Alright...so it has been awhile since our last post. There have been a handful of things that have transpired in the life of the Eau Claire chapter of the Nigh family. So, here I am to make sure that everyone has all of the most up-to-date information (once in awhile, at least.)
So, we have a new car! Well, not necessarily new...but, he isn't a 95' with 173,000+ miles on him. We have followed the Nigh family trend: we bought a LeSabre. While the car is working out great, the business remains unfinished...we need a name. Preferably something that rolls off the tongue like "Big Pappa". So far, all we have come up with is calling our new vehicle "Aaron Rogers", implying the replacement for a reliable old veteran. There are a few problems with this in that, for one, our new car is a decent replacement for our old one whereas Rogers has been a major disappointment. For another, there is little to no chance that we will see Big Pappa rolling around Eau Claire with someone else driving him. And finally, "Aaron Rogers" doesn't really slide off the tongue like Big Pappa did.
Still along the lines of the rebuilding process. Lisa has begun working as a purveyor of Pampered Chef products. Thusfar, she doesn't have anything set up for September. She is looking for work as a daycare provider without much success but has also put in applications at a few other places that will allow her some flexibility in her schedule. Target is a distant option...but, probably too distant for a report that she has made a repeat appearance in her employment at the retail chain.
Anyhow...things are going relatively well. We are able to pay our bills and still have fun. I have been a bit more diligent about attending my plasma appointments...which has helped. That is pretty much the story, though. We have a car, one of us has a full time job, the other is working on it and things are going fine.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
21!
Its a few days late but I thought I'd write about my birthday and updates on the going ons of Nigh life in Eau Claire...Dave will be so surprised.
So first off for those who don't already know Dave and I have internet in our house now!!! It's really exciting. Dad brought his old computer to us when they came to visit and we piggy-backing our high-speed off someone else in the building (hope thay don't move soon). So not only am I writing my 4 blog ever but I'm writing from my own home.
Birthday Time! It wasn't really a grand or exciting birthday...I threw up in the morning (I think it was the juice I had with breakfast because I had more later and felt sick again). I went to work with Dave for a picnic. We are always up for free food. I searched online for a new daycare job and wrote up an ad to put on craigslist (I've made 2 contacts with that and am currently waiting to here back from them after answering some questions). When Dave came home had to go to Target because the chain of the necklace he got me (after he told me where it was hidden, I got to open at 3:00 AM) had broken (already...grrr.) Of course they didn't have the same necklace so we got a chain and went home to fix it. We both had things to do at church so we headed off and got home at 8ish and went to bed....Like I said nothing to exciting. I did get lots of phone calls from my family which was really nice. It was a good birthday!
Update on the car: So we went to the mechanic today (with Tom, Daves boss). We test drove a couple cars while Tom talked the price down $300 for us. We are going to buy a "new"(1998) Le Sabre, we both liked it a lot. As for the old car our mechanic (Sean) is going to run a copression test (free of charge, assuming it's not fixable) ASAP, to see if the car is fixable. If it is we can fix it and sell it for more or keep it and have 2 cars. We are waiting to hear back about the test and more about the damage to decide what we will do there.
Even though everything fell apart the other day things are getting better....well not yet but they are looking better and we are feeling positive again. I think I got everything, if not I'm sure Dave will add a entry soon.
Love
Lisa
So first off for those who don't already know Dave and I have internet in our house now!!! It's really exciting. Dad brought his old computer to us when they came to visit and we piggy-backing our high-speed off someone else in the building (hope thay don't move soon). So not only am I writing my 4 blog ever but I'm writing from my own home.
Birthday Time! It wasn't really a grand or exciting birthday...I threw up in the morning (I think it was the juice I had with breakfast because I had more later and felt sick again). I went to work with Dave for a picnic. We are always up for free food. I searched online for a new daycare job and wrote up an ad to put on craigslist (I've made 2 contacts with that and am currently waiting to here back from them after answering some questions). When Dave came home had to go to Target because the chain of the necklace he got me (after he told me where it was hidden, I got to open at 3:00 AM) had broken (already...grrr.) Of course they didn't have the same necklace so we got a chain and went home to fix it. We both had things to do at church so we headed off and got home at 8ish and went to bed....Like I said nothing to exciting. I did get lots of phone calls from my family which was really nice. It was a good birthday!
Update on the car: So we went to the mechanic today (with Tom, Daves boss). We test drove a couple cars while Tom talked the price down $300 for us. We are going to buy a "new"(1998) Le Sabre, we both liked it a lot. As for the old car our mechanic (Sean) is going to run a copression test (free of charge, assuming it's not fixable) ASAP, to see if the car is fixable. If it is we can fix it and sell it for more or keep it and have 2 cars. We are waiting to hear back about the test and more about the damage to decide what we will do there.
Even though everything fell apart the other day things are getting better....well not yet but they are looking better and we are feeling positive again. I think I got everything, if not I'm sure Dave will add a entry soon.
Love
Lisa
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Bottom Drops Out
Well...I know that I have experienced some bad days in my life...but, I think yesterday made the top of the list. Just when you think that things cannot get worse...they do.
So, the day started out pretty well. We went to the viewing for my late Uncle Will and then hit the road for a long drive back to Eau Claire. What we didn't realize was how long it was really going to be. Our route was detoured, which added about 30 miles onto our trip. We had more than one excrutiatingly slow vehicle in front of us with parades of traffic on the other side preventing a number of passing opportunities. During the drive I was called by several people informing me of meetings at which I will be expected. So...all of these things would have been palatable were it not for the events which transpired after in rather rapid succession. When we were just 13 miles outside of Eau Claire, I felt/heard something happen with the engine. After pulling off to the side of the road and determining there was nothing that could be done, I went to get back on the highway with my engine making a very obvious clicking noise. Well, not even 40 feet onto the highway, the engine just shut down. We had enough momentum that we were able to pull over onto the side of the road and get safely away from the flow of traffic. After struggling through poor cellular signal we were able to get hold of my boss, Tom and he gave us some phone numbers for tow companies. We got our car towed to an auto shop near the station and then got a ride home from our Relief Society president. Shortly after arriving at home, Lisa got a call from the lady she was going to be nannying for informing her that she had found someone else. So...no job, no car. At least I have my job.
For the moment, Lisa is at home and that will be nice for a little while. But, we will unfortunately need the additional income, especially if we are going to have a baby in the not terribly distant future.
So, the day started out pretty well. We went to the viewing for my late Uncle Will and then hit the road for a long drive back to Eau Claire. What we didn't realize was how long it was really going to be. Our route was detoured, which added about 30 miles onto our trip. We had more than one excrutiatingly slow vehicle in front of us with parades of traffic on the other side preventing a number of passing opportunities. During the drive I was called by several people informing me of meetings at which I will be expected. So...all of these things would have been palatable were it not for the events which transpired after in rather rapid succession. When we were just 13 miles outside of Eau Claire, I felt/heard something happen with the engine. After pulling off to the side of the road and determining there was nothing that could be done, I went to get back on the highway with my engine making a very obvious clicking noise. Well, not even 40 feet onto the highway, the engine just shut down. We had enough momentum that we were able to pull over onto the side of the road and get safely away from the flow of traffic. After struggling through poor cellular signal we were able to get hold of my boss, Tom and he gave us some phone numbers for tow companies. We got our car towed to an auto shop near the station and then got a ride home from our Relief Society president. Shortly after arriving at home, Lisa got a call from the lady she was going to be nannying for informing her that she had found someone else. So...no job, no car. At least I have my job.
For the moment, Lisa is at home and that will be nice for a little while. But, we will unfortunately need the additional income, especially if we are going to have a baby in the not terribly distant future.
Friday, August 1, 2008
For the fans
Hope everyone likes the new layout for the Nighspace page. If anyone is confused as to the significance of the white Dave and Lisa, check out http://www.myspace.com and look at their logo. Ours will make a bit more sense then. We don't have a third person to put on it yet...so, it is just two...and I think it's sufficient for people to get the idea.
With Mom and Dad Hellums coming into town, I thought it prudent that I post something to keep everyone satiated for a little while since it is not likely I will hop on a computer and type something up while they are in town. Watch for a follow up report of the goings on of the week of their visit, but...nothing else in the meantime.
This past week has to have been one of the longest ever in my personal history. Aside from Monday and Tuesday, Tom Benson has been gone all week. It has, consequently, been my duty to direct everyday. Needless to say, it has been a rather stressful week. I will become accustomed to it in time, but...how much time remains to be seen. I will say...it will be very nice to have a shortened week next week.
Not really much to tell otherwise. It will be nice to have Lisa home from here on out. I am excited for the change of pace, at least as far as Lisa's schedule is concerned. Horray for spending time with my wife.
Sorry this is so short. Hope it will suffice.
With Mom and Dad Hellums coming into town, I thought it prudent that I post something to keep everyone satiated for a little while since it is not likely I will hop on a computer and type something up while they are in town. Watch for a follow up report of the goings on of the week of their visit, but...nothing else in the meantime.
This past week has to have been one of the longest ever in my personal history. Aside from Monday and Tuesday, Tom Benson has been gone all week. It has, consequently, been my duty to direct everyday. Needless to say, it has been a rather stressful week. I will become accustomed to it in time, but...how much time remains to be seen. I will say...it will be very nice to have a shortened week next week.
Not really much to tell otherwise. It will be nice to have Lisa home from here on out. I am excited for the change of pace, at least as far as Lisa's schedule is concerned. Horray for spending time with my wife.
Sorry this is so short. Hope it will suffice.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Time Waits for...
It is inevitably true. Last thing I knew, I was writing a fresh new blog with all of my hard hitting updates on the life of the Eau Claire extension of the Nigh family...then, I have my in-laws coming to visit in less than a week. My wife is finished with her job at Target in less than a week. And...to top it all off, I haven't written a blog in almost a month! Okay, so now that I've committed that hyperbolic statement to the electronic realm of cyberspace...let me try to recollect what has occured within the past few weeks.
Well...work has continued to go well. I directed just about every day last week, with the exception of Monday and Wednesday when I worked in master control. It isn't horrible...but, every time I work in master control, I am reminded of how much I don't like it. It actually works out fairly well, because when I'm running master, it generally means that Tom Levenhagen is in traffic, which he doesn't like...so, at least it isn't anything to which I need to become accustomed. The great thing has been that I've been training a fellow, Joel, in master control on the days that I've worked that. He is really competent in master, so aside from the occasional reminder to roll a break or instruction on clipping a show or routing a source...I didn't have to do much. Not that I wasn't working...but, with me gone next Friday, Joel is going to run master on his own...so, I pretty much stay there for questions and emergency situations.
Yes...it is true what I said...Lisa has finally put in her notice at Target. Many were the times that Lisa would walk in the door at 9:00p or later and asked, "Can I quit?" and for each of those times my response remained, "When you have another job lined up." There is a family in the ward that has asked Lisa if she would do daycare for their baby since both parents are working. It looks to be a good fit and Lisa has also agreed to try her hand at doing Pampered Chef. It is going to be exciting and scary. I am sure we will be fine. The best perk, though: I get to see Lisa when I get home!!!
Although it seemed quite a ways off when the Hellums had booked a flight back in May...August is looming just around the corner. Almost unexpectedly, they will be arriving this Saturday! Crazy! Although I do have to work Monday through Wednesday, we have enough things planned that they should be tided over until we can head down to the Dells on Wednesday afternoon and spend the rest of the time there. It will be some much needed R&R for me since the weekends haven't quite been sufficient for me to recover from the mixed master control/directing weeks that I have had for almost a month.
In rather trivial, but nonetheless exciting news...Lisa and I are the proud new owners of a Wii Fit. It is amazing! It is essentially a fitness video game. You can bet that I am in heaven. I like to try to stay in shape and I like video games...the combination could not be more ideal. Although...I also like money and when I go to the plasma center, Wii Fit is out for the evening. But, it has been fun the few days we have had it.
Anyway...I hope but do not promise that I will find time to write another blog in the near future. Especially with all that I have described as being just around the corner. But, I will write again...next time!
Well...work has continued to go well. I directed just about every day last week, with the exception of Monday and Wednesday when I worked in master control. It isn't horrible...but, every time I work in master control, I am reminded of how much I don't like it. It actually works out fairly well, because when I'm running master, it generally means that Tom Levenhagen is in traffic, which he doesn't like...so, at least it isn't anything to which I need to become accustomed. The great thing has been that I've been training a fellow, Joel, in master control on the days that I've worked that. He is really competent in master, so aside from the occasional reminder to roll a break or instruction on clipping a show or routing a source...I didn't have to do much. Not that I wasn't working...but, with me gone next Friday, Joel is going to run master on his own...so, I pretty much stay there for questions and emergency situations.
Yes...it is true what I said...Lisa has finally put in her notice at Target. Many were the times that Lisa would walk in the door at 9:00p or later and asked, "Can I quit?" and for each of those times my response remained, "When you have another job lined up." There is a family in the ward that has asked Lisa if she would do daycare for their baby since both parents are working. It looks to be a good fit and Lisa has also agreed to try her hand at doing Pampered Chef. It is going to be exciting and scary. I am sure we will be fine. The best perk, though: I get to see Lisa when I get home!!!
Although it seemed quite a ways off when the Hellums had booked a flight back in May...August is looming just around the corner. Almost unexpectedly, they will be arriving this Saturday! Crazy! Although I do have to work Monday through Wednesday, we have enough things planned that they should be tided over until we can head down to the Dells on Wednesday afternoon and spend the rest of the time there. It will be some much needed R&R for me since the weekends haven't quite been sufficient for me to recover from the mixed master control/directing weeks that I have had for almost a month.
In rather trivial, but nonetheless exciting news...Lisa and I are the proud new owners of a Wii Fit. It is amazing! It is essentially a fitness video game. You can bet that I am in heaven. I like to try to stay in shape and I like video games...the combination could not be more ideal. Although...I also like money and when I go to the plasma center, Wii Fit is out for the evening. But, it has been fun the few days we have had it.
Anyway...I hope but do not promise that I will find time to write another blog in the near future. Especially with all that I have described as being just around the corner. But, I will write again...next time!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Of Fireworks and Things
Well, our Independence Day has come and gone. Lisa and I have been very busy working, traveling and such. Last week, Lisa had a number of late work nights and I stayed up for them...since falling asleep without her there proved to be quite the task. Then, on the 4th of July, we went down to Sun Prairie to visit with Mom and Dad. It was a pleasant weekend. We went to see WALL*E, which was cute in spite of its socio-political commentary. The planet is not on its way to being as polluted as many people would believe. And although there was a little bit of hyperbole in the depiction of people becoming extremely obese as a result of having everything automated and sitting in floating chairs all day sipping on shakes and malts, I have seen that there is most certainly a trend of people who I have begun to refer to as having just "gotten off the ship". Anyway...I was most impressed with the way that the entire movie was carried with very scarce dialogue. This was something that I admired about Cast Away. I think films of that nature are a fine tribute to the filmic principle of showing, not telling. I get annoyed with films that try to expedite parts of their story by explaining things that happened through a line or two.
Friday night, we went and saw the fireworks show in Columbus. It was actually pretty cool. Lisa took some pictures, one of which I have included here. It was a pleasant evening and the drive home was a pleasant contrast to my memories of driving the maddening crawl away from Warner Park after Rhythm and Booms...but, if memory serves, I was asleep for the better part of both, so I suppose there wasn't that much difference in terms of cognisant perception.
Saturday, we went to the farmers market down on Capitol Square...and by farmers market, I mean we stopped at two or three tents and then went in for a tour of the capitol building. It was really cool. It wasn't anything I would have appreciated as a kid, even though I certainly remember taking tours there before. I guess I was more interested in horsing around with my friends than paying attention to the dusty old pieces of Wisconsin and U.S. history. But, we were able to get up onto the observation deck and look out over the whole city. It was really neat. After that, we went to the Sun Prairie 4th (5th?) of July parade. It was extremely enjoyable. We then just relaxed for the evening by playing a game of Bocce, bolo ball and watching National Treasure 2. Sunday was your typical Sunday...as typical as they are away from home. Then that was it...we came back to Eau Claire and geared up for the start of a new week.
Not much going on here. Lisa is seeking a promotion at Target. I think she is more than qualified...but, we will see what happens. We have Mom and Dad Hellums coming to visit in the next few weeks and that will be a treat. I am just hoping that I get more sleep than I have been getting.
Anyway...that's all for now.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
From Work (Kinda Like a Written Cut-In)
Well, it has been an incredibly busy week. Between my work, Lisa's work and interpreting on Wednesday and Thursday, Lisa and I have spent very little time together. It has been incredibly tough. Lisa even made the comment to me that this is the reason that she doesn't want me working two jobs. Despite the loss of sleep and the missed time with my sweetheart, it will be nice to have the additional padding in the family coffers.
The interpreting was really fun. It was for a leadership training camp for UW-EC incoming freshman. They addressed a lot of the complex issues that are faced by new college students: engaging in difficult discussions with people whose opinions are different, communicating with others, appreciating other cultures and lifestyles, etc. Much of it was very positive. I appreciated the things that were taught and discussed. On the flip side, this is a college...and so I very strongly disagreed with a fair number of the things that were said. There was more than one mention of our economy being "in recession" and a number of other disparaging comments regarding the United States (despite the fact that everyone in the room was a US citizen). But, on the whole there were a lot of positive things that I observed while there. Thursday, they were sharing their life's mission statement and one of the girls who got up mentioned that one of her goals was to get married and have a family after having saved sex for marriage. That was such a refreshing and positive thing to hear especially in light of the number of people that I know that place no value on the principles of chastity and fidelity. Later, after having a rather lengthy group discussion on stereotypes, in a smaller group the discussion continued, but in the direction of religion. The girl that I was helping to interpret for mentioned that she had known and was friends with quite a few Mormons and that she felt as though they were misunderstood and descriminated against. This was also very pleasant to hear. It is good to know that there are some open minded people in the rising generation.
Well...I suppose that is really all I have for now. I don't know if I will get another one in prior to the 4th, so happy Independance Day, everyone!
The interpreting was really fun. It was for a leadership training camp for UW-EC incoming freshman. They addressed a lot of the complex issues that are faced by new college students: engaging in difficult discussions with people whose opinions are different, communicating with others, appreciating other cultures and lifestyles, etc. Much of it was very positive. I appreciated the things that were taught and discussed. On the flip side, this is a college...and so I very strongly disagreed with a fair number of the things that were said. There was more than one mention of our economy being "in recession" and a number of other disparaging comments regarding the United States (despite the fact that everyone in the room was a US citizen). But, on the whole there were a lot of positive things that I observed while there. Thursday, they were sharing their life's mission statement and one of the girls who got up mentioned that one of her goals was to get married and have a family after having saved sex for marriage. That was such a refreshing and positive thing to hear especially in light of the number of people that I know that place no value on the principles of chastity and fidelity. Later, after having a rather lengthy group discussion on stereotypes, in a smaller group the discussion continued, but in the direction of religion. The girl that I was helping to interpret for mentioned that she had known and was friends with quite a few Mormons and that she felt as though they were misunderstood and descriminated against. This was also very pleasant to hear. It is good to know that there are some open minded people in the rising generation.
Well...I suppose that is really all I have for now. I don't know if I will get another one in prior to the 4th, so happy Independance Day, everyone!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)