PatrickXFCE:Chronicles

Biding Time to Choir season starts up again

nobody@vox.com(PatrickXFCE) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:09:30 -0700

Hi All

I can hardly wait for choir season; I always miss my choir fix when I don't have it; Everyone needs a break I know -- even me. Still, I am so excited!!

In the meantime, I have to satisfy my thirst with a little nostalgia.

One of my recent favorites(probably because we did it in May). For you listening pleasure, Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben

Bach - BWV 147 - 1 - Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben

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AC fixed now

nobody@vox.com(PatrickXFCE) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:20:19 -0700

It wasn't as bad as we thought. The capacitor was broken; once that was replaced, we had air again. Whew!

My father-in law helped us make a few repairs. I went further in the crawl space and dropped some foggers in there too.

We still want to sell and move to an apartment but at least we can make a few improvements before we move.

That's all for now.

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GFCF day 1

nobody@vox.com(PatrickXFCE) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:17:23 -0700

Today was Josh's first day on the GFCF diet; He did pretty well; he seemed to understand that he can't have certain foods. Mom (in law) seemed to notice that he was a little less cranky today -- of course we did go swimming for an hour which is a big help.

In addition, it was my first day on that same diet(I did cheat a little by having creamer in my coffee; but I like my coffee that way). Other than that, I seem to be fine without the casein and gluten. I am doing this for my asthma btw.

After dinner, the kids played in the sprinkler and then we went for a walk. My Mom(not in law) called me(oh yeah that's Norma Druid, btw) to let me know that the terminal I attempted to open up on her pc yesterday finally came up today saying "bash too many arguments; too many operators". We are going to do a Killdisk and then reinstall; hopefully that will do the trick. It not, there's always my very first computer....

TRS80 Color computer

Tomorrow, we shall see if we can get the repairman out to have a look at our central unit. Oh boy!

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Sunday 3:30 am/reboot your house.

nobody@vox.com(PatrickXFCE) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:53:15 -0700

Hi All

Lots going on, so I will post as I can.

1st: for those who have been reading Fightinggale's blog, yes we have started Josh on the GFCF diet; it's a challenge, but if it does make difference, then it's worth it. I will probably join him on that myself, since the diet is also good for asthmatic people such as myself.

2nd: The air conditioner broke on July 3rd and we can't get anyone to repair it until Monday(assuming that someone can come on Monday). Currently my in-laws are letting the 4 of us crash with them. They are wonderful.

3rd After discussing it with our family, we have determined that we are not "house" people. Basically, because of our son's needs, we can't afford to continue fixing broken things like air conditioners, water heaters, etc. Apartments would be better for us because someone else would be doing that. Handy Manny I am not; I might be able to get a pc to boot properly, but you can't reboot a house(borrowed phrase from a co-worker). That said, the first step is to get the air issue fixed and then sell the house. All of this is a bit scary for us, of course.

Once we do move, we might have to apply for out of zone schooling due to our son's needs(change is hard for him, so switching Elementary schools would make things even more difficult.). There is probably going to be some things I have to give away to make room.

I don't think we'll have to shop for furnishings like the Diva(see Carapiccoladiva's latest entry).

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Need prayers re:neighbors; arrgh!

nobody@vox.com(PatrickXFCE) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:13:57 -0700

Hi all

We need prayers regarding our neighbors. They have a tendency to basically drive us crazy. Yesterday, our daughter's friend takes it upon herself to give Gracie's old bike away to the neighbor's kids. She had no right to do that of course; we got the bike back, but after that, the neighbor's called saying that my wife had cursed at the child in question.

My wife does not curse; The neighbors sure do quite a lot of it, though.

Anyway, that along with other things are getting rather tiresome and worrying at times.

I would rather not have to deal with them, myself.

Need prayers on this one.

Thanx

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QotD: 5 Unique Things About Me

nobody@vox.com(PatrickXFCE) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:11:36 -0700

What are five things that make you unique?
Submitted by RA<3TA.

1. I am married to someone named Stormie Gale and yes, that is really her name(all voxers know her as Fightinggale).

2. I practice Taijiquan(or Tai Chi)

3. I am an avid fan of Doctor Who

4, I was raised on classical music, so that tends to make my perspective on music in general to be interesting(such is watching the Backyardigans and laughing at having a Gilbert & Sullivan done in a late 70s disco style!).

5. Believe it or not, I am actually a little shy(don't know if that is unique or not)

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Gracie's first encounter with bullying

nobody@vox.com(PatrickXFCE) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:05:48 -0700

Those who have already read Fightinggale's post, already know that Gracie was pushed down in the gym today while she was on a scooter.

I asked Gracie to describe the event to me and she told me that the boy was also on a scooter in the gym and he came up behind her and pushed her to the floor.

I asked her if she was still angry with him and she said that she was.

I have been bullied before, so I know how she feels; the teachers at camp took care of her and they put him in time out at the time. Hopefully, the incident will not occur again.

We will have to talk to the school in the fall about the issue of bullying and how to deal with it.

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Singing in German

nobody@vox.com(PatrickXFCE) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:26:33 -0700

Hi All!

About a month ago, I sang in German with a combined choir group, in Bach's Cantata 147(Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben) and had a wonderful time doing it.

Last night, I learned from my DD, Gracie, who is going to summer enrichment camp, that she is going to be singing in German as well for a program this coming Friday! I sure hope it's at night! She told me that it was a lullaby, but I do not know which one.

At any rate, this is (hmmm.. Hey Carapiccoladiva, what is German for "outstanding!" or some variant of same?")

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Bee in the Bonnet

nobody@vox.com(PatrickXFCE) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:10:11 -0700

Hi All

When our family went swimming last night, we met this lady named Janet, who is teacher and lifeguard. We had met her before on some of our swimming excursions.

She had quite a bee in her bonnet this time. Our county is considering making all schools go to the year round format. Now this sounds actually pretty good for us parents, because our son does need structure in his life and school does help to provide that.

Janet had another perspective to offer. Since she is her only source of income; so during the summer, she does lifeguarding. If we went to a year round format, she would actually lose income. The year round format basically follows a format of 9 week sessions followed by a 2 week break. This means that during that 2 week break, our teacher friend is without any income and no one is going to hire someone for only a 2 week period. I know that there are temp services, but there is no guarantee that she would get job that would fill in the gap during that time.

I hadn't considered the effect on teachers until I heard her story, but since she is the sole source of income and she has no one to lean on for support, this would be a hardship for her.

Of course, as a general rule(especially here), teachers have never had the best salary. There are a few exceptions, perhaps in the private sector but in the public school system, its not that great.

Some suggest we should all get vouchers and go to private schools, but that's not that great either, because then children like our son would be more likely to get left behind. Private schools can always turn a student away. Some families can't afford to send their children to private schools even with a voucher, due to the expense.

So, education administration is a difficult task and it appears that there are no easy answers for this and unfortunately, a good portion of the difficulty is tied to our economy.

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Chattanooga/Sleep study

nobody@vox.com(PatrickXFCE) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:17:42 -0700

Yes, as our dear readers of Fightinggale's blog can tell, we did go to Chattanooga with the family this past weekend and I did in fact enjoy it, much more than I did the last time! The kids actually had fun there at the Aquarium which, in Josh's case, is an improvement.

There are pics on her blog if you would like; I might post some at some point, but not tonight

Joshua had his sleep study last night at the Vandy Marriott along with Fightinggale; Gracie slept at Nina's house(and Grandad's) which left me by myself. It was a little.....lonely. Its strange in a way, but in a way not. I missed my family.

I really enjoy my family even though its crazy sometimes with autism and such, but still, I enjoy my family.

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