Fancies - creatures of habit

We are creatures of habit. Every day we get up at the same time, or snooze the alarm repeatedly, go through our morning routine; and then we are off for the day. For some that includes drinking their favorite cup of joe or jumping in a cold shower. Most routines happen gradually and take shape without one realizing it has become the norm.

Children are the same. Babies have milk and take naps on a routine, and this usually doesn’t change too much. As they get older and become more independent, the list of routines grows. As a parent it can be a shock when a simple matter of wearing tennis shoes instead of sandals throws your child into an upset outburst. Rocking the boat unknowingly takes you for a sharp turn.

As the season changes again, Marshall is the next to join in the habit breaking - “What is this boot?” and tries to take it off. He hasn’t noticed or comprehended yet that Sunday is dress-up day, so we haven’t experienced any melt-downs with that yet. Olivia is definitely aware of all her clothing and when we switch to nice dresses on Sunday versus the usual skirt and t-shirt. She usually picks a jean dress that is not really a typical Sunday dress, but it is a dress nonetheless; so I let her have a pass.

Wes’ brother got married this weekend, and I prepared for special military-style tactics (sarcasm) to encourage Olivia to wear a fancy dress. I told her we were going to a wedding party, and we had to dress up very nicely.

“Look at Marshall & Daddy!” I told her.

“See Marshall’s fancy vest and bow tie and Daddy’s fancy shirt and tie. You need a fancy dress too!” I said. She asked if she had a tie too like Marshall and Daddy, and I figured a belt/bow in the back of the dress qualified.

I artfully used tactics of imitation (like Marshall!) and told her everyone is going to be wearing their fancy clothes to the wedding, and the bride will have a fancy wedding dress! She said “Adana will have a fancy dress?” (Her name is Adriana). She was persuaded.

Olivia always wanting to array herself identical to Marshall was used to the advantage of changing up her habitual routine. Yes, we are all creatures of habit, but sometimes we can be persuaded to change course on occasion. Starting today, drop that cup of coffee down the sink. Who needs a bitter taste to start the day? 

Cold Season

Cold season is coming upon us and yet many people refer to it as "cold season," meaning it is that virus time of year. For us, "cold season" is once a month like clockwork for Marshall and Olivia. Since labor day sickness, it was a slow recovery getting back to normal and now they have come down with their customary monthly colds. 

Since labor day we have been restricting Olivia's diet of dairy and red meat. We weren't sure how she would respond to this diet, with willingness or reluctance, but she has taken to it like a sponge soaking up water. I think part of her thinks she's pretty special when she goes to daycare and she's the only one eating fill-in-the-blank, something different than everyone else.

I also believe she knows she has been feeling better. That helps me to avoid corn because I know that I will be doubled over in pain later once it hits my gut. I would think it would be the same for her.

It’s only the first cold since we have started her on this menu, and it’s too soon to get hopeful, but I am hopeful that it is already working. Every time she has a cold, she pukes. She would puke at daycare, in her sleep, etc. She hasn’t puked once yet with this one. Maybe she will with the next cold, but for now I will remain hopeful.

Deploy, Don't Destroy: Wonderware Troubleshooting

If you ever think you are interested in what I do at work, below is a how-to document I wrote and  used in the Interstates' blog. This might change your mind from wanting to know what I do, to being disinterested.

Documents like this often come after much trouble-shooting, researching, and calling support. I have always tried to document things like this for myself for future projects and other coworkers. It's mostly used for myself until more people start programming and working with the same software. It seems like the best lessons learned are the ones you experience yourself, so I like to exhaust my expansion of information before I do any research or call support.

Deploy, Don't Destroy: Wonderware Troubleshooting