Is My Timestamp Corrected Now? And Other News.

This blog isn't particularly about Shifra, but I liked the picture, so I thought I'd share it. I think I like it even better than this one:


I think I may have already e-mailed this one to some of you. I had gone to my room for a while that afternoon, having left Sara and Shifra eating a snack in the kitchen. When I came out of my room, it was suspiciously quiet, and I was worried about what I might find. Sara was playing quietly in the hallway, and she said Shifra was still in the kitchen. And so she was.

The exciting news here is that after posting my last blog about the kiddush, I attempted to change my settings so that my timestamps show up as Eastern time instead of Pacific. Hopefully that worked. I started my last blog at 10:43pm, not 7:43!

After having had our stint with the dentist (our scheduled cleaning is Dec. 8, and so far there have been no new visits since the last posting about it -- keep your fingers crossed), this past week was the "support your local Orthodox pediatrician" instead. On Monday, I took Yanky there due to complaints of an ear-ache. Sure enough, he was diagnosed with an ear infection. On Tuesday, I took Hadassah there for her scheduled one-month check up. Then on Wed., Shifra woke up with what looked like an obvious case of pink eye. Having had enough visits to the dr's office already over the past two days, I wasn't so interested in going again. So . . . wait -- all you dr. people out there, please skip the next section, I'll start a new paragraph when it's okay for you to read again. Anyway, so not wanting to go back to the dr's office for a third day in a row, I self-diagnosed Shifra and gave her eye drops that we had in the house from when Sara had had pink eye way back when.

B"H, Yanky and Shifra have both recovered beautifully. And we found out that Hadassah weighs just over 9 lbs.

(Another) Kiddush

Looks like the Isenberg mishpacha is making a chazaka here -- a kiddush each Shabbos 3 weeks in a row. IY"H we will be hosting a kiddush for Hadassah Miriam this Shabbos, Parashas Vayishlach. The kiddush will be at our house (most likely starting about 1 hour after the early minyan ends and lasting till well after the later minyan ends).

We are currently accepting reservations for those coming from out of town. Beds/bedrooms are limited, so please let us know if you are coming to the Chalet Isenberg Baltimore for this event as soon as possible. Reservations have already been made for Savta, Zaidy, Itchie and Davy.

Hope to see you there!

Who's making the kiddush next week????

A Thanksgiving Message

We've also included this video below, that is totally un-Thanksgiving related, but we thought it was funny. We call it, "What are sisters for?"



Special shout out to Esti - Thanks for the headband!

Considerate gym-maid

First of all, I am only awake now b/c it's the only time I can work on the article I need to write for the Jewish Action. Which of course, I am procrastinating writing right now anyway. I need to share what happened at the gym b/c it was so surprising. It's really not all that interesting though, so don't get excited. I was on the elliptical, after a rough run on the treadmill, when I see a man come in all the way at the front of the gym. He talks to the woman at the desk for a minute, and then she comes all the way back to the elliptical, to me. She came to tell me he was the exterminator and he just needed to walk by the main gym to get to the basement, and did I want to go get "covered up" or was it okay to just tell him not to look that way? How considerate, no?

On another note, Mendy and I were driving back from his parents on Sunday night and we saw a sign just before the GWB that was confusing. (GWB = George Washington Bridge) It said "Commercial traffic upper level only". At first I understood this to mean that I was not allowed to use the upper level of the bridge because I was not commercial traffic. Mendy said, however, that because p=q, this does not imply that q=p or something like that. So we took the upper level and no one made us do a commercial. I think, however, that I could do NY a service by editing their traffic signs. I am surely not the only one who was confused by this.

parental units have returned home

Hi Y'all! The parental units have returned from Baltimore. Shmuly and Avital's kiddush was lovely, baby Ahuva is adorable, baby Hadassah Miriam is also adorable as are all the rest of the next generation Isenbergs. Davy is alive and well - we actually saw him and he does exist! We saw all his teachers and B"H Davy is doing well at Ner Israel. Tattie left early to teach, but his plane was late and he missed the first class. I had lunch with Shmu, Avital, and Ahuva at Mama Leah's. Then I went to pta meetings. Then I met Davy and took him to Subway for a sandwich (the flatbread is yoshon) and to 7=11 for a Slurpy. Returned to Yosef's to bond a little more with the kids. I watched Yanky beat Pajama Sam and Darkness, returned the rental car and went back to the airport. Now here I am back in good old Chicago. It was nice seeing whoever I saw, and I hope to see the rest of you sometime soon. Thank you Yehudis for teaching me how to post.

Mommy

Savta is IN THE HOOOUSEE!

Just added the Matriarch to the list :)

testing... 1. 2. 3?

the long anticipated "find tovey a job" contest!

featuring a GRAND PRIZE, yet to be determined, for the lucky individual who successfully leads tovey to actual full-time employment.

good luck!



p.s. this is a real contest. and there will be a real prize. and it will be tangible, not just my undying love and affection.

Kiddush

We want to invite the "gantze mishpacha" to a kiddush for Babe-a Babe-a (as Michal has affectionately named Hadassah.) The party is going to be Thanksgiving weekend at our house at approximately 11:30 am. Anyone have any ideas for cute (and cheap) centerpieces?

Sunday Fun

Today, the Baltimore Shomrim put together a carnival and flag football game against the Baltimore police for the community to support the Baltimore mounted police unit. Sounded like fun, so while Yosef stayed home to try to sleep away his congestion, I went out with our 5(!) kids to check out the fun.

Once there, we bought some ride tickets and then checked out what was there. First, Yanky, Tzvi, and Shifra got a turn to sit in a police helicopter. No, they were not giving rides, but it's still neat to climb in and be in a real helicopter. Sara decided not to go in. I'm not sure why. Last year when we went to one of these things, she did take a turn.

Next, we got on line for pony rides. This time, Sara took a turn too. I think she was kind of terrified, but kind of liked it too. For Shifra, I walked next to her during her ride, holding on to her just in case. Yanky was relegated to watching Hadassah while I did my hakafos with Shifra, but that was fine since there were only 2 ponies in the ring. Yanky and Sara went first, Tzvi and Shifra second shift.

While we were waiting on line for the pony rides, we were standing right near the football field where they were getting ready to start the game. For the intro, they had some people speak, and then some sort of marching drumming band performed, which was interesting to see and hear. Those were some LARGE drums. Loud, too.

After the ponies, we checked out the police horses -- way bigger than those ponies, an armored police truck, police motorcycles (which the kids got to sit on), and a police technical assistance unit whatever that is (the 4 older kids went in while I stayed out with Hadassah. The thing looked like some sort of souped up RV).

Next we went to the inflatables, except that Yanky and Tzvi wanted to do the rock climbing wall. So we left them waiting on line while I took the girls to an inflatable climbing/slide thing that they enjoyed going on repeatedly. As a matter of fact, I told the girls that that was enough and it was time to get their shoes on. I helped Sara get her shoes on, and then turned around to say hi to a neighbor, and when I turned back, Shifra was gone. I went around to the entrance of the slide, and, yup, there she was, ready for another go at it. I finally got her off with the offer of a cotton candy. I don't think Shifra knew what cotton candy was, but anything with "candy" in its name is tempting to her. We got cotton candy and brought it over to the boys who were still waiting in line for their turn at the climbing wall. They enjoyed watching the helicopter lift off while eating cotton candy on line. After the climbing wall, which the boys didn't complain about, but seemed like an utter disappointment to me, it was time to go home -- it was already getting dark and the carnival was closing up. Yanky was able to climb to at least past his height, but not much more, and Tzvi couldn't really climb the wall at all. Oh, well, as long as they weren't complaining . . . .

On a somewhat separate note, I guess the family fun time today tired me out. Yosef put Shifra to bed while I took the 3 oldest kids to Seven Mile Market for some quick grocery shopping. Then, after supper, I put Sara to bed. Next, while I put Tzvi to bed, I laid down with him and fell asleep. At about the time I was putting Tzvi to bed, Yosef left to ma'ariv and learning. Next thing I know, Yanky comes into his room to go to bed. He didn't realize at first that I was there. He didn't know where any parents were, but being 9:30, he decided to go to bed even without a parent to send him. And despite the fact that I usually try to get him to bed at 8:45, I was impressed! My kids do not usually go to bed voluntarily! Speaking of going to bed, I think it's about time for me to re-hit the sack. Good night, all.

--Lisa

More (original) Isenbergs in Passaic than Baltimore...

I love my boss...

In a plutonic, he's the man, totally rocks kinda way. Because ...  it seems that he/YU will be sending me to ISRAEL to represent the money office for spring registration!!!! YEA -  ISRAEL. Maybe my life is kinda exciting. Who knew?!  Now if only I could get someone to do my laundry :)

I even the green light, even suggested by el heffe (the boss) himself that I take a week vacation right after registration and well, vacation! I've love to tour Greece, or Spain? Maybe even ITALY!?!

Just thought I'd share my excitement with the masses.

Oh and with the HEBREW setting. Go to the dashboard. (The link directly to the right of your email address which appears on top right when you sign in) and select the language you so desire. That should fix it.

~PM

How to post...at least in the Hebrew version of blogger

Mother, there should be a link at the top of your page that says "New Post" -in the long dark pink banner that runs across the whole page. Or maybe it says "Reshumah Chadashah, like mine". If anyone knows how to switch it back to English, please do tell.

Oh, and check out Hodi dancing!

Over here in Baltimore...

So, figured that we'd better post something here so you can all know about the exciting life we lead here on Fallstaff Road in Baltimore. Shmuly's been going to work at Rite Aid daily and is taking A&P II. I go to school and do homework when Ahuva sleeps. Ahuva is a busy busy girl, learning how to crawl, sitting up (yes Chaife, now she sits! ;)), and all in all being pretty darn cute! She's getting excited for her kiddush next shabbos because it's not every day that there's a party just for you when it's not your birthday!
Oh, I just remembered, we actually do have some news. WE GOT NEW TIRES ON OUR CAR! We went the tire store on Wednesday and they didn't have the tires we wanted in stock so they told us to come back on Friday. So, on Friday, I (Avital) went to get the tires put on the car. I dropped off the car and went across the street to Marshalls. Meanwhile, the tire man calls and says they ordered the wrong size tires and the ones we want are much more expensive, but they have them in stock. I told him that at the new quoted price, I was going to need to take my car elsewhere. He quickly came down in price though and the new tires were put on our car.
On Sunday night, I ran out to pick something up from my friend's house and I hit the curb hard and popped a tire!!! NOT TO WORRY!! We had purchased the tire protection and we got a new tire for free! Moral of the story: Always buy the "tire protection plan"!!

Hodi Video!!!

Everyone should watch this cute video of Hodi!
cute Hodi video

Hachnosas Orchim at Arie Crown

On Thursday, the nursery at Arie Crown put on a little show for the families of the nursery students. Adina and Shalom looked excited, as we all waited with bated breath for the show to begin. They started with a stunning rendition of "Shalom Shalom". This led to "Rosh, Einayim.."Shalom preferred not to do the motions (or sing for that matter). "Who built the teivah?" was next followed by a fall song. The finally was the kids using simple instruments to complement Beethoven's sixth. The crowd was on their feet, calling for an encore, but alas, the stars of the show had enough and were whisked away to their classrooms. We followed and were offered concessions such as dried fruit and Sunkist fruit gems. A grand time was had by all.

okay for some reason, my blogger account is set up in Hebrew. does anyone know how to switch it to English? It would be most helpful.

On a Hodi-note, she is feeling better, no fever, but is still very irritable and sleepy. Poor poopyhead. But she still looked mighty cute today in the outfit and headband in which aunty banana dressed her. thanks chaif - we owe ya one.

in other news, i attended a free diabetes half-day conference in the city today, and there was kosher food. kosher food! at a FREE conference. it was because it was in the UJA building. Dovi, the whole event was OU-certified. I hope that meets your approval. they're on the card, after all.

test post...

test post...is this coming out in Hebrew?

Support your local Orthodox Dentist

Well, that's what we've been doing lately anyway. Yanky has been to the dentist twice since HM has arrived. The week before Hadassah (aka HM) was born, he complained that he had a toothache. I didn't make an appointment with the dentist because a) maybe he was exaggerating how bad it was b) I didn't want to make an appointment that I couldn't keep because of having the baby. Finally, the week after Hadassah was born, my parents offered to take Yanky to the dentist for us. As Yanky had unequivocally stated, he had a cavity. The dentist put in a filling, and Bubby took Yanky to school to carry on with the rest of his day.

Fast forward to this week, Monday. Yanky starts complaining about a toothache again. This time on the other side of his mouth. Not only that, but he states that he can tell it's not a cavity. Something else is wrong. This time, since I don't have to worry about labor getting in the way of a dentist appointment, coupled with the fact that Yanky woke up in the middle of the night with tooth pain AND was WILLING to take Tylenol, I made a dentist appointment the next day. Turns out Yanky was right -- the problem wasn't a cavity. It was an infection from an abscess under a cavity, or something like that. And so, Yanky's tooth was yanked.

To top off all of our recent dental office activity, our regular cleanings are scheduled for the beginning of next month, so we'll be heading there again in just a few more weeks. But maybe I should just settle for hoping not to end up there again before that!

3 pages - 4 more to go.

First off - Refuah shelaima to the Hod-meister.

Secondly, y'all should be so proud of me. After anxiously scarfing down a very unhealthy dinner, I sat down in front of my computer and began writing this never ending paper on Italian Jewry. Although my admitted obsession with Josh Groban and learning Italian through song did not quite come in as handy as I orginially had hoped, things are lookin' up. Who knew that the 16th century Protestant Reformation had so much to do with the horrible decrees by the Pope against the Jews. Well, when I'm done with this piece o' work you're welcome to read it so you too are in the know.

Like I've said before, it's an exciting and thrilling life I lead. And ufortunately, I still haven't done my laundry.

Buona notte la mia famiglia
~PM

A little underwhelmed

Apparently their is an obsession about the crannberry juice cocktail at northshore hospital (i made reference to it in my previous post) by some people in the frum community and after having tried it i have to say, i have no idea what the big deal is. It doesn't even taste like crannberry. I will say its a little refreshing since its nice and cold and has a little bit of flavor but its nothing to go crazy over. I just don't get it.

I wonder what the apple is like......?

Welcome to Northshore University Health System...

Today is my first day at northshore which was the hospital formerly known as evanston hospital. I have to say that it is quite a different experience. Here are some of the "perks" that come with going to Northshore as opposed to the U of C that i will enjoy over the next 2 months. Today i'm on OB so most of the "perks" are focused on that.

My commute was 10minutes as opposed to 35minutes.
Everyone smiles and is polite, even the clerks.
All the equipment i would need for epidurals are all in the room and i don't need to run around and grab it all.
The women, for the most part, are less than 400lbs.
The nurse helps with just about everything like getting medication, etc....
The patients actually cooperate and don't give you attitude when you try to help them.
The father is actually in the room.
The baby dady really is the father.
They have crannberry juice cocktail and i have free access to it.

I could go on, but so far so good. That being said, i've been here for all of 4hrs, but i'll keep you all posted. So far i have not had any frum patients, but i feel like thats only a matter of time. Sorry, can't reveal any names if i have any patients.

Later.