Meteorological Math: 3 + 4 = 12

Thanks once again for our fine local meteorological experts for their spot on snow forecast guestimate.  Yesterday was quite an interesting winter “event” as someone on Channel 10 put it.  I guess it couldn’t be a winter “storm” since there were at least two breaks in the storm and something about two different low pressure systems, but to me it was a winter storm.

I went to sleep Saturday evening being told “a dusting” by 6am, with 1-3 inches after that, to be done around 10ish.   Woke up Sunday morning to 4+ inches.  Cleared the sidewalk and the driveway around noon before Sally’s folks arrived for Sunday dinner.  I did not clear the front steps knowing there was no mail delivery on Sunday or today (MLK Holiday).  (Our mailman will NOT deliver mail if there is snow on the steps.)  After Sally and I pulled the ornaments, lights, and garland from the Christmas tree…now quit looking so shocked.  We were out of town for a week.  Besides, my rule has always been it has to come down before MLK day.  Mission accomplished.  Anyway, we dragged the tree down the front steps compressing the 6 inches or so of snow. 

Shortly after our dinner guests left Sally looked out the window and what’s going on?  It’s snowing again.  The local Pinpoint Doppler Viper or whatever this week’s latest meteorological Ouija board technology is, says another 2-4 inches to be done by the morning commute (7am in their words).  Well, they got the done by 7am part right.  The 2-4 turned into another 6 at least.  My front steps with the 6 inches compacted to about 4, had 12 inches on them this morning.  Thus 3 + 4 = 12  (If you need an explanation, that would be dusting = zero, 1-3 Sunday morning, and 2-4 Sunday evening.  Taking the higher guestimate from each I get the 3 + 4.  The 12 is from the measurement on the front steps.   Yes, I could add the 2 inches compacted, but I’ll give that as a handicap for working in small market Providence. 

Spot on I’d say???

Home Brew Date Night

We had a very nice evening Saturday night with our friends Tom and Michele.  It was good to see them both as we missed Michele at Big Chill IV.  After brewing we had a nice dinner (casual) which is just what we like.  Una was her usual cute self.  I think Michele will forever be known to us as "the black girl" as when she left the room Una muttered, "where's the black girl?"  Tom and I were puzzled, but Michele knew exactly what she was referring to as she looked at her black sweater.  :-)   It was a fun evening and we look forward to doing it again soon.

Update:  The Saturday mentioned above was actually Jan 3rd.  I was delinquent in finishing this post.

The brew was a California "Steam" beer.  Much like Anchor Steam, I'm hoping.  

The brew is now ready for racking to the secondary carboy which I hope to accomplish this weekend.  Bottling should take place next week.  

Christmas 2008

Well, Christmas has come and gone, and it was a wonderful Christmas.  We enjoyed Christmas Eve in Westport with Nana and Gramps.  We started off with a trip to church with Una in her Christmas outfit.  Here's a little slideshow of her getting ready and us heading out.  

The church was stifling hot, but we survived.  Back to Nana and Gramps for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner.  Nana did a wonderful job with dinner.  It was fantastic.   Una was excellent, but not to sure what to make of the Elmo doll Nana gave her.  She may get use to it.  We'll see.  Back to Pawtucket later that evening to ensure Santa's arrival was coordinated.  

This is a little teaser.  The Christmas Day post is to be continue.  To the left is Una first thing Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas, Jenn and Ashley

Each year I get excited about setting up the tree.  Sally and I have some wonderful ornaments we've gathered over our few years together.  Hanging them brings out some great memories of the wonderful times we had gathering them, and the great places we've been fortunate to visit.  This year is even more special as Una is old enough to appreciate what is happening.  She's excited about Santa, and enjoyed seeing the different ornaments as we pulled them out of the storage boxes.  Since she's told not to touch the tree, she's so cute in leaning in to smell it.  

Decorating the tree also makes me nostalgic in another way, and thus, somewhat saddened.  While I think of my two older girls (Jenn and Ashley) often, the pulling out of an ornament and glancing to see "Baby's 1st Christmas - 1981" or "First Christmas - 1983" really sends me down memory lane.  Good memories, each and every one.  No matter how hard I try, there is no stopping the choked up feeling I get.  Those memories make you think more intensely of the ones you miss and love.  And, not having them with you to relive the experience all over again...well...sucks.  We live in such a disbursed world it's so hard to be with everyone every year.  Texas, Ohio, California, Colorado, Pennsylvania.  Luckily, we do have the memories.

I've created this little slideshow of some special ornaments on the tree this year.  We have plenty more, but they are the ones that remind me of Jenn and Ashley.  I've inluded ones we have for Una so that Jenn and Ashley could see those, too.  

It's just my way of dealing, I think.

Merry Christmas

Mmmmm...fresh snow

Mmmmm...fresh snow
Originally uploaded by The Three Bucketeers

I'm just testing the posting of a photo from Flickr to our blog.

This is a cute picture of Una when we had our first snow (12/7) of the year. She really enjoyed it. She's giggling here because she was eating the snow and Sally was telling her how she likes to eat snow, too.

Una's Womb Diary

While doing a little electronic housecleaning I stumbled upon this.  A bit corny, I know, but I'm glad I found it.  Despite letting the Babiesonline.com account expire, they had a recovery process to restore old posts.  I guess this was my way of blogging 2-1/2 years ago.  

Enjoy...John (aka Una's ghostwriter)

I Have A Heartbeat! - Thursday, March 02, 2006

I was naked as a jaybird and a wonderful ultrasound technician showed me off to Mom and Dad. They got to see my heart beat at about 170 beats per minute. Mom and Dad cried. I got my first line on the height chart. I'm 2.4cm tall. Oh, yeah, I'm 9w0d today.

2nd Doctor Visit - Thursday, March 16, 2006

Mom and Dad went to the doctor's again today. The doctor asked a few questions then poked and prodded a bit. Something about wanting to hear my heartbeat. The doc found it immediately with a thing called a doppler. The doctor was happy that my heart was beating strongly and at the right pace for my young age. Mom and Dad were quite relieved to hear it. I overheard them say they'd be back in two weeks to listen again. I'll be bigger and stronger then. Oh, yeah, it was my birthday today. I was 11w0d.

Mom was so happy to hear my heart beating that she and Dad treated themselves to a shopping spree. Mom bought lots of new clothes for when I make her present ones a bit to tight. :-)

Doctor Appointment - Thursday, March 30, 2006

We went to the doctor's office again today. Seemed like a different place, but I overheard Mom & Dad mentioning that our doctor has multiple offices. Someone poked me a bit and I squiggled away, but I could tell by Mom and Dad's reaction that they heard my heart beating again. 150-160 beats per minute the doc said to Dad. Right on course. I'm 13w0d today and the doc said I've moved into the second trimester -- whatever that is.

Today's my eldest half-sister birthday. Happy Birthday, Jenn. You, too, Ashley. Dad mentioned yours was on Monday. I can't wait to meet you both.

Vacation - Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Well, I went on my first vacation this weekend. Mom & Dad had a relaxing time on Nantucket. Something about a Daffodil Festival. A nice weekend, but boy that ferry ride back home was a rocky one. Good thing I'm floating around in this sac. I've been wiggling around a bit so Mom can feel me. She tells Dad they are "pinchies". I'm not strong enough yet to let Dad feel, but he did push a bit on Mom's bellie. I wiggled away and Mom felt me doing so and relayed it to Dad. They sure get excited to feel me move around.

Ultrasound Showed It's A Girl!!!!! - Friday, May 05, 2006

Well, well, well...my secret's out. I'M A GIRL!!!

So, Mom & Dad took me to the doctor's again. This very nice woman rubbed this jelly all over Mom's belly (which I'm making stick out). She then took this device, pushed down on Mom's belly and took pictures and measurements of me. As she pushed, I moved. I'm not a big fan of having my peaceful womb disturbed. I waved to Mom and Dad, crossed my legs, even let them see I was a girl.

Mom and Dad got to take a few pictures with them. I think Dad posted them here. Pretty cool spine of mine (a poet in the making?), huh?

My heart's beating about 140 beats per minute. I have a couple of nice kidneys, all four chambers of my heart, good looking heart valves, too. I have lots of room to roll around in here. That will change I hear as I grow even bigger.

I've been letting Mom know I'm here a few times a day. Nothing too noticeable, but something just the same. I'll give her more notice as I get bigger.

Happy Cinco de Mayo.

Letting them know I'm here - Thursday, June 08, 2006

I entered my 23rd week today. Mom and Dad always get a kick out of the weekly milestones. I've been letting Mom know I'm doing fine with a kick here and there. She's even had Dad try to feel, but I'm just not strong enough yet to kick that hard. Patience, Dad. :-)

Dad felt me move - Tuesday, June 20, 2006

I had a quiet day today as Mom and Nana strolled the beach. Figured I'd keep quiet for the day. Of course, I let Mom know I was doing okay with a few stretches and kicks around dinner time. Dad tried to feel my kicks, but I like to tease him and went quiet. Mom went to bed and I decided it was time to let Dad in on Mom and my secret. I was kicking away and Mom grabbed Dad's hand and put it on her growing belly. One good kick and Dad was a bundle of smiles. Mom, too. I continued for just a bit and Dad felt another one. Mom and Dad seem happy. I guess they are just glad to know I'm doing okay. I like it in here, but it is definitely getting more crowded as I grow. I'm looking forward to October, as I know Mom and Dad are.

Dad stressing? - Monday, July 24, 2006

Dad took a peek today at the pregnancy calendar and realized there were only 73 more days until I'm due. I think he's starting to stress. He told Mom he has lots of work to do in my room. Wallpaper, paint, light fixture. I don't think I'll really be to worried about that stuff for awhile. I sure hope Mom picks a nice decor for me. I'm quite certain she will.

Chill Dad. :-)

49 Days!!!! - Thursday, August 17, 2006

I'm due to bust out of here in 49 days. I'm really looking forward to seeing the rest of the world. It's becoming a tight squeeze in here. I think Mom will be happy to hold me on the outside, too.

Mom and Dad are really starting to get excited. They seem worried, however, whether they'll have everything ready. Mom & Dad are picking up my stroller today. They ordered a really comfy glider. Mom tried out many. I think Mom and I will spend lots of time in that chair. Dad asked this morning if he too could enjoy some quality time with me in it.

Well, I'll check in again in a few weeks. I heard they were going to take more pictures of me at the week 36 ultrasound.

Gee, this is tough - Saturday, September 30, 2006

Only five more days until my scheduled arrival. I'm working hard and growing. I've been giving Mom a hard time as I'm trying get myself in position to join the world. It's a little cramped in here. Can't wait to breathe some fresh air (do that have that in RI?)

Dad's talked to me about how nice my nursery looks. He says Mom did a GREAT job in decorating. I'm looking forward to seeing/hearing all the wonderful things there.

Hopefully my next note will be to tell you I made my grand entrance.

I Was Born! - Monday, October 02, 2006

I busted out early. WooHoo!!! I ruptured Mom's membranes at 6:45pm on October 1st. Oh my gosh, my safe little womb started contracting like crazy. Mom called the nice doctor who said to get home, get your bag, and get to the hospital as he was there. Dad drove with both hands on the wheel (quite unusual for him I've heard). Arrived safely at the hospital at 8pm and I was born at 2:41am on October 2nd.

I don't know what this means, but they told me I scored a 9-9. Mom and Dad are sure happy!!!

Who Knew - I do windows

Well, I am in IT, but not that kind of windows.  I'm talking about real windows.  You know, the kind you should be able to see out clearly.  Key word there, clearly.  

Let me explain.  Sally and I bought our house a little over five years ago.  There were three things Sally really didn't like about the house:  

1. The wall-to-wall carpet
   
2. The draperies in the living room
3. The draperies in the bedroom

Well, we took care of #1 immediately after the closing.  Started in the living room, then the dining room, took a look upstairs and with Sally's best "can we?" look we pulled them up from upstairs and the stairwell.  I guess that's what happens when you have beautiful hardwood floors under the old dingy carpet.  Anyway, check-off #1

Sally has looked for the last five years for just the right drapes for the living room.  We've gone through two, maybe three sets in the dining room, but she never found anything just right in the living room.  Cleaning the drapes, as well as the shears, didn't help.  Well, Thursday Sally found just the right drapes.  Yesterday, she, Una  and Nana set out for shears and rods.  In the infamous words of GW "Mission Accomplished".  

So, this morning was 'let's install the drapes' morning.  Down come the old drapes, shears, and hardware (in these tough economic times we were thrilled to find out that our old hardware would work just fine ($140 savings)).  Now with the drapes and shears down what should appear?  Those crystal clear windows, right?  Well, drop the two adjectives and you'd be correct.  

So, while Sally pressed all the drape panels, as well as the shears, and then hemmed the shears with her bright and shiny new sewing machine, I tackled the windows, inside and out.  I picked one of the coldest days of the year to open windows for cleaning, but eh, what the heck, I got it done.  

We've now got new drapes and shears in the living room, and crystal clear windows, too.  Check-off #2 on the list.

Gotta run.  Off to see Arlo Guthrie at the Ziterion Theatre in New Bedford.

P.S.  Do you do windows?