I will never accomplish it in my own power and I need to be more reliant on God's wisdom and His Word.
Posted by JennR at 5:24 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
September 22, 2005
This one's for you JLG
Finally after much harassment I am posting a blog. It took me several weeks to even come up with a name and will probably take several more to design the thing since I am html illiterate. I wonder if I stocked my frig with diet cokes if Josiah would come and give me a quick lesson? This is definately out of my design expertise.
"Uh-oh mommy" was inspired by a potty training incident and that's along the same lines of things I'll probably blog about, life with a 2 year old and 6 month old. "Uh-oh mommy" ranks up there with my other favorite phrase "I be careful mommy" which is a fun one to hear when you're stuck in another room doing something. She sounds so reassuring and confident and I never know what she's doing when she yells that to me- transferring her cereal bowl from the kitchen table to the coffee table or juggling knives?
I'll probably be blogging about my frustration with the LOST cliff hangers and why I keep tuning in each week and putting myself through the torture. It's almost getting scary too, if they continue to run around in the woods in the dark, I don't know if I can handle it. When it was over I made Andy stand at the top of the stair going down to our basement so I could change the laundry because I was so spooked. (did I just admit that?)
If I'm not knee deep in diapers then I'm on the computer trying to do some freelance design. Most of my blogs will probably begin "well, I should be working right now. . "or "Andy is watching the kids and thinks I'm in here working". Of course its the typing that usually gives me away. Not much of that goes in photoshop and quark.
So excuse the stale and generic site for now, I have such dreams for its potential. Maybe this weekend I'll just sit down and read directions- YUCK.
Ok, now I really have to get some work done, nap time is only another 45 minutes.
Posted by JennR at 4:18 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack