The little Inn by the wayside

[Railwaymodeler]

Not right now, Spring, at least in Illinois, doesn't really arrive till mid-March.

Of course, they say the Chicago area has four seasons, like anywhere else, but ours are: Cold, Colder, Colder still, and Construction!

On the up side, we've had a mostly mild winter in this area. Parts of it have been severe with snow and wind, but for the most part, very mild so far.

On the other hand, I do like cold evenings: Generally means Maria and I snuggle up close under the blankets, with coffee or hot chocolate.

[eMTe]

Well, we dont have four seasons anymore, also. We now have a constant autumn, divided into freezy autumn (formerly winter), rainy autumn (formerly spring), rainy autumn part II (formerly summer) and summer (formerly autumn).

[Zyx]

Around here we have just three cold months, the other nine are cold as hell.

[Tormuse]

Winter has been rather mild here too. From what I hear, it seems to be hitting Europe a lot harder lately.

EDIT: (I guess it's about time that I change back from my holiday avatar)

[Chroelle]

We had some cold nights here, and mornings to go with them. 20 below was recorded yesterday morning, though here it was only 15 below.

[eMTe]

I was thinking what I like more - cold or warmth and Id go for cold. It's easier and cheaper to fight cold than warmth. In case of cold you can just wear warm clothes and that's it, even if you're far from civilisation warm clothes are enough to keep you alive and comfortable. In case of warmth you can of course hide in the shadow, but what if you're in the desert? Nothing can save you. And if you live in a city there's of course huge amount of devices decreasing temperature - air conditioning, ventilators, but they require power supply = money. Besides, some people are allergic to bacterias living in conditioners and ventilators can be uncomfortable sometimes - after some time it's getting too cold and you can even catch an ear or knee inflamation if you put the fan too close to your body. Yep, I definitely prefer cold.

[eMTe]

Ok...

http://wheresthepixel.com/

[Chroelle]

Weirdest and most innovative website (the developers - not the pixelhunting) I have seen for a VERY long time.

[Scythe]

Ugh, I hate being sick. And you know you're sick when you can't even drag yourself to the computer or be bothered to turn on a TV...

[Chroelle]

Here is a little feel better card:

/---------------------\
I.....Feel Better....I
\---------------------/

Lol - look at a terrrible thing I made for you. Its like when your kids make a drawing for you in 2 secs, and then comes with their eyes glistening at you - maybe because they are aware that it is your DUTY to accept it with a smile and some awe as to their abilities with crayons...

[Scythe]

The worst of it is over. You can tell since I actually dragged myself over to the computer to post here:

[eMTe]

You dragged yourself when you said youd been sick, also...

[Scythe]

That was when I was feeling better... I came to tell you that I'd been really sick after the fact (and sort of explaining why I'd been absent in case anyone had noticed).

[Railwaymodeler]

Excited as tomorrow is when the baby is due. Maria feels it coming soon, so it could possibly be tonight even. Feels like there is a certain magic in the air lately. Plus, two weeks from tomorrow, we go in front of a judge to decide the matter with Pace.

Been thinking about it: Funny how people are connected out there and how paths cross.

I used to work contract IT support for a used car dealer in the area. Started with them before I even met Maria. The car dealer has since closed up, but there was one guy that worked there that I still talk to. His name's Oscar. It turns out, that Oscar's half-brother, is married to one of Maria's sisters. Didn't know this for a long time.

Then there is a lady that bought a laptop from me a while back, maybe two years ago. She used to work with electronics manufacturing, so she would hang out at the shop with Maria and I. We found out that this lady, Cynthia, was married (She's divorced now), to Oscar's cousin. This makes both of them in a convoluted way, part of the (very) extended family. Thinking about it, it kind of makes Adam and Eve make more sense.

[Chroelle]

BEst wishes from here. Oh, and EAT (both of you if possible) before you go to the hospital - but nothing that will hang on your breath! Just sound advice from someone who has been there.
And bring fresh socks and a fresh t-shirt for you!
Cant wait to hear about it, so dont forget to come back in here.

[eMTe]

And dont forget to buy flowers!

[Tormuse]

WOO! That's exciting, Railwaymodeler! Maybe you'll have a Valentine's day baby?

[Railwaymodeler]

We did, Tormuse.

12:17 this morning, Skoda was born. I'm still at the hospital. Maria is totally exhausted and resting. Skoda was delivered healthy, which is good. We had been worried about potential problems from diesel exhuast from buses, but everything seems fine.

I'm tired too, having stayed in the delivery room the whole time with Maria.

So we have a girl, and this means that in about 12 or so years, I will not have a house anymore, but an armed compound, with missile launchers, rockets, flame throwers, and a moat. Any boy that comes near her, will probably be never heard from again.

A few of our friends that work for Pace know already, and I can imagine the word getting to management. Steam would probably come out of their ears!

[Chroelle]

Skoda! (remember I have 2 as well.) Skoda ----> <---You're gonna need the sleep!

So many smilies that all pretty much sums it up! Congratulations and welcome to the world of fatherhood - may the force be with you! (Remember that at some point in around 13 years you are gonna want some sort of bunker in the backyard where you can retreat to with some modeltrains, while your girls fight it out. )
(...Oh and a safe to hide your wallet!)

Once again congrats Raillo - it is a brainbreaking experience trying to fathom what it means to suddenly be a father, and as my best friend called me up close to 13 years ago (yep he is building a bunker right about now):
Him: "This is amazing"
Me: "Tell me - how is it?"
Him: "You wouldn't understand"
Me: "Try to explain"
Him: "Trust me I cant - you wouldnt understand"

Phonecall from me to him close to 5 years back.
Me: "Now I get it".
Him: "Do you see why you wouldn't ge it before?"
Me: "Absolutely".

1 week later I am talking to another friend whos GF is pregnang and he asks me how it feels to become a dad - and now you can just go and read from the top of the first phonecall.

So Raillo: How is it?

[Tormuse]

YAY! Congrats Railwaymodeler! And welcome to the world, Skoda!

Can we get some champagne in this inn?