Category: Life in general

Autumn, Drapes, etc

Somewhere I missed the note that autumn had arrived. I still spend some of my afternoons watching Lucy and Gwenyth swimming, even now in late September. It’s currently 12:01, so it’s officially the last day of September. Wow!

Catherine, I’ll post some pictures soon. Not as fancy as the ones currently on your blog, though. Just to set expectations. Julie’s been going like a crazy woman. I’ve hung more drapes in the last few weeks than I care to admit. And unfortunately that means Julie has bought more curtains in the last few weeks than she cares to admit to me. But the bill doesn’t lie.

The doctor says that the action might come next week. Julie went to see him today and he hopes that we’ll be able to get things going, perhaps as early as next Monday. I think that the new little man is just so excited to come see his polka-dotted blankets that he wants to come quickly.

Financials: Targeted Advertising

The utter meltdown of financials in this country has been nothing short of staggering. I think that the last 4 weeks have added about 10 years to my working life.

I’m a regular at marketwatch.com. They have cool widgets and stuff that geeks like me enjoy. And some serious tinfoil hat-type commenters. The also apparently have pretty clever marketing and sales departments:

That’s some nice targeted advertising. “Jack Daniels: Please enjoy responsibly.” I think that many will be “enjoying” after today, some probably not responsibly.

Computer Nerds

There’s been a long-held notion that I’m a nerd. Especially when it comes to computers. Natural, I guess, seeing as that’s how I make my living. Julie often says that I’m “nerding out” when I’ve got one or more laptop lids open, doing my thing. Appropriate I guess.

Abigail and Grace have long lamented the fact that they don’t have their “own” laptops so that they can go out on the interwebs as they please. When reminded that they cost about $1000, Grace went off pouting, while Abby proudly exclaimed that she’s going to start saving. If that doesn’t perfectly demonstrate the 2 sisters, I don’t know what does.

Both girls like to play “Spawn of Satan,” . . . errr . . . I mean Webkinz whenever they can. It all starts innocently enough. You buy these cute, cuddly little animals that the new owner can adopt. But then you need to register them online. And then you need to give them clothes. And bathe them. And entertain them. And buy expensive jeans for them. And ground them. And so on. They just can’t understand why we don’t simply give them the password to the computer so that they can do as they please. Turning into a computer nerd is one reason. Another is . . . well . . . the interwebs.

We found this by the computer a couple of weeks ago:

Abby's sneaky note!

You certainly can’t blame them for trying.

Where did the summer go?

Oh that’s right. It’s still here. We’re in the desert after all, right? It still *feels* like summer, since my pool is about 90 degrees or so. But we’re down 2 kids during the day (and 3 on Tuesdays and Thursdays!) so work from home life is a little less hectic. Barely.

Abigail started 4th grade. Grace started 2nd. And Lucy started preschool. They all seem really pleased with their teachers and we’re just pleased as punch that they’re so excited about school still. I’m thinking that they’ll get really ornery about it one of these days, but it works well for now.

new backpack

Grace 2nd Grade

Lucy starts preschool--big 4!

off to school!

Last weekend Grandpa was nice enough to take us all out on the boat. We hadn’t done that in a very long time. Sean and his girls initiated the whole thing, I think, and we were able to tag along. Julie and Jana both stayed home and enjoyed themselves way too much. Abigail and Grace both skied, and all 4 of them were in the tube at one point. It took a bit for Gwenyth to realize that she couldn’t swim across the lake, like she keeps thinking she can do in the pool.

Going a little faster behind the boat

I sail!

All the cute girls

bombs away

way to go Grace!!

Julie’s baby bump is coming along. She’s such a lovely pregnant woman, though her 7 month nesting period does get occasionally overwhelming for me. But I can’t complain too much. I’m not the one carrying. She’s been going crazy with different things, trying to get it all ready for “Baby Brother” — yes that’s the official name for now. Abigail and Grace’s room is all different. Lucy and Gwen are sleeping (successfully) in the same room now. Just the nursery to redo. I think I’ve mentioned before that the poor guy already has polka-dotted blankets. I’m not too sure about that. We’ll have to get pictures once it’s all done.

Everything else is going along well. I’m actually in Utah tonight and for the next few days for a product development meeting. It should be exciting. I seem to have too much going on besides that. Always some project that is the next big thing. You know, throw enough stuff at the wall and hope that something sticks.

Enjoy the rest of the pictures at flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/