Week of February 18, 2008

Good:
1. I was so excited on Friday to see Brian F. back at work. He returned to work about 3 months after having his brain aneurism. He looked amazing. I talked to him for about 15minutes and his story was really incredible. He is so lucky to have survived without any noticeable loss of ability. Simply amazing - a true miracle.
2. Keegan shocked us this past Sunday when he actually did something that resembled crawling. It was cool because we were on the web cam with my parents. Anyway his progress has continued. He can crawl short distances. As well really for the first time he pulled himself up to get to his toys. It was funny because Jen and I were so excited and we were telling him how great an accomplishment this was and he didn't show any excitement over his accomplishment. He was just focused on playing with his toys.
3. Rob and Tonya had their baby girl (Maggie) on Friday. Everyone is doing well. The timing is amazing because Rob finished writing at business pundit on Thursday.
4. Work has been really slow the last couple of weeks while waiting my next program to kick on. Somehow I've managed to stay busy. I've recently got the opportunity to work on a proposal for a card on another airplane. The competition is pretty stiff. Regardless it is interesting.

Bad:
1. We attended our HOA meeting. It started at 6:30PM and lasted to 8:30PM and no decision was made about our house paint. The meeting was interesting however we disturbed Keegan's schedule with no outcome. They said they are still waiting to hear back from the lawyer. It has been a long and stressful ordeal.
2. Jen, Keegan, and I attempted to go to the Zoo this past Saturday. We got there and it started to rain. We were able to see the Rhinos, Big Cats, and the Monkeys before we were rained out. I guess the timing wasn't too bad - Keegan slept on the car ride home.
3. I've noticed over the past six months or so that I've lost some strength in my right hand. It has a tendency to feel sore when I grip stuff or make a fist as well it just doesn't feel as strong as my left hand. When I have to grip something I can do it much easier with my left hand. The reality of aging.

Week of February 11, 2008

Good:
1. Keegan turned 10months old this past week. Everyday with Keegan is a blessing. I got to baby sit him on Saturday while Jen was at work. He was fun - though I broke out the floor cleaner. He was pretty interested as I maneuvered that beast around the kitchen, front entrance, bathroom, . . .
2. I made it through another week of work without being too bored. I'm in a soft zone between projects. I've been working on filler type of activities. I had considered taking last week off to paint the house - but since the HOA hasn't approved our color I decided it was best to hold off. It turned out to be a very good decision since the weather was terrible last week - cooler and rainy. When my next project kicks up - it may be a little more difficult to find the time to take off to paint the house.
3. Jen, Keegan, and I had a nice valentine's day. We decided to go to dinner the eve of Valentine’s day in order to avoid the rush and the ire of all the other dinners. Keegan was good - until the entrees arrived. He had enough of sitting. Jen and I took turns eating and holding Keegan. I suppose that could have turned out better.

Bad:
1. HOA is acting very deliberately concerning our request to paint our home. Personally I've reviewed the covenant and believe that we are within our rights to paint our home Applesauce. They've consulted the HOA attorney. I'm surprised that this has been so difficult.
2. Two people at work had their last days with Harris this past week. Both had long tenures with Harris. One was returning home to Michigan another was going to live where he had his last field assignment - San Diego. I always hate to see people leave - except if I don't like them.
3. Jen worked on Saturday - which was fine - however she had a difficult patient schedule. She managed pretty well though.

Week of February 4, 2008

Good:

1. Jen felt B2 kicking for the first time this week. B2 has followed up with several more kicks throughout the week. I haven't had the opportunity to feel them yet - bad timing. This is very exciting.

2. Seth and Maria invited us for dinner on Saturday night. We had a really nice time. The food was great and it was nice visiting with them and their children. Their new home is amazing. A lot of very nice details.

3. We got one very important trouble report resolved and shipped out the last two upgrade units. Our customer is still having trouble with some checksum errors - which may mean I need to take a trip - I'm hoping that it isn't necessary.

Bad:

1. I went to install the blinds in B2's room yesterday and they were cut too big. We took them back to Lowes today to get them re-cut. The header now fits but the shade is still a 1/4" too long. We'll have to do something - I'm not sure what though.

2. Jen's been tired. She commented that she is tired of being tired. Hopefully she can tough it out. She's got 20 something more weeks to go.

3. I was able to get a realtor to write a letter saying the color that we want to paint our house will benefit the value of our home and the value of the neighborhood. I forwarded that onto the HOA. I was hoping to get a quick turnaround on this. I must learn patience!

Week of January 28, 2008

Good:

1. We were very excited to get a call on Monday night to find out that Bryan and Katie got engaged over the weekend! Jen and I are so excited for them and can't wait for the wedding.

2. Dad came down and we made a crazy amount of progress on B2's room. We got the wood floors down and they look great. We managed to get the floor boards down and the chair rail up. If that wasn't enough we installed a ceiling fan, completed a 3 dresser shuffle, as well as a sofa shuffle. I'm beat but it looks great. I still need to put the blinds up and the curtain rod up - but we have them in hand. As well we need to go back and caulk the floor boards and chair rail - but that's minor. What we did in 3+ days took me months last time. I also made an investment in a nail gun. It was a great purchase and saved much effort.

3. The weather this weekend was great and Jen and Keegan were really great while Dad and I hammered and sawed away.

Bad:

1. I'm am really dissapointed that the Patriots lost. I've been rooting for them ever since they beat San Dieago and had to play the Colts in the playoffs last year. They were so close to having the perfect season. It is ashame to miss it by one game.

2. Jen really hasn't been gaining any weight. I suppose it is nothing to worry about - she will gain it when she's ready - but she is at 15 weeks and it seems like she should have put some more weight on. The baby's measurements are fine though so that is good.

3. We are so close to being done on my project. I got 3 more units shipped out - they were test units. We only have 4 more units to send out - two are test and two are upgrades. It shouldn't be too bad. As well we have two trouble reports that we spent last week trying to re-create it at Harris but we can not. That may mean I have to go out there.