Good morning! I am ecstatic to report that we are now less one white suburban and the proud owners of one white station wagon named Gertie. Lynley could not be more pleased. I am secretly extremely happy for her and my family but I can't show it. I don't want her to get the idea that I don't still want a new more gas efficient car. You know, guilt goes a long way with her and if I play my cards just right a newer car may be in my not to very distant future.
Don't laugh. I have to play the cards I was dealt. Just for the record it is still not fair, not fair, not fair!
The kiddos have weathered the new car buying experience rather well. I think they are very happy about the decision. They traded in a car with out an entertainment system and upgraded to a DVD player. The neat thing for them is that cars usually only come with two headsets and when the salesman noticed our problem he gladly ran back into the showroom and came back out holding a shiny new third set of headphones. This small gift brought the kids extreme happiness and us extreme peace.
Life is going well with the kids. They have all transitioned nicely into their new classes, schools, and lives. Even Ainsley seems to be adjusting to her new surroundingd although I was totally grossed out when I picked her up today and learned that one of the kids in the day care had shown up with lice. Ick. None the less, we have been inspecting the kiddos by the minute and have washed everything that had been to the school.
Well, I had best be off. There is a mountain of purpose before me today.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Poor Me
Good morning! This will be a very quick update as I am running late this morning. Lynley kept us up much too late purchasing a new car for her. You may remember last week that I mentioned that I was looking for a car for myself. Well, that did not work so well. Especially considering Helga's current diagnosis. Yes, she is back in the shop again. This, of course, means that her car was clearly developing a habit of becoming problematic. Furthermore, this meant that Marky wasn't getting a new car - Lynley was.
Not fair, not fair, not fair.
Regardless, Lynley now has a new car (to her) which I will pick up from the dealership as soon as hers is back from the mechanic and deliverable.
Still not fair.
Well, I had best be off. There is a mountain to do today - including the online seminar of STS for curbing hearing loss at 12:00 PM CST. I am still looking for participants. Please sign up if you can.
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/803804267
I am off to purpose even if I am without wheels.
Not fair, not fair, not fair.
Regardless, Lynley now has a new car (to her) which I will pick up from the dealership as soon as hers is back from the mechanic and deliverable.
Still not fair.
Well, I had best be off. There is a mountain to do today - including the online seminar of STS for curbing hearing loss at 12:00 PM CST. I am still looking for participants. Please sign up if you can.
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/803804267
I am off to purpose even if I am without wheels.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Complete Success Feels Good
Well first, before I get too carried away talking about how great the gallery opening for "Life - Through the Eyes of a Child Living With Neuroblastoma." was, I want to remind everyone of an upcoming webinar tomorrow. The CNCF is presenting an informational session on the use of Sodium Thiosulfate to prevent hearing loss from Cisplatin. Dr. David Freyer from CHLA will be presenting all of the research that has lead up to a new study which is aimed at curbing the hearing loss from Cisplatin. For those of you that don't know this is exactly the type of hearing loss that Sydney experienced and the reason that she wears hearing aids. I think this is incredibly valuable information for parents of children that have been recently diagnosed with neuroblastoma. For many of them that are so close to diagnosis however, they have not had the experience or exposure to know what to ask. It is for this reason that I am asking parents of children that may already be past this point to participate in this discussion. With hindsight we may be much more prepared to ask the questions that they may not be thinking of. It is for this reason I am asking as many people to participate in this online seminar as possible to help these families find the answers that they may not be prepared to ask. The online seminar will consist of 2 components, a conference call and a web browser so that you can see the slides. It will take place at 12:00 PM central tomorrow, Tuesday, September 9th, 2008. If you are a parent of a child with neuroblastoma please consider participating so that we can help these other families. You can sign up here:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/803804267
Now, onto the gallery opening. In all due honesty, I don't think I could have asked for more. The museum was jam packed with people. There were many times throughout the night when I could not navigate back down the hall. I have heard estimates from 200 to 500 people in attendance but the only real indication that I have is the fact that we went through 400 plates. (I didn't even use one!) Somehow, I was also denied a sandwich from any one of the seven trays that were provided by Jason's Deli. I was blown away - and hungry! Wine Styles was so moved by the event that the owner even decided to donate all of the wine for free. If you get a chance to stop by the Wine Styles in Montgomery Plaza please remember to thank her for me. I also received a personal surprise of my own. Rahr Beer donated all of the beer and I discovered that I had a new favorite. Who would have thought? Boy, was that good.
The night also brought several members of the press. That was a nice addition to our evening. The night had not even begun when several of us were already being miked up and interviewed. I knew of atleast one cable news channel that was in attendence and met with several print reporters. Although I am still yet to see much of the media on TV or in print I was happy to see them there. It could only help with the awareness.
The kiddos also had a blast. The autograph center went over wonderfully. The kids had so much fun being stars for the evening. Many of them had as many as 60 autographs to sign. My hands were getting tired just watching them. In the end, however, it was a great time. It was so good to see so many of them feeling so well.
For those of you who could not attend, the pictures are available on the Fort Worth Community Arts Center website at http://www.fwcac.com/.
It was a purposeful start to Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/803804267
Now, onto the gallery opening. In all due honesty, I don't think I could have asked for more. The museum was jam packed with people. There were many times throughout the night when I could not navigate back down the hall. I have heard estimates from 200 to 500 people in attendance but the only real indication that I have is the fact that we went through 400 plates. (I didn't even use one!) Somehow, I was also denied a sandwich from any one of the seven trays that were provided by Jason's Deli. I was blown away - and hungry! Wine Styles was so moved by the event that the owner even decided to donate all of the wine for free. If you get a chance to stop by the Wine Styles in Montgomery Plaza please remember to thank her for me. I also received a personal surprise of my own. Rahr Beer donated all of the beer and I discovered that I had a new favorite. Who would have thought? Boy, was that good.
The night also brought several members of the press. That was a nice addition to our evening. The night had not even begun when several of us were already being miked up and interviewed. I knew of atleast one cable news channel that was in attendence and met with several print reporters. Although I am still yet to see much of the media on TV or in print I was happy to see them there. It could only help with the awareness.
The kiddos also had a blast. The autograph center went over wonderfully. The kids had so much fun being stars for the evening. Many of them had as many as 60 autographs to sign. My hands were getting tired just watching them. In the end, however, it was a great time. It was so good to see so many of them feeling so well.
For those of you who could not attend, the pictures are available on the Fort Worth Community Arts Center website at http://www.fwcac.com/.
It was a purposeful start to Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Today is the Day
Good morning! September 5th is finally here. I really am truly excited. Tonight "Life - Through the Eyes of a Child Living with Neuroblastoma" officially opens at the Fort Worth Community Art Center. The event starts at 6:00 PM and will last through 8:30 PM. There will be incredible photography, autographs, music, appetizers and beverages. There is no reason not to come. I hesitate to even mention to my friends that there will be free beer but, yes, it will indeed be free. On top of all of this I promise not to ask for a single dime. This is all about the awareness. It is about the kiddos. It is about our purpose.
Please stop by and bring your friends. The more the merrier.
Directions:
From I-30 exit University Boulevard, go North on University, go West (turn left) on Lancaster, and go South (turn left) on Gendy Street. The Arts Center is located at the corner of Gendy and Lancaster.
Parking is located across the street from the Arts Center in the northwest corner of the Will Rogers Coliseum parking lot.
We can't wait to see you there!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
The Final Countdown
Good morning! Well today I am in a bit of a rush for our upcoming event. "Life- Through the Eyes of a Child Living with Neuroblastoma" opens tomorrow night at 6:00 PM. All of a sudden I find myself rushing to get all of the last minute items under way. In fact, I am 99% sure that there is absolutely no way I can accomplish everything I need to today. So, that' the bad news.
The good news is that it takes far more than this to get me all in a tizzy. I have happy kiddos, a great job, and a loving wife. I can get through just about anything. A little busyness certainly won't scare me. Although, it probably will make me finish this entry a little earlier than usual.
This is what purpose is all about
The good news is that it takes far more than this to get me all in a tizzy. I have happy kiddos, a great job, and a loving wife. I can get through just about anything. A little busyness certainly won't scare me. Although, it probably will make me finish this entry a little earlier than usual.
This is what purpose is all about
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
A perfectly undescriptive day
Good morning! I am exceedingly happy to report that Sydney's first day of school went smashingly. I wish I had some details to report but little A has not been too forthcoming. I can tell you that we dropped her off with a smile on her face and we picked her up with one as well. It is in between the two smiles that I really don't know anything about. By the time I picked her up all of the kids were gathered together for story time. This was not an opportune time for 20 questions so I elected to take my enthusiastic hug and make my way to the door.
Ainsley was pretty straight forward. "Did you have fun?" - Yes. "Did you make some new friends?" - Yes. "Did you color?" - Yes. "Did you miss Daddy?" - Yes. "What are your new friends names?" - I don't know.
That was it. I don't want to leave you with the impression that she was anything less than happy. She seemed completely contented and quite pleased with her day. She just left me no details. Typical, everyone tries to keep Dads out of the loop.
Well, I had best be off. There is plenty on my plate this morning. I am in the midst of writing a neuroblastoma research proposal. Yes, me! Isn't that cool?
Today purpose will be behind pen and paper.
Ainsley was pretty straight forward. "Did you have fun?" - Yes. "Did you make some new friends?" - Yes. "Did you color?" - Yes. "Did you miss Daddy?" - Yes. "What are your new friends names?" - I don't know.
That was it. I don't want to leave you with the impression that she was anything less than happy. She seemed completely contented and quite pleased with her day. She just left me no details. Typical, everyone tries to keep Dads out of the loop.
Well, I had best be off. There is plenty on my plate this morning. I am in the midst of writing a neuroblastoma research proposal. Yes, me! Isn't that cool?
Today purpose will be behind pen and paper.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Ainsley's official start of school
Good morning! I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. As one would expect, we sure did. For me, it was a surprisingly relaxing weekend. Lynley's brother Unkie Jay and his girlfriend Stina (Christina in Ainsleyian) stayed with us. This was an excuse to get out of chores and just spend time hanging around. Of course, we also spent quite a bit of time running around town. This included trips to the botanical gardens, cow town, and a myriad of other places. I even got to look for a new car (well, new to me). Let's put it this way, driving a Suburban up to 2 hours a day driving kiddos back and forth from school at almost $4 per gallon is putting a hurt on the old budget. I can see a more efficient Sedan in my future.
Today is a big day in the Dungan household. Today Ainsley starts her new school. It was not easy finding the perfect school for Ainsley. As you would probably expect, we looked at several different places. We chose this school based on the quality of the staff and the friendliness of the surroundings. All in all I think we made a fine choice. I have no worries about Ainsley in this environment. Ultimately, however, it will come down to what she likes. Lynley and I are hopeful that she will be happy here. We hold out high hopes.
As for the rest of the twerplets, well, I am happy to say that they seem to be doing exceedingly well at school. I am quite proud of both Sydney and Graham. From everything we have hear they are doing very, very well. Sydney has made many new friends in her new class and Graham even seems to be finding his niche. I guess it is Graham's age and the fact that he is surrounded by so many boys in his class but he is really making his move into boydom. Although he still loves to play with the girls, more and more often we can find him doing boy building spaceships and swords and playing boy games. I would not be honest if I did not say that I preferred this to the tea parties and ballet recitals with the girls. Grunt, grunt!
My purpii are growing up.
Today is a big day in the Dungan household. Today Ainsley starts her new school. It was not easy finding the perfect school for Ainsley. As you would probably expect, we looked at several different places. We chose this school based on the quality of the staff and the friendliness of the surroundings. All in all I think we made a fine choice. I have no worries about Ainsley in this environment. Ultimately, however, it will come down to what she likes. Lynley and I are hopeful that she will be happy here. We hold out high hopes.
As for the rest of the twerplets, well, I am happy to say that they seem to be doing exceedingly well at school. I am quite proud of both Sydney and Graham. From everything we have hear they are doing very, very well. Sydney has made many new friends in her new class and Graham even seems to be finding his niche. I guess it is Graham's age and the fact that he is surrounded by so many boys in his class but he is really making his move into boydom. Although he still loves to play with the girls, more and more often we can find him doing boy building spaceships and swords and playing boy games. I would not be honest if I did not say that I preferred this to the tea parties and ballet recitals with the girls. Grunt, grunt!
My purpii are growing up.
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