Thursday, March 31, 2011

"That's S-c-h-m-i-D-t"

Wow!  I was setting up an appointment over the phone and spelled out my name - S-c-h-m-i-D-t... Tracy Lyn looked at me quite confused... "Oh, wait -- that's the way NOT to spell it!  It's been a long day."

So I have to make this pretty short.  And this... is good.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Beautifull

Nope, I spelled that title right... or wrong on purpose.  (Don't worry I have an artistic license.)  I just think my pregnantful wife is the most beautiful woman on Earth!  

Cute!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Young Wives Tales

Last time Tracy Lyn went past her due date we tried a lot of home-remedies for inducing labor naturally.  We heard spicy food (Asian+Mexican) would do it... nope.  Italian... mama mia, no.  Greasy food?  Not even sliders!

Driving up and down bumpy roads?  No.

Lots of walking?   No.

Pitocin?  Yes.

Actually that last one was not a home-remedy... we went into the hospital and that did the trick!

It's funny what some people swear by -- the latest one we've heard?  Castor oil.  Note: taken internally.  A couple of Tracy Lyn's friends swear by it.  This infamous oil is something kids in years gone by really used to swear by.

We talked with our baby doc about these young wives tales and made a good point.  If these remedies really, really worked -- no one would ever go past their due dates.

Heard any good ones?  Any good ones work for you?

Monday, March 28, 2011

Gender Consensus?

Girl or boy?

"It's a boy".  Teresa was predicting that she was having a sister until we first heard the baby's heartbeat.  Teresa sighed and uttered those words very matter-of-factly.

Months later 90% of people are agreeing with Teresa.  So, here's a pic of how Tracy Lyn is carrying the baby -- what do you think?

Is she carrying him like a boy or her like a girl?

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Confessions of a Happy Catholic

You know the number one "denomination" in the U.S. is former Catholics?  There's a lot of reasons for that stat but this post isn't about that. I got a Top Ten list for you... but I'm not calling it a Top Ten list because those tend to be funny... there just so happens to be ten things on the top of my list.

This list is more of "confessions of a happy Catholic".  I'm Catholic and here's why I happy about that:

#10 NFP:  Natural Family Planning.  A lot of people have a problem with the Church's stance on artificial contraception... it's none of the Church's business!  Well, the Church is in the "business" of saving souls and saving lives and helping you live life to the fullest.  NFP does all of that.  There's a saying out there "it's better than sex" -- well NFP is sex better than "sex the culture has been trying to sell us".

#9 Its Art for Pete's Sake!  Yeah, real art -- the stuff that doesn't need a three page artist's statement to explain itself.  Not art for art's sake.  Art for... St. Pete's sake! Have you seen the Sistine Chapel?

#8 Pro-Life Pros:  As I've hit the sidewalk for 40 Days for Life I've noticed 90% are armed with rosaries.  Father Frank Pavone (period)

#7 Saints A' Marching: Talk about inspiring!  Okay, I will.  My parents gave me 12 middle names and they are all Saints or at least on the way... Solonas Casey, baby!  And my first name was after St. Damien of Molokai... he really inspired me especially when my wife and I went to Molokai on our honeymoon and we experienced how tough that island was -- she almost didn't make it back.  But we do more than just be inspired by their stories, we become a part of them through asking for their intercession.  Hey, if High School Musical taught us anything it's we're all in this together.

#6 How do I love thee?  Let me count the sacraments!  Seven!

#5 History.  That fact that the Church has survived all these centuries is, in itself, a miracle.  It's also comforting.

#4 Authority. 
Code of Canon Law?  Magisterium?  What's with all the rules?  Take a look at the world today.  It's freeing because I the bounds of the game of life and it's just no fun when you're out of bounds.

#3 Mom.  Only makes sense that God wouldn't leave us motherless. 

#2 The Gift.  When I returned to the sacrament of Confession after 17 years, and confessed 17 years of crud, my only penance was to be thankful for the gift of faith.  Hard to wrap my mind around that but the next point is a good segue...

#1 Everest. 
The summit of our Faith dwarfs Mt. Everest.  Being Catholic is experiencing the fullness of the Faith.  I see Christ!  I recognize Him in the Eucharist!  What a gift! 

This list pretty condensed which is cool because it means I might even read it.  You know... I am beyond happy... astonished is more like it.  Do I deserve any of these ten?  Do I deserve having Christ die for me?  Maybe I should close this post and get down on knees.  Amen!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Snow Mow

Well, at least we didn't take out the inflatable pool.
It was tough getting an appetizer of of Spring only to get a full helping of Winter again.  The girls were cooped up for most of the week and Teresa was running a temperature of Cabin Fever... It doesn't help that our house has kind of a cabiny motif. 

So Teresa and I ventured out today.   Threw around some ice chunks.  Gave the birds a loaf of moldy bread... a full half loaf at that -- unsliced... I just chucked the whole half loaf at the birds -- they flew away - chickens! (character-wise, not genus)

Teresa's cabin fever broke but her Spring fever set in.  We kicked around the ol' volleyball because we the soccer ball was AWOL.  She took out her sidewalk chalk and then asked for her lawn mower.  The following video resulted. 




Friday, March 25, 2011

Why I quit Prince

Ever get a song that just keeps going and going in your head?  That happens to me a lot.  I used to be a Prince junkie.  But I haven't bought or played a Prince CD in... well, it's been years now.  A couple at least.  But when I get in a good mood, I usually start groovin' to a Prince tune -- at least in my head.  It's A-U-T-O-matic.

Anybody wanna buy some records?

I've seen him live in concert ten times and even went to Paisley Park and played his ol' drum machine and the symbol guitar.  But I made up my mind to quit Prince shortly after becoming a father.  Why?  Well, the lyrics were either too racy... too whacky or just theologically incorrect.  And music is a powerful thing that can just get stuck in your head.  So, one day, I just decided to go cold turkey.

Cold turkey sucks... except in sandwiches and it really took me a while to find music I could really get into again... but with great fatherhood comes great responsibility.  I wouldn't want that stuff playing around my daughter.  I guess it's like when a pregnant mother or father gives up their smokes.

So what's going through your head?... I just picked some random lyrics from artists I used to plug into and strung them together:

Well, my legs are shakin' and my knees are week -- I can't seem to stand on my own two feet... how can you just leave me standing, alone in a world that's so cold?  Just beat it!  Beat it!  No one wants to be defeated.  I'm a loser, baby, so why don't you kill me?  But I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die.  Where do you want this killing done?  On the road again.

-Elvis/Prince/MJ/Beck/Johnny Cash/Bob Dylan/Willie Nelson

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Day R.E.M.

I haven't been getting as many Z's in at the ol' dream factory of late.  Not making my quotas.  Perhaps it's just good prep for the sleepless nights that will be spent with the baby when the boughs break.  (Make sure you register your boughs in case of any recalls.)

Actually that kinda looks like my work desk
What I really have is second-hand insomnia from my wife's discomfort trying to sleep with a 30 lb pumpkin. When she does get her Z's -- they are... something incredible.  I once woke up to what sounded like an angry Pit Bull growling... maybe this would be a better Secret Self post?

So enough about my beautiful and understanding wife.

So what was I talking about?  Pit Bulls?  Michael Vick?  Sorry,  I haven't been getting as many Z's in at the ol' dream factory of late... kinda been drifting.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Springtime in Wisconsin!

Did you know that Lent translates into "Spring"?  Well, we got hit hard with Lent today.  T'was a hard decision to WFH today as our department has bigger piles of work than the piles of snow on our curb.  But, as I was about to march through the Spring Wonderland, my wife asked me not to... and if there's one thing I don't want to do, it is argue with my pregnant wife.

Welcome home, birds!

Evergreen?

Well, she loves it... and that does warm my heart.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The Power and The Glory

Yes!  I won the book lotto for our book club.  It's an important win because the book club starts up every couple of years after it fizzles out shortly after the second pick.  I picked The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Scandal Guaranteed!

At the Esto Vir Conference last year, Matthew Kelly touched upon the subject of scandal in the Church.  And he said, if nothing else, he could guarantee that there would be future scandals in the Church... and probably some really big ones at that.

That almost seems to be the fifth mark of the Church and to some, it's a third strike.

Truth is Satan wants us to focus in on the very worldly things.  At the very least regard the Church as a social institution instead of a Salvation Vehicle.  The goal is to lose our supernatural focus.  When Peter recognized Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus said, and I paraphrase, Bingo, Peter!  You didn't get that out of a Cracker Jack Box!  But then Pete turns around and tries to talk Christ out of the crucifixion and Christ admonishes him, "Get behind me, Satan!"

More than anything Satan wants you to doubt.  In a way it's comforting to know just how many scandals have rocked the barque of the Peter, and yet the Church is still floating despite the storms.

To quote the great poet and philosopher, Little Bear, "Whether the weather be cold or whether the weather be hot, we'll weather the weather whatever the weather, whether we like it or not."

Coincidentally they're forecasting a snowstorm tomorrow.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Not so far-fetched

I highlighted the great divide between the Catholic Church and mainline protestants.  But what are the obstacles keeping the Protesters from crossing the Tiber's line?

Are the original reason's for the divide still relevant?

Here are a few objections I often hear these days: 

photo by Bernard Ganon
The Catholic Church has so many man-made traditions that aren't found in the bible!  Where does it say that in the bible?  Well, for one thing, where does it say in the bible that everything has to be in the bible?  Another question: what came first the bible or the Church?

Why do Catholics worship Mary?
  Well, we don't.  We do give honor where honor is due but only God deserves our worship.  So no problem there.  Mary is a big problem for some.  Mary having a virgin birth is fine and dandy, though that is indeed a miracle but her Immaculate Conception is a tripper.  Is it so far-fetched that God could do such a thing?  Look at the attention to detail and perfection God demanded of the ark of the covenant to be constructed... Look at the consequences if someone messed up with even carrying the ark...  how much more important would the ark of the new covenant have to be?  Is it so far fetched that Mary was the sinless Mother of God?

The Eucharist.  While there are many fundamentalists who take the bible quite literally in the creation story, when it comes to the Bread of Life discourse, they somehow think Jesus wasn't talkin' literally.  If creation was created in seven literal days because the bible says so, shouldn't we take the creator at His word about the Eucharist... or is that too far-fetched?

The pope.  What's the deal with papal infallibility?   Well, wasn't the bible infallibly written?  Didn't the Holy Spirit inspire and guide the authors?  Is it too far-fetched that while speaking ex-cathedra the pope is inspired and guided by that same Holy Spirit?

Is it easy being Catholic?  No.  Is it reasonable?  You bet!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

The Great Divide

More than once in a while have I heard "Catholic?  Protestant?  We do just about the same things!"  I've heard this from Catholics as often as Protestants.  In some respects that's true.  I've attended a lot of Lutheran services (of the WELS variety) and sometimes the liturgy seems more Catholic-ish than some of our own Masses. Their pastor facing the altar... The congregation receiving communion kneeling at a rail... pre-Vatican II but, then again, they never even had Vatican I.

But while there are some similarities on the surface, real beauty and Truth are not skin deep.  So where's the beef and what's my beef?  Well, let me ask a few questions...

photo by Tobias Alt
Which one has Apostolic succession? Which one has secession from the union?

A follow-up... if there isn't a valid priesthood, is there a valid Eucharist? 

Which one has the unabridged bible? Kind of important -- especially if you believe in sola scriptura... and where did the bible come from?

Which one has seven Sacraments instead of just two or three?

While both defend the sanctity of marriage as being between a woman and a man and try to defend that definition of marriage from being re-defined by others... who has tried to re-define Communion itself (transubstantiation vs. consubstantiation) which is the marriage feast of the Lamb!

In our day and age, the family is under attack.  In which one do you have a Mom (the Blessed Virgin Mary)?

What is the only Church that defends the dignity of life to the extent that it has kept its stance on birth control as being a moral evil?


Yes, these are leading questions that hopefully lead you to see the significant differences between us.  But as I'm highlighting the ginormous differences in our beliefs, the question is - are the obstacles that keep most people from joining the Church as ginormous?   Maybe not.  At least I have a theory.  Tune in tomorrow.  Same time, same batty blog.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Same Difference

I'd like to propose a couple of ideas that may seem paradoxical.  Every-so-often I'll get into a conversation with people about religion.  Be they Catholic or protestant a common comment about Catholicism compared with protestantism is that we're pretty much a like.  You got homilies, we got sermons - same difference! But while elements our our liturgies may look similar, there is not a small gap that divides us, but a grand canyon.  I'll post about that on Saturday.

Sunday I'd like to propose that while our divisions are real and deep, the theological obstacles that keep people from the Catholic Church might not be an Everest, but more of a mole hill. 

Sound good?

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Yes comment

A friend asked me if I gave up taking comments on my posts for Lent.  Something about error messages... the "red dot of death".  But no, no - I always welcome open dialog through a filtering safety net.  So I think I have the problem fixed.  Could you be so kind as to leave a comment to this post to make sure the system is working?  Thanks!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Kinda busy, how 'bout you?

You feeling busy?  Maybe too busy?  Do you multi-task?  Well, thank goodness for a short blog post to read.  I just gave you five minutes back to your day.  Enjoy them!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Tuesday did not disappoint

Well, it definitely was a Tuesday today.  Heard that the Japanese government is making the employees at the damaged nuclear power plant stand their posts to ensure the reactor doesn't blow.  Wow.  So their Tuesday and the rest of their lives makes my Tuesday not seem to very bad at all.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Offer it up Tuesday

As many of the regular Daily D readers know, a high-fiber diet helps keeps you regular, and my Tuesdays are the perfect storm of my week.  But I'm going to offer it up for the people affected by the earthquake/tsunami in Japan.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Somos el Cuerpo de Christo

Rite of Election today for the Catechumens and Candidates.  What that really means is the people preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and Communion and the people preparing for Confirmation and Communion (having been already validly baptised in another tradition) get to meet the Bishop.

And so the faithful gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes in De Pere to fit everyone.  Pretty big crowd.  Shout out to a fellow blogger, Marty, leading RCIA for his neck of the Diocese!  But both of our parishes looked pretty puny compared to St. Willy's mass of candidates.  My explanation (to Marty), they must using the iPad2.

Well, we weren't really there due to one iPad or another but one of the songs we sung said it all:
Somos el cuerpo de Cristo.  We are the body of Christ. Hemos oido, el llamado.we've answered "yes" to the call of the Lord.
Tracy Lyn and I decided I should fly this mission solo since a three-year old and a two-hour ceremony don't mix well.  I sat next to the guy I'm sponsoring, Jon and his wife.  And it all worked out pretty smoothly.  We asked him what he said to Bishop Ricken and he thought he said something like, "It's an honor to meet you." And what did the Bishop say?  "Not sure.  Something and then something like God bless you."  Heheheh.  Tracy Lyn doesn't remember what she said or he said either during her handshake with the Bishop.

Anyway it was a pretty great/happy time.  I think everyone gets a little nervous before a group of hundreds of people but it's always nice to know you have hundreds of people supporting you, welcoming you and praying for you.
Somos el cuerpo de Christo.  We are the body of Christ.  Traemos su santo mensaje.  We come to bring the good news to the world.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

40 Days for Life

"I will never attend an anti-war rally; if you have a peace rally, invite me." 
- Mother Teresa

That's what I like about the 40 Days for Life prayer vigils in front of the Bellin Medical Arts building on Webster.  I've been walking it for a few years now and I've gotta say, it's never been boring.

What 40 Day is is a peaceful, prayerful rally that calls for not only an end to abortion but for building a culture of life.

Now you may have a preconceived idea of what a pro-life rally is.  Protesters yelling at women and threatening doctors who perform abortions?  Nope.  We don't do drama.  What you will see is people holding peaceful signs and often praying rosaries up and down the sidewalk.  They are praying for women, doctors, and the unborn babies.  No drama, but the results are dramatic.
There have now been seven coordinated 40 Days for Life campaigns since 2007.
These efforts have mobilized people of faith and conscience in 337 cities across all 50 of the United States plus six Canadian provinces, three Australian states, and communities in Northern Ireland and Denmark.
During these unified efforts:
  • 1,085 individual campaigns have taken place in 337 cities
  • More than 400,000 have joined together in an historic display of unity to pray and fast for an end to abortion
  • More than 13,000 church congregations have participated in the 40 Days for Life campaigns
  • Reports document 3,599 lives that have been spared from abortion — and those are just the ones we know about
  • 43 abortion workers have quit their jobs and walked away from the abortion industry
  • Nine abortion facilities completely shut down following local 40 Days for Life campaigns
  • Hundreds of women and men have been spared from the tragic effects of abortion, including a lifetime of regrets
  • More than 1,200 news stories have been featured in newspapers, magazines, radio shows and TV programs from coast to coast ... and overseas
  • Many people with past abortion experiences have stepped forward to begin post-abortion healing and recovery
After so many years of legalized abortion, many people of faith are experiencing a renewed sense of HOPE!  (from www.40daysforlife.com)
Today it seemed like I'd be walking solo for my shift.  Before long 11 people joined me and before longer that grew 16! 

Now this will never get the media attention that the protests of the teachers at the capitol or the NFL players, but it gets attention of every car that passes by and it get results of changing/saving lives. 

There are still 36 days left, I'd like to invite you to our peace rally.

"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish." - Mother Teresa

Friday, March 11, 2011

The Daily D Does Lent

In case you haven't noticed I've been starting out my entries of late with a tiny icon that reads "The Daily D Does Lent".  But what does that mean?  That means means for the next 40 some posts the Daily D will take on a certain Lenty flavor (downright fishy on Fridays).

It's my version of a Lenten reflection that's a little more quirky than most.  Part of Lent is doing penance and reading this blog daily might just be what the doctor ordered.

Enjoy?

Thursday, March 10, 2011

For the IF in life, for the WHEN of death

Spent a long time talkin' life insurance.  Realized I don't like talkin' life insurance.  I bet setting up a will will be even less fun.  But it's one of those things you just have to suck up and do... like go to the dentist.  (Oh, man -- it's been a while since I've done that too.)

One of the best things that came out of the Seven Steps to Financial Freedom course is that I realized I was under-insured.  I had no idea!  I thought $100K was a lot of K's!  Turns out, not.  Also having my insurance come through work means that if my job goes, my insurance goes with it.  So the search began. 

One of my friends goes with Met Life and their slogan is "for the IF in LIFE."  That's pretty good. 

What's your after-life insurance?  Truth is we really need death insurance and that's an inevitable WHEN.  At the Esto Vir Conference one of the speakers made the comment that when we die we'll live forever... for all eternity, either in heaven or in hell.  Woah.  That hit me.  Another thing that hit me was that venial sins may not me mortal sins but they add up to crippling us spiritually.

Makes me want to "up" my death insurance policy of going to Confession at least once a week or more.  Now I don't like going to Confession but I like having gone to Confession.  Same thing with talkin' life insurance or setting up a will or going to the dentist.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Snow versus ashes

The snow was a jealous snow.  It wanted all the attention the ashes were due to get today.  The snow came and came and came -- just like the forecasters said it would.  I had to go to work to eblast out our special Lenten issue of the company newsletter.  It featured my daughter on the cover looking quite angelic, with photoshopped ashes on her forehead.  So an Ash Wednesday flavored cover really had to hit email boxes on Ash Wednesday... aka Terrible Snow Wednesday.  So my alarm clock was set to 4:30am -- to try to beat the snow to work.  
I woke up.  Looked outside and it looked like there was no snow yet.  So I snoozed for an hour.  When I actually put my glasses on for a second look an hour later I realized that it had been snowing.  So off to work I went.  The roads didn't seem all too bad... until the round-about.  The Focus did a 360 round-about while going around the round-about.  So, here's to you, guardian angel, on a job well done!  Thank God the truck behind me didn't hit me... he later passed me as I slowed to five under the speed limit.
I got quite the rush eblasting the final newsletter to 26,000+.  (Special thanks to Sean O for helping me blast it correctly!)

Thankfully the snow cleared up after noon.  So I met the girls at St. Bernard's for Mass at 5:30.  Ash Wednesday!  Teresa got her first ashes... well, first non-photoshopped ashes anyway.  I did double-dip the ashes since I went to the 11:30 am Mass earlier.  In fact I heard both Ash Wednesday blessings:  My first "ashing" the priest said, Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return (Gen 3:19). For my second coat, the priest said, Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel (Mark 1:15).  Sometimes in painting a house, the walls really need a second coat, so it is with me.

The snow was good packing, meaning the girls could finally build a good sized snowman for the first time this Winter.  Pretty cool.  But in the end the ashes won the day. 

May God bless your Lent!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Saved by the tell

Busy day.  My to-do list is becoming an encyclopedia set.  Just as I was leaving for work at 5:45 am, my wife reminded me about the baby doc appointment I had forgotten.  Yikes!  That was close.  So I made it for the appointment and then back to work... but just before then she reminded me of her water aerobics class at 7 pm.  Thanks to my parents I was able to get done what I really needed to get done but now a snow storm wants to rain on my parade!  Actually rain I could handle... except for the icy variety.  If I can get into work by 5am, I should be fine.  So, here goes. 

Monday, March 7, 2011

My Secret Self



Inspired, in part, by Leonard Nimoy's Secret Selves project. You know, the big difference between blogging and having a diary is a blog has an audience while a diary is the the audience. So there have been times I may not have blogged an event because it is too personal or perhaps time sensitive... at least at that time. Months later (or perhaps years, I could reveal that post. Sort of like they do with Presidential diaries, I think. So rather than not record some personal thoughts for fear of peering peers, My Secret Self entries will be dated but not posted until... well who really knows?

When they are released they will be labeled, "My Secret Self".

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Little room for little one - wait, that's not what I mean...

It's been a while since I vlogged.  So, here's a little tour of the baby's room. (You can hear Teresa and her Nana with a case of the giggles in the background).

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Esto Vir VI

Went to see one of my all time heroes today -- Dr. Scott Hahn.  It was the second time I got to see him and the first time I was able to say a few words coherently.  I think.  Words came out of my mouth and he nodded.  So, yeah... a great day.

My father and my father-in-law came with me to what's called an Esto Vir (Latin for "Be a man") Conference. This was the 6th one and around 800 men showed up.

What is an Esto Vir Conference? Kinda like a TED conference but the talks are a lot longer and much more meaningful and much, much more Catholic.  My dad usually goes with me but it was Cliff's first... but I think we all had a pretty good time.  Looking forward to next year's already.

ESTO VIR!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Insurance

Met today with a former colleague of mine about life insurance.  It's one of those things, ya know?  Not my forte.  Anything with numbers really isn't. 

One thing I learned from taking the 7 Steps to Financial Freedom course is that we were under-insured.  And here I thought $100K was a fortune.  Um, no.  And I don't really want Tracy Lyn to be all that sad if I have an timely demise.  I want, "well, at least he had a great insurance policy."  Of course I don't want to be so insured that she might be tempted not to say. "Damien, look out for that boulder!"

It's all about balance.  And occasionally a boulder.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

iPad 2, Damien 0


Apple had another awesome event unleashing the second coming of the iPad.  My friends and I were watching the egadget blog the event live... lots of fun.  iWant one!  Don't think I can afford one just yet though.  Do iNeed one?  That's a tough call.  It's inspiring, super cool and super powerful.  Might be a booth review and my wife's in the booth.

But if anyone out there wants to support a blogger in need, I'd be a friend in deed!

(Ain't too proud to beg)

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Tuesday bruise day

Tuesdays are my Mondays.  They are definitely not my I-don't-have-to-run-day.  The day started out with me racing to St. Willy's to make it in time for the pre-Mass Confession.  Tuesdays are the day that I serve at Mass, so I had to get a clean slate.  The fuel tank was on E but just barely below the hash and there's a gas station just a couple blocks away just in case I did run out.  But I didn't beat the clock.  Thankfully the priest at the Mass I served at was early and I got that clean slate.  Work, work, work and then straight from work to home to YMCA with Teresa and then from Y to getting Teresa to zzzzzzzzz's.  Garbage night.  Dishes and now blog.  My wife is still nesting.  And as I write these words, she has added a baker's dozen to my list of things to do.  TGIW... almost.