Monday, January 28, 2013

Paperwork makes my brain go numb

Due to Branden finishing another chapter for his PhD, he's had time off so I have been MIA enjoying time with him and also ripping my hair out as we are messing with nasty paperwork and this year's funding for his studies. We also had a deep clean and thorough re-organization of our room which was much needed when all of our belongings and newly accumulated stuff has to all fit into one living space. It does make it easier to not buy new crap as there is simply no space, so that's a good thing. In between the chaos, the house has filled up again with our housemate from Botswana back from his Christmas trip, and a new housemate moving in who also happens to be a friend of ours and also an American. I cooked a big dinner last week of pork spare ribs (in Branden's own BBQ sauce) and then had sides of green salad, coleslaw, and focaccia bread (I didn't make the bread). It was great and it's nice that we can all get on so well. Another thing we've been up to is the making of another family birthday video!

My wonderful Mom-in-law turned 29 again this year (can't believe we'll be the same age in a couple of months!) and she is an artist so we made a very odd but somewhat artsy video for her. It's not the most flattering video, and it was very uncomfortable to shoot, but we had fun!



Thankfully none of our housemates were home as we shot this on our entryway floor and taped our video camera to the staircase rail. There was more detail at the bottom but with limited space and an unseen post that was in the way, you can't really see it. I did get the idea from that mom who would take photos of her sleeping baby after creating scenes around her with clothes, toys, and other random objects...it is definitely much harder to make it for 2 full grown adults!

Well, I have a load of clean laundry staring at me and smirking as it knows very well that I hate folding laundry...but I've got to leave soon so I better tackle the pile! (Oh goodie, socks! ...my favorite...)

17 comments:

  1. wow, if Branden ever wants to change career path, you guys will be a shoe in for bizzarre video creators...lol. Why exactly are you two on the floor? I'm sure Branden's mom loved it. Btw, I don't fold laundry, I just bundle it all up (socks especially) and dump it in the drawer...at least I do that for my husband's stuff...it saves me a lot of time....lol

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    1. We got the idea from this lady:
      http://adeleenersen.com/gallery
      and since my mom-in-law is an artist, we thought something quirky and artsy would be right up her street! She did love it :)
      I would love to have your way of 'folding' laundry but I don't think I could get my mom's voice out of my head saying, "Maggie Jo! Your arms aren't broken so you have no excuse to not fold!" hehehe

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  2. I like the video idea. That is really cool!

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    1. It was a bit hard to speak laying down but it was worth it as my mom-in-law loved it...however, we won't be trying to make another one like it!

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  3. Love your videos!!

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    1. Considering how funky this one was, I'm not surprised you like it ;)

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  4. (chuckle) you are getting a Cork twang.
    Where the heck are you in the video. Is the camera in the shower rail ?.

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    1. I don't know what you're talking about like! ;) In all actuality though, I never thought I'd hear someone say that to me! Although on my nights out volunteering, I've had some tipsy people think I was from Kerry...possibly a sign they were more than just tipsy! hahaha

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    2. Yep, I can see Kerry right enough, Far West Kerry, next parish over from Dunquin.

      However, is 'in all actuality though' part of the usual linguistics for a Yankee chick.

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  5. Your videos crack me up. You two are so cute together that just knowing you are out there in the world makes me happy. You're a lovely pair. Dr. X would never have done something like that with me. It's so cool that you can have fun together.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Knowing you have your Elvis Aaron Schwarz makes me incredibly happy too! Branden and I definitely have fun together which I think he appreciates a lot more lately as he's doing his 'serious' PhD writing. I'm an easy distraction from intellectual work ;) hehehehe

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  6. Missed you Maggie!! So glad you're back. I feel for you on the sock thing...I hate laundry.

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    1. Yay! Another despiser of laundry folding! Branden doesn't mind it so I usually let him do it if I can ;)

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  7. I didn't get a chance to watch the video. I'll try tonight. I'm sure it'll have your usual fun style though. I used to stage photos with Peanut in them as well. We once lined up about 3 stuffed animals and placed them in the same sleeping position she was in...annnnd now I want to find that photo. :)

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    1. Awwww you have to find that photo now! I bet it's adorable!!!

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  8. What a video!

    And focaccia bread is one of life's great pleasures...

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  9. Maggie.... did you say 29? I'm so wishing I were 29 again.... I think I'm heading for a ful-blow midlife crisis. Any tips?

    While you're thinking, I'm going to enjoy that new vid of yours :)

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Does this straitjacket make my butt look big?