I know the spambots are just robots, that there aren’t humans deciding to target my specific blog and specific posts, but it still bothers me no end to find 15+ spam comments following the post about my aunt. I closed comments on that post late last night after deleting the spam comments, and reopened them this morning. Within one minute of reopening the comments, there were two new spam comments. So…fuck the robots. The comments to that post are closed. To the many of you who left legitimate comments offering condolence, thank you so so much. It’s a comfort to know our family is in your thoughts.
And as to the spam…Wordpress and Askimet, here I come. David and I are working behind the scenes (okay…David is working behind the scenes and he lets me peek behind the curtain as much as I want) to get this blog migrated to WordPress. My beloved Xina has designed a new banner because I get a bit sad everytime I see Sadie’s face up there in the old banner. And it’s high time for a redesign, anyway, since this current blog was cobbled together with my circa-1996 html skills. (oooh! Tables! hello world!)
I’m not sure when we’ll be doing the big move, but I’m glad it’s in the works.
And a public service announcement for the day:
A quiet toddler in another room probably means trouble. I was right around the corner in the dining room, and he was alone for less than one minute. That, my friends, is one pound of whole wheat flour.
Those toddlers are so stealth!
Posted by: Lizbon
Well, at least he’s making a healthy mess since it’s whole wheat flour.
(and last night I was making dinner while my 11 month old was crawling around the house. I didn’t hear her for a couple minutes, then I heard splashing…why yes, she WAS playing in the toilet, how did you know?)
Posted by: Bertha
Oops. At the daycare they had a “sensory tub” that they filled with all kinds of goodies and then the kids stand around it (it was on a table) and could play with the stuff in it. My favourite was watching the kids play in rice krispies. Add some plastic animals (especially dinosaurs) and it’s a whole lot of fun. And I didn’t have to vacuum.
At least it’s not permanent marker or scissors (ask me how I know).
Posted by: Dr. Steph
Since you are switching to WP.. I’d also recommend “Peters Custom Anti-Spam”(http://www.theblog.ca/?p=21) as a great word verification plug-in that you can customize with your own real words rather than those weird gray eye-test number/letter monstrosities. I had a LOT of problems with Akismet and it thinking that some of my readers (mostly with their own domains) were spambots.. and I spent half my time wading through pron comments to find the real ones. Not affiliated.. just a happy user.
Posted by: Mouse
So sorry about your spamification. It’s funny how these things get under your skin even when you KNOW they’re not real things from real people. Maybe it’s the fact that somewhere some alleged human is being a jerk enough to craft these things and let them loose wherever.
I haven’t regretted switching over to WP one single instant. In fact, I like it a whole lot.
Posted by: Jill Smith
But you have to admit, he didn’t just dump it. He was also drawing designs in the flour! (That is as close as I can come to looking on the bright side.)
Posted by: ToniC
Those toddlers are so stealth!
Posted by: Lizbon
Well, at least he’s making a healthy mess since it’s whole wheat flour.
(and last night I was making dinner while my 11 month old was crawling around the house. I didn’t hear her for a couple minutes, then I heard splashing…why yes, she WAS playing in the toilet, how did you know?)
Posted by: Bertha
Oops. At the daycare they had a “sensory tub” that they filled with all kinds of goodies and then the kids stand around it (it was on a table) and could play with the stuff in it. My favourite was watching the kids play in rice krispies. Add some plastic animals (especially dinosaurs) and it’s a whole lot of fun. And I didn’t have to vacuum.
At least it’s not permanent marker or scissors (ask me how I know).
Posted by: Dr. Steph
Since you are switching to WP.. I’d also recommend “Peters Custom Anti-Spam”(http://www.theblog.ca/?p=21) as a great word verification plug-in that you can customize with your own real words rather than those weird gray eye-test number/letter monstrosities. I had a LOT of problems with Akismet and it thinking that some of my readers (mostly with their own domains) were spambots.. and I spent half my time wading through pron comments to find the real ones. Not affiliated.. just a happy user.
Posted by: Mouse
So sorry about your spamification. It’s funny how these things get under your skin even when you KNOW they’re not real things from real people. Maybe it’s the fact that somewhere some alleged human is being a jerk enough to craft these things and let them loose wherever.
I haven’t regretted switching over to WP one single instant. In fact, I like it a whole lot.
Posted by: Jill Smith
But you have to admit, he didn’t just dump it. He was also drawing designs in the flour! (That is as close as I can come to looking on the bright side.)
Posted by: ToniC
My little guy (who is 8 now), powdered the dog with baby cornstarch. He powdered the dog, his floor, the living room floor, the bathroom floor, his hair, his little brother . . . . . . He still likes to look at that picture. All you can see of his face are his huge blue eyes. By the way he also flushed a big plastic egg at Easter. And we were right there with him. They sure do move fast at this age.
Posted by: Kim K. in PA
My little guy loves climbing up on chairs and playing in potting soil from my potted plants…on our apartment’s off-white carpet. I’ve just resigned myself to paying for new carpet whenever we ultimately move to a new place. They’re definitely a handful at this age. If I could only figure out how to keep him from climbing without removing all seating from our house…
Posted by: Saralyn
Hey… at least it’s healthy!
When we were kids my brother dumped a box of powdered laundry soap with bleach additive on my mum’s new carpet.
Posted by: Marisa
He sure looks like he’s having fun! Get that boy a sandbox 🙂
Posted by: Vicki
Hey, check it out, a new millenium “flour child”! Ouch.. getting pelted with yarn stings!
Posted by: Muriel
the sensory tibs are great…I used to fill up large shallow tubs with stuff at the house. My girls would make suggestions to their teachers what should be in the school tubs. This is what happens when your sister is the director of the children’s center they attended. Their favs were macaroni and pinto beans.
Posted by: darci
My little guy (who is 8 now), powdered the dog with baby cornstarch. He powdered the dog, his floor, the living room floor, the bathroom floor, his hair, his little brother . . . . . . He still likes to look at that picture. All you can see of his face are his huge blue eyes. By the way he also flushed a big plastic egg at Easter. And we were right there with him. They sure do move fast at this age.
Posted by: Kim K. in PA
My little guy loves climbing up on chairs and playing in potting soil from my potted plants…on our apartment’s off-white carpet. I’ve just resigned myself to paying for new carpet whenever we ultimately move to a new place. They’re definitely a handful at this age. If I could only figure out how to keep him from climbing without removing all seating from our house…
Posted by: Saralyn
Hey… at least it’s healthy!
When we were kids my brother dumped a box of powdered laundry soap with bleach additive on my mum’s new carpet.
Posted by: Marisa
He sure looks like he’s having fun! Get that boy a sandbox 🙂
Posted by: Vicki
Hey, check it out, a new millenium “flour child”! Ouch.. getting pelted with yarn stings!
Posted by: Muriel
the sensory tibs are great…I used to fill up large shallow tubs with stuff at the house. My girls would make suggestions to their teachers what should be in the school tubs. This is what happens when your sister is the director of the children’s center they attended. Their favs were macaroni and pinto beans.
Posted by: darci
long time lurker, just checked in and see that you are in my home town!! HOLY COW! how exciting!!
regarding hair- you might have a chat with Gilly at Gilly’s salon, on Clinton & 26sih- I think she is dabbling in more natural dyes and I know she cuts curly hair…
when or if you child is ready for preschool come visit me at new day, also in that neighborhood.
we’ll keep his little hands busy with flour and other exciting activities!
Posted by: heidi
Did you give him measuring spoons to play with in his new “sand box”?
Mine loved playing in bubbles at that age. Just filled a tub with a little water and lots of dish suds and he was a happy camper!
We still have a picture somewhere of my little sister in the middle of a pile of green beans. She dumped over the whole 5 gallon bucket and was chowing her way through them. Not quite 2 when she did it.
Posted by: HistoricStitcher
Oh Cari, so sorry to read about your aunt. Hugs to your family.
You will be so happy you moved to WordPress. It’s so much nicer. And the flour? Just be glad it wasn’t oil…
Posted by: Elinor
Flour does feel rather lovely, I think. I can see Thumper feels the same way.
Posted by: marrije
Mine did that at that age. Instant sandbox. I suggest a tupperware bin full of something like corn meal that can be brought out for him to use with measuring spoons and other toys.
Posted by: Kit
They look so cute when they do naughty stuff like this. Gotta love this age.
Posted by: Diane
long time lurker, just checked in and see that you are in my home town!! HOLY COW! how exciting!!
regarding hair- you might have a chat with Gilly at Gilly’s salon, on Clinton & 26sih- I think she is dabbling in more natural dyes and I know she cuts curly hair…
when or if you child is ready for preschool come visit me at new day, also in that neighborhood.
we’ll keep his little hands busy with flour and other exciting activities!
Posted by: heidi
Did you give him measuring spoons to play with in his new “sand box”?
Mine loved playing in bubbles at that age. Just filled a tub with a little water and lots of dish suds and he was a happy camper!
We still have a picture somewhere of my little sister in the middle of a pile of green beans. She dumped over the whole 5 gallon bucket and was chowing her way through them. Not quite 2 when she did it.
Posted by: HistoricStitcher
Oh Cari, so sorry to read about your aunt. Hugs to your family.
You will be so happy you moved to WordPress. It’s so much nicer. And the flour? Just be glad it wasn’t oil…
Posted by: Elinor
Flour does feel rather lovely, I think. I can see Thumper feels the same way.
Posted by: marrije
Mine did that at that age. Instant sandbox. I suggest a tupperware bin full of something like corn meal that can be brought out for him to use with measuring spoons and other toys.
Posted by: Kit
They look so cute when they do naughty stuff like this. Gotta love this age.
Posted by: Diane
Was.
Not is.
I found Pia drawing on the walls the other day….
YOu have to laugh though :))
Posted by: Alison
I hear ya about the kid thing. Mine got a hold of a guitar pick (plastic and not sharp, thank goodness) and put it in his mouth when I didn’t see him. He’s 9 months old. I caught it when he seemed to be chewing and wasn’t saying “babababababa” anymore. I thought that pick was out of reach! GAH! Now I get to look forward to glorious messes in the kitchen someday! 🙂
I also wanted to extend my condolences about your aunt. It’s terrible to go through for everyone. I hope your family’s healing is swift.
Posted by: Anna
At least it wasn’t a pink highlighter. I’m still not sure how to get it off the trash can, the deck, and the kitchen door.
Spambots suck.
Posted by: Carrie
Spam stinks.
Heh. Yeah. “Quiet” and “toddler” is seldom actually a good thing…
Posted by: Mother Chaos
they’re so darn quick! maybe that’s why my mom put bells on my little stride rite’s.
Posted by: Cambria
Quiet + toddler = bad. Bells or clothing that makes noise. On the other hand, its only flour and exploring is what toddler’s do. Keep the dustbuster handy.
Posted by: Diana
Was.
Not is.
I found Pia drawing on the walls the other day….
YOu have to laugh though :))
Posted by: Alison
I hear ya about the kid thing. Mine got a hold of a guitar pick (plastic and not sharp, thank goodness) and put it in his mouth when I didn’t see him. He’s 9 months old. I caught it when he seemed to be chewing and wasn’t saying “babababababa” anymore. I thought that pick was out of reach! GAH! Now I get to look forward to glorious messes in the kitchen someday! 🙂
I also wanted to extend my condolences about your aunt. It’s terrible to go through for everyone. I hope your family’s healing is swift.
Posted by: Anna
At least it wasn’t a pink highlighter. I’m still not sure how to get it off the trash can, the deck, and the kitchen door.
Spambots suck.
Posted by: Carrie
Spam stinks.
Heh. Yeah. “Quiet” and “toddler” is seldom actually a good thing…
Posted by: Mother Chaos
they’re so darn quick! maybe that’s why my mom put bells on my little stride rite’s.
Posted by: Cambria
Quiet + toddler = bad. Bells or clothing that makes noise. On the other hand, its only flour and exploring is what toddler’s do. Keep the dustbuster handy.
Posted by: Diana
Yup, quiet can be trouble. I remember looking up one time to find my son had scotch-taped himself to the kitchen floor. Better that I guess than super glue.
Posted by: no-blog-rachel
LOL I did the same thing to my mom when I was little…she was taking a shower and had me in the bathroom with her to keep me “out of trouble.” Ha! An entire can of talcum powder ALL OVER THE BATHROOM. The picture of it is still somewhere. :}
Posted by: Lisa
Bugger about the spam…. Hmm, yes a quiet toddler is definitely a worry! My little girl found my spinning wheel oil the other day….
Posted by: Sharon
ahhh, I remember those days. Although The Chicken is nearly 10 and sometimes even then quiet means trouble….LOL!
Posted by: Heather
I can’t hardly believe that you have ANY grey hair. You look like you’re still in high school, and that’s good! I like your hair really red. It suits you, and not too many people could pull that off. As far as grey hair, take lots of Selenium and most if not all of it will go away. It could just be stress. I had some grey hair when I was about 12 years old due to the kids on the bus bullying me. Oh, and Thumper’s cute! I don’t have natural hair either. Mine is naturally wavy/curly and dark blonde, but I do a heavy light natural blonde foil in the exact color of my natural highlights. I live in the Ozarks, so wish you could get your hair done here cause my lady’s really good. Cheap too! $11.00 haircut and $70.00 for a root touch up foil. The cut is free with the foil. My best friend of 18 years didn’t even know I got my hair colored it looked so natural. She said, “Oh, I thought you had just been in the Sun!”
Posted by: Valerie
I was so sorry to hear of your aunt’s death. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Posted by: Heather
Yup, quiet can be trouble. I remember looking up one time to find my son had scotch-taped himself to the kitchen floor. Better that I guess than super glue.
Posted by: no-blog-rachel
LOL I did the same thing to my mom when I was little…she was taking a shower and had me in the bathroom with her to keep me “out of trouble.” Ha! An entire can of talcum powder ALL OVER THE BATHROOM. The picture of it is still somewhere. :}
Posted by: Lisa
Bugger about the spam…. Hmm, yes a quiet toddler is definitely a worry! My little girl found my spinning wheel oil the other day….
Posted by: Sharon
ahhh, I remember those days. Although The Chicken is nearly 10 and sometimes even then quiet means trouble….LOL!
Posted by: Heather
I can’t hardly believe that you have ANY grey hair. You look like you’re still in high school, and that’s good! I like your hair really red. It suits you, and not too many people could pull that off. As far as grey hair, take lots of Selenium and most if not all of it will go away. It could just be stress. I had some grey hair when I was about 12 years old due to the kids on the bus bullying me. Oh, and Thumper’s cute! I don’t have natural hair either. Mine is naturally wavy/curly and dark blonde, but I do a heavy light natural blonde foil in the exact color of my natural highlights. I live in the Ozarks, so wish you could get your hair done here cause my lady’s really good. Cheap too! $11.00 haircut and $70.00 for a root touch up foil. The cut is free with the foil. My best friend of 18 years didn’t even know I got my hair colored it looked so natural. She said, “Oh, I thought you had just been in the Sun!”
Posted by: Valerie
I was so sorry to hear of your aunt’s death. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Posted by: Heather
Thumper is getting so big! And what a fine big mess he can make too.
Posted by: claudia
At least it was on tiles not carpet!
Yes, you have to love the stealth toddler. Mine is fond of going into unoccupied rooms and emptying the bin piece by piece.
Posted by: ginchy
I’m willing to bet if you had given him some more time, he would have had challah dough ready to bake. I wouldn’t put it past that one.
Posted by: Cassie
Thumper is getting so big! And what a fine big mess he can make too.
Posted by: claudia
At least it was on tiles not carpet!
Yes, you have to love the stealth toddler. Mine is fond of going into unoccupied rooms and emptying the bin piece by piece.
Posted by: ginchy
I’m willing to bet if you had given him some more time, he would have had challah dough ready to bake. I wouldn’t put it past that one.
Posted by: Cassie
I really needed a laugh this morning! I also have loved reading the comments!! My now 12 yr. daughter then, 2 colored herself from head to toe in magenta pink markers. She was sitting in the backseat of our van as we moved across the country (sound familar?) but in the opposite direction. I was asleep, dh was driving and ds was asleep. We wake up to find a pink toddler in our backseat. Now normally this wouldn’t be so bad. But on said trip we were stopping all along the way to see friends and family that had never met her. So we introduced our pink toddler to our friends! We still laugh about that!!!
Posted by: KaKi
Quiet + toddler is only good when he’s asleep.
Mine still plays in flour, and he’s 8. But at least I can channel that into “baking”.
Posted by: Sandra
My Mom once turned her back and my brother had stuck his entire hand into a container of Crisco. Can’t you see, Mommy, what nice patterns you can make in the four? Amazing what they can manage to do so quickly. As Bill Cosby has said, they just run around trying to kill themselves. Constantly!
Posted by: Jennifer
hahahaha! Ya, try an AmStaff. They can be sneaky too. Sorry for your (flour) loss, but it’s still kind of funny! (my dog ate my favorite hat last year)
Posted by: Kathryn
well, the photo would make it look like he is trouble, but that flour kept him so occupied! and quiet! 🙂 he probably loved the silky feeling of the flour…i know i did. (sorry mom)
Posted by: shannon in oregon
mmmm….WordPress….
Posted by: sutton
I really needed a laugh this morning! I also have loved reading the comments!! My now 12 yr. daughter then, 2 colored herself from head to toe in magenta pink markers. She was sitting in the backseat of our van as we moved across the country (sound familar?) but in the opposite direction. I was asleep, dh was driving and ds was asleep. We wake up to find a pink toddler in our backseat. Now normally this wouldn’t be so bad. But on said trip we were stopping all along the way to see friends and family that had never met her. So we introduced our pink toddler to our friends! We still laugh about that!!!
Posted by: KaKi
Quiet + toddler is only good when he’s asleep.
Mine still plays in flour, and he’s 8. But at least I can channel that into “baking”.
Posted by: Sandra
My Mom once turned her back and my brother had stuck his entire hand into a container of Crisco. Can’t you see, Mommy, what nice patterns you can make in the four? Amazing what they can manage to do so quickly. As Bill Cosby has said, they just run around trying to kill themselves. Constantly!
Posted by: Jennifer
hahahaha! Ya, try an AmStaff. They can be sneaky too. Sorry for your (flour) loss, but it’s still kind of funny! (my dog ate my favorite hat last year)
Posted by: Kathryn
well, the photo would make it look like he is trouble, but that flour kept him so occupied! and quiet! 🙂 he probably loved the silky feeling of the flour…i know i did. (sorry mom)
Posted by: shannon in oregon
mmmm….WordPress….
Posted by: sutton
Ha, I remember that all too well. “It’s way too quiet around here” always spells problems. With babies or puppies.
Thanks for helping me see the upside of having a 7 year old!
Posted by: Jennie
I made the move to wordpress and like it much better than blogger. It seems to be more versatile and love the askismet.
Took a page from you and went red. Not nearly as ragdoll red as you are, but red, nonetheless
Posted by: Lynda
At least Thumper didn’t get into your stash and unravel everything. I teach 13 year olds, and I’m always scared when it’s quiet…even when they are taking a test, I keep expecting something to explode.
Posted by: Kathie
Ha, I remember that all too well. “It’s way too quiet around here” always spells problems. With babies or puppies.
Thanks for helping me see the upside of having a 7 year old!
Posted by: Jennie
I made the move to wordpress and like it much better than blogger. It seems to be more versatile and love the askismet.
Took a page from you and went red. Not nearly as ragdoll red as you are, but red, nonetheless
Posted by: Lynda
At least Thumper didn’t get into your stash and unravel everything. I teach 13 year olds, and I’m always scared when it’s quiet…even when they are taking a test, I keep expecting something to explode.
Posted by: Kathie