Robyn has been writing some posts lately to our other blog site:
Charlotte-NC-blog on Blogger.com
These include:
Potty training
Maternity hoseiry-a love-hate relationship
And Dave has a story about rental real-estate escapades on there
Child Saftey-Baby Gates, Ballroom Dancing
(Dave blogging)
We had a Kidco Configure Gate-80 from back in the “old days” in the apartment (2000-2001), and it was built so well and worked so well we lugged it around with us for several years, thinking we’d use it again somewhere. We did use it a bit in our current house around late 2004-early 2005, while it was under re-construction. I set it up across a couple of 2-by-6 forms I threw together from scraps so it wouldn’t damage the wood in the living room entry. This kept the kiddies in the ‘safer’ non-construction area when we would visit the construction site.
Well, we have an exercise machine in the bonus room, and the kids will hear me on it and come in to inspect my agonizing plight. The older ones are probably OK, but there are some moving parts that look like they’d be horrific finger-chewers if the younger tykes got too close. So I’ve been thinking of a way to create a non-permanent barrier to give me just a foot or two clearance from the machine. I finally pulled out the old baby gate and measured it off…UGH! (an interjection) it was about 5-6′ too short. So I examined it for clues to its model and manufacture and hopped on the web. I wound up buying a second 6′ G80 gate, plus a 24″ extension (which I wasn’t positive I needed, but did not want to go drilling holes in the wall and then coming up short–it was a worth guess, I needed it.). It’s a pretty easy thing to use and connect (although I think I remember being a little confused as to which way to hang the wall-connectors last time), and it works well. I had the think up in under 45′, despite having to tinker a bit and realize I needed to remove a section to make it all work. Anyway, I am much more content knowing the little ones will not be getting at any flywheels or shredders while I am working out. Here’s the manufacturer’s information link, if you are interested:
You can purchase it through Amazon.com or other vendors. I think their other products look pretty solid as well. I’ve seen other makers’ baby gates, and they look pretty flimsy. KidCo’s have been good and solid with attention to detail in design.
So, we installed the gate, and danced with abandon (after the kiddies were down for bed, mind you). We’ve been working on Rumba and Cha-Cha tonight, but worked on Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, and Rumba on Monday with Lorenzo from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio on Sharon Amity Road near Independence. He’s an outstanding instructor, although we do miss our regular instructor, Mickie, as she recovers from foot surgery.
I will say one thing: I mentioned in an earlier blog that the “triple dance practice” (we play the same song three times in a row) may be too long to practice one type of dance–this is not true when the children are in the room. We are trying to train them to sit and read or play quietly while we practice dancing. It did not work too well tonight, so three songs was about what it took to practice a few moves for each style. It also did not work too well a couple of weeks ago when our babysitter got a flat tire and we had to take the kids with us for a lesson. After that, we determined we’d train them to put up with us practicing for 30 minutes. Progress is slow, but sometimes you can only expect small miracles from day to day.
I know it can be done. I have trained #5 (at one year old) to be able to sit on my lap while I work on the keyboard and not touch it. It takes about 3 days, with a 1-hour session each day. I sat her on my lap without worrying how much typing I actually got done. I was more focused on watching her, and gently putting her hands in her lap and saying “no” each time she reached for the keyboard or mouse, and giving her a “good girl” praise each time she controlled herself and did not touch the keyboard (placing her hands on the desk, or just plain whiffing). She really responded rapidly and well, although she still needs one or two rounds of “no” and “good girl” each new time I put her on my lap in front of the computer. I didn’t think it was going to work at first, but then Robyn challenged me by telling me how her girlfriend did it in 3 days–she knows I am a sucker for a challenge.
So I just hope I am up to the challenge of training 5 at once to restrain themselves from wreaking total havoc for 30 minutes while we dance…
Dancing from Charlotte
Making Pasta; SchoolHouse Rock! Media titles in software, Audio CD and DVD
I was just proof-reading the most recent blog (from a couple minutes ago) and saw “RATS!”. I realize that it was an odd, out-of date saying, then remembered where I contracted it: along with this educational slurry of objects for my son, I ran across the old “Schoolhouse Rock” songs on both Video DVD, and Audio CD (a couple of different ones), so I have been grooving along while driving with the kids. There is also a 1st-2nd grade program from Schoolhouse Rock now. I purchased all of them through Amazon.com:
SchoolHouse Rock! DVD (video)
SchoolHouse Rock! Rocks CD (audio)
Best of SchoolHouse Rock! CD (audio)
SchoolHouse Rock! 1st-2nd Grade Deluxe (PC software)
I will let you know how the program goes.
Also, Robyn was teaching them yesterday and today about different types of food from around the world. We made lentils and cous-cous last night, and went by Pasta Provisions on Providence Road, where they actually let the kids help make some pasta that we had for dinner tonight–thanks, guys! I am hoping they were taking notes on my Nut Roast from Scotland, and the fresh pesto we made earlier in the week (see prior blogs).
Will blog more in a minute. Robyn wants me to break up the blogs so they are not all-inclusive marathons. She’s probably right. Signing off.
Dave From Charlotte
Bringing Dead Computers to Life
Took #1 child to the business office yesterday and grabbed two old mothballed computers and parts of a third, brought them home, and together we scrapped together a “Frankenstein computer” for him to use with his music programs and MIDI keyboard. Now running a PIII-650MHz with 448Mb RAM (3-128Mbs + one 64MB–did not think you could mix them that way, but these are PC-133 type DIMMs and I haven’t used them in years, so maybe you can). Had the worst time finding out the processor speed, since it was not showing on DxDiag program (a Windows standard). Happened to be on the phone with my Dad, and he sent me to BelArc, where there is a 996kb diagnostic download that gives you very functional data (including your Microsoft keycodes, if you misplaced them). Also gave me my mystery processor speed.
So, it was then off to the races to figure out which soundboard was compatible (and cheap–still trying to stay within budget). CompUSA had a $30 Soundblaster discounted between rebates and instants to $4.99, but was out of stock–RATS! Researched and researched and came up with another Soundblaster Live! but everyone was out of stock on that too (one refurbished model on Amazon, but no manuals or drivers). Then settled on Turtle Beach Riviera, despite lukewarm customer reviews. Did this also because they are partnered with software group Voyetra, who sell two bundles: Teach Me Piano Kit (includes MIDI-to-USB cables) and Computer Music Starter Kit (software plus MIDI-to-Soundcard’s joystick port cable).
Links:
Turtle Beach hardware
Voyetra Software
Creative Labs Soundblaster
We will see how it goes. kind of spent outside of the budget, but softened the landing by going with Robyn and buying some very inexpensive furniture.
