Anny and I have not taken a true road trip in many years. A trip now and then to the beach is about as far as we drive. (We do a lot of flying, but this game is not a flying game....)
Our silly little game has been ongoing since a trip about six months ago. Our trip was not really even that long, just up to Columbia. Our game is...
Should that car be yellow?
We each drive 10+ miles to work on highways, so we see a LOT of cars everyday. Some cars look rediculous because of their tacky spoiler, some because there is a red door on a blue car.
Most often, though, we notice that people drive yellow cars that should never have been painted yellow.
Examples:
Any Minivan (never seen one, and it doesn't look like an option on the Odyssey)
Hyundai Accent
PT Cruiser (Especially the "Woody" version)
Don't get me wrong, I can apreciate a cool car in yellow. It has to be yellow-apropriate, though.
Examples: (8/19/07 - I had to break the links because of too much traffic from folks looking here for pics of these cars. Not an issue for the cars above....)
Ford Mustang
Ferrari
Corvette
You can start to get the picture. Yellow cars scream "Look at my cool car!" That just can't be done in a minivan, or most cars with four doors.
What other cars should be on the wrong list?
What others should be on the apropriate list?
More importantly, as we will make another drive to the beach this weekend, what kind of things do you do on road trips to pass time?
August 28, 2007
August 22, 2007
Greatest Feeling
I am a morning person by nature. I am only ever awake past 9 pm by nurture. Sometimes nurture is not even enough to keep me awake, but that's another post for another time. I am also an extrovert - so if you meet me in the morning, please accept my apologies. I really am that annoying sometimes!
Anny is a night owl by nature. She get's up in the morning as necessity for teaching. Apparently schools insist on having teachers available and at school when students are there. Oh well. Anny is an introvert. She needs her rest to work the whole day long when other people are involved.
Abby is still a baby. She is still figuring out her routine. She wakes up sometime between 3 and 4 in the morning to get a small snack and go back to sleep. This is the pain part of having an infant in the house.
The part that makes it all okay is when she goes from completely awake and fussy to completely limp and asleep on my shoulder. This morning I could feel all of her weight shift from tense and whiny to completely relaxed and cuddly.
I could (and have) fallen asleep to the thought that I make another human being that relaxed. I konw that it will change when she's older, so I will continue to savor it each time she does it now.
I can't wait to see what other things she will do to let me know she love's me as she grows into a little lady.
Anny is a night owl by nature. She get's up in the morning as necessity for teaching. Apparently schools insist on having teachers available and at school when students are there. Oh well. Anny is an introvert. She needs her rest to work the whole day long when other people are involved.
Abby is still a baby. She is still figuring out her routine. She wakes up sometime between 3 and 4 in the morning to get a small snack and go back to sleep. This is the pain part of having an infant in the house.
The part that makes it all okay is when she goes from completely awake and fussy to completely limp and asleep on my shoulder. This morning I could feel all of her weight shift from tense and whiny to completely relaxed and cuddly.
I could (and have) fallen asleep to the thought that I make another human being that relaxed. I konw that it will change when she's older, so I will continue to savor it each time she does it now.
I can't wait to see what other things she will do to let me know she love's me as she grows into a little lady.
August 14, 2007
Starting a New Program at Church
I've gotten to the point of being truly annoyed by people that continue to whine about what the church (or any organization) can do for them, but always always stop short of being willing to step up and pitch in when it comes time to implement.
At my last congregation there was a need for unity between the two youth programs. Rather than complain about it, we got concerned parties together every other month to make sure that everything remained on the up and up for the good of the total ministry of our church, not abandoning the younger youth because they were not able to do things, and not to write off the older youth because they did not have compassion for the younger members. That worked.
That also brings me to our current project! I will be forthcoming in saying that Anny and I, though we work well together, have never had any urge to start a group from scratch. That is mostly due to Anny's introverted nature, and my wanting to make sure that she's happy. We are both so excited about putting together a ministry like this one, not just for us for for all involved, that we decided that I would torn up my planning side and she would turn her extroversion up a little.
So, our new project: a ministry for parents with children under the age of 5. It really stemmed from the fact that we have a group of folks that we know on an every-Sunday basis that we would like to get to know in a better context. We don't have many friends around where we live with kids (though one couple will be having theirs anytime now!) and don't want to hang out with parenting groups all the way up in Columbia.
In particular I'm peeved that any parent groups that I can find mention of in the greater DC area are aimed at moms OR dads, whichever is a StayAtHome. StayAtHome would be an awesome idea for either of us, but we have chosen paths that are not the money makers that we could be in, and we have acknowledged that as we have grown our life together. I want to do things as a family, not just a Dad group or a Mom group. I understand that both of those have value, but we really do work well together and want Abby to grow up knowing that.
Our problem with our Parents of Young Children group is that we don't have any curriculum or direction with what to do with our time. I have gotten one recommendation from an Educator freind, but it looks like the resource is out of print and I can't find it on Amazon.
So, my question/plea is: do you know of any good materials for gatherings of parents? It does not have to be church based necessarily, because I have never been good at following the pages I've been given and will adjust as needed anyway.
If you're a part of a group (inside or outside the church, it just happens to be our place of choice) of this nature, what sort of things do you do in your program time?
Any help would be great. If you don't want to post in the comment section, drop me an email at armonroe (at) gmail.com.
At my last congregation there was a need for unity between the two youth programs. Rather than complain about it, we got concerned parties together every other month to make sure that everything remained on the up and up for the good of the total ministry of our church, not abandoning the younger youth because they were not able to do things, and not to write off the older youth because they did not have compassion for the younger members. That worked.
That also brings me to our current project! I will be forthcoming in saying that Anny and I, though we work well together, have never had any urge to start a group from scratch. That is mostly due to Anny's introverted nature, and my wanting to make sure that she's happy. We are both so excited about putting together a ministry like this one, not just for us for for all involved, that we decided that I would torn up my planning side and she would turn her extroversion up a little.
So, our new project: a ministry for parents with children under the age of 5. It really stemmed from the fact that we have a group of folks that we know on an every-Sunday basis that we would like to get to know in a better context. We don't have many friends around where we live with kids (though one couple will be having theirs anytime now!) and don't want to hang out with parenting groups all the way up in Columbia.
In particular I'm peeved that any parent groups that I can find mention of in the greater DC area are aimed at moms OR dads, whichever is a StayAtHome. StayAtHome would be an awesome idea for either of us, but we have chosen paths that are not the money makers that we could be in, and we have acknowledged that as we have grown our life together. I want to do things as a family, not just a Dad group or a Mom group. I understand that both of those have value, but we really do work well together and want Abby to grow up knowing that.
Our problem with our Parents of Young Children group is that we don't have any curriculum or direction with what to do with our time. I have gotten one recommendation from an Educator freind, but it looks like the resource is out of print and I can't find it on Amazon.
So, my question/plea is: do you know of any good materials for gatherings of parents? It does not have to be church based necessarily, because I have never been good at following the pages I've been given and will adjust as needed anyway.
If you're a part of a group (inside or outside the church, it just happens to be our place of choice) of this nature, what sort of things do you do in your program time?
Any help would be great. If you don't want to post in the comment section, drop me an email at armonroe (at) gmail.com.
August 13, 2007
The Greatest Compliment Ever
I have gotten the greatest compliment that I can think of twice this weekend.
"You look like a father. It fits you so well!"
The truth is that we waited and worked long an hard for Abby to be a part of our family. I won't go into that here, but that's an important part of why I'm so excited to have her with us now. She really has made our house a home.
I have begun to take the 2 am feedings in preparation for the school year starting next week (for teachers like Anny). Do you know how little there is on TV between 2 and 4 am? When it was 1:00 there were still the LateLate shows on. I have been watching all of the Last Comic Standing episodes and deleting them off of the TiVo as I go along. I have secret desires to try out for the show one year. I know that I have funny stories, but does that translate to comedy? I doubt it.
Here's a picture of us chillin on Friday afternoon.
I'm glad that I get to be her daddy.
"You look like a father. It fits you so well!"
The truth is that we waited and worked long an hard for Abby to be a part of our family. I won't go into that here, but that's an important part of why I'm so excited to have her with us now. She really has made our house a home.
I have begun to take the 2 am feedings in preparation for the school year starting next week (for teachers like Anny). Do you know how little there is on TV between 2 and 4 am? When it was 1:00 there were still the LateLate shows on. I have been watching all of the Last Comic Standing episodes and deleting them off of the TiVo as I go along. I have secret desires to try out for the show one year. I know that I have funny stories, but does that translate to comedy? I doubt it.
|
| From August 2007 |
Here's a picture of us chillin on Friday afternoon.
I'm glad that I get to be her daddy.
August 08, 2007
How do You Drive Traffic to your Website?
At my church we are trying to prepare for an onslaught of new employees at Fort Meade through Base Relocation efforts in the works. Some are hoping that new people in town will translate to more people in the seats on Sunday. Some do not share in that hope. "We're okay the way we are." (I hate that notion, but that's a different post for a different day.)
I fall into the camp of open-armed members that would love to have some new folks with us each week!
We are located close enough to the base that we should be able to attract attention, but I certainly can't find any! When I google phrases that I think should pop up our beloved church, I get others that are farther away.
Being that we're a medium sized church we don't do much in the way of advertising. The denomination is slow to perform in that area too, which is disapointing. I have seen the UCC and United Methodist advertisements and they get my attention every time. Jealous? Yes.
I know that I have some churchy folks that read my blog from time to time and so I pose this question:
How are you using the web, specifically, to bring in visitors?
What other types of advertising do you do?
I fall into the camp of open-armed members that would love to have some new folks with us each week!
We are located close enough to the base that we should be able to attract attention, but I certainly can't find any! When I google phrases that I think should pop up our beloved church, I get others that are farther away.
Being that we're a medium sized church we don't do much in the way of advertising. The denomination is slow to perform in that area too, which is disapointing. I have seen the UCC and United Methodist advertisements and they get my attention every time. Jealous? Yes.
I know that I have some churchy folks that read my blog from time to time and so I pose this question:
How are you using the web, specifically, to bring in visitors?
What other types of advertising do you do?
One Year to the Day
One year until the Summer Olympics. All of the news outlets are making a big deal about it.
I'm more of a team sport fan, so the summer games are not fun for me.
Do you care about the summer games?
I'm more of a team sport fan, so the summer games are not fun for me.
Do you care about the summer games?
August 01, 2007
I Have a Hard Time with Art
I have only been to an art gallery on purpose once. I went there to meet up with friends, not necessarily to see the art. (I have been to art galleries because we were downtown and didn't want to walk the Mall.) The art was a nice sideshow. (A REALLY nice sideshow, it was Georgia O'Keefe's tour at the Natioanal Gallery of Art!)
It is often hard for me to see art as art.
Pottery - YES!
Paintings - YES!
Sculptures - Most of the time.
Masking Tape - Hell no!
If you have not heard about this story, you can see video HERE.
This to me is some boring, lazy guy spending way too much time and money in his house. It's like a rubber-band-ball. It hardly ever starts out as a RBB, but once you have a dozen or so in a ball, it becomes fun.
Not art.
Am I way off base to think that this guy is more of an idiot than an artist?
It is often hard for me to see art as art.
Pottery - YES!
Paintings - YES!
Sculptures - Most of the time.
Masking Tape - Hell no!
If you have not heard about this story, you can see video HERE.
This to me is some boring, lazy guy spending way too much time and money in his house. It's like a rubber-band-ball. It hardly ever starts out as a RBB, but once you have a dozen or so in a ball, it becomes fun.
Not art.
Am I way off base to think that this guy is more of an idiot than an artist?
July 26, 2007
What You Don't Notice Could Hurt Me
Take a minute and go grab your deodorant. No really, I can wait.
Have you ever noticed that line on the back before? No, well I have. "Please consult your physician if you have kidney disease." Wha!?
Do you remember being told when you were younger that deodorant would cause cancer? (If not, you must have had nice friends. Mine reminded us of it every day after Gym Class.) While it may not cause cancer, it can cause problems for people with kidney diseases of all sorts.
For years I ignored this. Then I decided about six months ago that it was time to at least find the one without that notice. People with kidney problems don't smell bad, so they have to be using something, right?
I settled on one and was pleased (Speed Stick, for those curious). When I made a quick run to Target to gather some final things for the St Louis/Iowa trip I grabbed up my SStick and, much to my dismay, discovered the same warning where there was no warning before. Bummer.
I decided that I needed to research to find out exactly why certain deodorants were a problem and some were not. I found out that deodorants that are also anti-persperants contain aluminum which can get into your bloodstream and further cause damage. Not a relief necessarily, but at least I have the information to find what I'm looking for.
After deciding that I really should wear some sort of anti-stink for the tight-quarters drive from St Louis to Iowa I made another trip to Target. This time I had the information I needed to make a smart purchase. As it turns out, Degree has just come out with two different Aluminum-free deoderants! Woo Hoo!
So, I want to know: have you noticed that label before? Have you cared? I have put up a poll on the right and would love to hear from you! (Yes, I am just trying out the Blogger Poll feature, thanksforasking!)
Have you ever noticed that line on the back before? No, well I have. "Please consult your physician if you have kidney disease." Wha!?
Do you remember being told when you were younger that deodorant would cause cancer? (If not, you must have had nice friends. Mine reminded us of it every day after Gym Class.) While it may not cause cancer, it can cause problems for people with kidney diseases of all sorts.
For years I ignored this. Then I decided about six months ago that it was time to at least find the one without that notice. People with kidney problems don't smell bad, so they have to be using something, right?
I settled on one and was pleased (Speed Stick, for those curious). When I made a quick run to Target to gather some final things for the St Louis/Iowa trip I grabbed up my SStick and, much to my dismay, discovered the same warning where there was no warning before. Bummer.
I decided that I needed to research to find out exactly why certain deodorants were a problem and some were not. I found out that deodorants that are also anti-persperants contain aluminum which can get into your bloodstream and further cause damage. Not a relief necessarily, but at least I have the information to find what I'm looking for.
After deciding that I really should wear some sort of anti-stink for the tight-quarters drive from St Louis to Iowa I made another trip to Target. This time I had the information I needed to make a smart purchase. As it turns out, Degree has just come out with two different Aluminum-free deoderants! Woo Hoo!
So, I want to know: have you noticed that label before? Have you cared? I have put up a poll on the right and would love to hear from you! (Yes, I am just trying out the Blogger Poll feature, thanksforasking!)
July 24, 2007
Whirlwind Weekend!
Last Thursday night began our long-but-short family weekend trip.
Thursday night the three of us hopped a plane from Baltimore to Saint Louis in the late evening hours. Much to our surprise, 3 1/2 year old Ellie was still awake and excited at 9:30 at night. She was mostly excited to finally meet her new cousin Abby. She was very pleased to see that we came along too. I think....
Friday morning we had a relaxed theme. A little shopping and a lot of playing with three little girls preceeded a nice time with Sarahlynn's mom and mom's friends. Really nice to have met them, they seem like they could get into a lot of fun and a lot of trouble all at the same time!
Friday afternoon we loaded up the van for the drive up to Iowa. Four adults, one toddler and two infants in the minivan. It was fun, but I think I watched WAY too much Finding Nemo! By the time we got back on Sunday, I was confident that I could go to a drawing board and map out the story for you, scene by scene.
Saturday in Iowa we went to a memorial service for Anny's grandfather. It was nice, though I must admit that I missed a lot of it. Abby was fussy, and it was much more important to me that she be fully there. I think/hope that she apreciated it. On our way back to the house we picked up a couple of copies of Harry Potter so that folks would not completely miss the train.
In the evening we enjoyed time just hanging out with family. That's the reason to make the Christmas in July trip every year. Kids playing, adults catching up. Just plain fun times!
Sunday afternoon we made a diversion stop to take a family picture with all of the grandchildren in Anny's immediate family side. All three girls were awake and alert through the whole thing! We could not have asked for a better time there, either. When we were done there, we loaded back up and headed for Saint Louis again.
Monday we caught a mid-morning flight home. By the time we landed and made it home, we were all pretty beat. After a quick dinner with Nadia and SuperUncle, we called it an early night.
We'll go back next year. There is even discussion about a spring break trip to Wyoming. That will have to be more than a quick weekend......
I love time with family!
Thursday night the three of us hopped a plane from Baltimore to Saint Louis in the late evening hours. Much to our surprise, 3 1/2 year old Ellie was still awake and excited at 9:30 at night. She was mostly excited to finally meet her new cousin Abby. She was very pleased to see that we came along too. I think....
Friday morning we had a relaxed theme. A little shopping and a lot of playing with three little girls preceeded a nice time with Sarahlynn's mom and mom's friends. Really nice to have met them, they seem like they could get into a lot of fun and a lot of trouble all at the same time!
Friday afternoon we loaded up the van for the drive up to Iowa. Four adults, one toddler and two infants in the minivan. It was fun, but I think I watched WAY too much Finding Nemo! By the time we got back on Sunday, I was confident that I could go to a drawing board and map out the story for you, scene by scene.
Saturday in Iowa we went to a memorial service for Anny's grandfather. It was nice, though I must admit that I missed a lot of it. Abby was fussy, and it was much more important to me that she be fully there. I think/hope that she apreciated it. On our way back to the house we picked up a couple of copies of Harry Potter so that folks would not completely miss the train.
In the evening we enjoyed time just hanging out with family. That's the reason to make the Christmas in July trip every year. Kids playing, adults catching up. Just plain fun times!
Sunday afternoon we made a diversion stop to take a family picture with all of the grandchildren in Anny's immediate family side. All three girls were awake and alert through the whole thing! We could not have asked for a better time there, either. When we were done there, we loaded back up and headed for Saint Louis again.
Monday we caught a mid-morning flight home. By the time we landed and made it home, we were all pretty beat. After a quick dinner with Nadia and SuperUncle, we called it an early night.
We'll go back next year. There is even discussion about a spring break trip to Wyoming. That will have to be more than a quick weekend......
I love time with family!
July 16, 2007
Coupon Craziness
I assume that you have received "great coupons" at the checkout of your local grocery store, or perhaps CVS. I believe the intent is to target coupons to each customer based on their purchase. Get you hooked on a product that correlates. Easy marketing.
A good example is:
You buy a bottle of wine.
They reason/deduce/assume that you are drink wine.
The coupon is for a new, different wine company.
Another good example is:
I bought Tostitos Chips. (Can't eat potato chips because of potassium. I miss potato chips!)
They figured that I like me some tortilla chips. (And very right they are!)
The coupon is for Queso Dip. Good call.
In reality, though, I have experienced some pretty strange purchase-to-coupon transactions.
I bought five pounds of post-Halloween candy.
They reason that I like candy and sugar.
They should have give me a coupon for more candy, perhaps a different brand.
The coupon is for toothpaste!
I sure didn't like the implication there!
What sort of fun non-corresponding purchase-to-coupon's have you received?
A good example is:
You buy a bottle of wine.
They reason/deduce/assume that you are drink wine.
The coupon is for a new, different wine company.
Another good example is:
I bought Tostitos Chips. (Can't eat potato chips because of potassium. I miss potato chips!)
They figured that I like me some tortilla chips. (And very right they are!)
The coupon is for Queso Dip. Good call.
In reality, though, I have experienced some pretty strange purchase-to-coupon transactions.
I bought five pounds of post-Halloween candy.
They reason that I like candy and sugar.
They should have give me a coupon for more candy, perhaps a different brand.
The coupon is for toothpaste!
I sure didn't like the implication there!
What sort of fun non-corresponding purchase-to-coupon's have you received?
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