Gingerbread, err graham cracker house

I tried something new on Saturday. I tried to make a gingerbread house with my daughter. Well, OK, it was made out of graham crackers, but that doesn't matter. It was a learning experience to say the least. I tried to let my daughter help where she could and she was pretty understanding. Let me explain, I am very anal about crafts or anything I do, so it was good for me to let T help. I let her spread on the icing for the joint connections. She helped me hold the initial wall connection, but I took over for the rest of them to try to get them square (did I mention I am anal?). We proceeded to knock out the 4 walls, the triangle for the room and the roof pieces. Didn't take too long, however that led to a problem. I didn't take into account the need to go slow and let the joints stiffen up. So when we were done a wall was trying to fall over and the roof was sliding off the top. It is still standing and I think we may be able to make it look OK, not perfect like I'd like, but its our first try and I learned from it. So from now on, its slow and steady and build at a smart pace.

And T got to eat icing and not get in trouble...priceless...

Four walls

Roof Supports

The roof

Wha..Huh.. for $1400

Answer: This is why you are going gray and balding.

Question: What is upper management?

Ok, its vent time. Where do I start? I have upper management who do not or can not use technology or can not accept change. Why is that my fault? Why do I get bitched at because they are STUPID? Yes, I said stupid. My job is in IT, so I have to deal with many changes. Change in software, systems, devices, practices, etc... you name it. Why is it that people who are my superiors need to have their hands held and be babied? Did they not ever have to learn anything new while working their way up? Technology today makes things so much more easy than in the past.

I don't even know what to type, how can these people make decisions for companies when they can't learn simple things? It happens even in the IT department. We hire someone who has no IT experience to be VP of IT and are surprised when things don't work and practices become detrimental to the process.

Back to my vent, my VP wanted his phone swapped back to an old Treo from a new Samsung. I love the Samsung and have no idea why anyone would want to go back to the Treo. I'm stuck with the Treo and hate it. Any way, the Treo runs Windows Mobile 5 and the Samsung runs Windows Mobile 6. After loading the old Treo with email, pdf abilities, voicemail, etc... the VP comes to me and is pissed that it looks different on the main screen. I explained that the versions of the software were different, but did that matter, NO, I'm the ass because its different and he doesn't like it. Oh, and I'm also the ass because he said he might want to go back to the Treo from the Samsung and I didn't do it immediately for him 2 weeks ago. Hmm...Might does not mean I want you to do something. It means there is a possibility I'll want to change. So, my boss reams me for ignoring the VP. I calmly told my boss what was said and it doesn't seem to matter to him because he then says "I wish you two could learn to communicate". I'm sorry, I speak English and know what might means. Now the VP is complaining that I am not in the office all the time. Dude, I'm the IT guy, I go where there are issues. If I just sit in my office, I'm not being productive. Get a clue as to what I do. But, I am now supposed to just sit in my office for the next few days. Whatever. Why does it have to be so hard to just do your job and try to do it well?

Sorry for the rant and hopefully you can get your lost time back.

Bast@rds for $2,000

Answer: These little bast@rds are just wrong.

Question: Who are the idiots that smash your family pumpkins for there own enjoyment?

What is wrong with people?

We had a family evening and carved pumpkins for Halloween. It was me, Liz, Teagan, Zach and "aunt" Christy. I hadn't actually carved a pumpkin before, by myself (man is it nasty), but Liz thought it would be fun for the kids. So, we picked up 2 at the store and carved them on Wednesday evening. It was fun, but messy, and the kids had fun. Zach had more fun than Teagan, but she still enjoyed it. She had mommy make a sad faced pumpkin, I think it looked like Charlie Brown. Mine was going to be really cool or so I thought. I had to change the plans as I carved, but it still looked OK when it was done. Well, we finished them and left them on our back deck until Friday, Halloween. On Friday we put them out front with candles in them to celebrate Halloween and be festive. They were beautiful.

Here's where the fun family project goes wrong. Liz went out about 9:00 or so and blew out the candles and brought them (the candles) in. The Pumpkins were outside enjoying the festive feelings they were providing until some time after we went to bed. We didn't know it at the time, but their good feelings were about to change. During the night some bast@rd(s) decided to smash all the pumpkins on our street. Liz found the remains this morning just before taking Teagan to dance class, she was very upset. Then the rest of the family went out to get in the car and Teagan saw what had happened. She was upset but her reaction was a little surprising, she asked why someone did that and then said when she gets bigger she is going to become a police officer and get the people who break pumpkins. Its sometimes strange to see how T responds and reacts. I thought initially she would fall apart and start crying and be upset, but I was very proud of her reasoning, instead of crying she thought about what had happened and reasoned out what could be done to stop it. My little girl amazes me immensely and makes me so proud at times.

Well this post has changed since I started writing it. At first I was pissed at the destroyer of property, but as I found while writing, I am proud of my daughter and I hope she realizes how much I appreciate her.

Milestones of childhood for $1200

Answer: This injury can be most traumatic... for the parent

Question: What is sustaining a facial injury?

Well, it finally happened. After 3 1/2 years of minor accidents to Teagan, Zach decided to trip and fall into Teagan's "Princess" stepstool. Normally that wouldn't have been a big deal, Zach would have just bounced off it and moved on. However, it was upside down and he fell onto one of the legs. The leg bottom has a curve and is thin, so Zach decides to plant his face just below his eye into it. I saw him fall and ran over to him. He had the worst cry I've heard him have, I knew he was hurt. I thought initially he might have hit his throat on the leg, but as I picked him up, I saw the line forming under his eye and the left side of his nostril had a gouge and was bleeding. We're not sure if the blood on his nose was all on the outside or if he had blood coming out of his nose. I gave Zach to Liz, what's better than mom when you're hurt? I ran to get a wet washcloth and a towel for some ice. I can't describe how I felt, like I said earlier teagan his managed to be fairly safe and accident free. We knew Zach would be different, he is fearless and just does what he wants, there is no fear factor with him. Earlier we were in the kitchen, we turn around and in less than 5 seconds he has climbed up the first step of a stepladder and was getting ready to go up higher.

Chandler...Gone.

1 Year Ago

Answer: 1 year ago.

Question: When did you become a father of 2?

1 year ago, our little Zappy was born. It doesn't seem like it was that long ago in certain ways, but in other ways it seems like Zappy has been around a lot longer than that. I remember feeling the same way on Teagan's first birthday. It feels like they have been around forever and should have been around forever.

I was noticing last night while Zach slept that has little forearm and hand is about the same length as my hand. It amazes me how something so small can have such a big effect.

I remember feeling like we would be overwhelmed with 2 kids. How could we keep up with 2? Teagan was enough for me to keep up with. Well, you learn what you can do and how to do it when you have to (or is that two). I have been much more laid back with Zappy. Whenever T would do anything, I freaked and hovered and worried, you name it. With Zach I pretty much hang back (usually, I hover a little) and let him do what he's doing. If its not safe, I'll step in, but he's pretty self sufficient while playing.

Watching Zach watch his sister is precious. He looks at her and smiles and giggles. He wants to do what she does and have what she has. She is usually pretty good at understanding what Zach's doing, but she is only 3 1/2 so sometimes she gets mad. I'm older than T, but I still get mad when I can't have what I want, so I understand. I am an older brother and had a sister who wanted to do what I did. as well. I wasn't very understanding at the time and I regret how that may have hurt my sister. That's why I try to teach T that Z loves her and that's why he wants to do what she does. OK, enough with the touchy feely.

Chandler...Gone.