THE MIGHTY QUINN

Finally. I took a picture (well actually more than one) of Quinn. I was doing my Tuesday babysitting with Audrey and Quinn while Kristin is room mom helper in either (one week) Mia's kindergarten class and (the next week) Aidan's class. Today Quinn decided to be awake rather than nap which gave me plenty of time to take pictures - between reading books with Audrey, playing with toy bunnies, washing hands, changing diapers, washing hands again, reading more books, rocking Quinn and having snacks.
Check out my Aunt Sue blog for a pix of Audrey. And woooo hoooo - my new blinds are installed and Uncle Kevin noticed them as soon as he walked in the door and then had a near heart attack when he saw the bill.

Not as Cold as MN, but still COLD

Whoohooo! It warmed up a little here...(like in the above zero range) and there's still LOTS of snow. And giant ice build ups along the gutters.

Katie and Pat: No computer, only one car

Since this is a blog for news: Pat Foy's "Pony" Mustang is R.I.P. - something to do with gaskets and pistons - the cost to repair it was way over the value. And then at the very same time the "Pony" expired Katie's computer did the same - motherboard dead - 10 days after the warrenty expired. So, no Facebook, no blogging, no e-mails, no comparison car shopping on-line - major bummer.

Inauguration Mania

Yes, yes...I was there on 23rd St.  Not exactly on the mall....but heck I had a perfect view of the entire ceremony on the TV of course.  At least I wasn't stuck in the 3rd st. tunnel.  Can you imagine having tickets to the purple section (up real close) and then missing the whole event because you are stuck in a tunnel shoulder to shoulder with a few thousand other people for 6 hours??? At least they were out of the wind!!  

Anyway, the night in the hospital was like going to camp.  We had these camping cots that were a bit more comfortable than the floor.  The room was bubbling hot and dry as a bone. But I survived and reported to duty on time!!  The city is slowly getting back to normal...it has been preparing for the 20th since the first of the year. Seems like forever.

Room Service, CNN and the inauguration

This is Diana, reporting from my hotel in Norfolk, VA. I spent the day working with CNN on in the background so I wouldn't miss the inauguration. I also ordered room service, which I rarely do, and the tray looked so cool I had to take a photo.

Meanwhile, Bob (Deb) had to sleep at the hospital because all the roads and bridges to VA were closed for the inauguration. Bummer. Here's a satellite shot of the Mall in D.C. during the inaugural address (from CNN.com).

Christmas Eve in Annandale (one month later)

A photo essay

Sunny and Diana's frequent 90 minute commute between Winchester and Annandale during the holidays took its toll. Two doggies joined in the napping.















Anya poses with Cookie while shoving a jealous Abby out of the picture.






Erik is himself, as always.











Mom's cozy faux- fireplace set the mood.








Cookie joins in on the traditional Christmas Eve dinner family portrait. (..and mom needs a new table that can seat us all.)








Two snazzy people in argyle sweaters.

BRRRRR.....IT IS FREEZING!!!!....and other items of interest...

This is Grant in Paris and the Moulin Rouge...and Quinn at home. Just random pictures to spice up the blog...since no one really wants to read alot of words...
So......is Dorsa the only person who blog updates??? What is with the rest of us? Are we frozen (well, yes if we live in the midwest) or are we glued to Facebook...Facebook creeping?

Here's my news:

• I just ordered Plantation Shutters (3.5 inch slats) for our bedroom...


• Squirrels are living in the soffit along the front our our house. Carl the Wildlife Tracker has been hired to trap the squirrels - two puny traps under the maple tree that have remained empty for several days - meanwhile I found insulating material from somewhere in our house on the front steps no doubt left behind by the squirrels either on their way up to or down from the soffit nest - I am considering sprinkling rat poisoning along the gutters but they are frozen solid and I have no idea how to get there without possibly killing myself


• I also ordered Shilohettes (sp?) for the dining room, living room, and "library" (that's what the blind lady called the family room - oh, the blind lady actually can see...


• Matthew has passed his Neurology Boards....and will soon have gainful employment following the completion of his fellowship in July. Employment will be somewhere in the Chicagoland area - but not with RLT Neurologic Associates....a dinosaur of private practice in a now world of multi-specialty large groups (as in 250 physicans)...just another step on our way to government controlled medicine


• I am inching closer to tearing out the ugly blue carpeting in the stairs. I actually spoke with a decorator lady today about it - also about removing the wallpaper in the dining room


• Why as the 32nd year of living in this house is underway I would finally decide to spend $$$$ on decorating is beyond me. Certainly I don't plan on living here another 32 years - I'd be 93 years old - but then Granny Bauer was still living in her house at age 96. So maybe it is an OK idea to do some decorating updates.