You know you're working too much when you dream about your job. I had a "community meeting" last night where a certain neighborhood had talked about all their homes having only brick or stone, and that's what they want for a new building coming in their community. In my dream, I dreamt that I was walking around the community, and half the homes were vinyl siding, and I was really confused. Scary!
Our school system is really weird. They'll cancel school at the drop of a hat when there is a dash of snow on the ground. The poor kids in "western loudoun" have to drive on gravel roads, which could be slippery, or could have a potential of possibly being dangerous.
Nonetheless, here's the dilemma. It started snowing at 7am this morning. Long after many parents have left for work, long after school buses have started their routes, and too late to cancel. Now that pretty much everyone is at school, and the roads are "oh so dangerous," what do they do?
Do they let kids out early? They couldn't do that, b/c that would force parents to leave work early and it would also concede that it's safe to drive on snowy roads, but only if the kids are leaving, not going to school.
Do they keep the kids until normal release time? This is probably the best bet, hoping that the roads melt before this afternoon.
Or do they keep the kids all night long? This is the interesting question. If it is so dangerous to go to school when there is an inch of snow on the ground, which requires them to cancel school on many days like today, then what makes it so safe for them to leave school with the same amount of snow on the ground? Wouldn't the roads be just as dangerous and they could be liable if a student is injured on the way home?
Looks like the teachers better be pulling out the board games and marshmallows....
yeah- it's called Plasma.
Our friends who came over to watch the Daytona 500 today just so happened to have purchased a 42" Plasma TV from Costco on their way over. Feeling like we'd be poor stewards of our possessions if we left it in the car for 5 hours, Mr. M. and I took it out and hooked it up (boys and their toys!).
Granted, I don't have HDTV at our house, but just watching it in Standard Def at 42" is simply amazing. Unfortunately, our friends remembered that they had bought it, and they decided to keep it and not leave it here for us. =(
The next get-together will be at their house....
Can you believe NASCAR is back already!!?? WOOHOO!
Friends are coming over to watch the Daytona 500 with us tomorrow. Still haven't made the jump to HDTV -- events such as the one described below with our kitty put a dent in our ability to make frivolous entertainment purchases.
Maybe I can afford one by the World Cup -- then again, it starts the day our baby is due -- maybe in my next life.
GO TONY STEWART!
**Some portions of the below text are NOT for the faint of heart**
The latest, and hopefully final, update on our kitty's stomach issues was discovered today, a full week after her "episode."
While cleaning out the litter box, I noticed a bit of red in a portion of her "business." Remembering what the Dr. had said about Dido having possibly swallowed a string, and remembering that I had enticed her out of our bedroom with a red ribbon the night before she got sick, and not being faint of heart -- I took a venture down biology lane.
Lo and behold! The entire ribbon, probably a foot long, was in her doo-doo (Dido's doo-doo! lol). I had never dreamed in a thousand years that she would have, much less could have, swallowed the whole thing. But there it was. Thankfully, it had made it all the way into her stomach, and it had passed (probably due to all the fluids she was given in the hospital).
Who would have guessed that a 10 cent ribbon could cost us $1,500. But that's the joy of parenthood.
Now, whatever happened to my Livestrong band.....
Check this out:
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/11492
Dr. Bonicelli is a former professor of mine. One of the best.
After another night and morning of kitty sickness, we took the little thing to the Animal Emergency Hospital on Sunday morning (after 8 inches of snow!).
The Dr.'s initial fear was that she had swallowed a string which had subsequently caught around the base of her tongue. THANKFULLY, that was not the case (or else she'd have been facing major surgery to remove the string).
She stayed overnight in the hospital- we almost sent flowers. =) She had an IV to get her hydrated and pump her with antibiotics.
Then, this morning we took her back to the vet, where she spent all day under their watchful eye. We were finally able to bring her home tonight, and she is almost as good as new! We even managed to get the first pill down her!! (not a fun task)
So, now to watch her B's and M's (Bobby's World, anyone?).
We missed her- glad she's back!
You know, ketchup used to be spelled catsup. But that's not the point.
Our poor little kitty, Dido, has some sort of stomach bug. She's gotten sick (to put it mildly) about 8 times in the last 36 hours or so. It's pretty gross, but thankfully not too difficult to clean (as long as we can find it!!).
She is super-lethargic, barely moving, and overall quite pathetic. She hasn't eaten much, which may be good or bad.
Here's hopin' our patient gets better soon.
I'm going to attempt a "series" of posts on an interesting topic: CCM (or Contemporary Christian Music). Growing up, my brother and I listened to our share of CCM, enjoying the truly great artists (Rich Mullins, Michael Card, etc) and quite often mocking the cheesy songs/artists.
Thus, I've decided to start remarking on certain CCM songs today. I'm not judging based upon music quality, but upon lyrics- dumb lyrics that people write just so the song is "Christian".
A bit of background- I've gone through cycles of radio listening habits- from Christian to secular to sports and back to Christian. These days it's a combination, often sports radio (if Ang isn't in the car) and Christian (if she is). Secular stations are now a sort of last resort, if there's just nothing else on (partially due to the fact that our favorite station changed its focus and started doing more 70's and 80's music- not in Ang'e range of tolerance).
And the WINNER is.....
The first CCM song to incur the mocking blow of DcD is- "I Choose You" by Point of Grace (you can download a clip here) .
Here's the chorus:
And I choose You
All my attention, affection
And all my devotion’s for You
If everybody’s worshipping something
I choose You
Did you catch that? "If everybody's worshipping something, I choose You." What kind of argument is that? It's like saying "Hey, everyone's doing drugs, so I choose pot." The only reason you're giving for worshipping God is that everyone else has chosen a God/god/idol, so I might as well choose the Almighty God.
Here's my question- If everyone isn't worshipping something, do they still choose God? If there's no longer the "peer pressure" to worship something, then will they still think it necessary?
My argument (and strong belief) is that our worship of God is borne out of pure humility, thankgiving, and adoration. He is our Creator, Savior, Redeemer, and Glorious King. Now if that isn't enough to get you to worship God....
I've added a new link to my sidebar. My brother, a pastor in Phoenix, AZ, posts most of his sermons online. It's a very worthwhile read.
Eschatalogical Hints
So the local Republican appears to be officially in shambles. And one word describes the reason: GROWTH.
Whether it is an accurate statement or not, the Republicans are deemed responsible for the "rampant growth" in Loudoun County. Ergo, any recent election has become a "referendum on growth" and the Republicans have gotten smashed.
The Republican party in Loudoun needs to take a very serious inventory of its members- typically they are fringe, hard-right idealogues whose message doesn't portray to the common citizen in Loudoun. Property Rights can't remain the sole mantra of the local party if the moderates continue to defect and vote Democrat. There needs to be a return to the key components of Republican thinking: less government, lower taxes and spending, and key social issues.
Growth has become thy downfall, o once mighty Loudoun County Republican Committee. May you have the wisdom to recognize this.
Nice game- couple of key interceptions kept it interesting. Not too impressed by Big Ben's performance, but his defense bailed him out.
I just received a phone call that is the epitome of a push-poll.
Phone rings-
Danny (D): Hello?
Poller (P): My name is __ and I have two quick questions about the special election on Tuesday, Jan. 31st.
D: Okay.
P: First, if the election were held today, would you vote for Dick Black's son-in-law Mick Staton, or for Supervisor Mark Herring?
D: (lol) That's a funny question. Mick Staton.
P: Mick Staton. And second, what issue was most influential in determining who you would vote for: 1- (I can't remember, but it may have been about development); 2- marital equality; or 3- taxes.
[I was caught off guard, b/c I was expecting "transportation needs" to be an option]
D: Uhhh, taxes.
P: Okay, and for purposes of disclosure, this poll was paid for by Equality Virginia. Thank you.
[For those who don't know, Equality Virginia is a pro-homosexual, gay marriage, etc. lobbying group.]
Now- two things of note:
1- Mick Staton isn't running as Dick Black's son-in-law. He's running as a sitting Supervisor on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors who has a great history of helping reduce the tax rate, find attainable transportation solutions, and understanding the issues very well.
2- Mark Herring is not a Supervisor. He was one in the past, but he no longer is.
Almost from the moment I picked up I had an inkling it was a Herring-favored poll. I'm glad I had the opportunity to give them an answer from the "other" side....
Our precious little kitty, Dido, seems to have the uncanny knack for sitting down in one's lap just as soon as one is ready to move. Inevitably, out of pity, that person ends up sitting almost motionless in the same spot, not wanting to disturb sweet Dido, and is therefore rendered useless.
As I type, Dido is covering my forearms up to my fingers, and I can barely type without disturbing her. I can't even change the channel, grab my coffee, or shuffle my position.
Why, you ask, doesn't one simply toss her off one's lap and get on with one's own way? Because it's a great feeling to have this little animal that you rescued come and sit and perch on your lap- she's trusts you enough that she wants to always be in your world. I guess I just hate to disturb her peace.
Then again, it's lunch time, and I'm super-hungry.... off you go, cat!
Well, not really an ode, but more like - KUDOS!
President Bush came to Loudoun County last week and spoke for about an hour and a half. The White House chose Loudoun because of its super low unemployment rate (less than 2%, which is typically considered a "worker shortage"), great economy, and fiscal strength. During the Q&A session, my boss asked a question about broadband and telework.
Check out the Press Release here (note it's the entire transcript, so it's really long).
At least I have one faithful reader- my wonderful little sister A. (name withheld to protect the young)
Here's to you, sis! ("Aunt AED")
It's been a good, full weekend. Now, I just need another weekend to recover...
Friday:
I ended up working until 5:30pm (ugh!)
PM- Angela cooked homemade Tomato Basil Soup- YUM! Then we took a trip to Bed, Beth, & Beyond for a shower gift and Nordstrom Rack for good deals (found a couple). Then, just took it easy.
Saturday:
AM- We had a PHC Alumni Association Board meeting. Angela was voted Secretary, I'm now chair of the Tech Committee (mainly to work out issues with getting a newsletter sent out and the website a bit more user friendly).
Noon- Went to friends' for a brunch, a precursor to a birthday party later that evening for PHC friends in town from North Carolina.
PM- Said birthday party. Until Angela started feeling bad (no solid food all day, which doesn't bode well with a second person inside you), so we went home around 7:30.
PPM (?)- Ate dinner at home and watched Erin Brokovich on TBS. Not really a great movie, but it's a feel-good, woman-power movie.
Sunday:
AM- Angela woke up not feeling well (chest cough, etc), so she stayed home while I went to teach Sunday School and church. SS went well, and church was very good (message: Jesus is "the door"- the only way to heaven)
Noon- Came home with "Chicken Out Rotisserie" for lunch. Watched football while Ang sewed (?).
PM- So Ang could get out of the house, we went to the mall. It's too cold outside for a walk, since she has a cold/cough. The mall was nice. BIG FIND OF THE DAY- Maternity clothes at Old Navy- 1/2 price on clearance items- two pair of maternity jeans for $20- all RIGHT!
PPM (?)- Watched Kate and Leopold- then watched end of the Seattle/Carolina game.
Now, off to bed, for an exciting week of the people's work. Land Use Committee, Economic Development Committee, and numerous meetings. It's going to be a busy one....
The latest craze in the Davis household is Sudoku. I didn't understand the interest in this "puzzle" until Ang bought me a book for Christmas. Every puzzle is a challenge, and it suits my math/logic-minded mind quite well. To see an online puzzle, check out here.
Apparently the original name of this exercise in logic was "Suuji wa dokushin ni kagiru" which means "it is best for the number to be single." Obviously, this doesn't make for a good name to just toss around during lunch break, so it was shortened to Sudoku, su meaning "number" and doku meaning "single."*
Try it out- you may like it.
*Info taken from The Original Sudoku
Thank goodness for hand-me-downs. Especially when it comes to maternity clothes (have you ever seen the prices for a shirt with an extra bump in the tummy???).
Granted, it's a bit odd that my wife is wearing my boss' hand-me-downs (she just had a baby 4 months ago), but if it saves me money, you'll hear no complaints.
Now, let's see about those baby clothes....
