First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MIKE – he’s 25 today! Engaged, with a new house, and a new baby coming very soon... my little brother’s all grown up! awwwwww!
Tom P was a wonderful guy and gave me 7 CDs of classical piano music to play during work. This is intended to stimulate the baby’s brain development and make it smarter. I'm not sure if it’s all bologna or if there’s merit (and there’s no way to tell what they would have been like without it if you played it), but I figure I'm not taking any chances.
So, for the last 3 days, I’ve been a Classical music junkie. No joke, the kid moves a LOT more than normal when it’s on. I assume it’s because s/he likes it, but I think it was Trey who proposed movement is perhaps a DISlike on the baby’s part… oh well. It's stuck with it since I have no way of knowing!
Friday, February 02, 2007
Thursday, February 01, 2007
WE GOT THE HOUSE!!!
Our efforts worked and we spent 4 hours signing our life away on the house last night! We agreed to a close date of September 15, mostly in order to give my dear brother some time to save so he can buy our current house!
Here are some pictures of what you'll get to walk through in September! If you click on them they'll blow up a bit so you can see them more clearly.
We will have a 3 car, side-entry garage instead of this front-facing one but all the windows are the same! We pick out brick and shutter patterns on Saturday! Our house will be flipped (with the garage on the left) because of the lot we picked which is the first on the left once you enter our section of the neighborhood.
This is the upstairs. Only options we took here were the 2 sinks in the "kids' bathroom" and jets in the owners bathtub! Jim claims I won't use them, but I beg to differ!
We upgraded all of the starred items on this diagram including the 3-car garage, morning room, kitchen island, large flat window in the living room, fireplace, and 4' extension to the great room.
This is the basement which we are not finishing. So, what you'll see is all concrete walls, support beams, and plumbing!
Here are some pictures of what you'll get to walk through in September! If you click on them they'll blow up a bit so you can see them more clearly.
We will have a 3 car, side-entry garage instead of this front-facing one but all the windows are the same! We pick out brick and shutter patterns on Saturday! Our house will be flipped (with the garage on the left) because of the lot we picked which is the first on the left once you enter our section of the neighborhood.
This is the upstairs. Only options we took here were the 2 sinks in the "kids' bathroom" and jets in the owners bathtub! Jim claims I won't use them, but I beg to differ!
We upgraded all of the starred items on this diagram including the 3-car garage, morning room, kitchen island, large flat window in the living room, fireplace, and 4' extension to the great room.
This is the basement which we are not finishing. So, what you'll see is all concrete walls, support beams, and plumbing!So, let the home-building advice start flowing!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Avalon Update
Yesterday was a day of anticipation and frustration. Around 11:00am we put an official offer in for the house… and then waited… and waited… and waited. I finally got a call back around 6:00 when I was having dinner with Tom so I called Sheri back around 8 to get the scoop.
They don’t want to negotiate.
This was very frustrating because I had really gotten my hopes up that this would be an easy process. I spent about 24 minutes on the phone with Sheri and we re-strategized. I took out the quartz countertop (figuring we can upgrade it on our own) and raised our offer. She didn’t sound too optimistic but she has all the incentive in the world to get this accomplished as she’s paid on quantity of houses sold not on the price of the house.
Anyway, Jim and I talked at length last night and agreed that this is our final offer on this house. If they don’t accept it we’re not willing to pay essentially $20K over our asking price for the house while they’d only come down $8K. As we see it, we really like this house and location, but the other houses we see online are literally $40,000 less and look very nice on their own. Even if we did major additions/upgrades to one of those to make it our own we’d still probably break even compared to this house. And those houses come painted, with trees and grass, and neighbors, and… Besides, how can we move into Chuck/Kristi’s area of town or Dave/Rachel’s if we went here?? ; )
Bottom line, we feel comfortable with this decision though disappointed that it’s not be an easier 22 hours.
They don’t want to negotiate.
This was very frustrating because I had really gotten my hopes up that this would be an easy process. I spent about 24 minutes on the phone with Sheri and we re-strategized. I took out the quartz countertop (figuring we can upgrade it on our own) and raised our offer. She didn’t sound too optimistic but she has all the incentive in the world to get this accomplished as she’s paid on quantity of houses sold not on the price of the house.
Anyway, Jim and I talked at length last night and agreed that this is our final offer on this house. If they don’t accept it we’re not willing to pay essentially $20K over our asking price for the house while they’d only come down $8K. As we see it, we really like this house and location, but the other houses we see online are literally $40,000 less and look very nice on their own. Even if we did major additions/upgrades to one of those to make it our own we’d still probably break even compared to this house. And those houses come painted, with trees and grass, and neighbors, and… Besides, how can we move into Chuck/Kristi’s area of town or Dave/Rachel’s if we went here?? ; )
Bottom line, we feel comfortable with this decision though disappointed that it’s not be an easier 22 hours.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Birth Order & Friendships
There are many theories about how individual’s personalities are partially shaped by their birth order. There are stereotypes about oldest children being Type A and protective, middle children constantly fighting for attention their whole lives, and youngest children being wild and free-spirited. Thinking about this, I (the oldest of 3) fall into nearly all of the stereotypes of my birth-order position.
Other, unrelated studies show that people are drawn to others like them. This manifests itself in the ratio of friends we have of the same race/ethnicity, extroverts/introverts, driven/relaxed, etc. Thinking about this a few weeks ago, I see this coming to life in my friendships as well. The people I am closest with have personalities very much like mine. I assume this is because we understand each other’s thinking. Obviously this doesn’t help when you need an unbiased opinion – many times, if your situation is like mine, those like-minded friends of yours will just reaffirm that you’re right when asked for advice!
Putting these theories together...
Looking at my friends, I have come to the following tallies:
Oldest Friends: 14
Middle Friends: 4
Youngest Friends: ~3
Only Child Friends: 2
Friends with large number of years between them and their next closest sibling: 2
Granted this doesn’t encompass everyone I know, but it’s a group I pulled in about 90 seconds of the people I see most frequently/am closest to. What screws up my “Youngest” catagory is 2 sets of twins- Sturgises and Auchters- who of course technically only have 1 person as the youngest and the other gets to be a “middle” but that’s complicated so I did what no friend should do and counted them together.
Interesting note – the two Only children I'm friends with, Mike C and Jim E, are people I dated for over 3 years each! and obviously married one!
Interesting note 2- both children with large gaps between them and their next sibling, Kristi S and Mark J, in my opinion have more oldest children tendencies than youngest children tendencies even though they technically are the youngest child. Perhaps when you’re brought up mostly as an “only” you “start over” on the personality traits of an oldest?
Interesting note 3- My brother Mike is a Middle and he’s marrying another Middle, Lindsay. This pattern repeated itself through many of the couples I know too!
Other, unrelated studies show that people are drawn to others like them. This manifests itself in the ratio of friends we have of the same race/ethnicity, extroverts/introverts, driven/relaxed, etc. Thinking about this a few weeks ago, I see this coming to life in my friendships as well. The people I am closest with have personalities very much like mine. I assume this is because we understand each other’s thinking. Obviously this doesn’t help when you need an unbiased opinion – many times, if your situation is like mine, those like-minded friends of yours will just reaffirm that you’re right when asked for advice!
Putting these theories together...
Looking at my friends, I have come to the following tallies:
Oldest Friends: 14
Middle Friends: 4
Youngest Friends: ~3
Only Child Friends: 2
Friends with large number of years between them and their next closest sibling: 2
Granted this doesn’t encompass everyone I know, but it’s a group I pulled in about 90 seconds of the people I see most frequently/am closest to. What screws up my “Youngest” catagory is 2 sets of twins- Sturgises and Auchters- who of course technically only have 1 person as the youngest and the other gets to be a “middle” but that’s complicated so I did what no friend should do and counted them together.
Interesting note – the two Only children I'm friends with, Mike C and Jim E, are people I dated for over 3 years each! and obviously married one!
Interesting note 2- both children with large gaps between them and their next sibling, Kristi S and Mark J, in my opinion have more oldest children tendencies than youngest children tendencies even though they technically are the youngest child. Perhaps when you’re brought up mostly as an “only” you “start over” on the personality traits of an oldest?
Interesting note 3- My brother Mike is a Middle and he’s marrying another Middle, Lindsay. This pattern repeated itself through many of the couples I know too!
Monday, January 29, 2007
Weekend of 1/26/07
This weekend was another good one. We went to Outback with Jessy and Sean on Friday night. I FINALLY got the hang of their dice game (Can’t Stop I think it’s called) and won a match of it. We also played 24 the boardgame which was challenging from a frustration level, though engaging because it was quite different than any other DVD game I’ve played. Good time in general, but it always is with them.
Saturday afternoon we took mom and dad to go see the Avalon model in Lebanon. We made some significant changes to the design based on what we saw under closer inspection and these changes will ultimately save us another $5K or so. I asked for a final quote and then we start the negotiation process. Good news – we’re willing to walk if they don’t get where we want price-wise. Bad news – we’ve invested a lot of time into this and would have to start all over.
Saturday night we went to Rachel’s Sweet 26-teen party. I got to watch Guitar Hero for the first time. What a riot. I have a true appreciation for anyone who can be coordinated with BOTH hands at the same time. Amazing. Way out of my league.
Sunday we ran errands, watched Rocky Balboa (B) at the cheap theatre, and went bowling. Dave scored a 257 in his final game (wa-hoo!) and we won ¾ for the night!
The morning was rough as I was up a lot through the night – dreams, thirst, dry eyes, you name it. Ah well… work week starts again!
Saturday afternoon we took mom and dad to go see the Avalon model in Lebanon. We made some significant changes to the design based on what we saw under closer inspection and these changes will ultimately save us another $5K or so. I asked for a final quote and then we start the negotiation process. Good news – we’re willing to walk if they don’t get where we want price-wise. Bad news – we’ve invested a lot of time into this and would have to start all over.
Saturday night we went to Rachel’s Sweet 26-teen party. I got to watch Guitar Hero for the first time. What a riot. I have a true appreciation for anyone who can be coordinated with BOTH hands at the same time. Amazing. Way out of my league.
Sunday we ran errands, watched Rocky Balboa (B) at the cheap theatre, and went bowling. Dave scored a 257 in his final game (wa-hoo!) and we won ¾ for the night!
The morning was rough as I was up a lot through the night – dreams, thirst, dry eyes, you name it. Ah well… work week starts again!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
17 Weeks!
How your baby is growing: Your baby weighs about 5 ounces now, and he's around 5 inches long — about the size of a large onion. The umbilical cord, his lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby can move his joints, and his skeleton — until now, rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden into bone. Some of it will remain cartilage for years after he's born. A newborn's skeleton has 300 parts (a combination of bone and cartilage). As your child grows, some of these parts harden and fuse together. By the time your baby reaches adulthood, he'll have just 206 bones.
Friday, January 26, 2007
The Happenings
Class last night went really really well I think. It’s nice to have a class of mostly extroverts because there’s a lot of participation and idea sharing going on. I knew all my students from last semester (8), about 4 names I remembered from introductions the previous week, and I picked up another 5 or so last night (13 more to go!). As you can imagine, the students who are quiet are the ones whose names I don’t get to practice and therefore will have a hard(er) time learning. All in all though, I think the 2.5 hours went by with relative ease, which made me happy!
When I got home around 9:15 (ugh) Jim and I finished Little Miss Sunshine. There were some funny parts, but in general you more just sit and watch rather than being fully engaged in the flick. I give it a B. This is a better rating than what we have Flying Tiger, Hidden Dragon which we finished on Tuesday (B-). That movie was really not engaging and only the cool martial arts saved it from C status.
Work’s been good in general – I have a lot of great projects going on that will make my management VERY happy with me. I really enjoy the fact that most of them I'm fully running on my own. It makes me very excited to “casually” drop off a closed big deal on my boss’s desk and walk out like it’s nothing. He gets really excited about those which makes me excited. All this leads to further justification for me to come back to work in September. The company does treat me well, the work is challenging but still within my capacity to excel, and I’ve gotten my time management down so that I'm never working more than 42 hours a week. I know, I know, wait ‘till I see that little face and then try to leave it behind to come to work. We’ll see, I'm hopeful that I’ll have a Sue experience and be able to find a good balance with the kid while still earning an income.
When I got home around 9:15 (ugh) Jim and I finished Little Miss Sunshine. There were some funny parts, but in general you more just sit and watch rather than being fully engaged in the flick. I give it a B. This is a better rating than what we have Flying Tiger, Hidden Dragon which we finished on Tuesday (B-). That movie was really not engaging and only the cool martial arts saved it from C status.
Work’s been good in general – I have a lot of great projects going on that will make my management VERY happy with me. I really enjoy the fact that most of them I'm fully running on my own. It makes me very excited to “casually” drop off a closed big deal on my boss’s desk and walk out like it’s nothing. He gets really excited about those which makes me excited. All this leads to further justification for me to come back to work in September. The company does treat me well, the work is challenging but still within my capacity to excel, and I’ve gotten my time management down so that I'm never working more than 42 hours a week. I know, I know, wait ‘till I see that little face and then try to leave it behind to come to work. We’ll see, I'm hopeful that I’ll have a Sue experience and be able to find a good balance with the kid while still earning an income.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Life Changes!
Just got back from another doctor’s appointment. All’s well – heartbeat is 156, blood pressure is 110/62 and I’ve gained 5lbs so far. The doctor felt my stomach, smiled, and said I was “definitely pouching”. Glad she thinks so; I think I’ve stopped growing! What’s nice about that is I'm still wearing my “old” skirts and all my own tops. I think I had unrealistic ideas about how much I’d be showing because all the other pregnant people around me are 7+ months along and big!
Jim and I talked a long time about the house last night. We came up with a game plan on how much we’d offer for the Avalon, how much we’re willing to put down, our process for getting financing, and confirmation that we’re both comfortable with the builder, the lot and ultimately the geographic location of the house. Next steps: tour the model again, take some pictures of another Ryan neighborhood for external design ideas, knock on some doors to find out current home-owners views of their Ryan home. Things are wrapping up nicely!
Jim and I talked a long time about the house last night. We came up with a game plan on how much we’d offer for the Avalon, how much we’re willing to put down, our process for getting financing, and confirmation that we’re both comfortable with the builder, the lot and ultimately the geographic location of the house. Next steps: tour the model again, take some pictures of another Ryan neighborhood for external design ideas, knock on some doors to find out current home-owners views of their Ryan home. Things are wrapping up nicely!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Sunny Days
Today’s been a good day:
- I had a meeting this morning that could be a really big sale for me in the next few months
- I saw Tom S at my lunch restaurant and he went out of his way to say hello
- I renewed a friendship with a very wonderful friend
- I have enough to keep me busy the rest of the work-day!
What more can a girl ask for?
Monday, January 22, 2007
Weekend of 1/19/07
I feel like I do a lot on the weekends but it’s all repetitive from weekends before… On Friday night Mom, Dad, Mike & Linds came over for dinner (Italian) and a movie. Low-key but a good time. I gave Mom her birthday present (gift certificate to the spa) and told her she needs to try something new (ie a facial) and not just get a haircut with it. Somehow I'm doubtful that’ll happen. : )
Saturday was B-U-S-Y. We got up and met the builder rep at the home-sites and confirmed what she said – Lot #2 will NOT work in any way, shape or form. There’s a big hill that would leave for no backyard and in general it’s just not as great as it looks on paper. We did find 2 other lots that we liked though so all’s not lost. Of course both are $10,000 more than the one we picked… *eye roll* We thoroughly toured the Courtland model again and while it’s no Avalon, it is $35,000 less. I took a bunch of pictures of the model home and I think that this is the direction we’re leaning.
All this home stuff made me 15 minutes late to meet the girls who were waiting patiently for me in my living room when I got home. We headed to the Playhouse to see A Catholic Girl’s Guide To Losing Your Virginity (putting in the full title will probably put me back on the naughty list for Dave’s commenting ability! Grrr) which was an hour fifteen and quite funny. As you can imagine, there were some very good one-liners which I’ll refrain from posting here so Dave doesn’t get totally blocked from seeing this blog. We dined at Buca di Beppo and had a marvelous time in general.
Sunday snowed like CRAZY (first of the year) and made Sarah unable to come down to Cincy to go baby registering (I have a shower on 2/18 with Lindsay so I have to do this early). I had to get some stuff in because the invites are out, so Mom and Lindsay and I went for a little bit sans Sarah (booooo!). What a frickin’ confusing process! Especially when you don’t know what you’re having yet! There are so many choices and they are all SO expensive! I got some basics in but left a lot of the major stuff TBA until I get some mom advice from friends.
Jim and I wrapped up the weekend by some grocery shopping, dinner, and Apprentice watching. Nice wind-down to the weekend!
Saturday was B-U-S-Y. We got up and met the builder rep at the home-sites and confirmed what she said – Lot #2 will NOT work in any way, shape or form. There’s a big hill that would leave for no backyard and in general it’s just not as great as it looks on paper. We did find 2 other lots that we liked though so all’s not lost. Of course both are $10,000 more than the one we picked… *eye roll* We thoroughly toured the Courtland model again and while it’s no Avalon, it is $35,000 less. I took a bunch of pictures of the model home and I think that this is the direction we’re leaning.
All this home stuff made me 15 minutes late to meet the girls who were waiting patiently for me in my living room when I got home. We headed to the Playhouse to see A Catholic Girl’s Guide To Losing Your Virginity (putting in the full title will probably put me back on the naughty list for Dave’s commenting ability! Grrr) which was an hour fifteen and quite funny. As you can imagine, there were some very good one-liners which I’ll refrain from posting here so Dave doesn’t get totally blocked from seeing this blog. We dined at Buca di Beppo and had a marvelous time in general.
Sunday snowed like CRAZY (first of the year) and made Sarah unable to come down to Cincy to go baby registering (I have a shower on 2/18 with Lindsay so I have to do this early). I had to get some stuff in because the invites are out, so Mom and Lindsay and I went for a little bit sans Sarah (booooo!). What a frickin’ confusing process! Especially when you don’t know what you’re having yet! There are so many choices and they are all SO expensive! I got some basics in but left a lot of the major stuff TBA until I get some mom advice from friends.
Jim and I wrapped up the weekend by some grocery shopping, dinner, and Apprentice watching. Nice wind-down to the weekend!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
16 Weeks
How your baby is growing: At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avacado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails. Her finger- and toenails will continue to grow throughout pregnancy, so don't be surprised if she needs them trimmed soon after birth.
My Take: Being pregnant is pretty uneventful right now. There is so little happening that I often forget that I’m pregnant! I can’t feel any kicking yet and won’t for another 2-4 weeks, I've stopped growing belly-wise from what I can tell, and there are no “symptoms” of pregnancy at all except the feeling of hunger more frequently.
Taking books’ and Jessy/Sarah’s encouragement, I’ve stopped sleeping on my back out of concern of weighing down some vein and nerve in my back (the baby smooshes it apparently) that’s dangerous to me. This (sleeping on my sides only) has been HARD to do and my subconscious is waking me up every hour or so to remind me that I’m rolling over and shouldn’t be.
I thought that when I got pregnant the world would start revolving around me but obviously no such thing happened and I see why - even I'm bored with myself and the process at this point - why should anyone else care?? I look forward to the 20 week mark where "things" are "scheduled" to get exciting.
I go in for my 4 month check-up on 1/24 (really the four month mark is on 2/7/07) and we have a scheduled appointment to get an ultrasound and find out the baby’s gender on 2/21/07!
My Take: Being pregnant is pretty uneventful right now. There is so little happening that I often forget that I’m pregnant! I can’t feel any kicking yet and won’t for another 2-4 weeks, I've stopped growing belly-wise from what I can tell, and there are no “symptoms” of pregnancy at all except the feeling of hunger more frequently.
Taking books’ and Jessy/Sarah’s encouragement, I’ve stopped sleeping on my back out of concern of weighing down some vein and nerve in my back (the baby smooshes it apparently) that’s dangerous to me. This (sleeping on my sides only) has been HARD to do and my subconscious is waking me up every hour or so to remind me that I’m rolling over and shouldn’t be.
I thought that when I got pregnant the world would start revolving around me but obviously no such thing happened and I see why - even I'm bored with myself and the process at this point - why should anyone else care?? I look forward to the 20 week mark where "things" are "scheduled" to get exciting.
I go in for my 4 month check-up on 1/24 (really the four month mark is on 2/7/07) and we have a scheduled appointment to get an ultrasound and find out the baby’s gender on 2/21/07!
Friday, January 19, 2007
First Day at School
It was a good day at school yesterday. We didn’t accomplish ½ of what I wanted to in my class tonight (only got through introductions and 1 role play, no chapters) but they were a chatty, friendly group that laughed at my jokes; all of which made me happy. I have to cram last night's text material in to the next 5 weeks which will make things tight, but I think that what we did accomplish tonight was worth the extra time.
My evaluations from last semester were great!
- My lowest score out of 25 evaluations (1-5 scale) was a 4.375 on “contrasts theories” which is fine because I don’t know how I ever contrasted any theories other than my own vs. the text!
- My highest grade was a 5.0 on “Easy to understand”.
- My overall “grade” was a 4.92 (23 “Extremely Effective”s and 2 “Very Effective”s) and the average of all categories was a 4.78.
- All the comments on the back were fantastic as well – I hope someone at a dean level reads them.
I’m thrilled! Makes me more encouraged to ask for a raise next year.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Xavier
XU is picking back up again. I start teaching (MKTG 361, Professional Selling) tonight from 6-8:30. I have 31 students, mostly junior/senior business majors, in my class and I'm in the old business building (blah!). 9 of the 31 are students from last semester which I'm taking as a sign that I'm either a good teacher or a very easy one.
A former student asked for some help on where to send resumes for sales jobs upon her graduation this May. I sent some emails to clients of mine and I already got her resume in front of 3 presidents and 1 sales director! Yeah for her! I hope she makes some positive headway so I can keep my reputation up with these clients.
Also, tonight I’ll get my evaluations from last semester. I'm anxious to see them!!!
A former student asked for some help on where to send resumes for sales jobs upon her graduation this May. I sent some emails to clients of mine and I already got her resume in front of 3 presidents and 1 sales director! Yeah for her! I hope she makes some positive headway so I can keep my reputation up with these clients.
Also, tonight I’ll get my evaluations from last semester. I'm anxious to see them!!!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Ryan Homes
We spent about four hours with the builder rep yesterday (love her!) driving around Lebanon looking at different house models. We had our initial list set at 5 potentials and I think that we’re going to narrow this down to 3 now. The Oberlin, while externally pretty, has a smaller feel on the first floor. Since I suspect most of our lives will be lived on the first floor (with all of you visiting regularly!) this weighed in heavily in the decision to cut ties with this option.
Here’s the skinny:
Jackson- this is the smallest house by square footage. We’d be upgrading the following: cabinets, countertops, 4 foot family room extension, 3-car garage, morning room, master suite bathroom. The basement in this house was awesome.
Courtland- this is the first model we went into, the middle sized house we’re considering, and the one we’re re-visiting on Saturday afternoon. We’d be upgrading the kitchen, master bathroom, and the garage only. This is the big brother to the Jackson (adds 300 sq. ft. but is the same floorplan).
Avalon- this is the model whose floorplan I like the best but the house is too big for us (3600 sq. ft plus a basement we’ll eventually finish- I'm afraid of the heating bills when this happens). The house is beautiful with great rooms, full kitchen, AMAZING master bedroom suite, etc. but we really don’t need that much space. I suspect that unless they wheel and deal on this a great bit we’ll be tossing this model out too. Why doesn’t this option come 1/3 smaller!??!
Next Step: re-visit the Courtland on Saturday, review the option sheet for it/others so we can see all the areas we want to upgrade (ie crown molding, ceiling fan runs, hardwood, etc.), and get a final offered price. Jim says he’s 75% on board with this neighborhood as the final decision.
Oh, and for those of you who expressed your distaste for houses without porches - there are some porch options I saw in another Ryan neighborhood in Fairfield. Jim and I are going to drive through and take pictures for ideas.
Here’s the skinny:
Jackson- this is the smallest house by square footage. We’d be upgrading the following: cabinets, countertops, 4 foot family room extension, 3-car garage, morning room, master suite bathroom. The basement in this house was awesome.
Courtland- this is the first model we went into, the middle sized house we’re considering, and the one we’re re-visiting on Saturday afternoon. We’d be upgrading the kitchen, master bathroom, and the garage only. This is the big brother to the Jackson (adds 300 sq. ft. but is the same floorplan).
Avalon- this is the model whose floorplan I like the best but the house is too big for us (3600 sq. ft plus a basement we’ll eventually finish- I'm afraid of the heating bills when this happens). The house is beautiful with great rooms, full kitchen, AMAZING master bedroom suite, etc. but we really don’t need that much space. I suspect that unless they wheel and deal on this a great bit we’ll be tossing this model out too. Why doesn’t this option come 1/3 smaller!??!
Next Step: re-visit the Courtland on Saturday, review the option sheet for it/others so we can see all the areas we want to upgrade (ie crown molding, ceiling fan runs, hardwood, etc.), and get a final offered price. Jim says he’s 75% on board with this neighborhood as the final decision.
Oh, and for those of you who expressed your distaste for houses without porches - there are some porch options I saw in another Ryan neighborhood in Fairfield. Jim and I are going to drive through and take pictures for ideas.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
little life updates
I’ve seen LOTS of friends over the past several days. Dave and Rachel had us over on Thursday to talk houses (and treated us to dinner! Thanks again!), we had the shower on Friday, the wedding on Saturday, and I got to have dinner with Sarah F last night before she left town. When I came home from Dayton Jim said that Sean G stopped by unexpectedly to drop of a commercial-free, burned copy of The Apprentice for us (since we missed it to watch 24 on Sunday). How cool is that!? This extended weekend was another reminder that we are really lucky to have genuinely good people in our lives.
Tonight we’re going to have dinner and see a few model homes with the builder rep for Ryan Homes. Mom did some leg work for us at the marble and granite shops and made us aware of even more savings available if we bring in our own countertops. Negotiations will be STRONG with this company if this is the route we go.
I'm also noticing that a LOT of people are getting this stomach flu that’s going around (Lisa, Emily, clients, my morning DJ, etc.). Thank God it hasn’t hit our office!
Tonight we’re going to have dinner and see a few model homes with the builder rep for Ryan Homes. Mom did some leg work for us at the marble and granite shops and made us aware of even more savings available if we bring in our own countertops. Negotiations will be STRONG with this company if this is the route we go.
I'm also noticing that a LOT of people are getting this stomach flu that’s going around (Lisa, Emily, clients, my morning DJ, etc.). Thank God it hasn’t hit our office!
Monday, January 15, 2007
Weekend of 1/12/07
The weekend had a very busy start and ended on a relaxing note.
Friday: I left work early to go to the rehearsal for Sean and Anne’s wedding. I then left there, sans dinner, to go to Mike and Lindsay’s surprise baby shower. They got some really cute gifts and had a bunch of friends there – I think everyone had a good time. Mike’s friends are good people but I always feel a little out of it with them – he got to be good friends with them when I was away at college, then, when I came back to Cincinnati he was away at college. Then, when he graduated I was living with Jim. So, it seems weird to me that I don’t know most of these people near as well as I “should” for them being such good friends. Maybe I'm making false assumptions that he feels he “knows” my friends....
Saturday: Sean and Anne’s wedding was at 1:30 and I practiced my reading in my computer room for a bit before I left. I thought I sounded pretty good, so I felt confident when I headed out the door. The ceremony was the prettiest (no offence to my other, currently married friends) I’d ever been to. The music was gorgeous (Jeremy Helmes was one of the soloists and several other friends played instruments), the cathedral was magnificent, and the amount of participation from their friends during the ceremony was really great (they had a lot of friends doing a lot of jobs- readings, bringing the gifts up, serving, etc.). Though very long (an hour forty), it was enjoyable until the end.
Sarah was nice and said I did well during my reading. As predicted I got very nervous just before I went up and I thought my voice sounded crackly as a result. At least I didn’t lose my place.
Jim joined for the reception where we talked with a lot of old friends (Katie Hitz, Jen O, Mark J, Cloppert, etc.), I scowled at Mike C’s drinking jests, and we ate good food. A nice, elegant night in general.
Sunday: I was a bum. I watched Dances with Wolves on AMC, read, and did some laundry. I bowled okay (95-135-137) which helped us win ¾ games for the league. We watched 24 on TV but missed the Apprentice as a result. Sean and Jess TIVO’d I though so we’ll catch up on it with them soon.
Friday: I left work early to go to the rehearsal for Sean and Anne’s wedding. I then left there, sans dinner, to go to Mike and Lindsay’s surprise baby shower. They got some really cute gifts and had a bunch of friends there – I think everyone had a good time. Mike’s friends are good people but I always feel a little out of it with them – he got to be good friends with them when I was away at college, then, when I came back to Cincinnati he was away at college. Then, when he graduated I was living with Jim. So, it seems weird to me that I don’t know most of these people near as well as I “should” for them being such good friends. Maybe I'm making false assumptions that he feels he “knows” my friends....
Saturday: Sean and Anne’s wedding was at 1:30 and I practiced my reading in my computer room for a bit before I left. I thought I sounded pretty good, so I felt confident when I headed out the door. The ceremony was the prettiest (no offence to my other, currently married friends) I’d ever been to. The music was gorgeous (Jeremy Helmes was one of the soloists and several other friends played instruments), the cathedral was magnificent, and the amount of participation from their friends during the ceremony was really great (they had a lot of friends doing a lot of jobs- readings, bringing the gifts up, serving, etc.). Though very long (an hour forty), it was enjoyable until the end.
Sarah was nice and said I did well during my reading. As predicted I got very nervous just before I went up and I thought my voice sounded crackly as a result. At least I didn’t lose my place.
Jim joined for the reception where we talked with a lot of old friends (Katie Hitz, Jen O, Mark J, Cloppert, etc.), I scowled at Mike C’s drinking jests, and we ate good food. A nice, elegant night in general.
Sunday: I was a bum. I watched Dances with Wolves on AMC, read, and did some laundry. I bowled okay (95-135-137) which helped us win ¾ games for the league. We watched 24 on TV but missed the Apprentice as a result. Sean and Jess TIVO’d I though so we’ll catch up on it with them soon.
Happy Birthday, Mom!!
Sunday, January 14, 2007
15 Weeks
How your baby's growing: At around 4 inches long, crown to rump, your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 ounces. He's busy inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which will help develop the air sacs in his lungs. His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all his joints and limbs. That means his hands are more functional, too. Sweat glands are appearing, and although his eyelids are fused shut, he can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, he's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but his taste buds are beginning to form. And if you have an ultrasound, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or girl!
My Take: the headaches are gone and the spots have significantly reduced- both of which I’m quite grateful for!
At the wedding last night (where the reading went fine, thank God) a frequent question was whether or not I missed drinking alcohol. Truth be told – YES. Really the frustration is all about timing versus missing drinking. With so many holiday parties and open-bar weddings I miss the opportunity to kick back with a White Russian, especially when it’s on the house! Going out was the only time I ever really drank, especially with a husband who doesn’t like the taste of nearly any alcohol, so I do miss having a cocktail or two when I’m in the complimentary the social, casual, fun-loving atmosphere. Ah well. It’s all for the greater good.
My Take: the headaches are gone and the spots have significantly reduced- both of which I’m quite grateful for!
At the wedding last night (where the reading went fine, thank God) a frequent question was whether or not I missed drinking alcohol. Truth be told – YES. Really the frustration is all about timing versus missing drinking. With so many holiday parties and open-bar weddings I miss the opportunity to kick back with a White Russian, especially when it’s on the house! Going out was the only time I ever really drank, especially with a husband who doesn’t like the taste of nearly any alcohol, so I do miss having a cocktail or two when I’m in the complimentary the social, casual, fun-loving atmosphere. Ah well. It’s all for the greater good.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Reading for the Masses (pun intended)
I was honored to be asked to be a reader at Sean and Anne’s wedding tomorrow, a request that was very touching to me. Being a reader is cool because you get to get up in front of everybody (proof that you are important to the bride and groom), you sometimes get a corsage or your name in the program, and you don’t have to spend all the money on bridal showers, dresses, hair, etc. like the bridesmaids do. The downside of course is that you don’t just get to “stand and look pretty” like the bridesmaids, you actually serve a function (reading, duh) so people pay full attention to you and how well you do.
The first time I ever read in a wedding was at Jen O’s and I was really excited about it. As I sat in the church and the ceremony progressed my nervousness grew and grew. Same thing for Christina’s wedding. This is slightly confusing to me because I don’t normally get nervous about public speaking. I'm in sales for crying out loud- my job is to present information. I attribute my nerves to the fact that, unlike the workplace, my family and friends (people whose opinions actually matter to me) are in the audience.
So, wish me luck tomorrow. Hopefully I won’t stumble all over my words or get dyslexic when I get up there.
The first time I ever read in a wedding was at Jen O’s and I was really excited about it. As I sat in the church and the ceremony progressed my nervousness grew and grew. Same thing for Christina’s wedding. This is slightly confusing to me because I don’t normally get nervous about public speaking. I'm in sales for crying out loud- my job is to present information. I attribute my nerves to the fact that, unlike the workplace, my family and friends (people whose opinions actually matter to me) are in the audience.
So, wish me luck tomorrow. Hopefully I won’t stumble all over my words or get dyslexic when I get up there.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Love Conquers All
Yesterday was a really relaxing night. I took all the information that the builder rep sent me on features for the different models and put them into a spreadsheet to cross-compare houses. I'm still waiting on square footage information, but there seems to be a large (aka $35K) discrepancy between my preferred house and EVERY other one. Two big things that will push us closer to a decision to build or not – will homeowners association fees cover snow removal and looking at the lot again in the daylight. We’re scheduled to go see at least two other models on Tuesday. I’ll keep you posted!
Amazingly, we also had a few hours to sit down and watch Pride & Prejudice last night. Now, I know this is Lisa’s all-time favorite movie, but it wasn’t as good as I was hoping. At the time we finished I would give it a B. Now, thinking back on it, I like it more, but not much more. The acting was tremendous in general but the whole plot isn’t that thrilling and therefore the movie is often slow.
A theme that I'm finding resonates with me through movies, songs, and life is people not giving up on Love. This concept was pretty big in P&P last night, Shall We Dance? from last week and Castaway from a month ago. The theme goes like this: the main characters express their feelings for each other, life gets in the way for one reason or another, and through all that they come back to where they started by still being in love with that person (P&P: Elizabeth thinks that the guy is a jerk for splitting up her sister and her boyfriend but later sees the light; SWD: Husband expresses to his wife that though he has a new hobby that's kept them apart recently, their relationship is his most prized accomplishment; Castaway: he gets stranded on an island but clings to the memory of his fiancé at home, and she him). I find this drive very moving.
I think what gets me is that when I internalize the idea, it’s what I hope someone [would] feels for me – that I'm worth all the pent up feeling and emotion and worth “fighting for”. Obviously I'm sure everyone wants someone to feel this way about them. I think it’s why people entertain or act on the idea of getting back together with an ex- they like that the other person still sees the good in them. I know I’ve been there more than once through the years.
Amazingly, we also had a few hours to sit down and watch Pride & Prejudice last night. Now, I know this is Lisa’s all-time favorite movie, but it wasn’t as good as I was hoping. At the time we finished I would give it a B. Now, thinking back on it, I like it more, but not much more. The acting was tremendous in general but the whole plot isn’t that thrilling and therefore the movie is often slow.
A theme that I'm finding resonates with me through movies, songs, and life is people not giving up on Love. This concept was pretty big in P&P last night, Shall We Dance? from last week and Castaway from a month ago. The theme goes like this: the main characters express their feelings for each other, life gets in the way for one reason or another, and through all that they come back to where they started by still being in love with that person (P&P: Elizabeth thinks that the guy is a jerk for splitting up her sister and her boyfriend but later sees the light; SWD: Husband expresses to his wife that though he has a new hobby that's kept them apart recently, their relationship is his most prized accomplishment; Castaway: he gets stranded on an island but clings to the memory of his fiancé at home, and she him). I find this drive very moving.
I think what gets me is that when I internalize the idea, it’s what I hope someone [would] feels for me – that I'm worth all the pent up feeling and emotion and worth “fighting for”. Obviously I'm sure everyone wants someone to feel this way about them. I think it’s why people entertain or act on the idea of getting back together with an ex- they like that the other person still sees the good in them. I know I’ve been there more than once through the years.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Kid Comments
Some updates on this pregnancy process:
1) I claimed I wouldn’t be one of those people who unbuttons their pants and I’d just buy maternity pants when needed. Suddenly, I became that person!! So…today I'm wearing maternity pants for the first time. Once I tried the mom jeans on in the store with Megan on Monday I wondered aloud why I hadn’t bought some a week ago. What a frickin’ difference in comfort!
2) Sarah W is a mean person. She sent me this “birth plan” creator with about a million different items to consider just during the 2-3 days you’re in the hospital pre- and post-birth. HOLY CRAP is this thing scary and educational in an eye-opening way. Here are some examples of items I'm supposed to decide on:
So I can stay as mobile as possible, I would prefer to have a heparin lock administered instead of an IV. I need to look up what a heparin lock is...
If fetal distress is suspected and time permits, I would like confirmation of this with a fetal scalp blood sample before proceeding with other interventions. a scalp blood sample?! If the kid is in trouble do whatever is necessary as soon as possible to remedy the situation.
If my pregnancy progresses past 40 weeks, I would prefer to base the decision to induce on the results of the baby's biophysical profiles, not on my own personal discomfort or impatience. 2 words for this one - bull shit. If I'm miserableI want this bugger out of me.
I would rather tear than have an episiotomy. This does not sound like fun
I would like the opportunity to touch my baby's head as it crowns. I do not want to delay the labor process for anything. I want it over and done with ASAP.
Please allow the umbilical cord to stop pulsating before it is cut. it does what!?
Please show me the placenta after it is delivered. like a car accident I'm strangely interested in seeing this, however, I think it's probably better to not know what gushy, non-pretty things are/were inside me
Granted I picked some of the more interesting items on the list to post here, but many of the others weren’t far off. Jim and I read the list together last night and his only and final thoughts on the subject were:
“I'm not watching, catching the baby, or cutting the umbilical cord. You can have whoever you want in there, but I wouldn’t want anyone else but us. Why in the world would anyone want to do most of this stuff? Just give me the regular old way they normally do things and I’ll be fine.”
1) I claimed I wouldn’t be one of those people who unbuttons their pants and I’d just buy maternity pants when needed. Suddenly, I became that person!! So…today I'm wearing maternity pants for the first time. Once I tried the mom jeans on in the store with Megan on Monday I wondered aloud why I hadn’t bought some a week ago. What a frickin’ difference in comfort!
2) Sarah W is a mean person. She sent me this “birth plan” creator with about a million different items to consider just during the 2-3 days you’re in the hospital pre- and post-birth. HOLY CRAP is this thing scary and educational in an eye-opening way. Here are some examples of items I'm supposed to decide on:
So I can stay as mobile as possible, I would prefer to have a heparin lock administered instead of an IV. I need to look up what a heparin lock is...
If fetal distress is suspected and time permits, I would like confirmation of this with a fetal scalp blood sample before proceeding with other interventions. a scalp blood sample?! If the kid is in trouble do whatever is necessary as soon as possible to remedy the situation.
If my pregnancy progresses past 40 weeks, I would prefer to base the decision to induce on the results of the baby's biophysical profiles, not on my own personal discomfort or impatience. 2 words for this one - bull shit. If I'm miserableI want this bugger out of me.
I would rather tear than have an episiotomy. This does not sound like fun
I would like the opportunity to touch my baby's head as it crowns. I do not want to delay the labor process for anything. I want it over and done with ASAP.
Please allow the umbilical cord to stop pulsating before it is cut. it does what!?
Please show me the placenta after it is delivered. like a car accident I'm strangely interested in seeing this, however, I think it's probably better to not know what gushy, non-pretty things are/were inside me
Granted I picked some of the more interesting items on the list to post here, but many of the others weren’t far off. Jim and I read the list together last night and his only and final thoughts on the subject were:
“I'm not watching, catching the baby, or cutting the umbilical cord. You can have whoever you want in there, but I wouldn’t want anyone else but us. Why in the world would anyone want to do most of this stuff? Just give me the regular old way they normally do things and I’ll be fine.”
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Home Buying
We’re making progress with this home building thing. The builder rep and I have gone back and forth via email several times and she’s good about answering my questions to the best of her ability or getting me answers on the things she doesn’t know. Each time we write I send her like 10 more questions to get me info on.
Last night Jim and I went through all the different models we’d consider (5) and talked about the pros and cons of each. Heating and cooling for a great room continues to be a major concern. So is the square footage – the house we designed is probably too big for us if we’re being truthful.
Last night Jim and I went through all the different models we’d consider (5) and talked about the pros and cons of each. Heating and cooling for a great room continues to be a major concern. So is the square footage – the house we designed is probably too big for us if we’re being truthful.
Here is the model that's front-running right now:
We also went to Home Depot and talked to one of their employees about the differences between Granite and Quartz. Really interesting education because we were both 100% Granite when we entered and now we’re both all for the Quartz option after learning more. Also opened our eyes to how much the builder is overcharging for these options. For example, on our 92 sq. ft. counter they wanted an upgrade cost of $10,500 on top of the counter price pre-built into the house. Home Depot wanted $7800 for the same thing installed and with a 10 year warranty!
Jim also found an article today talking about how much you can talk builders down on their houses – more ammo to negotiate!
So far the only real negative I have is that I don’t get immediate responses to my emails – I know that a lot of the stuff I ask has to be researched and priced, but I'm so eager to get answers I sit on the edge of my seat until I see her email pop into my inbox!
We also went to Home Depot and talked to one of their employees about the differences between Granite and Quartz. Really interesting education because we were both 100% Granite when we entered and now we’re both all for the Quartz option after learning more. Also opened our eyes to how much the builder is overcharging for these options. For example, on our 92 sq. ft. counter they wanted an upgrade cost of $10,500 on top of the counter price pre-built into the house. Home Depot wanted $7800 for the same thing installed and with a 10 year warranty!
Jim also found an article today talking about how much you can talk builders down on their houses – more ammo to negotiate!
So far the only real negative I have is that I don’t get immediate responses to my emails – I know that a lot of the stuff I ask has to be researched and priced, but I'm so eager to get answers I sit on the edge of my seat until I see her email pop into my inbox!
Monday, January 08, 2007
Weekend of 1/5/07
Another busy weekend and another spiteful Monday morning.
Friday night Jim and I and all the grandkids went to Grandma and Grandpa W’s for dinner. Grandma claims that she’s not a good cook anymore so she got KFC chicken and made all the side dishes. No one complained though we don’t agree with her reasoning. Greg is an amazing eater. That kid puts tons of food away and remains so skinny at like 160lbs or something on a 6’2” frame. It’s nuts.
Saturday we ran some errands and then headed up to Spencerville for Jim’s family’s Christmas. SO nice that they don’t celebrate holidays on the specific holiday- makes coordinating my family’s festivities so much easier. We got this decorative solar light that Rusty and Diane made us and of all things they decorated it with DUCKS. ; )
I got the joy of driving home in the POURING down rain on Sunday. We did some stuff around the house (took down the Christmas tree, etc.), I started and finished my ER book where Jim and I are the main characters (it certainly lived up to its claim of being a “prescription for passion”), and we went to NKY to watch The Apprentice. Jim’s got a buddy who’s a contestant in the show this year, Surya, so we were lucky to nab an invite from him and get some inside scoop about the really reallys as we watched the first show together. Quite entertaining.
Lastly, I'm having some annoying issues with headaches and floaters (seeing “spots”). Apparently the black, transparent spots I'm seeing are really shadows created by parts of my retina detaching. According to my optometrist the spots are hormone-induced and should go away post-July. Like my headaches, these have turned into “every day all day” types of visitors. This morning I literally waved my hand in front of my face trying to get the dots to move out of my line of site. Obviously didn’t work.
Friday night Jim and I and all the grandkids went to Grandma and Grandpa W’s for dinner. Grandma claims that she’s not a good cook anymore so she got KFC chicken and made all the side dishes. No one complained though we don’t agree with her reasoning. Greg is an amazing eater. That kid puts tons of food away and remains so skinny at like 160lbs or something on a 6’2” frame. It’s nuts.
Saturday we ran some errands and then headed up to Spencerville for Jim’s family’s Christmas. SO nice that they don’t celebrate holidays on the specific holiday- makes coordinating my family’s festivities so much easier. We got this decorative solar light that Rusty and Diane made us and of all things they decorated it with DUCKS. ; )
I got the joy of driving home in the POURING down rain on Sunday. We did some stuff around the house (took down the Christmas tree, etc.), I started and finished my ER book where Jim and I are the main characters (it certainly lived up to its claim of being a “prescription for passion”), and we went to NKY to watch The Apprentice. Jim’s got a buddy who’s a contestant in the show this year, Surya, so we were lucky to nab an invite from him and get some inside scoop about the really reallys as we watched the first show together. Quite entertaining.
Lastly, I'm having some annoying issues with headaches and floaters (seeing “spots”). Apparently the black, transparent spots I'm seeing are really shadows created by parts of my retina detaching. According to my optometrist the spots are hormone-induced and should go away post-July. Like my headaches, these have turned into “every day all day” types of visitors. This morning I literally waved my hand in front of my face trying to get the dots to move out of my line of site. Obviously didn’t work.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
14 Weeks
How your baby's growing: Head to bottom, your baby's 3 1/2 inches long — about the length of a lemon — and weighs about 1 1/2 ounces. Her body's growing faster than her head, which now sits upon a more well-defined neck. By the end of this week, her arms will have lengthened and will be in proportion to the rest of her body. (Her legs still have some growing to do, though.) She's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair all over her body (called lanugo). Her liver starts secreting bile this week, a sign that it's already functioning properly, and her spleen starts contributing to the production of red blood cells. She's also producing and discharging urine into the amniotic fluid, a normal process that she'll keep up until birth. You still can't feel your baby's movements, but her hands and feet (which are now half an inch long) are more flexible and active. Thanks to brain impulses, her little facial muscles are getting a workout as she squints, frowns, and grimaces. She can grasp now, too, and she may be able to suck her thumb.
My Take: Well, I’m apparently moved out of the sickness trimester and into the best one (second). Too bad I never suffered from many of the bad elements of the first three months, namely morning sickness.
Jim and I did decide that we’ll convert the guest room into the guest room/nursery as we expect it’ll only be for a 3 month period before we move, we’ll have a bassinet with the kid in our room for a few weeks, and no one will want to visit us then anyway. We planned out how to rearrange many things in that room and are on the books to go register on 1/21 (I’m sharing a family baby shower with Lindsay so I have to do all that jazz sooner rather than later).
My Take: Well, I’m apparently moved out of the sickness trimester and into the best one (second). Too bad I never suffered from many of the bad elements of the first three months, namely morning sickness.
Jim and I did decide that we’ll convert the guest room into the guest room/nursery as we expect it’ll only be for a 3 month period before we move, we’ll have a bassinet with the kid in our room for a few weeks, and no one will want to visit us then anyway. We planned out how to rearrange many things in that room and are on the books to go register on 1/21 (I’m sharing a family baby shower with Lindsay so I have to do all that jazz sooner rather than later).
Friday, January 05, 2007
What's "Fair"?
My dear husband and I got into a conversation last night about sibling rivalry and communism last night after we got home from visiting the Polleys. I think that the reasons that we differ in opinions somewhat is because he’s an only child and has therefore never dealt with sibling rivalry. Would you mind weighing in on this situation:
Two kids in the family, one grows up to be a doctor and the other grows up to be a teacher. Obviously these two individuals have drastically different salaries. When the parents die they obviously have the free will to give whatever inheritance amount they want to the two kids (or none at all).
Should they give their children even amounts or should they give them different amounts based on need?
Two kids in the family, one grows up to be a doctor and the other grows up to be a teacher. Obviously these two individuals have drastically different salaries. When the parents die they obviously have the free will to give whatever inheritance amount they want to the two kids (or none at all).
Should they give their children even amounts or should they give them different amounts based on need?
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Thanks for noticing
Jim and I are in the process of watching Shall We Dance (2004) with Richard Gere and Jenifer Lopez. So far it’s earning a B but we’ve got 40 more minutes to go.
Anyway, there’s a quote in there that Susan Sarandan’s character says that really struck me. This is her answer to “Why do people get married?”:
We need a witness to our lives. There's a billion people on the planet... I mean, what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you're promising to care about everything. The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things... all of it, all of the time, every day. You're saying 'Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go un-witnessed because I will be your witness'.
I think this is interesting too in light that the person she’s speaking too initially answered the question with the word “Love”. Really, I think love is partly all that stuff – not just noticing the other person’s life, but actually caring about the outcome.
Nearly every day I ask Jim what he had for lunch and who he ate with. Does this information affect me, especially after the fact, in any way? Of course not. But it’s a moment in his life that I didn’t get to experience with him. A choice, albeit simple, that is a reflection of who he is and what he likes to do. I laugh when he has the same thing 3X in one week. I ask more about the guy he met and dined with for the first time yesterday. I learn more about him by knowing what he did for lunch.
I'm sure you see the other, obvious connection to this quote and blogging. I think that this is the reason we all write and read here on a regular (many times a day?) basis. We appreciate the reassurance that someone is interested in what we’re doing, how our weekend went, the opinions and feelings we have. The validation that someone wants to listen to what we have to say becomes the motivation to keep writing even when we have "nothing" to say.
Anyway, there’s a quote in there that Susan Sarandan’s character says that really struck me. This is her answer to “Why do people get married?”:
We need a witness to our lives. There's a billion people on the planet... I mean, what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you're promising to care about everything. The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things... all of it, all of the time, every day. You're saying 'Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go un-witnessed because I will be your witness'.
I think this is interesting too in light that the person she’s speaking too initially answered the question with the word “Love”. Really, I think love is partly all that stuff – not just noticing the other person’s life, but actually caring about the outcome.
Nearly every day I ask Jim what he had for lunch and who he ate with. Does this information affect me, especially after the fact, in any way? Of course not. But it’s a moment in his life that I didn’t get to experience with him. A choice, albeit simple, that is a reflection of who he is and what he likes to do. I laugh when he has the same thing 3X in one week. I ask more about the guy he met and dined with for the first time yesterday. I learn more about him by knowing what he did for lunch.
I'm sure you see the other, obvious connection to this quote and blogging. I think that this is the reason we all write and read here on a regular (many times a day?) basis. We appreciate the reassurance that someone is interested in what we’re doing, how our weekend went, the opinions and feelings we have. The validation that someone wants to listen to what we have to say becomes the motivation to keep writing even when we have "nothing" to say.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
2006 Recap
Just like ’05, here’s this year’s recap:
Age: 27
Weight: 146 (this increase hardly counts given my current situation)
Height 5’6”
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue, Right: 20/20, Left 20/15 (thank you, Lasik!)
NYE Activities: Sarah, Danny & Alex W, and Jessy, Sean, Em and Ben G came over to play games at our place
Best Of…
Movie: Talladega Nights (so funny!)
-- Worst Movie: Miami Vice
Song: I Loved Her First by Heartland
Friend of the year: Sarah Williams- she asked me to be the Godmother of her only child for crying out loud! In addition, she’s one of the most selfless people I know
Most fun thing of 2006: Cruising Alaska with super-cool people; Reunion Weekend (from Megan’s party to The Fieldhouse) with my 1320 Honeys
Most disappointing thing of 2006: Hearing that I can’t teach during the day in ’07; and, if I'm being totally honest, that I wasn’t going to give my parents their first grandchild (selfish, but true and I was over it in a day)
Most Impressive: Realizing fully how lucky my brother Mike is to have Lindsay. I thought no one was good enough for him, but she proved me wrong.
Looking to 2007…
Most Anticipated Thing: Seeing my niece, Julia Templin ;) / Having a kid
Most Nervous About: Having a kid – the pain, the responsibility, losing my ability to plan every waking moment
Goal: To have a kid that looks like the name we pre-selected for it. How scary to see the kid and have to crash through the process of choosing a name all over again that better “fits” this person you hardly know
Resolution: Not to spend time with people who bring me down. They put me in a sour mood and wasting time on them isn’t fair to the people who consistently make me happy and want to see me.
Age: 27
Weight: 146 (this increase hardly counts given my current situation)
Height 5’6”
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue, Right: 20/20, Left 20/15 (thank you, Lasik!)
NYE Activities: Sarah, Danny & Alex W, and Jessy, Sean, Em and Ben G came over to play games at our place
Best Of…
Movie: Talladega Nights (so funny!)
-- Worst Movie: Miami Vice
Song: I Loved Her First by Heartland
Friend of the year: Sarah Williams- she asked me to be the Godmother of her only child for crying out loud! In addition, she’s one of the most selfless people I know
Most fun thing of 2006: Cruising Alaska with super-cool people; Reunion Weekend (from Megan’s party to The Fieldhouse) with my 1320 Honeys
Most disappointing thing of 2006: Hearing that I can’t teach during the day in ’07; and, if I'm being totally honest, that I wasn’t going to give my parents their first grandchild (selfish, but true and I was over it in a day)
Most Impressive: Realizing fully how lucky my brother Mike is to have Lindsay. I thought no one was good enough for him, but she proved me wrong.
Looking to 2007…
Most Anticipated Thing: Seeing my niece, Julia Templin ;) / Having a kid
Most Nervous About: Having a kid – the pain, the responsibility, losing my ability to plan every waking moment
Goal: To have a kid that looks like the name we pre-selected for it. How scary to see the kid and have to crash through the process of choosing a name all over again that better “fits” this person you hardly know
Resolution: Not to spend time with people who bring me down. They put me in a sour mood and wasting time on them isn’t fair to the people who consistently make me happy and want to see me.
Sleep Deprived and Home Dreaming
This whole week has caught up with me… too much late-night partying made me feel a bit under the weather around dinnertime last night and I sent myself to bed for some rest. Jim and I officially went to bed at 9:45pm last night as we were both afraid that our 10:30am wake-ups all week would screw us up when we had to get up before 7:30am for work. I could not sleep though until 11 and even then it was like I had a plane to catch – I woke up every two hours immediately scared that I’d overslept. Jim apparently did the same thing – he got up 45 minutes early because he couldn’t sleep.
As you can imagine, I'm dragging this morning. And feeling a little green to boot. Bleh.
A word about houses – the area we’re interested in, Blue Meadows, is going to be a Ryan Homes-built neighborhood. We’ve gone through a lot of the floor plans and I’ve made extensive notes on what we’d want to upgrade, etc. As you can imagine, the dream house with all the upgrades I’d like looks to be mucho expensive and out of our $ range. I asked the builder rep for an option sheet so I can scale myself back to reality.
Dave and Rachel mentioned that a house in their neighborhood just went up for sale. I looked for it last night and think I found it. It’s technically listed as “Springdale” rather than Glendale so that threw me off. Jim perked up when I explained the geographic area and I think he’ll want to take a drive sometime soon.
I was also intrigued by a house Lisa and Kendall mentioned on Saturday that a friend of theirs is selling. The good news there is that it’s 6 months out, exactly in line with our preferred time-frame, but I can’t obviously look it up online as it’s not listed yet. This one is in Maderia.
More to come as something happens (which could be months away)…
As you can imagine, I'm dragging this morning. And feeling a little green to boot. Bleh.
A word about houses – the area we’re interested in, Blue Meadows, is going to be a Ryan Homes-built neighborhood. We’ve gone through a lot of the floor plans and I’ve made extensive notes on what we’d want to upgrade, etc. As you can imagine, the dream house with all the upgrades I’d like looks to be mucho expensive and out of our $ range. I asked the builder rep for an option sheet so I can scale myself back to reality.
Dave and Rachel mentioned that a house in their neighborhood just went up for sale. I looked for it last night and think I found it. It’s technically listed as “Springdale” rather than Glendale so that threw me off. Jim perked up when I explained the geographic area and I think he’ll want to take a drive sometime soon.
I was also intrigued by a house Lisa and Kendall mentioned on Saturday that a friend of theirs is selling. The good news there is that it’s 6 months out, exactly in line with our preferred time-frame, but I can’t obviously look it up online as it’s not listed yet. This one is in Maderia.
More to come as something happens (which could be months away)…
Sunday, December 31, 2006
13 Weeks and Other Weekend News
How your baby's growing: Your belly may soon be big enough to announce to the world that you're expecting, but your baby is still tiny. In fact, he's only about 3 inches long crown to rump — roughly the size of a jumbo shrimp — and weighs just about an ounce. Despite the small proportions, there's a fully formed baby inside your womb now. Much more proportional than it was a few weeks ago, his head is now only about a third the size of his body. His tiny, unique fingerprints are already in place. His kidneys and urinary tract are functional, and he's starting to urinate out the amniotic fluid he's been swallowing. As you start your second trimester, most of your baby's critical development will be completed, and your odds of miscarriage will drop considerably.
My Take: Good news- Jim says I’m not crazy. Apparently it’s a common side effect that pregnant women behave like they’re PMSing (illogical thinking, large mood swings, easily agitated, etc.) while pregnant. People keep saying “just wait” but I’m proud that Jim’s defending my sanity… so far.
Bad news- being pregnant has made my complexion break out just like when I was 13.
Other news- we had a super-cool last few days. On Thursday we celebrated G-Scott’s birthday (22) at my aunt’s and I won the Euchre tourney we had.
On Friday we had a bunch of folks over (Kathy, Martha, Dave, Rachel & Dale) who delighted us by getting along so well- they didn’t leave until 2:30am! We had a great time playing games and talking. Martha brought me this awesome tie-dye onsie and these amazing chocolates. Great time in general.
Last night we went to Benihana’s and played games (Sequence and a new dice game they taught us) with the Erdahl’s. They were very patient as I talked about the model house we went to see that afternoon extensively. Another great night!
I don’t want to go back to work! Being on vacation and sleeping until 10:30am each morning is wonderful!
My Take: Good news- Jim says I’m not crazy. Apparently it’s a common side effect that pregnant women behave like they’re PMSing (illogical thinking, large mood swings, easily agitated, etc.) while pregnant. People keep saying “just wait” but I’m proud that Jim’s defending my sanity… so far.
Bad news- being pregnant has made my complexion break out just like when I was 13.
Other news- we had a super-cool last few days. On Thursday we celebrated G-Scott’s birthday (22) at my aunt’s and I won the Euchre tourney we had.
On Friday we had a bunch of folks over (Kathy, Martha, Dave, Rachel & Dale) who delighted us by getting along so well- they didn’t leave until 2:30am! We had a great time playing games and talking. Martha brought me this awesome tie-dye onsie and these amazing chocolates. Great time in general.
Last night we went to Benihana’s and played games (Sequence and a new dice game they taught us) with the Erdahl’s. They were very patient as I talked about the model house we went to see that afternoon extensively. Another great night!
I don’t want to go back to work! Being on vacation and sleeping until 10:30am each morning is wonderful!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
After Christmas Activities
I’m trying to be conscientious of not being “that girl” who talks about nothing but being pregnant. This is strange because hour-to-hour I often forget I’m pregnant because I’m doing other things and it’s not that exciting (yet). However, every time I sit down to blog I feel the need to comment about something. Alas, I’ll make it short and sweet…
We (Jim and I) went to the doctor this afternoon to hear the heartbeat for the first time. The lady was barely done saying that “this might take a while to find” when she put the little device on me and it was there immediately. Sounded like a galloping horse. 152 beats/minute which is in the normal range of 130-160. Feeling my stomach the doc also said I’m “definitely progressing”. I have a bag of size 8 and 10 clothes for Sarah that I had been wearing and I pulled out some of my old size 12 stuff that I had shrunk out of but saved just for this occasion, so I will agree with Dr. Silver.
Christmas was great – lotsa family time between our two families Sat-Monday. And we’re goin’ back in for more on Thursday when we celebrate G-Scott and Grandpa’s birthdays. Jim got me a 5 hour spa package and a book where he, Sarah W and I are the main characters (we’re hospital nurses/doctors in a romantic escapade). My parents went overboard with kiddie stuff, pizza stones, remote controlled airplanes (Jim), roaster pan, etc.
Jimmy and I are watching 24 season 5 (?) now. After watching the 5th season of The Sopranos where each episode is a full hour (HBO) these 24 episodes seem super short at 40 minutes each.
I’m also making progress on my Professional Selling class prep. I did 2 chapters yesterday, will do at least 2 today and hope to keep that trend up the rest of this break. I ended up giving out 18 A’s and 11B’s in my B2B class- a class average that was a little higher than I expected, but like 5 people slid in with 90.0-91.0’s and that still merits an A. I get my evaluations back in about a month from the B2B class. If this semester is like last, they’ll ask me to teach the fall class around the end of January.
Anyway, this is quite long enough! Have a great day!
We (Jim and I) went to the doctor this afternoon to hear the heartbeat for the first time. The lady was barely done saying that “this might take a while to find” when she put the little device on me and it was there immediately. Sounded like a galloping horse. 152 beats/minute which is in the normal range of 130-160. Feeling my stomach the doc also said I’m “definitely progressing”. I have a bag of size 8 and 10 clothes for Sarah that I had been wearing and I pulled out some of my old size 12 stuff that I had shrunk out of but saved just for this occasion, so I will agree with Dr. Silver.
Christmas was great – lotsa family time between our two families Sat-Monday. And we’re goin’ back in for more on Thursday when we celebrate G-Scott and Grandpa’s birthdays. Jim got me a 5 hour spa package and a book where he, Sarah W and I are the main characters (we’re hospital nurses/doctors in a romantic escapade). My parents went overboard with kiddie stuff, pizza stones, remote controlled airplanes (Jim), roaster pan, etc.
Jimmy and I are watching 24 season 5 (?) now. After watching the 5th season of The Sopranos where each episode is a full hour (HBO) these 24 episodes seem super short at 40 minutes each.
I’m also making progress on my Professional Selling class prep. I did 2 chapters yesterday, will do at least 2 today and hope to keep that trend up the rest of this break. I ended up giving out 18 A’s and 11B’s in my B2B class- a class average that was a little higher than I expected, but like 5 people slid in with 90.0-91.0’s and that still merits an A. I get my evaluations back in about a month from the B2B class. If this semester is like last, they’ll ask me to teach the fall class around the end of January.
Anyway, this is quite long enough! Have a great day!
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Kid Update
How your baby's growing: Your baby's hit the 2-inch mark (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce. Her face is beginning to look more human. Her eyes, which started out on the sides of her head, have moved closer together on her face, and her ears are near their final positions on the sides of her head. Your baby's intestines, which have grown so rapidly that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into her abdominal cavity about now. Her kidneys are secreting urine into her bladder. Her nerve cells have been multiplying rapidly, and synapses (neurological pathways in the brain) are forming. Your baby may have acquired more reflexes by now, including sucking, and she'll even squirm if you prod your abdomen, though you still won't be able to feel her movement for several weeks.
Karen's Take: My breasts have been replaced by cantalopes and I hear it's only going to get worse. Sometimes they hurt just existing. I've taken to full-time sleeping in a sports bra and that's a huge help. The prospect of buying all new bras is not a happy thought. The reality that they might not go back to their normal size is starting to sink in already...
Other than that, I physically feel great. Eating Spree candy in the car was a big help for the first leg of our Van Wert Christmas trip yesterday. And- bonus!- 15 of them constitutes a serving and that's only 50 caleries!
Karen's Take: My breasts have been replaced by cantalopes and I hear it's only going to get worse. Sometimes they hurt just existing. I've taken to full-time sleeping in a sports bra and that's a huge help. The prospect of buying all new bras is not a happy thought. The reality that they might not go back to their normal size is starting to sink in already...
Other than that, I physically feel great. Eating Spree candy in the car was a big help for the first leg of our Van Wert Christmas trip yesterday. And- bonus!- 15 of them constitutes a serving and that's only 50 caleries!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Time
Time is an interesting thing. When we’re young we can’t wait to grow up. A comedian once joked that “children are so eager to get older they count their age in fractions”. And it’s true. Ask a 6-year old how old they are and they’ll tell you “6 and a half”.
When we enter high school and want to feel “adult” we try to validate our relationships with time. Things that sound silly to us now as adults came out of our mouths at age 16: “Mike and I have been going out for 3 months” to which our girl friends would reply “ohhh, you guys must be serious.”
Sometime around 25, I think, we want time to start slowing down. We realize how fast we blew though our irresponsible years and now the full force of adulthood is looming- mortgages, car payment, student loans, etc. Then the cliched "anniversaries" of our 29th birthday start...
It’s curious to me how pregnant women revert back to time being measured in increments. Ask Lindsay how far along she is and she’ll tell you exactly: as stated in her blog, on Monday she was 27 weeks and 5 days. Pregnant women count in fractions, just like grade-schoolers. Even if my answer to how far along I am is “11 weeks” I know in my head that I'm 11 weeks and 4 days. WEIRD. Cute, I guess.
I wonder if Lindsay (and me, and others) will start counting in negatives nearer to the end. The answer to how far along will be: “only 36 days left”.
When we enter high school and want to feel “adult” we try to validate our relationships with time. Things that sound silly to us now as adults came out of our mouths at age 16: “Mike and I have been going out for 3 months” to which our girl friends would reply “ohhh, you guys must be serious.”
Sometime around 25, I think, we want time to start slowing down. We realize how fast we blew though our irresponsible years and now the full force of adulthood is looming- mortgages, car payment, student loans, etc. Then the cliched "anniversaries" of our 29th birthday start...
It’s curious to me how pregnant women revert back to time being measured in increments. Ask Lindsay how far along she is and she’ll tell you exactly: as stated in her blog, on Monday she was 27 weeks and 5 days. Pregnant women count in fractions, just like grade-schoolers. Even if my answer to how far along I am is “11 weeks” I know in my head that I'm 11 weeks and 4 days. WEIRD. Cute, I guess.
I wonder if Lindsay (and me, and others) will start counting in negatives nearer to the end. The answer to how far along will be: “only 36 days left”.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
It all adds up to...
Another “HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEN” – the big 2-8 and firmly seated in her “late twenties”. Ha! Jen was nice enough to let me tag along to her birthday dinner at the Olive Garden. Good times, good company.
After dinner with Jimmy, we settled in to watch Castaway. A movie I’ve seen before and didn’t remember liking, I literally BAWLED when the damn volleyball floated away and when Helen Hunt cries that he was the “love of her life”. Geez… I'm getting to be such a softie in my late twenties.
After the movie, Jim asked me for help with his finance model for work. Why was this exciting? Because I was so flattered that he thought I could actually help him (and I did figure it out!). I know I have my MBA and all but normally anything relating to business numbers I try to stay far far away due to distaste (not, obviously, ineptitude). I felt quite proud of myself for being able to assist.
After dinner with Jimmy, we settled in to watch Castaway. A movie I’ve seen before and didn’t remember liking, I literally BAWLED when the damn volleyball floated away and when Helen Hunt cries that he was the “love of her life”. Geez… I'm getting to be such a softie in my late twenties.
After the movie, Jim asked me for help with his finance model for work. Why was this exciting? Because I was so flattered that he thought I could actually help him (and I did figure it out!). I know I have my MBA and all but normally anything relating to business numbers I try to stay far far away due to distaste (not, obviously, ineptitude). I felt quite proud of myself for being able to assist.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Weekend of 12/15/06
Here’s the baby update for the week:
Your fig-size baby is now fully formed — measuring 1 1/2 inches long and weighing in at a quarter of an ounce. His skin is still transparent, allowing many of his blood vessels to show through. Some of his bones are beginning to harden. His fingers and toes have separated, and he may soon be able to open and close his fists. He's already busy kicking and stretching, and his tiny movements are so fluid they look like water ballet. These movements will increase as his body grows and becomes more developed and functional. As your baby's diaphragm develops, he may also start getting the hiccups. Because he's still so small, you won't feel any of his aquatic workouts or intrauterine gulps for another month or so.
How do I feel? Like nothing is going on. If I continually graze I don’t even hit a 1/10 on a “morning sickness Richter chart”. And I feel REALLY REALLY lucky about that.
Quick weekend recap: Was off on Friday as you know, bowled out on Saturday morning and watched Sopranos (season 6) most of the afternoon with Jim. We attended my XU Marketing Christmas party, which was nice as I got to meet EVERYONE for the first time. Sunday was more Sopranos watching and then dinner with the Williamses before heading to the Polley’s Christmas Concert at their church (which was really lovely). All in all, a low-key nice weekend.
Your fig-size baby is now fully formed — measuring 1 1/2 inches long and weighing in at a quarter of an ounce. His skin is still transparent, allowing many of his blood vessels to show through. Some of his bones are beginning to harden. His fingers and toes have separated, and he may soon be able to open and close his fists. He's already busy kicking and stretching, and his tiny movements are so fluid they look like water ballet. These movements will increase as his body grows and becomes more developed and functional. As your baby's diaphragm develops, he may also start getting the hiccups. Because he's still so small, you won't feel any of his aquatic workouts or intrauterine gulps for another month or so.
How do I feel? Like nothing is going on. If I continually graze I don’t even hit a 1/10 on a “morning sickness Richter chart”. And I feel REALLY REALLY lucky about that.
Quick weekend recap: Was off on Friday as you know, bowled out on Saturday morning and watched Sopranos (season 6) most of the afternoon with Jim. We attended my XU Marketing Christmas party, which was nice as I got to meet EVERYONE for the first time. Sunday was more Sopranos watching and then dinner with the Williamses before heading to the Polley’s Christmas Concert at their church (which was really lovely). All in all, a low-key nice weekend.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Jim's another year (well, day) older!
HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY, JIM!! Another decade to your name and still hot as ever!
This is the sign that was in our yard (from Dad) when I got up this morning!
This is the sign that was in our yard (from Dad) when I got up this morning! We went to Mom and Dad’s for dinner last night for Jim’s birthday “party”. Mom made lasagna for the family, Jim and I, and Dale. We opened presents and ate blueberry cobbler and ice cream and played a little Domino’s. Special shout-out to Dale for his creative b-day present to Jim: a blue t-shirt that says “wingman” on it. I got Jim some pistol laser thing he wanted. I don’t know anything about that stuff, but I can follow directions well when the online bookmark he set up is clear with the model number. :)
I’m off work!! Only 3 ½ more days left of the year!!! What have I accomplished so far at 9:30am? I got my very last Christmas card out the door (previously ran out of letters!), read everyone’s blogs, ate breakfast, writing this… I’m having lunch with Jamie C this afternoon, Christmas shopping, Christmas wrapping and then I’m going to spend HOURS on my spring class material. Fun fun…
Two final notes:
1) Lindsay is a very cute pregnant lady
2) My brother Mike vehemently bashed bloggers last night (he claims we’re “time wasters” so now we all have to hate him.
Two final notes:
1) Lindsay is a very cute pregnant lady
2) My brother Mike vehemently bashed bloggers last night (he claims we’re “time wasters” so now we all have to hate him.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Does anyone read those things?
There is much debate on the inclusion of a Holiday Letter (a formal “year in review” for friends and family) in Christmas cards. I'm predisposed to writing a letter, as I am a blog, because I assume people care about what I did all year. Also, my dad writes a letter every year so I’ve grown up with them. Thirdly, I live in Ohio… writing a letter is just too Midwestern for me specifically not to do.I also really like it when others send me their letters for the same reasons. It’s great when you see the return address on an envelope and know on you count on a little 2006 synopsis to be included. Like blogs, I harass friends who don’t write letters (ahem, Karen C) to do so. Most of the time they don’t listen to me. I'm getting used to it... :P
Anyway, my feelings won’t be hurt if people comment that they don’t care about the letter. I’ll write it anyway. It’s tradition. I will repeat again though that I really like to read others’ letters.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
This is why Christmas is so special
'Dear Santa' letters flood North Pole, Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- It's a name that needs no address. Everyone knows Santa Claus lives at the North Pole.
So letters sent to the roly-poly icon find their way to the small town of North Pole deep in Alaska's interior, including those simply addressed to Santa. Last year, 120,000 letters arrived from 26 countries, not counting the thousands with no return address.
Those that do have return addresses usually get a reply and a North Pole postmark in a holiday effort that has delighted children all over the world for decades.
Letters trickle in year-round in the community of 1,600, where light poles are curved and striped like candy canes and streets have names such as Santa Claus Lane and Kris Kringle Drive. Around Thanksgiving, they start pouring in by the thousands each day as Christmas approaches. Even stampless letters get through, a rare exception for the U.S. Postal Service.
"This is special because it has Santa's name on it," said Debra Cornelius, a supervisor at the main post office in nearby Fairbanks, where the letters are processed during the holiday rush.
"It's what makes Christmas magic for children," Cornelius said. "Why not make that available for them?"
Full Story: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/09/santa.mail.ap/index.html
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- It's a name that needs no address. Everyone knows Santa Claus lives at the North Pole.
So letters sent to the roly-poly icon find their way to the small town of North Pole deep in Alaska's interior, including those simply addressed to Santa. Last year, 120,000 letters arrived from 26 countries, not counting the thousands with no return address.
Those that do have return addresses usually get a reply and a North Pole postmark in a holiday effort that has delighted children all over the world for decades.
Letters trickle in year-round in the community of 1,600, where light poles are curved and striped like candy canes and streets have names such as Santa Claus Lane and Kris Kringle Drive. Around Thanksgiving, they start pouring in by the thousands each day as Christmas approaches. Even stampless letters get through, a rare exception for the U.S. Postal Service.
"This is special because it has Santa's name on it," said Debra Cornelius, a supervisor at the main post office in nearby Fairbanks, where the letters are processed during the holiday rush.
"It's what makes Christmas magic for children," Cornelius said. "Why not make that available for them?"
Full Story: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/09/santa.mail.ap/index.html
Monday, December 11, 2006
Weekly Update on the kid (10 weeks- 25% done with this whole pregnancy thing!)
How your baby's growing: Your baby is no longer an embryo! Though she's barely the size of a kumquat — just an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, she now has completed the most critical portion of her development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in her body rapidly grow and mature. Her vital organs — the liver, kidney, intestines, brain, and lungs — are now in place and starting to function (although they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy). Her liver continues to make blood cells, and the yolk sac, which previously supplied these cells, is no longer needed and begins to disappear. During the next three weeks, your baby's length will more than double to nearly 3 inches. Her head is proportionately smaller now than it was a few weeks ago, but it's still almost half the length of her entire body. Her forehead temporarily bulges with her developing brain and sits high on her head; it will later recede to give her a more human appearance.
Each day, more minute details — including tiny fingernails, toenails, and peach-fuzz hair — start to appear on her body. Her fingers are now completely separated; her arms bend at the elbow and curve slightly; her hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over her heart; her legs are lengthening; and her feet may be long enough to meet in front of her body. She is busily swallowing amniotic fluid and kicking her legs.If you could take a peek at your baby this week, you'd be able to clearly see the outline of her spine through her parchment-thin skin. Spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from her spinal cord.
Each day, more minute details — including tiny fingernails, toenails, and peach-fuzz hair — start to appear on her body. Her fingers are now completely separated; her arms bend at the elbow and curve slightly; her hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over her heart; her legs are lengthening; and her feet may be long enough to meet in front of her body. She is busily swallowing amniotic fluid and kicking her legs.If you could take a peek at your baby this week, you'd be able to clearly see the outline of her spine through her parchment-thin skin. Spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from her spinal cord.
Weekend of 12/8/06
Ahhh, Monday morning. Does anyone like them?
Weekend was good. We went to PF Chang’s for dinner on Friday night with Jim’s boss and his wife. Following, we came back to our house for brownies and cards. Jim’s boss, John, made a funny comment towards the end of the evening when he asked if Jim knew any card tricks. Being as how this was the manner that won me over for dear Jim, I laughed and asked if he (John) was referring to the night we (Jim and I) met. “No, I don’t know that story,” he answered, “card tricks just seem like something Jim would know how to do. He excels at all these one-off’s. Like ping pong.” Funny, and so true.
Saturday we bummed around, watched Deadwood, I read People, Jim researched CFA certifications and we did a little Christmas shopping. We had 3 party invitations for that evening (in Mason, Colerain, and Hyde Park… in that order. Can’t get much more geographically diverse). We went to the Cetti’s for dinner first – notable thing about their party was that there were no kids last year and 5 babies this year! Around 9 we arrived at the Lewis’s to hang out with them at their Christmas party. We left their place around midnight and I was way too exhausted to head to Andy’s party (I know, bad friend of the year award).
Sunday I was plagued with a horrible migraine that left me in bed the whole day except for church and lunch. Jim went out to buy me some Tylenol and that blissfully knocked me out (finally!) for an hour. I felt well enough then to go to mom’s for a Wolf tradition, strudel-making, for several hours. Then home and back to bed. Mostly wasted day. : (
Good news of the day: only 7.5 working days of the year left!
Weekend was good. We went to PF Chang’s for dinner on Friday night with Jim’s boss and his wife. Following, we came back to our house for brownies and cards. Jim’s boss, John, made a funny comment towards the end of the evening when he asked if Jim knew any card tricks. Being as how this was the manner that won me over for dear Jim, I laughed and asked if he (John) was referring to the night we (Jim and I) met. “No, I don’t know that story,” he answered, “card tricks just seem like something Jim would know how to do. He excels at all these one-off’s. Like ping pong.” Funny, and so true.
Saturday we bummed around, watched Deadwood, I read People, Jim researched CFA certifications and we did a little Christmas shopping. We had 3 party invitations for that evening (in Mason, Colerain, and Hyde Park… in that order. Can’t get much more geographically diverse). We went to the Cetti’s for dinner first – notable thing about their party was that there were no kids last year and 5 babies this year! Around 9 we arrived at the Lewis’s to hang out with them at their Christmas party. We left their place around midnight and I was way too exhausted to head to Andy’s party (I know, bad friend of the year award).
Sunday I was plagued with a horrible migraine that left me in bed the whole day except for church and lunch. Jim went out to buy me some Tylenol and that blissfully knocked me out (finally!) for an hour. I felt well enough then to go to mom’s for a Wolf tradition, strudel-making, for several hours. Then home and back to bed. Mostly wasted day. : (
Good news of the day: only 7.5 working days of the year left!
Friday, December 08, 2006
Tribute to Kisses
Unlike many women, I have to be in a special mood to actually eat plain chocolate. I'm just not normally into a simple bar of it, even Godiva. I do however enjoy a Hershey kiss every now and then. I think it’s the cute shape and the reasonable portion size.
I was very excited when Hershey expanded their Kiss line to include almonds, Hugs, peanut butter and especially the Caramel ones (still the best). While the cherry ones are good, I miss the actual cherry in the middle.
Anyway, I was going to write a nice little tribute to these adorable candies and I found this picture on the Hershey website with all the varieties of Kisses. I had no idea there were so many!! Where are these things marketed at? Obviously not anywhere I am. I’d love to try those coconut ones. And the cookie ones just look crazy.
Am I the only one who was in the dark about all these choices?!
I was very excited when Hershey expanded their Kiss line to include almonds, Hugs, peanut butter and especially the Caramel ones (still the best). While the cherry ones are good, I miss the actual cherry in the middle.
Anyway, I was going to write a nice little tribute to these adorable candies and I found this picture on the Hershey website with all the varieties of Kisses. I had no idea there were so many!! Where are these things marketed at? Obviously not anywhere I am. I’d love to try those coconut ones. And the cookie ones just look crazy.
Am I the only one who was in the dark about all these choices?!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Thursday and beyond
I’ve had a really great week at work. I haven’t hardly sold anything, but so many new opportunities have crept up that I'm really hopping and my 2007 is looking brighter. Hooray!
In other news – this weather totally screwed up Cincinnati traffic. I have no idea how it’s possible that all three lanes on I75 North can come to a complete stop for over 3 minutes at a time.
In other news – this weather totally screwed up Cincinnati traffic. I have no idea how it’s possible that all three lanes on I75 North can come to a complete stop for over 3 minutes at a time.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Being Knocked Up
I have really great friends in my life and I'm blessed to be reminded of this regularly. Thanks, all, for the cards, CD, well-wishes and emails - I can’t tell you how appreciative both Jim and I are for your constant love and support!
Jim and I get weekly email updates as to what the kid is doing and the progress that it’s rapidly making. This week, we were informed that the baby is the size of a grape. That’s up from the kidney bean it was last Saturday. Not too shabby.
Also, I made my first step towards this whole pregnancy thing being more “real” this week. Sarah F and I were IMing and at the end of our conversation she told me she loves me, as she normally does, and then she added in “and I love your grape too!” I think I smiled for the next 2 hours over that one sentence.
Jim and I get weekly email updates as to what the kid is doing and the progress that it’s rapidly making. This week, we were informed that the baby is the size of a grape. That’s up from the kidney bean it was last Saturday. Not too shabby.
Also, I made my first step towards this whole pregnancy thing being more “real” this week. Sarah F and I were IMing and at the end of our conversation she told me she loves me, as she normally does, and then she added in “and I love your grape too!” I think I smiled for the next 2 hours over that one sentence.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Weekend of 12/1/06
This weekend, like so many lately, was a blur. I took Friday off initially because I planned on going to Akron to visit Sarah, but ended up using the day to go to the doctor, do some Christmas shopping, and enjoy the break from work. Jim and I did a whole lot of nothing that night, if I remember correctly, but went to bed early to be up for traveling on Saturday.
Saturday morning we got up and rushed around to get ready to head back to Spencerville. We sold Jim’s old Grand Prix, hit up a 2:00 wedding for the sister of one of his childhood friends, and then went to the reception. We didn’t leave the reception until 9:30 which made for a REALLY long day of visiting. The night was capped off well though as Jim got to break the “big news” to his aunt and uncle when we got back to their place.
Sunday morning breakfast was a whole family affair and more rounds of good news was shared. We were surprised by a call from Jim’s mom and Doug that they were at the truck stop waiting for us so we left Spencerville a little early to go down and spend a few hours with them. They’re seriously considering moving to AZ in January for a total lifestyle change (no more trucking, but normal 9-5 jobs) so it’s nice to squeeze in this time while it’s convenient to do so.
Bowling was awful on Sunday night. The second game I got no marks at all and therefore didn’t break 100. Blech. I did manage to get a $6.99 pizza from Papa John’s for dinner though so at least we ate well, albeit late at 9:00pm.
This morning at work my bosses had a huge champagne breakfast for us with made-to-order omelet’s, hash browns, pancakes, juice, etc. It was amazing. I’m in charge of brining in something next Wednesday for both me and for Jim’s office. This’ll be hard to top!
Saturday morning we got up and rushed around to get ready to head back to Spencerville. We sold Jim’s old Grand Prix, hit up a 2:00 wedding for the sister of one of his childhood friends, and then went to the reception. We didn’t leave the reception until 9:30 which made for a REALLY long day of visiting. The night was capped off well though as Jim got to break the “big news” to his aunt and uncle when we got back to their place.
Sunday morning breakfast was a whole family affair and more rounds of good news was shared. We were surprised by a call from Jim’s mom and Doug that they were at the truck stop waiting for us so we left Spencerville a little early to go down and spend a few hours with them. They’re seriously considering moving to AZ in January for a total lifestyle change (no more trucking, but normal 9-5 jobs) so it’s nice to squeeze in this time while it’s convenient to do so.
Bowling was awful on Sunday night. The second game I got no marks at all and therefore didn’t break 100. Blech. I did manage to get a $6.99 pizza from Papa John’s for dinner though so at least we ate well, albeit late at 9:00pm.
This morning at work my bosses had a huge champagne breakfast for us with made-to-order omelet’s, hash browns, pancakes, juice, etc. It was amazing. I’m in charge of brining in something next Wednesday for both me and for Jim’s office. This’ll be hard to top!
Friday, December 01, 2006
The Buzz in Fairfield
So, now that I’ve been to the doctor this morning and gotten the thumbs up on life being great and my body being normal, I’m happy to formally announce that …
Jim and I are pregnant and due on July 7, 2007.
So far so good – I have little to no morning sickness, I haven’t gained any weight, and if I’m being moody Jim and my co-workers are keeping their mouths shut about it. Really, it still feels like I’m talking in third person because it just doesn’t feel real.
On December 27th we get to hear the heartbeat for the first time and the month after that we get to have our one and only ultrasound where we DO intend on finding out the sex of the baby.
Both sets of parents are completely elated as you can imagine. What’s neat about the timing is that our kid and Mike & Lindsay’s will be in the same grade. They are now about 4 months ahead of us as of yesterday when they moved her due date up.
Anyway, that’s all I got! I’ll keep you posted as much or as little as you care to be!
Jim and I are pregnant and due on July 7, 2007.
So far so good – I have little to no morning sickness, I haven’t gained any weight, and if I’m being moody Jim and my co-workers are keeping their mouths shut about it. Really, it still feels like I’m talking in third person because it just doesn’t feel real.
On December 27th we get to hear the heartbeat for the first time and the month after that we get to have our one and only ultrasound where we DO intend on finding out the sex of the baby.
Both sets of parents are completely elated as you can imagine. What’s neat about the timing is that our kid and Mike & Lindsay’s will be in the same grade. They are now about 4 months ahead of us as of yesterday when they moved her due date up.
Anyway, that’s all I got! I’ll keep you posted as much or as little as you care to be!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Random Things
Yes, I know that I obviously have too much time on my hands if I think about this stuff but I’ve been driving a lot lately and have been afforded the time.
Two things I’ve been ruminating about:
1) I was dismayed earlier this week when, while using the restroom, my arch-nemesis co-worker came in and was going to use the same stall I was in. Not intentionally walk in on me or anything, but her natural instinct was to prefer this stall. I don’t like that someone I don’t like has things in common with me. Especially not my bathroom preferences. I like to pretend that she’s sour and nothing like me.
2) Now that I'm fully immersed into Christmas music I’ve been paying close attention to the songs specifically. As we all know, there are really just a few dozen Christmas songs in general therefore making “listening to Christmas music” really just “listening to different versions of the same songs over and over”. That being said, there are several songs that I consider the “original”. For example, I think that Celine Dion’s Ave Maria is the 'original'. I also think that Bing Crosby’s White Christmas is the 'original'. Not that some “remakes” aren’t really good. Josh Groban singing anything Christmas related is amazing…. It’s just not the “real” thing.
Two things I’ve been ruminating about:
1) I was dismayed earlier this week when, while using the restroom, my arch-nemesis co-worker came in and was going to use the same stall I was in. Not intentionally walk in on me or anything, but her natural instinct was to prefer this stall. I don’t like that someone I don’t like has things in common with me. Especially not my bathroom preferences. I like to pretend that she’s sour and nothing like me.
2) Now that I'm fully immersed into Christmas music I’ve been paying close attention to the songs specifically. As we all know, there are really just a few dozen Christmas songs in general therefore making “listening to Christmas music” really just “listening to different versions of the same songs over and over”. That being said, there are several songs that I consider the “original”. For example, I think that Celine Dion’s Ave Maria is the 'original'. I also think that Bing Crosby’s White Christmas is the 'original'. Not that some “remakes” aren’t really good. Josh Groban singing anything Christmas related is amazing…. It’s just not the “real” thing.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
When we get Upstairs
Sometimes Jim and I talk about what we’ll ask God or his/her secretary when we get to Heaven. Jim is very intrigued, and therefore has perked my curiosity, of what we did better/more than anyone else in the history of the world. Now that’s a lot of people to compare yourself to. Jim suspects that the answer may be something like “Jim, you used the word 'or' while walking southwest in downtown Spencerville more than anyone else in the world”. He also suspects that each of us has dozens of things we’ve done something superior/more to others over the course of our lifetime. I think it’s probably stretching it to have even 1 thing you can claim that’s general in nature like that.
I do think that I’ll be able to specifically take credit for the following:
1) I probably harassed/will continue to harass Sarah F to move to Cincinnati more than anyone else in her lifetime
2) I have probably given Jim more kisses than anyone else in his life ever will or has
That might be it...
I do think that I’ll be able to specifically take credit for the following:
1) I probably harassed/will continue to harass Sarah F to move to Cincinnati more than anyone else in her lifetime
2) I have probably given Jim more kisses than anyone else in his life ever will or has
That might be it...
Monday, November 27, 2006
Weekend of 11/25/06
This weekend was a busy one! Thanksgiving was wonderful as there are so many things to be grateful for, one being that all of my mom’s side could get together in the first place to celebrate. Viki came in on Friday night and we spent all of Saturday afternoon together hanging out and catching up. Sarah F came into town on Saturday night just in time for dinner and girl-bonding time. Poor Jim was on his own for entertainment, but I'm sure he was happier watching Animal Planet than hearing us giggle all night.
Sunday was a very special day as my Godson, Alex, was Baptized at St. Luke’s in Dayton. While he wasn’t the quietest baby, he was certainly the cutest. We had a great party with Sarah & Danny’s family and friends that afternoon and lots of cute presents were given and “awww’d” over. Here are some pictures of the big day! 
Finally, a special, warm, official welcome to my sister-in-law to-be, Lindsay, who was officially invited to join the family on Wednesday of last week. Check out her blog for details on my brother Mike’s proposal!
Sunday was a very special day as my Godson, Alex, was Baptized at St. Luke’s in Dayton. While he wasn’t the quietest baby, he was certainly the cutest. We had a great party with Sarah & Danny’s family and friends that afternoon and lots of cute presents were given and “awww’d” over. Here are some pictures of the big day!
Finally, a special, warm, official welcome to my sister-in-law to-be, Lindsay, who was officially invited to join the family on Wednesday of last week. Check out her blog for details on my brother Mike’s proposal!
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Ethnic Food Report
This is my official report on “FFG Tea” (special thanks to Viki R for bringing some for this review), a product consumed on Saturday, November 25 at approximately 12:30pm.
As you will note from the picture on the right,
FFG Tea is an odd orange color, inconsistent with many traditional teas. Also, unlike traditional tea, FFG Tea is a powder mix that is a 3-in-1 combo consisting of tea, cream, and sugar all contained in one, single-serving pouch.
FFG Tea resembles hot chocolate in many ways including consistency, best drinking temperature, and sweetness. Literally, the flavor is simply “tea flavored hot chocolate”.
It was quite good, worth a special trip by FFG’s parents, and the effort of writing a reimbursement check to FFG herself. Now that the poor girl is canned, and Jungle Jim’s has been verified to not carry the product (how is that possible?!) I’m frustrated because I’ll probably not have the opportunity to have it again and truly did like it.
Side note, while FFG Tea is not available at Jungle Jim’s, several other entertaining products were, including (all descriptions taken directly from the product description on the package):
As you will note from the picture on the right,
FFG Tea is an odd orange color, inconsistent with many traditional teas. Also, unlike traditional tea, FFG Tea is a powder mix that is a 3-in-1 combo consisting of tea, cream, and sugar all contained in one, single-serving pouch.FFG Tea resembles hot chocolate in many ways including consistency, best drinking temperature, and sweetness. Literally, the flavor is simply “tea flavored hot chocolate”.
It was quite good, worth a special trip by FFG’s parents, and the effort of writing a reimbursement check to FFG herself. Now that the poor girl is canned, and Jungle Jim’s has been verified to not carry the product (how is that possible?!) I’m frustrated because I’ll probably not have the opportunity to have it again and truly did like it.
Side note, while FFG Tea is not available at Jungle Jim’s, several other entertaining products were, including (all descriptions taken directly from the product description on the package):
Black, Dried Fungus
Gelatinous Mutant Coconut Balls
Various fun Hot Sauce Brands (excellent packaging!)
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Thanksgiving is Upon Us
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we, of course, are off work. Friday too. =) However, we have a good start in on our Christmas shopping, so if I venture out at all it’ll be just to return a pair of pants I bought for myself a few weeks ago and to get Dad’s XYZ. Like last year, it’s my intention to buy as many things online as possible. So much easier and oftentimes the same price or less compared to going out to the stores, especially with free shipping offers from the merchants.
What I do look forward to, as always, is putting up the tree and all of the decorations. That will definitely be happening on Friday. I want the house to look beautiful for Viki and Sarah!
What I do look forward to, as always, is putting up the tree and all of the decorations. That will definitely be happening on Friday. I want the house to look beautiful for Viki and Sarah!
Monday, November 20, 2006
Your opinion, please
A scenario:
A tiger is rushing at you and you see him coming. The tiger leaps and swipes his arm to get you. You jump out of the way, barely missing the brunt of his efforts and quickly climb a nearby tree to safety.
Were you lucky?
Please comment with your initial reaction AND then if you come to the same conclusion as this first reaction upon further thought.
A tiger is rushing at you and you see him coming. The tiger leaps and swipes his arm to get you. You jump out of the way, barely missing the brunt of his efforts and quickly climb a nearby tree to safety.
Were you lucky?
Please comment with your initial reaction AND then if you come to the same conclusion as this first reaction upon further thought.
Fa La La La La
The debate has already been approached by one blogger but now that it’s a few days before Thanksgiving and not a few weeks before, let me officially say “bring on the Christmas music”.
On the way home from Columbus yesterday, Jim was a doll and let me listen to a Christmas station all the way home (2 hours!) and didn’t complain or make fun of me once.
Last year Tom P was nice enough to burn me like 8 Christmas CDs and over 650 individual MP3's to listen to at work and home. While seemingly no big deal, Tom is a scrooge and hates holiday music. It was quite a sacrifice for him to take the time to get me so many songs and I'm STILL grateful. I'm getting ready to re-download those onto my hard drive (got a new computer since then) so it can be fully festive in my office for the next 5 weeks.
On the way home from Columbus yesterday, Jim was a doll and let me listen to a Christmas station all the way home (2 hours!) and didn’t complain or make fun of me once.
Last year Tom P was nice enough to burn me like 8 Christmas CDs and over 650 individual MP3's to listen to at work and home. While seemingly no big deal, Tom is a scrooge and hates holiday music. It was quite a sacrifice for him to take the time to get me so many songs and I'm STILL grateful. I'm getting ready to re-download those onto my hard drive (got a new computer since then) so it can be fully festive in my office for the next 5 weeks.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Problems with the mirror
A comedian once joked that women get a bad rep for being vain but really, men are too. “A guy will always check himself out when he passes a mirror or a window that reflects his image,” the comedian explained. “That being said, a woman will look in any mirror, window, puddle, spoon, wine glass….”
This morning I had a very bad day with my reflection. Normally I plan what I'm going to wear while in the shower so I can be most efficient with my morning. While I did do that today, I couldn't find the turtleneck sweater I was planning on wearing once it came time to actually get dressed. I proceeded to put on not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 different outfits before I decided on what I was going to wear to work. Everything I tried on made me look like a house. Literally, my reflection was begging me not to wear the outfits I picked out. Result – I'm wearing black pants, a black sweater, and a striped shirt underneath. Bor-ing. I was also 9 minutes late to work as a result.
This morning I had a very bad day with my reflection. Normally I plan what I'm going to wear while in the shower so I can be most efficient with my morning. While I did do that today, I couldn't find the turtleneck sweater I was planning on wearing once it came time to actually get dressed. I proceeded to put on not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 different outfits before I decided on what I was going to wear to work. Everything I tried on made me look like a house. Literally, my reflection was begging me not to wear the outfits I picked out. Result – I'm wearing black pants, a black sweater, and a striped shirt underneath. Bor-ing. I was also 9 minutes late to work as a result.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Cool events since I last blogged
A cool thing happened today – a student of mine wrote me an email and asked for information on a 20 minute video we watched in class about innovation a few weeks ago. She apparently works directly for AG Lafley (CEO of Procter & Gamble) and was talking to him about the company featured in the video. He asked her to get a copy of the video so he could watch it.
I'm blown away – 1) people were paying attention to the video I showed in class 2) I have a student who works for one of the most prominent CEOs in American business and 3) she’s talking about my class and what she’s learning to said prominent CEO. I'm quite happy!
I'm also touched by the cards that we got for our anniversary yesterday - Karen, Chuck, Mom & Dad, Jen & Tom - Thanks a lot! So sweet of you!
I'm blown away – 1) people were paying attention to the video I showed in class 2) I have a student who works for one of the most prominent CEOs in American business and 3) she’s talking about my class and what she’s learning to said prominent CEO. I'm quite happy!
I'm also touched by the cards that we got for our anniversary yesterday - Karen, Chuck, Mom & Dad, Jen & Tom - Thanks a lot! So sweet of you!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Weekend of 11/10/06
Today is my 2 year wedding anniversary! Yeah! I have the best husband of all time! I definitely "married up"!
The weekend was good. We hung out with Sean and Jess on Friday night- had Mexican (mmmmm) for dinner, I won at Shang-hai, lost in Euchre, bowled some scotch doubles (Jess &Y I took names!!!), and then got my butt kicked in Sequence. I really really really like that Jim is so fond of my friends. I think he commented 3X after we saw the Gardners how much he likes them.
We got up on Saturday and headed to Spencerville for the Eutsler family Thanksgiving (blessedly always celebrated a few weeks off the actual holiday). Jim did not have such a great time as there were many things done inefficiently from a timing and driving stand-point, but we got through it.
I am still coughing up a *&%! storm. I feel bad for Jim who hasn’t kicked me out of the bedroom yet but I know I'm keeping him up with all my hacking. On Sunday evening I finished up my syllabus and schedule for the Spring semester, Jim did fantasy football stuff, and we watched Shark Tale to close off the night. Shark Tale (B) was an interesting title because it’s not really about the shark…. The main effort in the movie I think was to pack as many celebraties in as guest stars as humanly possible. It was cute but I'm more eager to watch Over the Hedge.
From a 73 degree Thursday of last week, I officially pulled out my winter coat this morning to wear to work. BLAH.
Finally, WELCOME DAVE to the blogging world! 3 posts already!!… can he sustain it!?
The weekend was good. We hung out with Sean and Jess on Friday night- had Mexican (mmmmm) for dinner, I won at Shang-hai, lost in Euchre, bowled some scotch doubles (Jess &Y I took names!!!), and then got my butt kicked in Sequence. I really really really like that Jim is so fond of my friends. I think he commented 3X after we saw the Gardners how much he likes them.
We got up on Saturday and headed to Spencerville for the Eutsler family Thanksgiving (blessedly always celebrated a few weeks off the actual holiday). Jim did not have such a great time as there were many things done inefficiently from a timing and driving stand-point, but we got through it.
I am still coughing up a *&%! storm. I feel bad for Jim who hasn’t kicked me out of the bedroom yet but I know I'm keeping him up with all my hacking. On Sunday evening I finished up my syllabus and schedule for the Spring semester, Jim did fantasy football stuff, and we watched Shark Tale to close off the night. Shark Tale (B) was an interesting title because it’s not really about the shark…. The main effort in the movie I think was to pack as many celebraties in as guest stars as humanly possible. It was cute but I'm more eager to watch Over the Hedge.
From a 73 degree Thursday of last week, I officially pulled out my winter coat this morning to wear to work. BLAH.
Finally, WELCOME DAVE to the blogging world! 3 posts already!!… can he sustain it!?
Friday, November 10, 2006
BOR-ING
I remember never being bored in college. If I didn’t have anything to do I could always IM any number of people who were also just sitting around. Or I could download music. Or I could go to work. Or I could hang out with my roommates or someone else’s roommates. Finding something to do was never a problem.
Now, as an adult, I have a much harder time entertaining myself. At work, for the last half hour, I’ve waited for many people to get back to me and I'm at a holding point until that happens. There is nothing online that I care to research, my co-workers are all busy doing their work, and I'm all caught up on my email. I see why people gain weight – I want to eat Skittles not because I'm craving them but just so I can get up out of my office and move around!
This sometimes happens at home too – I don’t want to bore myself with television, cleaning is never a joy, and shopping costs money.
Do you all see why I need you back in my neighborhood???
Now, as an adult, I have a much harder time entertaining myself. At work, for the last half hour, I’ve waited for many people to get back to me and I'm at a holding point until that happens. There is nothing online that I care to research, my co-workers are all busy doing their work, and I'm all caught up on my email. I see why people gain weight – I want to eat Skittles not because I'm craving them but just so I can get up out of my office and move around!
This sometimes happens at home too – I don’t want to bore myself with television, cleaning is never a joy, and shopping costs money.
Do you all see why I need you back in my neighborhood???
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Thursday Morning
The office is now up to 6/13 sick people. Lamont came in today to ask what my symptoms were yesterday and they mirror his today. Blah! My voice is screwed up and I'm coughing but, after a full night’s sleep and a good catnap yesterday afternoon (I left work ill at 3:00) I have much more energy.
I was sorry to see that many of my friends dropped off the bandwagon of their blogging pledge yesterday and missed their post. : ( Hopefully they will atone for their sin and pick back up where they were on Tuesday. Ha!
Lastly, welcome Lindsay to the blogging world!! Note, 2 posts in 2 days! LOVE IT!
I was sorry to see that many of my friends dropped off the bandwagon of their blogging pledge yesterday and missed their post. : ( Hopefully they will atone for their sin and pick back up where they were on Tuesday. Ha!
Lastly, welcome Lindsay to the blogging world!! Note, 2 posts in 2 days! LOVE IT!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
not... feeling... good
Uhhhhhhh I'm sick. I'm achy, have this phlegm ball stuck in the back of my throat, and have no energy at all. Last night I slept all of 3 hours (5.5 less than usual) and I feel like death warmed over. Even typing is strenuous. Worst part of last night was since I was up all night long I just felt growing and growing frustration and jealousy at my dear, dreaming husband next to me. Man… I need some OJ.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
My XU class in the Spring
I am SOOOOOOO excited!! Enrollment for my Spring XU class, Professional Selling, started on Oct. 31 and I had 4 students sign up that first week. While I wasn’t overly worried about this quantity I did wonder why only 4/30 spots were filled.
One of my students told me in class this morning that open enrollment for the non-athletes starts TODAY so this is my first “real” chance to get some seats filled. I just went on and looked and I have 22/30 spots taken now! I'm especially flattered that I have 6 current students (3 of which are first-rowers) and my one withdrawal student (volleyball got in the way) registered. Maybe this means I'm too easy on them?? Who cares! I'm happy!
One of my students told me in class this morning that open enrollment for the non-athletes starts TODAY so this is my first “real” chance to get some seats filled. I just went on and looked and I have 22/30 spots taken now! I'm especially flattered that I have 6 current students (3 of which are first-rowers) and my one withdrawal student (volleyball got in the way) registered. Maybe this means I'm too easy on them?? Who cares! I'm happy!
Weekend of 11/3/06
Yesterday was a very full day so I had no chance to blog about the weekend. Here are some highlights though:
1) Jim’s softball party at BW3’s on Friday night where I learned about noodling (see below) and the giant catfish that supposedly scared the Kentucky River scuba divers out of the water. I did some research on this and if you look up giant catfish you can find some national geographic and cnn pics of 300lb+ ones.
2) Saturday I did school work (I literally have EVERYTHING except 1 ppt. presentation finished!!) while Jim and his stock club collaborated over lunch. That night we went to Anne and Sean’s wine-tasting bridal shower which was fun because I got to love on Alex so much. What an adorable baby!
3) Sunday was a pretty fun day. Jim and I looked up some houses for sale on the West Side of Cincinnati and picked up my mom for a quick jaunt to 3 of them. All were nice but I didn’t feel like I saw my next home. We did, however, find a really great location that they’re just starting to clear out. It’s so new there’s nothing on the internet and there were no signs from any builder up yet. This gave me hope that our Spring relocation plan is still on track.
Also on Sunday, we saw the movie Invincible with Mark Wahlberg. Eh, it was another underdog sports movie just like Hoosiers, Rudy, etc. Good acting though. B. Bowling went well – we won 4/4 games and I bowled a 115-182-139. That 182 is now my new highest ever score! Slowly but surely my bowling is coming around. My average is up to a 131! Dave bowled a 244 the first game – way impressive!
And that’s all, folks! I get my Sales text for the Spring semester after class today and I'm meeting with the old prof tonight for her notes and project ideas. I'd like to get out there and vote but I have to go to Colerain to accomplish this and I'm not sure if I'll get time. :(
1) Jim’s softball party at BW3’s on Friday night where I learned about noodling (see below) and the giant catfish that supposedly scared the Kentucky River scuba divers out of the water. I did some research on this and if you look up giant catfish you can find some national geographic and cnn pics of 300lb+ ones.
2) Saturday I did school work (I literally have EVERYTHING except 1 ppt. presentation finished!!) while Jim and his stock club collaborated over lunch. That night we went to Anne and Sean’s wine-tasting bridal shower which was fun because I got to love on Alex so much. What an adorable baby!
3) Sunday was a pretty fun day. Jim and I looked up some houses for sale on the West Side of Cincinnati and picked up my mom for a quick jaunt to 3 of them. All were nice but I didn’t feel like I saw my next home. We did, however, find a really great location that they’re just starting to clear out. It’s so new there’s nothing on the internet and there were no signs from any builder up yet. This gave me hope that our Spring relocation plan is still on track.
Also on Sunday, we saw the movie Invincible with Mark Wahlberg. Eh, it was another underdog sports movie just like Hoosiers, Rudy, etc. Good acting though. B. Bowling went well – we won 4/4 games and I bowled a 115-182-139. That 182 is now my new highest ever score! Slowly but surely my bowling is coming around. My average is up to a 131! Dave bowled a 244 the first game – way impressive!
And that’s all, folks! I get my Sales text for the Spring semester after class today and I'm meeting with the old prof tonight for her notes and project ideas. I'd like to get out there and vote but I have to go to Colerain to accomplish this and I'm not sure if I'll get time. :(
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Noodling
The old adage goes “learn something new every day”. Yesterday’s thing to learn was about the practice of “noodling”. Being a city girl, I have had the privilege of fishing in some private ponds through the years. I’ve never gone to a river or a stream or anything to fish, hence I’ve never seen noodling done in real life, and was therefore fascinated when it was described to me.
What is noodling you ask? It’s a method of fishing where you stick your arm into a mud hole and actually use your body as bait for catfish who hang out in said holes. Once the fish bites, you grab onto it from the inside and yank it out of the hole.
Imagine the size of the fish that would be looking for something to eat the size of your arm. Yeah, the fish that are caught using this method are between 40-150lbs. There’ve been cases too where people have had such a large, strong fish bite that they are actually drug underwater and eventually drown.
Think too about what else other than a catfish could be lurking in that hole… that’s part of the extreme of the sport that makes it so much “fun”.
Here’s the wikipedia site for more formal information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noodling
Funny story about a guy’s first noodling experience: http://www.cabelas.com/information/cabelas-field-guides/Catfish-Techniques/Noodling-for-Catfish-The-Ultimate-Thrill-in-Fishing.html
What is noodling you ask? It’s a method of fishing where you stick your arm into a mud hole and actually use your body as bait for catfish who hang out in said holes. Once the fish bites, you grab onto it from the inside and yank it out of the hole.
Imagine the size of the fish that would be looking for something to eat the size of your arm. Yeah, the fish that are caught using this method are between 40-150lbs. There’ve been cases too where people have had such a large, strong fish bite that they are actually drug underwater and eventually drown.
Think too about what else other than a catfish could be lurking in that hole… that’s part of the extreme of the sport that makes it so much “fun”.
Here’s the wikipedia site for more formal information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noodling
Funny story about a guy’s first noodling experience: http://www.cabelas.com/information/cabelas-field-guides/Catfish-Techniques/Noodling-for-Catfish-The-Ultimate-Thrill-in-Fishing.html
Friday, November 03, 2006
Good evening for my self-confidence
I had a nice little ego trip last night. I met with the Club 960- my classmates that battled alongside me through that awful professor we ultimately ousted- last night at The Pub for a happy hour. Very big topic of conversation was me teaching. You know, I think it’s really great that I'm getting to do this and I'm not ignorant of what a great opportunity and privilege teaching at XU is. My peers though went on and on about how great it is and how proud they are of me. I felt really special and the “wow, I'm a professor at 27 and I should be proud of me too” really kicked in.
At one point we were discussing how my current employer is not permitting me to teach “regular” hours next semester. They were shocked, as I was, at the reason. One friend told me that I was “big time” and that there were lots of opportunities to seize if I wanted to. It’s really nice to be able to have self-confidence you think is merited, but I was really struck by how much it meant to hear someone else genuinely validate it.
OK, enough bragging. :)
One last shout-out to David P. who’s a long-time friend, recent reader. Welcome to the blogging world, Dave!
At one point we were discussing how my current employer is not permitting me to teach “regular” hours next semester. They were shocked, as I was, at the reason. One friend told me that I was “big time” and that there were lots of opportunities to seize if I wanted to. It’s really nice to be able to have self-confidence you think is merited, but I was really struck by how much it meant to hear someone else genuinely validate it.
OK, enough bragging. :)
One last shout-out to David P. who’s a long-time friend, recent reader. Welcome to the blogging world, Dave!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Greg's Idol is Retiring
Updated:2006-10-31 19:08:18
Bob Barker Retiring After 50 Years on TV
By SANDY COHEN, AP
LOS ANGELES (Oct. 31) - Bob Barker is heading toward his last showcase, his final "Come on down." The silver-haired daytime-TV icon is retiring in June, he told The Associated Press Tuesday.
"I will be 83 years old on December 12," he said, "and I've decided to retire while I'm still young."
...
To kick off his retirement, Barker said he will "sit down for maybe a couple of weeks and find out what it feels like to be bored." Then he plans to spend time working with animal-rights causes, including his own DJ&T Foundation, founded in memory of his late wife, Dorothy Jo, and mother, Matilda.
He said he'd take on a movie role if the right one came along, but filmmakers, take note: "I refuse to do nude scenes. These Hollywood producers want to capitalize on my obvious sexuality, but I don't want to be just another beautiful body."
...
Bob Barker Retiring After 50 Years on TV
By SANDY COHEN, AP
LOS ANGELES (Oct. 31) - Bob Barker is heading toward his last showcase, his final "Come on down." The silver-haired daytime-TV icon is retiring in June, he told The Associated Press Tuesday.
"I will be 83 years old on December 12," he said, "and I've decided to retire while I'm still young."
...
To kick off his retirement, Barker said he will "sit down for maybe a couple of weeks and find out what it feels like to be bored." Then he plans to spend time working with animal-rights causes, including his own DJ&T Foundation, founded in memory of his late wife, Dorothy Jo, and mother, Matilda.
He said he'd take on a movie role if the right one came along, but filmmakers, take note: "I refuse to do nude scenes. These Hollywood producers want to capitalize on my obvious sexuality, but I don't want to be just another beautiful body."
...
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Greg's Dog is a Supermodel
yDad and I sent in pictures of Buster dressed up for Halloween/PugFest to the Cincinnati Enquirer for thier Spooktacular Pets column. Of the 147 entries, Buster was 2/26 favorites!!
Article: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/LIFE/610310303
Buster:
Article: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/LIFE/610310303
Buster:
Happy Halloween!!
This is the 2006 pumpkin (grim reeper). I'm mad about it because I carved it on Saturday for our guests and then, by Sunday (when this picture was taken) it had already gone soft!! It did look much better the day before...
This was the scary dragon that visited Jim and I on Thursday! aka Emily G
This little Tigger isn't old enough to be bouncy yet... he's got a good mom to hold him up though! (Jessy & Ben G)
Monday, October 30, 2006
Death-Defying Animals
My office has a huge, 15 X 5 foot window that spans the length of my office. Being on the 7th floor, I get a clear view of I75 traffic or what the weather is doing.
Periodically there are things outside my window that surprise me. Like this 2” bug that kind of looks like a cricket and is currently crawling up my glass. I’ve also seen butterflies, ladybugs and some other insect I couldn't place. How does a little bug get up 7 stories? Why would it want to go up 80 ft? How does it get down??
Periodically there are things outside my window that surprise me. Like this 2” bug that kind of looks like a cricket and is currently crawling up my glass. I’ve also seen butterflies, ladybugs and some other insect I couldn't place. How does a little bug get up 7 stories? Why would it want to go up 80 ft? How does it get down??
Friday, October 27, 2006
I've been waiting for today all week...
It’s FINALLY Friday! Yessssss!
ADDED: I'm a brat and forgot to mention my VERY special visitors on Wednesday! Alex & Sarah came down from Dayton to have lunch with me at Cracker Barrel and check out the new office. It was really cool to see them, hear the new news, and to have some good company for lunch! Besides, he is the most adorable baby ever so it's always cute to visit! : )
So, apparently I picked the wrong spam message to use as an illustration- my friends are way too silly to be serious something as electronic litter. I should have used an example like “I'm from some unknown African tribe and I have a lot of money that I need to have kept with someone trustworthy like you, even though I don’t know you. If you keep it for me I’ll give you part of the riches. First though, send me some money to show me that you’re serious about this responsibility” or some crap like that. Then I wouldn’t have gotten harassed about parts I don’t even have!
Anyway… our friend Anjali came into town on Tuesday to pick up some stuff that we were storing for her in our basement. As she came all the way from NC she stayed for a day and a half to visit. Nice time in general. I did miss out on dinner with her last night because I went to Tom’s to see him and hang out with Cincinnati’s newest resident, Jen. Tom put literally hours of effort into cooking her and I this really amazing breadbowl potato & veggie soup that made me forget I was in his kitchen and not Panera. Also nice was that Jen asked me to be one of “her people” at their wedding, which was very touching for me. : )
So, here I am, back at work on a rainy Friday morning. Tonight the family is gathering at Grandma’s for dinner and tomorrow Jim and I are hosting friends of ours for dinner. When we went to their house for the first time a few months ago the metaphorical bar was set pretty high- they have a beautiful “grown up” house, fancy contemporary serving pieces, and Scott made one of the most amazing homemade dinners I’d ever had. So, in retaliation, I solicited help from my chef-in-training friend, Martha, for ideas that would make a good impression but are still in my culinary league. Some of her suggestions I couldn't even pronounce, but all in all I think I picked something that will widen some eyes and not taste too bad either. I’ll keep you posted.
ADDED: I'm a brat and forgot to mention my VERY special visitors on Wednesday! Alex & Sarah came down from Dayton to have lunch with me at Cracker Barrel and check out the new office. It was really cool to see them, hear the new news, and to have some good company for lunch! Besides, he is the most adorable baby ever so it's always cute to visit! : )
So, apparently I picked the wrong spam message to use as an illustration- my friends are way too silly to be serious something as electronic litter. I should have used an example like “I'm from some unknown African tribe and I have a lot of money that I need to have kept with someone trustworthy like you, even though I don’t know you. If you keep it for me I’ll give you part of the riches. First though, send me some money to show me that you’re serious about this responsibility” or some crap like that. Then I wouldn’t have gotten harassed about parts I don’t even have!
Anyway… our friend Anjali came into town on Tuesday to pick up some stuff that we were storing for her in our basement. As she came all the way from NC she stayed for a day and a half to visit. Nice time in general. I did miss out on dinner with her last night because I went to Tom’s to see him and hang out with Cincinnati’s newest resident, Jen. Tom put literally hours of effort into cooking her and I this really amazing breadbowl potato & veggie soup that made me forget I was in his kitchen and not Panera. Also nice was that Jen asked me to be one of “her people” at their wedding, which was very touching for me. : )
So, here I am, back at work on a rainy Friday morning. Tonight the family is gathering at Grandma’s for dinner and tomorrow Jim and I are hosting friends of ours for dinner. When we went to their house for the first time a few months ago the metaphorical bar was set pretty high- they have a beautiful “grown up” house, fancy contemporary serving pieces, and Scott made one of the most amazing homemade dinners I’d ever had. So, in retaliation, I solicited help from my chef-in-training friend, Martha, for ideas that would make a good impression but are still in my culinary league. Some of her suggestions I couldn't even pronounce, but all in all I think I picked something that will widen some eyes and not taste too bad either. I’ll keep you posted.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Spam
My company does a good job of blocking spam messages in my e-mail. There are hundreds per day that end up in our Junk Mail boxes that we sift through on a regular basis. What I'm confused about is who is getting a message like this one:
You can see you are getting older: gray hair, wrinkles on your forehead, glasses for reading, worse hearing and NO – the worst thing – Erectile Dysfunction.Maybe your doctor can help you with all these problems but we are sure that our Soft Viagra tabs can help you with the last problem.
and thinking “Wow, this is a great company! I should send them my money!”???
How are these messages really an effective way of advertising? Why are they still coming in droves?
You can see you are getting older: gray hair, wrinkles on your forehead, glasses for reading, worse hearing and NO – the worst thing – Erectile Dysfunction.Maybe your doctor can help you with all these problems but we are sure that our Soft Viagra tabs can help you with the last problem.
and thinking “Wow, this is a great company! I should send them my money!”???
How are these messages really an effective way of advertising? Why are they still coming in droves?
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