This may look like an ordinary bag of Doritos with a label on it, but it is so much more.
The key thing here is the label.
If you look closely you'll see that this was one of Max's prescribed snacks while in the hospital. Yes, if you have CF you get a prescription for snacks when you are in the hospital. This falls under the odd treatments from yesterday's post.
When Max was first admitted the nutritionist stopped by and asked me what Max would like for snacks. CF patients need about 50% more calories than the average person, so snacks are a big part of his diet. So every day the kitchen would send up a cart with snacks to be doled out to all the patients that are prescribed "nourishment."
I realize that they do have to label everything, but it still is hilarious to get a snack bag with an official stamp on it. Especially when it is an item that is often vilified by nutritionists.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
What I've Learned
1.) The Cystic Fibrosis clinic is willing to listen and work with me. A week and a half ago, just a day after Larry got sprung from the hospital Max had a CF clinic check up. It was his big annual exam with x-rays, blood draws and all sorts of excitement in addition to the usual height, weight and pulmonary function tests (PFTs measure how well the lungs work). Every thing was just ducky until we got the results back from the PFTs. Max, whose baseline runs at about 105% of a normal kid, gives amazingly good data for a child his age. He loves blowing into the tube and performs like a champ. His results were not good, he had lost 20% of his lung function since last December.
20%
That is a frightening drop.
The nurse practitioner that we love came into the room with the bad news. She sat me down and said I had a choice, we could could admit him in the hospital and give him IV antibiotics or we could load him up with antibiotics at home. I was being given this choice because they knew that I would not flake out and if it did not work I would high tail back in there (having our home relatively close to the CF clinic worked in our favor as well, I pity the families that have to drive hours and hours to the nearest CF clinic). If we chose the home route she rattled off a list of antibiotics he would have to take. First off was cipro which Max hates and is a royal pain to administer (Calcium binds to it so it has to be given two hours before and/or four hours after consuming any calcium. Max lives for ice cream so this really limits when he can have it.) then she mentioned Bactrim and another no-no for Max since the last time he got it he broke out in hives. Hospitalization was the only way to go. We could dink around for a month trying this that and another drug or just suck it up and go whole hog in the hospital.
I told her that we would hospitilze Max BUT I needed to talk to my husband first and could we delay thing until Monday. I then explained that my poor husband had literally just come home from the hospital from abdominal surgery and I wanted to give him a little more time to recover.
Her jaw literally dropped. Yes we certainly could delay things until Monday.
2.) I have the most awesome brother in law in the world. Andy happily drove down from New Jersey to help us out as long as we needed him. Since Larry could not drive, Andy would drive around and play "Soccer Mom." What most impressed me was when he went and picked up Miss Rebecca up from school, she had been crying and complaining of a stomach ache. While driving her around in his own car she vomited. He did not bat an eye or freak out about a child getting sick in his car. He loves his niece and nephews and really views them as his own. Not many single guys could do that.
3.) Hospitals are not a good place to rest up. Well I already knew that, but that knowledge gets brutally reinforced every time I spend time in a hospital. I opted to stay the night with Max and camped out in his room for the whole stay. I only went home once to do laundry and pick up some treats for us. The chair "bed" was awful. It would not stay locked in a reclined position and would pop upright if I shifted just so. Then there was the added bonus of nurses coming into the room in the middle of the night to start IVs (he got dosed with one drug every 8 hours) and the piercing alarm of the infusion pump at the end of each round. I'd lay there in the dark hating the fact that I'd have to get up to summon the nurse and hit the reset button for some quiet.
4.) I also have a really awesome friend. Meryl came to visit Max when I ducked out to go home for a bit. I needed clean clothes and I knew things would be not much better at home. Larry, because of his surgery, couldn't do laundry and I wasn't going to ask Andy to do it. Originally Meryl was only going to stay for and hour or so, but in the end she stayed until I returned. She could she he was anxious about being alone and decided to stay put.
5.) CF patients get very interesting treatments. We had a whole slew of respiratory therapists the would come in and do Max's thumpies. Max did not like having strangers at first, but in the end he got over it. I liked the break and I was able to see ways I could improve my technique. Then there was the food, but I'm saving that for a later post.
6.) There is no nursing shortage in teaching hospitals. When Larry was in his hospital he would get one nurse per shift, no more and no less. At the one Max was in (a teaching hospital) we would have the shift nurse and one or two in training. Then there were the nursing students and a few others just popping in. Throw in a few med students (who Meryl and I swear looked to be about twelve) a child life specialist, a teacher, the attending, the residents of the day and the odd extra respiratory therapist (they liked to stop by and visit) it was like a non stop party.
20%
That is a frightening drop.
The nurse practitioner that we love came into the room with the bad news. She sat me down and said I had a choice, we could could admit him in the hospital and give him IV antibiotics or we could load him up with antibiotics at home. I was being given this choice because they knew that I would not flake out and if it did not work I would high tail back in there (having our home relatively close to the CF clinic worked in our favor as well, I pity the families that have to drive hours and hours to the nearest CF clinic). If we chose the home route she rattled off a list of antibiotics he would have to take. First off was cipro which Max hates and is a royal pain to administer (Calcium binds to it so it has to be given two hours before and/or four hours after consuming any calcium. Max lives for ice cream so this really limits when he can have it.) then she mentioned Bactrim and another no-no for Max since the last time he got it he broke out in hives. Hospitalization was the only way to go. We could dink around for a month trying this that and another drug or just suck it up and go whole hog in the hospital.
I told her that we would hospitilze Max BUT I needed to talk to my husband first and could we delay thing until Monday. I then explained that my poor husband had literally just come home from the hospital from abdominal surgery and I wanted to give him a little more time to recover.
Her jaw literally dropped. Yes we certainly could delay things until Monday.
2.) I have the most awesome brother in law in the world. Andy happily drove down from New Jersey to help us out as long as we needed him. Since Larry could not drive, Andy would drive around and play "Soccer Mom." What most impressed me was when he went and picked up Miss Rebecca up from school, she had been crying and complaining of a stomach ache. While driving her around in his own car she vomited. He did not bat an eye or freak out about a child getting sick in his car. He loves his niece and nephews and really views them as his own. Not many single guys could do that.
3.) Hospitals are not a good place to rest up. Well I already knew that, but that knowledge gets brutally reinforced every time I spend time in a hospital. I opted to stay the night with Max and camped out in his room for the whole stay. I only went home once to do laundry and pick up some treats for us. The chair "bed" was awful. It would not stay locked in a reclined position and would pop upright if I shifted just so. Then there was the added bonus of nurses coming into the room in the middle of the night to start IVs (he got dosed with one drug every 8 hours) and the piercing alarm of the infusion pump at the end of each round. I'd lay there in the dark hating the fact that I'd have to get up to summon the nurse and hit the reset button for some quiet.
4.) I also have a really awesome friend. Meryl came to visit Max when I ducked out to go home for a bit. I needed clean clothes and I knew things would be not much better at home. Larry, because of his surgery, couldn't do laundry and I wasn't going to ask Andy to do it. Originally Meryl was only going to stay for and hour or so, but in the end she stayed until I returned. She could she he was anxious about being alone and decided to stay put.
5.) CF patients get very interesting treatments. We had a whole slew of respiratory therapists the would come in and do Max's thumpies. Max did not like having strangers at first, but in the end he got over it. I liked the break and I was able to see ways I could improve my technique. Then there was the food, but I'm saving that for a later post.
6.) There is no nursing shortage in teaching hospitals. When Larry was in his hospital he would get one nurse per shift, no more and no less. At the one Max was in (a teaching hospital) we would have the shift nurse and one or two in training. Then there were the nursing students and a few others just popping in. Throw in a few med students (who Meryl and I swear looked to be about twelve) a child life specialist, a teacher, the attending, the residents of the day and the odd extra respiratory therapist (they liked to stop by and visit) it was like a non stop party.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Tig
Saturday was a very sad day around here. Meryl called me up and told me it was time. She would be taking Tig to the vet for his final journey.
Tig was a magnificent cat and I was privileged to know him and to help ease his final days. I'm glad we had a bit of false spring the past week so that Tig could sit in the sun and warm himself.
Farewell Tig and happy hunting in the next life.
Tig was a magnificent cat and I was privileged to know him and to help ease his final days. I'm glad we had a bit of false spring the past week so that Tig could sit in the sun and warm himself.
Farewell Tig and happy hunting in the next life.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Hiatus
I'm not going to be posting much for the next two weeks. Max needs a course of IV antibiotics and will be in the hospital. I'll be staying with him and won't have the internet. Sort of. Last time he was in I tried going to my site and it was blocked by the nanny software on the peds floor. Apparently I'm too racey for the hospital.
Which I find hilarious.
Which I find hilarious.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Theme Music
I love movies. I love going to the theater with a big tub of popcorn and getting completely lost in what is going on up on the screen. And a bit of this love of movies has bled into the rest of my life.
I have this rather odd habit of adding a soundtrack to my life. When I'm just puttering around the house I'll unconsciously start humming some sort of theme song. This often happens when I'm on the phone and I have to go get something related to the conversation. Meryl pointed out this quirk of mine and today she noted I was humming the theme from Indiana Jones. Some of my other selections are various bits from Star Wars, the main theme to Brazil (I love, love, love that movie and I need to pick up the Criterion Collection box at some point) and the ever popular bit from Yellowbeard "stagger, stagger, crawl, crawl."
So I can completely relate to a Kronk from The Emperor's New Groove when he makes his own theme music when he's hauling an unconscious and llamafied Kuzco from the palace.
I have this rather odd habit of adding a soundtrack to my life. When I'm just puttering around the house I'll unconsciously start humming some sort of theme song. This often happens when I'm on the phone and I have to go get something related to the conversation. Meryl pointed out this quirk of mine and today she noted I was humming the theme from Indiana Jones. Some of my other selections are various bits from Star Wars, the main theme to Brazil (I love, love, love that movie and I need to pick up the Criterion Collection box at some point) and the ever popular bit from Yellowbeard "stagger, stagger, crawl, crawl."
So I can completely relate to a Kronk from The Emperor's New Groove when he makes his own theme music when he's hauling an unconscious and llamafied Kuzco from the palace.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Shaggy Dog Story with Two Cops and a Monk
On Tuesday I was making my way up to see Larry, who at that point was still stuck in the hospital, when I had a little run in with two dogs, two cops and a monk. Okay so the guy I'm calling a monk may or may not be a monk, but his license plate involved the word monk.
I was driving on one of the busier roads in the area when I say two dogs, a small beige Lhasa mix and some sort of Labbie thing with a wiry coat, playing on the median. This in itself was not good, but it was compounded by the fact that they were oblivious to the cars whizzing by. They would practically spill into the road and the traffic would slow down and swerve to avoid them. In fact they almost bumped into my car. As I looked forward after successfully not turning them into road pizza I saw a small car was pulled over on the median with a middle age guy beside it calling to the dogs. I too pulled over onto the shoulder of the median, put on my hazards and asked if they were his. He said no, but he was trying to do the right thing and round them up.
I then slid open the side door to my van and called out in a bright happy voice to the dogs "Wanna go for a ride?" Half the time this will work and a dog will bound into a car, ready to go. Unfortunately these two were members of the other half. I then got out to see what I could do. The larger of the two bounded over to me and I was able to snag him by his bright red and clearly new collar. He was an absolute doll, he just wanted to be friends and play with his little buddy. The other dog was another story, he would bark if we approached him and his body language clearly told me he would bite if pressed.
So now we had one grubby dog that we stuck in the back of my van and another dog swirling about. It was wary of us , but unwilling to leave it's companion. I decided we needed to call animal control. I fished out my cell phone from the car and called up Meryl to get the number. Just as I was about to dial, a cop pulled up behind me. He stepped out of his car and came around to ask if I needed any assistance. I told him the story so far and he called up animal control. Unfortunately they were busy and would be at least half an hour. The cop then joined in on trying to figure how to snag the Lhasa. Suddenly it hit me, I had some roast chicken in the car. I had made up a salad for lunch that I was planning on eating it while visiting Larry. I pulled out a piece of chicken, squatted down and held it out to the loose dog. He carefully approached me with his little nose twitching. Ever so slowly he stretched out and daintily nibbled the proffered treat. I still couldn't touch him, but I could bring him close. I tried looping a spare leash I had in the car over his head, but I couldn't quite pull it off.
At this point a second cop pulled up. I tried a new tactic and left a trail of chicken up into the van. It almost worked, but the van was a bit too high up and there was no way he was going to let us boost him in. Frustrated by the antics of the dog, one of the cops christened him hairball. I them said if he's hairball than the other one is goofball. We tried a few more times to corral the loose dog, but all that happened was that he got spooked and dashed across the road towards a car wash. The first cop had to go out on a call, but the second one remained and crossed after hairball. Monk too had to leave and I decided to give it one more try. I knew if I left with goofball we would probably never see hairball again. I got in it the van and edged out into traffic, crossed over and pulled into the car wash.
As I was parking the van I realized the parking lot had a small island near the car wash. I snugged the van next to it, hoping that now hairball would be able to step up into the van. I pulled out my slightly depleted lunch and lured the dog close. Hairball circled the van a few times until finally he decided to climb on in. I was inside and just before the dog got in the cop get the dogs rear a bit of a shove and closed the door.
Cool!
The cop then gave me a big thumbs up and handed me my lunch that I had left outside. He told me where the animal shelter is located and we parted ways.
The ride to the shelter was uneventful and the staff took the dogs away. Hairball was a bit difficult, but they were able to snag him with a looped leash and get him out of the car. I hope the dogs got claimed by their owner, but it would not shock me if they had been dumped. Goofball has a good chance with his outgoing personality. He would make somebody a great pet. Hairball, however, is another story. At least it will be a kinder end then getting squished by a car.
I was driving on one of the busier roads in the area when I say two dogs, a small beige Lhasa mix and some sort of Labbie thing with a wiry coat, playing on the median. This in itself was not good, but it was compounded by the fact that they were oblivious to the cars whizzing by. They would practically spill into the road and the traffic would slow down and swerve to avoid them. In fact they almost bumped into my car. As I looked forward after successfully not turning them into road pizza I saw a small car was pulled over on the median with a middle age guy beside it calling to the dogs. I too pulled over onto the shoulder of the median, put on my hazards and asked if they were his. He said no, but he was trying to do the right thing and round them up.
I then slid open the side door to my van and called out in a bright happy voice to the dogs "Wanna go for a ride?" Half the time this will work and a dog will bound into a car, ready to go. Unfortunately these two were members of the other half. I then got out to see what I could do. The larger of the two bounded over to me and I was able to snag him by his bright red and clearly new collar. He was an absolute doll, he just wanted to be friends and play with his little buddy. The other dog was another story, he would bark if we approached him and his body language clearly told me he would bite if pressed.
So now we had one grubby dog that we stuck in the back of my van and another dog swirling about. It was wary of us , but unwilling to leave it's companion. I decided we needed to call animal control. I fished out my cell phone from the car and called up Meryl to get the number. Just as I was about to dial, a cop pulled up behind me. He stepped out of his car and came around to ask if I needed any assistance. I told him the story so far and he called up animal control. Unfortunately they were busy and would be at least half an hour. The cop then joined in on trying to figure how to snag the Lhasa. Suddenly it hit me, I had some roast chicken in the car. I had made up a salad for lunch that I was planning on eating it while visiting Larry. I pulled out a piece of chicken, squatted down and held it out to the loose dog. He carefully approached me with his little nose twitching. Ever so slowly he stretched out and daintily nibbled the proffered treat. I still couldn't touch him, but I could bring him close. I tried looping a spare leash I had in the car over his head, but I couldn't quite pull it off.
At this point a second cop pulled up. I tried a new tactic and left a trail of chicken up into the van. It almost worked, but the van was a bit too high up and there was no way he was going to let us boost him in. Frustrated by the antics of the dog, one of the cops christened him hairball. I them said if he's hairball than the other one is goofball. We tried a few more times to corral the loose dog, but all that happened was that he got spooked and dashed across the road towards a car wash. The first cop had to go out on a call, but the second one remained and crossed after hairball. Monk too had to leave and I decided to give it one more try. I knew if I left with goofball we would probably never see hairball again. I got in it the van and edged out into traffic, crossed over and pulled into the car wash.
As I was parking the van I realized the parking lot had a small island near the car wash. I snugged the van next to it, hoping that now hairball would be able to step up into the van. I pulled out my slightly depleted lunch and lured the dog close. Hairball circled the van a few times until finally he decided to climb on in. I was inside and just before the dog got in the cop get the dogs rear a bit of a shove and closed the door.
Cool!
The cop then gave me a big thumbs up and handed me my lunch that I had left outside. He told me where the animal shelter is located and we parted ways.
The ride to the shelter was uneventful and the staff took the dogs away. Hairball was a bit difficult, but they were able to snag him with a looped leash and get him out of the car. I hope the dogs got claimed by their owner, but it would not shock me if they had been dumped. Goofball has a good chance with his outgoing personality. He would make somebody a great pet. Hairball, however, is another story. At least it will be a kinder end then getting squished by a car.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Daddy's Home!
Larry got to come home Tuesday night. I was there in the afternoon when his Doctor was scheduled to stop by. He was very pleased with how Larry was coming along and said he would be free to go home tomorrow or, if we wanted to push the matter, that night.
We seized on the idea of springing him out that night. I mentioned that I would be busy with Max at the CF clinic the next morning and soon it was settled that I'd be picking up Larry later in the day.
It's such a relief for us all to have him home. Larry no longer has to deal with the constant intrusions from the hospital staff, I no longer have to drive back an forth to a hospital 40 minutes away and the kids... well they're just happy to have their daddy back home.
We seized on the idea of springing him out that night. I mentioned that I would be busy with Max at the CF clinic the next morning and soon it was settled that I'd be picking up Larry later in the day.
It's such a relief for us all to have him home. Larry no longer has to deal with the constant intrusions from the hospital staff, I no longer have to drive back an forth to a hospital 40 minutes away and the kids... well they're just happy to have their daddy back home.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Artist of the Week: Flat Stanley
This week's artist is Nate. Here he is curled around his buddy John. Nate loves dogs and John in particular. When they are not racing around the house I'll find the two of then together, happy as clams.
But this is not about John or even dogs in general, it's about Nate's Flat Stanley.
A while back Nate had a big Flat Stanley project for school. We sent off his Stanley along with an instruction sheet to my friend Paul in Australia. A few weeks later Stanley returned with a huge amount of pictures and all sorts of neat stuff. Then it was up to Nate to pull the whole thing together in a sort of scrap book.
This is the cover to the end result. If you click on the photo it takes you over to my pictures and from there you can see the whole set.
Nate did the bulk of the work with just a little help from me on the captions. The entries with a red border are excerpts from the diary of Stanley's adventures in Australia. I think it came out rather well. His final grade was a 97 out of 100 points. The only thing that held him back was that the teacher wanted a bit more research included in the captions. Nate did a little, but not quite enough.
I loved the whole thing and I can't thank my friends enough for what they did.
But this is not about John or even dogs in general, it's about Nate's Flat Stanley.
A while back Nate had a big Flat Stanley project for school. We sent off his Stanley along with an instruction sheet to my friend Paul in Australia. A few weeks later Stanley returned with a huge amount of pictures and all sorts of neat stuff. Then it was up to Nate to pull the whole thing together in a sort of scrap book.
This is the cover to the end result. If you click on the photo it takes you over to my pictures and from there you can see the whole set.
Nate did the bulk of the work with just a little help from me on the captions. The entries with a red border are excerpts from the diary of Stanley's adventures in Australia. I think it came out rather well. His final grade was a 97 out of 100 points. The only thing that held him back was that the teacher wanted a bit more research included in the captions. Nate did a little, but not quite enough.
I loved the whole thing and I can't thank my friends enough for what they did.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Busy, Busy, Busy
My poor husband has been stuck in the hospital since Thursday. It was a planned event; he went in for abdominal surgery that will ultimately result in a much happier hubby.
But in the meantime I'm driving back and forth to the hospital until he comes back home.
I'm lucky that Larry has a wonderful mom. She came down Wednesday with her husband to help out. They were able to manage kids and school buses while I drove Larry up the hospital. They were also still around this weekend while I had to shuttle Nate to soccer practice and a baseball clinic. It was so nice to be able to leave the other three home with their beloved grandparents and not have to listen to them whine about how bored they are. Sadly Herb and Diane left for home today so I'm on my own until Larry comes back home. Admittedly won't be up to speed, but he'll be home. Although I do miss my mother in law's mad house keeping skills.
But in the meantime I'm driving back and forth to the hospital until he comes back home.
I'm lucky that Larry has a wonderful mom. She came down Wednesday with her husband to help out. They were able to manage kids and school buses while I drove Larry up the hospital. They were also still around this weekend while I had to shuttle Nate to soccer practice and a baseball clinic. It was so nice to be able to leave the other three home with their beloved grandparents and not have to listen to them whine about how bored they are. Sadly Herb and Diane left for home today so I'm on my own until Larry comes back home. Admittedly won't be up to speed, but he'll be home. Although I do miss my mother in law's mad house keeping skills.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
It's Been a Long, Long Day
I'm too tired to write, but not too tired to share an unbearably cute photo.
This is what Nate and Rebecca look like on day two of a long road trip. I glanced back a one point during our drive up north and saw them fast asleep. I'm glad my camera was up front with me and not squirreled away in the back.
This is what Nate and Rebecca look like on day two of a long road trip. I glanced back a one point during our drive up north and saw them fast asleep. I'm glad my camera was up front with me and not squirreled away in the back.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Artist of the Week: Homework
This weeks artist is Jake. Here he is ready to pilot the toboggan down the hill.
In our school system science and social studies are only taught for one semester in sixth grade. Half the sixth grade takes Science in the first semester and the other half Social Studies. Then at the start of the second semester they switch.
Jake was taking Social Studies during the first semester. This week marks the beginning of the second semester. His first assignment was to make a picture of a scientist. Note he also had to have me sign his permission form to participate in the science fair, so I'm fairly confident that the assignments will become a bit more academically rigorous.
Anyway, this is the picture he came up with. He asked me a few technical questions, such as "Can labs have windows?" and "Do the lights have to be off when you use a microscope?". And as you can tell my answers weer yes to the former and no to the latter. He then set to work on his picture and the end result was a scene that looks very familiar to me, a former lab rat.
In our school system science and social studies are only taught for one semester in sixth grade. Half the sixth grade takes Science in the first semester and the other half Social Studies. Then at the start of the second semester they switch.
Jake was taking Social Studies during the first semester. This week marks the beginning of the second semester. His first assignment was to make a picture of a scientist. Note he also had to have me sign his permission form to participate in the science fair, so I'm fairly confident that the assignments will become a bit more academically rigorous.
Anyway, this is the picture he came up with. He asked me a few technical questions, such as "Can labs have windows?" and "Do the lights have to be off when you use a microscope?". And as you can tell my answers weer yes to the former and no to the latter. He then set to work on his picture and the end result was a scene that looks very familiar to me, a former lab rat.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Going Out
Last night we met up with an old college friend for dinner. Josh was in town on a business trip and had emailed me earlier asking if we wanted to meet up with him.
The answer was an enthusiastic yes. It has been nearly a decade since I've last seen him. He was like a little brother to me in college, albeit a six foot plus little brother that towered over me, but he is a total pussy cat. He had attended Larry's and mine wedding and five years later we in turn had gone to his. I paid him, with Jake in tow, a brief visit the summer following his marriage to visit friends in the Midwest. He is the proud papa for two boys and a girl. The youngest being a little two year old little devil that does what he wants with a smile on his face.
We arranged to met up in Asheville at a reasonably well regarded barbeque joint. Unfortunately the place decided to close early even though I had called a day earlier to confirm that they would be open for dinner.
Argh, now what would we do.
Luckily Larry and I both showed up early and Larry went off to prowl the streets for another restaurant. When Josh showed up I called Larry and he had just found a place that was open, the Ironhorse. We headed on over to get some dinner.
The place was mostly empty, which was good since we were a big party.
We were warmly greeted and shown to a table with a crisp linen tablecloth topped with a sheet of white paper. The place was not at all geared towards children, but they didn't even bat an eye over our crew of four. In fact that bent over backwards to accommodate us. There was no children's menu, but the waitress told us they did have chicken tenders and the kitchen could whip up some grill cheese sandwiches. I asked if they had pasta and she went to check with the chef. She soon came back (all she had to do was walk ten feet over to the low wall separating us from the kitchen) and said yes, but she didn't know what form. That was fine, the older boys can be flexible about pasta and the dynamic duo settled on grilled cheese.
The kids food came out in a flash and they all happily tucked in. well except for Max. He didn't like the bread and peeled apart his sandwich and ate just the cheese. I didn't let Max complain about it (they had already done so much for us and it really was fine, he can be a bit fussy about bread), instead I told him he could have ice cream for dessert along with his siblings. The rest of the dinner was marvelous. I had a shank of lamb and it was terrific, very tender and flavorful.
If we are ever up that way again I wouldn't mind going back.
The answer was an enthusiastic yes. It has been nearly a decade since I've last seen him. He was like a little brother to me in college, albeit a six foot plus little brother that towered over me, but he is a total pussy cat. He had attended Larry's and mine wedding and five years later we in turn had gone to his. I paid him, with Jake in tow, a brief visit the summer following his marriage to visit friends in the Midwest. He is the proud papa for two boys and a girl. The youngest being a little two year old little devil that does what he wants with a smile on his face.
We arranged to met up in Asheville at a reasonably well regarded barbeque joint. Unfortunately the place decided to close early even though I had called a day earlier to confirm that they would be open for dinner.
Argh, now what would we do.
Luckily Larry and I both showed up early and Larry went off to prowl the streets for another restaurant. When Josh showed up I called Larry and he had just found a place that was open, the Ironhorse. We headed on over to get some dinner.
The place was mostly empty, which was good since we were a big party.
We were warmly greeted and shown to a table with a crisp linen tablecloth topped with a sheet of white paper. The place was not at all geared towards children, but they didn't even bat an eye over our crew of four. In fact that bent over backwards to accommodate us. There was no children's menu, but the waitress told us they did have chicken tenders and the kitchen could whip up some grill cheese sandwiches. I asked if they had pasta and she went to check with the chef. She soon came back (all she had to do was walk ten feet over to the low wall separating us from the kitchen) and said yes, but she didn't know what form. That was fine, the older boys can be flexible about pasta and the dynamic duo settled on grilled cheese.
The kids food came out in a flash and they all happily tucked in. well except for Max. He didn't like the bread and peeled apart his sandwich and ate just the cheese. I didn't let Max complain about it (they had already done so much for us and it really was fine, he can be a bit fussy about bread), instead I told him he could have ice cream for dessert along with his siblings. The rest of the dinner was marvelous. I had a shank of lamb and it was terrific, very tender and flavorful.
If we are ever up that way again I wouldn't mind going back.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Another Snow Post
Except for the crusty bits on the deck, Saturday night's snow is gone.
Up next tomorrow we get to look forward to freezing rain, sleet and *maybe* a flurry of snow. In other words, another lame winter forecast. The winters of my youth were much better.
In this picture I'm about four or five at our house in Connecticut . My father dug us out and one of my parents snapped this as I moved down the narrow path. One of my earliest winter memories was during another big snowfall when I stepped in a drift and sunk past my hips.
My children got a taste of this about four years ago while at my mothers. She got over two feet of snow literally overnight. Max and Rebecca were far to young to remember, but the boys still talk of it with amazement. It's a pity we have to go so far north to get a bit of true winter.
Up next tomorrow we get to look forward to freezing rain, sleet and *maybe* a flurry of snow. In other words, another lame winter forecast. The winters of my youth were much better.
In this picture I'm about four or five at our house in Connecticut . My father dug us out and one of my parents snapped this as I moved down the narrow path. One of my earliest winter memories was during another big snowfall when I stepped in a drift and sunk past my hips.
My children got a taste of this about four years ago while at my mothers. She got over two feet of snow literally overnight. Max and Rebecca were far to young to remember, but the boys still talk of it with amazement. It's a pity we have to go so far north to get a bit of true winter.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
There is Snow and Then There is SNOW
We got some snow last night. The final total wasn't overly impressive (less than an inch), but it was enough to coat the yard with pretty white fluff and paralyze the area.
We were planning on heading up to Richmond for a concert at VCU. Jake picked out a woodwinds and percussion master class/ concert to fulfill his quarterly requirement for band. I had forgotten about it until that afternoon when I found the flyer stuck amongst some papers. We decided the whole family would go since it was both free and at a reasonable hour (6 to 7 pm).
But then the now kept falling and we decided to rethink our plans. As I stated to Larry "I have full confidence in our ability to drive in the snow, but I have serious doubts about the other drivers in the area." Richmond drivers are not known for their winter driving skills and this being the first snow event of the season it seemed prudent to stay home.
So home we stayed, well except for Nate who went off on a sleepover.
The snow we ended up getting was pretty, but not much to write home about. Even John was unimpressed, he just didn't like the cold stuff between his toes.
Bailey on the otherhand, in this great video off of YouTube, got a much nicer dumping from a blizzard in the 1990's up in Colorado. Warning there is music with the video, but it does add to the clip.
We were planning on heading up to Richmond for a concert at VCU. Jake picked out a woodwinds and percussion master class/ concert to fulfill his quarterly requirement for band. I had forgotten about it until that afternoon when I found the flyer stuck amongst some papers. We decided the whole family would go since it was both free and at a reasonable hour (6 to 7 pm).
But then the now kept falling and we decided to rethink our plans. As I stated to Larry "I have full confidence in our ability to drive in the snow, but I have serious doubts about the other drivers in the area." Richmond drivers are not known for their winter driving skills and this being the first snow event of the season it seemed prudent to stay home.
So home we stayed, well except for Nate who went off on a sleepover.
The snow we ended up getting was pretty, but not much to write home about. Even John was unimpressed, he just didn't like the cold stuff between his toes.
Bailey on the otherhand, in this great video off of YouTube, got a much nicer dumping from a blizzard in the 1990's up in Colorado. Warning there is music with the video, but it does add to the clip.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Nuts
I love Max and Rebecca's teachers. I think both of them got placed in the right classes for them.
Rebecca has a very experienced teacher who has the calmest and best behaved class in the school. She is not at all mean, she expects such behavior and gets it. Rebecca looks forward to school each day and is genuinely upset when she can't go.
Max's teacher is much younger, but started in the Richmond public school system. Nothing fazes her. She is positive and has a very dynamic teaching style. Best of all she completely gets Max and all his little quirks. He is not her only special health needs kid in her class. One of his classmates has a severe peanut allergy which makes Max's need for enzymes and unlimited potty access small potatoes.
But, and you new there was going to be a but here, things are a changing in Max's classroom.
His teacher is pregnant and is due mid March. Which is a bummer for the class, but she would get them through most of the year before handing over the class to her replacement. Unfortunately she has transitioned into a high risk pregnancy and had to stop as of last Monday.
She wasn't in on Monday and that wasn't a big deal. Tuesday and Wednesday she was again absent. When Thursday rolled around and Max got a substitute again I knew something was up. That evening I got an email from the room Parent (the parent that helps the teacher organize all the in class parties throughout the year) that told us what was going on and that Max's teacher wouldn't be coming back.
Nuts.
Now I have to reintroduce myself and bring up Max's needs with a new teacher. I'm lucky that Max has become the darling of the office staff (he sometimes dances for them when he goes in to get his enzymes). They look out for him and very very conscientious about his enzymes. Max too is very careful about such things and does not hesitate to speak up for himself. I just wish it wasn't happening.
Rebecca has a very experienced teacher who has the calmest and best behaved class in the school. She is not at all mean, she expects such behavior and gets it. Rebecca looks forward to school each day and is genuinely upset when she can't go.
Max's teacher is much younger, but started in the Richmond public school system. Nothing fazes her. She is positive and has a very dynamic teaching style. Best of all she completely gets Max and all his little quirks. He is not her only special health needs kid in her class. One of his classmates has a severe peanut allergy which makes Max's need for enzymes and unlimited potty access small potatoes.
But, and you new there was going to be a but here, things are a changing in Max's classroom.
His teacher is pregnant and is due mid March. Which is a bummer for the class, but she would get them through most of the year before handing over the class to her replacement. Unfortunately she has transitioned into a high risk pregnancy and had to stop as of last Monday.
She wasn't in on Monday and that wasn't a big deal. Tuesday and Wednesday she was again absent. When Thursday rolled around and Max got a substitute again I knew something was up. That evening I got an email from the room Parent (the parent that helps the teacher organize all the in class parties throughout the year) that told us what was going on and that Max's teacher wouldn't be coming back.
Nuts.
Now I have to reintroduce myself and bring up Max's needs with a new teacher. I'm lucky that Max has become the darling of the office staff (he sometimes dances for them when he goes in to get his enzymes). They look out for him and very very conscientious about his enzymes. Max too is very careful about such things and does not hesitate to speak up for himself. I just wish it wasn't happening.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Southern Snow
Usually doesn't stick around very long.
Yes I know that we can get big snowstorms down here in Virginia, but the normal course around here is a brief flurry of flakes that make everything wintry and pretty and by nightfall it is all gone. I have learned to send the kids out pronto to play before it all turns to slush. There was a few years go when we had good snow coverage for a week and a half, but that is rare.
Today's forecast is for snow showers and rain. At 7:00 am Jake noted that it was still fairly dark out. I told him it was cloudy and sent him off to school 15 minutes later. At a little bit past 8, while at the breakfast table, Nate excitedly noticed it was snowing. Max and Rebecca crowed to the windows, both brimming with excitement over the large fluffy clumps dropping from the sky.
At 8:35 Max, Rebecca and I donned our coats and piled into the van to go to the bus stop, Nate had already gone ahead by foot (his bus arrives at 8:40, the dynamic duo's is 10 minutes later). We pulled up to the stop and I watched as they danced under the falling flakes.
I snapped a quick picture and then the batteries in my camera died. In due time the buses arrived at their appointed hours and whisked them all to school.
I loved watching the big fat clumps of flakes fall from the sky. The lawn, the trees, the deck and all the furniture outside got a lovely pure white coating of snow. I took a picture of this lovely scene while chatting on the phone with Meryl. I knew it would be gone soon and I decided to document it. It was about a quarter to 10 when I took this picture. It had stopped snowing by then and the rain hadn't started... yet. The temperature was above freezing and you could tell that the clouds were really not done.
Over the next hour and a half I saw the snow slowly fade away. The deck is slick with water and all that remains is the slush on top of the table.
The last picture was taken at 11:15 am. Jake is going to be sorely disappointed that he missed out on all the snow. The slush on the table *might* be still there when he comes home at 3:30 pm, but I'm not counting in it staying for much longer. At noon there was a hard burst of rain that has now settled into a gentle drizzle.
I'm glad we head up North to see my Mom at Christmas, at least the kids get a taste of real winter. Right now she has 4 to 5 inches on the ground. That is the one thing I really miss down here in Virginia. To me winter should be cold with a nice thick blanket of snow on the ground. It's been cold, but lacking in the snow end of things.
Yes I know that we can get big snowstorms down here in Virginia, but the normal course around here is a brief flurry of flakes that make everything wintry and pretty and by nightfall it is all gone. I have learned to send the kids out pronto to play before it all turns to slush. There was a few years go when we had good snow coverage for a week and a half, but that is rare.
Today's forecast is for snow showers and rain. At 7:00 am Jake noted that it was still fairly dark out. I told him it was cloudy and sent him off to school 15 minutes later. At a little bit past 8, while at the breakfast table, Nate excitedly noticed it was snowing. Max and Rebecca crowed to the windows, both brimming with excitement over the large fluffy clumps dropping from the sky.
At 8:35 Max, Rebecca and I donned our coats and piled into the van to go to the bus stop, Nate had already gone ahead by foot (his bus arrives at 8:40, the dynamic duo's is 10 minutes later). We pulled up to the stop and I watched as they danced under the falling flakes.
I snapped a quick picture and then the batteries in my camera died. In due time the buses arrived at their appointed hours and whisked them all to school.
I loved watching the big fat clumps of flakes fall from the sky. The lawn, the trees, the deck and all the furniture outside got a lovely pure white coating of snow. I took a picture of this lovely scene while chatting on the phone with Meryl. I knew it would be gone soon and I decided to document it. It was about a quarter to 10 when I took this picture. It had stopped snowing by then and the rain hadn't started... yet. The temperature was above freezing and you could tell that the clouds were really not done.
Over the next hour and a half I saw the snow slowly fade away. The deck is slick with water and all that remains is the slush on top of the table.
The last picture was taken at 11:15 am. Jake is going to be sorely disappointed that he missed out on all the snow. The slush on the table *might* be still there when he comes home at 3:30 pm, but I'm not counting in it staying for much longer. At noon there was a hard burst of rain that has now settled into a gentle drizzle.
I'm glad we head up North to see my Mom at Christmas, at least the kids get a taste of real winter. Right now she has 4 to 5 inches on the ground. That is the one thing I really miss down here in Virginia. To me winter should be cold with a nice thick blanket of snow on the ground. It's been cold, but lacking in the snow end of things.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Artist of the Week: Portrait of a Dog
This week's artist is Miss Rebecca.
She loves to draw pictures and her efforts are littered about the house. She will also have me mail off pictures to friends and family. Ther will be no note, just a cheerful little drawing carefully cut to size and signed by Rebecca.
She also loves dogs, in this picture she is sitting on the couch with my mother's dog Gwen. The two of them really enjoyed each other's company during our stay at my mom's house. Rebecca still missed our dog, but Gwen's presence blunted her sadness quite a bit.
A few days ago Rebecca came home with a couple of roughly index card sized pictures she made at school.
Both were of dogs, one was of a rather long legged and the other was this cute fellow. She told me both were of our dog John, but the first one (the long legged beastie) did not come out quite right, so she tried again. She liked both of them and proudly showed them off.
I love them both, but especially the second one. Jake thought at first Nate had drawn it and was doubly impressed when he found out it was his sister's handiwork.
I find the portrait evocative of the illustrations from Circle Dogs, one of the many children's books I have that feature dachshunds (I collect them, so sue me), but not completely. Her art is very much her own.
She loves to draw pictures and her efforts are littered about the house. She will also have me mail off pictures to friends and family. Ther will be no note, just a cheerful little drawing carefully cut to size and signed by Rebecca.
She also loves dogs, in this picture she is sitting on the couch with my mother's dog Gwen. The two of them really enjoyed each other's company during our stay at my mom's house. Rebecca still missed our dog, but Gwen's presence blunted her sadness quite a bit.
A few days ago Rebecca came home with a couple of roughly index card sized pictures she made at school.
Both were of dogs, one was of a rather long legged and the other was this cute fellow. She told me both were of our dog John, but the first one (the long legged beastie) did not come out quite right, so she tried again. She liked both of them and proudly showed them off.
I love them both, but especially the second one. Jake thought at first Nate had drawn it and was doubly impressed when he found out it was his sister's handiwork.
I find the portrait evocative of the illustrations from Circle Dogs, one of the many children's books I have that feature dachshunds (I collect them, so sue me), but not completely. Her art is very much her own.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Can I Play?
I took this picture about 5 years ago, Rebecca is just about a year old and Nate is about 4.
Nate was practicing piano and Rebecca was fascinated. She wasn't really walking yet, but she loved to pull herself up and plunk on the keys along with Nate. He was very patient with her and I think he liked the attention.
Today was Rebecca's turn to play piano, she got her first official piano lesson. We started her after Max because she wasn't quite read, but he was. After watching he twin for a few months Rebecca started to ask us how to play. She would carefully pick out the notes of one of the beginning pieces. She just had to get her confidence up and see that she could do it before committing to actual lessons.
Our piano teacher is fabulous with children and It went very well today. Rebecca breezed through the first lesson and is already starting to play along with the CD (it was weeks before her brothers could do that). Having Rebecca wait until *she knew * she was ready really paid off.
Nate was practicing piano and Rebecca was fascinated. She wasn't really walking yet, but she loved to pull herself up and plunk on the keys along with Nate. He was very patient with her and I think he liked the attention.
Today was Rebecca's turn to play piano, she got her first official piano lesson. We started her after Max because she wasn't quite read, but he was. After watching he twin for a few months Rebecca started to ask us how to play. She would carefully pick out the notes of one of the beginning pieces. She just had to get her confidence up and see that she could do it before committing to actual lessons.
Our piano teacher is fabulous with children and It went very well today. Rebecca breezed through the first lesson and is already starting to play along with the CD (it was weeks before her brothers could do that). Having Rebecca wait until *she knew * she was ready really paid off.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Nope and No way
My dog oriented email lists are abuzz with about the latest Pamela Anderson tour de force: Blonde and Blonder.
Mind you it is not a good buzz.
The Empire Film Group announced last week that they:
The quote that really kills me follows:
Noooo, more like a quasi-terrorist group that wants to force its views on everybody else if you ask me.
I know that the net profits are never very much, but it is the principal of the thing. This little announcement guarantees I will not go to this film and I hope you will skip it as well.
Mind you it is not a good buzz.
The Empire Film Group announced last week that they:
will donate all of its net theatrical revenues from the forthcoming release of the comedy "BLONDE AND BLONDER" to the animal rights charity PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals), an organization supported by the film's star, Pamela Anderson. The film will open in theatres across the U.S.A. on January 18th, and is expected to generate tens-of-thousands of dollars for PETA.There is absolutely no way I will support an organization I loathe. Mind you I don't care for Ms. Anderson either, but Peta is dedicated to the elimination of companion animals.
The quote that really kills me follows:
"We wanted to do something different and something positive," said Eric Parkinson, CEO of Empire Home Entertainment, the distribution division of Empire Film Group. "The agreement to donate theatrical revenues to PETA was important to Pamela Anderson and could inspire greater attendance for the film. Their group performs important educational and legislative work for animal rights, and we're honored to support them."
Noooo, more like a quasi-terrorist group that wants to force its views on everybody else if you ask me.
I know that the net profits are never very much, but it is the principal of the thing. This little announcement guarantees I will not go to this film and I hope you will skip it as well.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Jump Jive N' Wail
'Cause it's Friday!
I'd forgotten about Brian Setzer and how much I love his sound. There is nothing like the sound of a really swinging big band.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
A Bright and Shiny Smile
Yesterday was Jake's big day at the orthodontist. After seemingly endless dental appointments, tooth extractions and an expansion bar, he finally got his braces.
It took just over an hour.
He was fine until about four hours later when it hit him. His teeth and jaw ached. Dinner was pretty much uneaten. A little ibuprofen and twenty minutes later he felt much better.
This morning he was miserable, so much so I let him stay home. I figured he had earned it. He was a champ after his teeth were pulled and headed off to school with nary a peep.
But tomorrow he'll be back at school.
It took just over an hour.
He was fine until about four hours later when it hit him. His teeth and jaw ached. Dinner was pretty much uneaten. A little ibuprofen and twenty minutes later he felt much better.
This morning he was miserable, so much so I let him stay home. I figured he had earned it. He was a champ after his teeth were pulled and headed off to school with nary a peep.
But tomorrow he'll be back at school.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Artist of the Week: Gingerbread houses
This week I have two artists of the week because I couldn't decide which one to feature first.
Max is looking pretty happy here with a sled on his head. After a couple of sled runs he was grinning from ear to ear. Max definitely likes doing the sled thing.
Anyway he also had fun making his gingerbread house which has no gingerbread in it at all. It is an annual project at the elementary school and it involves graham crackers hot glued to empty milk cartons, royal icing and a ton of candy donated by the parents.
I got to help both Max and Rebecca with their houses because the "parties" were scheduled on separate days. (I think the two teachers got together and planned it out that way, they recognize that it's tough having two kids in the same grade.) It was good messy fun and it was the first time I've been able to participate in this project.
Rebecca (caught here in Nana's backyard) was first up. I brought in icing that I made from pasteurized egg whites because I'm paranoid that way. Before we started the teacher did a big speech on how we must not eat the frosting because it contains raw eggs, which I appreciated from a food safety stand point. Not that the kids weren't going to inadvertently eat some of it. Rebecca made the whole thing herself. All I did was split up the liquorice whips. She came up with the whole thing and did not want any help from me. I think I might have suggested the doorknob, but that's it. I think it looks quite spiffy. When were done the houses were left in the classroom to dry over night. This would give the icing sufficient time to reach its final rock hard consistency. Her house is the one on the left (click the picture of the houses to see more of them in their photo set with the added bonus of notes).
Max's house was made on the following day. He wanted me to be a little more hands on than his sister. I got to smear the frosting all over the house. Max does not do sticky and I was not at all surprised to get the job. Once the house was frosted, he took over. I really liked what he did with the candy canes. I never would have thought of that. The peppermints on the left side just cracks me up. He carefully placed the peppermints and then declared that they were a tractor. The M&Ms represent cut grass while the gum drops are the longer, uncut portion of the lawn. Such a guy. At the end of Max's party I took his house home and picked up Rebecca's that is how they wee able to get home intact. Buses are not kind to gingerbread houses.
I'm glad I was able to be there when they created their little masterpieces.
Max is looking pretty happy here with a sled on his head. After a couple of sled runs he was grinning from ear to ear. Max definitely likes doing the sled thing.
Anyway he also had fun making his gingerbread house which has no gingerbread in it at all. It is an annual project at the elementary school and it involves graham crackers hot glued to empty milk cartons, royal icing and a ton of candy donated by the parents.
I got to help both Max and Rebecca with their houses because the "parties" were scheduled on separate days. (I think the two teachers got together and planned it out that way, they recognize that it's tough having two kids in the same grade.) It was good messy fun and it was the first time I've been able to participate in this project.
Rebecca (caught here in Nana's backyard) was first up. I brought in icing that I made from pasteurized egg whites because I'm paranoid that way. Before we started the teacher did a big speech on how we must not eat the frosting because it contains raw eggs, which I appreciated from a food safety stand point. Not that the kids weren't going to inadvertently eat some of it. Rebecca made the whole thing herself. All I did was split up the liquorice whips. She came up with the whole thing and did not want any help from me. I think I might have suggested the doorknob, but that's it. I think it looks quite spiffy. When were done the houses were left in the classroom to dry over night. This would give the icing sufficient time to reach its final rock hard consistency. Her house is the one on the left (click the picture of the houses to see more of them in their photo set with the added bonus of notes).
Max's house was made on the following day. He wanted me to be a little more hands on than his sister. I got to smear the frosting all over the house. Max does not do sticky and I was not at all surprised to get the job. Once the house was frosted, he took over. I really liked what he did with the candy canes. I never would have thought of that. The peppermints on the left side just cracks me up. He carefully placed the peppermints and then declared that they were a tractor. The M&Ms represent cut grass while the gum drops are the longer, uncut portion of the lawn. Such a guy. At the end of Max's party I took his house home and picked up Rebecca's that is how they wee able to get home intact. Buses are not kind to gingerbread houses.
I'm glad I was able to be there when they created their little masterpieces.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Too Picky For My Own Good *With Update!*
I have a purse and it is perfect for me. It's a small Coach bag that I bought about 10 years ago. I remember debating with myself if I should splurge or not. Obviously I decided to buy it and I never regretted that decision.
But, sadly, all good things come to an end. After 10 years, four kids and endless miles of schlepping it about, the bag is showing its age. The seams are worn and in spots all the way through. So now it is time to find a replacement.
I did the sensible thing and checked out Coach bags both online and in stores around town. Unfortunately Coach no longer makes my bag and the ones they do have I do not want. They are either ugly or too big. I favor a small bag that I can sling over the shoulder or across my body. I like having a flap, not zippered, enclosure.
As you can see in the next picture I really don't carry much. I have my wallet, my coin purse, the check book and my cell phone. Not pictured is an assortment of bits and pieces of paper, old receipts, a tube of lipstick and some key chains (you can see some of the paper peeking out o the front pocket). In a pinch I can also cram in a bottle of Max's enzymes and a small thing of apple sauce. But that is it. I travel light and I like it that way.
Most bags I find today are far too big. I just want another plain and simple bag.
I'll just have to keep looking. Maybe I can send my old bag back to Coach and get it refurbished. Any ideas out there?
Update: Ha! I went on eBay last night and lo and behold I found a black version of my bag. I was able to snag it today for just $25.50 and that includes shipping. I love eBay.
But, sadly, all good things come to an end. After 10 years, four kids and endless miles of schlepping it about, the bag is showing its age. The seams are worn and in spots all the way through. So now it is time to find a replacement.
I did the sensible thing and checked out Coach bags both online and in stores around town. Unfortunately Coach no longer makes my bag and the ones they do have I do not want. They are either ugly or too big. I favor a small bag that I can sling over the shoulder or across my body. I like having a flap, not zippered, enclosure.
As you can see in the next picture I really don't carry much. I have my wallet, my coin purse, the check book and my cell phone. Not pictured is an assortment of bits and pieces of paper, old receipts, a tube of lipstick and some key chains (you can see some of the paper peeking out o the front pocket). In a pinch I can also cram in a bottle of Max's enzymes and a small thing of apple sauce. But that is it. I travel light and I like it that way.
Most bags I find today are far too big. I just want another plain and simple bag.
I'll just have to keep looking. Maybe I can send my old bag back to Coach and get it refurbished. Any ideas out there?
Update: Ha! I went on eBay last night and lo and behold I found a black version of my bag. I was able to snag it today for just $25.50 and that includes shipping. I love eBay.
Monday, January 07, 2008
The Best Present
We didn't get to see my brother when we were visiting our mother, but he did leave us a present in the garage. He had flown in to see our Mom a few weeks earlier and picked out a beauty of a toboggan for us.
It's huge and can actually hold all of us if we squish ourselves just a bit. Every parent we encountered at the sledding hill admired it, the kids were no so impressed. But after a run they would realize that the old fashioned toboggans are still pretty cool. I would invite younger kids to ride down with us when it looked like they were being left out by the older kids in their group. Rebecca loved it when we picked up two extra girls and had an all girl sled run.
It has a very smooth ride as the wood flexes over the bumps on the the hill. My brother apologized for the lack of padding, but the sled really doesn't need it. It naturally has a far less jarring ride than the plastic sleds.
Here is a little sample of what it's like. The camera does bounce a bit, but that's due to the camera operator (me) than the sled.
It's huge and can actually hold all of us if we squish ourselves just a bit. Every parent we encountered at the sledding hill admired it, the kids were no so impressed. But after a run they would realize that the old fashioned toboggans are still pretty cool. I would invite younger kids to ride down with us when it looked like they were being left out by the older kids in their group. Rebecca loved it when we picked up two extra girls and had an all girl sled run.
It has a very smooth ride as the wood flexes over the bumps on the the hill. My brother apologized for the lack of padding, but the sled really doesn't need it. It naturally has a far less jarring ride than the plastic sleds.
Here is a little sample of what it's like. The camera does bounce a bit, but that's due to the camera operator (me) than the sled.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
It's a Barbie World
Barbie is a major player in this household. Growing up I was never a fan of Barbie and I had reservations about her when I became a parent. Then Bratz came out and Barbie started to look pretty good. Rebecca is a huge fan of Mattel's web site and she has all sorts of Barbies in her room.
But this is not about Rebecca, it's actually Nate that inspired this post. I noticed lately that he has been singing a bastardized version of "Barbie Girl." A few days later I was revisiting one of my favorite websites, Skippy's List, and from there to Skippy's blog. It's been a while and while reading up I click over to this gem:
I had to share this Nate. At the tender age of 9 he is already a huge history channel fan and has announced to us that he is going to join the military when he is an adult. I knew he would get a kick out of this. It combines the military, his new favorite song and a big dose of silliness.
And boy was I right.
But this is not about Rebecca, it's actually Nate that inspired this post. I noticed lately that he has been singing a bastardized version of "Barbie Girl." A few days later I was revisiting one of my favorite websites, Skippy's List, and from there to Skippy's blog. It's been a while and while reading up I click over to this gem:
I had to share this Nate. At the tender age of 9 he is already a huge history channel fan and has announced to us that he is going to join the military when he is an adult. I knew he would get a kick out of this. It combines the military, his new favorite song and a big dose of silliness.
And boy was I right.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Baby It's Cold Outside
It's officially wintertime around here with the mercury falling down to the *gasp* to around 16 last night and barely cracking the freezing mark during the day. Admittedly this doesn't hold a candle to what my mother is enduring up north in Vermont, but it's cold for around here.
This to me is ideal reading weather. I burned through two books on our travels and both were excellent reads. The first one was "Sudden Sea: The Great Hurricane of 1938" by R.A. Scotti, I found it at my mother's house. She always has a few good books scattered about. I'm a weather junkie (as so is my mother) and my mother clearly remembers this particular blow and has told us tales of it. She was 9 years old and she and her family lived on the shore just north of Boston. It was literally the first hurricane she had ever experienced. Their first indication of how big a blow it was going to be when the barometer 's bottom fell out. My grandfather exclaimed "Jesus Christ" and then they all hurried to batten down the hatches. My uncle, stupidly and on his own, decided to save his father's new boat by riding out the storm. He lost control of the boat and nearly lost his life swimming back to shore. The boat in the end grounded and was stove in on one side.
The story is well researched and written with photographs documenting the absolute destruction of the Long Island Express. We have come a long way in weather forecasting and it was interesting to learn that the hurricane of '38 was the first one to hit the Northeast in over a hundred years. The weather pattern is certainly far different now.
Next up was "Water for Elephants: a Novel" by Sara Gruen. A work of complete fiction that completely draws you in to the life of a traveling circus from the perspective of the pseudo vet (he is and he isn't a vet, you have to read the book to find out the whole story). It's funny, tragic, heartbreaking and racy. Not something for the boys to read. It was at my in-laws and I tore through it in one night. My father in-law recommended it to me and I picked it up as something to read while doing laundry. I ended up staying up far to late to finish it as we were leaving the next day. I was a bit drawn out and my eyes were feeling a little gritty the next day, but it was worth it.
So that's what I did for winter break.
This to me is ideal reading weather. I burned through two books on our travels and both were excellent reads. The first one was "Sudden Sea: The Great Hurricane of 1938" by R.A. Scotti, I found it at my mother's house. She always has a few good books scattered about. I'm a weather junkie (as so is my mother) and my mother clearly remembers this particular blow and has told us tales of it. She was 9 years old and she and her family lived on the shore just north of Boston. It was literally the first hurricane she had ever experienced. Their first indication of how big a blow it was going to be when the barometer 's bottom fell out. My grandfather exclaimed "Jesus Christ" and then they all hurried to batten down the hatches. My uncle, stupidly and on his own, decided to save his father's new boat by riding out the storm. He lost control of the boat and nearly lost his life swimming back to shore. The boat in the end grounded and was stove in on one side.
The story is well researched and written with photographs documenting the absolute destruction of the Long Island Express. We have come a long way in weather forecasting and it was interesting to learn that the hurricane of '38 was the first one to hit the Northeast in over a hundred years. The weather pattern is certainly far different now.
Next up was "Water for Elephants: a Novel" by Sara Gruen. A work of complete fiction that completely draws you in to the life of a traveling circus from the perspective of the pseudo vet (he is and he isn't a vet, you have to read the book to find out the whole story). It's funny, tragic, heartbreaking and racy. Not something for the boys to read. It was at my in-laws and I tore through it in one night. My father in-law recommended it to me and I picked it up as something to read while doing laundry. I ended up staying up far to late to finish it as we were leaving the next day. I was a bit drawn out and my eyes were feeling a little gritty the next day, but it was worth it.
So that's what I did for winter break.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
New York Moments
As part of our trip up north we spent a day in Manhattan to visit friends and meet someone (Ethan) for the first time.
The parents of Ethan are the very same people who got married last February. He is just a smidgen over a week old and we got to see him and his parents before we drove back home. There he is snug in his father's arms. I think his father is very happy with his new title of daddy.
Of course no trip to NYC is complete without pictures.
Since all six of us were heading into the city we decided to drive. I haven't driven much in NYC, so it was fun for me to play navigator and snap pictures while Larry manned the wheel. I got some classic shots when I remembered to take them.
We crossed over Manhattan to the west side and then cut across at 57th and then dropped down Broadway. It was fun pointing out landmarks to the kids as we drove down Broadway. The Flatiron building is one of my favorites and I was pretty happy with the picture I got. Traffic was moving fairly well until we headed into times square. At which point we then realized that the next day was New Year's eve.
All sorts of things were being erected in Times Square, from stages to sound systems and a car up on a pedestal. We tried to figure out where the ball was going to dropped, but it was too quick. I have never done the Times Square thing at New Years, standing outside endlessly in the cold surrounded by strangers is very unappealing to me. I'd rather be at a party (or parties!). Anyway the crowds were not too bad, but we did get redirected to 7th ave. Which we didn't realize until a few blocks later. But it was not a big deal and we got to show the kids Madison Square Garden, a far more meaningful landmark to boys.
In addition to all the landmarks NYC is filled with surprising details. At one point we were driving by one of the ubiquitous fast foods joints when something caught my eye. There was a line of seahorses done in what appeared to be ironwork above the restaurants awning. I don't know why they were there, but I was able to grab a quick photo as we passed by. I found them to be utterly charming and I was glad I saw them.
Then there is the downright odd.
It was a true "only in NYC moment" when this decidedly bizarre vehicle was in front of us. At first I only saw the two "Santas" hanging off the sides and the pile of junk on top. I didn't deem it picture worthy until I got a good look at the trunk. The dead Santa inside with a bony claw snaking out to clutch a club's name on a battered piece of wood was worth breaking out the camera. We followed the car for a few blocks and every time traffic slowed pedestrians would take pictures. It is a very effective for of advertising.
It's a good thing we don't do the Santa thing or I think this would have traumatized the kids. There was the potential to freak out Max (skeletons are very bad in his books), but his siblings had enough sense not to point out that aspect of the display in front of us.
Soon we reached our destination. I think the hardest part of the trip was finding a parking space for the van. The rocket box was on top and quite honestly when it is on the van it is too tall to fit in most parking garages. After dropping me off with the kids Larry was able to find a legitimate (and free!) spot not too far away.
It was great seeing our friends again. The new daddy is Larry's oldest friend and is called Uncle Johnny by our kids.We hit it just right and got to see the rest of Jon's family. Ethan's Bris was that morning and Jon's parents (who were almost Larry's second parents when he was growing up) along with Jon's brother (another good friend) and his family were still there.
Those of us over the age of eight got to hold the baby. Rebecca was kind of interested, but didn't sit still long enough. That's Larry's hand helping Nate support Ethan's body. It was a good visit and Ethan looks like a fine addition to the world.
The parents of Ethan are the very same people who got married last February. He is just a smidgen over a week old and we got to see him and his parents before we drove back home. There he is snug in his father's arms. I think his father is very happy with his new title of daddy.
Of course no trip to NYC is complete without pictures.
Since all six of us were heading into the city we decided to drive. I haven't driven much in NYC, so it was fun for me to play navigator and snap pictures while Larry manned the wheel. I got some classic shots when I remembered to take them.
We crossed over Manhattan to the west side and then cut across at 57th and then dropped down Broadway. It was fun pointing out landmarks to the kids as we drove down Broadway. The Flatiron building is one of my favorites and I was pretty happy with the picture I got. Traffic was moving fairly well until we headed into times square. At which point we then realized that the next day was New Year's eve.
All sorts of things were being erected in Times Square, from stages to sound systems and a car up on a pedestal. We tried to figure out where the ball was going to dropped, but it was too quick. I have never done the Times Square thing at New Years, standing outside endlessly in the cold surrounded by strangers is very unappealing to me. I'd rather be at a party (or parties!). Anyway the crowds were not too bad, but we did get redirected to 7th ave. Which we didn't realize until a few blocks later. But it was not a big deal and we got to show the kids Madison Square Garden, a far more meaningful landmark to boys.
In addition to all the landmarks NYC is filled with surprising details. At one point we were driving by one of the ubiquitous fast foods joints when something caught my eye. There was a line of seahorses done in what appeared to be ironwork above the restaurants awning. I don't know why they were there, but I was able to grab a quick photo as we passed by. I found them to be utterly charming and I was glad I saw them.
Then there is the downright odd.
It was a true "only in NYC moment" when this decidedly bizarre vehicle was in front of us. At first I only saw the two "Santas" hanging off the sides and the pile of junk on top. I didn't deem it picture worthy until I got a good look at the trunk. The dead Santa inside with a bony claw snaking out to clutch a club's name on a battered piece of wood was worth breaking out the camera. We followed the car for a few blocks and every time traffic slowed pedestrians would take pictures. It is a very effective for of advertising.
It's a good thing we don't do the Santa thing or I think this would have traumatized the kids. There was the potential to freak out Max (skeletons are very bad in his books), but his siblings had enough sense not to point out that aspect of the display in front of us.
Soon we reached our destination. I think the hardest part of the trip was finding a parking space for the van. The rocket box was on top and quite honestly when it is on the van it is too tall to fit in most parking garages. After dropping me off with the kids Larry was able to find a legitimate (and free!) spot not too far away.
It was great seeing our friends again. The new daddy is Larry's oldest friend and is called Uncle Johnny by our kids.We hit it just right and got to see the rest of Jon's family. Ethan's Bris was that morning and Jon's parents (who were almost Larry's second parents when he was growing up) along with Jon's brother (another good friend) and his family were still there.
Those of us over the age of eight got to hold the baby. Rebecca was kind of interested, but didn't sit still long enough. That's Larry's hand helping Nate support Ethan's body. It was a good visit and Ethan looks like a fine addition to the world.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Artist of the Week: Sledding
One of the high perks of visiting my mother, aka Nana, up in Vermont is that it is Vermont. We are far more likely to encounter snow up there in quantities far greater than what we experience down here in old Virginny.
Nate is this week's artist for his dare devil enthusiasm for the sport of sledding.
He desperately wants to learn how to ski and/or snowboard. At some point we'll ship him west to my brother in Colorado, but until then he has to make do with the awesome sledding hill next to his Nana's and the various sleds she has in the garage. For the five or so days we are there, he is outside hitting the snow.
This year he came up with a new twist. He decided to try riding down the hill while standing up. Ironically he hit on this notion just after I commented to Larry how my brother and I used to "surf" down the hill on our sleds. Larry suggested that I show Nate and I replied that he didn't need and encouragement from me on how to find new ways to wipe out.
And wipe out he did.
I started giving him pointers like bend the knees and stick out your bottom. And of course I had to show him how I did it (and I'm proud to say I did a decent job- the wipe out at the end was a bit rough, but not injurious). As the day wore on he got better and better, to a point that he was better than I ever was.
And here he is:
He was fine after that wipe out. I loved the fact that he'd give a big thumbs up after each and every one.
Nate is this week's artist for his dare devil enthusiasm for the sport of sledding.
He desperately wants to learn how to ski and/or snowboard. At some point we'll ship him west to my brother in Colorado, but until then he has to make do with the awesome sledding hill next to his Nana's and the various sleds she has in the garage. For the five or so days we are there, he is outside hitting the snow.
This year he came up with a new twist. He decided to try riding down the hill while standing up. Ironically he hit on this notion just after I commented to Larry how my brother and I used to "surf" down the hill on our sleds. Larry suggested that I show Nate and I replied that he didn't need and encouragement from me on how to find new ways to wipe out.
And wipe out he did.
I started giving him pointers like bend the knees and stick out your bottom. And of course I had to show him how I did it (and I'm proud to say I did a decent job- the wipe out at the end was a bit rough, but not injurious). As the day wore on he got better and better, to a point that he was better than I ever was.
And here he is:
He was fine after that wipe out. I loved the fact that he'd give a big thumbs up after each and every one.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Happy New Year!
I hope y'all have a good new year, filled with love, happiness, laughter and good health.
We're back home and I'm so glad to be able to sleep in my own bed.
We're back home and I'm so glad to be able to sleep in my own bed.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Artist of the Week: First Concert
Jake is this week's artist. Admittedly I'm a day late, but that's life.
He is taking band in Middle School and as I have mentioned before, his instrument is the trumpet. He has come long way the past few months and is slowly able to play recognizable tunes. He is getting a feel for his instrument, which is remarkable because of all the mucking about his Orthodontist is doing.
Last week was the the Middle School Winter Concert. We turned out in force for the event. This was a far happier occasion for us compared to the last time Jake was in a concert. (That was for the Pyramid concert and I'm still irked over that one.) His attendance was mandatory, but it is part of the whole band thing and we fully expected it. Oh and the good part, it's free.
Anyway, we showed up at the appointed hour and shooed Jake off to the band room.
Then we were stuck out in the hallway to wait for an hour the whole thing to start. Since there were no chairs in the hallway we retreated to the car to watch a DVD. I must say it is very nice to have this option when you are stuck waiting for an hour with three kids in tow. Mind you there was still some whining when we got back inside, but nothing on the same level if we had been stuck in a very boring hallway. When it was close to the start time we peered in the auditorium and decided it was time to find a seat. Other parents joined and the seats started to fill.
The concert was divided into three sections. First up was the Beginning Band students followed by the Intermediate Band and then the Advance Band rounded out the evening. Below is the first song played by Jake's group.
They did a good job. The band is clearly at the beginning level, but they were able to stay together. I think it is a remarkable performance considering they all starting playing their instruments for the first time just a couple of months ago. And I think quite a few students didn't even know how to read music. If you are interested the other three songs played by Jake's group were Cardiff Castle, Ode to Joy and Holiday Sing Along (with a guest vocals supplied by Rebecca!).
It will be fun to see how much they progress at the next concert.
He is taking band in Middle School and as I have mentioned before, his instrument is the trumpet. He has come long way the past few months and is slowly able to play recognizable tunes. He is getting a feel for his instrument, which is remarkable because of all the mucking about his Orthodontist is doing.
Last week was the the Middle School Winter Concert. We turned out in force for the event. This was a far happier occasion for us compared to the last time Jake was in a concert. (That was for the Pyramid concert and I'm still irked over that one.) His attendance was mandatory, but it is part of the whole band thing and we fully expected it. Oh and the good part, it's free.
Anyway, we showed up at the appointed hour and shooed Jake off to the band room.
Then we were stuck out in the hallway to wait for an hour the whole thing to start. Since there were no chairs in the hallway we retreated to the car to watch a DVD. I must say it is very nice to have this option when you are stuck waiting for an hour with three kids in tow. Mind you there was still some whining when we got back inside, but nothing on the same level if we had been stuck in a very boring hallway. When it was close to the start time we peered in the auditorium and decided it was time to find a seat. Other parents joined and the seats started to fill.
The concert was divided into three sections. First up was the Beginning Band students followed by the Intermediate Band and then the Advance Band rounded out the evening. Below is the first song played by Jake's group.
They did a good job. The band is clearly at the beginning level, but they were able to stay together. I think it is a remarkable performance considering they all starting playing their instruments for the first time just a couple of months ago. And I think quite a few students didn't even know how to read music. If you are interested the other three songs played by Jake's group were Cardiff Castle, Ode to Joy and Holiday Sing Along (with a guest vocals supplied by Rebecca!).
It will be fun to see how much they progress at the next concert.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Lego - Star Wars vs. Star Trek
I am very, very, very busy this week, but not to busy to watch some Lego animation goodness.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Substitute
I cook on the fly. Half the time when I'm making dinner I'll switch things around according to my mood, my preferences and what is in the pantry. With baking I stick a little closer, but not by much. I really do try to stick with what is written, but sometimes I get stuck.
Like tonight, I am baking a cheesecake to drop off at school tomorrow, it's for some sort of teacher/staff appreciation thingy. I *thought* I had all the ingredients on hand and that's why I volunteered to make my basic cheesecake. Note the thought. I sort of had everything, I was just shy 1/4 cup sour cream. It's late, its cold outside and I just plain don't want to go. So I haul out my cookbooks to see how I can make do. It's sour cream and I've got the cream, how hard could it be?
It turns out not very hard at all. One quick substitution was 3/4 cup oh heavy cream with 3 to 4 drops of lemon juice. Add the lemon juice and let sit for 30 to 40 minutes. It basically worked and I was able to finish the cheesecake. Whoo-hoo substitutes! I get to stay in.
Like tonight, I am baking a cheesecake to drop off at school tomorrow, it's for some sort of teacher/staff appreciation thingy. I *thought* I had all the ingredients on hand and that's why I volunteered to make my basic cheesecake. Note the thought. I sort of had everything, I was just shy 1/4 cup sour cream. It's late, its cold outside and I just plain don't want to go. So I haul out my cookbooks to see how I can make do. It's sour cream and I've got the cream, how hard could it be?
It turns out not very hard at all. One quick substitution was 3/4 cup oh heavy cream with 3 to 4 drops of lemon juice. Add the lemon juice and let sit for 30 to 40 minutes. It basically worked and I was able to finish the cheesecake. Whoo-hoo substitutes! I get to stay in.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Crunch is Home
Last Friday I picked up Crunch's remains from the vet. It was a hard trip, I sobbed in the car before going in and it hit me again when I got back into the car.
This is one of our first pictures of Crunch. He was, as all puppies are, adorable. Rally thought otherwise and was initially quite peeved with this goofy red interloper. But in the end it wasn't such a bad thing especially once she figured out how to trick him out of the comfy spot in the kitchen.
We had gotten Crunch in January of 1993. We wanted another dog and we thought Rally would like the companionship. He just kind of fell into our laps. His breeder had called us wondering if we were still looking for a dog. I had spoken with her months earlier when we were first looking, but she had nothing to offer at the time. Apparently I had made a good impression and when they had decided that it was time to place "Nestle" they gave us a call.
His original name was Nestle as in Nestle Crunch. His bite started to go off and that was why we were offered him. When we went to get him, up in the wilds of Ramsey, Minnesota, his bite had improved. They asked if it was possible if we could show him and thus a hobby was born. We thought Nestle was a weenie name and called him Crunch instead. Crunch grew to be a handsome dog, a canine Fabio according to my Brother in Law. He was also a natural show dog and I was able to handle him myself to his champion ship. Not bad for a novice handler.
Because of Crunch, Dianne (his breeder), became a very good friend. She then pointed me in the direction of the local dachshund club and I made a lot of friends in the "dog world." The local club was and still is very performance oriented and it was a given that if your dog had any talent in the field you should try to put a Field Championship on it along with a bench or rather show Championship thus earning the dog the title of Dual Champion. Crunch was a natural in the field, his only problem was the extreme difficulty I had in getting him back. He was notorious as the dog that would take off when the judges would ask for the handlers to pick up their dogs. His saving grace was his unfailingly happy demeanor and the fact that anybody could pick him up. Everybody loved Crunch because he loved everybody.
In time we were able to put a Dual Championship on Crunch. It wasn't until we moved back East that we realized what a big deal a DC was. At that point I decided to go whole hog and try to get a Versatility Certificate on him. It is a high honor from the Dachshund Club of America and not every dog can earn one. In 2000 he qualified and we headed out west to the National Specialty show in Portland Oregon in 2001. I was pregnant with Max and Rebecca and as big as a house. I was determined to be there when his plaque would be announced at the banquet. It was a huge ordeal flying out to Portland with two kids and a dog, but we made it. As an added bonus we got to spend time with a dear friend of mine from college. She had married the previous year and we had flown out for that sans kids.
As the years slipped by I would occasionally bring Crunch out to show. He loved going to shows and always put on a good show. At the tender age of 11 1/2 he sired his first litter and a few months later John, his son, came to live with us. When Jake turned 10 we got him a Junior Handler number and he would take Crunch into the ring while I showed John. Crunch was very happy with his new career and was very patient with Jake. But I could she he was starting to fade.
He could still move like a dream, but he was slowing down. Crunch was spending much more sleeping and then we got John. John was a good addition to the household. He perked everybody up and he and his father would endlessly wrestle at my feet. With a look Crunch could flatten his son. John knew who the boss was.
But then at the end of summer Crunch started to falter. He wasn't as sure on his feet and his nose started to bother him. It looked like him had a nasal tumor. We never got a definitive diagnoses, because it would mean sedating him and the last time we did , about 8 months previously, it took 4 days for him to recover. I promised him I wouldn't do that to him again. At 15 he was too old. Then he stopped wrestling with John and not long afterwards to eat. I was able to tempt him along for a while, but in the end it was time.
The last picture was taken a few days before his final trip. He was my dog and always loved to be in my lap.
This is one of our first pictures of Crunch. He was, as all puppies are, adorable. Rally thought otherwise and was initially quite peeved with this goofy red interloper. But in the end it wasn't such a bad thing especially once she figured out how to trick him out of the comfy spot in the kitchen.
We had gotten Crunch in January of 1993. We wanted another dog and we thought Rally would like the companionship. He just kind of fell into our laps. His breeder had called us wondering if we were still looking for a dog. I had spoken with her months earlier when we were first looking, but she had nothing to offer at the time. Apparently I had made a good impression and when they had decided that it was time to place "Nestle" they gave us a call.
His original name was Nestle as in Nestle Crunch. His bite started to go off and that was why we were offered him. When we went to get him, up in the wilds of Ramsey, Minnesota, his bite had improved. They asked if it was possible if we could show him and thus a hobby was born. We thought Nestle was a weenie name and called him Crunch instead. Crunch grew to be a handsome dog, a canine Fabio according to my Brother in Law. He was also a natural show dog and I was able to handle him myself to his champion ship. Not bad for a novice handler.
Because of Crunch, Dianne (his breeder), became a very good friend. She then pointed me in the direction of the local dachshund club and I made a lot of friends in the "dog world." The local club was and still is very performance oriented and it was a given that if your dog had any talent in the field you should try to put a Field Championship on it along with a bench or rather show Championship thus earning the dog the title of Dual Champion. Crunch was a natural in the field, his only problem was the extreme difficulty I had in getting him back. He was notorious as the dog that would take off when the judges would ask for the handlers to pick up their dogs. His saving grace was his unfailingly happy demeanor and the fact that anybody could pick him up. Everybody loved Crunch because he loved everybody.
In time we were able to put a Dual Championship on Crunch. It wasn't until we moved back East that we realized what a big deal a DC was. At that point I decided to go whole hog and try to get a Versatility Certificate on him. It is a high honor from the Dachshund Club of America and not every dog can earn one. In 2000 he qualified and we headed out west to the National Specialty show in Portland Oregon in 2001. I was pregnant with Max and Rebecca and as big as a house. I was determined to be there when his plaque would be announced at the banquet. It was a huge ordeal flying out to Portland with two kids and a dog, but we made it. As an added bonus we got to spend time with a dear friend of mine from college. She had married the previous year and we had flown out for that sans kids.
As the years slipped by I would occasionally bring Crunch out to show. He loved going to shows and always put on a good show. At the tender age of 11 1/2 he sired his first litter and a few months later John, his son, came to live with us. When Jake turned 10 we got him a Junior Handler number and he would take Crunch into the ring while I showed John. Crunch was very happy with his new career and was very patient with Jake. But I could she he was starting to fade.
He could still move like a dream, but he was slowing down. Crunch was spending much more sleeping and then we got John. John was a good addition to the household. He perked everybody up and he and his father would endlessly wrestle at my feet. With a look Crunch could flatten his son. John knew who the boss was.
But then at the end of summer Crunch started to falter. He wasn't as sure on his feet and his nose started to bother him. It looked like him had a nasal tumor. We never got a definitive diagnoses, because it would mean sedating him and the last time we did , about 8 months previously, it took 4 days for him to recover. I promised him I wouldn't do that to him again. At 15 he was too old. Then he stopped wrestling with John and not long afterwards to eat. I was able to tempt him along for a while, but in the end it was time.
The last picture was taken a few days before his final trip. He was my dog and always loved to be in my lap.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
A Boy and his dog
Nate loves dogs. He always has and he loves John in particular. Whenever Nate is in a quiet mood I'll find him curled up around John. Nate loved the time I dumped John on his bed to wake him up. John covered his face in kisses and Nate awoke with giggles.
I know Nate would love it if John could spend the night with him, but it's not an option. I like to keep the upstairs as doggy free as possible because of allergies. Also John at 3 and 1/2 is still a fairly destructive dog. He is much better know, but he still chews up the occasional toy and blanket. I'd hate to see what would happen if he was left to his own devices over the course of the night. So Nate will just have to settle with his cuddle sessions downstairs.
I know Nate would love it if John could spend the night with him, but it's not an option. I like to keep the upstairs as doggy free as possible because of allergies. Also John at 3 and 1/2 is still a fairly destructive dog. He is much better know, but he still chews up the occasional toy and blanket. I'd hate to see what would happen if he was left to his own devices over the course of the night. So Nate will just have to settle with his cuddle sessions downstairs.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Eighth and Final Day of Hanukkah
Here they are, our two menorahs in their full glory.
I hope you all who celebrate Hanukkah had a joyous Festival of Lights. I would also like to share one more thing. It's a video I found over at YouTube and it's a really rockin' little tune that celebrates the Festival of Lights.
I hope you all who celebrate Hanukkah had a joyous Festival of Lights. I would also like to share one more thing. It's a video I found over at YouTube and it's a really rockin' little tune that celebrates the Festival of Lights.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Seventh Day of Hanukkah
Max is pictured here with a little fabric book about Hanukkah that I wrote about last year.
He brought it in to school last week and it was a very popular item over at the reading corner. Everybody loved to play with it. Max's favorite part is the teddy bear, I think the other kids liked the dreidel.
This is one of little treasures that we all look forward to seeing again each year. It has held up very well, the only damage so far is to the latkes. John nibbled the edge, so it is a bit ragged. Max's teacher thought it was pretty funny when I pointed it out to her.
He brought it in to school last week and it was a very popular item over at the reading corner. Everybody loved to play with it. Max's favorite part is the teddy bear, I think the other kids liked the dreidel.
This is one of little treasures that we all look forward to seeing again each year. It has held up very well, the only damage so far is to the latkes. John nibbled the edge, so it is a bit ragged. Max's teacher thought it was pretty funny when I pointed it out to her.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sixth day and More
On Sunday we went to two Hanukkah parties. In the morning I schlepped the kids on up to the party at Hebrew school while Larry stayed home to paint the shed. The kids had a great time. They decorated (and ate) doughnuts, made edible dreidels, practiced lighting the candles and saying the blessings, played BINGO and made a variety of crafts. Pictured is a sampling of their handy work, three candles and a dreidel. Nate's is the candle on the far left, Max made the one in the middle, Rebecca made the candle with the delicate decorations and Jake carved a dreidel out of soap. Meanwhile I was happy to nosh on latkes.
Then in the evening we headed out to our Congregation's Hanukkah party. As always the food was great and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. We got to eat more latkes (they were better than this morning's), sing songs and have a great time. The only problem was that it was we left too early to light candles at home (I will not leave a burning candle in the house when we go out) and it was a bit late once we got back home. But we have our fabric menorahs and they filled the bill.
Then in the evening we headed out to our Congregation's Hanukkah party. As always the food was great and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. We got to eat more latkes (they were better than this morning's), sing songs and have a great time. The only problem was that it was we left too early to light candles at home (I will not leave a burning candle in the house when we go out) and it was a bit late once we got back home. But we have our fabric menorahs and they filled the bill.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Fourth and Fifth Days of Hanukkah
Since I barely post on the weekend, today you get a two for one deal for the forth and fifth days of Hanukkah.
On Friday we lit the candles before we went out for dinner. We lit them just before Shabbat simultaneously with Meryl. We had our phones on speaker and recited the blessings together. It was a fun way to do things. Anyway back to dinner,I have a long standing policy that no one should cook dinner on their birthday. I picked the new Japanese restaurant, Kabuki, in our area. It was quite an experience. It was theater in the round. Parties of up to ten people are seated along three sides of a grill with the chef mans his position at the fourth side and does a knife and fire show while cooking your dinner. We all loved the food and Jake commented that "you don't get bored while waiting for your food." We will definitely be going there again sometime in the future. It's nice when we can add a new restaurant to our rotation.
On Saturday all four children got in on the picture. It's a remarkable shot because they all look good. Normally I'll have at least one of them through an oddball expression which I swear is just to bug me, but not this time. They are all happily entranced by the flames of our two menorahs.
I decided since we have a plethora of candles courtesy of Hebrew School that we should fire up both menorahs. They put out a fair amount of light and everybody got to do something. The dynamic duo got to select and put in the candles and the other two got to light the candles.
On Friday we lit the candles before we went out for dinner. We lit them just before Shabbat simultaneously with Meryl. We had our phones on speaker and recited the blessings together. It was a fun way to do things. Anyway back to dinner,I have a long standing policy that no one should cook dinner on their birthday. I picked the new Japanese restaurant, Kabuki, in our area. It was quite an experience. It was theater in the round. Parties of up to ten people are seated along three sides of a grill with the chef mans his position at the fourth side and does a knife and fire show while cooking your dinner. We all loved the food and Jake commented that "you don't get bored while waiting for your food." We will definitely be going there again sometime in the future. It's nice when we can add a new restaurant to our rotation.
On Saturday all four children got in on the picture. It's a remarkable shot because they all look good. Normally I'll have at least one of them through an oddball expression which I swear is just to bug me, but not this time. They are all happily entranced by the flames of our two menorahs.
I decided since we have a plethora of candles courtesy of Hebrew School that we should fire up both menorahs. They put out a fair amount of light and everybody got to do something. The dynamic duo got to select and put in the candles and the other two got to light the candles.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Third Day and 42
Here is my third day of Hanukkah post with the added bonus of my 42nd birthday. Now that I'm forty two I'm the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything. Or at least the bits I know.
Anyway about the third day's menorah. It's actually a box of chocolate gelt that you open up one candle for each day of Hanukkah. It was given to the kids from their Aunt Meryl. We of course opened the whole thing up and distributed the chocolate, two pieces per child. This was very popular with the under 12 set.
Anyway about the third day's menorah. It's actually a box of chocolate gelt that you open up one candle for each day of Hanukkah. It was given to the kids from their Aunt Meryl. We of course opened the whole thing up and distributed the chocolate, two pieces per child. This was very popular with the under 12 set.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Second Day
This is my favorite of our menorahs, I wrote all about it here if you are interested.
Anyway the Hanukkah Fairy made a reappearance today. I brought this particular menorah into Rebecca's class today along with candles, a book selected by Rebecca and a handful of dreidals. The book was Hanukkah! by Sarah Freedland and illustrated by Sue Clarke. It is a gorgeous book with rich illustrations and pop-ups. It does a good job describing the meaning of Hanukah and was appropriate for Rebecca's class.
Rebecca was utterly delighted that I came in to read today. As Larry observed, when she is very happy her whole body smiles and when I walked into her classroom I got a whole body smile. The class was attentive and I think they really enjoyed the book. They loved the dreidals and they were all fascinated by the menorah. They wanted me to light the candles, but sadly we are not allowed to light candles in the classroom. Which, when you think about it, is not a bad rule. Open flames and twenty 5 to 6 year old kids don't really mix.
I had a great time and I think I was able to spread a little bit of light on the Festival of Lights.
Anyway the Hanukkah Fairy made a reappearance today. I brought this particular menorah into Rebecca's class today along with candles, a book selected by Rebecca and a handful of dreidals. The book was Hanukkah! by Sarah Freedland and illustrated by Sue Clarke. It is a gorgeous book with rich illustrations and pop-ups. It does a good job describing the meaning of Hanukah and was appropriate for Rebecca's class.
Rebecca was utterly delighted that I came in to read today. As Larry observed, when she is very happy her whole body smiles and when I walked into her classroom I got a whole body smile. The class was attentive and I think they really enjoyed the book. They loved the dreidals and they were all fascinated by the menorah. They wanted me to light the candles, but sadly we are not allowed to light candles in the classroom. Which, when you think about it, is not a bad rule. Open flames and twenty 5 to 6 year old kids don't really mix.
I had a great time and I think I was able to spread a little bit of light on the Festival of Lights.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
First day of Hanukkah, First Snow
Well today is a day of firsts.
Last night was the start of Hanukkah. We had latkes and the requisite arguing over the menorah. This year it was over who's candles we should use. Max, Rebecca and Nate all got a package of Hanukkah candles at Hebrew school on Sunday. Nate had brought out his candles and was just putting them in the menorah when Rebecca rushed over and burst into tears. She really wanted us to use her candles first. Nate, a bit puzzled over the fuss, was a gentleman and let the girl have her way.
I didn't take a picture of the candles in question, I thought it was better to show the hero of the moment with our fabric dachshund menorah. Nate brought it to school and one of the big questions was "Why is the dog's back on fire?" His answer: "It's not on fire, those are candles."
Anyway, he packed it up and brought it home yesterday and in the picture he is getting ready to bring it back to school.
Meanwhile later in the morning the first snowfall of the season graced the area. The flakes have been falling on and off all day alternating with little tiny flakes and big fat clumps of snow. Mostly it has been big fat flakes that have covered the deck and table. For a brief moment we even got a little bit of sleet. It won't last, but it will certainly botch up the traffic. Richmonders are incapable of dealing with the white stuff and the first snow event is always a traumatic one for the area. I'm glad I don't have to go anywhere today.
Last night was the start of Hanukkah. We had latkes and the requisite arguing over the menorah. This year it was over who's candles we should use. Max, Rebecca and Nate all got a package of Hanukkah candles at Hebrew school on Sunday. Nate had brought out his candles and was just putting them in the menorah when Rebecca rushed over and burst into tears. She really wanted us to use her candles first. Nate, a bit puzzled over the fuss, was a gentleman and let the girl have her way.
I didn't take a picture of the candles in question, I thought it was better to show the hero of the moment with our fabric dachshund menorah. Nate brought it to school and one of the big questions was "Why is the dog's back on fire?" His answer: "It's not on fire, those are candles."
Anyway, he packed it up and brought it home yesterday and in the picture he is getting ready to bring it back to school.
Meanwhile later in the morning the first snowfall of the season graced the area. The flakes have been falling on and off all day alternating with little tiny flakes and big fat clumps of snow. Mostly it has been big fat flakes that have covered the deck and table. For a brief moment we even got a little bit of sleet. It won't last, but it will certainly botch up the traffic. Richmonders are incapable of dealing with the white stuff and the first snow event is always a traumatic one for the area. I'm glad I don't have to go anywhere today.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
I'm the Hanukkah Fairy
Spreading the light of Hanukkah wherever I go.
I sent a note to Max's teacher today about Hanukkah. He is the star of the week and I thought it would be a good idea for him to bring in a menorah to share with class since Hanukkah starts tonight. I gave his teacher my email addy so we would not be dependent on the vagaries of a 6 year old to deliver notes back and forth.
This email popped up in my inbox a few hours after I got the kids off to school:
No problem, we have menorahs and driedals aplenty. I swung by the school to drop
them off. While in the hallway chatting with Max's teacher Rebecca's stopped by
and wanted to know when I could read a book to the class. Ah book, I don't remember volunteering, but I smoothly covered my surprise and asked when would be good for her. She would like me to stop by before lunch any time this week and we settled on Thursday.
I know there are not very many Jewish families in our school system and I think my children are the most up front. That and I carefully note each year on the class forms that we don't celebrate Christmas. So I have become the "go to" person for all things Hanukkah at the school. Which I find utterly hilarious since I'm a convert, but it is also nice because it shows we are doing a good job with raising our children Jewish in an overwhelmingly Christian area.
I sent a note to Max's teacher today about Hanukkah. He is the star of the week and I thought it would be a good idea for him to bring in a menorah to share with class since Hanukkah starts tonight. I gave his teacher my email addy so we would not be dependent on the vagaries of a 6 year old to deliver notes back and forth.
This email popped up in my inbox a few hours after I got the kids off to school:
Hi Mrs. G.!
We have been talking about Hannukah this week and asking Max a lot of
questions:) I have some books but I would love to have Max share a
menorah! And if by any chance you have a driedel that the kids could pass
around that would be great. I have a couple but for whatever reason I
can't find them --- I'm sure that I will find them in Jan!
Thanks so much!
Mrs. S.
No problem, we have menorahs and driedals aplenty. I swung by the school to drop
them off. While in the hallway chatting with Max's teacher Rebecca's stopped by
and wanted to know when I could read a book to the class. Ah book, I don't remember volunteering, but I smoothly covered my surprise and asked when would be good for her. She would like me to stop by before lunch any time this week and we settled on Thursday.
I know there are not very many Jewish families in our school system and I think my children are the most up front. That and I carefully note each year on the class forms that we don't celebrate Christmas. So I have become the "go to" person for all things Hanukkah at the school. Which I find utterly hilarious since I'm a convert, but it is also nice because it shows we are doing a good job with raising our children Jewish in an overwhelmingly Christian area.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Happy Birthday Larry!
Today, or at least what's left of it, is my dear husband's birthday.
I called him up at work today to get dinner menu approval (steak and oven roasted potatoes, I knew he would say yes, I just wanted to tell him) and ask what kind of cake he wanted. He settled on the Hershey's Three Chocolate Layered Cheesecake that everybody seems to be making.
Larry then got treated to lunch by his coworkers and got throughly cookied and caked out. He really has a nice place to work at, makes me miss the days I used to to work outside of the home.
Anyway my creation looked gorgeous, but would have benefited with sitting in the fridge overnight to allow the cake to firm up and the flavors to develop, but it was still tasty. Next year I need to remember to ask him a day ahead.
I called him up at work today to get dinner menu approval (steak and oven roasted potatoes, I knew he would say yes, I just wanted to tell him) and ask what kind of cake he wanted. He settled on the Hershey's Three Chocolate Layered Cheesecake that everybody seems to be making.
Larry then got treated to lunch by his coworkers and got throughly cookied and caked out. He really has a nice place to work at, makes me miss the days I used to to work outside of the home.
Anyway my creation looked gorgeous, but would have benefited with sitting in the fridge overnight to allow the cake to firm up and the flavors to develop, but it was still tasty. Next year I need to remember to ask him a day ahead.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Spicy!
Your Score: Fennel
You scored 50% intoxication, 0% hotness, 100% complexity, and 25% craziness!
You are Fennel!
You're a cool cat. Crisp, clean, fresh, and extremely complicated. You're like quantum physics or modern jazz. Think Niels Bohr meets Ornette Coleman. You may look normal now, but once you sprout, you look kind of, uh, funny.
| Link: The Which Spice Are You Test written by jodiesattva on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test |
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