A Few Pix from Christmas 2009

A few pix from Christmas at our house.

Aunt Suz with the reindeer ears. Doesn't she look cute?

The gingerbread house that Callen, Aunt Suz, and I put together and decorated.

Walking Around the Lake at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was quiet with just the three of us this year. After Thanksgiving dinner we went for a late afternoon walk around the lake in our neighborhood. Here are a few pix from our lake visit.

Callen's 4th Birthday Party

As much as I resisted, Callen wanted the princess cake. Given our experience at Halloween, guess I shouldn't have been surprised. It was a pretty cake and very tasty too!

All the friends having snacks after playing on the bouncies.

Bo and Callen coming down the big slide. Better Bo than me! That slide is high!

Callen's best friend, Sarah, and her older sister Blair.

What a beautiful birthday girl!

This is almost 2 months late being posted, but better late than never! I am horrible about getting pix off the digital camera. Finally had a chance to get a bunch off today. Here are some pix from Callen's 4th birthday party. She had a blast!

Doing Gender at Halloween

Some of you may recall the earlier post I did around Halloween about how disappointed Callen was at not being dressed as a princess at Halloween. She wanted to be a witch and that was the costume I got for her. She was fine with that until we got to her school and saw the bevy of princesses all around. Above are a few pix from her Halloween party at school. Wish I'd had camera in the AM when I dropped her off as more of the princesses were there at the time.

The last 2 pictures are pix of Callen's witch's costume after we embellished it on Saturday before going trick or treating that night.

Twas the Day Before Christmas

and Aunt Suz was putting some presents under the tree. Callen asked which ones were hers. Aunt Suz pointed them out. A little while later I'm walking through the den and what to my eyes should appear --- a 4 year old sitting by the tree opening her presents. I tried to explain that today was only Christmas Eve and we open presents on Christmas morning but the little 4 year old fell awash with tears. Oh my. She chose to spend a little time in her room until the tears abated and she could apologize.

Afterwards we finished decorating the gingerbread house and all was fine : ).

Happy Christmas to All and To All a Good Day and Night, she exclaimed as she went back to wrapping and prepping for Christmas Day.

Gender Differences in Cell Phone Usage among Youth

Our media rep did a press release on a new paper that I and two colleagues just had published in New Media & Society. Here's a link to it. A horrible pix of me, but good coverage of the article. Contact me if you'd like a copy of the article.
http://main.uab.edu/Sites/MediaRelations/articles/71818/

What's Your Vote?

Here are 4 of the Fall 2009 pix of Callen that were taken at her school. Which one do you think would be best for the Christmas cards this year? Please vote soon!

Callen Turns 4!

Today was Callen's 4th birthday. I can't believe she is 4! She's growing up so fast.

We had a party at a local bouncy place this morning. About 16 or so of her friends came and they all had fun! We had a beautiful cake that was really yummy.

I so wanted to post pix on the blog and Facebook today but with the party and trying to finish getting ready to fly to DC this afternoon, it just didn't happen. I hope to have lots of pix up before the end of the coming week.

I have lots of blogging to catch up on:
- going to the pumpkin patch
- Halloween, trick or treating, and her cute witch outfit
- celebrating Callen's birthday at her school on Friday
- the party today
- and much more I'm sure.

Happy birthday my beautiful angel!

How Am I Spending My Fall Break?

I had originally planned that Callen and I would go to NC and visit with friends and family during my fall break. I also wanted to take her to the NC State Fair. I loved it growing up and as a young adult. I haven't been in years and I thought we'd have fun doing this. And, the Alabama one is tiny and a waste of time in my opinion. The Maryland one when we lived there wasn't much better either.

But, the reality set in and I decided there's no way we could do this trek to NC. It is a whole day in the car each way unfortunately. If Express Jet still did their non-stop flights to Raleigh (no airlines have direct flights to RDU from B'ham now unfortunately) I would have probably gone but without this it was just too much of a trek!

So, here I am on the first day of my fall break. So far today, I've:
- taken Callen to school
- bought bagels for home
- done 3 loads of laundry
- edited a job letter for a new undergrad research assistant I'm bringing on to my XO project
- reviewed and made comments on a report I need to give to the school system on my XO project
- checked email, Facebook, and Twitter (a few times!)
- and thought about the multitude of other things I need to do today.

I think I and perhaps other academics often think of fall break as a time to have a short break from our regular routine and a brief time to refresh before classes resume. Unfortunately, I don't think mine will be that way this year.

On the positive side though: It is good to work at home today, and I didn't have to get to my office at 7 in time to do some work before my 8 AM class. Sleeping a little later is always a good thing!

Maybe next year Callen and I can go to the fair!

My Little Drama Queen

The things Callen says these days just amaze me. We were in the car coming home from dinner last night and talking about a birthday party we're going to today. I told her we should make a birthday card for Emery when we got home. A few minutes later in the conversation Callen said: If I forget to take the card to the party, I'll be doomed! Now, where does an almost 4 year old learn the word doomed? I tried to get her to explain to me what the word meant but she couldn't or wouldn't. I told her that she wouldn't be 'doomed' if she forgot to take the card but she still kept saying it. Yep, broadway here we come!

Frenzied Fall!

I don't know why it is but fall always seems so frenzied. Part may be that many students in Callen's class have birthdays - so lots of fun parties to attend! We've been to 2 already in the past month and have 2 this weekend. Plus, my work always seems busier in the fall. I'm still not sure why this always seems to be the case.

I know this fall is bad because I'm trying to juggle too many things at work. I have 3 grants right now that are consuming lots of my time. One is just getting up and started so way too many details to handle right now! In addition to these, there is my class I'm teaching and assignments to grade; there's also other papers I'm working on with other colleagues, conferences to prepare presentations for and attend, and lots of other things.

I woke up at 3:30 this morning and was awake till 5. I should have just gotten up and done some work rather than just thinking about what I needed to do today.

Let's hope that things begin to calm down sometime soon!

Cyber Seniors and Health

As some of you know, I have an NIA grant to go into assisted living communities (ALFs) to train older adults to use computers and the Internet and to assess the impact on their quality of life over time. We finished 6 weeks of training in our first assisted living community yesterday afternoon. The 6 weeks flew by so fast! We learned a huge amount about best practices in training in ALFs. The participants were phenomenal! I hope the skills we helped them acquire will definitely positively impact their quality of life!



We did a debriefing with them at the end of class yesterday to find out their thoughts on ways to enhance the training, how it had impacted them thus far, etc. One person said: "You've made us feel like we're part of the world again." Another noted that "We'd opened up the world for them." They are an amazing group!



The UAB Media Relations rep had issued a local press release to see if any local TV stations wanted to come out to talk to us. I was asked to be on the local Fox news at noon yesterday to talk about the study. I haven't been able to find any online link to the interview but below is one that the local ABC station did. Watch the video if you get a chance. I'm also scheduled to be on Fox' Good Day Alabama Monday morning.



Cyber Seniors: How the Internet Can Affect Health

State of the Blogosphere

I came across this report today as I was working on a book chapter (that is due in 2 days!). Interesting to see information on numbers, demographics, etc. of bloggers and blogging in general.

Updating the Blog

Life has been way too busy the past month. I can't believe it has been almost a month since I last did a blog post! Here's a brief recap of life over the past month.

• We spent a good portion of the summer thinking Bo would get put on unpaid leave, along with 1000+ Jefferson County employees. Luckily he didn't but we certainly feel bad for the others who did get put on leave. We hope Jefferson County will bring them back ASAP now that the politicians have passed a new occupational tax.
• We did a family trip to Atlanta. We went to the Georgia Aquarium. It was nice but I think the Baltimore and Chattanooga ones are better. As we were getting out of the car at Ikea, Callen smashed a finger in the door! Not a fun time! Nothing broken but lots of tears. Sunday we went to Stone Mtn and did a few things there. Pretty state park.
• We went to a birthday party for a friend of Callen's. His mother is so creative! I wish I had a third of the creativity genes that she does! Yes, I'm talking about you Renee : ).
• My NSF grant I submitted in January got funded! Our media office did a press release on Wed. of this week and it has been picked up by various media outlets around the country. The project involves helping develop STEM curriculum using XO laptops, and working with teachers and students to enhance integration of the XOs and the new curriculum modules.
• We started training our first older adults in our first assisted living facility to use computers and the Internet (for my NIA grant). They're doing so great! The class is smaller than we'd hoped but this is our pilot facility and we're learning a lot that will enhance the future trainings. My graduate research assistants are doing a great job with the training!
• The cleaning of the data from my other NSF grant is almost complete. We should be able to start crunching some numbers soon to indicate how students' technology usage, attitudes towards technology, educational aspirations, etc. changed with the introduction of the XO laptops in Birmingham City schools.
• I went to San Francisco a couple of weeks ago for our national conference. It was fun to see old friends and to meet some new ones. The presentations I was involved with went well. One was even written up in a San Fran. blog. I flew home on a 7:30 AM flight so that I could attend the open house at Callen's school. It made for a long, long day but I'm glad I could get back in time for it!
• Our classes started this week (where did the summer go????). I'm teaching on Tues/Thurs at 8 AM (ouch!) but better than a MWF in the afternoon (which was the other option). It looks like a pretty good group of students or at least the best I can tell after 2 classes : ).

I'm sure I've left lots out of what we did over the past month, but this will have to suffice for now : ). I hope everyone had a good summer!

My New NSF Grant - Integrating Computing Across the Curriculum (ICAC) Using XO Laptops

I received notice last week that the NSF grant I submitted in January was funded. The goal of this grant is to enhance STEM education in Birmingham City schools using XO laptops. The study builds off my current NSF grant investigating the educational, career, and social impacts of the XO laptops in Birmingham City schools.

Here's a link to the abstract of the new grant: ICAC

Eating Out and Saving Money

As many of you know, Bo's work situation (and all the employees of Jefferson County for that matter) is very precarious at this time. We've been trying to eat out less frequently and when we do eat out we try to do it less expensively.

There are good 'buy one get one free' coupons in the paper/mail every so often for Ruby Tuesdays. And, we've noticed places like Logan's and Applebees have started doing 2 meals for a certain price (usually smaller portions but still plenty for dinner).

Last night we went to Johnny Carino's. They have these family dinners that you can get where they bring out a big bowl of a selected item. This will easily feed 3-4 people. You also get salads with it. We noticed last night that on Monday nights, these family dinners are HALF PRICE! This is a great deal. A family of 3-4 could eat for under $20 (unless you buy expensive beverages, appetizers, etc.).

Just wanted to pass along this info!

Downturn and Dating

I was interviewed last week for a story on how the economic downturn may be impacting dating. As usual, only a few seconds of me show, but much of what is said is from other material I noted during the interview.

Here's the clip: Downturn Dating

Beach Trip Summer 2009

We spent the week leading up to July 4th at our condo in Atlantic Beach, NC. We had a lot of fun as we invited cousins and friends down to visit with us at various points in the week. Below, you see Callen, Emily, and Luke (two of Callen's cousins). They were so great with Callen!
Callen at Fort Macon: Mom do I really have to smile again?

Bo and cousin Betty

How to think like a sociologist

I know you've all been wondering -- how does a sociologist think? Now you can know!

How To Think Like a Sociologist

Trip Travails

We started our trek to NC last Friday. Before we left town Friday, a parent at Callen's school misjudged his turning radius and plowed into the back and rear driver's side of my car that morning. A good amount of damage but drivable thank goodness as we were taking it to NC.

We get to the beach Saturday early evening. After unpacking our car and playing with Callen some, we go out for a late dinner. We're crossing the bridge to the mainland when we hit something in the road. It was some type of strap with a big hook in it. Well, the hook punctured the rear driver's side tire! So, we put on the temporary spare as it begins to rain, thunder, and lightening. The tire that was damaged was a brand new tire! Less than 2 months old. Ugh.

Sunday we went to the beach and had a good time in the sun, sand, and surf. Some of my cousins came in around dinner time that day. Callen had a blast playing with her cousins Luke and Emily from Sunday night through Wed. afternoon! They were such great kids - never appearing to tire of playing with her!

Monday morning I start the dishwasher. A few minutes later my cousin walks in the kitchen and notices the floor is COVERED in water! The guys were out on their way to play golf and happened to call about this time. They didn't bother to come back and investigate what was wrong! We also had an issue with our disposal not working. Our local repair guy got it working but suggested replacing it soon. Then, last night I was washing shrimp to cook for dinner when I noticed water was pouring out on my feet. Oh yea, another plumbing issue! We have a plumber coming out in the AM to check out the dishwasher, disposal, etc. Yeah, more money, more money, more money!

Even with all these trip travails, we've had a great time thus far at the beach! The cousins left this afternoon and some friends come in this evening. Hopefully more good memories to come!

Here's to no more plumbing issues at our condo!

Hippy Scotch???

Huh? We were all on the floor playing this evening. Callen kept talking about hippy scotch and neither Bo nor I could figure out what she was talking about. Then, she said, "I'll show you" and she proceeded to pretend to play hopscotch. Oh, now we get it! I think I like the other name for it though...

Anyone up for some hippy scotch?

Prelude to Father's Day

Today Callen has a little program in her class at school for father's day. I'm planning to go too : ). I hope she doesn't burst out in tears like she did at the beginning of the mother's day program they had.

We don't have any special plans for father's day yet. I'm sure we'll go out to dinner someplace. And, we're having a pool playdate later Sunday afternoon.

What father's day traditions do you have in your family?

I Know I Shouldn't Be...

so bummed but I really am. Yesterday I had 2 manuscript rejections arrive! Not just 1, but 2! What is really annoying is that one of them had been under review for 4 months! And, then the editor makes a decision based on 1 review! Typically manuscripts are reviewed by 2-3 reviewers. Ugh. The review wasn't even that bad but the editor rejected the manuscript.

On the positive side, it looks like my husband's department may not be eliminated (at least yet). However, it looks like all county employees will be getting a 20% salary cut! Ouch. I don't know about you but we don't have an extra 20% of his salary just laying around that we can 'cut'. As it is now, we don't buy extravagant items, do big, luxurious trips, etc. I am grateful that he has a job (for now) but I am just amazed at how poorly the county we live in is run that they can allow the county to be in such a poor economic situation that they threaten the livelihood of all their employees.

This same county just the other day realized that they had not been billing some organizations appropriately for their sewer usage, including UAB! They informed UAB that it owes over a MILLION dollars! As a county, how do you make an error of this magnitude?

Let's hope today is a better day...

Chaos and Clutter

My office desk has been so full of piles and piles of things that it was hard to even see any of the desk. Given that I have a nice U shaped desk, this is saying something! I hadn't planned to clean today, as I have much writing and reviewing that needs to be done. However, I just got in the mood to do it this morning. I worked on it all day (in b/w other meetings, etc.) and I am 99% complete. It looks so great!

I am not a good organizer of papers. I never have been. I bought some more bins this weekend to help me keep different projects organized. I've just never been someone who is good at filing and keeping things filed. The bin has worked well for my XO project. I'm hoping they will work well for other projects too.

My mind definitely feels less cluttered and chaotic as I sit in my office now. Let's hope it inspires me to finish those numerous articles that need to get out the door soon!

Here's to a summer of orderliness and lack of clutter!

The Emerging World of Real-Time Cellphone Data

The Emerging World of Real-Time Cellphone Data

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My Sweet Empathetic Child

This evening Bo and I were watching the news when a commercial for the SPCA came on. The animals all look so sad in this commercial and then Sarah McGloughlin (sp?) comes on and asks you to donate money to help animals. Callen happened to see the commercial.

She is such a sweet, empathetic child! She was in tears worrying about the animals. She asked me several times throughout the evening why the animals had to go to animal shelters, why their people didn't take care of them, etc. It was so sweet!

I warn you - if you haven't seen this commercial, it does have some of the saddest, most soulful looking animals in it!

Fever, Doctors, and Medicine

Callen got sick while we were in FL last weekend. She ran a fever starting Friday night. We gave her tylenol and it seemed to help but she had a horrible cough. I took her to the doctor on Tuesday to have her checked. This is the first time that she has not wanted to go, to let the doctor or nurses do anything to her, and she even didn't want to get on the scales when the nurse first came to get us. She's never been like this before.

The doctor suspected strep throat so she had the nurse come in and try to swab her throat. Well, Ms. Callen would have none of this! She gritted her teeth and would not open her mouth! Two nurses finally had to force it to get the swab in. I so hated this! Callen was crying the whole time, scared to death, and her heart was beating furiously.

The test came back positive and the doctor asked if she'd take meds. I, having forgotten how much of an ordeal it was to get her to take this same med. last year when she was sick, said sure she'd take it. The other option was a one time shot and as upset as she was I couldn't see giving her a shot at that point.

Well, little did I know how hard it would be to get her to take the meds! I've tried giving it to her in a syringe, in a teaspoon, mixed with lemonade, mixed with milk, mixed with frozen juice concentrate (which worked last year sometimes), and you name whatever else. A few sips have passed her lips and that is it. We are at our wits' end with this. We've threatened, cajoled, taken away movie privileges, etc.

Our daughter is evidently stronger willed than are we... Any suggestions for how to get her to take her medicine?

Data Collection for XO Laptop Project

is done! It was a grueling year with surveying 1600+ 4th and 5th graders twice (before they received their XO laptops) and then at the end of the school year. And, my graduate students just completed in-depth interviews with 20 of the students (10 high tech and 10 low tech).

Now, the survey coding and data entry, as well as interview transcription, begins and/or continues. I can't wait to see the data! This is the largest study of the kind focusing on the XO laptops in the US and perhaps the world.

Here's to lots of interesting results to come!

Rain, rain, go away...

PLEASE!!! We've had so much rain lately. I'm grateful for the rain which means hopefully we won't be in a drought this summer but enough is enough.

Callen had her last soccer match yesterday morning. It drizzled on the way to the match, then stopped. Luckily it didn't rain during the match but as soon as we were about to get in the car it started pouring! And, it rained off and on most of the day yesterday and again today thus far.

Our grass is getting greener by the drop but the weeds are multiplying even faster with all the rain.

Here's to a less rainy week I hope!

To Do Today

Awake since 3 AM...not fun given all I need to get done today:
- get to work before 8
- go out surveying for my XO project (leaving at 8 AM)
- work on agenda for first full team meeting for my new NIA ALF study
- conduct first full team meeting this afternoon for new ALF study
- write NIA supplement that is due in less than 2 weeks!!!
- deal with administrative BS that takes way too much time away from the things I really need to be doing!!!
- begin annual report that is due TOMORROW
- begin draft of IRB application for new NSF grant that looks like it will be funded; NSF pgm officer suggested getting IRB approved, so we need to get it done. This paperwork takes tons of time!!!
- respond to various emails that came in late yesterday for meetings of various kinds
- schedule team meeting for XO project
- pick up Callen at school
- get Callen ready for soccer match
- and lots of other things that I'm sure I'm blanking on at the moment...

Wish me luck!

Cherishing the Moments

Today is a sad and a joyous day for me. It is sad as my own mother passed away a little over 9 years ago and I still miss her so! I so wish she could be here to see Callen and to experience the joy that she brings directly.

Having Callen makes this a joyous day for me. I would never have imagined that having a child could make your heart feel so full. I want to try to cherish every moment that we have together. Sometimes it isn't easy to do as life is so busy, things may be stressful, and we let the little things get in the way. However, I strive to cherish all the moments as we never know how many moments we have with each other.

Here's the cherishing the moments...

To Help A Good Cause in Birmingham

What's on Second?!
is knocking on your
PANTRY DOOR

People in our community are in need of food. The United Way food warehouse and the pantries of it's distributors are being rapidly depleted as they respond to an unprecedented number of requests for food assistance. Food is even being rationed in an effort to serve more people in need.

In times like these it becomes necessary for those of us who have a little more to share a little more. With this in mind, What's on Second? is pleading with our friends and neighbors to help us with a food drive.

To sweeten the deal, here's what we are going to do:

Starting Saturday (May 9th) and every day through Saturday (May 16th), What's on Second? will offer anything and everything in the shop at 50% off to anyone who brings in at least one large grocery bag or box of nonperishable food. That's 50% off as many items as you want to purchase on that day. (If you want to come back another day you'll need another food donation)

Choose from jewelry, postcards, art, advertising, toys, holiday decorations, men's and women's retro clothing, posters - hundreds of thousands of collectibles from the coolest store in the Magic City. If you have had your eye on an item in the store or just want to get a head start on holiday shopping, you won't find a better time (or a better cause).

SUGGESTIONS:
Use this opportunity to thin out your pantry.
Buy food in bulk at discount stores.
Think - especially - protein: dried or canned beans and peas, canned meats and tuna.
Cash, check or credit card donations of at least
$25 qualifies the donor for the 50% discount.
The money will be used to buy food wholesale
through Urban Standard (Thanks, Tom!).
Help us spread the word VIA blogs, websites,
Facebook, etc.

THE PROBLEM IS CLEAR!

THE NEED IS NOW!

THE OPPORTUNITY IS YOURS!

What's on Second?
2306 Second Avenue North
In the Loft District of
Historic Downtown Birmingham

--Steve Gilmer and Mike Wilson
What's On Second?
2306 2nd Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203
whatsonsecond@bellsouth.net

Quiet Sunday Morning

It is rare that I get quiet time alone on a weekend morning. Callen normally wakes us up before we're ready to be awakened : ). I woke up at 5:30 this morning, however. Callen woke up having had a bad dream. After that I couldn't get back to sleep. I finally got up some before 7 and have had a chance to look at friends' blogs, catch-up a little on Facebook and Twitter, and just have a few minutes of quiet time.

On the 13th, I had some outpt surgery to remove an ovarian cyst (and turns out my ovary too). I stayed at home most of that week, recuperating and then working from home some. It was so quiet and peaceful. When I went out for the first time (for dinner that Thurs. night), it was almost like stimulation overload after having been in the house for those days. Maybe you can tell that I'm not one of those people who needs constant stimulation (yes, I tend to fall more towards the introvert end of the Myers Brigg); in fact I prefer peace and quiet. Hard to get when you have a very active 3.5 year old in the house!

I've been busy this week conducting interviews for a program coordinator position for my new NIA grant. They started on Monday morning. I woke up not feeling well Monday morning but came into work anyway. I made it through 3 interviews and then the waves of nausea started to hit me! I left work and tried to get home, only to have to pull off the hwy an puke! I was so sick! Monday and Tuesday were lost days due to either food poisoning or a stomach bug. So glad to be feeling better now!

During the interviews, I met some great people who each have unique and valued skills. I'm happy that I have decided on one candidate. I can't wait for the person to start in the position as I think the person will do a great job and really be an asset to the research project!

The upcoming week is another busy one. My NSF XO laptop project is in full survey mode. We're in 5 schools this week surveying. I'm so glad our flash drives finally arrived week before last though. The kids seem very excited to be getting them.

So, I'm enjoying the quiet time this morning before Bo and Callen awaken, and before another busy week begins....hmmm, wonder if I can find time for a pedicure today....probably not that much 'me' time today : ).

Soccer

Callen started playing soccer a few weeks ago. The 1st week was a jamboree where we got to meet others playing on all the teams. The video at the bottom is of Callen playing around after the jamboree. She is a pretty good kicker!

Her 1st game was pretty rough. I was out of town and according to Bo she spent most of her time crying and clinging to him. The 2nd game was last week and I was there. She did great! Some pix are below and from the jamboree week. She's having fun!

Callen took this pix of one of her coaches and some of her team mates. Good pix Callen!

A little slow to warm up but then she gets into it : ).

Easter Pix

A few pix we took on Sunday - mostly of Callen. We did a little Easter egg hunt in the front yard. She wanted to find more eggs after she'd found all of them. Next year we'll know to hide more! We also bought her a little doctor's kit rather than a big chocolate bunny this year. She seems to enjoy it so far.

How walkable is your neighborhood?

Bo called me on a break from a conference. Some presenter had noted a website where you can determine how 'walkable' your street/neighborhood is. Check it out:
http://www.walkscore.com/.

Our street scored a 9 out of a 10, with higher scores being worse! Nothing new to us.

Hmmm....

It seems like a long time since I've posted. It hasn't been all that long but it has been longer than I would have liked. A friend asked me a week and a half ago if I had just let my blog lapse. Ouch. It wasn't my intention but it seems I rarely have time for it anymore. I hope to make more time.

A few quick updates:
- I was in New Orleans last week and weekend for a sociology conference. My students and I had 3 presentations plus 3 panels we'd organized. It was a busy time but good in that I got to spend some time with friends I haven't seen in a while.
- The weekend before I was in NC for a mini grad school reunion. It was a lot of fun! I got to see some family and friends, which was really nice. All my grad school friends were just the same as ever! Nice to know that some people never change. Thanks to Jo Anne for hosting a wonderful reunion.
- My XO project team starts back resurveying approximately 1800 4th and 5th graders the end of this week. We have about 6 weeks to survey in 27 different schools! Wish us luck and if any of you would like to volunteer to help us survey, please email me offline!
- I'm trying to hire a Program Coordinator II position for my new NIA grant. Lots of time being spent reviewing applications!
- Some colleagues at work do an NCAA tournament pool. It is random. I got Wake Forest and UNC as 2 of my random picks. First time I've had to pull for UNC : ).
- I go in for outpatient surgery on Monday to have an ovarian cyst removed. While the doctor thinks it is probably nothing serious, I'd rather get it out than have it stay in when it might be something serious. Wish me luck on Monday!
- Callen is great and growing so fast! I can't believe she's almost 3.5 now.
- I still have all those pix on the camera and more that I noted a while back. Maybe someday I'll get them uploaded and post some of them!

Here's to more posts in coming days and weeks!

The Importance of Keeping a Personal Medical Record | Consumer Health Video Library - Heath Video

The Importance of Keeping a Personal Medical Record | Consumer Health Video Library - Heath Video

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Spelling Bee

Yesterday when I took Callen to her preschool, she put her coat in her bin and she spelled out the letters of her name on the bin label. Last night I asked her if she could spell her name and guess what -- she spelled it correctly with no help at all from us! Very cool. I've asked her to spell it several other times today, to see if it was just a fluke but evidently it isn't as she has spelled it correctly each time. Not bad for a 3 year old I think!

The Disruption Penalty

The Disruption Penalty

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Is Google Rewiring Our Brains?

Is Google Rewiring Our Brains?

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Textual Harassment

I was interviewed by the local CBS station yesterday for a story related to cyberstalking, etc. They used one sentence of what I said. Oh well...

Textual Harassment

XOs in Afghanistan

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/05/one.laptop.per.child/index.html

They mention the Birmingham XO project in this report too.

Catching Up

It seems like my blogging is taking a backseat to other things of late -- the holidays, some health issues, travels, etc. And, I've also been spending more time on facebook and twitter than on my blog it seems. Not sure why I haven't been as into blogging as much lately, compared to the other technology applications. I'm hoping to have some time this weekend to upload some pix and do some updates.

On a side note, Callen's speech structure and the logic of her thinking have been progressing so fast lately it seems! She is a smart little girl and constantly amazes us with her development.

Unfortunately she's been saying off and on the last few weeks that she doesn't like school. She wants to go to work with mommy. I think her preference is always to spend as much time with us. She has a good time at school but she has been so clingy lately and I've even had to leave her crying several times when dropping her off. Oh, how that breaks my heart! I hope this is just a phase she's going through - for all our sakes!

Pull Ups Be Gone!

While we were traveling in Utah a week or so ago (pix to be posted sometime soon), we thought we were out of Pull Ups late one night when we were heading to bed. It was SO cold outside too and we would have had to drive to a store to get some! We asked Callen if she wanted to wear underwear to bed and she said 'Yes'. So, we've been wearing underwear, rather than Pull Ups, to bed at night. She's done really well and not had any bed wetting accidents yet. Here's to hoping Pull Ups are gone forever!

Does Facebook Replace Time or Enhance It?

A new Time article: Does Facebook Replace Face Time or Enhance It?

What do you think? This has long been a debate over Internet usage in general, but this is one of the first discussions I've seen regarding FB.

Not a good time . . .

to get sick this week! This week was very busy with surveying for my NSF XO laptop project. We were originally scheduled to be in a school all 5 days this week. One school ended up being postponed to next week, but still surveying 4 schools in one week is a LOT. Monday evening I started feeling like I was getting sick. I've had a cyst for 15 years or so that flairs up every once in a while. Well, this was the week for it to go out of control! I was in so much pain Tues - Thurs! I got in to see my doctor Thursday morning and she told me it was infected and I'd have to go in for outpatient surgery so she could put me to sleep to open it, drain it, and stitch it to keep it from happening again. Friday was spent in the hospital. It definitely feels better but I'm very sore from the anesthesia, stitches, etc. I'm hoping tomorrow will be a better day as I've mostly slept today. I'm very grateful that the pain from the cyst is gone! Here's hoping for a pain free week!

My New Grant

I just found out this week that a grant I'd submitted to NIH/NIA for a big randomized trial project has been funded. The goal of the project is to go into assisted living facilities, train older adults to use computers and the Internet, and assess the impacts on various aspects of their quality of life over time. I think it will be a great project, which will hopefully have a very positive impact on quality of life among older adults.

I'll report more info on it as the plans progress.

Coming Attractions

I promise that later this week after my grant proposal is submitted I will post new pix from our holiday travels and our trip to the Liberty Bowl! Until then, time is very short. So, Taylor - don't have that baby before Thursday : ). Just kidding!

Hope everyone is well and having a great new year!