By: Karen Maxwell,
on 1/11/2015
This is my great-niece. The pretty blonde is her momma, my niece. I love babies. I’m afraid this may be the closest I ever get to a grandchild. :-(
Also. How creepy would it be if adults suddenly shrieked when they couldn’t contain their joy a moment longer? HA!
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 2/27/2013
Interesting segment on our local radio talk show this morning – it’s about a kid that walked ten miles, in the snow, to a Dairy Queen to try and get a job.
Kids don’t do that nowadays. Heck. Kids can’t see past their self-imposed bubbles nowadays.
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 2/25/2013
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 2/3/2013
*MA = Medical Assistant.
**I played around with my Movie Studio software for the first time. It was fun! I still have a ways to go before I can edit it the way I really want it, but it’s a start. Hopefully, I can figure out how to add background music later.
***Just noticed there’s a dead spot in the middle of the video – oops. I’m a video-editing newb.
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 9/25/2011
Filed under: At the Moment, VideoPlay 
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 6/21/2011
WARNING – WARNING!
Home video ahead!
Proceed at your own risk.
BYOP (Bring your own pillow)
I’ll supply the drool bibs.
Okay. I’m getting this digitizing process down and it’s going a lot faster than I anticipated. So far, so good. *knock on wood* I’m currently on tape four and I’m BORED OUT OF MY MIND. Seriously. I could never make it as a videographer because I literally have HOURS of film of people eating.
What the …??
I didn’t eat back then to stay skinny, so I think I was wishful thinking – fantasy calories are just as good as the real thing? Right?
Now? *pfft* Pass the buffet, friend.
Anyway … there may not be as many snippets as I had hoped because truly, I can barely stomach watching all of this footage; I would never dream of putting you all through that torment. I mean, I like to consider myself a brutal-sort of blogger, but even I have limits.
This first video is our first anniversary. We gifted ourselves our first video camera and we took a video of us taking a bite of the first tier of our wedding cake saved from our wedding. You can watch the results.
Pardon the mushy kissing part but we were young and in love. (Sorry Kevin, not WERE, but ARE – ARE darling). Actually, we still do that, but now it’s even more gross because we’re old and wrinkled. We only do it in public to embarrass our teenage sons. SCORE.
Also? This was the one and only bite I had of my wedding cake. (Er. Wait a minute, maybe not). I was too nervous and worked up to eat any cake on our wedding day so … I’m really hoping it tasted better on THE day because it was like chewing cardboard that had been soaked in dog urine when we took this video.
Yum.
Here’s a picture of us with our entire wedding cake, if you’re interested. We’re munching on that top tier you see.
Did you notice anything weird about the Happy Anniversary sign that Kevin printed out on our state-of-the-art ZENITH computer and Epson dot-matrix printer? (You did indeed read that correctly. We’re old enough to have been around when computers were first becoming available to private citizens. And you only THOUGHT I was old, right?) For you sharp-eyed readers out there, a gold star if you noticed that “Anniversary” is missing an “R”. It say, “Happy AnniverSAY.” Hence the reason we say “Happy AnniverSAY” to each other every anniversary. Inside joke. Well, not so inside now, now that I’ve shared the joke with you all.
I will be honest and tell you that Kevin is quite horrified that I’m posting this for all the Internet to see. But as usual, I sweet talked him into letting me have my way so … don’t ruin it for me by making fun of it or anything or my marriage may not SEE year number 22. HA!
Some observations while watching these old movies:
I had BIG hair. No now, we can be honest. There is some footage where it’s literally standing on end. Why didn’t anyone tell me how stupid I looked?!? I mean, good grief. In fact, the next video I’m posting is me, in my hot rollers just to PROVE to you that I suffered all in the name of having awesome early 90′s hair.
Also? What is up with my high, squeaky, hillbilly voice? I had no idea I sounded like that and when I turned to Kevin, just now, my face a mask of petrified horror, and a
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 4/22/2011
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 2/10/2011
I don’t know, I just have a feeling someone out there needed to see this video today.
No matter who you are now or what you’ve done in the past – God loves you. It’s not too late.
(This group is Barlow Girl – they are a contemporary Christian band and listening to them always blesses me. Perhaps they will bless you, too).
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 1/25/2011
Oops. I forgot I taped this.
I actually vlogged this back in December, a few days before I checked myself into the emergency room and later had three feet of my guts cut out of my body.
But you’ve heard enough about that little drama.
Anyhoo, don’t watch this on an empty stomach.
(By the way? The Bahamas reference? Most likely ain’t gonna happen – at least, not this summer. But I’ve been wrong before so …).
(Oh. And the writing my novel in January thing? HAHAHAHAHA! Whatever).
“Talk” to you soon.
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 1/9/2011
Sorry to be posting YET AGAIN today, but I just figured out how to use my webcam on my laptop and OMG, you guys are in trouble now! hahahaha!
I promise I won’t bug you any more today.
Toodles!
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 12/4/2010
@writefromkarenabout 2 hours ago via webRetweetReply
I’m showing this because the roofing guys, as part of our agreement, were supposed to run a big, rolling magnet over our yard to pick up their nails after they finished the job.
As you can see, they didn’t.
Kevin just took a break to have some lunch and he’s back out there hunting for more nails right now. He’s already filled up one baggie. The thing is, when he first suggested buying a magnet so he could do this, I thought he was being anal.
Just proves our wrong I am most of the time and how grateful I am that he doesn’t listen to me all the time.
Between the neighbor dog using our yard as a toilet and now all of these nails, we’ll need full-body armor just to go outside.
It’s always something.
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 11/4/2010
Okay, this doesn’t necessarily happen when you give a child too much chocolate, this is what happens when you give MY child too much chocolate.
HA!
This is Dude. He’s about … 18 months? I have no idea what he’s doing but I’d guess he’s showing off. What really cracks me up is my nephew gets on the floor with him.
Kids are so funny. 
(Thanks for sending this to me, Dad. It totally made my day).
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 11/1/2010
The link to yWriter5.
The link to my NaNoWriMo profile page. (Note: The NaNoWriMo site is usually really slow, or down completely, the first few days of November. Just be patient and try again later).
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 10/28/2010
I remember this. We were so excited to be putting the nursery together for our first born.
(Forgive my insanely high hair – for some reason, I felt I needed to wear it that high. You wouldn’t believe how much Rave hairspray I went through on a weekly basis. But then again, if you’re a a product of the 80′s, maybe you would).
We still have that crib, it’s up in our attic. Whenever Kevin cleans the attic out, he always suggests we get rid of the crib and I always tell him, in no uncertain terms, that we will NOT be getting rid of that crib – ever. I want to use it for our grandchildren.
Some day. No hurry.
Our firstborn will be 18 in a few short weeks.
I’m not sure how that is possible, considering THIS just happened a few weeks ago.
ADDED: Wait. Kevin just told me that this kind of crib is now illegal because children can get caught between the mattress and the slats.
……………
Maybe we WON’T be using this for our grandchildren. *sad face*
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 6/7/2010
*mentioned in video: Jendi from Jendi’s Journal. You can also find Jendi at Simple Vlogging Tips.
**Yes. I got a haircut and I have bangs again!! w00t-w00t!
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 5/31/2010
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 4/12/2010
This week’s questions (submitted by Karie from The Five Fish – thanks Karie!):
1. So you must be a little on the wild side somewhere…how about any tattoos? Piercings? Show us your wild side. If you are free of any taintings do you want any? Piercings or tattoos?
2. Considering the state of our world today what is one thing you might change, suggest, or push for or against if you were to be elected to office?
3. Reminiscing about my impending 10 yr anniversary, can any of you recall your wedding day? Vows? Any funny or memorable moments from your special day?
(I apologize for the quality, or lack thereof, I was in a hurry to get this online before the day was over).
The infamous “hiding his white basketball tube socks” picture:
NEXT WEEK’S QUESTIONS:
From Robyn – Robyn’s Online World:
1. If you could visit 1 city anywhere in the world, what city would it be?
2. What is your favorite vacation you went on as a child?
3. What is the best museum you have ever been to?
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 2/4/2010
Found this video on Kevin’s YouTube account of the boys’ early sledding adventures.
I cracked up when Dude fell off, started chasing them and yelled “DAD!”
Actually, he still does that, now that I think about it. 
Dude was seven and Jazz was five-ish.
Oh. And the music in the background? A Kevin original.
Filed under: VideoPlay
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 12/22/2009
It doesn’t seem possible, I mean, it honestly blows my mind, that our children used to be this little.
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 12/16/2009
Jazz’s band put on their Christmas concert last night. They actually divided the band up into three groups: percussion, concert band and symphonic band.
Jazz was in the concert band.
Here is a video of Jazz’s band performance:
The songs are: “Fantasia on a Christmas Carol” and “Moscow, 1941.”
I also taped part of the percussion performance. I DIG drums. There is something so … primal about them. I always get goosebumps when the guys do their drum thing. It’s rather long, but worth watching till the end. I can’t believe how in sync they are.
The name of the tune is “Trio per Uno” and it’s a college-level piece. The dude who instructed them is from Missouri State University (local college) and he said they were better than his college students. DOH! I’m betting they don’t have any trouble getting into THAT college, do you? 
The semester is coming to a close. Jazz is scheduled for Jazz band next semester so stay tuned for some “funky” shows.
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 12/10/2009
You know, after watching this, I think I’m trying to justify the fact that we DO spoil the kids and I DO feel guilty about that – at least a smidgen. *sigh*
This is a video answer to Momversation’s question: Giving In to Your Kids: Does It Make You Feel Guilty?
I would have liked to post Momversation’s video here, but they have it coded to automatically play and WOW, that’s annoying and I wouldn’t do that to you guys, so, you’ll have to click over and watch the original video on their site.
Sorry about that.
At any rate, here is my response to that question.
Your turn to answer the question: Giving In to Your Kids: Does It Make You Feel Guilty?
(And by the way? I just noticed that I have two subscribers on my Youtube channel and for some reason, that cracks me up. I mean, it’s just me, blabbing. But if you want to subscribe, knock yourself out. There are more videos coming, in case you’re into self-torture. )
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 11/25/2009
I very well could be.
But here’s the thing – I’m stressed. What with NaNoWriMo [STILL BEHIND], work and having to deal with family for Thanksgiving, I’m feeling the pinch. And whenever I feel the pinch, I get up and dance because it helps blow off steam.
Go on. Give it a try. I can’t be the only one BRAVE enough to get out of my chair and dance ………………. can I?!?
Cool song, right? It’s Jem and it’s called “Crazy.” You can buy her entire album (which ROCKS) here.
And me? I’m done. I got my workout in for the day. Now pass the Advil, won’t you?
Oy.
(Sorry about the graininess. I recorded it on the compact setting and HELLO, I only make a fool of myself once a day, I’m not about to go back and record it again. It’s probably a good thing though, this way, you can’t really see my dance expressions – which were priceless, I might add. Oh well, use your imagination. *grin*
And by the way? You totally CAN NOT criticize my dancing unless you’re willing to SHOW me you can do better. If you’re not willing to tape yourself dancing? Then hush. )
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 11/18/2009
I love these moments in time. I need to start doing these more often. Just the little, inconsequential moments that probably won’t mean anything to you all, but will mean the world to me years from now.
Kevin doesn’t play video games very often, in fact, only rarely, so I thought it was cool that he jumped on this particular day and I thought it was funny how he kept failing the driver’s test (you have to pass the test in order to proceed to the next course level).
I don’t know. Some things just tickle me. *smile*
Posted in At the Moment, VideoPlay
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 10/29/2009
I’ve mentioned that math is not Dude’s strength. This video is a (nearly) nightly occurrence at our house during the semesters that Dude has math. (Though I don’t know, Dude does a pretty good job figuring stuff out on his own).
Fortunately, Kevin can help him. Because if the kid had to rely on ME to help him through this maze of numbers and letters, he’d still be at the 3rd grade level.
Seriously.
The guys are doing Algebra II. And I thought it was cute that they were both doing the problem and then comparing answers. This stuff is HARD – and my husband is an accountant!
Kevin said the stuff that Dude is doing is harder than the math he took in college!
Yet another reason I’m thankful for my husband – math.
ADDED: I was sitting here, at my computer, listening to the guys work through the problems last night and Dude was actually teaching Kevin how to do the problems.
I tell Dude, all the time, he’s smart, that he’s smarter than he gives himself credit for and the little victories like tonight, like proving his dad wrong, like re-taking a test and earning a much better grade, on his own with no help from us, gives him more and more confidence. And the more confidence Dude earns, the better he performs.
My oldest son is growing up to be one SMART cookie and as I watch him evolve into this incredible man, right before my eyes, all I can do is stand out of his way and smile.
Posted in At the Moment, VideoPlay
By: Karen Maxwell,
on 10/28/2009
This is Jazz. He was probably in the 1st or 2nd grade here. This was the class Valentine party and yes, I made him stop, pose and smile in front of his classmates – hence the stiffness of his smile. lol
The little box magnet on the file cabinet with his picture in it was the craft they made together, as a class.
And yes, he’s wearing Polo.
My kids had STYLE in grade school. Now? I’m lucky if I can get them to change their t-shirts on a daily basis.
Filed under: Photo Story Friday