Myrtle Mae

Where

2011-08-17T17:51:00.001-05:00

April is slipping away

2011-04-17T08:11:00.002-05:00

I can't believe how fast time is going. I was speaking with an old classmate yesterday whose theory was that time accelerates as we age because it is such a smaller portion of our total time lived. For exampe, one year to a 10 year is 1/10th of their life and so it seems very long. At almost 50, one year is only 1/50th of the time I have spent on earth, and so it goes very quickly. My thought was that our brain and soul becomes so full of memories and experiences, and that somehow makes time go more quickly. Or perhaps there is just so much activity and things to do the older we get that time seems to speed up exponentially.

Yesterday there was volunteering for a band event (two hours), meeting about a class reunion (one hour), birthday lunch with Uncle Cal (age 86) (I think time may slow down again once we are that old) (two hours), working out (1.5 hours), nap (1.5 hours), grocery shopping (1 hour), dinner making and eating (1.5 hours), schoolwork (one hour), checkbook balancing and bill paying (.5 hour), walk (.5 hour). Did I mention Facebook? 5 minutes here, 5 minutes there, honestly, there is nothing interesting going on there.

So today there is the parent visit, Boy18 brass recital, working out, cleaning dirty house, more schoolwork (my class is almost done!), etc. etc. And back to school tomorrow.

Just Saying

2011-04-03T17:15:00.001-05:00

It's a glorious day!!! Nothing better to do than be outside on a day like today.

Facebook Break

2011-04-02T18:35:00.003-05:00

Facebook is just too unsettling and much of a time waster. There's nothing there, yet I stare at it like some monumentous information is going to suddenly appear. So that's that.

Double header today. A full week of baseball. 7 games in 6 days. I missed the only two games Boy16 started in. He did well in the field and at the plate, just too many guys in the infield to fit in the line up.

Yesterday Pat and I took a short trip to Springfield to see Boy/Man22. My maternal instincts suddenly kicked in and I needed to put eyes on him. Seems to be doing okay. We had what we thought were inaccurate mapquest directions. Couldn't find the place. Drove around for while and finally saw a gas station. Pat started asking a state policeman who was getting gas where to find Burton Drive. He couldn't explain it, then didn't think the number was right. Said he would check his computer, then just radioed "the city" and got the directions. Tried to explain how to get there with the one ways, then just said, "I'll take ya." First thought, Great! Second thought, should I bring the state police to this place?? Well, we flew around some corners and streets and there we were. Turn out, mapquest was right. Pat read .08 miles as .8 miles so we missed a street. We were only a block away originally. The rental is a cracker box of a place with a dude parked on the living room floor on an air mattress under some covers looking at a laptop (Shashi, a self proclaimed grad student) at two in the afternoon.

It seems my cousin Bill in Manhattan KS, has slipped into a coma is not expected to recover due to terminal cancer. We had no idea things were this bad until this week. In fact, we were hopeful the cancer was in remission. But it would be like Bill not to share bad news. His sister died by suicide two and a half years ago, so it is rough on the family. My aunt and uncle are not in very good health either.

Almost the 28th of March

2011-03-27T20:05:00.004-05:00

In my flannels and bathrobe before 8:00. March is going out like a lion, and I, for one, am getting damn sick of it. We had a nice birthday celebration for Mom tonight at what was supposed to be Shiloh's (fine dining) but turned about to be Chicks (casual dining). She says, "You're only 75 once" to which I replied, "You're only any age once." I am getting so cranky and irritable in my middle age. And if AARP sends me one more solicitation before I am 50, I am going to take serious legal action.

Pat is in the bathroom screaming and swearing at the toilet he's trying to fix. Boy18 gets bent on harping on certain household enigmas of which there are many in this home, and the toilet running downstairs is the latest of those that apparently finally got on Pat's nerves, too. Why he would start this at 8 p.m. on a Sunday, maybe BIL Chuck can answer. Boy18 has decided to invite his girlfriend over to run lines for the play in the middle of this project which adds yet another layer of complication to this state.

It is back to work tomorrow after a peaceful week of spring break. I did accomplish some of my to do list, including completing Module 2 (of 3) for my grad class, getting Boy16's baseball t-shirt quilt sewn together but not tied, daily exercise, and Bjarke's scrapbook all but ready to mail when Boy16 gives me his narrative account of the trip to include on the last page. Some of you may have see the pictures of the pages on Facebook. I managed to erase an entire disk of some 500 pictures and videos of Denmark without having saved them to my computer. Luckily this time Vibe has copies. Some may remember how devastated she was when Boy18 visited in 2008 and 400-500 of her pictures mysteriously disappeared when she went to have them printed. She was not fooled this time but the curse must have extended to me.

Wednesday Chatter

2011-03-16T18:17:00.003-05:00

I asked Boy16 how the Viking Museum (Roskilde) and the cathedral where some royals are buried was and he replied:

They were pretty cool, I liked them because we didn't have a tour guide we could just walk around and look at stuff on our own. Today at school was very interesting, it's way different over here. Everyone in class has a laptop and you can be on facebook or playing games or listening to music during class. And they get out at 130 and have a recess and lunch which is nice. We talked to the 8 th graders and I got interviewed for the newspaper!I noticed in Russia the royals are "buried" in the cathedrals, too. I find that a little odd and don't remember the explanation for this. We went to the church in St. Petersburg where Czar Nicholas and his family is 'resting' all except Anastasia whose body was never found...sparking all the folklore that she survived.

They love their royals in Denmark, I do remember that. One of the princes is the golden boy, the other a cad, maybe even divorced.

So, no pictures out of Denmark yet. I wish! I hope he is taking some, lots of the people.

Well, it's off for my second time seeing Black Swan. I thought Pat would like it, so I'll force myself through it, nod nod wink wink.

2011-03-13T06:49:00.005-05:00

I saw this ad on Freecycle, a service where people give and receive items with no monetary exchange. It's kind of sad when people put animals up on such a site. Often people will chime in and criticize the owners if there is any hint of abuse or neglect or even thoughtlessness:

I have a 1 1/2 year old lab/german shepherd mix that needs a good home. She is a good girl, but I don't have the time to give her. You may reply to this email or call 309-333-7289.

I am slowly working through my grad classs on Engaging Troubling Students. The word "troubling" bothered me at first because it sounds like we are troubled or bothered by the students. Judgemental, like they are getting in our way. In reality, I wouldn't have a job if not for these students troubling someone. I thought 'troubled students' was more accurate, but who am I say they are troubled? They may think they are perfectly fine. Somewhere along the way, my students have been labeled emotionally or behavior disordered. That means, they don't fit in well with the general students and teachers. Some are just quirky, weird, or odd. Others are volatile, defiant and bold. Many have learned this from having to protect themselves out in the world or in their own homes. The emotional disorders are more those with a mental health diagnosis that is front and center. Some are in the program because they are picked on or bullied. This class I am taking is an alternative to a strict behavioral approach (rules-rewards-punishment). Towards support, understanding and a participatory classroom structure.

And now from Denmark (Friday):

Dear Susan and co

Cal arrived after the scedule. Danish students with flags and the host families were all there. We took the train to Nivå, and Cal got his room. After an hour did Bjarke and he go for a walk in the cold but sunny weather. They actually went to the beach. At 7 am we are going to dine- and Cal is taking a nap right now.
He is tired but full of smiles- and the two"cap-boys" talk non stop. I´m sure its gonna be fun.
I thought you would like to know.
Yours Vibe
________________________________________

Two unrelated stories

2011-02-20T18:53:00.003-06:00

I finally figured out why I like driving my big Buick so much. When I was 16-17 my family acquired an old (even at that time) Ford Galaxy which was a yucky color of green. For some reason, I loved driving that car. Today when I heard "After the Love Has Gone" by Earth, Wind and Fire, I remembered a moment at the old SuperAmerica gas station in that car with that song playing. Back then, all we had was radio, so when your favorite song came on, the world stopped. That car was a divine boat to drive, but had a habit of over heating. I did use that to my advantage from time to time when I wanted to play the damsel in distress. Well, the Buick LeSabre is the biggest car I've driven since then and I love the smooth ride.

When I visited St. Petersburg, Russia in 2001, it was very clear the impact of World War II was profound on the city and its people. The guides often spoke of the devastation, starvation,and near destruction of their city by the Neva by the Germans. They are proud to have prevailed to save their city.

"City of Thieves" by David Benioff is a character sketch set in St. Petersburg under seige during this time period. Lev, a naive and sexually inexperienced 17 year old Jew, and Kolya, a cocky, confident, ladies man of 22 who has been accused of deserting the army are an unlikely pairing who meet in jail. The story revolves around a desperate search for a dozen eggs but more aptly depicts the emotional maturation of a boy becoming a man with stunning and simple, humorous and brutal prose. I am near the middle of the book and already know it is one I wish would never end. I am parceling it out slowly so I can savor it fully.

Life

2011-02-06T14:27:00.004-06:00

Better than the alternative, in the words of Dick Vick.

Sometimes life is better than I expected, like yesterday, when my house was filled with music, Boy17 and his friends jamming on guitar and trumpet. I always wanted a house filled with music.

Life is definitely better than my dreams, which have been tortured, miserable messes.

Feeling good after 2:15 workout and finishing that damned bicycle portion of the triathalon. Cup of coffee, life is good...yes, I am a triathelete. haha Loosened up the sore muscles of Thursday's killer yoga session. My friend Karen kicks it on the yoga mat. I thank her for inviting me to her class. We haven't been socializing since I dropped out of the church and goddess night fizzled out a few years ago. Nonetheless, she is one of my favorite people, genuinely a good soul. We met in yoga class, she reminded me. I remember seeing her and thinking I would like to be her friend and eventually it happened. Funny how that goes sometimes.

I called Boy22 this afternoon and guess what? He was on his way to Macomb. Got a ride here, and a truck meeting him tomorrow to haul his bed to Springfield. Seems the boy doesn't want to sleep on a couch the rest of his life. A weird next step. His hair is sheered (all three boys have fresh haircuts), and he seems more focused and happy than I've seen him a couple of years. He has secured two jobs, possibly three. I saw proof he enrolled in his final one credit of college, which I swear I didn't ask for. I'm letting go of control. The first job is at a Japanese steakhouse. The second is stocking displays in stores for greeting cards and Frito Lay. His friends all seem to have a little more money than he does, so maybe that will keep him motivated to work hard.

Super Bowl Menu

2011-02-05T20:50:00.004-06:00

Turkey Rueben Sandwiches
Pork fried rice
Pre-made vegetable tray - too lazy even to unpackage my own veggies
Pigs in blanket
Flatbread and hummus
Tossed salad

I'm not even really planning to watch the game.

Me at work on Friday. No, I don't work in a prison, it's a school!! Need interior design helper.

Pines of Rome

2011-01-30T16:49:00.005-06:00

I am learning about music by osmosis, that is, Boy17's musical experience. He has gone so far above and beyond my feeble high school band training. Obviously, I didn't have the talent or drive to excel in music. Yesterday afternoon was the Illinois All-State concert at the Peoria Civic Center. Boy17 chaired second trumpet in the Honors Orchestra, which is just about as good it gets in high school musicianship.

I don't know much about orchestral music, but his group was slated to play only one piece, Respighi's Pines of Rome. Respighi is such a cool name. The piece was written in 1924 and has four movements. I couldn't detect any flaws in the performance. It is an epic symphonic poem and was greeted with a standing ovation. It was easy to spot Boy17, since we didn't get the "Black Tie" memo. We were told suit and tie, so I got him a new suitcoat, brown. You can see the result. Well, I thought he was handsome, and I'm incredibly proud. How Pat and I find ourselves in this world of classical music is mind boggling, I guess we are just blessed!

The Honors Orchestra had the only out of state conductor, Jung-Ho Pak from Cape Cod and San Diego (who apparently has a lot of frequent flier miles). Eli enjoyed his enthusiam and expertise enormously. Just working with the musicians in the camps and programs he has been involved with is a huge benefit to his own growth. He was on Cloud 9 after the concert, as well as exhausted. "Maestro" literally conducts with his entire body. He obviously knew the piece well, and used no music, stand, or baton. He was almost dancer-like.

Jung-Ho

Golden Globes

2011-01-22T18:17:00.004-06:00

Thank you Betsy for getting me addicted to movies again. Since I've been reading Entertainment Weekly weekly, I'm pretty tuned into this years awards nominees. I have seen most of the nominated films. The Golden Globes (GG) were thus a really interesting show for me, plus Matt Damon was seated right in front of the stage and got numerous camera views besides his presentation to Al Pacino or Robert DeNiro or one of them old guys. My first comment is that I'm happy to see Matt's non-celebrity wife is looking more and more comfortable at these events. It would be hard to walk in there and be compared to Angelina Jolie and the gang.

My first comment is, I love the way Annette Benning embraces her age. She is not trying to glam it up whatsoever. Maybe she just feels great next to her 80 year old husband Warren Beatty, so she doesn't have to put on any airs. But the hair, interchangable with Al Pacino? If you missed it, try Google images. It's awful.

Christian Bale is as nutty as his character Dicky Eklund in the "The Fighter." When he got up after winning his GG and started talking in a British accent I thought he was putting it on. So, after seeing "The Fighter" tonight I doubted myself after I told Pat he is British. He did Boston well. He is from England. He and Jeremy Renner from "The Town" and "Hurt Locker" are two excellent character actors who will probably keep reaping the awards.

I about threw up in my mouth when Natalie Portman gave her little speech. I thought "Black Swan" was really good for a horror genre film, but her little baby raspy voice is annoying. And when she announced she was pregnant and her 'boyfriend' loves to sleep with her which proves he's a good actor (and incidentally not a gay ballet dancer), ugh. I guess her awkward extended laugh afterwards has gone viral.

I was actually touched by Claire Danes' acceptance and tribute to Temple Grandin, the talented animal scientist with autism. Ditto for Chris Colfer, the gay teen on Glee.

Kudos to "The Social Network" which sounds really boring but wasn't, unless of course you are not addicted to Facebook.

Loved Ricky Gervais as host. Who is this guy? I thought it interesting that the celebrities were not laughing at what I thought were pretty funny jokes. I think they were afraid to be seen endorsing the ridiculing of their peers. Entertainment Weekly had an editorial calling him "Icky Ricky" because he was mean. Oh boo, the Academy Awards with Anne Hathaway don't stand a chance of cracking a smile. Ricky got on Hugh Hefner and many of the presentors like Tim Allen, Robert Downey, Jr., Sylvester Stallone, and Bruce Willis (Ashton Kutcher's dad). My favorite line of the night which I'm surprised even got broadcast was the closing, "And thank you to God...for making me an athiest."

Friday

2011-01-21T16:55:00.005-06:00

It was a good, good week. I never had a moment of 'what do I do now?' At times I felt like I bit off more than I can chew, juggling too many balls, but then I found it exhilarating. I went to bed at 7:00 last night, read a tiny bit of "Hunger Games" then fell asleep until right before the alarm at 5:20 a.m. As a result I need about two hours at the gym tonight. I skipped the last two nights of doing anything but American Idol (awful, I thought), eating and sleeping. Boy16 has a game about 1:15 hours away and I already drove my two hour commute today, so I am skipping. I did talk to him and he is recovering from the flu, Dad is going to the game, and it's iffy if he will play or not. So hello, triathlon numbers!

Post Script:
I managed 2 and a half hours of activity (30 minutes circuit weights, 3 miles walking, 4 miles biking and 12 laps swimming), boy a couple days off really can ramp up the energy level, that and working off a little stress (and I haven't had coffee since 10:00 a.m.). This while thinking of Texas Sheet Cake almost continously, in between PTSD flashbacks of Virginia (the 75-80 year old lady who liked to lather up with the water off) having a straight up conversation while delivering a 45 second audible fart in the locker room. Speaking of locker rooms, young girls can be a snarky bunch after a long swim practice. I was about to intervene when I came out of the bathroom stall and one had a clipboard so I guess she was the adult in charge, but I swear she was the loudest, most inappropriate one of the group. I managed to mind my own business after asking one of the girls if that was the coach.

Coming tomorrow: My take on the Globes, Golden.

Time

2011-01-19T21:11:00.002-06:00

I have this whole weekly mental thing going. Here it is. Monday is not a bad day because it's Monday and everyone else is having a Monday. Tuesday is the worst day of the week because you are actually expected to do something. Wednesday is cool because it's Thursday eve. Thursday is the best day of the week because you are anticipating Friday and the weekend. Friday is good in that you know you can handle anything because you just have to get through this day but the evening goes really quick and that kind of sucks. Saturday is the second best day of the week because you have all day to do whatever you want and still have Sunday to chill out. Sunday is kind of like the Tuesday of the weekend in that you have to try to accomplish something for the weekend like laundry or getting ready for work. I used to hate Sunday, all day, because it seemed so depressing but now I try to live in the moment with the exception of my aforementioned predisposition to judging each day.

I am going to take a graduate course online now for two reasons. One, work will pay for it, and Two, when I get 12 credits I can move up on the pay scale. Why not?

The Case of What is this World Coming To?

2011-01-16T17:19:00.007-06:00

Yesterday I made 25 laps without stopping (not 25 miles like I told Pat) swimming. It makes me think about Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign. Why does the First Lady (and who made up that dumb moniker?) have to tell us to feed our kids healthy and get them off the couch and moving? The first of these First Lady crusades I remember was Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No to Drugs" followed by Barbara Bush's reading stump. Excuse me, but aren't those the basics of being a parent?

It seems to me that parents quit being parents sometime in the 80's. I know in my generation you had to move, or you would get stuck cleaning the basement or some other despicable task. If you lived in a neighborhood with kids, usually a pack was running around outside summer or winter. Now I guess they are indoors playing video games and ordering pizzas. In my case, I would take a book and disappear into a quiet corner so at least I would have pleased Barbara Bush.

I know my parents were maybe a little too out there with the food thing (making yogurt, baking whole wheat bread and serving more vegetables than meat) and there were no fast food restaurants in our town until I got to high school. Even then when we went out for open lunch we went to somebody's house and ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Eating in a restaurant was absolutely a special occasion.

At the same time as obesity is at all time high, there are more gyms, fitness clubs and public venues for active fitness than ever before. Even the rehabilitation centers that used to be for heart attack or injury victims are open for wellness memberships. I can think of at least 7 places to work out in my small town of 20,000people. The YMCA is teaming with people on a Sunday afternoon. Maybe an hour at a gym doesn't really replace the natural activities that were commonplace like walking or riding a bike to school or work, playing hopscotch, tag or Red Light/Green Light, and cleaning one's own house. Fitness isn't something you do at a certain time in a certain place, movement should be a part of every hour of the day. I don't think elevators, escalators, and drive through windows were solely installed for the disabled.

There is also a surge in grow your own and store bought organic foods, food co-ops and farmer's markets, an interest in veganism, a decrease in "supersizing", and yet there are more fancy cupcake shops, greasy burger joints and super high fat ice cream stores than ever.

It's hard to understand the conflicting messages and conflicting trends with so much knowledge and information at hand about what is healthy. With McDonalds now offering Oatmeal, maybe we are at the tipping point, and the scales will start to angle down again. I'm just afraid the oatmeal will quietly disappear and the McDonalds will say, "See we did our part and nobody wanted it" while others continue to sue and regulate the food industry, the schools and anyone else they can blame for their own poor choices. Meanwhile, I sound like a an old coot so I will get off my soapbox, but really it is an interesting paradox. And that's the point I was trying to make.

Me in front of a big juicy burger joint, you can see the fat has attached to my thighs.

Where?

2011-01-11T12:02:00.004-06:00

I don't know where this winter break has gone. I know it is sickenly long for me (I have not been to work since Dec. 22 and do not return until Jan. 18), and I shouldn't whine, but last week just entirely disappeared. This week is making a strike to do the same. It seems everyone else has gone back to work/school and I am aimlessly wasting away in Margaritaville. Not really, far from it, however, I have done little to no prep work for school, which I had BIG plans to do. At this rate, I'll be lucky to be ready for the first week, let alone the entire semester. I did complete an application to teach an adjunct social work class for the University of Illinois, so I am pleased to get that out of the way. Fact is, they were not asking for applications, it was suggested to me that if a good resume lands on the desk of the associate dean, he will be pleased since he has no idea how to go about finding faculty to teach out here in the boonies.

I increased to 16 laps in the pool today, in four lap spurts, so that is progress. I think my breath was fine, it was my arms getting a little tired that caused me to take three short rest breaks. I also noticed some old habits coming back, such as my shower routine after swimming where I do the depression thing and turn the water off to get lathered. This older lady who swam in the mornings always did that next stall to me so I picked up the habit. She had some other rather bizarre habits I did not incorporate. The Y has really downgraded their water supply by the way. It is no more than a lukewarm drizzle, which must be saving them a lot of money, because I for one, no longer stay in there for an hour.

Well, this is just another way to avoid doing productive work, although in my mind, it is more productive than napping. I have one lunch date and one coffee date this week and was hoping for a movie date, but no good shows are playing in the area.

Here is my first table top photo. Didn't I clean it off nicely, a fresh slate? Only a buffet full of crap in the background is holding what the table normally holds.
Random picture of Boy16 at the Galesburg game Saturday night. Macomb's first loss in 14 games.

Rediscovery

2011-01-09T16:26:00.009-06:00

January or a new year is time of discovery, or rediscovery in my case, is it not? Did you know the word "rediscovery" is not in the dictionary? This week I happened back into the swimming pool after a three year hiatus. The reason you ask? I am completing a triathalon. Before you get all impressed, I have 6 weeks to do it in a bit by bit fashion. And bit by bit it is. I started with 10 laps, breaking between each to catch my breath. Hard to believe I could once swim 56 continuous laps (although at the tortoise pace of 1.5 hours). I found being in the pool oddly sensational. I forgot the hypnotic rhythm of swimming and the peace of the water swishing around. Today I upped it to 12 laps while stringing a couple together at time. I recalled it doesn't take all that long to build up my endurance. The water was about 110 degrees today which was a surprise since I expected it to be turned down for the all day swim meet yesterday. Perhaps all that swimming heated it up (?). Anyway, it was almost uncomfortable and looked forward to those little cool pockets in the middle of the pool.

My second rediscovery was sewing. Mom is helping me with my t-shirt quilt for Boy16 to commemorate and make useful all those Little League t-shirts he has collected. We borrowed one of BIL Chuck's 3 sewing machines. Yes, my brother in law sews, but he is a very macho seamstress (seamster). Just read Betsy's Christmas letter about how he slayed his own tree. I had that feeling like they say, you don't forget how to ride a bicyle. I wound up a bobbin and threaded the machine like an old pro. Ha. I just kept reaching for the release bar (don't know if that is the proper terminology) behind the needle which is where mine always was, but this one was to right of the needle. Well, we persisted through a few minor disasters and the nearly unbearable directions and have completed the entire top. What is left is adding the batting, the binding, the backing, and either tying or quilting the entire thing. Sounds like we still have a mountain to climb, huh?

The boys are renovating their bedrooms which is a new one! First Boy17 cleaned and rearranged his furniture and today Boy16 did the same. He pushed two single beds together, which was creative, but unfortunately, they are different heights so it would be hard to sleep in the middle, though it does save space. One of the vacuums is on the blink so I will have to get that looked at tomorrow.

This is another project Mom and I took on, sorting old pictures that Uncle Cal had collected, scanning them and putting them into an electronic frame. I only helped with part one.

Finally, a photo I found in Dad's collection labeled "Thanksgiving" though this is not. It may have been that weekend. You can see Uncle Cal's frail hand in the lower part of the picture.

This final picture goes with the blog Strawberry Pictorial, strawberries are finger lickin' good. Boom goes the dynamite!

Welcome Betsy (Anonymous)

2011-01-04T07:57:00.002-06:00

It looks like you beat me here this morning. I was going through my DVR last night about to delete yet another episode of "Undercover Boss" when I looked at the synopsis and it was for Norwegian Cruise Lines! My ship. Do you think Candy, our cruise director, is featured on it? Probably only if she has a hard luck backstory. Anyway, I'll let you know how it is and keep it for you if it is good.

Tiny Furniture

2011-01-01T20:38:00.003-06:00

Tiny Furniture is a fabulous little indie film Betsy and I saw tonight. Paid all of $5 for the exclusive showing in Louisville Village 8 Theater where we saw Fair Game the other night.

I love this movie. I could relate on so many levels. The most obvious attraction was to the title and photographing of miniature doll furniture. Next was the writer/director/star Lena Dunham who is playing a recent college grad who moves back home to the Tribecca neighborhood of NY (her mom is pretty successful as an artist who photographs small things) and is an aspiring filmmaker, herself. She's pretty successful on youtube. As is the moocher Jed, who moves in but has no interest in sleeping with her.

There is a very familiar sister dynamic as well as a girl friend relationship. And finally the mother-daughter relationship is changing as the daughter is struggling to grow up and redefine her relationship with her mom (think Boy22). It was just so refreshing and anti-Hollywood and low budget. The actors looked like they had a blast making it.

Maybe it's because I haven't been to a small film like this for so long that it was just was so sweet and poignant and brought back memories of all the independent and foreign films I used to see in Denver.

Five Guys

2010-12-31T16:26:00.005-06:00

I'm loving the 60+ degree weather here in Southern Indiana today. Way to ring out 2010. Betsy and I took about a 45 minute walk this morning and got 'too hot.' I wanted to go out for some more walk around 3:45 and took off on the "Heritage Trail," a paved bike/walking trail through Clarksville. C'ville is the kind of town where inflatable holiday decorations are ubiquitous, now deflated on the lawns, the per capita of dogs is high and/or dog owners who don't clean up after themselves and burned out stock cars rest in the yards of homeowners. This particular trail is quite ominous taking me down a tree strewn deserted path with J and J Pallet Company fences on either side, one side barbed wire, the other simple chain link. The smell of burning pallets was pungent in the air but no workers were to be seen (perhaps oompa loompas operate here). 3 young men walked ahead of me and luckily turned off and 20-something men with no teeth on kiddie bikes passed leisurely by. Somehow my cell phone was not making me feel very secure. I finally arrived at the hallowed 'soccer fields' Betsy recommended I walk to. I came back along Brown's Station Way and preferred the threat of death by a 60 mph speeding car to being dragged into the woods and raped and eventually killed. Anyway, as you can tell, I lived and am here to write about it.

In between these delightful walks, Betsy and I went to lunch and shopping in New Albany. What is all the hubbaloo about Five Guys Hamburgers anyway? First of all there weren't hardly any customers in there, and I'll tell you why. All they have is hamburgers, fries, and a hot dog, literally. No sweet potato fries, no cheese fries, no malts, shakes or ice cream, and no patience for two sisters arguing over whether to put onions on the hamburger they were about to share. The burgers are big, and greasy but much like I would make at home. The fries were good, natural cut, oh and they do have free peanuts while you wait. Well, I wanted to try it because it's Obama's favorite. I just don't know why.

Shopping. I have gone completely mad about shopping. I now have a printer/scanner, bath and body stockpile, scrapbooks, crafting supplies, a new duvet to go with my down comforter and sheets, and a dress and heels for a reunion I don't even know if I am going to. It's insane. I feel like a complete shopaholic, reality show, game show junkie. Good thing I drove my parents van so I can load up good.

I am simply stuffed from Simply Thai where we had our New Year's Eve dinner. Edamame appetizer, Spring Rolls (cold, ick), Pad Thai (of course), Loaded Fried Rice, and Red Curry. We ordered spice level 3 out of 5, which was plenty for me to keep the water and tea flowing to drown it out. We stopped at Pie Kitchen on the way home, there seems to be one on every corner now, and picked several decadent desserts for later.

We played two board games, Imaginiff and Pictureeka (Nephew11 and I each won one game), devoured gluttonous portion of 7 layer dessert, watched more Kendra, Chelsea Lately and The Soup to make it to midnight, which I am happy to say HAPPY NEW YEAR and goodnight.

Strawberry Pictorial

2010-12-28T15:10:00.011-06:00

This was reportedly the 47th year of the Vicks making Strawberries. My first Christmas my mom was mentored in the fine art of strawberry making in Columbia, Missouri, and we have been doing it together ever since, bringing in the next generation, despite the fact that some of us have thrown up (coincidental) after eating too many. My dad always takes pictures of the endeavor, we have hoardes of them by now, so here goes 2010-

This process starts on the right where I am pictured rolling the balls. Betsy is stressfully shaping the balls while simultaneously rotating them in the red then green sugar. Nephew11 is inserting the green dyed almond sliver that is the stem. (This is sounding a little weird)

Now I have taken over the stem job. Rolling the balls only last so long because your hands gets covered in gook and you then get to lick them off. Boy17 has taken over stage 1, Nephew11 is the shaper, Boy16 is a bystander, still in coat.

Here I am holding up a shaped strawberry for a stem, flexing my muscle for the picture and asking, "How does my arm look?"

This is Betsy Laughing her ass off at my Arm Vanity. Stay tuned, I somehow missed a couple of other pics I needed to add here. So the story is not quite finished.

What is this Wonkiness?

2010-12-25T20:19:00.003-06:00

I am trying hard not use words like "crazy," "retarded," and "gay" where those are not literally intended and trying to think of clever ways to get my students and people around me not to use them. The only synonym I can think of for crazy seems to be wonky, and/or that something is driving me up a wall. For the latter two, I have substituted "ri-donk-ulous" not that I am one to use those anyway. Be that as it may, here are some goofy pictures from Christmas, the last being poor Uncle Cal photographed up the nose. The others are me trying to get a good picture of myself, hahaha and our game of "Last Words" after dinner.

Day 2 or 26, Depending on how you look at it

2010-12-24T04:43:00.002-06:00

What is up with this new schedule? Today is day 2 of my 27 day winter break. I know, it's sick. But why am I waking at 4-4:30 a.m. when I usually get up at 5:30 for work? This creates a dire need for a nap before noon which doesn't always work out. I have so much to do! But I'm not complaining, no no no.

My Left Foot

2010-12-20T20:54:00.006-06:00

Things I hate about aging:

When the bank teller asks how old you are not to assess if you are too young for ?? but to see if you qualify for a senior discount. At least I haven't been mistaken for being a grandmother...well, one of my students was wondering why I wasn't a grandma since I have 22 year old off-spring.

My left foot hurts, a new ache between the toes and ball of my foot leading me to believe I will be having foot surgery before I retire. If that ain't old...

When I'm tempted to put on a plastic rain bonnet to go outside. JUST KIDDING!!!!

Lack of memory and having to write all over my hands, and when there is no pen available repeat over and over the same thing so I remember it, and make up little devices to remember things like, I have to get 3 things at the store, they all start with S. And all of this seems so urgent and life or death.

Talking to myself is getting way out of control. Out loud. I am doing it now in public places like stores and privately in the shower and anytime I am frustrated or annoyed. I don't even care anymore. Maybe my years in mental health are impacting me here, too, where talking to oneself is considered a mild symptom.

Menopause. Need I say more? Yes, I have to tell one story. Last summer when Mom, Betsy and I were on our way back to Seattle after our excursion to Vancouver in a rental car after the Alaskan cruise, I was lamenting the fact that my doctor didn't agree that I needed a hysterectomy. And Betsy says, "My doctor said I could have a hysterectomy because of my five rights."
Me: "What five rights? What healthcare bill of rights do they have in Indiana saying you're entitled to one free hysterectomy?"
Betsy: "Five rights? I didn't say five rights, I said fibroids."
That exchange was then enough to wake Mom from her roaring slumber in the back seat to our hysterical, sisterly laughing and was good for two to three days of pants wetting delight. We were all getting a little punchy by then anyway. We then debated how long we could get off work for various surgeries and if a tonsillectomy was also one of our five rights, even if you don't need one and just want some time off.

A Little Night Theater

2010-12-19T06:53:00.005-06:00

Wow. Now I have seen my son smoke, drink and wear a dress on stage. Last night was the student directed One Act Plays at the high school. Boy17 was slated to direct a melodrama called "The Wild Flowering of Chastity." Friday we learned he was also acting in two of the plays including his own since they were short on actors. Pat and I picked up my parents for a "double date" since it is nice to get in a warm car and have door to door service when you are in your 70's. On the way in another parent said, "He looks nice in a dress" and we looked bewildered since we are always the last to know about our children. She quickly apologized for ruining the surprise.

Before the show my dad and I both agreed to nudge my mom if she fell asleep, make that, started snoring. You do not want that to start since her snoring is akin to a train rolling through town. Midway into the second play, I looked to my left and Pat was sitting with his hand over his face, eyes closed and his usual pained expression on his face (let's just call it his theater mask). To my right I could hear the heavy breathing of my mother which is the precursor to the big snore. On her right was my dad with his head tilted and since his dead eye is on the left it appeared he, too, was dozing. I suddenly started laughing to myself at the absurdity of it, which also helped pass the time. I let my mom go until a faint snore started and then elbowed her gently.

The last act before intermission was called "Two Jerks Buying a Christmas Tree" starring Boy17's best friend Danny and a girl we call Peppermint Patty. They walked onto stage dressed Housewives of New Jersey style talking to each other on cell phones in their best NY accent and mannerisms. Patricia had on a huge fur hat, tight jeans, chewing gum. Danny's standard line was "Whattaya want babe?" They proceeded to annoy the Christmas tree seller on the street with goofy requests such as a 50 foot tree. It was so funny I was busting out laughing with tears streaming down my face. This was originally a Saturday Night Live skit. Both Danny and Patricia are regular actors in the numerous home movies that Boy17 and his friends make. Patricia is one of the two girls, make that three after last weekend, to have set foot in my house. She is from a musical, theatrical family and rides a bicycle straight out of Wizard of Oz. She is unique.

After intermission there was "12 Angry Pigs" with twelve pig jurors sitting at a long table debating the fate of the Big Bad Wolf. Boy17 played Little Boy Blue skipping across the stage offering the jurors a pail of slop, a pizza, then after they jump up to get it, "Nah, it's empty." After finding the wolf not guilty, Boy17 walks onstage in a red riding hood cape dress and yells, "Officer, arrest that wolf," in a high voice.

Finally, the melodrama with Boy17 playing the sheriff with a large fake mustache held on with visible cellophane tape. Boy17 also directed with the aforementioned Danny and it was a fun little farce. Needless to say we were all able to stay awake through the last part in which our son/grandson was involved.

Old and Young

2010-12-12T06:05:00.004-06:00

I probably shouldn't even be telling these stories, but here goes. Last night Pat (Husband2 ?) and I went over to my parents house spur of the moment, kind of, to socialize. Boy16 had mentioned that "someone is coming over tonight" and when I asked who and he said it was a girl we decided to clear out for awhile to give him some space. No girl has ever been here before except in a group with Boy17 who pals around with a couple of girls.

When we got to my parents, Mom was playing the piano and Dad was in basement. We called him to come upstairs and when he got there he collapsed in a chair completely gassed. I asked what was wrong as I had never seen him like this. This is the man who a year or two ago was riding his bicycle 4 miles up and down hills that I can't manage. His reply was something like, "Honey, I have heart failure, they don't call it Congestive anymore." For some reason, that struck me all at once like a death sentence and his mortality flashed before my eyes. I said, "No, no. That's fatal." Back at me came, "Life is fatal." Oh boy, this was just a conversation I was not ready for.

Now for the youth. While we were visiting at Cedar Drive, Boy16 called first to ask how to work the DVD so they could watch the movie, "Flight Plan." A bit later he called to say "something happened" and the plans fell through. If I ever thought in a million years any monkey business would be going on, I would never have left the house. He didn't ask us to, we thought we were just being nice. Later we come to find out, Boy16 and his friend picked up two sophomore girls at the movies who had to lie to their parents to spend time with the boys. Somehow, Boy16's date's parents must've got tipped off, and arrived at the door of our house to retrieve their daughter and give her and my son a beat down. He and his friends were laughing about it by the time we got home at 8:45 because the dad was a short bald guy who came in the house to deliver his tirade. Both our question was, "Is she Mormon?" Lesson learned for him and us. If that's the worst thing he does, we should be okay.

Don't read this if you think I might send you a Christmas Card

2010-12-06T20:28:00.005-06:00

Greetings Family and Friends, December 2010
Forgive the self-indulgent Christmas letter; I will try not to brag too much while updating the Denecke-Tuttle status for those of you I have not socially networked with this year.
Adam is graduating from the University of Illinois at Springfield this December with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. He has been interning this semester at the National Alliance on Mental Illness office in Springfield. He seems to have found his niche in writing and has also assisted with the statewide conference in Peoria. His post graduation plans are a bit mysterious, but I think he is available for nationwide job opportunities. Graduate school is likely to be in his future.

Eli has applied to Illinois State University and University of Illinois for next fall and is awaiting acceptance and financial aid packages. He tinkers with any musical instrument he finds around the house and elsewhere (accordion, keyboards, concertina, drums, sax, harmonica, etc.). He recently made All-State honors in Orchestra. His garage band, Kasa del Phunk, plays locally and has recorded a 5 song EP. This will be good preparation for the career in music education he wishes to pursue. He was honored for four years in soccer when he actually only played two, but the coach teaches French, not math. Eli played the part of the drunken pharmacist in “It’s a Wonderful Life” whom George saves from making a fatal mistake.

Cal started varsity soccer at mid-field and played fall league baseball. He is now on to varsity basketball where he leads the team out for warm-ups and occasionally gets off the bench. This fall he hosted a Danish student and will be traveling to Copenhagen in March to spend spring break with Bjarke and his family (Eli previously hosted and visited his brother, Toke). Then he will move into baseball, his true love.

The three boys are in a height war (must be a guy thing) and fall in the 5’8” – 5’9” range, with Cal looking to take the lead and maybe improve his basketball playing time.
Pat continues in his 8th year with Spoon River College, advising students in classes and life. His office is a shrine to the Bills, which sparks some interesting conversations. He is approaching the big 5-0 and may go into hiding to avoid any attention that may bring.
I started a new job as a school social worker at a “micro urban” high school about an hour away. I work with kids labeled emotionally or behaviorally disordered. I do individual and group counseling, classroom observations, behavior goals and crisis intervention. In my spare time, I study cultural phenomena such as Facebook, the rise of Bristol Palin as teen activist and dance star, and the Michael Vick redemption.

Pearl will be 11 in March and trains for the title of Fattest Tail-less Cat in Macomb.

I am about out of space, so I will close with wishing you and yours a most blessed year in 2011 and do keep in touch.
Love, Susan, Pat, Adam, Eli and Cal

Firsts

2010-10-02T19:59:00.007-05:00

Bjarke("his suit is sick")and Cal

Eli

It's hard to believe it is October with already 7 weeks of school behind us. Our Danish friend, Bjarke, has arrived and is fitting in perfectly with our family. This is Homecoming Week and it has been crazy busy. It is the first time I really feel I have been involved with Homecoming. Eli and Cal have both attended the dance and festivities before but as parents of boys, we are pretty much on the fringe. My involvement was limited to snapping a photo on their way out the door while Pat is assigned to necktie duty. In contrast, this year I was asked by Cal to shop for clothes (aka pay for) Tuesday night 25 minutes prior to the store closing. I also assisted Cal to pick out his date's corsage, but he did pay for that. Eli seems to have mastered that one.

Thursday night we found out Eli was selected for Homecoming Court at Stunt Night. It was tortuous to sit through, what with all the noise, crowd, and microphone deficiencies. Not to mention the goofy skits about the teachers which I could only marginally understand. Pat and I accompanied Eli onto the football field at halftime last night at the game. That was a surreal moment (he did bathe and shave from the early morning Braveheart battle in the river).

This year, Cal is grouped with a boy whose mother likes to talk, and so I was invited to send food to the dinner at her house, and to take pictures of the kids at a nursing home before the dinner. Sounds weird, and it wasn't altrustic of the kids either. I bet you're thinking they were doing some sort of fashion show for the old folks. Turns out it is just a pretty place for pictures outside with gazebo and fake picket bridge. Too bad is was 58 degrees and girls were barely clad. I snapped a few photos before receiving a panicked call from Eli to bring the car home, so he pick up his date. The other moms were on the 300th picture of the girls and there was no end in sight, so I left.

We were also invited to attend the coronation (?) at the dance this evening to take pictures, but it was really cold in the house and I took a hot shower, put on warm pajamas, and convinced myself that if I didn't belong at Homecoming when I was in high school, I certainly don't belong there now. Besides, a professional will take a perfectly fine picture and put it in the newspaper! That is the perfect amount of involvement for me.

A note on Bjarke (or "Barky" as Pat calls him): Bjarke is the brother of Toke who stayed with us for 11 days in 2007 and became good friends with Eli. He is sweet as his brother, charming and funny. He is taking in this experience with the abandon of a child at Christmas and it is so fun to be part of.

The boys with Cal and Bjarke

Dates: Cal's is on the left. I'm not sure if he is tall enough for her.

2010-09-19T18:35:00.000-05:00

Back to School

2010-08-22T10:51:00.002-05:00

It's that time again when I struggle to control my emotions. I actually liked school and was fairly good at it, but there's something scary in the start of each new year. I am challenged with a new job and have been at it a week. I wanted to work in the schools and my dream came true. So why is it so difficult? Fear of the unknown is mostly what I have come up with.

Boy(man?)/22 is getting his meager belongings together to go back to school today. He has a furnished apartment and there is not much needed. He survives on next to nothing anyway. It's hard to know how one goes seemingly without food, shampoo, laundry soap, etc. I mean, he has access to these things, but comes back at the end of the year with them still in his car.

The high school boys start back Wednesday but have their first soccer games Monday and Tuesday. Marching band is in full rehearsal as well. Getting their physicals and registration fees and lunch accounts set up, I discovered I neglected the car registration on the boys' shared car. So much to keep track of. My head is spinning and my stomach churning. I'll let ya know when things calm down a bit but for now, I better get busy living.

Details, details, the devil is in the details

2010-08-10T14:35:00.003-05:00

These last few days before school/work starts are busy wtih appointments, errands, etc. Today I switched out cars with my parents. With the new commute, I felt a need to be comfortable so I will be driving a largish sedan rather than the rattle trap Corolla. More gas expense, but I hope it will save me some energy and be safer. I know, that sounds really stupid. So that involved transfering the junk in my trunk, license plates, title, registration, and notifying the insurance company. Insuring 3 young men is not a cheap proposition either.

I don't know how people live on one salary these days. The utilities and insurance are as much as a house payment. Supporting kids through college is another one. And there are now so many extraneous 'necessities' like cable and internet.

100 Degrees of Inferno

2010-08-04T20:39:00.002-05:00

It was hotter than a marshmallow in a campfire today. Dejavu??

We departed on time with lunch packed and 9 aboard for Holiday World and Splashin' Safari, a huge theme park in the Hoosier National Forest. Sounds cool and comfortable doesn't it? Not so. It was death defyingly hot. Without the unlimited free drinks and sunscreen there would have been multiple heat strokes throughout the day (and that was just from me). The water park was not any relief at all as the water was all turned to jacuzzi temp and the lines for the slides 35-60 minutes long. The pavement was like walking over burning embers, there was no shade but we persevered. After about 3.5 hours we decided to try the amusement rides where maybe there would be some shade and shorter lines. The shade idea didn't really work out since it was still 110 degrees in the shade. We did ride the Voyage and it was the bad assest ride ever. The kids wanted to do it twice.

We be Trippin'

2010-08-04T20:30:00.003-05:00

Highlight of my day: riding to dinner on the back of my BIL's motorcycle. The experience was a little cumbersome with two very heavy large helmets (required in Indiana but not in Kentucky). My head kept bumping against Chuck's when we would start and stop, and it was an extremely hot day, and it was a little difficult to hold my head on one side or the other of Chuck's so as to see where we were going. Other than getting used to that, and believe me, I wouldn't be out of the Interstate without a helmet these days, it was great fun. He rode me down around the Ohio River park development that has occurred over the last several years and I hadn't really explored that area yet.

So many things to do in Louisville. They have the new U of L arena erected, and it is a mighty fine structure. Some say it looks like an airstream trailer, but I'm not so sure. It is unique architecture anyway. The kids and some grown ups went to the Louisville Slugger museum in the morning and found something to new enjoy about it. They went maybe about 7 years ago. In the afternoon we went to Marengo Cave in southern Indiana. I was distracted by the tour guide's accent. She called the Ceiling, the Silling. Good formation and at 52 degrees was a great place to be in the afternoon.
Dinner was at Lynn's Paradise Cafe, an eclectic cornucopia of crap for decor. Interesting. I like playing with the little plastic animals in buckets on the table and the Find It. Food was somewhere in the B range.

We in the South: Diagnosis Hyperhidrosis

2010-08-03T10:16:00.004-05:00

We are as far south as you can get in Indiana, but it feels souther. A 1.2 mile walk to the Falls of the Ohio State Park didn't sound bad yesterday, and I thought those carrying water bottles were wimps. So wrong. By the time we wandered around the fossil beds and walked back to sis's house, we were all drenched including me, who is usually a pretty light sweater. Sitting in a/c all day then was a little uncomfortable with wet clothes on. Our afternoon activity was the water park across the road, Atlantis, which Pat carried out with the five kids. I stayed to help Betsy shop and cook the famous "Hot Brown Sandwiches" I had requested (a Louisville classic). We had 14 open face toasted smothered pockets for 13 people so we were a little stingy with the kids. Turned out they loved them and were turned down in their requests for more. After the adults ate, we actually had 1 1/2 left over. Bummer. Never get the food thing right. Game night had to be divided between two rooms and two games but fun nonetheless.

Pat and I found a cute little coffee shop called "Perk-fection" and breakfasted there yesterday. He decided to cut out early and left this morning, not interested in the Louisville Slugger Museum followed by Marengo Cave this afternoon. Mom, Dad and I stayed back to study (me) and grill hot dogs for lunch between outings.

Spillage on Grant Street

2010-07-23T14:16:00.005-05:00

This is my bad ass blue leg.

Nothing weird ever happens to me, but today I fell off my bicycle (Ginnie beware). Actually, when I think about it, I'm a little surprised it didn't happen sooner. So, I turned onto this semi busy street, looking behind me to possibly turn left a block or so up and there is a string of cars there. They seem to be following me at my 15 mph pace waiting for me to go left (there is no street to turn onto yet, mind you). I wave them past me, and again they hesitate, but eventually start passing me, and I feel like they are now trying to run me off the road. I decide to turn into a driveway and wait until they pass to cross the road (and take the safer sidewalk) but there is a pool of water at the bottom of the driveway and a slight grade up. My front tire completely turned around and I found myself awkwardly planted on the concrete with my ankle scraped (no blood) and what I know will be badly bruised. I already have the appearance of a hemophiliac ever since I started taking prophylactic aspirin daily. Luckily, none of the cars stopped to make a scene, but a lady a few houses down getting her garbage can asked if I was all right.

Safety plan: eventually I will have to get a helmet, but when you ride at the pace I do, it just looks stupid. I could always use the beautiful sidewalk on this particular street, but I feel it was put there for walkers, and there are quite a few I would offend. Other than that, I will be a little more tentative and aware of those routes that make me a little uncomfortable.

Thursday

2010-07-22T21:37:00.002-05:00

I have finished my one and one half hours of studying for my social work licensing exam (an optional step I am fool enough to pursue) tonight so I am free to do whatever. Whatever has been, sorting through scrapbook pictures/papers/etc. in preparation for tomorrow night's class, checking Facebook to see that there are still no new exciting stuff going on in the world, picking a large bucket of corn in a field, riding around in the 1968 International Harvester truck, looking up a Weight Watchers recipe and getting distracted by a new blog called "Simply Nurtured." The writing was good although I am in a very different life stage than the author. I guess in my young parenting days I was experimenting with different parental philosophies, too, so I shouldn't be critical of differences in that area. I have become much more conservative in my parenting, though I seem to have little need to discipline or intervene in my children's lives at this point. Maybe I just think other parents should be a little more authoritarian with their children, even if I was not. My tolerance for other people's children has never been as high as for that of my own, which may explain it.

So, my goal is to study 1 1/2 hours daily and take the exam on August 9. That means working on my so-called vacation. As if the entire summer since May 28 hasn't been one big VACATION. We are going down to spend time with my sister in Southern Indiana the first of August.

Saga

2010-07-06T07:30:00.006-05:00

Okay, I admit I am hooked on the Twilight movies. As much as the picture above might infer, I am not, however, one of those bizarre Twi-Moms that I think should be kept away from all teenage boys. I found the first Twilight book to be quite mediocre and so I did not pursue reading the series as many of my friends (admittedly younger than me) did. I really enjoyed the first movie, I think the music had a lot to do with it. It was very artfully done. The actors were all new to me, fresh, and very interesting. I thought the second movie was just stupid and created to promote Taylor Lautner's abs. There's something creepy about 30 and 40something women gushing over a 17 year old boy's body. So, I'll leave it at that. The ending was really dumb and furthers the ridiculous notion that girls need only live to marry the man of their dreams and they will live happily ever after. Balderdash!

That brings me to movie #3. When I first heard about the infamous "tent scene" (I won't ruin it for y'all who haven't seen it and plan to) I immediately thought of Guinevere and her evening with King Arthur and Lancelot all in bed together. That would set off some bells in less constricted women than I! The idea of the love triangle kept my attention nonetheless and was well acted (very palpable performance by Lautner), though I am tiring of Edward's incessant whispering/brooding/depressed characterizations. I loved the opening of the movie, because I know Robert Frost is not high brow poetry, but I adore him anyway.

On a hot summer day, with my old work pals, Twilight was a perfect distraction from life's realities. I do understand, as a female, how it has captured a huge audience as it evokes those long dormant romantic feelings from youth and provides an escape from the ho hum grind of daily life for many women. It also may have to do with the fantasy of being dominated ("changed" "imprinted") by a man.

But who are these men who go to Twilight and unashamedly join teams? And, please, for the sake of humanity, grown women, stop having adult Twilight parties and get a job or a life. You are setting a bad example for your daughters.

Post 6

2010-06-28T07:51:00.007-05:00

This picture (you might want to click on this to enlarge) post should probably go under my "Arm Meat" blog. That is where I wistfully engage in discourse on motherhood, the boys growing up, and the passage of time. This summer Boy15 (soon to be 16) is playing Legion baseball for the first time. His classmates have a strong affinity for baseball and so there were enough boys this year for junior legion team (17 and under). He has gotten to start most games at 2nd base and Pat caught him in the picture below starting a successful double play.

On Friday I drove with him to Morton for a game. It was a super hot evening, well maybe not truly that hot, but since there was no shade and no concessions, only a warm water fountain, it was pretty much a sweat and sunburn fest. Afterwards, Boy15 wanted to look around some stores for birthday presents since he will not be getting the now expected CAR on his 16th birthday. He seems okay with that. Boy15 is definitely my pro social kid. We talked the whole evening and it was very enjoyable for me and I think for him. He remembers the most minute details and we had fun reminiscing about different vacations and experiences we have had.

While Boy17 was away at music camp this week, I got at his bedroom. It seems a lot easier for me to throw away other people's belongings than my own. Above you will see a large fish pillow that Boy17 had in the back of his closet. He used it for many years on his bed, but now it is just collecting dust (and this boy is on allergy meds and shots for dust and grass, kind of hard to avoid, huh?). I've found that I can throw things out easier if I take a picture when the articles have sentimental value. So here ya go.

I attended Boy17's final concert on Saturday in Urbana where he was first chair Senior Symphonic Band on trumpet. He had solos in English Folk Song Suite. One sounded just like the melody "and a partridge in a pear tree." He did a great job and again, I could see his three fingers moving on the valves and I wondered how my little baby toddler grew up so fast. They played a wonderful piece called "Satiric Dances" by Dello Joio, which the first movement was really awesome. Very fast and eerie. Boy17 said he knew I would like that one, based on our previous discussions about music. I'm sorry I didn't take my camera into the concert hall, as the students and conductor posed for a photo op. Darn. I was in a little hurry when I arrived only 10 minutes before the start of the concert and forgot it. It was a very nice day and ride home with just Boy17 and me talking all about his experiences at camp and future plans for college.

thanksgiving 2008?

2010-06-23T15:19:00.003-05:00

This could be 2007. At any rate Uncle Cal and I have both aged quite a bit. Maybe if I died my hair a little more frequently and Uncle put on 20 pounds we would be back to this state. haha

I Like

2010-06-18T07:06:00.004-05:00

Dog owners who pick up their messes even when no one is looking

Herbie's 34 flavors of soft serve

When my son gets a hit (or two)

Turning my head to the right (because my muscle strain is feeling better)

Boy22's buzz cut

Earnin' a living with summer's off

Alaska

Whoever made up the stars and moon

June 11

2010-06-15T15:20:00.007-05:00

The fam.

Adam and the Gram

As I mentioned on Facebook, June 11 was Boy22's 22nd birthday. Also, the bday of Shia LeBeouf, whoever that is. I know 'the kids' know him as some type of celebrity, but really what self respecting 47 year old woman knows who some 24 year old punk is? I just think the name is cool, but hard to spell.

Boy22 is apparently living here this summer, as he sometimes makes an appearance between 3-5 p.m. to drink a double shot of Carnation Instant Breakfast and then disappear somewhere. Occasionally he smells money in the mailbox and miraculously appears before noon to rip open an envelope, leave it on the table, and speed to the bank. The bank of Wal-mart.

I had a job interview this morning followed by a large fat free sugar free Galesburg's best iced coffee. Ran into an old friend of Pat's who did not know who I was. Today is the 15th already. I blinked and last weekend was gone.

Boy17 found an old, but in good condition, accordion in the attic. He is now self teaching on that. Can't wait to hear his first polka.

P.S. On Stanley Park, it is 10% bigger than Central Park in NYC. The first year Kathleen lived there, Betsy visited and she thought they would take a stroll. She had to keep encouraging them to soldier on. They were not equipped with proper footwear and had already had a walk before they got there. Eventually, they learned it was 6 miles around the loop.

Mal de debarquement

2010-06-12T05:28:00.009-05:00

Immediately after we finished the cruise we rented a car to drive to Vancouver. Maybe didn't realize the toll 7 days of nonstop eating and inactivity would take on our weary bodies. Full throttle ahead, Betsy drove into Canada and contacted her old friend Kathleen from Denver University for a visit. We eventually found our hotel. A converted Holiday Inn Express with dirty carpet and gaudy fixtures and an underground gated parking garage.

After shopping at Hudson Bay Company for some "official" Olympic wear (slim pickins) we met Kathleen for dinner at a small Thai restaurant (ThangThai). Wow, the food was delicious. We ordered one appetizer and four entrees and stuffed ourselves, not quite finishing all the tasty dishes. In the bathroom, though, I swear the building was rocking. Mom and Betsy experienced it, too. I mentioned it to Kathleen, and she said the technical term is "mal de debarquement" which you can see means sickness (mal) of disembarkment wherein you feel like you are still on the boat. I had it in Denmark after sleeping a boat nightly. It happens on land, more often in confined spaces where you are not in motion. Riding in a car, for example, would not bring it on. Back at the hotel, walking in the halls, I had it bad, felt like I was walking the halls of the ship. To tell the truth, I think it's kind of cool.

After dinner we went back to Kathleen's high rise where she has a beautiful view of Cypress Mountain where the arials, moguls and short runs were skiied at the Olympics. Also, the harbor and Stanley Park, a very large public park just two minutes away from her apartment. Kathleen works for the U.S. state department and has a very nice home. She has lived all over the world and collected really nice art and furnishings. This is how I kind of imagined I would live one day in my dreams.

Betsy and Kathleen

We then took a short walk in Stanley Park. It is either the biggest, or very close to it, park in the world. The perimeter is 6 miles. Needless to say, we didn't walk that. Vancouver has the "English Garden" thing going on, along with lots of rain which makes for some very beautiful vegetation.

Afterwards we stopped by the Olympic torch site. Well, one of them. The one Gretzky had trouble lighting was actually indoors at another location, but he did light this second one in downtown Vancouver himself so that people could drive by. They are working to make it a permanent fixture so it can be lit for more special occasions. In the background, you might see the new convention center with it's grass roof.

Then it was back to our hotel to sleep and drive back to Seattle. I was disappointed to see so many homeless (or at least down and out) people on the street after dusk. Hastings Street was just teaming. I will leave you with one last photo. A view of Kathleen's apartment building and downtown from Stanley Park.

Post Script

2010-06-08T22:24:00.004-05:00

I will just mix up the dates if I try to back track. I wanted to mention our anniversary dinner. Mom treated us to the French restaurant on the boat (extra charge) for her 52nd anniversary which she was celebrating with us instead of her husband. I had some flavorful cream mushroom soup for appetizer. Betsy and I had the lamb chops. I ordered medium rare and Betsy medium well. Hers were pinker than mine, but they insisted they gave us the correct ones. I couldn't get the fork into those puppies, let alone the knife. Tough as tripe, but plentiful (huge). I finally determined these were loin chops, not rib chops. When Pat and I prepared lamb rib chops for Easter they were delicate and soft and moist and wonderful. I'm glad I spent the extra money on the better cut. Mom had the duck and sent it back for more cooking. Then it took an hour to cut it off the bone and remove the fat. She would have preferred it thinly sliced with a sauce over the top. For dessert Betsy had a magnificent Creme Brulee. This was done right. Actually our mediocre server, Floyd from Jamaica, claimed he had made it himself. Mediocre because despite the fact he only had one or two tables he had trouble remembering the orders and wanted us to read off numbers from the menu which we needed to use reading glasses for. I had the Napoleon, a dark chocolate horribly rich concoction I could only eat half of. All in all, Le Bistro was not a success, but we celebrated 52 years of marriage nonetheless.

Later that night we went to a Chocoholic Buffet which was a big disappointment. Since we hadn't had quite enough chocolate. We couldn't find the fondue, and ended up with more gelatinus desserts than one might find in a nursing home. I never want to see chocolate again.

We had the great glasses hunt several times on the trip. This is something I think Dad is familiar with. This is where mom can't find one of her three pairs of glasses: the red Sally Jessie Rapheal's for distance, the Walgreen's reading glasses, or the Rx sunglasses. Sometimes these are worn simultaneously on top of each other.

Skaguay

2010-06-04T15:44:00.006-05:00

It is way too hard to upload pictures on this computer, so forget it. I am down to my last 3 minutes. We had a good day in Skagway. It must have been 90 degrees before the White Pass train left. Up in the mountains it was raining and about 45 degrees. When we got back to port an unbelievable wind storm had started up. People were literally being blown and thrown into the rickety railings of the gangway. Luckily no one fell in the ocean that I know of.

This is a black bear we saw scurrying up the mountain on our train ride. Some people supposedly saw mountain goats as well, but that was way far away. At best, they looked like Q=tip ends.

We are sailing back to Seattle now. And I have a spa date. TTFN. Check back later as I will add pictures and more text when I get back Tuesday.

Cruise Notes

2010-06-03T13:56:00.005-05:00

There are 2400 cruisers on board and another 1000 employees this Norwegian Star but I have to say it doesn't feel like it, though it is a small city. I've been waking usually between 5-6 am. and getting up anywhere from 6-7 am. At 3:15 am. I woke one morning it and was still light. I couldn't get back to sleep. Starting to feel like Al Pacino in that movie where he was a detective brought in to AK to solve a murder and he couldn't sleep. Bags under the eyes, just awful.

One night there were pictures with the captain and families and couples were all dressed for it. Betsy marveled at where women find men who 'put up with that crap.' Amen sister. The cruise has meeting times set up for Friends of Dorothy (GLBT guests), Friends of Bill W. (Alcoholics) and who knows what else. BTW, if anyone knows what the "dorothy" reference is to, let me know.

My only complaint of cruising so far is a tinge of smoke from the casino and some people smoking on the deck. We went to a mystery dinner Monday night and met some nice people. OF course, we have to call them by their stage names, Falcon, J.D. (my female husband), Tanya (Betsy's 60 year old twin sister), etc. It was fun. Some got into their characters. They had tables of eight and each table had the same mystery to act out and solve together.

Mom, Betsy and I are having a great time. Mom is using some words I don't usually hear her say. She is enjoying some humor I didn't think she would find funny. We are laughing until unspeakable things happen. Don't ask, don't tell. We have enjoyed Second City, rock bands, Name that Tune, Family Feud, Dancing with the Stars and What's My Line. I submitted an unusual job I had at one time. I then had to act it out for 30 seconds and answer questions from a panel yes or no. I did stump them with my pantomime of "Bus trainer for the visually impaired." My mom yells out in the middle of, "I'm her mother, and I don't even know what she's doing."

I ate 20 prunes in 2 days and got kind of a stomach ache.

Tuesday Night

2010-06-02T20:16:00.003-05:00

Last night was a nice evening. We had dinner at one of the upscale restaurants and Betsy ordered two entrees and two desserts. I should add the first entree, Sea Scallops and cheese grits was very small, and I did help her eat the prime rib and horseradish whipped potatoes. The evening entertainment was Second City sketch comedy and improv. We went to the family and the adult shows. It was pretty good, especially considering we are aboard a cruise ship. The theater was not nearly as full as it was for Cirque Pacific on Monday night. That show was pretty high quality as far as cruise ships go, but kind of Las Vegas-y.

Juneau

2010-06-02T20:09:00.004-05:00

Tuesday in Juneau. I'm rushing right along here. This was the day of our Whale Watch. I fulfilled my dream right off the bat when Humpbacks were sighted not 10 minutes into our sail. This is a really lame picture, but it's my whale. We got to see a mother and her calf breaching. Apparently, this is extremely rare in Alaska because it is a mating signal and they don 't mate in Alaska. This mama was teaching her baby how to do it. No, she didn't give birth, breech, in front of us. They both jumped out of the water head first, like you see the pictures. One guy on the boat did get a picture of them: mama midair and calf all the way out of the water. Have to track that guy down and see if he will share it. It was amazing. Even though I'm not entirely sure I saw it happen. My picture is the tail of the humpback diving under. They only flip their tail when diving deep. They may not resurface for 6-30 minutes.

Also, I will show Betsy with a whole bunch of Steller Sea Lions. I say they were stellar!

Okay, this set up is not going to let me put a picture in. Damn computers.

Ketchikan

2010-06-02T20:05:00.004-05:00

A big day of shopping in Ketchikan. Very touristy, very kitsch, but I guess that's what we want. Betsy is high fiving the bear in front of a shop that she and Mom made a big buy in, rings. They are Alaska Diamonds, something like Fool's Gold, I think. But pretty.

After shopping all morning Mom was pretty exhausted so she went back to the ship to rest before her 'Lumberjack show.' Bets and I soldiered on picking up more memorabilia and the rings which were sent to get sized. Did I mention my mom got shouted at by a Russian shop keeper? This occurred when she told him she should have bought more amber in Russia since it was so much cheaper. He then went on a tirade about how the prices have gone up and he is giving the best price in the world, and those vendors in Russia were ripping her off. It was very offensive (not the way to make a sale). The only reason we were still in his shop is because his very pretty and nice niece (Russian girls seem very dramatically made up and it just fascinates me) was engaging us in pleasant conversation.

Mom was about the last one back on the ship and we were anxiously awaiting her return (as we were warned, the ship will wave goodbye to you if you are late for departure). Turns out she got off the boat for her show and went with a girl who was holding a "Lumberjack Show" sign who directed her onto a Duck boat. The vehicle then took off on a tour of Ketchikan bordellos and zoomed into the water to see some wildlife (one bald eagle and supposedly a mother eagle sitting on her nest). Did you know eagles are monogamous for life? Isn't that interesting. Even humans don't do that anymore. No show, no lumberjack, no logs, no nothing. Mom was very disappointed in her complimentary ticket.

Day at Sea

2010-06-01T20:29:00.005-05:00

A quick recap because 1) We are approaching a major glacier 2) I am fiendishly hungry and 3) again the internet is very slow

Sunday was a cruise day and my highlight was attending a presentation of shore excursions. After the speel, they asked questions from the lecture, and I ran to the front to answer the second question (correctly) and won a DVD of the Skagway train ride and a free Lumberjack show in Ketchikan. We all agreed mom should see the show since the trip was her treat and she is only booked for one excursion. The DVD I was thinking Uncle Cal, even though he doesn't have a DVD player at his assisted living.

Relaxing in one of the window seats along the Promenade deck. I decided I would walk the promenade 4 times/4 times a day at 1.4 miles each for a total of 5.something miles a day. Well, this only lasted two days before I gave it up. I also didn't see the inside of the gym as I intended.

We had a nice sit down dinner, one of the options of "Freestyle Cruising". I found out FC means you dine when you want. It has nothing to do with your underwear choice. One of our snobbish table mates explained that FC on NCL is "nickel and diming" you. Like they couldn't afford it! That means you pay extra for some restaurants (cover charge $10-25), Bingo ($35 a card), alcohol, even Pepsi. $50 for all you can drink pop. Ha. We'll just give it up. I did drink one can out of my in room refrigerator. This couple described the Market Cafe buffet as the "War Zone" which is actually pretty accurate and we have taken to calling it that, too.

We skipped the Frankie Valli tribute. Everyone said it was great, but we poked our heads in and thought it was pretty lame. Betsy and I attended the Newlywed and Not So Newlywed Show hosted by Candi. It was pretty funny and racey and now we know some of our cruise companions, intimately. In some cases, we know them too well. You remember the kind of questions on the old gameshow?

This is Endicott Glacier. I honestly don't remember what day this was, it seemed like further along in the journey. Betsy was most interested since Nephew11 has been fascinated with glaciers lately. The ship sent a small boat out in the inlet to pick up a piece of floating iceberg. I don't know if that is a good eco-practice, but I touched it the next day. It was just a piece of ice, which I have experienced in my own freezer before.

Seattle's Best

2010-05-30T10:00:00.003-05:00

I am having some trouble figuring out how to add pictures so I will do that later when the internet manager is here.

We got to our cruise boat around 11:30 checked in and then Betsy and I went for walk around the Public Market area of Seattle. It was very crowded and full of Seattle grunge/hippies selling their tie dye shirt and leather bracelets. We didn't see the fish throwing show. I'm not sure exactly where that was. We did stop in for a tea tasting which was very nice. Betsy made a $30 guilt buy so we will hopefully be drinking Lychee Black on the boat.

We finally got out of port and the ride is very smooth. Very beautiful. I don't think we ever get out of land view. It is strange that the water is deep enough for the gigantic boat so close to shore. We explored the ship and got something to eat. I didn't get too distressed when a Haz Mat dude walked through the dining room in full garb including respirator. A few minutes later a whole team came back through carrying a red bag. Somebody probably threw up or spilled blood. I wonder why they had to carry it through the dining room, though.

**Norwegian Star**

Went to a show last night. It was a little taste of the performances coming up this week. You would not believe how big and nice the theater is. The host, our cruise director, Candi, looks like Ellen Burstyn, no, not her, Ellen Barkin, with a South African accent. The show was part Cirque, part cheesy theme park show. There was a contortionist girl who was wearing a very distracting body suit. In front, you know where, looked liked a tear drop, and in the back it looked like a poop stain. The sound volume was way too loud for Mom and she forgot earplugs, so she just held her hands over her ears the whole time. Betsy spotted a JFK/RFK/Rod Blagovich look alike in the balcony who obviously had a bit to drink and was singing the words to "tonight's gonna be a good night" and dancing in his seat. After the show he got up and boogie danced with his wife. I was picturing Boy17 playing his trumpet in one of these shows someday. Just for fun.

Airports and Such

2010-05-29T21:49:00.007-05:00

Just so you know, I am blogging at the unseemly rate of .55 per minute. And the internet is working exceedingly slowly, I assume so you eat your minutes faster. Cruises rake you on the 'incidentals.' So, if I don't correct my spelling, grammar, and left out words, forgive me.

Back to the airports. Everything went smooth until I realized at O'Hare that I had a rat tail comb in my purse. For those who don't know a rat tail comb is a very pointy, in this case plastic, hair utensil. Since I didn't have anything else to groom hair with, I decided to keep it in my purse since I had already passed security. Imagine my discomfort when they announced there would be random security checks before boarding, and since I was so close to the gate, I couldn't really remove it from my purse discreetly and either throw it away or break the tail off (making it possibly more dangerous item), I decided to take my chances. I made it on the plane without being checked and started eating the leftovers of my candy apple (carmel, white chocolate cheesecake rolled in graham cracker crumbs). I suddenly realized I was now on the plane with not only a pointy comb, but a very sharp wooden stick surrounded by delicious apple. Needless to say, since I am now on the Norwegian Cruise Line (heretofore known as NCL) headed to Alaska, I didn't get caught with that contraband either.

I was real excited that movie showing was "Invictus" since I've been wanting to see it. It started with Ashton Kutcher in a flower shop and that didn't seem right. Eventually I figured out I was watching "Valentine's Day," light barfola fare. It was actually somewhat entertaining, except there were 4 or 5 guys I think go by the names McDreamy, McSteamy and McCreamy and I couldn't tell them apart so that was a little confusing.

We slept in an airport Seattle hotel quite peacefully except for the famous noises of my mother in her disturbing sleep. Betsy and I both awoke at 4 a.m. and the sleep talking, mumbling, snoring, snorting, grinding, etc. was in full force. We had a hard time stopping laughing enough to relax and go back to sleep because more and more emanations were coming all the time. My dad and children know what I'm talking about.

Into the Wild

2010-05-27T19:48:00.003-05:00

So my sister calls me tonight and I am out for a long, leisurely bike ride, and gets me all hyped up about travel plans for Alaska. Boarding passes, luggage size, etc. When I say what time we're leaving for the airport, she gives me one of those, Oh's, with the dead air afterwards. Like that's not nearly early enough. I was way too unconcerned for her. I asked her earlier this week how we are going to resolve our inevitable quarrels while spending 10 days and nights together with our mother. There was no answer, of course, but to laugh about the time I was visiting her in Colorado in college and we got into a fight and I called up this goof ball who rode with me, and told him there was a change of plan and we would be leaving the next day instead of 3 days hence. Betsy was stuck lying in bed unable to move because she twisted her neck skiing and couldn't lift her head out of bed. I think she started crying and we made up and I had to call the guy back again and pretend like that was my evil twin who made the earlier phone call. We will have to use our fabulous Vick communication skills and it should make for a laugh later on in life.

I'm sure my dad will have plenty of panic attacks tomorrow when they come to pick me up. I will try to keep the blog up to date, since travelblogging is my favorite kind of blogging. There's always so much more to write about when you are on a grand adventure.

Spiffy

2010-05-23T20:56:00.002-05:00

Here is Uncle Cal looking resplendent (2nd time I've used that word today) in his new suit. He stopped by to show off the new threads today. He told me he hasn't bought new clothes since his wife Alva died. I'm not sure but I think that was sometime in the 90's. 1990's. He's a sweetheart and is trying to impart all the family history he can to the next generation (or anyone who will listen). His Parkinson's is making his speech very labored at times and hard to follow. Some of his favorite phrases are "he went to work and ..." and "a woman should raise all her husband's children." That last one comes from 'shocking' family history that was revealed about 15 years ago.

Uncle Cal's 1967 International Harvester pickup is in our driveway straight off the Farm in North Dakota. It took my parents 4 days to drive it here from ND. Wow, that was dedication to get that thing down here.

Four days till we leave for the Alaskan cruise. My mom, sister and I are departing from Seattle and will be back June 7. Can't wait.

May 15, 2010

2010-05-15T21:27:00.005-05:00

Hello to all my blogger friends. All 5 of you. I have been distracted with the evil empire, Facebook. It has caused me to spend countless hours doing absolutely nothing productive, when I could have been blogging about important issues of the day and at least preserving my memories for posterity (or as long as blogger wants to archive them).

Here is what I have been up to today. Graduation with my Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois. I am totally bragging when I say that I graduated with a 4.0 grade point, though social work is not the most rigorous course of study out there. Oh hell, it's my blog I'll say whatever I want.

After what was supposed to be a one hour ceremony, everyone was on edge. This bag of wind "student respondent" took the stage and thought she was the keynote speaker and blathered on and on about who knows what. No one could pay attention because she was giving a blow by blow of every class and every walk down the hallway she took. It was ridiculous, embarrassing, who picked her?? I would have done a terrible job in my own right, but it would have lasted less than 3 minutes and everyone would have been a lot happier. But who asked me?

Here I am with parents who supported me throughout this journey, and with Pat who has been there every step of the way, encouraging and casting humor on many a situation.

Easter Pics

2010-04-04T19:45:00.002-05:00

Who was it that said married couples grow to look like each other? I think it is true and you can see for yourself with these photos taken today.

Animal Cruelty?

2010-04-04T16:31:00.002-05:00

Is it cruel to eat little lambs? Well, I just pretended it was filet mignon. I made lamb chops for the first time for Easter dinner today, and it was fabulous. Isn't Easter about sacrificing a lamb or something like that? I made a lot of side dishes since I could only afford 12 little rib chops for 8 people. Turned out everyone was so conscientious that there were two left at the end of dinner. I had to beg someone to eat them.

Here is some Easter artwork I did:

16,099

2010-04-03T20:58:00.003-05:00

A. Number of calories consumed today

B. Number of words in portfolio project I finished yesterday

C. Record number of steps I walked today

D. Number of strokes I stirred the Red Velvet birthday cake for Pat's birthday

I am really exhausted this evening which could be from doing any of the above. This has been a nice long weekend and Boy21 came home today to share Easter with us, although I don't think he has a religious bone in his body. We had a nice steak dinner grilled out tonight.

Boy15 is becoming annoyingly prickly. I guess he is doing his teenage hormonal thing, but I think we are going to have to have a talk about the need to be respectful to his parents (me in particular). He is barely ever home and when asked a question gets all offended and acts like I am the stupidest person on earth.

Olympic Curling

2010-02-22T09:59:00.005-06:00

We had a huge (for us) snowstorm yesterday and last night. Maybe 8-10 inches. So the boys got busy last night and spent two hours building this tribute to the Olympics. This is Boy15 with Team USA. Pat thinks Boy16 could have been an Olympic Curler if he had grown up in Canada. Indeed, he is fascinated with it. I think it's pretty dumb.

All the snow means, of course, another SNOW DAY. I can really appreciate these now, since it's not just for the kids anymore. I am on the school schedule, and snow days are a gift. It keeps running through my mind, "This is the day that the Lord has made." I have already trudged to the bank, taken the picture below, sent it to Weather.com, and made a blog entry. Not bad.

For Betsy

2010-02-12T22:41:00.003-06:00

Everyone is home, and I am so happy. I feel content and complete. We're actually all in the same room, watching WVU and Pitt, whoever that is. I forgot to put lotion on my hands, but that's okay.

The luge death was tragic. That is going to put a damper on the Winter Games. I haven't paid much attention, but maybe I will find some interest in it as it goes along.

I am trying to think of something to write, and coming up dry. Looking forward to the movie "The Lovely Bones" for Valentine's Day. Other than that, my big test for certification is tomorrow. I have to pass in order to work in the schools as a social worker. Luckily, I don't have test anxiety. Well, maybe a little, more about whether I will be on time, or have the right documents, not over actually taking the test.

A Day in Chicago

2010-01-20T10:41:00.005-06:00

When Pat mentioned wanting to take the boys to a "Show" in Chicago over Christmas, I was shocked, then a little scared. Pat has not been that crazy about theater or musical productions. He usually hates everything. Now, he has come a long way in the last few years, having a musical and theatrical son. He has truly come to appreciate the events and plays the boys have been invovled in. That's about as far it goes,though. For example, he agreed to accompany me to a university production of Miss Saigon this fall. We didn't have to leave early, but came close.

So, it was now up to me to find something we might all enjoy. A friend tipped me off that a new Cirque du Soleil production was coming to Chicago and the dates would coincide with our schedule. I found a discount ticket source that also has member reviews. As I started reading more about it, "Banana Shpeel" was being panned by almost everyone. I was really nervous because I read that it wasn't a typical Cirque show with all the razzle dazzle. Most people were complaining that the jokes were corny and the schtick went on way too long.

I waited and waited, for our date (Dec. 28) to open up with the cheap tickets. Instead of $55-90 I could get ours for $35-$65. I went back and forth about whether this show would be worth it. Since I didn't really have any alternatives lined up, I finally took the plunge and picked the middle range seats (first balcony) and clicked my credit card information into cyberspace. The tickets were kept at the will call window, so I really hoped this website was legitimate. I printed my confirmation, etc. just in case. Next I checked on train tickets for the four of us, and they wanted over $400. We would have to drive, in that case.

The morning of our show, it was snowing heavily and the roads were not yet plowed. Pat, being the Buffalo trained driver he is, was confident as the snow was to clear up later in the day. We left early and it took about an hour longer than usual.

Parking in Chicago caused a small panic attack. We found the theater and began looking for a garage, but there was not one apparent. Finally after driving around a few one way streets, we saw a big sign for theater parking. It was one of those new fangled pay in a machine on your way out places. Luckily, I had used one before and knew to check all the orifices of the machine for tickets or receipts I might need to exit the garage, but I was worried the garage would be full. We pulled into the first space we saw which was designed for compact car but Pat nimbly pulled the LeSabre and we squeezed out the doors without scratching the two cars inches from ours.

We were only one block from the theater. We crowded into the packed lobby, approached the will call window, and voila`, our tickets were waiting. Into our seats 20 minutes early. Incredible. The theater was beautiful, but not as lavish as the Palace in Louisville, but the same style. The balcony was full, but we were sardined in with an annoying Chicago lady behind Pat who wouldn't stop yapping about everything and nothing.

Eventually the show started with two clowns miming the two sides of the audience to applaud and cheer loudest. That was stale...but finally they got on with the show. The jokes were corny, slapstick and physical humor, but Pat and the boys laughed noisily, which made me laugh, too. They brought out these fake contestants from the audience (ringers) that generated uproarious laughter from my crew. One was a tiny, skin and bones male (Weasel Boy to Eli) who stripped to his colored briefs and striped crew socks, did modern dance and ran around making funny noises. Another was an old man who came onstage with his walker and was kind of raunchy.

Interspred with the Shpeel were big dance acts, a lot of tapping (see below) which I thought was cool and three or four Cique-type acts. One was a lady who could twirl rugs on her hands and feet at the same time; another was a male pole dancer with impossible musculature that allowed for unbelievable pole gymnastics; a third was a female contortionist and her male counterpart who could have easily broken her neck if he dropped her incorrectly.

The criticims turned out to be of no concern to us, since the vaudeville act was the part the boys enjoyed the most. They could care less about dancing and circus acts. We shopped in Macy's but that wasn't a favorable experience; shopping is a female thing, and I am not even good at it. We found a quick restaurant for dinner and headed home. A successful day in the big city.

Note to self: Either get a GPS, or make sure to print out a Mapquest reversing your trip BEFORE you leave.

Dear Betsy

2010-01-06T20:28:00.004-06:00

I'm sorry I was preoccupied when you called last night. We were talking about racism and the discussion that was going on at school after a fight had taken place. So, to make up for my rudeness I am posting a bad picture of myself.

Lala

2010-01-03T15:12:00.002-06:00

I am liking this Lala thing. When you google a song, often pops up a link to Lala in which you can play an entire song! Not just 30 seconds like on Itunes. I found an old song for my great uncle in its entirety and New World Man by Rush.

No Resolutions

2010-01-01T13:34:00.005-06:00

I usually write down some crap for New Year Resolutions that will be forgotten by the next week, but not this year! Ha, I won't even pretend.

Yesterday, New Year's Eve I spent most of the day recovering from a blood donation. Seems that if I donate in the morning, I am a little woozy the rest of the day. It didn't help that my blood pressure was only 90/58, which is not typical for me and I've been fighting a cold. Anyway, I invited Miss M over to help me with my dollhouse. She was supposed to be here at 5:30-6:00 p.m. for an hour or two. Her mom got here about 7:00, and stayed for an hour and a half kicking back with Pat and me. She (Helen, Miss M's mom) then went to another friend's house at 8:30. Miss M stayed and here is how the kitchen started:

Here is the finished product:

Here is the Divine Miss M in front of the dollhouse:

Besides the dollhouse, Miss M made a picture with stickers and markers. I was amused when she drew a mother and six daughters, one of which was "goth." We also read some books. She did very well with "Green Eggs and Ham" and I read the others to her. It was a fun evening that ended about 11 p.m.

Confessions

2009-12-30T23:05:00.002-06:00

I think I am coming down with MS or something. Tonight at a basketball game, I knocked over my pop,causing it erupt 10 oz. of Diet Coke all over the floor. Luckily, I am a Diet Pepsi person, but you know how you have to take what you can get in public concession stands. I went to get some napkins to sop it up and carefully placed them over the puddle since there weren't quite enough, even though I took most of the stack they had. Then my phone rang and I needed to meet my friend Helen in the lobby. Somehow my phone fell out of my purse, breaking apart on the floor. At this point I have the feeling all the people in the stands above me are watching. As I take my coat (so I can move to the other side of gym) it catches on a seat, yanking me backwards. I wave to another mom I know and she looks right at me and doesn't return the wave. Hopefully she doesn't recognize me with my new, dark hair, because here's the confession: I left the wet mess of napkins right there on the floor and never came back.

I made Helen go to the other side of gym where we sat behind a high school boy whose girlfriend is a cheerleader, and felt weirdly like I was intuding on a private romance as they made googly eyes at each other across the room. But I didn't drop anything else.

I got a new end table today for my dollhouse to sit on. Tomorrow I am going to do something with the kitchen. I got the furnishings for the dollhouse kitchen for Christmas from my sister. This table is really cool and I'm really thrilled about it. It seems like real wood! Painted yellow. I will take some pictures tomorrow. I invited Helen's daughter over who is soon to be 7 years old. I hope I am able to entertain her for a few hours. That will be my New Year's celebration. Oh, the serial killer in the book I am reading makes dollhouses. How creepy is that?

Holiday Cheer

2009-12-28T19:15:00.005-06:00

Christmas Eve at my mom's house.

Christmas Day at my house.

Tonight was man's night out and my plan for having the house to myself was to do 30 minutes of 'work' followed by 30 minutes of reading (pleasure). Work was defined as cleaning something, organizing something, throwing stuff away or finding a new place for it, ordering photo prints, and believe it or not, writing in blog. I am reading "The Lovely Bones" which is a disturbing but compelling novel that will soon be made into a movie I'm told. Well, it's hard to put down, so my schedule for the evening is not holding up too well. I'm not sure where "talking on the phone" falls in, but I did that, too.

Today I helped my mom out by taking my great uncle to the doctor. At one point, I thought I would have to leave the room when things got personal, but then it was okay. The stubborn old man is 84, with Parkinson's and is depressed but won't take Zoloft. I have been trying to help with figuring out his Medicare and prescription drug coverage to see if we can get his bills down, but the darn government is not covering everything as most seniors would like. He has too much money to be poor and not enough to be rich. Sure hope he hasn't learned to use the internet or that my dad doesn't print this in the family news.

Now my mom is seeing a surgeon about her gall bladder. As I told my sister I guess my new job is accompanying my elders to doctor appointments. That is what I'm here for, I reckon.

Oh yeah, and the big news, we went to Chicago yesterday to see a Cirque du Soleil show; it was a good time. We travelled snow packed roads to get there (on time) and only got lost once on the way home. "Banana Shpeel," as the show was called, was an old fashioned hoot. It was a vaudeville act with circus and dancing performances interspersed, and a few weird characters "from the audience" that were hysterical.

New hair color and cut:

Oh, and thank you to Madz for the very cool homemade Christmas card! You are the best. I have all your cards in a little pile for making them into a scrapbook page one day.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-29T19:10:00.005-06:00

I promised my dear friend Grace I would not post pictures of her or her beautiful new baby on the internet. I don't think the Chinese even want pictures sent via email or Skype. But her baby girl born September 2009 was the hit of Thanksgiving even if they only stayed an hour or so. There are definitely some cultural differences in child rearing. Well, she is so loved and protected, it's sweet.

Here is Great Uncle Cal who came over and when told Pat and Boy15 were playing ping pong said he would take on the winner (at age 84).

I ate like an absolute animal over the long weekend. We had a couple of nice long walks. On Saturday the weather was epic (as the young folk say), 60 degrees and sunshine. We also played a lot of games, our usual past time. Mancala (my new obsession), Taradiddle (really stupid but funny), Cranium, and Sporcle (the addictive internet quiz game).

"Gathering around the computer for another round of Sporcle"

On Wednesday I went to "New Moon" by myself since I couldn't find any suckers to go with me. It was awful in case you are wondering. I am through with the whole Twilight thing. I am trying to keep abreast of what the students are into, but this has gone far enough. On Friday night most everyone went to "Fantastic Mr. Fox" a cute animated farce based on a Roald Dahl story. Can't go wrong there. It was enjoyed by all ages. Whistle, cluck cluck...

The photos: Tartuffe

2009-11-16T17:56:00.004-06:00

Boy 16 is in the tan knickers, purple vest, somewhat in the center. See below, Tartuffe with dear Elmire.

Thanks to my parents for the pictures. We didn't get any and I definitely wanted to have some for the scrapbook.

Sunday

2009-11-15T15:55:00.006-06:00

What an icky, wet day. I will say that we took in a lot of theater this weekend. Saw a college production of Miss Saigon. It was hard to buy into when the Vietnamese and Americans all looked the same. There was the cutest 3 year old boy who played the child of the American G.I. in Vietnam and Kim, the local girl. Pat had some difficulty sitting through it, but he has really gotten better. No sighing, head rolling, or loud criticizing.

That was Friday night. Saturday we went to Tartuffe at the high school in which Boy16 played the lead, Tarfuffe, a pious scoundrel. I will tell you, this 17th Century French play in rhymed translation did not draw a crowd. It was disappointing because they worked very hard to memorize and act out this ancient material. Why the director chose this play, no one can figure out. He was obviously amused by it, and I do think the kids who were in it thought it was funny and learned a good bit of culture from putting it on. Wish I had a picture because the costumes were top notch. Boy15 and Nephew10 went to their 'happy place' and rejoiced when it was over. Nephew10 said in his best french accent, "and after a million years, it was finally over."

Today was only good for laundry, nappy and a bit of weightlifting. I have to get back on track after a mild but lingering flu and accompanying binge eating.

For those who asked, Uncle Cal seems to be adjusting to Macomb. The aides at Bickford seem to think he is a real hoot. He does have a unique sense of humor. Someone he managed to pass his driver's test in IL (drivers beware) and signed out of the building Friday for "nonsense reasons." He drove his van around for two hours looking at crops and finding his way around town. I found out he is not on morphine anymore, so at least he's not driving heavily drugged. The Parkinson's is bad sometimes, and we prefer to drive him ourselves when he is going with us.

BTW- menopause blows.

I love quotes

2009-10-17T20:05:00.003-05:00

You may be only one person in the world,
but to one person you may be the world.

I saw this on a mirror in the beauty salon of a nursing home yesterday. There were all kinds of different inspirational messages in this small space. The colors were maroon and gray and I thought it was just very pretty and nice, especially for a nursing home. I thought the quote above was extremely meaningful for this setting as the beautician is probably one of the highlights of the resident's existence. It really touched me that someone had invested such thought and care in making this a pleasant environment for our elderly who are more than likely in their last resort, no pun intended.

My great uncle is soon to move to my town in Illinois from North Dakota to live in an assisted living facility. He will feel like he's moved to Florida after that climate. He's lived all his life on a farm (The Farm) in ND and recently had to move into a nursing home. My mom is his closest relative, he having no offspring nor did his siblings (except my grandmother who only had one child, my mother). Well, this will make it easier to conduct his business and manage his affairs, including trying to keep him off the road since he has no driver's license, and soothe his desire to hire Dr. Kevorkian to pay him a visit. It should be interesting...

Tuesday

2009-10-13T16:30:00.002-05:00

I am back to work and it was kind of a boring day. I am sorry to say I didn't save the world. I hope I was understanding and supportive to the people I encountered; young children subjected to adult stupidity, adults living with unanswerable questions, my own family going in a hundred directions and managing nicely.

Next week I am looking forward to a reunion of sorts. At a statewide conference for school social work, I will get to see my former professors (at least two of them I like very much), my former classmates and work mate, Miss Perfect, and the new Miss Perfect (social work students I consider my rivals for teacher's pet/suck up/brown noser). We will be staying in a nice hotel in suburban Chicago (I will be rooming with my new co-workers, the real school social workers), eating too much food, soaking up the workshops, keynote speakers, and each other's company. Maybe running out for some early Christmas shopping. You know if you know me, I will be all about the free food. It will be fun to get out of Dodge for a few days.

I am experimenting (on doctor's advice) with Vitamin D to treat mild depression. So far, I don't think it is doing anything, but I'm not getting worse. Just something I go through each fall.

Cutest Thing

2009-10-12T08:17:00.002-05:00

Okay, I got this from my friend Madz. I haven't been keeping up with my blogs lately, but since today is a school day off, and I'm in the school system now, yippee! I can read blogs all day. And wonder why Christopher Columbus is honored with a school holiday (here)? Didn't he really bump into South America or something?

Faith and Fear

2009-10-11T10:58:00.004-05:00

I was thinking along the same lines as my blogger friend, Ginnie, this morning. I felt I should write something for my dad to use in his monthly Family News. He is always complaining that he doesn't have enough material. Then there is the problem of getting into a format that he can use on his computer without having to re-type the whole thing. His computer (and mine), "Hal", tries to foil him at every step.

Adventures seem a fitting topic for me today. I left my job of 13 years in July to pursue a new career in school social work. I am finishing my Master's with a year long internship with a special education cooperative (serving five counties). The decision to veer off from mental health into school social work was made last October when I had to select the specialization classes for my degree. I decided upon school social work, because with that certification, I could always return to mental health or another aspect of social work, but without that certification I could not work in the school system. I thought it would be best to have the option.

I knew I would be required to complete a fulltime internship for the full school year, and wouldn't be able to work my regular job along with it. As it turned out it was a good time to change careers because the funding for mental health has been cut significantly and the subsequent changes are not a system I was comfortable working in anymore. That is the PC version.

As I began my internship I saw the following statement on a wall hanging:

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase"

I wrote that in my notebook for work and look at it frequently. I also decided to audition for the play my dad was directing this fall and that was huge leap of faith. I decided the timing was right as I would not be required to work or be on call evenings and weekends for the first time in many years. The kids are also pretty self sufficient, with Boy16 driving now. This might be the only opportunity I would have to work with my dad, age 78, as director and actor. Never mind, I only acted once in my life in 8th grade, and I only had one speaking line.

So, far both scary propositions have been working out. The play is done and got great reviews, even my character. I can't believe it is already over and I didn't die or have a stroke on stage. It was fun, but I probably didn't have as much fun as I could have, as I was too nervous about the outcome. Nonetheless, I did my best, mentally and physically.

The internship is going well. In a way it is not that much different than my previous work (the problems are the same only the clients are younger). In many ways it is quite different. The education system is it's own ball game, with internal and external politics driving everything that happens. I am just trying to focus on what I can do each day to help someone, be a support and put in a good effort. I could always do more, and feel I should but that is just my personality. Acceptance goes a long way in new adventures.

The Odd Couple: Female Version

2009-09-23T18:44:00.004-05:00

Top picture: cast of Macomb Community Theater Odd Couple (Female Version) 2009. The two giants are the stage manager and the director (my dad). The two short guys are the Spanish brothers who live upstairs.

Second photo: the girls playing their weekly game of Trivial Pursuit. They keep saying, "We should get together and just play it." But there never seems to be enough time.

Opening weekend went well, particularly Friday was a great audience. Laughed a lot. I was surprised at some of the things I think are really dumb, including my own lines.

My brother arrives from NH tomorrow and my sister arrives Friday for my debut performance. I have friends coming from my past work on Friday to the play. It is going to be another really busy weekend. Last two weeks I had rehearsal or performance every night, 3 plus hours. It was exhausting. This week has been nice to relax as we don't have practice until Thursday.

2009-09-12T16:54:00.003-05:00

I am just watching an old movie (I didn't realize how bad a movie 'Never Been Kissed' was) and waiting for the 3 ibuprofens to kick in and cure my headache. I guess I am still a little down in the grumps. I am alone again on Saturday. Pat went to the soccer tournament again this weekend. Just so you don't think I'm totally evil - oh here comes that awful scene where Drew Barrymore and the guy ride on the ferris wheel, that I do remember being terribly sappy and stupid- I did go to soccer last Friday night out of town and the home game this week. We had rehearsals every night this week so it's been pretty busy.

This morning I went to a good workshop training on keeping lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender kids safe in school. Our society and schools are so totally heterocentric I don't know how anyone does manage to come out as GLBT.

After that there was a presentation by a mother and aunt of a boy who died playing the choking game. It was really heart wrenching.

A Whole Week

2009-09-05T20:39:00.003-05:00

A whole week has gone by without a bloggy event. The weeks go so fast. I was so looking forward to the four day weekend (I know I am spoiled!), now that it's here I don't feel that happy. There's something definitely the matter with me. I go from one thing to the next, enduring each one and waiting for the next. All this stuff should be fun, but I ruin everything with my mental state.

We had dinner with my parents tonight. Then we played a very old game called Facts in Five. It's like Scattergories, only harder. It has categories like Living Statesmen/Politicians. You can choose male/female/American/foreign, depending on how hard you want to make it. Then you pick five letters and try to fill in the grid. We had Sports Managers/Coaches, male, and Classical Musicians, dead. Boy15 and Grandma were the only ones who really liked it, of course, she got by with Barry Botts for athlete, male, because we knew she meant Bonds. My dad absolutely hates it because when a timer is on, he can't think and goes blank. Oh, by the way, he fell while getting off his bicycle yesterday and sprained his wrist really bad, and got a bloody arm, because he is on Coumadin, he bleeds like a hemophliac.

Boy16 had his marching band debut today at he high school football game and Boy15 had a HS soccer tournament Friday-Saturday. I had lunch with friends and got my oil changed, so really, everything is good.

Boy15 got his driver's permit this week, and hasn't been behind the wheel yet. So, I took him out in the parking lot. He seriously didn't know about turning on the lights, putting the car in drive or reverse. I am the least patient person on the planet. It seems like the other two had some prior parking lot experience, or farm driving or something. I guess the baby never had need or desire of trying it out. I did get him to reluctantly drive around the block and park in the driveway. He had about five feet on one side and five inches on the other.

The play is coming along well, we have the holiday weekend off, and I got my tuition waiver application sent off. This semester's bill is over $5000 so, if I got it, and it paid all of it, it would be a huge blessing.

Nocturne

2009-08-21T22:14:00.004-05:00

I'm pretty exhausted from a FULL week, but I don't want to go to bed because that will mean another day in the books. Anonymous stated that she had trouble sleeping after 4 a.m. and I, too, wake about 4:30 and while I don't dread what I have to do, there is some definite anxiety there. So, sometimes it's hard to fall asleep again, but I do get some rest. I had just been thinking today how grateful I am for the good sleep I get, and I have been falling asleep very easily.

My task for this weekend is to complete a 3-4 page essay on how I am committed to working with vulnerable, underrepresented populations and how I will expand on that commitment in my internship. Honestly, I don't know what they are looking for. I don't have the absolute neediest population in the entire state, but I certainly feel I have a demonstrated commitment to social work. They haven't given me any of their other scholarships, so I don't anticipate I will get this either, but I am compelled to keep trying since there is a lot to gain. Maybe they will think, "This poor woman puts in for everything, I think that shows commitment, let's give her this one."

Update on Me

2009-08-19T21:37:00.003-05:00

I am four days into my internship and feeling a little ray of hope that I will be able to handle my new position. I know I am old for an intern, and that feels weird, but I'm starting to think the pieces will come together and school social work will be a good fit for me. So far, I have met a lot of people, assisted in counseling a student through a crisis, helped out with pre-school screening, and pulled IEP files for an audit.

I am presently trying to keep myself awake to pick up Boy15 around 10 p.m. You will remember I am used to having a nap and that isn't working for me now that I am employed again. So, I am sleeping well, until around 4 a.m. when I have to potty and start thinking about having to get up at 6 or 6:15. I'm pretty well exhausted by the end of the day.

I am memorizing my lines the play I am in, and getting more comfortable rehearsing it. I am a negativist in this, too, and figure the worst that can happen is that I will be the worst actor ever seen in community theater (or the bottom four).

2009-08-12T13:01:00.002-05:00

I am armed with new cell phone. I picked a free one, although I had an urge for Blackberry, just so I could call it my Crackberry. I wouldn't even know how turn the thing on. This new phone doesn't even have a camera. Can you believe it? How vintage is that? It took me 20 minutes to find the hole to charge it, turned out I was trying to plug the computer cord into the cellphone.

Monday Morning Blog

2009-08-10T07:39:00.005-05:00

A cup of coffee and a song in my heart, "Working can wait, this is paradise. Having no work to do..." I missed my 5:40 a.m. aerobics class. I heard the neighbors in the driveway getting ready to drive back to Chicago at 5:47 a.m. Bummer. I made it three times a week for six weeks this summer and only overslept once. Next, someone called my phone a few minutes later and hung up quickly, but not before it engaged that annoying "Missed call" beep every minute or so. Did I mention the volume on my phone is stuck on 7? One of my chores today is to see about a new phone, though I really don't like change.

Here I sit patiently waiting for the next aerobics class of interest, "Balance, Strength, Stretch" at 10. That doesn't sound very aerobic, but hopefully it will get me moving in the right direction.

It appears Boy21 has decided not to bother to go to work today either. Oh dear, he doesn't do anything the way I would like.

These are some of the kids getting a free jet ski ride in Lake Erie. Something we happened across by accident that was fun and a new experience for them. Boy15 and Neice12 got thrown off this one on a sharp curve. They had a blast.

Man, I love Niagara Falls. We stopped here briefly after visiting our old 'hood in Lockport, NY. It was a nice trip down memory lane. Unfortuneately, the city of Niagara Falls, USA, just can't seem to get it together. It looks pretty bad in the downtown area, a lot of closed up businesses and failed ventures, though we did notice a new office building that was really nice looking.

Assorted Pics

2009-08-05T19:37:00.005-05:00

Did I mention Mom and Dad stayed at "Norman's Motel" in Old Orchard Beach? Despite the images of "Psycho," Mom felt she could take this Norman quite easily should he come at her with a knife. "More Santa Claus than Norman Bates," she stated. Chris had described making the reservation and that his voice was really quite Norman Bates-like. He imitated him so hilariously that I made him call up the motel and I was going to 'bait' him into saying something about how his mother was doing, but I couldn't stop laughing as soon as he handed it to me, and had to hang up the phone.

By the way, isn't it creepy how it has a real key and one of those plastic keytags??

Three boys, two pretty freckled. The cousins got along really well. On Friday night after camping, all the kids started a game of Stone (where you see who can go the longest without making a sound). Boy15 and 16 were into it 3.5 hours when Boy16 (who is ALWAYS champion of Stone) broke. The other kids were playing that Stealth thing on the IPod. It's the sound only kids can hear, not adults. For real. We set up experiments to test it and it's true! Anyway, for some reason Boy16 couldn't hear it, and he casually said, "It's too far away." He didn't even realized he spoke. I noticed it first, and Boy15 was ecstatic!

Betsy and Nephews11 and 10.

Ping Pong Tourney

2009-08-05T07:35:00.004-05:00

My kids fell in love with Ping Pong while in New Hampshire. So, the last night Boy15 organized a double elimination ping pong tournament. Never mind that he didn't give me a second game after I lost my first. And, third place went to Chris (aka Mr. Competitive). Chris later beat me in a friendly game (with his left hand).

Nephew11, budding mr. competitive, received second place. Quite a victory to beat his stepdad Chris. But you also have to take into account he was sick with a very bad cough prompting numerous time outs. Not to mention TO's for sweaty hands. It was really sweet because his first game was against Grandma Vick and he was so kind not to beat her as badly as he could have.

And the winner was, drum roll, Boy15. He is smokin' hot. Maybe not in China, but pretty good considering he doesn't play on a regular basis, at all. Now, guess who wants us to buy a ping pong table for our play room?

Formerly the Nashua Pride

2009-08-04T16:01:00.003-05:00

You know we love baseball, Little League, Major League, even Minor League. Well, the Nashua Pride (New Hampshire)field is a stone's throw from my brother's house, and so we decided to take in a game last Saturday night. Well, Chris informed us that the Pride was bought by some "famous" guy who engineered the Boston Red Sox World Series win in 2004 (?). He had the brilliant marketing idea to rename the team "The American Defenders of New Hampshire" and dress them in, get this, camoflauge uniforms. Ironically, as my dad pointed out, most of them are not even American. It has not gone over well, needless to say, and attendance is terrible. Pictured above is the goofy mascot of the Defenders. It was commented that they remind one of Fidel Castro's army.

We did have some motivation to attend a game. The lady who lives next door to Chris boards players during the season and they have been swimming over at Chris' house. We met Angel Molina who said he was on the Florida Marlins two season, his cute four year old son, and attorney wife who were visiting. Very nice guy. Another player came over to swim but didn't say much and I'm not sure he spoke English. Angel is pictured above in the one deck circle. He got to base on a hard hit grounder, and stole third on the next batter's grounder who nobody bothered to field. He then scored (I am pointing to him on third below) and the Defenders won 3-2.

The next door neighbor we were hoping to meet was Juan Padilla a former NY Yankee pitcher. He closed the game successfully.

Which beach is this?

2009-08-01T06:27:00.005-05:00

A. Old Orchard, Betsy and Mom

B. That's not a beach, silly, that's Niagara Falls

C. Hamburg Beach, Lake Erie

D. Hamburg Beach, Hamburg, NY, Lake Erie, Beach Blast

Friday

2009-07-31T16:14:00.005-05:00

Just back from 3 days at the beach. The kids are sitting in the dark watching Tivo'd episodes of "The Mentalist." Obviously, everyone is exhausted. We camped, ate and swam and had 3 hour stomachaches (Nephew10). Boy15 got a sunburn and then shivered for 15 minutes. Following that he was fine. 2" Mosquitos that will not be deterred by a little Deet. Wait, I'm giving the downside, aren't I?

The upside: Old Orchard Beach in Maine. Nice beach. The kids had a skim board and several body surfing boards. We had great weather until today when it rained all the way home. We had eye candy at the next campsite. A hot, young (French?) couple. Chris says Old Orchard Beach is Canada's Florida. Many French speaking people, the majority. We had lobster rolls and strawberry rhubarb pie.

Wednesday

2009-07-29T07:26:00.005-05:00

We are on our way out to the beach today. This takes extreme effort for 13 people to get ready for camping out two nights. Actually my SIL Donna is doing the brunt of the work. Thank you Donna.

Yesterday we spent hanging out around the homestead in the pool. The next door neighbors are minor league ball players and so that was cool. One had been on the Marlins two years and is bumped down. The former Yankee wasn't over here but he lives next door also. I'm wearing Cubs regalia. My camera battery was dead and blogger is not uploading expediently enough for me today so you won't see any future MLB prospects.

We had some English language lectures from my dad on the origins of English. We read the American Heritage Dictionary and enjoyed it this morning (not the whole thing). I went to Walgreen's twice. Walked in the woods about an hour with Betsy and Donna. It was good to move around a little bit.

Day Five of Vaca

2009-07-27T20:20:00.005-05:00

Five days away from the computer, my bike, and The Bachelorette. I feel so naked. I seem to have misplaced my vacation pics on the labbie (laptop)but will keep looking for some postings. I plan to write about gas prices on my other blog, how exciting! I'm ignoring my relatives I only see once a year to blog. They are the majority of my readers, so go figure. They thought I was crazy that I felt the NEED to blog when we are all together.

Here is Niece2Months. Looks like Pat is telling her a great joke!

This is Cousin It, aka Nephew11. I feel much better now I got something posted and found my pictures afterall.

2009-07-27T20:19:00.001-05:00

2009-07-27T20:19:00.000-05:00

Unemployment

2009-07-22T16:09:00.003-05:00

This picture was taken at a work going away party for Angie and me last Friday. (Angie is my good-young buddy who is also a mental health case manager and went through the whole MSW program with me). This is my good friend Beth, the nurse, who left the agency last November after 15 years. It was much sadder than me leaving. I was wrecked when she quit to take a job in hospice. But everything has worked out well afterall for both of us.

My third day of unemployment and I am sure glad we're going on vacation tomorrow. I am not getting anything done. I exercise early in the morning, maybe clean up a little around the house, take a nap, go out to lunch, take another nappy, have some coffee, make dinner, sit on the porch, ride my bike and that's about it. I might throw in a load of laundry if I feel like it. I guess I am one of those people who needs to work to be productive. See, I would have done all that stuff (minus one of the naps) and worked an 8 hour day normally.

August 13 I start my internship in a special education cooperative. I am looking forward to a fast paced job and learning a lot of new stuff. I am hoping to take on some new projects in my schools like perhaps a bullying program or a book club or academic coaching/mentoring. Who knows??

This is Angie, who is leaving work Friday to also start a school social work internship in another city. Boo hoo. She taught me how to really use a cell phone and other useful information that people in their 20's know.

New Blog

2009-07-21T19:32:00.002-05:00

I started a new blog. If you like to read about cheapskates and saving money, you can try it out. It is listed on the right edge of this blog as "The Parsimonious Soldier."

Bday Boy

2009-07-04T08:08:00.002-05:00

I like this picture better.

Yesterday it was nice to have a holiday. It seemed like a lot of people had the day off and some didn't. It felt like Saturday all day. So it's great that today is actually Saturday. Last night we had a picnic at the park with my parents, some old friends of theirs and Betsy and her family, 12 in all. Afterwards we went for a drive around Pennington Point, a little area out in the country where my parents' friends used to live in the 60's. Both houses were still there and Janet loves to tell how I used to stay with her when I was 3 or 4 years old. She had her own kids later on, but I remember loving to visit them in the country because Janet loved us kids so much. Unfortunately, the Victorian they had was vacant and run down. It appeared that vagrants had been living there recently as there was cat food, beer cans, and party CD's strewn about the yard and the windows were open.

Games

2009-07-02T22:25:00.002-05:00

After Boy15's birthday Tuesday evening we played Mad Gab. It was kind of a bust. So, Boy15 went off to play with his Ipod Touch and Grandma and Boy21 played a card game that looked like Advanced War. I wanted to learn to play this, but I got distracted and forgot about it. My sister has an Ipod Touch but doesn't know how to use it. After one day with Boy15, Nephew10 says "Mom, can I go online and get some apps for this?"

Tomorrow is aerobics at 5:40 a.m., a tutorial for Betsy on downloading some crap to her Ipod, getting an electrical recliner chair out of my parents van, into their house and down into the basement (don't ask) and a picnic in the park. I am too cheap to reserve a shelter for $30 so I guess we will drive around the parks until we find one.

YMCA

2009-06-24T18:28:00.006-05:00

Saturday morning we worked out at the New Y in New Albany. Unbelievable facility: climbing wall, splash pool, steam rooms, saunas, interactive/active kids game room. Their weight machines put our Y's to shame. Our Y needs some serious updating.

That afternoon we went to the Bodies Human exhibit at a new arts center that is housed in an old meat packing plant. The exhibit is human bodies preserved with a plastination process so you can see tendons, veins and muscles, not just the average skeleton. I guess it has been all over the country. I was bored after one or two bodies, most were male, anatomically correct as odd as it looked. I had to ask my brother in law why the balls were hanging above the penis'. TMI
Newphew10 and I are below with decor at the Mellwood Aart Center, Louisville.

That evening Betsy and I went to a Casino. It was a bust, but reconfirmed that I hate casinos, especially in Indiana where they allow smoking, everywhere. Well, they claimed to have a smoke-free room, but it was bordered by smoking on both sides with no barriers or ventilation system. I am so proud of Illinois for passing a tough smoke-free law. We could barely figure out how to work the slots and they were $1 a pull. Waste, waste, waste.

Weekend Getaway

2009-06-24T17:02:00.008-05:00

I spent last weekend with my favorite sister, Betsy, in Southern Indiana/Louisville, KY. Friday night we went out to dinner at Proof, a newer, haute cuisine place downtown. It housed a very interesting museum and hotel and featured unique public restrooms with one way mirrors and water walls. I have no idea what the food was we ate, and I'm sorry to say it wasn't that amazing. I think they used rice for risotto. I had to borrow a dress from Betsy and the cleavage wasn't so good...

The whole weekend was built around a Joel McHale show at the Palace Theater. The Palace is the most ridiculously fabulous restored movie house ever, and there are some really cool ones out there, I know. Here's a taste, but I didn't even try to photograph the auditorium. I was afraid I wouldn't do justice.

My Girl

2009-06-12T21:29:00.001-05:00

This is the girl I never had, though I've heard she can be quite a diva. According to her mom. I have one thing she wants, a dollhouse. She loves to play with it.

Kids Do the Darndest Things

2009-06-11T21:57:00.000-05:00

I call it Home

2009-05-28T21:33:00.002-05:00

Here is where I've spent most of my life now. Years 3-18, and 33-46. I can't count the number of times I moved in between 19 and 33. Way too many. Most of my readers have helped me on these moves. Thank you! I have nightmares about moving. I literally don't know how you get everything packed, loaded and out the door. My nightmare is always finding more, more, more. Ginnie, I don't envy you, but I bet you have turned it into something positive. I know you have.

Facebook is so lame. It's not about writing at all, in fact, it's the antithesis of writing. Abbreviating, tweeting, and pictures. I do like to look at O.P.'s (other peoples) pictures and make what I think are funny comments. They seem to think they are snide. Have you ever noticed the ads that come up on FB on the righthand side. They seem to think I would be looking for an apartment where I went to college (25 years ago). I'm not, but I am curious to see how the campus neighborhood has changed. The housing that was available in Des Moines in 1981-5 was pretty roach and rodent infested. I suppose these new places could have roaches, too. But they don't look like it. I wonder if the Blind Munchies sandwich shop is still there, or some vestige of?

Poor Lebron. Stan Van the Man is a real character isn't he?

Baseball Boy Freshman

2009-05-24T07:00:00.006-05:00

Boy14 on the freshman baseball team. Are you having dejavu? The last game he got a walk off single. Caught a pop fly at deep second base and threw a guy out at home. First double of year as well. Nice.

Last Day

2009-05-24T06:53:00.003-05:00

This is a memorable picture. Elizabeth, Lindsey, Angie and me. Remember I have 20 years on these girls. Our last day of classes in Champaign-Urbana was May 6th. We have a routine. On the way home (2.5 hour drive) we stop at Casey's and get four empty coffee cups and a bag of Chex Mix. Lindsey's idea- that's how she feeds her 4 year old daughter in the car. This helps us through the last hour and a half. One day I missed class and the girls decided to stop at a different place. This resulted in E. getting a speeding ticket in the famous town of San Jose, IL where the Casey's is.

Anyway, we were pretty exhausted on Week 15 of 17 hour Wednesdays. But we are done now with classes, yeah.

Prom Boy Sophomore

2009-05-24T06:44:00.007-05:00

Oh man. The upload on blogger is really slow!

I better not say too much on this post, even if Boy16 doesn't read my blog. He was invited to prom by a junior girl in the band. He reportedly had a good time including the after prom (see below) at the Rec Center. Wiped out the next day of course. I didn't get to see his date or if he matched her dress. Apparently that's how it's done these days. Matching the vest/tie to the girl's dress. Well, much better than the light blue tuxes with ruffled shirts of my day, not that I went to a prom, I did see pictures.

That's him in the yellow Beavis and Butthead shirt.

Oh, he got a big surprise in the mail yesterday. A couple of weeks ago he played a trumpet solo at a church along with a Bell Choir. It was a lovely piece of music. He did a great job. He loved doing it. Yesterday he got a thank you card in the mail with a check for $35. His first honorarium. He says, "I'm a professional!"