Wendy: To the Vom-meister

Too cute! Brennans pic should be on top of the "on the bandwagon" blog heading! And Isaac...ooh, Mama, that punk hair is gonna get you when he's 16, and he'll say, "but Mom, I thought you loved it!?" Glad you posted them, cause I missed whatever other mailing you did.

sorry

so I should have paid more attention to the picture options because I really didn't mean for them to take up that much space. I'll do better next time.

Wendy: to Sandy et.al

Whew...you move fast in cyber-time! To answer your ?'s: I think I'd like the posts to go from first to last on the day.
I don't want all the blogs on my email 1 at a time, unless it could forward an entire day in one email.. I haven't figured out all the "how to post from email" yet.

Lisa...loved the small world story...how strange is that connection! Plus, Anastasia is working so hard that it's rewarding to hear such great feedback.

Zoe's band concert was amazing tonight...I am so impressed by the sound!
G'nite to all.

A Laugh to end your day with...

So today I have been battling a stomach bug. And for most of the day the bug has been winning. At one point I was in the bathroom and unfortunately about to vomit the cracker I was hoping to keep down. Being a mother of toddlers I am never left alone to do anything in the bathroom. So of course they both followed me in probably believing that they were going to be cheering me on for going pee pee in the potty. Instead they found me with my head bent over the toilet. Isaac for some reason believes that any time I am on my hands and knees it means that I want to play "horsey" so he jumps right on. He then proceeds to hit my back in his giddy up horsey mode. I am heaving now and Brennan decides to pull up the potty training potty in the bathroom for a front row seat. Isaac is now rotating between hitting me in the head and leaning his head over to "spit" in the potty like mommy. Then after a few heaves up comes the cracker, to which Brennan throws his hands up in the air and in a yeah mommy voice says "wow mommy big one." I could not help but let out a tiny laugh between the heaving. Here I am being cheered on for throwing up. I only hope that you all have such cheer leaders in your lives. Off to hopefully fall asleep and wake up a new person. I am also attaching some pictures because I was not satisfied with the non response I got when I sent them out last week.

ANSWERS AT LAST!!!

Okay, Wendy, as is evident from the multitude of test-blogs below, I've finally managed to figure out one way to be notified of new postings. I went under "CUSTOMIZE", then "SETTINGS", then "EMAIL". From there I was given TWO interesting options:

FIRST: The option of entering any email addresses that I want included in an instant posting notification. The catch is that it doesn't only tell you a new post was made, it sends you a copy of each new one! However, at the bottom of the email is a link to the blog page (it only brings up a page with that specific posting on it, but beneath the posting is the "HOME" icon which you can then click to open the entire blog page home and see all postings at once). It will make for a rather crowded inbox on busy posting days (or days filled with millions of insignificant tester posts, like today!). But if you're on your email all the time and don't want to jump back and forth pointlessly, I'm sure it may be worth it!

SECOND: Even if I didn't want the email notifications, on this "EMAIL" page I also had the opportunity to allow access to posting directly from MY email. It gave me the option of creating an email address to that end (it pre-filled in "sandanperry." then there was an empty box, and then the prefilled "@blogger.com"). I tried to let the address just be sandanperry@blogger.com without filling in that empty box, but nothing happened. However, when I added "email" to the box, thus creating the address sandanperry.email@blogger.com, it worked perfectly. (In retrospect, I'm wondering if I typed in the "." following sandanperry when I entered the address for my first emailing attempt-----its possible that it didn't work simply because I left that off, not because I needed to add something to the empty box!) ANYWAY, what that email address now allows me to do is post a new entry to the blog page from my email site, rather than only being able to do it by logging in to the blog page itself. This way I could also forward emails from others, I assume.

I know that I can enter other people's addresses to add them to the email notification of new postings list, so if anyone doesn't want to bother with going through the process themselves just let me know. As for creating an address for your own email-to-blogspot posting access, you have to handle that when you're signed in yourself. If for some reason you don't see the "CUSTOMIZE" option at the top right of the blog home page it means you somehow haven't been added to the "authorized" list, so let me know and I'll fix it!

All of these technical postings have completely interfered with the original reason I sat down at the blog page today----I wanted to post an entirely personal note! But at the moment I'm blogged-out, so it'll have to wait until later tonight. Hopefully I haven't managed to entirely confuse everyone with all of the instructions today----bear in mind I'm working with a brain that's only 2/3rd's conscious at any given time! Love ya! SANDY

POSTING YOUR PICTURES

As my little tester email proved, it's quite easy to add pictures to your posts. When you're in the process of writing one, look up at the header where you'll notice editing options and at the far right of the list are two picture icons---one for adding a photo, one for video! (By the way, I guess we can also individually change font characteristics for our posts, so if anyone wants to get creative with style/color/size/layout of their posts the option seems to be there! There's also a spellcheck icon, which I'm happy to see!) I chose a picture of Pingu which I'd previously saved onto my computer, but I could just as easily have put a picture from my camera (I plan to do that shortly, actually)! ALSO: If you post an entry and immediately realize you forgot to tell us something, you can simply click on the pencil icon just below your post. It will immediately re-open the post and allow you to change anything you want about it---including adding a last minute photo!! (The only catch is that the editing option is available to us ALL for every posting, so technically WE could also change anything YOU wrote. But I'm sure none of us have the energy to be so naughty!) Another note: for those who are interested, a "slideshow" can also be set up on the main page. You have to click on "customize" in the top right, and then "page elements". What I haven't yet figured out is how to set up the slideshow with personal pictures rather than a preset choice of landscape shots, etc. I'm sure I'll work it out before too long! Okay, well I'm now off to go find out how to set up "new post" email announcements for everyone. (FYI: if you click on "customize" on the top right of the blog page, then "help" on the top right of the page to follow, you'll find a wealth of info on how to do everything you never imagined!!!) SANDY

PS: (MORE ON PHOTO POSTING, from the help page):
To upload pictures just click the image icon on the posting form; you can choose multiple images from your computer or the web to add to your post. See more info below.
(What are the limits on the size or number of pictures uploaded?) When you upload an image, it is resampled and resized according to the size you choose in the upload form. This lets it take up less space on the server. You can fill up to 300 MB of server space with images.
(What file types are supported?) You can upload images in JPG, GIF, PNG, TIF or BMP format.

Windows users can download Google's free photo software, Picasa and use the "BlogThis!" button to post pictures directly to their blogs. One advantage in using this method is that any edits you make in Picasa, like removing red-eye or lighting enhancements, are uploaded along with your photo. Captions written in Picasa are not transferred in this release and therefore you will need to add these in the Blogger post editor. Another option to try is the Hello BloggerBot (also from the people who created Picasa). We have an article on photoblogging which explains in further detail how Hello works. It also discusses some neat Hello features, such as customised Blogger/photo preferences.

Ready For Input!

Wendy, Becky, and crew: I've changed the post layout to have the date in a more CLEAR color, etc. And I also arranged it so that the name of the author (as well as the T.O.D. of their entry) is automatically placed ABOVE the post itself. You were right, much better this way. My current questions are as follows:

QUESTION 1.) The way the date heading works right now, it only appears above the most recent entry of the day. Yesterday's posts will in turn have a date heading only on the LAST entry of the day, to mark the change from today to yesterday. Does that make sense? It IS possible to have the date automatically listed next to the TIME of day and author above each posting. The only catch is that the date will then be the same green font color as the post itself (like the author's name is right now). I felt like people would prefer something that stood out with a different color, but I'll leave it up to you. If none of this makes sense, let me know and I can change it to the alternate format so you can see what I mean!

QUESTION 2.) Do you like the fact that the latest entry appears first? I think it's possible to rearrange it so that the first entry of the day shows first, and you follow the trail down to find later entries. On the one hand that might be nice because if you're coming in at the end of a day filled with postings, you don't have to first figure out the proper starting point! But on the other hand, if you've been checking throughout the day it might be annoying to have to scroll down before finding out if there's anything new to read!

I'll be sending an email shortly regarding how to post pics of your own, by the way! SANDY

ignore this

I'm just testing something! Pingu (Will's favorite penguin) is simply being my model right now!

COSMETIC SURGERY IN PROGRESS!!!

Wendy, Becky, and all who silently seconded their posts: Your voices have been heard, and responded to! You may notice that I already took the first few steps in improving the "read-ability" of posts, but then my computer had a temper tantrum and was put into time out for a while. Now that I'm back, I'll address the remaining concerns/questions, as well as some of my own (ever a work in progress!)!! By the by, those of you who are just now joining us are encouraged to take a look at the left of the page, where the archives hold copies of a postings past. It seems that some questions/issues were addressed back then which may prove helpful to you now. One thing I definitely explained was the reason the colors I chose. As random, and unusual, as they may seem, all of the colors were painstakingly selected based upon their individual tendancy to triggor ocular migraines in yours truly. Those insipid migraines are a MAJOR limiting factor as far as the frequency with which I can access computer things. SO, I took it upon myself to limit the limitations. Green is the least stress-inducing color for our eyes, and from there I simply needed other colors that didn't create harsh bright/dark contrast issues. I can't even tell you how many color combinations I attempted (or how many migraines were induced in the trial and error process)!!!! In the end, this is what I was left with. Hopefully it won't somehow be the worst possible color combination for someone else's eyes! But if it is, let me know and we'll figure something out! Okay, I'm off to work on fine tuning, etc.! Sandy

Lisa: It's a Small World

Seems like many have made it to the blog. I had a funny conversation with one of the nurse practitioners in our clinic and thought I would have to call mom. Maybe she will read it on the blog. We were talking about Thanksgiving and it turned out that she drove a 12-passenger van filled with her 2 sons, daughter, son-in-law and I can't remember who else to Amelia Island for the holiday. Her sister got married, at the Ritz. I casually asked if she had met the wedding coordinator there. She said, "Oh yes. A very sriking blonde named Anastasia (pronounced Ahn ah stah si a) who was the sweetest person ever." She nearly fell over when I told her that Anastasia (pronounced the only way I can say it) was my first cousin. She raved at what a wonderful job that she did. Let this be a warning that any deed that you do, whether good or bad, may get back to your large family (or back to Newnan if you happen to be from there!). I am so proud to be related to the sweetest wedding coordinator (sorry if the title is not quite right) in Florida!

Becky: To Wendy

Yes, I believe we can all go in and change text and/or background color. At least I seem to have that power, unless it was something bestowed on me as a special one. What color do you have in mind? And, I think it's a good idea to post our name at the top along with the title of our entry...if we remember to do so.

There is also a way to be notified by email, because I have some followers of my family blog (also on blogspot) who do this. But, I'm not sure how they do it. We'll have to look into that one.

Great to see you at T-day. And what a wonderful spread of food! We were still eating some of the leftovers you sent home with us until yesterday! (Well, we had dinner with other family members on Friday and Saturday, which may have something to do with that.)

Love to all!
Becky

Wendy: To the blogmaster

Sandy, wonderful news with your baby report...I was praying for you yesterday.
Thanks for pushing through on the blog...I don't think I had ever successfully made it through after a long effort, such that I felt a real kinship with Alice and the rabbit hole.....but now, here I am!
SOOO...are you the architect and manager? I have a request for some different coloring for the dateline (if that is what that blur at the top of each entry is). Also, as some posts are long and we are left to figure out who is writing by the content, maybe we can put our name at the title area(?).
Adam: Is there a way to request notification by email of new entries?
Allison is home for the holidays, and we have bought a package of Yoga sessions after our one (and so far, only) visit...but hoping to stretch more soon. Also still digging our way through the Guest Bedroom storage dump in hopes of seeing the floor and having bedding for Christmas. Laurie, the 4th is a big day for Thad as well as Anastasia, who turns 30!
Love to all, Wendy

My turn, my turn!!

Thanks, Sandy, for getting this started again. I'm liking this, too, because I was left out of the whole "Lisa's back" string of emails, unless my email spammed it. But, I do think we are going to have to work with Marky, though, to get her able to visit. There may be a few other stragglers. Thanks for the preggo update! But, I will warn you...a 3-D ultrasound, while pretty cool, actually looks quite scary and makes you think your baby is going to be the ugliest child on the block. You can make out the features better than a regular ultrasound, but it also looks a little scary...like a huge nose and a punched in cheek, etc. So, don't panic. :-)

Not much going on here...aside from trying to accomplish home schooling and my Christmas baking at the same time. Looking forward to seeing some of you at Christmas time in Atlanta!

Becky

Finally am set up for the #?/^##* blog!

Well, that registering process didn't take more than 15 minutes of entering, reentering, finding lost passwords to accounts I didn't know we had, changing said passwords, writing and rewriting the distorted "words" I apparently couldnt read. But.....I'm HAPPILY aboard now and can enjoy all the lively posts from JULY.

As to your question Sandy, hmmmm, you do raise some interesting points. I guess we'll just have to wait to see what confessions D and R may feel compelled to bring forth!

Big "educational" week for us. The dental committee apparently meets Dec. 3, which means calls should happen the 4th. It's VERY hard to not think that begging and wheedling with God could yet remove any undesired result there. On the one hand, we believe with every fiber in us in the goodness and sovereignty of God in this and every event coming into our lives. On the other hand......human desires to get our own way on what we've decided is best. Twill ever be a struggle!

Friday, Hillary and I go to scholar's day at Mars Hill. This is her interview time to try to bring home the big bucks. Prayers for both these events are always appreciated!

thanksgiving was very nice with lots of back and forth between Lincolnton and lots of "boarders" in and out. We culminated with a nice dinner Sunday nite at Carrabas with Emily's folks (Emily and thad needed to get some "stuff" to them from their Tennesse family visit before heading back to W'ton.) Jessie detoured to Hickory on her "way" to school and was able to join us, then she and Hayes piled in her little VW to get back to Wofford. She'll brink him back at christmas break and stay a few days then.

Gene's dad is still in the hospital. More swallowing tests this week. We're certainly hoping that after this rest he'll be able to swallow better and return to oral food.

Well I must be off to my Bible study's Christmas gathering, so more later.

Marky, thank you for your thanksgiving message. MUCH LOVE to all my sibs and families!!!
Laurie

Okay, for those of you who cared enough to follow the trail to OUR blog page, here's the latest:

First things first, I am DEFINITELY pregnant! (All the poking and proding proved that there's definitely a blossoming uterus and a budding new life!!!) He (my doctor) feels that the most likely scenario is going to be that I've been pregnant for between 7.5-8 weeks, despite the negative test on Oct 29th. (This was backed up by all of the measurements, etc, he took today). All of my medications are considered Category C, rather than D. Which means that they've at least been shown to cause damage in lab tests but have NOT been proven to be so dangerous that they should not be used under any circumstances. (They're the "if the benefits to Mom outweigh the potential risk to baby...." medications.) SO, he's not overly concerned even if this little one was exposed to the Rx's longer than I had hoped. That being said, he DOES intend to do some thorough research into each of the specific drugs because he's had no personal experience with any of them (regarding pregnancy) either way. I have a follow-up first ultrasound scheduled on 12/19, at which point he'll both be able to confirm the gestational age and give me any new info he may have gathered pertaining to the meds. In the interest of being proactive, he will also be sending me to a high-risk pregnancy specialist for a HIGH RESOLUTION ultrasound in the 2nd trimester. That's right, assuming they send a copy home with me, I should be able to post a picture of what the baby actually LOOKS LIKE (rather than a convoluded image of theoretical body parts!)!!

So, if the good doc is correct the due date should be set around July 13th. This will just add to the joy of that time of year for us----we currently celebrate Mother's day, Mommy's Birthday, Mommy and Daddy's Anniversary, Father's Day, & Daddy's Birthday (July 14th) all in a big whirlwind!

Okay, enough doctor stuff. I have a theory about this situation in general. Do me a favor, everyone, hear me out and then give me your opinion:

In the end of September Danny, Will, and I spent a week with Danielle and crew. Only one or two days after we got home, Danielle called to say she just found out SHE'S expecting. Danny and I admittedly shared a moment of "if only WE could....." when we heard her good news (it didn't help that Coen had been so darn cute and manageable all week!). But that "if only" moment passed when we (okay, I) really started to worry about the factors of my physical limitations along with Will's issues. (Plus there was the fact that all three of us were deathly ill thanks to Coen's little forget-me-not parting gift of germs.) Oddly enough, while WE were busy coming to the mature conclusion that it (still) wasn't time to consider adding to our family, my BODY was busily getting knocked up ALL BY ITSELF! (Well, I guess it wasn't "all by itself" so much as without our knowledge and consent!!) Let me tell you something, I've had this body for a while, now, and it has NEVER done anything like this before. So my question tonight is this: Am I crazy, or do you think Danielle and Roberto are somehow to blame, here?

Seriously, Danielle, did you do this to me so that we could "raise our kids together" like we (probably) talked about growing up? Like, I'm not saying you're a witch, okay.........but if you wanted to learn some creepy spells or gain some evil powers, Massacheusetts would pretty much be the best state in the country to be living in! Am I right? I mean, HELLO, SALEM?! Tell me the truth, Danielle. You finally discovered the hidden meaning (and power) behind that spooky cat face in your basement, didn't you?

Listen, I'm not saying I think you would do something like this.......I'm just ASKING if you did. For that matter, I think I know enough about Brazil's spiritual history to say that we can't count out your husband's involvement. He WAS sort of a dark, mysterious, shadow that week........ That delicious chicken dish he "randomly" decided that he just "had" to make..........what was the secret ingredient? And why did I feel compelled to have a 2nd helping? Hmmmm??

Well, what's done is done, I suppose. I just hope you thought to conjure up a GIRL while you were at it! (Just kidding, little baby, I'll love you know matter what you are!)

OKAY, it's very late now and since Will fell asleep almost an hour ago I can't blame him for the fact that I'm still at this computer! I better put myself to bed and hope for deep, restful sleep so that I won't spend another full day in bed tomorrow! Love to all! SANDY

Has Everyone Given Up?

Amelia Island

Hi everyone! It was good to see you Regas' at Amelia on the 4th. We had lots of fun on our brief beach stay. I posted some pics on our blog ( www.inreyreform.blogspot.com )of the boys newly aquired passion...boogie boarding!
Love all of you guys!
Becky

Oh, and Sandy...do tell us all of your adventure on Thursday. Did I hear you may have had a wee confrontation with a black widow? I'm waiting to get the details from you!

HELLLOOOOOOO OUT THERE....

Is anyone out there?

Not much going on with me either. Aidan just turned nine last week. GULP. Where does the time go? He's now officially halfway to college. Kind of a weird thought. Kind of a scary thought, too, considering there is no college fund as of yet. I'm banking on those academic scholarships...no pressure Aidan!

Which Would You Choose -- Flowers or a Flood?

Not that it matters, but Cindy didn't mention how much I've helped out at Momo's house and how much Momo said she appreciates it. Also, it's no big deal but Saturday I got up on a cheap, dangerous ladder to stop an overflow from the gutters during a severe thunderstorm with driving winds and rain so that the house wouldn't flood due to the inability of a sump pump to handle the excess water. I came inside only to find everybody oohing and ahhing over some flowers Chris sent for Momo's anniversary, having remembered it only because it was also his anniversary. Maybe I should have gone out and bought Momo flowers instead of preventing her house from flooding. Were the flowers intended to make me look bad? Makes you wonder, doesn't it? At any rate, all you gals did a great job. The truth is I didn't do half as much as you did.

Who's Rubbing Off on Him?

Danielle,
You really need to work on Coen's cussing habit. It's just not very becoming of an infant. Maybe less hanging around Daddy's work? ;-)
B