My son and I stayed in this morning. Not our first choice, but neither of us was feeling up to getting out.
It's not a big deal, but I think we may be getting whatever's been ailing other members of the family.
On the 'up' side, the two of us had a good hour-long-plus talk: mostly about prayer, as I recall. It's not nearly as dull as it sounds, and that's another topic.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
Welcoming Our Granddaughter
My wife and I met our new granddaughter for the first time yesterday.
The adoption process, and a medical emergency which happily did not involve the baby, finally progressed to a point where #2 daughter and son-in-law could travel back to our part of the continent.
#3 daughter took this photo yesterday evening. That's my son, holding the new member of our family. I got his okay to use this photo on the condition that I make it very clear that he's the baby's uncle: not her father.
I've had my moments, holding my little granddaughter. Not so little, actually: she was around 9 pounds at birth, and healthily sturdy.
I'm looking forward to the first time she tugs my beard.
The adoption process, and a medical emergency which happily did not involve the baby, finally progressed to a point where #2 daughter and son-in-law could travel back to our part of the continent.
#3 daughter took this photo yesterday evening. That's my son, holding the new member of our family. I got his okay to use this photo on the condition that I make it very clear that he's the baby's uncle: not her father.
I've had my moments, holding my little granddaughter. Not so little, actually: she was around 9 pounds at birth, and healthily sturdy.
I'm looking forward to the first time she tugs my beard.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Just Touching Base
A few hours after getting an automated call from the Sauk Centre Public Schools, I learned that all Minnesota public schools were closing. The Governor said they should. I'm glad that someone showed good sense. It's going to be - brisk.
I've seen a doctor about my left shin: again. The good news is that the two new open spots aren't infected. The bad news is that even when these heal over, I can expect more of the same. It's an incentive to keep my diabetes under control, and lose weight. Lots of incentive.
It's also frustrating: but I've had lots of practice dealing with "frustrating." I think having substandard hip joints helped me learn, from infancy up, to deal with limitations: not quietly, or calmly; but to deal with them.
On a happier note, there was a big family get-together today over at my father-in-law's place. A really big one. I stayed here, partly because I'm just about the exact opposite of a 'party person,' partly because I'm having more than the currently normal trouble with my legs, and partly because I had a post to get ready for tomorrow.
My wife, son, son-in-law, and daughters # 2 and 3 were there. I gather that they had a good time. For that, I am very glad.
Related post:
I've seen a doctor about my left shin: again. The good news is that the two new open spots aren't infected. The bad news is that even when these heal over, I can expect more of the same. It's an incentive to keep my diabetes under control, and lose weight. Lots of incentive.
It's also frustrating: but I've had lots of practice dealing with "frustrating." I think having substandard hip joints helped me learn, from infancy up, to deal with limitations: not quietly, or calmly; but to deal with them.
On a happier note, there was a big family get-together today over at my father-in-law's place. A really big one. I stayed here, partly because I'm just about the exact opposite of a 'party person,' partly because I'm having more than the currently normal trouble with my legs, and partly because I had a post to get ready for tomorrow.
My wife, son, son-in-law, and daughters # 2 and 3 were there. I gather that they had a good time. For that, I am very glad.
Related post:
- "Spilled Coffee, Reality, and a Wind Chill Advisory"
(December 9, 2013)
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Calculus and the Mind's Eye
My wife and #3 daughter are teaching/tutoring kids from another home schooling family this afternoon. One of the subjects is arithmetic, a useful skill but not one of my favorite academic disciplines.
Arithmetic isn't quite the same as mathematics, and that's almost another topic. My wife is the math whiz of the family: no surprise, since she's also the one with a degree in computer science. I'm more like my father: much to the frustration of school teachers and administrators who looked at my aptitude test scores, which showed considerable mathematical ability; and my report cards, which definitely didn't.
I think part of the explanation is how our brains 'do the math.'
My father told me about a test he took in calculus class. One of the test's questions described two cylinders which intersected. Students were supposed to pick the intersection's volume from a list of numbers, showing the calculations they used to arrive at that number.
While everyone else started using calculus to determine how much volume the cylinders shared, my father imagined what the cylinders looked like, looked at the cubage where they went through each other, and checked off that number: which was one of the possible values shown on the test.
Then he set about writing down what he hoped was the set of equations that would give that answer.
When the test came back, he'd gotten that problem wrong.
He was the only one in the class to get the right result for the intersection's volume: but his written math wasn't even close to being correct.
I'm the same way. My mind's eye has excellent vision, but I never passed calculus class.
Arithmetic isn't quite the same as mathematics, and that's almost another topic. My wife is the math whiz of the family: no surprise, since she's also the one with a degree in computer science. I'm more like my father: much to the frustration of school teachers and administrators who looked at my aptitude test scores, which showed considerable mathematical ability; and my report cards, which definitely didn't.
I think part of the explanation is how our brains 'do the math.'
My father told me about a test he took in calculus class. One of the test's questions described two cylinders which intersected. Students were supposed to pick the intersection's volume from a list of numbers, showing the calculations they used to arrive at that number.
While everyone else started using calculus to determine how much volume the cylinders shared, my father imagined what the cylinders looked like, looked at the cubage where they went through each other, and checked off that number: which was one of the possible values shown on the test.
Then he set about writing down what he hoped was the set of equations that would give that answer.
When the test came back, he'd gotten that problem wrong.
He was the only one in the class to get the right result for the intersection's volume: but his written math wasn't even close to being correct.
I'm the same way. My mind's eye has excellent vision, but I never passed calculus class.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
First License
My son passed the driving test, and has his first driver's license. Or will, once all the paperwork is done.
He drove me to Alexandria this morning, where he took the test. We had a good talk going and returning: and reason for celebration on the way back. The 'celebration' consisted of his driving to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) office on Sauk Centre's north side, filling out a form, and paying for his license.
This is a milestone in his life: and mine. Now all the kids have their licenses.
He drove me to Alexandria this morning, where he took the test. We had a good talk going and returning: and reason for celebration on the way back. The 'celebration' consisted of his driving to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) office on Sauk Centre's north side, filling out a form, and paying for his license.
This is a milestone in his life: and mine. Now all the kids have their licenses.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Roller Blading in the Living Room
"Can I roller blade in the living room?"
I've had interesting conversations with our kids, but that was a new one to me. We have two more kids than usual under the roof just now. Their older siblings and parents are installing cabinets in Minnesota's Twin Cities area. They're an active lot, so I had the impression that there were four of them last night, and that's another topic.
The roller blade and living room question came up this morning. After discussing the matter with our visitor and my son, we decided that the living room was a bit small for that activity, and that the driveway and sidewalks offered a superior venue. Not that we used quite those terms, of course.
It's nice, having new experiences like that.
I've had interesting conversations with our kids, but that was a new one to me. We have two more kids than usual under the roof just now. Their older siblings and parents are installing cabinets in Minnesota's Twin Cities area. They're an active lot, so I had the impression that there were four of them last night, and that's another topic.
The roller blade and living room question came up this morning. After discussing the matter with our visitor and my son, we decided that the living room was a bit small for that activity, and that the driveway and sidewalks offered a superior venue. Not that we used quite those terms, of course.
It's nice, having new experiences like that.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Another Week: Rummage Sale; Hit Paraders; and Prescription Glitches
I put off picking up my new pants in Alexandria until #1 daughter had packed stuff for a rummage sale. I went up yesterday, helped her get boxes and a chair in the van, and talked for a while. I also picked up the pants.
Earlier that day I'd been to the clinic to get very cold nitrogen sprayed on a troublesome wart. It's been around for years - decades - and started peeling off earlier this week. That got my attention, so instead of just trying over-the-counter wart removers again, I went to the family doctor.
Turns out, warts are complicated little critters. Among other things, our immune system is 'blind' to them. Part of what the cold nitrogen does is let my immune system know there's a problem in that area. I plan to study up on warts: maybe this weekend.
I recovered a Peter, Paul, and Mary songbook from the rummage sale items: and found a booklet of sheet music, "20 All-Time Hit Paraders." It's from the mid-60's, but so am I: so for me these still are "hit paraders."
I left requests for prescription refills in a local pharmacy's newish automated system yesterday, then spoke with someone at the pharmacy to verify that the refill requests had arrived. This time the person told me that the prescription that routinely gets lost - wasn't in the system.
That didn't surprise me. Then she told me that ever since they started using the new system, quite a few months back, refill/new prescription requests for narcotics simply disappeared after customers entered them.
This was news to me, since there was nothing in the beeps and recorded messages telling me - and nobody had mentioned this known glitch to me. Annoying and frustrating as that is, I'm glad she let me in on the (secret?). Now I know that I have to call the pharmacy, talk to a human, and ask for the refill/new prescrip. that way.
As Cobra Bubbles said in "Lilo and Stitch," I think, "knowledge is power: and I like power."
A few minutes ago I spoke with someone at the doctor's office that's supposed to handle refills for that particular prescription. I learned something new there, too. Most of the office closes at noon on Fridays: a fairly common procedure. Someone may call me back, or the message I left will get lost in the shuffle, or maybe something else will happen.
I'll know more after mid-afternoon. I hope.
That didn't take long. Someone called back from the clinic around 11:10: the prescription request arrived, is being processed, and is in the mail. I'm hoping that this refill will be SNAFU-free: and will be more certain when I actually have the stuff.
Related posts:
Earlier that day I'd been to the clinic to get very cold nitrogen sprayed on a troublesome wart. It's been around for years - decades - and started peeling off earlier this week. That got my attention, so instead of just trying over-the-counter wart removers again, I went to the family doctor.
Turns out, warts are complicated little critters. Among other things, our immune system is 'blind' to them. Part of what the cold nitrogen does is let my immune system know there's a problem in that area. I plan to study up on warts: maybe this weekend.
I recovered a Peter, Paul, and Mary songbook from the rummage sale items: and found a booklet of sheet music, "20 All-Time Hit Paraders." It's from the mid-60's, but so am I: so for me these still are "hit paraders."
I left requests for prescription refills in a local pharmacy's newish automated system yesterday, then spoke with someone at the pharmacy to verify that the refill requests had arrived. This time the person told me that the prescription that routinely gets lost - wasn't in the system.
That didn't surprise me. Then she told me that ever since they started using the new system, quite a few months back, refill/new prescription requests for narcotics simply disappeared after customers entered them.
This was news to me, since there was nothing in the beeps and recorded messages telling me - and nobody had mentioned this known glitch to me. Annoying and frustrating as that is, I'm glad she let me in on the (secret?). Now I know that I have to call the pharmacy, talk to a human, and ask for the refill/new prescrip. that way.
As Cobra Bubbles said in "Lilo and Stitch," I think, "knowledge is power: and I like power."
A few minutes ago I spoke with someone at the doctor's office that's supposed to handle refills for that particular prescription. I learned something new there, too. Most of the office closes at noon on Fridays: a fairly common procedure. Someone may call me back, or the message I left will get lost in the shuffle, or maybe something else will happen.
I'll know more after mid-afternoon. I hope.
That didn't take long. Someone called back from the clinic around 11:10: the prescription request arrived, is being processed, and is in the mail. I'm hoping that this refill will be SNAFU-free: and will be more certain when I actually have the stuff.
Related posts:
- "Remembering Giol"
(June 22, 2013) - "A Rabbit This Time"
(June 17, 2013) - "An Even More Eventful Week: For Me, That Is"
(June 13, 2013) - "Another Week: Photos and Fuzzy Eyes"
(June 9, 2013) - "Prescription Processing Problem: Another Month, Another SNAFU"
(June 4, 2013)
Thursday, June 13, 2013
An Eventful Week: For Me
This week's been eventful, in a way. The weather got warm enough, finally, for our new-last-month central air system to start sending cool air through the vents, and I saw two hummingbirds at the feeder yesterday.
Even better, there's blue sky and sunshine outside again today. That's been a rarity so far this alleged summer.
The other 'big deal' was my taking a member of the family down to St. Cloud yesterday afternoon for oral surgery. Good news, it's gone well; bad news, I missed my hour at the Eucharistic adoration chapel down the street; good news, I made a call that started the ball rolling on getting a replacement for me on that shift.
So far, it's been a good week.
Even better, there's blue sky and sunshine outside again today. That's been a rarity so far this alleged summer.
The other 'big deal' was my taking a member of the family down to St. Cloud yesterday afternoon for oral surgery. Good news, it's gone well; bad news, I missed my hour at the Eucharistic adoration chapel down the street; good news, I made a call that started the ball rolling on getting a replacement for me on that shift.
So far, it's been a good week.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Monday: Finally, I Can - Relax?
If you follow me on Google+, 'never mind.' I posted most of this on G+ a little earlier today. (May 6, 2031)
Last week wasn't hectic for me, but not dull either. I was catching up on sleep lost to a 'need it fifteen minutes ago' task when my wife reminded me that we were going out of state for the weekend.
No problem: I wrap up Friday and Sunday's posts, schedule them to show up at the right time, and drive to North Dakota. While there, I enjoy time with #2 daughter and daughter-in-law, and start catching up on the previous weekend's sleep: plus what I'd borrowed for the current weekend.
Surprisingly, the cold I'd been dodging didn't catch up with me until today. It must have gotten winded in the process, because it's a puny thing.
For most folks with 9-to-5 jobs, Monday is when they trudge back to the cubicle for another five days of toil. For me, it's the day when I get to relax: except for a Knights of Columbus bulletin that I would have been finishing on the weekend, if I'd been in Minnesota; and the next set of posts; and - - - at least my life's not boring.
Not-completely-unrelated posts:
Last week wasn't hectic for me, but not dull either. I was catching up on sleep lost to a 'need it fifteen minutes ago' task when my wife reminded me that we were going out of state for the weekend.
No problem: I wrap up Friday and Sunday's posts, schedule them to show up at the right time, and drive to North Dakota. While there, I enjoy time with #2 daughter and daughter-in-law, and start catching up on the previous weekend's sleep: plus what I'd borrowed for the current weekend.
Surprisingly, the cold I'd been dodging didn't catch up with me until today. It must have gotten winded in the process, because it's a puny thing.
For most folks with 9-to-5 jobs, Monday is when they trudge back to the cubicle for another five days of toil. For me, it's the day when I get to relax: except for a Knights of Columbus bulletin that I would have been finishing on the weekend, if I'd been in Minnesota; and the next set of posts; and - - - at least my life's not boring.
Not-completely-unrelated posts:
- "Sin, Outrage, and Making Sense"
(May 5, 2013) - "Prayer! Meditation! Science!"
(May 3, 2013) - "Antigravity Experiments, Quantum Entanglement, and Making Kidneys"
(May 3, 2013) - "New Glasses: For Me, a Big Deal"
(May 2, 2013) - "Looking Like Santa"
(April 30, 2013)
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Back Home
I'm very glad to be home.
Spiral Light Candle needed my signature - made in person - on Wednesday, so I drove up to Hillsboro, North Dakota, Tuesday afternoon. The drive went well, I had a good time getting together with #2 daughter and son-in-law; and spent Wednesday, Thursday, plus part of Friday, doing a little database updating. I'm not done, and plan to continue as soon as I get back on speaking terms with three digits of my left hand.
The drive back was an anticlimax. Road reports promised packed and blowing snow plus slippery spots on I94 from exit 119 to Sauk Centre. Instead, all I got was perfectly clear road and blue sky. Oh, well: it's safer that way.
Next week I hope to go back to a chiropractor and get several joints and nerves sorted out. I've been through this sort of thing before, and recognize that recovery is a process that's not necessarily swift. There's also an eye exam, which will address another issue: and that's another topic.
Related posts:
Spiral Light Candle needed my signature - made in person - on Wednesday, so I drove up to Hillsboro, North Dakota, Tuesday afternoon. The drive went well, I had a good time getting together with #2 daughter and son-in-law; and spent Wednesday, Thursday, plus part of Friday, doing a little database updating. I'm not done, and plan to continue as soon as I get back on speaking terms with three digits of my left hand.
The drive back was an anticlimax. Road reports promised packed and blowing snow plus slippery spots on I94 from exit 119 to Sauk Centre. Instead, all I got was perfectly clear road and blue sky. Oh, well: it's safer that way.
Next week I hope to go back to a chiropractor and get several joints and nerves sorted out. I've been through this sort of thing before, and recognize that recovery is a process that's not necessarily swift. There's also an eye exam, which will address another issue: and that's another topic.
Related posts:
- "New-to-Me Keyboard"
(April 4, 2013) - "Springtime in Minnesota"
(April 2, 2013) - "Easter Morning"
(March 31, 2013) - "Fasting, Penance: and Infinite Depths of Joy"
A Catholic Citizen in America (June 3, 2012)
Particularly
Monday, December 24, 2012
Christmas Eve 2012
It's Christmas Eve. We've got a tree up in the living room: the same permanent/artificial one we've had for a few seasons now.I'm taking a slight break from blogging, doing shorter 'seasonal' posts for today and Wednesday.
We'll be going to church today, and again tomorrow: and hope to see #2 daughter and son-in-law later today. Or tomorrow. Or whenever they're able to break free.
One more thing: Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Busy All Week, and Not Much Done
It's been another one of those weeks that felt full of hectic activity: with very little actually accomplished. On the other hand, I did get Spiral Light Candle's Find a Retailer page updated. Here's how it looked on Wednesday:
Spiral Light Candle's Store Locator map, reduced to fit this blog's format.
November 28, 2012.
Those candles that burn in a circle are in over 200 stores as of the middle of last week. Spiral Light Candle has a pretty good online store, too.
My son-in-law and #2 daughter have been doing the heavy lifting, taking Spiral Light Candle from a good idea into a factory in North Dakota: but my wife and I own a piece of the company, too; and our son was 'on loan' this week, helping with the Christmas rush.
We picked him up this weekend, spending all Saturday with #2 daughter and son-in-law. I'll be astonished if we see them again before next year: but maybe they'll come to a family get-together here in Sauk Centre. Then again maybe not.
Either way, I'm glad we went to see them this weekend: and I'm glad to be back home.
Spiral Light Candle factory, south section: production floor and offices.
March-April, 2012.
Finally, my wife received her black belt in Soo Bahk Do this evening. This is the realization of a decades-old dream for her. #3 daughter has her black belt, too. Actually, the belts are midnight blue, and that's another topic.
Related posts:
Spiral Light Candle's Store Locator map, reduced to fit this blog's format.
November 28, 2012.
Those candles that burn in a circle are in over 200 stores as of the middle of last week. Spiral Light Candle has a pretty good online store, too.
My son-in-law and #2 daughter have been doing the heavy lifting, taking Spiral Light Candle from a good idea into a factory in North Dakota: but my wife and I own a piece of the company, too; and our son was 'on loan' this week, helping with the Christmas rush.
We picked him up this weekend, spending all Saturday with #2 daughter and son-in-law. I'll be astonished if we see them again before next year: but maybe they'll come to a family get-together here in Sauk Centre. Then again maybe not.
Either way, I'm glad we went to see them this weekend: and I'm glad to be back home.
Spiral Light Candle factory, south section: production floor and offices.
March-April, 2012.
Finally, my wife received her black belt in Soo Bahk Do this evening. This is the realization of a decades-old dream for her. #3 daughter has her black belt, too. Actually, the belts are midnight blue, and that's another topic.
Related posts:
- "Candles, a Store Locator, and Online Shopping"
Starting a Small Business Without Losing My Mind (November 28, 2012) - "A Busy Week, or, Christmas Season's Started"
Sauk Centre Journal Blog (December 2, 2012) - "Family, Candles, and an Online Store"
(November 28, 2012) - "Another Month, Another Unexpected Drive"
(September 16, 2012) - "Good Candles and Good Neighbors in North Dakota"
Includes excerpts from the news
Starting a Small Business Without Losing My Mind
(June 16, 2012)
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Family, Candles, and an Online Store
My son is 'on loan' to #2 daughter and son-in-law this week. He's helping them keep up with orders for those special candles.
Spiral Light Candle factory, south section: production floor and offices.
March-April, 2012.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving is Small Business Saturday®, and I think locally-owned businesses are a good idea, so: if you're in Mayville or Hillsboro, North Dakota, I'd like you to take a look at Spiral Light Candles at Dale's Food Pride or the Mayville Cenex.
Since quite a few folks don't live in North Dakota's Traill County, Spiral Light Candle's store locator helps you find retailers closer to home. We're in California, New York, and quite a few states between. There's our online store, too.
Background:
Prototype of Spiral Light Candle's counter-top display. June 2012.
Spiral Light Candle factory, south section: production floor and offices.
March-April, 2012.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving is Small Business Saturday®, and I think locally-owned businesses are a good idea, so: if you're in Mayville or Hillsboro, North Dakota, I'd like you to take a look at Spiral Light Candles at Dale's Food Pride or the Mayville Cenex.
Since quite a few folks don't live in North Dakota's Traill County, Spiral Light Candle's store locator helps you find retailers closer to home. We're in California, New York, and quite a few states between. There's our online store, too.
"We?" "Our?"
Spiral Light Candle is a family business. I own part of it, and do some technical work as needed. Helping a company get started has been a fascinating experience for me. Happily, I haven't had to do much of the work. :)Background:
- On Spiral Light Candle's website
- My take
- "Another Month, Another Unexpected Drive"
(September 16, 2012) - "Snapshots from Texas; or, Candles at a Trade Show"
(June 24, 2012) - "Good Candles and Good Neighbors in North Dakota"
Includes excerpts from the news
Starting a Small Business Without Losing My Mind
(June 16, 2012) - "A Quick Trip, a Factory, Candles: and Home at Last!"
(May 25, 2012) - "Candles, a Spreadsheet, and a Really Long Week"
(December 5, 2011)
- "Another Month, Another Unexpected Drive"
Prototype of Spiral Light Candle's counter-top display. June 2012.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Finally: A Planned Trip
This time, the drive up to North Dakota was planned. The trip was mostly a family get-together, with intervals of business. I saw Spiral Light Candle Corporation's new online store, complete with better navigation and a short demo video; talked about what the company will be doing over the next several months; and enjoyed being with #2 daughter and son-in-law.
#1 daughter was there, too, so we had a 'complete set' this time.
Between 'talking shop' and watching a movie, I didn't get much sleep over the weekend. I figure that I'll be caught up in a few days.
Slightly-related posts:
#1 daughter was there, too, so we had a 'complete set' this time.
Between 'talking shop' and watching a movie, I didn't get much sleep over the weekend. I figure that I'll be caught up in a few days.
Slightly-related posts:
- "#1 Daughter's Car: or, Now What?!"
(September 29, 2012) - "Another Month, Another Unexpected Drive"
(September 16, 2012) - "An Unexpected Drive"
(August 13, 2012)
Saturday, September 29, 2012
#1 Daughter's Car: or, Now What?!
As I've said before, I think that being a parent is a permanent occupation.What's changing, now that my wife and I are easing into the 'empty nest' phase, is what sort of issues come up.
For the last few decades, 'being a parent' has involved changing diapers, getting up in the small hours of the night, and dealing with education and larger sets of clothing.
Now that more of the kids are out of the house, we keep in touch by telephone and correspondence (e- and otherwise): and occasionally get more-or-less distressing news. The latest medical crisis obliged me to spend a week in North Dakota, filling in for the boss at a candle factory. (September 16, 2012)
Yesterday, #1 daughter called, using her cell phone. She was less than a thousand feet outside West Union, just west of Sauk Centre. Her car had shuddered, the motor stopped, at which point she lost power steering - but could coast to a safe stop.
After letting us know what happened, she called a towing service and got the car and herself to a garage on the north side: where the automobile was declared DOA. Metal shreds in the oil indicated that something had gone catastrophically wrong with the engine.
That's the bad news.
The good news is that the chap at the garage said that it definitely wasn't her fault.
In principle, the engine could be replaced: in practice, that would cost about as much as the car is worth, so we're looking at alternatives. #1 daughter and I spent most of this morning looking at used vehicles, and have a half-dozen or so 'possibles' to consider. Next step is to figure out what she can afford.
The good news is that my life hasn't been boring. Ever.
Vaguely-related posts:
For the last few decades, 'being a parent' has involved changing diapers, getting up in the small hours of the night, and dealing with education and larger sets of clothing.
Now that more of the kids are out of the house, we keep in touch by telephone and correspondence (e- and otherwise): and occasionally get more-or-less distressing news. The latest medical crisis obliged me to spend a week in North Dakota, filling in for the boss at a candle factory. (September 16, 2012)
Yesterday, #1 daughter called, using her cell phone. She was less than a thousand feet outside West Union, just west of Sauk Centre. Her car had shuddered, the motor stopped, at which point she lost power steering - but could coast to a safe stop.
After letting us know what happened, she called a towing service and got the car and herself to a garage on the north side: where the automobile was declared DOA. Metal shreds in the oil indicated that something had gone catastrophically wrong with the engine.
That's the bad news.
The good news is that the chap at the garage said that it definitely wasn't her fault.
In principle, the engine could be replaced: in practice, that would cost about as much as the car is worth, so we're looking at alternatives. #1 daughter and I spent most of this morning looking at used vehicles, and have a half-dozen or so 'possibles' to consider. Next step is to figure out what she can afford.
The good news is that my life hasn't been boring. Ever.
Vaguely-related posts:
- "Another Month, Another Unexpected Drive"
(September 16, 2012) - "An Unexpected Drive"
(August 13, 2012) - "A Quick Trip, a Factory, Candles: and Home at Last!"
(May 25, 2012) - "The Case of the Capricious Cruise Control"
(December 8, 2011) - "Candles, a Spreadsheet, and a Really Long Week"
(December 5, 2011)
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Another Month, Another Unexpected Drive
Being a parent doesn't end when the kids move out. What changes is the job description.
Last month, #1 daughter needed a ride. Normally, I wouldn't do this sort of thing: but there was a medical angle involved, and she lives only 20 minutes or so down the road. (August 13, 2012)
This month, #2 daughter and her husband were on vacation in Louisiana. Last weekend we got a late-night phone call.
The good news is that #2 daughter survived, and is recovering. The bad news: she experienced a medical emergency that included losing about two liters of blood. She's five-foot-nothing, so that's a lot of her usual supply.
More good news: my son-in-law's family is is Louisiana: so the two of them had good folks to stay with.
Spiral Light Candle factory, south section: during construction.
December 31, 2011.
Spiral Light Candle factory, south section: production floor and offices.
March-April, 2012.
All we knew last weekend was that #2 daughter had been taken first to a hospital's emergency room, and then checked in for an indefinite stay. Job one for the family was to keep praying: while doctors worked at figuring out what was causing the problems. After that, there was the factory to consider.
My son-in-law had set things up with the assumption that he'd be back soon: not for an indefinitely long time. I knew in a general way what should be happening there, so my wife packed me up and I headed for North Dakota.
Meanwhile, my son-in-law wrote up a to-do list, highlighting tasks that I could at least start while I was at the factory. My main function was to be a set of eyes and hands on-site, so that he could see what was happening, and take action if need be.
As it turned out, the week I spent up there was fairly uneventful, apart from my working though a few of the highlighted tasks.
Things are getting back to normal now, with me back in Sauk Centre and the kids up in North Dakota. As I've said before, I'm not a 40-year-old kid any more: so I expect to spend a few days just resting up from my week as 'acting boss' at the factory.
Somewhat-related posts:
Last month, #1 daughter needed a ride. Normally, I wouldn't do this sort of thing: but there was a medical angle involved, and she lives only 20 minutes or so down the road. (August 13, 2012)
This month, #2 daughter and her husband were on vacation in Louisiana. Last weekend we got a late-night phone call.
The good news is that #2 daughter survived, and is recovering. The bad news: she experienced a medical emergency that included losing about two liters of blood. She's five-foot-nothing, so that's a lot of her usual supply.
More good news: my son-in-law's family is is Louisiana: so the two of them had good folks to stay with.
Meanwhile, back at the factory - - -
My son-in-law and #2 daughter started a candle manufacturing company, and turned an old potato warehouse into a factory recently. They've got a good staff, so taking a few days off wasn't a concern.Spiral Light Candle factory, south section: during construction.
December 31, 2011.
Spiral Light Candle factory, south section: production floor and offices.
March-April, 2012.
All we knew last weekend was that #2 daughter had been taken first to a hospital's emergency room, and then checked in for an indefinite stay. Job one for the family was to keep praying: while doctors worked at figuring out what was causing the problems. After that, there was the factory to consider.
My son-in-law had set things up with the assumption that he'd be back soon: not for an indefinitely long time. I knew in a general way what should be happening there, so my wife packed me up and I headed for North Dakota.
Meanwhile, my son-in-law wrote up a to-do list, highlighting tasks that I could at least start while I was at the factory. My main function was to be a set of eyes and hands on-site, so that he could see what was happening, and take action if need be.
As it turned out, the week I spent up there was fairly uneventful, apart from my working though a few of the highlighted tasks.
Things are getting back to normal now, with me back in Sauk Centre and the kids up in North Dakota. As I've said before, I'm not a 40-year-old kid any more: so I expect to spend a few days just resting up from my week as 'acting boss' at the factory.
Somewhat-related posts:
- "Temporary Change in Schedule"
A Catholic Citizen in America (September 10, 2012) - "An Unexpected Drive"
(August 13, 2012) - "Spiral Light Candles: Snapshots from a Texas Trade Show"
Starting a Small Business Without Losing My Mind (June 24, 2012) - "Spiral Light Candle's Online Store - Open"
Starting a Small Business Without Losing My Mind (June 15, 2012) - "Trade Show Trip: Everything's Ready (I Think)"
(July 29, 2011)
Monday, August 13, 2012
An Unexpected Drive
This has been an interesting several days. Among other things, I mixed up my posting schedule in another blog (A Catholic Citizen in America (August 13, 2012)); nearly missed a post in another; and had a far-from-adequate night's sleep.
Then, this evening, #1 daughter calls. She fell while at work, and needed a ride home. She's okay: just too shaky to risk driving.
No problem: I got a nice drive during sunset and twilight on the 20 miles between here and Alexandria; had a nice chat with #1 daughter; and have been relaxing, back here in Sauk Centre.
Then, this evening, #1 daughter calls. She fell while at work, and needed a ride home. She's okay: just too shaky to risk driving.
No problem: I got a nice drive during sunset and twilight on the 20 miles between here and Alexandria; had a nice chat with #1 daughter; and have been relaxing, back here in Sauk Centre.
Monday, March 5, 2012
My Son: First Paying Job
My son finished his first paying job as a computer technician today. We've got other computer repair and maintenance outfits in town: what sets Peter apart is that he does house calls. Without charging a king's ransom.
Am I a proud papa? A delighted dad? You bet!
Related (?) posts:
Am I a proud papa? A delighted dad? You bet!
Related (?) posts:
- "My Son, the Computer Technician"
(February 2, 2011) - "Candles, a Spreadsheet, and a Really Long Week"
(December 5, 2011) - "My Son, the Techie"
(October 9, 2010) - "Computers and a Small Town Family"
(July 7, 2007) - "Family and Computers"
(July 30, 2007)
Monday, October 17, 2011
Birthday Watermelon, and an Unexpected Errand
I put photos from my 60th birthday celebration in another blog:
My wife and #3 daughter came in at noon, with balloons and presents in tow. That's the nicest surprise I've had in - can't remember. A long time. We've now got the complete Danger Mouse series to watch, thanks to my son's efforts. It's not Shakespeare or Lucas: but I think we'll like it. Danger Mouse, that is.
#3 daughter explained that they couldn't find any balloons with "60" on them, but I think the slogans they found were at least as appropriate. Those balloons have 'attitude,' of which this family has at least its share.
Those curly candles? Nobody said "screwball," but I suspect that may have been an inspiration for the shape.
As my father used to say: "And a good time was had by all."
I got a call that evening, while my wife and #3 daughter were at Soo Bahk Do. It was #1 daughter. She'd gotten back to Alexandria just fine, been sitting down, stood up, passed out, and had taken book shelving with her on the way down.
Later, after talking with my wife, she called the emergency ward of Douglas County Hospital. They said she should come in to get checked out. We weren't going to have her driving under existing circumstances, so I drove the van up to Alex and took her in.
We arrived at the emergency ward at about 10:00 p.m., and we had a nice long chat about "random" topics, as she put it. An old-fashioned exam, and up-to-date lab work, showed the probable cause of her passing out: which had an easy fix.
I took #1 daughter back to her place, drove back to Sauk Centre, and got to bed well before dawn.
For some reason, though, I'm feeling a little tired today.
- "Lemming Tracks: The Lemming Hits the Big Six-Oh"
(October 1, 2011)
The Big Six-Oh and a Birthday Watermelon
My family did a good job of seeming to have forgotten my birthday. I nearly lost track of the date, myself. Which would have been awkward, since I had a driver's license renewal coming due this year: and that's another topic. I passed the vision test, by the way, and the photo looks like me: which can't be helped, and that's yet another topic.My wife and #3 daughter came in at noon, with balloons and presents in tow. That's the nicest surprise I've had in - can't remember. A long time. We've now got the complete Danger Mouse series to watch, thanks to my son's efforts. It's not Shakespeare or Lucas: but I think we'll like it. Danger Mouse, that is.
#3 daughter explained that they couldn't find any balloons with "60" on them, but I think the slogans they found were at least as appropriate. Those balloons have 'attitude,' of which this family has at least its share.
"It's not the age ... it's the attitude."
"Age is just a number. (A high one in your case - but just a number.)"
That evening they brought out the birthday watermelon. I'd wonder if they'd find a cake analog: being diabetic isn't as big a problem as it could be, but there are foods I definitely shouldn't eat. Not in any significant quantity, anyway.Birthday Candles: on my birthday - - - watermelon.
Those curly candles? Nobody said "screwball," but I suspect that may have been an inspiration for the shape.
As my father used to say: "And a good time was had by all."
Time, Schedules, and Getting a Grip
Earlier this month, I finally changed my blogging schedule. Partly to free up time for projects that have been on the back burner for years. Make that decades, in some cases; partly because even in my 20s, there was only so much I could pack into each 24 hours. And I've been 20 three times now. More about that in yet another blog:- "A Change in Schedule"
(October 2, 2011)
Once a Dad, Always a Dad
#1 daughter was here over the weekend, with her cat. Twitches, the cat, was almost frantically fascinated by my wife putting plastic sheeting up on the window by my desk. She was outside, the cat was inside, trying to track every movement.I got a call that evening, while my wife and #3 daughter were at Soo Bahk Do. It was #1 daughter. She'd gotten back to Alexandria just fine, been sitting down, stood up, passed out, and had taken book shelving with her on the way down.
Later, after talking with my wife, she called the emergency ward of Douglas County Hospital. They said she should come in to get checked out. We weren't going to have her driving under existing circumstances, so I drove the van up to Alex and took her in.
We arrived at the emergency ward at about 10:00 p.m., and we had a nice long chat about "random" topics, as she put it. An old-fashioned exam, and up-to-date lab work, showed the probable cause of her passing out: which had an easy fix.
I took #1 daughter back to her place, drove back to Sauk Centre, and got to bed well before dawn.
For some reason, though, I'm feeling a little tired today.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Trade Show Trip: Everything's Ready (I Think)
24 hours from now, I'll most likely be on my way to Pennsylvania with #2 daughter and my son-in-law: leaving home in the capable hands of the rest of the family.
I spent part of the morning talking with two pharmacies and a clinic in St. Cloud, down the road. A routine prescription-filling - wasn't routine this time. The written document went in the mail in St. Cloud - and hadn't arrived at this end. Letters and packages don't, really, get lost in the mail very often - but this time, I got lucky. The situation's sorted out now - I hope - and that was the telephone: the pharmacy called, and the prescription's ready.
Whew.
So now, all that's left to do is pack and make sure I don't forget anything vital and/or important.
Happily for me, my son-in-law and #2 daughter are doing the 'heavy lifting' when it comes to preparations for the trade show.
We'll be showing off Spiral Light Candle Corporation's new (production started this summer) spiral-wick candles, Oasis Productions' Art of Serenity video - and doing a lot of meet-and-greet. The latter is mostly my son-in-law's pleasant task. I'm the company's gopher at the trade show.
It's going to be fun, I think.
Related post:
I spent part of the morning talking with two pharmacies and a clinic in St. Cloud, down the road. A routine prescription-filling - wasn't routine this time. The written document went in the mail in St. Cloud - and hadn't arrived at this end. Letters and packages don't, really, get lost in the mail very often - but this time, I got lucky. The situation's sorted out now - I hope - and that was the telephone: the pharmacy called, and the prescription's ready.
Whew.
So now, all that's left to do is pack and make sure I don't forget anything vital and/or important.
Happily for me, my son-in-law and #2 daughter are doing the 'heavy lifting' when it comes to preparations for the trade show.
We'll be showing off Spiral Light Candle Corporation's new (production started this summer) spiral-wick candles, Oasis Productions' Art of Serenity video - and doing a lot of meet-and-greet. The latter is mostly my son-in-law's pleasant task. I'm the company's gopher at the trade show.
It's going to be fun, I think.
Related post:
- "Birdbath, Bingo Booth, and Trade Show"
(July 28, 2011)
- Catholic Marketing Network
- 15th Annual Catholic Marketing Network Trade Show
Near Philadelphia, PA: Tuesday, August 2, 2011 - Friday, August 5, 2011
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