A Post

It's Monday.  There's not a lot to say about that.  Of course, it did actually turn out to be a nice day today.  After I got home from work, we ate leftover pizza and took Molly to ballet practice.  While she was at practice, Joy, Caleb, Sophie, and I went to Toys R Us.  No real reason other than to get ideas for Sophie for Christmas.

People have asked me and Joy what to get Sophie for Christmas and we've been drawing blanks.  I mean, it's not like she's asking for anything so she'd probably have fun with just about anything.  She's particularly fond of putting the small objects that she happens across as she's crawling on the floor into her mouth.

Anyway, I just felt like writing something.

Later!

Friday.

Tonight, Joy went with Michelle to a lady's night out, or in.  I guess some of the ladies at the church were making it a bit of a slumber party but Joy is not staying overnight.  I think if she would have stayed overnight, there could have been some complications involving Sophie and eating.  It's times like these that I realize just how much Joy does for our family.  What a wonderful wife and mother!  God has truly blessed me with her.

I guess I should mention that while Joy was gone, Sophie was actually very good.  She wasn't very fussy or anything like that.  Of course, she slept for a portion of the evening but, that's irrelevant.  While Sophie napped, Molly and Caleb watched The Haunted Mansion movie while I was reading.  It was pretty relaxing.

When Sophie woke up, she was great.  The sad/cute thing that she did was when she crawled down the hallway to our bedroom door.  When I opened the door to our room (in which the lights were on, by the way) she crawled right to the bathroom sink area where Joy is sometimes brushing her teeth or doing her hair.  Of course, Joy was not there.  I guess that's what was sad.  But, it was pretty cute.  I think she did this a total of three times tonight.

Well, it definitely feels like fall outside.  Too bad it's raining.  We were planning on going to the pumpkin patch at the Belmont Farm in Matthews, VA tomorrow but, with this weather, I just don't see that happening.

Lastly, my boss told me today that November 1st (a Sunday night) will be when I start third shift.  I'm still pretty excited about it.  It will be nice to be in a different atmosphere.  Apparently, I'll also still be doing some processing at night for different day shift jobs.  It's going to be interesting if nothing else.

Anyway, thank the Lord it's Friday (and I'm off this weekend)!

Pancakes For Dinner

As I was sitting on the floor, Sophie crawled over to me started studying my foot.  She started grabbing at my ankle or so I thought.  She started grasping and pulling at the hair on my leg.  I guess she thought it was something she could just pick up and inspect.  Fortunately for me, she never got too good of a grasp on any of my hairs.  That would have hurt.

A few minutes after that, Sophie was at the patio door and started walking toward Joy.  Not just a couple of steps but more like seven or eight!  It really won't be long now and she is going to be walking.  I really can't believe she'll be a one year old in just a few weeks.

Speaking of a few weeks, supposedly, that's when I'll start third shift.  Well, that's what I was told today.  I heard my supervisor tell someone on third shift that I would be working with them in two weeks.  Then, when I asked her directly about it, she said, "The last I heard, you'll be going some time in November."  This is after she told me "after the first of the year" on this past Friday.  I guess it's one of those things that I'll find out about one week before I'm supposed to start.

Anyway, time to hook up the griddle and make pancakes and scrambled eggs (with cheese, of course) for dinner. 

Later!

Tonight, we started watching the Disney classic Swiss Family Robinson.  We've still got about an hour left and, kind of surprisingly, it's really keeping all of us interested.  The thing that has kept me most interested is the use of animals in the movie.  I'm no PETA member or animal rights advocate but, seeing some of the situations they get the animals into is kind of shocking.  I mean, there obviously were no computer special effects in 1960 so it's crazy to see two dogs fighting a tiger or a teenage boy riding on the back of an ostrich.  And that's just a couple of examples. 

Anyway, Sophie is getting more and more bold when it comes to walking.  She's getting more willing to take a couple of steps here and there.  But, you can tell she still gets scared when she gets slightly off balance.  Of course, I would be scared to walk too if my center of gravity was located directly in the vicinity of my large noggin. 

Well, I'm going to help Molly practice her 12's time tables and then read our nightly devotions.

Until next time...  bye!

Cool Morning

At least it feels like fall again this morning.  It's about 55° right now outside and it feels great.  I like summertime but really, even more so, I like fall and winter.  There's something refreshing about breathing the cool, clean air.  No mosquitoes, no gnats; it's really my favorite time of year.

Well, we're getting ready for church: Molly just got out of the shower and Caleb just got in.  Hopefully, we'll make it to church before the choir sings.  Ha ha.  (Sad, but sometimes a possibility.  Better late than never, I guess).

A Dreary Morning

I actually like dreary mornings.  Even though it's already 7:45am, it feels much earlier since it's so cloudy outside.  I wouldn't want it to be like this all the time but, every once in a while, it's really nice.

Anyway, I got up around 7 or7:15.  Joy had just brought Sophie into our room so she could nurse and, since Sophie never stops moving when she's in our bed, I went ahead and got up.  I thought I'd play Fallout 3 for a little while before anybody else got up.  But, as I was unloading the dishwasher, I heard Sophie in our room "talking" loudly.  A few minutes later, Joy came walking into the dining room with Sophie. 

So, Sophie is in her high chair right now eating grapes on her own and Joy is about to give her some oatmeal.  Molly and Caleb are still knocked out but that's okay.  It's Saturday.

Fish Out Of Water

Fish Out Of Water, originally uploaded by mocajomiso.

"The snack that smiles back until you bite their heads off."

Not Yet

I might not be going to third shift until after the first of the year.  I'm okay with that but, it's kind of funny.  I was apprehensive about having to adjust my sleep schedule and stuff but, then I was slightly disappointed to find out that I would have to wait so long.  Weird.  I had to remind myself that I had prayed for the Lord to open and close doors as He sees fit.  So, if in the end this door closes too, then so be it. 

Anyway, here comes the weekend.

The Decision

I told my boss today that I want to go to third shift.  She was okay with it and I'm pretty excited about it.  I don't know when I'll start since it still has to go through our general foreman, but I'll find out soon.  I have to admit I'm a little nervous about it, mainly due to the fact that I'll have to adjust my sleeping habits.  Oh well.  We'll see how it all works out.

In other news, Sophie has another tooth coming in on her top row.  Soon she'll have a toothy grin rather than a gummy, baby grin.  Time keeps flying by so fast...

Third Shift

I'm thinking about going to third shift again.  I guess it's because the third shift supervisor mentioned the fact that if I were to go to third, I automatically get a 7% raise then, in March next year, I will get another 3% increase.  That could really help us out.  Joy and the kids are excited at the thought of my working during the night and being at home all day.  I've enjoyed it the handful of times that I've done it but, when I've done it before, it was with the understanding that I would have the next day or so off. 

Anyway, I am seriously considering this time.  We're going to keep praying about it and see how the Lord leads. 

On the memory lane front: Joy said that Sophie waved and said, "Ba Ba" as Molly and Caleb were going to get on the bus.  Super cute.  It won't be long now and she'll be talking non-stop like Molly and Caleb.

Well, it's time for me to head to bed so we can say our prayers and read our devotions.  If there's time, I'm going to try to read some more of Assassin's Quest.

Night!

Weekend's Over

Well, the weekend is over.  It was pretty relaxing but, as usual, it was over way too fast.  Caleb is apparently getting sick again.  I guess it's just that time of year for colds and constant sickness at home.

Also, I'm once again thinking of making my blog into an actual journal.  In other words, I might privatize this completely.  Of course, nothing is completely privatized on the internet I guess.  Oh well.  Just something I'm thinking about doing.

Until next time.

9 Hours, 45 Minutes

Wow.  I really did not expect the iPod to last for over nine hours.  I'm trying to find out but, I'm fairly certain that an iPod that plays continuously for over nine hours will not be eligible for the battery replacement program.  Oh well.  At least it's working fine.

See ya.

iPod Battery

I've noticed lately that my iPod's battery is discharging faster than it used to.  I guess I should expect this since I've had it for a little over three years now.  Anyway, I started looking up iPod replacement batteries online then I realized somthing: Apple will replace an iPod's battery even if it's out of its warranty period for about $60.  Not too bad considering buying a similar MP3 player (30GB, photo/video capable) would probably cost more than the replacement fee.
     In order to check the battery, I'm following the battery check guidelines on Apple's support website.  These guidelines call for you to select an album with average length songs (3-8 minutes long) and put the iPod on continuous repeat.  Also, you have to turn off the backlight and the equalizer. 
     I did all that this morning so at 7:08am, my iPod started playing Toby Mac's Portable sounds album.  It's now 9:45am and the battery icon is still showing slightly more than half of its capacity.  I'm not sure if this is indicative of how much longer it will last.  I guess only time will tell. 
     According to the Apple site, my iPod should play continuously for 14 hours straight.  I highly doubt it will last that long.  I'm pretty sure the battery has to die before 7 hours of play time.  If it does this, I can send my iPod in for a replacement.  I say "replacement" because they will send another iPod with a new battery.  It will probably be a refurbished one but, what do I care?  As long as it works, it makes no difference to me whatsoever. 
     After setting up the iPod battery test, I sat down on the couch with some coffee and my headphones so I could play a little bit of Fallout 3.  It had been a couple of weeks since I played so it took me a minute to figure out what I was supposed to be doing (other than shoot everything that moves). 
     About forty five minutes later, Joy and Molly got up so I quit playing Fallout.  Before I cut the Xbox 360 off, I decided to check out the Brutal Legend demo.  It was pretty cool, I guess.  Not something I will ever own though.  A little too much on the "evil heavy metal is cool" side.  I know it's all tongue in cheek but still, I will not be purchasing it.
     It's about time for us to head off to the annual Kiln Creek yard sales this morning.  Hopefully, we'll find some cool stuff.  If not, maybe we'll at least find some stuff to sell on eBay.

The Foundry

Talking about work with people that don't work you work is typically boring but today, was another case where I can honestly say that if Joy or the kids could've seen it, they would have really been impressed.  Today I worked in the foundry again.  I've worked in the foundry many, many times before but yesterday I finally got to see where it all begins.  I witnessed the pouring of several molds/castings. 

It was pretty cool to see the flames shooting up 15 or more feet into the air as the metal was first placed into the container that they would use to move the molten steel.  Even cooler was seeing the liquid metal being poured into molds.  It was so bright that I was unable to look at it constantly.  Also, the metal that spilled down the piles of sand, or sulfur, looked just like lave leaking down the sides of an erupting volcano.  It was very cool.

Even though I don't expect to forget this sort of thing, I felt like writing it down.

Last Day of September

It's hard to believe but it's true.  September is over in a little over two hours.  This year, in retrospect, is flying by.  Joy and I were just talking the other day about how, when we were kids, Christmas just couldn't come soon enough.  Nowadays, it comes entirely too fast.  Wow.  Only 86 days until the big day.  Not nearly enough time to do all of the Christmas shopping we need to do.

Moving on from Christmas as a topic, yet again.  Tonight I helped Molly start her own blog here on blogger.  It's a private blog so only Joy, mom, Michelle, and me will be able to view it.  She was asking me to sign her up after I sent her the invitation to read this blog.  She'll probably have a little fun with it but, it's probably more of a novelty to her.

Anyway, gotta stop writing here and read our devotions for the night. 

Black and White

Black and whites-2-2, originally uploaded by mocajomiso.

This is a photograph I took a few weeks ago that I would really love to have enlarged to 18X30 or something similar. The only thing I worry about is quality and the price. It can be pricey, in my opinion, and I have no idea what the quality will be. Oh well. There's a first time for everything.

Another Post

Yes, another post.  I just put Sophie in her crib for the night.  She is already asleep; no crying.  Right before that, I was helping Caleb make up the earliest draft of his Christmas wishlist.  Actually, he wrote it down himself last night.  Tonight, he asked me to type it up for him.  As of right now, it consists solely of Mega Bloks Halo Wars building sets. 

Is it too early to make a Christmas list?  Not if you're a kid.   I don't remember how the narrator said it in "A Christmas Story" but, he summed it up perfectly for me. For me, Christmas is still the pinnacle of the whole year.  Sure, there's summer and birthdays and stuff like that but, come on.  Christmas is the day.  I think it's awesome that Molly and Caleb love Christmas as much as Joy and I do.  I know that right now, their love of the holiday is mostly driven by "stuff" as it used to be for me.  Now, I just enjoy watching their eyes light up when Christmas is just around the corner.

Soon, we'll be putting up our advent construction paper rings that we enjoyed cutting down last year.  In honor of that, I went over to the Wolfram|Alpha website and plugged in December 25th, 2009.  According to that site, there are 88 days until Christmas.  Seems like a lot, but it's really not.  Here's a link to the Wolfram|Alpha site that has the info.

Merry Christmas (too) early!

It's starting to feel more and more like fall. Maybe not so much today since it got close to 84 or something like that but, this morning I actually used the heater. According to the weather channel site, it was 59 degrees at 5:15am. Tomorrow the low is supposed to be 54. Why am I wasting so much time with this?

Anyway, I just dropped Molly off for her ballet class. Right when I pulled into the parking lot here at home, I realized that she left her water in my car. Oh well. At least it's not really hot today.

Today when Caleb got home from school, I read a book about salmon with him. He is such an excellent reader. Joy and I are very proud of him. And Molly, of course. Oh, and Sophie, of course.

Well, I really hope I can keep this up. I think my posts may be more boring than they used to be (in my opinion) but they may be more frequent. I want to communicate that sense of day to day life that we all tend to forget about as time goes by. We start to forget the little things unless they are associated with bigger, more memorable events.

At any rate, I'm going to at least try.

Tonight

Sophie's asleep now. She's getting much better at lying down and going to sleep in her crib. Tonight, she didn't even cry at all. Such a good baby. I guess I should mention that she is now really getting her top two teeth in. Oh, and she is pulling herself up to a standing position. And, when she doesn't realize it, she will stand without holding onto or leaning on anything.

I've decided to note this because I went through some of my older entries and read some stuff that the kids have said or done that, if I had not written here, I would never have remembered it. In particular, today I was reading a post from about four years ago where Molly was playing and chanting "906 O.K.I.R". I just barely remember that.

Anyway, I've pretty much made up my mind that I'm going to "privatize" this blog. I know I've toyed with the idea before but I'm pretty sure this time. I really want to be able to use this as a regular journal.

Well, I have to go now. Gotta help Molly study for her "5's" multiplication test. Zero through twelve is what it covers, I believe.

Bye!

Thanks for the memories... I think.

What to Say

As always, I've wondered: what is the real purpose of this blog? If it's a journal, then it's obviously not a very private one based on what I've written here. If it's a place for me to link to other sites/stories then, I obviously am not doing that. Maybe I haven't closed it for old times' sake. Maybe I just want to see how long Google will keep Blogger around.

Maybe I just felt like posting something today with no real reason.