Cold day

Hello all,

First let me say Hello to a loyal reader of my blog, Mary Brown. Mary, sorry that my blog was not updated over the weekend. Steve let me know that you were checking on me. Thank you very much.

Now, it is a cold day in KC. It is 29° F and the wind is blowing! For some crazy reason the three of us ( Steve, Chris and I ) decided we would walk outside today. We almost made it around the loop, but the wind forced us to get out of the cold and warm up in building 6050. We finished the loop from inside the shelter of the Sprint campus. The good news is we still were able to stretch our legs today.

Better close and get some work done.

-Andy

Church dedication

Hello all,

Today was the official rededication of the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. The bishop was in town for the event, so you know it was a big deal. After the service, the entire congregation ate lunch in the fellowship hall and shared stories of the building process.

After lunch, it was time to go home and start laundry and pick up the house. Well, most of the house is clean now and Jen is putting packets together for her spa's next month.

That is about it.

-Andy

Fun day with the kids

Hello all,

Today was a great day to have fun with the kids. We left home around 11:30 this morning to run some errands that I had been putting off for at least two weeks. Our first stop was a trip to Applebees. It just sounded good. Zac didn't eat very well, but Ali made up for it in spades. We made a deal with our little princess that if she ate her lunch, she could have a balloon. It worked.

After lunch, we made a quick stop at Blockbuster to return Ray. It was a great film. I hope Jami Fox wins on Sunday.

The next stop was to Time Warner Cable. Jen and I are thinking about getting a DVR set for our house. That way we don't have a pile of tapes that never get watched after the first use.

I stopped at Roses by the Village Garden next to file a complaint about the flowers I had sent to my wife on Valentines day. They died on the 15th. I thought flowers should at least last a day or two.

We had two stops left. First, two quick games of bowling with Ali to benefit St. Judes Hospital. Ali loves to bowl. She gets a big kick out of watching the pins fall down. After two games and a trip to the balloon artist, it was time to go to SAMS CLUB for a few supplies.

By the time we got home, everyone needed a nap, including dad.

-Andy

Rough night with Zac

Hello all,

Ah but again my son shows me how much he loves me. Yes, last night we spent many quality hours in the recliner as he coughed his way past 3 AM. Yes... these are the best days of my life.

I took him to his doctor's appointment today at 11:30. He has some fluid on his right ear drum and a rattle in his chest. No daycare for Zac today. It is more quality time with dad.

Tonight Jen and I are staying home. I am hoping to get the house picked up a little bit and get some laundry done. I don't know how well that will go, but I am sure it will more than likely be delayed.

Better get back to work.

-Andy

Jennifer's Birthday

Hello all,

Yesterday my lovely wife turned a youthful 29 years old. Yes, I know, she doesn't look a day of 25. For dinner last night Zac, Ali and I took Jen to her favorite Italian restaurant, Bravo!, in Zona Rosa. The kids shared a pizza and ate great. Jen and I had a wonderful meal together with a few minor interruptions from Zac, but for the most part it was a great meal. After dinner Jen wanted to do a little shopping so I took the kids to a play to blow off some steam. Here is one of Zac playing.



After dinner, we were off to Diane's for cake and ice cream. Jen's grandparents are back in town from Minnesota. As many of you know Tom and Phyllis love to play card games. Before we could go home, Jen and I had to get beat in one hand of SKIP-BO. Sometimes I think the deck is fixed. We were ahead for the majority of the game, but somehow grandpa drew three SKIP-BO ( it is a wild card that can be used for any card in the deck ) and managed to finish the game. Maybe next time Jen.

It was soon time to go home and get the kids ready for bed. Neither Ali or Zac was tired after eating birthday cake.




Needless to say it was a late night for both kids.

I should close this and get back to work.

-Andy

Laptops stink

Hello all,

Well this morning my laptop's fan failed and has forced me to use the SODS support laptop. It is a very old, very slow computer that does not do much of anything, but it has a web browser so I can write this message. I put in a request for a new laptop from DELL. I'll keep you posted on how well it goes.

-Andy

Sometimes you just can't make it into bed...

Hello all,

I wanted to pass this picture of Zac on to you all. You see, my son really plays hard all of the time. When he is awake, his motor is running at 100%; However when he runs out of steam, he is stopped in his tracks. Just take a look at the picture below.



Well that is Zac -- I love this kid.

-Andy

Moved in!

Hello all,

I am moved in. My pictures are hung. My books are on the shelves. I am moved in! I am adjusting to typing on a keyboard again. It has been a year since I have used a keyboard to type. I always used my laptop so my fingers are having a hard time finding the right keys from time to time.

By the way, tomorrow is Jennifer's birthday! Happy early birthday dear!

-Andy

Back at work today

Hello all,

Just a quick note to let you know that I have officially moved into my new office in 6480. It is nice to finally have a home again. I have to unpack my pictures and get settled in still. All of my stuff is packed in boxes in the hallway.

Better go!

-Andy

Went up to see mom and dad today

Hello all,

Just a quick note from Andy here. I made it up to Iowa today and brought the kids up. Ali had a great time with Nana. She even got mom to take her and Zac out to the fish pond to look at the fishies swimming. However, it was pretty cold today and Ali's cheeks were rosy by the time they came back inside.

After warming up for a few minutes, Zac and Ali were ready to run the circuit of rooms in the house. From the kitchen to dad's room, the kids ran loops through the house. Every once in a while a dull cry could be heard from Zac. I'm sure Ali had nothing to do with it. ( ha ha ha ).

Before long it was time for us to make our way back to Kansas City. The kids slept for most of the trip. Ali woke up when I turned on to N. Congress. Isn't it funny how kids can sleep for over an hour and sense when they are almost home.

Better close and get the kids to bed.

-Andy

Another day at home with Zac

Hello all,

Well my son is feeling better today, but still was running a fever last night so dad gets to be home again today. Zac is cool as a cucumber right now. No signs of a fever which is great news.

-Andy

Home with Zac

Hello all,

Well my little baby boy is home with me today with a fever of 101&deb F. The poor guy is just moping around the house. He was watching Blues Clues for a while this morning, but he has since turned the TV off and wanted to sit on the arm of the chair and watch me work. He must be sick to want to watch me work.

Better get going.

-Andy

Happy Valentines Day

Hello all,

Happy Valentines Day to each of you. I just found out that Zac is being sent home from daycare today with a fever of 102° F. It is going to be a long night I'm afraid.

-Andy

Difficulty sleeping

Hello all,

Last night I had a terrible time sleeping. I tossed and turned all night. Have you every not been able to turn your mind off? Have you ever just watched the clock turn minute after minute? That was me last night. I finally got up and took a sleeping pill at 2:00 to help me get some sleep. I just could not stop thinking about the past. Simple things kept coming to me. Most of them are all simple memories that blend in with life as it happens, but last night I could not shut them off.

Things like throwing the football around with dad on the North side of the house and showing dad how I learned to throw a split-finger fastball that day. I also thought about the countless hours we spent working on equipment getting it ready to get back out into the field or cleaning it up when it was time to be parked until next year. During these times we talked about lots of things, but most of the conversations were about girls ( why are they like they are??? ), cars, or math. I know, it sounds strange. I learned while working in the dirt than I did in a classroom.

Thanks dad.

I think that is what last night was all about. Remembering to say thanks to a wonderful dad.

-Andy

Mr. Stinky Feet

Hello all,

I took the kids to Mr. Stinky Feet tonight at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. Mr. Stinky Feet is a one man show for kids. He sings silly songs about elephants and alligators that make kids laugh. Ali loved the show. She danced to the music and clapped to the beat. She was even up on stage for the final song! If you ask me, she was the best!

Now the show did not interst my son. He was having more fun running around the lobby with the "other" kids that didn't want to sit down and listen to Mr. Stinky Feet. Therefore, I was out in the lobby keeping my son from getting into more trouble than need be. He was facinated with the water fountain. He kept pushing in on the lever that read PUSH and water would start shooting out of a hole. By the time he could get his face up there, the water would shut off and he would have to try it again. I'm sure the water fountain has perplex children since the invention was first introduced. Soon Zac tired of this thing and went on to find more fun.

We were soon back at home changed into PJ's and ready for bed. What a night for the Scott family!

-Andy

Winter Wonderland

Hello all,

Well the snow fell hard yesterday and I am staying off the streets again today. Call me a chicken, but driving 45 minutes to Overland Park, KS is not a lot of fun when the salt and sand trucks have been out all night making the concrete roads an ice rink. Now in all fairness, the roads are probably very safe, but the drivers on the roads are what makes me nervous. I have seen my fair share of idiots cutting drivers off just so they can cut someone off again. On days like today, I chose to work from the comfort of my own home. Here are some of the perks:

1. First one to the coffee pot.
2. First one to the printer.
3. I can talk as loud as I want while on a conference call and no one cares.
4. Prime parking spot in the parking garage.
5. No annoying white noise
6. Great view of squires running through the snow.
7. It is quiet.
8. I don't have to drive home!!!

I should think of two more, but should get back to work.

Later,

-Andy

Things are going good

Hello all,

Last night Jen had her unit meeting for BeautiControl and she was recongized for her hard work and success. Congratulations Jen! You rock! All of us are so proud of you. I know you will reach your goals. Again, I am very proud of you. You are starting to see the fruits of your labor.

While Jen was at her unit meeting, I was home with the kids. We ate mac&cheese with a side of fish sticks. My daughter kept both Zac and I up to date on how many fish sticks we each had left to eat. Zac started with seven pieces and I had two sticks. After each bite, she would count them again to let us know how many we had left. She is just so smart.

Ok, I'm going to get to work.

-Andy

Ready for warmer weather

Hello all,

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for Spring any time now. I've had my fun with snow and sleet for the year. Let's get on with Spring and cutting the grass. I think mowing would be more fun than watching the gray sky stay gray. Where did the blue sky go? Anyone know???

I am ready for golf and taking a walk with the family. Does anyone still walk as a family? If not, lets get that going again. Some of my best memories are of taking a walk with either my mother or father. Ok, so maybe walking with dad included lugging something that was too heavy for me at the time, but I was happy to be walking with him.

So, when the weather gets warmer, let get to walking!

You too Mary and Steve...

Just kidding... On a side note, my friend Steve Brown found his 3,000th geocache this weekend. If you have not heard of geocaching, think of it as hide and seek for big kids with a GPS. It is harder than it sounds....


Better go and get to coding.

-Andy

Ice Cream

Hello all,

Just an update from me to all of you. Maggie Moo's ice cream is very good. I don't think it is quite as good as Stone Cold Creamery, but it is a close second. Jen and I went to Maggie Moo's after failing to find a playstation 2 console to replace the unit I have at home. Yes, I have worn it out after three years of continuous play. I think having Zac use it as a stepladder at times has accelerated its demise, but I am looking for a replacement. It will be my Valentines / early birthday present.

Wish me luck getting it replaced before May.

-Andy

Feeling better

Hello all,

Yesterday was not the best day for the Scott family. Both Jen and I battled food poising / flu like symptoms all day. I stayed home from work and slept for the balance of the day. Jen joined me at home in the afternoon after giving it a valiant effort. Jen and I are back at work today and feeling better.

-Andy

Ali goes to the dentist

Hello all,

Ali went to the dentist today and needs to have two of her caps replaced that were put on in November. Poor girl... She is going to have to go back and put them on again. At least Dr. Hoffman will put them on for free since they fell off in less than a month. Personally, I don't think there were ever four caps applied. I only remember two caps on her very front two teeth. Missing the other caps two caps explains why Ali complains about her teeth hurting all of the time.

-Andy