Last Saturday, as our vacation was nearing its end, we went to visit my sister's family in Clarks Summit, PA. The weather was nice (clear & dry with light snowfall) albeit somewhat "brisk" compared to south Florida (windy with temperatures in the single digits & low- to mid-teens). I enjoyed our time there; I haven't been sledding in a few years and they have a nice little hill in their backyard (actually, theire entire backyard is a hill). The biggest unexpected highlight was learning to snowboard! I must say -- it's just as fun as it looks. I took a few minor falls, but sustained no serious injuries -- since I broke the 30 mile-marker several years ago, I've come to expect a few overstretched or pulled muscles every once in awhile.
Prior to Saturday, my vacation "exercise regimen" (excluding eating) subsisted mainly of sitting on the couch reading (or while waiting for my email to load on the wonderful dial-up internet connection), with occasional forays into pushing the kids on the swings, pushing (and riding) the merry-go-round, fetching wood & building fires (only in the fireplace), and brushing snow from the car before driving. The sitting and reading portion was approximately 75% of my vacation -- which I enjoyed immensely. Haven't done that in about a year -- since my Pastor got so ill.
After sledding and snowboarding at my sister's house for several hours, I "loosened up the gunk" in my lungs quite well, and started coughing a great deal. Since my sporadic coughing (every 10 - 30 seconds) was driving everyone (myself included) up the wall, I finally consented to going to a local clinic, where my "simple" cough was diagnosed as a highly probable case of "walking pneumonia" -- over $200 in fees and medicine, yet I still don't know for certain what ails me. Whatever it is, the rattling sounds of fluid are primarily in the bottom of my right lung. Based on my current condition and symptoms, it's likely I've contracted mild cases of pneumonia several times in the past. For some reason, the prescribed antibiotic and cough inhibitor have yet to work as well as the Mucinex DM did. I'm going to try supplementing them with it while working tomorrow (Wednesday). [Edit: It did help.]
When we arrived home, was quite disappointed to discover the lack of work completed on our current remodeling project. Prior to our departure for vacation, I worked several long days and late nights (knocking off between 9.30 & 10.30 pm) to be sure everything could continue unimpeded in my absence. I cleaned up all the work areas, put away every unneeded tool, insulated ceilings, ran wiring, and myriad other little things that anyone could do (yet I knew no one else would have the patience to do) then returned to find: only 2 good days of work were completed. During those 2 good days of work (that took one day less than 2 full weeks to accomplish) no trash was removed from the job-site, no needed materials were purchased, and the building supervisor is still refusing to talk to any workers beside me. I'm not sure what his problem was (is), and don't think I'll be asking -- for fear of losing my temper at his continued petty childishness -- perhaps I shouldn't expect so much of a supposed "mature" Believer. So after unpacking, catching up on some overdue web work, and eating lunch, I put in 4 hours of work this afternoon (Tuesday). I'd planned on mowing, buying cow feed, returning some unnecessary work supplies, and buying more, but it started pouring about 3.30pm, so I quit early.
My wife had a board meeting this evening for the local twins' club. Since I'm the webmaster, we're technically both on the board, but I don't go to the meetings: conversations frequently dwell on topics undesirable to me (the other members are all moms). Usually, the Varmints 3 and I have a good time rough-housing in the living room when Mommy is gone, and tonight was no exception. Around 8.30pm, after a dessert of Jello and a book-reading session (to calm them down) I finally put the 2 youngest varmints to bed, then lasted all of about 30 seconds on the couch before succumbing to a much needed nap. I'm not sure when Little Bear crashed on the rug, but I do vaguely remember him trying to cover my feet with the blanket before taking it to sleep on top of. We were still there at 10-something when my wife came home (she carried him to bed before struggling to wake me). Of course, I did forget the exertion of wrestling would cause me to cough more, so now I can't sleep. While "the gunk" settles, I decided updating the blog would be a good way to keep from disturbing anyone else's rest.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Don't forget your smile
If nothing unexpected comes up, at this time next Monday we'll be in a plane headed homeward. Our first week of vacation was enjoyable. I have coughed quite a bit more than normal, but as long as I keep taking the 12-hour Mucinex every 10 hours I've been fine. (As far back as I can remember I've needed to take stronger doses of medicine than "normal" people -- and usually for longer periods of time than others. When my 4 wisdom teeth were pulled, they told me the dose of anesthesia I took should have put someone twice my weight out.)
This morning I donned my favorite winter-time t-shirt: it's a large yellow smiley face wearing a Santa hat. It works rather well at home in south Florida as well as indoors here in Pennsylvania. On the occasions I've gone outside here, I make sure to bring along an extra flannel shirt and hooded, lined, wind-breaker.
Before breakfast my wife informed me she wanted to go shopping at the shops at "The Promenade." I offered to go with her to "Help watch the kids," which is code for, "Please don't leave me home -- alone -- with the Varmints 3 -- again -- for several hours -- on my vacation!!" She doesn't know the code, yet; I expect it won't be long before she deciphers it.
I'm not exactly certain what attraction "The Promenade" has here in PA. I can understand a bunch of shops grouped together, all with exterior exits (and no interior connecting hallways) in south Florida (if the sidewalks have awnings or some other type of rain protection). I understand it in Florida because it's warm there. We only get a few weeks of weather cold enough to warrant breaking out my flannel shirts. However, here in PA it gets cold -- and very windy -- and sometimes there are large patches of snow and ice to traverse when walking and driving outside. Perhaps outdoor shops are a novelty?
Whatever the attraction, we went. It was cold -- and windy -- and although there was no ice on the ground, little white flakes of snow were whipping past us. After a quick walk-through of L.L. Bean (the Varmints 3 enjoyed peering into the fish tank, Daddy liked browsing through the various multi-tools, and Mommy just wanted to be able to say she'd "Been there"), we decided to go down to Barnes & Noble. The wind was chilly, so we didn't dawdle.
The Varmints 3 weren't impressed with Barnes & Noble. They did enjoy digging under the clearance table in the bins of stuffed Halloween toys -- for all of 30 seconds. Then they admired the various tractor calendars -- that lasted less time than digging in the bins. Then we discovered the Children's section. It had a Thomas the Train table set up (and track glued down) to amuse the little people. I quickly went to the clearance tables, and after a bit, picked 3 books. (I was rather pleased that my 3 books retailed over $75, but only cost me $10.) I went back to "supervise" the train table with the Varmints 3 -- and had a good time with the turntable, roundhouse, and miscellaneous rolling stock they had put out for the children. The other small kids were surprised to see a Daddy on the floor playing with trains, so I got a few free hugs before my wife finished and we left.
Our fun had not yet begun. On the way back my wife and I convinced her Mom, that since we were already out, they should stop for groceries, while I took the kids, went down the road to the gas station, and filled the tank. This car automatically locks all the doors when it's put in drive, or park, or switched into reverse. I've never seen a car lock itself up so often. Before leaving the grocery store I took the ignition key off of the ring (so they could swipe the little discount tag at the checkout). Upon getting out at the gas station, I had the presence of mind to grab my windbreaker (the wind was briskly driving the snowflakes across the top of the hill) and the car key, but didn't think to grab my flannel shirt -- or check to be sure the doors were unlocked before closing my door. I did however, check it AFTER I closed it: the doors were not unlocked. Even better, the ignition key doesn't open any locks (a supposed "safety" feature). Best of all, neither "Nana" nor "Pop pop" have ever used the electronic keypad to unlock the doors -- they don't even know if it works! (In my mind, that just did not compute; why would you purchase a car and not ask if everything on it worked?) While pumping the gas, I calmly called my wife -- so as not to cause a panic in the backseat.
The guy in the store liked my Smiley t-shirt with the Christmas hat. He even laughed when I told him it was a "Little colder here than it is at home in Florida." When I got back to the car, Little Bear was very unhappy when I didn't immediately open the door and get in the car. It didn't help to play "peek-a-boo" either -- he freaked out and tears were flowing immediately. Neither Tank nor Sugee Boogee cried though. They matter-of-factly attempted to unhook their car-seat belts. Little Bear was so hysterical his attempts to help them were only a hindrance.
After 20 minutes of coaxing and talking to them through the windows, Tank was disturbed that he still couldn't unhook his belt or get out of his coat -- he REALLY wanted to unlock the door for me -- he wanted to be first. Sugee Boogee was 3/4 of the way out of her car-seat and could reach the lock, but lacked the strength, knowledge, or concern of the boys. Content in her own little world, she calmly played with her seat, sang songs, and waved at me. Little Bear, still bawling uncontrollably, finally wriggled himself up out of the middle seat belt. He unlocked the door as my wife called for the last time (I lost track of the number of calls that went back and forth).
A good Samaritan at the grocery store overheard a phone conversation and offered to bring her (and the rest of the keyring) up to the gas station to let us into the car. She thanked the nice lady as she got out of her car, and waited at the store for our return. It's a good thing she called that last time, I wouldn't have been there when they arrived.
This evening after dinner, Little Bear looked at my t-shirt and said, "I think you are a Smiley man because of your smiley shirt." I tried to explain that we shouldn't forget our smile when scary things happen, because Jesus is watching over us, but he was more interested in hiding under the bed, and not missing his turn in the bathtub. It was an eventful day -- but I just realized, I forgot to ask if they even needed to swipe the little discount tag at the grocery store.
This morning I donned my favorite winter-time t-shirt: it's a large yellow smiley face wearing a Santa hat. It works rather well at home in south Florida as well as indoors here in Pennsylvania. On the occasions I've gone outside here, I make sure to bring along an extra flannel shirt and hooded, lined, wind-breaker.
Before breakfast my wife informed me she wanted to go shopping at the shops at "The Promenade." I offered to go with her to "Help watch the kids," which is code for, "Please don't leave me home -- alone -- with the Varmints 3 -- again -- for several hours -- on my vacation!!" She doesn't know the code, yet; I expect it won't be long before she deciphers it.
I'm not exactly certain what attraction "The Promenade" has here in PA. I can understand a bunch of shops grouped together, all with exterior exits (and no interior connecting hallways) in south Florida (if the sidewalks have awnings or some other type of rain protection). I understand it in Florida because it's warm there. We only get a few weeks of weather cold enough to warrant breaking out my flannel shirts. However, here in PA it gets cold -- and very windy -- and sometimes there are large patches of snow and ice to traverse when walking and driving outside. Perhaps outdoor shops are a novelty?
Whatever the attraction, we went. It was cold -- and windy -- and although there was no ice on the ground, little white flakes of snow were whipping past us. After a quick walk-through of L.L. Bean (the Varmints 3 enjoyed peering into the fish tank, Daddy liked browsing through the various multi-tools, and Mommy just wanted to be able to say she'd "Been there"), we decided to go down to Barnes & Noble. The wind was chilly, so we didn't dawdle.
The Varmints 3 weren't impressed with Barnes & Noble. They did enjoy digging under the clearance table in the bins of stuffed Halloween toys -- for all of 30 seconds. Then they admired the various tractor calendars -- that lasted less time than digging in the bins. Then we discovered the Children's section. It had a Thomas the Train table set up (and track glued down) to amuse the little people. I quickly went to the clearance tables, and after a bit, picked 3 books. (I was rather pleased that my 3 books retailed over $75, but only cost me $10.) I went back to "supervise" the train table with the Varmints 3 -- and had a good time with the turntable, roundhouse, and miscellaneous rolling stock they had put out for the children. The other small kids were surprised to see a Daddy on the floor playing with trains, so I got a few free hugs before my wife finished and we left.
Our fun had not yet begun. On the way back my wife and I convinced her Mom, that since we were already out, they should stop for groceries, while I took the kids, went down the road to the gas station, and filled the tank. This car automatically locks all the doors when it's put in drive, or park, or switched into reverse. I've never seen a car lock itself up so often. Before leaving the grocery store I took the ignition key off of the ring (so they could swipe the little discount tag at the checkout). Upon getting out at the gas station, I had the presence of mind to grab my windbreaker (the wind was briskly driving the snowflakes across the top of the hill) and the car key, but didn't think to grab my flannel shirt -- or check to be sure the doors were unlocked before closing my door. I did however, check it AFTER I closed it: the doors were not unlocked. Even better, the ignition key doesn't open any locks (a supposed "safety" feature). Best of all, neither "Nana" nor "Pop pop" have ever used the electronic keypad to unlock the doors -- they don't even know if it works! (In my mind, that just did not compute; why would you purchase a car and not ask if everything on it worked?) While pumping the gas, I calmly called my wife -- so as not to cause a panic in the backseat.
The guy in the store liked my Smiley t-shirt with the Christmas hat. He even laughed when I told him it was a "Little colder here than it is at home in Florida." When I got back to the car, Little Bear was very unhappy when I didn't immediately open the door and get in the car. It didn't help to play "peek-a-boo" either -- he freaked out and tears were flowing immediately. Neither Tank nor Sugee Boogee cried though. They matter-of-factly attempted to unhook their car-seat belts. Little Bear was so hysterical his attempts to help them were only a hindrance.
After 20 minutes of coaxing and talking to them through the windows, Tank was disturbed that he still couldn't unhook his belt or get out of his coat -- he REALLY wanted to unlock the door for me -- he wanted to be first. Sugee Boogee was 3/4 of the way out of her car-seat and could reach the lock, but lacked the strength, knowledge, or concern of the boys. Content in her own little world, she calmly played with her seat, sang songs, and waved at me. Little Bear, still bawling uncontrollably, finally wriggled himself up out of the middle seat belt. He unlocked the door as my wife called for the last time (I lost track of the number of calls that went back and forth).
A good Samaritan at the grocery store overheard a phone conversation and offered to bring her (and the rest of the keyring) up to the gas station to let us into the car. She thanked the nice lady as she got out of her car, and waited at the store for our return. It's a good thing she called that last time, I wouldn't have been there when they arrived.
This evening after dinner, Little Bear looked at my t-shirt and said, "I think you are a Smiley man because of your smiley shirt." I tried to explain that we shouldn't forget our smile when scary things happen, because Jesus is watching over us, but he was more interested in hiding under the bed, and not missing his turn in the bathtub. It was an eventful day -- but I just realized, I forgot to ask if they even needed to swipe the little discount tag at the grocery store.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Vacationing in PA
We left Ft. Lauderdale "International" Airport 20 minutes late Wednesday afternoon, but with the tailwind still got into Allentown 2 minutes early! We had plenty of time to make it to the in-law's church (Bethel Baptist Church). It's been awhile since I've been up here, so many were surprised at my "fuzziness" (didn't start my beard until Feb 05).
When we arrived "at home," I found the in-laws have a brand-spanking new Dell desktop!! That was exciting, but the "no internet" part wasn't. Thursday we went to the library with high expectations -- DSL, 20 or 30 work-stations, peace & quiet -- lo and behold, everything I wanted to access was blocked!!! No Facebook, no Blogger, no Blogspot, nothing! I couldn't post, read, or comment about anything to anyone. Not so good, but I was thankful to be able to check my Yahoo, Hotmail, & GMail (yes, I have too many email accounts, but they all serve their purposes: organization and prioritization).
So today, we received a disk in the mail from JUNO... supposedly to connect to JUNO, but no such luck -- it was actually a Norton anti-virus disk. Yippee. PC-cillin is working just fine... especially since there is NO INTERNET with which to connect and get infected by any viruses! After multiple calls to the JUNO "helpline" (not much help, since it's located in India, Pakistan, or some other country in which most of the people speak a totally differnt dialect of English) to attempt to find a JUNO disk here locally, I realized my hopes to finally get to connect by lunchtime may have been realistic. How-some-ever, every place they told me to go was out of JUNO disks, or had never even heard of JUNO! They were perfectly willing to offer me a collection of disks to connect to NetZero, PeoplePC, Earthlink, or a plethora of other dial-up services, but since my in-law's current email address ends in @juno.com, those wouldn't be much help.
Finally, after 50+ miles of driving (in the rain) up and down 309 -- past numerous little towns I've never heard of (Hellerstown? who would want to live there??) and a few I have heard of (Doylestown, Quakertown, etc.) I finally found a BestBuy with a JUNO disk! So we now have an internet connection! (My withdrawal symptoms are gradually receding.) Of course, it is dial-up (that just thrills my soul), but it's better than nothing.
I checked my FB inbox first and responded to everything in it, now I'm off to empty the junk folders in my email accounts, check for "real" email, peruse a few blogs, and then (if my wife's movie is over, and IF the Varmints 3 are still not ripping each other limb from limb) I'll move over for someone else. (I like being the computer whiz: first dibs on the computer.) Hoping no one wants to call here tonight -- with 3 internet starved people in the house on dial-up, it's going to take awhile.
Hm. I've just been informed the movie has ended and (since "Pop Pop" is still working) it's my job to go light the fireplace. It seems we're going to introduce the Varmints 3 to one of my least favorite food tonight: hotdogs (at least they're roasted and not boiled). The best part is we'll also be enjoying one of my favorite foods: roasted marshmallows!
When we arrived "at home," I found the in-laws have a brand-spanking new Dell desktop!! That was exciting, but the "no internet" part wasn't. Thursday we went to the library with high expectations -- DSL, 20 or 30 work-stations, peace & quiet -- lo and behold, everything I wanted to access was blocked!!! No Facebook, no Blogger, no Blogspot, nothing! I couldn't post, read, or comment about anything to anyone. Not so good, but I was thankful to be able to check my Yahoo, Hotmail, & GMail (yes, I have too many email accounts, but they all serve their purposes: organization and prioritization).
So today, we received a disk in the mail from JUNO... supposedly to connect to JUNO, but no such luck -- it was actually a Norton anti-virus disk. Yippee. PC-cillin is working just fine... especially since there is NO INTERNET with which to connect and get infected by any viruses! After multiple calls to the JUNO "helpline" (not much help, since it's located in India, Pakistan, or some other country in which most of the people speak a totally differnt dialect of English) to attempt to find a JUNO disk here locally, I realized my hopes to finally get to connect by lunchtime may have been realistic. How-some-ever, every place they told me to go was out of JUNO disks, or had never even heard of JUNO! They were perfectly willing to offer me a collection of disks to connect to NetZero, PeoplePC, Earthlink, or a plethora of other dial-up services, but since my in-law's current email address ends in @juno.com, those wouldn't be much help.
Finally, after 50+ miles of driving (in the rain) up and down 309 -- past numerous little towns I've never heard of (Hellerstown? who would want to live there??) and a few I have heard of (Doylestown, Quakertown, etc.) I finally found a BestBuy with a JUNO disk! So we now have an internet connection! (My withdrawal symptoms are gradually receding.) Of course, it is dial-up (that just thrills my soul), but it's better than nothing.
I checked my FB inbox first and responded to everything in it, now I'm off to empty the junk folders in my email accounts, check for "real" email, peruse a few blogs, and then (if my wife's movie is over, and IF the Varmints 3 are still not ripping each other limb from limb) I'll move over for someone else. (I like being the computer whiz: first dibs on the computer.) Hoping no one wants to call here tonight -- with 3 internet starved people in the house on dial-up, it's going to take awhile.
Hm. I've just been informed the movie has ended and (since "Pop Pop" is still working) it's my job to go light the fireplace. It seems we're going to introduce the Varmints 3 to one of my least favorite food tonight: hotdogs (at least they're roasted and not boiled). The best part is we'll also be enjoying one of my favorite foods: roasted marshmallows!
Monday, January 07, 2008
the blog -- in remission
Wow...time sure flies when you're sick and miserable. I'm wondering at what point can a blog be "officially" considered to be "in remission?"
Did have a (somewhat) valid "excuse" for my hiatus: been feeling so wonderful since... hm... can't remember... right around Christmas I think it was. Started feeling just a little bit "draggy," then "under the weather," and have been in the "quite a bit crummy" stage since the 31st of last year. It's not been "death-warmed-over" bad yet (other than last Wednesday), but I just can't seem to get any better... or even drastically worse. Very annoying -- as I'm not a limbo kinda guy. I prefer wellness and being healthy, but would much rather be sick and blowing chunks for a few days than draggy for weeks on end. Going to try sleeping more at night, napping at lunch, and eating vitamin C and Zicam like candy; perhaps I'd better lay in a supply of Tums just-in-case.
Other than this lingering minor illness, I'm great. Have been working as quickly as possible to attempt to re-wire the new assistant pastor's house. Would like to finish before I leave so that they can move in by the end of the month. Of course, my neighbor, the project manager, wanted it finished the day after I started, but I've tried to explain that wires can't be run, and boxes can't be hung if he hasn't finished putting up the walls. He does get obnoxious and annoying sometimes, but working with him has been a great learning experience. I can now do a lot of the high-end fancy-dancy stuff I've seen on TV. Things like "stomp" a ceiling, put a "knockdown" or "splatter-dash" finish on walls (and ceilings), install archways made out of drywall, and install eye-catching profiles to enhance regular crown molding. I think later this Monday morning (after I get out of bed and start work) we're going to do a "tray" ceiling. What I really want to learn how to do are sunbursts -- hopefully, he won't start on those while I'm gone.
Think I mentioned vacation time this year will be spent in PA. All 5 of us will be flying from Ft Lauderdale, direct to Allentown on Wed, 9 Jan, and returning Mon, 21 Jan (technically there are 6 of us, but we haven't told the Varmints 3 they will become the "Varmints 4" next July). We're primarily going to visit my in-laws in Coopersburg, but my wife has friends all over that area. Come to think of it, thanks to college, so do I. Anyway, we'll hopefully be making the trip up to see my sister in Clarks Summit, and also heading west to meet Timberley. Supposedly, the weather will be "nice" for at least the first week we're up there... and a "PTL blessing" that would be: our children's wardrobes consist mostly of shorts, t-shirts and sandals, with a few long-sleeved shirts and bib-overalls thrown in for emergencies. I personally enjoy the comfort of bib-overalls, but will admit they're rather inconvenient for toddlers that have difficulty making it to the potty on time. After potty-inconvenience, my wife's biggest problem with them is the wonderful fashion statement -- she cringes when I reach the bottom of the "work-pants" drawer and the only thing left clean are my overalls. =)
Perhaps our greatest challenge of the up-coming week is the privilege of flying with 3 children, aged 4 3/4, 2 1/2, and 2 1/2. I'm hoping it will be less adventuresome than flying with 3 children aged 3½, 1, and 1. (As I get older, I've found I still enjoy being adventuresome, as long as it's the more convenient variety... where each individual is capable of self-reliance.) That last plane ride found my wife pulled aside for "further screening." I initially found this quite funny, until I realized that it would then fall to me to get 3 children, 2 car-seats, 1 double stroller, and our combined total of carry-on baggage, "blankies," and an assortment of "stuffed critters" through the security checkpoint single-handedly. On a score of 1-10, I rank a solid "2" in the super-mom category. As you can imagine, everyone with a view was thoroughly entertained -- and I'm still wary of TSA agents.
I suppose I can now go to bed (so much for an early start on that). I was waiting for Tank to make his nightly foray to the potty. When I sleep, a full-sized dump truck could drive thru our house and I wouldn't know it until the next day. So to get to Tank first (and let my wife sleep) requires I find something to do until he's up. Tonight "something" was (finally) blogging. If I don't post again before we leave, it's possible this will be my last entry until after the 21st: my in-laws use dial-up.
Did have a (somewhat) valid "excuse" for my hiatus: been feeling so wonderful since... hm... can't remember... right around Christmas I think it was. Started feeling just a little bit "draggy," then "under the weather," and have been in the "quite a bit crummy" stage since the 31st of last year. It's not been "death-warmed-over" bad yet (other than last Wednesday), but I just can't seem to get any better... or even drastically worse. Very annoying -- as I'm not a limbo kinda guy. I prefer wellness and being healthy, but would much rather be sick and blowing chunks for a few days than draggy for weeks on end. Going to try sleeping more at night, napping at lunch, and eating vitamin C and Zicam like candy; perhaps I'd better lay in a supply of Tums just-in-case.
Other than this lingering minor illness, I'm great. Have been working as quickly as possible to attempt to re-wire the new assistant pastor's house. Would like to finish before I leave so that they can move in by the end of the month. Of course, my neighbor, the project manager, wanted it finished the day after I started, but I've tried to explain that wires can't be run, and boxes can't be hung if he hasn't finished putting up the walls. He does get obnoxious and annoying sometimes, but working with him has been a great learning experience. I can now do a lot of the high-end fancy-dancy stuff I've seen on TV. Things like "stomp" a ceiling, put a "knockdown" or "splatter-dash" finish on walls (and ceilings), install archways made out of drywall, and install eye-catching profiles to enhance regular crown molding. I think later this Monday morning (after I get out of bed and start work) we're going to do a "tray" ceiling. What I really want to learn how to do are sunbursts -- hopefully, he won't start on those while I'm gone.
Think I mentioned vacation time this year will be spent in PA. All 5 of us will be flying from Ft Lauderdale, direct to Allentown on Wed, 9 Jan, and returning Mon, 21 Jan (technically there are 6 of us, but we haven't told the Varmints 3 they will become the "Varmints 4" next July). We're primarily going to visit my in-laws in Coopersburg, but my wife has friends all over that area. Come to think of it, thanks to college, so do I. Anyway, we'll hopefully be making the trip up to see my sister in Clarks Summit, and also heading west to meet Timberley. Supposedly, the weather will be "nice" for at least the first week we're up there... and a "PTL blessing" that would be: our children's wardrobes consist mostly of shorts, t-shirts and sandals, with a few long-sleeved shirts and bib-overalls thrown in for emergencies. I personally enjoy the comfort of bib-overalls, but will admit they're rather inconvenient for toddlers that have difficulty making it to the potty on time. After potty-inconvenience, my wife's biggest problem with them is the wonderful fashion statement -- she cringes when I reach the bottom of the "work-pants" drawer and the only thing left clean are my overalls. =)
Perhaps our greatest challenge of the up-coming week is the privilege of flying with 3 children, aged 4 3/4, 2 1/2, and 2 1/2. I'm hoping it will be less adventuresome than flying with 3 children aged 3½, 1, and 1. (As I get older, I've found I still enjoy being adventuresome, as long as it's the more convenient variety... where each individual is capable of self-reliance.) That last plane ride found my wife pulled aside for "further screening." I initially found this quite funny, until I realized that it would then fall to me to get 3 children, 2 car-seats, 1 double stroller, and our combined total of carry-on baggage, "blankies," and an assortment of "stuffed critters" through the security checkpoint single-handedly. On a score of 1-10, I rank a solid "2" in the super-mom category. As you can imagine, everyone with a view was thoroughly entertained -- and I'm still wary of TSA agents.
I suppose I can now go to bed (so much for an early start on that). I was waiting for Tank to make his nightly foray to the potty. When I sleep, a full-sized dump truck could drive thru our house and I wouldn't know it until the next day. So to get to Tank first (and let my wife sleep) requires I find something to do until he's up. Tonight "something" was (finally) blogging. If I don't post again before we leave, it's possible this will be my last entry until after the 21st: my in-laws use dial-up.
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