Here are pictures from our churches' Christmas play, in which the kids all participated. Also, Santa visited the church, which would be the source of some debate at some point, were I a pious person.
Next are some pictures of the kids on Christmas morning. The kids are pictured with favorite gifts from Aunt Tanya and Uncle Rick, and Tony, Annie, and family. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!
Showing posts with label 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2008. Show all posts
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Winter Formal Dance...
Carl went to his first formal dance. He looked pretty good, and acted like a complete dork. I think this will work for him as he gets older. When asked if there was a girl he would like to dance with, he responded with an embarrassed, "Come on, Dad!"
He enjoyed himself at the dance, got the DJ to play some music he brought (The Gorillaz) and generally bemoaned the fact that most of the night they played Britney Spears crap and a bunch of lame rap music. When I asked if he danced with anyone, he said that he wasn't interested in dancing to that kind of music, which I thought was a nice dodge. All it's going to take is one time, him getting out there and being himself, and Lara and I will have some trouble. Of course, it wouldn't hurt his chances if he grew just a few more inches taller. He is by far the shortest kid in his class.
He enjoyed himself at the dance, got the DJ to play some music he brought (The Gorillaz) and generally bemoaned the fact that most of the night they played Britney Spears crap and a bunch of lame rap music. When I asked if he danced with anyone, he said that he wasn't interested in dancing to that kind of music, which I thought was a nice dodge. All it's going to take is one time, him getting out there and being himself, and Lara and I will have some trouble. Of course, it wouldn't hurt his chances if he grew just a few more inches taller. He is by far the shortest kid in his class.
Carl Is A Teenager.....What????
Yeah, 13 years old on December 17th. Crazy. I still remember taking Lara to Carbondale Memorial Hospital, getting her prepped for the C-section, and her doctor trying one last time to turn the baby before committing to surgery, and Lara about breaking his arm at the elbow.
Once the procedure started, everything was quick. In one moment, there was an incision, and the next, a perfect not-so-little baby. He really did look perfect, too, no head squishyness from being pushed through the birth canal. Then, after Lara was in recovery, and I tried to make calls, and was blubbering to all of my relatives. I was pathetic.
Flash forward 13 years later, and Carl is every bit the dork I hoped for that freezing Winter's day in Carbondale.
Once the procedure started, everything was quick. In one moment, there was an incision, and the next, a perfect not-so-little baby. He really did look perfect, too, no head squishyness from being pushed through the birth canal. Then, after Lara was in recovery, and I tried to make calls, and was blubbering to all of my relatives. I was pathetic.
Flash forward 13 years later, and Carl is every bit the dork I hoped for that freezing Winter's day in Carbondale.
Maggie And Katie Turn 8!
Here's my birth story for these two. Lara had them at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, which had a great room, with home-like fixtures, where she was prepped for giving birth to the girls. It so happened that a Murphy Brown episode was on, the one about how much trouble Murphy was having with her new baby, and then there was a Planet of the Apes marathon on. So, there was a little something for both Lara and me. Then, when the girls were born, (V-back) and a squirrely looking orange-haired swarthy kid with a weird shaped head came out, Lara and I had to decide real quick whether this was Maggie or Katie. We both agreed that this one had to be Maggie. For about 10 of the next 20 minutes, I think Lara and I were wondering, if this was how weird the first one looked, just what the hell might the second one look like?? 20 minutes after Maggie, the next one was born, and she looked perfectly round (not having her head stuck funneled into the birth canal like Maggie had) and could have been Carl's twin at birth (cute as a button, bald as a baboon's ass). As they have grown, Maggie still has been the wilder, unusual one, (though her skull bones finally moved to where they needed to be) while Katie still shares many of Carl's facial features.
Roger Is Old
Officially 43, on December 14th. In the second picture, I can really see my mom in my face. I always said to Mom that I looked forward to my birthday, because I set it aside for to express my thanks to my parents for having me. I always thought that's how it should be. Being born is no special event to you, but a huge event in the lives of your parents. Birthdays should be about reminding the parents that you're glad they stuck it out with you. Every year, until Mom died, I called her on my birthday, and told her I loved her, because she was the reason I have the celebration at all.
Winter Band Performance
Carl was part of the Winter concert band performance. He is hard to see, but he plays saxophone, and is seated next to the tall kid in blue (his best friend, Joey). He played well.
Spelling Bea
Carl won the right to represent his school for the 7th grade at the regional spelling bee. He didn't win, but he did enjoy himself. The "pronouncer" was terrible, mispronouncing some basic words like "rupee" and "synopsis." The kids were great, she and the judges were terrible. However, Carl lost fair and square, mis-spelling "anchovy."
Friday, December 12, 2008
Statistically Speaking....
I am in the process of completing my Ph.D. Or, I guess you could say starting my Ph.D. Regardless, I have just completed my second stats class Multiple Regression, with an "A." So far, I am batting a thousand ( a statistic, if you didn't know).
Can we test the likelihood that my gpa is 4.0? Yes, we can!
Ho: X bar = 4.0
Ha: X bar does not = 4.0.
Simple Regression model, use Student T test statistic, with alpha level of .05. Test. Result is not significant. Therefore, we fail to reject the null hypothesis. We accept that the mean gpa for this grad school monkey does not significantly vary from 4.0.
Now, thank God that part is over. On to the bigger and better things to study!
Can we test the likelihood that my gpa is 4.0? Yes, we can!
Ho: X bar = 4.0
Ha: X bar does not = 4.0.
Simple Regression model, use Student T test statistic, with alpha level of .05. Test. Result is not significant. Therefore, we fail to reject the null hypothesis. We accept that the mean gpa for this grad school monkey does not significantly vary from 4.0.
Now, thank God that part is over. On to the bigger and better things to study!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Home Is Where The Heart Is....
So, I'm not the skinniest guy in the world. I never have been, except for a few years in college when I was literally starving. What a great diet plan: be poor, for a long time.
Well, a year ago, I had my cholesterol levels checked, and they were a little high. I had them re-checked this last month, and the cholesterol levels actually were better, although the good cholesterol levels were too low, and my triglycerides were too high. Since I have had some pain every now and then in my chest, (which I had always been told was a torn intercostal muscle) since I have a family history of heart problems, and since the cholesterol and triglycerides were wonky, I had an echo stress test done today on my heart. It's not as invasive as a dye test, but better than a simple stress test and ekg.
The doc said he saw absolutely no evidence of blockages, which was nice to hear, but this test, although valuable, is limited. So, I am glad to hear he saw nothing catastrophic, but am convinced that now is the time I should really work hard to lose weight, eat better, lower the bad stuff in my blood, and raise the good stuff.
The nurse who was very nice this morning, unfortunately had to dig for a vein for the IV like she was searching for a ring dropped in her garbage disposal, which means she jabbed around several times, and hurt my hand like hell, but didn't find what she was looking for. So, she settled for the vein up a little higher on my arm. In fact, the worst part of the whole event was/is the really painful digs across the back of my right hand, and the swelling from her gouging.
On the other hand, I think one of the other nurses flirted with me :D Lara said that I better watch what cologne I am wearing (she picked it out for me).
Well, a year ago, I had my cholesterol levels checked, and they were a little high. I had them re-checked this last month, and the cholesterol levels actually were better, although the good cholesterol levels were too low, and my triglycerides were too high. Since I have had some pain every now and then in my chest, (which I had always been told was a torn intercostal muscle) since I have a family history of heart problems, and since the cholesterol and triglycerides were wonky, I had an echo stress test done today on my heart. It's not as invasive as a dye test, but better than a simple stress test and ekg.
The doc said he saw absolutely no evidence of blockages, which was nice to hear, but this test, although valuable, is limited. So, I am glad to hear he saw nothing catastrophic, but am convinced that now is the time I should really work hard to lose weight, eat better, lower the bad stuff in my blood, and raise the good stuff.
The nurse who was very nice this morning, unfortunately had to dig for a vein for the IV like she was searching for a ring dropped in her garbage disposal, which means she jabbed around several times, and hurt my hand like hell, but didn't find what she was looking for. So, she settled for the vein up a little higher on my arm. In fact, the worst part of the whole event was/is the really painful digs across the back of my right hand, and the swelling from her gouging.
On the other hand, I think one of the other nurses flirted with me :D Lara said that I better watch what cologne I am wearing (she picked it out for me).
Kids In The Christmas Parade
Maggie and Katie marched with the Girl Scouts in the Christmas Parade on December 6th. Carl played in the band. I marched with the Cub Scouts, Lara rode in the fancy convertible behind the Cub Scout float, and Dee escorted the girls to the parade line up area with the other Girl Scout leaders. Here are some pictures of the events:
Getting Ready For Christmas
Without further ado, here are some pictures of the family getting ready for Christmas. The nativity set has been in Lara's family for generations.
One of these pictures is likely going to be our Christmas card, which is okay by me. Truth, unruly though it may be, is better than the fiction you get from most holiday pictures.
One of these pictures is likely going to be our Christmas card, which is okay by me. Truth, unruly though it may be, is better than the fiction you get from most holiday pictures.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Schroedinger's Fish
Well, I had to go to work on Saturday, primarily because I needed to continue medicating my fish, Afrika Bombatta. Unfortunately, when I arrived, I could immediately tell that Afrika was dead. There was a certain smell throughout the office, and when I searched and found the little guy, he was not moving.
I cleaned up the tank, and then took him to an outdoor trash can. I just couldn't flush him, he was like seven inches long, and I didn't want to have him get stuck in a pipe somewhere before it left the building.
For the remainder of the day, I worked on some music, which you can check out at my band's page Twin Rockets Are A Go, Baby!
Off and on, I thought about just when my fish died. Until I went there and gathered the evidence, the possibility existed that the fish was alive and well. There was some chance that this would happen. So, I wondered about probability and quantum mechanics on my ride home.
Afrika Bombatta
RIP
2000-2008.
Man, we've been hell on pets this year.
I cleaned up the tank, and then took him to an outdoor trash can. I just couldn't flush him, he was like seven inches long, and I didn't want to have him get stuck in a pipe somewhere before it left the building.
For the remainder of the day, I worked on some music, which you can check out at my band's page Twin Rockets Are A Go, Baby!
Off and on, I thought about just when my fish died. Until I went there and gathered the evidence, the possibility existed that the fish was alive and well. There was some chance that this would happen. So, I wondered about probability and quantum mechanics on my ride home.
Afrika Bombatta
RIP
2000-2008.
Man, we've been hell on pets this year.
Monday, November 24, 2008
FISH Update:
My African Cichlid fish is still alive. Upside down, but still alive. So, I did what I should have done on Friday, and ignored the fish store clerk's advice, and I bought some medicine and performed some fish doctoring. When I left work today, he was still kicking.
Several people have commented on the state of my fish, and wondered why the fish does not have a name. This has made me wonder, when is it that a pet requires a name? Most people don't name their fish. It's enough to know you have a fish tank. The 20 individual little swimmers are just fodder for the plecostimus, eventually.
However, when Carl had hermit crabs, they had names. A great big old snail we had we called grandpa snail. I think the pet earns a name by a combination of size and personality. That is, if it isn't quite big enough, we anthropomorphize our pets, or if they are of enough size, they also carry enough brain to interact with the family. We have to call them something, so we know how we feel about them, or, we have to call them something, so they know what they are called in the pack. Did Grandpa snail ever respond to being called Grandpa? No, but he did respond to an algae chip dangled in the water. He would truck up the side of the glass, and actually eat the algae chip out of my hand! That's a hell of a lot of personality for a snail, and earned him that name.
This is the situation: The fish is big, for a fish store tropical fish, and does respond to me in a variety of ways, and in the last few days, I can't help but feel sorry for the little son of a bitch. He meets both criteria of anthropomorphic personality and size, so even if he only has the name for one more day, he is named.
I call him Afrika Bombatta. I hope Li'l Afrika makes it through the night.
Several people have commented on the state of my fish, and wondered why the fish does not have a name. This has made me wonder, when is it that a pet requires a name? Most people don't name their fish. It's enough to know you have a fish tank. The 20 individual little swimmers are just fodder for the plecostimus, eventually.
However, when Carl had hermit crabs, they had names. A great big old snail we had we called grandpa snail. I think the pet earns a name by a combination of size and personality. That is, if it isn't quite big enough, we anthropomorphize our pets, or if they are of enough size, they also carry enough brain to interact with the family. We have to call them something, so we know how we feel about them, or, we have to call them something, so they know what they are called in the pack. Did Grandpa snail ever respond to being called Grandpa? No, but he did respond to an algae chip dangled in the water. He would truck up the side of the glass, and actually eat the algae chip out of my hand! That's a hell of a lot of personality for a snail, and earned him that name.
This is the situation: The fish is big, for a fish store tropical fish, and does respond to me in a variety of ways, and in the last few days, I can't help but feel sorry for the little son of a bitch. He meets both criteria of anthropomorphic personality and size, so even if he only has the name for one more day, he is named.
I call him Afrika Bombatta. I hope Li'l Afrika makes it through the night.
An 11th Hour Reprieve?
It appears, through no small miracle, that Lara's job will not be cut. Over the last few days, contentious street demonstrations in Chicago, lawsuits from the ACLU, and general up in arms-ness from child advocates made it clear that there are lots of places that the state budget can be cut, but child and family services can't be one of them.
So, for the time being, it looks as though we get to have our cake and eat it, too. Actually, the no cake diet we have been on for the last few months has been a blessing in disguise. Never has it been more apparent to us that most things we come to expect in our lives ain't worth the money we spend. So, we have learned to live a little leaner, and will try to keep our excesses from getting the better of us.
Here's to all our friends and family, many of whom made it clear to us their willingness to help if we needed it. Thanks!
So, for the time being, it looks as though we get to have our cake and eat it, too. Actually, the no cake diet we have been on for the last few months has been a blessing in disguise. Never has it been more apparent to us that most things we come to expect in our lives ain't worth the money we spend. So, we have learned to live a little leaner, and will try to keep our excesses from getting the better of us.
Here's to all our friends and family, many of whom made it clear to us their willingness to help if we needed it. Thanks!
Friday, November 21, 2008
No Really, We're Kind To Animals....
When I got back from my trip to Chi-town, I was saddened and surprised to see my fish, originally Lara's fish, a African Cichlid, laboriously swimming upside down in his tank. We bought the little guy about 8 years ago, with a brood of others, not knowing how territorial and vicious the little bastards would be. Within a few months, there were only two cichlids left. Then, there was one. It would kill anything we put in with it, so it was decided that I would put it in solitary confinement up in my office at work.
He has been happily living up there for over two years. He is probably close to 7 inches long, which makes him about the biggest cichlid I've seen home raised, and he is also among the oldest tropical fish we've ever had.
So, even though it's hard to get attached to a fish, he has been around for a long time, and it is clear that he has some kind of internal parasitic infection going on. As soon as I got back in my office, I went to the local fish store (Will and Vic's Fishnet, a Carbondale institution), and described the situation to one of the employees of the shop. "He's swimming upside down, his belly is distended, and he's got a raw spot on his chest. Also, pinkish, possibly bloody areas in the creases around his fins. Is there anything I can do for him?" To which the employee replied, "Yeah, you can kiss his ass goodbye."
It was said with sympathy. He said there really was little I can do, and as serious as the symptoms sounded, it was unlikely that he would respond to any treatments for the swim bladder, or any of the parasitic medicines they had. So, I respect the employee for not trying to sell me stuff that wasn't going to work anyway. But still, I expect that on Monday, another Pugh household pet will have met its maker.
He has been happily living up there for over two years. He is probably close to 7 inches long, which makes him about the biggest cichlid I've seen home raised, and he is also among the oldest tropical fish we've ever had.
So, even though it's hard to get attached to a fish, he has been around for a long time, and it is clear that he has some kind of internal parasitic infection going on. As soon as I got back in my office, I went to the local fish store (Will and Vic's Fishnet, a Carbondale institution), and described the situation to one of the employees of the shop. "He's swimming upside down, his belly is distended, and he's got a raw spot on his chest. Also, pinkish, possibly bloody areas in the creases around his fins. Is there anything I can do for him?" To which the employee replied, "Yeah, you can kiss his ass goodbye."
It was said with sympathy. He said there really was little I can do, and as serious as the symptoms sounded, it was unlikely that he would respond to any treatments for the swim bladder, or any of the parasitic medicines they had. So, I respect the employee for not trying to sell me stuff that wasn't going to work anyway. But still, I expect that on Monday, another Pugh household pet will have met its maker.
My Recent Trip to Chi-Town
Through my work, I get to travel around the country. Earlier this week, I had to take a trip to Chicago. I had put a request in from our motor pool for a Dodge Challenger or Charger, or something sporty. I got a KIA Sorento. This may have led to my disgruntled mood, as evidenced by the pictures.
When I can, I stay with Tony and Annie up in Chicago. Usually, their cats end up sleeping on me, because, like all cats, they know if a person is allergic to them. As part of my own little quirky ritual, I buy some chocolates for the Aimones to appease their darker natures (actually, cuz they are always nice enough to let me stay at their house when I visit). Also, Tony and I stay up way too late and talk about the ignorant shit that would otherwise annoy our wives and other friends. Lastly, we almost always get a pizza and eat too much. All of those objectives were accomplished in this little jaunt.
When I can, I stay with Tony and Annie up in Chicago. Usually, their cats end up sleeping on me, because, like all cats, they know if a person is allergic to them. As part of my own little quirky ritual, I buy some chocolates for the Aimones to appease their darker natures (actually, cuz they are always nice enough to let me stay at their house when I visit). Also, Tony and I stay up way too late and talk about the ignorant shit that would otherwise annoy our wives and other friends. Lastly, we almost always get a pizza and eat too much. All of those objectives were accomplished in this little jaunt.
November Colors...
After checking out my sister's myspace page, I liked the fall pictures she had posted, and I told her I would take some pictures on my way to work. I have a very picturesque drive, but I usually don't have the forethought to take pictures on the way. So, unfortunately, I missed the really vibrant color show of the Shawnee Forest in late October, but there are still some pretty cool vistas.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Matilda, We Hardly Knew Ye.....
One morning, not long ago, we saved a little praying mantis from an early frost. It made a home in an abandoned hermit crab cage, ate several crickets and assorted moths and other bugs, and one night, BLAM!! laid an egg case on the inside lip of the cage (can't get good picture of it).
Then, a couple of days later, Matilda could no longer resist the grip of age on her tired exoskeleton, and succumbed to the reaper.
Matilda, rest in peace. In about 6 months, we'll let you know how/if her progeny spring forth.
R.I.P. Matilda, 2008-2008.
Then, a couple of days later, Matilda could no longer resist the grip of age on her tired exoskeleton, and succumbed to the reaper.
Matilda, rest in peace. In about 6 months, we'll let you know how/if her progeny spring forth.
R.I.P. Matilda, 2008-2008.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Parade....
Saturday, November 1, the girls and the boy marched in a parade. The girls were there as part of their girl scout troop, and Carl was there marching in the junior high band.
A New Pet....
About a week ago, in the chilly air of the morning as Carl and the girls were getting ready for school, one of them saw an injured praying mantis in the driveway. It was going to freeze the next day, and no one wanted to see the hurt little mantis end up bird food (how it probably got hurt to begin with) or frozen. So, mom and the kids brought it into Carl's old crab cage (prior home to several hermit crabs, all of whom had went the way of the dinosaur).
The mantis survived the day, and the injured spot, on its abdomen, which was oozing green goo, had begun to heal, and was now a crusty black spot. I'm no entymologist, but this looked like a positive thing.
Next, a debate loomed over whether it was a he or a she. Lara was convinced it was a she, Carl thought it was a he, and I thought that it was probably female, although it was an awfully small one. Its abdomen was pretty large for its size though, and this is the time of year that egg cases are deposited....
Which is exactly what happened after the first full night in her new digs. So, we named her Matilda, and she has been eating pretty healthily for the last few days. We have fed her crickets, mosquito hawks, grubs, moths, and about any other bug we could catch.
Now, isn't it strange, that we can feel compassion for an injured praying mantis and with glee collect an assortment of hapless, no less innocent creatures, to be her food? You don't see us getting another cage out for the abandoned stink bug, do you? People are odd like that.
Matilda, our latest, albeit temporary, addition:
The mantis survived the day, and the injured spot, on its abdomen, which was oozing green goo, had begun to heal, and was now a crusty black spot. I'm no entymologist, but this looked like a positive thing.
Next, a debate loomed over whether it was a he or a she. Lara was convinced it was a she, Carl thought it was a he, and I thought that it was probably female, although it was an awfully small one. Its abdomen was pretty large for its size though, and this is the time of year that egg cases are deposited....
Which is exactly what happened after the first full night in her new digs. So, we named her Matilda, and she has been eating pretty healthily for the last few days. We have fed her crickets, mosquito hawks, grubs, moths, and about any other bug we could catch.
Now, isn't it strange, that we can feel compassion for an injured praying mantis and with glee collect an assortment of hapless, no less innocent creatures, to be her food? You don't see us getting another cage out for the abandoned stink bug, do you? People are odd like that.
Matilda, our latest, albeit temporary, addition:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)