We did some calendar work and found out that Anny could not go with me if we wait until Michelle goes to school to swap Maggie, our new puppy. This led to a lot of playing in our minds about when we could make our drive down to North Carolina. The real key is that we have a three week window with which to work. It would be easier if I was one of you teacher-types and we could just take off whenever. :o)
So, this weekend Anny and I will be driving down to spend the weekend with my mom, step-father, and sister. Mom and Tony have recently decided to move a bit farther inland from where they currently are. Not sure where yet, but they are going to be having a moving sale on Saturday, so I get to be a salesman! I love doing that.
When we come home on Sunday, we will have a beautiful beagle puppy! Thought I don't believe that she reads this blog, many thanks to Michelle, my "baby" sister for the work she has done to mold Maggie into a well behaved dog.
The thing that I am not looking forward to, though, is that apparently she (Maggie, not Michelle) does not travel well in the car. She's quite a drooler, which could be cute for a while, but it's a six hour drive. We're going to put the seat cover on the back seat before we leave. :o)
I really wish I had something more interesting to write about, but I've been sick for three days and this is something that excites ME!
July 31, 2006
July 26, 2006
Picked a Peck of Pickled...Cucumbers!
Our second annual Christmas in July celebration was last weekend and it was just the weekend I needed! (This is what the family reunion is nicknamed. See post on 7/20)
Last year it was blazingly hot, so if we weren't inside, we were at the pool. We were only able to handle the pool for about an hour. We spent a lot of time inside!
This year we had a beautiful weekend, with with the weather and with the company of the families gathered there. The family gathered there.
Our particular travel began on Friday with a delayed flight out of Baltimore that caused a very shortened layover in Minneapolis. I always plan for about a two hour layover for a reason! (Though my apologies go out to Jon who requested a gift from the airport. The shops close early there!) We managed to stop for a glass of wine and had enough time to read a few pages before hopping on the small plane to take us to Des Moines. We landed on time, and walked into the open arms of the In-Laws! With the hour time-change, we got to sleep as soon as we got back to the house we were staying in.
I struggle to describe the familys land in Iowa. What do you think of when you think of Iowa? CORN! Trust me, there is corn everywhere. Somehow, the Miller part of the family managed to grab 40 acres of wooded land in the midst of several of those fields. It's a beautiful place to be, no matter the time of year. There are two, custom-built houses on the property. One is nine years old, the other is much newer, only a couple of years old. They are huge and pretty, both inside and out.
Saturday came early for Anny and I. I don't know why, but I am an early riser, even if I get to bed very late. After breakfast, we kind of just hung out in the yard playing with the kids. There are three 2 1/2 year olds (!!) a 4 year old and a 7 year old. Two of the young ones are twins. The thee young ones are amazing together. I think that they have only seen each other three or four times in their lives, but they are best of friends around each other. (Ellie left while the twins were napping on Sunday. When Maddie woke up, she immediately looked for "the girl" to play!!)
Naps for the kids, and their parents, after lunch! Anny and I and a few others went over to the two acre garden that the Millers are experimenting with. They are growing many vegetables to feed the many children and adults out there! (Just for food, not money) I think that things have gotten a bit larger than they anticipated! They are growing squash, pumpkins, beets, potatoes, cucumbers (for pickling mostly), green beans, watermelons and peppers. Apparently it's time for pickling cucumbers and green beans to be ready, so we helped to pick some of those. Before we arrived on Friday we were told that they had already sealed 95 quarts of beans. 95!! It will last the winter, but they have assured each other, and everyone they meet, that they will grow less next year.
Saturday night we just kind of hung out some more. A large group went to the local girls softball game. The towns there are getting geared up for the state playoffs, and unfortunately, "our team" lost, which knocked them out of competition. Anny and I stayed back, mostly because all of the running around with the kids had worn me out pretty badly. After a good night of sleep, I was ready to roll again.
Sunday we went to church in a cute Quaker church. It's always nice to worship someplace new. They are in the process of starting a building campaign, which is pretty exciting. They didn't mention it at church, but Annys Aunt has done the preliminary designing and was showing me. Anyway, after church it was back to the house for lunch. Annys brother and his family left before Ellie needed her nap, hoping that she would sleep in the car. Naps were enjoyed by all on Sunday afternoon I think.
Monday morning Anny and I helped in the garden again, but it began to drizzle so we headed for the house. After a cup of water, Anny said "I am ready to relax for a few hours before we have to leave." Famous last words, right? We ended up helping to take down a tree in the yard that needed to be dropped to put in a new section of driveway. It was a BLAST! I got to use a good chainsaw for the first time in a while, and now I'm hoping to get a new one soon. We'll see.
Flights home were uneventful, which is always nice. I did enjoy sleeping in on Tuesday, though. It was VERY nice.
Overall it was a GREAT weekend and I look forward to doing it again next year. (Don't worry P&S, we didn't discuss any dates or anything after you left!) I'm actually contemplating driving it one of these days, then maybe we could try to bring back some of those nice looking green beans!! (yes there are other things that happened, but this post is too long as it is.)
Last year it was blazingly hot, so if we weren't inside, we were at the pool. We were only able to handle the pool for about an hour. We spent a lot of time inside!
This year we had a beautiful weekend, with with the weather and with the company of the families gathered there. The family gathered there.
Our particular travel began on Friday with a delayed flight out of Baltimore that caused a very shortened layover in Minneapolis. I always plan for about a two hour layover for a reason! (Though my apologies go out to Jon who requested a gift from the airport. The shops close early there!) We managed to stop for a glass of wine and had enough time to read a few pages before hopping on the small plane to take us to Des Moines. We landed on time, and walked into the open arms of the In-Laws! With the hour time-change, we got to sleep as soon as we got back to the house we were staying in.
I struggle to describe the familys land in Iowa. What do you think of when you think of Iowa? CORN! Trust me, there is corn everywhere. Somehow, the Miller part of the family managed to grab 40 acres of wooded land in the midst of several of those fields. It's a beautiful place to be, no matter the time of year. There are two, custom-built houses on the property. One is nine years old, the other is much newer, only a couple of years old. They are huge and pretty, both inside and out.
Saturday came early for Anny and I. I don't know why, but I am an early riser, even if I get to bed very late. After breakfast, we kind of just hung out in the yard playing with the kids. There are three 2 1/2 year olds (!!) a 4 year old and a 7 year old. Two of the young ones are twins. The thee young ones are amazing together. I think that they have only seen each other three or four times in their lives, but they are best of friends around each other. (Ellie left while the twins were napping on Sunday. When Maddie woke up, she immediately looked for "the girl" to play!!)
Naps for the kids, and their parents, after lunch! Anny and I and a few others went over to the two acre garden that the Millers are experimenting with. They are growing many vegetables to feed the many children and adults out there! (Just for food, not money) I think that things have gotten a bit larger than they anticipated! They are growing squash, pumpkins, beets, potatoes, cucumbers (for pickling mostly), green beans, watermelons and peppers. Apparently it's time for pickling cucumbers and green beans to be ready, so we helped to pick some of those. Before we arrived on Friday we were told that they had already sealed 95 quarts of beans. 95!! It will last the winter, but they have assured each other, and everyone they meet, that they will grow less next year.
Saturday night we just kind of hung out some more. A large group went to the local girls softball game. The towns there are getting geared up for the state playoffs, and unfortunately, "our team" lost, which knocked them out of competition. Anny and I stayed back, mostly because all of the running around with the kids had worn me out pretty badly. After a good night of sleep, I was ready to roll again.
Sunday we went to church in a cute Quaker church. It's always nice to worship someplace new. They are in the process of starting a building campaign, which is pretty exciting. They didn't mention it at church, but Annys Aunt has done the preliminary designing and was showing me. Anyway, after church it was back to the house for lunch. Annys brother and his family left before Ellie needed her nap, hoping that she would sleep in the car. Naps were enjoyed by all on Sunday afternoon I think.
Monday morning Anny and I helped in the garden again, but it began to drizzle so we headed for the house. After a cup of water, Anny said "I am ready to relax for a few hours before we have to leave." Famous last words, right? We ended up helping to take down a tree in the yard that needed to be dropped to put in a new section of driveway. It was a BLAST! I got to use a good chainsaw for the first time in a while, and now I'm hoping to get a new one soon. We'll see.
Flights home were uneventful, which is always nice. I did enjoy sleeping in on Tuesday, though. It was VERY nice.
Overall it was a GREAT weekend and I look forward to doing it again next year. (Don't worry P&S, we didn't discuss any dates or anything after you left!) I'm actually contemplating driving it one of these days, then maybe we could try to bring back some of those nice looking green beans!! (yes there are other things that happened, but this post is too long as it is.)
July 25, 2006
Too Tired to Blog
Okay - It's late and I have to be to work tomorrow after a nice long weekend. Here are my updates:
Our trip to Iowa was GREAT! I'll post about it later this week.
Other important event today, Nephrologist appointment. Things are better now than since this whole thing started. In the spring when I did the detrimental diet, my protien excretion was over Three Grams. Now is is at Three Hundred MILIgrams!! That's quite the turnaround. At one point it was above Eleven Grams, but that has been several years ago.
So - I will update about Iowa later this week. Hopefully tomorrow, but we'll see.
Our trip to Iowa was GREAT! I'll post about it later this week.
Other important event today, Nephrologist appointment. Things are better now than since this whole thing started. In the spring when I did the detrimental diet, my protien excretion was over Three Grams. Now is is at Three Hundred MILIgrams!! That's quite the turnaround. At one point it was above Eleven Grams, but that has been several years ago.
So - I will update about Iowa later this week. Hopefully tomorrow, but we'll see.
July 20, 2006
Take Me Home, Country Road
This weekend seems to be THE weekend to have a family reunion. One of my co-workers is helping to organize her 80+ person family reunion at a picnic ground in DC. Their family is much more organized that I want to be. They have a committee with representatives from each of the families in the group. They do a local picnic every other year. On the OTHER of every other year, they take a major, planned-out trip. I don't remember where they went last year, but next year is Chicago. They work just like any other organization - several sites are scouted out and information is brought back to the committee, who ultimately decides the fate of the extended family reunion.
My mom's family is having a reunion, of sorts. The unwritten reason for the gathering is that my uncle (the oldest) who lives in Oklahoma is going to be visiting my grandma. I have only met him sporadically over the years. Because of the major event of my Grandpa Bill dyeing earlier this year, I have a feeling that this weekend will be one of discernment among the siblings. My mom is not making the trip for several reasons. I sometimes worry that she is distant from the family, but it's hard to continue to make that trip, and she has made it many times this year.
I will also miss the Donovan's (my mom's family). It's unfortunate, though, because if it was next weekend I think that mom would come up and I know that we would have been available. Yes, I told the family this way back in May. Oh well. We are going to miss is because of another family reunion.
Christmas in July is the brainchild of MANY people in my wife's extended family. For many years the family gathered at Christmas time in Iowa like clockwork. When whe Midwest was pounded with snow one year, MIL and FIL were stuck in Wyoming with no way to get there, and BIL and SIL were in an accident on the way and headed home instead. This was the first year that I was invited, as the fiance. I opted to stay home, well in advance, to do "one last" Monroe Family Christmas. It was, after all, the last time that one of us "kids" was getting married. I convinced Anny it was the right thing for me, and I still believe it was. Anny was the only rep from her part of the family to make it "back home" for the holiday.
The next year it was decided that each clan would celebrate on their own, and we would work an every-other-year thing. That was the intent. (That became my first Wyoming Christmas. VERY pretty out there, even with all the snow) I had begun to work on Anny at this point about the number of trips westward we were making. I came to a family wedding completely prepared to be the outcast for suggesting that we gather in Iowa during the summer instead, and let Christmas be for the smaller family units. Turns out, I was not the only one thinking that way!
For many years Jim (among others), my Father-In-Law, had been thinking, if not suggesting, such a shift. There were some other awkward, but necessary, conversations being had at the time, but Anny and I planted the idea into another persons head, and the idea grew into our Christmas in July gathering! I'm very excited this year, now that I know the family a bit better. Even talked Anny into buying water guns for some of the kids, play dough for the others.
So - I will be out of touch for the weekend again. When you think of me, think of me in tie-dye, drinking lots of water, enjoying a relaxing weekend with family. Also, probably eating corn. :o)
My mom's family is having a reunion, of sorts. The unwritten reason for the gathering is that my uncle (the oldest) who lives in Oklahoma is going to be visiting my grandma. I have only met him sporadically over the years. Because of the major event of my Grandpa Bill dyeing earlier this year, I have a feeling that this weekend will be one of discernment among the siblings. My mom is not making the trip for several reasons. I sometimes worry that she is distant from the family, but it's hard to continue to make that trip, and she has made it many times this year.
I will also miss the Donovan's (my mom's family). It's unfortunate, though, because if it was next weekend I think that mom would come up and I know that we would have been available. Yes, I told the family this way back in May. Oh well. We are going to miss is because of another family reunion.
Christmas in July is the brainchild of MANY people in my wife's extended family. For many years the family gathered at Christmas time in Iowa like clockwork. When whe Midwest was pounded with snow one year, MIL and FIL were stuck in Wyoming with no way to get there, and BIL and SIL were in an accident on the way and headed home instead. This was the first year that I was invited, as the fiance. I opted to stay home, well in advance, to do "one last" Monroe Family Christmas. It was, after all, the last time that one of us "kids" was getting married. I convinced Anny it was the right thing for me, and I still believe it was. Anny was the only rep from her part of the family to make it "back home" for the holiday.
The next year it was decided that each clan would celebrate on their own, and we would work an every-other-year thing. That was the intent. (That became my first Wyoming Christmas. VERY pretty out there, even with all the snow) I had begun to work on Anny at this point about the number of trips westward we were making. I came to a family wedding completely prepared to be the outcast for suggesting that we gather in Iowa during the summer instead, and let Christmas be for the smaller family units. Turns out, I was not the only one thinking that way!
For many years Jim (among others), my Father-In-Law, had been thinking, if not suggesting, such a shift. There were some other awkward, but necessary, conversations being had at the time, but Anny and I planted the idea into another persons head, and the idea grew into our Christmas in July gathering! I'm very excited this year, now that I know the family a bit better. Even talked Anny into buying water guns for some of the kids, play dough for the others.
So - I will be out of touch for the weekend again. When you think of me, think of me in tie-dye, drinking lots of water, enjoying a relaxing weekend with family. Also, probably eating corn. :o)
July 18, 2006
A Web Free Weekend
I'm going crazy, people. Our internet access at home is VERY limited. So limited, in fact, that it has worked for about six hours in the last three days. Those hours were while I was at work, of course, but it worked for Anny and Jon. On Sunday I had to resort to cleaning up my workshop since I could not blog. or even read other people's blogs! In reality, that may be a good thing because I have neglected my shop pretty badly. (I can't even reach my screwdrivers without being acrobatic)
I had the weirdest experience last night. For those who do not know, my 18 year old cousin has moved in with us while he attends college. It's a pretty cool deal, because now I have someone to play video games with, and also someone to help with stuff around the house when Anny is doing other stuff. Having Jon in the house is like having a child. That is not to say that he is a child, but Anny and I have lived on our own for so long, that to add someone ten years younger is like having a child around. We did not do all of the diapers, or kindergarten or such, but we have a young man in our home. We do have a young adult who can tell us directly what he does and does not like so we don't have to guess. (Though, I'm working with him to expand his palate of food. How can someone not like Chinese food??)
So - the weird experience. Last night I helped Jon to set up his first semester of college schedule. (Going to my alma mater to get a jump start on the University classes) I remember saying the exact same things he did about taking everything the first semester. Such aspirations. Since Jon does not have a drivers license yet, we had the special issue of trying to find classes at the Hyattsville Extension Center, which is on my way to work, and only about ten minutes from the house.
Taking into account all of the core classes, we managed to line up daytime classes Tuesday and Thursday, with a couple of evenings, and a few Saturdays. Not a bad schedule, and I probably would have taken it myself if I had realized it was an option. I even managed to talk him out of the Psychology class that met Friday from 5 pm - 9:45 pm and Saturday 9 am to 5 pm. Only met three times, but that's too much time in a classroom at once.
When I was growing up, my father used to tell me he had one reason for having children. Mowing the grass. Yep, healthy relationship. Anyway, I realized early on that having a child to mow the grass did not really make any sense. The earliest you can safely mow th lawn is what, 12 or 13 years old? It's just not fiscally responsible to pay for food, clothing and the such for 12 years to wait for the output. (maybe this is the reason that I now plan our bank account out for a year at a time?) With Jon around, we have someone who can, right off the bat, help in the yard with mowing and stuff.
Okay, in re-reading this post I feel like I'm all over the place. Maybe it's because I'm writing two minutes at a time. Back to work for me.
I had the weirdest experience last night. For those who do not know, my 18 year old cousin has moved in with us while he attends college. It's a pretty cool deal, because now I have someone to play video games with, and also someone to help with stuff around the house when Anny is doing other stuff. Having Jon in the house is like having a child. That is not to say that he is a child, but Anny and I have lived on our own for so long, that to add someone ten years younger is like having a child around. We did not do all of the diapers, or kindergarten or such, but we have a young man in our home. We do have a young adult who can tell us directly what he does and does not like so we don't have to guess. (Though, I'm working with him to expand his palate of food. How can someone not like Chinese food??)
So - the weird experience. Last night I helped Jon to set up his first semester of college schedule. (Going to my alma mater to get a jump start on the University classes) I remember saying the exact same things he did about taking everything the first semester. Such aspirations. Since Jon does not have a drivers license yet, we had the special issue of trying to find classes at the Hyattsville Extension Center, which is on my way to work, and only about ten minutes from the house.
Taking into account all of the core classes, we managed to line up daytime classes Tuesday and Thursday, with a couple of evenings, and a few Saturdays. Not a bad schedule, and I probably would have taken it myself if I had realized it was an option. I even managed to talk him out of the Psychology class that met Friday from 5 pm - 9:45 pm and Saturday 9 am to 5 pm. Only met three times, but that's too much time in a classroom at once.
When I was growing up, my father used to tell me he had one reason for having children. Mowing the grass. Yep, healthy relationship. Anyway, I realized early on that having a child to mow the grass did not really make any sense. The earliest you can safely mow th lawn is what, 12 or 13 years old? It's just not fiscally responsible to pay for food, clothing and the such for 12 years to wait for the output. (maybe this is the reason that I now plan our bank account out for a year at a time?) With Jon around, we have someone who can, right off the bat, help in the yard with mowing and stuff.
Okay, in re-reading this post I feel like I'm all over the place. Maybe it's because I'm writing two minutes at a time. Back to work for me.
July 13, 2006
It's Me, Alphabetically!
I have been inspired, to a certain extent, by The Trail Guide over at The OrganTrail. Her first post was simply "101 Things About Me." I don't know that I can do 101, so I decided to go with the alphabet.
So, the following are things about me, some things you know, some you don't. Here's my list:
A - Anny - my wonderful wife. (A also made me think of the Apple Cake I want Anny to make for me from the Racheal Ray Magazine)
B - Blogging - I'm learning to like writing, and reading too! I don't do books very well, I don't have the attention span. Reading blogs is easy, reading books is hard. (typo intentional)
C - Change - I don't carry coins unless I have JUST recieved them. I have two different change stashes at home, and one at the office.
D - Dog Lover - We have one, and puppy on the way. At family gatherings there are typically up to seven dogs to 14 people!
E - Eclectic - I listen to a wide variety of music. I have everything from Classical to Classic Rock, from Rap to Country. (I even have a playlist called "International Music" which has mostly songs that I don't understand.) If you have something you think I haven't heard and should, let me know what it is and I'll usually buy it!
F - FSGS - The type of Kidney Disease I have. I wish it didn't shape my life, but it really does.
G - Glenkirk - I worked at Camp Glenkirk for many years, in many different roles. I miss it from time to time. Anny and I met and married there, so it has always meant a lot to us. (It's now becoming houses)
H - Humorous - I like to laugh, and like even more to make other people laugh.
I - Immunosuppresants - I take these twice a day to battle my FSGS. Yes, there are other meds, too, but these are the long-term ones that are supposed to be working.
J - Job - I really like my job. I get to work with and for people that I really respect, and even have fun from time to time!
K - Kidneys - for obvious reasons.
L - Laity - I feel a true sense of call to Lay Ministry in the church.
M - Michelle - My "kid" sister chose her college in part to be closer to my brother and I, since we have not really known her for many years. (separate homes, 10 year age span)
N - New House - We just bought our first house this week, so lots of time and energy are going into that for the coming months. In our weird situation, we've been doing the time and energy for a while, but it's totally worth it!
O - Obsessive - I actually check my sitemeter about six times a day. I did really well on my diet, because I was actually addicted to making myself look better.
P - Potassium - Because of my disease, I am not allowed to have potassium. In the past, I have been more forgiving, and probably will be again, but for now it's nil in my body. Want to see the list of stuff with Potassium?
Q - Q.E.D. - The only thing I remember from math in high school. It is Latin for Quod Erat Demonstrata (which is to be demonstrated). This is how we ended our math problems.
R - Red - It's the color of my hair. It's natural, thankyouverymuch, and I will never permanently die it another color. (I did spray in neon green once)
S - "Shame" - One of my nicknames at work. I picked it up because I apparently have no shame when it comes to kissing up. An Equal Opportunity Suck Up!
T - Technology - I'm fascinated by innovation. Since I'm the youngest at work, I defaulted as the Tech guy. It's okay, though, because I enjoy learning it as I go.
U - Uncle - I have a soon-to-be three year old niece whom I adore. Another one is on the way.
V - Vacuuming - It's one of my jobs on the chore list. (Dusting too)
W - Walking - I am struggling to find a diet I can do well, but Anny and I ahve been walking around one of two lakes near our house.
X - XY - I'm a boy. (chromosomes folks)
Y - You - I'm very into other people. My personality is definately feeds off of other people! (and on that topic, YOU can comment on this post. See below)
Z - Zamboni - I'm a HUGE hockey fan. Someone will think "why did it take you until Z to mention hockey?" My answer - I didn't go in order, silly-head!
I know that this list is different now than it would have been six months ago. I also know that the list is different than it will be six months from now. I've added a note to my calendar to update it every six months, so that later on I can see where I was, and look to where I have come.
This list took me a lot less time than I thought. The one that took the longest was N. N should be an easy one. XY is kind of lame, but tell me, what would you have used for X??
So, the following are things about me, some things you know, some you don't. Here's my list:
A - Anny - my wonderful wife. (A also made me think of the Apple Cake I want Anny to make for me from the Racheal Ray Magazine)
B - Blogging - I'm learning to like writing, and reading too! I don't do books very well, I don't have the attention span. Reading blogs is easy, reading books is hard. (typo intentional)
C - Change - I don't carry coins unless I have JUST recieved them. I have two different change stashes at home, and one at the office.
D - Dog Lover - We have one, and puppy on the way. At family gatherings there are typically up to seven dogs to 14 people!
E - Eclectic - I listen to a wide variety of music. I have everything from Classical to Classic Rock, from Rap to Country. (I even have a playlist called "International Music" which has mostly songs that I don't understand.) If you have something you think I haven't heard and should, let me know what it is and I'll usually buy it!
F - FSGS - The type of Kidney Disease I have. I wish it didn't shape my life, but it really does.
G - Glenkirk - I worked at Camp Glenkirk for many years, in many different roles. I miss it from time to time. Anny and I met and married there, so it has always meant a lot to us. (It's now becoming houses)
H - Humorous - I like to laugh, and like even more to make other people laugh.
I - Immunosuppresants - I take these twice a day to battle my FSGS. Yes, there are other meds, too, but these are the long-term ones that are supposed to be working.
J - Job - I really like my job. I get to work with and for people that I really respect, and even have fun from time to time!
K - Kidneys - for obvious reasons.
L - Laity - I feel a true sense of call to Lay Ministry in the church.
M - Michelle - My "kid" sister chose her college in part to be closer to my brother and I, since we have not really known her for many years. (separate homes, 10 year age span)
N - New House - We just bought our first house this week, so lots of time and energy are going into that for the coming months. In our weird situation, we've been doing the time and energy for a while, but it's totally worth it!
O - Obsessive - I actually check my sitemeter about six times a day. I did really well on my diet, because I was actually addicted to making myself look better.
P - Potassium - Because of my disease, I am not allowed to have potassium. In the past, I have been more forgiving, and probably will be again, but for now it's nil in my body. Want to see the list of stuff with Potassium?
Q - Q.E.D. - The only thing I remember from math in high school. It is Latin for Quod Erat Demonstrata (which is to be demonstrated). This is how we ended our math problems.
R - Red - It's the color of my hair. It's natural, thankyouverymuch, and I will never permanently die it another color. (I did spray in neon green once)
S - "Shame" - One of my nicknames at work. I picked it up because I apparently have no shame when it comes to kissing up. An Equal Opportunity Suck Up!
T - Technology - I'm fascinated by innovation. Since I'm the youngest at work, I defaulted as the Tech guy. It's okay, though, because I enjoy learning it as I go.
U - Uncle - I have a soon-to-be three year old niece whom I adore. Another one is on the way.
V - Vacuuming - It's one of my jobs on the chore list. (Dusting too)
W - Walking - I am struggling to find a diet I can do well, but Anny and I ahve been walking around one of two lakes near our house.
X - XY - I'm a boy. (chromosomes folks)
Y - You - I'm very into other people. My personality is definately feeds off of other people! (and on that topic, YOU can comment on this post. See below)
Z - Zamboni - I'm a HUGE hockey fan. Someone will think "why did it take you until Z to mention hockey?" My answer - I didn't go in order, silly-head!
I know that this list is different now than it would have been six months ago. I also know that the list is different than it will be six months from now. I've added a note to my calendar to update it every six months, so that later on I can see where I was, and look to where I have come.
This list took me a lot less time than I thought. The one that took the longest was N. N should be an easy one. XY is kind of lame, but tell me, what would you have used for X??
July 10, 2006
Two Presbytery Pastors in the Washington Post!
HERE is an article from the Washington Post. (The link should work for about two weeks without needing to register to read the Post) The article is about Pastors who are using blogging to reach out to the younger generation on a more personal basis.
When I read the article, I was struck at the idea that people being connected to their Pastor on a daily, personal basis is a new idea. Not knowing our pastor was never an issue, because he lived in town. I think back to the way that we got to know the first Pastor that I can remember, we had a meal (usually dinner) with him on a regular basis, or just ran into him at the grocery store.
That's just not a reality anymore. It does not make sense for a pastor to feel like that have to live in walking distance, because times have changed. It's hard for a family to make time to sit down to dinner with just the parents and children, but trying to schedule your pastor into that also? As it is, churches seem to be struggling to get people to lead the programs that are going on because of other commitments, so why should pastors be held to a different standard? They are parents, aunts, uncles, or grandparents, just like the rest of us.
I'm a fan of being able to connect on a personal basis with more than one Pastor also. I have the privilege of working with several people with "Rev." as their title, so I have a different view than most. I like to hear what other leaders in the Denomination are thinking about the issues facing our Church (capital Church, Church as a whole) as well as in their local churches.
Anyway, I've rambled much farther than I planned to. I have to assume that most of you agree, because you are bloggers yourselves. :o)
When I read the article, I was struck at the idea that people being connected to their Pastor on a daily, personal basis is a new idea. Not knowing our pastor was never an issue, because he lived in town. I think back to the way that we got to know the first Pastor that I can remember, we had a meal (usually dinner) with him on a regular basis, or just ran into him at the grocery store.
That's just not a reality anymore. It does not make sense for a pastor to feel like that have to live in walking distance, because times have changed. It's hard for a family to make time to sit down to dinner with just the parents and children, but trying to schedule your pastor into that also? As it is, churches seem to be struggling to get people to lead the programs that are going on because of other commitments, so why should pastors be held to a different standard? They are parents, aunts, uncles, or grandparents, just like the rest of us.
I'm a fan of being able to connect on a personal basis with more than one Pastor also. I have the privilege of working with several people with "Rev." as their title, so I have a different view than most. I like to hear what other leaders in the Denomination are thinking about the issues facing our Church (capital Church, Church as a whole) as well as in their local churches.
Anyway, I've rambled much farther than I planned to. I have to assume that most of you agree, because you are bloggers yourselves. :o)
July 07, 2006
Gonna Be an Uncle, Again!
I love my niece more than almost anything in the world. She's really the cutest kid around! We've gotten word that Sarahlynn is pregnant again, and that things are going really well!! HOORAY!
http://sarahlynn.blogspot.com/2006/07/it-takes-two-to-make-it-outta-sight.html
http://sarahlynn.blogspot.com/2006/07/it-takes-two-to-make-it-outta-sight.html
July 05, 2006
A Nice Day for Fish
Today we went up to Baltimore to the National Aquarium. I was not necessarily excited, but appropriately ready to go. I enjoy museums and such for about an hour, then I get bored. Today was a different story! (Blessing)
We got up there with no traffic problems, a small miracle in itself. I dropped off Anny and the In-Laws while I went hunting for a parking garage. When I rejoined them, we picked up the pre-purchased tickets with no problem and went straight in! (had to beat the school groups) We wandered around and looked in the huge tanks of rays, sharks and fish.
The real reason that I wanted to go is that they have recently opened their Australia Outback exhibit, where the animals are free to roam as they like, and we just walk through their habitat. VERY COOL. The National Zoo in DC has an Amazon exhibit that has the same base, and theirs has more animals. We head down to the zoo about every other year, and have not been in a while. Hmm....
Anyway, when we bought tickets, we purchased the ones that got us into the Dolphin Show! It was very exciting, and all four of us were very happy that we got to enjoy it without a school or camp group under our care. :o) It makes a difference. We got lots of pictures, and Anny got a great one that cost me some money. Our camera has a wonderful landscape feature, which is perfect for events like these. We were getting too many, or so I thought. I told her that if she could get a good one with a dolphin completely out of the water, I would give her $5 in cash. Here's what she got:
Yes, I circled a dolphin about 22 feet in the air, since it does blend in a little. I can't believe she got the picture, but sure am glad that she did. It will be our desktop for the next few weeks, until we get good Iowa pictures.
I got lost getting the car, but that was not a big deal. We had CPK for lunch, which I have been looking forward to for weeks. Their pizzas have such a far range of choice that I can find them with no tomatoes or tomato sauce.
We're home watching the rain fall AGAIN today. We have started to collect some of it so that when we are in a system of no rain, we can use the water for plants. Our pumpkin plants have started to grow nicely, using mostly rain water. We got another 30 gallons from our earlier storm, which is our capacity in our trash can. I'll put pictures up on that soon, I just have a couple of tweaks to do to make it perfect.
We got up there with no traffic problems, a small miracle in itself. I dropped off Anny and the In-Laws while I went hunting for a parking garage. When I rejoined them, we picked up the pre-purchased tickets with no problem and went straight in! (had to beat the school groups) We wandered around and looked in the huge tanks of rays, sharks and fish.
The real reason that I wanted to go is that they have recently opened their Australia Outback exhibit, where the animals are free to roam as they like, and we just walk through their habitat. VERY COOL. The National Zoo in DC has an Amazon exhibit that has the same base, and theirs has more animals. We head down to the zoo about every other year, and have not been in a while. Hmm....
Anyway, when we bought tickets, we purchased the ones that got us into the Dolphin Show! It was very exciting, and all four of us were very happy that we got to enjoy it without a school or camp group under our care. :o) It makes a difference. We got lots of pictures, and Anny got a great one that cost me some money. Our camera has a wonderful landscape feature, which is perfect for events like these. We were getting too many, or so I thought. I told her that if she could get a good one with a dolphin completely out of the water, I would give her $5 in cash. Here's what she got:
Yes, I circled a dolphin about 22 feet in the air, since it does blend in a little. I can't believe she got the picture, but sure am glad that she did. It will be our desktop for the next few weeks, until we get good Iowa pictures.
I got lost getting the car, but that was not a big deal. We had CPK for lunch, which I have been looking forward to for weeks. Their pizzas have such a far range of choice that I can find them with no tomatoes or tomato sauce.
We're home watching the rain fall AGAIN today. We have started to collect some of it so that when we are in a system of no rain, we can use the water for plants. Our pumpkin plants have started to grow nicely, using mostly rain water. We got another 30 gallons from our earlier storm, which is our capacity in our trash can. I'll put pictures up on that soon, I just have a couple of tweaks to do to make it perfect.
July 03, 2006
But Just How Clean is Clean?
I have had to re-learn what the word clean means.
Growing up I was not a cleaner at all. My method of cleaning was to rearrange a room. When you rearrange, everything has to be dealt with: keep, trash, or to be put away. Simple process, but my problem became that I tended to rearrange our rec room once a month. (Granted, this was high school and college) I dub this "The Rearranger" and it has since been toned down at the request of just about everyone I have ever lived with.
I used to be what I would call a "Closet Cleaner" meaning that if it was on the floor, it would go into the closet for the day I needed it to be clean. Once the need for clean was gone, it would come back out.
I learned later to get out of that, and become what I would call a "Pile Cleaner" meaning that if it was in a pile, it was clean. Old bills, computer pieces, et cetera are considered clean if they are in a neat pile, or in a basket.
Over the weekend, I needed to learn a new way. I guess it would be a "Complete Cleaner." A list was needed because there was so much to be cleaned. For this weekend's cleaning, there was help, and I played a role just like everyone else. My solo job was to dust and vacuum the first floor of the house. Jon's role was to clean his room, and help out in other places as needed. Anny's job was the dirty work: bathrooms and kitchen. In my defense, she likes to clean!
So, that cleaning seems normal, right? That's because it is. The Complete Clean comes in when the realization hits that in three hours my father in law will arrive, and five hours after that, my mother in law will arrive too. (She was at a conference in NYC) I found out that our Furnace Room and Closets needed a good cleaning before the end of the weekend! The furnace room has probably not been clean since the day the house was built, because it is a working storage room. (Freezer, canned foods and other such extras)
It needed to be done, and now that it is done it's very nice. We've all learned new things as this process has been going along. Next time, and I'm sure there will be a next time, I will know to expect that a "Complete Clean" job is expected, and that a list is REQUIRED!
What kind of cleaner are you?
Growing up I was not a cleaner at all. My method of cleaning was to rearrange a room. When you rearrange, everything has to be dealt with: keep, trash, or to be put away. Simple process, but my problem became that I tended to rearrange our rec room once a month. (Granted, this was high school and college) I dub this "The Rearranger" and it has since been toned down at the request of just about everyone I have ever lived with.
I used to be what I would call a "Closet Cleaner" meaning that if it was on the floor, it would go into the closet for the day I needed it to be clean. Once the need for clean was gone, it would come back out.
I learned later to get out of that, and become what I would call a "Pile Cleaner" meaning that if it was in a pile, it was clean. Old bills, computer pieces, et cetera are considered clean if they are in a neat pile, or in a basket.
Over the weekend, I needed to learn a new way. I guess it would be a "Complete Cleaner." A list was needed because there was so much to be cleaned. For this weekend's cleaning, there was help, and I played a role just like everyone else. My solo job was to dust and vacuum the first floor of the house. Jon's role was to clean his room, and help out in other places as needed. Anny's job was the dirty work: bathrooms and kitchen. In my defense, she likes to clean!
So, that cleaning seems normal, right? That's because it is. The Complete Clean comes in when the realization hits that in three hours my father in law will arrive, and five hours after that, my mother in law will arrive too. (She was at a conference in NYC) I found out that our Furnace Room and Closets needed a good cleaning before the end of the weekend! The furnace room has probably not been clean since the day the house was built, because it is a working storage room. (Freezer, canned foods and other such extras)
It needed to be done, and now that it is done it's very nice. We've all learned new things as this process has been going along. Next time, and I'm sure there will be a next time, I will know to expect that a "Complete Clean" job is expected, and that a list is REQUIRED!
What kind of cleaner are you?
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