Chinese Christmas

Well, we had a fantastic time in Jasper visiting family and playing Chinese Christmas last weekend. If you've never played - you're missing out! I'm sure it has many different names and different rules, but the elements are the same. Essentially, everyone brings a gift and everyone gets a number. Starting with 1 - each person picks a gift, and then the next person gets a gift. However, the person can either choose to open a new gift or can 'steal' a gift from someone else, forcing that person to either 'steal' a gift or pick a new one. This can be quite fun if everyone has a sense of humor and likes each other. Which, fortunately, applies to our family! We had an absolutely fun time, and though we didn't get to visit much this year, we were still welcomed with open arms. One of the things that I love most about family is that they accept and love you the way you are!
We also got to visit with our nephews Austin and Jason and our niece Allyson. They are getting so big and are developing wonderful personalities. We did learn a lesson though - never buy one gift for two boys to share! We rarely get to stay long, but we always feel more connected and less stressed after a visit home to Jasper.

Holiday Parties

We have been and will continue to be busy partying over the Christmas holiday season! On Dec 1, we went to Ken's company holiday party, an extremely lavish affair. We even danced! Our gift this year was a digital picture keychain, which I was particularly wanting and almost bought for myself - glad I didn't! Thanks, ASI. Here's a lovely picture from the festivities. We had a great time and stayed in town at a nice hotel and got massages at the spa to feel like we were really being extravagant.
On Dec 7, we went to my holiday party at the North by Northwest (NXNW) Brewery. It was also a lovely affair, where everyone got a prize! I got a new fleece pullover from Land's End - beautiful Cobalt Blue.
On the 15th, we'll have the 2nd Annual Carnline Descendent's Chinese Christmas party at our cousin's in Kirbyville (near Jasper, TX). It is always a lot of fun - especially watching all the kids open their gifts. On the 22nd, we'll visit Ken's dad, sister, and brother in Katy, TX for Christmas dinner and Sunday brunch. We plan to spend Christmas eve with neighbors and then Christmas morning and day together opening gifts!!
Hope your holidays are as fun!!
Krista

Adventures in Backyard Camping

Last weekend we took the dogs camping . . . in the backyard! The last time was took the dogs camping (many of you may remember the infamous camping trip!), we ended up leaving the campsite and driving home at midnight because Thor couldn't get to sleep and had to let us all know that there were bugs and things outside the tent.
We decided to try camping again, only a little closer to home so that our bed wasn't too far away in case Thor couldn't sleep again. It's a good thing too! This camping trip we stayed out till 2am. So, he's getting better! Saige, good as usual, went to sleep with us. But Thor had to walk the perimeter of the tent (at least we bought a bigger one so that he didn't step on our heads this time!). Then he had to go outside, then back inside, then check all the windows, then walk the perimeter, then bark a lot . . .
Anyways, we'll keep trying - maybe someday we can actually go camping somewhere that's further away than an hour! Meanwhile, here are some picture of the happy dogs.

And it just keeps raining . . .

Ken's cousin was in a horrible truck accident and is in the hospital. We drove up yesterday to visit him, and were glad that he was doing so well. After looking at pictures of the truck, it is a miracle that he is still alive! He has a broken neck and collarbone and other minor injuries, but he is conscious and was cracking jokes from his hospital bed. He will have surgery to place two metal plates in his neck, and there are still risks, but his attitude is good and we have high hopes that he'll be well again.

Unfortunately, more bad news.
Krista's cousin's husband died after about a week in the hospital battling injuries from a motorcycle accident. Both my cousin (Christy) and husband (Blaine) were in the accident, but my cousin is doing fine. I visited them and their kids in South Dakota a few years ago after meeting them at a family reunion in Missouri with Grandma Sue. They were always very warm and welcoming, and though they're actually my second cousins, I always felt closer to them.
Blaine and Christy had 5(?) children and recently became grandparents. Our hearts go out to Christy and their family.

Tales from a Mile in the Sky

Update on Ken's trip to the International Conference on Software Quality (ICSQ), where he presented his speech, Software Test Automation 101 . . .

Well I thought I’d report in from Paradise. Turns out Paradise is a lot like a 3^rd world county with software testers. The hotel is umm… well… let’s just say that they have many opportunities to improve. Also, unless you get up real early there will be no hot water. And a cold shower when it is 35 degrees outside is… brisk.

My speech today was a success! I was a bit worried at first but after attending some other presentations this morning, I knew I had it nailed. I did talk a little fast, but otherwise, I think things were fine. There are only around 200 people at the conference and there were four sessions throughout the day. Of the four I attended (including mine), I was the only one who got applause at the end of it!

The smallest session I attended had 14 people and the largest had 33. Mine had 23 people in it, which made me feel good since I was afraid I’d be talking to an empty room! But the audience actually took notes and asked questions and everything. I had people stopping me in the halls afterwards asking my opinions on tools and processes and stuff. It was pretty cool, like they thought I knew what I was talking about or something!

The audience filled out speaker evaluations on me at the end, so I’m interested to see how I REALLY did. The speaker with the best scores wins a ‘best in show’ type award… no dog jokes please. And the best two get invited to speak at the World Software Quality Conference next year. I'll keep you posted! ~Ken

That's country living!

So, the other morning, Saige and Thor were making quite a racket in the backyard. I looked out to see what's in the picture. Apparently, this guy had escaped to see whether or not the grass was really greener on the other side.
A little while after I had brought the dogs inside to eat breakfast, I heard another ruckus outside. So I looked out the window and saw a sheriff car following behind the cow to get him back in his own yard! When you see cops herding cattle . . . that's country living!
-Krista

2007 ICSQ Brochure is out!!

As most of you know, I submitted a paper and was selected as a speaker at the 2007 International Conference on Software Quality in Denver in October. They’ve finally released the brochure and sign-up info on the web and it’s really exciting to see my name up there! (I’m disappointed with the description of my presentation, but otherwise I’m pretty stoked!) The information below will link you to the website and the brochure.

• Web Site: http://www.asq.org/conferences/software-icsq-2007/index.html
• Brochure: http://www.asq.org/software/conferences/pdf/2007-isqc.pdf (1mb file)
  • I’m on page 8, session C3 and the description is on page 11.
  • I’m saddened to see that I’ll be competing with a presentation I actually wanted to see called “How did bosses get so stupid!”
    

Check them out!! Ken

Krista's Dad

Unfortunately, Krista's dad passed away around midnight on Monday, August 6. The good news is he is no longer in pain. He'd battled cancer for over 3 years, and fought as hard as he could, but it just wasn't enough.

We're going to Tucson tomorrow in order to be with Krista's family and lend our support. Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks.

Saige Scare

Saige gave us quite a scare last weekend. On Saturday morning, I (Krista) put the dogs out for a little while before breakfast; when I went to bring them in for breakfast, Saige ran up to me with a swollen face and blood on her neck. At first, I thought that Saige and Thor had gotten into a serious tussle, but Saige was also acting funny. She was clingy and kept blinking her eyes at me, which is always a sign that something is wrong. So I went in to wake Ken up, who was still sleeping. We called the vet and took Saige in for an emergency consultation. Apparently, she tussled with a Copperhead snake, which are less dangerous for dogs than Rattlesnakes. The vet gave her a benedryl shot and another shot to help with the swelling. The next three days, we could both tell that Saige wasn't feeling well. Her face was twice the size it normally is, she refused to go outside, she wouldn't play with Thor, and she slept a lot. However, she finally perked up by Wednesday night, bringing me her toys to throw so she could fetch them. When she started picking fights with Thor, we knew she was better!

Now, she's doing fine, and we're hoping that she has learned her lesson and will leave snakes alone in the future!

Tucson Trip

We are really glad that we made it to Tucson to visit Krista's dad. They moved him to hospice the third day we were there. He is still coherent, but his body is failing. He has trouble breathing and his stomach swells every time he eats or drinks. He knew we were there, and really seemed to enjoy our company. Ken wheeled Dad around the hospital in his wheelchair to get some fresh air. Dad knew exactly where he wanted to go, and gave Ken directions. Since it's a little hard to understand him, Ken kept going the wrong direction and Dad would get mad and start pointing where he wanted to go. It was pretty funny. Dad comes from a very stubborn family. We brought Grandma Sue, his mom, to the hospital to visit, and that was nice. Grandma can't drive, so she doesn't get out much and though she got tired easily, she was glad she went.


We had a chance to visit with Krista's brother, Eric and his wife, Jodi and their little boy, Jacob. Jacob's over a year now, and super cute! He's such a happy baby and he loves his mommy! Ken and Eric are great friends and enjoyed a bonding experience when they got Mom's new jeep stuck in Pantano Wash. Nacho had to help dig them out. Luckily, Mom wasn't too upset, though maybe she'll think twice about letting Eric drive in the future!! Everyone had a chance to drive the new Jeep, and we all think Mom did a fantastic job picking it out!! Ken, the computer guru, helped everyone with their laptops. Krista ordered Mom's from Dell Computers and everyone was impressed with its speed and quality. Mom bought the computer game, Lara Croft Tombraider, and she and Nacho are enjoying playing it and killing Lara off by jumping off cliffs and other such things.

Thor celebrated his 2nd birthday by getting to come home from the boarding kennel. He and Saige were sooo happy to be home! We'll have to start over on his manners-training, but its great to have them home. We sure missed them!

Please keep Krista's dad in your thoughts and prayers. We hate to see him in such pain.

Latest and Greatest News

We've had a lot going on lately. Ken has been chosen to give his Software Automation Testing 101 presentation at the 2007 ICSQ (International Conference on Software Quality) Conference in Lakewood, Colorado on October 16 & 17!! We've sent out several applications and an article that Ken wrote. This conference was the first we applied to and the first to respond! He doesn't get paid for presenting, but he does get free entrance to the conference and the chance to become known as an expert in automated testing (which is a way of testing software). His company will pay for his flight, hotel, and food so Ken will only have to pay for souvenirs! We've been very excited and definately very proud of Ken for taking this big step!

Krista is beginning to enjoy her job as she's learning what's expected. Her company has 4 main proposal rounds per year in which she participates (there are two left for this year). The last round was a nice, slow introduction to the process. Though the writing is different and more difficult than any other writing she's ever done!

We're planning a trip to Tucson July 3-7. Krista's dad continues to battle cancer, but weakens daily. He's almost completely bedridden and in almost constant pain. He doesn't believe he'll last out the year, so we decided now is the time to visit. We got a great deal on plane tickets and Krista's supervisor is willing to work with her even though she doesn't officially have the time - she can make it up later.

In doggy news, Saige is ridiculously jealous of Thor! She's been starting fights and pushing him out of the way of petting. We have been working with him more on manners and we've taken him into Austin for training twice, so it probably looks like he's getting special treatment. We'll have to teach Saige another trick and take her to Home Depot so she doesn't feel left out anymore! She's been digging out of the yard again, but only when we visit our neighbors. She makes the hole under the fence just big enough for her, and not for Thor so he gets stuck inside! Thor's manners have improved drastically! We learned that he is probably Great Dane/Lab mix instead of AmStaff/Lab mix, and we've learned different ways of training him that really seem to be working. We're amazed at how good he is now.

Well, that's all for now, stay tuned for more exciting news.

New Blog

This is a place where our friends and family can read what we're up to. Welcome and Enjoy!!