mauter.com

I was just thinking that we hadn’t posted any news in a while. Thanks for updating us, Brian. I must say, however, that the TiVo might have been on its last leg, but if our power didn’t keep going out, maybe it would’ve lasted longer. Does anyone else’s power go out all the time? Ugh – I don’t like Alabama Power. End rant.

Merry Christmas! I’m looking forward to spending some quality time with our family this year. Hopefully, we’ll get to see everyone at some point. I’m not looking forward to being gone for a week, but we should have a good trip and have some time to recover at home too.

In other news, dare I say something? I think Samantha is finally better. I know it’s just in time to be exposed to a whole new set of germs at Christmas. But, for now, we’re enjoying our happy Sam again.

And lastly, Happy Birthday Patrick!!

Today we Mauters must say goodbye to an old friend. Our Series 2 TiVo passed from this life around 9:30AM this morning.

Actually, I think the hard drive crashed. I can get a new one pre-loaded with the TiVo software, or I can get a much bigger drive and a $20 install kit for about $90.

OR, I can get a TiVo HD. The good thing about going this way is I’m future-proof and now-proof. It will receive the HD signal but can output in 480i for our dinosaur 27″ TV. Later when we get our 108″ LCD TV, we can switch the output to 1080i. Since we already have TiVo service, I can get the Product Lifetime Service for $100 less than you suckers. So that’s $180 for the box and $300 for the service. What a deal!

Oh Internet! What should I do?

Today is my honey’s birthday. He says he now has an excuse to be crochety since he’s now old. Did he need an excuse? We’re having a man’s man’s meal tonight: steak and potatoes. And strawberry cake. Happy Birthday Brian!

Yesterday, I took Samantha to the doctor’s office to get her flu booster shot. At her age, she needs to receive 2 flu shots to make sure the vaccine will work. While I was there, I asked if the doctor could look in her ears to make sure that the infection had gone away. Monday was Day 10 of the antibiotics.

The right ear was infected last time, and it still is. The left ear now has an infection too. I don’t think the infection ever went away, so this round of antibiotics was not effective (keep in mind it was not penicillin-based). However, this counts as ear infection #4 – and 3 in 6 weeks. The doctor prescribed one more antibiotic. If she doesn’t get better this time, we’ll have to go see an ENT and start having the tube discussion. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

In other news, she began walking in earnest tonight. I know we’ve said that for weeks now, but this time, it’s for real. At least it seems so. She had been taking those 5-6 steps in between us for weeks. Tonight, she would venture off course and even began walking laps in her bedroom. It was very cool. She gets very frustrated when she falls and has to get back up on her own, but I think she’ll have that mastered soon enough. Big day.