Friday, November 09, 2007

Yes, I am still alive.

Sorry, I haven't posted in awhile. Lots been going on.

  • I resigned from my position on the Communications/Marketing Committee. Too much drama to deal with.
  • I became a registered Girl Scout (Don't Ask). Mainly so I could be a Co-Service Unit Cookie Manager with Amy. We manage around 60 troops and their cookie orders.
  • I got a second part-time job back at the Print shop I used to work at, AlphaGraphics.
  • Still going to school.
  • Working on more training at work, to have more responsibilities.
  • Amy and I became Creative Memories Consultants. Mainly because they came out with so many new opportunities for folks and their photos! Contact us for more info!
Just lots of stuff. So I have been really busy. I get about 4 hours of sleep a day, sort of. It's been hectic.

Talk later when I ain't so tired!

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Tuesday, February 20, 2007

A Blogger's Assignment... Things that mystify me


I'm not a writer in the least bit, and I don't blog as much as I probably should, but I thought I would give this assignment a try.

So... the thing that mystify me...

Ya know, when I signed up for this assignment, I didn't think it would be too hard to come up with something. I mean, my wife mystifies me, my kids, even my very bizarre and often dysfunctional relatives mystify me.

But what really mystifies me. Hell, for that matter, what exactly does mystify mean? Lets take a look...
mys·ti·fy [mis-tuh-fahy] –verb (used with object), -fied, -fy·ing.
1.to perplex (a person) by playing upon the person's credulity; bewilder purposely.
2.to involve in mystery or obscurity.
Umm... Okay... now I am a bit more confused...
cre·du·li·ty [kruh-doo-li-tee, -dyoo-] –noun
willingness to believe or trust too readily, esp. without proper or adequate evidence; gullibility.
Hmm... that wasn't really helpful... Lets try again...
mys·ti·fy Pronunciation (mst-f)
tr.v. mys·ti·fied, mys·ti·fy·ing, mys·ti·fies
1. To confuse or puzzle mentally. See Synonyms at puzzle.
2. To make obscure or mysterious.
Okay, that makes better sense. Even though I like to think I know everything, I don't.

Seeing that second definition, I think I'll choose to talk about my wife. She puzzles me mentally and she is also obscure and mysterious. But what exactly about her mystifies me?

One thing I don't get, is why she does things a certain way even though she knows that another way would provide better results.

For instance, she will swear she told me to do something or gave me a piece of information, that apparently was vital, even though I am pretty sure she never did.

Okay, I will admit, that most of the time she probably did tell me. But, my brain is very full. I have to take care of the bills, the budget, I am on the Board at my community's cooperative, as well as the chairperson of a committee, I work 3rd shift, I help my son with cub scouts. I mean, I can only retain so much. There are established rules to presenting information to me in my family:
  1. You must have eye contact. This is crucial! If I break away, then you have lost my attention and need to start all over. I can have full on conversations with people, but if I am looking at something else or my computer, then I am on auto pilot and not listening to what your saying. I am just giving our established responses to questions, "uh-huh, That's fine, whatever you decide, yes dear" those kinds of things.
  2. You need to have me repeat back what you have said, so you know that I have it all and that it is in my brain somewhere. But again, with eye contact, I have been known to repeat things back when on auto pilot.
  3. You probably should also write it down for me or have me write it down and place it somewhere I will constantly see it. Post it on my computer is handy, or set an alarm on my PDA. Email works best!
Okay, Looking at the above makes me seem like I am really incompetent. I'm not, but for vital information, those steps should be followed.

Sad part is, my wife knows this! We have had full discussion of this! But she never follows through on this! So how can I be at fault for forgetting things!

It also doesn't help that she has a photographic memory. She uses the argument that she never forgets anything I tell her! But yet, that same memory doesn't work for her when she has to drive somewhere for the second or third time. Go figure!

Another thing that mystifies me about her... I don't get why she decides to 'play dumb' whenever it involves showing her something on the computer.

She used to program computer code with her mother when she was a teen, yet she can't figure out how to sort a column in Excel, or other beginner functions. No matter how many times I tell her either. I think she does it so that I will get fed up and do it for her. But this woman strives on efficiency, so wouldn't it be efficient for her to do it herself?

And last but not least, I don't get how she is allowed to say or do stuff, but if I try to say or do the same types of things, I get in trouble! We're equal here, so I should be allowed to swear when I stub my toe!

The more I think on all this, the more I think she does these things just to get to me.

Matter of fact, I think she may have actually told me that once or twice... but I don't think she had made eye contact, so I can't be sure on that.

Even though my wife mystifies (okay... annoys) me on the above, I love her and wouldn't change a thing!

Other's who are participating in this assignment:

kmsqrd
Jen Mathis
Alley Katt
Ziji Wangmo
Hooray For Saturday
Groanin' Jock
Blue Witch
Tim
ally bean
Rayne of Terror
BD
Dan
Mary
Tish
Phil
Tricia
MsShad

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Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Christmas Photos

In case I missed anyone, Here is our Christmas Card for this year:


And our "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" one:


And one of me:


And of course, my funny pose:


As usual, all photos were taken by me and the Christmas Card is a Bert Jones Original! Enjoy!

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Christmas Memories

Well, Christmas is over. Seems like it went by so fast this year.

The kids got a lot of presents this year, I think they got everything they wanted.

Where to start, where to start?

This was Riley's first Christmas, so of course I had to videotape them coming down the hallway. Seeing all the presents and then reading Santa's note... too bad I didn't hit the record button. So they had to 'do-over' the whole thing! LOL.

Riley was his usual smiley self. We tried going round-robin style with the presents, but he was getting unhappy, so we had him open all his. (Grandma helped). He liked ripping the paper open.

Mikayla got a doodle bear, some other toys and hair stuff.

Dominic got He-Man toys that he was really excited about! Lego Star Wars (which him and I played on Christmas day and Yesterday. We have finished both episodes and only have episode 3 left!

Courtney got hair stuff and a few other goodies (I honestly can't remember what thought, I know some stuffed animals).

The kids all got Guitar Hero II. I thought they were gonna pee their pants they were so excited! I also got the whole family a 300GB network storage drive to store all their files, since we all shared computers around the house.

Amy got the food dehydrator she wanted, a makeup kit from Mikayla, A bath set from Courtney and one from Cindy. A crystal Lamp (pink) from Dominic.

I got some scrapbooking supplies (Oh and so did the girls!) and a pajama/sleepwear set and a replacement white long sleeve shirt that got ruined in the wash.

I will be getting the World of Warcraft Expansion Pack in January as well.

then the family became sick (except me). So that was tough, missed a day of work (add to that getting no holiday pay) so this weeks hours are gonna be really short!

Still really tired from having so much fun though this weekend... Can't wait for New Years Day when I can get drunk in World of Warcraft!

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Wednesday, December 20, 2006

You Made This A Christmas to Remember...

If you know me, you should know what that title is from...my absolutle FAVORITE Christmas Song.

Okay, you should know me pretty well...like family member well.

Anyways, it isn't Christmas unless I can hear that album... and fortunately for me, I have the original TV special that goes with it on VHS (that I happened to convert to DVD last year!).
Don't know how or when, but I know will meet again. Blowin back to somehwere, like some wild restless winter's wind.
Sorry, can you tell I am listening to it right now?
Tho the fire is hot, will just have to let it simmer
Sorry...

Everytime I listen to this song, I think of Amy. Actually, any of those mushy kind of songs I think of my wife... You would think after being together for 10 years I would be over that... nope!

I have a feeling that I will be rambling in this post. It is 4:41 in the morning and NOTHING to do at work...
CHRISTMAS... The snows comin down,
CHRISTMAS... I'm watchin it fall
CHRISTMAS... Lot's of people around,
CHRISTMAS... Baby please come home
Sorry, another good Christmas song I like just came on. Ya know, I didn't used to like Christmas. Okay, I did...but only because I got presents. But then I met Amy. And she totally changed my attitude about it.

Okay, I still like getting presents the most. But just having the house decorated, Christmas music playing, baking cookies, making fudge...you can't help but get into the spirit.
All I want for Christmas is you....oooooooo Baby!
Hehe...I just got caught by a co-worker rockin out to my Christmas music...I am just sittin here boppin my head away, like there is no tomorrow...hey, at least I am staying awake! Unlike the rest of this week when I was sick...sick for 1.5 weeks!

Okay, back to my wife and Christmas...would you like to know what my most favoritest and memorable Christmas memory is?

When I met Amy in '97, it was around October. We started dating in November (November 30 to be exact) and my Mom and I were the only ones you liked to decorate the house for Christmas.

My dad, the regular scrooge when it came to decorating (he liked the gift part) had us always put up decorations on my mom's birthday (Dec. 16) and take them down the day after Christmas.

Not a whole lot of time to get into the Christmas mood.

Well, the year of 97 was pretty rough. I lost my job, my sister was having personal problems, My mom was working 3 jobs (found out later to avoid my dad) and my life was very confusing.

So my mom and I were not going to decorate for Christmas. Add to that we didn't really have money for gifts, so Christmas was pretty bleak. I was really bummed out, because it was a tradition with my mom and I as we decorate the tree with ornaments my sister and I made throughout the years.

I don't remember the date, but I think it was in the beginning of December, Amy, My mom and I were gonna go to the Mall of America. Except I was really sick that Saturday, so my mom and Amy were gonna go, while I rested. I literally slept the whole day.

Finally that evening, Amy comes into my room and wakes me up. The room is pitch black and I am just out of it and not sure what is happening.

She helps me to the door and I can't figure out why the hallway is so dark, it can't be that dark in my house (I am still in my bedroom at this point)...

So I start to walk into the hallway and there is paper covering my door! Turns out it is wrapping paper! So I open my "Gift", which is the rest of my house and walk into the livingroom.

There is our Christmas tree, all decked out, decorated. The railing is all decorated, the works. Top it off, there is presents under the tree too and a few of my friends are over as well!

Amy spent the day with my mom gathering my friends, buying decorations and presents and decorating the house and wrapping gifts while I slept!

That was my favoritest Christmas ever! (Well, next to the sharing my children's first Christmas')

Isn't she sweet. A year later we find the actual presents she had bouht for me, but lost in the move to the mobile home in Hilltop. She bought me two Nike Brand Shirt and Boss Brand Jeans. The first actual brand name clothing I ever had! I still have the jeans! I lost the shirts over the years.

Well, almost time for lunch for me...so I guess I should sign off now...

Have a Merry Christmas all and a Happy New Year!

Oh, and in case you didin't figure it out, here is my favorite album and the lyrics to my favorite song:

Dolly & Kenny's Once Upon A Christmas

A Christmas to Remember

Both:
You've made this a Christmas to remember
Springtime feelin's in the middle of December
Strangers meet and willingly surrender
Oh! What a Christmas to remember

Kenny:
Almost went to Aspen but something told me no
I considered Mammoth but there wasn't enough snow
And I even thought of Gatlinburg, it seemed so far to go
So I headed up to Tahoe for a Christmas on the slopes

Dolly:
And I had fantasized about Christmas in this way
Curled up by a fireplace in a Tahoe ski chalet
With a fast talking lover and some slow burning wood
But even in my wildest dreams it never got this good and

Both:
You've made this a Christmas to remember
Springtime feelin's in the middle of December
Change the radio and I'll turn the lights down dimmer
Oh! What a Christmas to remember

Strangers when we met, lovers as we leave
Christmas to remember, too good to believe
Don't know how or when, but I know we'll meet again
blowin' back to somewhere like some wild restless winter's wind

And you've made this a Christmas to remember
Springtime feelin's in the middle of December
Neath the mistletoe you kissed me warm and tender
Oh! What a Christmas to remember

Dolly:
We loved and laughed and played and joked
Sang Christmas songs and talked to folks
Sleighed the fields and skied the slopes
Then to the lodge for dinner
Now it's time for us to go
As our hearts melt like chimney snow
There's just one thing I want to know
Both: Can we do this next winter
Both: Oh! What a Christmas to remember

You've made this a Christmas to remember
Springtime feelin's in the middle of December
Though the fire is hot, we'll just have to let it simmer
Oh! What a Christmas to remember

You've made this a Christmas to remember (
Dolly: I'm gonna remember)
Springtime feelin's in the middle of December
Though it's cold outside we'll just stoke the burning embers
Oh! What a Christmas to remember


Other Favorite Christmas Albums are:
Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas




Celine Dion's These are the Special Times

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Tuesday, December 05, 2006

A long overdue update.

Well, it has been quite awhile since I wrote last. And, I guess, a lot has happened that has kept me busy.

Let’s start youngest to oldest.

Riley is getting pretty big. He can stand himself up on things. He crawls VERY fast. The roomba is his friend. He will sneak over there and turn it on whenever he can.

He is also getting in a lot of his teeth. He also gives this great big cheesy grin. Matter of fact, it is the same cheesy grin that Dominic and Mikayla had when they were younger. The one where they scrunch up their whole face and all you see is a big toothy grin. I love it. I could stare at that face the rest of my life and be content.

He also loves the computer even more now. He will play pogo with grandma or Amy, or watch me play WoW.

He still takes his naps with me in the afternoon when Amy sneaks him in bed with me. I never know he is there until he wakes me up. If Amy gets him before I wake up, then they come in around 2:30 and wake me up. There is nothing better than having your baby boy sitting next to you on the bed, gently patting your back to wake you up and going “da da da da”

Mikayla is just like her mother. All attitude. But cute attitude. And she is still my baby girl and still a little princess.

She is still in dance. Unfortunately we don’t know for how long she will be able to stay in dance. She is currently in Pre-Comp. But after that she would go into a competition line. Trouble is, it is EXPENSIVE! So far this year I think comp line has paid about $400 in dues, and that is just since September! They still have more to go!

Dominic is doing pretty well in school. He still will have his moments where he likes to screw around and not pay attention, but we are working on those. He and I have nightly talks. Sometimes we talk about whatever he wants to talk about and sometimes we talk about what I want to talk about and sometimes it is to talk about serious matters (like behaving).

Courtney is doing great in school. Smart as ever, still in the Talented and Gifted Program at school. She does have this knack for turning in homework late. So we are working on that one.

My mom is doing pretty well. She is known around here is the beddie-time grandma. It is her job to put Riley to sleep at night. I think the record is 2 seconds. She literally picked him up, he rolled over to look at her and out he went. He seems to sleep better at night if grams puts him to bed. Sometimes though she has to wear him out by playing pogo with him or watch some TV. It is there special bonding time together.

Amy is busy as ever. It is Girl Scout cookie season and being the Service Unit Cookie Coordinator for the entire Centennial Service Unit (60 troops this year). It is her job to make sure everyone gets their troops order in on time, train the “cookie moms”, and organize all the paperwork. I helped her out this year by putting together a PowerPoint presentation for her to use, so she could make sure that all the trainees (in three different training sessions) got the same information.

I am doing so-so. Working third shift does take its toll. I am always tired. I feel like I never get anything accomplished at home. I still am on the Board at our cooperative. And still the Communications/Marketing Committee Chairperson and Committee Relations Advisor. Not easy work, I am constantly busy.

I have been going back and forth with the decision if I want to run to be on the board again this February, or not. And if I want to stay involved in my committee or not.
  • The pro is that I get a say in what happens where I live, I get to be a part of something grand (in its beginnings too!).
  • The con is that it takes up so much of my time, some of my neighborhood friendships have deteriorated, I get frustrated with the in fighting and drama.
So I try to figure out if it is really worth it. I know that there is no one else who could do the jobs I do. No one is as organized as a secretary as I am. No one has the skills (let alone the design programs) to do the creative work that I do to try and make this park more professional.

It is also hard being in the ‘public eye’, since I am such a private person.

I hate not having free time and being lazy, like I used to be. Every waking moment is filled with things to do.

But anyways. Enough of that.

Not sure what else I should write. I want to write more, but finding the time is exhausting. I have so many things I want to do. Lose weight, eat right, write more, home projects, office projects. The list goes on and on and on.

In my iPod:
  • Aquarius - 25th Annviersary Edition
  • Take Me Out - Franz Ferdidnand
  • Vacation - Connie Francis
  • Eldest - Audiobook (Eragon Book 2)
  • Hurt - Christina Aquilera

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Wednesday, July 12, 2006

He Works Hard for the Money

Well hello all, it has been awhile since I wrote.

I started a new job on Monday. I am working with a company in St. Paul. I have three weeks of training during the day and then I will switch to 3rd shift.

Not quiet looking forward to the whole 3rd shift thing. But it is more money, and then Amy will have the car during the day.

Riley is making lots of sounds. He is figuring out his voice and making noises from low to high squeals. He likes to gurgle and goo. He is getting so big as well.

He had a doctors appointment on Tuesday and he is in the 90 percentile in weight, the 75 percentile in height and 99 percentile for his head size. So that means, he can hold his head up, but not for too long, because he is 'top heavy'. His head is too heavy for him. Hopefully by his next appointment in 2 months, that will have corrected itself.

Other than that, he is doing great!

His hair is growing out so he looks so cute cause it is spiking on his head!

He had a doctors appointment yesterday and it seems he has an ear infection. We had thought that he was teething (he wasn't rubbing his ears at all) so we were giving him teething gel and a teething ring and it seemed to work. To doctor told us why it seemed to work was because it was relieving the pressure in his ears as he would chew on it.

We also had the doctor look at his big toes. Ever since he was born the nail on those two toes grew a little different. And his big toes were very red. Well, it turns out they are infected. So we have to clean them out and apply antiseptic on them to help them heal.

He also had two shots in his leg. So Tuesday night he had a fever. From the ear ache and the shots, he wasn't very happy. He just wanted to snuggle. Poor guy.

He seemed to do better in the morning, although his fever was starting up again.

Not much else is going on. I will keep ya posted!

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Friday, May 26, 2006

This Ain't the Life For Me

Well, it has been a month since I last worked with Best Buy.

In that time I have:
  1. Scrapbooked
  2. Cleaned My Desk
  3. Tried to Find a Job
  4. Been Re-elected to serve on the Paul Revere Board of Directors
  5. Worked on cooperative issues
  6. Cleaned my Desk
  7. Prepared for photographing a wedding in June
  8. Cleaned my Desk
  9. Helped Amy organize stuff
  10. Cleaned my Desk
  11. Been to Dominic's Spring Celebration at School
  12. Cleaned my Desk... Did I mention this already?
  13. Been to Mikayla's Kindergarten Program
  14. Taken a Shower
Okay, so I took a few more showers in between there, but lately I have felt like a bum. I don't know what I would do if mom wasn't living with us. She has kept us afloat.

But, I hopefully will have an assignment starting June 26th. It is second shift (yuck) but it is work, will last 3-4 months. So keep your fingers crossed.

Riley Update: He is getting that cute baby fatness. He looks just like Dominic and myself. He is so cute. We even do this 'Bounce, Bounce, Bounce--Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle' that he gets a kick out of.

And he just loves his daddy! When Amy plays with him, she will get a smile and maybe a chuckle. But when I play with him, he must think I am hysterical, because I get these full-belly laughs. It's great!

Riley also loves our cuddle time in the morning. While Amy takes the other kids to school, he comes and sleeps with me in bed, and we both get a few more hours in. We usually don't wake up until about noon. At which point, Amy comes in and complains that we both stink and need to get out of bed! Riley and I are both 'heaters' and give off heat.

OH! Before I forget. A few weeks ago, Mom and I were up late watchin a movie, and she finally got him to sleep, so I stayed up a bit more and watched some TV.

I finally went to bed about 1 a.m. and just as I finally fell asleep, we wakes up. It was 1:30 a.m. I was so upset and frustrated, Amy was telling me to just calm down, it was okay, so I finally just brought him in bed with Amy and I. She turned on her side to face us, and I was kind of on my side with him in the crook of my arm.

Riley, looked at me, then turned and looked at Amy, then turned and looked at me. He did that a few times, back and forth, back and forth, finally he snuggled back and sighed. It was like he was saying, "I have Mommy, and Daddy, Mommy, Daddy, Mommy, Daddy--I can sleep now."

He then woke up a second later and did it again to make sure we were still there! It was so cute, I was no longer upset and frustrated!

Well, time for me to clean my desk. Talk to you all later.

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Sunday, March 05, 2006

Riley is here!

Well, I was gonna write out the entire 3-day stay at the luxurious resort of Fairview Hospital. But I don't have that much time. So here is the skinny:

We arrive at 6 a.m. They did their usual checks. Amy got an IV (and did very well for not liking needles) they started to induce her on a very small drip of Pitosin around 7:30 a.m. Her contractions started naturally on their own and they did not need to up the dosage.

We debated if she would have a spinal shot of Phentinal-Markane to numb her from the waist down around 9:00 a.m. Which after a few minutes made her blood pressure drop down to 68/39, And it is usually 140/70. So they had to flush her with fluids through her IV to get her BP back up for about an hour. With the last two she never had any pain medication (the nurses were too late in getting it to her)

After a few hours of that (around 10:45) Amy's contractions started getting harder (she said is was more pressure than pain). The doctor walked in, and she had one push while the Doc was putting her stuff on. Once the doctor was set Amy had three more hard pushes and Riley was out!

That was pretty typical with the other kids as well. Amy does very well at childbirth.

We were able to rest for a moment and then they moved us across the hall to a smaller room. Where Amy, baby and I all took a small nap.

We did find out, while Riley was getting his photo taken, that the people before us in line live in our community.

We came home, to a room full of drawings by the kids.

To see photos go here.

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Monday, January 16, 2006

Kids say the darndest things...

Okay, I figure I should list the cute/funny things my kids say, before I forget them and have a record. Plus, I am gonna need some blackmail.

Tayta:
When we lived in Hilltop, there was a ASIAN DELI that was behind our house, we would pass by there occasionally when we were able to enter our park through the back gate.

Around the time that mikayla was learning to identify letters, she would ask Amy what things said. So she asked Amy, "Momma, what does that say", Amy told her, "Asian Deli" but Tayta couldn't hear her, so Amy yelled louder, "ASIAN DELI" and Tayta says right back to her in offense, "I'm not an Agent Smelly". So ever since then, that has been the Agent Smelly place.

Tayta would say, "Zippy Do Da Day" with this weird country accent, that would crack us up.

Buddha:
Just the other day, Grandma Cindy was watching them while both Amy and I were out. Grandma said a not-so-very-nice word (not a swear word, something like hell or damn) and Tayta told her, "Grandma, that is not a nice word" and Buddha leaned over to Tayta and said, "Grandma is old, so she doesn't know any better."

Bear:
Bear had odd words for everything.

One time when her Aunt Jennifer was watching her, Bear kept asking for smell-sorals. Jennifer couldn't figure out what it was, and kept telling Bear that she didn't have any smellsorals, and Bear kept telling her that she did have smellsorals and told Courtney the next time she was over she could have some.

So Bear kept talking to Jennifer like she was insane and by this time Bear was bawling. So finally Jennifer called Amy and asked her, "what in the world is smellsorals?"

Amy was at work and half paying attention, so she didn't know. So Jennifer put Bear on the phone and she told Amy that she wanted Smellsorals. Jennifer got back on the phone and Amy told her that Bear wanted Marshmellows. Amy had to hear Bear say it to know what it was!

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Sunday, December 11, 2005

Tis the Season to be Jolly...

Fa La La La La, La La La.....BLAH!

I haven't posted in a while, but a lot has been going on. Well, not a lot, but enough to keep my lazy.

I may have a job beginning in January, so hopefully that will go through.

We are busy, busy, busy making Christmas presents for everyone.

Not much else is going on. Amy has had to take it easy for awhile. Riley has been a little too active. She had early contractions a few weeks ago. But she is okay now, she just has to take it easy and relax.

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Friday, October 14, 2005

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful Boy

Well, it’s official. We ARE having a boy.

We had our first official Ultrasound today, by a registered sonographer(?) and she confirmed that it was a boy. We even got some new pictures...

The first photo is of his face. He kind of looks like a He-Man character I have called Man-E-Faces. I told Amy he is wearing a mask for Halloween already.

The next one is his foot. I have outlined it for you.

And the last one is his body and head.

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Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Sweet, Sweet Baby

Well, I think it is time for a baby update.

Riley is doing good. He is keeping mom on her toes. Literally, her sacroiliac joint is acting up and it is hard for her to sit or lay down. She is borrowing her grandmother's lift-chair that her mom had.

She has had to stay off her feet. It seems that when she was pregnant with Courtney, she slipped and fell on her tailbone. She damaged her joint and her doctors have never done anything about it.

And none of the other doctors ever looked into it. Of course, it never happened until the last two months of pregnancy, so it wasn't that big a deal. She just was given bed rest and was fine.

But this time it started up in her 14th week. So our new doctor was concerned and sent her to family practice, which put her on Physical Therapy to correct this. The PT was so pissed that the doctors never looked into this, and was amazed that Amy was even able to walk.

So she goes in about once a week. We have another ultrasound next week. Hopefully they can confirm that we are having a boy. The first ultrasound surely shows something, but there is still some doubt. So, hopefully we can put this to rest.

We have the crib now, the stroller, some clothes, a few toys, some stuffies. So we are gettin ready.

I honestly can't wait. I love being a dad. It is such a wonder to watch my kid grow up from these curious dependent little things, to these independent - know it all - little people. But their my little know-it-alls.

Well, I should turn in for bed. Another round of edits on my current assignment.

I should go outside and see if were flooded yet.

G'nite

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Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Boredom... the mother of invention

Well... it's been awhile. I am so bored right now. Waiting for art files so I can do some work.

My life has been very stressful.

I don't even know where to begin. I guess not working as much as I would like is stressful, then add having another baby with no health insurance, would add to that. Add to that a parent who complains about money (with a small degree of being right) doesn't help any.

My birthday is coming up, but with me being so stressed, I don't know how I am going to enjoy it. I hate doing the finances, but Amy doesn't like to do them either, and someone has to. I hate that we have no money. I want to pay of my card, car, get a bigger home that is on land I own, get a new washer and dryer, a new fridge, stove and entertainment center. A nice sectional would be nice too.

I want to start up college funds for the kids and retirement funds for Amy and I, but without money, that is impossible to do. I feel like I am in this sinking hole and I just can't out.

Food would be nice too. I can't remember the last time our fridge and cupboards were stocked with food. It always seems there is nothing to eat. And since Amy has been feeling sick and not feeling like cooking dinner, her usual knack of making something out of nothing, isn't happening.

I am so depressed all the time. I have learned how to keep up a happy appearance, but even Amy can see through that. I love how she assure me everything will be alright, but lately that hasn't helped.

I just need a miracle. or a job.

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Sunday, July 17, 2005

Happy Anniversary

Today is my anniversary! Married 6 years... wow...

Amy and I have been together for 8 years. It sure doesn't feel that way. It only feels like a few years ago we met. But I am very happy!

I don't know what I would do without Amy. She is not only my foundation, but my partner in crime. We literally make any and every decision together (well, anything that affects each other or the family) And we talk... we didn't used to. It was hard to get Amy to communicate with me at first. She would tell me "nothin" if something was bothering her.

But now we talk. Right before we fall asleep, we talk about the day, or week and talk about upcoming things. Just talk. It is every relaxing. I honeslty can't fall right to sleep until we have talked. It's very soothing.

And I don't know how she does it, but she is the only person who can calm me down.

I remember on our wedding day, things weren't going so well. I had organized a lot of it. And as the bride was getting dressed I was running around making sure everything else was set.

Well, this or that was going wrong, so I was stressing. I had to see Amy. So I went to the bridemaid room and demanded to see her. Her sisters wouldn't let me in. But Amy could feel something was wrong, so she came to the door and was able to calm me down and comfort me. Although, now that I look back, I don't know how she did it considering she was only half dressed!

I went back down stairs and my wedding coordinator flagged me down. She was good too! She knew something was up and she knew I needed to relax, so she took me into the quiet auditorium and sat me down and went over some last minute plans. That really relaxed me. She had me pegged. She knew I was in my element when organizing or planning something.

Well, I should go now....

Happy Anniversary kitten. I love you so very much.

Love,
Dollface

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Thursday, July 14, 2005

I'm in bed...

I am in bed right now, getting ready to hit the sack. Ya know how you always see the couples on TV shows, and one is in bed with a laptop working. I always wanted to do that. So I am.....except Amy is at Girl Scout camp this week.

Monday and Tuesday night I let the kids sleep in bed with me. I just can't sleep alone. But Wed and Thurs night I am sleeping alone, I have to work, so I didn't want to wake the kids with an alarm.

Today was Mikayla's birthday. My baby is 5. We drove up to the G.S. camp so she could share her day with mama and the other Girl Scouts. Who absolutely adore Mikayla, they all made cards.

I really miss Amy. It sucks when she is gone so long. I really hate it. Not only do I miss her, but I can't sleep without her next to me.

But she will be back tomorrow, so that shouldn't be too bad.

Well, I should go to bed so I can get up in the morning. I just wanted to update my blog. I haven't been doing that lately.

Currently in my iPod (which Amy has all week, so shall we say my laptop)....
  • Let's get Loud... J-Lo
  • Alka Yagnik
  • Dolly Parton... old hits.
Have I mentioned I LOVE my laptop lately?

Happy Birthday Mikayla!

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Monday, September 27, 2004

Don't Piss off the lady in charge

Well, I found out that you don't want to cross my wife.

I am not going to name names but lets just say that some people kind of "used" her because they don't like dealing with the problems in their own life and instead had her dealing with them. She finally had enough and told them all off. Which is rare for my wife.

Usually she doesn't like to create "waves" and usually just complains to me about what is pissing her off. This time she had enough and told everyone she is DONE!

I was so proud of her, she had been letting everyone take advantage of her for too long. She had to rearrange her schedule and dish out money for others and rarely got anything in return for it. She told them she has her own family to worry about and is through taking care of everyone else's family.

I love my wife. She is one strong woman and I don't know what I would do without her!

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Monday, September 20, 2004

It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood

I had such a pleasant weekend this past weekend. Even if I had to get up at 10 am on a Saturday!

First, I hate road trips. The long drive, the cranky kids. It just sucks! So normally I fall asleep and let my wife deal with it all. I know, I know, that is kind of mean, but I just can't (or should I say don't want to) deal with all that jazz.

We had to drop off Devin, stop at the store and stop at the gas station to do potty breaks. By the time we were done with all that and on the road. We were halfway to her sisters house and it was already noon, so I was wide awake.

But it was a pleasant drive. My wife and I chatted about stuff, the kids played quietly and we had a nice drive (even if she did 80 a few times!)

When we got up to her sisters house in Onamia, all the kids were happy to see us. We had to "tip toe through the dog poo" (I wish it was tulips!) Then clean off our shoes. But that was okay.

We visited for a while, had lunch, visited some more. Plugged the iPod into their home theatre and listened to music. Let the kids ride bikes outside. Before we knew it, it was like 7 pm. So then we had dinner and decided to sleep over. (They really wanted us too!)

So we put the kids to bed and had some adult time. We played the no name game (a really cool card game with 10 goals you have to do. The first to do all ten ends the game, but whomever with the lowest score wins) Kinda like Rummy 500 but with goals and certain rules. I was the first to get through all 10. Which is usually hard to do and takes quite awhile, but # 8, 9 and 10 just fell into place within the third round for each goal. But Amy came out first, then Jen, then me and Jason was last with the highest score.

After that we blew up the air mattress, and fell asleep.

We awoke the next morning and everyone had breakfast while I fell asleep in the chair, while the kids kinda noisily played on the PS2. At one point Jen came over and whispered to me that her side of the bed was open and that I could go sleep with Jason in their room away from all the noise. But I was too tired to move.

Apparently much later Jason was awake and was trying all sorts of stuff to wake me up. Like putting loud toys right next to my ear. Amy finally woke me up. We chit-chatted some more and then headed on home around noon.

We picked up Quiznos for dinner on our way home and then settled down and watched Superman III with the kids and Devin. Everyone loved it.

We sent the kids of to bed and then stayed up and watched some infomercial and decided we are going to get the Magic Bullet chopping system (seems handy enough) and a trial run of the Bare Essentials Cosmetics for Amy. (UPDATE: Never did get the Bare Essentials for Amy. We did ge the Magic Bullet).

All in all it was a great weekend and I loved spending time with my family.

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Sunday, July 25, 2004

DVD-Burner

I just have to rave. My wife is awesome.

I wanted this external firewire Double layered DVD-Burner for like $250. She said no, wait until the price comes down... so I whined and did.

Well, I found a deal for a normal DVD-burner Internal that was $75 after a rebate. When I was at worked, I called her to tell her about it, but couldn't find it...B UT I found a better one that was $72 without a rebate and she let me buy it.

WELL! IT ROCKS. It is the DW822 by BenQ. It is a DVD-RW and I found out it is upgradeable to the double-Layered Discs that are coming out. All I have to do is download the Firmware that is coming out in like September for IT!!!! AND...

It came with a program that only works with this burner that will rewrite the Open Book code at the beginning of DVD+R and DVD+RW so that really old DVD players will read it as a DVD-ROM and play them. Too good to be true, but I tried it on Dominic's DVD player (that used to be ours) and it would never play a burned CD-R disc, and it wouldn't play the DVD+R either, after I set this configuration I tried a new DVD+R disc and it fired right up!

If you are thinking about purchasing one...this is the one to get!!!!

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Monday, July 19, 2004

PS2 is cool...

Well, Amy just bought herself a PS2 for her anniversary gift to herself (she bought me a DVD burner) We got about 8 games, but I want more!!!!!

Anyone have any cool games they would let me borrow?

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Tuesday, June 29, 2004

Who the hell are these people...

Well, we officially moved in today and I am really pissed off.

We were told Wednesday of last week that all that was left was the carpet, Linoleum and trim. All will be done on Friday.

Nope. They did the Carpet on Saturday. Linoleum is done. Trim is partially done. UPDATE: we did this ourselves a few months after we were fully moved in).

We came in on the weekend to clean it ourselves (to get in quicker—Nice thinking Amy!) and we found that the master bath toilet is missing, patio door is broke, no stairs at the back door, no power to living room/master bedroom/master bath, No water and a few other items. We called Monday morning and the company said it would be worked on and finished by Tuesday morning.

Monday night arrives and Amy goes to drop some stuff off at the new place. Only 2 things were done all day.

We arrive Tuesday. Waited all day for a toilet. Nothing was done. No toilet. (After they said it would be there in an hour!) They say it will be on Wednesday.

How they hell do these people think that we are going to be guaranteed to move in by the 30th, when they HAVE NOTHING DONE!

WHAT THE FUCK HAVE THEY BEEN DOING FOR FOUR FUCKING WEEKS! WE COULD HAVE DONE ALL THIS IN ONE WEEK!


I am so fucking pissed off right now. This is fucking ridiculous.

Sorry for my Fucking French!

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Monday, June 28, 2004

What I miss when I am away

I have a funny story to tell you. Amy filled me in on the happenings of the weekend and this story is too good to not share.

While I was away at Guys Weekend, she was cleaning on Saturday night and she hears a "helloooo" out of no where.

She goes to the front door and there is my dad standing at the end of the steps, he says, "someone wants to talk to you", and Amy says, "who?" and he says, "Their in the car".

It turns out that Muriel and Lorraine had come over and he took them for a drive in his new minivan. While they were out, he decided to show them the outside of our new home (he lives close to us).

He drove by and saw our minivan in the driveway and decided to knock and see if we were there, but when he saw the door open, he decided to holler so he wouldn't have to try and climb the steps with his bad leg... or scare anyone.

So Muriel and Lorraine (My great aunt and grandmother) come in and see the house and they all love it! As they are standing around talking, my dad looks at Amy and very quietly says, "We are going to get some tacos".

So Amy picks up his hint and says, "Well, we were just about to leave and go get some dinner, because we haven't eaten yet."

Dad winks at her and says, "Do you like tacos?" and Amy says, "yeah we love tacos."

Muriel pipes up and says, "Is there a taco place around here?" and dad says, "Yeah, they just put one up in the new village a few miles away." So Muriel then invites everyone to dinner. (My dad can be so sneaky.)

So they arrive at the restaurant and Amy is standing behind My dad and Muriel and they are facing each other at the counter deciding what to get and Amy is facing the order-taker-chick.

They both are looking at my dad and Muriel like it is a tennis match, back and forth, Muriel would ask how much something was and dad would then say, "well, why don't you get this, or this or this" this went on for like 15 minutes.

Finally they decided what they wanted and Muriel kept asking how much each thing was or second guessing herself, so the order taker looks at Amy and Amy tells her the order and says to put it in. So she does. Amy is just giggling the whole time.

So then Muriel is asking for the total. And everyone is trying to tell her and she can't hear, so then they are trying to show her the display that has the amount. The whole time her hand has her pen and is in the spot where you write the number amount in your check. So Amy reaches around and grabs her hand and helps her write the amount. Muriel is kinda laughing about this and the cleark is trying so hard not to laugh.

Then, Muriel is trying to figure out the date, and dad wasn't listening and tells her the total, so then Amy tells her the date again. So Muriel finishes with the check and then tears it out of her book, but leaves it sit there as she is writing in her register. So Amy reaches around, slips the check out and gives it to the cashier. The cashier then is telling them their order number at the same time as the cook calls the order number out... wait, it gets better:

They get a booth and a table next to it. Amy, my mom and Muriel and my dad are sitting in the booth, while Lorraine and the kids are at the table.

This is a Taco Bell/Long John Silver's combo restaurant, so the cashier comes over with little pirate hats for the kids. A few minutes later Amy looks over at the table and starts giggling, everyone asks her what is so funny and she says, "This is the adult table and that is the kid table." Everyone looks over and all the kids have their hat on and so does Lorraine! Everyone starts giggling... wait, it gets better.

Lorraine sees this little girl who has on this cute outfit, she wants Muriel to see it so she can make one for the girls (my great-aunt is a wonderful seamstress). So, for 15 minutes everyone is trying to get Muriel to see this girl, but every time she finally hears them and looks, the girl goes behind the counter or her parents stand in front of her and Muriel keeps saying, “I don't see anyone!"

By this time Amy is cracking up, she is laughing so hard that she sounds like she is hyper-ventilating. So everyone (except Lorraine, who can't hear anything going on) is laughing and asking if she is okay, and Amy quips, "Lorraine, give me your oxygen". Lorraine somehow heard that and takes the tube out of her nose and hands it to Amy.

This just killsAmy and she falls over on my mom laughing so hard and my dad starts laughing so hard that he almost falls out of the booth. Which makes Amy laugh even harder. It took them a good 10 minutes to calm down!

The whole time, Lorraine and Muriel have no clue what is going on!

So always remember, old people are cute, but half-deaf relatives are a riot!

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Tuesday, June 08, 2004

Patience.....is a virtue

Well, sometime this week they will move the trailer to its new home... then finish it and we can move in... I have no patience right now. I want to move in NOW!

And I really want things. I want a new sectional/fold out couch, a recliner, bookshelves, home theatre system, a dual-layer DVD burner, an external hardrive, iPod accessories, Altec InMotion speakers for iPod, home wireless network, Wonder Woman complete first season on DVD, Celine's new live vegas CD, a bedroom set, a new Desk...

But the house comes first, then maybe I can "beg" some stuff out of Amy. Or at least try really hard.

Guys weekend is coming up soon. I can and can't wait. As a Fat man, food is my top priority and right now only 2 meals are guaranteed and I have no idea what I am supposed to bring...

Somedays I feel like I am drowning. I don't know if it is stress, or what. But I feel like no one else is worrying about things, so I have to. I know Amy takes care of a lot of stuff... but, I still feel like the weight of everything is on me.

It doesn't help when she complains about me not doing stuff around the house. I work hard. I may sit on my ass at work, but I have to use my mind and it leaves me mentally drained. I come home late at night and am so awake. But then during the day, I feel like I need to relax to recharge myself, so I don't feel like cleaning, or doing chores. Work is my chore. Be thankful I have a job and go to it. And money... I work hard and I know it is going to pay bills, but I would like to be able to go out to dinner with my coworker once a week, or be able to have pop everynight at work, or buy a DVD burner, or take my family out to eat. I like to splurge a little. I would like for Amy to have her table saw or biscuit joint tool thingy. Maybe when we finally move I will feel less stressed and depressed.

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Sunday, May 30, 2004

Another Girl Scout Year

Well, yesterday was the 2nd Annual Girl Scout Award Ceremony. What a blast.

We arrived at the park to find out that the pavilion we reserved was completely soaked AND had leaks in the roof. All the tables were drenched. We tried to arrange the tables so they wouldn't be under a leak. No real luck.

So, I suggested that we check out the only other pavilion there (that no one ever reserves because it is in the midst of trees and usually has a ton of mosquitos.) It was relatively dry, 'cept for the small puddle. Only one half of a table was wet and it had no garbage can and only two short tables. (The other one had 4 large tables).

So we decided to use the dry pavilion. We had camping chairs so that wasn't a problem. Most of the other parents had brought chairs also, so it was all good.

We set up the food and had our scavenger hunt. Everyone wears something... I had a pink chip clip on my pants... and you have to go around and find all the items and get the name of the person. Some of the parents were cheating and comparing notes or having their children go and ask the person's name.

After that we ate, Amy & Charmin passed out the awards. Then we put on some dance music that I mixed together so the girls could do the Electric slide, Macarena, Cha Cha Slide and stuff. Then I showed the girls how to do the running Man, the Roger Rabbit and the Cabbage Patch. The girls were cracking up!

We had so much fun we didn't realize the rain had mostly stopped and it wasn't as cold. We really had a great time. I can't wait for next year!

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Friday, May 28, 2004

A Gift

Well, our app to the aprk is being processed now. We have the entire down payment. My great aunt provided us around half of it, plus is giving it to us as a gift so we can concentrate on furnishing the house, groceries and such. I am so exicted. I cannot wait to move... but realize that we are not in the clear yet.

Not much else is going on in my life. We have so much to do this summer. Every weekend is booked. I just want to sleep, but Amy won't let me...

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Friday, April 23, 2004