I would have to say that the feature I like the most is future-dating posts. I can blog
at work
Have you tried Blogger in Draft yet? You liking any of the features more than others? Anything you just hate?
June 29, 2008
I Like Blogger
I have to admit that I love some of the new Blogger features. (Still in Draft)
I would have to say that the feature I like the most is future-dating posts. I can blog
at work
Have you tried Blogger in Draft yet? You liking any of the features more than others? Anything you just hate?
I would have to say that the feature I like the most is future-dating posts. I can blog
at work
Have you tried Blogger in Draft yet? You liking any of the features more than others? Anything you just hate?
June 28, 2008
I Think I'm Pregnant
FOR THE RECORD: This is no announcement about any actual impending birth. (I find that I have to be careful now that Abby has crested the 12 month mark....)
Over the last couple of weeks I have had an intersting feeling. I've been feeling like I'm pregnant! Most things can be "explained away" but when things add up it's a bit weird.
Examples:
I have had a bit of the swollen feet/ankles this week. (thank you kidneys)
I have been craving pickles. A LOT. (I blame the cookout season, but that's lame)
My balance is off. (hence the post about my ankle sprain on last Sunday)
I can not seem to get enough sleep. (this might be caused by a certain toddler that will remain nameless)
I used to always joke with Anny about the fact that when she was pregnant, the only thing she would go through that I did not was the actual birth part of having a baby. There are some days that I believe that to be completely true.
Don't expect to see me on Oprah any time soon, but I thought I would do a kidney update, and this is what my kidneys are feeling like lately.
Over the last couple of weeks I have had an intersting feeling. I've been feeling like I'm pregnant! Most things can be "explained away" but when things add up it's a bit weird.
Examples:
I have had a bit of the swollen feet/ankles this week. (thank you kidneys)
I have been craving pickles. A LOT. (I blame the cookout season, but that's lame)
My balance is off. (hence the post about my ankle sprain on last Sunday)
I can not seem to get enough sleep. (this might be caused by a certain toddler that will remain nameless)
I used to always joke with Anny about the fact that when she was pregnant, the only thing she would go through that I did not was the actual birth part of having a baby. There are some days that I believe that to be completely true.
Don't expect to see me on Oprah any time soon, but I thought I would do a kidney update, and this is what my kidneys are feeling like lately.
June 27, 2008
16/365 Our First Harvest
16/365 Our First Harvest
Originally uploaded by armonroe
We have a small garden in our backyard this summer, and yesterday we managed to have our first harvest! Four green beans! The great news is that Abby loves green beans, so tonight she will eat the fruits of her labor.
Hooray for homegrown food!
June 25, 2008
June 24, 2008
Annnnnd POP!
On Sunday we went to church, as is the norm, and stayed for the picnic. The picnic was nice. We got to chat it up with a couple that has just added a second child to their clan, and she's quite a cutie. We like them, but never seem to get together outside of church. Must work on that, but that's another post for another day. Today's post is about what happened on our way out.
Pop.
Okay, more like POP!
As I was gathering our scraps to put in the trash can (one napkin and a bunch of fruit that our lovely daughter threw on the dirty ground) I stood up. I thought it was natural - the trash can is over there, I am here, I need to walk over there, I should stand up. Unfortunately, Abby had the same idea, that she should get up quickly.
Since I was planning to walk, and indeed making movements toward that same direction that Abby was lunging, I changed direction quickly and rolled my ankle over a tree root. I heard the aforementioned POP! and got a little woozy. (Anny later said that I lost all of the color in my face.) I laid on the ground a bit to get the sky to stop wobbling so much while at the same time talking with Eric (the dad of the family spoken of earlier) and generally trying to act like nothing happened.
While Anny went inside to get ice, I determined that I was fine. On the way home I was spoken to like a child, which is honestly the best thing in such a situation. I eliminated the ER from contention because it was not swollen, but that was not really making Anny happy. Our final verdict (mine) was to go home and ice my ankle.
And so I did. For five hours.
Having been to emergency rooms in various states around the country, I have learned a few things.
If you want great care, go to a remote place! (Casper, WY)
If you want fast care, don't go on a weekend - unless you're bleeding.
Some hospital systems do things right, some don't. (right is in Metro Pittsburgh, PA)
It's never going to be pleasant, so just grin and bear it.
Needless to say, we waited until Monday.
We headed a bit out of our way early Monday morning, but were in and out of the ER in about an hour and a half. (GO Howard General!) The staff was very friendly, and mostly helpful, or so I thought. I got to explain over and over, though, that I could not take Advil because of my kidneys, but it appears that "nephritis" gets buried in all of the paperwork of a chart. (BAD thing!)
The diagnosis was a "good sprain" of my left ankle. I was given crutches and a good ankle brace, which it turns out the nurse put on backwards and just wrong. Lucky for me, my brother just hurt his ankle last month and was able to get me figured out on Monday evening. I went to work today but made sure my foot was propped up. I was sure to leave a little early to get ice on it and try to beat the traffic a bit.
The hardest thing is that I'm having to play too hesitantly with Abby. Anny has been in charge of baths, which I one of my jobs, and it kills me. I know that in a few more days it will be back to fine and I'll be back to my normal roughhousing with the kid, but she does not get it. Oh well.
Pop.
Okay, more like POP!
As I was gathering our scraps to put in the trash can (one napkin and a bunch of fruit that our lovely daughter threw on the dirty ground) I stood up. I thought it was natural - the trash can is over there, I am here, I need to walk over there, I should stand up. Unfortunately, Abby had the same idea, that she should get up quickly.
Since I was planning to walk, and indeed making movements toward that same direction that Abby was lunging, I changed direction quickly and rolled my ankle over a tree root. I heard the aforementioned POP! and got a little woozy. (Anny later said that I lost all of the color in my face.) I laid on the ground a bit to get the sky to stop wobbling so much while at the same time talking with Eric (the dad of the family spoken of earlier) and generally trying to act like nothing happened.
While Anny went inside to get ice, I determined that I was fine. On the way home I was spoken to like a child, which is honestly the best thing in such a situation. I eliminated the ER from contention because it was not swollen, but that was not really making Anny happy. Our final verdict (mine) was to go home and ice my ankle.
And so I did. For five hours.
Having been to emergency rooms in various states around the country, I have learned a few things.
If you want great care, go to a remote place! (Casper, WY)
If you want fast care, don't go on a weekend - unless you're bleeding.
Some hospital systems do things right, some don't. (right is in Metro Pittsburgh, PA)
It's never going to be pleasant, so just grin and bear it.
Needless to say, we waited until Monday.
We headed a bit out of our way early Monday morning, but were in and out of the ER in about an hour and a half. (GO Howard General!) The staff was very friendly, and mostly helpful, or so I thought. I got to explain over and over, though, that I could not take Advil because of my kidneys, but it appears that "nephritis" gets buried in all of the paperwork of a chart. (BAD thing!)
The diagnosis was a "good sprain" of my left ankle. I was given crutches and a good ankle brace, which it turns out the nurse put on backwards and just wrong. Lucky for me, my brother just hurt his ankle last month and was able to get me figured out on Monday evening. I went to work today but made sure my foot was propped up. I was sure to leave a little early to get ice on it and try to beat the traffic a bit.
The hardest thing is that I'm having to play too hesitantly with Abby. Anny has been in charge of baths, which I one of my jobs, and it kills me. I know that in a few more days it will be back to fine and I'll be back to my normal roughhousing with the kid, but she does not get it. Oh well.
June 20, 2008
Abby Getting Some Web Attention!
We put the best-of-the-best pictures up on our Flickr page (HERE) and on occasion I tag a couple to the ParentDish group. Well, turns out they really liked on this week!
Click HERE for the ParentDish post of our little girl! Since she was chosen for a picture-of-the-day she is eligible for the picture-of-the-month!
Click HERE for the ParentDish post of our little girl! Since she was chosen for a picture-of-the-day she is eligible for the picture-of-the-month!
Married to a Institution Teacher
(Sorry for the silly title, I've been jealous of the strikethrough abuse over at Stark Raving Dads for a while and had to use it myself!)
The Summer officially begins tomorrow, but that is only according to the sun. According to our society it begins on Memorial Day, which is fine with me. According to my household, Summer began on Tuesday.
Summer is a different time of year, almost a different life, than the other nine months when you're in a relationship with a teacher. While your schedule stays the same they are able to sleep in and stay up late. They are able to lounge all day, or take a jaunt to have lunch with friends. You are stuck. In the same old grind. All. Day. Long.
There are many other things that are signs that the season has changed.
My office phone rings. Often.
When school is in session, Anny and I do not speak from the time she leaves for work until she is in the car on her way home. It's a bit weird, mostly because it ends up that I talk to my friend Bryan more than I talk to my wife some weeks. During the summer, though, I receive random calls throughout the entire day. First day out I got three. Thursday I received at least twice that many.
Things at home are relaxed.
With all of the extra time on her hands, Anny is much more relaxed in the evenings and that makes for a better day all around. It might have to do with the fact that there's more free time, but so far thissummer week I believe that it is the extra mommy-daughter time. I love that they get this time together, but I'm honestly jealous.
Things in my head are mixed.
Again, I'm jealous of the extra time that the girls get to spend together. I might have to steal Abby to myself one of these weekend days and send Anny packing.
The hours during the school year are penance for the summers free. Do not ever tell a teacher that they have it easy because they have the summer off. With the amount of stress and (sometimes) horror of teaching, this is well earned.
But I wish it was my schedule too....
The Summer officially begins tomorrow, but that is only according to the sun. According to our society it begins on Memorial Day, which is fine with me. According to my household, Summer began on Tuesday.
Summer is a different time of year, almost a different life, than the other nine months when you're in a relationship with a teacher. While your schedule stays the same they are able to sleep in and stay up late. They are able to lounge all day, or take a jaunt to have lunch with friends. You are stuck. In the same old grind. All. Day. Long.
There are many other things that are signs that the season has changed.
My office phone rings. Often.
When school is in session, Anny and I do not speak from the time she leaves for work until she is in the car on her way home. It's a bit weird, mostly because it ends up that I talk to my friend Bryan more than I talk to my wife some weeks. During the summer, though, I receive random calls throughout the entire day. First day out I got three. Thursday I received at least twice that many.
Things at home are relaxed.
With all of the extra time on her hands, Anny is much more relaxed in the evenings and that makes for a better day all around. It might have to do with the fact that there's more free time, but so far this
Things in my head are mixed.
Again, I'm jealous of the extra time that the girls get to spend together. I might have to steal Abby to myself one of these weekend days and send Anny packing.
The hours during the school year are penance for the summers free. Do not ever tell a teacher that they have it easy because they have the summer off. With the amount of stress and (sometimes) horror of teaching, this is well earned.
But I wish it was my schedule too....
June 18, 2008
5 Things Meme
Amy at PrettyBabies tagged me for a Meme...
5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
Attending Community College
Reconnecting with Dave H
Dating a good friend, whom I'm glad to say is still a good friend.
Working retail, and loving it!
Watching the Capitals play in the Stanley Cup Finals (the only time they have)
5 things on my to do list:
Clean the attic
Get enough together for this weekend's yard sale to make it worth our time
Leave work early to hang out with my ladies.....
Cut my neighbors grass as a repayment for when he cut mine a few weeks back
Remember to water the garden daily
5 favorite snacks/food:
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 things I would do if I was a billionaire:
Tear down and re-build my home church
Build/Buy a compound for our extended family somewhere fun
Fund research for MS and Kidney Disease
Buy a matching set of Power Wheels for my kid and her friends
Pay off our debt and the debt of others close to us.
5 bad habits:
Biting my nails (better than it was before)
Crop Dusting my wife
Speeding when there is no need
Cussing around the baby
*Not using a turn signal
(*starred are not bad habits that I have, but they are bad habits that others have)
5 Places I've lived:
San Diego, CA (okay, I was an infant, but I lived there!)
Various North Carolina Cities
Current home
Manassas, VA
Current home (back to, obviously)
Tagging 5 people:
Sorry, folks, I don't tag. If you would like to play along, post it on your blog and comment below!
5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
Attending Community College
Reconnecting with Dave H
Dating a good friend, whom I'm glad to say is still a good friend.
Working retail, and loving it!
Watching the Capitals play in the Stanley Cup Finals (the only time they have)
5 things on my to do list:
Clean the attic
Get enough together for this weekend's yard sale to make it worth our time
Leave work early to hang out with my ladies.....
Cut my neighbors grass as a repayment for when he cut mine a few weeks back
Remember to water the garden daily
5 favorite snacks/food:
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
5 things I would do if I was a billionaire:
Tear down and re-build my home church
Build/Buy a compound for our extended family somewhere fun
Fund research for MS and Kidney Disease
Buy a matching set of Power Wheels for my kid and her friends
Pay off our debt and the debt of others close to us.
5 bad habits:
Biting my nails (better than it was before)
Crop Dusting my wife
Speeding when there is no need
Cussing around the baby
*Not using a turn signal
(*starred are not bad habits that I have, but they are bad habits that others have)
5 Places I've lived:
San Diego, CA (okay, I was an infant, but I lived there!)
Various North Carolina Cities
Current home
Manassas, VA
Current home (back to, obviously)
Tagging 5 people:
Sorry, folks, I don't tag. If you would like to play along, post it on your blog and comment below!
June 17, 2008
Father's Get the Shaft
We must start by looking back to May 8-11, 2008 before we can delve into the happenings of this weekend. What happened in May but not June? Mother's Day. It felt like everywhere we went we heard a grateful "Have a Happy Mother's Day" aimed in our direction. This happened at the Grocery Store (several times), the local (plant) nursery, even at restaurants.
I thought about how cool it was that Anny was getting this special attention and recognition for all that she has done over the last year, and even before that. She is so shy about that stuff that I think it's good for her once in a while to be showered with attention. Maybe that's because I'm an extrovert, though....
Anyway, when last week rolled around I was excited to be heralded in the same manner! Clear the streets, a father is making his way into your presence!
We went to the farmers market. Nothing.
We went to the same grocery store and saw the same clerk. Nothing.
We went everywhere and I got nothing.
Okay, that's not true. On Father's Day proper we went to TGI Friday's with the family. I did get some FD attention from our waitress. I would like to point out that it was mostly due to the fact that Ms Adorable was sitting there shamelessly making eyes at her, but whatever.
What's the deal with this? Did you notice this to be true in your ventures out as well, or is it just that people don't like to give me accolaides?
I thought about how cool it was that Anny was getting this special attention and recognition for all that she has done over the last year, and even before that. She is so shy about that stuff that I think it's good for her once in a while to be showered with attention. Maybe that's because I'm an extrovert, though....
Anyway, when last week rolled around I was excited to be heralded in the same manner! Clear the streets, a father is making his way into your presence!
We went to the farmers market. Nothing.
We went to the same grocery store and saw the same clerk. Nothing.
We went everywhere and I got nothing.
Okay, that's not true. On Father's Day proper we went to TGI Friday's with the family. I did get some FD attention from our waitress. I would like to point out that it was mostly due to the fact that Ms Adorable was sitting there shamelessly making eyes at her, but whatever.
What's the deal with this? Did you notice this to be true in your ventures out as well, or is it just that people don't like to give me accolaides?
June 16, 2008
Abby's First Birthday Party!
Saturday was Abby's big day, in more ways than we could have thought! We had a really good turnout for her birthday party, but her day started way before 2:00.
When Abby first woke up it was way too early - 5 am. I swooped her up and rocked her back to sleep for the next hour and a half so that we had a bit of a head start on sleep for the day. We headed off to the Farmer's Market where she was the center of attention in her new Red Wagon!
On the way home from the grocery store she fell back asleep, it was about 9:15 by then. Instead of letting her get a 30 minute nap in her crib, I once again rocked her to the tune of another hour. All of this forced/extra sleep was in anticipation of an afternoon of missed naps and great excitement. Turns our our gamble was worth it!
Abby was showered with gifts and attention and loved every minute of it! She got to play with her friends Evan and Luke and had one more trick up her sleeve for the day......
Once about half of the crowd had left Abby WALKED!!!! Anny was in a chair and I was on the couch and Abby went back and forth with no help several times! Yes, all apologies to my wife, but Abby is the kind of child to wait for a crowd to blow our minds!
There are no pictures or video of the walking, but there are plenty of the party and day. Here's a slide show of the day:
When Abby first woke up it was way too early - 5 am. I swooped her up and rocked her back to sleep for the next hour and a half so that we had a bit of a head start on sleep for the day. We headed off to the Farmer's Market where she was the center of attention in her new Red Wagon!
On the way home from the grocery store she fell back asleep, it was about 9:15 by then. Instead of letting her get a 30 minute nap in her crib, I once again rocked her to the tune of another hour. All of this forced/extra sleep was in anticipation of an afternoon of missed naps and great excitement. Turns our our gamble was worth it!
Abby was showered with gifts and attention and loved every minute of it! She got to play with her friends Evan and Luke and had one more trick up her sleeve for the day......
Once about half of the crowd had left Abby WALKED!!!! Anny was in a chair and I was on the couch and Abby went back and forth with no help several times! Yes, all apologies to my wife, but Abby is the kind of child to wait for a crowd to blow our minds!
There are no pictures or video of the walking, but there are plenty of the party and day. Here's a slide show of the day:
June 12, 2008
Abby's Birthday Coverage
Live. Local. Latebreaking.
To follow Abby's Birthday coverage head over to her site!
http://abby.mdmonroes.com
(not a teaser, just saving myself work!)
To follow Abby's Birthday coverage head over to her site!
http://abby.mdmonroes.com
(not a teaser, just saving myself work!)
June 10, 2008
Give is to Us Straight
I understand "teasers" and I know why TV and radio channels use them for movies, concert promos and regular TV programs. I do not understand, though, holding certain information "hostage." Silly things, really.
"Is the heat going to linger or is there a hurricane on its' way? Find out tonight at 11."
'Two women robbed in a local neighborhood by chipmunks wielding sparklers. Find out where these furry-killers are tomorrow on Next Day News at 5."
Okay, I might have embellished the second one there, but I bet I'm not far off!
I believe that this is a sign that the industries have not realized that human beings are smart enough to find out the information in other ways. A sign of the "old" times of media, in a way. With our new programming I can get my local, updated weather and traffic with the touch of a button on the remote. Oh yeah, and there is the whole internet thing.
Teasers are of no use to you anymore, Newspeople. Do they really think that I will change from my regular morning news because you didn't give me information that they didn't give me?
What I really want from a news commercial is a summary of things that are important, maybe with a "find out more at 11." Try these on for size:
"Hot as hell today, but tomorrow will be nicer. I'll have a full forecast at 11."
"Rodents have mugged two women in Springfield, but we're working on details. We will have more in the morning."
I guess what I'm saying is that you have no power over me local weather-person or anchor-person. I will get my information, even if you won't give it to me. Why don't we save us both a little time and you give me more information rather than try to tease me.
Oh yeah, and promise me that those darned chipmunks can not cross state lines!
"Is the heat going to linger or is there a hurricane on its' way? Find out tonight at 11."
'Two women robbed in a local neighborhood by chipmunks wielding sparklers. Find out where these furry-killers are tomorrow on Next Day News at 5."
Okay, I might have embellished the second one there, but I bet I'm not far off!
I believe that this is a sign that the industries have not realized that human beings are smart enough to find out the information in other ways. A sign of the "old" times of media, in a way. With our new programming I can get my local, updated weather and traffic with the touch of a button on the remote. Oh yeah, and there is the whole internet thing.
Teasers are of no use to you anymore, Newspeople. Do they really think that I will change from my regular morning news because you didn't give me information that they didn't give me?
What I really want from a news commercial is a summary of things that are important, maybe with a "find out more at 11." Try these on for size:
"Hot as hell today, but tomorrow will be nicer. I'll have a full forecast at 11."
"Rodents have mugged two women in Springfield, but we're working on details. We will have more in the morning."
I guess what I'm saying is that you have no power over me local weather-person or anchor-person. I will get my information, even if you won't give it to me. Why don't we save us both a little time and you give me more information rather than try to tease me.
Oh yeah, and promise me that those darned chipmunks can not cross state lines!
June 09, 2008
Our Weekend in Two Pictures
On Friday we went to a picnic with the Day Care System that Abby attends. It's all teachers children, so it was a very surreal experience. Anyway, here's the happy family:
(sorry that it's so fuzzy)
On Saturday Anny and I went to a wedding. I had to buy a suit just for the event, so I thought I would show it off! Here we are, in the 95 degree sun:
(sorry that it's so fuzzy)
On Saturday Anny and I went to a wedding. I had to buy a suit just for the event, so I thought I would show it off! Here we are, in the 95 degree sun:
 |
| From June 2008 |
June 05, 2008
Yes, I Made Abby Watch
I did not make Abby stay up for the game, and honestly I missed most of it because of a meeting and sleep. Thanks to our new HD DVR, Abby and I watched the game this morning to watch the Red Wings win the Cup. I explained the Cup and the Conn Smythe (MVP) trophy. Honestly, she was glued to the TV. I think that I am raising her right! Hopefully next season we will get to GO to a game during the finals...
June 04, 2008
June 02, 2008
Just a Little Weird
Got home from church yesterday and were greeted with a very nice surprise: a cut lawn. It appears that our neighbor needed to cut his lawn, and just popped right over the driveway and did a quick cut for us too! Very cool.
So, how do you thank a neighbor for such a selfless act?
Okay, so here's a wrench in the matter: how do you thank a neighbor for such a selfless act when that neighbor speaks a different language?
I don't believe that the father/husband speaks any English, but I know that mom/wife has been taking classes to learn. I do have some conversations with their seven year old daughter and her cousin. Is is apropriate to ask them to send thanks on my behalf? Is it better to write a thank you note, offering to do the same in return? If I do that, do I write it in English and then copy it into Spanish? (BTW - I do not speak or write Spanish very well either, but am sure that I could translate a short note)
Please let me know your thoughts. I'm at a loss...
So, how do you thank a neighbor for such a selfless act?
Okay, so here's a wrench in the matter: how do you thank a neighbor for such a selfless act when that neighbor speaks a different language?
I don't believe that the father/husband speaks any English, but I know that mom/wife has been taking classes to learn. I do have some conversations with their seven year old daughter and her cousin. Is is apropriate to ask them to send thanks on my behalf? Is it better to write a thank you note, offering to do the same in return? If I do that, do I write it in English and then copy it into Spanish? (BTW - I do not speak or write Spanish very well either, but am sure that I could translate a short note)
Please let me know your thoughts. I'm at a loss...
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