projects

This is what I've been working on lately. It's not my typical style, which is often very machined and geometric, so I think it will go well in my book. I have a poster and a website to do for the event also, although I'm still getting the clients to dig up the imagery I'll be needing. It's a pretty standard problem-getting in their faces often enough so they understand why there is a delay.

I've been putting in time as the City of Stevenson webmaster also, lately doing basic updates to their brews blues and bbqs pages, which is essentially painting with a broom stick.

And my most wonderful masterpieces of all can be found at the recently updated blog

fall

this is a composition I'm working on-my own version of Vivaldi's 4 seasons. This is part of my fall season. I have a rhythm guitar part, and I'll probably figure out the drums on the fly when I get a chance to have actual guitar players. I want this about half again as fast, and some pretty fast chord work.

Happy Birthday Mom

Just wanted to wish mom a happy birthday. Unfortunately I am working and can't be there to celebrate but I think Jenn and kids will be down. Have a good one.

On the road again

Spring is here, at least as far as the fish are concerned. It is field work season again. I have managed to weasel out of most of the away from home field work this year. However I will be gone all of next week at Willamette Falls in Portland doing a study. It isn't that far from home but is just too long of hours (usually 7am - 6pm) to make the trip home at night. I am hoping Greyson will bring the family to visit me at the hotel.

The girls are doing great. We did our last breastfeeding yesterday which was hard for me. I know it was much more traumatic for me to stop then it was for the girls. I just couldn't keep up with it being away from them all next week and then being in Portland for training the following week. The babies are now 8 months old and doing great with their solid foods. They were around 75% for height/weight for their last checkup (I think). Except Piper had 95% for her head. Must be all those brains.

Greyson is busy with watching the girls and doing freelance projects when he can find the time. He has been taking the girls for a run in the jogging stroller almost every day and letting Ada run along.

I have to get out and prune the roses tomorrow. I should have done it last week since this warm weather has caused them to start leafing out already. That is all fro now, we will try to post some more baby pictures on the baby blog soon.

Mel

Computer Room

This is our new computer setup with table, printer rack and file cabinet. I like being able to look out the window and being able to easily clean the floor. We have ordered a sleeper queen couch that should arrive sometime in April. It has a memory foam mattress, so I am hoping that it will be comfortable for whoever sleeps on it. Mom bought 3-4 sets of plastic bins and organized the wall racks. After sweeping the floor everything looks organized and neat. Kudos, Janice!

Howie bothers Will and Mina too much. Tonight Will evidently caught him in the nose and the blood did flow. But I hear both dogs ferociously fighting (playing) and running in the halls and living room. Often Charlie lifts her back right leg when playing outside; I think that her joint is turned in so far that will cause her severe arthritis in the future.

baby blog

big update http://www.grudd.net/blog/

Bernie's passing

As Grandma Ruby's friend Bernie recently passed away, I wanted to give her address in case anyone would like to send her a card. She is taking his loss very hard, as they developed a very deep bond in such a short period of time.

Bernie was such a wonderful friend to Grandma/Mom and enjoyed being with her so much. Their eyes just sparkled when they were together; it was amazing. Gives all who knew them hope, that new love and companionship has no age limit. Bernie really gave of himself, volunteering his time and energies from close friends to working with the Ventura County Sheriff's department. Sort of ironic that when they were called to his apartment the morning he died, there on the counter was his Sheriff's identification badge on the kitchen counter.

It was a very difficulty day for Grandma, finding her him sitting in his office chair gone from her forever. It was too short a time for her and for all who knew him; we sure enjoyed getting to know him. And he brought out the best in those he was around.

After Bernie's family arrived later in the day, we went back to mom's apartment. She played for me a voice mail that Bernie had left for her earlier in the week. It was something like this:

"Hi, gorgeous! I'll be late at the doctors, so go ahead and eat something. I don't want you to be uncomfortable. I'll see you later, I love you."

He was truly comfortable expressing himself and brighten up the life of those around him. I once told him that I wanted to tell him something and hoped it wouldn't make him feel uncomfortable. I said I thought dad would have liked him. Without hesitation, he responded" and from what I hear, I know I would have liked him." To say the least, I loved his answer.

Grandma's address is:
1567 E. Jefferson St. Apt 311
Simi Valley, California 93065
Her Phone: 805-582-9432

Love to all,
Chris Aunt/ Sister

Finally some real snow

All last week I had been eagerly awaiting the big snow they promised and I was sorely disappointed. But today when it was supposed to just rain we have had over a foot of snow and it keeps coming. At this rate I doubt that we will make Emma's B-day party and Greyson will likely miss his superbowl party he was going to in Portland. We had a great time in the snow today. We dressed the girls up in their snowsuits and put them in the snugglies and walked down the road for a couple miles round trip. But with snow and babies it made for a nice workout. However they are getting to heavy to go in those front packs. I seem to have a permanent crick in my latoid muscle now. Ada also went and a deer sprinted in front of us and she persued. Usually at our house she will be gone for 20-30 minutes when this happens but in the snow she only spent about 3 minutes before she was back to us.

Samia has been quite the crab the last few days with the teething. She gets most upset when trying to drink her bottle or nurse. Poor baby. And now Piper started gnawing on Greyson's hand so she is probably next. They are both sitting nicely when proped with the boppy pillow. I know crawling will be here soon and I don't look forward to all the new areas that will give them access to.

We went to a memorial service Friday for a friend and fellow co-worker of Greyson's who died from cervical cancer this week. She has two little boys and it was very sad and just hard to believe.

It is nights like this that I have a bit of a T.V. craving. I will just have to go find something else to do. I need some good books to read. No drama, lovey dovey types, and no really icky horror, but anything else I am up for trying. Any suggestions? Or better yet, anyone have any books that you have read that I can borrow? The going favorite around here is "Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?"

Take care all,
Mel