Bike Book Bread

Welcome Chase Biscuit!

2011-11-06T15:35:00.001-05:00

After about two months of background checks, a home visit and waiting, we adopted our greyhound yesterday, Chase Biscuit. He is loving, affectionate, obedient and playful - an all-around great dog.

Pain, Chase Biscuit and Homeschool

2011-10-23T18:57:00.000-04:00

So I've been MIA for a reason. Unfortunately, the last two weeks have been rather eventful. Chad traveled a bit, and while he was gone, got hit with some nastiness: a kidney infection and a kidney stone. I don't recommend either. I believe that I caught something in the ER, as well, and have only today recovered my voice and my strength. Apparently, I still have stones in my right kidney. I am awaiting an appointment with urology at Ft. Belvoir Hospital. I'm really hoping that they will approve the ultrasonic treatment (too bad the good Doctor (aka Doctor Who) couldn't just pull out his sonic screwdriver and zap 'em).

I haven't been able to teach Ingrid for an entire week... on Monday and Tuesday I was simply in too much pain. Wednesday through Friday I had no voice -- not even a whisper. It was rather pathetic.

A couple pieces of great news: our doggie adoption day has been set! We will be picking up our greyhound on November 5. Here is a picture of our dog. His race name is Chase Biscuit. We are contemplating whether or not we will re-name him. Chase is sort of growing on us.

Another good piece of news: Ingrid has started swimming with the home school swim team affiliated with the masters swim team which Chad swims, Fort Belvoir Swim Team. She is such a natural swimmer. She is the youngest and smallest on the team, and definitely NOT the slowest, and her endurance is astounding.

Chad was also able to take the girls on their very first camping trip two weeks ago over Columbus Day weekend. Our church had a father/child camp out south of here. For the first time since Ingrid was born, I was alone in my own home for a night. It was weird. And very quiet. VERY quiet.

Finally, Chad applied a couple of decals to our Subaru. A sweet greyhound profile, and a funny zombie one. Ha ha ha. I am hoping for a "Police Public Call Box" decal across the top soon :D

Wags & Whiskers

2011-09-17T14:21:00.001-04:00

We visited the Wags & Whiskers dog show today and met some very nice greyhounds at an adoption booth. None of these dogs were available for adoption. This was just a time for the girls to actually stop and spend some time with the dogs. Our landlord has approved our request to have a greyhound. However, it remains to be seen whether or not we will be approved by the agency itself.

Posted from Steph's iPad

Explaining My Absence and Some Updates

2011-09-08T12:46:00.001-04:00

Okay, I know I have been oddly uncommunicative lately.

Some of the reasons:

Chad and I spent much of this summer apart - I in Washington state with my parents for the first half of the summer, and he in Arizona and Alabama for work. We are both back home again. He will be on the road again this fall.
I am returning to homeschooling, and have been planning. And planning. And planning. Part of the problem was I could NOT find a homeschool planner for Mac. I found a web-based solution two weeks ago, and I love it: Scholaric. It is simple, robust and intuitive. Give it a try!
I've started CrossFit. See previous post. I'm in pain.
I've been a little obsessed with Doctor Who and have been on another board a bit too often... I'm a geek. What can I say?

I am hoping to keep this blog a little more up to date than I have been.

Updates:

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm homeschooling Ingrid for second grade, and from here on out, unless something radical changes. We'll start Monday.
Ilsa starts kindergarten on Monday at a local church-run school. There are only nine children in her class, and it is half-day. We just do not see the need for full day kindergarten for her.
We're trying to eat more "Paleo." Chad has tried to convince me it is the way to go, and I'm not 100% convinced. I know people really get great results with it, but I am BikeBookBREAD after all! And it isn't like I am making my bread with shortening and chemicals... I grind wheat, etc. We bought a juicer to help support the Paleo way of eating. That has been a lot of fun... and DELICIOUS!
We survived Irene. Of course, I'm blogging this, aren't I?
The rain here in Virginia has been UNREAL -- much worse than anything Irene spat at us.

Well I guess that's all for now.

Bunnies Broke Up

2011-09-04T16:58:00.001-04:00

Chad secretly recorded Ilsa singing this extemporaneous song about bunnies breaking up. It is a bit long, but watch until the end. We can't stop laughing.

You may think me insane, but actually, I have come to my senses

2011-09-02T11:12:00.000-04:00

I have joined CrossFit Old Town. Yep. Me + CrossFit. Don't know what CrossFit is? Watch:

Yep. I'm doing this. Well, not THIS much weight.

I'll keep you updated... after I can walk again. My quads are jelly, and my back is stiff as a board.

The Apple Store of Pizza-Dom

2011-09-01T14:21:00.001-04:00

Found this pizza place in Pentagon Row mall. Naked pizza storefront is clean and inviting. The ingredients are all natural. The crust is 10 grain including prebiotic agave fibre and probiotics. We are sitting here waiting for our order and I am salivating!

Posted from Steph's iPad

SciFi awesomeness

2011-09-01T14:15:00.001-04:00

Found at William Sonoma:

Posted from Steph's iPad

Riot Wheel (Re-Invention Of The) wheel.©

2011-08-27T08:26:00.000-04:00

This is so Mad Max!

I wonder how it would hold in a hurricane. Looks stout.

Hurricane Irene...

2011-08-26T10:20:00.002-04:00

We are now officially under a Tropical storm warning. Ugh.

We won't be hit with hurricane force winds, but our power will most likely go down tomorrow. Dominion Power Has told us to be prepared to be without power for days, not hours. We will be spending today prepping. Chad is off to find dry ice and prepare our Craig's List generator. I am off to buy supplies.

God protect us all.

Posted from Steph's iPad

Virginia - Disaster Central!

2011-08-23T17:28:00.001-04:00

So we were sitting in a restaurant on the ground floor of a 200 or so year old building in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. The room began to shake, dust was coming from the walls, and Chad shouted, "Earthquake! Earthquake! Earthquake! Everybody out!"

Only ourselves and the staff left the restaurant. The rest started laughing and looking up at the ceiling. Didn't anyone notice that we were in the bottom floor? Of an old rickety buiding? With 2 ton beams overhead and walls made of brick and plaster? Wo knows how serious it is going to be... And what about aftershocks and gas leaks? Sure it ended up not being as bad as it could have been. But come on people! Use your brains!

When we left the building, smart people were out in the street rather than on the sidewalks, a smart idea given the fact that the walls of the buildings are lined with bricks. Old bricks. Old loose bricks.

We paid for our food and took it to-go. When we got home, being the good homeschooling mama that I am, I got on the web and showed the girls the science of earthquakes on the computer. (Our phone lines our spotty, but web connection remains good. Cellular coverage is very iffy as well.)

Ilsa drew this picture from what she learned:

Next excitement may be arriving on Sunday: the remnants of Hurricane Irene, but I am not going to borrow worry from tomorrow.

Posted from Steph's iPad

newest offering from apple?

2011-08-07T06:49:00.001-04:00

Untitled, a photo by BikeBookBread on Flickr.

Nice people

2011-08-04T16:21:00.001-04:00

We are in Charlottesville at the moment. Chad was sent here to take a class at the Army JAG school at the University of Virginia. Every morning on the way to class, we have stopped to buy a cup of coffee and a morning pastry at a lovely shop called Hot Cakes. This morning, Ingrid went in with him and was admiring a little cow creamer. A man asked Chad if he could buy it for her. He proceeded to pick up Chad's entire order -- coffee, pastries, etc. Chad was in uniform... Now I don't know if this was one of the reasons he did it, but it was such a kind gesture. It turns out he was a friend of the owners of the shop.

We went back this afternoon and bought some beautiful desserts for this evening. So if you are ever in Charlottesville, check out HotCakes.

Ingrid excited about the goodies.

Ilsa "kissing" the ladybug cupcakes.

Posted from Steph's iPad

Minot Flood 2011

2011-07-13T15:01:00.000-04:00

How soon we forget... the Minot, ND floods

2011-07-12T12:10:00.001-04:00

I am suddenly struck by how fast the national consciousness forgets. I forgot. I lived in this beautiful community for three years. And I forgot. Just a short few weeks ago, my former home was overrun by flooding.

I received an email this morning from our best friends who left Minot to start a church in Ft. Collins, Colorado asking for prayer and humbly requesting financial assistance for their trip (they'll be sleeping on the floor of our former church, making their own meals, etc.) back to Minot to help rebuild friends' homes.

I went to our former church's website. I am in shock. They posted a Google map with markers indicating all of the families -- OUR FRIENDS -- who have been "displaced" by the flood. What a humble way to say they lost their homes, our former pastor's family included. His home remains underwater.

Please would you pray for this wonderful community? It isn't a flashy place to live -- North Dakota -- but it is filled with the kindest and most giving people my husband and I have ever met in our entire lives. We have said this over and over and over again since we left. I have rarely cried when leaving a location (I usually cry when we arrive at the new place knowing the hard work of replanting roots). But I wept as we sped past the city limits of Minot, ND.

Here is more information about the flood.

Thank you friends.

Too Late to Apologize: A Declaration

2011-07-05T00:58:00.000-04:00

I've been a bit... MIA lately. But I just had to post this video.

Happy Independence Friends!

Ilsa's paper art princess costume

2011-06-30T12:44:00.000-04:00

Ilsa is definitely creative. Give her a ream of paper, a roll of tape and a stapler, and she is set for a few hours.

Coolest Kindergartner in the Multiverse

2011-06-14T07:01:00.000-04:00

Where's the TARDIS contest winner!!

2011-06-13T17:44:00.000-04:00

So here's the winner... I don't think that my sad little crocheted TARDIS (which I never finished) could have held a candle to the ice fishing hut built by this family. FANTASTIC! to quote Nine! Molto bene' to quote Ten. I don't know what Eleven says... Geronimo!!!! I suppose.

Tardis Entry #345 | Where's The Tardis?

Memorial Day 2011

2011-05-30T15:19:00.004-04:00

Please take the time to read this article. The soldier was the brother of my mother-in-law's good friend.

These are pictures taken today while out and about in and around Where George Walked, VA.

Arlington National Cemetery

Flag half-mast at the Pentagon

Wreath laid during a City of Arlington/VFW memorial service

City of Arlington Memorial Pillar

Honor Guard

Stones were from originally from a memorial adjacent to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery (yes, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier... that was the former name of the Tomb of the Unknowns). I believe that it was erected in the early 1930's.

In Memory of Those Who Sacrificed Their All

2011-05-30T10:51:00.001-04:00

Arlington National Cemetery, Memorial Day 2011

View from the pool

2011-05-29T16:37:00.001-04:00

We signed up for a season pass at the Ft. Belvior O Club pool. Feels like we are at a posh resort. 3 pools, snack bar, tons of lifeguards. It is so wonderful!

Picking Honeysuckle

2011-05-25T08:39:00.001-04:00

Ilsa has discovered the deliciousness that is Honeysuckle. Every morning after we drop off Ingrid, she fills a ziplock with blossoms to "eat" on the way home. Ahhhhhh... spring in Where George Walked is lovely!

Doctor Hoooooooooooooo

2011-05-21T07:37:00.004-04:00

Isn't this clever? This DeviantArt image was t-shirt on Threadless.com recently.
Unfortunately already sold out. Vote to re-print!

Mr Bean - At the Beach

2011-05-17T16:02:00.000-04:00

My girls have never laughed so hard... don't know that I can say I've laughed so hardly lately either!

Adventures of Tin Tin

2011-05-17T09:11:00.000-04:00

Tintin by teasertrailer

Whovians, watch until the very end and note the screenwriter. SQUEEE!!!!

homemade toys

2011-05-13T18:49:00.001-04:00

homemade toys, a set on Flickr.

Today, the girls built their own computers. Ilsa announced that hers is a Mac. Ingrid said hers is a laptop. Hee hee :)

A working lunch

2011-05-13T12:10:00.000-04:00

Ingrid "built" a computer with an old keyboard she found in the basement. She told me she was looking for clothes on the Nordstrom website. Uh oh...

was this planned?

2011-05-12T13:51:00.000-04:00

Found here.

10 things for which i'm thankful

2011-05-10T07:32:00.002-04:00

It has been TOO LONG since I have counted my blessings... You know the rules, these are in no particular order:

Homemade pancakes
Mr. BikeMan is back in the saddle and commuting...and all but one of his many doctors have released him fully, and off of the antibiotics
I've been a mommy for 7 years now! Mother's Day was lovely
Summer break is 41 days away, and Ingy will be back home!
The tire swing
Longer days, and the girls don't want to come in at night...they want to play and play and play outside
There are lots of girls in this neighborhood...nice girls for our girls to play with late into the evening
Swimming lessons begin tonight
Our healthy garden -- looking forward to cucumbers, beans, peas, carrots, tomatoes and peppers
Mr. BikeMan signed up for the men's retreat at church -- a first in our married life. We've never attended a church that held a men's retreat that he actually felt would be beneficial to attend. This is a big deal.

if you've never watched Doctor Who...

2011-05-10T07:22:00.002-04:00

This is the episode you will want to watch...apparently. Coming this Saturday to BBCAmerica (or in our case, at 12:01 am Sunday via iTunes)

And tell me if I'm crazy (I'm fixated on my theory that Rory is a fobbed Time Lord, BTW). At 22 seconds, I think this is RORY...

Doctor Who 6:3: Curse of the Black Spot Prequel

2011-05-04T15:47:00.001-04:00

royal wedding recap

2011-05-02T17:37:00.000-04:00

I'm sure there is very little to add that hasn't been said: lovely bride, gorgeous dress, happy groom, cool carriages, handsome military men, pomp, Anglophenia Overload...

I wrote out the following blog post, but forgot to make it live :)-
****************

It's 5:04 am here. I got up at 4:45 to watch live streaming on BBC.

Watching the guests arrive...

Love their musical choices for the arrival of the guests. The ensemble is playing a particularly lovely arrangement of Greensleeves right now. Beautiful.

This Anglophile is in a state of Anglophelia Ecstasy...

THE PRINCES JUST ARRIVED!!!! Squeee!!! I feel like I'm 11 again, watching the wedding of Charles and Diana!

*********'

I'm back... it is now 8:13 am. I went upstairs at 5:45 and woke up Ingrid so that she could make a memory :) She was pretty groggy, but woke up quickly. She wasn't quite as interested as I thought she would be. She is only 7 after all. But she had a lot of questions:

"Why can't the people in the church see the wedding?"
"Why are the bridesmaids so little?"
"Why are they kneeling?"
"What's with all of those huge hats? They are getting in the way."
"Why didn't the Prince and Princess kiss each other after they got married?"
Then a declaration: "But I wanted to marry Prince William!"

Post-wedding reflections:

Glad to see Kate wearing such a beautiful, classic and cathedral-appropriate dress. Stunning. Perfect. Memorable. Timeless.

The order of service was lovely. Beautiful Bible readings. Perfect hymns. Loved the John Rutter anthem written for the occasion. (I'm a choral music snob.)

I don't understand all British traditions. Why would Prince William wear the uniform (even honorarily) of an Irish Guard colonel when he is neither a colonel nor in the Irish Guard, but in the RAF? British friends, please explain. Not that he didn't look spectacular, though.

Well, off to take Ingrid to school. I'm sure she'll be dozey today. I don't care. This will be one of those memories of a lifetime, even if she doesn't think so right now.

Old Presbyterian Meeting House

2011-05-02T17:30:00.000-04:00

On the way home from work tonight, Mr. BikeMan stumbled upon one of those great places that are everywhere here Where George Walked: the Old Presbyterian Meeting House Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary Soldier.

The cemetery holds over 300 "inhabitants" and is smaller than our modest back yard.

The church is still very active, and has a membership of around 1,000. The congregation was founded in 1760. They called their first pastor in 1772, and the first meeting house built in 1775.

Royal Wedding - sort of...

2011-05-02T08:10:00.001-04:00

I know it's everywhere, but this made me smile...

I love family businesses!

2011-04-30T10:22:00.001-04:00

In the age of big box retail and corporate behemoths, we are lucky to have this family-owned gas station just 3 minutes from our home.

Today they are celebrating their 50th anniversary. Congratulations!

The service station attendants pump your gas. They are friendly and genuinely cheerful. Their repair service is excellent. A few times a week, the wife of the original owner works as cashier.

severe thunderstorm has hit

2011-04-28T10:50:00.000-04:00

Hard to tell just how hard it is raining in these pictures, but you can tell it's heavy, looking at the puddles in the street. It has only been raining about 3 minutes.

Buttercups...

2011-04-28T09:36:00.000-04:00

Stephanie J.

so what do YOU do when there's a tornado watch?

2011-04-28T06:46:00.000-04:00

You play with bubbles, of course. The humidity was really high, so the bubbles lasted forever. For your information, here is a great bubble solution recipe that I found on the giant bubble wand package:

24 ounces (3 cups) dishwashing liquid (original blue Dawn works best)

3/4 cup corn syrup

12 cups water

Mix and play!

There were tornadoes very close to us, but none in our immediate area. Still under a watch until 8:00 am this morning, with severe thunderstorm warning for the day.

How Are Mac & PC People Different? [INFOGRAPHIC]

2011-04-26T07:31:00.000-04:00

How Are Mac & PC People Different? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Very interesting. For the record, I have a Mac. Some of the points are 100% right on target, some aren't. But more are than aren't. Not the politics, though.

Scooter princess

2011-04-25T10:43:00.001-04:00

garden tomb tableau

2011-04-23T22:08:00.000-04:00

A church in our neighborhood has set up a garden tomb with two Roman guards keeping watch all weekend. I took the girls down to see it this afternoon, and the guards stayed in character. The girls were really scared of them, though, and refused to ask or answer questions. Pretty neat, though.

beautiful tribute to elisabeth sladen

2011-04-23T17:48:00.003-04:00

I didn't know Sally Forth was a Whovian...

2011-04-23T17:10:00.005-04:00

My friend Molly sent this to me. Ha ha ha! Click to read...

don't wanna wake you up...

2011-04-18T06:41:00.001-04:00

Said Ilsa at approximately 4:30 this morning:

"Mommy! Mommy! I just want you to know that I'm going to the bathroom. But I won't flush the toilet because I don't want to wake you up."

Mr. BikeMan built his first wheel!

2011-04-17T16:14:00.001-04:00

Chad had the privilege of learning how to build a bicycle wheel from one of the best wheel builders on the East coast. Here is the fruit of his labor. He'll be building his second wheel soon.

Note the absence of crutches and the presence of two real shoes! Whoopee!

Happy 50th Anniversary Mom & Dad

2011-04-17T07:26:00.001-04:00

Doctor Who: 47 Years in 6 Minutes

2011-04-15T18:10:00.000-04:00

wordless wednesday on thursday - signs of spring

2011-04-14T09:08:00.000-04:00

words of wisdom

2011-04-14T09:03:00.001-04:00

Ingrid and Ilsa have had the privilege of television-watching taken away this week due to fighting with each other. Water under the bridge.

In the 5 days since they have watched television, they have gotten along better (not perfectly, of course), played outside constantly -- even in the rain. Ingrid has read non-stop and Ilsa has made a ton of funny little art projects using paper, glue, tape, scraps, photos and staples.

The icing on the cake came this morning when Ilsa announced at breakfast, "Mommy, I don't even want to watch anymore for a while because I don't want my brain to get soft."

Buzz Lightyear vs. Dalek

2011-04-13T09:16:00.001-04:00

Publish Post

Found this quite humorous. Watch to the very end to see who is supreme.

Ilsa sings and plays music from Doctor Who

2011-04-12T14:55:00.002-04:00

I guess my love of all things Who has rubbed off on Ilsa...

It's hard to recognize, but she is singing the Doctor Who theme song, and playing a song from the 5th season of Doctor Who.

Catherine Tate - the offensive translator

2011-04-12T07:04:00.001-04:00

I can't stop watching this. This character that Catherine Tate plays on her sketch comedy show always volunteers for stuff she can't do - helping out a friend practice her tennis game, fill in on a curling team, etc... "I can do that!" just flies out of her mouth -- she can't say no.

The first time Chad and I watched this, I fell off of the couch that I was laughing so hard.

SPACE Blogs: Neil Gaiman's Episode of Doctor Who "Will Break Your Heart"

2011-04-11T10:23:00.000-04:00

SPACE Blogs: Neil Gaiman's Episode of Doctor Who "Will Break Your Heart"

If you want to be spoiled, click. If you don't, then don't. The clip is very interesting, though, and not completely spoilery. The spoiler is pretty big, though, and pertains to the upcoming Season 6 episode, "The Doctor's Wife".

Sound of Music | Central Station Antwerp (Belgium)

2011-04-10T18:12:00.000-04:00

Flash mob in Antwerp, Belgium in 2009. How did I miss this one? 22.6 million views on YouTube...

please pray for our friend Alan

2011-04-09T16:53:00.001-04:00

Our friend Alan is undergoing testing to determine if he may or may not have leukemia. He is a wonderful husband and father to three young children. Please pray for his family during this trying time.

shutdown avoided... for now

2011-04-09T08:07:00.002-04:00

I'm not gonna blog about this. Just sayin'...why did it take until 23:59:59 to come to a conclusion? Big fat stinkin' Good Grief!!!

how the gov't shutdown will affect our family

2011-04-08T15:29:00.001-04:00

Half pay. HALF PAY!! But Congress gets paid.
Military commissaries (grocery stores) shut down
Military medical treatment facilities shut down except for ER care, if you are lucky enough to live near a medical facility even with ER
No referrals via TriCare for medical treatment, because TriCare appointment line will be shut down
Offices devoid of civilian employees; Mr. BikeMan's office is over half-staffed with civilians

This is what I could think of off of the top of my head. I'm sure there will be more.

I'm fuming right now.

so who this Doctor is that Steph constantly blogs about?

2011-04-07T16:42:00.002-04:00

Watch this. It'll explain it all...

For what it's worth, 11 (Matt Smith) is not my Doctor, 10 (David Tennant) is. Everyone has their favorite, and most will argue vehemently in favor of their favorite.

Wellllllllll......

2011-04-06T17:49:00.000-04:00

Two more weeks of IV antibiotics for Chad, and after that, two weeks of oral antibiotics. I'm glad that his doctor is taking a conservative approach, honestly. Better safe than sorry in this case.

Ingrid Administering Infusion

2011-04-06T08:18:00.004-04:00

Chad finds out today if this is he will no longer need infusions of antibiotics. Praying that this is the case, as this would mean his infection is under control!

He asked Ingrid to administer his "last" infusion. She was very methodical and careful, and only had to re-wash her hands twice after coughing on them.

Come Ye Sinners -- Indelible Grace Style

2011-04-05T06:55:00.001-04:00

"Come Ye Sinners" by Matthew Smith from Matthew Smith on Vimeo.

Saw this on Challies this morning. Had to re-post. I love hymns. As our pastor said on Sunday, good worship is not an invention of this generation. I have no problem with singing hymns absolutely as written, but I also love when hymns are adapted with modern instruments, IF they don't change the general melody or intention of the composition. This is a good example of a well-done "modernized" hymn. (I hesitate to use that term even. Blergh...)

very sophisticated humor

2011-04-03T07:00:00.000-04:00

Ilsa found out she can stuff her "stuffy" pillow into her pants. Nothing has ever made her laugh so hard. Ever. I don't know that I've ever seen Chad laugh so hard, either. Definitely not the most sophisticated humor... but very, very funny.

ANOTHER Doctor Who Preview!!

2011-04-01T13:28:00.002-04:00

This preview is specifically for American audiences. Love the James Dean nod at the end :)

Doctor Who - Full Length Trailer for New Series 2011 - BBC One

2011-03-30T18:22:00.000-04:00

Tell me if I'm crazy, but if you watch VERY, VERY carefully, there are two places where a TARDIS is seen that is NOT 11's TARDIS. There's no St. John's Ambulance round sticker when the TARDIS is spinning through space, and there are those coral-looking struts from 9 and 10's TARDIS at the :37 second mark, and it looks Rory and Amy are watching 10? regenerate...

Is someone coming back? EEEEEEEE!!!!!!! Probably not, but just in case... EEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

Pray for ingrid

2011-03-30T10:38:00.001-04:00

Ingy has a migraine. Just got back from the doctor. She has been referred to a neurologist but it will take days to get in. She is really sufferring.

Robin Hood was here

2011-03-29T09:11:00.003-04:00

There is trouble afoot in Sherwood Forest (literally...this neighborhood is called Sherwood Hall). HA! Found this walking on the way to school this morning. Alas, Jonas Armstrong did not jump out from behind the tree...

PS this is my first ever mobile blog post!

i switched my blogger account...

2011-03-28T17:02:00.003-04:00

Mr. BikeMan and I are in the process of streamlining our electronic communications now that we've entered the 21st century and have purchased smart phones.

One thing I did was move this blog onto my new e-mail. However, when I did so, the blogs I was following disappeared...I didn't think to copy them down. I'm sorry if yours disappeared!

what Ingrid learned at school this week...

2011-03-28T14:59:00.007-04:00

"Boys go to Jupiter

To get more stupider."

And the second verse which we came up with at home:

"Girls go to Mars

To eat candy bars."

I tried to explain the grammatical error of her first poem, but she didn't think that my grammatically correct version had the same ring:

"Boys go to Jupiter

To get stupider."

And then Chad had to chime and tell her that if girls went to Mars too often to eat candy bars, that they, in fact, were the stupider ones because they would have to go on a diet.

recycling

2011-03-28T09:24:00.006-04:00

What do you do when your favorite tights get holes in the knees? You take them to Daddy of course, for garment modification.

"Daddy, how do I tape them back together?"

"You don't, Ilsa. But look! Now you have a pair of bike shorts, socks or wait! You could even wear them as arm warmers!"

And then with further modification, you get slippers.

Happy March 27...

2011-03-27T08:48:00.001-04:00

DSC01778, originally uploaded by BikeBookBread.

Friday March 18 = 83 degrees
Sunday March 27 = 31 degrees

SQUEEEE!!!!!

2011-03-25T12:36:00.004-04:00

Sorry I can't make this smaller... But I don't care! It's the Doctor Who Season Six Prequel -- AND IT'S CREEPY! Counting down to April 23, 2011...

world's smallest horse

2011-03-25T10:38:00.003-04:00

Einstein the horse is only 20 inches tall!!! You have to see this article...

trash

2011-03-24T09:33:00.005-04:00

Administering Heparin

Seven days worth of supplies.

Trash generated by one day's infusion of antibiotic

I am amazed how much trash is generated by Chad's daily antibiotic infusion: three saline syringes, wrappers and lids; two heparin syringes, wrappers and lids; six alcohol wipettes and wrappers; the actual medication "onion bulb." Plus, Multiply by 28 days (4 weeks). Add in the actual PICC line "port" changes, the dressing changes once a week by the visiting nurse... I'm amazed by the amount of JUNK that is generated!

ilsaism

2011-03-19T07:33:00.004-04:00

"I need to let out a cough."

very, very bummed...my sourdough starter molded

2011-03-16T12:53:00.002-04:00

I grew my own wild yeast sourdough starter several years ago while we were in Tucson. I blogged about it.

I have really neglected it, but it was safe and nestled (so I though) in my fridge in a glass jar. Unfortunately, something had gotten to it. It molded.

Back to square one.

update on Mr. BikeMan

2011-03-16T11:18:00.006-04:00

So... why do you think I have this look on my face? And why is Ilsa hiding? Read on..

The scene:

The surgeon's office.

The event:

The impending removal of Chad's wound packing.

There's a video of the actual event, but only for the very stout of heart. View at your own risk. This is your final warning! Mu ha ha ha ha ha! But it is strangely compelling and morbidly fascinating as well. Sort of reminds me of a magician pulling an unending scarf out of his fist.

We did learn some troubling things about the infection, though. Apparently, once you have staph, you have staph. It may be controlled, but it is never fully eradicated. It can be triggered by another illness or injury. Chad wasn't so happy to hear this news. He's off of work several more weeks, and catching up on reading, White Horse Inn podcasts, and other fun stuff.

epic bed head - wordless wednesday

2011-03-16T08:51:00.002-04:00

DSC01678, originally uploaded by BikeBookBread.

Doctor Who Paper Art!!!

2011-03-15T17:06:00.003-04:00

These are just too, too cool! Here is link to the website to print and cut.

As soon as I make one, I'll take a picture and post it :)

so glad so glad so glad so glad...

2011-03-11T12:55:00.006-05:00

I DON'T HAVE TO CHANGE HIS PACKING!!!!

Just got back from Chad's post-op appointment. The doctor looked at me rather incredulously when I asked him when I was going to learn how to re-pack his wound. He sort of laughed and said, "Everyone tries to do my work for me..." The nurse was HAPPILY wrong. I do NOT have to do this! I may have to change a dressing, which is fine.

Chad uttered some fantastic things under his breath as the doctor removed his packing. EXCRUCIATING...

At this point, Ilsa looked at Daddy, took off her hooded parka, turned it around backwards so that the hood was hanging off of the front of her head to obscure her vision. To quote her, "I'm hiding my head. I don't like that foot."

I don't know that I could do it. His bone is exposed. It is just gruesome. Period. And honestly, not much freaks me out, but this DID.

Looks like he will be off of work at least two more weeks.

I won't post pix. If you like that sort of thing, e-mail me and I'll be more than HAPPY to share :/-

the little shop

2011-03-10T17:44:00.003-05:00

I just had to post the sign from The Little Shop. I went in the day we checked Chad out of the hospital, thinking that maybe, just maybe, I'd find a fellow Whovian inside, or at least someone who might understand the reference. No such luck. I didn't even ask.

YAY! He's home!!!

2011-03-10T08:50:00.003-05:00

Visiting infusion nurse came and taught me how to administer the antibiotics to Chad's PICC line at 7:30 this morning. It isn't hard, but I was a bit nervous. Now, after 6 syringes, I feel like an old pro! :)

It will take about 40 minutes from start to finish, every morning, at the same time. I'll start the line before I drop Ingrid off at school, and then it'll be done by the time we get home.

The nurse was very kind and patient with me, even when I emptied an entire syringe of saline on the floor the first time I tried to prime one. Heh heh heh...

We continue to be so thankful for the kind help and prayers of all of our family, old friends and new friends!

Chad update - early morning Wednesday 3/9/11

2011-03-09T06:35:00.006-05:00

He's coming home today! At least that's the plan as of 6:40 am.

Please give God the Glory along with us! And if you would, please pray for the following:

PRAISE! The infection was common staph, and not common MRSA or hospital-borne MRSA.
PRAISE! The physicians, technicians and nursing staff have been methodical, brilliant, lovely, fun, caring, attentive and careful.
PRAISE! We are so very, very thankful for the outpouring of support, comfort and physical care offered and received by friends and strangers alike from church and through Steph's connection with the Well-Trained Mind homeschooling message board. She even received an offer of help from a complete stranger -- a barista at Starbucks.
Pain management at home, and the ability to manage sterility here. Eradication of the nausea and constant headache from the necessary, but very potent pain medicine.
We have stairs. Lots of 'em. We need to find the best place for him to settle.
For the infection to be completely controlled.
Ingrid's health -- her bug just keeps coming back.
Emotional strength.
For full healing, ultimately, so that Chad would be able to return to his former level of physical activity.
That his job would not be impacted negatively by this situation.

Chad update - evening

2011-03-07T22:41:00.002-05:00

Chad's surgery was successful, however, it appears the infection did make its way into the bone. Waiting for cultures to come back to confirm with which antibiotic doctors will proceed.

Thanks for your prayers, calls, emails... please know that they are much appreciated, even if I have not personally responded yet. I'm beat... I need to be off to bed now...

Love,

Steph

Chad Update - 13:40 Monday 3/7/11

2011-03-07T13:36:00.004-05:00

What I know new:

Surgery scheduled for 3:00 today (Monday 3/7/11) to flush the wound

Looks like staph or MRSA - pathology will come back tomorrow

Pain management seems to be working better

PICC line will be inserted tomorrow for 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy; line will be inserted to the vein nearest his heart.

chad update: having surgery today (Monday 3/7)

2011-03-07T06:43:00.004-05:00

Sometime today (probably this morning) Chad is having surgery. They will be opening his ankle/leg and irrigating it with disinfecting solution. I don't know the specifics. Would you add this to your prayer list? Thanks.

went dark ginger

2011-03-06T13:40:00.001-05:00

Photo on 2011-03-06 at 13.38, originally uploaded by BikeBookBread.

Hard to tell here, but I even went darker on Thursday. Just had a chance to upload the photo now...

It is quite a bit redder in natural light than it looks in the photo.

haven't seen any Cat-Nurse-Nuns...yet...

2011-03-06T13:12:00.004-05:00

Haven't seen any Cat-Nurse-Nuns...yet...

In the midst of Chad's very serious medical situation, I did find a moment of humor while sitting in the ER waiting room watching the hospital info-channel loop over and over again. Doctor Who fans will understand...

The Doctor would be sooooooo pleased!

prayer request for mr. bikeman please

2011-03-06T08:40:00.002-05:00

Two weeks ago Thursday, Chad had ankle surgery to repair recently-discovered damage from his bike accident back in October of 2008. He had been walking around on two two tendons and a bone chip...no wonder it kept swelling up. He had just retuned to work on Thursday, and his ankle was quite swollen and sore. Friday the swelling worsened, and was very painful by Friday night. On Saturday morning, he woke up physically ill and his ankle was red and grotesquely swollen, and very red from mid-calf down.

I took him to the ER and he was admitted soon thereafter with a very serious infection in his surgical sight. Infectious disease doc believes he caught staph in the surgery. He's in hospital for at least 5 - 7 days with IV antibiotics, and then he'll have a pic line placed for six weeks of home-injections.

He's in an awful lot of pain and it's a serious situation.

Thank you friends and faithful readers...

I have pictures but I won't post them... you don't want to see. Seriously.

at wits end...

2011-03-02T09:20:00.004-05:00

I have been having a tough time with Ingy Badingy lately. We've been at loggerheads. She's been in a state of discipline more times than not, which for her has meant no TV. Pure torture. Her attitude has been sour, her words poorly-chosen: snippy and disrespectful. She is mean to her sister. She's been selfish. I've read "the books" and "done" the suggestions. I know it's a heart issue -- I really do.

I drove her to school today after another morning of battling, I was in tears all the way home. I just am discouraged...the specter of another 11 years of this broken relationship is daunting.

I was going through some of my old blog posts, and found this encouragement. Hope it's a shot in the arm for you today, too. I know I needed it.

Congratulations Colin! I couldn't say it any better...

2011-03-01T11:36:00.002-05:00

I don't want to reinvent the wheel, so I'm directing you over to my favorite blog, Enchanted Serenity of Period Films:

Enchanted Serenity of Period Films: The King's Speech reigns at the Oscars!

Congratulations!!

Now if we can find a babysitter, maybe Mr. BikeMan and I will actually get to SEE this movie before it's on Netflix.

highly recommended!

2011-03-01T11:33:00.002-05:00

If you love history as much I do, then you will want to watch the HBO miniseries, John Adams. Mr. BikeMan put this on our Netflix queue a month ago, and we just finished watching the six-episode series. It is apparently quite historically accurate (save a bit of dramatic embellishment). Watch it. You won't be disappointed.

please vote in the ginger vs. brunette poll...

2011-03-01T07:59:00.001-05:00

See the pics and vote to the left...

Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller in Danny Boyle's Frankenstein ...

2011-03-01T06:54:00.001-05:00

A critically acclaimed production of Frankenstein is running in London with Benedict Cumberbatch as the Creature and Jonny Lee Miller as Victor Frankenstein. I can't get the widget to work, but it might work for you. See if it's being shown in your city.

air and space smithsonian tour

2011-02-26T17:45:00.002-05:00

I had the distinct pleasure of going on a guided tour of Air & Space museum today. A man at the church that we attend is the director of education for the museum, and offered to take a group on a tour. I got so much more out of those two hours than I would ever have on my own. Hope you enjoy the virtual tour! I almost killed the battery on my camera!

vote - brunette or ginger?

2011-02-23T14:17:00.010-05:00

Stay Ginger? or...

Go back to Brunette?

Which do you vote??? Should I keep the red? It's actually A LOT redder in person. There's a poll on the left.

The pictures of myself are lame...I'm the picture taker in the family, and generally the official picture taker doesn't get pictures taken of themselves, do they?

ilsa's hot new wheels

2011-02-22T12:45:00.004-05:00

It became very apparent yesterday that Ilsa has outgrown her cute, pink bike. So a trip to the bike shop was in order...

Ilsa is very proud of her big girl bike with REAL BLACK TIRES, because "only little girl bikes have white tires."

She had also outgrown her helmet, which was a hand-me-down from a 2 year old Ingrid if you can believe it. We found one with....LADYBUGS!

"Thank you Mommy and Daddy, I ADORE my new bike!" - Ilsa

my heart is weeping

2011-02-22T11:34:00.004-05:00

Pirates have killed four Americans.

disney princessification

2011-02-20T12:26:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I took the girls to see Disney on Ice, Princess Dreams. It was a bunch of hoo-haa about "if you wish it, it can come true". Truly don't think they caught onto the silly storyline about wishing and dreams, etc...they just wanted to see Ariel and the gang spin and jump on the ice -- and they ate it up. It was a pretty great show, especially the portions with The Little Mermaid...none of those pictures turned out though.

Belle, Lumiere and the cutlery.

Ilsa and her uber-expensive Tinkerbell spinner.

Ingrid is A LOT happier than she looks. She just hates having her picture taken.

Ditto the comment above.

one dream I hope doesn't come true.

2011-02-19T07:03:00.004-05:00

Last night Ingrid dreamed I had 200,000 babies, well toddlers because they could talk a bit. They were all being mean to her, so she told them to, "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" They didn't stop, so she hid them in the closet. That must've been a big closet.