Wednesday

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

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.

Unemployment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I call it Home

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

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

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

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!"

May 18

Hi bloggy. I missed you! I have been a traitor. I joined Facebook nation and got caught up in it for a minute.

Oh boy. The Bachelorette started sooner than I thought. Did I just admit my biggest weakness? Watching the drivel. Not only that, I watched Dancing with the Stars. Somehow that was my break from school/work. No excuse for the Bachelorette.

So, finals are over. My last finals. My internship starts around August 12, one full school year. I'll be leaving my job after nearly 13 years on July 17. A new chapter for sure.

Goals

Boy15 had the baseball season goals of starting JV (has started most games) and making 5 or less errors (has one so far). My goal for today was finishing up my team project and sending it out to my team members. Our deadline is Friday and one person shared hers over a week ago. Now my next goal is to complete two of the ten 'reflections' for my portfolio by Friday and this weekend work on the No Child Left Behind debate that will take place April 15.

Grateful for some really good popcorn at the game tonight (and not too cold), no one getting hurt tonight, heating pads, naps, and flat irons.

Zumba

This post is mostly for Betsy: Zumba has finally come to our YMCA and thank goodness I had the good sense NOT to sign up. I have observed it while walking on the track above. It's hard not to stare. I found out I'm not the only uncoodinated awkward dancer in town! They shut down the entire gym, but only use half the gym. There's a big divider curtain so I don't understand why you can't shoot baskets on the other side, not that I would be shooting baskets mind you.

Anyway, I thought Zumba was a free form of dancing, which I couldn't manage either, but the Zumba here is supposedly a Latin based dance. It looks pretty darned complicated, there is no way I could keep up with the moves those chicks are doing.

UNC is killing Michigan State. Going to see "Milk" Thursday. I finally got over thinking 'milk??' what kind of movie is about milk? Is that like that stupid book "Salt"?

P.S. A gym full of sweaty women smells a lot better than a gym full of sweaty guys.

Happy

I am elated to hear from my friends Madz and Ginnie!! Thanks for your comments. It made my day.

I am happy, too, to have had the foresight to take a week off from work. I'm practically exhausted from working and school and several things at work have conspired to make everyone pretty crabby!

My son asked me today what Palm Sunday was about and I had no idea. That's a little embarrassing. I was encouraged to attend church in my youth (which was located in my backyard) and all I remember of Palm Sunday was going out to the church dumpster the day after and finding all these cool leaves that we dragged out and played with.

Grateful

I have not been very grateful lately. Tonight walking out of the Y after an intense aqua workout, I thought, maybe if I counted my blessings once in a while, in a concrete way, I would be more content. So here I go.

The weather has turned decidely better. After all my bitching and complaining, I better appreciate it!

I saw a forsynthia tree blooming today.

My house hasn't caught on fire.

I have a really good support system: husband, kids, parents, sibs, friends, classmates, teachers.

I was offered an internship yesterday for next year- not my first choice, but I have one for sure now.

I sleep very, very well.

Louisville is in the Sweet 16.

Mickey

What do you think about Mickey Rourke? Has anyone seen "The Wrestler". I've heard it's real good. I'm watching a good interview with him done by Charlie Rose. He makes me want to be a good therapist. I want to give people the tools they need to function well, to get over problems, a lot of which I think is formed in childhood. Which then makes me want to be a good parent, so that my children don't have problems that I have caused.

Sunday

Boy15 made his high school acting debut this weekend (green shirt). He did a pretty good job. The character was his personality, so I'm not sure how much acting. He did memorize his part well, one of two speaking parts.
One of his funny lines was, "I know I have a bad haircut..." The play was called "Wonder on Paper" a not very good script.

I'm burned out on studying. I've spent all day on and off working on stuff and seeming to get nothing done. I'm concerned my concentration is not up to par. It might be preparing, living and recovering from the 17 hour day on Wednesdays.

Spent time with family for dinner this evening. It was really good. I haven't been able to cook much lately, so a whole chicken with stuffing on the grill (dad's specialty) was really tasty along with green bean casserole, baked potatoes, raw veggies, pineapple upside down cake. I've been obsessed with food lately, which is not really new, I'm just using it as my solace and 'get me through this semester' crutch. Very bad plan. I know I would feel better if I ate less and more healthily. It just feels like the one thing I can depend on to make me feel better. Sounds terribly like an addiction.
BTW- I didn't mean I alone ate a whole chicken, though I see how you would think that.

Trivial

Did you know an orange is a berry?
Do you know the name of Isaac Newton's dog? Of course not! It's Diamond.

Family Time

This weekend my bro from New Hampshire and his wife visited. They booked their flight to coincide with Boy15's acting debut. Turns out the school has changed the dates twice and so Chris and Donna didn't get to see the play afterall. Well, it's only about a 20 minute one act play, so maybe if this turns out well, he will continue and act again. It seems to run in the family, though not in me.

Here we are playing one of many games this weekend Trivial Pursuit. Also, played Golf (a card game), BS (cards), pitch (one dummy hand, too complicated at 11 pm), Apples to Apples. Boy14 is a big gamer, loves to play games which my family does also. We ate too much food this weekend, pork roast, pastabilities, corned beef and cabbage. Apple dumplings, Tres Leche cake, fruit salad, and on and on.


And what is in Nephew9's mouth? A candy cane I guess. His eyes almost always come out red, too. Sorry, not a good picture, but you can see the costume.

4/4

I wasn't being purposely cryptic, I was being scatter brained. I intended to pick up on Madz' meme and post the fourth picture in my fourth picture file. When I looked in "My Pictures" I was okay with the picture. One of my sister, boys and nephew at the Hard Rock Cafe a couple years ago. Well, when I went to browse and add a picture here, there were only 3 pictures in the fourth file (Boy15's rock band previously posted) so I posted this whimsical photo of the musical "SUESSICAL" dress rehearsal I watched the weekend of New Year's at my sister's house. Nephew9 is the one turned around in this photo. I actually helped decorate the costume. Aren't the little girls precious? My parents went down for the performance last weekend and said it was just great.

Anyway, I uploaded the picture and was too tired to write anything, and this might it be it for a while. Betsy mentioned seeing it, and Ginnie commented so I thought I better do some explaining! Classes start on Wednesday and that is a 17 hour day for me each week (commute plus three classes)and working 32 hours on the other days. Then doing homework on the weekends. Sounds like fun:) If you know me, you know I'll probably love it. Invigorating! Exhilerating! Exhausting?

While visiting Betsy, we went out for a evening on the town and went to a lesbian play called "Pulp". It was funny and clever, post World War II when lesbians were very much in the underground. This play took place in a lesbian club in Chicago and featured 6 diverse women.

The previous picture was a Danish ornament I bought last March in you guessed it, Denmark, actually at the gift shop of Kronberg Castle. I call it the pretzel girl, natch.

Christmas Flu

Two down, ?? to go. The youngest two in our household have been stricken with stomach flu. No fun, but a milestone is passed when they get sick in the night and tend to themselves without waking anyone. I noticed Boy14's trash can in the bathroom in the middle of the night and suspected illness but since it was dark, I couldn't see the contents, nor did it smell. What a wonderful thing not to have to get up, change the sheets, bathe the baby, etc.

Boy14 thought it was from the Banana Cream Pie but I explained it was a virus from his dear brother. Now he'll probably never eat banana cream pie again.

Favorite Version

One of my favorite Christmas songs and an original, beautiful rendition.

Bitter

After the ice storm we have about 1 degree temperatures. Even some churches closed due to cold. It is still somewhat of a minefield driving around town with downed trees and power lines in the streets, with just an orange cone to give warning. It's an absolutely frozen tundra out there.

Nonetheless, I am deeply satisfied now that Boy20 is home safely and we are all together for the holiday. I'm over halfway done Christmas shopping, so that is good. Tonight we watched Batman: The Dark Knight this evening. Not really my type of movie, but okay. Boy15 hadn't seen it before and predicted Dent to be a bad guy based on his having a coin.



Terri and I take a break from shopping at Taste of Thai. I ordered 'hot' and it was absolutely painful-delightfully painful.

Free Day

Today my good fortune was someone else's misfortune. The Ice Storm to beat all storms finally came through last night and rained and froze all night. The sound of cracking trees pierced the night several times, but our home didn't lose power. Lucky for us, certain areas of town did lose power including Pat's and my work. Yea!! Snow day, ice day! Free Day. It felt like Saturday all day, but tomorrow is Saturday and my grocery shopping is done, a little Christmas shopping accomplished and just a nice relaxing day.

Here is a list of my objectives for this holiday break from school:

Write something about my cousin who recently committed suicide for the Family News _done.
Resume exercise_ in progress
Read a book, other than the children's book I've been reading since October_ in progress "An Unquiet Mind" memoir of a psychiatrist who battled Bipolar Disorder most of her life. I love reading books about mental illness. Very compelling. Amazing, brilliant woman.
Place order for group I belong to_ done

That's about it for now. Spaghetti sauce splattered on my white sweater and I am none to pleased about it. Gotta go take care of it now before it sets in (Stain stick is a life saver).

Career Change

I got something off my chest today and I feel great. Ever since Oct. 24 when I registered for Spring classes, I knew I would be leaving my job next summer to pursue my career in school social work. I got approval for my schedule change (I will be off Wednesdays to travel 2.5 hours each way and take 9 hours of classes at the University) shortly after that. This means I will be working later the other weekdays to make up my 32 hour schedule. Grueling.

Anyway, I wasn't sure when to break the news to my boss that I don't plan to continue in the field of mental health at my current place of employment (after 12 years of service). So, I decided today was the day. His reaction? "Oh, I thought you were graduating in May and would be looking for other employment anyway." Needless to say, there were no tears or pleas for my continued servitude. This is my 11th supervisor in 12 years, so no love lost apparently.

I feel better getting it out in the open, even if no one really cares.


"Aspiring Social Worker"

Angie and I can hardly wait to lunch at our new restaurant "Jimmie John's" sub shop tomorrow. Actually, I'm more caught up in her excitement- a cold sandwich and a big pickle doesn't thrill me that much. We've been talking about it all week.

Holiday Pics

Sunday Musings

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. Charles Dickens



My favorite Christmas songs are:
Little Drummer Boy
Carol of the Bells
O Holy Night

I got to hear Carol of the Bells today at the high school band concert. Very nicely done. They also played a very good piece by a Dutch composer that was inspired by Israeli folk songs/dances. Called Rikudim by Jan Van der Roost. Wonderful! I think you can find it on You Tube.





I'm afraid to put much ornaments on the tree. It is seriously tipping and ready for retirement. I found a new item yesterday at Walgreen's. Yes, do invest in Walgreen's it's the best store ever. It is little battery powered tea lights. Perfect for putting behind the Christmas stocking holders so as not to catch anything on fire.

Cookies and Quotes

I got a craving for Russian Tea Cookies (Mexican Wedding Cakes),whatever you call them. Pat observed we only eat them at Christmas though I think there is a stale store version sold year round (Archway?). So I baked a batch, and proceeded to eat about a dozen of them. Had intended to share with my women's group this morning, but forgot to take them, so another dozen I have been devoured by me. Ugh. Good thing I only have them once a year. Something about the butter, little sugar and ground up nuts...

I did a little Christmas shopping today. Like my sister says, two for me, one for you...just kidding. I just go blank when someone asks what I want for christmas but often when I'm out I see attractive things. Our tree is down from the attic but not yet decorated. I'm throwing it out after the holiday. It's really old, really dirty and really ugly. Pat says the stand is too wobbly, also.

Ginnie, I, too, have been told I'm a good proof-reader. Just not of my own work. I know what I'm saying, so I think it's there even when it's not. Or if my mind says "per say" I won't notice I misspelled it. Did you ever have a phrase you thought you knew, but didn't? Like "For all intensive purposes?" I was shocked to learn in the swimming pool one morning during our chlorine klatch, it's actually "for all intents and purposes."

Christmas is a time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay for it. Deficits are when adults tell the government what they want and their kids pay for it. ~Richard Lamm

I can understand people simply fleeing the mountainous effort Christmas has become... but there are always a few saving graces and finally they make up for all the bother and distress. ~May Sarton

Finale, per se

After turning in my last paper, my mom called and told me she found one more typo (yes, I have my parents *one retired English professor* read my papers). Lest you think that cheating, it was recommended by more than one professor that you have at least one outside opinion. Keeps you writing and expressing yourself more clearly. At least in social science writing, there's a tendency to assume others know what you are talking about, and believe me, they don't. I also leave out of a lot small words if you haven't noticed here.

So, my mom tells me the last sentence of my paper contains the phrase, "per say" rather than "per se." There's no way to correct it now, without driving the teacher crazy with revision after revision to clutter up his computer (on-line class, submission process). So, it's done and not perfect like I wanted.

So, our governor is a joke. I thought it ironic Blago made national news the day before his arrest broke, standing with Illinois factory workers who lost their jobs and blasting the Bank of America. Well, only the fourth Illinois governor to go to prison...he could share a cell with Mr. George Ryan.

Finding Peace and Blessings

Finding peace and joy and blessings is sometimes hard for me, especially as winter sets in and things, even little things, don't go my way. I think I have been especially lucky and spoiled in having my way most of the time. Here is some nice things:
gas for $1.65
a job and a holiday bonus of $50
University of Buffalo winning the Mac- Turner Gill
watching the boys play basketball and trumpet
a heating pad on my bed
Boy20 met Iguodaula's cousin at school
putting on my pajamas

GRATE-FUL

Had a great-ful Thanksgiving. Started the day with a walk on the back nine at a local golf course. It was pretty hilly and strenuous. The old man went back with clubs later on in the day so we are having pretty good weather.

Then I did some strenuous eating. We had a nice meal with sister, BIL, nephew, parents, great uncle, and two Chinese friends at my house. We visited and watched Home Alone and it put most of us to sleep.

I have been trying to work on a paper when I have a few moments. Did not participate in the Black Friday chaos. Well, I did buy a couple of things to mail out of state.

Funny Story to be Told Later

Okay, so I'm in Denmark last March and I keep seeing signs on the highways for "Fart Control." I ask Thomas and Anette (shown above lounging on a bench in "Our Town, USA" last month) who are hosting Joanne and me for the day, 'What's with these fart control signs all over.' They chuckle and tell us that 'fart' is the Danish word for 'speed'. Okay, those are speed control checkpoints on the freeways, ah, makes sense, even if it looks quite funny to us.

So, Thomas proceeds to tell us how he is a marathon runner and helps out with his club organizing the Copenhagen Marathon. He is assigned to be a sort of pace setter, every so many miles a guy or girl runs with the group and at a certain speed so they can keep their pace going (I don't entirely understand this since I wouldn't be caught dead anywhere near a marathon). This person wears a brightly colored tank labeled "Fart Holder" so that the runners know who is holding the pace for them, and the English speaking people are just cracking up! So, I tell Thomas that's pretty cool, it would be a riot to have one of those to wear around in the U. S.

Fast forward to October 2008. Thomas and Anette are chaperoning their Danish students in "Our Town" and I invite them to dinner to thank them for the hospitality they showed me in DK. As we are finishing up dinner, I ask Thomas to tell my husband the story about the 'fart' I can't remember the exact details but I remember it's funny. Thomas says, "Funny you should ask" and goes into the hallway and brings back a bag with the above pictured yellow tank top for me. He actually wore it in one of the Copenhagen marathons and has brought it for me as a gift. I guess he was waiting patiently for me to bring it up, as I did see him a few times over the two weeks they were here.

So, that it is the story behind the picture. I wore it over to Joanne's house for a farewell dinner for the Danes and I thought her husband was going to steal it off my back. It was such a hilarious image for him. I haven't had the nerve to wear just out and about for all to see, but maybe when the weather gets warmer and I start training for that marathon...

Random Photo

Since I have nothing bloggable to blog about I am going to my picture file and post whatever my cursor lands on, after twirling it around for awhile. I will tell you what I can about the picture and hope it is interesting, or at least not embarrassing. So here goes:


This is Boy14 at the dining room table looking pathetic. I'm not sure why. He may have been 13. He sits with a paper, pencil and calculator nearby. He must be trying to write a story, having finished his math recently. He wears a Yankees t-shirt which he loved for a good long time. He has a toothpick hanging from his mouth. One habit I don't really like, but don't bother to complain about either. There's much worse. Jugs of Culligan water are behind him on chairs, as they usually are. A Farm King advertisement is lying on the table. That is a local department store, that for some reason the Danish folks love. They like to buy cowboy boots and leather jackets there. We don't do much with decorating around here. I was noticing that tonight as I watched "How Much Can I Get For My House" or some such show. Yeah, our house definitely doesn't belong on TV.

Well, since I have been battling a cold for a couple of days, have gotten next to nothing done, and am going nowhere fast with this post, I think I will retire for the evening. I have two large papers due Dec. 8 & 10 that are barely begun. That should be my activity for tomorrow. I don't plan to do much Thanksgiving weekend, except be thankful I have a lot to be thankful for.

Mon, Denmark: From Whence I Came

This is the Mon Klint, on the island of Mon (the o should have a slash through it but we don't have that key on our keyboards, and sounds like a soft 'moon'). This is kind of a popular vacation destination in Denmark in summertime, and a lot of boats pass by to view the cliff. My great grandfather grew up close to here, and so it is special to me that my host, Ann, brought me here last March. If you recall, Ann and her family live on a large sailboat full time and I'm sure they have since sold my little sailboat. At the top of the cliff there is a park, and about a thousand (million?) steps down to beach. We actually didn't make it to the bottom. I nearly died climbing back up so it's a good thing we shortened the trek.

The next group of Danish students have already come and left our town. This year 24 of our students and four chaperones are going over to DK in March. I have to say, I'm very relieved not to be accompanying that group. We had 14 students and that was plenty to keep track of! Soon there will be a Danish dinner in our town and silent auction to raise money for their trip over.

Madz, you're the best

I got this in the mail the other day and boy is it cute! Now I have to think of something fantastic to send Madz. Thank you, girl.

Has everyone else been inundated with those Japanese beetles (lady bugs) this fall? It seems to be worse again. My friend who works for DNR says the U.S. government released these to help the crops using a natural solution. Most people just think they are a pain in the a--. Are they helping the crops anyway??

Otherwise, we are having a beautiful fall in Illinois. Still time to get out and enjoy the colors and warm weather.

My Political Two Cents

I was supposed to post the video of the Saturday Night Live parody of the McCain rally lady, but I couldn't find it. Oh well, everyone saw that, right?

Springfield Dejavu

I was looking for a different clip from Mr. Crosby and Nash but ended up with this one. I shared a concert with my two older boys last night in Springfield IL on the campus where Boy20 attends. About a 2000 seat beautiful auditorium. Boy15 and I got home about midnight, he helped me drive which was great. I noticed a couple of bouncers near the stage and Boy15 commented, "Do they think they are going to storm the stage, they're a bunch of old people?"

Always the social commentators, I do love this song, and they did play it last night with the full band they assembled. Very good musicians. And this clip shows them as they look now, older and very gray. Nash performed barefoot on a couple of oriental rugs. The two guys sounded good, but I did miss that third voice harmonizing.

I told the boys how my dad decided in the late 60's he would try to like rock music. He asked friends for some recommendations and he bought CSN&Y Dejavu and some Black Sabbath album. He pretty much hated them both, but they ended up in my brother's and my hands a few years later. That was my intro to this music. Interesting tidbit: Crosby claimed 17% of girls who lost their virginity between 1968 and 1972, did so to "Our House."

Missouri

My mom and I went on a little trip this last week to Missouri. My idea was to visit the last home of Laura Ingalls Wilder,one of my favorite childhood authors. On the way to Mansfield, MO we stopped in Columbia where I was born. We saw the hospital but Mom didn't remember it too well, and said it was a much larger complex than in 1963 and 1965 when my sister was born there. Then we went onto the campus of University of Missouri where we lived on campus. Those temporary housing units are gone now, and the VA hospital placed on there.



Here is Laura and Almanzo's home at Rocky Ridge. We were here sometime in the 1970's but nothing was at all familiar,except the Red Chief tablets Laura hand wrote her books on. Those are in a case in the museum area. Now there is a bookstore, too.



Next we have Mom exiting the farmhouse with our tour guide in the background. They had 4-5 employees working on this October day, which is kind of surprising for a small operation in the off-season.



Finally, the big surprise. Laura's daughter Rose built a house for her parents in 1928 aptly named "The Rock House" that they lived in for 8 years down the road from the farmhouse. The LIW association acquired the house in 1990 and had it restored and ready for tours in 1997. It really was beautiful and had all the modern conveniences, however as soon as Rose left the area in 1936, they moved back to their beloved farmhouse that Almanzo had built. Poor Rose.




There's something about this pioneer girl/woman that still fascinates me...
After my big vacation (a week off) I'm more tired than if I worked all week. Does anyone else feel like this?

Here Comes the Bride

And the other Bride:



This was the most traditional of the weddings this fall, since my sister in law. It was a wonderful ceremony peformed by Becky's boss, actually, and assisted by their minister. I was weeping uncontrollably. And no kleenex, of course. I think what got me was Jen's parents being "not present" but her brother was standing up with her, and it must have meant the world to her. Becky's parents are deceased, but her sister stood up with her and sang a song for them in leiu of the traditional toast monologue later in the evening.



I was trying out my new flip video and if a miracle happens I will post a clip of the "first dance." It was hysterical. It started with a slow dance to "Lady" and suddenly the music cracked and one those hip hop humping songs came on (my child tells me it's called "Soldier Boy" and it's like two years ago). Jen and Becky looked really pissed, and then broke into a coordinated dance with sunglasses. Back to Lady, another switch, dirty look and dance team effect.

And no, I did not wear "the dress" again. I picked a out a nice 12 year job with huge shoulderpads I didn't have time to cut out of the sleeves.

Wedding Number Three

That is wedding number three this fall for me, not Terri's wedding number three. Only #2 for her and for Jeff. They are pictured below. And yes, that is the same dress, again. I do get a lot of mileage out of a purchase, well actually a gift from my mom. She likes to shop, I don't. Better tell her I need another dress. I did not get any ceremony shots, because of course I was the best woman in it. The reception was very informal at lake with smoked meats and salads, German Chocolate cake, among others. I'm pretty much a cake connessuir now, and this was good. Okay, I don't know how to spell, but neither does spell check.



Okay, I had to add the picture below of a table decoration at Terri's bachelorette. It was a wild time!