Are you secure?

With us going out of town lately we've been really careful about making sure our house is secure. Our friend, Cheri, had an alarm system installed and I must admit that there's a greater peace of mind knowing that your house is protected and that you could be notified if an intruder tries to break in.

I have no idea where I'd start looking for security systems but I've heard that ademco has a good product and easy to use.

More fun on the PDA!

I love using my PDA for geocaching. However, sometimes the battery doesn't work and I'm starting to think that I need to get another one.

When Shawna was the Executive Director for an assisted living residence she constantly got calls in the middle of the night with resident issues. Typically, it was that a resident fell, broke their hip and was going to the emergency room.

However, there were times when the nurse, myself, and doctor would be contacted and all of them were trying to figure out a medical solution for a specific situation. Many times she had to look online for the medications that were being given to see if they had any side effects.

Unfortunately, if she was out and about didn’t have access to the information and had to ask one of the aides to look up the information in the PDR.

I’ve just found out about medical reference software that allows you to view medical information online. You can actually use your PDA to get up-to-date information.

Medication information on the go — life is getting easier!

This announcement was paid for by Epocrates.

Zits!

I was shocked that when Shawna was pregnant she didn't have one pimple. The day she had the baby she had a huge zit on her nose.

Years ago she actually tried acne treatment that the doctor prescribed and it was a fortune. Plus, insurance didn't cover it.

If she ever chooses to do acne meds --- more than likely I think that we'll look at a natural approach.

I've got to do something!

Shawna's dropped almost 30 pounds since the birth of Emmy. I swear I've probably put that 30 pounds on!

Maybe I should think about doing diet pills. They worked great for Shawna when she had a lot of weight to lose and really helped jumpstart her system.

Not to mention, she was able to keep the weight off!

Who would have thought...

that even with window blinds that Shawna would be flashing the neighbors.

The other day she got out of the shower and walked into Grammy's room to put on her clothes.

This was the one hot day of the year and I had the windows, curtains, and blinds pulled open.

Well...just so happens that the neighbors got a show and Shawna didn't even realize until she was completely dressed.

Oops!

Now we have to find a good babysitter!

We talked about going to the Virgin Islands in February with the boys. We'd meet up there and we even talked about Caribbean villa rentals!

Of course, we should probably start looking for a babysitting situation because it'd be nice to leave the kids with someone while the adults went into town or out for a nice meal!

A true vacation...

So long, farewell...

We miss Alex and Dominic. Every time we get together we realize what great friends we are and that we're so glad they're part of our lives and the lives of our kids.

The visit was absolutely perfect with the exception of them not staying long enough!

However, we're glad to hear that Alex has a new job and we're sure he's going to be great at it!

I was shocked to hear that Los Angeles jobs were hard to come by! You'd think that being in a big city would allow you to have any job you want.

However, I'm guessing with the economy the way that it is...people are desperate to be employed.

You don't bring me flowers...

anymore!

That's alright because I'd prefer a gift basket any day of the week!

Just the other day Shawna's mom asked if we wanted money, flowers, or a gift basket delivered when the baby comes.

After thinking about it for a few seconds we instantly answered gift basket! Of course, we want ours filled with tons of chocolate and nice champagne!

The thought of spending money on flowers is nice and all...but at the end of the day you don't have anything and with a gift basket at least you've been able to gain a few pounds, right?

Fatty McFatt.

I'm not sure I've mentioned it...but I'm on the pregnancy diet with Shawna.

This pregnancy has been dangerous and if you look at me sometimes you'd think that I might be the one carrying our second child!

I think when this baby gets here either I'm going to have to find a way to nurse or else I'm going to have to get on the treadmills and work off some of this unwanted weight!

Of course, I have heard the stories from friends and family about how their babies don't sleep and they end up missing numerous meals and losing tons of weight...hmm...I guess that doesn't sound soooooo bad?

Know of a good dealer?

I'm talking about a coin dealer of course!

One thing that never loses it’s value is silver and other precious metals! Even when our stocks are floundering you can always look to silver, gold, and precious metals to maintain their value.

Monex Deposit Company offers silver, gold, and other precious metals for delivery or they will make arrangements to have your metals stored privately and securely at a bank or depository.

I didn’t realize this but Monex Deposit Company (MDC) is an industry leader. They sell gold in two forms: coin or ingot. The world demand now exceeds the supply demand for gold - which makes it a pretty smart investment.

Especially with the economy doing so poorly and people losing all of their investments with the stock market!

I wish it would stop!

I swear when it rains - it pours!

Both of the faucets in our bathroom have been leaking for a month.

I called PricePfister to get the parts and they sent every part but the one that I actually needed!

I was able to get the sink faucet to stop leaking but then one of the washers around the neck broke. So I need to order that part too!

I'm still working on the shower faucet and figure that when I place the call I can get them to send all of the parts at once.

Thank God this is all under warranty and the people there are friendly and provide really good customer service!

*drip*drip*

One faucet at a time...

I've got to keep telling myself that I can only do so much these days! I have a to-do list from here to the floor and my motivation to get things done is pretty limited!

A few years ago we looked at kitchen faucets and decided on a name brand faucet that didn't cost us an arm and a leg.

It's done a great job but now I'm realizing that I should do some caulking around the base of the faucet because I think water is actually draining down and into our cabinents.

Always something new.

So my dad is back at home after being in the hospital, nursing home, hospital, and nursing home.

I'm glad that he's back at home and in a few weeks he thinks he's going to be back at work.

Of course, I know that he's going to jump into it too quickly. His plan is to do botox and non-surgical procedures first. One option might be for him to buy wrinkle cream and market it to his patients!

If he were to find some good products and sell them then he could do pretty good without having to perform surgery!

Tick tock - you don't stop.

I'm not quite done with my to-do list. Before I know it I won't have anything on the list and it will be time for the baby. (Yeah, I'm sure that's how it works, right?)

A few years back I purchased a new Skagen watch for Shawna and it's been great. I just purchased a new battery for it and I expect that it will be good as new!

However, I just saw a beautiful breguet watch and they are really great timepieces! Not to mention, I think Shawna would have liked it better!

I was able to find some great watches at ViaLuxe! The website was easy to use and I like the set up. Not to mention, the pictures of the stunning watches are amazing. It makes me want to buy a few watches.

Of course, I'd have to spend Emmy and Grammy's college fund to do that. But you never know when I might hit the lottery! (I guess I'd have to play first, right?)

Not only are they classics with a great look...but they have a great reputation for being competent and hardy watches that can withstand almost anything!

God knows, I'm going to need a decent watch with two kids and and endless amount of baby barf landing on me!

Partner?

At some point I've got to ask myself if I really want to do the extra work to be come a partner.

What are my personal and professional goals and can I be happy and successful with both.

There's tons of potential in my line of work and at some point it might be worth thinking about even coming up with a franchise!

I know there's a huge demand for residential Landscape Architects....now just to find competent employees!

Drug rehab, anyone?

I was shocked to find out the other day that a few kids I had gone to school with had to attend drug rehab.

You hear about it everyday - the newest celebrity intake. However, it really rings through that there's a problem with alcohol and drug addiction when someone you know has a problem and seeks help.

Bad memory!

No matter how much dell memory we add to our computer I'm not sure it will ever be enough. It could be because we're used to working on desktops and laptops just don't have the lightening speed of the desktops.

At some point I know we're going to have to get another computer! It seems like when I am on the computer Shawna always needs it.

Doesn't she know I have important people to write and games to play?

Right about now ...

Shawna's wishing that we had a couple of walk in tubs! In fact, the other night she got into the tub with Graem and I swore she was going to need a hoyer lift to get out!

When we remodel the upstairs we're going to do a nice tub and shower combo. I can't imagine waking up and not having to walk downstairs to go to the bathroom and take a shower!

On other people..

I really like religious jewelry!

I've been in trouble for a few months now for losing my ring. Shawna bought those years back and I have no idea what happened to mine. I figure it's long gone now and a few weeks ago when we went to look for replacement rings I was shocked to see how much white gold was!

If only I hadn't lost one of the rings we'd be fine and wouldn't have to spend money to buy two new ones! Eek!

Got coins?

I have never really been into coin collecting. We tried to collect all 50 states and decided they were putting them out too slow and gave up on that whole idea.

Heck, I even purchased the quarter holder for the coins and I'm sure it's in the basement somewhere with $1.50 worth of quarters collecting dust.

I wouldn't know a rare coin if it were to hit me in the head!

However, I think it would be really special if we were to find Graem and Emerson's birth year and purchase rare coins in their honor. When I was a baby my grandparents were able to find the coins for my birth year and had them mounted. It was always really special to me.

ZoomCoin.com offers a great website for people like me who are newbies to collecting coins and need a little extra help along the way! I've always wanted a good coin dealer!