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| From SNOWpocalypse! |
Look at other people's takes on WW at www.wordlesswednesday.com
December 23, 2009
December 21, 2009
Christmas Gifts - Can be Last Minute!
We have both had the same idea in regards to Christmas gifts for our families. By "both" I mean that I had an idea in September, and began to put that plan into motion. Last week Anny "had an idea" that sounded pretty much word-for-word what was described to her in September... Yes, we "both" had an idea - and I'm sharing that idea with you!
When my office moved over the summer we found lots of supplies that were untouched from the move 5.5 years prior. We redistributed some of those items to organizations that could use them - and in the case of legal sized manila file folders, I am such an organization! We got them for the sole purpose of letting Abby pain them until her heart is content. Some days that is three brush strokes and the fun game "clean the brushes and make the water splash" and other days it's quite a long ordeal. I hate to throw things away, and hate even more to spend money on paper for her to paint. Win/Win!
Enter - the plain manila file folders:
With a bit of planning, we had about two dozen of these folders with some sort of paint on them - some were heavily painted and some were not so plentiful:
We cut them into pieces that accommodated the cut-out that we wanted - a Christmas Ornament to show through our perfect Abby picture! (I will not show you the picture yet - you have to wait until everyone getting their picture opens it!) After finding just the right pieces to make our list complete, I drew on the ornament shape (which is the size of our drinking glass, plus a small square on top) and Anny cut them out. We are all about shared labor in our house!
(This was the template one, thus no paint)
The final product looks a lot like this, but with the real picture in it!
With every Ornament-Shaped-Picture-Frame, we are giving each recipient a regular picture frame to put it in.
Total time invested:
Abby - a few minutes about once a week painting whatever she wanted!
Anny - Three months to "come up" with the idea - 20 minutes of cutting and ten of putting pics in and taping it to the back.
Rob - About an hour of picture taking, but it was an outing unto itself, and a negligible amount of time drawing the template on the backs of the painted folders!
When my office moved over the summer we found lots of supplies that were untouched from the move 5.5 years prior. We redistributed some of those items to organizations that could use them - and in the case of legal sized manila file folders, I am such an organization! We got them for the sole purpose of letting Abby pain them until her heart is content. Some days that is three brush strokes and the fun game "clean the brushes and make the water splash" and other days it's quite a long ordeal. I hate to throw things away, and hate even more to spend money on paper for her to paint. Win/Win!
Enter - the plain manila file folders:
With a bit of planning, we had about two dozen of these folders with some sort of paint on them - some were heavily painted and some were not so plentiful:
We cut them into pieces that accommodated the cut-out that we wanted - a Christmas Ornament to show through our perfect Abby picture! (I will not show you the picture yet - you have to wait until everyone getting their picture opens it!) After finding just the right pieces to make our list complete, I drew on the ornament shape (which is the size of our drinking glass, plus a small square on top) and Anny cut them out. We are all about shared labor in our house!
(This was the template one, thus no paint)
The final product looks a lot like this, but with the real picture in it!
With every Ornament-Shaped-Picture-Frame, we are giving each recipient a regular picture frame to put it in.
Total time invested:
Abby - a few minutes about once a week painting whatever she wanted!
Anny - Three months to "come up" with the idea - 20 minutes of cutting and ten of putting pics in and taping it to the back.
Rob - About an hour of picture taking, but it was an outing unto itself, and a negligible amount of time drawing the template on the backs of the painted folders!
December 16, 2009
On Our Birthday
I realized over the weekend that this is the tenth birthday that Anny and I have celebrated together. My family threw a big to-do for my 21st birthday that mixed family, church friends, camp friends and school friends. It was bizarre in many ways, but a really great way to celebrate.
(I put this picture up for a different post a year ago and Sarahlynn said "Hey, who are those people?" I assure you, that's us!)
We were not dating - heck, it too Anny another 18 months to even consider the prospect. My family is just cool like that - someone has a birthday, let's make them a cake. Two birthdays? Two cakes!
So - once again to my beloved - A Great Big Happy Birthday!
(I put this picture up for a different post a year ago and Sarahlynn said "Hey, who are those people?" I assure you, that's us!)
We were not dating - heck, it too Anny another 18 months to even consider the prospect. My family is just cool like that - someone has a birthday, let's make them a cake. Two birthdays? Two cakes!
So - once again to my beloved - A Great Big Happy Birthday!
December 09, 2009
I Found A Lump
December 3
I am hoping that this post ends happily sometime before my birthday with a solid "Thanks be to God" at the end. Right now, that is simply a hope. I don't want to make a lot of posts about this, so I'm going to make one long one. I don't like it when the focus is on me for my health, and if I start posting now and drag it out for ten days I will go berserk.
Sometime a few years ago I noticed that I have a hard lump on my left arm. I mentioned it to my doctor and he gave it a feel and told me it's not a big deal, probably just a calcium build up. No need to worry unless it got bigger or began to hurt. Fast forward to November of this year - I now have four of them, two on each arm.
On the 23rd of November I went in for my first physical in about 12 years. I was putting it off because I see specialists all the time, so what was the big deal? I decided it was time. I mentioned the bumps on my arms and she said the same thing as my old nephrologist - not hurting me, no need to remove them.
I also mentioned that I have a similar lump in my left breast. She gave that a feel and indicated that it could really go either way - either it's really nothing or it's really something bad.
Earlier this week I scheduled a mammogram - "yes, I'm a 30 year old male" I assured the woman on the phone "and I need a mammogram." It's scheduled for next Monday (December 7th) and then I have to play the waiting game that so many of my friends and family are used to playing.
December 7th
I just got home from my first ever mammogram. I don't need to remind you from a paragraph ago, but I'm a 30 year old male who just had a freaking mammogram. Needless to say, I'm a bit on edge because I know that I now just have to sit and wait. I don't even know how long I have to wait, hopefully just two days, maybe three or four. The wait has gotten to me before, between kidney biopsy and diagnosis.
So - the mammogram. Wow. Ladies - I don't know that I ever envied your bodies, and if I did, all of that went away at about 2:45 this afternoon. You know you're going to have to do that yearly? I 100% agree that it's essential to have it done, but hot damn. My moob still hurts. (Moob being man-boob.)
Since I was coming from work and you're not allowed to wear deodorant I had to stop by the house to take mine off. Yeah, I don't go to work without my deodorant, so it was a necessity. Do you know how weird it is to clean out your pits to go to the doctor?
I got to the appointment just in time for my paperwork to be filled out, and was called back a little while later. I've sat around in offices for hours for years, so I'm not upset when I have to sit around a little longer. Understand this - nobody in a doctors office wants your appointment to be delayed. They are doing what they can, what their jobs are. They will get to you, calm the heck down. Okay, now that I have said that... I got called back to the mammogram room and the tech asked "is it alright if you take your shirt off?" Umm... how else are you going to squeeze my moob? "Yes" worked fine, and off it came.
The big squeeze was next. I have talked about this with my family and one of my aunts warned that it was going to hurt. I underestimated the warning, I guess, because I was actually shocked about how flat my little moob became. They did it one time flat and then a second time at an angle. Done with that part I put my shirt on and waited in the hall for the next step, a sonogram.
I have had sonograms before. Wait, you're remembering that I'm a 30 year old MAN and that sonograms are typically reserved for pregnant non-men? Yeah. I'm onto my third as of today. Anyway - they did a sonogram of my breast after waiting in the hallway for a while. That is when someone noticed that the "at 5:00" on my chest was really at 7:00. Funny, but that's important!
Now comes the waiting. I'm trying to be a realist, but I have worked myself up with every sort of phone call that I could receive this week and all sorts of outcomes.
December 8th
Shit. I just got off of the phone with the nurse practitioner that ordered my mammogram. The radiologist says there is indeed a solid mass there, which they believe to be a benign fatty mass, but can't be sure. Shit. That is NOT the call I wanted to get. Scheduling a consultation with a surgeon for tomorrow to see about having a biopsy done. Knowing my history of biopsies, this could make for a long process.
December 9th (Pre-Appointment)
Anny decided to go with me to the appointment this morning, and deep down I'm glad that I did. I "had" to get a call from my pastor to push me to invite Anny, rather than just tell her about it. Let me say, for the record, that I didn't tell her not to come, I simply said that I did not think she needs to come. If it goes badly, I will need her later on.
December 9th (After Appointment)
Phew. I have been to meet with the surgeon with Anny. He was fun and quirky - probably someone I would go back to see if I ever need surgery actually. He really liked my belly scar, or that's how I'm taking his "wow" when I took my shirt off.
He confirmed what both the Nurse Practitioner and Radiologist said - what I have is called a (NON-CANCEROUS!) Lipoma (info HERE), or a fatty tumor. It is nothing to worry about. He said that he would remove it if I wanted him to and we had a conversation about the meaning of the word "bother" and that some folks are bothered because they play with such things all the time, some are bothered merely by the idea that it's there. Anny and I agreed that we are not bothered that it's there, and if I were to "play" with my moob I would have bigger fish to fry, especially in the work place.
With all that has happened over the last few weeks, I'm relieved, exhausted, confused and relieved again. I am going to take off a mental day later this week.
Thanks be to God.
I am hoping that this post ends happily sometime before my birthday with a solid "Thanks be to God" at the end. Right now, that is simply a hope. I don't want to make a lot of posts about this, so I'm going to make one long one. I don't like it when the focus is on me for my health, and if I start posting now and drag it out for ten days I will go berserk.
Sometime a few years ago I noticed that I have a hard lump on my left arm. I mentioned it to my doctor and he gave it a feel and told me it's not a big deal, probably just a calcium build up. No need to worry unless it got bigger or began to hurt. Fast forward to November of this year - I now have four of them, two on each arm.
On the 23rd of November I went in for my first physical in about 12 years. I was putting it off because I see specialists all the time, so what was the big deal? I decided it was time. I mentioned the bumps on my arms and she said the same thing as my old nephrologist - not hurting me, no need to remove them.
I also mentioned that I have a similar lump in my left breast. She gave that a feel and indicated that it could really go either way - either it's really nothing or it's really something bad.
Earlier this week I scheduled a mammogram - "yes, I'm a 30 year old male" I assured the woman on the phone "and I need a mammogram." It's scheduled for next Monday (December 7th) and then I have to play the waiting game that so many of my friends and family are used to playing.
December 7th
I just got home from my first ever mammogram. I don't need to remind you from a paragraph ago, but I'm a 30 year old male who just had a freaking mammogram. Needless to say, I'm a bit on edge because I know that I now just have to sit and wait. I don't even know how long I have to wait, hopefully just two days, maybe three or four. The wait has gotten to me before, between kidney biopsy and diagnosis.
So - the mammogram. Wow. Ladies - I don't know that I ever envied your bodies, and if I did, all of that went away at about 2:45 this afternoon. You know you're going to have to do that yearly? I 100% agree that it's essential to have it done, but hot damn. My moob still hurts. (Moob being man-boob.)
Since I was coming from work and you're not allowed to wear deodorant I had to stop by the house to take mine off. Yeah, I don't go to work without my deodorant, so it was a necessity. Do you know how weird it is to clean out your pits to go to the doctor?
I got to the appointment just in time for my paperwork to be filled out, and was called back a little while later. I've sat around in offices for hours for years, so I'm not upset when I have to sit around a little longer. Understand this - nobody in a doctors office wants your appointment to be delayed. They are doing what they can, what their jobs are. They will get to you, calm the heck down. Okay, now that I have said that... I got called back to the mammogram room and the tech asked "is it alright if you take your shirt off?" Umm... how else are you going to squeeze my moob? "Yes" worked fine, and off it came.
The big squeeze was next. I have talked about this with my family and one of my aunts warned that it was going to hurt. I underestimated the warning, I guess, because I was actually shocked about how flat my little moob became. They did it one time flat and then a second time at an angle. Done with that part I put my shirt on and waited in the hall for the next step, a sonogram.
I have had sonograms before. Wait, you're remembering that I'm a 30 year old MAN and that sonograms are typically reserved for pregnant non-men? Yeah. I'm onto my third as of today. Anyway - they did a sonogram of my breast after waiting in the hallway for a while. That is when someone noticed that the "at 5:00" on my chest was really at 7:00. Funny, but that's important!
Now comes the waiting. I'm trying to be a realist, but I have worked myself up with every sort of phone call that I could receive this week and all sorts of outcomes.
December 8th
Shit. I just got off of the phone with the nurse practitioner that ordered my mammogram. The radiologist says there is indeed a solid mass there, which they believe to be a benign fatty mass, but can't be sure. Shit. That is NOT the call I wanted to get. Scheduling a consultation with a surgeon for tomorrow to see about having a biopsy done. Knowing my history of biopsies, this could make for a long process.
December 9th (Pre-Appointment)
Anny decided to go with me to the appointment this morning, and deep down I'm glad that I did. I "had" to get a call from my pastor to push me to invite Anny, rather than just tell her about it. Let me say, for the record, that I didn't tell her not to come, I simply said that I did not think she needs to come. If it goes badly, I will need her later on.
December 9th (After Appointment)
Phew. I have been to meet with the surgeon with Anny. He was fun and quirky - probably someone I would go back to see if I ever need surgery actually. He really liked my belly scar, or that's how I'm taking his "wow" when I took my shirt off.
He confirmed what both the Nurse Practitioner and Radiologist said - what I have is called a (NON-CANCEROUS!) Lipoma (info HERE), or a fatty tumor. It is nothing to worry about. He said that he would remove it if I wanted him to and we had a conversation about the meaning of the word "bother" and that some folks are bothered because they play with such things all the time, some are bothered merely by the idea that it's there. Anny and I agreed that we are not bothered that it's there, and if I were to "play" with my moob I would have bigger fish to fry, especially in the work place.
With all that has happened over the last few weeks, I'm relieved, exhausted, confused and relieved again. I am going to take off a mental day later this week.
Thanks be to God.
Wordless Wednesday: Baking Time
Getting Ready for Cookies
Originally uploaded by armonroe
See more Wordless Wednesday entries at www.wordlesswednesday.com
December 02, 2009
Thanksgiving!
There is almost literally no way for me to capture all of the awesomeness that was our Thanksgiving this year - Anny's parents came from Wyoming and Paul and Sarahlynn and the girls made the trek to our house too! All in all there were six adults and three girls - and it was a blast.
The girls sat at their own table for meals, and that worked out really well:
We took everyone to the NASA Goddard Visitor Center over in Greenbelt. It was small, but perfect for our outing on Friday. Here are the girls again:
Of course we took them to our favorite local museum, the College Park Aviation Museum!
(That is where my pictures run out!)
Our turkey was perfect, our company was great.
The girls were incredible together with the exception of a few incidents that were likely fueled by sleep schedule craziness.
I really wish that we lived closer - and maybe someday soon will - these are the type of people I could see every day and not tire of!
The girls sat at their own table for meals, and that worked out really well:
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| From Boals Visit 11 2009 |
We took everyone to the NASA Goddard Visitor Center over in Greenbelt. It was small, but perfect for our outing on Friday. Here are the girls again:
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| From Boals Visit 11 2009 |
Of course we took them to our favorite local museum, the College Park Aviation Museum!
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| From Boals Visit 11 2009 |
(That is where my pictures run out!)
Our turkey was perfect, our company was great.
The girls were incredible together with the exception of a few incidents that were likely fueled by sleep schedule craziness.
I really wish that we lived closer - and maybe someday soon will - these are the type of people I could see every day and not tire of!
November 18, 2009
Wordless Wednesday
#30 Someone Having a Bad Hair Day
Originally uploaded by armonroe
I know I'm sneaking in WAY after most folks have checked in on Wordless Wednesday, but I'm posting it anyway.
More at www.wordlesswednesday.com
November 05, 2009
Halloween 2009
We did something strange last year - we grabbed two costumes from another teacher at Anny's school at a very good price. I think we paid $10 for both, but their children had outgrown them and we were a year (and a hope) away from Abby being able to fit into them. $10 is low risk, so we didn't really hesitate. I did an even stranger thing this summer and bought another one on Ebay when I found out that Anny's schools Homecoming would fall on Halloween. With that in mind, here are three stories from our Halloween...
Friday at School:
For those that do not know, Abby's daycare is contained within a school for children with special needs. The daycare is in the last two classrooms on the back side of the building, but the two programs work together for special events, like Halloween! All of Abby's classmates dressed up in their Halloween finery and went Trick-or-Treating to all of the classrooms in the school. Even better than that was that they invited us parents! I had a blast and it was quite possibly the cutest thing ever.
At Homecoming:
The high school football game was scheduled for Saturday, and I had a plan. We grabbed lunch at the grocery store and ate it in our seats, then we got Abby dressed up as the school mascot: A Gator! She hopped on my legs for a while, then ran around a bit. Once the Pom Squad sat down, Abby really got attention! (This photo was taken by their coach.) Abby was excited and happy, and most of all we tricked her into being warm on a chilly day! (Okay, so it was about being adorable, but two birds/one stone!)
Saturday Night:
Saturday evening we had some rain, so we started by playing in the yard under (and around) the umbrella. Once dinner was done, Abby knew that something great was supposed to be happening, so we could no longer keep her pent up in the house. We only T-o-T'ed on our street, but Abby's bag was plenty full. We started walking with a friend down the street, and the power of two-cute-toddlers can not be matched! Abby even got candy twice at one house because we brought a friend!
We had a great Halloween, and hope that you did too!
Friday at School:
For those that do not know, Abby's daycare is contained within a school for children with special needs. The daycare is in the last two classrooms on the back side of the building, but the two programs work together for special events, like Halloween! All of Abby's classmates dressed up in their Halloween finery and went Trick-or-Treating to all of the classrooms in the school. Even better than that was that they invited us parents! I had a blast and it was quite possibly the cutest thing ever.
At Homecoming:
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| From 10 2009 |
Saturday Night:
Saturday evening we had some rain, so we started by playing in the yard under (and around) the umbrella. Once dinner was done, Abby knew that something great was supposed to be happening, so we could no longer keep her pent up in the house. We only T-o-T'ed on our street, but Abby's bag was plenty full. We started walking with a friend down the street, and the power of two-cute-toddlers can not be matched! Abby even got candy twice at one house because we brought a friend!
We had a great Halloween, and hope that you did too!
October 28, 2009
October 16, 2009
One Smart Cookie
Okay, please don't criticize our parenting because of this blog post. Things happen to toddlers are part of growing up. That being said, I introduce you to Abby's newest "mark" of achievement: The Black Eye:
On Wednesday evening the three of us were playing a fun game of Hide-and-Seek between getting home and dinner time, and in typical fashion, it was an accidental game of H&S. I came into the kitchen to stop some whining by Abby, then ran up the hall to get away from the situation. You know, fix things, make people laugh, run away.
Abby and Anny, though, took that to mean that it was time to chase Daddy, who was really just trying to find a little moment to use the potty. I did the hallway loop, then through the dining room into the bathroom. Anny and Abby followed, but stopped at the crossroads of our house - the top of the stairs. Anny went up the hall, I didn't move. Abby must have spun in place, because the next thing I hear is Anny gasping at the idea that our Abby was falling down the stairs!!
Here cheek got black immediately, so we tried to put ice on it, and forced it on for a couple of minutes. Then we resorted to our normal calm-down activity - Sesame Street. She sat quietly and would let us look at it, but not touch it. Not surprising. We were concerned about two things - that she damaged her eye or that she broke her orbital bone. Anny felt around the bone and could not find any concern, but the eye seemed harder. She was answering the "how many fingers" and "what is this sign" but we could not be sure if she was using her hurt side or the other one. Finally I just asked "hey Abby, does your eye hurt?" She's smart enough that she looked at me and said "no, Daddy. My cheek hurts." There, our concern was lessened - she could identify it for us. Phew.
On Thursday morning when getting her dressed, Abby looked at me very seriously and said "Daddy, next time I go down the stairs, I want to go on my feet!" I looked at Anny and whispered "I guess she is implying 'and not on my face!' when she says that!"
On Friday Abby had a previously scheduled pediatrician appointment and he gladly looked around both the outside and inside of her eye. He assured us that she is fine, but reminded us that we are very lucky that no more damage was done. Lucky indeed.
We got lots of questions, and honestly I fear Child Protective Services. Our kid has a black eye and our excuse is she fell down the stairs? That's likely, right? Lucky for us, she's very vocal and can tell everyone herself if they ask!
*You can find the concept for the photo HERE. Abby would not look sad for me, but instead looked like she would mock someone into actually fighting her!
Abby and Anny, though, took that to mean that it was time to chase Daddy, who was really just trying to find a little moment to use the potty. I did the hallway loop, then through the dining room into the bathroom. Anny and Abby followed, but stopped at the crossroads of our house - the top of the stairs. Anny went up the hall, I didn't move. Abby must have spun in place, because the next thing I hear is Anny gasping at the idea that our Abby was falling down the stairs!!
Here cheek got black immediately, so we tried to put ice on it, and forced it on for a couple of minutes. Then we resorted to our normal calm-down activity - Sesame Street. She sat quietly and would let us look at it, but not touch it. Not surprising. We were concerned about two things - that she damaged her eye or that she broke her orbital bone. Anny felt around the bone and could not find any concern, but the eye seemed harder. She was answering the "how many fingers" and "what is this sign" but we could not be sure if she was using her hurt side or the other one. Finally I just asked "hey Abby, does your eye hurt?" She's smart enough that she looked at me and said "no, Daddy. My cheek hurts." There, our concern was lessened - she could identify it for us. Phew.
On Thursday morning when getting her dressed, Abby looked at me very seriously and said "Daddy, next time I go down the stairs, I want to go on my feet!" I looked at Anny and whispered "I guess she is implying 'and not on my face!' when she says that!"
On Friday Abby had a previously scheduled pediatrician appointment and he gladly looked around both the outside and inside of her eye. He assured us that she is fine, but reminded us that we are very lucky that no more damage was done. Lucky indeed.
We got lots of questions, and honestly I fear Child Protective Services. Our kid has a black eye and our excuse is she fell down the stairs? That's likely, right? Lucky for us, she's very vocal and can tell everyone herself if they ask!
*You can find the concept for the photo HERE. Abby would not look sad for me, but instead looked like she would mock someone into actually fighting her!
October 15, 2009
Kidney Update
Yesterday was my six-month appointment with my nephrologist. (If you're local and looking for a good nephrologist, let me know. I really like mine, and have a good recommendation for one in Northern VA, too. Leave a comment with your email address.)
So - the bad news is that I have gained a few more pounds, instead of losing them. That made me more upset than it did him, but that's because I've been doing a lot better at not snacking over the last month or so. Oh well.
My kidney-specific numbers are doing really well. My Protein is less than 1 gram, which is a far cry from when I first started this journey. My createnine was a little high, at 1.47, but seemed manageable. The nephrologist was very pleased with the way things look with all of my labs.
Because no doctors appointment is without some drama, my blood pressure was called into question almost as soon as I got into the office. When the nurse took it initially it came out as 92/70! That's great, if I weighed half of my current weight, and did not have kidney disease. But alas, I'm heavy and diseased, so my bp will never actually be that low. The doctor came in and took it again, this time taking a really hard listen and being super specific about how he was doing it. And he did it again after that. I told him that I had run out of one of my meds about two weeks ago (read: three), but that was even stranger - it's the blood pressure medicine that I take!
They decided that the cuff they were using is faulty, and I'm glad that they figured that out. The nurse came back in a few minutes later (giving my arm time to get back into "ready" - with a smaller cuff. The reading after that came out much more realistically - 112/80. That's pretty incredible considering both weight and diseasedness! We talked about it and decided to go the next six months (at least) without the medicine and see how things come out the next time, while at the same time monitoring at home to be sure that there is no big jump.
So, stats are good - took a medicine out of rotation - left! Woo Hoo!
On the Flu front - my brother got the Swine Flu, but we managed to duck it, at least so far. My doc does not seem too concerned, even though I take immuno-suppressants, so I'm going to calm down about it, too. Because of stupid insurance stuff I could not even get my regular flu vaccination during a scheduled visit. Well, I could, but they would only pay for one or the other. Who says we don't need reform?
So - the bad news is that I have gained a few more pounds, instead of losing them. That made me more upset than it did him, but that's because I've been doing a lot better at not snacking over the last month or so. Oh well.
My kidney-specific numbers are doing really well. My Protein is less than 1 gram, which is a far cry from when I first started this journey. My createnine was a little high, at 1.47, but seemed manageable. The nephrologist was very pleased with the way things look with all of my labs.
Because no doctors appointment is without some drama, my blood pressure was called into question almost as soon as I got into the office. When the nurse took it initially it came out as 92/70! That's great, if I weighed half of my current weight, and did not have kidney disease. But alas, I'm heavy and diseased, so my bp will never actually be that low. The doctor came in and took it again, this time taking a really hard listen and being super specific about how he was doing it. And he did it again after that. I told him that I had run out of one of my meds about two weeks ago (read: three), but that was even stranger - it's the blood pressure medicine that I take!
They decided that the cuff they were using is faulty, and I'm glad that they figured that out. The nurse came back in a few minutes later (giving my arm time to get back into "ready" - with a smaller cuff. The reading after that came out much more realistically - 112/80. That's pretty incredible considering both weight and diseasedness! We talked about it and decided to go the next six months (at least) without the medicine and see how things come out the next time, while at the same time monitoring at home to be sure that there is no big jump.
So, stats are good - took a medicine out of rotation - left! Woo Hoo!
On the Flu front - my brother got the Swine Flu, but we managed to duck it, at least so far. My doc does not seem too concerned, even though I take immuno-suppressants, so I'm going to calm down about it, too. Because of stupid insurance stuff I could not even get my regular flu vaccination during a scheduled visit. Well, I could, but they would only pay for one or the other. Who says we don't need reform?
October 07, 2009
Wordless Wednesday: The Hungry Caterpillar
More entries at www.wordlesswednesday.com.
(I know it's supposed to be wordless, but this was taken at the National Book Festival on the National Mall!)
(and I swear, I'm working on a real post for this week!)
September 23, 2009
September 16, 2009
September 15, 2009
"Daddy's Work"
Abby has been to my office - heck she has been to my office more times than most people who don't work here have since she visited once a week in July and August. She saw my office when I could not get to files from our recent move, and she came back and "helped" me with files when I could. Abby knows where I work, though she is only two and can have no concept of what I do.
A few weeks back we think that Abby might have gotten the wrong idea about where I go when I leave the house every day. You see, the three of us typically go fun places on weekends, but we also go to a lot of places over and over again. We find a place we like and it becomes habit. We did our best to get every dollar out of our pool membership, so Abby expected swimming a couple of times each week.
One Saturday Anny was not feeling very well and so I decided to grab Abby and get out of the house because it was an incredible afternoon, and the College Park AirFair 100 was going on - celebrating 100 years of aviation in College Park at the airport right around the corner! Anny dropped us off so that I didn't have to deal with parking. I took Abby, some cash, a bottle of water and a diaper in my pocket, and off we went!
There were all sorts of things to see - old planes and new ones, gilders and helicopters, an old car and lots and lots of people. We walked around and saw some of the planes first, but it was blazing hot and there was no shade, so we made a dash for a covered tent. They have just reconstructed a new Wright Flyer that will travel from city to city, so it was kind of neat to see that.
Because we got there after Abby's nap, we missed all of the really fancy stuff - the sky walkers and the maneuver displays and such. I was a little bummed about missing the parachute jumpers, but I am not sure that Abby would have really understood how cool it was anyway, so I got over it. I knew that Abby would get excited to see helicopters up close, and boy was I right! We even got to go inside a Chinook that was parked for the day, which she then tried to imitate!
We also got to see a few of the choppers take off, which was jaw dropping for her - we stood right under the Montgomery County Police helicopter as it flew away.
We also got to listen to live music and I introduced Abby to her very first ice cream cone!
The bottom line is that I took Abby somewhere by myself (and have done that a lot since then) and we had an incredible time - but Anny and I agree that we believe it has changed Abby's concept of what Daddy does every day. It seems that she genuinely believes that I got to the airfield every day and watch helicopters and eat ice cream!
A few weeks back we think that Abby might have gotten the wrong idea about where I go when I leave the house every day. You see, the three of us typically go fun places on weekends, but we also go to a lot of places over and over again. We find a place we like and it becomes habit. We did our best to get every dollar out of our pool membership, so Abby expected swimming a couple of times each week.
One Saturday Anny was not feeling very well and so I decided to grab Abby and get out of the house because it was an incredible afternoon, and the College Park AirFair 100 was going on - celebrating 100 years of aviation in College Park at the airport right around the corner! Anny dropped us off so that I didn't have to deal with parking. I took Abby, some cash, a bottle of water and a diaper in my pocket, and off we went!
There were all sorts of things to see - old planes and new ones, gilders and helicopters, an old car and lots and lots of people. We walked around and saw some of the planes first, but it was blazing hot and there was no shade, so we made a dash for a covered tent. They have just reconstructed a new Wright Flyer that will travel from city to city, so it was kind of neat to see that.
Because we got there after Abby's nap, we missed all of the really fancy stuff - the sky walkers and the maneuver displays and such. I was a little bummed about missing the parachute jumpers, but I am not sure that Abby would have really understood how cool it was anyway, so I got over it. I knew that Abby would get excited to see helicopters up close, and boy was I right! We even got to go inside a Chinook that was parked for the day, which she then tried to imitate!
We also got to see a few of the choppers take off, which was jaw dropping for her - we stood right under the Montgomery County Police helicopter as it flew away.
We also got to listen to live music and I introduced Abby to her very first ice cream cone!
The bottom line is that I took Abby somewhere by myself (and have done that a lot since then) and we had an incredible time - but Anny and I agree that we believe it has changed Abby's concept of what Daddy does every day. It seems that she genuinely believes that I got to the airfield every day and watch helicopters and eat ice cream!
September 04, 2009
I Like You, However
There are lots of blog posts on the internet about all of the God-Forsaken quizzes you can take on Facebook, and trust that there posts about them for a reason. I have taken everything from "Which Book of the Bible Most Represents You" to "Are You Gay or Not?"* People take the quizzes because they are fun and sometimes you can get your friends to either stand up for you in defense against "You are The French Taunter from The Holy Grail" - or rail you for it because it's dead on.
There are also polls galore, though most of them recently have been about Michael Vick or Healthcare and you simply say "yes" "no" "maybe" or "what the hell - NO!"** I do a lot of these, mostly because I like to see the results. I think that Facebook is skewed, but I'm part of the skew so most often I find myself in the majority. (I don't think that Facebook is diverse enough, but that is true of a lot of the internet. Just a lower priority for a lot of people, and that's okay, but it needs to be said.) Some of the answers have surprised me from some folks, and so honest conversation has been had and I've been enlightened and enlightening.
I like knowing what other people are thinking - not only can it build community, but it can foster better conversations both online and offline. It's also kind of fun!
However. (and nothing good ever comes after however.)
In my opinion, polls have no place in news shows. Neither do Twitter Tweets, they are not news. I think that we are about five channels too deep on actual news coverage, and to be honest I have abandoned watching any TV news and just check around on the web for reliable news. All of the cable channels do it and it has got to stop. "@armonroe thinks that the Governor of California started the wildfires to gain publicity for his Surplus Yard Sale and it backfired" should never leave the lips of anyone on television, much less an agency intending to report on news.
It's not journalism, it's crap. Leave tweets to Twitter, polls to reliable institutions and the news to news makers.
/rant
*Are You Gay or Not quiz was several questions, but the last was simply "Are you gay?"
**What the hell - NO! was my answer to "Should Sarah Palin run for President"
There are also polls galore, though most of them recently have been about Michael Vick or Healthcare and you simply say "yes" "no" "maybe" or "what the hell - NO!"** I do a lot of these, mostly because I like to see the results. I think that Facebook is skewed, but I'm part of the skew so most often I find myself in the majority. (I don't think that Facebook is diverse enough, but that is true of a lot of the internet. Just a lower priority for a lot of people, and that's okay, but it needs to be said.) Some of the answers have surprised me from some folks, and so honest conversation has been had and I've been enlightened and enlightening.
I like knowing what other people are thinking - not only can it build community, but it can foster better conversations both online and offline. It's also kind of fun!
However. (and nothing good ever comes after however.)
In my opinion, polls have no place in news shows. Neither do Twitter Tweets, they are not news. I think that we are about five channels too deep on actual news coverage, and to be honest I have abandoned watching any TV news and just check around on the web for reliable news. All of the cable channels do it and it has got to stop. "@armonroe thinks that the Governor of California started the wildfires to gain publicity for his Surplus Yard Sale and it backfired" should never leave the lips of anyone on television, much less an agency intending to report on news.
It's not journalism, it's crap. Leave tweets to Twitter, polls to reliable institutions and the news to news makers.
/rant
*Are You Gay or Not quiz was several questions, but the last was simply "Are you gay?"
**What the hell - NO! was my answer to "Should Sarah Palin run for President"
August 24, 2009
Why I Am Glad Summer Is Over
This is really just a summer-in-review post since we have been fairly neglectful of Abby's blog in the last few months. There has been lots going on...
PHEW! Summer Break is winding down for Anny and Abby. Actually, they both go back to their regularly scheduled school days tomorrow and I have never been so happy to see someone go to work in my life. As I have had to sit at my desk, day after day, they have been out doing wonderful things with each other.
What kind of wonderful things? This summer they spent chunks of time in Downtown Silver Spring - every Wednesday to be exact. They have a wonderful children's program during the summer, which is perfectly located because if your child tires of the magician, workout routine or singer/songwriter, they can just go play in the massive play-on fountain area.
They also went on daytime dates with Anny's Aunt Jackie and Uncle Bill to the Museum of Natural History, complete with massive Mammoth and gigantor Whale. I know this because Abby's eyes still get huge when she talks about that whale! (no picture because it seems Anny does not carry either camera unless I am around.)
They have spent most Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Fairland Sports and Aquatics Complex in Laurel. During the summer they offer "Open Gym" two mornings a week where for $5 you get free run of their entire gymnastics room - trampolines, toddler-equipment, foam pit - for an hour. The other upside to this activity has been seeing some of Abby's friends there from week to week! (no picture again, sorry. It is a trend. The only reason we have the fountain picture is that Nana was there!)
On Thursday of last week they took advantage of cruddy weather and a great deal to go see Horton Hears a Who at Arundel Mills with friends. I still have yet to see that movie. It sounds like it was a good time.
They have had a few playdates with some of Abby's friends, including special trips to the pool. They have also had a lot of fun painting, coloring, going for walks around the lake and, well, whatever else came to mind! There has been lots of Elmo and Signing Time going on in our house, too.
All in all, Anny and Abby have had an excellent summer and are headed back to school this week. I've never been happier.
PHEW! Summer Break is winding down for Anny and Abby. Actually, they both go back to their regularly scheduled school days tomorrow and I have never been so happy to see someone go to work in my life. As I have had to sit at my desk, day after day, they have been out doing wonderful things with each other.
What kind of wonderful things? This summer they spent chunks of time in Downtown Silver Spring - every Wednesday to be exact. They have a wonderful children's program during the summer, which is perfectly located because if your child tires of the magician, workout routine or singer/songwriter, they can just go play in the massive play-on fountain area.
They also went on daytime dates with Anny's Aunt Jackie and Uncle Bill to the Museum of Natural History, complete with massive Mammoth and gigantor Whale. I know this because Abby's eyes still get huge when she talks about that whale! (no picture because it seems Anny does not carry either camera unless I am around.)
They have spent most Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Fairland Sports and Aquatics Complex in Laurel. During the summer they offer "Open Gym" two mornings a week where for $5 you get free run of their entire gymnastics room - trampolines, toddler-equipment, foam pit - for an hour. The other upside to this activity has been seeing some of Abby's friends there from week to week! (no picture again, sorry. It is a trend. The only reason we have the fountain picture is that Nana was there!)
On Thursday of last week they took advantage of cruddy weather and a great deal to go see Horton Hears a Who at Arundel Mills with friends. I still have yet to see that movie. It sounds like it was a good time.
They have had a few playdates with some of Abby's friends, including special trips to the pool. They have also had a lot of fun painting, coloring, going for walks around the lake and, well, whatever else came to mind! There has been lots of Elmo and Signing Time going on in our house, too.
All in all, Anny and Abby have had an excellent summer and are headed back to school this week. I've never been happier.
August 13, 2009
Another Garden Bust
In our garden this year we planted green beans, onions, carrots, radishes, green peppers and one squash plant. A second squash plant began to sprout around the 4th of July. We also did a few rows of lettuce seeds from two years ago, so we did not expect them to grow.
As a reward for our labor of planting, weeding, watering and feeding we got... two dozen green beans.
We had hoped there would be an "AND" after those words, but alas all that we got was green beans which have long since passed our plates. They were good, but we just did not have luck with the rest of it. I am blaming the weather, mostly, for our terrible farming season.
May in DC was terribly rainy. June was wet, but not very hot. July was a little warmer and more sunny, but drier. Ugh.
On the other hand - I would like to sing the praises of growing green beans for a family garden! Abby watched them all from sprout and now matter how much water they have gotten, they have grown and produced! I'm not sure if we will get more this year, but there is a decent chance of it! We grew some last year from seeds from day care!
Maybe I should take this as a reality check: either get better soil or stop trying! Definitely what I'm thinking is the case...
We are doing a lot better of a job at composting this year - we have put out two trash cans that we are putting scraps into and have done really well about it. We take our trash out about once a week now between what we can compost and what our town/county will let us recycle. (Could probably take it out less often, but we don't.) We found an extremely helpful, an slightly bizarre, link from Planet Green. Did you know you can compost pizza crusts? What about latex condoms*? Check out the whole list HERE!
Maybe next year we will have a wonderful garden, flowing and growing with fruits and vegetables to share with all. In the mean time, I am looking forward to the Farmer's Market this weekend!
*Debate has been happening amongst my friends about whether or not the condoms are supposed to be unused, and I don't know the answer so don't ask!
As a reward for our labor of planting, weeding, watering and feeding we got... two dozen green beans.
We had hoped there would be an "AND" after those words, but alas all that we got was green beans which have long since passed our plates. They were good, but we just did not have luck with the rest of it. I am blaming the weather, mostly, for our terrible farming season.
May in DC was terribly rainy. June was wet, but not very hot. July was a little warmer and more sunny, but drier. Ugh.
On the other hand - I would like to sing the praises of growing green beans for a family garden! Abby watched them all from sprout and now matter how much water they have gotten, they have grown and produced! I'm not sure if we will get more this year, but there is a decent chance of it! We grew some last year from seeds from day care!
Maybe I should take this as a reality check: either get better soil or stop trying! Definitely what I'm thinking is the case...
We are doing a lot better of a job at composting this year - we have put out two trash cans that we are putting scraps into and have done really well about it. We take our trash out about once a week now between what we can compost and what our town/county will let us recycle. (Could probably take it out less often, but we don't.) We found an extremely helpful, an slightly bizarre, link from Planet Green. Did you know you can compost pizza crusts? What about latex condoms*? Check out the whole list HERE!
Maybe next year we will have a wonderful garden, flowing and growing with fruits and vegetables to share with all. In the mean time, I am looking forward to the Farmer's Market this weekend!
*Debate has been happening amongst my friends about whether or not the condoms are supposed to be unused, and I don't know the answer so don't ask!
August 06, 2009
ROAD TRIP - Volume 3!
We just returned last week from a wonderful trip halfway across the country and back over the course of a week! I am not going to bore with an insanely long post, so I am breaking it up over the next few days. We were gone from Tuesday to Tuesday, for reference. The posts will be along the lines of:
Volume 1 - Let's Get the Hard Stuff Over First
Volume 2 - Iowa Family Time
Volume 3 - St Louis
Today I'm writing about our time in St Louis with Paul and Sarahlynn and the girls. I want to be completely honest about this - it's hard for us to visit their house, and it's not their fault. Or ours. Or anyone's really. Every time we go out there we think more and more about relocating there, which makes it a little hard to come home. Moving right along...
We arrived at their home just as Ellie and Ada were finishing up their lunch and getting ready for their naps. After a two minute "huh" from Abby as she adjusted to standing after sitting for a few hours, Sarahlynn took all three girls to Ellie's room for a quick story before their naps. Abby assumed, almost literally, the exact same position as the moments that we left St Louis at Christmas time: playing along the left side of Ellie's room, draped in beads! Too cute.
We had a great time catching up with some of P&S's friends for dinner the day that we arrived. I love pizza. I love good people. Get me good pizza and good people and I'm one of the happiest guys around. (Their little boy is incredibly cute, too. I was just glad that Abby did not crash him over on her way around the couches!)
A while back I had hatched an idea while at Ikea - they have a three-picture-frame that I have always wanted to put in our house, but never found a place/need for. (Ask Anny - I'm anti-hanging for the most part, but only at our house.) Since this is the third summer that Abby, Ellie and Ada have seen each other, and we have had professional pictures done the last two summers, we should get the frame and do another photo shoot, and our window really left only Thursday morning. It was hard to get all three girls, each with very different attention spans, facing the same way and smiling at the same time. While the very last shot was the best, I am putting this one up because it totally captures Abby lately - laid back and letting others do the hard work:
On Thursday evening we took a trip out to a local wildlife refuge (I wish I knew the name) where they do not allow guns, pets or running. I've been to places that do not allow the first two, but I have never been to a park that did not allow running. It is a beautiful facility - paved paths through the woods and hills were perfect, though a bit slippery from the downpour just prior to our arrival. I am pretty sure that each of us, parents and children slipped, though Sarahlynn came out the worst by tweaking her knee. I did manage to nail a perfect picture of a leaf, but something in the background messed up my shot:
(So embarrassed that I screwed this shot up so badly!)
So on Friday we left from St Louis to Iowa, but came back to St Louis on Sunday for a few more hours to be able to spend with Ellie and Sarahlynn, as they did not make the trip because of an important obligation at home. We arrived to a wonderfully light dinner (after eating in Iowa, it was just right!) and chatted the night away once the girls were asleep.
Our plan for Monday was very fluid - our only real travel goal was to make it to Columbus, OH, on our first day of travel, because it is pretty much half way and would make our second day easier. In the morning we decided to tag along to chit chat while Ellie had swim lessons, and then spend a few minutes in the pool afterwards. It ended up that we played in the pool for almost an hour!We I had a blast playing with all three of our girls, as well as having water dumped on me by other people's children.
After a lunch of Imo's Pizza (is there anything better?!?) we finished loading up the car and hit the road.
In retrospect of the whole trip, the drive from DC suburbs to St Louis suburbs is a long one, but a fairly easy to do trip. We will be pretty quick to make this trip again in the future, no matter which direction we might be headed.
Volume 1 - Let's Get the Hard Stuff Over First
Volume 2 - Iowa Family Time
Volume 3 - St Louis
Today I'm writing about our time in St Louis with Paul and Sarahlynn and the girls. I want to be completely honest about this - it's hard for us to visit their house, and it's not their fault. Or ours. Or anyone's really. Every time we go out there we think more and more about relocating there, which makes it a little hard to come home. Moving right along...
We arrived at their home just as Ellie and Ada were finishing up their lunch and getting ready for their naps. After a two minute "huh" from Abby as she adjusted to standing after sitting for a few hours, Sarahlynn took all three girls to Ellie's room for a quick story before their naps. Abby assumed, almost literally, the exact same position as the moments that we left St Louis at Christmas time: playing along the left side of Ellie's room, draped in beads! Too cute.
We had a great time catching up with some of P&S's friends for dinner the day that we arrived. I love pizza. I love good people. Get me good pizza and good people and I'm one of the happiest guys around. (Their little boy is incredibly cute, too. I was just glad that Abby did not crash him over on her way around the couches!)
A while back I had hatched an idea while at Ikea - they have a three-picture-frame that I have always wanted to put in our house, but never found a place/need for. (Ask Anny - I'm anti-hanging for the most part, but only at our house.) Since this is the third summer that Abby, Ellie and Ada have seen each other, and we have had professional pictures done the last two summers, we should get the frame and do another photo shoot, and our window really left only Thursday morning. It was hard to get all three girls, each with very different attention spans, facing the same way and smiling at the same time. While the very last shot was the best, I am putting this one up because it totally captures Abby lately - laid back and letting others do the hard work:
On Thursday evening we took a trip out to a local wildlife refuge (I wish I knew the name) where they do not allow guns, pets or running. I've been to places that do not allow the first two, but I have never been to a park that did not allow running. It is a beautiful facility - paved paths through the woods and hills were perfect, though a bit slippery from the downpour just prior to our arrival. I am pretty sure that each of us, parents and children slipped, though Sarahlynn came out the worst by tweaking her knee. I did manage to nail a perfect picture of a leaf, but something in the background messed up my shot:
So on Friday we left from St Louis to Iowa, but came back to St Louis on Sunday for a few more hours to be able to spend with Ellie and Sarahlynn, as they did not make the trip because of an important obligation at home. We arrived to a wonderfully light dinner (after eating in Iowa, it was just right!) and chatted the night away once the girls were asleep.
Our plan for Monday was very fluid - our only real travel goal was to make it to Columbus, OH, on our first day of travel, because it is pretty much half way and would make our second day easier. In the morning we decided to tag along to chit chat while Ellie had swim lessons, and then spend a few minutes in the pool afterwards. It ended up that we played in the pool for almost an hour!
After a lunch of Imo's Pizza (is there anything better?!?) we finished loading up the car and hit the road.
In retrospect of the whole trip, the drive from DC suburbs to St Louis suburbs is a long one, but a fairly easy to do trip. We will be pretty quick to make this trip again in the future, no matter which direction we might be headed.
August 02, 2009
ROAD TRIP! - Volume 2
We just returned from a wonderful trip halfway across the country and back over the course of a week! I am not going to bore with an insanely long post, so I am breaking it up over the next few days. We were gone from Tuesday to Tuesday, for reference. The posts will be along the lines of:
Volume 1 - Let's Get the Hard Stuff Over First
Volume 2 - Iowa Family Time
Volume 3 - St Louis
Today I'm writing about our time in Iowa. A little history is that Anny's mother was born and raised in Iowa. We've gone back a couple of times since we've been married. Twice for weddings, once purely for a reunion and twice more for memorial services. Our trip last week was planned as reunion, but also turned into a time of remembrance with a memorial service on Saturday.
The family is large and great fun to be around. I began to write out a list of who was there, but it's incredibly long. Let me just say that the family extends across our country, and into Australia. A lot of the family lives in Iowa, though, and sees each other fairly often. We get to see them on occasion. There are cousins, spouses, aunts and uncles, and a whole gaggle of children from the ages of nine months to ten years, including two sets of twins.
The thing that hit me, right off of the bat, is that Abby melded into the group of strangers-to-her incredibly quickly. Within moments of arriving she had already laid claim to the swings, and begun to learn names. The last time that Abby had seen anyone in the group (aside from Jim and Carol, my In Laws) was two years ago, when she was six weeks old. We did do some preliminary work with Abby a few weeks ago - we began talking about the family members, and showing her pictures of the children in an effort to get her comfortable. The reality is that pictures are simply pictures - they did not show personality, voice or mannerisms - but I can assure you that it helped!
On Saturday we spent a good deal of the day focused on the past. Anny's grandmother passed away this spring, and since the family was coming together this summer, it was decided that the memorial service would wait until we were all together. Anny's "Aunt" Robyn and her husband John even traveled from Australia! The service was at the church that Carol grew up in, which was not near the family "homestead" so part of the day was spent traveling. We made sure to find a Starbucks on the way! We arrived early enough for the ladies of the church to serve lunch to the family.
The service was very nice, though very short. I learned a lot about the life of Grandma Greenfield, but only between trying to keep Abby quiet. At one point, the only reason Abby was talking was to huff and say "NO QUIET!" This typically happened during quiet times, of course. Paul had come prepared, but Abby tired quickly of every toy and book presented to her. Oh well. It appears that nobody minded.
Following the service, we were once again treated to goodies by the ladies of the church. It's part of their makeup to be completely hospitable. If I'm not mistaken, it was the same ladies who provided goodies for us two years ago when we gathered to remember Anny's grandfather.
Following the service we all gathered back at The Timber (the property owned by Anny's Aunt and Uncle with two houses on it.) for dinner and some visiting with each other. The children did absolutely anything they wanted, from swinging to bubbles, and the adults had a great time just spending time together. It was a perfect evening to be outside and with good people and good conversation. Following dinner the Aunts drove around the Timber to spread grandma's ashes. It really seemed to bring closure for everyone in a very productive way. It was much more neat than weird, to be honest. (My grandmother and her mother are still waiting to be spread...)
While our time was short in Iowa, it was really great to be with the larger family. I have this fantasy that the next time we get everyone together I want everyone to bring their wedding albums. I want us to have an intentional way to talk about the good things that have happened for everyone, and I realized on the way home (the looong way home) that I have never actually heard how Jim and Carol met, much less anything about the way that others met, or the special days that they were married. I'm a dork, but I think it would be fun...
(A whole lot more happened in Iowa, but I don't want this post to take days to read! The next post will be on our time in St Louis, which was just as short but even more awesome! Honestly, folks, the whole trip was incredible!)
Volume 1 - Let's Get the Hard Stuff Over First
Volume 2 - Iowa Family Time
Volume 3 - St Louis
Today I'm writing about our time in Iowa. A little history is that Anny's mother was born and raised in Iowa. We've gone back a couple of times since we've been married. Twice for weddings, once purely for a reunion and twice more for memorial services. Our trip last week was planned as reunion, but also turned into a time of remembrance with a memorial service on Saturday.
The family is large and great fun to be around. I began to write out a list of who was there, but it's incredibly long. Let me just say that the family extends across our country, and into Australia. A lot of the family lives in Iowa, though, and sees each other fairly often. We get to see them on occasion. There are cousins, spouses, aunts and uncles, and a whole gaggle of children from the ages of nine months to ten years, including two sets of twins.
The thing that hit me, right off of the bat, is that Abby melded into the group of strangers-to-her incredibly quickly. Within moments of arriving she had already laid claim to the swings, and begun to learn names. The last time that Abby had seen anyone in the group (aside from Jim and Carol, my In Laws) was two years ago, when she was six weeks old. We did do some preliminary work with Abby a few weeks ago - we began talking about the family members, and showing her pictures of the children in an effort to get her comfortable. The reality is that pictures are simply pictures - they did not show personality, voice or mannerisms - but I can assure you that it helped!
On Saturday we spent a good deal of the day focused on the past. Anny's grandmother passed away this spring, and since the family was coming together this summer, it was decided that the memorial service would wait until we were all together. Anny's "Aunt" Robyn and her husband John even traveled from Australia! The service was at the church that Carol grew up in, which was not near the family "homestead" so part of the day was spent traveling. We made sure to find a Starbucks on the way! We arrived early enough for the ladies of the church to serve lunch to the family.
The service was very nice, though very short. I learned a lot about the life of Grandma Greenfield, but only between trying to keep Abby quiet. At one point, the only reason Abby was talking was to huff and say "NO QUIET!" This typically happened during quiet times, of course. Paul had come prepared, but Abby tired quickly of every toy and book presented to her. Oh well. It appears that nobody minded.
Following the service, we were once again treated to goodies by the ladies of the church. It's part of their makeup to be completely hospitable. If I'm not mistaken, it was the same ladies who provided goodies for us two years ago when we gathered to remember Anny's grandfather.
Following the service we all gathered back at The Timber (the property owned by Anny's Aunt and Uncle with two houses on it.) for dinner and some visiting with each other. The children did absolutely anything they wanted, from swinging to bubbles, and the adults had a great time just spending time together. It was a perfect evening to be outside and with good people and good conversation. Following dinner the Aunts drove around the Timber to spread grandma's ashes. It really seemed to bring closure for everyone in a very productive way. It was much more neat than weird, to be honest. (My grandmother and her mother are still waiting to be spread...)
While our time was short in Iowa, it was really great to be with the larger family. I have this fantasy that the next time we get everyone together I want everyone to bring their wedding albums. I want us to have an intentional way to talk about the good things that have happened for everyone, and I realized on the way home (the looong way home) that I have never actually heard how Jim and Carol met, much less anything about the way that others met, or the special days that they were married. I'm a dork, but I think it would be fun...
(A whole lot more happened in Iowa, but I don't want this post to take days to read! The next post will be on our time in St Louis, which was just as short but even more awesome! Honestly, folks, the whole trip was incredible!)
July 30, 2009
ROAD TRIP! Volume 1
We just returned from a wonderful trip halfway across the country and back over the course of a week! I am not going to bore with an insanely long post, so I am breaking it up over the next few days. We were gone from Tuesday to Tuesday, for reference. The posts will be along the lines of:
Volume 1 - Let's Get the Hard Stuff Over First
Volume 2 - Iowa Family Time
Volume 3 - St Louis
Volume 1 - Let's Get the Hard Stuff Over First
The reality is that we just put 1,748 miles on our beloved Pontiac Vibe, and rode an additional 950 or so miles in the Grand Minivan! This is by far the longest road trip that Anny and I have taken together, by about 2,500 miles!
The decision to start with the Hard Stuff is mine and mine alone. I tend to look at the bad before getting to the good so that in the end the focus is the good. With that in mind...
About two hours into our drive our car broke! Unbelievable, right? We were driving through the mountains in Western Maryland when we heard a very loud POP! Assuming that something had fallen off of the trucks around us we kind of ignored the noise. Moments later we heard a very loud and low pitched "whooooooo" sound that was not going away. We pulled over and checked under the hood, around the whole car and even on top. We found that the rubber seal that the drivers window fits into had come undone from the car. Completely bizarre, but also too loud to ignore for the whole trip!
I went completely ghetto/rednecky and "fixed" it by tying a grocery bag around the door frame to hold the weatherstripping as closely as it would to where it actually belonged. Lucky for us, it lasted the whole trip, but I will admit that I found it to be ominous, as we had not left our own state and we had a long journey. I'm glad it was not ominous, but funny in the end.
On Tuesday night we made it to our goal destination of Columbus, Ohio! The hotel we stayed in, though, had an out-of-order hot tub and their "heated" pool was chilly. Our goal of playing until Abby was close to crashing to sleep failed because the water woke more than it soothed!
Abby's cousin Ada was (jokingly) bad influence. They were incredibly great together with a very few exceptions. The bad part is that Abby has picked up some nuances from Ada, like declaring her toys to herself (again, which had dissipated since school ended) and, more cutely, claims her stuffed sheep is named Baa, just like Ada's. I assume it will pass, but it's humorous.
That's it. That's all of the bad, out of the whole trip! I'm looking forward to sharing some of the other fun stuff from our travels, but that will have to wait until tomorrow or the weekend...
Volume 1 - Let's Get the Hard Stuff Over First
Volume 2 - Iowa Family Time
Volume 3 - St Louis
Volume 1 - Let's Get the Hard Stuff Over First
The reality is that we just put 1,748 miles on our beloved Pontiac Vibe, and rode an additional 950 or so miles in the Grand Minivan! This is by far the longest road trip that Anny and I have taken together, by about 2,500 miles!
The decision to start with the Hard Stuff is mine and mine alone. I tend to look at the bad before getting to the good so that in the end the focus is the good. With that in mind...
About two hours into our drive our car broke! Unbelievable, right? We were driving through the mountains in Western Maryland when we heard a very loud POP! Assuming that something had fallen off of the trucks around us we kind of ignored the noise. Moments later we heard a very loud and low pitched "whooooooo" sound that was not going away. We pulled over and checked under the hood, around the whole car and even on top. We found that the rubber seal that the drivers window fits into had come undone from the car. Completely bizarre, but also too loud to ignore for the whole trip!
I went completely ghetto/rednecky and "fixed" it by tying a grocery bag around the door frame to hold the weatherstripping as closely as it would to where it actually belonged. Lucky for us, it lasted the whole trip, but I will admit that I found it to be ominous, as we had not left our own state and we had a long journey. I'm glad it was not ominous, but funny in the end.
On Tuesday night we made it to our goal destination of Columbus, Ohio! The hotel we stayed in, though, had an out-of-order hot tub and their "heated" pool was chilly. Our goal of playing until Abby was close to crashing to sleep failed because the water woke more than it soothed!
Abby's cousin Ada was (jokingly) bad influence. They were incredibly great together with a very few exceptions. The bad part is that Abby has picked up some nuances from Ada, like declaring her toys to herself (again, which had dissipated since school ended) and, more cutely, claims her stuffed sheep is named Baa, just like Ada's. I assume it will pass, but it's humorous.
That's it. That's all of the bad, out of the whole trip! I'm looking forward to sharing some of the other fun stuff from our travels, but that will have to wait until tomorrow or the weekend...
July 14, 2009
Getting Settled In
Just some quick notes as I look back on my office's relocation during the end of June and beginning of July to share with everyone:
It was not helpful that:
It was really helpful that:
Since I have not actually arranged my book case and this is our third week in the office, I think I will tackle that first this this morning when I get to work!
And the office relocation accounts for why I have not been blogging for the last month - by the time I get home in the evening I'm doing my best to spend all of my time with my sweeties.
It was not helpful that:
- We had to move. We HAD to move, though, since our lease expired.
- I had to work Saturday. That's life, and an occasional Saturday is much better than my schedule was at Glenkirk!
- Instructions were not exactly right. The packers expected certain things that we did not anticipate. It happens.
- We hired movers. I "helped" get ONE file cabinet onto the dolly. I can not imagine how long it would have taken without professionals.
- We asked for only essential staff on Friday and Saturday, so there were not many people in the way.
- Labels - Labels - Labels! I was able to help someone at the new office find a box of cables that should probably have been hand carried over.
It was really helpful that:
- We moved over a weekend, whether I like it or not. Our office was down for two days instead of four.
- I got "old office" duties, so I got to leave earlier than the folks at the new place.
- I was able to access the internet through the wireless signal at another office. Just nice, I guess.
Since I have not actually arranged my book case and this is our third week in the office, I think I will tackle that first this this morning when I get to work!
And the office relocation accounts for why I have not been blogging for the last month - by the time I get home in the evening I'm doing my best to spend all of my time with my sweeties.
July 13, 2009
Swim Class Graduate!
Abby has successfully completed the "Bubblers 1" swimming class at the same swimming pool that I took all of my swimming classes many years ago! She was more comfortable on the first night than on the last, but all of the children were breaking down at that point!
She got check marks on all of the boxes, meaning that they think she can do all of the required things to... well to continue to cling on to mom, dad or any human available. She is much better at being dunked and holding her breath, as well as kicking and moving her arms in a manner that could be considered swimming. Getting all three of those things to happen at the same time will be coming in the future, but probably not this summer!
New Words Learned from the experience: Lessons, Suit Bathing (bathing suit) and Swimsuit
June 12, 2009
Dear Abby - You're Two
(Idea stolen from dozens of people, sorry.)
Dear Abby,
Today you turn two years old! You've grown so much since we first brought you home on June 12, 2007. Your mom and I wanted for a long, long time to have you in our lives, and we could not feel more blessed than we do when we are with you.
You are the light of my life, and of moms, too. Everything we do now goes through a filter of "how will this work for Abby" without even thinking it on purpose. I sometimes think that you are the reason your mom likes me so much, but don't tell her I said that.
In the past year you have learned so much that it blows my mind. On your first birthday you could not walk, and today you are running, literally in circles, wherever you please. You could only say a few words, and sign a few others. Now you are very good with both, and even when you babble it is wonderment to me.
Last night you even sang us a song, which I assume is titled "La La" and I am sure that I could never reproduce it, but you were sure it was a song and told us so.
Your bigger family loves you, as well. All of the locals will be here for your party, and we will see everyone else over the summer. You diligently learned everyone's names from their pictures, and do really well at matching pictures with real faces. That still amazes me, since I struggle sometimes with that.
You love your friends, teachers and babies (your three categories, not mine) at school. You recite their names as if to remind us who they are, even when we are at home. Always when we are at home, come to think of it. I hope you never lose track of your friends, and they of you.
You are tentative in a new place, but only for a few moments. Once you have judged something (or someone) safe, you're off and we have to pull you away. I'm grateful for your happiness around strangers and friends alike.
We are lucky that you are willing to try new foods, and always just a little disappointed when you call too quickly for "chicken" if you don't like a new food. I am persistent, though, and will get you to like asparagus soon enough!
I am looking forward to the next year of your life as much as I have the last year, and the one before that. I am ready to be amazed by what you come up with, what you do, and how you grow.
Abby, we love you more every day. I hope you always know that.
-Dad
Dear Abby,
Today you turn two years old! You've grown so much since we first brought you home on June 12, 2007. Your mom and I wanted for a long, long time to have you in our lives, and we could not feel more blessed than we do when we are with you.
You are the light of my life, and of moms, too. Everything we do now goes through a filter of "how will this work for Abby" without even thinking it on purpose. I sometimes think that you are the reason your mom likes me so much, but don't tell her I said that.
In the past year you have learned so much that it blows my mind. On your first birthday you could not walk, and today you are running, literally in circles, wherever you please. You could only say a few words, and sign a few others. Now you are very good with both, and even when you babble it is wonderment to me.
Last night you even sang us a song, which I assume is titled "La La" and I am sure that I could never reproduce it, but you were sure it was a song and told us so.
Your bigger family loves you, as well. All of the locals will be here for your party, and we will see everyone else over the summer. You diligently learned everyone's names from their pictures, and do really well at matching pictures with real faces. That still amazes me, since I struggle sometimes with that.
You love your friends, teachers and babies (your three categories, not mine) at school. You recite their names as if to remind us who they are, even when we are at home. Always when we are at home, come to think of it. I hope you never lose track of your friends, and they of you.
You are tentative in a new place, but only for a few moments. Once you have judged something (or someone) safe, you're off and we have to pull you away. I'm grateful for your happiness around strangers and friends alike.
We are lucky that you are willing to try new foods, and always just a little disappointed when you call too quickly for "chicken" if you don't like a new food. I am persistent, though, and will get you to like asparagus soon enough!
I am looking forward to the next year of your life as much as I have the last year, and the one before that. I am ready to be amazed by what you come up with, what you do, and how you grow.
Abby, we love you more every day. I hope you always know that.
-Dad
June 08, 2009
Abby Update at 23 months, 3 Weeks
I do not have official 24 month statistics just yet, we will have that appointment the week after school lets out, but last night I got Abby to stand on a scale and she came out at 29 pounds. Why would I do such a thing? Anny and I had just done it, and Abby wanted a turn.
As the end of the school year draws close we have gotten a detailed progress report on Abby's growth in abilities, from coloring to talking and from eating to dressing. It is fascinating to see that she has mastered almost everything for her age range, and that the next set of boxes had more checks than blanks. We're truly blessed with a child that loves to learn and try new things. (as long as there are chicken nuggets as backup, that is!)
Unfortunately, "dip" still pervades every meal that it can. If there is no ketchup for dipping around, Abby will make due with jelly of any flavor. She even sampled mint jelly when we were in Wyoming this spring!
Abby has mastered counting to ten, and on occasion will count to 11. We are using this as a tool for things already, as in "count to ten and your diaper change will be over" or "once we get to five you need to be in your" fill in the blank. She knows that if I get to five she is either in her place, or I will put her there. I think it's a hybrid of "classic" parenting and "hippie" parenting. We'll see how long it works.
Finally, Abby's ABC's are adorable. Aside from skipping everything from C to G, she always has a N-A-N-O-P. The funnier part, though, is that she knows there is a "double" something (W) at the end, and that often changes. I have heard everything from "double m" to "double c," though most often it's "double v." I'm proud of her for trying - it's a good potty time song, and can be used much in the same way as doing her numbers when needed.
As we gear up for her birthday weekend, which I believe began with a cake yesterday with the Wendy's Bunch from church, I will be reflecting on things. I hope to be blogging on those, but in reality I have a house to clean, orange cakes to help bake and a wonderful daughter and wife that are fun to hang out with. :o)
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Abby is currently teething, and has been for the last three weeks or so. She does not just have crankiness symptoms, but she has also slept longer on a couple of occasions and her diapers are... let's just say that if you want details you'll have to email me. I don't blog about gross stuff like that! We are hoping that she is through this soon for her sake, and ours!
As the end of the school year draws close we have gotten a detailed progress report on Abby's growth in abilities, from coloring to talking and from eating to dressing. It is fascinating to see that she has mastered almost everything for her age range, and that the next set of boxes had more checks than blanks. We're truly blessed with a child that loves to learn and try new things. (as long as there are chicken nuggets as backup, that is!)
Unfortunately, "dip" still pervades every meal that it can. If there is no ketchup for dipping around, Abby will make due with jelly of any flavor. She even sampled mint jelly when we were in Wyoming this spring!
Abby has mastered counting to ten, and on occasion will count to 11. We are using this as a tool for things already, as in "count to ten and your diaper change will be over" or "once we get to five you need to be in your" fill in the blank. She knows that if I get to five she is either in her place, or I will put her there. I think it's a hybrid of "classic" parenting and "hippie" parenting. We'll see how long it works.
Finally, Abby's ABC's are adorable. Aside from skipping everything from C to G, she always has a N-A-N-O-P. The funnier part, though, is that she knows there is a "double" something (W) at the end, and that often changes. I have heard everything from "double m" to "double c," though most often it's "double v." I'm proud of her for trying - it's a good potty time song, and can be used much in the same way as doing her numbers when needed.
As we gear up for her birthday weekend, which I believe began with a cake yesterday with the Wendy's Bunch from church, I will be reflecting on things. I hope to be blogging on those, but in reality I have a house to clean, orange cakes to help bake and a wonderful daughter and wife that are fun to hang out with. :o)
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Abby is currently teething, and has been for the last three weeks or so. She does not just have crankiness symptoms, but she has also slept longer on a couple of occasions and her diapers are... let's just say that if you want details you'll have to email me. I don't blog about gross stuff like that! We are hoping that she is through this soon for her sake, and ours!
May 26, 2009
Pretend Play
As you can guess since Abby will be two in less than two weeks she is a handful. I swear it's a good handful 98% of the time and we're elated to be having the handfuls that we have compared to other parents out there.
One of the times that Abby is most stubborn is at lunch or dinner time. (For the record, she's an angel in the morning at breakfast...) We often find ourselves reminding her that it's time to eat, not time to throw things on the floor or watch Elmo or Signing Time on the computer. Meal time is for meals.
On Monday while Anny and I were in the kitchen cleaning up and getting things ready for dinner prep we could hear Abby quietly playing in the living room. She was playing with her castle toy, complete with people and a huge dining table.
The one-sided, aimed-at-toys conversation we overheard was:
"Sit down."
"Dinner, sit down."
"Sit, Eat."
"SIT."
"SitSitSitSit!"
I'm not quite sure where she has heard that before...
All of her meal time troubles go away if you give her a cookie:
One of the times that Abby is most stubborn is at lunch or dinner time. (For the record, she's an angel in the morning at breakfast...) We often find ourselves reminding her that it's time to eat, not time to throw things on the floor or watch Elmo or Signing Time on the computer. Meal time is for meals.
On Monday while Anny and I were in the kitchen cleaning up and getting things ready for dinner prep we could hear Abby quietly playing in the living room. She was playing with her castle toy, complete with people and a huge dining table.
The one-sided, aimed-at-toys conversation we overheard was:
"Sit down."
"Dinner, sit down."
"Sit, Eat."
"SIT."
"SitSitSitSit!"
I'm not quite sure where she has heard that before...
All of her meal time troubles go away if you give her a cookie:
May 23, 2009
Skype is Ruining TV
I have Skype - do you? (If you do, look me up if we know each other. If you just stumbled here, please don't look me up on Skype, that's just weird.) We have used the service only a small handful of times, but hope to expand our use and get the larger family in on it. (P&S - we need to talk about that!)
If you don't know what Skype is - it's a freely downloaded program that you can use for audio and/or video calls with other people that have the service - for FREE. I meant to use it when my sister was in Ireland last fall, but never did. You can also pay to use the service if you want to line it up with your cell phone or want to do other special feature types of things, but we use the basic version and are happy with it.
While I love it for personal use, it appears that Oprah, and other TV programs, are using Skype. I think I've even seen it on CNN for interviews with "common folks" like me. My problem is that it used to mean something to be on Oprah. They would fly you to Chicago to see the show and be a part of a real interview. The episode that drove me the most crazy - understanding that I only catch Oprah twice a month or so - was the one with Steve Harvey. (He's brilliant by the way) They had eight or nine screens set up in the audience and they got to ask Steve questions.
Do you mean to tell me that no woman in the (all woman) audience had good questions to ask? Could the questions not have been asked through email?
I get even more annoyed with CNN does it. They used to send real reporters out to places for a reason - Anderson Cooper (is he on CNN? I just know he is cute and toying with people about his sexuality. Good for him I say.) knows how to report on a story with facts. That's much better than any report I could ever give.
I guess I'm a purist when it comes to my junk TV, that's all.
Oprah and CNN - you're on notice. Knock off the Skyping and just bring people in or interview them for real. Technology is supposed to be fun, but you're taking something fun and making it seem like you're really lazy.
Unless you want to talk with me - my username is armonroe. :o)
If you don't know what Skype is - it's a freely downloaded program that you can use for audio and/or video calls with other people that have the service - for FREE. I meant to use it when my sister was in Ireland last fall, but never did. You can also pay to use the service if you want to line it up with your cell phone or want to do other special feature types of things, but we use the basic version and are happy with it.
While I love it for personal use, it appears that Oprah, and other TV programs, are using Skype. I think I've even seen it on CNN for interviews with "common folks" like me. My problem is that it used to mean something to be on Oprah. They would fly you to Chicago to see the show and be a part of a real interview. The episode that drove me the most crazy - understanding that I only catch Oprah twice a month or so - was the one with Steve Harvey. (He's brilliant by the way) They had eight or nine screens set up in the audience and they got to ask Steve questions.
Do you mean to tell me that no woman in the (all woman) audience had good questions to ask? Could the questions not have been asked through email?
I get even more annoyed with CNN does it. They used to send real reporters out to places for a reason - Anderson Cooper (is he on CNN? I just know he is cute and toying with people about his sexuality. Good for him I say.) knows how to report on a story with facts. That's much better than any report I could ever give.
I guess I'm a purist when it comes to my junk TV, that's all.
Oprah and CNN - you're on notice. Knock off the Skyping and just bring people in or interview them for real. Technology is supposed to be fun, but you're taking something fun and making it seem like you're really lazy.
Unless you want to talk with me - my username is armonroe. :o)
May 22, 2009
Gluten-Free, Two Weeks In
So my sister moved in two weeks ago and things are going really well, I would say. (She might say differently to her friends, but seems to be happy, too.)
As I have mentioned before, our biggest hurdle this summer will be the food we eat:
We have asked Michelle to be honest with what she does and does not like, because for as much as we try new things in our house, we settle into routines that last about six weeks or so. For a period of almost three weeks this spring we did pizza or calzones for three nights a week. Yeah, that was good eating, but probably really bad for us in the long run.
As we plan for Abby's birthday, which is coming up way too quickly if you ask me, we are even planning on an GF cake so that all can enjoy. Yes, we are those "make everyone happy" folks that you dread talking to sometimes.
Michelle has shared with us a few of her recent GF finds, too. Turns out that chips and salsa are just fine for her, and I can not say no to that!
Michelle also wants to do a bit more cooking, so we're on the hunt for easy to learn, Gluten Free recipes that are appealing outside of the GF world. If you have links to easy stuff like that, let me know!
(Now I am going to go write another post and tell it to show up tomorrow - two blog posts from Rob in less than a month should be interesting. I think I'm going to attack Oprah next.)
(And how is that for a teaser?)
As I have mentioned before, our biggest hurdle this summer will be the food we eat:
- Michelle is Gluten Free and not a huge fan of veggies, but willing to try new things
- Anny is supposed to cut out sugar and eat lots of veggies and meats, but does not like meat
- I am not supposed to have potassium, and should not go crazy with protein. (i.e. no Atkins)
- Abby eats whatever she wants, but is very willing to taste new things. Last night she ate a piece of onion straight up, much to the disgust of Michelle. :o)
We have asked Michelle to be honest with what she does and does not like, because for as much as we try new things in our house, we settle into routines that last about six weeks or so. For a period of almost three weeks this spring we did pizza or calzones for three nights a week. Yeah, that was good eating, but probably really bad for us in the long run.
As we plan for Abby's birthday, which is coming up way too quickly if you ask me, we are even planning on an GF cake so that all can enjoy. Yes, we are those "make everyone happy" folks that you dread talking to sometimes.
Michelle has shared with us a few of her recent GF finds, too. Turns out that chips and salsa are just fine for her, and I can not say no to that!
Michelle also wants to do a bit more cooking, so we're on the hunt for easy to learn, Gluten Free recipes that are appealing outside of the GF world. If you have links to easy stuff like that, let me know!
(Now I am going to go write another post and tell it to show up tomorrow - two blog posts from Rob in less than a month should be interesting. I think I'm going to attack Oprah next.)
(And how is that for a teaser?)
May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
While I have neglected my duties just a little bit for Anny's special day*, I wish all of you mom's out there a Happy Mother's Day. It is hard work no matter what the age of your children, or of yourself. I pray today that you have peace and quiet, a cooked meal that someone else had made, and a feeling that you are loved.
As I know the struggle that many people have, I am pasting my favorite (if that's the right word) Mother's Day prayer from a few years back written by my friend Jan Edmiston. She wrote this the MD before Anny and I were parents and we were struggling mightily with our situation. This brought me peace:
I'm thinking about and praying for all those for whom tomorrow will be a rough day: those with mean mothers, sick mothers, absent mothers, disappointing mothers. Those who would love to be mothers but are not. For mothers who have lost their children and children who have lost their mothers.*Due to a heavy work load this week I was not able to pick up a gift certificate, but the intent is there and that's all I can say right now due to the readership of this blog. It's not dirty, there just might be other mom's involved. If I keep typing, I'll spill the beans...
May 06, 2009
Wordless Wednesday - Where is Abby?
327/365 Where is Abby?
Originally uploaded by armonroe
More Wordless Wednesday at http://wordlesswednesday.com
April 28, 2009
Summertime in Spring
This weekend was pretty much a whirlwind of fun and activity for us! With temperatures in the upper 80's and low 90's it could have been miserable, but it was great!
Saturday -
We started the day at Maryland Day, which is annual open house that the University of Maryland puts on. It was hot and crowded, but a heck of a lot of fun! Abby had a blast playing with the bubbles when we first got there. There were plastic ducks in the main fountain on campus, and all three girls had fun retrieving them and throwing them back into the water.
(No pictures from Maryland Day - I left my camera and phone at the house on accident. It was really weird for me to not be connected!)
After grabbing lunch and a nap, we went up to celebrate Luke's second birthday! Lots of family and tons of presents, but mostly it was fun to watch the children together. Evan and Luke are constantly in motion, which is awesome to watch. I think that Abby did not believe Luke was up to the challenge of opening his gifts on his own, so she helped a little:
We left their house way too late, but Abby did not notice too much.
Sunday:
We realized on Saturday night that our regular church service on Sunday was not going to be "normal" but rather was the Easter Choral Cantata. I love music, don't get me wrong, but I don't love Latin. We decided to head up to the National Aquarium in Baltimore for the morning. Last summer we got a membership for the family as a good, indoor play place for Anny and Abby for hot summer days. Abby has never really been a huge fan, so we wanted to go this spring to help decide if we wanted to renew our membership. The answer is "no" but we had a fun time.
We have not been to the dolphin show with Abby, mostly because we paid for the membership and I'm too cheap to tack on extra money while I'm there! This time they gave us tickets to the show for free, so we were not going to pass that up. Anny went in and found seats while Abby and I walked up and down stairs a few times and looked at the dolphin tank from below. Very cool. When we got in and sat down it took Abby a minute to figure out what was about to happen, but when she figured it out it was hard to wipe the grin off of her face!
We had lunch at the Inner Harbor - nice big salads really hit the spot for Anny and I. Abby went to sleep in the car, but not quite enough. I hate when that happens.
After having folks over to watch the Capitals game, we went out and played in the yard and the street for a while. Yes, I am a bad parent and let my daughter walk in the street without holding my hand, but she seems to be pretty clear about when that is and is not allowed. We walk down the street with her in her wagon, or on her new bike, and sometimes we let her push her baby stroller:
Overall we had an incredible weekend and can only hope the whole summer is this fun!
Saturday -
We started the day at Maryland Day, which is annual open house that the University of Maryland puts on. It was hot and crowded, but a heck of a lot of fun! Abby had a blast playing with the bubbles when we first got there. There were plastic ducks in the main fountain on campus, and all three girls had fun retrieving them and throwing them back into the water.
(No pictures from Maryland Day - I left my camera and phone at the house on accident. It was really weird for me to not be connected!)
After grabbing lunch and a nap, we went up to celebrate Luke's second birthday! Lots of family and tons of presents, but mostly it was fun to watch the children together. Evan and Luke are constantly in motion, which is awesome to watch. I think that Abby did not believe Luke was up to the challenge of opening his gifts on his own, so she helped a little:
We left their house way too late, but Abby did not notice too much.
Sunday:
We realized on Saturday night that our regular church service on Sunday was not going to be "normal" but rather was the Easter Choral Cantata. I love music, don't get me wrong, but I don't love Latin. We decided to head up to the National Aquarium in Baltimore for the morning. Last summer we got a membership for the family as a good, indoor play place for Anny and Abby for hot summer days. Abby has never really been a huge fan, so we wanted to go this spring to help decide if we wanted to renew our membership. The answer is "no" but we had a fun time.
We have not been to the dolphin show with Abby, mostly because we paid for the membership and I'm too cheap to tack on extra money while I'm there! This time they gave us tickets to the show for free, so we were not going to pass that up. Anny went in and found seats while Abby and I walked up and down stairs a few times and looked at the dolphin tank from below. Very cool. When we got in and sat down it took Abby a minute to figure out what was about to happen, but when she figured it out it was hard to wipe the grin off of her face!
We had lunch at the Inner Harbor - nice big salads really hit the spot for Anny and I. Abby went to sleep in the car, but not quite enough. I hate when that happens.
After having folks over to watch the Capitals game, we went out and played in the yard and the street for a while. Yes, I am a bad parent and let my daughter walk in the street without holding my hand, but she seems to be pretty clear about when that is and is not allowed. We walk down the street with her in her wagon, or on her new bike, and sometimes we let her push her baby stroller:
Overall we had an incredible weekend and can only hope the whole summer is this fun!
April 27, 2009
Wyoming for Easter!
FINALLY! We have been home for two weeks now and I'm just now finding time to sit down and blog about our awesome trip to Wyoming. I will not bore with every little detail that I'm remembering, but will share a few things. A little background would be that Anny's parents live in Casper, and her brother's family drove out from Saint Louis.
Flights
Abby was incredible on all four of our flights to and from Casper! We pulled out the stops, but it was worth it. We had and used:
1 sucker
Many songs
Madagascar on my iPod
Several books
We made friends with everyone around us just to be safe, but Abby only even whined once that I can remember. A funny note here is that on our flight into Casper, on a little jet, Abby was blissfully happy until the plane touched the ground. It was then, and only then, that she fell asleep in my arms! Too cute.
Weather!
The weather was absolutely incredible. There was snow on the ground, of course, but we were outside every day in short sleeves playing on the swing set! We had a few well intentioned snowball fights, but nobody got too hurt. (Sorry again, Anny. I love you and did not mean to cream you in the face with a ball made of snow. Funny? Yes. Intentional? Not exactly!) Really the only time that I even wore a coat on our trip was the morning we went up ON the mountain.
Schedules
Our biggest challenge turned out to be schedules. Abby is an Eastern Time girl, her cousins are Central Time girls and we were visiting the Mountain Time Zone. Abby napped before her cousins and was awake way too early every day. The grandparents were good sports about all of it and extremely accommodating to our craziness!
FUN!
The bottom line is that we had a blast and wish we could be together more often with that part of the family but indeed the miles are vast between us, for now at least.
Finally
Of course I took lots and lots of pictures and they are available HERE and HERE.
Once again I made a trip to Wyoming and saw FEET of snow on the ground but none fall from the sky. As my Mother-In-Law said, that's okay! It's that I was there to see the snow that matters!
Flights
Abby was incredible on all four of our flights to and from Casper! We pulled out the stops, but it was worth it. We had and used:
1 sucker
Many songs
Madagascar on my iPod
Several books
We made friends with everyone around us just to be safe, but Abby only even whined once that I can remember. A funny note here is that on our flight into Casper, on a little jet, Abby was blissfully happy until the plane touched the ground. It was then, and only then, that she fell asleep in my arms! Too cute.
Weather!
The weather was absolutely incredible. There was snow on the ground, of course, but we were outside every day in short sleeves playing on the swing set! We had a few well intentioned snowball fights, but nobody got too hurt. (Sorry again, Anny. I love you and did not mean to cream you in the face with a ball made of snow. Funny? Yes. Intentional? Not exactly!) Really the only time that I even wore a coat on our trip was the morning we went up ON the mountain.
Schedules
Our biggest challenge turned out to be schedules. Abby is an Eastern Time girl, her cousins are Central Time girls and we were visiting the Mountain Time Zone. Abby napped before her cousins and was awake way too early every day. The grandparents were good sports about all of it and extremely accommodating to our craziness!
FUN!
The bottom line is that we had a blast and wish we could be together more often with that part of the family but indeed the miles are vast between us, for now at least.
Finally
Of course I took lots and lots of pictures and they are available HERE and HERE.
Once again I made a trip to Wyoming and saw FEET of snow on the ground but none fall from the sky. As my Mother-In-Law said, that's okay! It's that I was there to see the snow that matters!
April 17, 2009
Kidney Check Up!
On Tuesday, about 15 hours after I landed at BWI from our trip to Casper, Wyoming, which I really want/need to blog about but have yet to find the time to. Maybe this weekend.
After being weighed, I had to immediately blame my Mother-In-Law's cooking and baking habit for the three added pounds since my last visit in the fall. The doctor was very understanding, and did not question it. I may have left out that I did more exercise over those few days than I am used to doing over the course of three weeks, but that's for me to know, not him.
While I'm on the weight - I think there needs to be a change in the way that ALL doctors offices that I've ever been to do their practice. Stop weighing me and THEN taking my blood pressure reading. I'm fatter than I thought, of course my blood is racing.
He said that my protein is a little high, but I explained the problems I had with getting my meds and he agreed that was probably the cause. Nothing to be too concerned about. My creatinine was at 1.3 somethings, and just about right for me.
Great news is that my cholesterol level is 134 and I won't have to fill a prescription for meds to keep that in check! It was a bit high the last time I saw him, but now we seem to be okay. Phew.
That's it - I go back in six months unless something happens, and here's hoping nothing happens to necessitate a visit!
After being weighed, I had to immediately blame my Mother-In-Law's cooking and baking habit for the three added pounds since my last visit in the fall. The doctor was very understanding, and did not question it. I may have left out that I did more exercise over those few days than I am used to doing over the course of three weeks, but that's for me to know, not him.
While I'm on the weight - I think there needs to be a change in the way that ALL doctors offices that I've ever been to do their practice. Stop weighing me and THEN taking my blood pressure reading. I'm fatter than I thought, of course my blood is racing.
He said that my protein is a little high, but I explained the problems I had with getting my meds and he agreed that was probably the cause. Nothing to be too concerned about. My creatinine was at 1.3 somethings, and just about right for me.
Great news is that my cholesterol level is 134 and I won't have to fill a prescription for meds to keep that in check! It was a bit high the last time I saw him, but now we seem to be okay. Phew.
That's it - I go back in six months unless something happens, and here's hoping nothing happens to necessitate a visit!
April 07, 2009
Ready for Spring
Here I sit, just about a week away from another trip to the nephrologist. It forces me to remember that last spring when I went to see him I had such high expectations about my overall health, not just that of my kidneys. I was going to play organized ice hockey last year. Didn't happen. I was going to exercise more regularly. Didn't happen and hasn't happened. I was going to eat better. That one I have done, but "better" is certainly defined by comparison to my own eating habits in the past, not what "healthy" would look like.
So next week I will sit on the exam table and be embarrassed, hoping that my lab work has been processed and to his office so that it's not a wasted trip like the last two times.
To add insult to injury on this visit - if the lab actually does their job right and he has my results when I see him - is that my mail order pharmacy has totally dropped the ball on my most recent order. I have been waiting since March 17th for my order. Unfortunately my drug coverage basically makes it so that I HAVE to use or get reprimanded and threatened with not covering my medicine. Ugh.
Well, they say that my meds were delivered on March 21st by the Postal Service. Well, since my meds come in boxes, and there are 15 boxes per order, that makes my delivery box to be about the size of a 12 inch cube. Yeah, that's not accidentally out of sight. I have no clue where those meds are, and they were supposed to be rush delivering a reshipment, but that has not arrived and we leave early tomorrow. Oh well.
At least I still have a supply of the good drugs, but I am a bit concerned that I should probably have one of the other ones. When I talked with them last week they said they would put a rush on the order, but I checked just now and it's still processing. Since I leave in the morning for Wyoming, it will be at least another week until I get my drugs back.
Who says our health care system is broken? I can not imagine how bad it would be if I didn't have insurance.
So next week I will sit on the exam table and be embarrassed, hoping that my lab work has been processed and to his office so that it's not a wasted trip like the last two times.
To add insult to injury on this visit - if the lab actually does their job right and he has my results when I see him - is that my mail order pharmacy has totally dropped the ball on my most recent order. I have been waiting since March 17th for my order. Unfortunately my drug coverage basically makes it so that I HAVE to use or get reprimanded and threatened with not covering my medicine. Ugh.
Well, they say that my meds were delivered on March 21st by the Postal Service. Well, since my meds come in boxes, and there are 15 boxes per order, that makes my delivery box to be about the size of a 12 inch cube. Yeah, that's not accidentally out of sight. I have no clue where those meds are, and they were supposed to be rush delivering a reshipment, but that has not arrived and we leave early tomorrow. Oh well.
At least I still have a supply of the good drugs, but I am a bit concerned that I should probably have one of the other ones. When I talked with them last week they said they would put a rush on the order, but I checked just now and it's still processing. Since I leave in the morning for Wyoming, it will be at least another week until I get my drugs back.
Who says our health care system is broken? I can not imagine how bad it would be if I didn't have insurance.
April 06, 2009
Leavin, on a Jet Plane
In our house hold we are gearing up for a trip! We're headed west to Casper, Wyoming, for five days over Easter. We leave early Wednesday and come back mid-day Monday. (Telling you this in case you want to take us to the airport - hello? is this mic on?)
I am super excited about being in Casper. It's beautiful country out there - plus I get to test my powers of insanity again. I have been to Casper three or four times now. I have never seen snow fall in Wyoming, but yet I have never seen snowless-grounds. I'm not sure if it's me, or if that's just the way of Wyoming, but it's humorous to me.
Paul and Sarahlynn and the girls are coming to meet us there, so the fun will bedoubled quadrupled! It will be really fun to see how the girls have grown, and more fun to see how the three girls get along. Christmas was fun and funny at the same time, and I can only hope that it's as much fun when we are together again later this week!
I have already gotten Abby's stuff together, and mine is just about ready to go into the bag. I've learned over the years that I pack in advance, and Anny packs at the last minute. What I am continuing to learn is that we are both right, and I just need to let her work at her own pace and leave her alone. I'm still working to learn that, and so far have not harped on her at all about this trip. It's called growth, I say!
But, and I am a believer that there is always a but... If I am being honest I would tell you that I am dreading the trip TO and FROM Casper. Abby has done wonderfully on our trips by air in the past, but those have been trips aimed at success for her. Two-three hours, direct flights. This trip is two planes - four hour and one hour, with a layover in Denver.
We have gotten together some toys and a couple of small books. I have even picked up a bag of lollipops and yogurt covered fruits (her new favorite). We're thinking about loading "Madagascar" onto the iPod and hoping she will become as engrossed in the small version as she has been on the regular TV for the last couple of nights.
So - what are your travel tips with toddlers? What is the ONE thing you would not go without? What it the biggest mistake you have made in relation to toddler travel?
I am super excited about being in Casper. It's beautiful country out there - plus I get to test my powers of insanity again. I have been to Casper three or four times now. I have never seen snow fall in Wyoming, but yet I have never seen snowless-grounds. I'm not sure if it's me, or if that's just the way of Wyoming, but it's humorous to me.
Paul and Sarahlynn and the girls are coming to meet us there, so the fun will be
I have already gotten Abby's stuff together, and mine is just about ready to go into the bag. I've learned over the years that I pack in advance, and Anny packs at the last minute. What I am continuing to learn is that we are both right, and I just need to let her work at her own pace and leave her alone. I'm still working to learn that, and so far have not harped on her at all about this trip. It's called growth, I say!
But, and I am a believer that there is always a but... If I am being honest I would tell you that I am dreading the trip TO and FROM Casper. Abby has done wonderfully on our trips by air in the past, but those have been trips aimed at success for her. Two-three hours, direct flights. This trip is two planes - four hour and one hour, with a layover in Denver.
We have gotten together some toys and a couple of small books. I have even picked up a bag of lollipops and yogurt covered fruits (her new favorite). We're thinking about loading "Madagascar" onto the iPod and hoping she will become as engrossed in the small version as she has been on the regular TV for the last couple of nights.
So - what are your travel tips with toddlers? What is the ONE thing you would not go without? What it the biggest mistake you have made in relation to toddler travel?
March 30, 2009
Lucky Number Seven
Today is my Anniversary! Seven wonderful years ago we were married. We have moved three times, bought our first home, and have a beautiful daughter to enjoy every day. Anny is my best friend and I can not imagine life without her.
Happy Anniversary Anny! I love you!
March 26, 2009
Operation Dinner Out
Finally finding time to blog this week. I'm working on several posts in my head, but have not had any extra time to sit and write. I'm going to start with a story about our first dinner out in a long, long time without Abby!
Last Friday night the Maryland State Teachers Association honored the 302 teachers from across the state that achieved Certification through the National Board for Teaching Standards. Yes, there are lots of acrynoms that could be used, and they will be from here on out! The dinner was at the Marriott Waterfront in Annapolis, Maryland. I don't think I've ever been to that part of town, which is humorous just a bit since I've lived here for like 20 years and it's the state capital!
The dinner out process started about two months ago when Anny received an invitation to the dinner. It was explicitly clear that I was not invited, and honestly that rubbed us both wrong. I wrote, on Anny's behalf, and email to the contact and said that she respectfully declined the invitation if her significant other was not able to attend. They said that they were dealing with space issues and had to wait to see how many teachers would be there before they could release seats to guests. Obviously, they let me go or there would be no more story at this point!
Let me tell you, it's a ton of work for a teacher to achieve this certification and about 50% fail on their first attemps. Anny went through the process twice, once she was pregnant and the second time we had an infant/early-toddler on our hands. Every time that she need to work on her projects, I got the extra house and child rearing stuff. I earned a spot at that table, as did every other significant other in the room.
My aunt Pam came over to watch Abby. This was a big thing for us. We have done two lunches out, and one evening when Anny and I each had meetings at different locations. The evening babysitting was not pleasant for anyone involved, but it was more than a year ago so we were a bit more confident. We left an extremely thorough "Abby's Normal Evening" list for Pam to use. I'll probably post that later today or tomorrow on Abby's blog.
We got to the hotel almost exactly on time and got our nametags and drink tickets. The thing is that we don't go out, obviously, so we had absolutely no idea what the tickets were for and ended up paying cash for Anny's first glass of wine. No big deal, but felt pretty dumb about it later when someone pointed it out. We were the first people from Howard County and found the table with the county name on it, along with Wicomico County's two teachers. We found out, after setting ourselves up, that there was another full table of HoCo teachers. It was not a big deal since Anny knew only one of them very well, and he ended up at our table with his wife.
They kicked off with speeches that included the MSTA president as well as the Lt Governor of Maryland. It hit me at that point that these are people with their hands on the stimulus money that we hear about on the TV every day. It's just so intangible in my head, but these people know it to be real, honest-to-goodness money. It was the first time that we had heard that Maryland is the Number 1 state as far as education goes in the country according to Education Week. That's pretty cool. (See how your state stacks up HERE.)
Dinner was nice, especially considering it was buffet style! They had four tables of meat, two (very rare) roast beef and two of turkey. They had two tables of pasta with veggies, and bread. It was surprising how quickly the lines seemed to move, but I realized that these are teachers, and they spend part of their day herding children through cafeteria lines. They are pro's, so to speak!
After dinner they had each county line up to receive a certificate from the MSTA and a very cool plaque for their desk. One county had only one recipient, and two counties had well over 25. Anny's county had 13 total, and I think that about 9 of them were there. This was a very, very long process and so we got to talking with our table mates and had a great time chatting.
We got home much earlier than we thought, which was kind of nice. Pam offered to watch Abby again any time, of course, and that she was an angel. She only asked about us twice, which is no more than when only one of us is home and the other is out.
Anny's certification lasts for ten years, so I don't think I can pull off a nice, fancy dinner again for a while. Maybe she can work with next years participants and get an invite that way... I should get to work on that right now!
Last Friday night the Maryland State Teachers Association honored the 302 teachers from across the state that achieved Certification through the National Board for Teaching Standards. Yes, there are lots of acrynoms that could be used, and they will be from here on out! The dinner was at the Marriott Waterfront in Annapolis, Maryland. I don't think I've ever been to that part of town, which is humorous just a bit since I've lived here for like 20 years and it's the state capital!
The dinner out process started about two months ago when Anny received an invitation to the dinner. It was explicitly clear that I was not invited, and honestly that rubbed us both wrong. I wrote, on Anny's behalf, and email to the contact and said that she respectfully declined the invitation if her significant other was not able to attend. They said that they were dealing with space issues and had to wait to see how many teachers would be there before they could release seats to guests. Obviously, they let me go or there would be no more story at this point!
Let me tell you, it's a ton of work for a teacher to achieve this certification and about 50% fail on their first attemps. Anny went through the process twice, once she was pregnant and the second time we had an infant/early-toddler on our hands. Every time that she need to work on her projects, I got the extra house and child rearing stuff. I earned a spot at that table, as did every other significant other in the room.
My aunt Pam came over to watch Abby. This was a big thing for us. We have done two lunches out, and one evening when Anny and I each had meetings at different locations. The evening babysitting was not pleasant for anyone involved, but it was more than a year ago so we were a bit more confident. We left an extremely thorough "Abby's Normal Evening" list for Pam to use. I'll probably post that later today or tomorrow on Abby's blog.
We got to the hotel almost exactly on time and got our nametags and drink tickets. The thing is that we don't go out, obviously, so we had absolutely no idea what the tickets were for and ended up paying cash for Anny's first glass of wine. No big deal, but felt pretty dumb about it later when someone pointed it out. We were the first people from Howard County and found the table with the county name on it, along with Wicomico County's two teachers. We found out, after setting ourselves up, that there was another full table of HoCo teachers. It was not a big deal since Anny knew only one of them very well, and he ended up at our table with his wife.
They kicked off with speeches that included the MSTA president as well as the Lt Governor of Maryland. It hit me at that point that these are people with their hands on the stimulus money that we hear about on the TV every day. It's just so intangible in my head, but these people know it to be real, honest-to-goodness money. It was the first time that we had heard that Maryland is the Number 1 state as far as education goes in the country according to Education Week. That's pretty cool. (See how your state stacks up HERE.)
Dinner was nice, especially considering it was buffet style! They had four tables of meat, two (very rare) roast beef and two of turkey. They had two tables of pasta with veggies, and bread. It was surprising how quickly the lines seemed to move, but I realized that these are teachers, and they spend part of their day herding children through cafeteria lines. They are pro's, so to speak!
After dinner they had each county line up to receive a certificate from the MSTA and a very cool plaque for their desk. One county had only one recipient, and two counties had well over 25. Anny's county had 13 total, and I think that about 9 of them were there. This was a very, very long process and so we got to talking with our table mates and had a great time chatting.
We got home much earlier than we thought, which was kind of nice. Pam offered to watch Abby again any time, of course, and that she was an angel. She only asked about us twice, which is no more than when only one of us is home and the other is out.
Anny's certification lasts for ten years, so I don't think I can pull off a nice, fancy dinner again for a while. Maybe she can work with next years participants and get an invite that way... I should get to work on that right now!
March 19, 2009
Play Kitchen Build
It's finally here - the blog post about Abby's new play kitchen!
I was inspired by a blog post I found HERE that did something similar, but I kept parts of their idea and added some of my own. As an added bonus, my brothers' scroll saw is in storage, so I got to buy myself a new one!
I started with the Ikea RAST end table. At $15 it was probably cheaper than if I went out and got nicely finished wood and cut it myself, plus it was a great, square starting point. (Cost so far: $15)
Then I cut a hole out to put in a metal bowl from our kitchen. We have too many bowls as it is, so giving this one to the project made sense to us. I added a piece across the middle to support any weight Abby might apply, as well as to divide the box in half - one is the "oven" and the other side is currently non-purposed. This is also the point that I had to buy a new scroll saw, which was both fun and awesome at the same time! (Cost so far: $15 for project, $29.99 for saw)
The tricky part, and the part that required the most thinking, was the faucet. I scoured Ebay and Craigslist for a real kitchen or bathroom faucet, new or used, for several days before giving up. I looked at prices in stores, but the cheapest was about $30. I could not justify that in my head. I decided to make something out of PVC pipe, and I think it turned out well. It's two pieces, a p-trap and a part that fits into the p-trap. I had to cut the bottom piece to get it into the tight space, but that was easy. The two pieces cost me a total of $3. (Cost so far: $18)
I had a random piece of nice, finished wood laying around the house that is only about 1/4 of an inch off of fitting perfectly with the table, so I used it. I'm not much on perfection - it gives me nothing to complain about later if there are no flaws! We think the wood was a shelf to an old entertainment center. Cost: free. (Cost so far: $18)
Since I have about a dozen mouse pads at my office that do not get used (they come with new computers, and we've gotten ten new ones in the last four years) I decided to put them to use in my project. I cut circles out of the mouse pads to make burners. They are not attached for two reasons - we might paint it so they would be in the way, and I don't know how we would attach them properly. Oh well.
I added stove top knobs that are actually casters from tables at my office that were on their way to the trash. They were screwed into a 1x2 across the top at the same time that I put a kickplate (1x4) on the bottom to keep toys from sliding under the kitchen. (Cost so far: $18)
I added an oven door and Abby immediately knew what the whole project was! You will notice that the knobs here are pink - it's because the casters from the previous picture were too large with the door on the oven - it would not open! I ran out to Target and picked up some dresser knobs for $5. Ended up at Ikea the next day and could have gotten better looking knobs for less money, but what's done is done. (Cost so far: $23)
And that's the whole thing! If we had bought a wooden play kitchen in a store we would have spent at least $125, and the cost for one can go up to numbers that I'm too embarassed to type! I spent $23 and about four total hours on this project by using mostly scrap wood from around the house. You can also check with your local hardware store (or Ikea!) for scrap wood to save on the cost.
I was inspired by a blog post I found HERE that did something similar, but I kept parts of their idea and added some of my own. As an added bonus, my brothers' scroll saw is in storage, so I got to buy myself a new one!
I started with the Ikea RAST end table. At $15 it was probably cheaper than if I went out and got nicely finished wood and cut it myself, plus it was a great, square starting point. (Cost so far: $15)
The tricky part, and the part that required the most thinking, was the faucet. I scoured Ebay and Craigslist for a real kitchen or bathroom faucet, new or used, for several days before giving up. I looked at prices in stores, but the cheapest was about $30. I could not justify that in my head. I decided to make something out of PVC pipe, and I think it turned out well. It's two pieces, a p-trap and a part that fits into the p-trap. I had to cut the bottom piece to get it into the tight space, but that was easy. The two pieces cost me a total of $3. (Cost so far: $18)
I had a random piece of nice, finished wood laying around the house that is only about 1/4 of an inch off of fitting perfectly with the table, so I used it. I'm not much on perfection - it gives me nothing to complain about later if there are no flaws! We think the wood was a shelf to an old entertainment center. Cost: free. (Cost so far: $18)
Since I have about a dozen mouse pads at my office that do not get used (they come with new computers, and we've gotten ten new ones in the last four years) I decided to put them to use in my project. I cut circles out of the mouse pads to make burners. They are not attached for two reasons - we might paint it so they would be in the way, and I don't know how we would attach them properly. Oh well.
I added stove top knobs that are actually casters from tables at my office that were on their way to the trash. They were screwed into a 1x2 across the top at the same time that I put a kickplate (1x4) on the bottom to keep toys from sliding under the kitchen. (Cost so far: $18)
I added an oven door and Abby immediately knew what the whole project was! You will notice that the knobs here are pink - it's because the casters from the previous picture were too large with the door on the oven - it would not open! I ran out to Target and picked up some dresser knobs for $5. Ended up at Ikea the next day and could have gotten better looking knobs for less money, but what's done is done. (Cost so far: $23)
And that's the whole thing! If we had bought a wooden play kitchen in a store we would have spent at least $125, and the cost for one can go up to numbers that I'm too embarassed to type! I spent $23 and about four total hours on this project by using mostly scrap wood from around the house. You can also check with your local hardware store (or Ikea!) for scrap wood to save on the cost.
Here's Abby enjoying her newest toy!
March 18, 2009
Wordless Wednesday
Finally!
Originally uploaded by armonroe
Tomorrow I will be posting the steps to build this play kitchen - stay tuned!
You can see more Wordless Wednesday entries here: www.wordlesswednesday.com.
March 17, 2009
A Practice Weekend
My sister Michelle came to visit this weekend. She is in her third year of college and is looking for work and an internship up here for the summer, and will be living with us for a few months! We're really looking forward to having company in our massive house, to be completely honest! It is going to give me an excuse to rearrange the clutter that is our basement, and means I will probably get some good air hockey time in!
While on one hand we are excited, there is going to be one big issue to work through - dieting.
Anny's medically suggested diet is low sugar, low carb and high protein.
My medically required diet is low potassium, medium protein. (Sugar is fine, thankyouverymuch!)
Michelle's medically required diet is, newly, gluten-free. And she eats only four vegetables, but we've agreed to work on that. :o)
Jack Sprat only had his wife to deal with!
Anny's first intentionally-gluten-free try was rice flour pancakes on Sunday. I have heard they were exactly like regular pancakes, but didn't have any because I had eaten already when she announced her venture. Oh well, I'll get some next time.
Michelle did get one interview request already, but it was for late on Sunday and she had to be on the road at lunch time in order to get everything settled for going back to classes Monday.
Two questions:
1 - What's the biggest meal challenge you've faced?
2 - Know of any good, gluten-free, low sugar and low potassium recipes...?!
While on one hand we are excited, there is going to be one big issue to work through - dieting.
Anny's medically suggested diet is low sugar, low carb and high protein.
My medically required diet is low potassium, medium protein. (Sugar is fine, thankyouverymuch!)
Michelle's medically required diet is, newly, gluten-free. And she eats only four vegetables, but we've agreed to work on that. :o)
Jack Sprat only had his wife to deal with!
Anny's first intentionally-gluten-free try was rice flour pancakes on Sunday. I have heard they were exactly like regular pancakes, but didn't have any because I had eaten already when she announced her venture. Oh well, I'll get some next time.
Michelle did get one interview request already, but it was for late on Sunday and she had to be on the road at lunch time in order to get everything settled for going back to classes Monday.
Two questions:
1 - What's the biggest meal challenge you've faced?
2 - Know of any good, gluten-free, low sugar and low potassium recipes...?!
March 11, 2009
World Kidney Day is March 12
Got an email from the National Kidney Foundation today that I am posting here for all to see.
Support the World Kidney Day's Message to Congress
Join our Virtual Fly-In to Support Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage
Take Action!
On March 12, over 100 kidney advocates will be meeting with congressional offices on World Kidney Day, asking for support of legislation to extend Medicare coverage for life-saving immunosuppressive drugs for the life of the kidney transplant. If passed, patients could continue to receive these drugs under Medicare Part B. This is a big step forward to preserve the life of kidney transplants.
Organ transplant recipients must take immunosuppressive drugs for the life of the transplant to help prevent the body from rejecting the organ. Currently, Medicare pays for most kidney transplants but covers drugs for only 36 months post-transplant as part of the Medicare ESRD benefit. After that, kidney recipients must pay for immunosuppressive drugs through private insurance, public or pharmaceutical programs or pay out-of-pocket (Medicare covers drugs without a time limit if the patient qualifies because of age or disability status).
Immunosuppressive drugs are expensive, but the alternative is even more costly. Medicare spends $17,000 per patient to maintain a transplant, but if the kidney transplant fails, the person returns to dialysis at a cost of over $71,000 per year to Medicare. And quality of life often suffers too.
Similar legislation will be introduced in the House of Representatives on March 12. Click here for more information about the legislation. Click here to view the NKF's Immunosuppressive Drug Fact Sheet.
Please take a moment to write your Senators today and ask them to co-sponsor S. 565. Share your story, or the story of a loved one, about the experience with immunosuppressive drug coverage.
Links:
Nephcure - More focused on FSGS, my kind of kidney diseas
National Kidney Foundation
Support the World Kidney Day's Message to Congress
Join our Virtual Fly-In to Support Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage
Take Action!
On March 12, over 100 kidney advocates will be meeting with congressional offices on World Kidney Day, asking for support of legislation to extend Medicare coverage for life-saving immunosuppressive drugs for the life of the kidney transplant. If passed, patients could continue to receive these drugs under Medicare Part B. This is a big step forward to preserve the life of kidney transplants.
Organ transplant recipients must take immunosuppressive drugs for the life of the transplant to help prevent the body from rejecting the organ. Currently, Medicare pays for most kidney transplants but covers drugs for only 36 months post-transplant as part of the Medicare ESRD benefit. After that, kidney recipients must pay for immunosuppressive drugs through private insurance, public or pharmaceutical programs or pay out-of-pocket (Medicare covers drugs without a time limit if the patient qualifies because of age or disability status).
Immunosuppressive drugs are expensive, but the alternative is even more costly. Medicare spends $17,000 per patient to maintain a transplant, but if the kidney transplant fails, the person returns to dialysis at a cost of over $71,000 per year to Medicare. And quality of life often suffers too.
Similar legislation will be introduced in the House of Representatives on March 12. Click here for more information about the legislation. Click here to view the NKF's Immunosuppressive Drug Fact Sheet.
Please take a moment to write your Senators today and ask them to co-sponsor S. 565. Share your story, or the story of a loved one, about the experience with immunosuppressive drug coverage.
Links:
Nephcure - More focused on FSGS, my kind of kidney diseas
National Kidney Foundation
March 05, 2009
What's with the Weather?!
On Monday of this week we had a snow day at our house! Everything but the Federal government closed (they were delayed) thanks to the 4-9 inches of snow that blanketed our area. We decided to get some things done around the house, like mopping the bathrooms (fun, right?) and finishing Abby's play kitchen (posting this weekend, probably) with our extra free time.
Since we only get a really good storm like this every other year it seems, we wanted to be sure that Abby got out into the snow. It was clear almost immediately that she was not going to have anything to do with it. I cleared out an 18 in hole in the snow to put her in, and she cried the moment her feet hit the floor. As you can see below, we ended up putting her in her red wagon and dragging her through the snow, sled-style, and up the street once. In her defense, the wind was quite harsh...
With all of the snow and wind that we dealt with on Monday, with a bonus two hour delay on Tuesday, it's pretty amazing that we are currently planning on a trip to the National Zoo on Saturday! The weather at the end of the week is slated to be 60 degrees warmer than at the beginning! It's a swing from 8 degrees on Monday to a predicted 68 on Saturday!
How is your weather?
Since we only get a really good storm like this every other year it seems, we wanted to be sure that Abby got out into the snow. It was clear almost immediately that she was not going to have anything to do with it. I cleared out an 18 in hole in the snow to put her in, and she cried the moment her feet hit the floor. As you can see below, we ended up putting her in her red wagon and dragging her through the snow, sled-style, and up the street once. In her defense, the wind was quite harsh...
With all of the snow and wind that we dealt with on Monday, with a bonus two hour delay on Tuesday, it's pretty amazing that we are currently planning on a trip to the National Zoo on Saturday! The weather at the end of the week is slated to be 60 degrees warmer than at the beginning! It's a swing from 8 degrees on Monday to a predicted 68 on Saturday!
How is your weather?
March 03, 2009
Don't Lick That!
Suggestions welcome/encouraged!
At about six months (maybe before) Abby had an obsession with putting things in her mouth - toys, coins, food, fingers... everything. It is an age-apropriate method of learning for an infant. They do a better job of using their five senses to learn about things around them than we do - I assume my desk tastes like dust and plastic, so I don't try to taste or smell it - I rely on touch and sight.
Abby has seemingly reverted to some sort of tasting/licking stage. Some things are adorable, like when she licks a blueberry before eating it. Licking her clean feet after bath time was cute, too.
Some things are a little weird, like the freezer in our basement and our fridge upstairs - maybe she was licking each to see if they were the same or different. (She didn't report her findings to me, but probably has a journal somewhere!)
Some things that she has licked are just disgusting - including our dog and, even worse, a piece of wood at Wendy's on Sunday afternoon. Just.Disgusting. I had to run through her high chair and over another chair to get her off of it. If you've never been to a Wendy's - it was the wooden fram between the old smoking section and the old non-smoking section. It's about a foot wide and she loves to run a circle and climb over it. Fun game - gross twist to it.
Our particular Wendy's is not the cleanest thing around, so there were jokes about spots and blisters that would show up in the afternoon, and we were relieved that they did not!
Help! How do I break her of this new game? I don't want to create a punishment necessarily, but this is one situation that I would like to stop before it goes too far...
At about six months (maybe before) Abby had an obsession with putting things in her mouth - toys, coins, food, fingers... everything. It is an age-apropriate method of learning for an infant. They do a better job of using their five senses to learn about things around them than we do - I assume my desk tastes like dust and plastic, so I don't try to taste or smell it - I rely on touch and sight.
Abby has seemingly reverted to some sort of tasting/licking stage. Some things are adorable, like when she licks a blueberry before eating it. Licking her clean feet after bath time was cute, too.
Some things are a little weird, like the freezer in our basement and our fridge upstairs - maybe she was licking each to see if they were the same or different. (She didn't report her findings to me, but probably has a journal somewhere!)
Some things that she has licked are just disgusting - including our dog and, even worse, a piece of wood at Wendy's on Sunday afternoon. Just.Disgusting. I had to run through her high chair and over another chair to get her off of it. If you've never been to a Wendy's - it was the wooden fram between the old smoking section and the old non-smoking section. It's about a foot wide and she loves to run a circle and climb over it. Fun game - gross twist to it.
Our particular Wendy's is not the cleanest thing around, so there were jokes about spots and blisters that would show up in the afternoon, and we were relieved that they did not!
Help! How do I break her of this new game? I don't want to create a punishment necessarily, but this is one situation that I would like to stop before it goes too far...
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