Last Temptation

Last Temptation Last Temptation by Neil Gaiman

My review


rating: 4 of 5 stars
I had been familiar with the idea of concept albums, but I’d never read a graphic novel based off of one. I’m a ridiculous Neil Gaiman fan, and was impressed to see that he helped Alice Cooper with the concept of the album. This graphic novel is just the icing on the cake. He pulls off the dark theatre/dark carnival story very well, keeps the preaching to a minimum, and worked with a great artist. I would definitely recommend this one.

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Pampered Chef

A few days ago, I had composed a brilliant post in my head. I’d framed my thoughts about joining Pampered Chef with . I’d worked in all my ideas about selling, networking, and showing off the products. I’d come up with a good way to explain how we’d start with our friends and family, and create a larger network of possible customers from there. After all, friends and family aren’t customers. They’re friends and family. I neglected to write down my brilliant and/or cheesy turns of phrase, and so it was all lost to the mists. Last night, in an attempt to jump-start my brain into re-creating the original masterpiece, I wrote this:

“How do I sell? How do I share my exuberance about a product – actual, real excitement – with others? In a professional setting or a fun one? How do I express that I love using these products without sounding cheesy and/or coming across like I’m trying to pressure my friends into buying something that they don’t want and/or need?

I’ve been using Pampered Chef tongs and angled measuring cups and the liquid/dry measuring cup since put on a show in the Fairview house. When I moved in with , I got access to a ridiculous amount of the tools – garlic press, pizza cutter (squee!), and cheese grater, just to name a few.”

I didn’t end up finishing… Cian ended up falling asleep, and so I snagged the opportunity to sleep. I have to admit, I’m kind of wishing for the same situation right about now. Heh.

Put plainly and simply, it’s an opportunity to add to our income by selling products that we buy ourselves.

I won’t push anyone to host a show or to buy any products. If you want to check out the online catalog, and you happen to see products that you and your friends would enjoy, we’d be happy to put on a show for you. Hosts get free products, too, depending on how much their show earns.

Me, I can’t wait for my hinged grease spatter screen. Nikki’s biting her nails for her cutting board with drop-in measuring cups. Yeah, we’re addicted. :)

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Originally uploaded by Childe

I don’t think he wants to transform and roll out.

He’s so big already that the 0-3 month onesies are tight on him. It could be because they’re 100% cotton, and need to be stretched by wearing, but… I’m still amazed. My jaw dropped when he outgrew his newborn size outfits.

I wonder if he’ll ever know how many directions he pulls me in on a daily basis.

One point twenty-one jigawatts!

It’s that time again. Cian was sleeping. He was, really. Then he got fussy, but there was hope of him going right back to sleep. I may be unrealistic, but I’m still holding out for sleep overtaking him. He’s had a lot of activity today, a lot of crying, and a lot of fussing. That has to have tired him out enough to sleep. Right? Both he and are exhausted.

Hunter’s been bad enough at school and during homework recently that we’ve had to…

–Went to sleep, it’s now the next morning–

…take pretty much everything away from him. I know that it’s in the nature of children to push the boundaries that parents have set, no matter what age they are, but these endless attempts at negotiation are maddening. Punishment is not supposed to be fun. That’s why it’s punishment, and not happy-fun-candy-time. Convincing a hard-headed eight-year-old that punishment is the effect to his actions’ cause is nearly impossible, even when you’re a hard-headed thirty-one-year-old. I’m being mean and unfair, I’m not delivering consequences for arguing incessantly with teachers and parental units (including myself).

I have to say, though, that I’m glad that his teachers are not shy about communicating with parents. Keeping the lines of communication open has let us know that he’s having the same issues there that he’s having at home, and it prevents him from playing one group of adults against the other.

All of that said, he had an excellent day at school yesterday, and only threw a minor fit when we enforced his punishment here at home. I have high hopes that he will continue the good streak, and take advantage of this opportunity to earn his way out of punishment.

My Dad can fix broken helicopter toys.

I’ve got about half of the Twizzler drool off of my screen.

Easter has come and gone, and it went well. The Easter Bunny brought baskets for all three boys, there was an egg hunt in Howell with Nikki’s sisters and our families, and there was Dinner in the TWP with my parents and brother and the Nitsches. Wow, how Reader’s Digest of me.

If you’re wondering, Cian is in his car seat, falling asleep, and I’m writing this while I wait to make sure he’s not faking out. Again. :) ‘s TKO’ed on the bed next to me and NCIS is on the TV. This show is growing on me like a fungus.

Aidan and Hunter were both good today, though they definitely had their moments where their likelihood of survival plummeted. I know that I’m making progress as a parent, though, because I was able to finally let it go today, when it was all over. It was an incredible relief, as well as a badge of pride.

Looks like Cian’s crashed. Time for me to try and get some shut-eye. Yay!

I have a pimple on my forehead.

Aidan used a Twizzler to spread something on my laptop’s monitor. Streaks of something that’s stubbornly resisting my thumbnail. I’m up now, hoping to go to sleep soon. Energy drinks are helping me stay up when the baby is, because caffeine alone doesn’t seem to be doing the job. Cian’s just fallen asleep, but he seems to know whenever I get the covers over me and get settled in. He wakes up after having summarily ejected his pacifier from his mouth, or has gotten his blanket over his face (which he hates), or has persistent evil gas bubbles working through his tiny, tiny digestive system.

I’ve acquired a bluetooth mouse for my laptop, and it works well on odd surfaces. Even the arm of my recliner. It’s a little small, but I’m getting used to it. I’ve had good luck with Microsoft peripherals in the past (almost as good as Logitech), so we’ll see how this one holds up.

Whoop, he’s awake again. I knew it. :) Pacifier has been applied.

We had our first Pampered Chef party at our house today. We were both hosts and consultants, with the way that it worked out. Almost all of our guests had to cancel, but we’re leaving the show open for web ordering for the whole week.

All right, he’s been asleep for a little bit now. I’m going to try and get some shut-eye.