A good chuckle

Found this joke at one of my favorite restaurant's website, "Absolutely Fresh Seafood Company."

This has to b e one of the funniest things in a long time. I think this guy should have been promoted, not fired. This is a true story from the WordPerfect Helpline, which was transcribed from a recording monitoring the customer care department. Needless to say the Help Desk employee was fired; however, he/she is currently suing the WordPerfect organization for "Termination without Cause."
Actual dialogue of a former WordPerfect Customer Support employee. (Now I know why they record these conversations!):
Operator: "Ridge Hall, computer assistance; may I help you?"
Caller: "Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect."
Operator: "What sort of trouble??"
Caller: "Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away."
Operator: "Went away?"
Caller: "They disappeared."
Operator: "Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?"Caller: "Nothing."
Operator: "Nothing??"Caller: "It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type."
Operator: "Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out??"
Caller: "How do I tell?"
Operator: "Can you see the 'C: prompt' on the screen??"
Caller: "What's a sea-prompt?"
Operator: "Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?"
Caller: "There isn't any cursor; I told you, it won't accept anything I type."
Operator: "Does your monitor have a power indicator??"
Caller: "What's a monitor?"
Operator: "It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on??"
Caller: "I don't know."
Operator: "Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that??"
Caller: "Yes, I think so."
Operator: "Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall.
Caller: "Yes, it is."
Operator: "When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one??"
Caller: "No."
Operator: "Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable."
Caller: "Okay, here it is."
Operator: "Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer." Caller: "I can't reach."
Operator: "OK. Well, can you see if it is??"
Caller: "No."
Operator: "Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over??"
Caller: ; "Well, it' s not because I don't have the right angle -- it's because it's dark."
Operator: "Dark??"
Caller: "Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window." Operator: "Well, turn on the office light then."
Caller: "I can't."
Operator: "No? Why not??"
Caller: "Because there's a power failure."
Operator: "A power .... A power failure? Aha. Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff that your computer came in??"
Caller: "Well, yes, I keep them in the closet"
Operator: "Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from."
Caller: "Really? Is it that bad?"
Operator: 'Yes, I'm afraid it is."
Caller: "Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them??"
Operator: "Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer!!!"
-- -- -- -- --

July fun, pain meds and Grandmas' gracious help

So much for lying around on the floor and doing "tummy time!" Maggie has graduated into the Hot Rod! Who-hoo, she's growing up! She can make it scoot backwards a few steps. And of course, Owen likes to scoot her around, too. Not mention, he likes to get in and out of it and play around and scoot across the floor. Although, I'm not sure how he does it since it's on the lowest setting and his knees practically drag on the floor, grass or cement....wherever it's at!
Peace Grandma (as Owen now refers to her. Translated = Grandma Spiehs) was very daring during her stay in Springfield and took Owen and Maggie to the zoo. We had just been there a week or two before with my parents, brother, sister-in-law and neice and nephew. Owen loved the entire trip, especially the monkies! If I'm having problems getting him somewhere, I can use the monkies to my advantage. "Climb up your changing table like a little monkey." "Scoot into the car like a monkey." To divert a screaming tantrum: "Go find your monkey book." (Curious George)What a smiler. The last few weeks Maggie's really enjoyed being in the jumper. She really seems to get a kick out of being able to control which direction she's looking and being able to stand on her feet. Just in the last few days she's figured out how to actually jump in it. Owen, of course (being the master hopper that he is) thinks he can teach her how to jump higher by grabbing hold of the bungee cords and jumping with her! Yes, she goes much higher that way.

No, we don't feed Owen in the highchair. I'm putting this on the blog so there's offical record that Owen chooses to climb into the highchair (usually once or twice a day). After we thought he had outgrown it (about 6 months ago) we got him a handy booster seat. He used that for about 2 months. (Although he'll ask for one at Peace Grandmas). We didn't argue too much with him about not using the booster seat. As long as he eats, we won't argue too much with him. Since Maggie has started using the highchair now a few times a day, he thinks he should get to sit in it, too. I thought at first that it was going to be a once time thing, and then he'd move on. Wrong! I don't think I'll argue too much with him on this issue, either. Six reasons. 1. He gets in and out of it himself. 2. He can't go anywhere once he's buckled in and has the tray on. 3. The tray is easier to clean than the table. 4. I can wipe his grubby mug and paws before I take off the tray and unbuckle him. 5. He's not running around the house. 6. He feels special because it's something that he wants to do and we let him.

You may have caught in the title of this blog "Pain meds and Grandmas gracious help." Vicodin is a great pain reliever! I ended up in the ER last week after having a seriously bad lowback spasm and couldn't walk or move myself very far. I've had a history of low back problems (the last 10 years). This last time I was putting Maggie down in her crib for a nap when the muscles just snapped and I couldn't move. My mother-in-law ("Done Grandma" as Owen now refers to her, translation = Grandma Hudson. He has the "D" sound and the last "N" sound, he'll get it, eventually!) was at the house, thankfully to help get me to the couch and the ice pack. Needless to say, I knew I wouldn't be any good for the kids; my mom was able to get to Springfield from Phillips in record time. (as Karen was heading out for Georgia that day). The next day actually was worse than the day of the spasm, which is when I went to the emergency room for some awesome shots and prescriptions for spasms and pain. The weekend came and went. I slept most of it away, if I had a burst of energy I tried staying upright for a while and walking and moving in a very cautious sort of way, almost holding my breath with every slight bend or twist of the waist. I can honestly say that the recovery from this back incident, was worse than recuperating from the C-sections. At least after the C-sections, when I was able to get up on my feet, I stayed up and was able to walk; I didn't have to wonder if the spasm I was having from trying to stand up was going to get worse if I stayed standing up or tried to sit back down. It spasmed whatever I did. Not sure how many times I heard Owen say, "Mama ouchie." We had a week of Grandma help. Grandma Spiehs from Wed - Sunday. And Grandma Hudson from Sunday to Wed. What a blessing to have such wonderful women in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Since I was out of drugs and still in pain, I headed to a doctor on Monday. Got more prescriptions and an appointment for an MRI on my low back. I wouldn't call myself a claustrophic, but it's not a procedure I would like to have done too many more times in my life. Although it was a half hour laying down with no kids and listening to Van Morrison's, "Moondance." :-)

We'll know the results in a few days. Most likely it's nothing. Just a precaution to make sure it's nothing. So I'll try to remember to keep everyone posted.

June!

Here we are in June, already! The Big News of the Day is that Maggie has her first tooth! She took it all in stride. You really wouldn't have know that she was about to break through a tooth. She really didn't drool a lot, or carry on as if in more pain...Today actually was her 6-month check up! She got a thumbs up from Dr. Specht. Here are her stats: weight 17.15 pounds (86%); height 28 inches (99%).



The picture of me and Maggie was taken just yesterday. We were having fun with the sprinkler. More pictures of the sprinkler fun towards the bottom of this post. Not sure how I got the pictures so out of order! Let's see, the end of May marked the closing of my first year at Buffett Middle School. I am glad to be done teaching Journalism! Even more thrilling is that I will have only "prep" next year, as I will only be teaching 6th grade Language Arts; I will be covering writing, grammar and "word study." (spelling) Although the drive clear up to Buffett was a bit much for me, I have to think positively-next year we are not buying a house and moving, I am not switching jobs, and we are not having another baby in the middle of the school year! With that all in the back of my head, I have to hope that next year will not be quite as stressful. And possibly the stress lines in my forehead will fade a little!

So after school came to a close, Dave travelled down to Dodge City, KS with Owen for a weekend with an old high school friend, Aaron. Dave and Owen are sitting next to Aaron and his son Holden who is just a few months younger than Owen. Apparantly they all had a good time, and both Dave and Owen survived the 6-8 hour long drive down there! I have to say that the house was REALLY quite without Owen. I'm not sure Maggie really understood what was going on, but I think she kind of missed Owen!

Owen is having some fun with the sprinkler. It originally was located in a spot to water some flowers, but Owen thought it was much more fun to play with it, then just run through it.

Here's Maggie enjoying some rice cereal! She's graduated to eating food! So far, she's tried rice and oatmeal cereal, applesauce and peas. No complaints, yet!

Happy May!

Here's some pictures taken just this weekend. Owen's newest toy is the sand and water activity center. He absolutely loves it! So do mom and dad! Owen can hang out and race his boats and cars and pile up sand to his hearts content! He also loves helping Daddy out with the truck and car. He's getting very helpful when we need something....especially if it's on the floor.

Maggie has been pretty content the last few months. We've started her on rice cereal, and she's taken to "eating" very well! Hopefully the next picture of her will be in her highchair. We've really been procrastinating getting the highchair out of storage. It's ugly. It moves around too much, and the tray is a pain in the derrier to get on and take off. It's a good thing she'll only need it for a short time period in her life. Then we can burn the darn thing!

Now that school is coming to a close, (the kids are done this Friday, then the teachers have to go next Tues-Thurs.) hopefully I'll be able to update our blog more frequently.

Mud, Slush and Sunshine!

This was my kitchen on one of our "snow days!" Owen obviously thought he had a better idea of how everything should be arranged.
Playing dress up with grandma's gloves and shades. One of his favorite "indoor" activities.

OK-so sue me for not posting more pictures of Maggie. On second thought, don’t bother, my slim paycheck from taking 2 months off for maternity leave doesn’t leave us very much. Truth be told, Owen is just more photogenic right now. Maggie is still in the “I’m content just to lay here, smile every now and then in between poops” stage. Trust me, I’m not playing favorites, I try not to compare children and no, Owen is not bribing me to post him more often than his sister. So here are some more photos of the Magster. (Taken just today!) I guess they're up there.

Another reason why I don’t get to posting more about Maggie is that our computer stinks! It seems every time I’m in the middle of typing a good story about the kids or a quick yarn about my students at work, the darn gizmo shuts down. It’s not in the middle of updating Windows, I didn’t kick it, I haven’t sworn at it lately, the screen just goes black and starts laughing at me. You wouldn’t have known it, but as soon as I got done typing the two previous paragraphs that you can’t see (BECAUSE THEY’RE GONE!) the computer blacked out. I swear, if there were a “crappy computer” contest, ours would certainly be in the running. At least it doesn’t turn on all by itself anymore. That was creepy. So true is the saying, “You get what you pay for.” Stupid Ed (as I affectionately call it) was good when we got it. Worked well right up until the warranty expired, almost exactly 6 months.

So let’s see, what was I posting about before my computer got giddy from the fresh air and passed out? Yes-the fresh air! It’s coming back to me know…..here we go: Raising kids has gotten tons easier! I say that because Owen loves to be outside! All it took was the increase in our state’s temperature by about 30 degrees! Owen has discovered what fun splashing in puddles can be, and what it feels like to fall into a big puddle of mud! After he got used to the brief shock of cold wetness on his legs and back, he exclaimed, "Wet!" And off we went! I was able to take Owen out for more than 30 minutes at a time…and was able to take Maggie out without bundling her up like we were going on a toboggan race! Today we were out almost all afternoon! Owen had so much fun playing with the neighbor’s sticks in their yard it was ridiculous. It was a good thing they weren’t home, otherwise I might have hit them up for some money for all the work that Owen did for them! He really likes to be busy and loves to do whatever Dave and I are doing. Not sure why he likes to pick up sticks, though. (We don't make it a daily habit to pick up sticks like we do reading a good book). He’s very helpful picking up at the end of the day, and I suppose the yard does look pretty sloppy with all those twigs lying around, so he must think the yard has to be as neat as our house. I’ll let him go with that thought!

Whatever you do, do it well!

Like my previous post said, I'm just not sure where February went. I think we spent most of it indoors, since the average temp was, well-COLD! I knew going back to work fulltime would be stressful and wouldn't have a whole lot of extra time...so spending time with the family has been first and foremost...then comes grading, then we do the dishes, etc...

We had the pleasure of seeing some college friends last weekend...long story short-Dave was friends with Margaret Norwood during their years at Hastings College. Margaret wrote a screenplay. One of the characters was based on Dave. The screenplay got turned into a film, and they brought it to Omaha for the Omaha Film Festival last weekend. http://omahafilmfestival.org Yeah Margaret and Matthew Noorwood and Terry Gsell! (Sorry, Terry, for butchering your last name!) Kudos to Jason Levering (also an Aurora High Schoool and Hastings College Alum) and all the folks who worked to make it possible for Omaha to actually have a movie festival!

I am trying to include into my daily classroom rituals one of my favorite details I noticed in Margaret's movie, Independance, in one of the scenes, the bank marquee had this scrolling past: "Whatever you do, do it well." I am trying to remember that everyday as I get focused before my students arrive, hoping it will rub off on them. (Especially my 8th graders....they focus so much on trying to give off the illusion that they're "bad." Trying to get them to attempt to do well on anything and not be embarrased about having success is like trying to herd cats...)

I felt in awe through most of the movie...I remember Margaret and Terry (I was a freshman) in their last year of college completing their music degrees, always amazing on stage, and always seeming like they really had it together. It did not surprise me when Dave got an e-mail from Maraget saying her screenplay was becoming a reality. http://babylionproductions.com

Whatever you do, do it well!

Somehow we missed blogging in Feb....

Owen was fasinated by all the trucks scooping snow the last 2 months....he can see sooo much better when he climbs up onto the window sill to watch them work. Not nearly as much fun as actually going outside and using his own little snow shovel, though!

Welcome to March...

The Magster

Maggie is now about one month old. She's rolled over twice (over achiever!) Last night she slept from 8 PM - 4 AM and then 5:30-8:30. Probably won't happen again for another 2 months. Maggie hasn't exactly been on a regular sleep pattern. Except for sleeping a lot during the day, and then wanting to be up between 12-5 AM. I guess that means I should go to bed when she does! But what about that laundry that's been sitting around for the last 5 days?? And dishes? And my corner cabinet project? And catching up on e-mails? And working ahead on school projects?

Just a few more cute pictures

What a contented little sleeper!
One of Owen's favorite toys-my mixing bowl-he likes to walk around and bomp into things!
Thank goodness for Grandmas! Here's Grandma Hudson reading with Owen. Both were able to come help out for a while...very helpful since Owen is at a very busy stage in his little life.

Here's Maggie

Dave, Owen and the back of Maggie's head (and Owen's stuffed doggie).
Here she is just a day or two old. She was born Dec. 18th, 2006. 7 pounds, 9 ounces. 20 1/2 inches long. She sleeps almost all day long. She wakes up every now and then to eat and get her diaper changed!
Here she is thinking about waking up.
Owen seems to be adjusting pretty well to having a sister. He likes to give her kisses and tries to play catch with her. We keep telling him that in a few months she'll be a little bit more fun. If you're patient enough, just wait a year and she'll be chasing you all over the house!

We got our first snow of the year yesterday. Dave and I both took turns taking Owen out in the snow. He wasn't too sure what to think about the cold, white, wet stuff . It was definitely something different for him to babble about when we finally came inside.

Owen's new words are doggie, thank you, and ball. He just continues to baffle us with the things he can do (especially when he chooses to do them). He now puts on his own bib, can go find his sippie cup, waves bye-bye, hugs and kisses, and is often just a blur of color while running from room to room.

Getting ready for Maggie

Here's Owen testing out the Moses basket. He used it from birth until about 3 or 4 months old. We're hoping Maggie will be able to use it a bit longer, until Owen's ready to switch over from the crib to a "big boy bed."
Of course, Owen had to make sure that Maggie's carseat is properly put together.
One more thing to check off the "to-do" list....painting the Mustang!

A quick update

Here's Owen enjoying bath time in his "new" tub.
I guess this is a little out of order...Owen is great help packing up our books.
Again-great help mowing up the gazillion leaves that fell in our yard!

A lot has happened since our last post....I started teaching at a new school (writing and journalism), we purchased our first house, packed and moved, unpacked (mostly Dave did that work while I worked in the evenings grading and slowly getting everything ready for my maternity leave).

Thanksgiving came and went by quicker than any holiday I ever imagined. We had Thanksgiving lunch (or dinner, if you prefer) at my brother-in-law's house, Darin. And then another Thanksgiving meal for supper at my folk's house. We also got in some Christmas cheer that evening exchanging gifts.

Before we knew it, Christmas was almost here, and then it was time to go to Methodist Hospital for the arrival of our newest addition, Margaret Noel Hudson.

September News and Updates

Gosh, September has just come and gone. We had Owen's birthday party at the end of August, September flew in and went by in a flash! During the month of September, Owen experienced his first high temperature, ear infection and pink eye (in both eyes) all at the same time! Needless to say, Dave and I also got wind of his illness and took weeks to recuperate....I still have a lingering cough and scratchy voice. Here is a picture of Owen before we realized he had pink eye. Owen has also given up bouncing in his jumper. He'd much rather walk around and get himself into all kinds of trouble!

Owen has also mastered walking! He still trips over his feet on occasion, and stumbles a lot when he's tired, but he's pretty much given up crawling!



Self explanatory-Owen getting goofy with his spoon! Another evening after a hard day of day care....first time he had ever fallen asleep in the highchair.






Owen is just about as excited to move as we are! We didn't even have to ask him for his help when we started packing up our books. He just started tossing in books! What a great helper! We can hire him out for a fee! :)



Here's Owen and Addie (and Addie's mom, Joanna). The two tykes seemed to get along fabulously. Owen has always been drawn to cute, older girls, and Addie definitely fits the bill! Joanna is a friend of Dave's from High School. Joanna, her husband, Dennis, and Addie, along with another high school friend, Kjell and his wife Lisa were over for lunch today. Owen couldn't believe it when everybody left him. He had so much fun playing with everyone....he cried for quite a while.

We are certainly getting anxious to get out of our apartment. The more mobile Owen gets, the more we wish we could plunk him down in our huge back yard under the enormous oak tree and watch him run around! Certainly can't do that on the corner of our 2 super-busy streets!

Power walker!

http://media.putfile.com/Owen-walking

Above is the link to our video of Owen walking. Shortly before his 1st birthday, Owen decided to take a few steps all on his own. In a short 2 or 3 weeks he has officially graduated into being a regular walker. He still prefers to walk barefoot over wearing his sneakers. (even outside) I guess it won't be an issue until it gets cold!

Owen had just gotten over his cold after his birthday party when he decided to catch another one. This time it seems to be lingering quite a bit longer, and the cough is even cruddier. He also very graciously "gave" it to me! Luckily, Dave hasn't come down with a cough or sniffles. Last night I made my first "late night run" (3 AM) to pick up some cough syrup. Owen woke up, started hacking and just couldn't get back to sleep without his cough waking him back up. Needless to say, Dave and I are both a little short on sleep....so I should sign off and go to bed!

Birthday Boy!

Well, my pictures didn't get posted in the order I thought they would.....we celebrated Owen's 1st Birthday at our apartment, and for a while (before it started to rain) we were at Elmwood Park.
Owen's Grandpa Hudson, looking mighty spiffy in his birthday hat!

Owen seems to be enjoying stuffing his face with the Dr. Seuss Birthday cake!
Opening a few presents....
Grandmas Spiehs, Hudson, Owen and Mommy walking over to the playground area.
Owen received two big gifts from his mom and dad: 1. a pair of shoes (which he doesn't really like to wear and 2. a house of his own to live it! (we hope he likes the house better than his shoes!)

Owen is just getting over his cold, which is why you don't really see him smiling very much...