Happy Halloween

October 31, 2012 by Adam in Family

Since we all have to apply for our jobs here at work, I'm going as a job applicant for Halloween.  It sometimes takes people awhile to figure out why I'm wearing a suit and tie, and directors are confused when I tell them I'm looking forward to the interview.  Eventually they figure it out and have a good laugh at the absurdity.

Joanna and the little kids look great, and were very eager to go to work today.  Joanna is doing reverse trick-or-treating at work, dressed as a care bear.  I think it's a childhood dream finally fulfilled.

I have a parent-teacher conference with Emma's teacher tonight.  Berry, Emma, Joanna, and I are going trick-or-treating while Duncan hangs with friends.  Then we shuffle everyone around to settle into the evening routine.

Everyone remember to print out game coupons for Plants versus Zombies and hand them out tonight.  It's an awesome game.

Pumpkin-Filled Weekend

October 29, 2012 by Adam in Family

I think we mostly got over our illnesses this weekend.  Sam got really sick Friday night, but had transitioned to an annoying cough by this morning.  Today was the first day all the kids made it to school in over a week.

Friday night Joanna and I went out to dinner, getting massive amounts of Thai food that lasted the weekend.  Saturday morning I went into overdrive, cleaning up after the chaos of the previous week.  Emma arrived late morning and she dragged me downstairs to play.  I found a new hide-and-seek spot above the TV cabinet that I can actually fit in.  We mostly puttered around at home for the rest of the day - at one point Emma and I wandered around finding spell components.  She also excitedly picked up a calligraphy pen at Oregon Art Supplies.  Emma and I went food shopping, and then Sam arrived for dinner.

Sunday was a little busy.  We saw Adam Miller play folk songs at the library - I eagerly introduced myself.  Sam and I did a ton of homework, and we still have more to come.  Joanna organized a pumpkin carving activity, which I sadly didn't have time for.  Somewhere in there I said my final farewells to Sadie, who I begged not to drive into Boston in the middle of the hurricane.  She will be missed.

Scruffy Mocha Friday

October 26, 2012 by Adam in Family

It's been a crazy few days.  I spent most of Wednesday throwing up, as did Joanna and Duncan.  Sam got sick, but never nauseous.  Emma missed school all week.  Yesterday I was better, and worked from home being amazingly productive.  All sorts of systems crashed and I helped put it back together again.

I did my best to get Sam and Emma to school today, feeding them and giving them painkillers.  Sadly it didn't work out and I dropped them off on Jamie's door step with instructions to get some rest.

One of the side effects of my extended illness is that I haven't shaved for a few days.  Emma told me I needed to shave soon.  Joanna's rather fond of it.  I compromised and let everyone know that I'd keep it through our date night tonight.

Duncan's been quite cheerful lately, which I greatly appreciate.  This morning he lit right up when I told him there was a new version of Minecraft.  Berry was sweet when everyone was sick - tucking Joanna into her bed.  Emma's been loopy, as has Sam.  Sam got his midterms and mostly got A's and B's.  I need to follow up on the one C in his advanced science class.  He evidently missed a couple days before a test.

Looking forward to the weekend and taking it a little easly.

Still Alive

October 25, 2012 by Adam in Family

Last night was a mix of Joanna, Duncan, and myself all repeatedly throwing up.  Berry still has a bit of a cough, and Sam feels crappy still (his description).  Emma stayed home today too, according to Jamie.

I'm only now starting to feel vaguely human again.  My headache is fading and I managed to do the dishes and take out the recycling.  I haven't been able to keep much food down, though.  Soup, apple juice, and an orange are about it.  I think I was getting somewhat dehydrated for awhile there.

Joanna's been really sweet to me.  She started getting sick last night, so she was feeling a little perkier this morning.  Berry had moments of sweetness as well, the one healthy person in the house.

We'll see what happens tomorrow.  Duncan's staying home.  I may work from home as well.  Looking forward to being healthy again.

Sickly Monday

October 22, 2012 by Adam in Family

The kids were pretty sick this weekend.  Emma had a fever all day Sunday.  Berry was throwing up last night.  I've got a bit of a cough, and both Joanna and I were up with kids most of the night.  I worked from home and kept an eye on everyone.  Now I'm sick of sitting in front of my computer.

The weekend was relatively low-key.  Saturday was my usual busy day of shopping and laundry.  I ran network cable between the top floor and the basement router, improving connection speeds considerably.  We took the kids to get their flu mist vaccinations.  Pizza and Mythbusters was had.

Sunday was extremely lazy, as most everyone was sick.  Joanna performed with the choir and took in her scones and cookies for sale.  Fortunately she brought the leftovers back, which I promptly devoured.

Mocha Friday

October 19, 2012 by Adam in Family

It's the end of the day, and I'm about ready to head out the door.  Work fallout continues due to my functional lead leaving.  Lots of conversations about what we're going to do next.

I'm really looking forward to the weekend, hanging out with kids and taking it easy.  I have a project that involves drilling holes in walls that will hopefully improve the upstairs Internet connection.  There are birthday parties, flu mist things for the kids, overnight play dates, pizza and Mythbusters, and pumpkin patches to look forward to.

Joanna continues to be cute and awesome.  What else could I ask for?

Another Wave of Illness

October 18, 2012 by Adam in Family

I left work Tuesday afternoon, feeling feverish and shaky.  The pain meds helped, but it wasn't until after a long nap did I feel mostly human again.  On Wednesday, Emma was sick, so I picked her up and kept an eye on her until Jamie was off work.  We're all at work and school today, but my tummy feels a little off.  I ran at lunch, but I'm not sure I'm up for fencing tonight.

I just found out that one of my co-workers is leaving PeaceHealth.  I fear this is the first of many.  Strange times ahead.

Where'd My Mocha Friday Go?

October 15, 2012 by Adam in Family

Thursday night was fencing night, and pretty fun for both Emma and I.  Sam's dropped out, so I started taking saber lessons with Emma.  I ended up getting paired with another guy who was pretty good, and getting very sweaty along the way.

Friday was a little nutty.  The kids didn't have school, so I was rushing about keeping them fed and managed while I worked away.  I did manage to make myself a mocha, which hit the spot.  Jamie showed up to take away Sam and Emma.  Then Haylee arrived to watch the little kids.  We headed out to Joanna's doctor appointment after lunch.  Her back x-ray looked good, and everything seems fine. 

We worked away in the afternoon, and then went out to Agate Street Laboratory for dinner.  Afterward was Arsenic and Old Lace at the Very Little Theater.  Quite entertaining.

We got Emma in the morning, ate breakfast, and then went out on our adventures for the day.  First was the library, then Saturday Market for lunch and the farmer's market.  Emma cajoled me into buying her a bansai plant, helping me work away doing yard work in the afternoon.  Sam, Duncan, and I went food shopping in the late afternoon, followed by scooping up Sam for pizza and Mythbusters that night.

Sunday morning had my mom picking up Emma, Duncan, and Berry for breakfast.  It was Berry's half birthday, so she got presents for breakfast and cake for dessert.  We managed a fair amount of hang-out time, and I actually got to play video games in between the laundry, homework, and house projects.

Mid-Week Update

October 11, 2012 by Adam in Family

Nothing too exciting happening, which is nice for a change.  Sam was sick for a couple days.  We spent yesterday following up on his story for school.  Tomorrow Sam and Emma have the day off school and we're getting Emma Saturday morning.  Tonight I'm hoping Emma and I can go fencing.  Berry is learning how to tie her shoes.  Small victories, all around.

Another Weekend, Come and Gone

October 08, 2012 by Adam in Family

It was a generally pleasant weekend.  We had all the kids Friday night, and a hearty waffle breakfast the next morning.  Saturday involved a lot of running around for me - we went to the library, I went food shopping, and we picked up pizza for our traditional Saturday meal.  Sam and I worked on his long list of homework, papers, math, and Spanish.  The amount of homework he gets is sometimes daunting.

Joanna took all the kids but Emma to church.  I had Sam work on finishing up his story for school, and went through my "Winter is Coming" checklist.  I got the fireplace working, put away the air conditioners, mowed the lawn, turned the compost, and generally was very productive on the remaining caffiene buzz from breakfast. 

In the afternoon we all went down to Skinner's Butte park and hiked to the top.  It was a little grueling, especially as Sam was starting to get a cold.  We made it down and played on the funky whale sculpture until it was time to return home and get ready for family dinner.

It was nice seeing Yayoe, John, mom, and Bob.  We ate way too much food and followed up with Joanna's apple pie.  I think I'm done eating for a few weeks now. 

This morning was a little crazy - Sam and Emma both claimed illnesses, and Berry didn't want to get dressed.  The end result was that Sam stayed home, Emma went to school, and I robotically dressed Berry and got her teeth brushed in 60 seconds flat.

Busy, busy.

Mocha Friday

October 05, 2012 by Adam in Family

I just finished the last of my fine beverage and I'm about ready to put on headphones, zone out, and write code.  I'm giddy with anticipation.

The week has been relatively uneventful.  The kids have had mild illnesses all week, but seem to be doing relatively well now.  It was fun having Emma over last night.  We ended up not going fencing, as she wasn't feeling great, and instead we did "homework" out of a workbook Joanna got her.  It's funny how much she enjoys me asking questions, writing her answers down, and then grading her.

It's a kid-ful night tonight.  I've suggested a park-in-the-dark run after dinner.  I don't think we have any firm plans for the weekend.  I'd personally like to put kids to work getting the yard ready for wet weather.  Sam has a writing assignment.  We've got family dinner on Sunday.

Life is good.

Quick Family Update

October 03, 2012 by Adam in Family

We're halfway through the week, which seems hard to believe.  I swear it just began.  I'm at home with Duncan and Berry this morning.  Yesterday they got headaches after school and a bit of a fever.  This morning they're gorging themselves on My Little Pony and seem mostly improved.

Sam's been slammed with homework this week.  We did math and most of another paper.  He has a story he needs to write by Monday.  Busy, busy.

Hot date tonight.  Not sure where.

Back to Work

October 01, 2012 by Adam in Family

It was a bit of a struggle getting everyone out of the house this morning.  There seemed to be a general consensus that it would have been far easier to simply stay at home and spend the day playing and enjoying the sunshine.  Alas, my sense of duty was too strong and we all arrived at our respective schools and work places.  Even poor Emma, who complained of a stomach ache all morning.

The weekend was fairly routine, which was quite nice.  We swam at Tamarak on Saturday, to everyone's delight.  Pizza and Bang Goes the Theory as a rousing success.  I continued on my bedroom rearranging, repairing an antique table to put in front of the window.  Hopefully I can resurrect Yayoe's computer to use up there - a hopefully key part arrives today.

Friday night had Duncan, Berry, Joanna, and I going to Mazzi's to celebrate Colette's birthday.  It was pretty nice and low-key.  I got to do some crayon drawings.  We raised a glass in Colette's honor.

Sam had some homework over the weekend, so we worked on a paper and did math.  Emma had an urge to buy a dragon pendant, so she worked away for money, quite diligently.  Duncan had a touch of a headache last night.  Berry's constipation returned.  Still, everyone seemed to have a generally enjoyable weekend.  I managed a fair amount of video game playing, which is a sure sign of success.

I walked kids over to my mom's house, where they loved playing in the gravel mound.  Emma wanted to pick up my mom's cloak, which evidently my dad had made for her, forty years ago.  I think it's part of a Halloween costume.