Just one more, than I swear I am DONE-for a while.

The boots I am eyeing...luscious.

Quality Chicks

Here is a little change of scenery to amuse you while I take a blogging break...will try to add another interesting photo every now and again.

At the Dentist

I went back to Illinois this past weekend to have some work done a filling. The dentist who worked on me the first time PLAINLY wrote in my file that I have a slow reaction to Novocain.

Slow reaction should probably be rewritten as: Please have patient come in to office 1 hour prior to any procedure so that Novocain can work.

The dentist shot me up with about 6 shots of the stuff at 11:30am and I ended up looking like Mary Jo Buttafuoco until about 5pm, Saturday. I had absolutely NO control of the left side of my mouth. I am glad it wasn't permanent.

Gettting It Together

I am in the process of writing a business plan. I have met with all the right people and feel confident that I can get "Driftless Moon" off the ground. What you ask is "Driftless Moon?"
Well, I will be opening a retail art gallery for local artists that is combined with a wine bar. I am so excited and think that a March opening date is not out of the question.
In the meantime, I am depending my organizational and interior rearranging talent to pay my bills. I am contracted for 20 hours at one house next week and hope to add more clients to the list through referrals. I love that people will pay me for my opinions.
Wish me luck.

I love to Camp

I went camping this past weekend with some friends from Minnesota. We stayed at Wyolusing State Park, WI. It was jsut a perfect weekend for sitting around the fire and watching the stars pop out. In the mornings, the Mississippi River Valley and Wisconsin River Valley were both filled with fog. The ridge upon which we camped sat above it like Cloud City...just an amazing feeling of floating.

I am planning to go camping again this weekend. Hope the weather is just as beautiful.

And, by the way. I am just fine and feeling quite wonderful, today.

Heart Aches

So I am no longer engaged to my schweetie. I feel as though I am walking around with my shoes on the wrong feet. Something is just not right. How does such a wonderful thing fall apart?

I cry, then laugh, then miss him, then get mad at him, then cry again. I want concrete answers. I want him to change his mind. I want my heart to stop hurting and to be done grieving.

I know I am a strong person and that I will be fine. I am just tired of being "just fine."

My Days

I am not job hunting-I am busy trying to put together a business plan. It is not an easy place to be-between the trapeze bars-but forcing myself to dress up and go to a WiFi location makes me at least FEEL like I am participating in the work week.

I have made appointments meeting with people that I feel add to my ideas. So far it has led me to many great connections. I am confident that my plan will be a success...if not I will be right back where I am right now. And right now I am living within my means and am pretty damn happy.

Chickens

I have settled into my new digs. I do not have internet access at my house but can pick up the neighbors if I sit on the stump between our houses.

I am typing, faint footsteps can be heard behind me. The three big chickens (two roosters and a hen) are now at my feet and pecking at my toes. This reason alone may be enough for me to get a wireless connection at the house...well that and the cold Iowa winter that will be coming.

I promise to post pics of all the glorious parts of my new home-chickens etal.

Now I must run before Papa rooster takes another peck.

Lovely Weather and Such

I have been having such a nice time in Decorah and lucky for me, I am moving back here!

Yup. I have found a beautiful acreage within the city limits, but with absolute privacy. It comes with 2 roosters and 1 hen. The hen lays an egg each morning in a cabinet. She and the roosters follow me around like puppies whenever I am outside AND they actually have started begging when I am eating. Maybe it was the blueberries I slipped them earlier.

The weather is incredible. In the 70's, low humidity and a nice breeze. I feel so lucky to call this place home again.

And So IT Begins

Here in Decorah, the town is getting ready for Nordic Fest. It is quite a celebration of Nordic heritage. And here are just a few of the signs:

Flat bed truck carrying little wooden booths parked on the main street.
Same booths being placed along the street in spots saved by placing 5 gallon buckets in a certain pattern.
Banners of Scandinavian flags hanging across main roads.
Campground is STUFFED
Folks that are "just not from around these parts" window shopping downtown.
Downtown windows decorated for the window display contest.
Scandinavian educators giving life lessons to pre-teen girls at the local pool (first time most of them have seen saggy boobs in the flesh).

I have missed this celebration only one time in all of its 43 years. I have a love/hate relationship with the fest, but mostly I love it. My entire family will be here, there is a silly parade that still gives me goosebumps and it is the only time of the year to eat Rollepolse (cured, peppery rolled beef), Varmepolse (blood sausage rolled in Lefse-potato soft tortilla), and Romegrot (sweet white sauce with melted butter and cinnamon) in one day.

There is a running race-which I have never been up to watch. A canoe race and my favorite-a rock throwing contest that Mr. MnMom won a few years ago. I love the Festical!

Maybe we will see some of you here?

WOW, Time Does Fly!

I just had a wonderful evening with a few women friends. Sharing stories, drinking wine, validating each other, encouraging one another and drinking wine. I said goodnight to them all, put away the food, washed the dishes, and poured the last of a nice Cabernet into my glass. The temperature is a cool 65 plus degrees, there is no humidity and the skies are clear. I step out on to the deck, pull up a chair, tilt my head back to see the big dipper and WHAM! Toxic words come FLYING out of the window from the apartment next door.

Well, I have had a couple glasses of wine and am feeling OH so empowered by an evening with other moms that I march on over to the window and ask-gently, but firmly-for them to argue all they like, but try to keep the language in check-there is a little one sleeping and I do not want to him wake up to such language. The guy told me that they are having a private conversation to which I pointed out should stay private by shutting their window. He closed the window and that was that. I am so glad I asked for what I wanted...back to star gazing and getting almost cold tonight on the deck.-BONUS to watch the bats fly.

Good Things

My gratitude list right now:

1. My son and all of his one liners.
2. My sweet, sweet partner-I love him deep down in my bones.
3. The smell of rain.
4. Having a good hair day.
5. Dinner planned for the evening-and it looks to be delicious.
6. Baseball game tonight.
7. Decorah in July.
8. My wonderful bicycle.
9. My incredible family and friends.
10. Strong arms.

Four Agreements

I believe in the wisdom of The Four Agreements:

Don't take it personally
Be impeccable with your word
Always do your best
Don't make assumptions

I am dealing with a very difficult situation with my SO's family and trying hard to live by these agreements. I was told that I said something to upset his mother, but was not told what it was that I said (hard to "clean it up" when you are not sure what it is). This all took place DURING a family wedding reception in a town where I knew NOBODY. I was embarrassed and humiliated and did not even get a chance to defend myself. The entire extended family-sans one funny uncle-treated me like I was an intruder. On top of it all my SO was asked if he wanted to lose all his family for marrying me! And they don't even know me.

I guess it is their crazy-not mine and I will just have to keep my head high and keep on loving SO with all my heart. I feel terrible for him. His heart aches.

Baked Kale

I had forgotten just how delicious baked kale was until tonight. I found some kale at my local grocer...BIG green beautiful leaves. Washed, rinsed, spun in the salad spinner. Remove big veins, "chiffonade" , toss lightly with GOOD olive oil, sprinkle with kosher salt, spread on sheet pan, then bake at 375 for about 13 minutes or until kale looks "purplish greenish." Cool slightly, place in a linen lined basket. ENJOY! Tastes great on top of roasted vegtables and broiled orange roughy...mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

Recognizing Wisdom

I opted out of going with SO to his family's gathering. I have PMS-actually teeters on PMDD- every 28 days. I am going through it right now and am so glad that I am home with just my son to take care of-as he would say, "Easy peasy, lemon squeezey." I am spending this glorious time with books and quiet bike rides (to check up on my son).

We watched Marley & Me last night and that pretty much took care of the need to cry. I have a yellow lab (Maple) who is almost 9. She, my son, the little yorkie, Pal, and me all together in the big bed for the movie. Perfect.

My son is loving the fact that he does not have any scheduled event for a couple of days. He has been riding his bike around the "hood" and finding all sorts of new friends. He played Hot Box, jumped on the trampoline, had a watergun fight, played Ghost in The Graveyard, and rode to the park with two 9 year olds for tag on the playground equipment. I swear he grew two inches overnight.

Oh, and the pork roast turned out perfect - the lid never did slip. (see previous post)

Damn, damn, damn...

This morning I was putting a pork shoulder into the crockpot. I was so glad that I had remembered to take it out of the freezer to "thaw" overnight and had just enough bbq sauce to make it tasty. Well, as I was getting ready to set the roast into the crock, it slipped from my fingers and was frozen enough to BREAK the crock. Yup. The bottom broke into chunks.

I have a second crockpot, but it is not big enough to hold the unbendable semi-frozen lump of pork. I am letting sit in the heat and have the lid propped on top-hoping that as it cooks down, the lid will GENLTY(?) fall into place. I think I may be asking for trouble.

I will let you know if my plan works. Mwahahahaha.

Phobias

Outdoor Fun

A few weeks ago we had received a letter from our neighborhood association stating that we were in violation of association rules due to "trash in the yard." The trash they were referring to was one wooden headboard leaning against our garage. Now, trust me, if you could see some of the trashy yards in our neighborhood you would think that ours was right out of Better Homes and Gardens. I was a little put off by the letter so I painted the headboard and set some pots in front of it-a garden bed. I feel better.

We also stained our deck and added an unusual privacy screen. I will keep you posted if I hear any backlash on our new outdoor space.

The last picture is a chalk drawing I did on earth day...

Aaahhh, Chicago, women friends and MG

Had a wonderful evening with Melinda June, MG, and friends. We met at MG's friend's house where we ordered Thai food. We shared entrees and all were absolutely wonderful. We then proceeded to venture out to North Center to have desserts at an interesting coffee shop. I have not been in a city atmosphere for some time and I had forgotten how much fun the city is.

Spent the night with Melinda June and BH at their lovely abode. I slept well in crisp cotton sheets perfectly complimented with a cotton blanket and feather comforter. Awoke to a nice pot of good smelling jo. Melinda knows how to make you feel so welcomed.

Of course a Sunday morning would not complete without a decent breakfast. We waited 1 and 1/2 hours for a table at Tweet-but oh so worth the wait. DELICIOUS! While we waited we went for a "walk" (read drive) to Metropolis Coffee Company for GOOD coffee drinks. I thought it to be a little silly to drive all that way for coffee-but it was a great cup of coffee-a perfectly made latte. I was so glad to be with other food/coffee snobs.

I am already looking at the calendar to find another day to meet up with Melinda and BH to hit some fun stores-especially the little shoe store in North Center. I must try on the Camper wedge in funky green and white...

New Traditions

Took the whole family to Lincoln Park Zoo yesterday. It was delightful. Very few people there and the animal houses were warm shelters from the lake wind. We left the burbs around 12:45 thinking we MIGHT need our extra layers. When we got downtown it was much cooler. One of the boys changed in to his jeans while watching the seals swim around.

We enjoyed a nice big brunch of Chorizo, scrambled eggs, bunny shaped pancakes and bacon. We also made cupcakes, dyed eggs and then used the rest of the dye to make colorful tie-dyed paper towels.

After the zoo we came home to dye more paper towels and to have a yummy dinner of grilled pork tenderloin, grilled asparagus, and cupcakes for dessert.

I missed my big, loud, extended family this year. But making new traditions is just as much fun.

Great Day

This morning my 7 year old made his own cinnamon/sugar toast. He has been getting his own cereal for some time, but toast is new. I got goosebumps watching him carefully spread the butter on the toast.
At first he turned the toaster around and around trying to figure out how in the world to turn it on. When I showed him how to put the bread into the slot and set the timer-he was no longer interested in any help from me.
His toast looked more like a pastry when he was done. It was dripping with butter and had actual clumps of sugar on it. I only smiled and told him how proud he makes me.
I know its just toast, but now I can have a cup of coffee while it is still hot AND read the paper while he makes his own breakfast. GREAT DAY INDEED!

Disney, Hormones and Too much fun.

Well, I did it. I managed to get through 4 Disney parks in three days all the while having PMDD. It was hell. Long lines, small children on leashes, sticky stuff, sore feet and WAY too many adults in motorized scooters...but dammit I had fun!
The pictures do not do justice to how much fun the kids had. I am glad I had enough Midol during the day and enough wine at night to keep me smiling.





















Nine different modes of transportation in one week. Amazing.
Car, bus, plane, people mover, tram, golf cart, monorail, paddle boat, motor boat, minivan,...oh that is ten.
Remember we are having fun here...getting three boys to pay attention to doors closing and when to get on and off the different vehicles. Making sure everyone had their bags, cameras, cell phones, that they had sunscreen on and that all have been to the potty-you know what I mean. FUN FUN FUN...

Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for having the opportunity to even go on a vacation. And I was very impressed with how well Disney does hospitality. AMAZING. Did you know they employ 75,ooo people in just the parks?? And apparently they are having to lay off folks, too. The parks were crowded and most visitors were from other countries-taking advantage of the dollar right now. It was a great experience to meet so many different people and to see the artistry that is Disney.

HIGHLIGHTS?
I did spot this fella all dressed up (Epcot, day two)...so glad I was able to get a couple of pics. I had also had a couple of smoothies with "some" alcohol in them - made the day much better...for everyone!

This is a close up of the belt:











The cool gold painted shoes:










The hair:










THE TOTAL LOOK with FAMILY-notice shorter version of rockstar to the right!!

And to end this entry, I leave you with my favorite picture of the trip-Rex with Corndog.

43 years

There is really nothing different to being 43 as there was to being 41 or 42 and I imagine that birthdays sort of glide by in your 40's...except for 45...45 seems different.

I slept in, awoke to a delicious latte, had pancakes made for me, played outside, laid down in the grass, and I took a nice long nap today on top of my freshly made bed. Today was a perfect birthday and I love being old enough to know this.

Today I was feeling like the woman I have always wanted to be and that was the best gift of all!!

WOW!!!

My sweetheart bought me a beautiful Dell Laptop for my birthday and I am floored with the fast and wonderful world of computing...all I need is a fingerprint scan to access my secure pages from my laptop-cool! I am just giddy with delight.

Like great cupholders in a minivan, the best features of this new gift:
1. Color-funky spring green
2. Backlit keyboard
3. Wireless mouse
4. VERY fast

Oh the joy.

Counting Down the Days

It is just 6 days until we leave for Florida and I am so excited. I love taking trips-mostly i love to pack. Prior to any MAJOR trip, I make a list and keep it on the kitchen counter until I leave. My partner thinks I am a little obsessive at times, but typically it keeps me from thinking that I might forget something. It is much like Erma Bombeck taking her clothes iron with her on trips so that she KNOWS it was not left plugged in.

CATCHING UP FROM LAST WEEK...
Went on two test drive dates. We drove two different USED Chrysler Town and Country minivans. I must say, it is a deluxe ride. Melinda June spoke highly of the model at the car show-apparently her Mum has one and loves it. The two we tested were LOADED and came with Stow-n-Go seats. In about three EASY steps the second row captain seats stow away into the floor. Very functional. Also, the foot pedals are adjustable, so short people like me can reach the them without our bellies being up next to the steering wheel-another great design. For our dinner portion of the date, we stumbled upon a great sushi place. I love sushi and this place rocked! They have all you can eat for lunch and dinner M, T, W. The special roll on the day we were there was called "The Spicy Lover's Roll." Let me just say it is wrapped in white tuna-YUMMY!!!! I have now officially moved-have found my sushi home and it is only 15 minutes from my house. I can stay a while longer.

Another great adventure from the weekend was attending a free concert. Luther College Jazz Orchestra and the Cathedral Choir performed in Tinley Park. The choir was beautiful, the jazz awesome, but the best part was at the end. They combined the two groups and did the Lutheran Doxology (Praise God from whom all blessings flow...) jazz style. It gave me goosebumps to hear them belt it out jazz style. They have not yet performed this at home, so I wonder how it will go over. I am sure that there will be a few old school Norwegians that are uncomfortable with the arrangement-but man o man it was good!

Well, now that I have officially updated all of you with my mundane blabber, I shall have another cup of coffee and watch the finches.

My First March Post

Here it is already March 3rd and I am just getting back to blogging...March is my favorite month and here are just a few of the reasons why:
1. My birthday is March 22 and my fiance's is March 19.
2. You know that warmer weather is coming.
3. The first crocuses and daffodils begin pushing their way to sunshine.
4. NCAA basketball tournament...I do like to watch a few of the games and I love filling out the brackets.
5. The sloppiness of of spring thaw.
6. The smell of the earth ripening for another cycle.
7. Bright green buds.
8. This year, FLORIDA!!!
9. Spring Equinox.
10. Did I mention my birthday?

Happy March to all of you!

A Great Evening

I saw Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt in concert last night at the Historic Rialto Square Theater in Joliet, IL. The theater is amazing!! It was like sitting inside of a rare jewel...and Lovett and Hiatt were having a great time. the pictures just don't do it justice. Check out the history-it was going to be demolished for a parking lot!! ONE WOMAN called everyone she knew and the enthusiasm took off.

Of course there had to be one die-hard "john" fan that would constantly yell out things, "Thanks, John" as if he personally knew the guy and at one point while Lovett was talking the same guy shouted something and Lovett stopped, looked up an said, See, that is the problem, we can't hear you when you talk when I am talking..." The crowd laughed and clapped and Mr. Call-out-a-song finally shut up.

All in all a great evening.

CAR SHOW!!!

Melinda June and I had a great time at the car show. Mostly we enjoyed checking out every vehicle imaginable without the hassle of a salesperson...truly a beautiful thing.
Here we are!





Lunch...Chicago Dog-hot peppers, mustard, onion, relish, tomato, pickle spear, NO KETCHUP!

I will post more later....

Looking Forward to....

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I like cars. Well, it just so happens that tomorrow is "Women's Day" at the Chicago Auto Show. I called Melinda June and she will be joining me. I cannot wait. I am taking the train into Chicago and she will meet me at my station. From there to the show then out for dinner. I promise to take lots of pictures.

On another note. In the last four days I have noticed little red patches (like bites) all over my body. they do not itch, but appear to look an awful lot like eczema. Just weird I tell ya, weird. Will watch them for the next couple of weeks and if they do not go away, I will go to doc.

I hate getting older.

One Pet Peeve

I have a pet peeve about phones. Seems that answering a phone call is annoying to some people. I hate calling and having the person answering sound as if I have interrupted their time. If you don't want to talk to anyone, then don't answer the phone! Let the answering machine pick it up and listen when you have time. This seems to happening more and more-is it due to the overwhelming number of sales calls? Is it because we have lost our sense of civility and courteousness due to texting and e-mail?? Your thoughts, please.

Weekend Randomness...

1. Yesterday had future in-laws here for lunch. Burgers from grill and cucumbers in sugar/vinegar...yummy meal.
2. SO's boys here for weekend...so far they have misplaced IPOD, cell phone charger, eye glasses. Of course I am to know where everything is...alas, eyeglasses found, oldest's IPOD still awol.
3. SO and I scrubbed the kitchen floor on hands and knees then I waxed them with eco-friendly stuff. They look beautiful AND so do my fingernails...I remember my cousin Anne commenting on how wonderful it was to have such shiny nails after waxing. Budget manicure!!
4. Absolutely beautiful weather both Saturday and Sunday. We hit a high of 62 degrees on Saturday. Of course we sat out on the deck until the temp dropped to 48 and it still felt warm.
5. Fresh flowers on table are a delight.
6. HAVE to go to IKEA tomorrow to buy another giant bag of tealights-darn. Yes I know that Target has them, too, but I love an excuse to go to IKEA.
7. Have a new haircut that makes me feel younger and healthier. A good hair cut goes a long way to better ones mental health.

Trust

Being a parent sure does require one to trust, fully. Trust that the neighbor sees your child walking across the sidewalk before backing his car out, trusting that your child is watching for cars as he crosses the street to his stop, trusting that the bus driver will be safe on the road, trusting that his teacher will be kind, trusting that other kids will be nice to him, trusting that he will eat his lunch at school. The list goes on and on...I know he will be fine. Today just happened to be one of those days that I wanted to send him on his way in a giant "safety green" bubble.

Dragon Parade

My 7 year old celebrated the Chinese New Year all week and directed me on how to make this dragon. We then proceeded to march around the kitchen island...

Random Weekend Things

Had a great day yesterday. It was 40 degrees and sunny outside. My son, dog, and SO and I went to McKinley Woods for a walk. Ended up having a great snowball fight. BEAUTIFUL time together. We also made a dragon from paper mache bowl and platter. I will post those photos tomorrow.

Nothing Like One Good Pair of Red Shoes

Well, I wasn't going to say anything about my new shoes. I feel almost guilty in having bought them, but ever since they arrived from Zappos I have had them on and I have zero regrets. My feet feel good, my arch feels good, my knees are fine as are my legs. I have worn them around the house all day and not one single complaint-it is as if they were made just for me. I have found my perfect Spring/Summer shoe. I want them in every color and they come in several. So cute and major comfort. I always buy GOOD footwear-and good cooking tools.

Back to Blogging -per MnMom request

I have not had anything interesting in my head for some time. I am without a car, stuck in the burbs, and I live where the wind blows constantly. It is no wonder that the plains pioneers did not go insane...or did they?

I am looking forward to Spring Break. My finance (schweetie-for you Cheesecake Maven) just booked a non-stop flight to Tampa for the whole family. We will stay with his aunt and uncle. We are including a day or two at Disney World. We are able to fly down, rent a minivan, and get into Disney World for under 2K. I have never been to Disney World and my seven year old has never flown. I'm not sure what I am more excited about...warm sunny beach, Disney, or the look on my son's face when the plane takes off. Kodak moment for sure!

That is all for now...will report back if my mind starts a stirring. I think I need a good hobby-suggestions?

Check It Out!

My dear friend, Nancy is selling the farm-literally. Please check it out and send any interested buyers her way...http://crestedbuttefarm.com/

Inauguration 2008 Parade According to a 7 Year Old

This was drawn in a span of about 10 minutes...captions follow picture.


I didn't see Herky the Hawk-but my son drew him into his parade. Once an Iowan-always an Iowan.

Here we have the float from the state of Illinois-Abe in his tall hat and the Sears Tower marked with an "S"

This is the George Washington University Float - you do recognize the GW mascot, don't you?

Here it is in full length...he was very interested in using lots of color. All of the dots represent the bands and the rectangles with a dot on each side are the banners of course.

I think I will frame this for my office. Such a great memory.

And so it begins...

How wonderful to wake up this morning in a country filled with hope again. Maybe it is just me, my there seems to have been a collective sigh of relief yesterday.

I watched and watched and cried and laughed and danced all day. When the Obamas stepped out of the limo during the parade, I held my breath and prayed that nobody would harm them. I watched the parade-yes the whole thing. LOVE CSPAN-no commentary and so candid and no commercials. My 7 yr old watched it with me and then drew a great parade picture. It looked very much like his Star Wars battle drawings. I will try to scan it and post soon.

So, what are we going to do next? I for one am looking into the possibility of getting on my neighborhood association board. It is an elected post. I have never seen anything in the mail from the assc. and for the amount of dues that are paid yearly, this neighborhood should be AWESOME. I am curious to know what we DO get for the money ...I will then be better able to talk with my neighbors about change. I will let you know how things are progressing.

Nothing

I've got nothing today. I am happy to be back home after a nice weekend with my schweetie in Dubuque. We danced like crazy and had a nice hotel room to ourselves for 2 nights.

I am getting myself setup to watch the inauguration, coffee and a blanket to curl up under. I love a good ceremony. I attended Clinton's first inaugural. I was standing on Pennsylvania Ave and listening to Maya Angelou speak. It was a gloriously warm day and I had a great time.

Other than that, I am just having a wonderful Tuesday.

Sing with me...We're having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave.

Yep, it is officially above zero...12 degrees above zero. WHOO HOO!

I've Been Tagged-6 Random Things

Now I tag Brenda K, Suzie Q, and Madame L.....

1. I have had a job up until August 2008 since I was 14 years old. I am not quite use to not having my own income. It feels weird and I feel guilty.
2. I am happy with my body. Sure there have been days when I wished for long legs and a flat chest, but all-in-all I love my body and have always felt confident.
3. My parents were great. They had terrible fights and probably should not have stayed together, but I always felt loved and cared for. I thought we were wealthy growing up and I cannot remember ever feeling that I was going without. Could explain number 2.
4. As mentioned in a previous post, I love cars. I like to pretend shop for them on the internet. I love the 360 degree views that the online ads offer. I would love to attend a big auto show.
5. I have worked as a certified nurses aide, a veterinarian technician, a marketing director for a real estate development company, a nanny, a manager of a cooking school and lastly an assistant director of catering at a college. I loved all my jobs.
6. I have an uncanny ability to remember names of classmates going back to kindergarten.

There are my six random things-which were almost impossible to type due to the fact that my 7 year old was sitting next to me-saying, "Mom, I can make this Anakin disappear in your ear." And, "Hey, look at me." When I looked over he was wearing a tissue paper green crown from a Christmas Cracker...he gave it to me and now I am wearing it. I feel oh so festive and am reminded that life is too short to continue typing while my son is home and wants to play with me. I am blessed-oops that 7 things.

Yes, That Cold.

Yes, it is January in the Midwest but this is ridiculous:



And this is without windchill....

Baby It's Cold Outside

So, it is January and it is cold. I fail to see why this is news in the midwest. If I hear anything more about clippers and wind chills I am...oh, oops I am watching The Weather Channel.

As time goes by...

My son turns 7 today. We made him birthday pancakes for breakfast and he just loved it!
Tonight we will take him to Famous Dave's for ribs. His "brothers" helped him pick the spot.
My son was born prematurely-only 25 weeks of oven time. He arrived at 4:00pm weighing in at 1lb,11oz. He stayed in the NICU for 101 days, had 10 blood transfusions and countless tube changes. He quit beathing and his heart stopped 2 times. The NICU team we had was unbelievable. Today he is a strong, smart 7 year old. AMAZING!
I do not know how I got through it all. I do know that the support and love from friends and family carried me most days and on the bad days, the days when the little guy struggled the hardest-I know that my mom and dad were with us, cradling me and my son in their angel arms telling me that everything will be okay.
SO, here is to my son, the survivor.

Bliss?

I miss shoveling. It is such a neighborly thing to do. In my old neighborhood, I would shovel my walk, then I would shovel my neighbor's because she was disabled, my other neighbor would bring over his snowblower and take care of the driveways and we all shared hot coffee and good conversation. Mind you, we would sometimes be out 3-4 times per storm to "keep up with it."

Now shoveling in my old town is a very serious matter. They print reminders of the rules for shoveling in the paper every year and most residents follow them. My fiancee and I were out for a walk last winter and noticed a particular system used by an elderly gentleman. He not only shoveled with precision, but actually pushed the snow back away from the edge of his sidewalk a good six inches-almost like firewall of sorts. My fiancee was rather impressed and also amused but how serious this guy was about shoveling...I found myself full of pride for my hometown. (And I reminded my fiancee that walking is sure a lot safer with shoveled walks).

I am now living in a subdivision outside of Chicago in an "exburb." Nobody shovels because they assume the snow will be gone in 48 hours. I cannot tell you how annoying it is to go for a walk. I am force to walk in the street-which if you know anything about inexperienced snow drivers-which is a dangerous path. I am praying for a heavy BIG snowstorm that would FORCE these people out of their cocoons.

It is such a reflection on the apathy of people these days. I mean, they move into a neighborhood and think that community will just happen, but they have no idea that it takes personal interaction to make a community have a soul.

How appealing is it to see this:

A driveway with only tire marks. An un-shoveled front walk and front porch and no sign of any activity between the drive and the front door. It says, "Leave me alone." "I do not welcome any visitors." "I don't care-it is somebody else's problem."

Basically they drive home, pull into the garage and then poof, they are "safe." They need not worry about anything else today. They are not meeting their neighbor halfway down the walk shoveling, finding out if Mr. Smith around the corner needs any help getting his driveway cleared or if he is even okay. Hell, they don't even know that Mr. Smith lives around the corner.

How do I live here?? I shovel like a crazy woman, go for lots of walks, say hello to everyone, wave as cars drive by, volunteer at the school, and keep on going.

I guess I am just homesick.

Queen of the Rhetorical Questions?

1. Do dogs think you know what they want when they sit right next to you and stare?

2. Do I really have to make "go-home" treat bags for my son's birthday party?

3. My ex-husband and his parents are spending the night at my house this weekend, am I crazy?

4. Do 14 year olds really know how to clean a bathroom without supervision?

5. Can I eat a big bowl of icecream with Jenkins Heavenly Sauce daily and lose 40 lbs?

Happy New Year

My fiancee and I had a lovely New Year's Eve at home with my six year old. We bought some King Crab Legs and tri-color potatoes. My six year old had a great time cracking open the legs and kept apologizing to the crab, saying things, "Oh, poor Mr. Crab, I am so sorry to have eat you but you taste really good." I gave him a corn on the cob holder to use as a pick-he can really clean 'em out!

The potatoes were a perfect match-roasted with a little thyme, olive oil, s&p-YUM! I made a delicious sauce of butter, shallots, thyme, white wine, and lemon juice to pour over the crab legs once they were done-scrumptious.

The rest of the evening we played Upwords, washed dishes, danced in the kitchen, and watched some of Hang Em High with Clint Eastwood. At midnight we went outside and let off some fireworks. The whole neighborhood sounded like they were doing the same thing. Noisy and fun and such a celebration.

Here's to a New Year!