Fun in the park

Hello all,

It was a fun night down on the ranch. Mom had to work late for end of month, so we made a quick batch of pancakes and were off to the park. Ali and Zac really enjoyed their time at the park behind Park Hill HS. It is a great park for little kids because the surface is a rubberaized plastic. That way if the kids fall down, they bounce. If you have ever seen Zac play, you would know he bounces a lot!

Here are some of the pics.

They played hard for the better part of an hour. I decided it was time to go home when the mosquitoes started to feed on my legs. If they were getting me, I was sure they were heading towards the kids too.

Once we got home, it was time for the kids to take a bath and get ready for bed. I'm looking forward to a relaxing night at home.

-Andy

A good night at home

Hello all,

Good news! My dad is out of the hospital. He was discharged Sunday and is enjoying being home. When I talked to him tonight, he sounded a tired. He admits that it will take some time to get back to normal. I hope that he keeps recovering and starts to feel like himself.

As for work, I found out that I will start working for IBM on 9-16-04. I am looking forward to getting off of the sinking ship called Sprint. Four organization changes in that last three years is a little more than I can handle.

Steve -- It is good to have you back on the team! Don't forget to drink the BIG BLUE kool-aid. It will all be over soon.

Good night!

-Andy

Fun in the pool

Hello all,

Last night, Ali and Zac played in the pool. They sure had a lot of fun splashing around. Zac even put his head under water for a second or two without crying later. Ali splashed around while playing with her Dora the Explorer doll. Zac and I played catch with the mini-basketball. It was a good break to a long day.

Jennifer had her second BeautiControl party this week. Her business is taking off. I'm very impressed by how determined she is to make this work. She has had five parties in August and has four more scheduled for September. Her goal is to have four / five parties a month. So far, she is on pace to make that happen.

As for my dad, I spoke with him late last night. He is still trying to recover from not sleeping very well yesterday. His doctors have yet to uncover the root cause for his problems. I am praying that they find it soon. I want him to come home.

Well, better close and get something done.
-Andy

Found my glasses

Hello all,

I have found my glasses. I had left them at Jenny Turner's desk on Friday. I thought I wore them on Tuesday, but I was wrong. Isn't it funny how memory works. If it is a habit to always do something, the brain fakes itself out and believes that the habit continued through the day. Anyway, at least I have my glasses.

-Andy

Lost my glasses

Hello all,

Well, it was bound to happen. I have misplaced my glasses today. I think I had them this morning, but by 8:00, I could not find them. I may have left them at home, but for some reason, I thought I had them today.

As for my dad, he is doing better. He had a neurological exam this morning. The results from that will not be known for a few more days. The family is anxiously awaiting the results of the bone marrow test. I think a steak from Cascio's Steak House is in order if he needs more red meat! But that is just me. I know that is not the cure, but at least it would taste better than food from the cafeteria.

Get well soon dad!
-Andy

Thinking of my dad

Hello all,

My Dad had more tests done today. I have been very worried about him. I came home last night with the thought that I would be on the road to Omaha today as well. Thankfully, I did not have to go. My dad has not had any complications due to his tests today. This morning, a camera was inserted into an artery in his leg. They then passed it up to his heart and looked around. Everything was fine. He does not have any blockage. Thank you LORD.

He has another test tomorrow morning at 8:30. I think this is his only test for the day. I hope he gets some rest. In order for him to do that, he would need to keep mom and us kids out of his room for a while. :)

Dad - I am thinking of you. Get well soon!

-Andy

Went to see my dad today

Hello all,

So the day started with me watching the clock roll from 11:59 PM to 12:00 AM. It was another night of not sleeping very well. I tried to sleep, but couldn't. I finally turned in at 1:30.

Jen and I were on the road to Omaha at 10:00. We stopped and ate at IHOP and started are trek North on I-29. We drove through rain and hail. The wind was really pushing out van around.

When we walked into my dad's room, Jen and I found my sister Nicole sitting in a chair. My dad was in tests today until 4:00. It was a great visit. I really needed to see him today. I think he needed to see me as well. Mom said he looked a lot better today. In short, I think I can sleep tonight.

Jen and I drove home tonight. We are both going to work tomorrow. I hope I can concentrate tomorrow.

-Andy

Dad sick in the hospital

Hello all,

I don't know how many of you are getting this, but I want to let you know that my dad is in the hospital again in Omaha. I know he is a strong man. I have tried to pattern myself after him as much as possible. I even write my last name like him by looping the 'T's in Scott. All my life I have wanted to make him proud of me. For my 30th birthday, he gave me a card that validated that I had achieved my goal. It was the best gift he could have given me.

Now, he is sick. I can't concentrate. It is like having a bell ring in my head every 10 seconds and disrupt my thoughts. I caught myself today thinking of my childhood. I was riding in my dad's truck going into the elevator for a Pepsi after a hot day's work. We just jumped into the truck and went. It was not unusual for us to do it. Mom either accepted it or ignored it. Either way, we were out of there. My childhood was filled with thousands of moments just like that one. It was not an exceptional moment, but it was one that just leapt from my memory. I could hear the sound of my dad's 1974 Chevy accelerate. I can see him put his left arm out the driver's side window and have him look over at me give me a smile. That was all I needed then. Still do...

I see him in many of my actions today. Instead of having Ali and Zac ride in the front seat, they sit in their car seats in the back. I find myself glancing over my shoulder and seeing them play with each other. I know now what dad was thinking. No matter what has happened in this day, I still have my family. Everything else doesn't matter right now.

Dad, I hope you get better very soon.

Love,
-Andy

Just a test

Here I am.

Going to IBM

Hello all,

Just wanted to let you all know I am going to be an IBM employee.

-Andy

Going to IBM

Hello all,

It is official. On September 17th, 2004, I will no longer be a Sprint Employee. I will work for IBM.

-Andy

Long night

Hello all,

Just a quick note. Jen had her first Spa Escapes party last night. She was very nervous, but made it through in flying colors! Way to go Jen! I knew you could do it. She has a more parties booked this month, but if any of you would like to book a party, I'm sure she would love to come and do it.

As for me, our parenting small group met for our regular meeting. It went well. I am tired and not looking forward to doing laundry from the weekend.

-Andy

Getting Jen ready for her first party

Hello all,

Tonight Jen and I are working on getting her ready for her BeautiControl party. She is going to be great! Good luck tomorrow Jennifer!

We are watching the Olympics. I'll write mor later.

-Andy

We are home

Hello all,

Well, we are home again. We pulled into our driveway shortly after 6:30. Now, we need to start doing laundry and get the kids ready for another week of "normal" life. It was a nice trip. We stayed at the Hampton Inn. The room had a WI-FI connection for our laptop. I was planning on writing every night, but that just could not happen.

Well, I'm tired so I'm going to bed.

-Andy

Ready for a trip to Minnesota

Hello all,

It is close to midnight and Jen and I are still packing. We are planning on being on the road by 7:00 tomorrow morning. Something tells me that if we are out the door by 8:00, we will be fortunate.

The kids are in bed, but we are still up. The weather we are having is causing us grief. It was in the high 40's today in Minneapolis. The kids Spring clothes do not fit them anymore. Zac has a few pairs of jeans, but Ali is very short on warm weather clothes. I guess it is a good thing that we were planning on going to the Mall of America for Fall clothing.

Here is an update on IBM. I found out that next Wednesday my supervisor will meet with IBM to give them an overview of our application, the personnel and our skills. That will be the closest thing to an interview. I will find out in September if I am chosen to become an IBM employee or if I am retained at Sprint.

In the event that I lose my job, I have considered being a teacher. I know, I have never wanted to be a teacher before, but at least they cannot outsourcing students to India to be educated. I could teach computer programming or mathematics. Both of which I am good at. I don't know if a school will let me teach without going through school to be a teacher... that could be an obstacle I would need to overcome. See, teaching is in my blood. Dad taught math before becoming a farmer and then becoming a banker. My mom is a teacher of Home Economics. If I wanted to, I guess I could go into banking. I guess I could sell apples on the street, too... The reality of the situation hit home today. I thought I had prepared myself for the news, but it still hit just as hard.

Tonight Jennifer tried to console me. See, her company was just purchased and she was retained with Apria. Although I appreciated her support, it was hard for me to focus tonight. I just needed to make sense of it myself before I could allow anyone else to comfort me.

Well, it is getting later with every keystoke I make.

Good night

-Andy

Wishing things were brighter...

Hello all,

The mood in the office is as gloomy as the sky outside. It would be better if the management team would just announce the list of impacted applications and personnel so that people can start making choices for the future. Instead of doing that, I keep getting mail from my director saying things like:

I know this is a difficult time, but we must all do our part to keep this company running successfully. Always remember that you are the key to making this company a leader in the telecommunications industry.

Doesn't it make you want to stand up and cheer? Wow... we are the key that makes this company run so well. Great... just tell me if I am going to IBM or not. Then I can make plans for the future.

-Andy

Another good night

Hello all,

It was a great night for the Scott family tonight. Jennifer gave me a foot massage with her new BeautiControl supplies that came in the mail today. I truly enjoyed it and now know why she wanted to be a consultant for the company. She has her first spa party scheduled for August 17th.

The rest of the night consisted of making brownies, playing with the kids and a quick run to HY-Vee for milk and tomorrow night's dinner. It is now 10:15 and the kids are in bed. Jen wants to check email one more time and then it is off to bed.

Good night!
-Andy

Fun night!

Hello all,

Well, Ali and Zac have a new toy. Jen and I purchased a Dora the Explorer 3x3 foot tent for them to play with. Yes, it is a little tent that can go just about anywhere they want to drag it. Tonight, Ali has it on her top bunk and is sleeping soundly. Zac is asleep on the bottom bunk and snoring well. It has been a perfect night.

It started with me getting a hair cut after work. I was in and out in 15 minutes. Not bad...

Jen picked up the kids and we went to Olive Garden for dinner. Zac and Ali ate great! Jen and I were very pleased with how well they behaved in the restaurant. After dinner, we went to Toys R Us and picked up the tent.

On our way home, Ali and Zac giggled and laughed as we listened to the "Ali's Songs" CD that my sister Danna gave us. That CD has become a favorite of the kids... thank you Danna.

Once we were home, it was time to get the kids bathed and into their PJs. Soon it was 9:30 and time to get the kids calmed down for bed. All in all, it was a great night.

Good night!

-Andy

What a good day

Hello all,

Well, the Royals lost again today. No big surprise there. Jen and I taugh Sunday School today. My class is great. I really like them all and Jen and I know they like us.

I walked 6362 steps today.

-Good night!

Andy

Royals game

Hello all,

Jen, Ali, Zac and I decided to go to the Royals game tonight. Denny Mathews was inducted into the Royals hall of Fame. He gave a great speech. I was hoping the Royals would be fired up and win, but they didn't. At least they had 12 hits again. That means doughnuts for the office!

Here are some pictures of the family at the game.






Well... off to bed.

Walked 6799 steps today.

-Andy

TGIF

Hello all,

Just a quick note on news from Sprint about IBM. There is no news -- except to make your new manager know what you do and how well you do it. Yes, suck up and rub elbows. Nothing could make me happier than to hear that from a director. Hmmm... makes you wonder how he got to that position.

Anyway, Jen and I met Diane and the kids for dinner tonight at the Rib Crib. It is a new restaurant in Zona Rosa. The food is good quality and well priced. I enjoyed it a lot. Zac ate well, but Ali decided she didn't want to eat what she ordered. This is becoming a recurring theme of hers. She is going to be four in December. Shirley four will be better than three...

After dinner, I took the kids home with me as Jennifer and Diane ran some errands. As soon as the kids were upstairs, they were stripping off their clothes to get into the pool. I let them splash around for 20 minutes and then called for them to come inside and get dried off. After a little encouragement, I had two shivering kids running down the hallway Ali's room to get dried off and change into fresh clothes.

With dinner in their stomachs and warm PJs on, the kids were off to bed early. It was nice to have the evening alone with Jen. We watched some TV, but mostly just caught up on the days activities. It was nice.

Well, off to bed.

-Andy

Small group

Hello all,

I went to my first small group ministry meeting for parents of small children tonight. There are three couples that have agreed to "chair" the group. The groups theme is to allow open discussion on parenting questions and concerns as well as "am I doing this right?" stuff. Tonight was our first meeting and we had a guest speaker address the group.

I enjoyed the discussion tonight. It was good to know that my children are not the only ones that refuse to be potty trained or like to eat dog food from time to time....

When we got home, I let the kids play in the pool again. They have so much fun. Plashing and giggling is all I hear. I wish I could bottle it up and save it for the winter months.


-Andy

Voting!

Hello all,

Get out there and vote! We need a new arena in Kansas City!

-Andy

Injury update

Hello all,

Just an update on my night. Tonight I was watching the kids play in the wading pool on our deck and decided to put some more water in the pool. I put the hose in and turned it on. Oh, Ali just loved to run the cold water on Zac's back. He would just scream and run away on to return seconds later for more. They did this for twenty minutes -- splash, giggle, run away, return.

I thought the pool was getting full enough to keep the kids busy for a while, so I stepped off of my deck to turn the facet off and twisted my left ankle a bit. I stepped on a clump of hard dirt that was just big enough to allow my weight to shift to the outside of my foot. Then gravity took over and my foot rolled under my own weight. I shut the water off and hopped inside to elevate it and evaluate the extent of the injury. It hurt really bad at first, but the swelling is minor and I can walk on it. Needless to say, I am lucky. It could have been a lot worse.

While watching Tiger Woods play golf on TV, I soaked my foot in an ice water bath. Three trays of ice and water. Nothing quite like a numb foot to make the night pass slowly. Jen wanted to help me take my mind off of my ankle so we played a few hands of Gin Rummy. It was not fair. I only won two hands. If she wanted to make me feel better, she could have thrown a few more games my way! :)

Ok, the kids are in bed now and it is time for me to get some sleep. Tomorrow is the big vote for the KC arena tomorrow. I encourage everyone who can vote, go vote!

Good night!

-Andy

Hey, we are back

Hello all,

Sorry for not writing in a week. I was home, but not really up for writing. I was sick last Monday and went to work Tuesday. That night, my folks were sick with the flu so I picked up Ali and Zac and spent the rest of the week with them at home.

I was able to get the guest bathroom ready for company on Saturday. It is now a nice shade of green. The trim work is not completed yet, but it is better than nothing.

As for this week, I am hoping not to melt in the KC heat. The weather man is saying it is suppose to be in the high 90's. I'm not ready for that yet. I want it to be in the mid 80's like it was last week. Call me crazy, I just don't like to sweat that much.

Right now it is 93°F outside and an heat index over a 100°F. I'm glad I mowed the grass on Saturday! I'm sure my flowers will wilt a little bit this week. I'll ask Ali if she wants to help dad do that.

Ok, goodbye for now.

-Andy