Monthly Archives: January 2011

At the moment Katherine still likes helping her parents (how long do you think that will last?). Emptying grocery bags and unloading the dryer are two favourites.The latter is particularly useful since she is of a much more suitable height … Continue reading →

There’s been a dearth of photos here recently; here are a few photos taken earlier in the month: That’s Katherine keeping tabs on her block collection. She’s especially fond of the one with the lady-beetle on it, set aside on … Continue reading →

At Cornell it’s called the B-exam but around here it’s called the viva; why not just call it a dissertation defence? Anyway, as you know, I had it. A while ago, actually, but David S. called for a ‘full report’ … Continue reading →

. . . but one that is driven home for us over and over again: although you may have a sense for “normal” schedules and behavior for your child, you do actually spend a good deal of your time dealing … Continue reading →

Last week Sydney finally got Katherine to master “Mama.”  She’s been quite keen on “Dada” for some time now, and asks after “Dada?” and cries “Dada!” when she hears the door, and, ahem, labels men on the street “Dada” when … Continue reading →

and a rather good bagpiper just passed the house . . . leading about fifty people in tuxes and dresses.  Katherine doesn’t seem to have been disturbed from her sleep, so I can simply be amused–and reminded that I am … Continue reading →

We are celebrating Sydney’s defense in our own way, now that advisors are all gone and Katherine’s unstuffed enough to sleep at night.  We’re having another family over for dinner tonight, and Sydney’s objective seems to be to stretch the … Continue reading →

Apparently.  We had a lovely tea and dinner with Sydney’s advisors, and it was wonderful to have Ithaca friends here, in Oxford, catching us up on the latest from Cornell and noting the Oxford/Ithaca differences.  Katherine apparently talked her head … Continue reading →

Sydney’s currently about ten minutes into his dissertation defense.  He has not had much time to gather his thoughts and read through his materials in the past few days, so he’s going to have to rely on general intelligence and … Continue reading →

You’ll remember that I wrote about my confusion over the disparagement of “Ma’am” as a form of address.  Well, in England I’m apparently “Mrs. Erin Penner,” a term that I find really confusing (either Ms. Penner or Mrs. Sydney Penner, … Continue reading →