Monday, May 28, 2007
New Years Party
We have rescheduled New Years for Labor day weekend. Yes, indeed!! The annual Maurer New Years Party will be the Saturday of Labor day weekend. Out of town guests will be welcome to stay for the entire weekend. Please mark your calendar. And yes, of course we still plan to ring in the New Year. On GMT.
The party's over...
... and we're alive to tell the tale.
My sister Lea was Confirmed Sunday. Mark graduates High School tomorrow night. Mom decided the best course of action was to have the family over on Sunday after the Confirmation in honor of them both (I most heartily agree).
So that meant cleaning the house, buying food and cooking food. While the bakery is almost gone now, the rest of the food will take a few days to finish off. Thankfully the weather co-operated and most of the people spent their time outside. Note on buying plastic outdoor furniture -- avoid white, it gets stained and then perpetually looks dirty too easily. (yay for beach towels to try to hide this fact.)
By the time the extended family left, I was tired and stuffed. I found out one of my uncles used to work in the building I currently work in (back when it was owned by another company).
Saturday and Monday I got to go out running while mom rode the bike. Saturday we managed to juggle errands and running to avoid the rain.
The Confirmation was nice. The auxiliary bishop has a homily comprised of several stories. My mother is convinced that there is one story that he includes in every single homily (my youngest sister is in the children's choir which has sang at the confirmations for several years now). Between the Masses I've been to celebrated by this bishop (for a variety of occasions) I'd have to agree with her. For the "Come Lord Jesus, send us Your Spirit, renew the face of the earth" song, the choir did the harmony. This reminded me of Rose White Chapel Mass, the music group... and Siberia, which is a long story Loree might remember.
Now after the graduation tomorrow, the insanity will end. Or maybe return to its normal levels?
My sister Lea was Confirmed Sunday. Mark graduates High School tomorrow night. Mom decided the best course of action was to have the family over on Sunday after the Confirmation in honor of them both (I most heartily agree).
So that meant cleaning the house, buying food and cooking food. While the bakery is almost gone now, the rest of the food will take a few days to finish off. Thankfully the weather co-operated and most of the people spent their time outside. Note on buying plastic outdoor furniture -- avoid white, it gets stained and then perpetually looks dirty too easily. (yay for beach towels to try to hide this fact.)
By the time the extended family left, I was tired and stuffed. I found out one of my uncles used to work in the building I currently work in (back when it was owned by another company).
Saturday and Monday I got to go out running while mom rode the bike. Saturday we managed to juggle errands and running to avoid the rain.
The Confirmation was nice. The auxiliary bishop has a homily comprised of several stories. My mother is convinced that there is one story that he includes in every single homily (my youngest sister is in the children's choir which has sang at the confirmations for several years now). Between the Masses I've been to celebrated by this bishop (for a variety of occasions) I'd have to agree with her. For the "Come Lord Jesus, send us Your Spirit, renew the face of the earth" song, the choir did the harmony. This reminded me of Rose White Chapel Mass, the music group... and Siberia, which is a long story Loree might remember.
Now after the graduation tomorrow, the insanity will end. Or maybe return to its normal levels?
First Steps
Isaac is walking now. He has been so close for so long. I am really excited.
Now for some a complete change of subject:
The other day I decided (there might have been a poky stick involved) to start a Bible study for young women. I am going to invite about eight women to come to my home once a week for eight weeks. I think we will study Colossians.
Since several of the women involved have small children, I need to make some kind of childcare arrangements. I am hoping that maybe I can get some of the older ladies in the church to volunteer to come over and watch children. If not we can always hire a couple of teenagers.
I feel woefully inadequate to lead a study. And that is okay. I am inadequate. That just means that I will have to rely on the power of Christ. And trust me, we're all a lot better off that way.
In other notes. Last week was really difficult because Paul was out of town for several days. Paul's mom came to help with the kids, which was really great. But it still wore on all of us to have Paul gone. He had a reasonably good time in Florida. The day he got back he bought me some very pretty flowers to plant in my flower garden.
And the gift he brought me? A chocolate cell phone. It was yummy. Paul also brought seashells for Abigail, a puzzle for Sam and a bear for Isaac.
My good friend Jess came to visit on Saturday. We had a good time catching up and reminiscing. We even went to Fazoli's for old-time's sake. Fortunately, there were enough breadsticks so we did not have to call the restaurant (from the dining room) to complain.
Now for some a complete change of subject:
The other day I decided (there might have been a poky stick involved) to start a Bible study for young women. I am going to invite about eight women to come to my home once a week for eight weeks. I think we will study Colossians.
Since several of the women involved have small children, I need to make some kind of childcare arrangements. I am hoping that maybe I can get some of the older ladies in the church to volunteer to come over and watch children. If not we can always hire a couple of teenagers.
I feel woefully inadequate to lead a study. And that is okay. I am inadequate. That just means that I will have to rely on the power of Christ. And trust me, we're all a lot better off that way.
In other notes. Last week was really difficult because Paul was out of town for several days. Paul's mom came to help with the kids, which was really great. But it still wore on all of us to have Paul gone. He had a reasonably good time in Florida. The day he got back he bought me some very pretty flowers to plant in my flower garden.
And the gift he brought me? A chocolate cell phone. It was yummy. Paul also brought seashells for Abigail, a puzzle for Sam and a bear for Isaac.
My good friend Jess came to visit on Saturday. We had a good time catching up and reminiscing. We even went to Fazoli's for old-time's sake. Fortunately, there were enough breadsticks so we did not have to call the restaurant (from the dining room) to complain.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Vulcanized and Mufflered
Yes, yes... I am so TIREd I am EXHAUSTed.
Sorry... That's really all I have to say. I am really, really tired. And cold too. I step outside and think I'm going to melt. Then I come in and start shivering. The thermostat says it's 77 in here. And no one else is complaining.
I've got lots to talk about if I can ever come up with the energy.
Sorry... That's really all I have to say. I am really, really tired. And cold too. I step outside and think I'm going to melt. Then I come in and start shivering. The thermostat says it's 77 in here. And no one else is complaining.
I've got lots to talk about if I can ever come up with the energy.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
December 17
I had my OB visit and first ultrasound today. Dr. Wheeler, pegged the baby's due date as Dec. 17. I'm guessing the correct date is Dec. 19 or 20. But I know something. NEVER EVER adjust your due date to make it later. Besides, since when do baby's come on their due date. (I am of course the exception---but this is only because my parents did not want me to come that day).
My pregnancy weigh in is 153 lbs. Only 3 lbs less than I was at full term with Abigail. Obviously I am going to have to watch what I eat (Hey look at this, I'll eat it too!!) if I don't want to be as humongous as I was with Isaac. So I keep repeating to myself, "self-control, self-control, self-control"
My pregnancy weigh in is 153 lbs. Only 3 lbs less than I was at full term with Abigail. Obviously I am going to have to watch what I eat (Hey look at this, I'll eat it too!!) if I don't want to be as humongous as I was with Isaac. So I keep repeating to myself, "self-control, self-control, self-control"
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
first longies!
Back in March, I mentioned having finished knitting a haphazard sort of pair of longies for Rachel, and said something about posting it sometime. Lazy as I am, I found no motivation to actually upload the picture and blog about it, but recently I gots m'self a flickr account.
So, um, this makes things much easier. ^^;;
Now, if only my camera could beam my pictures straight to the computer and printer immediately after I take them...
/back to being lazy.
So, um, this makes things much easier. ^^;;
Now, if only my camera could beam my pictures straight to the computer and printer immediately after I take them...
/back to being lazy.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happy Mothers' Day
To My Mother
Thank you for all the sleepless nights you spent with me. Thank you for tending to me while I was sick. Thank you for cleaning up after all of my messes. Thank you for teaching me how to do things on my own instead of just doing them for me. Thank you for babying me when I needed it, and for pushing me out of the nest when it was time for me to fly. Thank you for disciplining me when I needed it. And thank you for showing me that I was loved no matter how badly I messed up. Thank you most of all, for showing me what it means to follow God in all things, and teaching me to love Him.
To My Mother-In-Law
Thank you for tirelessly devoting yourself to your son. Thank you for not giving up on him when he struggled. Thank you for helping him to overcome his weaknesses and to develop on his strengths. Thank you for sacrificing yourself so that your children could have all that they needed. Thank you for teaching him to care for others and for the world around him. Thank you for dragging him to church each Sunday morning even though he did not want to go. And thank you for your diligent patience in waiting for the seeds of faith you planted in him to blossom to their fullness.
To all Mothers
Thank you for choosing to bear the role of a mother. Thank you for choosing a job which requires steadfastness and which has no end. The work of mothers is not an easy one. But there are few callings in this world in which one person can have so much influence on the life of another. Yes, all mothers have failings. All mothers make mistakes. But it matters so much more to our children that they can see our love than that we have all our ducks in a row. So go joyfully knowing that God has given you a special role. And in him we can all be successes.
Thank you for all the sleepless nights you spent with me. Thank you for tending to me while I was sick. Thank you for cleaning up after all of my messes. Thank you for teaching me how to do things on my own instead of just doing them for me. Thank you for babying me when I needed it, and for pushing me out of the nest when it was time for me to fly. Thank you for disciplining me when I needed it. And thank you for showing me that I was loved no matter how badly I messed up. Thank you most of all, for showing me what it means to follow God in all things, and teaching me to love Him.
To My Mother-In-Law
Thank you for tirelessly devoting yourself to your son. Thank you for not giving up on him when he struggled. Thank you for helping him to overcome his weaknesses and to develop on his strengths. Thank you for sacrificing yourself so that your children could have all that they needed. Thank you for teaching him to care for others and for the world around him. Thank you for dragging him to church each Sunday morning even though he did not want to go. And thank you for your diligent patience in waiting for the seeds of faith you planted in him to blossom to their fullness.
To all Mothers
Thank you for choosing to bear the role of a mother. Thank you for choosing a job which requires steadfastness and which has no end. The work of mothers is not an easy one. But there are few callings in this world in which one person can have so much influence on the life of another. Yes, all mothers have failings. All mothers make mistakes. But it matters so much more to our children that they can see our love than that we have all our ducks in a row. So go joyfully knowing that God has given you a special role. And in him we can all be successes.
Friday, May 11, 2007
The computer fairy...
...visited my office area Thursday afternoon. I found this out when I stopped by my desk at the end of the day and found a computer that was not there at lunch. On a similar vein, today I received my ID badge that gets me into the building. So Monday I won't have to call upstairs or hope I arrive around the same time as someone else.
The new job is going well so far. I am learning a new CAD program, so that if I have to deal with models in either format I will be ready. Though, as I work my way through the tutorials, I find myself thinking how much better I like the other program. At the end of next week I have 2 days of training on ABAQUS, a finite element analysis program.
If nothing else, I have this feeling that this new job will keep me busy. So far so good.
This promises to be an interesting weekend. More to come later.
Also, in anticipation of Sunday, Happy Mother's Day to Shae, Loree, and any other mothers reading this!
The new job is going well so far. I am learning a new CAD program, so that if I have to deal with models in either format I will be ready. Though, as I work my way through the tutorials, I find myself thinking how much better I like the other program. At the end of next week I have 2 days of training on ABAQUS, a finite element analysis program.
If nothing else, I have this feeling that this new job will keep me busy. So far so good.
This promises to be an interesting weekend. More to come later.
Also, in anticipation of Sunday, Happy Mother's Day to Shae, Loree, and any other mothers reading this!
Not thin anyway
I just learned this for a reliable source (The News Sentinel). Just because you look thin doesn't mean you are.
"'Being Thin doesn't automatically mean you're not fat,' said Dr. Jimmy Bell, a professor of molecular imaging at Imperial College, London."
I, for one, feel a little better now.
"'Being Thin doesn't automatically mean you're not fat,' said Dr. Jimmy Bell, a professor of molecular imaging at Imperial College, London."
I, for one, feel a little better now.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Bye-Bye Easter Candy!
I don't know about you, but chocolate is one of my absolute greatest weaknesses. Now I fully believe that consuming small amounts of chocolate is a health benefit. But I have always struggled with self-control.
Since becoming pregnant I have been limiting my sweets to a small amount once a week. This week I had some (i.e. a little too much) strawberry-rhubarb pie on Sunday, and I was thinking I would make it until next Sunday. But yesterday afternoon I felt miserably sick (why do they call it morning sickness again? ) and this morning I was a real grump and the kids were getting my last nerve. So I succumbed to the temptation I had been resisting for the past month. The Easter candy.
The worst part is, although I felt better for a little while. Now I feel terrible again.
I know that cravings usually signal to us something we are missing in our diet, especially during pregnancy. If I am craving chocolate I probably need more fat and sugar. The problem is I should remedy this by eating things like cheese or avocado or maybe nuts and fruits. And of course, the more I consume a balanced diet and get all the nutrients I need, the less I will crave anything at all.
Right now the ice cream truck is parked on the street two houses down. It's not helping.
The children are napping now. Except for Isaac, who is testing me to see if I will let him get away with playing in the computer cupboard. He is starting to listen when I tell him no.
After the kids wake up we will go outside and work on my flower garden. I am thinking of going out to buy some annuals to plant in it this evening.
Since becoming pregnant I have been limiting my sweets to a small amount once a week. This week I had some (i.e. a little too much) strawberry-rhubarb pie on Sunday, and I was thinking I would make it until next Sunday. But yesterday afternoon I felt miserably sick (why do they call it morning sickness again? ) and this morning I was a real grump and the kids were getting my last nerve. So I succumbed to the temptation I had been resisting for the past month. The Easter candy.
The worst part is, although I felt better for a little while. Now I feel terrible again.
I know that cravings usually signal to us something we are missing in our diet, especially during pregnancy. If I am craving chocolate I probably need more fat and sugar. The problem is I should remedy this by eating things like cheese or avocado or maybe nuts and fruits. And of course, the more I consume a balanced diet and get all the nutrients I need, the less I will crave anything at all.
Right now the ice cream truck is parked on the street two houses down. It's not helping.
The children are napping now. Except for Isaac, who is testing me to see if I will let him get away with playing in the computer cupboard. He is starting to listen when I tell him no.
After the kids wake up we will go outside and work on my flower garden. I am thinking of going out to buy some annuals to plant in it this evening.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
No more picking up chicks for us...
I have always loved picking up chicks...
Seriously.
At the zoo they have a farm section with goats who eat your clothing and chicks that you can hold. They used to have the chicks in this big thing you could reach into and pick them up.
Well today I took my bunch to the zoo. And all the way Abigail talked about how much fun it was going to be to pick up chicks. Well now they put a glass wall around the chicks and you can't pick them up. If their is a zoo staff person present then they can get one out for you to hold. But there was no one around to ask today.
But at least we still got to have our clothing eaten. They didn't have any goat food for sale; they usually do. The sign said the goats were over fed today. The goats didn't think so. This was another disappointment since Abigail had brought her allowance money to buy goat food. Instead we bought duck food. But there weren't any ducks who wanted to eat so we settled for feeding the geese. There were some really cute fuzzy tennis balls (aka goslings) wandering around. Sammy wanted to pet them. I made him stay away.
All in all the kids had a great time. I think they enjoyed the fish the most. Unfortunately, our visit was cut short by rain. But we will go again soon. It's great having a zoo pass (Thanks Manda and Tony!)
Seriously.
At the zoo they have a farm section with goats who eat your clothing and chicks that you can hold. They used to have the chicks in this big thing you could reach into and pick them up.
Well today I took my bunch to the zoo. And all the way Abigail talked about how much fun it was going to be to pick up chicks. Well now they put a glass wall around the chicks and you can't pick them up. If their is a zoo staff person present then they can get one out for you to hold. But there was no one around to ask today.
But at least we still got to have our clothing eaten. They didn't have any goat food for sale; they usually do. The sign said the goats were over fed today. The goats didn't think so. This was another disappointment since Abigail had brought her allowance money to buy goat food. Instead we bought duck food. But there weren't any ducks who wanted to eat so we settled for feeding the geese. There were some really cute fuzzy tennis balls (aka goslings) wandering around. Sammy wanted to pet them. I made him stay away.
All in all the kids had a great time. I think they enjoyed the fish the most. Unfortunately, our visit was cut short by rain. But we will go again soon. It's great having a zoo pass (Thanks Manda and Tony!)
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