Unfortunately our celebrating stopped around 10pm last night when Mark first started showing sings of the "Winter Vomiting Disease." Frankly, I think the term "stomach flu" is a little less gruesome, then again, Mark would probably say it was gruesome. Neither of us slept much until after 5am when he finally was able to get some rest. Of course, it was around that time that I first started feeling the pangs of "uh-oh." Thankfully, thus far mine has just been the Big D, with aches and pains...hope we can keep the vomiting part out of this round. We have also found out that 2 of our other friends who we hung out with Friday night are sick. Guess someone had this and didn't realize....
Really we have been fortunate because in 5 and a half (plus) years of marriage, neither of us has had this mess before. I'm so glad! I hope we can go another 5 and a half! Mark said at least we are going through this together. I told him this is one thing I could have gone through with him without actually going through it with him!
Anyways, we won't be going anywhere tomorrow, unless I am feeling quite a bit better and decide to keep my x-ray appointment. I'd really hate to miss that, though I'd also hate to spread this nastiness.
03 February 2008
02 February 2008
Celebrations!
Friday, Feb. 1st brought with it many celebrations, so I thought I should share! (I'm a big fan of lists, so let's do the numbering thing again!) :)
1.
The resolution of our drain "issue!" Finally, we found someone to come unclog the drain. This was the sink before the operation was performed....it was very disgusting. We are now in the process of getting the kitchen back in order and catching up on laundry. All causes for celebration!
2. Mark proposed 6 years ago yesterday :) We enjoyed briefly reminiscing this event.
3. On Wednesday we found a new flat to live in! This is a huge answer to prayer! Because our current lease doesn't end until March 13th we asked if the new landlords would "hold" the new place for a month (without having to actually pay for a whole months rent), and they miraculously agreed! We will move around March 1st unless our current landlord is able to find someone else who wants to move into this flat sooner. More to come in future posts on our new place.
4. My brother turned 27 years old yesterday! I can't believe my little brother is that old....until I remember I am almost 30 and then I figure it could be possible.
5. Our friends, Brannan and Kate's little girl, Lily, turned one! We went over there to help them celebrate. I have decided I like being a surrogate aunt to little Lily :) Here is Lily eating her birthday cupcake and showing she is "1."
6. We got snow! Okay, not much (less than an inch) but it's the most we had and the longest it stayed. It was so pretty to see. But it was so sunny today so most of it has melted now, oh well, at least this native northeast Ohio girl got to have a little snow in her winter.
1.
The resolution of our drain "issue!" Finally, we found someone to come unclog the drain. This was the sink before the operation was performed....it was very disgusting. We are now in the process of getting the kitchen back in order and catching up on laundry. All causes for celebration!
2. Mark proposed 6 years ago yesterday :) We enjoyed briefly reminiscing this event.
3. On Wednesday we found a new flat to live in! This is a huge answer to prayer! Because our current lease doesn't end until March 13th we asked if the new landlords would "hold" the new place for a month (without having to actually pay for a whole months rent), and they miraculously agreed! We will move around March 1st unless our current landlord is able to find someone else who wants to move into this flat sooner. More to come in future posts on our new place.
4. My brother turned 27 years old yesterday! I can't believe my little brother is that old....until I remember I am almost 30 and then I figure it could be possible.
5. Our friends, Brannan and Kate's little girl, Lily, turned one! We went over there to help them celebrate. I have decided I like being a surrogate aunt to little Lily :) Here is Lily eating her birthday cupcake and showing she is "1."
6. We got snow! Okay, not much (less than an inch) but it's the most we had and the longest it stayed. It was so pretty to see. But it was so sunny today so most of it has melted now, oh well, at least this native northeast Ohio girl got to have a little snow in her winter.
29 January 2008
Is It Me?
I am beginning to be convinced that we are cursed concerning all things water in this flat. Let's do a quick recap thus far :)
1. Washing machine issues for about 3 months now. No, still not fixed. Every time we think it is fixed, it continues to leak. Ah, well, at least we can use it when Mark pulls it out and we put the hose down the garbage disposal trap....well, that is, until today (keep reading for that story--oh dear, just now realized that really will cause problems for doing laundry....sigh).
2. About 2-3 weeks after we moved in our landlord had some kind of electrical survey done on the flat to make sure things were properly working. One thing that was discovered as not functioning as it should was the shower pull. It is supposed to turn off and on. That's hard to do when there is no pull/string. So, our shower stayed in the "on" position all the time (however, better than the "off" position!). Not really a big deal (actually more convienent) just maybe a little extra money because it is electrical. (Mind you, the shower itself wasn't on, that has its own button--see left--top button.) But our landlord was finally motivated to fix this since he is now trying to obtain new tenants when we move. Funny how that is a good motivator, isn't it!? Thankfully there have only been two real times our shower didn't work and we discovered that the shower fuse had been switched off due to other electrical work being done in our building. (Below is the new string and "On/Off"switch)
3. Our ceiling has had a slight water spot for at least 2 months now. To the landlord's credit he has tried to get this taken care of but he's waiting for the surveyor's report to be sent to the insurance company (or something like that) to see if the insurance will cover the cost to repair the roof, etc, etc, etc. Guess it must be one very long report to take this long. Meanwhile, it's a very good thing the ceiling isn't actually dripping anything out of it or we might be a bit frustrated.
4. It really is rather ironic that today (of all days) our sink got backed up. Let's just say it is a good thing it wasn't yesterday because we were already a bit fed up with our landlord (he keeps making appointments to come work on the place, we arrange our schedule around that, etc, and then he doesn't come or stays a really long time) and I don't think we would have handled it well. Today the Lord must have prepared us because we are both trying to take this in stride. The irony comes in because the landlord is supposed to show the flat 3 different times tomorrow to prospective tenants. I decided to cook a bunch today because tomorrow I won't really be able to betweeen viewings, etc. So I was towards the end (thankfully!) of a couple hours in the kitchen, when I realized that the garbage disposal "stuff"was regurgitating in the other side of the sink. This has happened before so I didn't panic. But the more I tried to clear out the disposal by continuing to run it and also running more water down it to help push it through, the more the other side filled up. It was then I realized we had a problem--a major problem. The left side of the sink is not draining at all. As in, the drain stopper is completely out and the water hasn't moved for a couple hours. Sigh. The right side, where the disposal is, at least is draining a couple inches an hour. My theory is, the washing machine's draining issues and the garbage disposal's draining issues must be somehow connected. Now, I mentioned that this could be an option well over a month ago (like I said, the disposal has had slight issues), but I'm just a woman, what do I know?!! I could still be wrong, but I think it is a good theory for now.
So we are supposed to be washing all those dishes so the flat will be ready to show tomorrow, but alas, here I am instead since I can't wash the dishes. Honestly, I don't mind :) Mark left a message on our landlord's cell phone informing him of this new complication. I dread thinking about how long it will take to fix this new problem and foresee having to do dishes in the bathtub (at least it's clean!). I am just glad that we have on our side the fact that the landlord wants to show the place to prospective tenants so maybe it won't be as long as it could be otherwise.
All this brings me to say "Is it me/us that is jinxed or this flat?" (Our landlord is probably wondering the same thing.) One way or the other, we are counting the days until we are out!!! (And in the meantime praying we can stay sane without clean clothes or dishes!) Oh, and if anything happens with the toilet, I just might have to get on a plane and fly back across the Atlantic :)
1. Washing machine issues for about 3 months now. No, still not fixed. Every time we think it is fixed, it continues to leak. Ah, well, at least we can use it when Mark pulls it out and we put the hose down the garbage disposal trap....well, that is, until today (keep reading for that story--oh dear, just now realized that really will cause problems for doing laundry....sigh).
2. About 2-3 weeks after we moved in our landlord had some kind of electrical survey done on the flat to make sure things were properly working. One thing that was discovered as not functioning as it should was the shower pull. It is supposed to turn off and on. That's hard to do when there is no pull/string. So, our shower stayed in the "on" position all the time (however, better than the "off" position!). Not really a big deal (actually more convienent) just maybe a little extra money because it is electrical. (Mind you, the shower itself wasn't on, that has its own button--see left--top button.) But our landlord was finally motivated to fix this since he is now trying to obtain new tenants when we move. Funny how that is a good motivator, isn't it!? Thankfully there have only been two real times our shower didn't work and we discovered that the shower fuse had been switched off due to other electrical work being done in our building. (Below is the new string and "On/Off"switch)
3. Our ceiling has had a slight water spot for at least 2 months now. To the landlord's credit he has tried to get this taken care of but he's waiting for the surveyor's report to be sent to the insurance company (or something like that) to see if the insurance will cover the cost to repair the roof, etc, etc, etc. Guess it must be one very long report to take this long. Meanwhile, it's a very good thing the ceiling isn't actually dripping anything out of it or we might be a bit frustrated.
4. It really is rather ironic that today (of all days) our sink got backed up. Let's just say it is a good thing it wasn't yesterday because we were already a bit fed up with our landlord (he keeps making appointments to come work on the place, we arrange our schedule around that, etc, and then he doesn't come or stays a really long time) and I don't think we would have handled it well. Today the Lord must have prepared us because we are both trying to take this in stride. The irony comes in because the landlord is supposed to show the flat 3 different times tomorrow to prospective tenants. I decided to cook a bunch today because tomorrow I won't really be able to betweeen viewings, etc. So I was towards the end (thankfully!) of a couple hours in the kitchen, when I realized that the garbage disposal "stuff"was regurgitating in the other side of the sink. This has happened before so I didn't panic. But the more I tried to clear out the disposal by continuing to run it and also running more water down it to help push it through, the more the other side filled up. It was then I realized we had a problem--a major problem. The left side of the sink is not draining at all. As in, the drain stopper is completely out and the water hasn't moved for a couple hours. Sigh. The right side, where the disposal is, at least is draining a couple inches an hour. My theory is, the washing machine's draining issues and the garbage disposal's draining issues must be somehow connected. Now, I mentioned that this could be an option well over a month ago (like I said, the disposal has had slight issues), but I'm just a woman, what do I know?!! I could still be wrong, but I think it is a good theory for now.
So we are supposed to be washing all those dishes so the flat will be ready to show tomorrow, but alas, here I am instead since I can't wash the dishes. Honestly, I don't mind :) Mark left a message on our landlord's cell phone informing him of this new complication. I dread thinking about how long it will take to fix this new problem and foresee having to do dishes in the bathtub (at least it's clean!). I am just glad that we have on our side the fact that the landlord wants to show the place to prospective tenants so maybe it won't be as long as it could be otherwise.
All this brings me to say "Is it me/us that is jinxed or this flat?" (Our landlord is probably wondering the same thing.) One way or the other, we are counting the days until we are out!!! (And in the meantime praying we can stay sane without clean clothes or dishes!) Oh, and if anything happens with the toilet, I just might have to get on a plane and fly back across the Atlantic :)
25 January 2008
Quick Update
I got my letter today asking me to make an appointment for my chest x-ray. We've scheduled it for Monday, Feb. 4th so we'll see if that shows any abnormalities. As for my blood tests, they came back as "satisfactory" so no clues there :) Guess, though, that it is a real blessing to have "good blood."
We are glad it is the weekend (as I'm sure you all are as well)! Mark and I have been looking for a place to live and that will continue this weekend. I'm also excited to meet a new student that just arrived here a couple of days ago. I overheard some collegues talking about her situation and her homesickness so I volunteered to speak with her and introduce her to some other Americans during the weekend. I briefly spoke with her on the phone while at work. I think we are both excited about the possibility of a new friendship! So that's us (man, these Aberdonians are rubbing off on me...)
We are glad it is the weekend (as I'm sure you all are as well)! Mark and I have been looking for a place to live and that will continue this weekend. I'm also excited to meet a new student that just arrived here a couple of days ago. I overheard some collegues talking about her situation and her homesickness so I volunteered to speak with her and introduce her to some other Americans during the weekend. I briefly spoke with her on the phone while at work. I think we are both excited about the possibility of a new friendship! So that's us (man, these Aberdonians are rubbing off on me...)
23 January 2008
How Great Is Our God!
Mark and I both enjoyed a fantastic sunrise yesterday morning. We wanted to share it with you. The only way I could have you enjoy Chris Tomlin's "How Great is Our God" song along with the slide show was to add it separately to the blog. Maybe you can figure out a way to sync the slide show with the music! Hope you will be praising God along with us for His goodness to us and His greatness over us!
20 January 2008
Yesterday and today we've had gorgeous sunny weather which is always a blessing! I needed out of the house yesterday afternoon so we make a journey to a park on the outskirts of town which we had heard was a great park. And it didn't let us down! Granted, I think it will be even better when everything is in bloom, but it was still good to get some fresh air and be encouraged by signs of life. There were small green heads starting to stick out of the earth! And I even saw small buds on some bushes :) I am very excited about that! Maybe spring is really already around the corner! We have been warned, though, that sometimes the snow starts falling in Feb or March.While at the park I spotted a Monkey Puzzle Tree. If you have never seen these, they are pretty cool. The first couple of days we were here I saw one and asked what it was because I had never seen one and it was so unusual. This one looks kinda normal from a distance but up close the shape of the leaves (or
whatever you call them) are
unique.
After the park Mark needed something from the hardware store so I sat in the car and watched the skiers! It's sort of random that in the midst of all these big stores and alongside a very busy street there is a small skiing place. Very odd. What is even more odd is that one of the slopes looked like it had artificial snow on it, but the other one almost looked like it was rubber grates/mats laid down. I couldn't/can't figure out what it is! Can you see how there are black areas? It was definitely not mud and it looked like the same grate-like things as the whiter ones. But what could it be? Any ideas?
18 January 2008
Sad, Sad Day
You know that you are 24 junkies when you have to write a post commemorating the sad event of watching the last episode of the sixth season. Mark and I have really enjoyed watching "Jack" (as we affectionately refer to 24 as--after the main character--in case you haven't seen it!) together the past year or so. We are officially caught up, and are bummed with the rest of the other loyal Jack fans that the writers are on strike. To keep 24 memories with us in the meantime, Mark has downloaded 24 sounds and wallpaper to his laptop. I will also fondly think of Jack and the other 24 characters when someone's phone rings down the hall from me at work with that famous CTU ring. Beep-beep-bo-do...Ah, the memories....
And by the way...if you haven't started watching 24 then don't or else you most likely won't be able to stop :)
And by the way...if you haven't started watching 24 then don't or else you most likely won't be able to stop :)
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