Driving Up the East Coast

Okay, so we didn't really drive up the COAST, but we did drive from FL to NJ! It was actually very doable. We drove 5 hours from FL to Atlanta, GA. We stayed there with Aunt Josephine and her husband Glen. They were so nice, they awoke at 4am to make us homemade cinnamon buns. They were delicious!

Next we drove 4.5 hours from Atlanta to Lancaster, SC - where Meghan spent the first few years of her life. There we got to visit her Aunt Lib (Great Aunt Elizabeth) who had many wise words of wisdom for us...and some other political statements to advise us about. We left SC and drove 7 hrs to D.C. to stay with Sue and Roger Gross - our adoptive Jewish parents. They were so sweet to us while we were in graduate school, and they continue to be very generous and nurturing to us and we love them for it!

We left our old sto,ping ground (sadly...sniff, sniff) and headed 3.5 more hours to Manahawkin, where we arrived today. We had lunch with the family (minus Mammasan :( ), and then Meghan and I went to Jeanine and Jason Golderer's house. Their 2 kids are SO CUTE! They are 2 (Jason) and 10 months (Carlie). After the ball dropped we sped home to say happy new year to Pappasan and the 4 dogs --that's right FOUR DOGS! Clancy is like a petifile at a preschool. Okay, so slightly more tasteful, Clancy is like a kid in a candy store with all the doggy playtime she is getting. It is so cute to watch her learn how to socialize with other well-behaved dogs.

Well, Happy New Year to all!! May 2007 bring us the same joy, health, and good fortune that 2006 delivered. We will also welcome CORSITO on 23 Jun 07!!! We just can't wait. Meghan is really starting to show now - and it's so beautiful. We will be here until Tues., before heading out to the Island for Aunt Inez's funeral and then my cousin Dawn's wedding on Saturday. Then we'll head back to FL on Sunday morning. Wish us a safe trip. 'll post anythingt notable that occurs between now and then!

MERRY NEW YEAR!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

We slept a little late and then spent the morning opening our loot! Woo hoo - we all made out like bandits.

Unfortunately, I have come down with something. It's just a nasty little sinus infection (I think), but at least I am in good company and do not have to work! Ahhh, the silver lining...

Oh, and also, Happy Channukah to the Jewish contingency of our family! Ahem -- the Gross Family.

And Happy Agnostic Holiday to those of you who are spiritual vagabonds or half-Muslim/half-Jewish! (cough, cough) Like Al and family.

I don't think any of you celebrate Kwanza...so I'll end this entry here.

A Christmas Rap

A Christmas Rap dedicated to the Early Family

Yo, yo my sista, my mother, my bro
Gotta give a shout-out like "ho ho ho"
Coming on up is the Christmas season
Popping out da womb is BABY REACE hmmm

Deez peeps got it goin on down in Crestview
They went and got prego just like da resta you
Jordin's on lock down stuck in da house
Ain't nothin' stirrin' not even a mouse

They both be chillin', waiting for da birff
No brothers be frontin' cause it's Brice's turff
Pre-eclampsia got 'em held up for weeks and weeks
In da meantine Brice gone dun preach and preach

The day finally came -- man it was hip!
OB started yappin', "Start a Petosin drip!"
Off to the hospital for the Earlys -- no doubt
Brice started pacing so mamma kicked him out

Then a buncha peeps showed up from Eglin
The evil doc booted them despite their beggin'
In 24 hours baby Reace came-a-rumblin'
He may have pained his mama, but he looked like a dumplin'

So dat's my Christmas rap to the chilluns' in da hood
Y'all better listen close -- be sho' you is good
Cause Da Father gone dun blessed us with lil' 'ol Reace
Keep it real, have a Merry and keep da peace!

New Fence

Our new fence has been installed. It only took them 2 days! We think it's beautiful - we're really glad we went with black rather than white, and see-through rather than solid panels. It's really weird how a 4 foot fence puts the entire yard in perspective. It really makes our yard look that much bigger than we could gauge by simply looking at the yard in the context of the tall pine trees. Now Clancy can be free to do whatever the heck she wants without our supervision...until she digs under the fence and we have to put a shock-collar on her.

Daisy's Gone DARK!

Sean and Brenda arrived yesterday. So far we've shown them every store in Crestview (that would be all 2: Wal-Mart and Lowe's). Here's a picture of them with Daisy - the dark version. She's what I like to call "La Daisy Negra." Actually, it's pretty funny b/c they are really about the same build. They are both rather short labs.

Meghan's Belly...

.......has a mind of its own. Sometimes I think she's posessed by an alien or foreign being. It just keeps on growing bigger, and bigger, and bigger!! This is a picture taken about 10 days ago.

Clancy's commentary on our recent behaviors

"What is this all about? It's gonna seriously cut in on my puppy space! How am I going to run, jump, frolic, and jazzercise with this big tree in here?"



















"Okay, I'm not kidding this time. Will someone PUL-EEEZ help me!! The cold weather has frozen their brains! These two nutty people have cut down a live tree, wrapped it up, only to bring it inside the house, unwrap it, and stick it in a bucket of water! Don't they know trees get water already by being in the ground? DOES THIS LOOK NORMAL TO YOU?""

ELBOW IN THE EYE

Wow, with the number of times I've elbowed Meghan in the eye, one would think I am a domestic violence perpetrator!

I am Smarter than That

So it took me only a couple hours to discover Kent's last post. You would think he would be more sensitive to the pregnant wife. He is still learning :-) I had to sleep for 3 weeks with those goggles on due to a complication with my surgery. It was a good thing because Kent managed to elbow me in the eye more times in that week than in the last few years. Not to worry the complication cleared up and I still have 20/20 vision a year later!

Hope all is well with everyone! xoxo

Lasik Eye Surgery

This post has been created exclusively for one Phil Nervig. Given that you recently posted pics of yourself post-surgery on your blog, I thought I'd offer this little consolation gift. For those who are not familiar: http://lifeonthemekong.blogspot.com

Attached is a picture of Meghan the day of her surgery last year in November. She would kill me if she knew I posted this! So let's see how long it takes her to realize it. FAMILY AND FRIENDS, do not call her to tell her it has been posted, or you'll all be in trouble! As you can see, she i snot only thrilled with the delectible Philly Cheesesteak I prepared that night, but she is also sporting the most fashionable goggles! She ignored me for those few days when I addressed her as "Goggles McFroggles." I guess smelling your eye burn at the hand of a smiling man with a laser temporarily revokes your sense of humor. Either that, or I'm just a sicko.

I'm a sicko.

Yes, I am...according to Dr. Swati Grover of Eglin Family Health Clinic. She diagnosed me today with an upper respiratory infection. I love these and therefore, out of tradition I go ahead and pick one up every Christmas season. It's like getting a Christmas tree, for me. I spend a long hard time thinking about it and then just figure, "what the heck" and I go get one. Thankfully I do not get the flu every year.

And oh by the way, the temp. is in the 20s again tonight. So naturally I've built a fire. :)

NPR Story

If anyone has been listening to the stories today on NPR about how the US Army is refusing mental health treatment to "thousands" of active duty soldiers with "substance abuse problems, suicidal tendencies, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)." You have heard the current supposed atrocities of the US Dept of Defense as they boot these people out of the military without medical care. Just a word or two about this matter. Please remember (from a current military mental health provider) that we only learn partial-truths from the media...if we're lucky. The situation described by NPR is much more complicated than described and the truth is (from spending time in mor ethan one military clinic over the last 2 years) that MANY MANY people are flagged by the military after their deployment for a mental health problem, and when they are contacted to set up an appointment, they refuse mental health services. NOt that we should "blame the victim." Rather, we should attend to all available information in order to accurately understand a problem. Just thought I'd try to provide some of that info.

"HARD FREEZE"

That's what they call it in FL when the temperature drops below 30 degrees Fahrenhowdoyouspellthisword. It should be around the low 20s tonight, which is very exciting. For any of you who know my little obsession, I'm sure you're not surprised that I'd like to light a fire in the fireplace tonight to keep the house warm! If that's what you'd call a FL freeze, what the heck would you call a New York or New Jersey one? Here are some suggestions for the next time you New Yorkers and New Jersians discuss your frigid weather with a floridian:

"Ay youz guys. Lemme telya aboud duh wedduh he-uhhh in (insert state - NY/NJ). Today was a:

...Take the Subway Day"

...Nor'Easter Chill"

...Turnpike Pipeburster"

...Fuckin' Cold-Ass Day"

...Fuggetaboudit, kinda day"

Meghan's disappointments

A verbatim account of what Meghan said in the last 5 minutes:

"I hate that tree"

"It bends like this..."

"It looks retarded"

"It pricks you"

"It's stupid"

"I hate it"

"...and something else - you can see the stupid trunk. You're not even supposed to be able to see the trunk."

"It's like YOU hate me. It's like you want to break up with me and go out with your stupid blog."

"Maybe if I open a present it will meake me feel better."

Well, so much for a natural tree that we chose and "felled" ourselves. Meghan is DEVASTATED that the tree does not live up to years of traditional looking spruce or fir. I hope she'll find some way to go on...

EUREKA!

The camera has been found! It appears that I accidentally slipped it in our friend's purse. YES! Please promptly forget any information previously posted that related to alcohol related behavior.

STOOPID

So we woke up yesterday morning and went to a local tree farm where we were able to pick any Christmas tree that grew there, chop down, and make it our own. So we chose a Red Cedar. There were now firs or spruce of any kind, as it is too hot down here for them to grow. And the soil is extremely acidic. So we get the tree home and it's already drank 1.5 gallons of water. I guess that's part of what happens when your tree hasn't been travelling the country on a flatbed for a few days, then sitting in a lot for a few more. I've got pictures of it to show everyone. Then we went to the Crestview Christmas Parade. It was quite well done. There was a float contest and each float that went by threw out candy for the little kids. We've got several float pictures to post. We went with friends of ours Marshall & Stephanie Hayes, and their 3 kids Kathryn, Christine and Jonathan. So I decided to make a jug of hot chocolate with marshmellows to bring and give to the kids (and adults) to sip on. It stayed hot in my trusty little thermos, and the kids enjoyed it. We also met up with friends of ours from work - which we've got pics of as well. We had a fantastic night and the Hayes came back to our house, where we cooked some delicious chicken parmigiana. HMMM, Yumm. As I was about to take a picture of the 2 girls climbing into Clancy's crate with her and locking themselves in, I went for the camera... THE CAMERA! Shit! (at this point, you should all try to picture some dramatic scene from the movie Rocky where Adrian is watching him get pummeled in the ring and as Rock takes a long hard punch to his jaw, he desperately and very sadly spouts, "Adriaaaaaan! Nooooo...") CLEARLY Rocky's situation is just like mine. So apparently, I left it at the parade, on the street, in the middle of the town. Hence the title of this post, and the absence of all the aforementioned pictures.

And one more thing

You know, I've had some pretty irresponsible nights (ahem...college parties --cough--cough) in which due to inbibing in fermented adult beverages, I have stumbled, swayed, used poor judgement, slurred my words, and said completely incoherent things. In all of those times (estimated to be no more than 1 time of course, because I always learn from my mistakes...) I have never lost a camera or other valuable. Last night alcohol consumption prior to and during the parade = ZERO! What the heck? It just goes to show that being married decreases your intelligence and capacity for remembering things. Clearly there's no other explanation.