Funk

Yep, today was a Monday, an icy, wet, icky, grumpy  Monday.

The morning started with being woken up by Gak's  phone ringing at 5 to tell us there was a 2 hour delay.  (So thankful to have 2 cars again...)

The rest of the "getting ready for work" time was uneventful.  I made a yummy lunch of sourdough and matzoh  ball soup.  I made tea.  I made out of the door about when I wanted to due to icy roads and having to clear a car off.

The roads were nice and clear  and I got to work with no problem.

Until I went to grab my lunch bag.  And it wasn't in the car.  Then I remember I'd put it on top of the car to open it because my other hand had my tea mug.  Then I don't remember putting it in my car after opening it......
Man.... I was so looking forward to my soup!

And the Internet  tried to be flaky when I got to work.

And did I mention it was just about freezing out.  And raining....

Yeah, it was a long day and I can't find my lunch bag.  Thankfully  I have soup left for tomorrow.

Now, I'm staring at 2.5 balls of lovely chroma yarn in fingering weight and I just can't find a pattern for it.  Or come up with any ideas of my own.  And it is taunting me.
So, yeah. Grump.

But, tomorrow is another day.  And hopefully I won't (literally) lose my lunch.  And it isn't supposed to rain.  And I get to give girls cookies and get that rolling.
So, I will pike and prod at patterns a bit and then call it a night.

Peace to all and may your Mondays treat you well and your soup stay where it is supposed to be.

Weather

Today I'm thankful that the storm we were supposed to get hit with didn't hit us that hard.  It is freaking cold and really windy, but we didn't get much rain and barely a dusting of snow.  It could have been much, much worse.  (I really just wish this wind would die down, it wouldn't be half as cold feeling if the wind would just calm down.

Having said that though, I actually wish the storm had hit further inland.  As is, New Jersey and New York got pounded again.  And believe me, they really, really, really, didn't need that.  There were still so very many people without power and these cold, bitter winds aren't helping anyone.  My friend at work who lives in Jersey, has the National Guard on either her or her cousin's street (I'm not sure which she said...).

So, while I'm so very thankful that we didn't get much weather yesterday, I'm really feeling for our neighbors who have.  I really don't have much more to say than that.

Friends

I know it's early in the month to be pulling this one out, but today I've got to.  Today I am thankful for friends.

I'm thankful for the friends who have kids and tell me "it's OK, this is normal" when Boo has a button pushing day (like today)...
Long story hopefully short, bumper league finally started today because another little boy wanted to bowl.  Well.... despite being very interested and asking me every week (until a week or so ago) about bowling, when it finally came time to actually bowl today, we melted down.  It boiled down to me telling him we're here to bowl not just hang with the cousins and if he wasn't going to bowl we were going to go home... so... we disappointed another little boy (who did bowl) and we went home to Boo crying and whining about being hungry and tired.  So, I made him a second bowl of cereal and after that he lay down for about an hour or so.  He never did nap.  He only partially stopped pushing buttons.
I was so hoping that bowling wouldn't become the debacle that soccer did this spring/summer because he is very familiar with the place and the people and it was something he knows how to do, likes doing and asked to do.  Well, as soon as it became a "had to" instead of a "can I?" thing, he wanted nothing to do with it. So, yeah, already grumpy and frustrated with him and then he's been good at pushing buttons the rest of the day. And so, of course I'm even more worried than I was about Kindergarten next fall.  I just don't want to tackle that ball of wax right now.

But, I'm also thankful for friends who help each other out.  Scott had several trees come down in the storm.  So, Kat, Steph, Steve, Shelby, Randy, Chris and Dianne were all over helping him cut up trees and haul them to the front and all kinds of good things like that.  Since I was already making chili today because it's great weather for it and I promised Gak, I offered to bring it over for everyone.  Everyone was very thankful that I did, especially since Scott still doesn't have power.  Scott was very thankful for everyone's help today, and I believe people are going to gather again tomorrow to help with more cleanup.

But now, I am cold and tired and am dealing with a boy who never did actually nap today and is being a combination of whiny and good at pushing buttons... thankfully it's almost bath time for a boy.  (Although, I want to keep him up late tonight because, joy, it's the end of daylight savings time...)

So, I'm off to run a bath for a boy, maybe camp him out in front of a movie for a bit and then try and enjoy my evening....

Peace to all and my no one be pushing your buttons but you have friends to lend a hand if they are.

Electricity

Tonight I am thankful for electricity.  Yes, this is a continuation of yesterday for the most part, but today electricity is important and I'm thankful for it.

No, it's not because I live a very "connected" life and seem to have an electronic device (or several...) within arms reach at all times, but for other reasons.  I'm very thankful that we only lost power for less than a day.  But, what I'm really thankful for is the fact that the power is finally back on at Gak's work.  This means that he gets to go back to work tomorrow.

Normally Gak's not very happy about working every Saturday.  But, after being home all week, climbing the walls, he's more than happy to go back to work.  Not just for the fact that he gets out of the house with something to do, but because without going to work this week, his next paycheck will be half of what it usually is.

Several of my friends are still without power, and that stinks.  I know for a fact some of them won't get it back until Sunday, or maybe even Monday at this rate.  That really stinks.  But, we make do and I've let everyone I know who is still without power they are more than welcome to come over and charge phones or  take a hot shower or grab some hot food.

Peace to all and may you have the power you need, when you need it.

November

Well, it's November again.  How did that happen?  I haven't a clue.

All I do know is that I have a lot to be thankful for this year, and especially this week.

I'm thankful that my boy is growing and healthy.  And boy is he growing!  He's just shy of 40 pounds fully dressed.  So, that means he's big enough that we removed the harness from his booster seat and he just "goes click!" now.  Yep, his booster is really just a high-backed belt positioner.  We did that last week.

But, what I'm most thankful for is the fact that we survived the hurricane with as little damage as we did.  We lost power from almost 9:00 Monday night until about 2:00 Tuesday afternoon.  I have friends that are still without power and it is Thursday night.  Some may not get it back before Sunday.

It was an interesting few days of the storm.  The week after has been even more interesting.  Gak's been out of work since he closed on Saturday as the store doesn't have power.  Thankfully, he will be back at work, unfortunately, no work equals no pay.  I'm thankful that I was able to work from home Monday and I was able to make it in to work for a few hours Tuesday to finish up a few things that had to get done by the end of the day.  (Thanks EPA for not extending the reporting deadline for the storm...)

Anyhow, I'm going to attempt to post daily in November.  I'm going to attempt to find something I'm thankful for every day, even if I have to look very, very hard.

Anyhow, I've got a few things I want to do before bed, so I'm going to wrap it up here.

Wet Winter?

Can I tell you that I'm sick of rain?  Really, well and truly I am sick of rain.  Don't get me wrong, we can usually use rain... but man has the last 12 months been WET!  Remember all the flooding and rain I talked about this summer?  Remember how many weeks I posted that I couldn't get a bike ride in because it was raining.  Well, the trend seems to be continuing through the winter.
And can I tell you I'm not happy about it?
I want snow.
Yes, you read that right, I want snow.  I want about a week of nice cold, clear (not damp!) weather and then a dumping of a foot or more of snow.  And then I want it to stay cold for another couple of weeks so it stays around.  I want to go sledding a bunch more times with my boy-o this winter.  I want to get some pretty pictures of the snow.  I want the cold weather to kill all the germies that keep getting everyone sick over and over again because this stupid weather just keeps incubating them.

I know, I know, I'm whining again.  And I'd also better be careful about what I wish for.

Anyhow, besides this wacky weather that feels more like April or September, this week has been going well.

Monday was the last "Amma Day" for 6-8 weeks.  I'm not sure if I've mentioned it or not, but Mom's getting her left knee replaced on Monday.  We're all pretty excited about this, a little nervous at times, but pretty excited.  Her knee really has gotten quite bad and is getting more unstable by the day it seems.  Thankfully she has a doctor who seems to be really awesome and is having it done at a facility that handles about 1000 or more knees and hips a year.  Yep, you read that right, a year.  That's over 20 a week.  (If you're re-reading this blog post, you're not imagining things, I changed it, I had the wrong numbers stuck in my head... Mom corrected me *laugh*.)  She's also found a really awesome rehab program that's all day for an entire week and should get her up, moving and well on her way to 100% much more quickly.
Boo's excited about that thought, if only because Amma mentioned she should be able to go down the slide with him at the park come spring... All our conversations about why he won't see Amma on Monday go something along the lines of:
"Amma won't be here Monday" - me
"Why?" - Boo
"She's getting her knee fixed"
"Oh! So she can go down the big slide wif me!"

See.  I told you the boy-o loves playing with his Amma.

Anyhow, Becca is flying out here on Sunday so that she can stay at the house with Mom and Dad for about 2 weeks and get Mom to and from the hospital and rehab.  I really appreciate that she can do this.  She's able to work from home (and I think she's spending a few vacation days as well...) which means she can still get her work done and take care of the running around.  I just have to make it a priority to steal here at least one afternoon for a bit.  That and I've got to make sure she and Boo get some "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go" time.  We've been trying to get the two of them and that book together for the last year!  I think Becca will be quite blown away at how fast Boo points out Goldbug on each page, I hope she's been practicing!

Anyhow, I think my file is almost finished evaluating so I've really got to pay attention to some "real" work.

Peace to all and may you have a dry weekend (unless you really do need the rain!) and good adventures ahead.

Sunshine

Today I was having a hard time with coming up to be thankful for.  You see, I think the business of the last 10 weeks or so at work are catching up to me and I'm just feeling pretty exhausted in general.
So, even though today has been a good day, it was hard to find something to be thankful for.
But, then I looked out the window and saw that the sun was shining.  It has been shining most of the week, actually.  It got fairly cold for a few days, but today it got up around 60 and in general was a most beautiful fall day.  So, I'm thankful for that little ray of sunshine.
(Unfortunately, I wasn't thinking enough to snap a picture of the golden sunshine, so you'll just have to take my word for it.)

Today was a pretty typical Saturday.  Drop Gak off at work.  The boy and I do laundry.  Today we then had to run to the bank, which isn't usual.  And then finally to the bowling alley and lunch with at least Kat and Zoe if not the rest of the clan.  Since this is a "dad" weekend for Billy and Rachel, it was just the four of us today.  It was nice as always.  Kat and I got a little Girl Scout work done and I managed to contact two parents with girls on my list, one of whom has "been chomping at the bit" and another who probably won't because she's become involved in dance.  That's fine.  And maybe, just maybe Ed will convince his wife to let Katie come, as even though she's plenty busy with other things, Ed said Katie said she was interested.  I think it would be quite a lot of fun to have her in my troop.

After lunch Boo took an awesomely long nap for me and I managed to get some work done on a few projects that have been nagging at me.  Then it was time to pick up Gak from work, do a quick little grocery run and come home.

Then, finally, we had a chance to enjoy the sunshine.  Boo declared that he wanted to ride his tricycle and that he wanted me to go with him.  We played around out front for a bit and then walked/rode to the corner and back.  It was a nice little time outside as the sun was setting.

So, yes, today is a good day and I'm thankful that it was a sun-shiny day and that I did get to enjoy it.  I think I have to take the bicycle into the basement, as I'm thinking I just won't get the opportunity coupled with nice weather and daylight again for several months.  I'm pretty bummed about that, but that's OK, it'll be safe and secure in the basement and waiting for spring.

I'm going to keep this post short.  I'm just rambling a bit and not really making an effort to connect my thoughts.  Tomorrow we're going down to visit PopPop and Amma because PopPop's birthday is on Wednesday.

So, peace to all and may you have plenty of sunshine and good weekends.

Snow-tober?

Snow?
In October?
Really?

Yes, really.  And at least 6 if not 8 inches at my place by the time it was all said and done.  What was supposed to start out as rain, turn to snow and give us 3-4 inches and then turn to rain again, started out as snow and stayed snow all day.  I honestly thought it was late November or December this weekend...

Anyhow, despite the snow throwing a monkey wrench into some plans, it was still a pretty good weekend.  (I just wish I'd gotten around to getting me a new winter coat as my old one fell apart and was two or three sizes too big anyhow... and made sure we all had gloves etc.  At least the boy had a new coat, mittens and boots!)

Yesterday went more or less according to plan.  I ended up spending 2 hours in the grocery store with Kat and Zoe picking up stuff (with the power on generators for most of the time...) because we both needed things that were buy one get one free, but didn't need two... And the power went out right as I was about 80% of the way through browning the meat for chili (but there was enough residual heat in the pan left to finish cooking it off).  Thankfully the power was only out about an hour or so and I was able to get the chili in the crockpot on and ready for dinner.  Gak had all kinds of fun with stuff at work.  And Kat's mom ended up spending the night here because there was no way she was going to be able to get home even if they had power with all the downed lines and trees as well as the 7 or 8 inches of snow.

Today Kat and I were supposed to join Steve and Shelby for a 5K run/walk/jog at Peace Valley Park to benefit the SPCA.  Unfortunately, there were a lot of downed trees and things along the trails and it was deemed unsafe.  Hopefully it'll be next Sunday.

We ended up meeting up with Kat and Zoe at the laundry mat this morning because I had moved the car over there when the landlord was plowing and they'd come in to town to do wash.  We were originally going to head to Target to get out of the house for a bit, but instead the kids played and we hung out until the wash was in the dryers and then we went to lunch.

The biggest event this weekend was this evening though.  Steve was hosting a get together for everyone over at the local pizza joint.  You see, Steve heads to Afghanistan either Tuesday or Wednesday.  He'll be there for a year or so.  I should be used to this.  This is the 4th or 5th time in the last decade that he's been deployed to the Middle East, usually to Iraq, but to Afghanistan this time.  But, I'm not used to it.  I don't like it.  I understand to some degree why he stays in the Army.  I accept that it is who he is and what he does.  I even understand why we keep sending people over there, at least on some level.  But that doesn't mean I have to like it.  That doesn't mean that I won't be worried at least on some level until his plan lands state side again.  I may not have known Steve as long as some of the guys, but I've known him long enough and care about him more than enough to worry.  And besides, the way he honestly and truly cares for my boy, I have to worry.  Boo loves his Uncle Steve and wants him to be around as much as possible.  (Steve has this magic way with the kids, it's amazing.  Of course, I think it's because despite it all, he's still about 80% kid 90% of the time himself... sure he's as responsible and more so than anyone when he has to be, but he'd rather be playing with the kids any day of the week.)

So, it as usual it was good to catch up with Steve.  I just wish it wasn't because he was heading out of the country.

And speaking of heading out of the country, I realize that I never did post about last weekend.  Last Sunday we headed down to Baltimore to hang out with Michelle at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.  Which is a really awesome little zoo.  We had a great time.  We all loved the chance to spend the day together.  We don't get to do that often enough.  It turns out that we were lucky to get a chance at all to catch up with Michelle this time she was home.  She'd been in Afghanistan for about 5 weeks back in August and then home again.  (Of course, she was supposed to be in Pakistan for the year starting in August, but they're not really issuing visas much right now...)  Michelle still isn't sure exactly what's going on with her posting, but last Monday she left to go back to Afghanistan, for anywhere from two weeks to two months.  Yep, could be two months.  She's subbing for the person who was supposed to be there because when they had their physical, they found something that needed a minor out-patient operation.  So, until they get cleared to travel, Michelle will be filling in for them in Afghanistan.

At least both Michelle and Steve will be in the same country.  I feel a smidge better knowing that Steve will be there when Michelle is.  I know they'll more than likely never run into each other, but just knowing they're in the same area of the world is somewhat comforting.

Anyhow, it is well after 9:00 and I have to get up in the morning for the last day of the reporting month.  I'm not really looking forward to it.  It's Halloween though, so that'll be fun.  I'll be wearing my Faire garb that I haven't worn since before Boo was born.  And actually, I'll be wearing the bodice I haven't been able to wear for about a year or so prior to that because I was just too big.  Of course, the Irish dress that I bought about 8 or 10 years ago now is now about two sizes too big.  Which is both amazing and saddening at the same time.  I love that dress, but I've gotten more than my money's worth out of it.  Most of the guys in the office haven't ever seen me in it, and I can't wait to see their reactions...

So, peace (please) to everyone and may your weekends be full of fun, and your friends and family safe and sound.  (And don't forget to thank the service men and women and all the various support staff from the various departments who keep it that way...)

Wedding

Today was a wonderful day.  Today my brother and his love joined their lives together now and forever, creating their own family.
To say I wish Jon and Becca nothing but happiness is an understatement.  I love my brother very much.  He and I have always had a pretty good relationship.  I love Becca almost as much.  She is a wonderful woman and the best match I could ever want for my brother.  They will make each other happy (and drive each other nuts) for a very long time.

The wedding was beautiful.  The weather cooperated and while it remained overcast, it did not rain on us.  The ceremony was held at Great Valley Nature Center.  PA is a unique state in the fact that due to our Quaker heritage, we can actually self marry in the Quaker tradition.  This means that Jon pledged himself to Becca, and Becca to Jon and with two witnesses to sign, the marriage is official and binding.

Once we all gathered at the center we walked over to where Jon and Becca had decided to hold the ceremony.  It was under a pair of trees at the edge of where the outdoor animals used to be.  Jon and Becca handed out envelopes to everyone who could read.  On each one was a special vow for that person to read.  For example, mine said "Jon and Becca, do you promise to continue to have adventures with each other?"  There were some that were silly, some that were serious, and all of them reflected the personality and relationship of those reading the vows to Jon and Becca.  They then had their own vows to each other and exchanged rings.  It was such a wonderful and happy moment.

After that we all adjourned down the road to the Cedar Hollow Inn for lunch and socializing.  Everything was wonderful. Our families mingled.  The four boys played.  Boo has a new friend in Jed, Becca's cousin.  They only live about an hour away in New Jersey, and we will hopefully get together again.  After "lunch" was done around 4, some people left and some people stayed for the social gathering of some local friends.  I took Boo home to Amma and PopPop's to hang out for a bit while Gak and I hung out.  It was nice to catch up with Greg and Ian from high school (and earlier).

We really had a great time.  But, I'm exhausted now, and am going to wrap this up.  I just wanted to post something, including this wonderful picture at the top before I crashed.

Peace to all and my your gatherings be happy and the ties that bind us be strong and full of love.

Gray

I am feeling gray today.  I'm feeling very gray.
There are several reasons for this.  Some of which I can control, most I cannot.
I'm feeling gray because it's raining.  Again.  There has been some rain every single day for at least the last 7.  I'm getting tired of it.  I feel like I'm about to mildew or something.  Don't get me wrong, there has been a few breaks in the rain and the sun has even shone brightly for a bit, but almost always while I was sitting at my desk.  (I'm not sure I'm thankful or unhappy that there is now a skylight right near my desk that I can see if I sit up straight.)  Thankfully tomorrow should clear up a bit and Sunday should be good.  But, over the next two weeks every day but two or three has at least some mention of the possibility of rain. *sigh*

I'm feeling gray because things are getting a bit negative at work again.  The workload is getting much better.  We're actually getting ahead of the curve for a change, which is great.  It means that we can take better and faster care of the customer issues.  Unfortunately, there's also been a lot of negativity floating around the office with some decisions that have been made.  Oh, and we've been dealing with office construction for over a month now and will be dealing with it at least another week or so I'm guessing.  (The downstairs is almost done, but they've got to finish the surrounds of the new skylights up here, pull down the existing cubes and fix the walls,paint, carpet and put the cubes back up...)  It's not going to be fun at all.  There are parts of this that I can control.  I can control my own outlook.  I can try and be a positive person and try and find the positives even in the negative decisions that have been coming our way.  There is good going on, but so many in the building can't or won't see it, so it gets me down too.

I'm a little gray because of some news from Cynthia at the office.  She told us yesterday that she's pregnant and due in January.  Don't get me wrong, I'm ecstatic about that.  She and Jason have been trying for a while now.  They'll make awesome parents and I'm so very happy for them.  But, it was a reminder that if everything had worked out, I would be just a week or two shy of having my second.  Most days I'm ok with our current decision to not really try for a second.  But, I will admit, that some days, days like yesterday, a not-so-small part of me is jealous and sad that at this stage, more than likely Boo will be an only child.  Financially, and even emotionally in some small ways, it's for the best, but my heart doesn't always like that answer.
There, I put that in writing.  I guess it's been festering for a while.

But, the biggest reason I think that I'm feeling gray is because of Sunday.  This coming Sunday that is.  Mom and Dad got a new computer for the business.  It's a laptop with Windows 7.  The reason that they got a laptop is because Windows 7 is a new operating system for Dad and by having a laptop, he'll be able to take it back and forth between home and the shop and everything will be the same.  This is key because Dad's really having problems these days.  There, I said it.  I've been able to ignore it a bit, but I can't any more.
Anyhow, on Sunday I am going down to Mom and Dad's to set up the docking station at the house so that way it really will be set up the same as at the shop.  All he'll have to do is put it on the dock and turn it on.  I'm gray about this because Dad shouldn't do this for himself.  If he does, it'll take him three or four days and there will be a lot of frustration and anger and not-quite-yelling and I'll end up having to do it anyhow.
This really makes me sad because I know in my heart that he's upset and frustrated and sad that he just can't do this himself.  It makes me sad because until recently he was the one who was up on the technology and what's what and would give me advice.  It makes me sad because I'm treading on his territory.  This his his computer, his office, his set up.
And I can't fix it.
There is nothing I can do to fix it.
I can come over and bring Boo and he'll have a good day with everyone, but as soon as we leave, everything will go back to being not-so-good.
I can't even do much for Mom at this point.  I'm too far away to come over in the evenings and share dinner with them.  I can be an ear or a shoulder as needed.  I can come do things like take care of the technology in the house.  I can offer Mom a "day off" on Mondays watching Boo.  But I can't be there every day to help with the little things.  To be with her with the day-to-day problems and be a companion to watch and be there.

This isn't how it's supposed to be.  My dad's brain should not be turning to mush as we watch.  We should not all feel so helpless.  Personally, I'm angry and sad and helpless all at the same time.

Anyhow, there is much more roiling around in my head and heart about that whole situation.  But, I have to get back to work and do some real work for a change.  There are customer needs that need to be met and projects to be completed.

Peace to all and may your hearts be light and your days full of sunshine, both real and emotional.

Fun Family Weekend

Well, this was a whirlwind of a weekend.  We had a great time over all.  Yes, there were some bad spots, and no, I'm not going to talk about them here.
Brian got here uneventfully around lunch on Friday.  I was working, but Gak and Boo went and picked him up at ABE.  They then had lunch and the boys went to work and day care and Uncle Brian got a well deserved nap.  He then came and got me when work was done and we rescued a boy and headed over to Gak's store.  We ended up picking up steaks from Lee's for dinner.
Saturday was a real adventure.  We'd promised people we'd stop by bowling because Rachel (and others) wanted to meet Brian.  Well, when we get there they're all planning on heading up to Camelback to take the older girls skiing for the first time.  Well, we decide to tag along.  This meant a quick stop at Walmart to pick up snow bibs for Brian and a few other odds and ends.  Lunch was at the diner in Wind Gap (no $12 burgers, thanks!) and was a lot of fun.  Boo was happy, he got to sit next to his uncle Brian and Randy.  The rest of the ride to the mountain was uneventful.  When we get there we get lift tickets (and rentals for Brian, everyone else rented down here and Randy still has his own) for the skiers and decide when we were going to meet back up.

Boo, Gak and I head over to the tubing area.  Well, Boo didn't nap on the way up since Brian was in the back seat and he really didn't want to miss anything.  So, by the time we are in line to pay ($75 for all 3 of us!) he's wanting up and being super fussy and cranky.  So, we decide to bail on the whole paying an arm and a leg (to me at any rate) for something that may be more trouble than it was worth.  Boo had a blast playing in the plow pile at the corner of the parking lot instead while we waited for the shuttle to take us back up to the lodge.  Overall, I'd say that was a success (and much easier on the pocket book...)  I would love to go tubing at some point, but we'd have to plan it better with Boo's nap time in mind.
Anyhow, after we all met up back in the lodge, we end up taking the girls back to Kat's house.  (Oh, the girls are Mel and Rachel...)  Boo finally naps for about 30 minutes until we get to dinner.  Amazingly enough he stayed awake the whole ride home and then went to bed just about his normal time.

Sunday was another bit of an adventure.  We head over to Kat's just to see what was up and to coordinate things.  We all head over to the QFR for what is now lunch.  It took us forever and a day, which is unusual there.  I mean, it's not the fastest place in the world, but usually it's better than it was.  Oh well.  After lunch the four of us head up to Cabella's just because it's kinda close.  The only thing we got was a new backpack for Boo to carry his toys/books in when we go on adventures.  I'm pretty sure I can get a small dog leash to attach to it and rig a chest clip so he can wear it instead of his puppy dog one when we go places.  (Yes, we leash our son.  Mostly just to give him some boundaries and freedom at the same time and also to make it easier on both him and Gak...)
We got Brian to the airport uneventfully and a bit on the early side.
So, yes, overall it was a great weekend.  Brian said he had fun, and I know I enjoyed it.  Boo really enjoyed seeing his uncle.  He was a bit quiet at first, as he usually is, but warmed up pretty darn quick.

Anyhow, it's icky out again (snow and now freezing rain/drizzle) so I've got to grab a shower and get the boys ready to go.  Gak's opening and this makes it easier on all of us.  I just wish the weather would start cooperating with my new workout schedule.  I was really hoping to start going Tuesday and Thursday before work, as if I have to miss one or the other, I'd rather spend more time with my boy-o at bed time than when he wakes up in the morning and I have to dash out the door.  (He's not always awake then anyhow.)

Peace to all and may your family visits be fun and the weather on your side.

The Sun!!

All I can say is I'm so thankful for warm, sunny dry days.  After the rain and gray and cold all last week, this week's weather has been like heaven.
Needless to say, I've taken advantage of it.  Monday after work Amma, Boo and I went to Target to return a bathing suit I bought Boo.  (I bought an 18 month one figuring it would be a little snug by the end of summer, but that would be OK.  Well, it was a little snug in the crotch, so back it went for a 2T.)  We then picked up Amma's car from Poppa, since the weather had been very icky and she'd let him drive it to work.  Amma, Boo and I head over to the dinner for diner and just as we ordered, Gak called and said that the game had been canceled.  So, I ordered him a sandwich and he walked over.  It was nice to have dinner the 4 of us.  It would have been better if the whole family was there, but hey, I'll take what I can get.
Yesterday and today were both so beautiful that I just had to take Boo over to the playground both days.  Apparently, I wasn't the only one with that idea.  It was quite a busy place.  Boo walked all around, played with the bells, spun the blocks and had me push him on the swing.  By far, the best part of the time to him was going down the slide and up the steps and down the slide and up the steps and... you get the picture.  He did this by himself about a dozen or two times before he wanted to wander off.  Today it was a toss up between the slide and wanting to go back to the car for Trey.  This picture is from yesterday (wearing a great hand me down T-shirt from his cousin Aden) taken with my phone.  Is he too cute or what?  Note to self, jeans hide playground dirt much better than khakis!
This nice weather is supposed to hold for a couple of more days and that will be wonderful.  I can't tell you how gray I was beginning to feel.  It's amazing how a little sunshine will make everything so much better.

Work continues and there's some speculation going on around the office as to what all is going to happen.  In most cases, I'm content to just ride it out, but there are some day to day things that I'd like answers too.  Next week some guys from the New Corporate will be around for a morning and show us a presentation and answer some questions.  Unfortunately, since the deal won't be final yet, we can't ask the HR kinds of questions most of us are itching to ask.  Oh well, soon enough we'll have some answers.  I'm still feeling pretty positive about this, but we'll see how it is in a couple of months once the pain of transition has really started.

Well, I'm off to do something for a bit, not sure what.

Peace to all and may the sun shine on you.

Health and Stuff

Well, this week continues on.  I'm trying not to drip all over the place.  My nose decided first to clog up to no end and then today decided to run constantly.  I look like Rudolph.  Oh well.
In other sundry health news, I'm now officially 3 pounds below my pre-Boo weight.  Which had been my highest weight prior to pregnancy.  This time I am pretty sure I'm going to stay below that mark.  I'm happy about that.  I'm pretty happy with my body and everything, but I know from a health stand point, I should loose at least a little more weight.  It will happen.  (Although, some days I really wonder... my blood sugar has tested fine, even when pregnant, my cholesterol is nice and low and so is my blood pressure.  Sure, I can't breathe right, but I couldn't as a skini-mini pre puberty either...)
Boo is happily sleeping in his crib next to the big boy bed.  He loves to play on the big boy bed and got mad at me tonight because I dared to lay down on his pillow.  (But, it's my pillow case from ages ago now...)  I'm really not going to push this transition.  It'll happen when it happens.  There's no real reason to push it.
As for my sleeping.  I canceled the sleep study that was supposed to happen Sunday.  I'm kinda glad I did, as that's when my sinus issues were really beginning to be problematic.  I've also been sleeping a bit better recently. I've stopped the meletonin.  Not because it wasn't working, but because of a few things I read.  Like the fact that the pills are substantially more (like 10x) more than your body normally produces.  And that in a blind study, the plecibo  worked just as well.  I wouldn't say it was making things perfect, but I did sleep sounder and wake up less often.  So, overall I'm feeling better.  I got the number of two places from my old doctor last week, but I have yet to call.  I really must do that this week.  This isn't "cured" by any stretch of the imagination, it's just in a better phase than average for me.
That is if we don't get snowed in up to our eyeballs again.  I really don't think they have any clue at all about this storm.  We shall see.  I don't want another 10 or more inches of snow.  I really don't want any more snow.  I mean, it's almost March for crying out loud!  I want it to warm up to where it should be and for the sun to come out so I can take Boo to the playground after work some days.
Oh well, each season will turn in it's own time.
Well, I'm off to go adventuring for a bit.
Peace to all and may your sleep and health be good and the weather cooperative.

More Snow!

Yep.  We got more snow yesterday.  I do have a couple of pictures from outside our living room window, but they're still on the camera.  According to the National Weather Service we got just about 21".  I think that's the biggest snow I've seen around here in several years.
Anyhow, Tuesday morning when I got into work I came in to an email from the business manager saying that we could leave around 4 if we needed to and that if we could work from home and we thought it would be a safety issue to come into the office, take your computer home and do so.  So, gladly I did.  I was planning on doing that anyhow.  Gak didn't go into work as his boss didn't even open the store yesterday.  Today is still up in the air.
This morning I'm going to continue to work from home for a bit and then call the doctor.  Boo's had a very soupy cough since Sunday or so and it's not getting any better.  I normally don't take him in for these things, but he was very unhappy about it yesterday.  He's been sleeping through the night the last night or two though, but he wakes up sounding horrible.  Anyhow, with all the bugs going around, I'd rather be safe than sorry at this point.  One of the little guys in his class went to the ER with RSV the other evening.  So, just to rule out anything we'll take him in.
So, I'd better go hop in the shower and get to work.
Peace to all and may those blanketed with snow be able to dig out before spring.