The Hillellis

Petit cochon

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:50 GMT

I've had a lot of projects simmering in my brain over the past few months, and I brought one to fruition last night: bookbinding! I ordered a bunch of cute fabric from reprodepot a few weeks ago, and procured the rest of the supplies from Staples & random things I had around the house.

Obamaburger!

Tue, 05 May 2009 20:56:53 GMT

I saw this on my bro-in-law's website: Obama & Biden went to Ray's Hell Burger! Adam and I went there on our last date night, and those burgers were DELICIOUS. Plus they have multiple kinds of root beer (bottled AND on tap). NoVa suddenly feels a little bit cooler.

It's been a while!

Tue, 05 May 2009 11:35:52 GMT

I don't know if anyone still checks this website, because I've been appallingly bad at keeping it updated. But for anyone still reading: hi! I'm back! And like Jeri Blank, I've got somethin' to say! It's about Jon & Kate + 8 (or, if you believe the reports, Jon minus 9...).
I watch this show sometimes, not because I find it all that entertaining, but because it puts my life into perspective. Yeah, Micah can be a handful, but he's only one handful. Not eight. Lately I've been seeing all these articles saying that Jon is cheating on Kate, and pretty much everyone commenting on these articles mentions that Kate is, at best, a bossy succubus. Now, I tend to agree - she seems awfully controlling, but who am I to judge? I don't have eight children. The thing is, I don't see how her personality excuses Jon's alleged behavior. People are implying (and outright saying) that Kate somehow deserves this because of how she treats Jon. I don't think anyone deserves to be cheated on, and I don't think there's any excuse for cheating on a spouse.

Dead car batteries

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:27:53 GMT

We were about to go out tonight for the first time with a babysitter (at least, a babysitter who isn't related to us), and our car battery was dead. At least our neighbor was home and was able to help. Thankfully it wasn't an omen for the rest of the night -- dinner went smoothly and Micah was cooing and happy once we got back home!

Well, hello there!

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:22:25 GMT

For the past 11 weeks (11 WEEKS!!) my life has been 95% baby. So what about the other 5%? Here's a rundown:

(1) Cat news
Sadly, my sweet fattycat Harry had to be put down. Adam and I found out that he had a lung tumor back in March, and we decided not to put him through chemo, given his age and the advanced nature of the tumor. We agreed that we'd give him the best life possible until he could no longer eat (eating being his very favorite activity), and then we'd let him go. As you know, when Micah came along we decided we could no longer provide Harry with the home he deserved, so he went back to his last owners (my parents). He had a wonderful time with them, but was on a steady decline. When he could no longer eat, my stepmom had to make the incredibly hard decision to put him down (and on election day, at that). I know that she did the right thing, but I'm still having a very hard time coming to terms with Harry's death. I know he was "just" a cat, but he was a really amazing cat, and we had some great snuggly times together.

(2) The great purge
STUFF! We have too much of it. It is causing me great anxiety. So we've started the gigundo task of sorting through all the things we've accumulated over the years and trashing/donating anything that doesn't in some way enhance our lives. This has mostly gone smoothly, though Adam is clearly mourning the impending loss of three of our five (FIVE) computers.

(3) Cheese
Guess what? I love feta! This is sort of a big deal, and I will tell you why. Throughout most of my childhood I hated cheese - all kinds, all ways. When I was around 14, my dad made me a grilled cheese sandwich, which for some reason I ate. I discovered I was okay with cheese if it was (a) melted and (b) provolone. Within a few months, I started liking cheese on my pizza, but again, only if it was hot and melty. I now accepted mozerella in addition to provolone. I've since progressed, from being able to deal with swiss, american, cheddar, & monterey jack, to eating all of these cheeses cold (so long as they were melted at some point, like on a pizza, and then cold-ed), to eating them cold (not plain, though - I need crackers), to eating pretty much any deli cheese (no crumbly cheeses). And now I've made the great leap forward into crumbly cheeses - specifically, feta. I still find any cheese with mold on it disgusting.

Update: in an unfortunate turn of events, I am allergic to feta. Only mildly, though, so I'll continue the romance.

(4) School
I'm going back on January 7. I am not excited. Four night classes, three nights a week...ugh. I'm starting to wish that I was really good at something fun, like pottery or illustrating children's books. I'm good at organizing...people are professional organizers, right? I could start a daycare in my home, but I really dislike children. Please don't tell my child. Wink! My kind of humor doesn't really work in writing. Or in person. ZING! Ok, ok, enough.

I smell a dirty diaper, so that's my cue to get back to babytown. Hasta luego!

!!!!!!!!!!

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:16:42 GMT

If you check the Baby H site (which you better!), you know that our little son has finally made his way out into the world!! Check his website for info. Although my life has pretty much been BABYBABYBABY at this point, there's a bit of non-baby-related news. Our rambunctious cats, Harry and Arthur, have gone to a better place. Literally! Harry has moved back in with my parents, where he enjoys 24 hour access to a sun room and delicious plants, and Arthur has moved back in with my sister, where he actually gets the attention he so desperately craves. I didn't want to be one of those people who just ditches their pets when baby comes, but it was just going to be too much. Harry and Arthur are such needy little creatures - more dog than cat - and it seemed unfair to keep them when I knew I'd spend most of the time yelling at them to get away from the crib/baby/etc. Although I already miss the little buggers, I know they're better off with other people. On the bright side, the only poo I should find on the floor of the baby's room is the baby's. So, farewell Harry and Arthur!!! Think of me as you bask in your new homes, soaking up the loving attention that you deserve!!!

Crafty Bastards!

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:46:25 GMT

On Saturday, Adam and I metro'd our butts up to Silver Spring to check out Crafty Bastards. A few years ago we went to the one in DC, and discovered Mr. Pickles , Squidfire, and this girl who silk-screened beavers onto various clothing items, whose company name I can't remember, no matter how hard I try!

This year, we have a whole new bunch of crafty favorites:

Woodblocks from Tugboat Printshop
Owley Shadow Puppets
Stuffed beverages at Sewing Stars
Rock posters at El Jefe Design
Random cuteness at fishcakes
The cute little people of Underneath my tree

So, do check out these websites, and next time you feel like buying me presents, re-check out these websites :)

House hunting

Sat, 31 May 2008 17:25:58 GMT

We have recently started looking for housing around the DC metro area. With all the talk of a depressed market, the incoming baby, and some not-so-subtle comments by our current (although usually awesome) landlord, we thought now would be a good time to jump in. As feared by both of us, lenders and realtors think they know our financial situation and what we are looking for better than we do. If I hear, "You can really afford more than that" you more time... Also, there is some concern about moving out of our currently very walkable area (Whole Foods and Trader Joe's a half mile away, restaurants and coffees shops all around) to where we can afford (I think there is a 7-11 relatively close by).

Where are the Hawaiian Ice stands?

Sat, 31 May 2008 14:24:42 GMT

Summer means hot and humid weather in the DC metro area. Which means it should be the perfect time to get some Hawaiian shaved ice (also referred to as snowballs, shaved ice, etc). The weird thing is that there aren't any around where we live. We have stopped at the helado shacks once or twice, but they are a little far away. All I really want is some Tiger's Bloodand some frozen deliciousness. I think, instead of continuing to a law degree, Lynn should open a shaved ice stand :).

Awwww

Tue, 20 May 2008 17:44:01 GMT

I love it when the cats get along. Here's Arthur using Harry's bum as a pillow!