Squid for Dessert

One day, Callie wasn't eating her oatmeal and Marcus tried to entice her by offering her squid for dessert if she finished it.  Maybe calling his bluff, or maybe actually genuinely interested in the squid, Callie accepted the dessert.  Marcus took her to the computer to show her what a squid looked like. 

"Callie, see that?  Do you still want to eat some squid?"

"Yes."

Off to our first Asian Market.  Notice the excitement on her face as Sammy whistles a tune. 



 There we did find something that we thought was squid -- or maybe octopus -- but we were unsure since we can't read Chinese.  She was pretty happy about it though and wanted to take it home right then and cook that baby up!

 Asian Market #2 -- downtown and a little more authentic.  It was kind of a cool place, but we were a little embarrassed as Callie kept loudly asking "Where's the squid?!  Daddy, where's the squid?"  There we saw some REAL live squid.  Marcus again asked, "Callie, do you want to eat that?"

 "Yes!"

 Fun fact: The giant squid has the biggest eye ball in the world.  Gross.  I was all for buying squid, but I wasn't prepared to bring this friend home, cut it, and cook it up.  So, we looked for a better option.

 Squid Nuggets.  Mother approved. 

We are yet to cook them since we were told we cannot cook them while others are in the house.  Callie patiently awaits the day when we can cook these and she can have her squid dessert. 

....to be continued...

Cameras

Before Samantha was born, I looked for a carseat and stroller.  This caused me such stress.  I wanted to get the perfect ones.  I didn't want to have buyer's remorse over something that I would be using everyday.  I hated that feeling.  I ended up buying what it was I bought, and I was happy with it.  No big deal. 

I have that feeling again and it's making me sick.  I'm getting ready to buy a camera.  A good one.  In the past, I've asked around.  I've asked what people like.  I've gone back and forth.  I decided: I'm just going with the Canon Rebel because I can get more for the $.  But, as I searched today, I couldn't keep from looking at Nikons again.  Truth is, I don't know what I should want in a camera.  I'm uneducated in the way of the camera, and it's so frustrating.  Whatever I read, I don't understand.  And I'm looking to purchase this camera in the next few weeks.  I want this camera Christmas morning.

Picking out a camera is more stressful than picking out my stroller.  This is liking finding the right guy.  I'm finding a hard time committing to a decision here.  Rebel?  Ok.  But there are many different Rebels.  Nikon?  Ok.  I know I like Nikons.  And I found one that was a good price....but should I go with the Rebel instead?

What is the most important feature of a camera that I should be looking at?  Do I want video?  Will I regret not getting a camera with video on it?  Down the road, will an extra $100-200 make a difference?  Is it really ok to get a used or refurbished camera?  Will I get an ulcer trying to decide all of this?  And when it comes down to it, won't I just, most likely because I don't know anything about cameras, be happy with whatever I end up deciding on?  Probably.  But maybe not!  These are the questions I'm dealing with these days.

I wish someone would just say, "Look Jen, just get the _______ because ______, ______, and ______.  Oh, and by the way, here's $$$$ to purchase the camera."

I'm sure I'll figure it out.  But I hate the process!  I just need to relax and decide, right?