Kefir and Curls

February 14, 2014 The Gathering Site

Just a quick note on what's new and old. We said goodbye to a few of Soren's curled locks this week. My little adventurer was up for the clippers so we gave him a nice short (but tasteful) 'do'. I couldn't believe how great he did, he just kept giggling, hesitantly 'my head tickwles...hehehe.'

I do miss those little locks and look forward to them growing in (which they do - very quickly).

Here is a before 'clippers' pic drinking Kefir. A standard favorite in our household. Also known as shake - because you have to 'shake it up' before drinking. He's always had a good taste for Kefir and it keeps those probiotics in that little belly as we cruise through this arctic winter!

We have a weekend filled with recording, mastering, a baby shower and a hopefully - a little family time ahead of us.

Happy Weekend and Happy Valentines Day!

System Crash

February 11, 2014 The Gathering Site

This week has been particularly challenging - or rather the last 4 days.

I woke up in a funk on Saturday morning only to roll into work 3 hours early (to wrap up pending projects and a broadcast) to have my computer crash on me. In 7 years - a completely corrupted, crash. I was beside myself. I had a concert to record in 4 hours and if you know how much time it takes to rebuild a Windows system - it simply wasn't going to happen.

Thankfully our household holds two iLok keys with three systems set up for ProTools 11 and our very own RME UFX. I know to some that all sounds like a different language - so let me translate: OUR systems saved the day! Along with my mantra of never, NEVER saving documents and files to anything but external hard drives and ALWAYS backing up to DVD.

I have never had a system crash on me quite like this before. I have ALWAYS been able to restore in the past. I traced it back to a recent install I had to let the firewall down for - that had to have been it.

That being said - I feel like for the last 4 days I have turned into the Grinch at home. I have been trying to install - uninstall - reinstall and re-build a system which takes a LOT of time and a LOT of patience (legacy software combined with updated versions equals GIANT headache!).

Not leaving me much patience or time for my little kiddo and partner in crime (who really helped saved the day - in more ways than I can even begin to explain!). I feel like I have been a horrible mother. Super irritable and not giving Soren the time he needs and deserves.

this is Soren 'CRASH!!!!' - ing on the couch

Which leaves me reflecting about this job and the work that I do. I have learned that when I am with my family - I am WITH my family. Mind, spirit and body. Whole heartedly. Work will wait. And truthfully, my loyal clients - this in turn, makes me more useful to you and a better engineer. Just as my clients want me to be present for them and their work (much of the time *wink), I need to be present for my Son, my Partner and most of all for Myself.

This weekend wasn't just about a system crash, but a very, very personal one as well.

06/52

February 9, 2014 The Gathering Site

A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014'

We were in desperate need of some fresh air this week. I can never get over how quickly he is growing and how much of an observer he has become.

Lately - Cabin Fever

February 7, 2014 The Gathering Site

Alright Winter. I like yah - really I do. But seriously - the snow? the ice?? the insanely arctic temperatures!?!

We have a high dose of cabin fever in this house and I am running out of sensory play activities to keep our very active toddler busy. Today, we even opted to paint some hideous side tables with our very own chalkboard paint!

Ok, Winter - I take it back. A little bit - you have forced us to get more creative. But I do miss the woods and the warm sun. Here is what we've been up to! (and yes - we did go out today. The 20's are high-ish temps and Soren couldn't take it anymore. But it didn't take long until his 'hands were cold! gotta warm 'em up!')

Soren was separating the 'clean' ice from the 'slushy' ice. I love how he dictates everything he is doing!

Even August is getting sick of being cooped up. I catch her gazing, longingly out the window.

Soren decided it was cold outside and he needed a warmer, comfier bed in his tent - but August was to join him. 'we will be warmer, too-gever! momma!'

Soren and I painted these roughed up side tables we had. I think it is much approved - I will try to snag a before and after pic. We made our own chalkboard paint. It's super easy - follow this link here. We had some extra grout from another DIY project (the cold forces me into DIY mode... and searching for tasty recipes. Ok, Winter - you win again!).

Just wrapped this one up. Thanks Elaine for the recommendation! It was really quite good. Can't wait to see the movie this year!

There you have it folks. We are surviving the Winter and truthfully having a blast. Pappa and I have been pretty swamped with work - but Soren has been such a trooper! He really knows how to make the best of it!