Editor's Note: We would like to apologize for the absence of the newsletter over the past 7 weeks. As you read this week's stories, I am sure you will understand that we needed to take some time to be with our families. --ed.
Hello Everyone.
There are times when life's journey can take dramatic twists and turns yet somehow we manage to plod on trying to cope. We had just celebrated the beginning of a new life with the birth of our third child, a daughter who we named Willa Kathleen.
Especially poignant, is that when Willa met my father-in-law he was lying in a hospital bed, clinging to life. Just 12 days earlier, Granny and Grandpa had been sitting at their kitchen table, toasting the birth of their 28th grandchild. Now, only months after having been diagnosed, the rapidly growing brain cancer could no longer be controlled. And in another 12 days Willa would bear witness to an entire life.
She was there with her Grandpa as his life peacefully came to a end. She was there when we celebrated Grandpa's life. She was there when his body was laid to rest. She was there.
B.Edmund Nelligan 1923 - 2004
We will walk with you,
holding your hand,
as you near the threshold
where the living may not pass;
until you are ready
to reach for the hand of God.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Monday, April 05, 2004
Monday, February 23, 2004
Introducing ...
Hello Everyone.
So if you've been wondering what happened to the newsletter last week, it unexpectedly took a back seat to trying to get some sleep. Seems that we had a baby 5 days early. In the ContestHound.com household the word early is rarely ever used so you can guess just how much we were caught off guard. Not that the extra time would have left us any more prepared mind you.
So without further ado, let me introduce you to my beautiful new daughter Willa, born Friday February 13, 2004 in our dining room. Astonishingly, it took us only another 3 days to give her a first name. We are still working on a middle name, which should come as no surprise.
And for those of you wanting to see some pictures, follow the link below. There is a really great shot of my 4-year-old daughter Neva holding her new baby sister only hours after she was born.
Pictures of Willa
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
So if you've been wondering what happened to the newsletter last week, it unexpectedly took a back seat to trying to get some sleep. Seems that we had a baby 5 days early. In the ContestHound.com household the word early is rarely ever used so you can guess just how much we were caught off guard. Not that the extra time would have left us any more prepared mind you.
So without further ado, let me introduce you to my beautiful new daughter Willa, born Friday February 13, 2004 in our dining room. Astonishingly, it took us only another 3 days to give her a first name. We are still working on a middle name, which should come as no surprise.
And for those of you wanting to see some pictures, follow the link below. There is a really great shot of my 4-year-old daughter Neva holding her new baby sister only hours after she was born.
Pictures of Willa
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Smooch ...
Hello Everyone.
Countdown to Baby: 7 days
We are getting down to the wire ... a week or so before the still-to-be-named baby arrives.
Sometimes we parents find ourselves stuck between thinking something is so terrible and thinking that it isn't really such a good idea. Take for instance my 20-month-old son Milo who recently began giving kisses. After finishing our lunch today, he gave everyone a round of kisses. We were at McDonalds.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Countdown to Baby: 7 days
We are getting down to the wire ... a week or so before the still-to-be-named baby arrives.
Sometimes we parents find ourselves stuck between thinking something is so terrible and thinking that it isn't really such a good idea. Take for instance my 20-month-old son Milo who recently began giving kisses. After finishing our lunch today, he gave everyone a round of kisses. We were at McDonalds.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Monday, February 09, 2004
Kudos!
Hello Everyone.
Countdown to Baby: 9 days
Panic is setting in. We have just a little over a week before the newest ContestHound.com employee arrives. Send help ...
It seems to have been one of those days. I'm feeling big and uncomfortable, very tired and very, very hormonal. After all, I am about to have another baby in a few short weeks. So when bath time rolled around, I didn't have much patience left in me. I got 20-month-old Milo bathed quickly enough but his sister Neva was a different story. Apparently 4-year-olds can become hormonal by osmosis. She was being obstinate, and protested rather loudly when I told her to get out of the tub for behaving that way. What followed I won't recount, but suffice it to say, it was loud and there were tears involved. Neva's and mine.
Enter Bob. Calm, cool and collected, my husband ran interference. He quietly took Neva in to bed, got her settled down and to sleep. Drained, I got Milo a bottle of milk and lay down on the couch with him. Milo, however, doesn't fall asleep easily when he's had a daytime nap, so as soon as the milk was done, Milo was off. I barely had the energy to get up off the couch, much less chase him around the apartment and get him to bed.
Enter Bob. But this time I bribed him. See, he was stuck on a story for tonight's issue of this very newsletter. So I promised I'd write one if he'd put Milo to bed. It's been a half-hour and he's just coming out of the bedroom now. Did he get the fuzzy end of the lollipop this time? Depends on how much this glowing review of his parenting skills means to him.
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
Countdown to Baby: 9 days
Panic is setting in. We have just a little over a week before the newest ContestHound.com employee arrives. Send help ...
It seems to have been one of those days. I'm feeling big and uncomfortable, very tired and very, very hormonal. After all, I am about to have another baby in a few short weeks. So when bath time rolled around, I didn't have much patience left in me. I got 20-month-old Milo bathed quickly enough but his sister Neva was a different story. Apparently 4-year-olds can become hormonal by osmosis. She was being obstinate, and protested rather loudly when I told her to get out of the tub for behaving that way. What followed I won't recount, but suffice it to say, it was loud and there were tears involved. Neva's and mine.
Enter Bob. Calm, cool and collected, my husband ran interference. He quietly took Neva in to bed, got her settled down and to sleep. Drained, I got Milo a bottle of milk and lay down on the couch with him. Milo, however, doesn't fall asleep easily when he's had a daytime nap, so as soon as the milk was done, Milo was off. I barely had the energy to get up off the couch, much less chase him around the apartment and get him to bed.
Enter Bob. But this time I bribed him. See, he was stuck on a story for tonight's issue of this very newsletter. So I promised I'd write one if he'd put Milo to bed. It's been a half-hour and he's just coming out of the bedroom now. Did he get the fuzzy end of the lollipop this time? Depends on how much this glowing review of his parenting skills means to him.
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
Friday, February 06, 2004
Comfort in Chaos ...
Hello Everyone.
Countdown to Baby: 12 days
Less than two weeks to go and we have yet to finalize a short list of names. Mind you, it wasn't until 6 days after Milo was born that we named him ...
As we get immanently closer to the arrival of our third child my fear and anxiety is growing. I suppose that's normal but that alone doesn't lessen my worries. There are the standard concerns about the baby's health even though nothing indicates there is anything wrong. And then the ever-popular one about the ability to cope with yet another mouth to feed. Contrary to popular opinion, running a couple of contest web sites is not a particularly lucrative occupation.
Generally being one step away from paranoia, I know first hand how common concerns are the foundations on which more unrealistic fears are built. My past experiences should help to alleviate those wild thoughts but that would mean I'd have to acknowledge that I am being unrealistic. I have found that when you are in the midst of an emotional crisis, reality has a way of standing on the sidelines.
Eventually I once again find myself back in the present and though the fears still exist, I know that as far as right now goes, at this very moment, the hundred or so outcomes I have imagined don't exist. And in that, I find reassurance ... comfort in chaos.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Countdown to Baby: 12 days
Less than two weeks to go and we have yet to finalize a short list of names. Mind you, it wasn't until 6 days after Milo was born that we named him ...
As we get immanently closer to the arrival of our third child my fear and anxiety is growing. I suppose that's normal but that alone doesn't lessen my worries. There are the standard concerns about the baby's health even though nothing indicates there is anything wrong. And then the ever-popular one about the ability to cope with yet another mouth to feed. Contrary to popular opinion, running a couple of contest web sites is not a particularly lucrative occupation.
Generally being one step away from paranoia, I know first hand how common concerns are the foundations on which more unrealistic fears are built. My past experiences should help to alleviate those wild thoughts but that would mean I'd have to acknowledge that I am being unrealistic. I have found that when you are in the midst of an emotional crisis, reality has a way of standing on the sidelines.
Eventually I once again find myself back in the present and though the fears still exist, I know that as far as right now goes, at this very moment, the hundred or so outcomes I have imagined don't exist. And in that, I find reassurance ... comfort in chaos.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Thursday, February 05, 2004
So They Say ...
Hello Everyone.
Countdown to Baby: 14 days
We have been receiving lots of great names and in fact have even put some of them on our "consideration" list. Please keep sending us your name suggestions for either a boy or a girl.
Is it me or is everyone in this house crazy? What follows is selected exerpts from conversations in the ContestHound.com household over a period of 30 minutes.
Neva: "Milo made me sprain my ankle!"
Kathleen: "So, why are you holding your elbow?
Kathleen to Milo:
"You can take it to the living room or put it away." He was dragging a 3-step ladder around with him.
Neva: "Momma, what's for dessert?"
Daddy: "A nap!"
Neva and Milo: "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" (breath) "AHHHHHHHHHH!" (breath) "AHHHHHHHHHH!"
Mommy and Daddy: "WILL YOU GUYS QUIT SCREAMING!"
Neva:
"Mom. Milo turned the TV off."
"Mom. Milo turned the TV off."
"Mom. Milo turned the TV off."
"Milo turned the TV off again."
"Mom, Milo did it again."
Milo: "Ahh Ahhhh Ehh Ehhh Whaaaa Whaaaaaa ..."
Translation: "I don't want to be put in my high chair for repeatedly turning off the TV."
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Countdown to Baby: 14 days
We have been receiving lots of great names and in fact have even put some of them on our "consideration" list. Please keep sending us your name suggestions for either a boy or a girl.
Is it me or is everyone in this house crazy? What follows is selected exerpts from conversations in the ContestHound.com household over a period of 30 minutes.
Neva: "Milo made me sprain my ankle!"
Kathleen: "So, why are you holding your elbow?
Kathleen to Milo:
"You can take it to the living room or put it away." He was dragging a 3-step ladder around with him.
Neva: "Momma, what's for dessert?"
Daddy: "A nap!"
Neva and Milo: "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" (breath) "AHHHHHHHHHH!" (breath) "AHHHHHHHHHH!"
Mommy and Daddy: "WILL YOU GUYS QUIT SCREAMING!"
Neva:
"Mom. Milo turned the TV off."
"Mom. Milo turned the TV off."
"Mom. Milo turned the TV off."
"Milo turned the TV off again."
"Mom, Milo did it again."
Milo: "Ahh Ahhhh Ehh Ehhh Whaaaa Whaaaaaa ..."
Translation: "I don't want to be put in my high chair for repeatedly turning off the TV."
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
So I Hear ...
Hello Everyone.
Countdown to Baby: 15 days
Thanks to everyone who has sent in suggestions for boy's names. Apparently, Bob seems to think we already have one for a girl. He's wrong. Please help us with some girl's names by replying to this email.
Milo had fallen asleep in the truck, so my wife Kathleen decided to stay with him while Neva and I went to the hardware store. We had parked beside the neighboring grocery store and Kathleen hopped out to grab a sales flyer to read while waiting with Milo.
Now I am a man, and I was in a big box hardware store, but I really wasn't that long. Honestly. At 4-years-old, Neva doesn't yet have the patience for a full-scale assault on a hardware store. So I was surprised to find that the truck was empty when we returned. I knew right away where Kathleen and Milo were. I wondered if she had poked Milo with the flyer to wake him so she could make a run at the grocery store.
Neva and I wandered in looking for Kathleen. We walked from one end to the other and back again, checking each aisle but Kathleen was nowhere to be found. Was I wrong? Could Kathleen have gone to the hardware store looking for us? Not a chance.
Neva started to call out: "Mommy! Mommy!" She wasn't too loud but it seemed to me that every woman in the entire store double-checked for her kids, just in case they had lost one I suppose. Even those moms who didn't bring their kids seemed concerned. Must be something genetic, I thought.
We finally made our way to the front of the store again where we found Kathleen and Milo, who had already been through the check out and were waiting for us. "I heard Neva calling," she said matter-of-factly. Imagine, in a store the size of a football field, full of kids and their parents, my wife not only heard the calls but knew that it was her own daughter.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Countdown to Baby: 15 days
Thanks to everyone who has sent in suggestions for boy's names. Apparently, Bob seems to think we already have one for a girl. He's wrong. Please help us with some girl's names by replying to this email.
Milo had fallen asleep in the truck, so my wife Kathleen decided to stay with him while Neva and I went to the hardware store. We had parked beside the neighboring grocery store and Kathleen hopped out to grab a sales flyer to read while waiting with Milo.
Now I am a man, and I was in a big box hardware store, but I really wasn't that long. Honestly. At 4-years-old, Neva doesn't yet have the patience for a full-scale assault on a hardware store. So I was surprised to find that the truck was empty when we returned. I knew right away where Kathleen and Milo were. I wondered if she had poked Milo with the flyer to wake him so she could make a run at the grocery store.
Neva and I wandered in looking for Kathleen. We walked from one end to the other and back again, checking each aisle but Kathleen was nowhere to be found. Was I wrong? Could Kathleen have gone to the hardware store looking for us? Not a chance.
Neva started to call out: "Mommy! Mommy!" She wasn't too loud but it seemed to me that every woman in the entire store double-checked for her kids, just in case they had lost one I suppose. Even those moms who didn't bring their kids seemed concerned. Must be something genetic, I thought.
We finally made our way to the front of the store again where we found Kathleen and Milo, who had already been through the check out and were waiting for us. "I heard Neva calling," she said matter-of-factly. Imagine, in a store the size of a football field, full of kids and their parents, my wife not only heard the calls but knew that it was her own daughter.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Monday, February 02, 2004
Peace and Quiet ...
Hello Everyone.
Countdown to Baby: 16 days
Thanks to everyone who has sent in suggestions for boy's names. Apparently, Bob seems to think we already have one for a girl. He's wrong. Please help us with some girl's names by replying to this email.
As I sit here at my computer, Neva is watching TV and Milo is sitting on the floor quietly playing with his trains, "Woo-oo!" Sharon, Lois and Bram are singing in the background.
While it might not last long, for now the Gunther household is unchaotic. And I think I'll just sit and soak it in for a bit.
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
Countdown to Baby: 16 days
Thanks to everyone who has sent in suggestions for boy's names. Apparently, Bob seems to think we already have one for a girl. He's wrong. Please help us with some girl's names by replying to this email.
As I sit here at my computer, Neva is watching TV and Milo is sitting on the floor quietly playing with his trains, "Woo-oo!" Sharon, Lois and Bram are singing in the background.
While it might not last long, for now the Gunther household is unchaotic. And I think I'll just sit and soak it in for a bit.
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
Friday, January 30, 2004
Nap Time Races...
Hello Everyone.
Countdown to Baby: 19 days
A few of you have sent in suggestions for a boy's name. We are still looking for more names so please send us your suggestions! You can do so by replying to this email.
My kids often love playing together. Usually it involves a game of chase around the apartment where 19-month-old Milo starts out chasing after his 4-year-old sister Neva. She runs as fast as she can so that after a few laps, she's hot on his tail. This always surprises him. Milo then runs into the bedroom and they finish up by jumping on the beds.
In a way, I hate this game. I suppose I should count my blessings and watch my children enjoying each other's company instead of taunting one another. But, really, can't they do this during the day and not when I'm trying to get them ready for bed?!
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
Countdown to Baby: 19 days
A few of you have sent in suggestions for a boy's name. We are still looking for more names so please send us your suggestions! You can do so by replying to this email.
My kids often love playing together. Usually it involves a game of chase around the apartment where 19-month-old Milo starts out chasing after his 4-year-old sister Neva. She runs as fast as she can so that after a few laps, she's hot on his tail. This always surprises him. Milo then runs into the bedroom and they finish up by jumping on the beds.
In a way, I hate this game. I suppose I should count my blessings and watch my children enjoying each other's company instead of taunting one another. But, really, can't they do this during the day and not when I'm trying to get them ready for bed?!
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
A-Door-Able ...
Hello Everyone.
Countdown to Baby: 21 days
We still need more boy's names. Please send us your suggestions!
There once was a time, not too long ago, when if we stood in our living room we could see clear to the other end of the apartment. I could speak to my wife Kathleen and get an answer regardless of where in our apartment I happened to be. And if both my hands were full with whatever I was carrying, I could easily navigate to any room without having to put anything down. Those days are now gone.
My 19-month-old son Milo has taken to closing doors. In fact, he closes every door in our home and not just once or twice, but all day long. He spends a considerable amount of time opening and closing doors, sometimes 10 minutes on a single door.
Which leads me to wonder if this behavior indicates anything. Could it foreshadow his future career: a prison guard or even a prisoner. Maybe he'll be a doorman at some fancy hotel in some far off city. Perhaps he is destined to become a locksmith. Yeah, that's probably it. It pays well, I don't think it's overly stressful and he'll never be stuck when he forgets his keys.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Countdown to Baby: 21 days
We still need more boy's names. Please send us your suggestions!
There once was a time, not too long ago, when if we stood in our living room we could see clear to the other end of the apartment. I could speak to my wife Kathleen and get an answer regardless of where in our apartment I happened to be. And if both my hands were full with whatever I was carrying, I could easily navigate to any room without having to put anything down. Those days are now gone.
My 19-month-old son Milo has taken to closing doors. In fact, he closes every door in our home and not just once or twice, but all day long. He spends a considerable amount of time opening and closing doors, sometimes 10 minutes on a single door.
Which leads me to wonder if this behavior indicates anything. Could it foreshadow his future career: a prison guard or even a prisoner. Maybe he'll be a doorman at some fancy hotel in some far off city. Perhaps he is destined to become a locksmith. Yeah, that's probably it. It pays well, I don't think it's overly stressful and he'll never be stuck when he forgets his keys.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Friday, January 23, 2004
Honestly Speaking ...
Hello Everyone.
A few days ago, my 4-year-old daughter Neva and I were talking about what to have for dinner. She told me she wanted macaroni and cheese. No surprise there; she'd eat it every day if she could. However, since she might have that for lunch at Jill's, her babysitter, the following day, I suggested we have something else.
Neva was quite agreeable and went on to tell me that: "You're macaroni and cheese is better than Jill's." Okay, so it comes out of a box and she could probably make it herself, it's still nice to be complimented.
Then she continued: "But Jill's hot dogs are better than yours... She doesn't even burn them!"
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
A few days ago, my 4-year-old daughter Neva and I were talking about what to have for dinner. She told me she wanted macaroni and cheese. No surprise there; she'd eat it every day if she could. However, since she might have that for lunch at Jill's, her babysitter, the following day, I suggested we have something else.
Neva was quite agreeable and went on to tell me that: "You're macaroni and cheese is better than Jill's." Okay, so it comes out of a box and she could probably make it herself, it's still nice to be complimented.
Then she continued: "But Jill's hot dogs are better than yours... She doesn't even burn them!"
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Clone Sweet Clone?
Hello Everyone.
My daughter Neva was playing this afternoon with her stuffed toys. They were all lined up against the bookshelf and she was sitting in front of them reading a book.
"These are my huns," she explained, using the term she reserves for "children". "There are one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight girls and one, two, three, four boys!" The one in the backpack is the "brand new baby!"
"Wow!" I exclaimed, "that's a lot of kids."
"Yes, and this one's the dad," she said pointing to the one in the backpack.
"I thought you said that was the baby," I queried.
"Well, our first dad died, so we're growing a new one."
Hmmm... I guess we have a geneticist in the making!
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
My daughter Neva was playing this afternoon with her stuffed toys. They were all lined up against the bookshelf and she was sitting in front of them reading a book.
"These are my huns," she explained, using the term she reserves for "children". "There are one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight girls and one, two, three, four boys!" The one in the backpack is the "brand new baby!"
"Wow!" I exclaimed, "that's a lot of kids."
"Yes, and this one's the dad," she said pointing to the one in the backpack.
"I thought you said that was the baby," I queried.
"Well, our first dad died, so we're growing a new one."
Hmmm... I guess we have a geneticist in the making!
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Countdown to Baby ...
Hello Everyone.
I may have said this when my wife was pregnant with our son Milo, but honestly, I had no idea that I married a hippie. Just as she did with the birth of Milo, Kathleen has again opted to have a home birth. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but we only live 2 blocks from the hospital; the same hospital, I might add, where our 4-year-old daughter Neva was born.
We have the same midwife that we had for both Neva and Milo and we have the doula, who was there for Milo's birth, lined up as well. My mother-in-law will also be there and a close friend will help out with the kids and whatever else.
Our neighbors will be taking our dining room furniture so that I can move the bed into the newly vacant room. Kathleen feels it's the most comfortable room in our apartment, atmospherically speaking. It is warmer, larger and gets better light during the day.
So it seems that we are prepared. With the exception of any unforeseen complications, the latest and probably last addition to our family is set to arrive sometime around February 18, 2004 in our dining room.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
I may have said this when my wife was pregnant with our son Milo, but honestly, I had no idea that I married a hippie. Just as she did with the birth of Milo, Kathleen has again opted to have a home birth. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but we only live 2 blocks from the hospital; the same hospital, I might add, where our 4-year-old daughter Neva was born.
We have the same midwife that we had for both Neva and Milo and we have the doula, who was there for Milo's birth, lined up as well. My mother-in-law will also be there and a close friend will help out with the kids and whatever else.
Our neighbors will be taking our dining room furniture so that I can move the bed into the newly vacant room. Kathleen feels it's the most comfortable room in our apartment, atmospherically speaking. It is warmer, larger and gets better light during the day.
So it seems that we are prepared. With the exception of any unforeseen complications, the latest and probably last addition to our family is set to arrive sometime around February 18, 2004 in our dining room.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Monday, January 19, 2004
We Are Back ...
Hello Everyone.
Well after almost a month's absence, we are back with the newsletter. It began back at Christmas, when every one of us in the ContestHound.com household was sick. Kathleen had a terrible cold, made worse by the fact she's pregnant and can't take anything for her cold. Myself, I had some nasty virus as did my 4-year-old daughter Neva and poor Milo, he came down with pneumonia. It wasn't until New Year's Eve that we were feeling better.
And with the New Year came new legislation in regards to the distribution of email. I am nothing even remotely close to being a lawyer so I had decided to discontinue the newsletter. But over the past few weeks, as I thought it over, I came to the realization that this newsletter is a legitimate publication and you, my subscribers, have voluntarily signed up to be kept up-to-date on contests and the goings on in our crazy household. And with that, I changed my mind.
So, here we are again.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Well after almost a month's absence, we are back with the newsletter. It began back at Christmas, when every one of us in the ContestHound.com household was sick. Kathleen had a terrible cold, made worse by the fact she's pregnant and can't take anything for her cold. Myself, I had some nasty virus as did my 4-year-old daughter Neva and poor Milo, he came down with pneumonia. It wasn't until New Year's Eve that we were feeling better.
And with the New Year came new legislation in regards to the distribution of email. I am nothing even remotely close to being a lawyer so I had decided to discontinue the newsletter. But over the past few weeks, as I thought it over, I came to the realization that this newsletter is a legitimate publication and you, my subscribers, have voluntarily signed up to be kept up-to-date on contests and the goings on in our crazy household. And with that, I changed my mind.
So, here we are again.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Safety First ...
Hello Everyone.
For my 3-year-old daughter Neva, her "maturity" has her no less attracted to the bright lights on the Christmas tree than her 6-month-old brother Milo.
Neva came into the kitchen the other day and took an oven mitt from the drawer. "What do you need that for, Neva?" I queried, as she tried to hide it behind her back.
"I need it to touch the lights," she said as she left the kitchen in the direction of the living room. "Now, remember, you can't be mad at me. 'Cuz I'm being safe -- I'm using the oven mitt."
Our Gift Giving Made Easy section lists 16 great place for you to save time and money. Shop Online ... everybody's doing it.
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
For my 3-year-old daughter Neva, her "maturity" has her no less attracted to the bright lights on the Christmas tree than her 6-month-old brother Milo.
Neva came into the kitchen the other day and took an oven mitt from the drawer. "What do you need that for, Neva?" I queried, as she tried to hide it behind her back.
"I need it to touch the lights," she said as she left the kitchen in the direction of the living room. "Now, remember, you can't be mad at me. 'Cuz I'm being safe -- I'm using the oven mitt."
Our Gift Giving Made Easy section lists 16 great place for you to save time and money. Shop Online ... everybody's doing it.
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
Friday, December 12, 2003
To Sleep, To Sleep ...
Hello Everyone.
You know, it's a crime that parents can tell time and young children can't. More specifically the offense is not that they can't tell the time it's more that they don't know when we parents are misleading them about it.
Like tonight for instance. It's already dark outside even though we just finished dinner. And my 4-year-old daughter is rather cranky and as a result, bedtime will be over an hour earlier than normal. I know this because I can tell time. She doesn't because she can't.
I know I am being a little dishonest but what am I to do? If I tell Neva that she's going to bed early, she'll put up a fuss telling me she's not tired, even though the slightest things are upsetting her. It's for her own good I keep telling myself, but I can't escape the feeling that I am deceiving her.
But of course, if her behavior worsens because she's so tired, I'll wind up getting cranky too and scolding her inappropriately. Then I'll feel even guiltier for something that can be avoided. So, off to bed it is.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
You know, it's a crime that parents can tell time and young children can't. More specifically the offense is not that they can't tell the time it's more that they don't know when we parents are misleading them about it.
Like tonight for instance. It's already dark outside even though we just finished dinner. And my 4-year-old daughter is rather cranky and as a result, bedtime will be over an hour earlier than normal. I know this because I can tell time. She doesn't because she can't.
I know I am being a little dishonest but what am I to do? If I tell Neva that she's going to bed early, she'll put up a fuss telling me she's not tired, even though the slightest things are upsetting her. It's for her own good I keep telling myself, but I can't escape the feeling that I am deceiving her.
But of course, if her behavior worsens because she's so tired, I'll wind up getting cranky too and scolding her inappropriately. Then I'll feel even guiltier for something that can be avoided. So, off to bed it is.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Snooze Math ...
There is a certain type of math that completely escapes me. It really only involves simple addition and being able to tell time. But nonetheless, I never manage to get the addition to work out.
Take for instance my 18-month-old son Milo sleeping habits. He usually wakes up at around 7:00 a.m., has his only nap just after lunch for an hour or so, and goes to bed around 9:00 p.m. So on a normal day, he will sleep 12 hours give or take.
But occasionally, a day comes when Milo refuses to go to sleep for his nap. Then around dinnertime, he falls asleep for about 15 minutes, a catnap of sorts. Using simple math, if he sleeps 12 hours normally but on this day he has missed one hour, he should then sleep 11 more hours tonight. Makes sense doesn't it?
Not really, at least not for Milo. Not only is he an hour behind without his nap but he will somehow stay up an extra hour that night. A grand total of 2 hours of missed sleep by my calculations. Now you would think he'd wake up 2 hours later the next morning, but not even that works out. Bright and early at 7:00 a.m. the next morning, there's Milo, happy as a lark.
It just doesn't add up.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Take for instance my 18-month-old son Milo sleeping habits. He usually wakes up at around 7:00 a.m., has his only nap just after lunch for an hour or so, and goes to bed around 9:00 p.m. So on a normal day, he will sleep 12 hours give or take.
But occasionally, a day comes when Milo refuses to go to sleep for his nap. Then around dinnertime, he falls asleep for about 15 minutes, a catnap of sorts. Using simple math, if he sleeps 12 hours normally but on this day he has missed one hour, he should then sleep 11 more hours tonight. Makes sense doesn't it?
Not really, at least not for Milo. Not only is he an hour behind without his nap but he will somehow stay up an extra hour that night. A grand total of 2 hours of missed sleep by my calculations. Now you would think he'd wake up 2 hours later the next morning, but not even that works out. Bright and early at 7:00 a.m. the next morning, there's Milo, happy as a lark.
It just doesn't add up.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Planning Ahead ...
Hello Everyone.
I was just putting my 4-year-old daughter Neva to bed but she was very talkative and was having trouble settling down.
"Do you know who I want to invite to my birthday party?" she asked. "I want to invite..." and went on to list 5 of her friends from her Kindergarten class.
"Well, you know," I responded, "your birthday is a long way off and you might think differently by then." After all, her birthday isn't until September.
There was a long pause before she said, "Wait, I changed my mind, I want to invite..."
It's gonna be a long 9 months!
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
I was just putting my 4-year-old daughter Neva to bed but she was very talkative and was having trouble settling down.
"Do you know who I want to invite to my birthday party?" she asked. "I want to invite..." and went on to list 5 of her friends from her Kindergarten class.
"Well, you know," I responded, "your birthday is a long way off and you might think differently by then." After all, her birthday isn't until September.
There was a long pause before she said, "Wait, I changed my mind, I want to invite..."
It's gonna be a long 9 months!
Happy sweeping,
Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com
Monday, December 08, 2003
House Cleaning ...
Hello Everyone.
Just a little bit of house cleaning today:
First and foremost, the winners have been chosen for the "Win an Autographed Copy of S.D. Tower's The Assasins of Tamurin Contest" so be sure to check your email to see if you won one of 11 copies of this exclusive ContestHound.com prize.
Secondly, if you haven't already done so, sign up for a free ContestHound.com myContest account so that you can keep track of only those contests your are interested in. Fast and simple sign up and easy to use to boot. [Click here to sign up]
Finally, if you missed Friday's edition, be sure to check it out. There is some very special news that you won't want to miss. [Click here]
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Just a little bit of house cleaning today:
First and foremost, the winners have been chosen for the "Win an Autographed Copy of S.D. Tower's The Assasins of Tamurin Contest" so be sure to check your email to see if you won one of 11 copies of this exclusive ContestHound.com prize.
Secondly, if you haven't already done so, sign up for a free ContestHound.com myContest account so that you can keep track of only those contests your are interested in. Fast and simple sign up and easy to use to boot. [Click here to sign up]
Finally, if you missed Friday's edition, be sure to check it out. There is some very special news that you won't want to miss. [Click here]
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
Thursday, December 04, 2003
Taking Your Lumps ...
Hello Everyone.
It was a busy day around the ContestHound.com household. More work than time it seems. Taking a few short cuts to wring a few more minutes out of the day, I left my 18-month-old son Milo eating Macaroni and Cheese for dinner while I was working in my office.
Every few minutes I peaked around the corner to make sure he was still eating and that his 4-year-old sister wasn't distracting him. And each time I looked, he was still happily mushing around his ever-diminishing pile of noodles.
When Milo finally was finished, I was surprised by how much he had eaten. I went over to clean him up and as I lifted him out of his high chair I noticed a rather suspicious lump protruding from his belly. You have no idea how surprised I was to find all his noodles stuffed down his shirt and into his diaper.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
It was a busy day around the ContestHound.com household. More work than time it seems. Taking a few short cuts to wring a few more minutes out of the day, I left my 18-month-old son Milo eating Macaroni and Cheese for dinner while I was working in my office.
Every few minutes I peaked around the corner to make sure he was still eating and that his 4-year-old sister wasn't distracting him. And each time I looked, he was still happily mushing around his ever-diminishing pile of noodles.
When Milo finally was finished, I was surprised by how much he had eaten. I went over to clean him up and as I lifted him out of his high chair I noticed a rather suspicious lump protruding from his belly. You have no idea how surprised I was to find all his noodles stuffed down his shirt and into his diaper.
Happy sweeping,
Bob Gunther
Webmaster, ContestHound.com
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