So, this past week was recovery from Thanksgiving. Leftovers for days just like normal. I just can’t get over how much leftovers from Thanksgiving almost always taste better than the day off. That’s OK though! This week also started the cold streak getting ready for winter! It didn’t last long though.
Middle of the week, we discovered that the Christmas lights weren’t coming on. Dad ended up coming over and helped me track down the problem, which only took about 15-20 minutes to find. After we found that and got it back online, we discovered that we had another issue with the upstairs breaker. It kept tripping, so we swapped it with another and it worked. We picked up a new breaker, set it up in the box, and it tripped as well. So, we left the band aid in place and ate dinner. The next day, I stopped into Lowe’s and traded the breaker for another one. Took it home, got it hooked up, flipped the switch, and it tripped! The odds that three breakers are bad is very improbable. So I took the original breaker and placed it on another slot (we already knew that a regular breaker would work in the upstairs location, so now it was time to see if the special breaker would work elsewhere) and it stayed on without incident! So, I had to take the new breaker back and then thanks to information from Uncle Butch track down a possible loose connection on one of the outlets.
Not much else in the way of excitement I suppose. The pregnancy has been bringing headaches, nausea, and fatigue. I’m sure that Jen has been feeling a lot of the same! Caitlyn had her Violin lesson on Wednesday, so she is still enjoying that which is good. Thursday was her gymnastics day, so she went in for some more tumbling, we she also still enjoys. Friday took us to our home-group for church to a new house. Kids running all over the place, everyone enjoying themselves, turned out to be a good night. Saturday, I was going to do some work on the outlets and see if I could find the potential culprit, but I ended up getting a couple tires flipped and stopped in to see some friends and their new baby girl. Six hours later, I realized what time it was and had to get home!
Sunday was the TSO concert. We caught up with a few friends for lunch first, went to the show, rocked out, then caught up with a couple other friends for dinner. As always, the show was phenomenal, and we are prepping for next year’s show. Dinner was great, nothing extraordinary as we ate at Crazy Fire, but the company that we were amongst was fantastic.
Till next week!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Thanksgiving down, Christmas on the way, then waiting for the spring.
Well, this week was a slow but full week. Amazing given that it was also a short week.
The beginning happened with a close to non-eventful Monday. Mom and Dad swung by for a short visit, so that made the day. Tuesday was a killer because it was the next to last day of the work week (I know, it just started!), and because of that fact, it dragged on forever. Wednesday was a 3/4 work day for me. Cut out at noon and headed to Cary. Had my retake exam to do, plus I was picking up a ham from Honeybaked Ham. Exam came and went, I passed (yeah!), and then stood in line for about 30 minutes to get a ham (but boy oh boy is that some good ham).
Turkey day was quiet and peacful. Basic staples for the meal, turkey, stuffing, mashed taters, sweet potato casserole, spinach, broccoli, cranberry stuff, ham, and apple pie. Very thankful for everything in our life. We don't focus on that enough, but if one day a year is all we get, then it's better than nothing. During the day, I started my "Black Friday" shopping. Ordered a handful of things online as most stores started online on Thursday. Friday, I woke up and finished my online orders. With the exception of a few things, all my shopping was taken care of before I ever left the house on Friday. When I finally did venture out, it was to discover that most of the madness was already over. I was able to get to the few places that I needed to get to very easily, and without incident. Walked into each store and walked out without spending more than 10 minutes in each location. That to me was a huge success. Now, I'm approximately 95% complete with my Christmas shopping.
Saturday, we did some cleaning around the yard as the trees dumped the rest of their leaves on us finally, and I was prepping for the decorations going up. We went and picked up a tree at our normal spot, however, instead of our traditional hot cocoa, spiced cider, and coffee to take on the trip, we had frozen goodies instead to quench our thirst in the warmer than normal climate. Got the tree back, placed inside to drop, and let it sit. An added bonus to this is I finaly got a filler tube that I've been looking for so all I have to do is fill up the water from up top without climbing under the tree anymore (sweet!).
Sunday, with all the decorations down, we started to set up outside. The majority of the lights are up, the snowman and santa are up, and the bows are up. Once the tree finishes dropping, we'll be able to complete the inside decorations. Only a few more things to do, and then be merry till the end of the year!
Once Christmas is over, then our next big thing happens in the Spring. Near the end of May to be precise. What is happening is that Caitlyn is finally going to be a big sister. Jen's pregnant with our second! No clue if Caitlyn's having a baby brother or sister yet as it isn't time, but sometime in or shortly after January we should know. Time to start rearranging the house! =)
Till next time, hope your Thanksgiving was a good one.
The beginning happened with a close to non-eventful Monday. Mom and Dad swung by for a short visit, so that made the day. Tuesday was a killer because it was the next to last day of the work week (I know, it just started!), and because of that fact, it dragged on forever. Wednesday was a 3/4 work day for me. Cut out at noon and headed to Cary. Had my retake exam to do, plus I was picking up a ham from Honeybaked Ham. Exam came and went, I passed (yeah!), and then stood in line for about 30 minutes to get a ham (but boy oh boy is that some good ham).
Turkey day was quiet and peacful. Basic staples for the meal, turkey, stuffing, mashed taters, sweet potato casserole, spinach, broccoli, cranberry stuff, ham, and apple pie. Very thankful for everything in our life. We don't focus on that enough, but if one day a year is all we get, then it's better than nothing. During the day, I started my "Black Friday" shopping. Ordered a handful of things online as most stores started online on Thursday. Friday, I woke up and finished my online orders. With the exception of a few things, all my shopping was taken care of before I ever left the house on Friday. When I finally did venture out, it was to discover that most of the madness was already over. I was able to get to the few places that I needed to get to very easily, and without incident. Walked into each store and walked out without spending more than 10 minutes in each location. That to me was a huge success. Now, I'm approximately 95% complete with my Christmas shopping.
Saturday, we did some cleaning around the yard as the trees dumped the rest of their leaves on us finally, and I was prepping for the decorations going up. We went and picked up a tree at our normal spot, however, instead of our traditional hot cocoa, spiced cider, and coffee to take on the trip, we had frozen goodies instead to quench our thirst in the warmer than normal climate. Got the tree back, placed inside to drop, and let it sit. An added bonus to this is I finaly got a filler tube that I've been looking for so all I have to do is fill up the water from up top without climbing under the tree anymore (sweet!).
Sunday, with all the decorations down, we started to set up outside. The majority of the lights are up, the snowman and santa are up, and the bows are up. Once the tree finishes dropping, we'll be able to complete the inside decorations. Only a few more things to do, and then be merry till the end of the year!
Once Christmas is over, then our next big thing happens in the Spring. Near the end of May to be precise. What is happening is that Caitlyn is finally going to be a big sister. Jen's pregnant with our second! No clue if Caitlyn's having a baby brother or sister yet as it isn't time, but sometime in or shortly after January we should know. Time to start rearranging the house! =)
Till next time, hope your Thanksgiving was a good one.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Exhausting week and migraines suck
This week was split up because of a little trip I got to take on Wednesday. More on that soon. =)
So, the week began slow, but started off immediately with me feeling tired. Not a good way to start, but it was what it was. I think because of that, I went to bed early every single night. Not that it bothered me, it wasn't as if there was anything worth while for me to watch on TV, even if I could watch TV. Tuesday morning I found a 55 gallon drum on craigslist for cheap. Called up and set a time to meet and swap then almost immediately forgot about it! Pretty bad since I've been needing a burn barrel since my firepit finally disintegrated after 4 years of use.
Wednesday, I got to skip work because I went on a field trip with Caitlyn and her school! We went to the Mordecai house in Raleigh (that's pronounced Mor-de-key). We got to walk all over the place and learn different things about how the size of the house had changed over the different generations, and how many people lived in the house at each stage of it's existence. We also learned about life on the plantation outside of the house, and I learned that one of our guides has the ability to say "OK" over 50 times in a ten minute span. We saw where Andrew Johnson was born and lived for the first nine years of his life, then learned about his accession to the Presidency and his impeachment trial. Afterwards, we had a great lunch outside, saw the spring (that has since dried up) and then ended the trip with a visit to Krispy Kreme! It was brilliant!
Thursday threw me back to work, and then I had the evening to myself as Jen and Caitlyn went to see Taylor Swift. They had a great time and Caitlyn thoroughly enjoyed her first concert ever. Friday put Caitlyn and me at small group with our church group, but Jen missed this one to go see the new Twilight movie with one of her friends. She loved it, but hated the ending. I guess the fact that it was a part 1 of 2 didn't clue her in to the fact that it would have an open ending! This also happened to have been the beginning of my wonderful headaches. Excedrin isn't working as well this time as it normally does.
Saturday was birthday party at Pump it Up in Raleigh, followed by an early dinner at Firebirds. That revealed to be a treat as they were having a tree lighting at the location that we went to and we didn't know it. So we walked for a bit and took in the sights, then proceeded to have dinner before heading back home. Sunday morning was an early morning, which is unusual, but at least we were able to get ready for church on time and make it in. Afterwards, some yard cleaning (followed by some leaf and limb burning) got the place ready for Christmas decorations that go up beginning next weekend. Now, if only this migraine would go away, I'll be back in ship shape. Three days in a row is not good for the old noggin.
So, the week began slow, but started off immediately with me feeling tired. Not a good way to start, but it was what it was. I think because of that, I went to bed early every single night. Not that it bothered me, it wasn't as if there was anything worth while for me to watch on TV, even if I could watch TV. Tuesday morning I found a 55 gallon drum on craigslist for cheap. Called up and set a time to meet and swap then almost immediately forgot about it! Pretty bad since I've been needing a burn barrel since my firepit finally disintegrated after 4 years of use.
Wednesday, I got to skip work because I went on a field trip with Caitlyn and her school! We went to the Mordecai house in Raleigh (that's pronounced Mor-de-key). We got to walk all over the place and learn different things about how the size of the house had changed over the different generations, and how many people lived in the house at each stage of it's existence. We also learned about life on the plantation outside of the house, and I learned that one of our guides has the ability to say "OK" over 50 times in a ten minute span. We saw where Andrew Johnson was born and lived for the first nine years of his life, then learned about his accession to the Presidency and his impeachment trial. Afterwards, we had a great lunch outside, saw the spring (that has since dried up) and then ended the trip with a visit to Krispy Kreme! It was brilliant!
Thursday threw me back to work, and then I had the evening to myself as Jen and Caitlyn went to see Taylor Swift. They had a great time and Caitlyn thoroughly enjoyed her first concert ever. Friday put Caitlyn and me at small group with our church group, but Jen missed this one to go see the new Twilight movie with one of her friends. She loved it, but hated the ending. I guess the fact that it was a part 1 of 2 didn't clue her in to the fact that it would have an open ending! This also happened to have been the beginning of my wonderful headaches. Excedrin isn't working as well this time as it normally does.
Saturday was birthday party at Pump it Up in Raleigh, followed by an early dinner at Firebirds. That revealed to be a treat as they were having a tree lighting at the location that we went to and we didn't know it. So we walked for a bit and took in the sights, then proceeded to have dinner before heading back home. Sunday morning was an early morning, which is unusual, but at least we were able to get ready for church on time and make it in. Afterwards, some yard cleaning (followed by some leaf and limb burning) got the place ready for Christmas decorations that go up beginning next weekend. Now, if only this migraine would go away, I'll be back in ship shape. Three days in a row is not good for the old noggin.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Checked comments
I missed on Sunday, it was just too nice to do anything (including blog) so I'm going to let it go till next week.
It was mentioned that the comments section was messed up so I went to check it this morning. I was able to post a comment with a blank account and it showed up just fine. I checked the settings for the blog, and everything is set opened. So I'm not sure why the comments are not coming through. Hopefully something will come about and I can get comments again. ;)
It was mentioned that the comments section was messed up so I went to check it this morning. I was able to post a comment with a blank account and it showed up just fine. I checked the settings for the blog, and everything is set opened. So I'm not sure why the comments are not coming through. Hopefully something will come about and I can get comments again. ;)
Monday, November 7, 2011
Daylight Savings....I'm tired
Well, as I mentioned last week, Daryll's dad passed away last Sunday night. He was 4 days shy of turning 73, so he lived a decent amount of time. The funeral was Wednesday so I went to be there as moral support for him more than anything else. Myself and five others were there and only knew each other (and Daryll) but being there is what mattered. After that downer, the rest of the week made out to be pretty good.
I kept studying the rest of the week for my MS exam. Friday came and I went in to the testing center early and lucked out in getting in ahead of schedule. 50 questions later, I come out without passing. Looks as though the study questions that I had were somewhat outdated so the material I had was only 60% good. So I had to search for some other study material that was more up to date to review to try and pick up what I lost. I'll have to see if I can get in there on Thursday and do my retest (just hope I'm ready by then), otherwise I'll have to wait till next week. That evening, Jen had a Scentsy party to go to, so Caitlyn and I went up to the store to pick up some things that we needed, and on our way home stopped off at DQ for a couple of Blizzards! I don't know about hers, but mine was pretty good. I think she liked hers as well ;)
Saturday was a full day! Caitlyn went to a friends birthday party at the skating rink, then we got haircut's, and we went shopping (mostly for Jen because, well, she likes to shop). We ended up in the Crossroads area and hit Hallmark, ACMoore, Olive Garden (yummy) and finally Toys R Us. Toys R Us was last so Caitlyn could spend all the time she wanted just walking around trying to get ideas for what she wanted for Christmas, plus she was looking for something to get right then because she got straight A's on her report card!! Not that it was really a surprise, but we felt why not. =) Then we hit Kohl's, Five Below, and Best Buy before finally heading home.
Sunday morning, I forgot about the time change and didn't realize that I woke up at 6:15. So I had my coffee and started my day, then an hour later, it hit me. Oh well, too late by then. So Sunday was fairly relaxed for the most part. No running around all crazy like, just a little running around lackadaisically. Mowed the yard, worked on building a dock for my phone to put in the car, went to the grocery store, and was just plain exhausted because of the early day. It's supposed to feel better getting that hour back, but I think it's worse on me right now.
I kept studying the rest of the week for my MS exam. Friday came and I went in to the testing center early and lucked out in getting in ahead of schedule. 50 questions later, I come out without passing. Looks as though the study questions that I had were somewhat outdated so the material I had was only 60% good. So I had to search for some other study material that was more up to date to review to try and pick up what I lost. I'll have to see if I can get in there on Thursday and do my retest (just hope I'm ready by then), otherwise I'll have to wait till next week. That evening, Jen had a Scentsy party to go to, so Caitlyn and I went up to the store to pick up some things that we needed, and on our way home stopped off at DQ for a couple of Blizzards! I don't know about hers, but mine was pretty good. I think she liked hers as well ;)
Saturday was a full day! Caitlyn went to a friends birthday party at the skating rink, then we got haircut's, and we went shopping (mostly for Jen because, well, she likes to shop). We ended up in the Crossroads area and hit Hallmark, ACMoore, Olive Garden (yummy) and finally Toys R Us. Toys R Us was last so Caitlyn could spend all the time she wanted just walking around trying to get ideas for what she wanted for Christmas, plus she was looking for something to get right then because she got straight A's on her report card!! Not that it was really a surprise, but we felt why not. =) Then we hit Kohl's, Five Below, and Best Buy before finally heading home.
Sunday morning, I forgot about the time change and didn't realize that I woke up at 6:15. So I had my coffee and started my day, then an hour later, it hit me. Oh well, too late by then. So Sunday was fairly relaxed for the most part. No running around all crazy like, just a little running around lackadaisically. Mowed the yard, worked on building a dock for my phone to put in the car, went to the grocery store, and was just plain exhausted because of the early day. It's supposed to feel better getting that hour back, but I think it's worse on me right now.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Intentionally late (to an extent)
So this week I wanted to wait till we were finished with Halloween before posting anything in case there was anything really exciting. Well, it rained, and we went out, in the rain, plus it was cold. Luckily we didn't stay out late, and we didn't go far, but at least Caitlyn got a pretty good stash because of the limited ghouls and goblins that were out. Once we got back, I was so exhausted that I just didn't want to post anything, so it ran one extra day. Sorry ;)
Anyway! I went and put my name on a list for a vanpool from the house to Bragg, but doubt that it will pan out. The only other people that live out here and work on base have different hours than me, so it doesn't look like I'll ever get that carpooling/vanpooling thing going. That's ok though, our tax guy informed me last year that the mileage can be written off at the end of the year because of where my "home office" is located.
I've been studying off and on for my next certification. Nothing spectacular this time, just Windows 7 which is sort of a prereq for the bigger overall certs that I'm looking at getting. Basically, the test has to be taken, so I'm just getting it out of the way (plus I have a voucher pack for two more tests that I need to get done by the end of the year otherwise I lose them). So, looking to get two somewhat easy tests knocked out so I don't end up having spent that money on nothing. Test is this Friday, so I should be fine. So far the practice tests have me at about 90%, but I want to get a little better prior to walking in and getting knocked in the head with something that I forgot to study. One of the benefits of the voucher pack that I purchased though is that if I do fail a test, I get to retake it again for free (just once, otherwise I use the next voucher), so that helps as well in preparation.
This past Friday we went to church for the Fall Festival (aka Halloween fun without the evil spirits). Again, it was raining and cold, but it was a success and all enjoyed, ourselves included. Saturday, Caitlyn had a girl scout event up the road during the day, and Jen and I just hung around the house being lazy bums. Well, I studied some more (mostly that will be my life till after I get this test knocked out). Then Sunday, we were at both services for church as we had greeting duty. Got to welcome everyone in and hand out the days hand-outs. Then went off to Jen's moms to mow the lawn for her and go visit real quick with a friend on our way to dinner at Nantucket Grill. Real good food, reasonable prices, New England style dining and food. We enjoy it, so that's reason enough to go back. =)
Only thing that happened to bring everything down is that a friend of mine (Daryl Putnam) lost his father to cancer on Sunday night. Services are Wednesday, so that's where my afternoon will be spent tomorrow. Not that I want to end it on a sad note, but for those that know Daryl, I just wanted to make you aware.
Till next time.
Anyway! I went and put my name on a list for a vanpool from the house to Bragg, but doubt that it will pan out. The only other people that live out here and work on base have different hours than me, so it doesn't look like I'll ever get that carpooling/vanpooling thing going. That's ok though, our tax guy informed me last year that the mileage can be written off at the end of the year because of where my "home office" is located.
I've been studying off and on for my next certification. Nothing spectacular this time, just Windows 7 which is sort of a prereq for the bigger overall certs that I'm looking at getting. Basically, the test has to be taken, so I'm just getting it out of the way (plus I have a voucher pack for two more tests that I need to get done by the end of the year otherwise I lose them). So, looking to get two somewhat easy tests knocked out so I don't end up having spent that money on nothing. Test is this Friday, so I should be fine. So far the practice tests have me at about 90%, but I want to get a little better prior to walking in and getting knocked in the head with something that I forgot to study. One of the benefits of the voucher pack that I purchased though is that if I do fail a test, I get to retake it again for free (just once, otherwise I use the next voucher), so that helps as well in preparation.
This past Friday we went to church for the Fall Festival (aka Halloween fun without the evil spirits). Again, it was raining and cold, but it was a success and all enjoyed, ourselves included. Saturday, Caitlyn had a girl scout event up the road during the day, and Jen and I just hung around the house being lazy bums. Well, I studied some more (mostly that will be my life till after I get this test knocked out). Then Sunday, we were at both services for church as we had greeting duty. Got to welcome everyone in and hand out the days hand-outs. Then went off to Jen's moms to mow the lawn for her and go visit real quick with a friend on our way to dinner at Nantucket Grill. Real good food, reasonable prices, New England style dining and food. We enjoy it, so that's reason enough to go back. =)
Only thing that happened to bring everything down is that a friend of mine (Daryl Putnam) lost his father to cancer on Sunday night. Services are Wednesday, so that's where my afternoon will be spent tomorrow. Not that I want to end it on a sad note, but for those that know Daryl, I just wanted to make you aware.
Till next time.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Another round of unexciting news.
Yet one more less than stellar week has gone by. Most of the beginning of the week was used for recovering from the fair (at least for me it was). Slow and steady at work, slow and steady at home. Friday eve was spent at the assistant Pastor's house for our home group that we are in and ended up doing our Membership Interview to the church that we've been attending. It went very well and we are moving forward to the next step at some point.
Saturday was a fun filled day. Caitlyn had a girl scout event at the History Museum in downtown Raleigh that went on from 1 till 4:30ish. Then we stepped into the Science Museum real quick to pick up some dead bugs for her to take to school for a project. Afterwards we headed home for a spell to get ready for the night out at the Corn Maze where we met up with Mom, Dad, Carrie, and Jeremy. We ended up splitting into three groups. Caitlyn went with Carrie and Jeremy; Mom and Dad went on their own; and Jen and I went last. Once we actually got into the maze, Jen decided that it was going to be a race after all and just booked it. We were running all over the place, only seeing Mom and Dad once at the very beginning. When it was all said and done, we finished in one hour four minutes and met with the rest of the family about seven minutes later when they emerged as well. So, Jen's persistance paid off as we won (exactly what we won I'll never know, but we did it).
Till next time.
Saturday was a fun filled day. Caitlyn had a girl scout event at the History Museum in downtown Raleigh that went on from 1 till 4:30ish. Then we stepped into the Science Museum real quick to pick up some dead bugs for her to take to school for a project. Afterwards we headed home for a spell to get ready for the night out at the Corn Maze where we met up with Mom, Dad, Carrie, and Jeremy. We ended up splitting into three groups. Caitlyn went with Carrie and Jeremy; Mom and Dad went on their own; and Jen and I went last. Once we actually got into the maze, Jen decided that it was going to be a race after all and just booked it. We were running all over the place, only seeing Mom and Dad once at the very beginning. When it was all said and done, we finished in one hour four minutes and met with the rest of the family about seven minutes later when they emerged as well. So, Jen's persistance paid off as we won (exactly what we won I'll never know, but we did it).
Till next time.
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