Vicissitudes

My Twin Boys

I am far from an example minimalist however my efforts have successfully streamlined our kitchen, mud room and most documents.  I’ve read how many with children minimize however I have not yet read of any family with eight children, let alone twins.  I am sure they are out there.  Today I built two baby swings, I have two high chairs, two bouncers, two, two, two!  So how am I going to continue my minimalist efforts when everything will now come in pairs doubling the things in the house?  I’m not sure yet.   I will need to invest some thought into this.  This situation is not simply removing things we don’t use.  A lot will involve working with family during holidays and birthdays to direct their gifts toward needed things and not toys that will clutter our untouched playroom or basement filled with toys (filled does not fully explain!).  Better yet, maybe gifts of events to share the experience not physical gifts would be even better.

I have a stereotypical image of those who are truly minimalist would not even think of so many children, I hope I am incorrect and will one day prove a minimal lifestyle is achievable with a large family in the suburbs.  First I have to convince my wife and extended family that less is more.

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Before

I attacked the mudroom the other day. I thought this would have been an hour job at most, even in the condition it was in. I think it took me three hours but it was with the effort.

After pushing everything that was on the floor out to the kitchen I started throwing jackets and boxes from the shelf. Once everything was out I could see how big that little mudroom really is (it’s a mudroom so I did not gain a bedroom).  A few days later it is still looking pretty good.

One step at a time.

After

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I’ve had enough! My basement looks like the fallout of al toy store explosion, I wash dishes for 33 people and have things stacked everywhere. The other day I opened a drawer and instead of grabbing something or shoving something else back in to hide it, I dumped it out. After analysing the contents I started putting things back in that actually had a use, and that I used within the past month. The rest went into the garbage. I was so excited I opened another drawer and did the same thing. Three garbage bags later most of my kitchen was ready for the curb. The rest that survived were essentials, useful and probaly could use another chopping in a week or two with fresh eyes. This activity is beginning to consume me, everywhere I look I see clutter and items we have kept for no good reason. I am browsing the web searching for sites that give minimalist advice (I will post some links) and now I do not have enough time in the day to reduce. I do not want to burn out so I will start to take a planned attack on the house. Addressing each section of each room in its own time.

The task of making the entire house minimalist is not going to be easy with seven childen and a wife who likes stuff. I will somehow succeed, convert the family to my thinking or find some middle ground where everyone is comfortable. The kitchen is almost done, I have to get to the high shelves and above the fridge, next will be the office… I should post a few before and after photos.

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Today I was working away in my relatively sterile office (yes I alcohol regularly) and someone comes walking in. I can feel the germs fleeing his body and jumping onto my shoulders, neck and head as he stands above me.

I cringe deep into my seat assessing my options of the door or the window to escape.

He starts to talk about the issue he is having pronounced with a cough here and there.  I can hardly focus on what he is asking with the thought of this mass of germs and viral bacteria building on my skin.

Deeper I sink, trying to ignore the virus now spreading through my sanctuary.

Then! The worst happens! I feel a small, cold spot gently moisten my right ear which can only be the teaming Germ & Virus soup splash from his mouth. Without hesitation I reach for my beloved Purell and rub down the dripping and infected area. Then from deep within the hell’s keep of his lungs he trumpeted a resounding, unobstructed cough summoning the armies of germs and viruses to attack.

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At 1:00pm EST Apple and AT&T released the carrier software necessary for all AT&T iPhones to finally send and receive MMS messages.  I just updated my iPhone, rebooted and sent my first iPhone MMS photo.  It was a photo of me to my brother.  Rather uneventful but It looks like it worked!

To update make sure your iPhone is plugged into your computer then go to:

iTunes / your iPhone.
Click the ‘Check for Update’ button.
Let it download for about two second and sync to your phone.
Be sure to power off your iPhone by holding down the top button.  Then turn it back on the same way.

When you go into Messages and either create a new message or click on an existing conversation you will see a camera on the bottom left.  Click that and enjoy!  I am sure many will be upgrading their text messaging plans to unlimited soon.

Let’s see how long it will take to stress AT&T’s network.

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I added a few new photos from the summer over at paterek.us.  Not too many.  They are the last ones under Summer Fun 09.

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Putting information into the right hands is critical.  Those entrusted with special information are accountable for how they handle and what they do with that information.  When information is not handled properly, bad things happen or a situation occurs which is less than acceptable.  I am once again forced into addressing an issue which should not need addressing, especially by me.

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Today we went to the surgical clinic to have Riley’s catheter removed after his hypospadias surgery. After a very long wait the doctor finally came in the room. His first reaction was amazement that Riley busted a stabilization stitch. He said he never saw that stitch broken. Leave it to Riley to bust that stitch like the one they told me he could never bust from his pull through surgery. He then ripped the tape and pulled the catheter in one quick motion, Riley was already crying but managed to take it up a few decibels. The doctor then was obviously surprised to see that the catheter came out of a hole that was below the tip and to the right. Panic set in for me, here we go again! Just once I would like some good news! The doctor was calm, but confused. He asked us if we re-inserted the catheter. I would be at the ER so fast if that thing fell out, there would be NO way I would ever attempt anything like that! He told us it will be okay and he wants to see him in two weeks after the swelling goes down to get a better look. Keep any eye on him and everything will be okay. I had many more questions after that but he eased my mind for each. He is the best urologist around.

We took him home and started pushing fluids to him in hopes he would urinate soon. Finally, he said he had to go! On the potty he sat and carefully let it out, my face was right there with a flashlight. Riley started to cry because it burned (expected) but my heart dropped because he was going from the tip AND from a hole to the side. I would have felt better with one hole but two!? immediately I called the doctor’s answering service. When he called back he said he was not worried as long as he was going. He told me to call anytime day or night for any reason. I love his doctor!  That links to his profile at Woman and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo webpage, I believe he has at least 32 years of experience today.  As the evening went on he went more and more and the burning went away. It “looks” like there is only one stream but it could be the two merging.

Riley is sleeping now. From his birth I alway have a little panic while he sleeps (actually when any of them sleep). I will probably check on him in an hour or so just to make sure. Now we wait again…

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I mentioned before about the WordPress Mobile Pack Plugin by assembla, since then I found a new mobile plug-in that for my use is better.  Since I have an iPhone and the growing popularity of the iPhone I decided to install the WPtouch Mobile Plug-in by Brave New Code instead.  Fast and clean this mobile plug-in makes your WordPress Blog look like an iPhone App.  The mobile theme is viewable by any mobile device so those who do not have an iPhone can still enjoy the view.

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Saturday’s Golf memorial was great!  Everyone had loads of fun despite the rain, only one team chickened out after lunch and went home.  If only they would have stayed because the sun came out shortly after.  However, due to the rain I did not get many photos and the ones I took just were not the best.  Jerry, in the photo to the left, is my great friend who put the benefit together.  Our thanks go to him, his family and everyone involved.

Because of Jerry’s efforts, selflessness and caring we now have the makings of a great yearly Golf Memorial.  I have already begun preparations for next years golf day and will be setting up a web page.  Going forward we will donate all proceeds to a children’s charity.  Please email me or comment if you would like to help or donate or join the fun and golf with us!  It is about nine or ten months away so information will come soon.

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