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Well, I've stopped my computer projects for a...
March 31, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Projects
 Well, I've stopped my computer projects for awhile, turning instead to the house. Our goal is to get the house ready for sale sometime later this year. So far, we've fixed up the bathroom and painted the upstairs. There's still some more painting and minor landscaping, but we're not too far away.
Jamie's having some issues around the dog these days. I think she wants to find a new home for Guy, but is somewhat torn on the issue. I think her ideal would be that someone she knew would take him, but that doesn't seem to be happening.
Oh, minor bonus. I think we're getting a couple thousand back from taxes this year. Woo hoo!
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Well, my creature is coming along nicely
March 31, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games
 Well, my creature is coming along nicely. I transferred bodies to a new creature. Now he's a playful horse, shown here kicking a beach ball. We had a few rough starts at the beginning and three villagers were inadvertently eaten. I think I've straightened things out, as he's now going around casting helpful spells and the villagers appreciate him. He just learned to dance, so I may put on some music and watch him boogie around. Great fun.
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Sam's been into playdough lately
March 31, 2001 by Adam in Sam
 Sam's been into playdough lately. Tonight we spent almost an hour making little creatures and hand puppets. The only fiasco involved brushing blue playdough out of Sam's teeth, though I think I got it all.
The boy's been especially chatty. Today he told me, "I had a dream last night where I liked different food." Unfortunately, it's still a dream. He's one of the pickiest eaters I know.
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I picked up Black and White yesterday
March 29, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games
 I picked up Black and White yesterday. It really does live up to the hype. The graphics are beautiful and the gameplay is interesting and unique. It's challenging to get used to all the novel things in the game, though the in-game tutorials are quite good.
My creature is currently a red ape. He's supposedly quite bright, but I guess that doesn't stop him from defecating in the village square from time to time. I did get him playing with a beach ball after much coaxing. I only hope I can get him doing something a bit more useful soon.
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PS
There's a cute Arizona family picture in ...
March 29, 2001 by Carolyn in Carolyn & Alex Cortez
 PS
There's a cute Arizona family picture in the family album and some new pictures of Isa.
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Well, Seraph and Robbie left to return to Eug...
March 29, 2001 by Carolyn in Carolyn & Alex Cortez
 Well, Seraph and Robbie left to return to Eugene this morning and took the darling baby with them...How dare they?
She is so cute we had a great time "bonding" with her. She still likes mommy best but I got to babysit two times while they went out to dinner and movies and we got along great. She requires lots of attention but I loved every minute of it.
I will be in Portland some time in April or May as my son Scott will have knee surgery, so we are planning to get the young parents and babies together from Portland and Eugene so they can finally meet.
It was 80 degrees here all week while the "kids" were here and they all enjoyed the sunshine.
Carolyn
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Susan Kephart and a couple of her students ha...
March 28, 2001 by Jamie in Jamie
Susan Kephart and a couple of her students have been working with the Camassia plants I worked with "way back" in college :-) They are presenting an abstract this Spring...find it at http://www.botany2001.org/section12/abstracts/128.shtml
I went back to my old research and was amazed at and proud of the terminology I actually understood at one time!
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Jamie and Sam returned a bit early yesterday
March 27, 2001 by Adam in Family
 Jamie and Sam returned a bit early yesterday. Jamie was exhausted and sick. Sam was giddy and spastic. Sam and I played non-stop for the entire evening until he collapsed at around 8 pm with the rest of us. At one point, he pretended to bonk his nose, so we had to replace it with an artificial MegaBlok nose. He's the .0000002 million dollar boy.
I'm feeling a bit under the weather, but I still think I'll try to go to work. It's sometimes a more restful place than home with Sam (sorry Jamie). Plus, I get all the Advil I want. Woo hoo!
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I'm inspired by Adam's conscientious efforts ...
March 26, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek
I'm inspired by Adam's conscientious efforts at this.
It's a wonderful idea, too. There is a thirty year gap in my life, about which I have no recollection. My journal efforts consisted of writing the names of the kids, kid, or other person on credit card slips whatever I was paying for which involved doing anything fun, so when I'm old and incredibly cranky and nobody can stand me, I'll be able to sit down and remember those times. Sounds pretty pathetic to me, too!
Good thoughts to Alex, Caroline, Judy, and Jim, who I know are enjoying those cute grandkids this week.
Sue
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Today I celebrated an obscure holiday - The D...
March 26, 2001 by Adam in Family
 Today I celebrated an obscure holiday - The Day of Painting. A holy day indeed, requiring much prostrating with rollers, brushes, and tape. Like stigmata, my hands and feet are covered with splotches of white latex paint.
I had breakfast with my mom, Dick, Seraph, Robbie, and Isabell yesterday. Today was painting, doing taxes, and a brief break to watch Ghost in the Shell, an excellent Japanese animation movie. I talked to Sam briefly on the phone. It was like I was talking to a real person, especially how he kept leaving in the middle of the conversation - adults do that to me all the time. Hopefully he and Jamie will be back Tuesday. I do miss them.
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Well, we made it to Tuscon! Isabell did reall...
March 26, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez
 Well, we made it to Tuscon! Isabell did really well on the planes. The only time she cried was on the last one from Seatle to Tuscon. But it wasn't ears, just her normal sleepy time. We didn't get to sleep until after minight (AZ time), so today we're taking it easy. The weather is beautiful and all the deasert flowers are blooming! Robbie and Alex are off golfing, and Carolyn, Isa and I are hanging out! We'll try to get some pictures up for you all.
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I met my mom for breakfast this morning
March 24, 2001 by Adam in Family
 I met my mom for breakfast this morning. She handed over some pictures of Sam when he visited the farm a couple weeks ago. She also gave me a rusty horse shoe as something to remember the experience by.
I felt little sick today, though I went to today. I mowed the front yard and put some fungicide on some plants out back. Pretty soon I'm off to dinner at my dad's house. It's a good thing I'm busy - keeps me from missing Jamie and Sam too much.
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Well, Jamie and Sam are up in Portland and I'...
March 23, 2001 by Adam in Adam
Well, Jamie and Sam are up in Portland and I've got the run of the house to myself. I patched the concrete slab in the back yard and mowed the lawn. Yet more wallpaper and painting projects await me this weekend.
 I've also been renting old episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer from the video store down the block. Without commercials, I can watch two or three at a sitting. It's pretty weird - I've noticed my dreams afterward are filled with Buffy characters and themes.
I'm also feeling a little sick today. When I talked to Jamie yesterday, she was feeling miserable. I'm probably next, so I'm drinking fluids and taking it easy.
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Well, the Cortez family is off to Arizona on ...
March 23, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez
Well, the Cortez family is off to Arizona on Saturday, and we are actually ready! Packing has been a very slow process, and we'll not look nearly as glamoruos as in past years. O-well, Isabell's cuteness should make up for it. If we're really organized will try to post from Tuscon. Wish us luck!
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As always, our most exciting news is about th...
March 23, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek
As always, our most exciting news is about the kids. Seraph and Robbie are off to Arizona to see Alex and Caroline next week. Baby Isa Ryn is definitely worth the wait - sweet and even tempered and good natured. She can't really laugh yet, but she is in the wonderful pre-laughing stage when she practices Looking Pleasant, which is always very fun. We had her last weekend for a while.
We got to see all the grandkids at the play at Sam's daycare - it turned out that a big bunch of Dez's buds were there, too, so a good time was had by all. We took Sam out to see the horses as the farm - he was very funny. He kept saying, in precise tones, "I want to go where the horse can't sniff me."
Later, he decided to set a Bravery Test for himself. There is a long curving driveway at the farm, and he told Dick and me that he wanted us to wait while he walked over to a distant point. He set off just fine, but then realized that the farm dog, a large floppy fellow, was slobbering along at his side. He returned and explained to Dick that he would like Dick to walk along with him. (I'm not sure on this, but I think it may have been a Male Bravery Test.)
We have Dez tomorrow evening - Dez is so grown up these days we can perhaps try a movie...
Love to all...Sue
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Well, it's the first day of Spring and we'll ...
March 21, 2001 by Adam in Family
 Well, it's the first day of Spring and we'll all getting even more sick. Jamie announced she had a fever when I came home. Now I'm feeling a bit under the weather. I think Sam's feeling a tad better, though it's hard to tell with his continuing cough.
Jamie and Sam are still planning to head to Portland tomorrow. I have lots of projects on my list. I fully expect to have them return to find me encrusted with a thick layer of paint and concrete.
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We went over to Jason's birthday brunch yesterday
March 18, 2001 by Adam in Family
 We went over to Jason's birthday brunch yesterday. Sam had a good time playing with the assorted toys stashed about. It's a little strange thinking of Jason being 28. We're all getting older.
Sam was a bit difficult yesterday afternoon and evening. I think it's a combination of being sick, not having a nap, and sleeping in until ten in the morning. I told him story after story until my throat was sore before he finally fell asleep.
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Sam spent all day yesterday with this cape on
March 17, 2001 by Adam in Sam
 Sam spent all day yesterday with this cape on. He started with an impromptu blanket cape, then Jamie arranged for a more sturdy one. He refused to remove it all day. When I got home from work, he wanted to play "swords" using his spatula. I also ended up telling him Lord of the Rings stories. Sam and I later ran upstairs to get the elves to reforge our broken swords. It's pretty funny hearing a two-year-old say the word "reforge."
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EEI had there spring show last night, and the...
March 16, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez
EEI had there spring show last night, and the kids were great! Everyone kept asking where Isa was, but thanks to Dad and Yayoe babysitting, we were actually able to watch the preformances! I am ever thankful for family! There was no school in the 4J district, so Robbie was off to work early this morning for a full day of daycare. To top it off, he's starting a youth group at our church (from scratch, with about 8 kids of all ages)! That's my busy and talented husband for you!
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Well, it looks like another round of sniffles...
March 16, 2001 by Adam in Family
 Well, it looks like another round of sniffles are in store for me. Sam and Jamie both have a cold, which usually gets passed to me in a few days. I'm guessing it will hit this weekend. So, no time off at work, but no weekend either. Sigh.
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Jamie went off with her friend Monica tonight...
March 14, 2001 by Adam in Family
 Jamie went off with her friend Monica tonight, leaving Sam and I to fend for ourselves. He's been in a no-nap frenzy today. Fortunately, we found enough batteries to make the Technic Lego engine go. I whipped up a little car and he's been playing with it ever since. Now if only he'll keep it up for another hour and a half, Jamie might actually be back by then.
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Well, the "All Your Base Are Belong To Us" jo...
March 13, 2001 by Adam in Adam
 Well, the "All Your Base Are Belong To Us" joke has made it to a nationally syndicated cartoon. Take a look here.
I've started drinking the occasional cup of coffee, though at a much reduced rate. Doing good with vitamins these days, as well as weight-lifting. I'm amazed at how much hungrier I am these days after a serious workout. Whew!
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Last night, Sam got a little over excited and...
March 11, 2001 by Adam in Sam
 Last night, Sam got a little over excited and threw up a bit. After cleaning him up, we returned to the play room to find the dog licking up the carpet.
Dad: "The dog's licking your throw-up."
Sam: "Oh. He's a good helper."
As for the photo of Sam with bags on his head, I can't explain. He decided it was the latest fashion rage after we returned from shopping.
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Well, I finished up Heart of Winter today, th...
March 11, 2001 by Adam in Adam's Games
 Well, I finished up Heart of Winter today, the expansion for Icewind Dale. Fairly short, though well done. My characters were pretty munchkined-out, so it was fairly easy until the final battle. Ironically, I think my piddly one-shot Magic Missle wand saved the day. The last battle is with something that's resistant to just about everything.
Black and White comes out in a few weeks. Fortunately for Jamie, it's after her trip to Portland. That way she'll actually get useful work out of me while she's gone.
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Still no coffee, though I did have a little b...
March 11, 2001 by Adam in Adam
Still no coffee, though I did have a little bit of chai tea a couple times. Did the blood pressure thing again, with Sam in tow. First time a little high. After a few deep breaths, it was under the magic 130 number. I think the conclusion is that a two-year-old is a risk factor for high blood pressure. Fortunately, it's curable by just waiting a few years. Rumor has it that there's another peak in the teens, but hopefully I survive the experience.
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I watched Sam today while Jamie helped out at...
March 11, 2001 by Adam in Family
 I watched Sam today while Jamie helped out at the preschool play. We caught the first show and Sam really enjoyed both of them. His interest in watching plays, shows, and other "pretend" stories has grown. He's especially fascinated by the motivations of the various people.
Yesterday, I took Sam to the mall where we read books. After awhile, a woman came up to us and asked how old Sam was. She was a child psychologist and was amazed the conversations Sam and I were having. Nice to know that we an "official" stamp of approval.
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We had a really good day yesterday
March 09, 2001 by Adam in Family
 We had a really good day yesterday. Nothing particular, just a general sense of happiness. Sam's been on a building kick lately. Anything vaguely block-like gets turned into structures, houses, or paths.
We also have a musical treat for you today - my cousin Ben sent an mp3 of his that he created. Evidently, his site doesn't allow mp3's to be posted, so you can listen to it in all its musical genius here
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Well the sun returned yesterday, and Isa and ...
March 09, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez
 Well the sun returned yesterday, and Isa and I awoke snot-free! I want to send a big THANK YOU out to Yayoe for helping win the binky and bottle war. It's amazing how they have helped us get a little of a schedual going. We're gearing up for our trip to Arizona at the end of the month. Any tips for traveling with small children would be appreciated! Tomarrow were having the rest of the yard/tree work done. Then maybe we can start on the fun stuff!
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I've been relatively coffee free this week
March 08, 2001 by Adam in Adam
I've been relatively coffee free this week. No extreme withdrawl or unstoppable cravings. I miss it a bit in the morning, but that's about it. Now I've got to schedule another Fred Meyer trip to get my blood pressure tested again. I have a funny feeling that it's vaguely Sam related, so I'll try to dump him with Jamie for the test.
I'm also getting into lifting weights again. My poor muscles are a bit on the sore side, but it's a good kind of pain.
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Another good day in the Miller household
March 08, 2001 by Adam in Family
 Another good day in the Miller household. I took Sam swimming today and he had a great time. He was reaching under the water to grab toys we put on the bottom. Juming in to the pool was also quite exciting. Afterwards, Dave came over and they played in the backyard for an hour or two.
Slowly getting the house ready to sell. We spent some time on Sunday stripping wallpaper. We'll probably do some painting soon too. Lots of work, but hopefully it will make the selling process easier and more lucrative.
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My dad's birthday was yesterday
March 05, 2001 by Adam in Family
 My dad's birthday was yesterday. There was quite the turnout, including little Isabell. Seraph and Robbie still look a little dazed, but Isabell seems to be quite a healthy kid.
I took my dad to see Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which was quite good. Now only if I could perfect my mystical martial art technique of flying through the air. Maybe I should first work on getting out of my pants without falling over.
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Today has been a father-son bonding day
March 03, 2001 by Adam in Family
 Today has been a father-son bonding day. Jamie left early this morning to help out with the preschool play. I'm on Sam duty.
We went to the library, where Sam's favorite activity is playing with the puppets. He was especially curious about the one missing an eye. As expected, Sam has hit the "Why" stage, trying to figure out how everything works. It's pretty hard to explain things to a two-year-old in their own terms. Fortunately, Jamie and I are both trained science teachers.
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Hi, I think you have to have some news to add...
March 03, 2001 by Sue in Wielesek
Hi, I think you have to have some news to add a news item.
We are trying hard to get rid of the extra cat in our house. I agreed to serve as Personal Representative for a client who moved here from Colorado for his health, and didn't have any family. I figured he was good for another ten years, at least, but his cancer returned so suddenly that we had little time to make any arrangments for anything. We found a good home for Rufus the dog, but Petey Sue the three legged cat is still with us. My asthma and allergies are killing me. I'm working late at the office tonight, prompted by the blast of cat dander which is sure to face me at home.
We have three very cute, funny young women staying in Sadie's apartment this weekend, here for the Environmental Law conference at the U of O Law School. I'll invite them back for Anarchy Days in June.
After a wonderful refreshing lull over the holidays, my office is back to being a madhouse again.
Hugs to all, and I look better than this dumb picture Adam took of me.
Love to all, om
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Thanks to Adam for the last posting
March 02, 2001 by Seraph in Cortez
Thanks to Adam for the last posting. We actually had not looked ourselves. There was such neet info that we made a copy for Isabell's baby book. Isa continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and I've started a mini journal of her daily activities. Right now it reads a lot like "ate, pooped, slept for 10 min." I'm hoping it will help me to see paterns in her day (none yet).
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Sam saw two performances yesterday - the Beau...
March 02, 2001 by Adam in Family
 Sam saw two performances yesterday - the Beauty and the Beast ballet at the Hult Center and the Wizard of Oz as put on by his preschool. Both of them were fascinating to him, if a bit scary. Both times he'd say "I want to go somewhere quiet." At the ballet, a performer in a ghost costume waved to him as he left, which he talked about constantly afterwards. For the rest of the day, he had me tell the story over and over. He was especially curious as to the motivations of the Beast. "Why did the Beast catch her?" I explained that the Beast was lonely and wanted a friend, which he seemed to accept.
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Well, I was poking around our company's Inter...
March 01, 2001 by Adam in Cortez
 Well, I was poking around our company's Internet site today and I realized I'd never looked up Isabell's "baby @lbum" entry.
Every newborn gets a picture and a little writeup if they're born at the hospital I work with. I went ahead and copied the information and posted it right here.
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