For years, Jason and I have gone back and forth over the appeal of e-readers and tablets. We both love the feel of a real book. I'm pretty sure we own over 300 books, and after moving them 6 times, we manage to still like having them. However, the moving also made us consider the notion of an e-reader.
Cut to the beginning of the summer. I received another scholarship from Penn State, similar to one I got the first time. I had said that if I got the same scholarship this time around, I would get a Kindle or an e-reader to make my back-pack lighter. So, we started shopping. I was a supporter of the Kindle Fire, but Jason did a little more research and found that Google was releasing a new tablet soon. It would sync up with my Gmail, calendar, and other Google platforms that I already use. I was sold.
We had to pre-order them, and they finally got here! It's charging right now, but I already love the size, feel, and look of the Nexus 7. I won't have to carry my laptop all over creation every day. I don't have an office at Penn State, so I'll have to carry everything with me. A tablet is going to make this so much easier!
We'll give another update once we've had a chance to play. :)
- M. & J.
Elliott is getting so big!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Summer Fun
In addition to moving, we have been doing a lot of fun stuff this summer!
Before we left Philadelphia, we made sure we ate at some of our favorite places:
That was just the week before we left! I think the only place we didn't get to was From the Boot in Lafayette Hill, but my cousin lives close, so we can get our visit in then.
My first outside-baby Mothers Day was really special. Jason made me breakfast, and he gave me new running sneakers and a nice dinner out (which we haven't had a chance to take yet!). Elliott (read: Jason) made me a Shutterfly book. We spent the weekend with my family at Aunt Chris' and at Longwood Gardens, which I had never been to before. So beautiful, and so big!
The next few weeks were consumed with moving and other family issues. We started June with a visit to Mt. St. Mary's University, which is my dad's alma mater. It was alumni weekend, and mom and dad's friends' band was playing on campus. It is a beautiful campus, and it also houses the Our Lady of Lourdes / Mother Seton shrine. My parents got married there, and they have the most beautiful wedding photos as a result.
Father's day was pretty quiet. That's what the dads wanted. We had a joint bar-be-que with both families and played wash-shoes, which is a combo of washers, horseshoes, and bean-bag toss. I got Jason a cast-iron skillet. :)
The next weekend, my parents, sister, and I took my aunt and cousin from California to New York City and showed them the sights. We tried to see the Ground Zero memorial, but the tickets were sold out (they're free, but they require advance reservations to keep the crowds at bay). It was an interesting trip (thanks to some noisy neighbors at the hotel), but we still had a lot of fun together.
Our summer has been quite busy, and it's only half done! We have baby showers, arts fests, birthdays, and lots of pool time planned before orientation starts for grad school at the end of August. I'm also hoping we can take a weekend beach trip to OCNJ after the season is over, maybe in mid to late September.
Before we left Philadelphia, we made sure we ate at some of our favorite places:
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| Tampopo, 44th Street, West Philadelphia |
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| El Limon, Fayette Street, Conshohocken |
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| Frankford Hall, Frankford Street, Northern Liberties |
My first outside-baby Mothers Day was really special. Jason made me breakfast, and he gave me new running sneakers and a nice dinner out (which we haven't had a chance to take yet!). Elliott (read: Jason) made me a Shutterfly book. We spent the weekend with my family at Aunt Chris' and at Longwood Gardens, which I had never been to before. So beautiful, and so big!
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| My special mothers day pancakes. |
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| Elliott and his grandparents. |
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| Beautiful campus. That's the dorm my dad lived in! |
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| Elliott and Mom in front of the chapel. |
The next weekend, my parents, sister, and I took my aunt and cousin from California to New York City and showed them the sights. We tried to see the Ground Zero memorial, but the tickets were sold out (they're free, but they require advance reservations to keep the crowds at bay). It was an interesting trip (thanks to some noisy neighbors at the hotel), but we still had a lot of fun together.
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| Flags at the World Trade Center site. |
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| Salad at Carmines, an amazing Italian restaurant in Midtown. |
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| Lights at the Marquis Marriott, where we beat the heat with a beer. |
What fun things have you been up to this summer?
- M.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
The Little Man is One!
Our Elliott Zachary is one today!
We love you Little Man!
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| Newborn Elliott. |
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| One year old Elliott at his party. |
We love you Little Man!
More updates soon! We've been so busy moving and planning and living life.
- M & J.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Mischief Managed.
With the new house, graduate school, and life in general, we came to the realization that we need to be better organized when it comes to schedules and keeping the house in order (read: livable for child and cat). So, I investigated what goes into a House Management Binder. I had seen them on Pinterest, but I wanted to know more.
Basically, there is no one-size-fits-all binder. I looked at about 10 different styles and suggestions and found what might work for us. It will also be a perpetual work in progress. Right now, I'm getting ready for school and teaching for the fall. In a few years, it will be Mr. Elliott who is attending school. Things will change, our life is always in flux, so I made sure it was going to be a fluid organizer. The suggestion here is just that: a suggestion. Check out how others do it and perhaps you'll find that perfect set-up.
First, and this seems universal, you need a 3-ring binder. I got a Martha Stewart one from Avery, which is sturdy and sophisticated:
I'm using my favorite dividers (What is wrong with me? Who has a favorite divider?!), which are Avery Style Edge Insertables, which even come with printable labels! Woo-hoo!
Aside from that, I'm using print-ables from all over the internet. I'll post those in the House = Home tab soon.
My sections are this:
(Not inside the other dividers)
- Post-it Project Dock (I'll explain at a later date)
- Daily Docket
Dividers:
- Calendar: Schedules, week-at-a-glance, and anything else that is need to know about our day.
- Finances: Budget sheets, bill checklists, and reference material (copies of important financial docs, car stuff, etc.)
- Cleaning: Weekly cleaning checklist, as well as items for daily and monthly consideration.
- Food: Meal planning worksheets, grocery lists (reusable), recipes for the week, and take-out menus.
- Health: Health records and paperwork for every member of the family, including Barney. Also, insurance info.
- School: Paperwork I'd need to quickly reference about Penn State. Later, I expect that this will be used for school items for Elliott.
- Planning: Party planning worksheets, trip planning, holiday planning...you get it.
- Reference: Phone numbers, birthdays / anniversaries, periodic table, measurements...all that stuff.
I'll go into more detail once I have more detail to give! We'll also have house updates soon...you know, once we actually move in.
- M & J.
Basically, there is no one-size-fits-all binder. I looked at about 10 different styles and suggestions and found what might work for us. It will also be a perpetual work in progress. Right now, I'm getting ready for school and teaching for the fall. In a few years, it will be Mr. Elliott who is attending school. Things will change, our life is always in flux, so I made sure it was going to be a fluid organizer. The suggestion here is just that: a suggestion. Check out how others do it and perhaps you'll find that perfect set-up.
First, and this seems universal, you need a 3-ring binder. I got a Martha Stewart one from Avery, which is sturdy and sophisticated:
 |
| I have it in the blue. |
I'm using my favorite dividers (What is wrong with me? Who has a favorite divider?!), which are Avery Style Edge Insertables, which even come with printable labels! Woo-hoo!
Aside from that, I'm using print-ables from all over the internet. I'll post those in the House = Home tab soon.
My sections are this:
(Not inside the other dividers)
- Post-it Project Dock (I'll explain at a later date)
- Daily Docket
Dividers:
- Calendar: Schedules, week-at-a-glance, and anything else that is need to know about our day.
- Finances: Budget sheets, bill checklists, and reference material (copies of important financial docs, car stuff, etc.)
- Cleaning: Weekly cleaning checklist, as well as items for daily and monthly consideration.
- Food: Meal planning worksheets, grocery lists (reusable), recipes for the week, and take-out menus.
- Health: Health records and paperwork for every member of the family, including Barney. Also, insurance info.
- School: Paperwork I'd need to quickly reference about Penn State. Later, I expect that this will be used for school items for Elliott.
- Planning: Party planning worksheets, trip planning, holiday planning...you get it.
- Reference: Phone numbers, birthdays / anniversaries, periodic table, measurements...all that stuff.
I'll go into more detail once I have more detail to give! We'll also have house updates soon...you know, once we actually move in.
- M & J.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Renters fo' Life.
When we initially decided to move to Central PA, we considered buying a house. However, with my line of work requiring some moving around once I get my degree, and we do not want to sell a house in 4 years. No thank you.
That said, we weren't interested in an apartment anymore. Elliott needs a yard, I need an office, and Jason needs a kitchen he can actually play in. We found all this (and more!) in an adorable house in the perfect location.
It has a functioning attic, office, bonus room that is actually a huge closet, big kitchen, and a yard! That's aside from the cute touches that make the house something special. My favorite is the stained glass in the family room and attic.
This is all incredibly exciting, but I'm most psyched about the decorating! My class ends tomorrow, so for the rest of the summer, I'm going to document the things I do with the house. Most of them will have the tag "DIY," so if you miss some, check out that tag.
I also have some crochet projects to show off and other things, but this class and the commute takes up so much time. Yeesh.
- M & J
That said, we weren't interested in an apartment anymore. Elliott needs a yard, I need an office, and Jason needs a kitchen he can actually play in. We found all this (and more!) in an adorable house in the perfect location.
It has a functioning attic, office, bonus room that is actually a huge closet, big kitchen, and a yard! That's aside from the cute touches that make the house something special. My favorite is the stained glass in the family room and attic.
This is all incredibly exciting, but I'm most psyched about the decorating! My class ends tomorrow, so for the rest of the summer, I'm going to document the things I do with the house. Most of them will have the tag "DIY," so if you miss some, check out that tag.
I also have some crochet projects to show off and other things, but this class and the commute takes up so much time. Yeesh.
- M & J
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Upheaval.
Boy, oh, boy have the Yingers had changes in their lives this last month since I posted. Yeesh.
First, we moved. Apparently, moving is one of the most stressful life events, and we've done it almost every year for the last five years. And this move isn't even permanent! We're living with Jason's parents until we have a new place to live, which should be in the next month or so. We can actually start looking because...
Jason got a new job! It even uses his degree, which anyone in the liberal arts can tell you is a big deal. He'll be working for a company that makes and sells collectible items (coins and the like), and he'll be writing copy and doing research for them. We are beyond thrilled, and it will hopefully make our lives easier.
Elliott is taking some time to adapt to this newest change in his life. This is the biggest change probably since he moved into his own room back in September, so we'll just help him through it. He doesn't nap well, and is having some other minor issues. Hopefully once Jason starts his new job and our schedule is less hectic (read: Elliott gets more Mama and Daddy time), he'll feel less insecure.
Most of our changes have been positive, but one has definitely caused negative stress. Jason's grandma passed away almost two weeks ago, and I know its been stressful on everyone, especially Jason's dad. My parents, along with friends and neighbors, have been so helpful by cooking food or taking Elliott so we didn't have to cancel classes and such. The amazing people we know and love in Central PA have come through yet again for us.
We've already had some nice evenings with friends here, including a night on the porch with J's friends and a game / homemade goodies night with my PSU buds and their families (there were 5 kids there!). We know there are nights at the pool, more beers, and more games to be had this summer and we can't wait.
I will post pictures soon of EVERYTHING. I haven't posted monthly photos of Elliott in forever, and we've had other adventures as well.
- M. & J.
First, we moved. Apparently, moving is one of the most stressful life events, and we've done it almost every year for the last five years. And this move isn't even permanent! We're living with Jason's parents until we have a new place to live, which should be in the next month or so. We can actually start looking because...
Jason got a new job! It even uses his degree, which anyone in the liberal arts can tell you is a big deal. He'll be working for a company that makes and sells collectible items (coins and the like), and he'll be writing copy and doing research for them. We are beyond thrilled, and it will hopefully make our lives easier.
Elliott is taking some time to adapt to this newest change in his life. This is the biggest change probably since he moved into his own room back in September, so we'll just help him through it. He doesn't nap well, and is having some other minor issues. Hopefully once Jason starts his new job and our schedule is less hectic (read: Elliott gets more Mama and Daddy time), he'll feel less insecure.
Most of our changes have been positive, but one has definitely caused negative stress. Jason's grandma passed away almost two weeks ago, and I know its been stressful on everyone, especially Jason's dad. My parents, along with friends and neighbors, have been so helpful by cooking food or taking Elliott so we didn't have to cancel classes and such. The amazing people we know and love in Central PA have come through yet again for us.
We've already had some nice evenings with friends here, including a night on the porch with J's friends and a game / homemade goodies night with my PSU buds and their families (there were 5 kids there!). We know there are nights at the pool, more beers, and more games to be had this summer and we can't wait.
I will post pictures soon of EVERYTHING. I haven't posted monthly photos of Elliott in forever, and we've had other adventures as well.
- M. & J.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Working Mamas.
I only partially consider myself a member of the population of working moms. I'm lucky enough to have a job that allows me a flexible schedule so my son never has to attend day care. My husband takes care of him while I'm at work, and then we switch off. I only went to my workplace 4 days a week, about 5 hours a day. Right now, I'm on a very short break between Spring and Summer session 1. Still, I'm pretty lucky that my needs were accomodated. When I was nursing, I had office hours and very short days. When I was pregnant, I organized my appointments around my work schedule. My boss was very kind to hold my place for the spring, and when I decided I wanted to come back earlier, he was able to give me some classes.
That all being said, most working women aren't so lucky. The link below takes you to the study that grades states on how they help working moms. The most interesting, but sadly not surprising, trend is that the states that preach the importance of "family values" and pro-life ideals generally have the worst grades. We live in an economy where to provide for our families, big or small, both parents generally need to work. If we want moms to do what is best for their children, we need to support them in the workplace.
The Study
Something to think about.
- M. and E (who is a lucky little boy)
That all being said, most working women aren't so lucky. The link below takes you to the study that grades states on how they help working moms. The most interesting, but sadly not surprising, trend is that the states that preach the importance of "family values" and pro-life ideals generally have the worst grades. We live in an economy where to provide for our families, big or small, both parents generally need to work. If we want moms to do what is best for their children, we need to support them in the workplace.
The Study
 |
| Courtesy of Mother Jones magazine |
- M. and E (who is a lucky little boy)
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