Good morning all!! Hope everyone had a good weekend.
Ours was pretty good. It started on Friday when I took this video of Nico reading "Go, Dog, Go!" in the car on the way home from school.
Adorable!!
Go dog go! Is one of Nico's favorite books. Its great because its conceptually easy to understand. And he loves dogs... so its a huge hit!!
Saturday morning I got Nico and my bike (with his own special Nico seat), plus helmets with the intention of going to the St. Marks Bike Trail and riding. Turns out that from Tallahassee south, the trail is under construction and closed. I guess we could have driven all the way down to St. Marks and rode north, but I didn't have the time (maybe next week?)
Dave and I went to see the King's Speech on Saturday night. It was great- Colin Firth is brilliant. It made me physically anxious to listen to him- really glad that he won for Best Actor last night.
Sunday was a day of soccer. After working for a few hours in the morning, I met Dave and Nico at RMS where I played in goal during our scrimmage with the U16 team. It was pretty good. I made several good saves, including several one v ones. After, Dave had a game at the meadows, so we went up to Tallahassee to see him play against the Rowdies- which was pretty stacked. Dave's team did surprising well, losing only 4-2. This is all for us. Hope you have a wonderful week!!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
State Cup and Nic Cage...
Not much new to report- except that the weekend is almost here. That is pretty exciting. Even more exciting? Dave and I are going on a date. Oh yeah, don't be jealous! We haven't decided what we are going to do, except that we want to try out the Midtown Filling Station- which is a new place to eat. He also mentioned that he might like to see Unknown (Liam Neeson's new movie). I think this is a pretty good idea, because I liked this movie the last time I saw it when it was called Taken. No seriously- can you ever go wrong with Liam Neeson? No, I don't beleive you can... unlike Nicholas Cage. Seriously, I think I am going to have to explain to Nico when gets old enough that he is not named for Nic Cage and that if I could go back and undo something in this life, it would be most of the movies he has made since National Treasure 2 (I do cut him a little slack because I actually liked the National Treasure movies). But seriously? Ghost Rider? Really? Drive Angry? He needs his a$$ kicked.
We got our state cup schedule this week. There were only four women's teams who registered for the tournament, so we go straight to the semifinals (whoot?). The tournament (as it were) is supposed to happen May 14-15 in Auburndale, Florida (about an hour southwest of Orlando- or as my friend Jen insists on referring to it as, "Whorelando.")That is pretty exciting.
That is about it... been trying to push and get a paper done. Its supposed to be a chapter in a book that is going to be published later this year. They want it March 10. Plus then, I have to turn around and put together a poster for PAA, which is in D.C. Am thinking about taking my new camera gear and take a day to have a walk about in D.C. I mean, it's basically my hood.
Have a great weekend.
We got our state cup schedule this week. There were only four women's teams who registered for the tournament, so we go straight to the semifinals (whoot?). The tournament (as it were) is supposed to happen May 14-15 in Auburndale, Florida (about an hour southwest of Orlando- or as my friend Jen insists on referring to it as, "Whorelando.")That is pretty exciting.
That is about it... been trying to push and get a paper done. Its supposed to be a chapter in a book that is going to be published later this year. They want it March 10. Plus then, I have to turn around and put together a poster for PAA, which is in D.C. Am thinking about taking my new camera gear and take a day to have a walk about in D.C. I mean, it's basically my hood.
Have a great weekend.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Just want to bite him...
So I went to TOC today. They did a bunch of xrays and long story short- my left ankle is pretty jacked up. The degree of movement in a "normal" ankle is about 8 degrees. My right ankle which is my "good" ankle has 12 degrees. Not good- but it might just be that I am loose jointed. The degree of movement in my left ankle? 31 degrees- which I suspected given my propensity to not just kinda roll/sprain my ankle, but to REALLY do it.
The ankle guy says that at this point, its pretty much beyond repair with rehab and physical therapy. The surgical option is to go in and stitch the ligaments back together-tighten them up and to scope the ankle. If I manage to do this AGAIN after correcting it this time, they would surgically fix it by taking part of a hamstring tendon. Isn't that cool?
So I have to decide whether/when to have the surgery. Whether isn't really a decision, because I would like to stop falling on my face any time I step sorta crooked on some uneven sidewalk. I am also pretty afraid that I am going to be carrying Nico when it happens next- and that isn't probably a good thing. So at this point, I am trying to think of a good time. I am thinking maybe early/mid may- after the session and after women's state cup (hopefully?).
On an unrelated matter, video of Nico telling Granny You thanks for the valentines!! Isn't he precious? Seriously- last week he was bitten twice at school. I wonder if its because he was so precious and the other kid couldn't help but bite him... I can barely stand it!!
The ankle guy says that at this point, its pretty much beyond repair with rehab and physical therapy. The surgical option is to go in and stitch the ligaments back together-tighten them up and to scope the ankle. If I manage to do this AGAIN after correcting it this time, they would surgically fix it by taking part of a hamstring tendon. Isn't that cool?
So I have to decide whether/when to have the surgery. Whether isn't really a decision, because I would like to stop falling on my face any time I step sorta crooked on some uneven sidewalk. I am also pretty afraid that I am going to be carrying Nico when it happens next- and that isn't probably a good thing. So at this point, I am trying to think of a good time. I am thinking maybe early/mid may- after the session and after women's state cup (hopefully?).
On an unrelated matter, video of Nico telling Granny You thanks for the valentines!! Isn't he precious? Seriously- last week he was bitten twice at school. I wonder if its because he was so precious and the other kid couldn't help but bite him... I can barely stand it!!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Trick Ankle
Not much new to report. I was in a writing workshop for most of yesterday at work. During the lunch break one of my coworkers commented that I ought to teach writing classes (because I had a few good suggestions on improving writing). To which I commented, "You're right, I am pretty awesome." Like I said, with the Aspergers already.
Nico went to the doctor. The section of the city where the doctor is located was without power when we got there. So they had to do it old school for a lot of the visit-like one of the nurses held him and got on the scale. He was not a fan. He was also not a fan of the the 5 shots he got. Sadface. But he was okay like 2 minutes later.
He did have an ear infection, which was sort of surprising. Not really though, because he has been messing with his ears. But I thought he had ear infections earlier, but he didnt.... so what do you do? He also has dropped in percentile's for weight- which isn't really surprising. I had been contemplating a revolution in our meal time process... but think that I will delay the revolution for a while (till after our weight check in 2 months). Before the doctor's appointment, I had been a little concerned that the kid will only eat fruit... and that we were going to have a come to Jesus meeting about it. But since his weight is a little bit of a situation- I guess we'll just wait to have that battle.
I am pretty worried about childhood obesity for Nico- since it is linked with a LOT of other health conditions, including early onset of Type II diabetes, hypertension, etc. I didn't want to make a big deal about Nico eating, because I didn't want it to be a battle- I think that that can set up problems with food for later. So I had been kinda letting him lead his diet- figuring that he would eat when he is hungry and not eat when he isn't. Turns out he is doing a terrible job of being in charge of his own self eating. :) So we will see.
I am going to the orthopedist on Wednesday. We are going to talk about my trick ankle- see if there is any rehab or anything I can do to it to keep from falling on my face every other day. Will keep you all posted about how that goes.
Nico went to the doctor. The section of the city where the doctor is located was without power when we got there. So they had to do it old school for a lot of the visit-like one of the nurses held him and got on the scale. He was not a fan. He was also not a fan of the the 5 shots he got. Sadface. But he was okay like 2 minutes later.
He did have an ear infection, which was sort of surprising. Not really though, because he has been messing with his ears. But I thought he had ear infections earlier, but he didnt.... so what do you do? He also has dropped in percentile's for weight- which isn't really surprising. I had been contemplating a revolution in our meal time process... but think that I will delay the revolution for a while (till after our weight check in 2 months). Before the doctor's appointment, I had been a little concerned that the kid will only eat fruit... and that we were going to have a come to Jesus meeting about it. But since his weight is a little bit of a situation- I guess we'll just wait to have that battle.
I am pretty worried about childhood obesity for Nico- since it is linked with a LOT of other health conditions, including early onset of Type II diabetes, hypertension, etc. I didn't want to make a big deal about Nico eating, because I didn't want it to be a battle- I think that that can set up problems with food for later. So I had been kinda letting him lead his diet- figuring that he would eat when he is hungry and not eat when he isn't. Turns out he is doing a terrible job of being in charge of his own self eating. :) So we will see.
I am going to the orthopedist on Wednesday. We are going to talk about my trick ankle- see if there is any rehab or anything I can do to it to keep from falling on my face every other day. Will keep you all posted about how that goes.
Monday, February 21, 2011
We had some funs!!
So this weekend was fun. Dave's parents came to town on Thursday night. They stayed with Nico while we attended and coached the Senior game. Saturday night we went to see Ira Glass, host of This American Life. Dave got me tickets for my birthday. Ira Glass is here as part of 7 Days of Opening nights. If you havent heard this American Life, I strongly recomend it. Its a pretty cool show. Ira Glass has this great nerdy/snarky voice and the show is about all kinds of people.
Sunday was pretty much a day of soccer. It was awesome. I was asked to play on the Tallahassee Women's State Cup team a few weeks ago. What this means, is that I will be playing on this team all around the state. Our scrimmage on Sunday was against the FSU Club team. You may remember the last time this happened... when I gave up 43498045 goals to them on a day when we didnt have many subs and some of the high school girls played. Note: this was so long ago I dont remember when it was. Yesterday was actually pretty fun- we had a baller team. We only lost 2-0 and I didn't seem to have my head up my own a$$- so that is a plus.
For some reason, I am always a little surpised when I play with the Tallahassee women. I don't get invited to do so often anymore... whether this is because everyone knows I am pretty busy and therefore on lockdown most of the time, or I have lost it (which is more likely the case), I am always surprised when I show up and I dont get hammered- because I have a decent team in front of me. Yesterday was a great game because there wasn't much I couldn't handle. Shots were largely at me, I had strong capable defenders who knew enough to know that if they got beat, all they had to do was keep the pressure up and basically run forwards into the goal area, where I relieved them of the ball. The two goals that happened, while a shame, were not the end of the world. It was fun.
What was not fun was that I managed to stick my foot in my mouth, all the way up, past my sock and shingaurd. Let me just start by saying that I think I am autistic. I have taken a couple of AQ tests and have gotten scores ranging from 28-35 (Aspergers is usually diagnosed at score of 32). It's not that I am meaning to be mean- its just that things don't come out the way I think they are going to. Several years ago, I told Kelly the Baller she didn't have any skill (which is apparently what I say to fast forwards because this is what I said to Madi- who thankfully thought I was joking.) I probably need to stop doing that since its not really true, nor is it funny (at least in the HA-HA sense... I mean, it is kind of funny that a goalkeeper would be saying that- given that the only reason why no one can say that about me is that passing and trapping aren't substantial portions of my game... but whatev.)
In any case, I think at halftime yesterday, I said, "Kelly, I forgot that you don't have any skill." Which is a terrible thing to say. What I meant was, "Kelly, I had forgotten how ridiculously fast you are." Case in point: Most coaches, whilst coaching defenders will often direct defenders to use the sideline appropriately. So a defender will basically position themselves to take away the inside and offer the line to the attacking player. Basically the gesture says, "Look, I see what you are doing here. But I am not going to let you inside. So if you insist on continuing on with this thing that you are doing... I suggest you go down the line." To which most forwards are like, "Yeah, cool. You got me. Since I can't take this into the middle, and there is no way I can take it down the line since you have only given me about 2 feet to do so and I am not very fast, I think that I will probably just stop this run and play the ball backwards. Thanks." And it's all nice and tidy. And predictable. Yesterday in the second half, there was a time when Kelly had to make that decision. And rather than choosing the easy way that most "skilled" players would have chosen, she took the girl down the line. That is how fast she is. She beat a defender down the line and kept the ball. That should not happen. As a defender, you give the forward the line because they aren't supposed to be able to beat you on the line. Kelly did it yesterday. Twice. It was awesome. And fun to watch. (Side note: Kelly does races. She wins. She is fast. She is basically Madi in about 14-15 years).
And what I came to realize is that its not that players like Kelly and Madi don't have skill... because they do. Its just that skilled, controlled play is such a minor part of their game. As it should be. When you are the fastest person on the field, why in the hell would you abdicate the best thing about you in favor of a type of play that EVERYONE can do? Not every team has a Madi or a Kelly- a fast, physical, aggressive player who can make defenses look ridiculous. Maybe asking those kinds of players to slow it down and play more controlled, passing and trapping and not forcing it kind of ball is like refusing to play a good hand that is dealt to you...
So- now that we have that figured out- that I have Asbergers and that Kelly has skill... check this out:
http://fl.milesplit.com/rankings/2011/outdoor/hs/f
Scroll down to "Mattie Harris". In her second track meet (EVER) she set the state record in the 800. As a freshman. Wha-what?
Sunday was pretty much a day of soccer. It was awesome. I was asked to play on the Tallahassee Women's State Cup team a few weeks ago. What this means, is that I will be playing on this team all around the state. Our scrimmage on Sunday was against the FSU Club team. You may remember the last time this happened... when I gave up 43498045 goals to them on a day when we didnt have many subs and some of the high school girls played. Note: this was so long ago I dont remember when it was. Yesterday was actually pretty fun- we had a baller team. We only lost 2-0 and I didn't seem to have my head up my own a$$- so that is a plus.
For some reason, I am always a little surpised when I play with the Tallahassee women. I don't get invited to do so often anymore... whether this is because everyone knows I am pretty busy and therefore on lockdown most of the time, or I have lost it (which is more likely the case), I am always surprised when I show up and I dont get hammered- because I have a decent team in front of me. Yesterday was a great game because there wasn't much I couldn't handle. Shots were largely at me, I had strong capable defenders who knew enough to know that if they got beat, all they had to do was keep the pressure up and basically run forwards into the goal area, where I relieved them of the ball. The two goals that happened, while a shame, were not the end of the world. It was fun.
What was not fun was that I managed to stick my foot in my mouth, all the way up, past my sock and shingaurd. Let me just start by saying that I think I am autistic. I have taken a couple of AQ tests and have gotten scores ranging from 28-35 (Aspergers is usually diagnosed at score of 32). It's not that I am meaning to be mean- its just that things don't come out the way I think they are going to. Several years ago, I told Kelly the Baller she didn't have any skill (which is apparently what I say to fast forwards because this is what I said to Madi- who thankfully thought I was joking.) I probably need to stop doing that since its not really true, nor is it funny (at least in the HA-HA sense... I mean, it is kind of funny that a goalkeeper would be saying that- given that the only reason why no one can say that about me is that passing and trapping aren't substantial portions of my game... but whatev.)
In any case, I think at halftime yesterday, I said, "Kelly, I forgot that you don't have any skill." Which is a terrible thing to say. What I meant was, "Kelly, I had forgotten how ridiculously fast you are." Case in point: Most coaches, whilst coaching defenders will often direct defenders to use the sideline appropriately. So a defender will basically position themselves to take away the inside and offer the line to the attacking player. Basically the gesture says, "Look, I see what you are doing here. But I am not going to let you inside. So if you insist on continuing on with this thing that you are doing... I suggest you go down the line." To which most forwards are like, "Yeah, cool. You got me. Since I can't take this into the middle, and there is no way I can take it down the line since you have only given me about 2 feet to do so and I am not very fast, I think that I will probably just stop this run and play the ball backwards. Thanks." And it's all nice and tidy. And predictable. Yesterday in the second half, there was a time when Kelly had to make that decision. And rather than choosing the easy way that most "skilled" players would have chosen, she took the girl down the line. That is how fast she is. She beat a defender down the line and kept the ball. That should not happen. As a defender, you give the forward the line because they aren't supposed to be able to beat you on the line. Kelly did it yesterday. Twice. It was awesome. And fun to watch. (Side note: Kelly does races. She wins. She is fast. She is basically Madi in about 14-15 years).
And what I came to realize is that its not that players like Kelly and Madi don't have skill... because they do. Its just that skilled, controlled play is such a minor part of their game. As it should be. When you are the fastest person on the field, why in the hell would you abdicate the best thing about you in favor of a type of play that EVERYONE can do? Not every team has a Madi or a Kelly- a fast, physical, aggressive player who can make defenses look ridiculous. Maybe asking those kinds of players to slow it down and play more controlled, passing and trapping and not forcing it kind of ball is like refusing to play a good hand that is dealt to you...
So- now that we have that figured out- that I have Asbergers and that Kelly has skill... check this out:
http://fl.milesplit.com/rankings/2011/outdoor/hs/f
Scroll down to "Mattie Harris". In her second track meet (EVER) she set the state record in the 800. As a freshman. Wha-what?
Friday, February 18, 2011
That washes out...
So I am back from the land of the dead. In an unprecedented move, I took three sick days this week. Last week I had been planning to take one day to just decompress- I have been under the gun at work and needed a day to just relax. Turns out that the one day ended up being three because I was sick. At first it was just coughing/congestion/sore throat sick. But Wednesday it turned into puking into my kid's blanket sick. No worries, it does wash out. :(
We did manage to get the house clean. The Royses and Aunt Rosie came up for the weekend... its nice having family in town because it sort of forces us to get serious about getting the house clean. Otherwise other things take precedent (like watching 2 seasons of Grey's Anatomy... which is actually saying a lot, because the second season is sooooooooo looooooooooooooong).
We coached in the senior game last night. Its an exhibition game at FSU (on the soccer field) that takes place every year. Seniors from all around are invited to participate, although the game is usually watered down a bit because a lot of the seniors have moved on to something else (e.g. two of our four seniors are playing other sports and the fourth is in band). But it was still a good time to be had by most.
Dave and I are set to go see Ira Glass on Saturday night. Which is pretty awesome. I have no idea what he is going to talk about, but I am sure it will be entertaining. I have a scrimmage on Sunday. I somehow managed to get myself talked into playing on the Tallahassee women's State Cup team. Our first game is March 6, which just seems like a bad idea. In any case, we go from my scrimmage to practice in Wakulla to Dave's TSA game on Sunday (if he can play. He actually hurt himself at the last BBUSC practice when he slid trying to keep Madi from getting a cross off. Which is unfortunate). Speaking of Madi- one of the soccer program people (edit: AT FSU) has been emailing Dave and me about her. He's heard through the grapevine that she is a decent player. That is good to know that people are talking about her, but it makes me sad because we have other really good players, but no one notices them :(
That is all for now, I guess I should work. Here is some cute:
Nico is eating some french toast for breakfast!!
We did manage to get the house clean. The Royses and Aunt Rosie came up for the weekend... its nice having family in town because it sort of forces us to get serious about getting the house clean. Otherwise other things take precedent (like watching 2 seasons of Grey's Anatomy... which is actually saying a lot, because the second season is sooooooooo looooooooooooooong).
We coached in the senior game last night. Its an exhibition game at FSU (on the soccer field) that takes place every year. Seniors from all around are invited to participate, although the game is usually watered down a bit because a lot of the seniors have moved on to something else (e.g. two of our four seniors are playing other sports and the fourth is in band). But it was still a good time to be had by most.
Dave and I are set to go see Ira Glass on Saturday night. Which is pretty awesome. I have no idea what he is going to talk about, but I am sure it will be entertaining. I have a scrimmage on Sunday. I somehow managed to get myself talked into playing on the Tallahassee women's State Cup team. Our first game is March 6, which just seems like a bad idea. In any case, we go from my scrimmage to practice in Wakulla to Dave's TSA game on Sunday (if he can play. He actually hurt himself at the last BBUSC practice when he slid trying to keep Madi from getting a cross off. Which is unfortunate). Speaking of Madi- one of the soccer program people (edit: AT FSU) has been emailing Dave and me about her. He's heard through the grapevine that she is a decent player. That is good to know that people are talking about her, but it makes me sad because we have other really good players, but no one notices them :(
That is all for now, I guess I should work. Here is some cute:
Monday, February 14, 2011
Weekend Galore!
Me: Hello?
Voice on the phone: Jessi? It's Jen (from Nico's daycare).
Me (alarmed): Hey. Is everything okay? (his daycare is in Alumni Village which is in a sketchy part of town. Not like crack dealers and hookers getting shot in the playground sketchy, just poor people (black and white) loitering about sketchy-like. Also, usually when they kick Nico out because he is sick, I am pretty surprised by this... so I assume that there was a shooting or a bomb threat or something. Makes the news that Nico had diarhea three times before noon seem less urgent...)
Jen: Yeah- everything is okay. Nico's sick.
Me: Do you need me to come get him?
Jen: Yeah, he has a fever/just threw up all over himself/has had 8479343 diarheal diapers this morning.
Me: Yes! I love sick days!! AKA, staying home from work days!!
So this is the conversation that is likely going down later today. Why? Bcause Nico is sick. I think. Coughing and runny nose. I am probably a bad mom for sending him to school today... but I asked his doctor what I could do about the runny nose and the cough situation. He was like, "Dude, he goes to daycare. The only thing you could do is stay at home with him. Oh, and the best part? Little homey passed that mess to me. So where I was thinking about taking a sick day or two this week (I call them mental health days) it looks like I might actually need to take sick days (sadface). We'll see. I might be able to walk it off. But, I got this wicked headache, plus a runny nose and a sore throat. So we will see.
I went to Baby Poppy Hite's baby shower this weekend. I dont think I mentioned it, but I had been working on a simple patchwork quilt for the baby (they dont know the gender yet). Lauren is due in March- and I have been trying to be better about getting baby gifts to people before the baby goes off to college. The quilt turned out nice. The corners aren't all exactly on point, which is a shame (its also really hard to do). I also did this thing where I ran a seam 1/4 inch around the inside of a couple of blocks- all random like. Its pretty cool. I am not going to lie- I think its awesome. Will try to post pictures tonight. Even better, is that I put Grey's Anatomy on Netflix in the background while I worked, so I got through the first season (and part of the second during most of the sewing process). While I am starting to understand the appeal to Grey's, I do have to say this: 1). That the show grossly over estimates the proprotion of extremely good looking medical professionals there are. 2). Does that much sexual activity happen at hospitals? Seriously, why don't we all just concentrate on saving lives? Just an idea.... 3). Granted, I am only a PhD, not an MD... but my initial guess is that it's never a good idea to sleep with your boss. Just sayin....
In any case, it got me thinking- after my two current sewing projects are over (baby quilt for a coworker and for Margot and Mike's baby) I am starting a quilt for mine and Dave's bed. It is ridiculous the amount of fabric I have. Seriously... I have cut two baby quilts 100 blocks each (each block is 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches) and I didn't even come close to making a dent in my stash. Clearly, I have a problem.
Julia and Jen came to town for the baby shower... so it was nice seeing them. I even managed to sneak out for dinner with Julia, Lauren, and April (at Ray's Steel City). I had the Black and Blue Rothlesburger (which except for it's unfortunate name being associated with an accused rapist), is quite delicious.
Also, Friday night- the camera came! My camera came!! It is pretty much off the chain. I love it so far. I played with it a little bit this weekend. I brought it with me to work today- so that I can run by Rickards High and shoot a track meet going down after work. Its way more camera than I probably deserve. Not a professional camera, but just about the closest thing one could get to a pro camera without spending multiple thousands of dollars. I even have multiple lenses and some filters!! Whoot! Next up: hunting the perfect camera bag!! Whoot!!!
Voice on the phone: Jessi? It's Jen (from Nico's daycare).
Me (alarmed): Hey. Is everything okay? (his daycare is in Alumni Village which is in a sketchy part of town. Not like crack dealers and hookers getting shot in the playground sketchy, just poor people (black and white) loitering about sketchy-like. Also, usually when they kick Nico out because he is sick, I am pretty surprised by this... so I assume that there was a shooting or a bomb threat or something. Makes the news that Nico had diarhea three times before noon seem less urgent...)
Jen: Yeah- everything is okay. Nico's sick.
Me: Do you need me to come get him?
Jen: Yeah, he has a fever/just threw up all over himself/has had 8479343 diarheal diapers this morning.
Me: Yes! I love sick days!! AKA, staying home from work days!!
So this is the conversation that is likely going down later today. Why? Bcause Nico is sick. I think. Coughing and runny nose. I am probably a bad mom for sending him to school today... but I asked his doctor what I could do about the runny nose and the cough situation. He was like, "Dude, he goes to daycare. The only thing you could do is stay at home with him. Oh, and the best part? Little homey passed that mess to me. So where I was thinking about taking a sick day or two this week (I call them mental health days) it looks like I might actually need to take sick days (sadface). We'll see. I might be able to walk it off. But, I got this wicked headache, plus a runny nose and a sore throat. So we will see.
I went to Baby Poppy Hite's baby shower this weekend. I dont think I mentioned it, but I had been working on a simple patchwork quilt for the baby (they dont know the gender yet). Lauren is due in March- and I have been trying to be better about getting baby gifts to people before the baby goes off to college. The quilt turned out nice. The corners aren't all exactly on point, which is a shame (its also really hard to do). I also did this thing where I ran a seam 1/4 inch around the inside of a couple of blocks- all random like. Its pretty cool. I am not going to lie- I think its awesome. Will try to post pictures tonight. Even better, is that I put Grey's Anatomy on Netflix in the background while I worked, so I got through the first season (and part of the second during most of the sewing process). While I am starting to understand the appeal to Grey's, I do have to say this: 1). That the show grossly over estimates the proprotion of extremely good looking medical professionals there are. 2). Does that much sexual activity happen at hospitals? Seriously, why don't we all just concentrate on saving lives? Just an idea.... 3). Granted, I am only a PhD, not an MD... but my initial guess is that it's never a good idea to sleep with your boss. Just sayin....
In any case, it got me thinking- after my two current sewing projects are over (baby quilt for a coworker and for Margot and Mike's baby) I am starting a quilt for mine and Dave's bed. It is ridiculous the amount of fabric I have. Seriously... I have cut two baby quilts 100 blocks each (each block is 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches) and I didn't even come close to making a dent in my stash. Clearly, I have a problem.
Julia and Jen came to town for the baby shower... so it was nice seeing them. I even managed to sneak out for dinner with Julia, Lauren, and April (at Ray's Steel City). I had the Black and Blue Rothlesburger (which except for it's unfortunate name being associated with an accused rapist), is quite delicious.
Also, Friday night- the camera came! My camera came!! It is pretty much off the chain. I love it so far. I played with it a little bit this weekend. I brought it with me to work today- so that I can run by Rickards High and shoot a track meet going down after work. Its way more camera than I probably deserve. Not a professional camera, but just about the closest thing one could get to a pro camera without spending multiple thousands of dollars. I even have multiple lenses and some filters!! Whoot! Next up: hunting the perfect camera bag!! Whoot!!!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Boy likes him some strawberries.
Quick post today. Nico is cute.
He is eating strawberries faster than I can cut the tops off them.
The end.
He is eating strawberries faster than I can cut the tops off them.
The end.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Picture it: Tallahassee 2011....
The Weekend- is never long enough. Seriously.
I went to campus on Saturday morning to do some analyses and work on some data. Ike and I have a poster at PAA in D.C. at the end of next month? Yikes, it seems really close when one puts it that way. I didnt get to get to all the stuff I wanted to on account of the fact that Nico wouldn't take a nap for Dave. I get home and start to work my magic, but the boy doesn't get to sleep till nearly 3pm. For real, he is usually awake from nap by 230 pm. Off the chain!
We went over to Mike and Margot Bender's house for dinner. They are pretty much a couple living our life in an alternate plain- he is in the press corps, she is working on a PhD at FSU (in communications). They have been married maybe a couple of years, but lived together for several before making it official. They are currently pregnant (with a girl). Good people. Nico was pretty okay- got into EVERYTHING. But was overall pretty well behaved. Since Nico doesn't often have blowouts, I have gotten OUT of the habit of carrying a change of clothes for him everywhere. Well, he was in a cloth diaper, and managed to soak through to his pants, so he spent most of the evening in just a shirt and a diaper. Seriously, how redneck is that?
We also started BBUSC this week. Sundays are basically just pickup sessions. We had a pretty good turnout. We are in the process of putting together a tournament team for a Tallahassee tournament in March, which means that I don't really get much of a break from the highschool and club seasons. But, it is what it is, I guess. So after soccer on Sunday, we rode back into town, grabbed some noms for the ball game and settled in to watch commercials. I really could have cared less for the actual outcome of the game. I know that I should cheer for the Steelers because Uncle Rock has been a lifelong fan. But, I am ideologically opposed to rapists, so I was left to cheer for the Packers.
In other news, I bought a camera this weekend.
So that is that. I ordered the camera from Amazon the other day. In one sense, I am pretty excited. I can finally get Ma Bishop off my back :) Now, all I have to do to win Daughter of the Year is to take Dave and Nico on the Amazing Race and WIN (while beating Cheerleaders). Take that, Nicole!!
I went to campus on Saturday morning to do some analyses and work on some data. Ike and I have a poster at PAA in D.C. at the end of next month? Yikes, it seems really close when one puts it that way. I didnt get to get to all the stuff I wanted to on account of the fact that Nico wouldn't take a nap for Dave. I get home and start to work my magic, but the boy doesn't get to sleep till nearly 3pm. For real, he is usually awake from nap by 230 pm. Off the chain!
We went over to Mike and Margot Bender's house for dinner. They are pretty much a couple living our life in an alternate plain- he is in the press corps, she is working on a PhD at FSU (in communications). They have been married maybe a couple of years, but lived together for several before making it official. They are currently pregnant (with a girl). Good people. Nico was pretty okay- got into EVERYTHING. But was overall pretty well behaved. Since Nico doesn't often have blowouts, I have gotten OUT of the habit of carrying a change of clothes for him everywhere. Well, he was in a cloth diaper, and managed to soak through to his pants, so he spent most of the evening in just a shirt and a diaper. Seriously, how redneck is that?
We also started BBUSC this week. Sundays are basically just pickup sessions. We had a pretty good turnout. We are in the process of putting together a tournament team for a Tallahassee tournament in March, which means that I don't really get much of a break from the highschool and club seasons. But, it is what it is, I guess. So after soccer on Sunday, we rode back into town, grabbed some noms for the ball game and settled in to watch commercials. I really could have cared less for the actual outcome of the game. I know that I should cheer for the Steelers because Uncle Rock has been a lifelong fan. But, I am ideologically opposed to rapists, so I was left to cheer for the Packers.
In other news, I bought a camera this weekend.
So that is that. I ordered the camera from Amazon the other day. In one sense, I am pretty excited. I can finally get Ma Bishop off my back :) Now, all I have to do to win Daughter of the Year is to take Dave and Nico on the Amazing Race and WIN (while beating Cheerleaders). Take that, Nicole!!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Life after the season...
Not much going on around here. Trying to adjust to life post soccer season. You would think that with all this "time" on my hands that the house would be clean all the time. Yeah... not so much. I have three baby quilts in the works right now. I started a wonky log cabin for my work friend. I had plans to do WLC for Baby Hite and Baby Girl Bender- but then I realized that they take so LONG. Really they do. It takes forever and a day just to make the blocks... then you have to put them together and yada yada yada. I mean, I havent even finished the wonky log cabin that I started for Nico last summer (keep your shirt on, I just have to finish the binding). Plus, I want to use up some of my scraps- and its hard to do with WLC because the pieces that you use are are smaller.
I could never intellectually understand how my mother could amass such a huge stash. Literally, my brother's closet in the house we grew up in was full of her fabric. Just fabric. Last summer she gifted me a bunch of it- so I started off with a pretty sizable base. But since I will admit it: I have serious problem with fabric- its just so pretty now. So many cool designs. So consequently, I have yards and yards and yards of beautiful fabric with without enough time in the day to make all the projects I want to make. Sadface.
In any case, I was putting Nico to bed over the weekend and had the patchwork quilt I made while I was pregnant with him wrapped around him. Its one of my favorite baby items- because it has squares of fabric from other baby blankets I made, including for Emme and Savy. Plus it's really thin, so its very snuggly. So I decided to make Baby Hite and Baby Girl Bender patchwork quilts. Both have been cut and I have started piecing.
So that has been taking up most of my evenings. That and the fact that I am getting a new computer. When I came to my present job, I started working for the first time with a laptop docked in a docking station with a monitor (23 inches). When a coworker left I ganked her monitor, so I currently work with a docked laptop and TWO 23 inch monitors. Which is absolutely spacious. I feel like I ought to be gaming or something. Well, I have decided that I need to change up my rig at home. Ever since we moved into the new house, my desktop computer hasn't been hooked up to the interwebz (the connection isnt in the office). So henceforth, when I am "working" on data and school stuff, I typically need to use two computers (an old hand me down work computer of Dave's) and the desktop. I am also trying to minimalize the amount of stuff in my life, so there is no need for me to have two computers (neither of which does all the stuff I need it to do and one of them ISNT an ipad).
Since the price on laptops has come down so much, I decided it was time for a new computer. Given my spoiledness with having two monitors, I need also to have two monitors. One thing led to another, and that is what is going on. I am picking up my new station tonight from Best Buy. WHOOOO HOOOOO.
Speaking of spoiled- have you ever been to Martha Stewart's blog? http://www.themarthablog.com/. Whenever I read it, I find myself simultaneously caught between being very jealous of her and wanting to slap her in the face. What can I say? Haters gonna hate.
I could never intellectually understand how my mother could amass such a huge stash. Literally, my brother's closet in the house we grew up in was full of her fabric. Just fabric. Last summer she gifted me a bunch of it- so I started off with a pretty sizable base. But since I will admit it: I have serious problem with fabric- its just so pretty now. So many cool designs. So consequently, I have yards and yards and yards of beautiful fabric with without enough time in the day to make all the projects I want to make. Sadface.
In any case, I was putting Nico to bed over the weekend and had the patchwork quilt I made while I was pregnant with him wrapped around him. Its one of my favorite baby items- because it has squares of fabric from other baby blankets I made, including for Emme and Savy. Plus it's really thin, so its very snuggly. So I decided to make Baby Hite and Baby Girl Bender patchwork quilts. Both have been cut and I have started piecing.
So that has been taking up most of my evenings. That and the fact that I am getting a new computer. When I came to my present job, I started working for the first time with a laptop docked in a docking station with a monitor (23 inches). When a coworker left I ganked her monitor, so I currently work with a docked laptop and TWO 23 inch monitors. Which is absolutely spacious. I feel like I ought to be gaming or something. Well, I have decided that I need to change up my rig at home. Ever since we moved into the new house, my desktop computer hasn't been hooked up to the interwebz (the connection isnt in the office). So henceforth, when I am "working" on data and school stuff, I typically need to use two computers (an old hand me down work computer of Dave's) and the desktop. I am also trying to minimalize the amount of stuff in my life, so there is no need for me to have two computers (neither of which does all the stuff I need it to do and one of them ISNT an ipad).
Since the price on laptops has come down so much, I decided it was time for a new computer. Given my spoiledness with having two monitors, I need also to have two monitors. One thing led to another, and that is what is going on. I am picking up my new station tonight from Best Buy. WHOOOO HOOOOO.
Speaking of spoiled- have you ever been to Martha Stewart's blog? http://www.themarthablog.com/. Whenever I read it, I find myself simultaneously caught between being very jealous of her and wanting to slap her in the face. What can I say? Haters gonna hate.
Not much new on the Nico front, except that he is saying Thank you now. Unprompted. Anytime you hand him something, "Thank you." At first I didnt know what he was saying (it sounds like "tissue"). But I figured it out- and its adorable. I am trying to expand his food selection beyond just blueberries. He seems to like carambolas (starfruit), kiwis, apricots. Wont touch cantelope (cant say I blame him). But does like honeydew and grapes (who doesn't?) He will also eat a whole bag of craisins, if you let him. Not real big on meat that isn't chicken nuggets/fingers. Doesnt like eggs or spaghetti. Will sometimes eat peanut butter. Has no problem helping himself to a package of tortillas. Am wondering what in the hell it is that he eats at daycare- since all of his little daily notes say he eats most or all of lunch.
When I was getting him out of the car yesterday he said, "Something something something, pee." And pointed. He seems to be somewhat interested in what goes on in the bathroom- that its not just "Getting into the vanity and tearing toliet paper off the roll time." I know that 18 months is probably too early to be talking about potty training (especially with boys). But maybe this is a sign that I wont be dealing with a 3 year old in pullups (which I am fundamentally opposed to- but will deal with if I have to).
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