missourimisery

Check out my Facebook profile

2008-07-18T13:32:00.001-05:00

facebook

Currie Jackson has:

37 friends
14 wall posts
2 groups

Check out my Facebook profile

I set up a Facebook profile where I can post my pictures, videos and events and I want to add you as a friend so you can see it. First, you need to join Facebook! Once you join, you can also create your own profile.

Thanks,
Currie

Here's the link:
http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=517833972&k=ZWG2P4SRW6YM5ACIXA42WW&r&v=2

This e-mail may contain promotional materials. If you do not wish to receive future commercial mailings from Facebook, please opt out. Facebook's offices are located at 156 University Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301.

FW: Be afraid....be very afraid

2008-05-02T18:48:00.001-05:00

Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 04:58:43 -0700
From: poormansdecorator@yahoo.com
Subject: Fw: Be afraid....be very afraid
To: slocum70@msn.com; defer@cals.arizona.edu; christensundberg@yahoo.com; currielikethespice@hotmail.com; denniegirld@yahoo.com; az.hobo@msn.com; dzine_klp@yahoo.com; larryrichman08@comcast.net; lap12@comcast.net; brooklyn776@q.com; dslocum5@cox.net; mtveten@cox.net; sandy55mike@earthlink.net; louiest212@yahoo.com; traci_slocum@intuit.com; westwardgeneral@cox.net

Thought this was worth passing on...draw your own conclusions...

This is a must view. It is about 13 minutes long so view it when you have the time.

Subject: Obama Video

Jason Mitchell is a local Raleigh filmmaker and friend of mine. He and his firm produced the short film that you will find attached. Whether you agree with his position or not I think you will find it interesting and well done. View it and pass it along as you see fit.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zUdjhKbImwE

The link above is an excellent new video about presidential candidate Barack Obama. We're trying to spread the word on YouTube like we have on Eyeblast.tv, which has already gotten over 400,000 views in the past 2 weeks. If you find this video useful, please help get the word out and forward it to as many people as you possibly can. Key figures have told us that this video has the potential to really change things, if we can get enough people to watch it. Thanks for your help.

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

Back to work after baby– how do you know when you're ready?

Dog

2006-07-13T10:18:00.000-05:00

I've been remiss to post again, I know. Work has been busy, blah, blah, blah. Here's a couple of pictures of the kids and out new dog, Sadie.

Sadie's a good dog, if just a bit annoying. We got her from Wayside Waifs, a local animal rescue shelter. She has a tendency to wander off, but she's pretty calm and good with the kids.

I'll bug Currie to take some more pictures this weekend, which I'll neglect to post for another several weeks.

Pic's

2006-04-13T10:08:00.000-05:00

Well, we got a couple of pictures of the kids taken at a hoyty-toyty photography shop. THEY.ARE.AMAZING. And really expensive. We actually got a free sitting a 8x10 as a promotion through a children's store, otherwise we wouldn't even have been able to afford that. If you interested, and have some cash laying around that you didn't get a chance to burn, here's the link. The name you need to enter is Currie Jackson.

Dad's Night

2006-04-06T13:05:00.000-05:00

I got the chance to go to a Father's night at Rylie's preschool the other night. It was really pretty fun. Her teacher (Ms. Leek) and the teacher's assistant (also named Ms. Leek) were very nice and took us through an abbreviated day to show us all the stuff they do.

Everyone has one of a series of jobs every day. For example there's the weather person, whose job it is to look out the window and tell everyone what the weather is. And the flag person who holds the American flag while they sing a little Pledge-of-Allegiance-like song. There's also a calendar person, wand person (line leader), caboose (line ender), ect. Everyday they rotate so they have always have a new job.

The Spanish teacher showed us how they learn Spanish words using songs. Rylie still refuses to demonstrate her command of the Spanish language, but I know she knows it. I've seen her point out her ojos and el estomacho.

They also had an short Physical Ed class, strangely named MIF (movement is fun). They stretch and balance and chase balloons around the room. It was pretty cute to see 15 four year olds chasing balloons around a church banquet room.

The last thing we did was go back upstairs to their class and look at cards they made us. Each child drew a picture of their father on the front of their card and answered a few questions on the inside (Ms. Leek and Ms. Leek wrote down their answers). Ms. Leek read the cards and the dad's took turns trying to figure out which one was theirs. A teacher reading Rylie's words in front of a group of her classmate's parents: what could possibly go wrong?

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO READ THE INSIDE.

Anniversary

2006-03-27T14:25:00.000-06:00

This weekend marked the 6th anniversary of our marriage. Suzie, our regular babysitter, picked up the kids in the Saturday morning and took them to see Nemo on Ice. Ted and Sheri took them for the rest of the day and overnight. We thus had one of the rarest occurrences in our marriage, particularly in the last four years: a day to ourselves without the kids.

We went to breakfast with all my inlaws: Ted, Sheri, Brice, and Jodi. Afterwards, Currie and I attempted to walk off our egg and sausage induced stupor with some light shopping, followed by a drink at on the patio of a Plaza restaurant. It was there that we learned a new equation:

freetime + no childrearing responsibility + beautiful spring day + one day after payday + well stocked bar = a vanishing afternoon.

Who would have thought?

We rolled ourselves out of there hours later into the worst possible situation: my judgment was impaired, she was fueled by premium liquor, and we were standing in the retail epicenter of the Midwest. Before I knew it we were bouncing from store to store, starting fitting rooms, finding coordinating accessories, salespeople fluttered around us like flies on a carcass.

Once I was completely shell shocked and she was beautifully adorned, we retired to comfort of a nap. We woke up after dark, already late for our evening plans.

We met up with some friends for the fashion show of a local clothing company. I was very fun, if not the most romantic evening ever envisioned. We followed up with a couple drinks and snacks at our favorite pub with some friends and a new acquaintance Rob. He runs Justice for Children International, so the night was kind of a downer once I asked him about work.

We ended up home, safe and sound, missing our kids around midnight.

Weather... it's all I can think of to write about.

2006-03-24T16:41:00.000-06:00

Spring is springing slowly around here. The kids get a day or two out in the yard to enjoy the sun, but it's quickly followed by cold, rain and/or snow. This weekend looks like it'll be in the 50's and 60's.

Here are a couple of pictures from the other night to get you through the weekend.

Catching up

2006-03-21T16:26:00.000-06:00

Hey- how have you been. I know it's been a long time, and I haven't returned any of your messages, and things ended abruptly and everything. But listen, I thought we could catch up. I could show you a bunch of pictures of what's been going on around here, and you could promise not to avoid me anymore. No, no. I don't blame you at all. I would have avoided me too.

anywho, here's a peace offering in the form of a photoset. It's just a couple of snapshots that I took since the last time we chatted. Why you're looking it over, I'll try to think up some things to say and we can pick up right where we left off.

Sorry

2006-01-17T16:48:00.000-06:00

I know that I haven't updated the site in a while and I'm sorry. I hate it when sites never update and you just go there day after day, bring up the same old non-updated site, SCREAM EXPLATIVES AT THE SCREEN, and glare at your co-workers when they look at you over the cube wall.

Anyho. The excuse is that iPhoto is freaking out, and I haven't had a chance to fix it. I know you just come here for the pic's and I have this weird thing about disappointing people, so I've just been avoiding the whole thing altogether. Hopefully, I'll find a chance to get everything fixed soon and you'll see some more of what you love.

Parker's Party

2005-12-14T16:01:00.000-06:00

Parker had a birthday and corresponding party the other day. A good time was had by all, especially him. We braved near record snowfall to eat at the glorious Rainforest Cafe, where Parker amused himself by touching the boobs (his word) of the animatronic apes. Sadly, no pictures of that, but some of him opening presents:

I also have a few miscellaneous pictures of the kids, Bethany's kids, and some schmuck my wife had to go to a party with. Highlights include Rylie's new pink boots and Parker rockin the 'too cool for you' pose with the guitar and glasses.

Princess Party

2005-11-22T14:40:00.000-06:00

Here are a couple of pictures from Rylie's birthday party. Though I wasn't among those in the court, my understanding is that it was fabulious.

Moving On

2005-11-17T11:53:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving is fast upon us. And immediately following will be Parker's birthday. For those thinking ahead, items on his wish list are:

~~A ball, a bat, and a glove (constantly asking for it in that exact order).~~
A tee for the above, ~~and maybe a Longhorns or Astro's hat (no Whitesox please).~~
~~Anything musical, like a guitar, a flute, some bongo's.~~
~~Guns, swords, lasso, ect. are always a good bet.~~
Any Thomas the Train stuff, we're getting him this:

I suggest calling dibbs in the comments.

Also, feel free to use the cute white button in the right hand colum of the screen. That Thomas the Train crap aint cheap.

***UPDATE: well, that worked out well. Looks like everybody picked something, and he'll get everything he wants. This internet thing is going to be huge!***

Asher

2005-11-15T09:29:00.000-06:00

Asher

Grandma would be so proud

***UPDATE*** Okay, Bethany sent me an email. Apparently, I was mistaken. That's not Asher, that's not what Aaron wanted, and she doesn't do that anyways. My bad.***

Annual News Letter

2005-11-07T15:00:00.000-06:00

Rylie turned four this week, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to commemorate it with a long, reflective post; an annual newsletter, if you will. To be honest the idea is not at all original, I got it from one of my favorite sites.

The thing that strikes everyone who knows or meets young Rylie is her affinity for all things pretty, pink and princess. Now this may seem perfectly normal to the creepy people reading this site who have never meet Currie or myself. But those of you who know us understand that Currie is not particularly girlie. It's not that she's Peppermint Patty, she's just not Miss Piggy either. So this pink obsession kind of caught us by surprise.

The newest thing is the insistence on wearing only skirts and dresses, and particularly pink dresses, princess dresses or pink princess dresses. The other day Currie had coaxed her into a pair of over-all's, and called me in to reaffirm their cuteness. When she heard me coming, Rylie promptly hid herself in the closet, proclaiming that she didn't want anyone to see her in them. Currie reports that the daily battle over clothes has reached Armageddon proportions.

The other thing about Rylie is that she's strikingly articulate and thoughtful. It's nothing for her to talk to someone on the phone for five minutes. She answers the phone when she can get her hands on it, asks to call people to talk to them, you know, normal 4 year old activities. Additionally, she's strangely thoughtful. Yesterday, Currie's mother was leaving, and Rylie ran to the door and asked her to tell Poppy (Currie's dad) that the picture he gave us was beautiful. Now, Poppy has given us a couple of very nice paintings he did himself, both of which rotate through prominent placement in our living room and receive compliments from our guests. When he gave them to us I said thanks and paid him with beer, and even then only because Currie elbowed me in the kidney. But not Rylie. Four years old and she's got more social graces then most adults.

Over the last year she has also developed a case of the moodies. Now this trait may have some genetic roots, but I was surprised to see it in such a youngin. Exactly what you think of when I say moody: delightful at times, a groggy, hungry bear cub at other times, and changes back and forth with the drop of a tiara. When Rylie was younger, I remember saying something to the effect of 'You know that thing about women needing to speak 10,000 words a day to keep sane, it starts at birth.' The same is true about moods. There's not effective date. It's just part of the standard product.

I'm always telling Currie that Rylie's on her way to becoming an excellent young lady: social graces out the wazoo, can carry a pleasant conversation, and always likes to look good. Not a bad start for the 1st time parents. Not sure we can take all the credit for this freakishly smart and pretty spawn, it's kind of a crap shoot, we just hit our number.

Presents

2005-11-02T08:19:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was Rylies 4th birthday. Here are a couple of pictures of Rylie opening some of her presents (with Parker's help).

Halloween

2005-11-01T13:46:00.000-06:00

Just when you thought the kids on your block were the cutest ever, they're not. Click on the picture for exhibit A:

2005-10-24T16:33:00.000-05:00

Currie came through and bailed me out on this miserable posting drought. She uploaded some pictures.

The first two need a bit of explanation. We have a picture on the fridge of me when I was about six years old. In it I'm sticking my tongue out and doing the na-na-na-na face. In the following pictures, no one prompted Parker, and apparently I didn't have a clue what was going on. Click on the picture for the rest.

Weekend Update

2005-10-24T10:12:00.000-05:00

I can hear everyone screaming ‘POST AN UPDATE, ALREADY,’ at their screens. The truth is, there’s just nothing going on. This past weekend we had dinner at Currie’s parents, worked in the yard on Saturday afternoon, and Currie went out Saturday night while I stayed home with the kids and played videogames. Sunday we skipped church, spent the whole day lying around the house, and I played poker at night. In other words we’re living the Ground Hog weekend. I could have posted this any Monday over the past two months.

It's Cold

2005-10-07T16:09:00.000-05:00

It's cold here. Right now (4:10pm) it's sunny and 54! Tonight were supposed to go downtown for First Fridays and were going to freeze. Hopefully, the cold will keep the crowd down and we can actually find a table and get a drink. Should be the perfect night for a steady stream of irish coffee.

The SCP has a mixed opening that I got a peek at while working with Ryan, but I don't know anything else going on.

I'd promise you a recap tomorrow, but if I leave out all the stuf my mom, step-mom, and mom-in-law can't read, well it's just another boring post.

We're Back

2005-10-04T16:17:00.000-05:00

Well, we made it back to the mid-west safely. The wedding was a delight, and the city of Tucson was as welcoming as a traveler could hope (though sadly ugly and hot). I won't bog you down with a play by play, but suffice it to say that we met many wonderful people, drank lots of cheap and free liquor, and danced more then one night away. Our only disappointment was that we couldn't stay longer, and spend more time with our new-found friends.

The children also survived their respective experiences while we were gone. Parker was at Brice and Jodi's and Rylie was at Ted and Sheri's. Not surprisingly, Rylie came home with a couple of new outfits, and Parker came home with a new pop-gun and a picture of him in a NASCAR. I heard that they had fun, but both missed each other and their parents.

My predictions about Currie proved false. She didn't think about the kids much at all throughout the trip (or at least she didn't vocalize to me about it). However, I will note that doesn't mean she stayed away from the appletini.

So today I'm back to work with two hours of jet lag. Small birthday party tomorrow, lots of social activities late in the week including an opening at the SCP and a poker game (read 'no sleep anytime soon').

Trip pics coming soon, hopefully tonight.

It's an Aer-o-plain

2005-09-29T16:40:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow morning Currie and I are off to sunny Tucson, Arizona to witness the marriage of her longtime friend (and my longtime acquaintance) Kimberly Ward. This means that I’ll be spending my birthday in airports, airplanes, a rental car and a cheap hotel. We’re planning on taking the digi cam and the ‘puter, and I’ll do my best to find some family-friendly moments to blog.

Rylie is staying with Currie’s parents while were gone, and Parker is staying with Brice and Jodi. Currie’s worried about Parker, but I’m sure they’ll be fine. I’m also sure that nothing less then an appletini will make her forget them for any period of time this weekend. She’s in the wedding so she has all kinds of events planned. I however, plan on lying around the hotel in my underwear, reading my new book on poker and drinking cheap beer. FOR FOUR STRAIGHT DAYS.

By the way, last minute gift ideas include: iTunes gift certificate, ebay gift certificates, or just donate to my paypal account by clicking on the button to your right. All of those are instantly delivered to me, and will help me kill some time in Tucson.

Hurricane Update

2005-09-27T13:05:00.000-05:00

Just when we thought everyone dodged the hurricane bullet, we find out that Mom's house it totally destroyed. She said that a tree fell down the length, collapsing the roof, and filling it with water. She and Tim are going to spend some time in Minnesota with Beth and Aaron, since they won't be able to get back into Lake Charles for a couple of weeks.

Luckily the Campfire Ln. house was untouched, and hopefully it'll sell once the city gets back on track.

Hurricane Update

2005-09-23T10:51:00.000-05:00

***I got an email from Donna that Mom and Tim got to Dallas safely last night. They should be out of harms way up there.

Dad on the other hand is staying in Katy. He said that they were going to evacuate to the north, but knew that they couldn't get out of the city. He said it's worse then they show on TV. Grandma Jackson is with them, and he thinks they'll be okay since the storm looks like it's moving east.

I'll keep updates coming as I get them. ***

Weekend Update

2005-09-23T09:50:00.000-05:00

I know that everyone’s minds are on the Hurricane, but I thought I’d give a Kansas City update for those tired of surfing weather.com. The kids are good, as usual. Rylie seems to enjoy preschool, though she doesn’t talk about it much. She’s so talkative, but something about kids talking about what they did in school. It’s weird.

Her new thing in multi-syllabic words and using inflection in her voice. Yesterday she we were watching our neighbor’s puppy and she said “He is so adorable, I just can’t believe it.” I told her that if the word has more syllables then her collective years on earth, she can’t use it. Last week she beat Currie in scrabble.

Parker is starting to talk a lot better also. He is much more demonstrative in his conversation, acting out scenes and filling in words he doesn’t know with actions. He is also fond of voices. He has a high squeaky voice he uses, and a “scary” lion voice he employs. And he likes to say things like WOHOO, and AWESOME. It’s pretty funny.

We’ve started going to a church plant lead by Lloyd Rindels, the guy who lead Masters Commission. This weekend will be week three, and there will probably be a hundred people on his back lawn. It’s good, but Currie and I have never done a church plant before, so we don’t really know what to expect.

There are a couple of art fairs this weekend that Currie wants to check out, but I’m going to try and take it easy the rest of the time. Of course, our Texas relatives are in our prayers, and I’ll keep updates coming as I get them.

Parker's Cute

2005-09-21T08:26:00.000-05:00

frighteningly so, really.

Q - Tip

2005-09-14T14:56:00.000-05:00

Let this be a lesson to all you kids out there. Don’t ever, ever play drunken Jenga. Your mouth just may write checks your body can’t cash:

Standing in the Middle of a Memory

2005-08-26T14:02:00.000-05:00

She was awake before dawn broke, staring at the ceiling. She called various times throughout the night, hoping to get out of bed and start the day. Finally her mother opened the door. It was morning.

The calm turned to chaos. Quickly fixing hair, eating breakfast, bagging the day’s supplies. The clothes had been meticulously chosen the pervious night, put on now with rushed ceremony. She was oblivious to her mother’s heightened emotions, too excited to observe.

They hurried into the car. Her brother focused on his cereal bar, mother trying not to think about the significance of the day. Her tiny mind, already too quick for her age, spinning with anticipation. Nervousness. Excitement.

Two minutes later they were there. Her mother set her on the curb, concentrating on keeping the tears welled up in her eyes, and off her cheeks. She didn’t even notice. “Bye, Mom,” was about all she said with her goodbye hug.

Her hair bounced as she skipped across the threshold. Pink backpack and coordinating shoes. The teachers were more focused on the kid who were upset, and she blended right into her group of classmates. A fish in water.

Bawling on the way home, her mom thought of the strangeness of it all. Childhood, adulthood, parenthood. Moments you dream about, but never think will come. Standing in the middle of a memory.

She poured herself another cup of coffee, pulled her son close and turned on cartoons

2005-08-25T16:02:00.000-05:00

It's raining again today, the fifteenth day in a row. If it gets to 40 days, and I don't hear from God, I'm going to get nervous. It's like we're living in Seattle without the good seafood and all the Asians.

UPDATE: With the thunderstorms overnight, we've now had 55 in of rain in the month of August. Incidentally, every farming county in the western half of Missouri has been declared a natural disaster zone due to the current drought.

Our Kind of People

2005-08-24T08:24:00.000-05:00

Last night we were at the house of some burgeoning friends when the following conversation took place between a mother and her four year old daughter:

Mom: When is it okay to kiss on the lips?

Daughter: After you're married.

Mom: When is it okay to get married?

Daughter: After college.

Mom: Who is it okay to marry?

Daughter: A Republican.

2005-08-23T10:51:00.000-05:00

2005-08-19T11:22:00.000-05:00

All right. All right. Enough already. I know that I haven’t been posting as much as usual and I’m sorry. I’ll make an effort to get back into the swing of things, including more pictures.

The kids are still cute. Parker has been going through a pretty good case of the terrible twos, but he seems to have turned a corner. The past couple of days he hasn’t had a bad attitude ALL the time. He’s still mischievous, pushes the boundaries, pees his pants on purpose, so pretty much just like his dad. He’s totally fearless, likes to fight and wrestle. Last week he beat up the 10 year old on the end of the block and sent him home crying. I’m not joking, the kid went home in tears because PARKER KICKED HIM IN THE HEAD.

Rylie is still freakishly intelligent. I know I don’t have a lot of experience raising 3 year old girls, but should the really be starting sentences with “The problem with Post Modernism is…” She’s supposed to start pre-school soon and I’m trying to prepare for the onslaught of amazement by her teachers. Has anyone written a book on how to raise a genius, because I need to read it.

Currie has been sick for a couple of days, so the kids have had to deal with me during the day. Thankfully for everyone, she’s getting back on her feet. Do you have any idea how much energy it takes to ignore two screaming children while watching reruns of poker on ESPN? Phew.

As for me: working too much is hard. I got in a wreck on the way to work the other day, so I’m looking forward to replacing that girls fender. Luckily for me the weekend is almost here, and all I have to do is catch up on the lawn, clean the basement, scrape and repaint the trim in Parkers new room, change the oil in both the cars, and clip my toe nails.

Pics coming soon.

The Wheels in My Head Keep on Turnin

2005-08-03T16:39:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago we were all riding in the car, when Rylie brought us face to face with a dreaded parental moment: Death.

Rylie: Is your grandpa still dead?

Currie, looking at me like what the hell am I going to say: Yes, once your dead your always dead?

Rylie: How come?

Currie glared at me like answer her, jackass, that's what Dad's are for.

Me: Well, once you go to heaven and see Jesus, it's so great that you never want to come back.

The wheels in Rylie's head were turning, making an audible click, click, click. I looked at Currie as if to say God, I hope she buys that.

Rylie: Can we stop for ice cream?

Parker: YEAH, ICECREAM!

Hello, Jackson's

2005-08-01T16:23:00.000-05:00

I called the house the other day to talk to Currie. I heard the phone pickup, and the kid's TV show in the background, but that's it.

"Hello?"

"Hi, daddy" Rylie chirped back.

"Where's your mother"

"Next door feeding Cramer" (the neighbor's mutt)

"Well, what are you doing..." a typical Father/10-year-old-daughter conversation ensued, ending with "Okay, have your mom call me when she gets back"

"Okay daddy," And with that I hung up the phone.

Five minutes later I hadn't received a call back, so I called he house again. This time, same thing: phone picks up, kids in the background, that's it.

"Hello?" I say again.

"Hi, daddy" I'm in the twilight zone.

"Where's your mother?"

"Downstairs," she says, unenthusiastically.

"Please take her the phone."

Currie comes on the line, "Yeah?"

"Rylie just answered the phone. Twice"

"Yeah," she says, unimpressed, "she does that all the time."

At this point I'm starting to think that either I've gone crazy, or that moron Ashton Kutcher ran out of celebrities and has moved on to me.

"WHATDOYOUMEANSHEDOESITALLTHETIME, SHE'STHREE, SHECANTANSWERTHEPHONE"

"I came home and the phone was off the hook, I figured she was just playing with it"

Because she was bored with the matches and scissors? "Well could you work with her on the 'hello' and the hanging up?"

"Yeah, and we should probably get her a message pad."

Great idea. Really.Great.Idea.

Weekend Update

2005-07-18T14:01:00.000-05:00

We had another hectic weekend. I took Friday off (from the bank) and spent the morning and evening with the kids. We spent Friday night at Lowes and Home Depot, trying desperately to fix the house up before Dad and Cathy come in town for the weekend. Lowes didn't have what I needed, so I called Home Depot to have them check. I decided to go ahead and drive there (20 min away) while I was on oscillating between please hold and let me transfer you. Just as I was pulling up to the parking lot, they told me that the guy I needed was on lunch. Great.

Saturday we went back out to Nebraska furniture mart. We had to pick up the radio we had purchased the weekend prior. It went smooth enough, and Brice and Jodi met us for lunch. On the way home we drove through a couple of neighborhoods and found Currie's Dream house. If anyone wins the lottery YOU BETTER CALL ME.

Currie went to a production of Steel Magnolias with her mother. You know the bullets that one redneck is shooting into the magnolia tree: they are the steel magnolias. I'm not sure exactly what the analogy is, but somehow I missed the whole thing in the Julia Roberts version. Of course, I was twelve, so, you know..Julia, Dolly, Daryl Hannah.

Sunday we went to church and resumed working on the house. That night we had dinner with our new neighbors, the Smiths. Rylie cut out early to spend the night with her grandmother. About 9:00, one of my friends called me because his car was broken down. I rounded up a tow strap and made my way over. Luckily for me, they were in the middle of a poker game when I got there. After we got the car back, I went ahead and took all of their chips for my effort. Of course, it wasn't a cash game. Great.

Today it's back to the grindstone. My boss is out of town for the week, but he left me a nice deadline to remember him by. I think Currie and the kids went to the pool. The real pool not the foul bucket of warm stagnate water that's destroying an eight foot plot of my back lawn. Dinner with the In-Laws tonight, company this weekend.

Life Saver

2005-07-12T09:52:00.000-05:00

We went to the pool over the weekend with the kids. Parker is a dare devil, jumping into the deep end, wading in water up to his chin. He keeps asking me if he can go down the adult slide; it's Waterworld style with spins and a big pool at the bottom. He gets so disappointed when I tell him that he's not old enough yet.

We were walking back from that slide to the kiddy pool through a crowd of 10-15 year old kids. Rylie and Parker are always mesmerized by kids that age. It's like they can recognize they're similar species, but a slightly improved version. It's thus no real surprise that Rylie was watching those kids, not where she was going. She walked right off the edge into the 9ft deep pool. She just took another step, like the sidewalk was right there, and walked right in.

Currie saw the whole thing, and was only a couple of steps behind. She jumped in, hair fixed and all. I was two steps behind Currie, and by the time I got there she was emerging with Rylie and I pulled them out one at a time.

Everyone was pretty shaken up, Currie held it together so as not to freak Rylie out even more. A small crowd of on lookers and concerned parents were mulling around, though Curries heroics impressed the lifeguard so much that totally forgot to GET OUT OF HIS CHAIR (WTF!?!).

Immediately after, Rylie kept pleading with us not to make her go back into the big pool. We repeatedly explained that she fell in, we didn't push her. Now she tells the story of how her mom saved her life, how she fell in the pool and there were bubbles all around.

So, Currie earned the mother-of-the-year award over the weekend. The strange trend in my life of saving a loved one from drowning continues (I'll write more about that some other time).

Parker

2005-07-07T13:37:00.000-05:00

With all the beauty and genius that is Rylie, Parker tends to take a back seat. Not only in his word count, but in the time he demands in the spotlight. I think he prefers not to be as front-and-center as his sister. He's more introspective, more thoughtful, more gentle.

But he also has a mischievous side. So here are a couple of pictures that show both his adorableness and his piss-and-vinegar-ness.

Click for Slideshow

Phew

2005-06-30T08:38:00.000-05:00

Phew- those days of being bored are long (LONG) gone. I started this post at 8:38 am, and I'm finishing it at 4:46, with a to-do list 10 items long, fending off calls, and trying to get 2 minutes with my boss. Here are some pics, more tomorrow, gotta go (click on the kissers).

***UPDATE***
The flickr site seems to be screwed up, and is showing 'no photos' in the slide show. Hopefully it's temporary, but I wanted everyone to know that it's them, not me.

One Dollar a Day

2005-06-28T08:49:00.000-05:00

As some of you know, Parker has taken to jumping out of his crib. Now, we've had this problem before, but this time it's pretty serious. The solution that my wife has come up with is pretty much what we did when Rylie grew out of her crib: ask everyone we know for money. It worked out well before, so we're trying again.

But this time its better.

I put a 'Make a Donation' button over to the right. This allows any reader to send us the kids any amount of money they want. I'll probably keep the link up beyond the current fund raiser, just in case you ever have more money then you know what to do with.

Stay tuned for pic's later today.

What are the chances?

2005-06-24T15:38:00.000-05:00

bug
Originally uploaded by gladdad.

Weekend Update

2005-06-20T13:56:00.000-05:00

We had a lovely fathers day weekend, spending most of Sunday at the Bertram/DeBois/Jackson all-in-one fathers day get together. Brice and Jody hosted lunch for her parents, her sister and brother-in-law, their two small children, his parents (also known as my in-laws), his sister and her family (also known as us). We had a nice lunch, but my cheesy Mexican rice got mixed reviews.

Friday, I took the day off from the Bank and did some work for C&G. That night we dumped the kids at their grandparents and went camping. Now, were not really 'outdoors' people, but some friends twisted our arms. The thing that's neat about camping is the fire; the only bad thing is everything else. I got a million bug bites including two ticks. We didn't get any sleep because Currie was afraid the deer outside our tent were going to trample us. The after dark entertainment consisted of playing telephone with people we didn't know (you know- telephone: the children's game where you sit in a circle and pass a phrase around. WOOOO!). The sun rises really early and the birds scream at you till you get up. We decided that it was the last time were going camping. EVER.

Saturday we got back into civilization and showered. We showered all afternoon. Then we picked up our kids and went to Old Navy and got some pizza. We were very glad to be out of the woods.

Now your up-to-date.

Unfortunately, we don' t have any pictures because we've exceeded our flickr account upload limit. I'll get a pro account in the next couple of days and put up some more.

UPDATE: I wouldn't know, because I haven't actually seen a pay check, but I was informed that the name or the new company is fact C&G, and not G&C as a previous version of this post indicated

Two-A-Days

2005-06-14T11:00:00.000-05:00

Because I have absolutely nothing to do today, I'm posting again! I made a small update: there is now a "What The Kids Are Saying" section on the sidebar. I've been compiling a list of aural humors, and I'll post those safe for public consumption (my mom reads this site).

One Flag over Missouri

2005-06-14T09:01:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend we got a kiddy pool from Wallmart and put it under the slide. Though it may not be Joyland, it's been keeping the kids busy over the weekend. The requisite pictures are available by clicking on the dancing girl below.

Let me know what you think of the slideshow vs. posting the prictures directly to this site.

2nd Place is the 1st Loser

2005-06-10T15:18:00.000-05:00

I'd like to cordially welcome my sister to the blogisphere. Please visit her site and tell her how much you love it. It must be pretty hard, ya know, constantly lagging behind your younger brother. But she's probably used to it at this point.

A bit of housekeeping: anonymous comments are back. Apparently, anonymity is at a premium with this crowd, because we've had one single comment since I made commenters register. The message you should take from this is one my wife learned long ago: if you don't like something I'm doing, just with-hold something I want and I'll totally change my mind.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

Trike

2005-06-03T09:14:00.000-05:00

Rylie recently figured out the mechanics of her tricycle. She rides it up and down the street ALL DAY LONG, with Parker sometimes riding on the back, sometimes pushing her up the hill.

yes- she is singing in that last one.

Weekend Update

2005-05-31T10:43:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry to say that this Memorial Day weekend we did not take part in the long established traditions marking our fallen warriors (namely goin to tha lake and drinkin some beer). Instead, we had a quite weekend at home with the kids. We did a little yard work, went to church, had dinner with Currie's parents (which did involve drinkin some beer), and spent some time with our neighbor, Ellen.

In lue of new pictures I have old pictures, just to remind you that they have ALWAYS been cute.

PICTURES

2005-05-22T10:29:00.001-05:00

Here are a couple of pictures of the kids cracking them selvesup:

and one just to freak out the grandparents:

2005-05-19T19:41:00.000-05:00

Terribly sorry that we haven't posted in several days. Our computer was in the shop (the Apple shop in Anaheim) and we just got it back. I try to bring everyone up to speed with the events of the last week or so:

Work is winding down (tomorrow is my last day), and things are starting to get pretty surreal. The funny thing is that everyone is either jealous or excited for me, more like a commuted sentence then a job transition. I had a lot of fun over the past few days completing the written portion of my exit interview, and expect the oral portion to be equally fun tomorrow.

The kids are good, not much has changed with them in the last week. The weather here is beautiful, and the kids spend some time each day in the outdoors. I spied Rylie's two piece swim suit drying out on the patio; once I get a picture of her in it I'll post it.

One humorous thing did happen the other day. Brice had the good/bad fortune of supervising the children's first experience with death. He was babysitting and they were on a walk in our neighborhood when they came upon a squirrel squished by a Sequoia. Rylie seems to have inherited her mothers morbid curiosity and asked her uncle all about the poor creature, insisted Currie take her on the same route the next day, and told me ALL about it when I got home. I don't think Parker quite grasped the whole thing, but 'dead' is now a part of their vocabulary.

That's all I got. Pics and stories coming soon.

Can I be Daddy's helper?

2005-05-06T19:49:00.000-05:00

The other day I was cooking dinner and Parker wanted to help. This routine typically consists of him (or Rylie) sitting on the counter next to my stuff and begging to stir/pour/look. Everything was going along according to protocol; I seasoned the meat, chopped some onion and garlic and turned for ONE SECOND to heat the pan. When I turned around Parker was 'seasoning' the onions, exactly as he thought I would like. The result was about four dollars of seasoned salt assaulting the onions, with a healthy dash moving in on the garlic. Daddy finished the meal without help.

Become a member today and save!

2005-05-05T16:58:00.000-05:00

While we love the comments that have been pouring in, all but one have been anonymous. This has lead to a series of wagers between Currie and I. While this has proved somewhat entertaining, I've lost every one, and owe her so much money that I'm shutting it down.

The site will now prompt you to sign up in order to post. It should take less then a minute to sign up, and all you need to include is your first name. Once you create your user name, your computer should remember it, and you shouldn't even notice it.

I know it's kind of a pain, but it will make it a lot easier to figure out who's leaving all those threats.

Thanks

Protégé

2005-05-02T17:35:00.000-05:00

PICTURES

2005-04-30T09:42:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple of pictures of the kids from this morning:

...and a couple of them dealing with the rigors of shopping:

...and thanks for your support.

2005-04-29T17:39:00.000-05:00

Over the past several days we have received lots of support by way of comments and email. We wanted to let everyone know we appreciate it. The overwhelming request is for more pictures, which we will continue to post often.

One quick note: the anonymous comments seem to be the most popular (as in ALL comments have been anonymous), but since were all related, if you'd just note the author at the end, you'd save Currie and I a lot of arguments.

marvelousmissouri

2005-04-29T08:58:00.000-05:00

Forces have recently conspired against me in an attempt to change the title of this site to a humor-less, rhyme-less, but happier name. Rest assured, that will not happen.

goggles

2005-04-25T22:15:00.000-05:00

goggles
Originally uploaded by miserable.

orange

2005-04-25T22:14:00.000-05:00

orange
Originally uploaded by miserable.

here are a couple of pic's we had lying around.

currrince

2005-04-25T22:05:00.000-05:00

This is currie- emailing into the blog. I just want to say that I am 100% behind this blog, and I'm going to do everything I can to make it a success.

(actually this is matt- i wrote that while showing currie how to email into the site)

Ready or not

2005-04-25T21:11:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the new Jackson family weblog. This is a place for our families to see what we're up to, what we're thinking, and what recent pictures we've taken.

Currie and I will both try to keep the site updated with pictures and stories of the kids, but the site will take a while to get full. PLEASE respond with comments and let us know what you think. If no one's going to read it, we'll probably quit.