Thuringers in Fort Wayne

Getting Ready for the In Laws!

2011-07-03T20:41:00.002-04:00

So here I am in the guest room / office, getting ready to host our lovely Didi and Papa. Their poor room serves their purpose but once a year and gets the full cleaning / filing mountains of paperwork treatment about the same. The good thing is that I took a lovely nap this afternoon, so should be good to go for energy. But for some reason my heart is not in it. My heart is in hosting them, just not cleaning this room. It's an "I wish I could just twitch my nose and it's done" kind of thing. Which is not real for anyone other than Samantha. Or Tabitha. Or Endora. You get the gist.
Went shopping this afternoon and found two super cute dresses for about $32 total. Yup. And one will go with me when PJ and I escape our lives for two days and remember what it's like to be young and carefree and drive to OH (stay with me here) and celebrate the ten years of married bliss we've given each other. The trip to OH is actually great. We will stay in Columbus and see all the cute shops and eat sushi and drink saki then go to Hocking Hills State Park and see waterfalls and caves and scout out next year's Big Camping Expedition. Really I just want to be with him where it's quiet and I can be still and there's nothing that needs laundered and no one is hitting / screaming at / telling on anyone else. Just be. He and me.
So now I must go back to the filing the mountain of paperwork and see where we are on the laundry aspect of things. And stop blogging. And stop thinking about all the giant flour sack dish towels I have in the basement waiting to be embroidered. And wait patiently for the Nook to charge. And and and and and. Here's to all of you and your ands. Happy fourth friends.
ps does anyone speak cat? Lionel is very chatty tonight and seems unhappy that I am not responsive.

Sometimes I'm Old but I'm Not Really But Even When I Am I Don't Need To Be

2011-04-26T20:43:00.003-04:00

It has recently been brought to my attention that I am old. Not that I am actually OLD, but that I am behaving as one would expect someone 15-20 years my senior might act. Certain sleep patterns. Dietary restrictions. Wardrobe choices. And the person who has brought this to my attention is actually kind of correct. While I have been a sixty five year old woman most of my actual life, I don't need to ease into my sunset years quite yet. I spoke with someone not long ago who was completely upset at turning 42. I can kind of relate as 41 is around the corner from me. But I decided that I'd try to bring something positive to her equation. She said, "Are you going to tell me you're only as old as you feel?" I said no, as if someone said that to me I might consider that so trite I might try to punch them in the head. I did point out a short list of really fabulous and successful women who were our age and older. If they can be fabulous, why aren't we?
Well, probably one of their secrets isn't that they consider themselves a sixty five year old woman on the inside. I've been planning for my blue hair and canary yellow Cadillac that beeps in reverse for decades. Do I feel ready for this? Absolutely not. So maybe it's not so trite. Maybe I am only as old as I feel. Or as young. And while most days I do feel sixty five, it's not inconceivable that there's a thirty year old in there trying to get out. I need to listen for her more often.

Our Girl Rocked Her Monologue at the Talent Show and We Couldn't Be More Proud

2011-04-14T20:48:00.001-04:00

The Working Mothers Conundrum

2011-04-14T20:32:00.002-04:00

When I had Ava oh so many years ago, I was employed full time. It was necessary for me to return to work very shortly after her arrival. This was heartbreaking, but it was the only choice available at the time. In time, it became second nature. Habit. Just what it was. It was when we picked up and moved to Indiana that not working became a possibility. The cost of living was such that although it would not be easy, at least it would be feasible to not work out of the home.
The jump from the 40+ hour work week to the ohmygoshwhatamigoingtodowithmydaygototargetagain?!?!? days were insane. It took me a while to transition into stay at home mode. Looking for and moving into our house definitely helped. By the time James came to be I was in my bliss. I could not imagine going back to work. At. All. Grateful every day for the ability to live that way and praying it would not end. We would talk that when the kids were in school all day maybe I would get a part time job. But that seemed so very far away. Still does at times, even though kindergarten looms in the fall.
A few months ago, employment found me. It was kismet. The right people at the right place at the right time for the right thing. (Yes I am completely aware and grateful of this blessing.) And we went around and around with the full time / part time thing. Could we do it? Yes. What would it mean? How would it affect our quality of life? In not too much time it became clear that it would be detrimental to all of us to have me out again for 40+ hours a week. So part time it was. With the full time in the future. When the kids are in school all day perhaps.
But here we are looking at this question again. And still I am at the same answer. Today I worked only three extra hours. By the time I got off work, stopped and got dog food, and drove down to get the kids from school (J was home with his Auntie) it was after four. Then dinner has to be made, homework needs to be helped with and / or checked. Kids need to be bathed and put to bed. Then the list of the day still looms. The dog hair still coats the floor and the laundry is still mocking me from the corner. (After the three loads I did after work Monday!) So as much as I enjoy the work, and the people especially, I am resolved to be part time. My hope is that we can make it work, and I can fill a need at the office that allows everyone to be happy. If not, then here we are at my at home bliss again. Which would be okay. We miss the park sometimes.

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2011-04-04T20:34:00.001-04:00

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Day Two

2011-04-04T19:14:00.003-04:00

So the inspiration's not so prevalent but the allergies sure are! JW up at 3 am because his ear hurt. He finally came to get us just before 5 (seriously, I was sad yet so grateful that he waited!) and after some discussion and negotiation it was decided that PJ would stay home and take him to the Doctor. Chalk up yet one more reason that I love our pediatrician so much; James was in the office an hour after the call was made. The results? Ear infection! Both ears! Due to seasonal allergies! So there are meds and drops, but the call was made that the trip could still occur as it's not that crazy. The drops worked right away and the kid took a 5 hour nap. WOWZERS! He'll only have the drops and antibiotics for the 10 days. The allergy meds for EVAH, or until mid May if memory serves. I hope his work better for him than mine have been working for me. I am Claritin-ing my heart out and there is some relief. I should be grateful. While I am stuffy and going through box upon box of Kleenex, I spy the buds on the lilac bush and watch for new growth on the hydrangea and know that for me, this temporary condition will be long forgotten when all is lush and green and blooming. The boy, well, he may not appreciate all that so much. Yet. There's still hope. And he's pretty excited to get into the garden. If we have one.
Yep, that's right. There's a mystery puddle in the side yard, formerly known as "The Waste Land" that I've determined is a PERFECT place to add to the garden. So that will need to be investigated, and as you all know, April showers bring those May flowers, so our digging opportunities may not be abundant before planting season. As for the current garden arrangement, well, the fence needs to be replaced along that side of the yard. Has been for about 4 years or so. Every windy day we watch out the kitchen window to see if the rest will fall down. So before putting in a garden, we'll need to get that taken care of. And calling for quotes has not somehow been on the forefront of my mind, with work, my sister, all the house stuff, the kids' birthdays and party etc etc etc. If I want some peppers in my freezer and some tomatoes to can, I'd better get on the stick.
In the meantime, here's hoping that there's limited sneezing and Kleenex in your world, friends.
I am feeling an abundant amount of gratitude for friends near and far, new and old, and hope you know I hold you all in my heart.
xoxo,
me

Stop me if you think that you've heard this one before...

2011-04-02T17:14:00.002-04:00

1) I'm back. For how long, well, that depends on Miss Inspiration. Should she hang around, I will too.
2) Enjoyed an amazing date with Ava last night. Out for dinner (she wanted to go to the Acme!) and to Arts United to see the performance of Hubbard Street 2, part of the Indiana Dance Festival in conjunction with the Fort Wayne Dance Collective. She was so tired she almost fell asleep toward the end of the performance. However, she told me later that she persevered because I had told her she could have the lollipop the waitress brought for her if she sat still during the performance.
3) We talked during intermission of making a birthday date a tradition, and maybe choosing 5 things we wanted to work on in the coming year, then on the next birthday date go over what those 5 things were; did we improve? Do we need to carry it over? Then choose 5 things for the next year. She was ready with hers. Tattling, handwriting, soccer, not rushing on tests, and I don't remember the last one. Really, she's shown a bunch of improvement on the handwriting and rushing on tests. I can see the handwriting when she does homework. The rushing on tests was a specific improvement mentioned during parent teacher conferences. The only one I came up with on the spot was to pay attention to what I'm doing when I'm doing it, and try to focus on that one thing. Be present. I don't know if she understood.
4) I think if I can figure out how to blog from my phone, you'll see more posts.
5) I just spent over an hour with the template designer and I cannot see the background I want. Blerg!!!
6) I don't really miss tv except Thursday nights.
I'm off to build a fire. I hope you find me here. I will add "do more blogging" to my list of 5 for the coming year.
Peace.

Merry Christmas to all!

2010-12-25T09:02:00.003-05:00

This One's for You, J

2010-11-08T14:14:00.002-05:00

Sunday we got leaves out of the back yard. Seeing as it will be 67 degrees today, James and I decided to tackle some of the yard work. I don't have any lawn bags so we just worked leaves today. And by worked leaves, I mean go outside and randomly point my blower toward the street. I bragged about the size of my leaf pile on the Facebook, but really, to be fair, I am also doing the front yard of the empty house next to us. The folks across the street mow in the summer, so in the fall I figure it's the least I can do. Winter will depend on if I get the hang of the snow thrower, and how cold it is. That is a corner lot, after all.
When I left for Tucson I was a bit bummed as fall colors hadn't really reached a good photo point. It was pretty, but not unbelievably pretty. As I suspected, that occurred shortly after my return. It was nice to come back to. I have so many photos from last year, I didn't really take too much. I missed Homers transformation-he lost his leaves pretty quickly this year. But a request from a dear friend, a desert dweller, came across the lines, and really, how could I say no? I stepped out into the mid 60 degree weather and took a few shots. A day like today is really special. I may let Ava postpone her piano work and get those kids out on their bikes. After Friday's snow, who knows how much longer we'll have to bask in this autumn glory?

Random Saturday Morningish Musings

2010-11-06T11:38:00.004-04:00

1) I love my vacuum cleaner. And not in a "Ms. Jackson if you're nasty" kind of way. It works awesome, AND it's orange. Love it.
2) How cute is this?
3) Hint: Not as cute as this.
4) I feel my life moving in an unanticipated direction. I didn't put much thought into it, but something happened recently that made me kind of wonder if it means something. This morning I was starting to think about it-if there's some deep meaning, if I am being steered in this direction, what it could mean for our family, and future, and suddenly I smelled the wonderful aroma of roses. A friend had sent flowers when I lost my mom-well over a week ago they arrived. They are still lovely, but I've been thinning the arrangement as some of the flowers are well past their expiration date. It seemed to awaken me to the probability that yes, my life is changing course, and yes, I am supposed to listen. We'll see what happens. Right now I am resolved to be relaxed and open to all the possibilities that life offers. Even if they're scary or I am unsure. I know I'm taken care of.
5) Lately, at the library, and eerily only since my Mom passed, books are flying off the shelves. The first time I thought it was an isolated incident; perhaps someone on the other side had jammed a book in and caused something to come out the other side. But I peered around the corner and there was nobody there. I informed my mother out loud (I am pretty certain everyone already thinks I am crazy) that she is not allowed to haunt me. But if she's not going to listen and do it anyway, she cannot come to my house. The library is fine, but she needs to stay out of the kids section. Fiction only-there are a lot of mysteries there, and it's the quickest to reshelve.
6) I am doing some research on something I know nothing about. Wish me luck. I hope to find helpful information for the party that put me in this charge.
7) Someone told me that in Fort Wayne, there's one degree of separation. At first I thought that might me true. But if it's so, why did we really never connect with folks we were going to church with for several years? And why does it seem that our group has expanded beyond just a few only in the last year or so? I'm not complaining-our group of friends includes some of the best people you'd ever want to know. I'm just saying I don't necessarily think it's that easy. I think some things are kind of meant to be. Serendipitous.
8) I wish my hair looked as good as Ava drew it in the photo above!

Cloudy Skies

2010-10-29T16:21:00.002-04:00

I am sorry for the complete and total abandonment of late of this blog. For quite some time, it's felt like a blahg. I've had some stuff on simmer going on over here, and the heat has gradually increased. My mother, who had been sick for quite some time with lung cancer, passed away a week ago. It was expected, yet a bit unexpected as the doctors had given her a couple of months, and she went in a few weeks. She knew when she was ready. Sadly there's more on that burner with some other stuff. That knob gets turned up every so often. Today it felt like it was on high. I am searching for an answer I am afraid isn't there for me to find. I looked today to someone I was certain would know but he seemed as lost as I am to complete the puzzle and put everything back together as it should be. So I pray (oh yes we pray just to make it today-great, now Hammer's in my head...) every day to find comfort for those close to me that really truly need it. Healing and comfort and grace. And although I feel my light is diminished, I hope it shines just a smidge on those who are looking for help. And I'll keep praying for my light to grow, so if the answer doesn't come from me maybe those who need it can use the light to find it for themselves.

Whew!

2010-07-02T15:21:00.002-04:00

This has been a busy week. Paul and Adam left Monday, it was the last week of James' t-ball, we had a picnic lunch with Peege, and VBS was also this week. It's overall been pretty good. We had a lovely playdate with our neighbor friends (best neighbors evah, except of course the Jensens!) and we are going to see (and consult on a repair project for) the new house of a friend who bought in Williams Woodland. Can't wait! Here are a few shots of James' tball. I will post about Paul and Adam later. I am currently slightly jealous that they are in Chicago and hoping they are having a blast!

Cyclists share coast-to-coast cause | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN

2010-06-29T16:46:00.000-04:00

Cyclists share coast-to-coast cause | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN

These are the guys that stayed over the weekend. Their cause is great!

Got that Pouch done Just In Time

2010-06-20T16:02:00.002-04:00

Birdie lost her first tooth!

WIP

2010-06-18T14:08:00.003-04:00

A little work in progress to hold Birdie's tooth when it comes out so the tooth fairy can find the thing under her pillow. It will be a little pillow with a pocket when it is finished that will hold her baby teeth when she goes to sleep and a little present when she wakes up. I've seen these things on craft blogs, most of the people who post them have actual talent and lots of it. As for me, I took their ideas and mangled them into this. It's going to be super cute, and she's pretty excited. Now we just have to get that tooth out before PJ comes home and takes some pliers to it!

A little Martha Love in the Tummy

2010-06-18T13:52:00.006-04:00

We are on Week 2 of the Summer CSA from Graber Farms. I really could not be more pleased. There have been a lot of salads, and the kids are loving the strawberries. I used to go to the grocery on Mondays, but now I wait till we get the box to plan the meals. This week there were some beautiful snow peas, and I had a red bell pepper in the fridge, so I thought I'd do a stir fry. Meijer had shrimp on sale (I know, Meijer?) really reasonably, so I decided to flip through the old cookbooks and see if I could find something to put it all together.

This was part of a gift given to me by one who knows me well. And this little gem didn't disappoint. I happened to have all the ingredients on hand, so I whipped out the rice cooker and got to work on the stir fry.

I made a couple of adjustments. First, I added the red bell pepper. Second, as I am occasionally multitasking (pouring a glass of wine, tending to the children, etc.) I didn't read the entire recipe all the way through before skipping a vital section where the lemon juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar are stated to be served on the side. This information made it's way to my prefrontal prelateral cortex (thanks Dr. Fawver!) after it was poured into the pan. Oops. Seriously, oops. I grabbed some corn starch to thicken it up, and all together it wasn't that bad. It was actually really good. After it was in my bowl I added some crushed red pepper, and it was super tasty. It even got a mention from the Mister (who came in really late from volleyball and found it so good that he mentioned it in the morning!). So I believe it is a repeater. I will use chicken or even tofu as a sub for the shrimp in the future. Quick and easy. Just like Martha likes 'em.

Parkview Field

2010-06-16T14:04:00.003-04:00

This morning there was a rally to show support for keeping Navistar in Fort Wayne. I have a big interest in this as one of my dearest friends' husband (also a good friend) works at Navistar, and I don't wish for them to move away. Their son is James' bestie, for crying out loud! So I spoke to said dear friend this a.m. and she suggested a little rally action, followed by a picnic lunch and some fun at the splash pad right there in the ballpark. Of course, we were in. It was a blast. It's so nice that the field is open to the public when there are no games being played. There is a place to have lunch, the fan shop is open so one could buy Tincaps gear, and there are even signs stating that the length of the concourse once round is a third of a mile. We saw folks walking the concourse, walking through, sitting and lunching, and of course, enjoying the splash pad. The supporters of this field should feel proud. It's pretty great. James is ready to go back right. now. Never mind that he is asleep, exhausted from play. He'd go if I said I'd take him. I didn't snap any pics of the rally, but there were a fair number of folks in attendance. The city even drove their Navistar trucks down, which James really liked!

Surprise!

2010-06-09T12:09:00.004-04:00

So the Big Four Oh just whizzed by. Technically, I am in my forties. Over. The. Hill. But Herr Thuringer salved the wound by purchasing a big surprise prezzie for the big day. An ipod touch. Holy crap was that ever a whopper. A good present from Peege is no shocker, but this specific one was. Bigger than anticipated. It's so fun. As a thank you I cleared out my little ipod (the nano he got me for xmas a few years ago!) and put on his song library. Now he can rock through his days. And I can rock, podcast, look at pictures, watch youtube videos, check the weather, check and send emails, etc. etc. etc. So if I am not around these parts for a little while, please understand and be patient. School is out, I have two chickens in sports, and a shiny new toy to play with.

Love,
The Old Lady
photo courtesy of Google Images

Video Friday

2010-05-21T17:09:00.004-04:00

I've gotten James weaned off the Damien Walters video. But only by watching this one. I love this one. I found it last year, and the song reminds me of when the Real Geeks Ride guys, Joe and Carlos, were here. It was really nice to have them here. Anyhow, here it is. It doesn't hurt this guy is Scottish. I know I am Irish thru and thru (Great grandparents born in Ireland and all) but I have a soft spot in my heart for a Scottish bloke. (Craig Ferguson, James McAvoy, Ewan MacGregor, and now this dude.) While you are watching, I will go make sure that James is not in the garage getting out his bike and trying tricks. He has already tried to stand on the seat of it and proclaimed this video as "sick". I may be in trouble.

2010-05-12T16:21:00.002-04:00

James and I have been watching this seemingly in all of our spare time for the last two days. He enjoys the music almost as much as the movement. He tells me he wants to do this when he grows up. I said he'd have to start now-and practice would consist of more than his current routine of jumping on the couch or jumping from couch to beanbag chair. He is only moderately interested in starting now. My mother's heart is slightly relieved, but I may look into gymnastics for him. It's pretty sweet. Enjoy

Wednesday

2010-05-05T15:45:00.004-04:00

So today is not being looked upon by me as being "top ten" material. This morning on the way to take the kids to school I was running a few minutes behind and got stopped by a train. The kids got to school on time, tho. Then I took James over to his school, and when I got there they asked if I had a present for chapel. There was a flyer sent home that the kids were donating gifts for a "baby shower" to help little ones with special needs. Of course I did not. I thought it was next week!!! So off I go before I head to Ava's school to the store to pick up some diapers, rash cream, a rattle and gift bag. I suppose it worked out as I had additionally neglected to pick up something for Ava's teacher for teacher appreciation week. So while I was there I got her a thank you card and a little gift. Then off to Ava's school, late, where I begin making copies for the take home readers and in the middle of the first batch I run out of toner. I go back to the office (almost the opposite side of the bldg) to get the toner, then replace it, and finish copies. Finish my work in the class a few minutes late, and go to get Jam Master James. I get out onto Anthony without incident, and figure this will help me make up a few minutes, but at Creighton I get diverted by a policewoman. Anthony is closed heading north. So I detour, Creighton to Hanna then Berry back to Anthony, but was a couple of minutes late to pick up James. I was pretty dejected about the day at this point, but the sweetest boy on the planet sees me, flashes the biggest smile, and hands me a card with his handprints in it and a marigold planted in a mug. The bad stuff melted away. Sweet!
Things seemed to take a turn for the better as he was extremely well behaved at Meijer. I found only two New Belgium folly packs left, which of course I purchased, and one thing of my hair product left, which I purchased. I did not look upon this as a bad thing, as I needed only one hair thing and it will take us a while to get through 24 beers. I went through my blogs and websites when James had quiet time and saw on weather.com we are going to probably get some rain tonight, so I thought I would get ahead of the game and mow the lawn. I got through the back yard easier than last week, but alas, I think I had used up all my good fortune, as halfway through the front yard the damned thing BROKE.
Do you think John is trying to tell me something?

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

2010-05-01T14:28:00.002-04:00

So a few weeks ago we attended the 2nd annual Fort Wayne Cherry Blossom Festival. It was a celebration of Japanese culture. There was Taiko drumming (which Ava was all about after they visited her school the few days before the festival), sumi-e demonstrations, bonsai exhibits, free admission to the art museum where there was a manga drawing contest and where they had a reasonable amount of Japanese art (nothing as good as my Yoshi, tho!). There was also a origami exhibit with regular sized specimens and some really big ones too-dinosaur origami! Aaaarrrgh! So fun. But my favorite part was a Haiku competition for the wee ones. I love haiku and find myself composing it often when stressed out or in ridiculous situations to calm myself down. So of course, the kids were going to enter. Ava had just learned about haiku a couple of weeks before at school, so she was super excited. Of course, not to be left out, James wanted to do one too. Earlier in the day, bored with the Taiko drums (???) he and PJ had set out to do some exploring around Friemann Square. They found an expired duck and a plastic toy soldier. The soldiers gun was so big James decided it must be from outer space, so he referred to his new favorite toy as his Spaceman. This spaceman was the source of some gnashing of teeth earlier when it came out of James' pocket and yours truly had to go find him. Thankfully, I did, and not much later we went inside and partook of some haiku. I do not remember Ava's, however, James' was this:

Steve is my monkey
Spaceman is in my pocket
I love mac and cheese

The gentleman at the table accepting submissions was over the moon with this haiku. It is really lovely, as far as I am concerned, too. We left not thinking much beyond "That was so fun!"
Fast forward a few weeks and in the mailbox we find a letter stating James had won the contest! There was a reward certificate, the original haiku entry, a blue ribbon, and $20!
Everyone was pretty stoked. When asked what he was going to do with the winnings, James told me that I was going to take him to Target today so he could get a Nerf gun. I just hope he doesn't want one as big as Spaceman's!

I am back! (But for how long, really?)

2010-04-30T15:48:00.004-04:00

Okay, I know that my husband wants this blog to consist mostly of pictures of his adorable offspring because their grandmother and grandfather miss them terribly. I get that. I have a gazillion pictures I need to put on the computer and edit (Yes, PJ, have you met me? Of course I am going to edit them!) But that is not happening right now. Oh noes. Right now you are going to get an earful about my latest desire. I want a John Deere lawn mower. Not a super phat rider, mind you. Just your run of the mill, noise polluting, carbon monoxide spewing lawn mower. No more reel mower for me. No more pushing and sludging through 3 day old grass on ramming speed. No more minute pieces of mulch getting trapped in the blades and rudely bringing ramming speed to a screeching halt, complete with grunting noise as said mower slams into my body. No. More. No longer do I consider the positive effects of the environment. How there's so little noise and no gas fumes that James can play outside when I am mowing. John Deere, how I am longing for our love affair to start.

Cuckoo!

2010-03-13T10:17:00.002-05:00

During the trip back to the Homestead, PJ received as a gift from his aunt Kresent a beeeeeauuuuutiful piece of machinery. I still giggle with glee as it explodes in song on the hour and the half hour. Here are the chickens and the clock. So far they are doing great with the "look with our eyes not with our hands" thing. It's so fun!

The Desert

2010-02-03T17:13:00.002-05:00

We're back from it. High and dry. Going thru a gajillion photos. Will post some of them soon!

Catching up

2010-01-10T15:03:00.002-05:00

Post Christmas here at Wild Wild West Drive.
Here are some of the goings on:
New Years Eve Movie Party with the kids-in the basement, sleeping bags, 2 am lights out, Annie.
Getting the kids back in the school groove.
Getting ready for the big Phx trip. (Woot!)
Back to the gym.
Trying to journal.
The candied tangelo peels did not turn out as good as I would have liked. Need more tangelos to try again.
The winds are being whipped up again and may just blow us somewhere else. I am having a really hard time with this. I have faith that we will be okay, but right now going through this (AGAIN!!!!!) is unfortunate. It actually is more than unfortunate. It more than really sucks.
Ava starts new ensemble arts classes next week-Drama Games (She should be in honors for that!) and first grade choir. Tres exciting!
That is the little that is going on around here. Plugging along. Quietly. Trying.
Hoping that all my peeps are feeling their joy.
Later.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

2009-12-21T13:52:00.003-05:00

How lovely are your branches. St. Joe Tree Farm, year THREE!

Merry Christmas from Downtown Fort Wayne!!

2009-12-21T13:41:00.002-05:00

The last couple of years we've packed up the kids and the hot cocoa and headed downtown for the annual lighting of Santa and his reindeer. There are actually three big things-Santa, a Christmas tree at Wells Fargo, and a big wreath at another building. (I can't remember right now who sponsors that). Last year we saw all three, but this year we did things a little differently. This was the inaugural year for the Parks department to have a big extravaganza at the Community Center, with crafts, the movie Elf, balloons, and all sorts of hijinx. The parks director (of whom I am fond and whose wife I think should be in the top 10 of Most Darling People in the Country list) was even there in costume. We picked up PJ at work then headed over to the Community Center first. Each of the kids made an ornament and we visited shortly with some friends we hadn't seen in a little while. Afterwards, we went back outside to brave the cold (it WAS cold!) and wait for Santa to be lit up. The kids began to grow impatient, but we plied them with hot cocoa and some snacks and they calmed down a bit till the big moment arrived. It's so fun all lit up!

Happy Thanksgiving to all you out there in Blogistan!

2009-11-27T15:39:00.004-05:00

A great day was had by the Thuringer clan-movies, tickling, a good meal and a rocking centerpiece! Pilgrim in canoe by Ava P, Turkey hat by Master J. We've so much to be thankful for, especially for our family and friends. Blessings to you all!

One Smiling Sooper Boy

2009-11-20T13:59:00.002-05:00

Don't let the man in the picture fool you; I spend plenty o' time in the yard of ours and our recently foreclosed upon next door neighbor's and with the Amazing Yard Appliance known heretofore as the Blower gathered up a lovely pile of leaves for the chickens to play in. They were in the middle of the yard as opposed to down at the street where they need to be because I knew the chickens would want to play in them and playing in them down in the street is a tiny bit stressful for me. So PJ, bless his heart, moved the big ole pile of leaves down to the street after my children had a blast playing in them. They culminated the leaf playing celebration by removing their shoes and socks, and were brought into the house and promptly put to bed for an afternoon nap. The End.

Thrifty Goodness

2009-11-19T10:31:00.003-05:00

So last Friday we had a par-tay here at Chez Thuringer, and the morning of said par-tay I realized I had nothing to wear. So I left early to head over to Target to see what was going on over there, and, finding nothing, went directly to my Favorite Thrift Store. It is so good that even tho my reader is in another state, I cannot give away it's awesomeness. Anyhoo, I cruise in there, head for the dresses, and find a darling black shirt dress for $5.50. Missing it's belt, I picked up a replacement for $1. I figured I'd wear this with the patterned tights I just picked up at Target, and that would complete the outfit. But before I left, I moseyed on over to the housewears dept. to see if there was a crock pot (mine is slowly falling apart-missing knob, cracked handle, but still crocks like a champ!) as a back up, or of course good pyrex or vintage tupperware. No can do, but my eyes came across these lovely coffee mugs! They were a lovely set of six, so bright and lovely, stackable, vintagey, and awesome. Three DOLLARS! Yet, as I can be a little insane occasionally, I walked away. What??!! I know~I know! Yet I did. And yet after a successful party and a trip to South Bend and teaching Sunday School I could not get these lovelies off my mind. I was certain that somebody came in on Saturday and snatched them right up, but I knew I had to go check. Right after dropping James at school on Monday on my way out to Meijer (which I totally love but am mad at because they hosted YOU KNOW WHO for her book signing today!!!) I stopped in. Soooo many cars in the lot. It was almost too much to handle. I may or may not have knocked down a small child on my way toward the housewares area (I am kidding, I totally would know if I knocked down a small child!) and found the mugs!!! They are mine!!! Bwahahaha. I brought them home, washed them, and stacked them in the cupboard where the never used fiesta ware mugs used to reside. (I moved the fiesta mugs to a different cupboard. We never use them because the handle is too wierd for me and the mug is too small for Peeg.) And have been enjoying them immensely for tbe last couple of days. And now, without further ado, here is their Big Internet Debut!

Two notes: 1)I might have more than one reader if I wrote shorter-like, "Had party, went to thrift store, found cute mugs, went back and bought them, now am happy!
2) Did not get any good Halloween photos as James was scared of Ava's costume and crying for the photo ops. He got over it, tho, and had a great time trick or treating. There's just no photographic evidence of it.

Thinkin' About Getting Back into the Blog Saddle

2009-11-18T14:05:00.002-05:00

I googled PJ the other day. A couple of local blogs had the schedule of the council meeting last week which featured our one and only, and a couple of really old blog posts from yours truly were the only applicable things to really come up. So I looked at said really old blog posts and thought, "Wow, this looks like I used to have fun with it!" Sometimes it seems like the day is filled with so much minutiae and perhaps I have lost the sense of how to get past that so I have stopped blogging. I've been missing something in my life, and was thinking lately how I have an urge to be creative but have trouble carrying through. Perhaps the blog would be a good place to start. I don't need any exceptional skill (except to spell correctly and 1) am pretty good with that and 2) hello, spellcheck!) like working a crochet hook or sewing a straight seam. So we are going to start here. Slowly. But hopefully make it feel like less of a job and more of a creative outlet. I'm getting back in the saddle. Prepare to be underwhelmed.

My boyfriend's back and he's gonna be blogging, hey nah, hey nah...

2009-10-30T09:40:00.002-04:00

If you want to become even smarter than I know most of my readers are, (all one or two of you!?) you could see what is going on in Peter's world. It's good stuff.

I Just Can't Get Enough

2009-10-27T11:48:00.001-04:00

10th Annual River City Rat Race

2009-10-26T14:12:00.004-04:00

Where PJ not only completes the 10k, but has a new personal record!

Things One Sees on an Amish Farm

2009-10-26T14:02:00.002-04:00

A Pony and his Cart

A Horse Drawn Lawn Mower

Two Sweet Children with their Pumpkins and Gourds

Even More Fave (really, it's all quite wonderful!)

2009-10-24T14:44:00.001-04:00

New Fave

2009-10-24T14:39:00.001-04:00

James' Amazing Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

2009-10-14T04:49:00.004-04:00

One of the things I have been fortunate enough to enjoy with both kids in school now is participating a little with each one. For instance, I have been helping at Ava's school, and additionally I was able to come with James on his first field trip to Kurtz Farms pumpkin patch! We met at school and waited for the school bus. We got partnered up with a friend from James' class, and when the bus was ready for us we climbed aboard. We went out Maysville Road, and James was so excited because it seemed like we were going so fast. We saw horses and cows and sheep, and before you knew it we were at the farm. We got off the bus and went to Pumpkin 101. The lady from the farm did a great job keeping the wee ones engaged, and showing them the different kinds of corn, pumpkins and gourds they grew at the farm. They had some really big ones! Toward the end of pumpkin class, the kids received instructions on how to choose their very own pumpkins, and we climbed onto the big cart and the farmer pulled us with the tractor out to the pumpkin patch. James and his buddy each picked out a really nice pumpkin, and before you knew it we were heading back to the barn and onto the bus. It was a particularly cold day out and James was ready to get out of the cold, but sad to leave the farm. It was a really fun trip, and a good time (and pumpkin!) was had by all.

And He Ran..He Ran So Far...

2009-10-14T04:33:00.002-04:00

...well, not quite away. But holy moly the man of ours ran a half marathon again this year! He worked hard, and he beat last year's time by about 5 minutes! He placed 335th out of 2279 overall, and his total time was 1:48:21. We are so proud of him.

Honorary Degree Much?

2009-10-09T13:06:00.000-04:00

Perhaps winning the Nobel Peace Price has taken some of the sting out of not being awarded an honorary degree from Arizona State University.

Surprised and also not...

2009-10-08T13:32:00.003-04:00

Senators McCain and Kyl have officially lost every right to ever talk in any way shape or form about ACORN. They decided that it should be okay for the government to give contract money to companies who do not allow retribution in the form of lawsuits for little instances like rape, kidnapping, locking someone in a shipping container without food or water, and threatening further harm should the truth come out. Why wouldn't we as Americans be proud to place our tax dollars in the care of such fine upstanding companies? The surprise is that I saw McCain's name on that list. Some freaking maverick. Jon Kyl has accomplished what I thought was impossible and become more than a joke. But then again, if according to him, maternity care / reproductive issues should not be covered by health insurance (why should it? he doesn't need it!) it stands to reason that such treatment is acceptable to him. Deplorable.

Don't have much to say for now

2009-10-04T14:11:00.002-04:00

I am sorry for not posting. There is some yucky stuff going on 'round these parts. Some stuff to worry about. I am enjoying autumn, preparing for a couple of fun things (Halloween! Progressive Party with some neighbors!) but altogether it is taking what I've got to keep it together. It will all be okay, but for now, I am on cruise control. Not much else. Will check back in soon, hopefully with some good news. And I won't leave you hanging on other stuff, like pumpkin patch, or PJ's race. But please be patient for now.

Holy Indiana State Bat Festival, Batman!

2009-09-26T15:46:00.007-04:00

So a couple of weekends ago we traveled three and a half hours south of our burg to the lovely town of Terre Haute, Indiana. The occasion was the annual Bat Festival, held at Indiana State University. PJ has long had an interest in bats, and recently when there was an article in the newspaper about the epidemic of "white nose" that is plaguing the bats and how the cause is unknown, PJ instinctually felt a call to action. But what can we do? Well, we can be aware, give to the people who are doing good research, and build a bathouse! He had wanted to do one in Mesa, but, for all of you who had been to that house, being boxed in and ten feet away from your next door neighbor are not optimum conditions. I put my foot down. However, here I think we are in a really good location, being farther away from neighbors and so close to the end of the alley, there's good access for them. When we woke up that particular Saturday, PJ and I had decided it was a folly to put the kids in the car for a 7 plus total hour road trip, and were ready to call the whole thing off. But Birdie called us out on it, and you know, she was right. We did need to go, to get some information, and see what we can do to help. So in the car we hopped. It took almost three and a half hours to get there, and we found the university pretty easily. There were seminars and demonstrations and activities for the kids. PJ went to the bat house seminar, while I took the kids to see the different exhibits of bats and to the kids' activities. A good time was had by all, and there was even a side trip to Indiana's largest waterfall, Cataract Falls, the same location that held the only covered bridge left in that county. Stay tuned for that post, next folks!

Dad and Mom's Amazing South Bend Adventure!

2009-09-26T15:17:00.004-04:00

So a few weekends ago we went to South Bend to attend the wedding of our friends Mark and Emily. Their fete was held at the world renowned Tippicanoe Place. It was incredible! The ceremony, performed by the City Clerk, was held on the landing of the stairs and it was standing room only. Vows were said, there was a reading from Madeline L'Engle, and there was not a dry eye in the place. Until the phone started ringing. Some quick thinking guests who happened to be standing behind reception took care of it, but there's only so much one can do in the middle of a wedding! After the vows, we went to the receiving line where we wished Mark and Emily our best, got reacquainted with his folks (they came to dinner once before we left South Bend) and then went upstairs to catch the Michigan / Notre Dame score. Yes, it was a football weekend (when is it not?) AND Emily's family is originally from Michigan! Everyone, although drinking, was kind and showed good sportsmanship and there were no barfights. After a while, dinner was held downstairs in the dining rooms that at one time were parlors. We knew nobody at this lovely affair besides the bride and groom, so were unsure about our table mates. But these two couples, one older, one younger, were so much fun. The younger were engaged to be married next month, and the older from northern Michigan and very old fashioned. But so incredibly warm hearted and funny. The meal was amazing, and we went downstairs to witness some dancing. After a while, we skipped out and headed down the street to PJ's favorite South Bend joint, the Fiddlers Hearth. We struck up a conversation with the gentleman who came in and sat next to us, and then his lady friend. They were very interesting and the whole evening was a blast. We even spoke a little to another gentleman down the bar a ways who had lived seemingly all over this country-even Scottsdale at one point! After too many pints (which followed drinks at the wedding) we stumbled back to the bed and breakfast. Our proprietress had upgraded us to an even lovelier room than we were expecting, with a bath in the room. Well, a shower. But we had optimum privacy. I didn't take a picture of the actual room before we left, but the sink area next to the door did make it onto the camera. The house itself had been moved from another block over at one point some years ago, and was on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was very comfortable, with two parlors downstairs and a sitting area tucked upstairs in the landing. Our hostess went above and beyond to make our stay there beyond pleasant, and she accomplished this task beyond measure. I wanted to stay another day!

View from second floor hallway leading downstairs

Front View of the Innisfree

Sink area, w/c and shower around the corner.

Health Care fer reals y'all

2009-09-22T10:03:00.001-04:00

Okay, I am posting because I really enjoy a dry sense of humor and some irony. And because my secret boyfriend is in it.

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

Funniest video probably ever

2009-09-19T22:33:00.003-04:00

At least to me. We found this when we were relatively new hoosiers, and it was quite funny. Driving back from Terre Haute today through Muncie triggered my brain that I hadn't watched this in a while. Having been here for a bit longer, it seems so incredibly spot on. The Carhartt coat, the Elks Club dance, the minivan, the BOB EVANS! (we love our Bob Evans!), Sears, the main drag going through town. It epitomizes small town life. Plus they reference Fort Wayne! So please watch and prepare to laugh. There are naughty words, so not in front of the kiddos. This one's for you, Jen!

Random Thursday Evening Thoughts

2009-09-17T21:43:00.002-04:00

1) I am glad I did not drive home behind that weird pickup truck that was spewing mosquito spray out of the top of the cab again tonight.
2) If I need to have a wake/service, it should be at D.O. McComb on Lake Avenue. So very pretty.
3) This banana tastes so good.
4) I love the smell of freshly baking bread. After yoga all of downtown was alive with the smells of Aunt Millies.
5) I am pretty sure the guy two mats down from me at yoga fell asleep during the final relaxation. Same guy who was making really strange noises at the end last week. This week was snoring noises.
6) I really like the lights at Friemann Square. Sort of seventies, but in a pretty way.
7) I really do not like the music they play at yoga classes. Same as massage music. New agey, and it makes me a little irritated. Maybe I need a home practice and should listen to Mussorgsky.
8) I have awesome friends and am so very grateful for them.
9) My sleeping chickens are pretty much the cutest things eveh.
10) I am out for the night. Sweet Dreams, y'all!

Mini Rant

2009-09-10T08:52:00.004-04:00

"I was incredibly disappointed in the tone of his speech,” said Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).”At times, I found his tone to be overly combative and believe he behaved in a manner beneath the dignity of the office. I fear his speech tonight has made it more difficult — not less — to find common ground."

Is this the same dignity that was shown to our President by shouting things like "You lie!" and holding up signs and playing with pdas? Hmm.
Does he truly want to categorize the President as "combative" when his party has done nothing civilized when it comes to this subject (and others too).
Does he want to prattle on about "bipartisanship" and working together when members of his party claim that they want to work with the President and Congress on health care yet tell their constituents behind the Presidents back that they are going to do everything to defeat it? (I'm talking to you, Mr. Enzi.)
I think President Obama tried to bring some dignity back to government last night. Too bad our elected representatives didn't follow suit. It's disappointing.

Sleepy Chicken

2009-09-09T16:25:00.002-04:00

Somebody works so hard at school that she comes home incredibly sleepy. Some days she takes a power nap. The super kitty loves these days.

Big Girl on Her First Day of First Grade

2009-09-05T16:20:00.003-04:00

Our big girl started a whole new school this year.

She went right in with the help of a few family members, and is off to a great start. She begins her ensemble arts classes next week (hers is on Monday's and this is a holiday). To hear her talk about her day is amazing. Drama games, art class, her teacher. She is another girl altogether.

Oh, Ava, the places you'll go...

Abundance

2009-09-02T20:30:00.002-04:00

First there was this:

Then there was this:

Finally there was this:

And then there was beer. The End.

Bring It!

2009-09-02T20:24:00.004-04:00

According to yesterday's newspaper, there's a feud brewing between the Old Farmers Almanac and the National Weather Service.
I'll side with the Farmers over the scientific data, even if they have Pinpoint Viper HD-those farmers usually get it right. But DANG if they didn't give us quite the forecast!

Wishful thinking says to go with the other guy, but I think I'll stick with the Farmers and be glad it's at least dry. Y'all know where I stand on ice storms and snow drifts.
I'll be thinking of all my AZ peeps this winter, yes I will.

I Just Can't Wait!

2009-09-02T14:15:00.002-04:00

As happy as I was to see a Coen Brothers movie trailer the other night, this makes me squeal with glee. George Clooney, a Scotsman (albeit not Mr. McAvoy) AND Boston on the soundtrack? Two tickets, please!

Holdover till the Thriftstore Holy Grail appears?

2009-08-31T17:02:00.003-04:00

This may find itself into our home till some Bavarian Goodness presents itself garage saling/thrifting. Guten Tag!

Latest Crush

2009-08-29T15:32:00.001-04:00

I have the biggest wonk crush on this guy. Not only is he smart, but he calls out people right and left, and stays sane and polite doing it. Read him if you haven't already.

2009-08-28T14:37:00.002-04:00

Found this little gem on sale at the Health Food Shoppe. I wasn't sure about the tea tree, as I am not necessarily a fan of the scent of the tea tree oil I have, but holy wow this smells like Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies. I think thinner with every hand wash at my kitchen sink.

Knock, knock...

2009-08-25T14:21:00.002-04:00

Do you think I can talk PJ into installing this when we do the "Big Front Facade Front Door Re-do"?

Hello, Unlimited Budget?

2009-08-24T14:56:00.002-04:00

Kate Spade is sending me some vintage-y inspiration. Perfect for puttering before I go get our big girl from her first day at school. The sweetness is here.

It's been too long...

2009-08-16T13:56:00.003-04:00

No excuses. But for now, I will share that I have about 270,691 photos to put onto the computer from Didi and Papa's visit, school starts next week (YIKES!) and I am in love. Go here to find out more, and know that I have two goals beginning the start of Sept; yoga and blogging. Three times a week min. even if it is utter nonsense. Wait, that's what I throw at you now. Unless of course one of these (oh yes indeed it comes in orange, and green too, a suitable backup color!) comes into my life, then I will have to take a sabbatical and throw the (newly homeschooled if we are on the road) chickens into this lovely thing and travel to visit my family and favorite virtual neighbor. Right now, I am off to see Julie and Julia with my favorite actual neighbor!

Is it time for a new vaccum?

2009-07-14T17:25:00.002-04:00

All white with the tiniest bit of orange? I think I'm in love...everlasting love.

Bike Lust

2009-07-14T16:51:00.002-04:00

I am oh so in love with my Townie, but my heart contracted when I saw these Alexander Girard designed lovelies. These guys put together a presentation that will make you swoon. Head on over here for a preview of the tastiness that is Electra.

Oh my heaving womb

2009-07-14T12:17:00.002-04:00

I am sorry, I know this may produce an unfriendly visual. But today we rode to the park on our bikes, and there was a largeish group of kids there. Usually Ava will find someone roughly her size and introduce herself and I am not required unless there is some swinging. James and I usually go and slide the whole time alternating between his two favorites. But this time was different. Ava went and made a friend right away, but before I could ask James which slide he wanted to go down first, another little boy came up to him and asked his name then introduced himself. James trotted right after this nice boy (who was older than James but not too much) and they played really well together the whole time! Ava's friend even inspired her to try new things that she hasn't wanted to before. All in all what a great morning at the park. But the bittersweet thing is that although it really was awesome to see both kids making friends and having fun, my little boy is not so little any more. First the potty, now this. Will this be enough to make us reconsider a third?

Oh, We're Back in the Saddle Again

2009-07-13T13:15:00.002-04:00

So this morning after tennis (where we remembered her water bottle but not her racquet and had to go back) we sat Mr. James on his potty. I took off the pull up he had on and his shorts for good measure. I figured today was a work/cleaning day, the kids would be outside most of the day, and why not let him run free. He didn't seem to mind going in his underpants, maybe this would be different. He has come back into the house several times yelling that he has to potty, and while he doesn't complete the task each time, as far as I can tell there have been zero "accidents" and we are three for three on the potty. That child has had a lot of m and m's today. And I will continue to dole them out cavities be damned if it gives him the incentive he needs. We are defenitely making headway. Go James!

Three Rivers Festival Parade 2009 Without 350 Photos of the Parade

2009-07-11T16:14:00.002-04:00

This year I didn't even take any pictures of the parade itself. Maybe should have of the classic vw's, but alas the only photos to be taken were by my husband of our children. PJ left on his bike pulling the trailer full of camp chairs and a thermos of coffee down to the parade route to secure us a great spot. Five minutes later it began to THUNDERSTORM. That's how loud it was that it needs all caps. I was worried about him even though I knew he would not worry about it at all. I packed the kids up just as the storm passed (it was sprinkling lightly) and drove downtown. We found PJ right away. He was relatively dry! He waited out the worst of it on the porch of a vacant house across the street from the site he found for us. He covered my chair with his umbrella, and as the kids chairs are mesh they dried out pretty quick. I tried to insist that he take my chair as he did all the work, but ever the true gentleman he wouldn't let me. I brought snacks for the kids but there was so much candy that they didn't eat ANY of it (even James!). The parade ended after about an hour and a half. It was really fun. We saw a bunch of folks we know-that was fun. And Ben and Katie and the girls came down and hung out too. The kids had a blast together. So here is the one picture to share of this year's parade. Its the cutest thing at the parade, too!

It's messy but I got over it and got out the hose

2009-07-07T14:13:00.003-04:00

Bubble time!

Garden 2009

2009-07-07T14:09:00.003-04:00

Broccoli, zucchini, cucumber, green pepper and tomato. Not shown an additional 5 tomato plants and onion. Canning? Check. Freezing? Check. Cold Storage? I don't have that one down yet...

Pollenation

2009-07-07T14:07:00.002-04:00

Caught this lovely in the hosta late morning. I love this sight. Nature at work. In my alternate reality I think I might keep bees.

Not on Track

2009-07-07T14:06:00.000-04:00

I just noticed last year I posted 221 times. This year I have posted 71 (this is lucky number 72). Seems I'd better get crackin'!

One of my favorite sights to see

2009-07-07T14:04:00.002-04:00

right after getting home from the library with new to us books to explore. Shhh...

Heard about 7:35 at the corner of Dodge and West Drive Sunday Evening

2009-07-06T12:59:00.002-04:00

from Ava: "Why does it smell like the Home Depot right here?"

Stick a Fork in Me

2009-07-01T11:44:00.003-04:00

We are through. We have had several incidents despite a consistent every fifteen minute routine. I guess the zoo is off for tomorrow and round two will consist of one (hopefully) very patient mommy and one naked boy locked in a small room with his potty till something happens. Let the wailing begin.

Potty Training Blues

2009-07-01T10:05:00.003-04:00

We are sitting on the potty consistently every fifteen minutes all morning so far, yet we have 1 poo and 2 pee pee incidents in the underpants. What in the living heck am I doing wrong? Oh, yes, that's right. I AM TRYING TO POTTY TRAIN HIM! That's what I am doing wrong!

One of my favorite things today

2009-06-27T21:10:00.002-04:00

Many lovely things today-Ava's soccer game (sadly they lost in overtime the first game) and the party afterward with her teammates and their families. The Southwood Park Home and Garden Tour and a lovely dinner at the Calhoun Street Soup Salad and Spririts. Now cruising the web a bit and came upon this and thought it would be a lovely way to end the day. Am off to make bread and fold some laundry, but wanted to share with you this loveliness, dear reader.

Proof that the Boy is the sweetest in the universe

2009-06-26T15:58:00.002-04:00

Step 1: Declaration from Boy: "Let's Wrastle!"
Step 2: Boy comes at me without restraint
Step 3: Big head bonk.
Step 4: Pause. Boy: "Are you okay Mommy?"
Me: "I'm okay Sweetie, are you okay?"
Step 5: Wailing with despair. (Boy, not me.)
Final Step: Comfort from Mommy and Ava.

Keeping Busy

2009-06-24T21:07:00.002-04:00

What with PJ being out of town and all, and my sleep levels dangerously low, I've been trying to keep busy. Not the busy for me kind of busy, but the fun for the kids kind of busy. It's been tricky as it's been high 80's low 90's the last few days, but we've been making it work. Yesterday we went to the zoo bright and early-they open at 9 a.m. and we were there by 9:30. Unfortunately so was the planet! But the kids did a great job staying close to me and as a reward we rode the train. The kids had a blast. We saved it for the end, and by the time we got off the train it was after 11. Time to head home to the climate control! But we had a good plan-went to a specific area of the zoo, then the farm (James LOVES the draft horse and Ava looks forward to petting the bunnies) then the train. It was fun. I think we will renew our membership as it's a great place to go when you need to get out of the house- the kids always have fun. And it really is a great zoo. The new African Journey exhibit is amazing- last week the kids fed the giraffes! We're saving that part for when Didi and Papa come as there is a ski lift thing they can take to see things from a better vantage point and y'all know where I stand on heights!

Itty Bitty Basketball

2009-06-24T20:52:00.003-04:00

I posted the link of the photo the pro took-I took a few too. Bless Coach Kate and Coach Benicia-those girls have the patience of saints trying not only to wrangle three year olds but to try to teach them skills. James alternates between standing with his fingers in his mouth and attempting to follow along. His favorite part of class is shooting the ball. He is pretty good unless he's too far from the basket. Today he was being kind of a pill but I participated with him and (I think) that helped. Ava was a champ and played on the adjacent playground while I tried to coerce the boy into cooperation. I learned my lesson well-next time I schedule them it will be at the same time. I should have had her in tennis down the road at the same time I had him in basketball-but this way they get playground time a couple of times a week regardless of whatever else we have going on. Here are a few pics of our little Larry Bird in the making.

Cops in front of my house do not help me to sleep at night when the man is gone!

2009-06-24T16:18:00.004-04:00

So as most of you know when PJ is absent I suffer from insomnia. Boogey Man Syndrome. I was watching inappropriate tv last night and came upstairs about midnight. I got onto the computer to check on Iran, and came down about 12:30. As I was turning the lights out I noticed a police vehicle (suv-not sedan) parked in front between our house and the corner. Looking at this page I noted halfway down something at 1600 Curdes. I just need to figure out what the heck ATL is. When I get that mystery solved I will work on who the hell is responsible for taking down the beautiful (if wildish but only in need of a trim) lilac bush at the end of our alley. Nancy Drew look out!
EDIT: ATL is attempt to locate. Perhaps I was right to be disturbed- who were they trying to locate? The Boogey Man???
EDIT II: Holy Crap that police log on the FWDailyNews.com website is awesome. I click on the address for the ATL and it shows our corner. I totally heart google earth. I think its interesting to see what is going down in your 'hood and know where it is-most times it's not as close as you'd think. Still wondering who they were looking for. Wish I knew someone on the squad!

James in the News!

2009-06-24T16:16:00.003-04:00

I brought the camera to basketball this morning, and found someone else had too! A reporter from a new (to me) website called Fort Wayne Daily News was taking names and photos for a splash on their web page. I asked her if they were print or online only, and she said this would be found online. I wasn't expecting it till tomorrow, but here's our little Media Darling!
http://www.fwdailynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3937:Basketball-program-keeps-kids-active-during-summer&catid=51:latest&Itemid=6

Funny

2009-06-18T13:12:00.002-04:00

I know I'm supposed to be posting pictures of the kids- will do. Promise. Soon.
In the meantime, here's this.
When the Real Geeks Ride were here, at the party I was part of a discussion re: Twitter, i.e. like it, hate it, or eh. I didn't really have an opinion as I'm not really on it and am just beginning to understand it. (thankfully, I wasn't the only one.) But since the uprising in Iran I am reading more and more and understanding it's usefulness. (As a main way of getting info out of Iran, it's incredible. Check out Andrew Sullivan's blog at the Atlantic. Stunning.)
So I hear this politician say that the Iranians using Twitter to get the truth out to the world is kind of like when the republicans started using Twitter (to complain about the President?) it was angering. Till I saw this. And it became funny. And he became inconsequential. So regardless of whether or not you "twit", or what political party you subscribe to, this is funny. Check it out.
photo courtesy of google images.

Where Are My Planners At?

2009-06-18T09:23:00.001-04:00

Here's a challenge for you:

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/107206/retailers-head-for-exits-in-detroit.html?mod=family-autos

Blech

2009-06-16T21:17:00.002-04:00

So I (once again) am a total blog slacker. It is the backlog. I put about a trillion pictures on the computer and took out red eyes from most, and am hoping to post about the Real Geeks Ride guys and the extravaganza that occurred during their visit. Plus a few other tidbits. I really am working on it. But school is out and we are transitioning from everything to nothing, and I want the kids to decompress well. I know, excuses, excuses...

Takin' the new Mixer around the block

2009-06-16T21:12:00.002-04:00

I was hesitant to use the mixer, what with it being so NEW and PRETTY and AWESOME, but after the abundance of strawberries that were found in the fridge I decided something needed to be done. My initial thought was an angel food cake, but upon opening the yogurt this morning I found this recipe and thought it would be perfect. We chopped the strawberries in the mini cuisinart food processor Laurie found for me and put everything into the mixer. It was amazing. So much faster than if we had done all of it by hand. And the batter was so tasty. Will report tomorrow on the actual muffins. The mixer gets an A+!

Holy Breaking News Cow!

2009-06-09T12:44:00.004-04:00

All other information has been trumped by the present I received from my in-laws via the ever so nice SPU guy. (No, that's not a special crime scene investigative unit, it's what Ava used to call the UPS guy and it stuck!)
A BEAUTIFUL STATE OF THE ART PROFESSIONAL SERIES KITCHEN AID MIXER !!!
(sorry about the all caps but I needed to be sure you heard me.)
Yes, that's right. My whole world as I know it has changed.
It's so awesome.
I'm going downstairs now to pet it.

More later...

Surprise Wedding Reception?!?!

2009-06-07T16:09:00.001-04:00

I don't know where Andrew finds these things, but this warmed my cold cynical little heart...

Weekend Update Cubed

2009-06-05T15:52:00.003-04:00

So here's what's going on 'round these parts:
*Ava's last day of school was Thursday. We went to a Chapel / Closing Ceremony. Most of the 200 kids received an award or three. The kindergarteners only received one award each-Ava's was for excellence in reading. DUH!!! Our girl is on chapter books, yo! I am so pleased to see how much she enjoys reading.
*PJ and his friend Dave traveled overnight last night to see the Supersuckers in Columbus, OH. They had a great time. He got home around lunchtime today, very tired.
* A routine visit was expected for Belly and Lionel yesterday afternoon at the veterinarian. There was nothing routine about it. They didn't have Lionel in their system, although I am super certain the super kitty has been there before. So there was some shuffling around to figure out what was going on there, but we got his rabies shot and all was well. Not so much with the Belly Dancer. I told the good Dr. that she'd been having potty trouble, and when she felt her belly it was declared that she had stones and lots of them. An x-ray was done and sure enough, upon seeing the x-ray I could tell why our poor pooch was having trouble! There were two huge stones and the beginning of her bladder, and the rest was filled with much smaller ones. The Dr. said she could get Belly in for surgery the next day (today) or it could wait till next week. I said I would discuss it with Belly's father and call right away. She said the reason the cause for the stones began with a bladder infection. Since the Belly couldn't tell us something was wrong, we didn't treat it, which led to stones forming. They will send the stones away to a lab to see if they can tell if this is something that will recur or not, and if we will need to put her on a special diet. So the kids and I were up bright and early this morning to take Belly in for her surgery. I tried to take a picture of her but she's like me and doesn't like to have her picture taken. She knew something was going on too because I couldn't get her out from under the bed. But eventually the leash was on and we were out the door. When we got home the boy fed Fred, who was so upset about Belly being gone he didn't eat his breakfast, even though he was locked in our room for over an hour. He's been hangdog all day. Laying in the sun and shade alternately, not even interested in shaking hands which he is usually all over. We just a while ago got a call from the vet who said Belly was doing wonderfully, but due to inflammation she isn't tinkling normally (why didn't I get a spellcheck on tinkling? I did on spellcheck!) yet and she wanted to keep her overnight. She was going in tomorrow a.m. (her day off even!) to check on Belly and we could take her home tomorrow. But the Dr. said she feels all went well and that Belly will do great.
* Tomorrow afternoon there are two gentlemen coming to town and staying with us two nights. I spent my day cleaning the house. PJ did the back yard yesterday before he left, and I did some weeding. Last weekend he filled in the "pond" (now called the raingarden but try breaking that "pond" habit!) and made a makeshift patio for the grill. The stone we put down last year wasn't cutting the mustard. I will post a picture. Soon. I promise. There's an event scheduled Sunday afternoon and we are hosting a reception for said gentlemen Sunday afternoon / evening. Here's the invite. We are hoping for good weather, and right now we are looking at a 30% chance of scattered thunderstorms. Please send your good weather juju. And for those thinking we are insane for offering to host them, please note that none of their previous hosts appear to have been axe-murdered.
*I almost forgot that Wednesday the plumber came and put in two new hose bibs- the weather resistant kind. I'll photo those too. Promise!
So please keep us all in your good thoughts, esp the Belly. And I'll have a lot to say after this weekend!!!

How Could I Love Mary Poppins More?

2009-06-01T20:36:00.001-04:00

Here's how. Pause the juke and enjoy, friends.

Wait for it

2009-05-25T10:21:00.001-04:00

Sorry kids, but the park is beckoning. Our little Ava misses it so much (Turtley!) so we are heading down in a few. PJ has a two o'clock tee time, so he is a happy camper. Pictures will wait. I am hoping you are outside enjoying a beautiful summer and not reading of my procrastination.

Back among the living!

2009-05-24T15:10:00.002-04:00

So I posted on the 5th that I (as far as my primary care physician RediMed could tell) do not have the Swine Flu. Heaven help us if anyone (including Dr. RediMed) could figure out what in the heck I do have. I believe it began as a virus turned into a cold turned into some horrible allergies turned back into a cold and now I am (please,LORD!) just suffering allergies. Almost three whole weeks where I have not completely cleaned my house, done more than the necessary laundry, or done much else other than sleep. But life has gone on around my unwellness. The basement carpet went in, and immediately the couch and tv went downstairs. Then I had to rearrange the living room. PJ and the kids got my flowers planted in the pots out front for Mothers Day. Ava pracitices soccer Wednesday evenings and has games on Saturdays (except yesterday due to holiday weekend). The garden has been planted. James celebrated the last day of his schoolyear with the FunFest and Family Picnic where cookies and juiceboxes were enjoyed with our regularly scheduled picnic lunch. And it is beaauuutiful weather. I just downloaded almost 80 photos onto the computer with the promise of adding them to the blog probably later this evening. Right now am off to make a green bean salad from the Mexican Everyday cookbook (soo yummy and easy) to take to a friend's party this afternoon. And continue to hack up a lung or two and blow my nose. Of course. More soon! Love, Ang.

More Proof That Rahm and I Are Destined to be Together (in my imagination of course!)

2009-05-14T14:00:00.002-04:00

Code name: Black HAWK?!?!? Me coming from the Q.C., birthplace of the Sauk warrior Black Hawk and site of the Black Hawk War? Come on. It is clearly predestination.

I Do Not Have the Swine Flu

2009-05-05T10:09:00.002-04:00

I got something, though. It felt like I got hit by a truck. Which I did not. I would have remembered that. I did get flattened by The Sickness tho. Came home and passed out in bed and did not get out at all until PJ came home and told me to go to RediMed. (that is my primary care physician, after all.) I waited for 2.5 hours in the lobby of RediMed, then went back. They swabbed the insides of my nose to test for flu, and my throat to test for Strep. All came back negative. The good doctor didn't know what I have but he did know that he wanted to give me a good antibiotic to kill whatever was going on inside me. I had chills, 103 degree fever, sore throat, general uneasiness. PJ got my perscription and I took a pill and went to bed. I feel so much better this morning! Jennifer took the boy to the park with Henri so I could rest. Bless her heart! So now I am going to rest. I just wanted you to know that I do not have H1N1. The end.

Cautiously Optimistic

2009-05-05T10:04:00.002-04:00

So the sweetest boy this side of the Mississippi sat quietly and still for his echo cardiogram. At the end he said to me, "Mommy, I want to be done." The tech was just finishing up so I told him we could be done in just another minute. PJ took the morning off to be there during the test. He asked some good questions. The machine was amazing-watching his little heart pumping. All together it took about an hour. The tech was amazing. She has two little ones at home, so she knew that we were worried. She said at the beginning that if she saw anything major she would call the pediatric cardiologist right away. At the end she said that the doctor would look at it, but if it helped till they called she didn't see anything glaringly obviously wrong. So we took the boy out for some chocolate milk and a muffin as a reward. He was really so good. Now we are waiting, but not worrying too much. Thank you for your kindness and thoughts. Its hard when it's your super special tiny baby chicken. But hopefully there will be nothing to worry about. Will keep you posted.

Wait, did you hear that?

2009-04-29T19:55:00.002-04:00

The doctor did. A murmur on the boy's heart. And again three weeks later. Echo cardiogram tomorrow morning. I am sorry it's been quiet over here but I am very busy trying not to panic. Will update. And add soccer and my new love affair with Ann Arbor MI. Back to regularly scheduled programming of not worrying. Too much...

Red Winged Black Bird

2009-04-27T13:57:00.004-04:00

We spotted one of these on the highway just over the Michigan state line Sunday morning.
photo courtesy of google images.

How the Boy and I Spent the Last Hour

2009-04-23T16:21:00.003-04:00

What better way to while the afternoon away than by watching jets taking off and landing on an aircraft carrier, all set to a little Crue. So pause the jukebox, and enjoy.

Sunday, Lovely Sunday...

2009-04-19T20:45:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was just about THE perfect weather. Sunny and mid 70's. The kids played outside all day (of course but for naps) and I attacked some of the vinca that is growing out of the wasteland. PJ golfed, and came home in the afternoon for help on the finishing touches. We decided (or should I say I decided) that depending on the weather, I wanted to participate in the river cleanup going on down here at the Maumee. So I talked PJ into it (the only thing I think he was motivated to do beyond church was some nothing) and we hopped onto the bikes and headed down to the river. The meeting place was not at all far from our house. The only downer was that it was downhill all the way, which meant I was pulling James uphill all the way home. But it sprinkled on and off, and we got to the meeting point where the organizers had everything set out so great. We were handed some seeds for spreading, a trash pincher picker upper and we had some garbage bags so we headed out. We found some interesting stuff, but the best thing we found was on the way back- two downy woodpeckers! We also saw some deer tracks and a log that had been chewed to a point by a beaver. Pretty awesome. We took the opportunity to talk to the kids about the earth, and how we should take care of it. That this was important work but we don't need to just do it once a year- we can come anytime and explore and pick up trash. The experience also affirmed my commitment to do local(ish) nature walks at least once a month. There are so many opportunities around here at local preserves and parks, and after todays exploration the kids are fired up. And an interesting side effect of the experience today is that there was so much trash I notice laying around now. Riding home on our bikes we could have stopped a few times each block to pick something up. Even on Forest Park Blvd! So now we are committed to keeping firm on the clean planet pledge and pick up what we see so we don't go back to not seeing it. Does that make sense? And now I am off to find some tiger balm for my legs- coming home uphill reminded me why I can't do a spin class!

The Weather Allowed the Easter Bunny to Hide Eggs Outside This Year!

2009-04-12T16:11:00.004-04:00

Granted, it was in the mid-high 30's, but felt much nicer. And the kids made quick work of finding all their eggs. And in demanding candy. What has the "Easter Bunny" started?

Easter Baskets

2009-04-12T16:05:00.002-04:00

The "Easter Bunny" left baskets for each of the kids with a few candies and a few treats. Mr. Easter Bunny was disappointed that Mrs. Easter Bunny went a teeny tiny bit overboard but was swayed by Mrs. Easter Bunny's argument that there isn't another holiday until Halloween, unless he wanted me to start celebrating all the minor ones. I love when he sees my side of things!
Anyhoo, there were color wonder marker kits, magnifying glasses for finding bugs and things outside (Ava is currently using hers to look for clues the Easter Bunny might have left behind!), stickers, matchbox cars, and a tiara, among misc. candies. The "Easter Bunny" also put some m and m's in those little plastic eggs and hid them with the decorated ones outside for all to find. It's currently a lovely day, one where I hear in my head what we proclaimed at church this a.m.- "Alleluia. He is risen. He is risen, indeed." Thank God. (literally!)

Individual Style

2009-04-12T16:02:00.003-04:00

Our girl is rapidly developing an individual sense of style. I captured this one on the camera the other day. Today she is wearing a brown turtleneck with a white tunic tshirt over it, hot pink shorts and white tights. I am loving that she is her own girl!

Basement Status

2009-04-12T15:49:00.003-04:00

We (and by "we" I do not mean me in any way shape or form) have made a lot of progress on the basement family room. (I have made some progress in the utility/laundry room, but cannot take credit for the other.) PJ got the drywall repairs done that he wanted to finish, and told me to pick out a paint color. I agonized over the paint book for a while, and chose a light tan color. It's pretty dark down there, so I didn't want too much "color", but as you know me, I also could not have white. So PJ got the paint and got right to work. He got a no VOC at Menards that he said covered really well, and as a bonus, with no VOC there's no horrible odor. When we get the kitchen ready to paint we'll get the same stuff in the blue I found.
Ava has a great memory, and had such a great time painting her room in South Bend that she wanted to do it all over again with the basement. And our boy, about the same age Ava was when the room was painted, also was all about the painting. So PJ got the kids each a roller and put them to work. And good for all of us, we found out that the kids are hard workers and good painters! (How long till they can intern for Aunt Kathy?)
Now PJ has a couple of touch up items, and we are almost ready for carpet. I've done the taxes so that return will pay for the finishing of the basement. Next up, indoors=kitchen paint, outdoors=New Fence!!!