vacation sob story

We were supposed to take a vacation to Portland and Seattle next week that has been planned for months. Long story short, when Chris's work plans changed, his deadlines changed and his current project's deadline does not allow for a week away from the drawing table. We were in denial about this for a couple of weeks, believing that Chris would grow an extra set of arms, or clone himself, and there would still be time to go. But reality set in this week and I cancelled all our reservations and plane tickets. Le sigh.

more tales from the bedroom

in (nap) dreams

Only in my dreams (literally) do I have time for that mani/pedi I've always wanted.

modeling

Yes, sometimes I have to pose for Chris while he's drawing. It's tedious and a pain in the ass. And usually comes with instructions like "show me what it would look like if you were pulling a gun out of the waistband of your pants". 'Cause, you know, I do that all the time.

shower buddy

Why is Scout peeking her head into the shower? 'Cause Chris thinks it's funny!

on the life part

Chris drew this note a while back when he was waiting to hear back on a new project. It was a dream project for him, he was crazy excited about it and he was the editor's only choice for an artist. Well, it took a bit, but we finally heard back and it was not to be.

Learning to live with disappointment and rejection has been a big part of our lives these last four years that Chris has been freelancing full-time. This is not the first book that seemed like a sure thing, then fell through. I'm certain it won't be the last. Freelancing can be difficult. Emotionally and physically draining. Financially precarious. Stressful.

But none of that compares to the amazing good news high that we get to experience every time Chris lands a new, exciting job. Or draws a character for print that he dreamed about drawing as a child. Within hours of losing this job, Chris got another offer to draw a character he has always loved and wanted to draw. So we'll put this one in the "win" column and live to experience the highs and lows of freelancing another day.

dino-saurs!!!

allergies!!

in dreams

we are the champions

highs and lows of my day yesterday

Yesterday was supposed to be BEST DAY EVER due the the release of the much anticipated Beatles Rock Band. This game combines two of my favorite things - playing video game guitar and, of course, The Beatles. So it obviously was going to be an awesome day. Then other stuff started happening and it turned into a strange emotional roller coaster day. I'll recap it for you.

DC Restructures to become DC Entertainment - low or at least anxiety-causing
Beatles Rock Band - HIGH
Emergency Dentist Appointment that involves drilling - low and ouch
President's speech on Health Care Reform - HIGH
Jackass Congressman yelling "you lie!" - low and tacky
Glee Premier - meh
Ellen DeGeneres as new Idol Judge - HIGH

Clearly, this day took it's emotional toll on me. And I'm only kinda kidding.

franken-chichi

athlete

What this note doesn't show is Chris splitting open his head on the low part of the basement ceiling, coming upstairs with his fingers covered in blood, scaring the crap out of me and me having to take him to the urgent care where he got two staples put in his head. Good times!!

not really

Every once in a while I'll say or do something and instantly know it is bound for Lunchnotes territory. When I told Chris about my crazy half-bunny Scout dream this morning, I knew I would be seeing it again at lunchtime. But for the record, Scout had bunny legs, not a bunny head.

fall

Fall seems to have arrived earlier than usual this year. Yippee! It's never too early to say goodbye to St. Louis summer.

plant eater

Yesterday we woke up to find that during the night Scout had decided to take several large bites out of the houseplant that sits on my computer desk. Then, decided to puke them all over the floor. It's all part of her ongoing mission to ensure that no one will want to buy our house next year because the carpet is covered in cat puke stains*.

I have no idea what kind of plant it is, but she seemed to be back to her crazy self by the time we discovered what she had done. Plant is now gone, lesson has been learned. And the joke will (eventually) be on Scout because I have vowed that we will never live in a house with carpet again. I don't care if the floors in our next house are wood, bamboo or concrete - NO MORE CARPET!!!

*Not really. We invested in a SpotBotabout a year and a half ago and it has paid for itself time and time again. Really, if you love someone who loves a pukey animal - buy this for them.

not gone

The beard is not gone, but has been trimmed. I'll continue to keep you updated on Beard Watch '09. :)