Well our big excitement for the week was acquiring a new dishwasher. As you can imagine, most of the time you get something new, it is because the old one is broken. Yep! our old dishwasher was leaking water all over it. I noticed that it had started leaking during the family reunion (why is that whenever we have my family coming into town, one of our appliances break?). It continued to leak, so I asked Greg to take a look at it. He had successfully fixed the dishwasher at our old house, but no such luck here. Any way, instead of paying someone hundreds of dollars to fix our very old dishwasher, we thought we would spend hundreds of dollars for a new dishwasher. We were able to find a stainless steel one that matches our other appliances for a reasonable price so we got it. It does have a little scratching on the front, but we're ok with that.
Greg, chose to install the dishwasher himself to save us the fee of having "them" install it. I don't know how many of you have ever installed a dishwasher, but it is not the most comfortable thing ever. Much of the time is spen on your belly on the hard kitchen floor working in a space not bigger than a bread box. Real fun. Of course, after Greg installed the new dishwasher, we realized it was not the dishwasher leaking, but the hose underneath the dishwasher that was leaking. We also discovered that it had leaked some through the ceiling and down into Greg's workshop in the basement. Sometime in the long future, we will need to replace some of the wood when we redo the kitchen floor. Greg had to buy a new hose a spend another night working on the dishwasher.
Greg got the worst of this one, unless you count taking the kids dishwasher shopping as worse. We are glad for a new dishwasher. I am glad for Greg for using his time and skills to install it.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Highlights of the Ebbert Family Reunion
Well, as many of you know, our house was swarmed with Ebberts last week. First came the Shane Ebbert family, with his lovely wife Sarah, and their darling, talkative Kathryn. Next came the Todd Ebbert family, with his amazing wife Deanna, and their two children, Alia and Lawson. Then, although delayed by a huge storm in Nebraska, Paul Ebbert (my dad) and his wife Nancy, along with with their dog, Akita (sp?), and the only other non-Ebbert, besides our family, my sister April Barton, arrived two days late. 16 people and a pet if you want the short end of things.
I just wanted to give you some of the highlights for me. First let me say it was AWESOME!! It was so much fun to be together. It was nice that we all stayed here most nights (except one night in Nauvoo) so that we had down time just to talk or play games or nap. I think it would have been harder if we were all in different locations at various hotels. So I guess that was one of the highlights for me. Just relaxing together. We all need a break once in a while, so in that regard, I think it was nice for all of us. We've all been busy this past little while, so it was nice to have Greg with us and to be with others that we loved. Also, just being in each other's space and eating meals together and seeing each other in our pajamas just made it seem so familial. It was great!
I have been gone from home now for almost 13 years now, so I kind of think of my sibs as well, younger. It was awesome for me to see them grown up and married with families of their own. My brothers are both good men, in different ways, who have married very well. Being older than them, I sort of felt this mother hen pride as I watched them, maybe something a kin to how I will feel when my own children have their own families. My sister too has grown up a lot, even in the 2 years that she has been married. It just made me intensely happy to see what kind of people they are, and I thought my mom certainly would be smiling down on us all.
We did a lot of fun stuff too, although, with the exception of going to the temple, that was all secondary for me. Being together was the best thing. We did enjoy trips to the family museum here, dinner at the Machine Shed (good down home farm meals), a trip to John Deere headquarters, John Deere pavillion, and an adults tour of John Deere Harvester works, along with a couple of days in Nauvoo. We also had a family talent show. That was great fun.
One thing I would have changed is being able to see my dad and Nancy more. They got there late, and then they were swarmed with grandkids. It was fun to see my dad play with them, though. It sure is nice for us weary parents to have grandparent intervention once in a while.
One last thing I enjoyed is seeing the relationships my children were building. My girls loved playing with their cousin Alia. I felt I hardly saw Anna all week because she was so engaged in play most of the time. Ben is the same age as Kathryn and Lawson, and for their age, their sure did great together. I hope they will become better friends as they grow older. I was a little worried that Adam would be bored all week since he didn't have anyone to play with. Boy was I wrong! My brothers took care of him. They played multiple, multiple basketball games, mock tournament games, with Adam commentating each play. They talked about basketball with him, even, much to his father's dismay, brainwashed him into rooting for Duke (a lot of good that did). My dad brought him an NCAA tournament hat and program, which he continues to pore over, memorizing the most obscure things. Adam was also able to coerce both aunts and uncles to play many board games with him. He hasn't had so much attention since he was an only child!
All in all it was a fabulous week. It made me remember what a great family I have. It also made me so excited that my brother Todd and his family are moving to Iowa City in just one more year. It will be good to share more of our life events with them. The Ebbert family Rocks!
I just wanted to give you some of the highlights for me. First let me say it was AWESOME!! It was so much fun to be together. It was nice that we all stayed here most nights (except one night in Nauvoo) so that we had down time just to talk or play games or nap. I think it would have been harder if we were all in different locations at various hotels. So I guess that was one of the highlights for me. Just relaxing together. We all need a break once in a while, so in that regard, I think it was nice for all of us. We've all been busy this past little while, so it was nice to have Greg with us and to be with others that we loved. Also, just being in each other's space and eating meals together and seeing each other in our pajamas just made it seem so familial. It was great!
I have been gone from home now for almost 13 years now, so I kind of think of my sibs as well, younger. It was awesome for me to see them grown up and married with families of their own. My brothers are both good men, in different ways, who have married very well. Being older than them, I sort of felt this mother hen pride as I watched them, maybe something a kin to how I will feel when my own children have their own families. My sister too has grown up a lot, even in the 2 years that she has been married. It just made me intensely happy to see what kind of people they are, and I thought my mom certainly would be smiling down on us all.
We did a lot of fun stuff too, although, with the exception of going to the temple, that was all secondary for me. Being together was the best thing. We did enjoy trips to the family museum here, dinner at the Machine Shed (good down home farm meals), a trip to John Deere headquarters, John Deere pavillion, and an adults tour of John Deere Harvester works, along with a couple of days in Nauvoo. We also had a family talent show. That was great fun.
One thing I would have changed is being able to see my dad and Nancy more. They got there late, and then they were swarmed with grandkids. It was fun to see my dad play with them, though. It sure is nice for us weary parents to have grandparent intervention once in a while.
One last thing I enjoyed is seeing the relationships my children were building. My girls loved playing with their cousin Alia. I felt I hardly saw Anna all week because she was so engaged in play most of the time. Ben is the same age as Kathryn and Lawson, and for their age, their sure did great together. I hope they will become better friends as they grow older. I was a little worried that Adam would be bored all week since he didn't have anyone to play with. Boy was I wrong! My brothers took care of him. They played multiple, multiple basketball games, mock tournament games, with Adam commentating each play. They talked about basketball with him, even, much to his father's dismay, brainwashed him into rooting for Duke (a lot of good that did). My dad brought him an NCAA tournament hat and program, which he continues to pore over, memorizing the most obscure things. Adam was also able to coerce both aunts and uncles to play many board games with him. He hasn't had so much attention since he was an only child!
All in all it was a fabulous week. It made me remember what a great family I have. It also made me so excited that my brother Todd and his family are moving to Iowa City in just one more year. It will be good to share more of our life events with them. The Ebbert family Rocks!
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Executive Style
I had an unusual day today that I thought I should share. At work, I'm starting a new project with John Deere's commercial and consumer equipment (C&CE) division (they're the one's that make the lawnmowers, golf and turf equipment, small utility tractors, and gators). C&CE is based in Raleigh, NC so we usually conduct our meetings with them via teleconference or videoconference. It just so happened that one of the John Deere corporate jets was flying to Raleigh today to pick up some executives and had a few open seats.
So, this morning, I caught a 6 am flight out of Moline on a corporate jet, went to North Carolina, had a 5 hour meeting with our C&CE partners, and was home again by 4:15! Pretty much just a normal days work - only in another part of the country.
Traveling on an executive jet is definitely different than traveling commercially. First, we only had to be at the airport 5 minutes before takeoff, just long enough to climb aboard - no tickets, no i.d. required, no security - just hop on and sit down. The plane was significantly more luxurious than any I had ever ridden on. There were 8 seats on the plane and all were first class style - very very comfortable, wide, fully adjustable - it would even lay down into a bed if you wanted.
One of the more interesting things was the height and speeds at which we flew. The corporate jet airspace is higher altitude than commercial jets fly. Our cruising altitude was about 49,000 feet. At that height, there isn't much atmosphere - I could look out the window above us at mid-afternoon and it was almost black! We weren't high enough to see stars, but it was still quite an interesting view.
Upon arrival in Raleigh, we walked into the private (and very luxurious) airport terminal, were pointed immediately to our car (which literally had the trunk open and engine running) and were on our way. The return trip was just as quick and easy.
Just when I was starting to feel "executivish" I got put right back in my place. Right before takeoff on the return flight, the pilot went to the rear of the plane where the executives were sitting and offered them food and beverages and was generally concerned about their comfort. On his way back up the aisle he leaned over to me (and the other three lower-class folks) and said, "If any of you want some
water or peanuts or something - wait 'til we take off, then you can fetch it out of that drawer." Not quite the same level of service!
This part was kind of funny, so I'm going to throw it in here. Before takeoff, they play the prerecorded safety instructions like they do in commercial jets. One part of it said this, "If any of you are on the belted toilet, please belt yourself down, open the door, and put your feet in the retractable stirrups outside the lavatory door." It didn't just say, "Finish up and return to your seat". Maybe I heard it wrong, but this is what I thought I heard. The announcement made for an interesting mental picture.
All-in-all, it was a fun workday for me. I got to visit a new state (by the way, I really liked North Carolina - for the little bit I saw at least), tour one of our facilities, and ride in the corporate jet. The meeting was kind of long and boring, but the rest made up for it. If any of you ever get filthy rich, I highly recommend getting a private jet - it was really a nice way to travel!
So, this morning, I caught a 6 am flight out of Moline on a corporate jet, went to North Carolina, had a 5 hour meeting with our C&CE partners, and was home again by 4:15! Pretty much just a normal days work - only in another part of the country.
Traveling on an executive jet is definitely different than traveling commercially. First, we only had to be at the airport 5 minutes before takeoff, just long enough to climb aboard - no tickets, no i.d. required, no security - just hop on and sit down. The plane was significantly more luxurious than any I had ever ridden on. There were 8 seats on the plane and all were first class style - very very comfortable, wide, fully adjustable - it would even lay down into a bed if you wanted.
One of the more interesting things was the height and speeds at which we flew. The corporate jet airspace is higher altitude than commercial jets fly. Our cruising altitude was about 49,000 feet. At that height, there isn't much atmosphere - I could look out the window above us at mid-afternoon and it was almost black! We weren't high enough to see stars, but it was still quite an interesting view.
Upon arrival in Raleigh, we walked into the private (and very luxurious) airport terminal, were pointed immediately to our car (which literally had the trunk open and engine running) and were on our way. The return trip was just as quick and easy.
Just when I was starting to feel "executivish" I got put right back in my place. Right before takeoff on the return flight, the pilot went to the rear of the plane where the executives were sitting and offered them food and beverages and was generally concerned about their comfort. On his way back up the aisle he leaned over to me (and the other three lower-class folks) and said, "If any of you want some
water or peanuts or something - wait 'til we take off, then you can fetch it out of that drawer." Not quite the same level of service!
This part was kind of funny, so I'm going to throw it in here. Before takeoff, they play the prerecorded safety instructions like they do in commercial jets. One part of it said this, "If any of you are on the belted toilet, please belt yourself down, open the door, and put your feet in the retractable stirrups outside the lavatory door." It didn't just say, "Finish up and return to your seat". Maybe I heard it wrong, but this is what I thought I heard. The announcement made for an interesting mental picture.
All-in-all, it was a fun workday for me. I got to visit a new state (by the way, I really liked North Carolina - for the little bit I saw at least), tour one of our facilities, and ride in the corporate jet. The meeting was kind of long and boring, but the rest made up for it. If any of you ever get filthy rich, I highly recommend getting a private jet - it was really a nice way to travel!
Monday, March 06, 2006
Happy Birthday Lizzy!
Lizzy, the Birthday Girl
Well, our little Elizabeth is growing up. She turned 3 on March 4th, Saturday. For both our girls it seems right about the time they turn 3 something magical happens. They just grow up so much, and are more in control of their emotions, and are just generally very pleasant to be around. Lizzy has already shown us that she wants to be more grown up. She has been so much fun to talk to lately, especially when she gets mom and dad all to herself (which isn't often enough). She has been doing things more independently, like going to the bathroom and getting on her own shoes and clothes, without much persuasion. She also likes to sit in Anna's booster seat, instead of her own carseat, when Anna is not with us.
Lizzy is the fun one in the family. She is always making us laugh. Some is her age, where she says silly things, but a lot is her engergetic personality. She has a lot of enthusiasm and joy in life. She loves to run around and jump and dance and even wrestle. She is not afraid to tell you exactly what she thinks, even if it may be different from what her siblings would like her to say. She has just recently started to enjoy playing board games with Adam. Even if she doesn't understand it all, she still loves to sit there and move her pieces or hold her cards.
Lizzy has a very unique place in our family and makes us smile just about everyday. Happy Birthday to our growing up girl.
Lizzy is the fun one in the family. She is always making us laugh. Some is her age, where she says silly things, but a lot is her engergetic personality. She has a lot of enthusiasm and joy in life. She loves to run around and jump and dance and even wrestle. She is not afraid to tell you exactly what she thinks, even if it may be different from what her siblings would like her to say. She has just recently started to enjoy playing board games with Adam. Even if she doesn't understand it all, she still loves to sit there and move her pieces or hold her cards.
Lizzy has a very unique place in our family and makes us smile just about everyday. Happy Birthday to our growing up girl.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)