Madsen Kiddos: November 2008

Check out this quiz that can tell you which Hollywood icon you are. It's probably not the soundest science but who doesn't love a quiz and Hollywood icons?
I scored high as a Joan or a Bette but I think Bette fits me better. What do you think?

You are a Bette -- "I must be strong"

Bettes are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.

How to Get Along with Me

* Stand up for yourself... and me.
* Be confident, strong, and direct.
* Don't gossip about me or betray my trust.
* Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.
* Give me space to be alone.
* Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me.
* I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal attack.
* When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the way I am.

What I Like About Being a Bette

* being independent and self-reliant
* being able to take charge and meet challenges head on
* being courageous, straightforward, and honest
* getting all the enjoyment I can out of life
* supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me
* upholding just causes

What's Hard About Being a Bette

* overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don't intend to
* being restless and impatient with others' incompetence
* sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it
* never forgetting injuries or injustices
* putting too much pressure on myself
* getting high blood pressure when people don't obey the rules or when things don't go right

Bettes as Children Often

* are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit
* are sometimes loners
* seize control so they won't be controlled
* figure out others' weaknesses
* attack verbally or physically when provoked
* take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings

Bettes as Parents

* are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted
* are sometimes overprotective
* can be demanding, controlling, and rigid

You are a Joan -- "I need to succeed" Joans are energetic, optimistic, self-assured, and goal oriented.
How to Get Along with Me
* Leave me alone when I am doing my work.
* Give me honest, but not unduly critical or judgmental, feedback.
* Help me keep my environment harmonious and peaceful.
* Don't burden me with negative emotions.
* Tell me you like being around me.
* Tell me when you're proud of me or my accomplishments.

What I Like About Being a Joan

* being optimistic, friendly, and upbeat
* providing well for my family
* being able to recover quickly from setbacks and to charge ahead to the next challenge
* staying informed, knowing what's going on
* being competent and able to get things to work efficiently
* being able to motivate people

What's Hard About Being a Joan

* having to put up with inefficiency and incompetence
* the fear on not being -- or of not being seen as -- successful
* comparing myself to people who do things better
* struggling to hang on to my success
* putting on facades in order to impress people
* always being "on." It's exhausting.

Joans as Children Often

* work hard to receive appreciation for their accomplishments
* are well liked by other children and by adults
* are among the most capable and responsible children in their class or school
* are active in school government and clubs or are quietly busy working on their own projects

Joans as Parents

* are consistent, dependable, and loyal
* struggle between wanting to spend time with their children and wanting to get more work done
* expect their children to be responsible and organized

Emergency camping

Yesterday John went to school and I decided to plan a surprise. It was lots of fun- I packed up our 72 hour kits which also happen to be all of our camping things and picked him up at the train station with baby, dog, and camping gear. It was exciting to be able to plan a campout and get our baby and myself ready all in 15 minutes. On the way to the train stop I was a hazard and found a place to hike in our hiking eastern Pennsylvania book. It was harder to find everything online and I had to plan the whole thing in about 15 minutes. John doesn't have school Wednesday so I thought it would be perfect to surprise him and try out our emergency preparedness. We haven't been camping in so long and it seems like November is really the perfect time. Danielle was thrilled when we got to the hiking place. I couldn't find the short 5 mile hike I had found since it was harder to find and it was already dark outside at 5:30 when we got there so we went to a 7 mile hike. Danielle jumped into her baby carrier. Here are some things I learned

There are no state or national campgrounds open in November in Pennsylvania. Many of them are being renovated. So we didn't actually get to camp
The 72 hour kit food bag was separate from the rest of the 72 hour kits
Danielle needs warmer gloves
it seems like when you only have a few baby coats and fleece pants your baby is compelled to dump water on themselves.
Taking pictures of a baby in the dark of the car will usually get you a cute smile picture and other times get you a nose picking photo.

We had so much fun hiking and I was so proud of us. I carried Danielle and John carried a massively heavy pack with most of our things. Austin carried the food and water that we brought.
We even brought our bright orange clothing- last time we tried to go climbing we quit when we saw a man stalking into the woods with a rifle and read the "Hunter's wear orange- do you?" sign. Biking clothes are a good source of Hunter's orange or a more attractive fluorescent yellow.
I forgot my camera but I can post an excellent "captured in the night" photo of Danielle showing me how she can pick her nose. It all started when we taught her the names of different body parts. eyes- fine- belly- fine- ears- fine- nose- instant nose picking. How can I teach her the difference between nose and pick your nose? Only time will tell.

here Kitty Kitty

Well yesterday the Madsen family got two additions- here they are. We have been thinking about it for over a year now and picked out a cute male orange tabby. We had to wait a week and then when we went to pick him up there was a cute little black cat named "abc" for another black cat. She was super cute and we ended up with two cats. Our tabbie's name was Scamper but I think we will rename him- we thought of Simon or Tobias or Little Paul. What do you think? He does scamper all over the place and is super playful! The little black girl is a little more subdued and seems like a hunter. I think we are going to name her maja. Scamper was born in August and Maja was born in May- they are both already litterbox trained. Scamper purrs super loud and loves to be cuddled. We also considered the name Jade for the other kitten because she has green eyes but I'm not sure. We are happy to have these cute little cuddles. Scamper has already met Austin. He still isn't sure about the dogs but I am sure they will get along eventually.

Tupperware Winners

Well I am tired but I did the random.org number generator. I will contact the winners in the morning but here -they are these people

Stacy said...: I'd buy a shape toy! I work in Early intervention and my kiddos would love one. I actually didn't know they still made them- I've been on the lookout for one at a garage sale.

Pamela Vest said...: The blooming teapot, the salt and pepper shakers and the baking mat. I love the hamburger press, my is shot and wish I could get a new one. i was given it when i first started keeping house quite a few years ago and it has been worth it's weight in gold!
Lauren Horsley said...: Ha! I had no idea that Shape-O was Tupperware! I've been meaning to get one for my son.

I've got a Tupperware list about a mile long - we just moved into our first home and my kitchen is poorly stocked! But the twistable peeler has to be the first thing I'm gonna buy because my husband is always complaining that he hates our peeler. Maybe if I can get one he likes, he'll help out more! :)
lisagee said...: TupperCanoe™ Toy Life Boat would be great for bathtime!
Thanks everyone for entering- I am planning to do more giveaways someday. How fun!

Election Day

Today was election day. So far all I know is that two very bad things have happened to me.
1. I didn't get an "I voted sticker." Luckily Barack Obama's campaign had lots of extra money so when the regular election fell apart I got a nice 3 inch "I voted for change" sticker. Since when do you not get a sticker?
2. I don't get to see the results to dancing with the stars. Who cares who won the election, I want to know who is being eliminated.

I remember before I could vote I was excited to, like most of the people in my high school were excited when their older and similar looking brother turned 21. Then the first time I could vote I was part of a small group of people in Austin whose registration was "lost." That was interesting- something to tell people. After that I heard from an economics class that your vote doesn't matter. (obviously very oversimplified)
Good thing that I now live in a swing state. All my super America friends vote (2 separate links there people) so I do too. My new driver's license has not arrived in the mail yet though so I was nervous- lucky for me I voted in the primary so I was on file.

I am glad that I voted, but honestly it was boring. We didn't even have a line. The only thing holding us up was the difficulty of my first name. I was good though- I didn't even correct her when she called me Jenna. About 15 times. Why is it always the people that can't pronounce your name that use it excessively, like how I am "Janelle" at work with Cindy.
If you want I will mail you an I voted for Change sticker. Consider it a giveaway. They gave us a stack.

Good Morning

Today I woke up and John was watching some strange Bruce Lee movie on demand. That is probably a good movie for Danielle's morning. I asked if it was Bruce Lee's true Hollywood story and he said yes. 10 minutes later I realized he didn't get the joke since the movie was about Bruce Lee's hollywood story. Often I find that my jokes really aren't that funny in addition to people not getting them. Does this mean that I am like Michael on the office? I don't think so because I have to believe my facebook results that said I was like Ryan. Only this was the first season. I'm not sure which is worse -being Ryan or Michael.
One summer my dad and I started watching all the Bruce Lee movies we could get our hands on.
After about 10 minutes of the glory of Bruce Lee and John telling me his story my thoughts inevitably went to Chuck Norris. I wondered if Chuck Norris was in the Bruce Lee movie, but then I got bored and didn't want to watch it anymore. I asked John if there was a movie with Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee. His response? "yes, and Godzilla is in it too."
This from the man I married for love.
Then I bought a baby onesie from my brother's site- I didn't realize it came in different colors so Danielle will be wearing red, but it is pretty funny.

Danielle went trick or treating last night a.k.a. the worst Halloween ever. She made it to two houses next door. After receiving so much candy Danielle decided that it was time to go back home and eat her candy. One of the houses gave her two full sized candy bars though.