Smile for Grandma!!!

I have been trying to get a picture of Paul so you can all see his teeth- but he is always making these funny faces instead! You can kind of see them in this shot- I will be working on a getting a better picture up soon!

Scott's new job...

Well, I know it has been a while since I have posted- I will try to get you up to date! :)

The first of November Scott began a new job here in Seneca. He is a Corrections Officer at the Nemaha County Jail. He was approached for the job by one of the deputys and was eager to find out more. Although it was actully a little pay cut, we felt it was an excellent opportunity to get into the law enforcement area, and there are nice perks like insurance and overtime pay. Working out the schedule has been interesting... the jail was going from 2 full time jailers to full staff, 24/7 with 5 jailers. However, one of the other guys did not work out, so they are working odd ball shifts for now. Currently, (and indefinatly) Scott works 4 days and has off 3. They work 10 hour shifts- which means either 7am-5pm or 5pm-3am. (Or in the REAL laungue of the Sheriff's department, 7-17 or 17-3 :) And to make that more interesting, Scott works 3 days on one shift, and the 4th day on the other shift. He has Wed, Thr, and Fri. off each week. So a little change and a lot to get used to! But he is really enjoying it.

I have learned a lot about how a jail works in the past few weeks- it is not a place I am planning vacation for anytime soon! There is a big difference between jail and prision, and here you have about 3 good options for you time. Sleep, watch tv, (Is that really a good option???) and play cards. You are fed one of three cereals (rotated by the jailer daily) for breakfast, and you get a tv dinner at lunch and supper. If you are lucky, some relative may want to order pizza or a sub sandwich for you- which they can; as long as they provide enough for you, the other inmates, the jailer and the dispatcher. Oh, and as long as you and the other inmates have been good- no fights or other problems. One in trouble means all in trouble. Oh, and talking about trouble, you will be locked down in your cell for the day; as long as you get out for 1 hour out of 24. Because that is one of your 2 rights in jail. Right #1, at least 1 hour out of 24 out of your cell each day. Right #2, 2,600 calories a day. Everything else is extras.....

Anyway, Scott is provided some mighty fine looking uniforms, and wears cuffs and a handgun to work everyday. They did special weapons training last week, and Scott is now legal to conceal and carry. Wow! Although they do not really recommend it. They say that the best help you can usually give when off duty and by a crime is to be a good witness. You do not want to get into a shoot-out with a guy at the gas station when you have your wife next to you and she could get shot!
Don't mess with this fellow....:)

So, we are doing well. Deer season starts tomorrow, so we will be out way before light to try to bring in some antlers,.... errr meat. :) For our anniversary last year Scott got us both new hunting rifles, and this fall he baught a nice scope for mine. It is a 7mm Remington Short action ultra mag. (For those of you who know what that is, that's a nice gun, for those of you who have not a clue, I really could not explain it... But it shoots big bullets!:) It has a good kick, but I am ready for it! Hopefully I will have a picture or 2 to follow up on this subject soon!

Milestones....

The past few weeks have been weeks of change in Paul's young life. He has reached several milestones all at once it seems. Through the end of Oct. he cut through his first 2 teeth. They are in the middle on the bottom, and they are REALLY SHARP! :) I would like to get a picture of them soon, but it is hard to get him with an open mouth, without his tounge in the way!

Then last week he completely weaned. This was harder on me than Paul. He seems very happy with a bottle and real food. It seems hard to believe that my little baby is growing so fast! It is a good thing though, we wanted my body to have a few months without feeding Paul before the baby is born.

The third big thing was also last week at my folk's house. Paul had his first real haircut! I had trimmed around his ears before, but the whole head needed to be done as he was starting to curl in the back! Knowing that 10 month old little boys do not sit still very well, we enlisted the help of my family. And it took just about all of us!

I started out with the clippers, Mom held Paul, Scott took pictures, and about 3-4 sibilings took turns feeding him different foods to keep him happy.

Here is a "play-by-play" of the whole process!

Before the cut- totally oblivious :)
"I am ready! What is taking so long?"
"Ummm, I don't like this any more!"
"Mom- what are you doing to my head???"
"Boy am I glad that is over! Look at all the hair on the floor!"

Home....

A burst of inspiration, a quick search on the world wide web and a few thoughts running through my head...

In the year 2003-

· The Nation had an estimated 2,153,464 burglaries in 2003, a slight (+0.1 percent) increase from the 2002 estimated figure. The rate of burglary in the United States was 740.5 burglary offenses per 100,000 inhabitants, a 0.9-percent decrease from 2002 data.
· Victims collectively lost an estimated $3.5 billion as a result of burglaries in 2003 with an average dollar loss of $1,626 per incident.
· An examination of the burglary data indicated that forcible entry accounted for 62.4 percent, unlawful entry comprised 31.2 percent, and attempted forcible entry made up 6.3 percent of all burglary offenses.
· Most burglaries (65.8 percent) occurred at residences; most residential burglaries (62.0 percent) occurred during the daytime.

In the year 2005 residential fires claimed 396,000 homes, injuring 13,825 people, killing 3,055 people and creating a direct dollar loss of $6,875 MILLION.

Not to mention the thousands of foreclosures each year.

Home

By Edgar A . Guest

It takes a heap o' livin' in a house t' make it home,

A heap o' sun an' shadder, an' ye sometimes have t' roam

Afore ys really 'preciate the things ys lef' behind,

An' hunger fer 'em somehow with 'em allus on yer mind.

Home ain't a place that gold can buy or get up in a minute;

Afore it's home there's got t' be a heap o' livin' in it;

Within the walls there's got t' be some babies born, and then

Right there ye've got t' bring 'em up t' women good, an' men.

Who used t' love 'em long ago, an' trained 'em jes' t' run

The way they do, so's they would get the early mornin' sun;

Ye've got t' love each brick an' stone from cellar up t' dome

It takes a heap o' livin' in a house to make it home.

If you have a home- why wait to the 23rd?

Thanksgiving is the smile a conntent heart wears.

Playing in the leaves...

Paul sure loves being outside! I am clinging to the last nice days of autum as I know that soon it will be too cold to spend much time outdoors. Of course deer season starts at the end of the month, so we will be out a lot for a few days, but Paul may get to stay inside with and aunt or uncle some of that time! :)

How are you today!
Let me see what is over here.....
Oh, these taste good!
The End! :)

Grandma Sue's visit!

We loved having Scott's Mom come in October. The last time she was out was in July, and we missed her very much! Now that the visit is past we miss her again and can't wait to see her around Paul's birthday. Paul LOVED his Grandma coming to visit. He spent a whole afternoon one day playing with Grandma so Dad and Mom could take a nap. (A rare treat!)
Thanks so much Mama Sue for bringing out the crib and the stroller for us. (A mint condition garage sale steal- a double stroller that will get a lot of use next spring!) We can't wait to see you again! Stay warm and safe.

Snack time!
I love my grandma!!