When I was in my younger teens, I mowed the lawn pretty regularly and also mowed my grandparents. We had a riding mower and it took about 2 hours and some change to finish it up and then another hour or so to do my grandparents for which I used a push mower.
The push mower I often used was our own and one day I carelessly filled it up with gas and it wouldn't start. Hmm. The "Dad" calling began and he eventually showed up. It turns out I hadn't push gas in but a gas/oil mix that is suppose to be used for the weedwacker. I cant believe weedwacker is actually a word.
It ruined the mower. Well it needed to be fixed at least. In the meantime we bought and new mower and it has been sitting ever since, and it was a pretty new mower back then. Now that I have a house, with a lawn, the push power will be coming back out. Fortunately, I ruined one about a decade ago that is now ready for our house. So the ceremonial (pulling of the cord) first mow will be this weekend. I must say I am pleased it all worked out. I ruin a mower so that I can use it multiple years later. That, most certainly, is providence.
In other news, we will be away for most the weekend on our second anniversary. And will also be preparing our baby room for a few hours on Saturday. Who would have thought, a year after our first anniversary we would be preparing for another member of the family. Life changes quickly.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
PS
I added the National Geographic Photographs gadget because these pictures are almost always fantastic.
So, Jonathan says I'm supposed to blog today. Well, he said yesterday, but I just didn't get to it. What to blog about...hmm....
Oh, the only recent news, I think, is that the news is public at work. I was prepared for it, and was either going to tell people this week or was expecting it to just sort of get out this week, so all is well. One of our managers asked Kim about it Monday, and I told Kim he was allowed to give a truthful answer if someone asked him...so Tuesday morning the congrats began. Not sure why I'm so shy about it, sometimes I'm excited and like to tell people, but at work...work is that weirdo environment where you kind of know people, but really don't know people, so sharing such personal news feels almost invasive or something. The last thing I felt like (feel like) dealing with is having to walk out on the production floor and having people stare...too many grungy guys out there that give me the creeps on an average day, let alone now. But oh well. I don't go out there often, and especially won't now because the fumes from the machinery and adhesives and dyes are nasty and surely can't be good for the baby. This place has air quality akin to that of where we live in the city. It is entertaining to see who comes in to comment on it and who just looks at me funny and doesn't want to say anything. So many rumors fly around here that I guess some people might be hesitant to say something because there's been no notarized announcement or something.
I don't have much else to say...I've been sort of emotionally drained all week and don't have much of an explaination. Things are going well, I have nothing to complain about. Maybe it's just sort of the fallout from having such a stressful week last week. I could've sat by a lake this week, hiked around and not talked to a single person and been fine. Contemplative mode? I don't know. Just ready for some downtime and alone time and time where being pregnant and planning life doesn't dominate who I am. Not that it always does, just been spending a lot of energy lately on those 2 areas and not enough time otherwise. I guess it's time spent on talking about those 2 areas...constantly explaining the baby story this week at work, and the moving story, all that stuff. A balance that needs to be struck now, or I'll never strike it.
At least it's getting nice out...ready to go to the beach.
Oh, the only recent news, I think, is that the news is public at work. I was prepared for it, and was either going to tell people this week or was expecting it to just sort of get out this week, so all is well. One of our managers asked Kim about it Monday, and I told Kim he was allowed to give a truthful answer if someone asked him...so Tuesday morning the congrats began. Not sure why I'm so shy about it, sometimes I'm excited and like to tell people, but at work...work is that weirdo environment where you kind of know people, but really don't know people, so sharing such personal news feels almost invasive or something. The last thing I felt like (feel like) dealing with is having to walk out on the production floor and having people stare...too many grungy guys out there that give me the creeps on an average day, let alone now. But oh well. I don't go out there often, and especially won't now because the fumes from the machinery and adhesives and dyes are nasty and surely can't be good for the baby. This place has air quality akin to that of where we live in the city. It is entertaining to see who comes in to comment on it and who just looks at me funny and doesn't want to say anything. So many rumors fly around here that I guess some people might be hesitant to say something because there's been no notarized announcement or something.
I don't have much else to say...I've been sort of emotionally drained all week and don't have much of an explaination. Things are going well, I have nothing to complain about. Maybe it's just sort of the fallout from having such a stressful week last week. I could've sat by a lake this week, hiked around and not talked to a single person and been fine. Contemplative mode? I don't know. Just ready for some downtime and alone time and time where being pregnant and planning life doesn't dominate who I am. Not that it always does, just been spending a lot of energy lately on those 2 areas and not enough time otherwise. I guess it's time spent on talking about those 2 areas...constantly explaining the baby story this week at work, and the moving story, all that stuff. A balance that needs to be struck now, or I'll never strike it.
At least it's getting nice out...ready to go to the beach.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
one year 11 months and 13 days and 20 hours19
The hour will be changing as people read it but right now its around 1:30 which means one year, 11 months, 13 days, and 19 hours ago Jocelyn and I read our vows to be married.
Crazy.
First of all, its only been almost 2 years. That is astonishing. Absolutely insane. Those classic sayings of "you feel like you never knew life apart" are very true. And to be honest, things keep getting better. We've been working at it for a while and now the Lord thinks it time (well in about 5 months) for us to have a kid. To add another dimension to the equation.
He is right.
Not only because he is right all the time, but because Jocelyn and I are getting better at this. Maybe even a little cocky at being married. Well maybe not being cocky, but we are getting better at it. Either way, marriage is great. The sweet can't be understood without the sour, but the sweet certainly outweighs the sour exponentially. Yes, exponentially.
So this new "X" to the equation will be something absolutely crazy. And whether it's a boy, girl, amaris, ravi, or Nani's personal favorite, Magnolia (dont worry we decided against that name but I just had to mention it), it will be part of the equation. At times the baby will be the equation, but overall we will learn to add this new dimension confidently into our lives. And when I say confidently, I really mean scared to death at times.
Confidently.
This will be an awesome addition to our lives. Better than we could have imagined I am sure and a part of our lives that we probably never remember not being there. I am quite glad to have family around to share in the joys of a new child. For more than just the baby sitter part, but because we will get to share life together in new, meaningful ways. And let's be honest, being able to go on date night because the baby sitter is a mile way is an amazing perk. The Lord orchestrated all of these steps quite well. It was fun to be at counseling together for the last time in a while because of the chance to reflect where we were over a year ago.
Something like this.....
To something like this...
Sorry, they are just in the way sometimes. She's pregnant.
That was not suppose to be crude and I am not thinking about that, but the picture was just too funny.
Anyway, now that I have ruined this post. I will continue in vain.
I love my wife. We have grown figuratively and now are growing literally, in number.
Scared to death at times.
I am not sure I need to say a whole lot in reference to this and having a baby. They are small. I know they dont break, so that is a good thing. Well at least not easily. Having people around makes the transition much easier and more enjoyable as well. I cannot imagine doing this expansion without clear and present help. Thanks family.
We are going to raise a good little boy. (or at least keep trying until we have a little boy)
Crazy.
First of all, its only been almost 2 years. That is astonishing. Absolutely insane. Those classic sayings of "you feel like you never knew life apart" are very true. And to be honest, things keep getting better. We've been working at it for a while and now the Lord thinks it time (well in about 5 months) for us to have a kid. To add another dimension to the equation.
He is right.
Not only because he is right all the time, but because Jocelyn and I are getting better at this. Maybe even a little cocky at being married. Well maybe not being cocky, but we are getting better at it. Either way, marriage is great. The sweet can't be understood without the sour, but the sweet certainly outweighs the sour exponentially. Yes, exponentially.
So this new "X" to the equation will be something absolutely crazy. And whether it's a boy, girl, amaris, ravi, or Nani's personal favorite, Magnolia (dont worry we decided against that name but I just had to mention it), it will be part of the equation. At times the baby will be the equation, but overall we will learn to add this new dimension confidently into our lives. And when I say confidently, I really mean scared to death at times.
Confidently.
This will be an awesome addition to our lives. Better than we could have imagined I am sure and a part of our lives that we probably never remember not being there. I am quite glad to have family around to share in the joys of a new child. For more than just the baby sitter part, but because we will get to share life together in new, meaningful ways. And let's be honest, being able to go on date night because the baby sitter is a mile way is an amazing perk. The Lord orchestrated all of these steps quite well. It was fun to be at counseling together for the last time in a while because of the chance to reflect where we were over a year ago.
Something like this.....
To something like this...
Sorry, they are just in the way sometimes. She's pregnant.That was not suppose to be crude and I am not thinking about that, but the picture was just too funny.
Anyway, now that I have ruined this post. I will continue in vain.
I love my wife. We have grown figuratively and now are growing literally, in number.
Scared to death at times.
I am not sure I need to say a whole lot in reference to this and having a baby. They are small. I know they dont break, so that is a good thing. Well at least not easily. Having people around makes the transition much easier and more enjoyable as well. I cannot imagine doing this expansion without clear and present help. Thanks family.
We are going to raise a good little boy. (or at least keep trying until we have a little boy)
Sunday, April 19, 2009
an active little boy (or girl)
The latest theory that is completely nonsensical is that the baby is an active baby (no, not add or adhd).
For example, every time Jocelyn sits down from doing something active he seems very content, happy, and as soon as Jocelyn sits for a second, the movement begins. More importantly, on a bike this can be seen through actual graphs and charts used by Jocelyn's bike computer (speedometer for all of those who dont know the lingo).
When Jocelyn is going fast and moving along well, Jocelyn's heart rate goes down, which of course is indirectly the baby's fault since he is quite at home with speed and movement.
This is science people, we have graphs to prove it.
But the most important part of this theory, is seen when we stop. Jocelyn's heart rate goes up. Yes, up. It's hard to believe (remember, graphs). Relaxing annoys the baby who in turn starts to move around in hopes to do something active and of course indirectly makes Jocelyn's heart rate go up.
Science.
(By the way, we own a new house. yipppppppppppppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. YES that was necessary)
For example, every time Jocelyn sits down from doing something active he seems very content, happy, and as soon as Jocelyn sits for a second, the movement begins. More importantly, on a bike this can be seen through actual graphs and charts used by Jocelyn's bike computer (speedometer for all of those who dont know the lingo).
When Jocelyn is going fast and moving along well, Jocelyn's heart rate goes down, which of course is indirectly the baby's fault since he is quite at home with speed and movement.
This is science people, we have graphs to prove it.
But the most important part of this theory, is seen when we stop. Jocelyn's heart rate goes up. Yes, up. It's hard to believe (remember, graphs). Relaxing annoys the baby who in turn starts to move around in hopes to do something active and of course indirectly makes Jocelyn's heart rate go up.
Science.
(By the way, we own a new house. yipppppppppppppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. YES that was necessary)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Step two...(or 5 who knows..)
Jonathan had his second interview for a math teaching position at Allen High School this morning. Looks like the administrators could see how superfantastic he is and he essentially has a job offer! Retiring teachers do not complete their "paperwork" or whatever until later in the school year, so while they have a declared "retiree" the position is not officially posted, so they couldn't officially give him anything to sign...all this officialness. But it will be posted soon enough, and when it is, it is HIS! Yay! My husband is amazing and its SO nice to not have to worry about his ability to get a position teaching..he's just that good that if they didnt hire him, I'd question their sanity. So, one of the many steps in moving to Atown is coming to completion.
We most likely will have settlement tomorrow....oh oh! Didn't update on the significance of that. I think we blogged abit about it, maybe not...breif recap: Last Friday, Good Friday, we get an email from our broker informing us that we didnt get our mortgage loan approved because the house (according to that specific lender) was in an area of "enhanced decline" (as if the entire country isn't!) and we had to put more money down in order to qualify...like $16,000 more. Right, we'll just uh, reach into our little piggy bank and pull out our spare change to come up with that. Needless to say, we were a bit stressed and could not quite figure out a grand solution. After many talks with our broker, she offered us some hope saying she could go to a different lender she had some "influence" with and could try to get us the loan we wanted with the rates we had planned on. Monday, the negotiations began...so there was a bit of back and forth and supplying documentation of this and that, then yesterday, we had the last step. They had to do a comparative survey of properties within a mile of that house in order to decide if they would approve the loan and accept the appraisal the other lender had provided (the other lender's appraisal came in at MORE than what we were buying the house for-that's pretty fantastic). We weren't expecting to hear about this until today late afternoon..but after a day of nail-biting and praying incessantly, we got a phone call around 530 or so from our ecstatic broker who told us the loan was approved and we could pop the champagne. If ONLY I could drink champagne! Actually, if i could've, a massive amount would'v eprobably been consumed during the period of time BEFORE we got the approval to deal with the stress!
ANYHOW... we are approved and can hopefully settle tomorrow. The only way we cant is if the Title doesn't get finished today. That is just not even a concern in our book after having to deal with the "Real" problems.
So..that is that. Good progress in our journey for sure. Now we can return to battling for our $5000 deposit we should have had returned to us. BUT at least we'll have the energy to fight now and a few good things to look back on.
Ok, PHEW, well, I will now finish my lunch and hopefully digest it before I go riding.
We most likely will have settlement tomorrow....oh oh! Didn't update on the significance of that. I think we blogged abit about it, maybe not...breif recap: Last Friday, Good Friday, we get an email from our broker informing us that we didnt get our mortgage loan approved because the house (according to that specific lender) was in an area of "enhanced decline" (as if the entire country isn't!) and we had to put more money down in order to qualify...like $16,000 more. Right, we'll just uh, reach into our little piggy bank and pull out our spare change to come up with that. Needless to say, we were a bit stressed and could not quite figure out a grand solution. After many talks with our broker, she offered us some hope saying she could go to a different lender she had some "influence" with and could try to get us the loan we wanted with the rates we had planned on. Monday, the negotiations began...so there was a bit of back and forth and supplying documentation of this and that, then yesterday, we had the last step. They had to do a comparative survey of properties within a mile of that house in order to decide if they would approve the loan and accept the appraisal the other lender had provided (the other lender's appraisal came in at MORE than what we were buying the house for-that's pretty fantastic). We weren't expecting to hear about this until today late afternoon..but after a day of nail-biting and praying incessantly, we got a phone call around 530 or so from our ecstatic broker who told us the loan was approved and we could pop the champagne. If ONLY I could drink champagne! Actually, if i could've, a massive amount would'v eprobably been consumed during the period of time BEFORE we got the approval to deal with the stress!
ANYHOW... we are approved and can hopefully settle tomorrow. The only way we cant is if the Title doesn't get finished today. That is just not even a concern in our book after having to deal with the "Real" problems.
So..that is that. Good progress in our journey for sure. Now we can return to battling for our $5000 deposit we should have had returned to us. BUT at least we'll have the energy to fight now and a few good things to look back on.
Ok, PHEW, well, I will now finish my lunch and hopefully digest it before I go riding.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)