Thursday's thoughts

It's been awhile. Here's my week so far.

* Two days of terribly loud noises from the cellar. Two guys working on building walls so we can actually use the basement.

* I think we have our fireplace picked out. But not the water heater. There will be 'heated' discussions. Tankless vs. a newer, bigger, supposedly more efficient tank. I'm learning about direct vents. And all other kinds of stuff!

* I put up a new wireless doorbell thingy for our doors. You see the fancy-schmancy ones that were there when we moved in never really worked. So I simply cut some wires and installed the new ones! Now I'll hear you if you come.

* A couple weeks ago my mom gave Mira a hideous (sorry Mom!) hat/scarf combo thingy that is red. I think she used it during prairie blizzards in SD. I hope for nothing else. Anyhoo, Mira has taken an extreme liking to it. In that she wears it to bed. And any chance she gets (hence the posted picture). She is fixated right now on the "Little House" books and tells me that she's Laura Ingalls Wilder...

* By the way, the other picture is Rayna desperately wanting to be in a picture. They are on a 'trip' tonight. And Trevor... well he told me he didn't want his taken. Sorry buddy! Got you!

* And! I put up 5 various types of window blinds. All but one screw went in well. That one the Chairman had to use his muscles on. The windows sure feel warmer now.

* T-man's first basketball game tonight! I love youth sports. I try not to holler but sometimes it just comes out of nowhere! He likes (needs) to be busy. He was fitted for baseball and those practices start in about 6 weeks. Hooray!

* I love and hate Sam's Club all at the same time. I find good deals there. Get enthused. Purchase my 'deals' and then come home with a huge load in the back of the van to put away. I would rather wash dirty undies than unload from Sam's.

* Time for my Awake tea. I vowed after my friendly kidney stone went on its merry way that I wouldn't be partaking in black tea in the afternoons as I read that can sometimes cause stones. Well, I fell off the wagon. I'm still drinking lots of water though! Is that good enough?

* There's so much else I'd love to post, but this is on the web for crying out loud. So I guess not...

Time killer

(again) stolen from another blog. The highlighted in bold is what you have done in your lifetime so far. The others... not. Maybe some day! Maybe I don't want to do them someday! Anyway. Here goes nothing.

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland (and World... both)
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea. (on a cruise off of the FL coast)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child. YES! and YES!
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not sick.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset. (who hasn't???)
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors. (both IA and MN)
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to truly be satisfied.
38. Seen the leaning tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.(when we lost Amara)
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing.(does Lake Michigan count?)
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Been scuba diving or snorkeling.(ask Duane about this - a great story involving a clothes-optional beach)
52. Kissed in the rain.(my kids for sure)
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served in a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma.(why yes! just last week)
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp.
67. Bounced a check.(nsf count...?)
68. Flown in a helicopter. (out of the Grand Canyon)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle. (thanks to John Mattison)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Been to the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car. (myself it was a '92 Integra. Since the Chairman is a car nut... many since we've married)
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible. (I wouldn't be honest if I highlighted this one. There's places I've not read in Leviticus...)
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had Chicken pox.
89. Saved someone's life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

You know...

it's been a long winter when a child opens the door to head for the bus and says, 'Mom! It feels warm today!'. I checked after the bus came. It's 3 degrees (at least above zero).

Mom of the year award

Just back from a blustery cold walk at noon, I am getting ready to make a little lunch for myself. I used to HATE eating alone. Now with the din of young people always around here, I love the quietness of my lunches. Me and the newspaper. So I'm thinking I'm going to soon enjoy the high point of my day (did I ever tell anyone I like Mondays? I think someone in NE knows). Anyhoo. I'm getting out my plate and thinking of some tantalizing tidbits. And then there's the drone. The drone of the bus slowing down. Wait a minute. It's only noon. Then I frantically think... it must be for the 1/2 day kindergarten kids. And out pops R, M, and T in that order. They come up to the house. Burst in and say, 'it was an early release day!!!'. Um. Really? Lucky for them I was home. I'm thinking I should maybe check the school calendar more often. You think?

Cheap thrill

She calls. Are you interested in going up to the Dells with us? Well maybe... when? This next weekend? Sure! Where? How much? You've got to be kidding! Free? Reeeally? Well of course! If you can put up with us. And so we went for 24 hours. And had a really wonderful time. These are ex-neighbors. Sounds harsh. But that's what they are. But what they really should be called are good friends. And the best dog sitters. And the greatest of baseball coaches. And the most talented photographers. We lived by them for six years. They were and still are Trevor's "bestest" of friends. They are personally responsible for us not moving sooner. It was hard enough when we did. And so we thank them for their kindness. For thinking of sharing their room and time with us. It is nice that time and location doesn't change how you feel about others...

I'll post some pictures. But unfortunately, I have none from the actual waterpark! I was too busy going down the rides myself!

I've been bugged... I mean tagged

By this person http://redthread6.blogspot.com/2009/01/letter-v.html to participate in some silliness. Aren't my frequent blog posts enough? Why wrack my brain! But here goes. I'm to write 10 things I love about that start with the letter 'W'. Gracious. Wouldn't 'T' or even 'R' be easier? Oh well. Here goes nothin'.


1. Wisconsin! Maybe not all the time, but the majority of it. You could take the last week of Dec. and almost the month of January... and then I'd really love it. I'm happy this is where my love was at.

2. Woodhill Way (hey, does that count for 2???). That is the street we lived on for 14 years. To quote one of my kids, 'mom? I only have good memories of our old house'. That's how I feel. I loved our home. And I'm starting to feel it here too.

3. Walking. I just got back from my daily jaunt. Today was nearly ideal. Sunny. Melty. Sun in my face.

4. Woodstoves! It makes the house cozy.

5. Washing machines. Can you imagine the wash board? We complain about laundry duty, but what if we didn't have a machine to help us?

6. Weekends! There is no schedule. We're usually busy with friends or family. And the 5 of us are usually together.

7. Whipped cream. Especially lathered on thick with warm gingerbread.

8. Whole wheat. (another 2). Makes great bread and other stuff.

9. Waves. The sight and sound of them coming into shore. Jumping over high ones in the ocean. And even ones by a friend or stranger!

10. Wow! I'm at number 10. Whoooeee. Wowser. Whing ding! This was easier than I thought. So it should be words. I love them. Typing them. Spelling them. Talking them (as my rotten big brother would say I do too much).

So there you go! I will tag... hmmm. Stacy and Martha.

Happiness for me today is...

* a sunny 20 something degree day with a light breeze. made for a delightful walk. that and the fact that Lisi is getting more obedient!

* four counter stools found for the kitchen at a brag price. never mind the fact in involved driving to four different locations between said chairman and myself.

* finding rolling backpacks for the kids at sam's at another good price.

* ordering all the blinds left for the bare-naked windows here.

* hearing that the heating guy can come tomorrow to tweak our wood stove and fix the air exchanger

* a resolution on a customer service issue with furniture. the promise is replacement in 4-6 weeks. finally!

* knowing what supper will be before 4:00. i should post it on michelle's facebook spot before i forget

* knowing i'll be encouraged and also see lots of people i love tonight.

* looking forward to a fun and busy weekend.