How often ...

does work get in the way of things you want to do? This weekend we were supposed to be in NC at a mini-grad school reunion. Unfortunately, however, with me being sick week before last and then being out of town for a conference last weekend I was way behind on some proposal reviews that had to get done by today. So, we didn't go. I was really looking forward to seeing everyone, hanging out, and seeing an area of NC to which I had not previously been. I hope our friends don't think badly of us. I know they went to a lot of trouble to organize this. I hope the others had fun! Maybe Beth or Jammie will send us some pix so we can see all the fun stuff that they did.

Do you find that work gets in the way of doing things you want to do? I know I struggle with this a lot, especially as a parent. Work-family balance is very hard I think. Luckily I have a great husband and I don't worry about leaving Callen when I go out of town for work; but I do miss having those times with my family.

For those who work, how do you do the work-family balance? Does it get easier with time?

More Precocious By The Day...

Callen got in trouble at school today. Evidently she was taking toys away from some of the other kids and her teacher Ms. Emily asked her to stop taking the other kids' toys. Callen's reply was "No." According to her teachers this is the first time Callen has talked back to them. She was put in time out to think about her actions. She's been talking back more lately at home too. Any suggestions for how to 'nip this in the bud'?

More Pictures

Here are a few other pictures and a video from our beach trip, Mother's Day, and other moments in our lives. Unfortunately I couldn't figure out how to get the video to rotate so you'll see Callen dancing at the wedding of one of my grad students sideways : ).

The first 2 are from Mother's Day.

The next few are from our trip to Atlantic Beach in early May. The first few pix are of some of my cousins.

Callen loves the beach, especially the water!

This is me, Callen, and our dear friend Dianne from Maryland as we're getting ready to go on the double decker tour bus in Beaufort, NC.

Here's Callen dancing at the wedding.

Would You Pay ...

to check your luggage? I heard the other day that American Airlines has imposed a fee to check even one piece of luggage, and the fees get higher the more bags you check. What is the deal with this? I understand gas prices are high, but you know I haven't been on too many flights lately that weren't jammed packed with people (including my first one today). I find it hard to believe that all of a sudden AA has to impose this fee. Sounds like a greedy CEO to me. I plan to avoid flying AA and other airlines that adopt this policy. I'm not one of the weekly business travelers but I do tend to travel several times a year for work and pleasure. I wonder what would happen if we all said 'heck no, we won't fly your airline.'

This really disadvantages individuals who are frail, have mobility problems, etc. who choose to check their luggage so they won't have to struggle with lugging it through airports and having to heist it into overhead bins. Also, what about parents with kids? We already have enough stuff to carry that it would be impossible for us to even think about doing carry-on luggage.

What about you? Will you pay to check your luggage?

Shelia (in Dallas on the way to Santa Fe and DEFINITELY NOT flying American Airlines!)

Too Good To Last?

Callen slept till 4:30 AM - can that be considered sleeping through the night? When she woke up, she was AWAKE for the rest of the night/morning! A child that awakens at 4:30 AM is never in a good mood as you try to help them get ready to start their day... Let's hope tonite and tomorrow are better!

One Night Down...

Yes, Callen FINALLY slept through the night again for the first time since we returned from our trip to NC 2+ weeks ago! Oh, I so hope it continues!!!! Send good thoughts our way so that our little girl continues to sleep through the night.

Catching Up on Pix

Some pix from our travels the past few months. I'm horrible about actually getting pix off the digital camera. I finally uploaded some today - 197!

Here's Callen in Seattle at the big music place (I forget the name now, but it was founded by one of the Microsoft founders - not Gates). Maybe Callen will grow up to be a drummer like her Daddy.




Here's Callen playing on our trip to Seattle.













I hope you can see the bright green color of the moss on these trees. It was amazing! We drove from Portland out to the coast one day and the color of the moss was so vivid. I'm sure my camera didn't do it justice.

Off the coast of Oregon are these huge rocks sticking out of the water. Very different appearance than the East Coast. A neat trip!

Callen eating a treat at her Valentine's Day party at her school, after just having had a haircut.

Callen at our condo in Atlantic Beach, NC in March.