Thursday, September 16, 2010
test of albany calendar
Posted by Ken at 6:09 PM 0comments
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
OK! I'm sorry! I know, I haven't posted in quite some time. Things are getting VERY crazy around here with the holidays, shortage of funds and the generalized chaos of raising 5 children.
So, let's give you a bit of an update. The primary concern in the Eccentric Household, as with most households nowadays, is the finances. Ours are very, very low. Scraping together enough money to pay rent has been a struggle. Never mind things like Christmas presents and other luxuries.
Well, we've decided to make a very serious change in our circumstances that will hopefully have a major impact on our living expenses. We're moving out of our nice big country apartment into a small third floor walk-up apartment in THE CITY.
The pluses are:
Wish us luck. We may need it.
So, let's give you a bit of an update. The primary concern in the Eccentric Household, as with most households nowadays, is the finances. Ours are very, very low. Scraping together enough money to pay rent has been a struggle. Never mind things like Christmas presents and other luxuries.
Well, we've decided to make a very serious change in our circumstances that will hopefully have a major impact on our living expenses. We're moving out of our nice big country apartment into a small third floor walk-up apartment in THE CITY.
The pluses are:
- It is literally one flight of stairs from my office. The Commute should equal about 30 seconds. If I'm feeling lazy that morning.
- Emmy will have a car again allowing her to get out, do stuff, run errands and even socialize with people again.
- We will be right in the middle of friends. People I work with and brothers from my lodge. We'll have a strong network of people who can show us around, trade babysitting and even come over and hang out once in awhile. A social life will be nice.
- Lots of stuff to do around us, particularly within walking distance. Where we are now there's little you can get out to do. We can't even go for a walk because we live on THE main road through town.
- The reduction of costs. This is the first reason, but I put it last becase I've already mentioned it in the opening
- It's the city. The older boys have never lived anywhere but in this little country town they call home. It's going to be a culture shock.
- We're going to have to commute back and forth to keep the boys in school. For social and even legal reasons we can't/ won't be changing schools for this year. We may consider it later, but let's get through this year first.
- It's a small place. We're going to be seriously reducing our living space. With 5 kids, that's serious.
- It's a change. Change is always scary. And my big fear is that everyone is going to blame/hate me if it doesn't work out.
Wish us luck. We may need it.
Posted by Ken at 4:43 PM 2comments
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Senile? Already?
I have a horrible track record for remembering things. I can forget anything. Frequently I forget how old I am. Right now I am 6 days from turning 36. Not long ago when somebody asked me how old I am, I said 27. Really.When I
But now I think I finally have definitive proof that I am suffering from Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease. I forgot the password to my Gmail account. I have had this account for years. I use it daily. And I can't remember the freakin' password!
Ok, I have to end this post now. I have to go wander around the parking lot until I find my car.
Posted by Ken at 11:55 AM 4comments
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Repetitive Parent
My top 6 parenting questions
Not that any of my kids would even know what this means, but most days I feel like a broken record. I say the same things over and over and over.... and over. I hate the sound of my own voice.
Are you all familiar with The Parents' Curse? If you're not let me clue you in. It's something a parent will say to their child when the child is being particularly difficult. It goes something like this; "I hope you grow up and have 5 kids just like you!" My parents invoked The Parents' Curse at least three or four times a day.
It worked.
And more.
Don't get me wrong, I love each and every one of my kids. They're all wonderful in their own right. But they can all also be miserable in their own right.
Whether it's picking on their younger sibling, not wanting to do homework, running around like a maniac, resisting housework at all costs, mouthing off, not listening, dumping everything that is on or in a table onto the floor -- or any of the multitude of sins I know I was guilty of as a child, they can truly drive me nuts. There are times when a week or two in a padded cell doesn't seem like such a bad idea.
But do you want to know what's really scary? They haven't even come close to the really bad stuff I did. That doesn't come until 15 or 16 years old. And our oldest is almost there. *shiver*
- Is that where your ____ belongs?
- Why did you do that?
- Why is this still on if nobody's using it?
- Do we live in a gymnasium? (Usually followed by item 2)
- Why must I constantly repeat myself?!?!?!
- Why must I constantly repeat myself?!?!?!
Not that any of my kids would even know what this means, but most days I feel like a broken record. I say the same things over and over and over.... and over. I hate the sound of my own voice.Are you all familiar with The Parents' Curse? If you're not let me clue you in. It's something a parent will say to their child when the child is being particularly difficult. It goes something like this; "I hope you grow up and have 5 kids just like you!" My parents invoked The Parents' Curse at least three or four times a day.
It worked.
And more.
Don't get me wrong, I love each and every one of my kids. They're all wonderful in their own right. But they can all also be miserable in their own right.
Whether it's picking on their younger sibling, not wanting to do homework, running around like a maniac, resisting housework at all costs, mouthing off, not listening, dumping everything that is on or in a table onto the floor -- or any of the multitude of sins I know I was guilty of as a child, they can truly drive me nuts. There are times when a week or two in a padded cell doesn't seem like such a bad idea.
But do you want to know what's really scary? They haven't even come close to the really bad stuff I did. That doesn't come until 15 or 16 years old. And our oldest is almost there. *shiver*
Posted by Ken at 9:29 AM 5comments
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Slim Christmas
This Christmas is going to be rough. Like a lot of people, we are having some pretty serious financial difficulties. To the point that I've really been concerned on more than one occasion.
The thing is though, I am a Christian. (Yes, liberal and Christian are not mutually exclusive...) And I truly believe that "Jesus is the reason for the season." I'm not going to get preachy, so you can keep reading. But we have gotten away from what we really need to think about when it comes to Christmas. Even if you're not Christian, but still celebrate the holiday in it's secular sense, you need to think about it's meaning. Love each other, give to those less fortunate than yourself, spend time with your kids. Maybe take some time to show them something. Think about the volunteering thing.
So, anyway, in my cruising of blogs, I came across Sound of a Soft Breath which showed me this thing called Advent Conspiracy. I really think it was shown to me because of all the stress and worry I've been experiencing. The whole point is just to spend less on gifts, focus more on worship and family and charity. They have a focus on providing clean water to the poor. The one statistic that really got to me was that we spend $450 Billion on Christmas and it would take $10 Billion to provide clean water to everyone in the world that doesn't have it right now. That blew my mind.
Watch these two videos and see if you aren't moved. I was.
Now, I don't know if this year I'm going to actually be able to contribute money to this very worthwhile cause. But I'm getting close to being back on my feet, and I think next year I'm going to have something to give. In the meantime, I'm using this very small platform to spread their word.
Go to Advent Conspiracy and learn more. The cause is great and the message is inspiring.
I know this is pretty early, but Merry Christmas and may God Bless you and your families.
The thing is though, I am a Christian. (Yes, liberal and Christian are not mutually exclusive...) And I truly believe that "Jesus is the reason for the season." I'm not going to get preachy, so you can keep reading. But we have gotten away from what we really need to think about when it comes to Christmas. Even if you're not Christian, but still celebrate the holiday in it's secular sense, you need to think about it's meaning. Love each other, give to those less fortunate than yourself, spend time with your kids. Maybe take some time to show them something. Think about the volunteering thing.
So, anyway, in my cruising of blogs, I came across Sound of a Soft Breath which showed me this thing called Advent Conspiracy. I really think it was shown to me because of all the stress and worry I've been experiencing. The whole point is just to spend less on gifts, focus more on worship and family and charity. They have a focus on providing clean water to the poor. The one statistic that really got to me was that we spend $450 Billion on Christmas and it would take $10 Billion to provide clean water to everyone in the world that doesn't have it right now. That blew my mind.
Watch these two videos and see if you aren't moved. I was.
Now, I don't know if this year I'm going to actually be able to contribute money to this very worthwhile cause. But I'm getting close to being back on my feet, and I think next year I'm going to have something to give. In the meantime, I'm using this very small platform to spread their word.
Go to Advent Conspiracy and learn more. The cause is great and the message is inspiring.
I know this is pretty early, but Merry Christmas and may God Bless you and your families.
Posted by Ken at 5:13 PM 2comments
Calvin - "How come you know so much?"
Dad - "It's all in the book you get when you become a father."
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