It's back! Sorry to have missed last week, but I didn't touch a computer for more than 24 hours, and that might qualify as a Simple Pleasure
SPF - Simple Pleasure Friday's (I'm still not sold on this name, so feel free to give suggestions!)
I would like to hear from folks about positive things in their lives. Most blogs that I read go dormant over the weekends. I think that speaks about how we spend our time, and I don't think that it's a bad thing!
On a local radio station every Thursday they have time to share people's "Simple Pleasures." This is a time where people get to call in and be positive, and a LOT of people do. The hosts each share something that seems simple, but has been a nice thing for them.
example: The smell of a summer rain in the middle of a drought.
Seeing a kid's face the first time they try to catch snow on their tongue.
You get the picture.
So, here are the rules:
Share something special that has happened to you or you have witnessed in the last week.
Place your Simple Pleasure in the comments below!
That's it!
My goal is that this is about community, so I will share my Simple Pleasure in the comments, not as part of my post. My other goal is to give you a place to write a little bit over the weekend, and to share in the joys that other's are experiencing.
Feel free to pass this along to others!
November 30, 2007
November 28, 2007
Almost a Week Ago...
The last time I blogged appears to have been more than a week ago, and that post wsa mostly about shopping. Shame on me.
What's happened:
(Wednesday) We took Abby to a local Turkey (and Cow) farm to pick up a turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner. From her school she can see the cows and turkeys from a distance, but she was really taken with all of the sights and smells at the farm. It was fun.
(Wednesday) We took Abby to her first hockey game! Again with the sights and sounds - she seemed to genuinely have a good time.
(Thursday) During the day we spent good quality family time. Playing with Abby and catching up as a couple. Good time together. During the evening we did Thanksgiving dinner with family and a few friends (who are genuinely extended family at this point).
(Thursday) (between dinner and pies) We got to give Abby her first "solid" food of cereal. (Yet another link to the other site) It was fun, funny and functional - Michael's Trifecta of a good gift!
(Friday) We did some sale-shopping for ourselves. We got essentials for each of us as the weather turns colder, and some just plain cute stuff for Abby.
(Saturday) My brother got two tickets to another hockey game, and I could not turn it down! The Caps actually won the game, which made it even better!
(Sunday) We played hookey from church to get some things done, and didn't get to any of them. Abby is cutting her first tooth and we decided to walk at the mall with her as a distraction. It worked for us all, and we didn't spend any money!
Last night was an evening Presbytery meeting. Fairly low key, but it makes for a long day when most of us get here by 7:30 and the meeting doesn't end until after 9pm. I don't see how people do that on a regular basis!
This post is a catch-up post. I hope to post something with substance tomorrow!
What's happened:
(Wednesday) We took Abby to a local Turkey (and Cow) farm to pick up a turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner. From her school she can see the cows and turkeys from a distance, but she was really taken with all of the sights and smells at the farm. It was fun.
(Wednesday) We took Abby to her first hockey game! Again with the sights and sounds - she seemed to genuinely have a good time.
(Thursday) During the day we spent good quality family time. Playing with Abby and catching up as a couple. Good time together. During the evening we did Thanksgiving dinner with family and a few friends (who are genuinely extended family at this point).
(Thursday) (between dinner and pies) We got to give Abby her first "solid" food of cereal. (Yet another link to the other site) It was fun, funny and functional - Michael's Trifecta of a good gift!
(Friday) We did some sale-shopping for ourselves. We got essentials for each of us as the weather turns colder, and some just plain cute stuff for Abby.
(Saturday) My brother got two tickets to another hockey game, and I could not turn it down! The Caps actually won the game, which made it even better!
(Sunday) We played hookey from church to get some things done, and didn't get to any of them. Abby is cutting her first tooth and we decided to walk at the mall with her as a distraction. It worked for us all, and we didn't spend any money!
Last night was an evening Presbytery meeting. Fairly low key, but it makes for a long day when most of us get here by 7:30 and the meeting doesn't end until after 9pm. I don't see how people do that on a regular basis!
This post is a catch-up post. I hope to post something with substance tomorrow!
November 20, 2007
Thanksgiving Week
This is the week that we celebrate things we're thankful for. Last year I wrote a poem about the things that my family was thankful for. I had everyone send me something and mushed it all together into a dorky poem. It was all just a ploy to announce that we were having a baby. That made it cute, not dorky.
This year we do not have an elaborate announcement, but we are still very thankful. Abby is happy and healthy. So are Anny and I. We both have good jobs and great family and friends.
But this week is about more than being thankful. It's also about Turkey. It could also be about slapping, if you watch How I Met Your Mother. In our family we leave out the slapping, but are heavy on the turkey! The dinner is big and wonderful and prepared tirelessly by one of my aunts.
Two turkeys - one baked, one fried.
Two kinds of cranberry sauce - the traditional and a creamy version for those "outside the box thinkers" in the crowd.
Almost as Many Pies as People - yes, it's going to be true this year. My brother has his own cherry pie. Several pumpkin pies. Some sort of cream pie. Pudding for me since I don't like pie crust!
The food brings us together. We see each other fairly often, but it's different at holidays. No bickering, just having good conversation and general fun.
Oh yeah, and there's always the Robly-Anticipated Black Friday Shopping! Last year I was to Target and back with breakfast in hand before Anny was out of bed. After she was ready to leave we stopped at another Target on our way to the family beach house located near - you guessed it - MORE shopping! I went to three Target stores - in two states(!) in twelve hours.
Something is wrong with me. I love to shop on Black Friday (and Saturday). I love to shop on Christmas Eve. I worked retail for four and a half years and my favorite days were the long busy ones. I am looking forward to strapping Abby into the Baby Bjorn and heading out shopping just before the sun is out on Friday! (We will be at the Outlet Stores in Rehoboth on Friday. Back in town for Saturday.)
Here are my tips for Black Friday shopping:
1 - Research on Thursday in the newspaper what you are hunting for on Friday.
2 - If you are looking for an electronics gift, get there early. If you're after clothes, sleep in.
3 - Dress in layers! It's chilly in the early hours, but hot inside stores by mid-morning. More people = higher temperatures!
4 - Be nice. Everyone is looking for a deal, not just you. Be especially nice to the store employees. You are NOT the first person to complain that they don't have the camera you wanted.
5 - Set spending limits and stick to them. This one is hard for me to type because I tend to overspend. If you go out and take advantage of EVERY deal you will be happy, but broke.
6 - Set time limits. If you're shopping alone this is not as important. If you're out shopping with someone, though, you need to take a break for food and drink, and sometimes it's best to just say "we'll shop until noon and then be done for today." Don't get your beloved mad at you over a sale on sweaters! (Anny, I wrote this to show you that I am trying to learn!)
In case I don't post tomorrow - Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!
If you go shopping - have fun! If you don't - have fun anyway, but stay away from the mall!
This year we do not have an elaborate announcement, but we are still very thankful. Abby is happy and healthy. So are Anny and I. We both have good jobs and great family and friends.
But this week is about more than being thankful. It's also about Turkey. It could also be about slapping, if you watch How I Met Your Mother. In our family we leave out the slapping, but are heavy on the turkey! The dinner is big and wonderful and prepared tirelessly by one of my aunts.
Two turkeys - one baked, one fried.
Two kinds of cranberry sauce - the traditional and a creamy version for those "outside the box thinkers" in the crowd.
Almost as Many Pies as People - yes, it's going to be true this year. My brother has his own cherry pie. Several pumpkin pies. Some sort of cream pie. Pudding for me since I don't like pie crust!
The food brings us together. We see each other fairly often, but it's different at holidays. No bickering, just having good conversation and general fun.
Oh yeah, and there's always the Robly-Anticipated Black Friday Shopping! Last year I was to Target and back with breakfast in hand before Anny was out of bed. After she was ready to leave we stopped at another Target on our way to the family beach house located near - you guessed it - MORE shopping! I went to three Target stores - in two states(!) in twelve hours.
Something is wrong with me. I love to shop on Black Friday (and Saturday). I love to shop on Christmas Eve. I worked retail for four and a half years and my favorite days were the long busy ones. I am looking forward to strapping Abby into the Baby Bjorn and heading out shopping just before the sun is out on Friday! (We will be at the Outlet Stores in Rehoboth on Friday. Back in town for Saturday.)
Here are my tips for Black Friday shopping:
1 - Research on Thursday in the newspaper what you are hunting for on Friday.
2 - If you are looking for an electronics gift, get there early. If you're after clothes, sleep in.
3 - Dress in layers! It's chilly in the early hours, but hot inside stores by mid-morning. More people = higher temperatures!
4 - Be nice. Everyone is looking for a deal, not just you. Be especially nice to the store employees. You are NOT the first person to complain that they don't have the camera you wanted.
5 - Set spending limits and stick to them. This one is hard for me to type because I tend to overspend. If you go out and take advantage of EVERY deal you will be happy, but broke.
6 - Set time limits. If you're shopping alone this is not as important. If you're out shopping with someone, though, you need to take a break for food and drink, and sometimes it's best to just say "we'll shop until noon and then be done for today." Don't get your beloved mad at you over a sale on sweaters! (Anny, I wrote this to show you that I am trying to learn!)
In case I don't post tomorrow - Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!
If you go shopping - have fun! If you don't - have fun anyway, but stay away from the mall!
November 16, 2007
Simple Pleasures Friday (Week 2)
Introduced last week, with quite a few commenters and even more readers! It's back!
SPF - Simple Pleasure Friday's (I'm still not sold on this name, so feel free to give suggestions!)
I would like to hear from folks about positive things in their lives. Most blogs that I read go dormant over the weekends. I think that speaks about how we spend our time, and I don't think that it's a bad thing!
On a local radio station every Thursday they have time to share people's "Simple Pleasures." This is a time where people get to call in and be positive, and a LOT of people do. The hosts each share something that seems simple, but has been a nice thing for them.
example: The smell of a summer rain in the middle of a drought.
Seeing a kid's face the first time they try to catch snow on their tongue.
You get the picture.
So, here are the rules:
Share something special that has happened to you or you have witnessed in the last week.
Place your Simple Pleasure in the comments below!
That's it!
My goal is that this is about community, so I will share my Simple Pleasure in the comments, not as part of my post. My other goal is to give you a place to write a little bit over the weekend, and to share in the joys that other's are experiencing.
Feel free to pass this along to others!
SPF - Simple Pleasure Friday's (I'm still not sold on this name, so feel free to give suggestions!)
I would like to hear from folks about positive things in their lives. Most blogs that I read go dormant over the weekends. I think that speaks about how we spend our time, and I don't think that it's a bad thing!
On a local radio station every Thursday they have time to share people's "Simple Pleasures." This is a time where people get to call in and be positive, and a LOT of people do. The hosts each share something that seems simple, but has been a nice thing for them.
example: The smell of a summer rain in the middle of a drought.
Seeing a kid's face the first time they try to catch snow on their tongue.
You get the picture.
So, here are the rules:
Share something special that has happened to you or you have witnessed in the last week.
Place your Simple Pleasure in the comments below!
That's it!
My goal is that this is about community, so I will share my Simple Pleasure in the comments, not as part of my post. My other goal is to give you a place to write a little bit over the weekend, and to share in the joys that other's are experiencing.
Feel free to pass this along to others!
November 15, 2007
What's Up you Ho Ho Ho?
For the AP article, click here.
It appears that in Sydney, Australia some Santa Clauses have been told that they now need to say (merrily!) Ha Ha Ha! instead of Ho Ho Ho! Why, you ask? Because Ho is a slang term IN THE US for prostitute. Not even in Australia (please, Bec, correct me if I'm wrong!).
I think that this particular incidence is a bit much for me to handle. Ho Ho Ho is the precursor to today's kids movies. Yes, I am man enough to admit that I snicker inside a little bit every single time I hear a Santa at the mall or on TV say "Ho Ho Ho" because I think he's calling a kid a name. It's funny. It's fun. It's okay.
Remember when we were kids and we watched movies? Robin Hood (the awesome cartoon version). Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Snow White.
These movies were made for children and drove parents up a wall because of their child-ness. They were voiced by no-named people because the parents would mindlessly buy anything by Disney. Kids didn't care and neither did parent types.
Now the movies that are prevalent are different. Yes they are child oriented, but there is a lot of parent humor to keep moms and dads interested. Finding Nemo. Monsters Inc. Bee Movie. Voiced by everyone from Seinfeld to Chris Rock. Kids don't care about those guys.
There are a lot of points of humor that are lost on kids completely because there is parent-funny material embedded. What child gets the humor of "oderant" in Monsters Inc? Certainly not my four year old niece. Every time I see it (which I saw at least eight times during one road trip this summer) I laughed. Most of the time I laughed out loud even!
Santa should be able to say Ho Ho Ho. It is something that kids know and something that I can laugh at.
It appears that in Sydney, Australia some Santa Clauses have been told that they now need to say (merrily!) Ha Ha Ha! instead of Ho Ho Ho! Why, you ask? Because Ho is a slang term IN THE US for prostitute. Not even in Australia (please, Bec, correct me if I'm wrong!).
I think that this particular incidence is a bit much for me to handle. Ho Ho Ho is the precursor to today's kids movies. Yes, I am man enough to admit that I snicker inside a little bit every single time I hear a Santa at the mall or on TV say "Ho Ho Ho" because I think he's calling a kid a name. It's funny. It's fun. It's okay.
Remember when we were kids and we watched movies? Robin Hood (the awesome cartoon version). Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Snow White.
These movies were made for children and drove parents up a wall because of their child-ness. They were voiced by no-named people because the parents would mindlessly buy anything by Disney. Kids didn't care and neither did parent types.
Now the movies that are prevalent are different. Yes they are child oriented, but there is a lot of parent humor to keep moms and dads interested. Finding Nemo. Monsters Inc. Bee Movie. Voiced by everyone from Seinfeld to Chris Rock. Kids don't care about those guys.
There are a lot of points of humor that are lost on kids completely because there is parent-funny material embedded. What child gets the humor of "oderant" in Monsters Inc? Certainly not my four year old niece. Every time I see it (which I saw at least eight times during one road trip this summer) I laughed. Most of the time I laughed out loud even!
Santa should be able to say Ho Ho Ho. It is something that kids know and something that I can laugh at.
November 13, 2007
Toilet Training - From the Other Side of the Oceans
Found this on a parenting site I read. Had to share!
November 09, 2007
A New Feature on my Blog!
Today I would like to bring to you a new and hopefully ongoing feature of my little place of the web. This is a participation post, and I expect you to call me on it if I lag behind!
SPF - Simple Pleasure Friday's (I'm not sold on this name, so feel free to give suggestions!)
I would like to hear from folks about positive things in their lives. Most blogs that I read go dormant over the weekends. I think that speaks about how we spend our time, and I don't think that it's a bad thing! The reason that I get to read the blogs is that Abby still gets up early, even if it's a Sunday morning and we don't have anywhere to be. Anyway.
On a local radio station every Thursday they have time to share people's "Simple Pleasures." This is a time where people get to call in and be positive, and a LOT of people do. The hosts each share something that seems simple, but has been a nice thing for them.
example: The smell of a summer rain in the middle of a drought.
Seeing a kid's face the first time they try to catch snow on their tongue.
You get the picture.
So, here are the rules:
Share something special that has happened to you or you have witnessed in the last week.
Place your Simple Pleasure in the comments below!
That's it!
My goal is that this is about community, so I will share my Simple Pleasure in the comments, not as part of my post. My other goal is to give you a place to write a little bit over the weekend, and to share in the joys that other's are experiencing.
Feel free to pass this along to others!
SPF - Simple Pleasure Friday's (I'm not sold on this name, so feel free to give suggestions!)
I would like to hear from folks about positive things in their lives. Most blogs that I read go dormant over the weekends. I think that speaks about how we spend our time, and I don't think that it's a bad thing! The reason that I get to read the blogs is that Abby still gets up early, even if it's a Sunday morning and we don't have anywhere to be. Anyway.
On a local radio station every Thursday they have time to share people's "Simple Pleasures." This is a time where people get to call in and be positive, and a LOT of people do. The hosts each share something that seems simple, but has been a nice thing for them.
example: The smell of a summer rain in the middle of a drought.
Seeing a kid's face the first time they try to catch snow on their tongue.
You get the picture.
So, here are the rules:
Share something special that has happened to you or you have witnessed in the last week.
Place your Simple Pleasure in the comments below!
That's it!
My goal is that this is about community, so I will share my Simple Pleasure in the comments, not as part of my post. My other goal is to give you a place to write a little bit over the weekend, and to share in the joys that other's are experiencing.
Feel free to pass this along to others!
November 05, 2007
I'm Just....
I was complimented ths morning via email. It is always a little weird. I have some esteem issues and often refer to myself as "just an administrative assistant."
I think this comes from the fact that my wife and bunches of our friends are teachers. My brother and his wife are both on the verge of higher-higher ed degrees. My little sister has aspirations in the field of criminal psychology. I talk to higher-educated people everywhere I go. I just have an Associates. A four-year-to-get-a-two-year-degree Associates at that!
I'm just an administrative assistant. No - worse than that. I'm just an admin.
When we reviewed my job description earlier this year I was asked what I thought my job title should be, if different from "Program Assistant." I support seven other staff members either directly or one degree of directness, so maybe a new title would be good.
Administrative Assistant to all?
Office Assistant?
Office Grunt!
We stuck with Program Assistant.
Some people talk about being called to a particular field. Typically these people are teachers, politicians or people in the ministry. I have never heard anyone say that their call was to work in an office.
I truly feel like this is my calling. I like what I do and I'm good at it. Better than I let on, but don't tell anyone!
Anyway - All of that is to say that I came across a really great quote from Martin Luther King Jr. Actually, it was sent to me by a minister when I told him I was simply a messenger.
I think that I strive to be the best. I know my faults. I discuss them at the office openly, and will talk with anyone else about them if the need arises. I know what's wrong, and I work to fix it so that I can "sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry."
So, I leave you with that to Ponder and Comment on. What are you good at? What else do you read into this quote?
I think this comes from the fact that my wife and bunches of our friends are teachers. My brother and his wife are both on the verge of higher-higher ed degrees. My little sister has aspirations in the field of criminal psychology. I talk to higher-educated people everywhere I go. I just have an Associates. A four-year-to-get-a-two-year-degree Associates at that!
I'm just an administrative assistant. No - worse than that. I'm just an admin.
When we reviewed my job description earlier this year I was asked what I thought my job title should be, if different from "Program Assistant." I support seven other staff members either directly or one degree of directness, so maybe a new title would be good.
Administrative Assistant to all?
Office Assistant?
Office Grunt!
We stuck with Program Assistant.
Some people talk about being called to a particular field. Typically these people are teachers, politicians or people in the ministry. I have never heard anyone say that their call was to work in an office.
I truly feel like this is my calling. I like what I do and I'm good at it. Better than I let on, but don't tell anyone!
Anyway - All of that is to say that I came across a really great quote from Martin Luther King Jr. Actually, it was sent to me by a minister when I told him I was simply a messenger.
If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.
If you can't be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley. Be be the best little shrub on the side of the hill. Be a bush if you can't be a tree. If you can't be a highway, just be a trail. If you can't be a sun, be a star. For it isn't by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.
I think that I strive to be the best. I know my faults. I discuss them at the office openly, and will talk with anyone else about them if the need arises. I know what's wrong, and I work to fix it so that I can "sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry."
So, I leave you with that to Ponder and Comment on. What are you good at? What else do you read into this quote?
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