Yeah, I Am Hooked on Lost

So we started with the first few episodes when it started. But we didn't get interested in it. Well, with the end of last season, I became hooked. So here it is now!

Things I Want to Remember

There are so many things that happen with my girls that I want to make sure I remember for the rest of my life. I guess this blog sort of exists to be that journal that will help me. For instance, in this picture, my little Ubuntu baby. Surely she is the first Open Source Baby out there! She was just so cute in putting the sticker on her and saying Ubuntu. Then tonight, reading our new favorite book, The Grinch, before bed. We make up our own part, all three of us singing the 'Welcome Christmas' song twice during the story. Just things to warm my heart!

A March Snowstorm Here?

Yup, that's what it appears will happen later today. After two days of rain (about 2 inches worth--take that drought!), tonight it will turn to snow. We could expect 3-6 inches, with more to the West. So I am in snow mode--told Kerry not to make my lunch for tomorrow, pumping up the girls for snow play, and I pull the wipers off the windshield. Hopefully I can post some wintery pictures tomorrow!

Excitement in the Neighborhood

All over a burning tree. It was pretty spectacular though, as I looked out at another strip of townhouses nearby, and saw smoke and flames billowing. Neighbors running frantically, and one busting a window to get another's dog out. Three firetrucks, EMS, police, what a scene! And after going to investigate (with every other neighbor in the neighborhood), it was just a tree!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Well, we are actually postponing Valentines here until tomorrow. Lucy spent the night at Grammie and Grandpa's, so we will have to finish a 'special' project for Mommy tomorrow.

My Little Ballerinas!

Well, Lucy is the one taking classes, but Myra likes to get dressed up as well. Lucy goes weekly, in a 4-6 year old class. It is so neat to watch her in there. I am reminded of our 'Little Sprouts' sports classes we took last summer. She will be an excellent student, as she just really listens and does exactly what is asked.

Super Bowl Champs

Crazy family, eh? We just ended a great visit with Nana, PapPap, and Grandma. We are so happy that Grandma made the trip, and I also got to interview her for posterity. I hope to begin work on our family tree. I found a great resource, dynastree.com, which helps make an easy family tree.

Happy Birthday Myra!

So my baby girl turned two this past week. Wow! Where did all that time come? Seems like just yesterday we were at Rex Med, and I was down at the McDonalds, in the snow, emailing pictures out. What a ride! Myra is definitely becoming her own person, which we love seeing. She definitely idolizes her big sister too!

A Cold Dam Run

Just wanted to take a quick moment to reflect on my run this morning. A good 6 miler from our house, to Falls Lake Dam, and through a variety of toepath hiking trails. During my Marathon training two years ago, I discovered the Falls Lake Trail, part of the Mountains to Sea Trail here in North Carolina. The FLT, 26 miles from start to finish, consists of a variety of 3-4 mile segments that spill out onto roads. Beautiful! We are so lucky to have such great trails so close. If I choose to complete another marathon this year, I will spend many hours and miles on these trails. We hope to get out with Lucy to do some hiking as well. Myra may not be quite ready yet!

My Online Gym

You will probably notice my Running Challenge on the sidebar. I wanted to find an online recordkeeping/workout site, and stumbled upon Gyminee. It will keep track of workouts, photos, and progress, while also providing you with many different challenges for motivation. This one is a 100 mile challenge, which I hope to have finished in March. Root me on!

Inauguration Picnic

So with all the snow this week, we all had the opportunity to watch the inauguration together. As you see, this was our lunch picnic, right at the time of the oath (the first one, haha!). It was pretty neat to have the girls there watching with us.
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Busy week of work, then we will have my folks coming into town on Friday. My Grandma will also make the trip, which we're excited about. They will be the first to stay with us since the girls began sharing a room. Besides the first 20 minutes of playing, they are doing well with it, so we will see how long that lasts!

Let It Snow...

Fun day. Multiple outings out in the snow. Unfortunately it was just some powdery snow, but we still made snowballs, trekked through the snow, and enjoyed it. Probably about 5-7 inches overall. Now school is canceled for tomorrow, due to BLACK ICE! Heehee!

Which Linux Distro Am I?

Which Linux distribution are you? My Result: I'm a Gentoo Chris I am a centered Zen master. I can enjoy games and media, but they aren't a way of life. I prefer to be the engineer building them instead. I am the hardest of workers, and I set a pretty brisk pace. Quiz School Take this quiz & get your result

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All Through The House...

...we await the snowfall! Yup, a forecasted 4-6 inches possible tonight through tomorrow. Of course I have wound the kids up pretty tight. I am just so excited to have ONE real snowfall. Snowmen, snow cream, heck, Myra has not even really seen snow yet. Cross your fingers!

A+ Day

A+, not because it's a great day, but I am spending the day studying to take my A+ Certification test. It is pretty much just a basic test of the hardware and software for computers and an industry standard.

Here are the results from a practice test I just took:


Score » 98 out of 100
Total Correct » 39 out of 40 correct
% Score » 97.5 %
Min. Pass % » 75 %
Result » Pass
Taken By » Chris
Time Taken » 15 mins 49 secs

See if you can beat me:

Essentials comptia A+ » Quiz School

What Metal Am I?

You Are Copper

You are provocative and challenging. You help people realize who they really are. You live a very balanced life. You always take time for love and art. You are both a powerful and generous person. You always have time to give back. People find you to be incredibly ethical and loyal.

What Metal Are You?

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

Wow! Single digits tonight and tomorrow night. We won't get out of the 20s tomorrow. While those Northerners may laugh, that is COLD for North Carolina. NO SNOW though! )-:

Running!

So it is my turn this year. November 1st, 2009 is the target for the marathon that I hope to run. I have not yet signed up for it, so I am not too committed, but I am trying to get into race shape. Ran a six miler today, down to the Falls Dam. It was my second in two weeks, and I felt pretty good. I hope to do an 8 miler next week on the Falls Lake Trail. Man, how I missed that trail! I am sure I will continue to update you on my progress!

Reflecting and Anticipating...

2008 was a pretty good year for us. I had a good year professionally. Continued for awhile at the State level, continued to make connections, and then made the move to become a Director of Technology for a local County School System. It has been a pretty good move for me. I continue to make some connections, while making a larger impact on a greater number of students. I also am working toward earning some professional certifications that will help me in the future.
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Familywise, things are GREAT! Lucy made the transition to 4 day a week preschool with ease. She continues to amaze us with her 'smarts,' and her kindness. She is such a compassionate little girl too. Myra also did well in starting two day a week preschool. She continues to discover her personality, and I can see she is going to be a little comedian. "MOMMY," in her best Exorcist voice. Haha! Kerry does well also, renewing her teaching license, as it appears she will go back into the classroom. She spent much of her time (besides being Mom!) training for her marathon. She completed the City of Oaks Marathon in November, with her loud cheering squad along the course.
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So what can we expect in 2009? Well, I hope to earn two professional certifications. I also plan to take my crack at another City of Oaks Marathons. Kerry looks to go back into the classrooom, so that we can make plans for a larger house eventually. Lucy and Myra will finish up preschool, then we will see what happens with that. A busy year, yet again!

Happy 2009--With Cable!

Well, as of 12:07AM, we still have VH1, Noggin, Nick, MTV, and all the Viacom channels. I am heading to bed, so I hope we'll still have them in the AM!
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Happy New Year!