tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36615072024-03-06T22:44:50.776-05:00Way-Out Forever PatternThe latest from Shane and Jessicashanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883257901097150702noreply@blogger.comBlogger381125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-47229431839642378952010-03-26T16:01:00.006-04:002010-03-26T16:32:11.105-04:00Warning: a big ol' whine to follow.I am 20 weeks pregnant. My son, the toddler, is teething and has an ear infection. He had about 4 to 5 tantrums this morning. Brought me to tears. Man, am I tired. He hasn't been sleeping well at night. Which means, I haven't been sleeping well at night. I finally took him to the dr. I needed an excuse for him, because he was driving me crazy this morning. I was starting to need a reason to continue being compassionate towards him. Poor kid. So finding out he really was sick, as I suspected, helps me be a little more patient, but not less tired or frustrated. (I needed a reason, because sometimes I start to wonder, is he being bad? am I a pushover? is this normal behavior? should I be harder on him? Is this behavior acceptable?Some people really do believe tantrums are discipline problems. So sometimes it makes you question your parenting style.)<br /><br />Thankfully that is all that is wrong. After the tantrum blows over he seems ok. Happy, even. I, on the other hand, am getting increasingly frazzled, fried, and desperate for a break. But, I rationalize, at least he is healthy in all other ways. Thank you, God, for my son. He really is a joy. <br /><br />He is smart, the dr. said so. While sitting in the doctor's office David pointed out parts of the mural on the wall. He identified things in Spanish. It was funny that then he would look over at the doctor and, for his benefit, he'd repeat them in English. The doctor was impressed. And I was very proud. <br /><br />Ah, then on the way out of the office he proceeded to have a tantrum because he wanted to play with the truck in the waiting room. He cried as I pried him out of the office; loaded him into the car; wrestled him into his car seat; drove a mile to Panera's (gosh darn it, I deserved it!); while I ordered lunch in the drive-thru, and halfway home (about another 3 miles). The doctor said the increase in tantrums is due to the cold and ear infection. Ok, doc, I hope you are right. That medicine that was prescribed better work, like YESTERDAY, because we are having a birthday party for him tomorrow. He better have fun! <br /><br />My prayer: <br />Thank you, God, that David is almost two. He is a great kid, and we love him very much. Even when he requires extra, extra care. Give me the wisdom to continue to listen to his little person needs beyond my needs. To love and care for him even when it is tiring, frustrating and hard to do. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you that you love me; you love Shane; you love David; and that you love the one we have yet to meet. You know his/her name even before we do. Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-72912126276500134882008-08-19T00:31:00.003-04:002008-08-19T00:37:41.432-04:00Why do babies scream louder these days?Briefly, because the selective influence of predation has been removed.<br /><br />What do I mean? In the past, the gene for screaming may have had the effect of occasionally attracting predators; and then, no more baby. The lineage is ended. The screaming gene is no more. <br /><br />But in modern times, we've removed the effect of predators. So babies can scream as loud as they want and still survive to reproductive age. <br /><br />After enough generations, all babies will scream, perhaps getting as loud as physically possible. <br /><br />Colic-shmolic. It's all in the genes.<br /><br />[Why did I think of this? I've been reading <i>The Selfish Gene</i>, an excellent introduction to natural selection (and for a general audience).]shanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883257901097150702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-80781599765839339682008-03-12T07:01:00.002-04:002008-03-12T07:16:16.776-04:007:01 amI woke up around 5:55 am. Somehow, I am not able to sleep through the night. I haven't in about 8 months... I wake up about every hour and a half to every 3 hours. No wonder I need nappies in the daytime!<br /><br />So, here I am at one day from being 39 weeks pregnant. So, the latest news is that the baby is not in the right position for birth. He/she is breech. Our ob has scheduled our c-section as late as possible to give the babe a chance to turn around. We've been going to a chiropractor to try a technique that might help. We've also gone to the pool a couple of times, for me to do handstands underwater, see if that helps too. <br /><br />Good news is that my mom is flying out to be with us for about 5-6 weeks. I am much relieved and look forward to her being here. She is very excited about the baby. She thinks it's a girl. Only God knows the baby's gender. :) <br /><br />I am more and more looking forward to meeting the babe. Yes, I will miss the evening times where the babe makes itself known through movements seen on my belly. I will also miss Shane checking the heartrate. It took so long to be heard and now, it's great to be able to check it and be reassured. Especially on the days when the babe's movements have been slow or not noticeable. I will miss being pregnant, but I am just growing more and more curious to meet this little one. My two friends that were co-pregnant with me have each had their babies already. One came way early and the other just arrived this last weekend. The first was a surprise, a boy, and the second was known, a girl. Ours will be a surprise. We all wait and wonder. It's fun to receive predictions. Especially when they are opposing predictions based on the same observations! That is hilarious!<br /><br />Well, somebody just woke up. So, I guess I either best get back to bed or start my day.... bed sounds good. Have a good day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-50939554803868008282008-02-28T13:16:00.000-05:002008-02-28T16:57:46.873-05:00Week 37Two baby showers later, and we still haven't got all that we need. It is amazing how the list can be so long. Even when you've got what you think is enough there is always something out there that you gotta get. Then there are so many things that are so much just part of the business (reminds me of weddings). Anyhow, I am so thankful because we have gotten some really cute stuff. Some friends have knitted some really cute sweaters, hats, booties and blankets.... My mom wanted to knit me a blanket. She completed a cute beanie and booties. She was stressing over making a sweater, but I told her not to because there are plenty already. I've gotten several handmade articles of clothing and blankets. They are so cute that it's almost a shame that baby's outgrow them rather quickly. <br /><br />Today, my rocking chair was delivered along with a new dresser. I am really motivated to complete the whole set up (could this be me <a href= "http://www.parentingweekly.com/pregnancy/pregnancy_information/nesting_instinct.htm">"nesting"?</a>). Last night I was up until 1:15 am rearranging and planning for the delivery of the dresser and rocking chair! I've already washed most of the clothes that will be immediately necessary. I made a funny discovery in doing so. I feel rather silly admitting this, but here goes. I've always known that babies have a special sweet smell (no, I am not talking about spit up and poop!). Most people will say it's sweet and that it eventually fades. I always thought that it was sweet and pleasant. So cute. Well while doing laundry, I discovered, that what I had always thought was the "sweet smell of a baby" was actually the smell of the special laundry detergent- Dreft! I guess I will find out what the "real" baby smell people are talking about soon enough. <br /><br />In the last couple of weeks Shane's been able to listen to the baby's heart rate with a stethoscope. Pretty cool. We've been able to feel the baby hiccuping, too. Even though I am starting to feel more and more excited about meeting the baby, I am not yet excited about giving birth. The belly-movement-watching is too much fun! I am not ready to part with my belly! <br /><br />As for the last post about the video... it apparently got a little over a thousand views in a week. That was enough to get Shane to remove it.<br /><br />Alright, now I am just itching to get started with finalizing the bedroom/nursery setup. Gotta go now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-4305129644270310152008-02-07T12:10:00.000-05:002008-02-07T12:29:42.350-05:00Creepfest!Shane made a home video of me and my belly a few days ago. He put it up on youtube and linked to it from his facebook and myspace. In three days it's already been viewed 613 times!! It's been "favorited" 3 times, too. I gotta ask... WHY? It's only special, really, to him and me... okay maybe some family. He put music to it- which I think is sweet and the best part about it, but I just don't think my family has viewed it that many times. And there is no way of knowing who "favorited" it. I am getting creeped out. I think the video will be going down soon. <br /><br />The weather has been nice. It isn't as cold as last week. But it did rain last night. It was "torrential." Of course, I just had our car washed/detailed on Tuesday! It still looks shiny, but there is mud on the sides. That really bums me out. But the real reason for the detailing is to help protect it from the salt that is on the roads. A while back we hit a bump that chipped off some paint on a side of the car near the tire. Well, that chip has started rusting. The detail did not remove the rust, but hopefully it will help keep it from growing. At some point we'll have to get it painted. <br /><br />We are still on the look out for a new car. We were supposed to go this weekend that just passed. I didn't feel to well to be walking and getting in and out of cars so much, so we didn't go. Hopefully this weekend will workout better. <br /><br />Today makes week 34... I can't believe how quickly the weeks are passing me by.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-83402749189543452262008-01-27T20:12:00.000-05:002008-01-28T09:08:49.289-05:00"fearfully and wonderfully made..."Psalm 139:14 (New International Version)<br />"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."<br /><br />At no other time in my life has that rang so very true. I have been reading all kinds of material about pregnancy and childbirth. I am just so amazed at what my body is made to do. <br /><br />Shane and I have made a baby. I am carrying and growing that baby in me. He (for the sake of brevity, not that we know the gender) is a little person, moving about, growing, listening, surviving, living inside of me. He responds to my voice, my movement, my poking at my belly... a little life. Everything I do affects him. If I eat, drink, rest... stress,... anything I do can affect him in a good or bad way . I am already the responsible adult in his confined little life, caring for him as he matures and readies for his entry to the world as we know it. The other day at our childbirth prep class I looked around at all the pregnant ladies and their husbands. It's funny that I didn't just see "pregnant ladies and their husbands" I saw ladies with their husbands and a bunch of babies just waiting to be born! As if the ladies were planes and the babies were skydivers. The skydivers are just waiting for the right moment to take the plunge. <br /><br />Even though thinking about the pain can be scary there is a reassurance that comes from knowing that we are made to go through this. To endure it. I mean, our bodies are made to make a baby and then move it out. It's got all the mechanisms for making and getting it out. Modern medicine is a gift in case there are any complications but altogether we are made to go through this process naturally. There is a lot to explain in respect to this process and how modern medicine has changed the way we see childbirth; I will not get into it now. I will have to write about that after I actually give birth. For now, I plan to be amazed and look forward to seeing how my body, my mind, my spirit will respond to giving birth.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-415428563468816992008-01-19T00:33:00.000-05:002008-01-19T00:34:24.554-05:00Video of recent snow fun in BlacksburgMe with Chispita<br><object enableJSURL="false" enableHREF="false" saveEmbedTags="true" allowScriptAccess="never" allownetworking="internal" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="never" allownetworking="internal" height="350" width="425" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Rid5hY3VRw"><br /> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" /><br /> <param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" /><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Rid5hY3VRw" /><br /></object><br><br><br>Chispita on her own. Doesn't she look thrilled?!<br><br><object enableJSURL="false" enableHREF="false" saveEmbedTags="true" allowScriptAccess="never" allownetworking="internal" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="never" allownetworking="internal" height="350" width="425" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/cw__c8-53c4"><br /> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" /><br /> <param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" /><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cw__c8-53c4" /><br /></object>shanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883257901097150702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-71598617360678548972008-01-07T19:52:00.000-05:002008-01-07T19:53:31.780-05:00Chispita eye view of the worldCaught on film... finally!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A6KlJIpi8rk"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A6KlJIpi8rk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object>shanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883257901097150702noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-33357899444872803702008-01-04T16:04:00.000-05:002008-01-04T16:51:12.705-05:00We made it backWe had a great time in CA. The weather was really nice. It was funny to see people bundled up for 60 degree weather. We wore t-shirts and long sleeve shirts. We felt fine.<br /><br />Now that we are home we've really had to bundle up. Just today it warmed up to 40 degrees. The last couple of days were in the low 20's, and even down to 12. That was the temperature and one night the forecast said that, with the wind chill, it felt like 6 degrees <i>below zero</i>. Crazy! On the first day of 2008, it snowed. It got scary while we were on the road home from a dinner at a friends house. It had just snowed and the roads were icy--we ended up skidding a little bit. Thankfully there weren't many other cars out. At least none near us. Shane valiantly got us home safely.<br /><br />Anyway, being in CA was good for me. I saw friends and family that I'd been missing. It felt like we'd never left. I ate way too much! We ate at Tommy's, CPKs, In-N-Out, Mimi's Cafe, Old Spaghetti Factory, Claim Jumper, Canters, and my favorite.... <b>Pizzamania</b>! Oh man, I felt like I must've gained about 10 pounds! <br /><br />By the way, we learned from the owner of Pizzamania that their style of pizza is <i>hand-tossed, thick crust</i> pizza, so maybe we can find some of that out here.<br /><br />Aside from visiting friends and family, we also got to see some sites around L.A. county.<br />- Venice Beach<br />- Venice Beach Canals<br />- Melrose<br />- Naples in Long Beach<br />- Old Town Pasadena<br />- Brea Mall<br />- Uptown Whittier<br />- Universal City Walk<br />- and of course, endless hours stuck on the freeways<br /><br />We also visited family up in Oakhurst (just south of Yosemite National Park). It was freezing there! It snowed on the day we left. It was great to visit with Shane's grandma, aunt/uncle and cousins. We got to celebrate his uncle's birthday and see some little kids put on an impromptu show. <br /><br />All in all, I am glad we went out there. I will note that, I don't like flying. Turbulence has got to be one of my greatest fears. I have to fight becoming afraid of flying altogether. That would be huge problem for us, since we like to travel to far and distant lands. If anyone has any advice about how to get over it, please do let me know. And you can't just tell me that turbulence is an airflow regime characterized by chaotic, stochastic property changes, `cause that doesn't make me feel any better.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-2188789079427492032007-12-21T17:40:00.000-05:002007-12-21T17:42:50.357-05:00California dreaming...We are in California. We are having great weather. It is in the 60s.... t-shirt weather. YAY!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-575889870834275382007-12-14T16:10:00.000-05:002007-12-14T16:17:29.205-05:00Presidential attack adI think this 'Presidential attack ad' is funny. Maybe it's because I've been reading some philosophy lately. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7M-cmNdiFuI&rel=1&border=0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7M-cmNdiFuI&rel=1&border=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />Immanuel Kant for president? As if Americans would even consider voting for a philosopher! But then, look at the alternative.shanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883257901097150702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-58298699918726042442007-12-11T21:49:00.000-05:002007-12-11T21:55:07.980-05:00GlowingPeople tell me I'm apparently glowing.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0igVabz2l7uI5DfhO6t77XqRbopp5noSoTiYK5fYBPh9QmLtqRcTA0a9HMoCRdpT5_5gyrccflB1NDgKa5jaLzAwhSO7qKyxdAso17JYZWA7FCUTpDxnQcydkSPvVrVHoqXV/s1600-h/Photo+102.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0igVabz2l7uI5DfhO6t77XqRbopp5noSoTiYK5fYBPh9QmLtqRcTA0a9HMoCRdpT5_5gyrccflB1NDgKa5jaLzAwhSO7qKyxdAso17JYZWA7FCUTpDxnQcydkSPvVrVHoqXV/s320/Photo+102.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142913433956225522" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-6060554258071228292007-12-08T11:16:00.000-05:002007-12-11T00:34:39.918-05:00Just chillin'Well, the last two weeks have been pretty cool. We had our first snowfall on Wednesday. That was so nice. Now we've got rain. It's not as cold out; at 48 degrees. For a while there it was freezing dropping to 30 and in the 20's at night. Fortunately, I have my own personal space heater in me. <br /><br />The baby moves a lot now. I don't know what it is going on in there, it feels like an octopus! I get punched here, kicked there and the movement is so unpredictable. I started to call the baby "Palomita" (popcorn) because watching my stomach is like watching Jiffy Pop on the stove! <br /><br />As for the last two weeks... <br />After Thanksgiving Shane and I went to DC. I had been missing the hustle and bustle of the city so we went to Georgetown and Alexandria, VA. It really was a great getaway. <br /><br />Last weekend was pretty fun, too. We went to my friend's bachelor/bachelorette party. Basically, it was a party that celebrates this couple that will be renewing their vows through the church. They will have a big wedding celebration they couldn't have ten years ago. It will be in Mexico and I am so sorry to be missing it. Anyway, their house party was really fun. We got to dance and just enjoyed ourselves. An older woman, there, swore I am having a girl based on the shape of my belly! The shape, size, and where it is were determining factors. Funny thing is, other people swear I am having boy- based on gut feelings! People! <br /><br />On Sunday, we watched "Enchanted." Great movie! It was too cute! I liked it a lot. Afterwards we went over to some friend's house for dinner and games. <br /><br />Last night, we went to a birthday party with a 1977 theme. Basically, my friend's husband turned 30 so we were asked to dress up as anything we wanted that had to do with major events of 1977. Of course the movie "Saturday Night Fever" was projected unto the wall all night. Every now and again the music was turned off and the movie turned up so that we could all participate in the dancing showing on the screen. It was really fun! Since we didn't really have costumes for the party, last minute I dressed in a shimmery blouse and curled my hair to look like one of the Charlie's Angels. Shane just looked cool and sexy in a silky black shirt, with a subtle gold print on it, unbuttoned on top. He wore a chain and a sexy necklace around his neck. I wish we'd taken pictures! So anyway, last night was fun. The Blues Brothers, Princess Leah, Obi One Kinobe, Yoda, a hippie, a go go dancer, and other disco looking dudes were in attendance. It was a fun night. <br /><br />Today, after some long morning lounging, we are getting ready to head out to do some baby-stuff-shopping. We are going to check out baby carriers/carseat/strollers.... <br /><br />I guess I should go and get in the shower. Have a great day!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-72387916962867275012007-11-21T12:57:00.000-05:002007-11-22T00:07:03.268-05:00Thanksgiving proclamation by LincolnI came across this an thought I'd share it. It's the <a href="http://www.archives.gov/global-pages/larger-image.html?i=/press/press-releases/images/lincoln-thanksgiving-proclamation-1-l.jpg&c=/press/press-releases/images/lincoln-thanksgiving-proclamation-1.caption.html">Presidential proclamation by Abraham Lincoln</a> that established Thanksgiving as a Federal holiday in 1863, in the midst of the Civil War. It's an appeal to give thanks to Almighty God for the blessings the nation enjoys and to pray to Him to "heal the wounds of the nation". It's sad to think about how this kind of language couldn't be used by a president nowadays, or even a local public school, given our current misunderstandings of the "separation of church and state".<br /><br />You might want to remind people of this appeal by President Lincoln to pray to God Most High when they speak of Thanksgiving Day as "Turkey Day".<br /><br />You might want to read it aloud before sitting down to dinner with friends and family.<br /><br />--<br /><center><br /><b><a href="http://www.archives.gov/global-pages/larger-image.html?i=/press/press-releases/images/lincoln-thanksgiving-proclamation-1-l.jpg&c=/press/press-releases/images/lincoln-thanksgiving-proclamation-1.caption.html">Proclamation of Thanksgiving</a>*</b><br />Washington, D.C.<br />October 3, 1863<br /></center><br /><br />The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.<br /><br />In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.<br /><br />Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.<br /><br />No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.<br /><br />I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.<br /><br />In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.<br /><br />Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.<br /><br />By the President: Abraham Lincoln<br /><br /><br />*Source: <i>The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln</i>, edited by Roy P. Basler.shanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883257901097150702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-46962069600393681542007-11-10T16:58:00.001-05:002007-11-13T22:06:09.014-05:00Leisurely SaturdayI woke up early this morning (early for a Saturday) at 7:45 am. I just couldn't stay in bed any longer. My back hurt and I just wasn't sleepy. So I grabbed a load of laundry from the hamper and sauntered down to the basement to put the wash in. I then went to the kitchen and made a delicious pot of oatmeal. <br /><br />I have started flavoring it with Ovaltine, ground cinnamon, chopped walnuts and a tad bit of sugar. I make it with all milk and lots of it. I like to drink it. Shane likes it all thick. I just don't like it thick and dry, bleh! I learned to like it runny when I was in high school. Always running late I'd put it in a tall cup with lots of milk so that it was easy to consume on the way to school. So, ever since then I just prefer it that way. Anyhow, since Shane doesn't like it runny I have to make it thick first then add the extra milk to my bowl/cup. <br /><br />So, I ate my oatmeal and then took some time to write thank you cards to a couple of my friends. For my birthday last week they were sweet to have a lunch gathering in my honor. (It has become a tradition for our circle of friends. We gather at someone's house and have a potluck.) They made <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pozole">posole</a>. It was a great feast with all the trimmings. :)<br /><br />So, after writing my cards I settled on clearing up some junk mail. Then my sleeping handsome came downstairs to have breakfast. At that time my brother, in Albuquerque, NM, called. He is a truck driver and works nights. Sometimes he calls me because he knows I am up. He was still working so we chatted for a while. <br /><br />Since then, Shane and I have literally lounged our Saturday away. It is so cold out, 45 degrees! I've read some of my pregnancy magazines, I've napped. I had guacamole for lunch. (Yes, I can make a whole avocado with tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro, garlic salt and eat it all by myself. I love that stuff!) Another craving I've had all week is Cap'n Crunch. I have managed to skip today, but I did eat some frozen Marie Calender's chocolate, caramel, pecan pie! With a glass of milk. Of course I had the pie only after I had eaten some lentil/chicken/curry soup with brown rice. (Gotta have some balance, yeah?) <br /><br />More lounging and stuff (like finish folding the clothes, looked through baby names books and such). Now Shane's on the phone with his mom and I am taking the time to write about how nice it is to be home with my hubby and just lounging. We gotta really enjoy this time before the baby comes! I love it. <br /><br />At some point we'll go out to dinner an to a party we were invited to.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-77849056685139594802007-11-04T23:36:00.000-05:002007-11-05T00:00:34.836-05:00The countdown beginsWe are halfway there. "There" meaning our due date. Today was day 141, so 139 days to go. Unbelievable! This week we get to do another ultrasound, this time in <a href="http://www.lifeissues.org/ultrasound/4Dindex.htm"> "4D".</a> (Kinda creepy!)<br /><br />The baby has started moving quite a bit. I feel better and am eating way more than before. My appetite seams insatiable. I can feel full, but still desire to keep eating. Food tastes great! Crazy. <br /><br />Thankfully I didn't gain too much weight in the first trimester. Now, it's a matter of getting some exercise. I have started attending a water aerobics class ( with lots of older ladies). There is another pregnant woman there that is due in 2 weeks. She is huge! She says its the best thing she's enjoyed while pregnant. I hope I will love it as much as I get bigger. <br /><br />This week I will attend my first La Leche League meeting. We'll see how that goes. I look forward to meeting other mommies! <br />The goal for this week is to sign up for childbirth classes, and other related classes (infant CPR, baby basics...).<br /><br />The thing we must do, and are not particularly excited about doing, is buying a new car. New or used? Sedan, SUV, crossover? Apparently, the hospital will not release your baby unless you drive home in a car with an appropriate car seat, in the back. Our truck will not cut it. I guess it's been a long time overdue to get a family car. Any suggestions?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-79364461210482448062007-10-25T11:39:00.000-04:002007-10-29T15:22:34.080-04:00Books to read to start reflecting on worldviewsJames Emery White, author of <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mind-God-James-Emery-White/dp/0830833927">A Mind For God</a></span>, was on a <a href="http://www.str.org">Stand to Reason</a> podcast, and recommends several books and authors to start 'thinking Christianly', that is, developing good intellectual habits of reflection for engaging current competing worldviews that influence culture.<br /><br />Some Christian authors and books:<br />James Emery White, <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Serious-Times-Making-Matter-Urgent/dp/0830833803">Serious Times</a></span><br />Francis Schaeffer, <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Escape-Reason-Francis-Schaeffer/dp/0877845387">Escape from Reason</a></span><br />James Sire, <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Universe-Next-Door-Worldview-Catalog/dp/0830827803">The Universe Next Door</a></span><br />Charles Colson, <span style="font-weight:bold;">How Now Shall We Live?</span><br />C.S. Lewis, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Abolition of Man</span> and <span style="font-weight:bold;">The Weight of Glory</span><br /><br />Some non-Christian authors to stimulate thinking:<br />Nietzche, to understand postmodernism<br />Beckett, Camus, Sartre, for understanding existentialism<br />Some interesting novels: Orwell <span style="font-weight:bold;">1984</span> and Huxley <span style="font-weight:bold;">Brave New World</span><br />Darwin (much more than Freud) for understanding naturalismshanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883257901097150702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-1321356191659316922007-10-22T20:21:00.000-04:002007-10-22T20:44:42.060-04:00Fall colors<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJIbU39vAsF9KiGJB6LV2zUZFOGkUYRobJfBoGytoLebKqjTNBd-B6asQn09oGqUsQbcuaxMazcp3jBK7A7PVKGgsjSziu5cQ1U4privMlPTmcLQSp_X2TuuOohOMnJtOYFo9jQ/s1600-h/CIMG7231.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJIbU39vAsF9KiGJB6LV2zUZFOGkUYRobJfBoGytoLebKqjTNBd-B6asQn09oGqUsQbcuaxMazcp3jBK7A7PVKGgsjSziu5cQ1U4privMlPTmcLQSp_X2TuuOohOMnJtOYFo9jQ/s200/CIMG7231.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124321833006120706" /></a><br />This past weekend, Jessica and I went to Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia. It's as high as it gets in Virginia, about 5000 feet. We saw beautiful views of the multicolored forest, just now in peak color (deep reds and oranges). The highlands are kind of an 'island in the sky' compared to the surrounding area. It's categorized as a subarctic zone, whatever that means. It has open meadows, giving views as far as 70 miles, and there's exposed rock everywhere. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0Qz_c0z1KAODcySXgmkK_PCD7rFdFfqjWjvR5JupPD92LmgZtBly1CTlzC4Ceghsl9Q-3yEteW-oH2SAdlmpTGHihYv5E7VsPqM7TxxAkIz9p2CYWDcON0gXMAMIgP4cEvK6Iw/s1600-h/CIMG7262.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0Qz_c0z1KAODcySXgmkK_PCD7rFdFfqjWjvR5JupPD92LmgZtBly1CTlzC4Ceghsl9Q-3yEteW-oH2SAdlmpTGHihYv5E7VsPqM7TxxAkIz9p2CYWDcON0gXMAMIgP4cEvK6Iw/s200/CIMG7262.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124321854480957250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSLId9Bn3uH1vfSKL6HxQmeKKPV_7ZQIsXDujlp8yG1cRjWO9MOAcsKvku-qCM2lIDXi8blh8fKMsN2LZxzOyLP0DjXm5vYYxkKYDvCLYiuTPO-AOJkqlUI-2R_8AR6WuyQMS0w/s1600-h/CIMG7256.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSLId9Bn3uH1vfSKL6HxQmeKKPV_7ZQIsXDujlp8yG1cRjWO9MOAcsKvku-qCM2lIDXi8blh8fKMsN2LZxzOyLP0DjXm5vYYxkKYDvCLYiuTPO-AOJkqlUI-2R_8AR6WuyQMS0w/s200/CIMG7256.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124321850185989938" /></a>This may be common in the West, but it's rare for Virginia. It kind of reminded me of the high alpine landscapes along the Pacific Crest Trail. And, get this, there are wild ponies!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5GMorM86AaHeOy5ElKix1TETPMCNPKzBVSF4l4F5g0zVT-KnvvbDvn4CgfBDiGq_PSUhNHKnWECfi-HBOqxkKuBYgnyNp3OHWOinMeuXe-nRHT-fSCs3FODP2hvxXiqkDC__1g/s1600-h/CIMG7250.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5GMorM86AaHeOy5ElKix1TETPMCNPKzBVSF4l4F5g0zVT-KnvvbDvn4CgfBDiGq_PSUhNHKnWECfi-HBOqxkKuBYgnyNp3OHWOinMeuXe-nRHT-fSCs3FODP2hvxXiqkDC__1g/s200/CIMG7250.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124321837301088018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyEIJsz66xClWPkV4knbrJZupydS0SZAnxfalIUEfE6trEh7usuU7RZQGsUJ0DWOgTmYaSKmoT_H-hKn6NdmCMwydWxY0-267wSJFy0LTPnmXsDyO-sdnsDw5gXmVX8RZyzCeAg/s1600-h/CIMG7237.JPG"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyEIJsz66xClWPkV4knbrJZupydS0SZAnxfalIUEfE6trEh7usuU7RZQGsUJ0DWOgTmYaSKmoT_H-hKn6NdmCMwydWxY0-267wSJFy0LTPnmXsDyO-sdnsDw5gXmVX8RZyzCeAg/s200/CIMG7237.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124321841596055330" /></a>shanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883257901097150702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-22469974925643660662007-10-13T09:25:00.000-04:002007-10-13T11:16:19.257-04:00Finally one of my favorite pics...<span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">from my mom's visit.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC21nsyOhOqRLLYE8BQvJof8uLIExWrK4wyW0XjmI4ccdSrrC5WvqMwF1amPvBqGJ99KxtywvOXtTO89LxC1HTwyN60Px6VhxwEV2vwnigZAHk-rIGzp5iWUBVJhgXYW1APRDp/s1600-h/CIMG7117.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC21nsyOhOqRLLYE8BQvJof8uLIExWrK4wyW0XjmI4ccdSrrC5WvqMwF1amPvBqGJ99KxtywvOXtTO89LxC1HTwyN60Px6VhxwEV2vwnigZAHk-rIGzp5iWUBVJhgXYW1APRDp/s320/CIMG7117.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120829490728561970" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">More found</span> </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8372739@N02/sets/72157600231105240/"> <span style="font-style:italic;">HERE.</span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-27276699764491708102007-10-11T15:03:00.000-04:002007-10-11T17:03:14.089-04:00Lots to talk about... good, bad, and ugly.I had wanted my next post to be pictures but I have put it off due to there being so many pictures to sort and I was kinda lazy. Actually it was a combination of busy and laziness. <br /><br />So, here are some things I've been up to. <br /><br />Monday night Shane and I went to a dedication service at church. Our church has undergone major changes (demolition, construction, and renovation). Long story, but anyhow, now it is not only our church but also a conference center and <a href="http://www.foursquare.org/landing_pages/119,3.html"> a center for spiritual renewal </a> for pastors and their families. It was very interesting as many of the people in attendance were the higher ups in the Foursquare Church denomination. <br /><br />Tuesday night, there was a <a href= "http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/135261">special speaker</a> at VT talking to faculty, staff and students. That speaker is the world known apologist, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravi_Zacharias"> Ravi Zachariahs.</a> His message was very interesting! Soon it will be available in recording - maybe podcast? I hope. I would like to listen to it again. He just had so many things to say in his message, too hard to encapsulate for summarising on a blog. <br /><br />Last night, there was a second part to his message. This time it was open to the general public. Pretty cool. We went to it as well. <br /><br />Two other things going on are not so cool. The first is that Chispita has some kind of skin problem. I am hoping it is not skin cancer. I took her in to see the vet on Monday and they scraped a little piece off. Unfortunately they didn't scrape enough to determine exactly what it is. So, Monday I will take her in to get knocked out and the whole thing will be removed. I am not too happy about that. Especially since I've had to keep an eye on her because she keeps licking where they scraped her. It is so gross! She'll probably need to wear a <a href="http://www.bonafido.com/page6.html">cone</a> after that to keep her from licking!<br /><br />The other thing is that the transmission in our truck is having problems. Fortunately, it was just a cable and they will not have to overhaul the whole thing. It will still be expensive, but at least it won't be thousands! So, we are without a vehicle until Monday. Oh well, maybe we'll do a little more walking! Yesterday, the weather was in the 80s, but today it has suddenly dropped to 54 degrees with rain in the evening, in the 40s! Yikes! It was actually pretty earlier today. Breezy, a little chilly, but nice and sunny. <br /><br />Okay, now for the ugly.... the week has been full of its ups and downs. In spite of the two problems aforementioned, everything else has been pretty cool. The weather, the fall foliage, walks and all around good times, in the middle of all this there was tragedy on our block. My neighbor two doors down died. Yesterday was such a beautiful day. The first time I was inspired to go outside and rake the leaves and clean a window. It was a glorious day; it was sunny, breezy, simply wonderful outside. When I noticed the ambulance in front of my neighbors house. Then the police showed up. My neighbor had an elderly bedridden mother he was caring for so I just assumed they were picking her up as usual, even though it was peculiar that the police showed up. <br /><br />After a few hours had passed the police left but other emergency personnel vehicles were still lingering then I notice that there were forensics people, too. It was strange. Finally, I overheard the social workers outside my dining room window. They were talking on the phone trying to place my neighbor's mother in some hospital or some facility. I overheard that he had died. I was so sad and shocked. I went outside to inquire. Apparently he did not die of natural causes. I knew he had guns in the house so I am assuming the worst. The social worker did not specify except that it was not natural causes. <br /><br />I am sad. He was a good neighbor. When the shootings at tech happened, he was quick to email Shane and ask if he was okay. He didn't know we were out of town. He just noticed that we weren't home, so he emailed. He loved to bbq. He was always out on his porch cooking some steak or shrimp. We chatted many times when I would walk past his house to got get our mail. He was very friendly. One time he brought us some smoked bbq pork he had made. It was really good. I remember last month there was some guy running from the cops in our neighborhood (very unusual occurrence). I didn't know so I was on the porch letting Chispita out. I looked outside and noticed so many police cars on our block. I looked over to his house and saw him on his porch. I asked what was the fuzz about. He informed me and told me not to worry, he showed me his gun. He said if anyone tried anything they'd be in for a surprise. I laughed and felt reassured. We had had several talks about his guns and protection and all that, so I wasn't surprised. <br /><br />I am really saddened by this. I've never known anyone that took their own life. Even though he wasn't a very close friend, he was a friendly neighbor. I enjoyed talking to him. Today I walked past his house and it was weird to see his bbq grill out there. It wasn't just a grill it was also a smoker. He was particular about bbq. The grill cost a grip, around $1700. I remember telling him he should lock it up. He just laughed at me, I'm so L.A. Well, it's still out there. A sign next to it reads "BBQ cook with an attitude".Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-29458700634040376692007-10-03T13:43:00.000-04:002007-10-03T18:41:17.841-04:00My Mom was in town.It has been a busy time around here. My mom was been visiting from Sept. 6th through the 29th. We ran and lounged around a lot. My mom liked it here. She said it's really pretty. She loved that it is so green. She got a glimpse of the leaves starting to change. That was cool. We did lots! I will post some pics in a moment.<br /><br />Life is good. The weather was pretty hot for a while, but it seems to be cooling down. It's great! Apparently something is going on with the environment that is making the leaves turn early. Its pretty, but early. So that is worrisome to the people that study the environment. Well anyway, I hope it isn't too grave. <br /><br />I can't believe it is already October! The summer just blew right by. My garden is still somewhat alive. The jalapenos still look pretty. I hope they live through the winter. I think I will bring them into the house when it gets colder. The rest of the plants have a withered and dying look to them. The cherry tomatoes are still kinda growing, but I can't say that I really liked the them. They were itty bitty, smaller than marbles. Next year I will plant regular sized tomatoes. <br /><br />While my mom was here we showed her our pictures from the past year. Amazing! It's been year already and we did so many things. This year will be different. Kinda like sophomore year in high school, everything is still kinda new but now we've got some experience. <br /><br />The major difference this year will be that we will be more careful about our activities due to me being pregnant. (Yes, I am pregnant!) This changes everything! Last year we missed taking a canoe trip down the river to see the fall foliage and had planned to do it this year. Well, that is not gonna happen. Too dangerous. Yeah, I know our friend, Jen, canoed in Alaska while pregnant- but I am just not that brave!<br /><br />Anyhow, I am three months pregnant. It has made this summer very interesting. Morning sickness while traveling and hosting family visits was extremely tiring. I love my family and I was so thrilled that they came out to visit, but it really wore me out. Now, I am so glad to finally be home relaxing and trying to get back into routine. I have the longest to-do list! <br /><br />Answers to FAQ:<br />We don't know the gender of the baby- we want to be surprised. <br /><br />We don't have names yet. We have some we are considering as middle names but nothing definite. If you have any ideas, please let us know. I want something that can be read in both English and Spanish. For example: David or Adelina....<br />It's a bit of a challenge. Even a name that has a Spanish version, like Matthew= Mateo, Andrew=Andres, .....<br />Well, that is what I would prefer, but any suggestions would be considered. <br /><br />I am starting to show. I am in the in between stage where my pants don't zip all the way but maternity gear is still too big. So, I kinda just look a little fat in the middle. <br /><br />The reality has not really sunk in. I mean, we talk about it, I feel sick, I've gone to the doctors, I have an ultrasound picture.... but the reality of it being a baby... not quite sunk in. It is unreal. Most people refer to their baby as "baby" or "he" or "she",... I can't stop referring to it as "it"! Soon I hope to feel it moving and it will become "baby". Maybe its because in Spanish I would refer to it in the same terms as he or she. Everything is conjugated in the terms of it, he or she. All the same. Hummm... maybe that explains it. It's my bilingualism. Whatever the case, I have to stop referring to the baby as "it".<br /><br />Some pics coming soon.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-81122690388419021442007-09-05T11:17:00.000-04:002007-09-05T11:52:27.092-04:00Some pics... Ithaca and Boston trip.Nice pic of the bridge I found inside a gorge- Ithaca, NY.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEEEtDg7zg-sqr2pNwFPVm2Me0RZ30dtmxDES8Zo5p_i7g1JNQX7z3ZWbJc7myM3oSA7m2hQR6FYE9P1q-Eqfk_Yt9kt5kjKMe5XgPilvG3V8-6qPNNwPUfDD8aZzUibpkwUg/s1600-h/12A.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEEEtDg7zg-sqr2pNwFPVm2Me0RZ30dtmxDES8Zo5p_i7g1JNQX7z3ZWbJc7myM3oSA7m2hQR6FYE9P1q-Eqfk_Yt9kt5kjKMe5XgPilvG3V8-6qPNNwPUfDD8aZzUibpkwUg/s320/12A.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106743307421866274" /></a><br /><br />A waterfall, same gorge- Ithaca, NY.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUQPlhX6I8WbRm_5K-p5JxEHts6vOaO7BlnEwX9bBeCnNFH5ShmFSFNfIJ0plJkRt3mEr6Fn8r0AHnGVsEH_E3ceHVV-Z6o159FagA8WRMGGtYO9otNuGCYBcyCiZkB7GCiij/s1600-h/19A.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUQPlhX6I8WbRm_5K-p5JxEHts6vOaO7BlnEwX9bBeCnNFH5ShmFSFNfIJ0plJkRt3mEr6Fn8r0AHnGVsEH_E3ceHVV-Z6o159FagA8WRMGGtYO9otNuGCYBcyCiZkB7GCiij/s320/19A.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106743363256441138" /></a><br /><br />Postcard picture in Boston. We walked around a bit trying to find this location. It is not listed anywhere in the tour guides. Apparently there is no trespassing through this walkway. It is "dangerous."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkVZ7iesQIpnUdXcZwaeEEl8Sx_KgGNrJpajvAlIVzp0hPrGpCJI_-KUI_laUWSvQRYOCzm-x-INFi924FjbXCPyan_KdZRnUGA7-9aQETvJaf6NpIfmliBt5LnYvFgi1enL2/s1600-h/21A.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkVZ7iesQIpnUdXcZwaeEEl8Sx_KgGNrJpajvAlIVzp0hPrGpCJI_-KUI_laUWSvQRYOCzm-x-INFi924FjbXCPyan_KdZRnUGA7-9aQETvJaf6NpIfmliBt5LnYvFgi1enL2/s320/21A.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106744729056041362" /></a><br /><br />What is wrong with this picture?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZMZkU3owHdvyhVb0FVMilsxRWijrNbP_Px82dhJgl2oT_FpJ29HLVYddOYW1b3m47WcI4UzHt4ICqBKduYkAnhY5z_oQO8b4LD7HxuInFafnr9zVsNrGHKwu7M6ZkNTdBcWI/s1600-h/24A.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZMZkU3owHdvyhVb0FVMilsxRWijrNbP_Px82dhJgl2oT_FpJ29HLVYddOYW1b3m47WcI4UzHt4ICqBKduYkAnhY5z_oQO8b4LD7HxuInFafnr9zVsNrGHKwu7M6ZkNTdBcWI/s320/24A.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106744273789507954" /></a><br /><br />Me in front of a small private garden in front of a house. Super cute mini garden! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1c3ELxzygDob9biFyQp9ReIxjYtBLeDlvRaWpYiDl6Lezm5Intl1ul9YF6DGNvZuFgEWd5lPLuk3dMipTAsq-Fq6Q-izjcAX8pR3zSWymkDe6uVcaQAqmLmQNq2u3NSRihXQd/s1600-h/18A.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1c3ELxzygDob9biFyQp9ReIxjYtBLeDlvRaWpYiDl6Lezm5Intl1ul9YF6DGNvZuFgEWd5lPLuk3dMipTAsq-Fq6Q-izjcAX8pR3zSWymkDe6uVcaQAqmLmQNq2u3NSRihXQd/s320/18A.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106744329624082818" /></a><br /><br />Onboard the "Ol' Ironsides."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3ZOZiB96K_nt9FibWv6uv2S01qk_ela9mvrdX-TbUBaTd58b6o1ImdJ_M7Tg-0PX_gXPZ9YlymIIfd0-ReG5_2rIKP9COw2uT6P7zucy94vSUd5ePPeh6ekSMDUyeZWjHdAn/s1600-h/9A.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3ZOZiB96K_nt9FibWv6uv2S01qk_ela9mvrdX-TbUBaTd58b6o1ImdJ_M7Tg-0PX_gXPZ9YlymIIfd0-ReG5_2rIKP9COw2uT6P7zucy94vSUd5ePPeh6ekSMDUyeZWjHdAn/s320/9A.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106743393321212226" /></a><br /><br />Shane in front of some old private and fenced park area.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1s9m_xypPBXLnkbmmXPxfjlEsm1ZCEaaRHeTPsWc_V6_Gmp0MpUfp86cwMYbJufLx9Ekk0e_NdsDD2EAnh7_0GrQ9H9OQq50I5WKhWkotydTCyoQ6QniAhZOndMPOeIPtS-H/s1600-h/22A.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1s9m_xypPBXLnkbmmXPxfjlEsm1ZCEaaRHeTPsWc_V6_Gmp0MpUfp86cwMYbJufLx9Ekk0e_NdsDD2EAnh7_0GrQ9H9OQq50I5WKhWkotydTCyoQ6QniAhZOndMPOeIPtS-H/s320/22A.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106743479220558178" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-51871641885123260102007-08-31T07:17:00.000-04:002007-08-31T07:50:56.541-04:00Wow, it's been a whirlwind of a month!I don't think I will write much more about Boston- I have forgotten much and, really, it's just soooo history. One interesting last thing we did, that I will mention, is on our drive back to Ithaca we stopped in Concord. The site where "the shot that was heard around the world" was heard. That was pretty cool. <br /><br />Oh, one other thing about Boston! We got to tour the famous ship known as "Old Ironsides!" That was cool, too. I was disgusted to learn about the "lively water" that sailors had to drink but otherwise I really enjoyed the short tour. <br /><br />Well, my family is back home again. Unbelievable! We had looked forward to their visit for months and months and now it's over and done with. Kinda reminds me of my wedding. You plan and plan and then snap, it's here and gone. Life does go by fast. Well, I had six extra people in my house. It was overwhelming for me. Our house is usually quiet and in order but with four boys and my brother that was a little chaotic. My sister-in-law was wonderful. She helped me a lot. I could not have kept most of my sanity without her. Shane had to work that week, so he helped as much as possible. He was so sweet to entertain the boys in the evenings. He took them to the park and to the aquatic center nearby. I'm sure they had fun. <br /><br />I took them to many sites they wanted to see and others that I thought they should see while here. <br /><br />The Smithfield Plantation<br />Virginia Tech<br />The Blue Ridge Parkway<br />Maybry Mill<br />Claytor Lake<br />Tubing down the New River<br />Mountain Lake (the site where Dirty Dancing was filmed)<br />The Cascades trail<br />Homestyle Restaurant- in Catawba<br /><br />On the day I could not join them they went to the Natural Bridge and also visited a Haunted House. They had lots of fun, in spite of being caught out in the rain. That day there was a thunderstorm that came in suddenly. Apparently they were on a short wilderness trail near the Natural Bridge. The only shelter they found were port-a-potties! Yuck!! It will be something for them to look back and laugh at! <br /><br />After they left Blacksburg, the journey continued on to DC. On the way we stopped in Charlottesville to check out Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's house. Amazing. I really enjoyed the tour. The visit included a tour of the plantation with stories about the slaves that had worked for Mr. Jefferson. Although it was hot and muggy I was really interested by the storytelling. <br /><br />When we got to DC, the plan was to visit the Smithsonian. My brother and family were so excited to see the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial wall, the Capitol, the White House and other museums of interest. They really did a lot on this vacation. They started out in New York and ended up in DC. My brother and sister-in-law were brave to do it all with four kids! Ages ranging from 7 to 15. I hope the boys will never forget all that they saw and the history that they learned. Pretty cool. I am so happy they came out to see us and that I could join them on their trip to DC.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-23254771744838368182007-08-21T21:05:00.000-04:002007-08-28T08:54:28.024-04:00BostonThe reason we were in Boston was to attend our friend Stephen's wedding. - <a href="http://stephenandrachel.info/">Stephen and Rachel</a> welcome to the club! :) <br /><br />Well, we arrived on Thursday night. Friday morning we got up and headed straight to town. We started walking the Freedom Trail. Then we bought tickets to a trolley tour. It was nice not to have to walk very much. The tour allowed us to hop on and off at different parts so that was very convenient. It rained at some point and I really appreciated the ability to get around on a trolley. Our tickets allowed to ride again on Sunday, so we didn't complete the tour. We had to get back to our hotel to get ready for dinner. <br /><br />We were invited to the rehearsal dinner. It was very nice. Lots of family and close friends. It was a small reunion for Shane and some of his old Caltech buddies. Funny stories were told about the couple. Their's is going to be an exciting marriage! <br /><br />Saturday, we continued our walk on the freedom trail. We met up with Kurt and his baby, mom, stepdad, and aunt. We walked around some cemetery that gave us a few chuckles. There were tombstones with names like Increase, Patience, Obedience, and Dorkas! Unbelievable. <br /><br />We walked towards the North Church where the signal was given that started Paul Revere's famous journey- announcing the British were coming. We visited there for a while then went our separate ways. Shane and I proceeded walking to Paul Revere's old house, little Italy, then Haymarket. Haymarket was a humongous outdoor market where fruits and vegetables were sold. It was totally awesome! I wish we had one here. The fruit was super cheap. The catch was that you couldn't pick your own fruit you had to tell them how much you wanted and they bagged it for you. I bought three nectarines. The guy tried to give me a mushed up one but I was quick to tell him I didn't want that one. So he switched it for a better one. <br /><br />We then returned to the hotel to get ready for the 4 o'clock wedding. It was a rather warm day. The wedding was really nice. They really didn't have to decorate much because it was a gorgeous church. The color scheme was red, orange and yellow. Very cheery. I liked it. I don't know the name of the flower, maybe mums? They were big daisy-like flowers. Really pretty. During the ceremony the bride's brother, father and future brother-in-law played an instrumental song on guitar. It was her song. I thought that was really sweet. <br /><br />At the reception, again there was a mini Caltech reunion. It was really neat to be there. We mostly hung out with Kurt and Jen. I enjoyed seeing them so much. <br /><br /><br />Sunday- Tuesday to be continued....<br /><br /><br />Current Events:<br /><br />My family is visiting from CA. Yay! My brother, his wife and kids got here Saturday morning. It's been a crazy busy time for me and Shane.<br /><br />VT just started it's fall semester so Shane taught a class on Monday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661507.post-86106608529689980372007-08-15T08:47:00.000-04:002007-08-15T15:43:04.334-04:00Flyin' and Road trippin'Shane and I just returned from a nice journey up north. He had a workshop to attend in Ithaca, NY. They put us up at a bed and breakfast. Niiiice. While he worked I got to watch lots of tv. A treat, since we don't get much tv reception here. We refuse to get cable. <br /><br />We arrived late Sunday night. (We flew in to an airport even smaller than the one here in Roanoke!) Our hotel was near the Commons area (downtown shops and restaurants) so we took a walk to explore and look for dinner. We settled on Thai. I had som tum (a green papaya salad). So good! <br /><br />On Monday, we took a driving tour around the area before Shane had to go check-in to his workshop at Cornell U. I then drove around some more looking for the ever-so-famous Wegman's store. I forgot the map and directions at the hotel so I ended up driving really far and apparently nowhere near it. I managed to get back in time for dinner with Shane and company. The workshop group had dinner at a really nice bistro in town. It was called Dijon Bistro. It was a really cute small yet elegant place. A hole in the wall at a really not-so-nice looking shopping center. <br /><br />On Tuesday I went out and explored. I walked over to a nearby farmer's market (YUM!!! it was pretty cool- much cooler than ours!). While there, I ran into our friend, Laura. She, her husband, and kids live in Ithaca. (They are Shane's friends from back in Caltech.) We had wanted to get together sometime during our stay, so this was a pleasant surprise to run into her. We ended up hanging out all afternoon. They have the most beautiful children. Later that evening, I found Wegman's! Pretty impressive. I explored it a little and bought some snacks for dinner. <br /><br />Wednesday, I walked around town again. I was determined to walk up a hill towards the university. It was pretty brutal. I then walked back through a gorge that is near the university. So pretty. Apparently there are many gorges in the area. Souvenir shirts say " Ithaca is Gorges." yea, yea... hippies. I walked back into the Commons area. Ithaca sort of reminded me a little bit of Berkeley. The commons area had many hippie-type establishments. Overall it was nice. <br /><br />That evening Shane and I went to Wegmans for dinner. I just had to show Wegmans to Shane. It's a mini-adventure you just can't miss. We had pizza. Then later we went over to Matt and Laura's place for dessert. It was nice to finally visit with them. <br /><br />Thursday, we left our bed and breakfast and hopped in our rental car for our drive to Boston. <br /><br />To be continued....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2