I thought the bass player looked like Daniel V. from Project Runway; Tim thought he looked like PeeWee Herman. Whatever, Tim enjoyed his birthday present.
On a completely different note, Jack helped me do laundry yesterday. He loves socks!
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Switchfoot Concert
We went to the Switchfoot concert last night with Tim-ber and Sniper. We had a blast! The House of Blues is really nice--no smoking inside. We had to remind ourselves that Switchfoot is really a Christian rock band. There were so many young'ns around it was a little weird.
I thought the bass player looked like Daniel V. from Project Runway; Tim thought he looked like PeeWee Herman. Whatever, Tim enjoyed his birthday present.
On a completely different note, Jack helped me do laundry yesterday. He loves socks!
I thought the bass player looked like Daniel V. from Project Runway; Tim thought he looked like PeeWee Herman. Whatever, Tim enjoyed his birthday present.
On a completely different note, Jack helped me do laundry yesterday. He loves socks!
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Weekend Adventures
Laura, Kaare & Elizabeth stayed with us over the weekend, Thursday through Tuesday! We had a great time. On Sunday we went to SeaWorld with Brian & Leona and Sniper. We all took turns holding the baby. It was cute to see Robert pushing the baby buggy.
We had dinner with Rob, Karen & Anna that evening. The next day I went with L, K & E to KSC. Tim got Laura & Kaare badges, so we all met at NASA HQ for lunch. Bad idea. We almost got arrested because Elizabeth didn't have a badge! But it turned out they were more upset with the security guards at the gate for letting her pass. Elizabeth is going down in history as the first and only baby to visit NASA HQ at the Cape.
We had dinner with Rob, Karen & Anna that evening. The next day I went with L, K & E to KSC. Tim got Laura & Kaare badges, so we all met at NASA HQ for lunch. Bad idea. We almost got arrested because Elizabeth didn't have a badge! But it turned out they were more upset with the security guards at the gate for letting her pass. Elizabeth is going down in history as the first and only baby to visit NASA HQ at the Cape.After lunch we went on the bus tour out to the launch gantry and Saturn V Center. We had a bus driver with a political score to settle. He's on a rampage about how our grandchildren are going to pay for the New Horizons spacecraft. Apparently it's going to start an interplanetary war with the people that live in the "undiscovered galaxy just past Pluto." No joke, this guy went on about it for more than 5 minutes!
So we had a nice and very eventful visit with our friends from Oklahoma.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Weekend Workout
Whew! This past weekend we really did a lot of stuff around the house.
Friday night we had Teresa and Robertover for pizza and to watch the new Doctor Who show on SciFi. It was cheezy and fun (both the pizza and the show). Hooray for nearby friends!
Saturday Robert came back over with his bike and we cleaned and prepped bicycles together in the garage. Mine is 8 years old and still using the same tires and tubes from freshman year at college. His is a fancy-pants new bike with shiny parts and no rust. We had a good time! Jen worked in the yard moving stepping stones and planting more flowery things.
Sunday we spent the entire day stripping the paint off of the front door! It was not 100% successful, but we learned a lot about how to remove & replace doors, deadbolts, and door handles. I am nt sure how we intend to get the rest of the paint off, but it will happen! Until then, the door is going to look a little "rugged". Maybe this will deter would-be criminals?
Friday night we had Teresa and Robertover for pizza and to watch the new Doctor Who show on SciFi. It was cheezy and fun (both the pizza and the show). Hooray for nearby friends!
Saturday Robert came back over with his bike and we cleaned and prepped bicycles together in the garage. Mine is 8 years old and still using the same tires and tubes from freshman year at college. His is a fancy-pants new bike with shiny parts and no rust. We had a good time! Jen worked in the yard moving stepping stones and planting more flowery things.
Sunday we spent the entire day stripping the paint off of the front door! It was not 100% successful, but we learned a lot about how to remove & replace doors, deadbolts, and door handles. I am nt sure how we intend to get the rest of the paint off, but it will happen! Until then, the door is going to look a little "rugged". Maybe this will deter would-be criminals?
Monday, March 13, 2006
Cool Picture
I wanted to share with you this really cool picture of the ISS passing in front of the Moon. Video and more info is available on the Planetary Society's blog.
Bikeweek
Mom and Tom were in town this week for Bikeweek. We had a great time. Some of the highlights were
--Mom and I went to Animal Kingdom and rode the new Everest ride. Very cool!! Watch out for the Yeti, though.
--We bought azeleas and planted them by the fence to replace the yicky asparagus ferns.
--I rode my Buell from Port Orange to Titusville! It had been a while since I rode, but it all came back to me and I can't wait to ride again.
--Tim went to Atlanta for the weekend to start his Introduction Leader Program for Landmark. And then from there he flew to Washington, DC for a meeting about the Centennial Challenges. He'll be back on Tuesday.
--Mom and I went to Jungle Adventures park in Christmas, FL. It is a very run down looking place, but it was fun. We got to hold a baby alligator and pet a boa constrictor.
--And we went to the Daytona Flea Market--always a treat!
--Mom and I went to Animal Kingdom and rode the new Everest ride. Very cool!! Watch out for the Yeti, though.
--We bought azeleas and planted them by the fence to replace the yicky asparagus ferns.
--I rode my Buell from Port Orange to Titusville! It had been a while since I rode, but it all came back to me and I can't wait to ride again.
--Tim went to Atlanta for the weekend to start his Introduction Leader Program for Landmark. And then from there he flew to Washington, DC for a meeting about the Centennial Challenges. He'll be back on Tuesday.
--Mom and I went to Jungle Adventures park in Christmas, FL. It is a very run down looking place, but it was fun. We got to hold a baby alligator and pet a boa constrictor.
--And we went to the Daytona Flea Market--always a treat!
Monday, March 06, 2006
Espana Recap
So we've been back from Spain for a week, and I'm just now updating the blog. Sorry everyone!
The meetings and site visit that we went over there for were successful. Everything is looking good for the SGC meeting in September. Most likely, the conference will be held at the Museum. Isn't it gorgeous?!
The meetings and site visit that we went over there for were successful. Everything is looking good for the SGC meeting in September. Most likely, the conference will be held at the Museum. Isn't it gorgeous?!
On Friday we visited some hotels to scope them out for the conference as well. But the most exciting part of the trip was on Saturday. We met with 3 students from the Polytechnic University. They are interested in helping with the conference. Yay! They also showed us around the city. What awesome tour guides! We learned so much about the city just from a few hours with them. Here is a picture of Tim with the students in front of a weird pastry shop. It only sells this milk-like drink that doesn't taste like anything we've ever tasted and the pastries that you dunk into the milk-like drink. Tim is holding up one of the pastries.
The most exciting part about the visit for me was knowing that we would be coming back to this beautiful city. I can't wait! I'll leave you with an adorable shot of me and Tim.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
"Hola" from Valencia
Just a quick post before Tim & I head to dinner with the IAC Valencia organizing committee. We arrived safely today in Valencia, Spain. We got checked into the correct hotel after the second try. We met up with our group at the museum Ciudad de las Artes y Las Ciencias--what a gorgeous place. The IAC will be held there in October.
The drivers here are scarier than in Miami. But otherwise, it's a great city. We hope to see more of it over the next few days.
The drivers here are scarier than in Miami. But otherwise, it's a great city. We hope to see more of it over the next few days.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Neighbor Dan to the Rescue
Jack is never allowed outside unsupervised again!
Yesterday evening I went outside to look for Jack. It had been a while since I had seen him. I heard mewing. I got a flashlight and pointed it towards the mewing--in the boughs of our yard's biggest tree. Sure enough, it was Jack. He had climbed straight up the truck of the tree and couldn't get down. In the picture, Jack is the white spot on the branch to the right.
The only ladder we have is not tall enough to reach where he was, so Tim got up on the roof. One of the branches reaches out over the roof. But then the trick was to get Jack to climb out on that specific branch. Jack wasn't going for that.
Meanwhile, our neighbor Dan had come out to see what the ruckus was about. He happened to have a ladder that would reach the crook of the tree, so he leaned it right up there and grabbed the Jack-a-roo. Woo-hoo! Thanks again Neighbor Dan for saving the day!
Yesterday evening I went outside to look for Jack. It had been a while since I had seen him. I heard mewing. I got a flashlight and pointed it towards the mewing--in the boughs of our yard's biggest tree. Sure enough, it was Jack. He had climbed straight up the truck of the tree and couldn't get down. In the picture, Jack is the white spot on the branch to the right.
The only ladder we have is not tall enough to reach where he was, so Tim got up on the roof. One of the branches reaches out over the roof. But then the trick was to get Jack to climb out on that specific branch. Jack wasn't going for that.
Meanwhile, our neighbor Dan had come out to see what the ruckus was about. He happened to have a ladder that would reach the crook of the tree, so he leaned it right up there and grabbed the Jack-a-roo. Woo-hoo! Thanks again Neighbor Dan for saving the day!
Monday, February 13, 2006
What a Weekend!
We had a fantastic weekend! Jim and Scarlett arrived Friday evening. Tim was still not back from DC, but we had a great dinner at El Leoncito. After dinner Jim helped me put up our glass shelves. Tim arrived late in the evening.
The next morning we couldn't sleep in--there was too much to do to get ready for the housewarming party. We debued our chocolate fountain! It was a hit. Though it was a lot of work to cut all the fruit for it.
The next morning we couldn't sleep in--there was too much to do to get ready for the housewarming party. We debued our chocolate fountain! It was a hit. Though it was a lot of work to cut all the fruit for it.
Tom & Amy Fulmer, our mortage guy and his wife, brought BBQ from Sonny's. We had a good crowd for our first party at the new house. Shannon even came from DC!!
Jack had a great time, too. First he got to play with Anna--a person the same size as him! He didn't even wince when she pulled at his ears. Then Jack got to play in the yard. Jim taught him how to climb trees. But he figured out how to climb down, so it's okay.
Then Sunday, we took Shannon to the Super Flea in Melbourne. It's actually smaller than the Daytona flea market, but there was live entertainment--cloggers! You can't beat that. We had dinner at Carabbas in Altamonte Springs with Maryann & JT and Robert.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Liftoff
We got up early again today. Tim headed to DC for an FAA Commercial Space Transportation conference. I headed out to the SLF again to see the Global Flyer take-off. It was COLD and breezy yet again.
After a long wait, the chase plane took over. It circled for 10-15 minutes before we saw Global Flyer start to roll down the runway. It didn't look like he was going to make it--Fossett was nearing the end of the runway. But he finally pulled up and rose slowly in altitude. The chase plane followed him out over the Atlantic. Very cool!
Photo courtesy of Tim Nuhfer.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Scrubbed
The alarm went off at 3:30 this morning. Tim, I, and Tim-ber! met the buses at the KSC Visitor's Center at 4:45 to go out to the Shuttle Landing Facility to see the take-off of the Global Flyer. We were driven out to the mid-field site where the control tower is. It was cold and windy, but we got to see Richard Branson! The take-off was scrubbed at the last minute due to a small fuel leak. We still had fun and maybe we'll do it all again tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Fireside Chat
Tim has asked that I take over the blogging for awhile since I have more time on my hands. I'm still in the market for a new job. But I'm getting leads almost everyday, so hopefully soon I'll have a real job with benefits. Until then, I'm working from home.
We are settling in here in Titusville. We've been to 2 local NSS meetings and a Young Professionals networking evening. Last week I went to an event held at the Florida Space Authority. Our congressman, Tom Feeney, had the opportunity in December to be in the first delegation from the US to visit China's space center. He showed us some pictures (their assembly building looks just like our VAB). And he told us about their plans for a space station and moon exploration.
Yesterday I took Azriel to the vet for her yearly check-up. Our cats visit the doctor more than we do!
Also, yesterday, we had our first fire in the fireplace!
We are settling in here in Titusville. We've been to 2 local NSS meetings and a Young Professionals networking evening. Last week I went to an event held at the Florida Space Authority. Our congressman, Tom Feeney, had the opportunity in December to be in the first delegation from the US to visit China's space center. He showed us some pictures (their assembly building looks just like our VAB). And he told us about their plans for a space station and moon exploration.
Yesterday I took Azriel to the vet for her yearly check-up. Our cats visit the doctor more than we do!
Also, yesterday, we had our first fire in the fireplace!
Monday, January 30, 2006
update: Housewarming Moved!
Updates?! Who has time for updates?? Jen and I are still busy with ZERO-G flights and unpacking boxes! This past weekend, Jen planed flowers and got the yard looking good while I went to Miami for our annual Flight Attendant refresher course. We both had fun!
We have moved our Housewarming to February 11 in the late afternoon. Don't wait for an invitation to come your way--just put it on the calendar and let us know you'll be here!
We have moved our Housewarming to February 11 in the late afternoon. Don't wait for an invitation to come your way--just put it on the calendar and let us know you'll be here!
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
the Remodeling begins...
"I noticed the wallpaper in the guest bathroom was starting to peel in one corner."
And so begins our first round of home improvements! We've already ripped out the ugly shower doors, one of the medicine cabinets, the mirror, and about half of the wall paper*. Not bad for our first night!
* Does anyone know how to get off the other half of the wall paper that wasn't so easy??
And so begins our first round of home improvements! We've already ripped out the ugly shower doors, one of the medicine cabinets, the mirror, and about half of the wall paper*. Not bad for our first night!
* Does anyone know how to get off the other half of the wall paper that wasn't so easy??
Monday, January 16, 2006
Bonus Episode: Disneyland
And you thought Christmas was over! Alice and Tom gave us a uniqe present this year: a trip to Disneyland in California - WOW!!! We spent three nights at the Disneyland Hotel and four *magical* days at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure.
Big thrills were on the remodeled Space Mountain and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (I'd never been on it!), and The Matterhorn (the world's first steel-tube coaster). It's A Small World was closed (no one cried) while they removed the holiday decorations. In California Adventure, the California Screamin' roller coaster looked like a large wooden coaster, but was realy a steel coaster with a loop! The Sun Wheel was a ferris wheel derivation with cabs that moved around as it spun--an experience you have to feel to understand.
Points of difference between Disneyland and the Walt Disney World parks:
Big thrills were on the remodeled Space Mountain and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (I'd never been on it!), and The Matterhorn (the world's first steel-tube coaster). It's A Small World was closed (no one cried) while they removed the holiday decorations. In California Adventure, the California Screamin' roller coaster looked like a large wooden coaster, but was realy a steel coaster with a loop! The Sun Wheel was a ferris wheel derivation with cabs that moved around as it spun--an experience you have to feel to understand.
Points of difference between Disneyland and the Walt Disney World parks:
- "land" is in California and was built first.
- "World" is in Florida and is waaaay bigger.
- The Haunted Mansion in CA was decorated in "the Nightmare Before Christmas" motif--never seen the movie, but it was much more interesting!
- The CA Tower of Terror was much shorter and didn't give the background story as much.
- While on the Pirates of the Carribean in Disnyeland, you float by an actual restaurant, the Blue Bayou, where we had dinner one night!
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Cue the Halleluia Chorus
WE ARE IN OUR NEW HOUSE!!!
We closed on the new house Friday, January 6, 2006. Below is a picture of Jen on our back porch Saturday night--our first night in the house!
Thanks to everyone that made it possible for us to get our new house. We could not have dont this alone. Major appreciation goes out to our good friends Timber, Sniper, Paul, Susie, and Teresa for helping us move our stuff into the new place (see below).
The cats are adjusting nicely. The love having so much room to play. Azriel did hide under the covers during the entire move-in, but that is how she copes with change. Jack has already learned how to sit on the window sill on the back porch and listen to the birds!
We are excited to be in the new place, but don't have any weekends to use for unpacking and organizing. We'll make it work somehow :-)
The housewarming party is tentatively planned for Saturday, February 4, 2006. Fulmer Mortgage Company is hosting the party at our house as a "thank you" gift. What a great company!
Friday, December 30, 2005
Housing Finale!
Closing is set for noon on Friday, January 6, 2006!
Move in will happen on Sunday, January 8 due to a ZERO-G flight in Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday. Anyone available to help move us out of Teresa's house will be rewareded with pizza!
Move in will happen on Sunday, January 8 due to a ZERO-G flight in Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday. Anyone available to help move us out of Teresa's house will be rewareded with pizza!
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
After-Christmas Special
Episode 1: Christmas in GA
Traveled up to Locust Grove, GA, on Thursday morning. Thought about leaving Wednesday night, but didn't see the need to drive all night. Besides, driving during the day meant we got to stop at the St. Augustine outlets! Hooray for new Sketchers!
Once we got to GA we had fun with Mom, Dad, Robbie, and Lindsey (his gf) just hanging out and doing Christmas. Dad made a ham and we ate off of it the whole time we were there! Maw-Maw decided not to make her traditional sausage balls for breakfast on Christmas, so Mom made (and burned) them instead :-) They were still a hit! Jen made mac & cheese to take to Aunt Jerri's house (we are married now and must contribute!).
We opened presents on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas morning to keep from being so rushed all of Christmas day. It didn't work, but it was nice to have some time to play with new toys before heading out the door. The highlights:
Aunt Jerri's house was packed with people and food. Yum! It was nice to catch up with everyone before playing the present game. We started out nice, but got busy stealing in no time (the Pyrex set was a hit). I ended up with an electric screw driver!
The day went by quick, but we still made time to see Robyn and Craig in Stockbridge.
Next up: Episode II: The Northeast!
Traveled up to Locust Grove, GA, on Thursday morning. Thought about leaving Wednesday night, but didn't see the need to drive all night. Besides, driving during the day meant we got to stop at the St. Augustine outlets! Hooray for new Sketchers!
Once we got to GA we had fun with Mom, Dad, Robbie, and Lindsey (his gf) just hanging out and doing Christmas. Dad made a ham and we ate off of it the whole time we were there! Maw-Maw decided not to make her traditional sausage balls for breakfast on Christmas, so Mom made (and burned) them instead :-) They were still a hit! Jen made mac & cheese to take to Aunt Jerri's house (we are married now and must contribute!).
We opened presents on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas morning to keep from being so rushed all of Christmas day. It didn't work, but it was nice to have some time to play with new toys before heading out the door. The highlights:
- iPod Nano from Jen (2GB)
- digital camera from Mom & Dad (Fuji FinePix F460)
- super cool remote from Robbie (Logitech Harmony 676)
- new printer for Jen (HP PSC 1510xi)
- cool print of Mars picture from Tom
- a chocolate fountain
- DVDs
- books
- clothes
Aunt Jerri's house was packed with people and food. Yum! It was nice to catch up with everyone before playing the present game. We started out nice, but got busy stealing in no time (the Pyrex set was a hit). I ended up with an electric screw driver!
The day went by quick, but we still made time to see Robyn and Craig in Stockbridge.
Next up: Episode II: The Northeast!
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Disclaimer
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all...
...and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2005, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great, (not to imply that America is necessarily greaterthan any other country or is the only "AMERICA" in the western hemisphere), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual preference of the wishee.
(By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.)
...and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2005, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great, (not to imply that America is necessarily greaterthan any other country or is the only "AMERICA" in the western hemisphere), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual preference of the wishee.
(By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.)
Monday, December 19, 2005
Settling in to the Space Coast
We are having fun while waiting for final mortgatge approval for the house. I have been working steadily at FSRI while Jen has been keeping up with her ZERO-G duties from Teresa's living room. This week we are getting Jen a badge and a desk at the FSRI offices at KSC so that she can get out of the house and quit watching so much daytime tv!
Last week we went back down to Ft. Lauderdale to complete my Communication Course at Landmark Education. That is a long drive for one night! We drove down for the 4-hour class completion and then turned around and headed back. Jen did most of the driving while I snoozed. Eventually we stopped for a nap at a rest area. No sense driving when you're too tired!
After that trip, we didn't go back for the ZERO-G Christmas Party on Saturday night. It would have been a great time, but we were pooped! We ended up sleeping in and then going to Timber's house for a cookout. It is so nice to have friends around so that you can get together on a Saturday night!
We stayed over at Susie's house on Saturday night so that we could all get up early and go to Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay! It was a fun drive with Paul and Susie in the car and a cheap trip as Susie used complimentary employee passes to get us in the door. The day was mostly grey and rainy, so there were very few people in the park. We rode all of the roller coasters with almost no waiting! The new coaster, ShieKra, gave some amazing free-fall time as you dangle over the top and then drop straight down over 200 feet. You can't even see the bottom! WOO-HOO! It zips you along at over 70 mph. (it feels much faster in the front row). Thanks Susie, Paul, Timber and Sniper! We had a great time.
Now it's back to work for a few days before heading up to GA. See you soon!
Last week we went back down to Ft. Lauderdale to complete my Communication Course at Landmark Education. That is a long drive for one night! We drove down for the 4-hour class completion and then turned around and headed back. Jen did most of the driving while I snoozed. Eventually we stopped for a nap at a rest area. No sense driving when you're too tired!
After that trip, we didn't go back for the ZERO-G Christmas Party on Saturday night. It would have been a great time, but we were pooped! We ended up sleeping in and then going to Timber's house for a cookout. It is so nice to have friends around so that you can get together on a Saturday night!
We stayed over at Susie's house on Saturday night so that we could all get up early and go to Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay! It was a fun drive with Paul and Susie in the car and a cheap trip as Susie used complimentary employee passes to get us in the door. The day was mostly grey and rainy, so there were very few people in the park. We rode all of the roller coasters with almost no waiting! The new coaster, ShieKra, gave some amazing free-fall time as you dangle over the top and then drop straight down over 200 feet. You can't even see the bottom! WOO-HOO! It zips you along at over 70 mph. (it feels much faster in the front row). Thanks Susie, Paul, Timber and Sniper! We had a great time.
Now it's back to work for a few days before heading up to GA. See you soon!
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