Monday, July 31, 2006

The Office (updated with picture)

No, this post isn't about one of the best shows on TV (speaking of, go check out the supporting cast's webisodes when you get a chance) but a story of Dillon's first trip to see Dad at work.

Dillon and Christina met me for lunch one day last week. After we left the restaurant Dillon decided it was time for him to eat. It was to hot for Christina to feed him in the car and she didn't want to go home because she still needed to go grocery shopping. So Christina and Dillon snuck in the side door at work, we couldn't use the front door because it would take us hours to walk down the hall to my office. For some reason my coworkers are drawn to babies like Ned Colletti to Devil Ray players (sorry only a few readers will actually get that joke.)

After the feeding, Dillon needed a diaper change. With no where else to do it I told Christina to go ahead and change it on my desk. Christina had forgotten to put the portable plastic changing pad in the diaper bag so Dillon was placed right on top of my calendar.

As Christina was commenting on how dirty (both 1 and 2) his diaper was, Dillon showed us he wasn't done with #2. Luckily Christina had not moved the diaper yet so she was able to "catch" it in the Pampers. As we were laughing at her quick reflexes Dillon tried writing his name in the snow, sans snow. He shot it over his head, just missing my lap.

By the time we had grabbed the birth cloth to cover him up he had stopped. Since we had moved the birth cloth, Dillon thought it would be funny to spit up all over my calendar.

Cleaning the spit up off the calendar was no big deal, until Dillon decided to play a little more water sports in Dad's office. Having moved the diaper cloth once again he was able to squirt the floor, my chair, and the calendar.

Once a new diaper was on I was recruited to burp Dillon. Right on cue he spit up all over my dress shirt, missing the burp cloth on my shoulder.

Needless to say, I will be glad to change the calendar over to August tomorrow.


The future CPA at Dad's office.

Monday, July 24, 2006

Quick update with pictures

It has been a while since my last post. It's not that I don't have anything to write about, I have just been too busy. Between shuttling Dillon around the state to show him off, work, and the heat (which makes me lazy) I just haven't had any time to blog. So here are some highlights of my last few weeks.

As you know, three weeks ago we headed down to the valley to introduce Dillon to some family and friends. The next weekend we headed north to Grass Valley. My Uncle Jeff was having a surprise 40th birthday party which turned out not to much of a surprise. Everyone had fun except for Christina who was sick during the entire party.

Last weekend, James and Michelle came to Sonora. This was important because it will be one of their last visits to Sonora for a few months. The Evans have decided to quit their jobs in August and travel the world. They plan on visiting the East Coast, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. If you are interested you can follow their adventures on their new blog.

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And now some pictures. This is one of my favorites because Dillon looks very mysterious and intriguing.

Another "older" picture of Dillon. Before long he will be wearing one of those on his right hand.

The ultimate guard dog.

Dillon is beginning to respond to voices. Just like his dad, Dillon is the happiest after he eats. Talking to him then results in numerous smiles like this one.

Here you see Dillon's sassy cousin. When asked what Dillon says Taylor responds, "Wahh!"

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Great Great Trip

This last weekend Dillon made his first trip outside of Tuolumne County. There were other firsts for Dillon as well, like meeting his Great Great Grandma Nixon (aka Mum), Great Uncle Larry, and a few of his dad's friends.

To accommodate the dial up internet readers, I have posted the pictures in the smallest format to ensure a faster loading time. Remember, just click on the picture to see it enlarged.


Here is Dillon with Mum, or as my Dad told Dillon "his Grandpa's Grandma."


This is Pops holding Dillon. Notice the similarity in the hairlines.


Five generations of Nixons. Soon Dillon will be old enough to find his way to Mum's stash of sodas in the fridge.


Smiles all around.

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Alphabet Soup

ARE (Acronym Rich Environment). That is the best way to describe where I work. When I started my job at TC's HSA (Tuolumne County's Human Services Agency) I didn't have a clue how many acronyms were used by the government. Of course we have all heard of the FBI (they're watching), IRS (they're taking, just not from the rich), and DMV (they're still slow) but there are hundreds more that I deal with on a daily basis.

For starters, HSA is made up of DSS (Department of Social Services), PH (Public Health), and EH (Environmental Health). DSS is given yearly allocations from CDSS (California Department of Social Services) for CWS (Child Welfare Services), APS (Adult Protective Services), IHSS (In Home Support Services), and CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids) just to name a few.

PH is funded by VLF (Vehicle Licensing Fees) and programs such as MAA (Medical Administration Activities) and TCM (Targeted Case Management).

I will spare you all the acronyms of the actual positions within HSA. But as CFO (Chief Fiscal Officer) my job is to make sure each and every one of them is funded. For example, on Monday I was in downtown LA receiving approval for a $1 million EHAPCD (Emergency Housing and Assistance Program Capital Development) grant for our ILP (Independent Living Program) and EY (Emancipated Youth) program.

I also work closely with other departments in the county. For example, I deal with the BOS (Board of Supervisors), CAO (County Administration Officer), HR (Human Resources), and CTMA (County of Tuolumne Management Association).

And now that I am a CPA I have to deal with AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants), NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy), and CPE (Continuing Professional Education).

IMHO, learning all of these acronyms has been on the job training. Unfortunately, college did not prepare me because the only acronyms that I can remember are FPU, DMB, and GTA.

In a year or so Dillon will be learning his alphabets. I just hope I can keep them in the correct order. LOL!