Warning...long post with many unrelated topics. Read at your own risk!

This has been a strange and busy week so far. When school is out I really struggle to keep some form of a schedule going. I know it helps me to keep that and it also helps the boys, but so far, I've not done a good job of having anything resembling a schedule!

Here are a few things that have gone on so far this week:

Wes started Coach Pitch Baseball last night. He seemed to really enjoy himself. He has a lot to learn but he also has a good coach. Shocking, because the coach is a former employee who worked with Chris. We were afraid for awkwardness, but I didn't notice any and he seemed really good at working with the boys!

My regular doctor just up and cancelled my appointment for Tuesday with less than 24 hours notice. Hmmm...if I had done that I would have been charged. When I called to reschedule there wasn't an apology or even an explanation. Nice!

Wes had to have two painful warts "removed" from his right foot. Through our foot doctor we tried medication, but it wasn't working and they were really bothering him. Our doc didn't want to freeze them because Wes has always been great at her office and she didn't want him to have a bad experience. He has never complained about getting his orthopedics made or anything with her...but we probably spoiled that yesterday. We had them froze and it hurt him. I felt so bad. Everyone who I had talked to who had warts frozen said it was quick and didn't hurt. Not for poor Wes. She kept the freezing agent on each one for about 50 seconds and he was crying and hurting. Let me just say, that I felt like the worst parent for asking doc to do this procedure. Hopefully they have been taken care of and will not return.

I mowed the yard today. No biggie, but my ankle/foot was bothering me last night. So, I know I pushed it today with the yard. My ankle acts up all the time and I'm used to it. I usually just ignore it. By the time I crashed on the couch last night it was really hurting and I put ice on it. Haven't done that in years. I thought that after I went to bed I would just fall asleep and it wouldn't bother me. No luck. I couldn't sleep with it hurting...so I did something else I haven't done in years, took a vicodin. Now that did the trick. I woke up in the middle of the night and was like "wow...I'm high as a kite!" Let's just say I had a lot of weird dreams after that, but my ankle stopped hurting.

I also made my mom mad today. I haven't accomplished that in a while, at least to my knowledge. She was complaining about the price of hay. The weather has messed up the hay season, along with the price of fuel for tractors, and the price is going way, way up for hay. I suggested that seeing it was getting so expensive to keep horses that maybe it was time to get rid of them....all of them, even the good ones! That didn't go over so well. When she asked why she should sell them, I told her because they wipe out all their money and they make them sick...not to mention all the hard work they do on the farm. Her response was that it doesn't make HER sick! Being in the barn has given my dad Farmer's Lung and my mom has "asthma". I don't believe that she really has asthma, rather allergies to the barn...but that is what her quacky doctor told her, so it must be FACT! So, I guess it's okay to just make dad sick. He has to wear a breathing apparatus while he cleans stalls or does anything with hay. Does that sound like fun, especially when it is in the 90's outside? She is crazy.

Some of my plants in the new landscape aren't doing well. Actually, it's just the hydrangeas and they are dying. They seem to hate me. I know they need lots of water and I keep giving it to them...in return what do they do? They die. Only 2.5 of the 5plants are still alive. I have to call the landscaper and talk about it....but I don't want the plants death to be my fault...so I'm doing what I do best. I'm ignoring the problem. The plants haven't come back to life and I still haven't called the landscaper.

Along the same line of avoidance, I have a bunch of business decissions to make about my Silpada business. I haven't had a party in months and it isn't for lack of trying. It's the time of year where I will soon have to be retiring pieces and ording from the new fall line....I'm just not sure of what to do.

If anyone is still actually reading this....I appologize for the rambeling and remember I did warn you at the top.

Hopefully things get on track around here before we go to Flint this weekend. And, hopefully mom will be done being pissed at me, seeing I will be staying with them! Chris has to work all weekend so I'm taking the boys to Flint to hang out. We will probably have to put hay up this weekend too. Damn! I hate doing that...almost considering not going...but I know how much my dad wants to see the boys...so I guess I have to go!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to two of the greatest men in my life. First, I want to thank my Dad for being a great father. He is patient, kind and loving. While he has always been those things to me, he been all of those and more to my sons! Wes and Connor literally worship the ground he walks on! They are always wanting to see him and never wanting to leave him. That's a pretty good indication to me of a terrific grandfather! I wish I could wish him a Happy Father's Day in person, but I haven't figured out how to be in two places at once.

Now, onto the most important man in my life, my husband. You are a fantastic father and have been from the day our boys were born. While you work a ton of stressful hours to take care of our family, you never slack on us! You have always been there for your boys and you are a great role model for them. I love watching you play with our boys, even when you get whacked in the shin with a hockey puck or when you have to tell Wes for the 20th time to turn the Sorry card over.



Thank you for being a great dad and a great husband. This is one of my favorite quotes and sums up how I feel about my husband as a dad. And, a great dad he is!

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."

Henry Ward Beecher

Disney Magic!

Our family had a great time at Disney. The boys really enjoyed themselves and I was glad we were able to work this trip out during Chris' Orlando conference. We left on Saturday and got in late that evening. All of our flights, coming and going, were on time and had no issues. Nice job Airtran!

Sunday we picked up our PT Cruiser rental car and then headed to Disney. I thought Wes was going to wet himself in his excitement over the car. As you can see, he thought it was very cool.



We took the Monorail to Magic Kingdom from The Contemporary Hotel. It was a bit of a wait and we had issues getting back..we took the wrong Monorail...so watch those lines if you use them! The boys really enjoyed riding the Monorail. I believe they thought it was a Disney ride!

The boys did fantastic while at Disney. They handled the heat very well. Connor just walked and walked and never once complained about how tired and hot he must have been. I saw kids twice his age being pushed around in strollers. We got into the park around 10:00 and left a little after 5:00. I congratulate Disney on finding ways to help keep the kids cool with outside misters and water areas. Plus, many of their rides are inside and very well air conditioned.

Wes had his top five list of attractions, with his favorite being The Indy Speedway. His other favorites included The Railroad, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and the Jungle Cruise. He had numerous great comments about people and places....but I loved it when, on our late drive to the hotel he said, "I smell exhausted"...translation, I smell exhaust. I on the other hand, did actually smell exhausted!





Connor's top five attractions included, the Astro Orbiter, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Cinderella's Golden Carrousel, The Railroad and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. His top saying of the week involved Epcot. We could see the big "ball" from our room and Connor stuck with naming it "Fcot". He also decided palm trees should be called pine palm trees.





Neither of the boys, especially Wes, were into the big rides. Most everything we went on did not have a very long wait. The famous, Dumbo and Tea Cup rides had huge waits. I just couldn't justify that for our boys. A lot of the rides had the Fast Pass System, but we didn't have to wait in a long line anyway, so we didn't use Fast Pass. The longest we waited was for "it's a small world" which was about a half hour. And, well worth it...I loved that ride. I very much remember going on that ride with my Grandparent's who took me when I was ten. I also enjoyed going back to the Swiss Family Treehouse, Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress and Snow White's Scary Adventures. Disney has obviously added some new attractions in the past 20 years. I would highly recommend Mickey's PhilharMagic 3-D Spectacular. It was great with very cool effects. I also enjoyed the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor. Nice air conditioning in both, I might add!

We only spent a day at the Magic Kingdom, so obviously we couldn't do it all. We didn't get to walk through the Castle because a show was going on out front. We also didn't get to see/meet very many characters. The boys really weren't into that, even though I had made them autograph books. We did get to meet Buzz Lightyear. He rocked. Connor hide behind Chris. We also saw Woody and his girl friend...can't remember her name. We did get to see all the characters during the afternoon parade.





The conference Chris was attending was at the Orlando World Marriott Center, and we stayed there. It was a gorgeous resort and the largest Marriott in the world. After our day at Disney we hung out at the resort for our remaining days. The resort had different children's activities throughout the day and we took advantage of those. Afternoons were spent by the pools. We had lots of fun and I managed to keep the boys occupied! Plus, we requested a room facing Disney so that we could watch the fireworks at night. We were on the 18th floor and had a great view for both Epcot and Magic Kingdom's fireworks.









This was a great trip for all of us. Chris obviously had to work and was stuck inside all day, but the boys and I had a great time. I am very happy that we made it to Magic Kingdom and the boys had that fun experience.

Hey, Hey, Hockeytown!

Way to go Red Wings!

Another great game, right down to the final 3 seconds. I'm pretty sure I was holding my breath the last minute of that game. Wow!

I'm totally thrilled that they won it last night. Mostly because I didn't want to be flying to Orlando on Saturday evening and not get to watch game 7! Silly me!

Michigan fun

The boys and I had a great weekend in Michigan. Since Chris was in Chicago and we didn't need to be back for him to go to work on Monday or for school, we decided to stay till today (Mon). It made for a fun weekend because we didn't have to leave early on Sunday.

Thanks to Hometown Days in Swartz Creek, it was like we had our own personal entertainment. After a cookout at my dad's Church on Friday we went to a great fireworks show. Then Saturday we had curbside seats for the parade...which was basically a sugar parade. I've never seen so much candy thrown out during a parade. It got to the point that I was motioning for the people to not throw candy at us. I would wager that they had as much, if not more, candy than they looted at Halloween. Saturday afternoon was pretty much spent watching the boys bounce off anything and everything. But, they had fun. We also went to a car show and had a fire in mom's fire pit.

So, it was a busy, fun and tiring weekend. It was nice to spend one on one time with each of my parents. It never seems that I get to do that and it was worth it! I also got my Father's Day shopping done and some last minute stuff taken care of before we leave for Orlando.

I got to watch the Red Wing's game with my dad. That was just like old times. With any luck the Wings will wrap up the series tonight and hoist Lord Stanley's Cup. I'm treating myself to a beer tonight!

Heading..

...out of town to Flint within the hour. The boys are really looking forward to this weekend. I plan on enjoying the weekend and I know Chris is having a good time with his buddies in Chicago. Good stories should follow.

Great weekend

Our family had a great weekend together. Friday night was deck night. We had a fire in the chimnea, snacks for the boys and drinks for the adults. Then Saturday night we got invited next door to Tami's house for basically the same thing. The Wings were also able to win game one on Saturday night. Go Wings!

Our friends, Kim and Ryan, were able to stop by on Sunday night for dinner. Chris pulled out all the stops and did a great smoke. The pulled pork was so good. We also made homemade potato salad and chocolate cake. It was ALL good. The best part was sitting outside on the deck with another fire and enjoying good company with our friends.

Monday we took it easy! Oh, and the Wings won again.

All in all it was a great weekend. The next two weekends hold more of the same. I plan on taking the boys to Flint this weekend. Chris is going to Chicago for four days for his annual "guys weekend". His football buddies have started meeting up once a year for the "guys weekend". Which, I think is great because he doesn't get to do enough stuff like that!

My parents have lots of fun stuff planned for the boys. I believe we are going to a cookout on Friday night followed by fireworks. Saturday should be a local parade and car show. Throw in many trips to the barn, golf cart rides, tractor rides and the boys will be in heaven!

Disney is less than two weeks away. We are all getting excited for that.

Memorial Day

I would like to thank the families of all brave soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, to protect our country and our freedom.

If you are a veteran, or a current military family, my family would also like to say thank you for all that you have done to keep our country safe and give us the freedoms that we are enjoying today.

As I watch my boys running around happy in our back yard I do not take lightly the fact that they are safe and we are free to make our own choices.

Thank you and Happy Memorial Day

"You have weird hair"

"You have weird hair"

This is what Connor, in his most polite voice, told the window inspector who visited our home today. (At least Connor didn't tell him he looked like a girl - because I know that is what Wes was thinking)

The friendly, early 30's, young dad type was cool about it and said it was no biggie. I on the other hand, was mortified and wanted to crawl under the couch and join the multitude of matchbox cars already in hiding.

The gentleman simply had naturally curly hair. It wasn't your crazy white-boy-playing-college-basketball-at-Stanford hair...just curly hair.

In my most stern voice, (because I was trying not to laugh and so was the window inspector) I informed Connor that not everyone in the world looks the same and we all have different colored hair that isn't necessarily straight!

As if that wasn't embarrassing enough, the window inspector got whacked in the shin by a flying puck while we were in the basement checking the windows. While Yzerman and Chelios thought they were the bomb and were attempting to show off, a stray puck hit the poor guy in the shin. He took it nicely, considering he had shorts on and I know it hurts like hell!

I'm sure he was a happy man to leave our house! He probably is also grateful to be the inspector and not the installer!

Cavities suck!

It has been roughly twenty years since I have had to have a cavity filled. When I was a kid I swear I had a cavity every time I went to see the dentist. Then, like magic, I just stopped getting cavities.

Well, imagine my surprise a couple of weeks ago when my flirtatiously cool dentist told me I had a cavity. I actually thought he was joking. Fast forward to last night, and after the third round of numbing shots, he was definitely not joking.

After the first series of shots I couldn't feel the right side of my head. This included my forehead, temple, ear, nose and eye. All cool if you have been drinking too much, but not the general area in which the dentist will be drilling with his loud, large drill. Second round of shots proved to get closer to the general area. My jaw, cheek and some small areas of the inside of my mouth were numb, but still no where near drilling numbness.

Finally, after round three my lower right teeth, most of my tongue and most of my lower lip was numb. So numb that I sat in the chair drooling on myself while the cavity was filled. So numb that the nurse laughed that I couldn't move my tongue at all and so numb that I sounded like I'd gone three rounds with a bottle of tequila and swallowed the worm.

You can imagine the joy upon my arrival home to find my dear, loving husband, Chris, made fun of me for pretty much the remainder of the night. By the time we went to bed, around 10:30, I had gotten feeling back to most of my face/head and my lip and tongue were thawing out.

Today my mouth hurts. Not the tooth where he filled the cavity, but the back of my mouth at the jaw where he gave me all those shots. Nice. Note to self. Brush more often, floss every day, eat less sweets and pray for no more cavities! Because, cavities suck!

Plan Scape

The landscaping is nearly complete. It's fantastic. The actually landscaping is done, but they need to come back next week and try and level off a part of our yard that always holds water. We had the both sides and the back of the house to complete. The front was already done. In addition to the three sides of the house they also added a large pine tree, 2 large red maples and another tree (not to up on my trees).

Plan Scape, did a fantastic job. I am way to picky about stuff and I couldn't find a single thing to pick about! From the way their crew put up with the boys watching them out every possible window to how nicely they cleaned up....they were fantastic! Thank you Phil for a job well done!

Now the pictures. It was at sunset last night and they light is pretty bright, but the general idea comes across. It's raining now, so getting better pictures isn't going to happen today.

So excited!

Our landscaping is almost finished!

Will post pictures soon!

So excited!

Definition of accident

"event occurring by chance or unintentionally"

Wes just cut most of the front of Connor's hair off.

Apparently it was an accident.

I just got done defining what an accident is to Wes.

One does not take out his "pre-school scissors", get Connor to sit and hold still, find the "right" spot and then cut off said younger brother's hair... accidentally.

12:23 a.m.

12:23 a.m.

That is roughly the exact time that the Komets finally won game 7 of the Turner Cup playoffs. We were all there, physically more than mentally, for the end of the game. Connor was asleep in his chair and Wes had finally stopped crying about wanting to go home and go to bed.

It took 3 over time periods for the Komet's to pull it off, but they actually did win. What a long night and an even longer day. I volunteered to go to the zoo for the day with Wes' kindergarten class. That in itself wore me out, but add working out, a swim lesson for Wes and I was done. More like burnt, like toast!

If the Komet's hadn't blown a one point lead with less than one minute in the game, we all could have been home by 11:30...but that would have been too easy. I guess I have until November to recover from last night. It might just take that long before Wes wants to go back!

I was glad we stayed through the overtimes because we got to see them win and enjoy their cool trophy. I admit, I would have been really pissed if we had stayed for 3 overtimes and they would have lost, but that wasn't the case. Chris was pretty happy that wasn't the case either. He knew I would have rather gone home after one overtime, but I stuck it out for him. Now I have to pay further for it today with 2 very, very grumpy boys. I literally had to drag Wes out of bed this morning...and he was NASTY!

The funny thing was that while we were eating dinner Chris suggested driving separately to the game. I couldn't figure out why. We go to games all the time and never drive separately. I usually won't let Wes go to a game on a school night, but I made an exception last night. I never gave Chris' idea much thought because I guess I just didn't grasp how long the game could possibly take, or that we could have possibly still been there at 12:30 in the morning. Good idea Chris, sorry I did listen.

Way to go Komet's and congrats to a great season.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. For some of us this is a day of relaxation, eating a special breakfast, opening cards and gifts or a special dinner. It is a happy day for my family and at the end of the day I always feel appreciated. However, I know there are many, many moms out there celebrating their Mother's Day in different ways.

For those moms who have precious little ones who are sick in hospitals, big children who are possibly spending the day in harms way while serving in the military or for the moms who have suffered the loss of their child...I wish you a day filled with warmth, love and appreciation for your sacrifices as a mom. You may not be getting presents and hugs from your child today, but please know there are many of us moms who are thinking of you and sharing our thoughts with you!

Happy Mother's Day to my mom, my Grandma and all my "girl friend" moms! I'll have some photos of my weekend and a good wrap up later on!

Mother's Day Tea Party

Today I was honored to attend a Mother's Day Tea Party hosted by Wes' Kindergarten class. It was so nice. They decorated each of the tables with flowers, decorated cups and treated us to cookies they decorated. Wes was very proud of the cookie he made for me...and I was happy to eat it. I couldn't say no now, could I? After looking at the size of my butt in that kiddie chair, it's a darn good thing I only ate one cookie. Maybe it was no coincidence that it was a pig cookie??? I was the pink pig, in case you couldn't tell.



We were also treated to a class cookbook with each of his classmates favorite recipes. The cutest part of that is on the bottom of each recipe was the students own version of how to make it. Funny stuff.

The highlight was the performance of three "mom" songs. Wes does not much care for singing along with a group and you could tell. But he put some effort into it and I had to laugh at the pained expression on his face. It was like Chris standing there looking back at me with a pained "I don't care which shirt Honey, they both look nice on you!" expression.

The moms also got to take home a hand painted tile and our cookbooks. This is another chance to express my gratitude to Mrs. Eckman and the amazing opportunities she gives her students. All of the children were so happy to have us there and proud to show off what they had done for us. Thank you Mrs. Eckman for taking the time to pull all of that together.

And thank you Wes for being such a loving son! He was all hugs today!

No money for you...

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=805049

I was surprised to see Purdue listed in this article. There are certainly others that come to mind ahead of Purdue in the failing to meet academic standards. Could it be a sign of more trouble for the Purdue Basketball team? I'm a firm believer in academics first, sports second.

Study up boys, or no money for you!

I Voted!

I know what you are thinking, "So what, she voted?" This is the first time I've ever voted in Indiana and I've only voted a couple of times prior to that while living in Michigan. So, it's a big deal to me to say that "I voted". I feel good about having gone out to vote! And, I also feel more invested in the outcome of our primary today and who our Democratic party will eventually nominate.



I wanted one of the little stickers that proudly proclaims that I voted, but I was told when I asked that they didn't have them. Darn. That would have made it even better. I pretended it was for Connor when I asked, but I would have worn it proudly.

Now everyone is thinking that I am an degenerate citizen of this great country for not having voted in years, but I can explain that. Mostly I haven't had a candidate who I felt deserved my vote or one whom I detested enough just to go vote against. I do detest our current president and can say that I didn't vote for him or against him. But at the time I had no interest in dragging along a newborn and 3 year old to vote, no matter how much I disliked him at the time of the last election.

While voting today was very simple, I've feared in the past it wouldn't be. My voting experiences prior to today included hour waits in line, equipment that I didn't know how to use and no one willing to explain what to do. Today was so simple. I didn't have to stand in line, a nice volunteer walked me to the voting computer and explained what to do with it and then I voted. The whole thing was a no brainer and I was out the door in less than 10 minutes.

Connor even said to me..."Mom that was quick!"

Now I guess we just wait and watch as the Democratic party devours its own. It isn't going to be pretty folks!

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

I plan on celebrating Cinco De Mayo with a little margarita action after the boys are in bed. It's the least I can do to show my enthusiasm for the month of May!

We had a great weekend spent mostly outdoors. The weather here was okay on Saturday and gorgeous on Sunday. On Saturday we took the boys to Solfest at Fox Island, an Allen County Park. It's more like a nature preserve, but run by the county. The reason we decided to go was because our friend Mike, Heather's husband, was singing. There were a ton of musicians lined up for the weekend, but we were just interested in him. The boys attempted to sit and listened with us (good thing he only played for a half hour) and then we walked around the park. It was fun. Wes wanted to catch tad-poles that we watched in a big puddle. Of course he wanted to catch them with a stick..and we had nothing to put them in...to Chris' delight!

After completing our required yard duties on Sunday we spent the afternoon relaxing outside. It was a beautiful day. Chris used his smoker to make a meatloaf for dinner. Good stuff. He is becoming rather skilled in the smoking department. I'm still anxiously awaiting my smoked Salmon! Maybe for Mother's Day?

Wes also got a little golf action in. He needs lots of help! Hopefully he will take after his daddy in the golf department. I am hopelessly lost at that game. Connor had to join in the fun too. I think Connor's clubs are way easier to use!

Last day, last place

Today was our last day of bowling...sniff, sniff. Normally I'm ready for our season to be done. We always bowl following the school year schedule but end a few weeks before school gets out.

I wasn't ready for bowling to be done. Knowing that I will no longer get to bowl with Tami made it sad for me. Even sadder to me was that it was the last time Connor gets to go to "bowling school" with Tami's daughter, Zoe. They are such good buddies. According to Zoe, Connor and her will be getting married some day. The kids get to go to an awesome babysitter at the bowling alley while we bowl. Somehow they started calling it "bowling school". The "Grandma" who babysits them is in her 80's. Today was her last day as well. Lots of suppressed tears when we all said our farewells today!

And, drum roll please....we finished....wait for it....in....LAST PLACE! Wow, I guess I don't need to further explain that we do indeed play for fun. Obviously, we suck! But we had lots of fun staying in last place.