Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Monday, December 29, 2008

Check Out The New Template

If you are viewing through a reader go to www.duffeyfamily.blogspot.com.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Merry Christmas Uno

We just got back from a Christmas visit with our family in Georgia. We had a great time visiting, eating, and opening presents!

Upon our arrival back home today, we were planning to put together one of O's new toys from Duff and CeCe -- a full-size playhouse.

First it was a pain in the tail feathers to put together, but once we got it up, O loved it. She walked right in and had a tea party. Yea!

The one thing that Duff and CeCe did not account for in their toy transaction is our lack of space in our itty-bitty lovely house. So right now it's in the hall way. I hope we don't trip over it on a midnight trip to the potty!!!

The house is great and O absolutely loves it. So... I suppose the solution is to make it work. Maybe we'll have to give up something like the diaper changing table. Well shouldn't she be potty training now anyway? Maybe this will be a good excuse to begin.

We can't wait to see O play in her house more tomorrow!

Also, in the recesses of our minds we are still very scared since one more set of grandparents has not shown their plan for O's Christmas. We are fearfull that there will be even more plastic stuff in our house before the end of the week. Oh well, I guess this is just part of growing up. For O, or for US, I don't know which!

By the way, I've got more pictures uploaded. Just click the picture above and the link will take you to more.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Why Wolf Camera Stinks

  1. Their store has more picture frames and such than actual photography equipment.
  2. They don't have items such as film or tripod accessories in stock. You can't sell what you don't have.
  3. While they still carry diverse equipment, the employees aren't trained to know about many of the higher end products.
  4. Scrapbooks are for sissys.
  5. They don't sell a decent selection of film. I'm not even looking for a great selection - decent will do.
Back when I first started going to Wolf they looked totally different. They had great equipment in stock and knew about it. I guess like many businesses, they have dumbed down to the lease common denominator. I like to patronize area stores, but I suppose, I'll have to start shopping like Ron - online.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Duffey's got a big ole head.

It started off with a co-worker seeing one of my pictures of Birmingham. She asked if I could put it in sepia and emailed to her so that she could print it for a friend. Of course I obliged and sent it to her.

She gets the canvas back and it looks awesome there here's the kicker... She asked me to sign my work. "My work!" I didn't know if had work.

Anyway, with a newly sized head, I signed my work. If I'm famous one day, Julie you can know you have received my first signed masterpiece. "Masterpiece" used loosely.

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Health Update

Those of you that have been reading for a while know that I've been undergoing treatment for hepatitis C, a liver disease. Unfortunately yesterday I was informed that after twenty weeks of medications, the treatment was not responsive. Obviously we all wished for a better outcome, but I surely won't miss the side-effects once they go away!

Through this results, opportunities are abound, and the Duffey's will march on. The one thing that hasn't changed is God's sovereignty through out this process. Therefore, we are thankful for all His blessings, even those we can't understand. For that, we have much comfort!

So what is the plan? Well, I don't consider this an extremely urgent matter so we'll most likely wait a few more years until something hopefully better is discovered. As a matter of fact, there are some promising treatments in testing now that I might seek once approved.

Thank you for all your prayers for me and my family! I wish you could understand how they have kept us standing tall through the past 24 months.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

The Old Heel-toe Technique

Band nerds, you can probably follow me pretty well with this post. Others, you may need some explanation.

Yesterday, I was walking through my house very quietly. That is what you do with a sleeping baby and a desperate need for quiet adult time. You see our house is a great old house that was built in the 1950's. It is so charming with the original hardwood floors. The problem is that old hardwood floors aren't the most discrete especially in a quiet house.

That's when I realized it. I am a much quieter walker than Hot Wife! Then I remembered my special training band camp. One of the first things a young band nerd learns is to walk softly using the heel-toe technique which allows a smooth movement thus quality marching and sound. Wow! I had a nerd flashback.

So, for those of you who want to know how to do the heel-toe or maybe you need a refresher, here's the steps (ha I made a funny).
  1. From a standing position, take a step forward with your left foot. The step should be a comfortable pace about 12 to 18 inches in distance.
  2. The impact point for the first step should be soft and on the heel of your foot.
  3. With a arcing motion, the weight of your left foot should move toward the front. Simultaneously, your right foot should be beginning to bear some weight toward the front lifting the heel off the ground.
  4. Once your left foot can comfortably bear most of your weight evenly, then proceed with a step forward with your right foot being sure to land on the heel.
  5. Just like the left foot roll your arch toward the front of your foot evenly distributing weight and begin back stepping with your left foot.
  6. Repeat over and over.
I know it sounds complicated, but each step should be comfortable. The key is a soft rolling motion that keeps your legs, waist, and upper body still.

A good quality gate is one more reason why I believe band nerds will eventually rule the world.