How Rong

Chinese food for supper. How does it all taste the same?
Work again as if the long weekend never was. I do enjoy parts of it. I enjoy listening to music at my desk and learning new things. I enjoy the help of a feller up in Minnesota. I enjoy my breaks. I enjoy chatting with a feller in New Mexico once in awhile. I enjoy my plants. Got one to add to the garden soon. It will tie the room together, Dude.

Baby boo hoo

Milo was up for an hour in the middle of the night, just shrieking up a storm. Who knows why.

Christmas program

We had our children's program at church this morning. It was cute and mercifully short. I was running the sound and the lights. We had many practices and I still had a hard time hitting my cues. Korbin did a fine job.
Glad it's a short week until Christmas. Dawn is fighting a bug, and i'm hoping no one else catches it.

Cirque du church

A long day at church. The regular sound guy was on his honeymoon, and we had a fun time trying to get the stage all set up for the morning worship set. Lots of cords running hither and yon. I'm sure it will all need to be redone in a couple weeks. After church, the stage was taken apart again and the kids' Christmas play props were set up. It was mostly fun, however.

Let it snow

We got a covering of snow overnight. It's an adjustment. I need to get out of bed earlier if I hope to shovel the driveway and sidewalk and clean off the cars. It takes longer to drive to work as well. Thankfully, there were no accidents on my route. I will be a happy bear if I can crawl into bed early tonight.

Good weekend

It's been a nice 5 days. Too bad work is always waiting at the end. I remember thinking how great it would be to finally be done with school. Now I have much longer to wait until work is done. I suppose I am doing the wrong job if I feel this way about it. Wrong attitude maybe.
We saw many people we like and love over the holiday. It was nice to be home with the kids for a big stretch.

Not as think as you dumb

There's some kind of bad mojo between me and my brother but i'm not sure what the source is. Alls pins and needles when we are together. It's easiest to stay away, frankly.
Big church dinner today. It counts as thanksgiving #1 probably. We had a nice time. Dawn has to go back in a couple hours for her sister's baby shower. I got to make a diaper cake. Lots of fun really. Crafting in front of the TV, watching an old sci-fi thriller. Good times.

Programming

The kids' Christmas program practice was a lot of fun this morning. I am going to do the soundman duties with the help of young Josiah. We had a good time. I hope the directors don't lose their cool before the big performance. Kids are unruly! Lots of counting going on. It let's the kids know that they need to be quiet and settle down. Glad i'm not in charge of that rabble.

Rents

Remember trainspotting? What a great cast. And a great soundtrack.
If all goes as planned, I should soon have my old house rented. It's sparkling wonderfully clean and good looking. The circumstances seem good, so i'm prepared to be a landlord for now. Better to have it occupied through the winter. Better to earn a little return on my ridiculous investment. Live and learn and learn and learn.

Grind

Back to it. I'm here for the insurance. Plus I've had some good learning opportunities lately. But I wonder what kind of job I could have that made me feel eager to go there in the mornings. I am glad Dawn's sister is back in town for awhile. Her help will ease the transition for Dawn. An extra infant doubles the work.

Short week

Time flies when you're constantly monitoring your child. The younger they are, the more attention they require. Probably too general... At least he is progressing well. Put on 2 oz since yesterday. The nurse also drew blood to check bilirubins again. If they've dropped enough, we can get rid of the bili blanket that makes him glow all day and night. He's stuck at home until then.

Deprivation

Sleep is good. I miss it so.

Homing

We have been given clearance. Milo passed all his tests, as well as Dawn. Everybody is doing well. It's amazing what a different experience this has been from asher's birth. It's so nice to have milo in the room with us all the time, not hooked up to tubes, not locked in an incubator. He's a perfectly healthy little boy, ready for the big world outside.
I'm excited to see how home life will change now that we are five. Asher will probably have the most adjusting to do. He's not the baby anymore!

First of many

Milo had his first (sponge) bath, and his first bowel movement! He's doing fine, even though he keeps getting woken up for his checkups. If he passes the car seat test, we'll be taking him home tomorrow.

It's out!

Milo is his name-o

The real one

Missing church to go have another shot at birth. Feels like the real deal. Sounds like it anyway. Feels the same to me. Still need a middle name, Laverne.

Immortal Frodo

I was listening to my tiny collection of homemade songs last night, lamenting the poor singing, but satisfied with the music more often than not. I heard on the radio this morning, an interview with Paul Simon's son who is putting out his first (I think) solo album at the age of 37. Made me wonder if time will ever allow me to sit and write and record some songs. Or at least record some music for other people's lyrics. It's still a dream. I think it may come to pass before too long. It's easy to broadcast yourself these days.

Mercenary for hire

One time in a book I read (after my brother told me how cool it was) they mentioned "soldier of fortune" magazine. I thought that was silly. Then one day I saw a copy of it at hyvee. I bought it. It was pretty silly, but obviously taken seriously by someone. Guys who leave the military and don't know how to do anything else. Of people who like to fight, maybe. Then I remember hearing about Blackwater over in Iraq. Soldiers of fortune working for our government. Bizarre line of work if you ask me.
Anyway, I was thinking the etymology of freelance was from a similar circumstance. A hired gun maybe. I'm working on a web design project and finding it to be just as much work as anything else. Plus a bit more frustrating while I'm low on the learning curve yet again.

Happy Halloween

We had a good beggar's night last night. Visited friends and family, and took the car so we wouldn't freeze. Korbin was a pirate, and Asher stayed with grandma and grandpa G. Today is busy and laid back at the same time. If I drink enough coffee, I can stay ahead of events. Rapping like cassidy

Flock

I heard a lot of birds fly over our house this morning. As I was leaving for work, I heard them flying the other way. I looked out the window and saw them in a great swarming cloud, flying over the trees.
I think we will have a baby soon. I'm feeling stressed about it. Not prepared for the labor and birth. Not prepared for bringing another child home. I'm looking forward to the end of pregnancy, however. The anticipation starts to fray the nerves after awhile.

Zebras libras

Korbin and I are reading a cool book at bedtimes. It's the something something of Hugo Cabret. Very cool pictures, and a good mystery. Korbin has a bit of trouble keeping focused on the plot, but we review the previous night's highlights before moving on, so he's getting it.
I am also re-reading one of my all time favorite books, Neuromancer. When i'm done with that I have a few more on deck. Never ending.

Brand new

It's wonderful to learn a better way of doing the things you have to do every day. Well, I think so. Let's say this... It's wonderful to REALIZE that there is a better way, and then to use it. Sometimes I am told it is better, but don't agree.
Plus I am getting a haircut today!

Bright and...

What a wonderful morning. Church goes off in 10 mins. We are sadly underprepared. Chore chore chore..

First of many

Last night we went to a Halloween party hosted by Qwest at one of there big garages. Dawn had the boys all decked out in pirate costumes. They looked cool. The crowd was nice. Not too many crazy. We were all impressed by the fire truck they had on display. They're huge!
Seems like we have something seasonal planned for most weekend days until the end of the month. Plus a few extra things at church and friends' houses. We'll be halloweened out by the time beggars night comes around. Tis the season. Followed by another season...

Marry the cup

First day as sound man. Good times. Had a nice time with Chris and Judy after church. They are good hosts. Generous. Had a practice for the Christmas program too. I'm ready for bed. Weekends go by quickly. Weeks go by quickly. Zip zop

Ask you

What a surprise this morning. We woke up and found snow on the ground! After breakfast it started to snow again. Big lazy flakes dropping out of the sky. Korbin was so excited that winter was here. We all decided to take a little trip downtown to see the new sculpture garden in the snow. It was very beautiful. Asher loved the snow. Soon we were all cold, so we drove to get some coffee and cocoa. Then we drove through some nice, quiet neighborhoods, looking at the trees and plants dusted with snow. It is more beautiful since the plants have not died off yet. What an awesome rare image of snow on flowers and green grass.

Missed again

I completely forgot about my dad's birthday. It was on the 7th. I feel schmucky about it. I'm way under connected to my family. Dawn's side is all around us and fills the family gap so much that I forget to concentrate on my side. I have this sweet calendar on my phone. I ought to use it.

Fleece

I am wearing donated fleece today. It fits well enough. I like long sleeved garb.
I'm wondering if it's a bad idea to give up mowing for the year. Sunday is supposed to be in the upper twenties, so the grass must go dormant soon. Is it too long to be healthy? Will it smother itself? I just really don't want to mow any more.

Long expected

Big church day. If I were a voting member, I would have been at church from 8am to 330pm. That's a full day. But if the musical Christmas extravaganza goes off as planned, it should be worth the effort. I did get a nice lunch just me and the boys. It's good to have their attention for awhile. I am the passive one, and when there is a crowd, I don't vie effectively for attention from my kids. Unless it's disciplinary, and that's no fun.

Cycle of life

Yesterday we celebrated Asher's birthday. This morning Dawn's grandfather died.
The engine runs till it quits.

Happy birthday

Yesterday was Asher's 1st birthday! Personally, I enjoyed the majority of the day, after about 8:00. We had a long night prior to that, but we had a good recovery. Dawn's sister and her husband are a great blessing. They helped us a lot, and we enjoyed our time with them afterward. Tonight, the little family pocket will go to a restaurant and celebrate Asher's milestone. He will likely be oblivious to the moment, but should have a good time anyway.

New image

I was walking in to work and the ground was still wet from last night's rain. The air was cool and the sun was just clearing the cloud bank that had soaked us overnight as it headed East. I thought how idyllic the scenery was. Water droplets on leaves whose colors are just starting to change. Wet, reflective concrete underfoot. Shiny grass. At another time, in another place, this would be a perfect day. So I realized that my attitude was a product of my obligation to be at work instead of free to walk through this wonderland with my eyes wide open.
I work for the weekend. For vacation. For retirement.

World wide!

There is no end to the work. If I want, there are four or five websites to build right now! Problem is finding time to do it. I doubt I would do it efficiently to start with, so I will require even more time. I'm not ready to leave my insurance behind. Not ready to skip paychecks. Not ready to live in the basement all day, debugging my work.

Lofty

Next time we'll choose a room with a door. Opportunity doesn't knock. Opportunity runs past your door and if you're quick enough, you can throw the door open and tackle it before your neighbor gets the chance.

Cabin fever

The trip was good. Had a good night playing quiddler and talking, laughing. Korbin did well. Had a soapy eyed bath and went to sleep in the loft without a problem. This morning we woke before everyone and stressed over breakfast and tie dye project. After we ate and had a bit of coffee and relaxed, we're doing pretty well. Home is nice because you have no one but yourselves to evaluate your actions. In a crowd, especially of family, everything is fodder for advice or humor. Ill advised and in a black humor in the morning. Bless the evening. Pressure is off

Worth it

Vacation, albeit a short one, begins today. It's a lot of stressful over-preparing, followed by a long car ride. I'm hoping the ride is peaceful. I hope it restores our calm.

Bombs away

if smell is any indication, I'd say our latest flea fogger attempt is bound to succeed. Nothing quite like the odor of poisonous vapor masquerading as air freshener. So we have a lot of laundry to do or a lot of sanitary preconceptions to overcome. If it's anything like last time, i'm sure we'll find the middle ground and live to tell about it.

Peanut gallery

What does that even mean? I'll have to check wiktionary for the origin. I washed my hair with a soapy washcloth this morning and have finally noticed that it looks pretty wild. Ah so.
Trying to convert strings to integers. Trying to update my phone software so I can listen to radio, hoping to hear some Beastie Boys. My ipod is full of Phish, and i'm ready for a change.

Upgrade

I was listing the trendy services and appliances that our family uses. It seems like I need additional appliances to keep up with the services.
I feel like someday I will be skilled enough at something that I can sell the time I spend doing it. Dream

Labor day

Had a big breakfast at Machine Shed, went to little Mexico for a candy-filled parade, injured the baby, took a nap, got some coffee and groceries, expecting a nice dinner with family. Plus me and Korbin completed another level of Star Wars Legos on the Wii!

Brunch

Had a nice brunch with the wife's extended family. I helped cook and it was lots of fun. They're getting ready to play games now.
Church was good. It's nice to arrive with one attitude and leave with another. A better one, certainly. As much as group dynamics ensure a degree of political conflict, God is still over all and still helping and fixing his people.

Mental health day

Learning

I realize that I should be learning better methods. Specifically at work, but elsewhere in my life too, i'm sure. I've spent a lot of time doing things a certain way while other people have been busy doing the same things better and faster with a new method, a new set of tools. I must thank Ian for introducing me to jQuery.

Ponyo

Finally got it watched, against better judgement. As soon as we got home, it was time to turn around and hit the cousin's birthday party. We're grievously underprepared

Duty calls

Early morning today. I had to get the kids ready and put the door by 7 so I could make it out to the day care and back in time for work. That means waking up early, which is not fun for me. Thankfully, Asher slept the whole night through without waking to feed! Good boy. Korbin woke up and got dressed with a little coaxing, but he was helpful with his bro. We left a little later than I'd hoped, but we were doing fine.
Sadly my grand home-cleaning scheme has yet to begin. Kids take a lot of attention. I'm lucky to get a load of dishes washed. Two more days!

Keeps me singing

Day one as a single parent. It went fairly well, I'll say. Korbin was thrilled to get his ikea night lights up and working. We spent a couple hours hanging out in his room, all there of us. We played with legos and dominoes and at lunch on his bed. Asher is doing ok. Ate well, napped well. Got the lawn mowed with some father in law help. Ready to go serve now!

Red shirt day

Dawn flies away tomorrow. How will I fare? We shall see. Nice if I didn't have to go to work.
Tess departs this evening. She's clean and flealess and ready to go. What awaits her, I can't begin to guess. I'm just excited about getting rid of the dog hair once and for all.

Plastic diaper

Naps in order. All around. Church sure was weirdly overwrought today. Putting on an elaborate show, hoping to create emotions that may mature into Christian attitudes. Lots of work. And it looks like work at the end of the day.
But lunch was good. The kids are cool.

Miss

Some days you walk into walls until bedtime. Today was a lesson in humility. The more I think I am, the more vulnerable I am to abasement.
Ah, peace. More, please.

Boon

We went to watch the hot air balloons last night. They came floating in from the south east by the dozens. It was really cool. The pilots all tried to toss their markers on a big pink X that was laid out in the field. Some were very skilled. Korbin had a good time playing on the inflated thingums, and he won a sword at the carnie bean bag toss. Later he made friends with some older kids who also had swords. They were very cordial to Korbin and made him feel cool. We met some people we knew and sat with them as it got dark. A few balloons put on a "night glow" for us, but it was a little windy and hard for them to keep their balloons in place. All in all, a good time.