September 22, 2007
Lucas takes his swings:
Ian's turn:
The LOOT!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
I'm still alive!
I'm still alive, but buried in homework. At present, I am learning how to convert radian measure to degrees and visa versa, how the Constitution affects business decisions, how information systems is so much more than just information technology, and how to critique short fiction. Repeat after me: This exhaustion will all pay off some day.
South Beach is going well, also. I've lost another pound. I'm at the stage in the diet where you start adding carbs back in, and for two weeks I added in way too many and, instead of losing, I gained 2. So I'm up to a grand total of 12 pounds lost. And I'm trying hard not to find them.
We have a virtual pet. Ian wanted a dog like his cousin Jeff had, but that is out of the question. (First because this apartment is too small for an animal, second because the landlord will not permit it, and third because Ian is afraid of most of them, so why he wants one is beyond me.) We now have a Tamagotchi. It sleeps, poops, eats and plays. If you had asked me even a year ago if I ever planned on owning a virtual pet, I'd have laughed. See how parenthood changes a person over time?
I hope everyone is doing well.
JT said...
Calvin? a doggie? He was terrified of Jack and all he did was lick you silly... maybe a small pet in time hamsters? fish?
Serena said...
We had a fish, but it died. I flushed it, and for three days Calvin didn't want to sit on the potty because the fish might come back and bite his butt.
He did decide, after you no longer had Jack, that he really liked him. I will never truly understand how my child thinks.
South Beach is going well, also. I've lost another pound. I'm at the stage in the diet where you start adding carbs back in, and for two weeks I added in way too many and, instead of losing, I gained 2. So I'm up to a grand total of 12 pounds lost. And I'm trying hard not to find them.
We have a virtual pet. Ian wanted a dog like his cousin Jeff had, but that is out of the question. (First because this apartment is too small for an animal, second because the landlord will not permit it, and third because Ian is afraid of most of them, so why he wants one is beyond me.) We now have a Tamagotchi. It sleeps, poops, eats and plays. If you had asked me even a year ago if I ever planned on owning a virtual pet, I'd have laughed. See how parenthood changes a person over time?
I hope everyone is doing well.
JT said...
Calvin? a doggie? He was terrified of Jack and all he did was lick you silly... maybe a small pet in time hamsters? fish?
Serena said...
We had a fish, but it died. I flushed it, and for three days Calvin didn't want to sit on the potty because the fish might come back and bite his butt.
He did decide, after you no longer had Jack, that he really liked him. I will never truly understand how my child thinks.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Ian and Danika
(and deliriously happy but exhausted Mommy in the background)
Ian and Danika Fiebelkorn(photos taken 9/3/07)
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Stumped.
Suppose that a star forms an angle theta with respect to Earth and the sun. Let the coordinates of Earth be (x,y), those of the star (0,0), and those of the sun (x,0). Find an equation for x, the distance between the sun and the star, as follows:
a) write an equation involving a trigonometric funtion that relates x, y, and angle theta;
b) solve your equation for x.
In the accompanying figure, the star is at the point of origin, Earth is in quadrant I, and the line dropping from Earth to the sun forms a 90 degree angle with the x-axis. Not to scale, of course.
Any takers?
a) write an equation involving a trigonometric funtion that relates x, y, and angle theta;
b) solve your equation for x.
In the accompanying figure, the star is at the point of origin, Earth is in quadrant I, and the line dropping from Earth to the sun forms a 90 degree angle with the x-axis. Not to scale, of course.
Any takers?
Saturday, September 08, 2007
School is in Session!
You will notice the number of entries I make begins to drastically drop off now. This semester I am taking Business Law, Business Systems, Composition and Literature, and Trigonometry II. So far, Trig is my favorite. I don't expect that to change! :-)
Ian has been tested to death over the course of the last week, and it has been ascertained that he is at the high end of the second grade. Instead of moving him into third, he is being placed in a group within his own classroom that will be given third grade reading and math. He is not the top student in his class, but he is in the top 5. His teacher has promised to keep him challenged, and I have assured her that I will be checking in with her regularly to see how and what he is doing, and to let her know if he is bored or overwhelmed.
Ian has already informed me that second grade is even easier than first, so I let her know - we must do something about this NOW. Both the principal and the teacher have assured me he will be challenged, so we will see how it goes. I do like the idea of challenging him within his own class, as long as they keep at it. The principal and I will be speaking on a regular basis also to keep tabs on Ian's progress, and if he does indeed need to be moved, he will be. Poor kid is going to be under a microscope, but with a little luck, he won't know it!
Ian has been tested to death over the course of the last week, and it has been ascertained that he is at the high end of the second grade. Instead of moving him into third, he is being placed in a group within his own classroom that will be given third grade reading and math. He is not the top student in his class, but he is in the top 5. His teacher has promised to keep him challenged, and I have assured her that I will be checking in with her regularly to see how and what he is doing, and to let her know if he is bored or overwhelmed.
Ian has already informed me that second grade is even easier than first, so I let her know - we must do something about this NOW. Both the principal and the teacher have assured me he will be challenged, so we will see how it goes. I do like the idea of challenging him within his own class, as long as they keep at it. The principal and I will be speaking on a regular basis also to keep tabs on Ian's progress, and if he does indeed need to be moved, he will be. Poor kid is going to be under a microscope, but with a little luck, he won't know it!
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Friday, August 31, 2007
Memories
(Once again, I am unabashedly stealing a great idea from my brother. I didn't realize you could post video clips until I saw him do it.)
It seems like just yesterday Ian was this small... Mike took this clip when we visited in 2003.
Red Robin
I took Ian to our favorite restaurant to eat, but, as you know, they serve burgers. So I talked to the waiter. I really like their bleu burger (I forget exactly what it's called), but I can't have the bun.
He said, "No problem! How about a lettuce wrap?" Well, I saw the lettuce wraps they had on the menu, and I told him they didn't really appeal to me. He said, "No, we'll take the burger and fixings you want and put them in a lettuce wrap."
And then he said, "You probably don't want the fries either?" Oh, man, no, I can't have the fries. He said, "How about I put a couple onion rings on there instead? Can you have those?" Hey, if I'm going to cheat a little, I might as well cheat with something I really like! The onion rings were a go.
Let me tell you, it was wonderful. I only had one onion ring, which totally satisfied my desire for one, and the burger with the fixings in the lettuce wrap was great. I love this restaurant.
Which reminds me, the general manager, shift manager, and two of the waitresses came up to me and thanked me for our thank you notes (about Ian's wallet). Amazing! I checked out their website: http://www.redrobin.com/. There is even a Red Robin in Everett, Washington. :-)
He said, "No problem! How about a lettuce wrap?" Well, I saw the lettuce wraps they had on the menu, and I told him they didn't really appeal to me. He said, "No, we'll take the burger and fixings you want and put them in a lettuce wrap."
And then he said, "You probably don't want the fries either?" Oh, man, no, I can't have the fries. He said, "How about I put a couple onion rings on there instead? Can you have those?" Hey, if I'm going to cheat a little, I might as well cheat with something I really like! The onion rings were a go.
Let me tell you, it was wonderful. I only had one onion ring, which totally satisfied my desire for one, and the burger with the fixings in the lettuce wrap was great. I love this restaurant.
Which reminds me, the general manager, shift manager, and two of the waitresses came up to me and thanked me for our thank you notes (about Ian's wallet). Amazing! I checked out their website: http://www.redrobin.com/. There is even a Red Robin in Everett, Washington. :-)
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Lunar Eclipse
My brother took some incredible shots of the lunar eclipse that occurred on the 27th. Click here to go to his photography website to see. (If you hold down the shift key while you click, it will open in a separate window.)
We couldn't see it from my house - too many other houses and trees. It's a shame, too. I would have loved to have Ian see it happen.
We couldn't see it from my house - too many other houses and trees. It's a shame, too. I would have loved to have Ian see it happen.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Egg, Bacon and Tomato "Sandwiches"
How can something that tastes so good be found in a cookbook full of 'diet' recipes? Check it out. The recipe serves 4 (or two if you've got large appetites to satisfy), but I halved it for my purposes.
Preheat the oven to 400. Slice a beefsteak tomato into 4 slices. Season both sides with salt and pepper and place them in a non-reactive baking dish. (I used an 8" square glass pan sprayed with Pam.) Spread each tomato slice with dijon mustard. Lightly brown 4 slices of Canadian bacon in a saucepan for two minutes each side, place them on each tomato slice. Put the tomatos in the oven for 10 minutes or until the tomatos start to bubble.
In the meantime, poach 4 eggs in water with a tablespoon of white vinegar in it. (3 minutes will give you a soft center. I like them at 5 minutes, which is partially cook and not very runny.) Put the eggs on top of the tomatos and serve.
Yummy! I've been trying new recipes for a week now - this is the first one I can say is a keeper!
Preheat the oven to 400. Slice a beefsteak tomato into 4 slices. Season both sides with salt and pepper and place them in a non-reactive baking dish. (I used an 8" square glass pan sprayed with Pam.) Spread each tomato slice with dijon mustard. Lightly brown 4 slices of Canadian bacon in a saucepan for two minutes each side, place them on each tomato slice. Put the tomatos in the oven for 10 minutes or until the tomatos start to bubble.
In the meantime, poach 4 eggs in water with a tablespoon of white vinegar in it. (3 minutes will give you a soft center. I like them at 5 minutes, which is partially cook and not very runny.) Put the eggs on top of the tomatos and serve.
Yummy! I've been trying new recipes for a week now - this is the first one I can say is a keeper!
This Day in History
On this day in 1939, the first televised Major League baseball game is broadcast on station W2XBS, the station that was to become WNBC-TV. Announcer Red Barber called the game between the Cincinnati Reds and Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York. According to Calvin, this was, of course, before the world was in color. We've come a long way!
For more "This Day in History":
http://www.history.com/tdih.do
© 1996-2007, A&E Television Networks.
JT said...
LOL - the world was in color. Water was clear, dirt was clean, god was a boy....
Serena said...
Yeah. We didn't have to take History in school - we MADE History!
For more "This Day in History":
http://www.history.com/tdih.do
© 1996-2007, A&E Television Networks.
JT said...
LOL - the world was in color. Water was clear, dirt was clean, god was a boy....
Serena said...
Yeah. We didn't have to take History in school - we MADE History!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
South Beach Part 3
Once again, my brother (a/k/a Obiwan, a/k/a El Presidente), was absolutely right. I hate it when he does that. :D
We were talking about dieting, and he said that sometimes diets are impossible to stick with because when dining out or at a friend's house, the menu options require that you violate the diet plan.
Try, just TRY, finding ANYTHING low-carb to eat at a ballpark!!!
Sooo, Friday night I had pizza for dinner followed by a late snack of nachos and cheese. Tasty, though. Very tasty. I don't regret it. The funny thing was, about an hour after I ate the pizza, I felt incredibly tired. Like I-can't-keep-my-eyes-open tired. Carbs at work? Maybe...
Anyway, other than that, I've been doing well on the plan. I have noticed that some of my pants do not fit so tight against the waist, so even though it may not show up on the scale, something is definitely happening.
We were talking about dieting, and he said that sometimes diets are impossible to stick with because when dining out or at a friend's house, the menu options require that you violate the diet plan.
Try, just TRY, finding ANYTHING low-carb to eat at a ballpark!!!
Sooo, Friday night I had pizza for dinner followed by a late snack of nachos and cheese. Tasty, though. Very tasty. I don't regret it. The funny thing was, about an hour after I ate the pizza, I felt incredibly tired. Like I-can't-keep-my-eyes-open tired. Carbs at work? Maybe...
Anyway, other than that, I've been doing well on the plan. I have noticed that some of my pants do not fit so tight against the waist, so even though it may not show up on the scale, something is definitely happening.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Quote of the Day
The school bus is, and always has been, a problem. Last week, I received notice in the mail that the bus will pick up Ian five minutes after school starts, leaving me to wonder how he's supposed to get there in time.
I think Ian is hoping for some sort of time warp.
"Maybe the bus will go backwards really, really fast!"
JT said...
Great Scott.. Ian (Marty) do you know what this means? The time flux capacitor...lol
Serena said...
It's Back to the Future! That's PERFECT! :D
I think Ian is hoping for some sort of time warp.
"Maybe the bus will go backwards really, really fast!"
JT said...
Great Scott.. Ian (Marty) do you know what this means? The time flux capacitor...lol
Serena said...
It's Back to the Future! That's PERFECT! :D
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
South Beach Continued
I visited my endocrinologist yesterday. I'm still in remission, and I've lost 4 pounds since my last visit three months ago. I don't know where I lost them, but I'm making a concerted effort not to find them. ;)
Coincidentally, the morning radio show I listen to had dieting tips. One was, "Set your fork down between each bite." I can see the reasoning in that. Another was, "Limit your coffee intake." Apparently caffeine slows the metabolic process. (I haven't had a cup of coffee since Saturday, and my mild headache is finally gone. Not as tough as quitting smoking, but not easy either.)
So far, so good... Today I am eating lunch with the gals in a restaurant. We'll see how South Beach fares there!
Michael said...
Be careful where you take advice. Caffeine pills are often used as a diet aid because caffeine speeds the metabolism.
Serena said...
Yes. It reminds me of the run-around about eggs. They used to be so horrible for you because they were so high in cholesterol, and now they are promoted as very healthy.
Michael said...
Putting your fork down between each bite is an impractical request, and silly looking when dining with others... but having zen mindfulness about dining is not ridiculous. Just difficult. :-)
Serena said...
I just try to make sure my fork rests on the plate between bites. I've never been a fast eater, but I've dined with people who just seem to shovel it in their mouths. I think that advice was for them!
Michael said...
Also - congratulations on your remission...
Serena said...
Thank you! Life is GOOD!
Coincidentally, the morning radio show I listen to had dieting tips. One was, "Set your fork down between each bite." I can see the reasoning in that. Another was, "Limit your coffee intake." Apparently caffeine slows the metabolic process. (I haven't had a cup of coffee since Saturday, and my mild headache is finally gone. Not as tough as quitting smoking, but not easy either.)
So far, so good... Today I am eating lunch with the gals in a restaurant. We'll see how South Beach fares there!
Michael said...
Be careful where you take advice. Caffeine pills are often used as a diet aid because caffeine speeds the metabolism.
Serena said...
Yes. It reminds me of the run-around about eggs. They used to be so horrible for you because they were so high in cholesterol, and now they are promoted as very healthy.
Michael said...
Putting your fork down between each bite is an impractical request, and silly looking when dining with others... but having zen mindfulness about dining is not ridiculous. Just difficult. :-)
Serena said...
I just try to make sure my fork rests on the plate between bites. I've never been a fast eater, but I've dined with people who just seem to shovel it in their mouths. I think that advice was for them!
Michael said...
Also - congratulations on your remission...
Serena said...
Thank you! Life is GOOD!
Children's Health Insurance Program
New Rules May Limit Health Care Program Aiding Children
by Robert Pear
New York Times
Published 8/21/07
"The Bush administration, continuing its fight to stop states from expanding the popular Children’s Health Insurance Program, has adopted new standards that would make it much more difficult for New York, California and others to extend coverage to children in middle-income families..."
Isn't this just great? It seems to me like he is trying to do as much damage to the working poor as he possibly can before he leaves office. For the complete article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/21/washington/21health.html?th&emc=th
Michael said...
Those folks 'just ain't like us.'Although both political parties are corrupted by big money, the Republicans are far and away the party of the Wealthy and the Corporatocracy.
Serena said... So true. Every time I vote, I think, well, which is worse? and vote the other way.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Dietary Changes
I recently visited my primary care physician who ordered an EKG, a prescription for a diuretic, and recommended I change my eating habits. He pointed out that the foods I have been eating plenty of (especially apples and oranges, my breakfast staples) are loaded with sugar, which is the cause of my weight gain. He recommended trying a low-carb diet, like Atkins or something similar, and if I want to be around and healthy for my son’s graduation, I’d better do it NOW.
I gave this considerable thought. I need a plan to follow for a few weeks while I get used to adjusting my eating habits, and something flexible enough that I can add what I like and not eat what I don’t. And I won’t be able to stick with any eating plan that leaves me hungry. So I did a little homework and decided I could probably live with the ideas presented in the South Beach Diet.
The South Beach Diet goes in three stages: Phase 1 is the strictest where you cut out fruit, breads, pastas, and the like. Phase 2 lets you add back in some of the things you are missing, so occasionally having pizza or ice cream is completely allowed. Phase 3 is the maintenance program. Eat what you’ve learned your body can handle. Stay away from what it can’t. It is flexible to allow for eating in restaurants, and forgiving if you just MUST have that dish of ice cream.
I began the diet yesterday, and so far so good. The biggest thing I notice is that the eating plan calls for TOO MUCH FOOD! I cannot eat all that is allowed. I am not hungry, not irritable (yet), and do not yet feel deprived.
If you are curious, here is a link to the book.
Further bulletins as events warrant. :D
I gave this considerable thought. I need a plan to follow for a few weeks while I get used to adjusting my eating habits, and something flexible enough that I can add what I like and not eat what I don’t. And I won’t be able to stick with any eating plan that leaves me hungry. So I did a little homework and decided I could probably live with the ideas presented in the South Beach Diet.
The South Beach Diet goes in three stages: Phase 1 is the strictest where you cut out fruit, breads, pastas, and the like. Phase 2 lets you add back in some of the things you are missing, so occasionally having pizza or ice cream is completely allowed. Phase 3 is the maintenance program. Eat what you’ve learned your body can handle. Stay away from what it can’t. It is flexible to allow for eating in restaurants, and forgiving if you just MUST have that dish of ice cream.
I began the diet yesterday, and so far so good. The biggest thing I notice is that the eating plan calls for TOO MUCH FOOD! I cannot eat all that is allowed. I am not hungry, not irritable (yet), and do not yet feel deprived.
If you are curious, here is a link to the book.
Further bulletins as events warrant. :D
Welcome to the World!
Matthew
5 lbs, 11 oz, 19 1/2 inches tall
Melissa and Justin are now proud parents, and luckily so, as the labor and delivery almost cost Mom and Baby their lives. Both spent time in ICU, but they are home now and doing well. Isn't he just beautiful?
Melissa is the daughter of Jan, who is the daughter of Marlene, who is a sister to Paul, who is father to me. In a nutshell, we're cousins. :)
Melissa said...
Aww, thanks for the birth announcement Kelly, you are so sweet!!! Matthew has been such a joy, I feel like the luckiest mommy in the whole world!!! Love ya!!!~Melissa :)
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Ian's Lost Wallet
Every once in a while, something happens that completely restores your faith in humanity.
Ian lost his wallet. He gets $2 a week allowance, and the wallet contained his savings to date - $30. We looked everywhere, but it was gone.
So I went through my check register for debit card transactions and I began calling everywhere we had been in the past two weeks. Target, Wal-Mart, Wegmans, Tops, IHOP, Pizzeria Uno’s, Red Robin’s. It was a red nylon Bisons wallet, I told everyone, the kind that folds over and closes with a Velcro strip. It contained a $20 bill and a $10 bill and no ID, as I had located the ID in the toy box.
IHOP was the worst. They left me on hold for 15 minutes before I finally hung up and called back. “Naw, don’t see it, sorry.” Click. I am never eating there again.
Red Robin, on the other hand, called me back. “We didn’t find the wallet, but our hearts went out to you and your little boy, and we got him a little something. Could you stop by the restaurant sometime soon?” We went that evening after Aikido. I was figuring maybe a $1 gift certificate off of an order of fries, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
We went in to eat first, and they told me that dinner was on them. I assured them they didn’t have to do that! No problem, enjoy, they said. The waitress told Ian she was very sorry to hear about his wallet, and he said yeah, I was saving for a GameBoy. If I got $50, Mom said she would kick in the other $50, but I only had $30, and now I gotta start from scratch.
After we ate, all the employees gathered around and gave Ian his gift. A Bisons glove, 4 vouchers for tickets to a future game, a Red Robin figure, a genuine leather bi-fold wallet containing 2 Lasertron gift cards, a Red Robin gift card, and $50 cash. They told me they had already had over $30 in the wallet, but when Ian told the waitress he was saving for a GameBoy, they kicked in the rest. They also told me they contacted the Bisons to try to get the same wallet for him, but the Bisons stopped selling that wallet three years ago, so it was the Bisons that kicked in the tickets.
I cried. (Ian will tell you I cried for two days. Slight exaggeration.)
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers has my business for the rest of my life.
JT said...
Ian is very...very lucky. Glad to hear something good came from it!!
Serena said...
Yes, and he has no idea how much!
Ian lost his wallet. He gets $2 a week allowance, and the wallet contained his savings to date - $30. We looked everywhere, but it was gone.
So I went through my check register for debit card transactions and I began calling everywhere we had been in the past two weeks. Target, Wal-Mart, Wegmans, Tops, IHOP, Pizzeria Uno’s, Red Robin’s. It was a red nylon Bisons wallet, I told everyone, the kind that folds over and closes with a Velcro strip. It contained a $20 bill and a $10 bill and no ID, as I had located the ID in the toy box.
IHOP was the worst. They left me on hold for 15 minutes before I finally hung up and called back. “Naw, don’t see it, sorry.” Click. I am never eating there again.
Red Robin, on the other hand, called me back. “We didn’t find the wallet, but our hearts went out to you and your little boy, and we got him a little something. Could you stop by the restaurant sometime soon?” We went that evening after Aikido. I was figuring maybe a $1 gift certificate off of an order of fries, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
We went in to eat first, and they told me that dinner was on them. I assured them they didn’t have to do that! No problem, enjoy, they said. The waitress told Ian she was very sorry to hear about his wallet, and he said yeah, I was saving for a GameBoy. If I got $50, Mom said she would kick in the other $50, but I only had $30, and now I gotta start from scratch.
After we ate, all the employees gathered around and gave Ian his gift. A Bisons glove, 4 vouchers for tickets to a future game, a Red Robin figure, a genuine leather bi-fold wallet containing 2 Lasertron gift cards, a Red Robin gift card, and $50 cash. They told me they had already had over $30 in the wallet, but when Ian told the waitress he was saving for a GameBoy, they kicked in the rest. They also told me they contacted the Bisons to try to get the same wallet for him, but the Bisons stopped selling that wallet three years ago, so it was the Bisons that kicked in the tickets.
I cried. (Ian will tell you I cried for two days. Slight exaggeration.)
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers has my business for the rest of my life.
JT said...
Ian is very...very lucky. Glad to hear something good came from it!!
Serena said...
Yes, and he has no idea how much!
A Sad Day for Baseball
(Photo by www.absolutenow.com)Yankees great Phil Rizzuto dies at 89.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/2010AP_BBA_Obit_Rizzuto.html
"...Rizzuto delighted TV and radio listeners for four decades, his voice dripping with his native Brooklyn. He loved his favorite catch-phrase - exclaiming "Holy cow!" when Roger Maris hit his 61st home run - and often shouted "What a huckleberry!"..."
I don't remember him as a player (he was a bit before my time), but I remember him as a broadcaster. Rest in peace, Scooter.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Jammin'
I was going through the photos I took in Seattle, and came across this one, which just makes me smile:
My brother has played guitar since I was about 8 or so, and I have always enjoyed listening to him play. He wrote a song for Ian which is just amazing - it is curiosity set to music. I admire his talent, and the fact that Jeff has it, too!
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