Jen puked not long ago, like 30 minutes or so.
This morning sickness is an odd thing. For one, I didn't realize it could happen at night, as you're going to bed. I mean, it's called "morning" sickness. Not "random times of the day" sickness.
Jen has gotten sick three times so far. I think that equals the number of times she puked in all the years prior to that.
Tonight was odd. She's laying on the couch and gets up for bed. When she does, she coughs. And that caused her to get sick.
Luckily, she got to the bathroom in time. Being the concerned husband, I dutifully stayed in the bathroom while she was heaving. Since her hair is too short to need to be held, I got a washcloth and rubbed her back.
Oddly, the sound of her getting sick didn't turn my stomach. Maybe I'm already psychologically adjusting to the future grossness I'll endure as a father.
(BTW, the names on this post are not in the running for actual names of the baby. When Jen and I would see kids acting up at the mall or at restaurants, we used to say "our kid won't do that." Eventually, we started using Jimmie Jo/Jimmy Joe as a way to refer to our future child, since depending on the spelling it can be a girl or boy.)
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Tomatoes
First tomatoes of the season are ready.
A couple ripened while we were in St. Louis with the Martins, but now I'm getting two or three per day. Since this photo was taken, I've picked eight more organic beauties.
These are a little small (and a little green) compared to what's coming off the plants now. But they are firm and flavorful. I honestly don't know how people eat hothouse tomatoes out of season. They just have zero taste compared to what you get in the summer.
HVAC and the den
Sorry again for the lack of posts. It's been a busy week. Busier than I expected.
On Tuesday, the guys showed up with our new heat and central units. Our old AC unit was a Chrysler. The company quit making AC units in the mid-1970s, so it was time for a new one.
They also removed the old wall unit heater in the den and installed duct work out to that room. Previously, the man room (aka SK's suite) would be freezing in the winter and sweltering in the summer. But, now, with real windows, a wall and duct work it's an actual useable space.
The crew was four guys, one of which was a high-school or early-college age. He got the crappy job of crawling through the attic. As Nash can tell you, our attic is not a fun place to be on a summer day. I felt sorry for the kid.
I've got a new ceiling fan to install this weekend. And I've got to patch the hole where the wall heater was located. In a couple of weeks, the carpet comes up, paint and new flooring follows that.
On Tuesday, the guys showed up with our new heat and central units. Our old AC unit was a Chrysler. The company quit making AC units in the mid-1970s, so it was time for a new one.
They also removed the old wall unit heater in the den and installed duct work out to that room. Previously, the man room (aka SK's suite) would be freezing in the winter and sweltering in the summer. But, now, with real windows, a wall and duct work it's an actual useable space.
The crew was four guys, one of which was a high-school or early-college age. He got the crappy job of crawling through the attic. As Nash can tell you, our attic is not a fun place to be on a summer day. I felt sorry for the kid.
I've got a new ceiling fan to install this weekend. And I've got to patch the hole where the wall heater was located. In a couple of weeks, the carpet comes up, paint and new flooring follows that.
Monday, June 23, 2008
RIP
First Jim McKay, then Fort Smith's Charlie Jones, then Tim Russert. That trifecta of announcers dying in a span of six days was a shock.
Sure, McKay and Jones were getting up there in years. But for those of us of a certain age, McKay and Jones were the voices we first associated with sports. Russert dying at 58(!) was even worse because 58 ain't old anymore.
And, now, the guy those of us of a certain age associate with standup comedy has died. I honestly don't remember the first time I saw or heard Carlin. It was probably during my teen years when I discovered how to jerry-rig the Atari attachment on the back of the TV to get scrambled HBO. But I do know I've always enjoyed his act, even when I didn't agree with all his views ...
Sure, McKay and Jones were getting up there in years. But for those of us of a certain age, McKay and Jones were the voices we first associated with sports. Russert dying at 58(!) was even worse because 58 ain't old anymore.
And, now, the guy those of us of a certain age associate with standup comedy has died. I honestly don't remember the first time I saw or heard Carlin. It was probably during my teen years when I discovered how to jerry-rig the Atari attachment on the back of the TV to get scrambled HBO. But I do know I've always enjoyed his act, even when I didn't agree with all his views ...
Friday, June 20, 2008
Groupthink
The statewide Harley Owner's Group motorcycle rally is in Fort Smith this weekend. About 5,000 people are in town riding their Harleys all over the place.
Tonight at dinner, I pulled up to a light and four guys on motorcycles were in front of me. Three of them were riding the exact same motorcycle. You know the kind. They had stretched front-forks and were going for an "American Chopper" look. But beyond that, the paint scheme on each one was exactly the same. The fourth guy was the rebel of the group, he'd added some grip covers with black fringe to his chopper.
As I sat through the interminably long light, I started trying to think of a time when I'd ever drop $20,000 to $30,000 on an exact replica of something my buddies have. I mean, I understand the whole "Hey, let's all get motorcycles and ride them around together." That kind of seems like it could be fun. But not riding matching motorcycles. That seems odd.
Once upon a time, I wanted a Harley. I'm talking back in the 1980s before everybody's dentist and attorney had one. Now, however, I want a moped ... oh, I mean a scooter ... like a Vespa.
For one thing, it would save on gas. And, frankly, I think it'd be kind of fun. Though it would be difficult to strap a baby seat onto one.
Of course, if I get a moped these days I'll have to get one with working brakes. I don't own any Pony sneakers to use for Flintstone-style braking like I did on the moped I owned back in the early 1980s.
Tonight at dinner, I pulled up to a light and four guys on motorcycles were in front of me. Three of them were riding the exact same motorcycle. You know the kind. They had stretched front-forks and were going for an "American Chopper" look. But beyond that, the paint scheme on each one was exactly the same. The fourth guy was the rebel of the group, he'd added some grip covers with black fringe to his chopper.
As I sat through the interminably long light, I started trying to think of a time when I'd ever drop $20,000 to $30,000 on an exact replica of something my buddies have. I mean, I understand the whole "Hey, let's all get motorcycles and ride them around together." That kind of seems like it could be fun. But not riding matching motorcycles. That seems odd.
Once upon a time, I wanted a Harley. I'm talking back in the 1980s before everybody's dentist and attorney had one. Now, however, I want a moped ... oh, I mean a scooter ... like a Vespa.
For one thing, it would save on gas. And, frankly, I think it'd be kind of fun. Though it would be difficult to strap a baby seat onto one.
Of course, if I get a moped these days I'll have to get one with working brakes. I don't own any Pony sneakers to use for Flintstone-style braking like I did on the moped I owned back in the early 1980s.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Back on the radio
After, what, about two or three years, I'm back on the radio. But not permanently.
One of the co-hosts of the morning show on ESPN 96.3 FM quit. Seeing an opportunity, I e-mailed the remaining host (and station manager) and offered to sit in with him. After all, a one-man radio show is boooooooooring for the listeners and the host.
It won't be a permanent deal. Tommy is getting a ton of great resumes. Some even from former ESPN producers and guys in big markets stuck doing late nights or weekends. Plus, I won't have much time for a second job here in a few months.
I started Wednesday, which meant I had to drag my sorry tail out of bed at 6 a.m. instead of the crack of 10 a.m. like usual.
Not fun. Not at all. I usually only wake up that early when I'm going hunting. And certainly not during a week when I'm at the office until 11 p.m. each night because my writers are covering All-Star Games in Fayetteville.
One of the co-hosts of the morning show on ESPN 96.3 FM quit. Seeing an opportunity, I e-mailed the remaining host (and station manager) and offered to sit in with him. After all, a one-man radio show is boooooooooring for the listeners and the host.
It won't be a permanent deal. Tommy is getting a ton of great resumes. Some even from former ESPN producers and guys in big markets stuck doing late nights or weekends. Plus, I won't have much time for a second job here in a few months.
I started Wednesday, which meant I had to drag my sorry tail out of bed at 6 a.m. instead of the crack of 10 a.m. like usual.
Not fun. Not at all. I usually only wake up that early when I'm going hunting. And certainly not during a week when I'm at the office until 11 p.m. each night because my writers are covering All-Star Games in Fayetteville.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The heartbeat
Jen and I had a doctor's appointment yesterday.
(Yes, yes, I know she's the one who had the appointment but I plan on attending all of them so I think "we" had it.)
Anyway, we heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time.
Unlike on TVs and movies, it's not easy to find. The nurse kept having to move the sonar thingamajigger trying to locate Jimmy Joe/Jimmie Jo (our unofficial names for him/her). When she finally found it, it was faint. You really had to know what you're hearing to recognize it.
The nurse said the heartbeat was strong and fast (which is normal). She guessed it was around 150 bpm, which according to old wives' tales means the baby is a girl.
(Yes, yes, I know she's the one who had the appointment but I plan on attending all of them so I think "we" had it.)
Anyway, we heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time.
Unlike on TVs and movies, it's not easy to find. The nurse kept having to move the sonar thingamajigger trying to locate Jimmy Joe/Jimmie Jo (our unofficial names for him/her). When she finally found it, it was faint. You really had to know what you're hearing to recognize it.
The nurse said the heartbeat was strong and fast (which is normal). She guessed it was around 150 bpm, which according to old wives' tales means the baby is a girl.
Friday, June 6, 2008
The coolest helmets in pro football history
Don't blame me for which helmet is No. 1. It's science, baby. And you can't argue with that.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Review-The-11-Coolest-Helmets-in-Pro-Football-H?urn=nfl,86651
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Review-The-11-Coolest-Helmets-in-Pro-Football-H?urn=nfl,86651
DMB
Very likely won't get back to the blog for a week or so.
Jen and I are heading out of town to see the Dave Matthews Band in St. Louis. Naturally, we'll be crashing with the Martins.
After a few days there, we're heading down to Walnut Ridge to hang out with the in-laws for a couple of days.
When we get back, we've got some major home remodeling to start. And a complete replacement of our central heat and air units.
Jen and I are heading out of town to see the Dave Matthews Band in St. Louis. Naturally, we'll be crashing with the Martins.
After a few days there, we're heading down to Walnut Ridge to hang out with the in-laws for a couple of days.
When we get back, we've got some major home remodeling to start. And a complete replacement of our central heat and air units.
A belated happy birthday
Sean, I'm sorry I forgot to blog about your birthday. I should have.
So a happy belated birthday to my friend and yours Sean [redacted by the Secret Service].
As you know, Sean is a [redacted] who works for [redacted] in Washington D.C. But don't let his Capitol Hill gig fool you, Sean is good people, especially when he's not taunting me about the availability of Yuengling (a great beer), even though he roots for the Dallas Cowboys.
So next time you need a tour of [some building in D.C.], Sean is your man. He'll even work cheap, you just have to ply him with cold beers after the tour.
Cheers, Sean.
So a happy belated birthday to my friend and yours Sean [redacted by the Secret Service].
As you know, Sean is a [redacted] who works for [redacted] in Washington D.C. But don't let his Capitol Hill gig fool you, Sean is good people, especially when he's not taunting me about the availability of Yuengling (a great beer), even though he roots for the Dallas Cowboys.
So next time you need a tour of [some building in D.C.], Sean is your man. He'll even work cheap, you just have to ply him with cold beers after the tour.
Cheers, Sean.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
The Coming Energy Wars
Plant your gardens, buy a scooter and stock up on canned goods, because Goldman Sachs says we'll cross $200 a barrel oil within six to 24 months ...
http://www.newsweek.com/id/139395/output/print
http://www.newsweek.com/id/139395/output/print
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