Weber Family Blog

Old Pictures

2009-12-23T17:56:00.000-08:00

I've been sorting pictures (I seriously have a mess and given that I'm an organization freak, this is weird, but it is a huge and daunting project...I'm trying...). Anyway, these amused me enough to post!

Jennie
Jennie

Jennie and Andrea

Ray's wrapping job

2009-12-23T17:55:00.000-08:00

Ray still hasn't outgrown his wrapping tendencies....all expired aeronautics charts

House Updates

2009-12-23T17:49:00.000-08:00

When Dad was here, he did some improvements for us (he likes his to-do list!). I took most of these pictures right after, but I just this week finally got to reorganzing the back closet where we put up shelves and so finally took the last pictures.

New ceiling fan in guest bedroom
New garage door opener

New vanity and medicine cabinet in downstairs bath

New light in our bedroom

New shelves in downstairs closet (most of Adam's old stuff that will soon be back out for Andrew!)

Dad rewired our lights in the downstairs bathroom and put in a switch versus the pull chains and linked them together (we always keep all the electrical work for the electrician!)

New shelves in laundry room

Dad also put in a new thermostat for us - it is all digitally controlled now.

Poor Sick Kiddo

2009-12-22T20:16:00.000-08:00

Adam woke up about 4 AM last night, coughing, which he's been doing for about a week. It's all sinus drainage. But last night he started throwing up (all clear, so sinuses again). We were up and down the rest of the night and went to the doctor in the morning. We figured it was sinus/congestion related, but weren't sure what to give him. So we got a prescription and the decongestate seems to be helping - he took an awesome nap. He actually went in and wanted a tub in the middle of the day - he wanted bed! So I gave him a bath (I'd been considering it after all the throwing up anyway...would have last night, but he just kept falling asleep, poor tired kid!) and then we all (Ray included!) fell asleep in front of Toodles (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse). We got Adam into bed and took a nap ourselves - we don't like being up half the night either and while I got some sleep, Ray never got back to bed at all. Adam slept for over three hours - he really needed it. He's been better most of the day, but was a bit dicey right before bed. He's sleeping now - hopefully we'll all get the sleep we need!

Oh, though, I do think Adam planned one thing...I spent today rewashing most of the sheets/blankets I just washed!

Andrew Joseph Weber!

2009-12-21T14:28:00.000-08:00

We found out today - Adam is getting a little brother! Everything looks great and Andrew is already very active - just like big brother! He was moving all through the ultrasound!

What your lent tells you

2009-12-20T16:07:00.000-08:00

I've been washing blankets and normally our lent is regular looking lent, but when you are wash our blankets, you notice a huge predominance of kitty fur....hmm...what does that tell you?

Ann Purser

2009-12-20T12:53:00.000-08:00

I mentioned this author awhile back as a new "found" author. I'm now on Thursday (her books go by day of the week) and am still happy. I found a great book lot deal on Ebay, so I have all the way through Sunday (then she starts on hours of the day....). From Wednesday to Thursday, the books skip abuot 5 years in their lives - not sure if the author just wanted so new fodder (older kids, etc.) or there was some other reason. I will admit the Anglican priests are always pretty messed up - kind of annoying on that and the books definitely run the gamut of the types of issues, but still very enjoyable. I'll keep reading!

I also just started a book by John J. Lamb - it is a teddy bear mystery series set in Viriginia. So far, so good!

Presents Wrapped!

2009-12-20T12:49:00.000-08:00

I forgot one thing on my accomplished list for yesterday - all my presents are wrapped and hopefully well enough hidden to keep them from Adam's destructive hands until Christmas! I had everything that had to be shipped out last Monday, so I'm feeling ready for Christmas!

Adam Update

2009-12-19T22:22:00.000-08:00

Adam is still having nap issues, but he definitely is doing better. He slept really well last night and hopefully will do so again tonight. He's definitely getting back to "Adam" - much more active again and eating better. He seems to be beating this cold finally. I washed all the sheets today, so hopefully got rid of all those germs!

8 Week Vs. 16 Week Classes

2009-12-19T22:09:00.000-08:00

I teach 8 week classes, but honestly, I'm not a huge fan of them. I think they hurry students only too long. I know why students like them and I know why colleges offer them. Some classes actually work well in an eight week format (like 1 credit classes or "seminar" classes), but "regular" classes that are normally offered full term are usually better on the student in the full term. I think students go in with a lot of misconceptions about 8 week classes, though.

First, we still have to have all the same requirements as we do in a 16 week class. That means taking an eight week class is NOT easier - just more work in less time. I find many students seem to think that they will have to do less work if they take an eight week class - that is SO not true. It will just be faster and more work each week. So when you take an eight week class, assume you will be doing double the work each week - plan for it! That means you have to have double the time to devote to the class!

Second, if you are bad at a subject (whether you are or just think you are - I find many students think they are bad at a subject, but really aren't - it is all mental), taking it in a shorter time will make it miserable for you - you don't have time to take the time you will probably need. So if you know algebra will be a painful subject for you, take the full term class! Taking it quicker might get the "pain" over faster, but you are more likely to fail or not get the knowledge you need for later even if you do squeak by.

Third, don't take an eight week class if you know you are going to have a high workload in other classes or at work (or at home) at the same time. Eight week classes (and some universities offer even shorter) require a ton of work each week, so you have to have time to devote to it.

I also find that students have a lot of misconceptions about online courses - they are usually more work, not less work, like some students seem to think. Yes, you don't have to go to "class," but you still need quality time every week to devote to class. You just pick the time, not the university. While that gives flexibility, you still need time. Students seem to think online classes will just "fit" in between their other things - you have to devote time to it just like any other class. That time you'd normally spend in class, you will spend on discussion.

That's my rant for the day!

Productive Week

2009-12-19T22:04:00.000-08:00

I actually had a pretty productive week, but ran out of steam on about Wednesday because Adam wasn't sleeping well (not his fault, he's been sick). But I managed to get back on track today. I got a fair bit accomplished today:

lots of laundry (I stripped every bed in the house and every blanket I had out to get rid of the "cold" cooties)
Grading (one class is now completely done, one is VERY close (long story - don't want to get into as it will make me furious), and another ends tomorrow)
House cleaning - cleaned the bathroom
Prepped tests to scan and go out next week
Caught up checkbook
Got Adam to eat veggies!
Some fun - blogging and pictures

My main disappointment this week is that with my "derailment" on Wednesday, I got very little done on Math 210 (my new class) for next term.

We did make the decision to put off the terra cotta warriors visit to Spring Break - their last week is our first weekend. We'll go then and buy the tickets next week to make sure we can get in. That will make this break not so hectic (since we are going to MI for Christmas then HI in January).

I won!

2009-12-19T21:42:00.000-08:00

I got Adam to eat veggies without knowing it! The idea of hiding it in meat worked! He ate this! As a note, this is full recipe, size wise, but I only made half of it this time (1 pound of meat total., so if you were mixing, then 3/4 sweet sausage, 1/4 ground beef - I went all sweet sausage this time).

Sausage Meatloaf Patties

Modified from Express Lane Meals by Rachael Ray [full recipe]

2 tbsp oil [she used EVOO, I just used vegetable oil.]

1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and finely diced [I actually got out my mincer for this]
1/2 large onion, minced as well [same here]
4 small carrots, shredded [she just minced, I shredded so it would disappear into the sausage - this actually tastes really good with the sweet sausage!]
salt and pepper
1 tsp celery flakes [she put in minced celery, which I seldom have...I would use if I had it, I wouldn't buy it for this recipe (or really most recipes), so I use celery flakes for flavor in place.]
1 1/2 lb bulk sweet sausage [I actually used straight sweet sausage this time, and it was just fine - I was doing it convince Adam to eat and he loves sausage, but I think I will use the ground beef next time]
1/2 lb ground beef [she also used some hot sausage, but I wanted Adam to eat it, so I just went with the sweet and regular beef....she used all three - I really liked how the sweet tasted]
1 egg
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

***She made this is an Italian BBQ sauce, but I knew Adam wouldn't care, so he and I ate it plain and Ray used ketchup. She full recipe link if you are interested - it looked fine, just not appropriate for my purpose.

Preheat oven to 425.

Heat a small skillet with oil. When oil is hot, add red pepper and onion. Then add carrots a few minutes later (celey if you are using it here). She did this all together, but since I shredded my carrots, I didn't saute them as long. Saute about 5 minutes or until veggies are tenders. Season with salt, pepper and celery flakes (obviously you can leave these out if you use real celery). Remove to cool.

Combine meats with egg, bread crumbs, cheese and cooled vegetables. Mix well.

Form into patties (she did 4 large oval shaped ones, I went with smaller, hamburger like patties so got more...not more than 1 1/4 inches thick for cooking). Put on a cookie sheet (I put these on a wire rack on a cookie sheet the first time - not really necessary). Drizzle with some more oil and bake for 17-18 minutes or until cooked through.

If you wanted to make the BBQ sauce, you'd make it while the patties are baking.

Servings: 6 (in my opinion easily, especially with sides - as you can see I got four hamburger sized patties with half of the recipe.)

I'll be trying more variations on this theme - let me know if you have any suggestions! I'm trying RR's Florentine Meatballs next time.

Snow finally!

2009-12-19T20:43:00.000-08:00

Not a lot, but we finally got some! Adam and I were out checking it out today!

He wanted a wagon ride - hard for Mommy to pull!
Hmm...what is this stuff?

Our backyard this morning

Christmas Packages

2009-12-19T20:42:00.000-08:00

I took this on Monday when I sent everything - I had quite the pile!

Noise makers are fun!

2009-12-19T20:38:00.000-08:00

Aunt Andrea sent this (the red thing, the blue is his hammer, Pat) - he adores it - a great way to make noise!

Love this!

2009-12-19T19:52:00.000-08:00

Gotta love this! Honestly - who is stupid enough to text when driving? I hardly will even use the cell phone when driving. Research has shown it is worse than drunk driving!

Stickers Everywhere!

2009-12-19T19:31:00.000-08:00

Great sent Adam stickers...he likes them a lot. He points at where he wants you to put them on him and then transfers them around the room!

On the entertainment center downstairs (don't worry, I can get them off after he goes away)
On the floor

He wanted these on his face!

Decorated up pretty!

Playing with stickers on Mommy's bed

Drumming on his Cups

2009-12-19T18:58:00.000-08:00

Adam loves to make noise - his hammer is his drumstick!

Who is in Mommy's Sheets?

2009-12-19T16:35:00.000-08:00

Adam loves to "help" make the bed - he just loves piling it all on the floor!

Adam and Pat "Fixing" the Register

2009-12-19T15:34:00.000-08:00

Adam's tools are his best buds!

Papers Down, Finals to Go

2009-12-18T08:29:00.000-08:00

I finished grading papers last night (will be posting grades later today) and now just have final exams left. One school ends today, the other on Sunday. Wish me luck in getting this all down for the season!

How you can tell it is the end of the semester....

2009-12-17T13:44:00.000-08:00

We all have colds (Ray is mostly over it, Adam is getting better and I, so far (knock on wood) haven't succumbed)
Grading loads are really high
We aren't getting much sleep
We are worried about next term's course set ups

We are almost done - last week! Hopefully we can make it through...already seems like this week should be over!

Hitler's Art Book

2009-12-15T13:51:00.000-08:00

This is a neat article. Just indicative of how much stuff is probably still out there, some of which people don't even realize they have.

New Tactics

2009-12-15T12:03:00.001-08:00

Okay, so roasting veggies for a texture change isn't working. So I have a new theory - shred them and stick them in meat, which he adores! I'm going to try this sausage meatloaf patty recipe first, but modify it a little (all sweet sausage). If that goes well, I'm going to try Florentine Meatballs. If it does go well, I'm hoping you'll all have recipe suggestions for me as well! Grandma Cottle says she has this sneaky chef book that is all like that and is going to send it to me. Hope this idea works!

Adam's Cold

2009-12-15T07:35:00.000-08:00

Adam has a little bit of a cold (Ray just had one). You don't even notice it during the day, but it making it hard for him to sleep. I think Ray and I would both appreciate it if he'd get some sleep! I'm hoping he'll sleep at naptime today, but there are no promises right now. Poor little kid needs his sleep to get better!