Sunday summary...

Lets see...

* One year ago today we moved here! In that year we changed this from a house with good initial ideas... to a home we find a bit more snug. Your own family makes it a home. And your friends. And your 'stuff'. We did do a lot of changes so far. Built out the basement. Added a new island and pullouts to the kitchen. Built out the mudroom. Added two Solatubes. Changed the lighting in the kitchen and living room. Furnished the screen porch, added closet stuff to the master bedroom. Removed a ton of ugly heavy draperies to let in the sunshine. Put in window boxes. Bought office furniture and a hutch. Painted it completely inside and as of this week, outside. Whew! I think that was the list... and we kinda prepped ourselves that we'd make the changes. And we did. And we're comfortable. And we're home.

* But more importantly, we witnessed two people - one adult and one child make the best choice possible last week. I can't describe what it does to the rest of us that were there. It was... well, nice.

* And I've felt a bit melancholy. Because of a couple circumstances, we weren't able to be somewhere this past week we desperately wanted to be. I felt like we were home eating hot dogs while a banquet was being held just a couple hours away. Some have shared crumbs, and that helps.

* Lisi was just barking her fool head off. It is dark (nearly kinda spooky) outside. The storm just passed and people were walking on the path at the back of our lot. I heard one lady just yell to the other person, 'it's ok, it's just Lisi. She's nice and stays in her yard'. I don't know who said that, but it was nice they thought favorably of our bag of fur.

* School supplies are all bought for this coming year! I was down to just one child for part of a day and so we both went and did the shopping. Last year felt a bit harried in the aisles of the local Target with three kids all clamoring for that 'special' folder that wasn't necessary.

* We're in the throes of parties a plenty! Just had a wedding reception. This week a bridal shower. A 50th anniversary bash (I might add that is here with about 60 coming...!), and two more weddings on our agenda. And... well... it is just great. I love being with others... (happy sigh).

* The three young people with busy minds have been frantically planning their next place to go. You see some have homebodies for kids. We have 'go-bodies'. If it includes going somewhere with pj's... all the better! Do I take that as a sign that we are terrible parents that have kids that don't like to be with them? Or are they just social animals that love to see, feel, explore other places? I'll choose the latter....

Happy Birthday...

to my mean older brother. And I do mean that. Usually within about 1/2 hour of being with him, he has the ability to rile me up. For real. And then he smiles. A big goofy all-over-your-face smile. Like he won. And my goat was had.

But you know what... (and I might only say this once in print) I still like him. A lot. I basically followed him in life... through the same schools (including college). Spent countless hours in a car going somewhere. And he always wanted me along. Maybe because I am a talker (blabbermouth). He would rather sit back and survey the scene.

And now he lives far away. I can't see him and his lovely family as often as I'd like. But he's blooming where planted. A good husband. Wonderful father. And the best big brother a little sister could have.

A visual oxymoron

She had a pretty face. They usually do. But she was big. Like quite large. Like I won't begin to try and guess her weight because I am not good at that. She was behind me checking out at the grocery store. I needed a few things to add to my vast collection I just got at Sam's Club. And so I glanced at her stuff behind mine. Ready-to-eat bacon, mini-cheeseburger Lunchables, candy, two bags of potato chips, and I think it was a fully-loaded frozen pizza. But what made it all such an oxymoron was what was teetering on top of her items. A "Shape" magazine with a big headline that read, 'Trim Belly Weight Fast!'. Um. Ma'am? Really, I could save you about $3.95, help you shop, and show you the walking path behind our house and you'd be all set.

I do realize that there are reasons for obesity... like thyroid issues or such. But in this case, I'm not so sure...

Time to get acquainted...

Hello to you blog readers. This is a member of the Debelak family that you've never met yet. My name is "NotMe". I am a very busy guy here. No one sees me, but I'm alive and well in this house. I am responsible for a lot that goes on here. The lady here asks, 'Who didn't flush the toilet?'. Invariably, the answer is "NotMe". "Who left the basketball out last night?" "Who dumped all the libary books out on the living room floor?" "Who left a puddle in the kitchen?". "Who left the Rollerblades on the back step?" Yep. It's "NotMe". I've never been seen. You just see my evidence when you walk around this place. Once in a blue moon one of the kids here rats out on another and then "NotMe" doesn't get blamed. But usually I do.

I wonder if I have any cousins out there living at other houses?

p.s. I have a sister here too. Her name: "IdaKnow"

Photos - Take 2

Some more... wanted a good picture of our 3 special guests, but was told that there was enough pictures for the comfort of one of them... so only did some random shots. Here's CV in our backyard playing frisbee..

Erwin H. gettign down the stats of the kids. The front row pink girl isn't ours... but almost feels like it.
Lisi and Mira... summertime.

Photos - Take 1

Pictures of the aforementioned baseball game. It was a perfect day weather-wise. A great final score. And T-man handled the pressure with some great hitting. Now we're done with the baseball thing until next year. Bittersweet really.

Sat. Summary

I should be doing dishes. But keep thinking of things I'd like to post. So they sit in the sink and I'm typing!

* Enjoying four+ days with some very special men. Two very elderly, one middle-age (nearly mine!). Two former overseers and one current. A privilege in every way to have them here and being a first-hand witness to a meek and gentle Spirit in all three of them. After about day 2 1/2 they aren't 'company' anymore. They tell what they want. We go back to life as it is. And it is good. All good.

* Baseball is done for Trevor. But not without an incredible grand slam on Tuesday and a home run yesterday at Helfaer field (that basically is a baby Miller Park in the MP shadows). A victory was had and a request to do it all again next year. I must admit to a lot of whooping and hollering through it all. It is great fun to see you boy do something like that.

* I was tired after Door County. Like bone-tired. Like I can't-keep-my-eyes-open tired. I must be getting old. But it was worth it. Every tired moment of it.

* Lisi has no stories to tell. I almost wish she did as I like reading them.

* My window boxes are so full that they are almost to the point of looking 'leggy'. I hope they keep looking good for another month, but I'm worried.

* The house gets painted next week. "pure white". Some have almost thought it would be a good idea to add a trim color or such, but I kinda want to keep the pure Cape Cod look going for us. Or we'll end up looking like every other tan, taupe, ecru, off-white, beige house out there. And if you know me, you know I like to stand out a little bit. I've never been accused of being really shy.

* Getting almost nervous about 50 people coming for a 50th anniversary party here in two weeks. I still need to figure out what the menu is and then run with it. Egads! But it'll be fun. I think. Hope.

* T-man got his expander for his mouth. So he talks like it is full of marshmallows right now. The completely hilarious orthodontist (really!) said his speech will get better with practice.

* It still feels like fall already. Like... 70's... and cool at night. I want hot and humid! Summer! School starts in a month (heavy sigh).

* I better get back to the dishes or the Chairman will come back from his walk with one of the aforementioned wonderful men and think I wasn't working! But I have been! Tapioca! Baked custard! Clam sauce for supper! A fresh blueberry pie in the fridge for tomorrow! Not to mention breakfast and lunch to boot. But I love to cook. And so it is easy. But the dishes. Are. Waiting.