28 Dec '04 - 10:25 | Karma: + 0 - 0 | § ¶Previously...
Originally I had thought I would get four days to spend with my Dad, whom I miss severely, by driving to OKC on Sunday and doddling till Friday. That did not happen for a plethora of reasons but I am reminding myself that one day, is still better than none.
My girlfriend decided she really did not want to miss the opportunity to meet my dad to further relate to my beginnings and stowed away after we decided it would be better for her to remain in Austin. I am putty when she gives "That Look". The drive was smooth and uneventful. I drove, Aby did an excellent job in her bucket while Kim rested in the back taking it easy. Ryan stayed in Austin with his Mimi and Papa. He has been sorely missed but there will be many more opportunities when Kim is not struggling for breath with bronchitis.
Sometimes things really are as they appear.
23 Dec '04 - 07:35 | Karma: + 0 - 0 | § ¶Serenity
Christmas was the birth of a dood named Jesus. Jesus was a prophet and shared lots of neat ideas with people to show them they can be loving and caring. (I personally find the religious part of Jesus' life pure crap thanks to Plato and that St. guy who had to translate the bible into "absolute truth")
So what the hell is the crap that requires trees and billions of dollars in gifts? What better ways to say I love you than this distraction? I can understand baking a few extra dozen cookies for friends and family, but this spend spend mentality is for the ducks. (Disclaimer) I may feel different if I was not broke.
I was told to say this prayer:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.
22 Dec '04 - 09:46 | Karma: + 0 - 0 | § ¶Snow, In Austin?
Mood: Somber
Gas 1.57 (87 Oct)
High 50 (at 01:00 this morning)
Austin current temp 39
OKC current temp 27
Madison current temp 1
Snow chances are 30% for Austin on Christmas eve. In Wisconsin after 4 years I think I only had 1 white Christmas. I move to Austin and Mother Nature threatens providing one here. Ironic?
My own health index is improving. Actually went to the doctor yesterday. Found a doctor with 22 years experience. She gave me a 'supped up amoxycillin and a combo pill with pseudophedrin and guefenesin. After 2 doses I already feel 50% better.
Aby is steadily improving. Kim is sniffling but is pretty much over her cold. Ryan is also sniffling but nothing slows him down much.
Hard to believe this is Christmas. Lots has happened this year but nothing in my past exists to relate this year to. We still do not have any cash flow and Kim is extra disapointed we do not have a Honukkah (Christmas) tree with all the decorations and presents underneath. We do have a couple hundred dollars of presents but that does not seem to meet "deleted" requirements when previous Christmas' were in the thousands of $$. In years past I could find enjoyment in the food, people and festivities, although this year that seems more difficult because of the distances between my friends and family and the volume of personal insults hurled at me by "deleted" for not meeting year-end expectations. Reality is never what it seems though and while one thing gets told to me, what actually happens is usually the opposite.
For the record, I am not related to scrooge. I was taught that if you do not have it you do not spend it. Espcially after I have destroyed all available credit. This of course, directly conflicts with the expectations I am currently under. Thus I am quickly approaching the breaking point.
17 Dec '04 - 08:59 | Karma: + 0 - 0 | § ¶Dope, Doctors and Training
Photos for December are updated (Click the Picture)
American Scientist has an article on weed with the history (did you know weed was first taxed by the Feds in 1937 before being classified with Heroin and LSD?) Amusing how our government can go so wrong. Not that I advocate recreational doping, just with marijuana there are so many positivs that outweigh the negatives. The article talks about how our own brain produces the same drug in marijuana that we derive pleasure from. Amazing.
Aby had her post-hospital checkup today. This past week there has not been any fever but breathing has been a struggle. After one breathing treatment with a nebulizer she coughed up all kinds of green stuff (all over Kim). THAT we are told is a Good Sign(tm). We will be giving her an albuterol breathing treatment every 4 hours for the first day, then 6 hours then 8 hours until we reach every 12 hours and do that for about 7 days. Then if she is not better we go back. However, it looks positive because of her reaction after one breathing treatment.
We went to a different Dr. today, none of us were very impressed with the first one. Nothing against the first one, she is just not quite what we want in a Dr. This new one has started perfect. Kim and I both exchanged positive looks during the appointment.
This week has been quick but semi-hectic. On the work front, I got to go to "New Hire" training at a different location for two days of the week which gives a break. Not that I needed one. My work is a blast, however I still have a longing for some system administration. The feeling just cannot quite fade off. It might be because I have more-or-less cut off computer work while we get situated with the baby and family stuff. I have gotten comfortable with the idea that I am not "On Call" and do not have to worry about a system going down. Here if I make my system go down it is a Good Thing.
13 Dec '04 - 08:58 | Karma: + 0 - 0 | § ¶Virus and hopefully no Chicken Pox
This past week, we all got sick. (including mom who went back on the Plane Friday morning). It is a Virus of some sort causing an upper respiratory infection caught all of us off guard. Scary thing is a 3 week old baby with a fever. Our home thermometer read 100.5 which is over the threashold of 100.4 which the Dr's consider a fever. So we called the pediatrician (Friday). She said it is a required protocol that for a fever of 100.4 or above we check her into the hospital for a minimum of 48 hoiurs to run a series of tests: Blood, spinal fluid and urine tests. (Temp at the doctors office was 99.1) Continued...
07 Dec '04 - 10:32 | Karma: + 0 - 1 | § ¶Mostly Sunny and breezy
Gas 1.70 (87 Oct)
High 73
Mom flew in safely from NY and has been helping around the house and running errands with Kim. Although Kim tends to want to do everything herself and has been reluctant to accept outside help they have been getting to know each other better and sharing kid stories. We went to a "Tree" lighting this past weekend. Its not really a tree but it was fun. After it was lit we spun around a few times for good luck under the thing. Austin has some pretty cool things to do like that.
Photo courtesy of Travis
03 Dec '04 - 11:36 | Karma: + 0 - 1 | § ¶re-gifting
One of the comments here suggested a list of gift Ideas, so I will say we have been working on putting one together. Meanwhile, a good friend with children told me that a good rule of thumb on gifts, is to buy something you would not mind playing with them and you will surely have a winner.
A two year old boy, love blocks, wood or mega blocks. Ryan and I have spent hours designing the "future castle" for barney, then tear it down and start over.
Girls like blocks too. But I would probably get laughed at when Aby is old enough to play with dolls, I am sure dolls will win. Aby likes to practice lying on her tummy or her back. She will be needing rattles and teething stuff or the like and of course there are the things at the gift registry at Toys R Us. As for Kim and I, well specifics will have to wait until a more detailed post for for me, the same rules apply. Blocks and lego's and .... :)