If Only Cell Phones Were Available...in 1991.
* * *
For all of the codgers (of which I am approaching that status more and
more each day) who bemoan the technology that children and teenagers
have in 2014, I offer this question.
If you're 40 or older, think back to when you were 16 or 17 and cruising the streets.
Wouldn't your social life have been so much more efficient with a cell phone?
I think of all those nights driving all over the St. Louis metro area
with my friends, on a mere "whim" that there would be a party at some
vague address in Chesterfield, or Kirkwood, or University City or in,
"South County".
My buddies Drew, Kenton and Jelani and I were
like detectives working a homicide case. We'd get a tip, reliable or
otherwise, at the Burger King or a Steak-n-Shake in Brentwood (now
demolished, RIP S'nS), about a party somewhere within 20 miles and we
would go.
You'd start scribbling down directions in shorthand,
long before GPS. "R on 40, L on Woods Mill, R on Clayton...". It was
crazy.
I can still hear Eddie Money crooning "Two Tickets to
Paradise" as we would search in vain, top down on my red Wrangler. One
of my friends would be going through this 100-page, spiral-bound atlas
of the St. Louis metro area that I kept in the Jeep.
Did I mention going through it with a flashlight?
Seriously.
That's how we did it. An atlas and a flashlight. My version of "uphill both ways in the blazing heat and the blinding snow".
I still remember this one night, that summer of 1991, where three of us
drove 117 miles all over the area. We found nothing. Then, as we're
gassing up (at least that was under a buck a gallon back then) at 1:30
in the morning, we run across a crew of people we know. They told us
where that particular party was.
We missed the party by three blocks.
I guess I didn't see the endless Camaros, Ford Escorts, IROCs and Bonnevilles parked on the side of the road.
In 1991, I did have one buddy with a cell phone. David drove this
white Pontiac Grand Am and liked to flash the cell phone like he was the
Fresh Prince in "Parents Just Don't Understand". Except no one else we
knew had a cell phone and it wasn't like people were sitting at home on
a Friday night to call. Like giving a fish a bicycle.
Sometimes our quests would locate a party. Most times they wouldn't.
However, those journeys often elicited hilarious stories and incidents
that I remember all these years later. Perhaps not having a piece of
technology we all take for granted in 2014 was not a bad thing.
And, to think, WE thought we knew everything. We would watch "American Graffiti" and laugh at THOSE old codgers.
Yet we were the same codgers. Just with worse haircuts.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
A Daughter's Push To Me to Keep Pushing Ahead
A Daughter's Push To Me to Keep Pushing Ahead
* * *
(As a prelude, I offer a heartfelt "thank you" for the messages, the comments and the notes on my post from Sunday about the four boys from Western Dubuque. On top of this, the news of two more fatalities today of young people near Mount Vernon hurts even more.)
I'm off on Mondays but, all summer, I have strived to "make something of my Mondays". They are "my Saturdays", after all. So far, this has been accomplished with vigor, gusto and any of my other favorite words of the Queen's English that I rarely use. Two Mondays ago, I drove 1,000 miles for a family get-together. Last Monday, another 600 miles to complete said family get-together.
It was 9:07 a.m. this morning. I didn't want to tackle the project that I said I would.
Constructing a deck.
I can read a TelePrompTer with, uh, vigor and gusto. I can write a story for television news. Even here, I can write with some level of proficiency.
I'm a talker, a writer. Not a builder.
Yet I promised my family that I would complete this, preferably sooner than August 4th.
The task was simple but quite deliberate. Measuring, cutting and screwing 23 boards - each 14-feet long - for a 12x14 back deck. The month before, I took out the old, rotted boards, sliced them up and drove them to the landfill.
Today should have been the easy part.
The checklist in my head. Gather the extension cord, the radio, a gigantic cup of water and enlist each of our children to help, in whatever ways.
Our daughter stood by me, helping with these 37-pound boards (37 pounds!) so I could break out the power saw and slice off an inch from these boards, which were about 14'1".
Enter the neighbor that everyone should have. "Oz" is a snowbird but could probably build a rocket ship out of his tools and materials in the garage that could carry a chimpanzee into Earth's orbit. He brought more saws, cords and his patient advice.
For ninety minutes, Oz showed how the cut the boards, space them out and left me to mess it all up on my own.
Only I didn't.
Make that "we" didn't.
Our daughter is only 9 but I was flummoxed at her insistence on being a part of this project. Initially, I figured she would just take the dog out when I asked and bring me water.
Nope. She wanted to be, truly, involved in the project.
We had 23 boards to knock out. My goal for the day was to put ten in place. Do the rest on Tuesday. Perhaps the day after.
I explained to her the importance of consistent spacing on the boards, especially with the curve in the boards.
"They're like your braces and this clamp will hold the boards together in the right space," I explained.
She totally got it right away.
Instead of merely handing me a tape measure, this little girl wanted to be a grown-up today. She wanted to work the power drill, wanted to figure out how to put the clamps in place, handing me the 2" deck screws to put each board in place. (To offer some scope here, each board had to be screwed in at eight different points.)
By noon, I needed to take twenty minutes to re-charge. Only seven boards were in place. A long day ahead. "Why do I do these ambitious excursions on my days off?", I wondered.
When I walked back out to the deck, she was there, ready for the afternoon session.
Seven boards in place became nine, became twelve. At about 2 p.m., I was spent. Legs sore from walking under the deck and stepping high between the boards (imagine a professional wrestler entering the ring over the top rope -- I did the physical equivalent of this about 150 times today).
"I think we're probably good for today," I said, with two parts exhaustion and one part defeat.
"What time is it?" my daughter asked.
"Probably about 2:15."
"So you would have two hours left," she said. "We can do it."
She even brought me the cup of ice cold water to try and revive my energy.
Then it hit me. For anyone over 40, you'll get this: My daughter was Punky Brewster and I was her cranky foster parent, Henry. You remember him... Punky would want to go roller skating and Henry would grumble, "Bah, no Punky, eat your oatmeal and go to bed so I can watch 'Murder, She Wrote'. I only took you in for the tax write-off." (Okay, he didn't say that last sentence. One tangent that may make you smile: I found out today that actor who played Punky's father is still with us at age 97. Mildly surprised.)
She said "we can do it."
And we did. She would struggle and battle with her little limbs (adorned in day-glo colored socks, of course) to lift these 14-foot boards and bring them over to me so I wouldn't have to push up and bend, my joins creaking like an old rocking chair on a wooden floor. We talked all throughout the day, about school, about carpentry (she probably understands more than I do), of the importance of finishing the job.
The last three boards went in around 4 p.m. Ever go on a road trip where you drive 600 miles in a day? Those last twenty miles are like a dream, right? The culmination of a journey.
Cue the "Top Gun" instrumental when Maverick lands back on the deck after shooting down the unnamed-Communist Migs as he makes amends with Iceman.
An hour after the deck was complete, we drove off for dinner. I wanted to treat her. Her answer was predictable. Hy-Vee Chinese. Okay, I think. Let's go.
We're in the car, stuck in traffic. I had to confess.
"You know, I underestimated you today," I said. "I really thought all you would want to do would be to get me water and check in on me every so often. I didn't think you'd want to be as involved as you were today. I'm very proud of you and all that we did. I'm sorry I underestimated you."
"Okay," she said with a smile, letting it all fall off her back like a child does.
We sat there as I watched her devour multiple plates of Crab Rangoon and Sesame Chicken. She told me this was a great day as we ate. I was even too tired to really make any conversation, a rarity for me. My muscles and bones were mush from all the deck work.
"Dad, why don't they make grape ice cream?" she asked, perhaps the deepest question of all. Then she wanted to go swimming. Yes. Swimming after being outside with me all day.
Of course, I took her swimming. Both kids, actually. I couldn't even pull myself into the water from exhaustion yet I watched the kids playing, from a distance, and found it so... heartwarming.
Have you seen the Extra Gum "origami" commercial? Look it up and watch it. This day was one of those days, a day where the two of us spent seven hours working through a project that, when it started I was dreading and, eventually, powered through. We saw it through. We finished it.
She believed I could do it when I did not.
She's still at that age where she thinks Dad has some super hero qualities. I'd better enjoy these fleeting days, right?
Ten years from now, our daughter will be on the edge of 20. I hope that she comes home at some point, in that summer of 2024, and we will sit out on that deck, laughing about whatever is important and her world.
I hope one of us asks:
"Remember when we built this?"
I hope she is the one who asks it.
* * *
(As a prelude, I offer a heartfelt "thank you" for the messages, the comments and the notes on my post from Sunday about the four boys from Western Dubuque. On top of this, the news of two more fatalities today of young people near Mount Vernon hurts even more.)
I'm off on Mondays but, all summer, I have strived to "make something of my Mondays". They are "my Saturdays", after all. So far, this has been accomplished with vigor, gusto and any of my other favorite words of the Queen's English that I rarely use. Two Mondays ago, I drove 1,000 miles for a family get-together. Last Monday, another 600 miles to complete said family get-together.
It was 9:07 a.m. this morning. I didn't want to tackle the project that I said I would.
Constructing a deck.
I can read a TelePrompTer with, uh, vigor and gusto. I can write a story for television news. Even here, I can write with some level of proficiency.
I'm a talker, a writer. Not a builder.
Yet I promised my family that I would complete this, preferably sooner than August 4th.
The task was simple but quite deliberate. Measuring, cutting and screwing 23 boards - each 14-feet long - for a 12x14 back deck. The month before, I took out the old, rotted boards, sliced them up and drove them to the landfill.
Today should have been the easy part.
The checklist in my head. Gather the extension cord, the radio, a gigantic cup of water and enlist each of our children to help, in whatever ways.
Our daughter stood by me, helping with these 37-pound boards (37 pounds!) so I could break out the power saw and slice off an inch from these boards, which were about 14'1".
Enter the neighbor that everyone should have. "Oz" is a snowbird but could probably build a rocket ship out of his tools and materials in the garage that could carry a chimpanzee into Earth's orbit. He brought more saws, cords and his patient advice.
For ninety minutes, Oz showed how the cut the boards, space them out and left me to mess it all up on my own.
Only I didn't.
Make that "we" didn't.
Our daughter is only 9 but I was flummoxed at her insistence on being a part of this project. Initially, I figured she would just take the dog out when I asked and bring me water.
Nope. She wanted to be, truly, involved in the project.
We had 23 boards to knock out. My goal for the day was to put ten in place. Do the rest on Tuesday. Perhaps the day after.
I explained to her the importance of consistent spacing on the boards, especially with the curve in the boards.
"They're like your braces and this clamp will hold the boards together in the right space," I explained.
She totally got it right away.
Instead of merely handing me a tape measure, this little girl wanted to be a grown-up today. She wanted to work the power drill, wanted to figure out how to put the clamps in place, handing me the 2" deck screws to put each board in place. (To offer some scope here, each board had to be screwed in at eight different points.)
By noon, I needed to take twenty minutes to re-charge. Only seven boards were in place. A long day ahead. "Why do I do these ambitious excursions on my days off?", I wondered.
When I walked back out to the deck, she was there, ready for the afternoon session.
Seven boards in place became nine, became twelve. At about 2 p.m., I was spent. Legs sore from walking under the deck and stepping high between the boards (imagine a professional wrestler entering the ring over the top rope -- I did the physical equivalent of this about 150 times today).
"I think we're probably good for today," I said, with two parts exhaustion and one part defeat.
"What time is it?" my daughter asked.
"Probably about 2:15."
"So you would have two hours left," she said. "We can do it."
She even brought me the cup of ice cold water to try and revive my energy.
Then it hit me. For anyone over 40, you'll get this: My daughter was Punky Brewster and I was her cranky foster parent, Henry. You remember him... Punky would want to go roller skating and Henry would grumble, "Bah, no Punky, eat your oatmeal and go to bed so I can watch 'Murder, She Wrote'. I only took you in for the tax write-off." (Okay, he didn't say that last sentence. One tangent that may make you smile: I found out today that actor who played Punky's father is still with us at age 97. Mildly surprised.)
She said "we can do it."
And we did. She would struggle and battle with her little limbs (adorned in day-glo colored socks, of course) to lift these 14-foot boards and bring them over to me so I wouldn't have to push up and bend, my joins creaking like an old rocking chair on a wooden floor. We talked all throughout the day, about school, about carpentry (she probably understands more than I do), of the importance of finishing the job.
The last three boards went in around 4 p.m. Ever go on a road trip where you drive 600 miles in a day? Those last twenty miles are like a dream, right? The culmination of a journey.
Cue the "Top Gun" instrumental when Maverick lands back on the deck after shooting down the unnamed-Communist Migs as he makes amends with Iceman.
An hour after the deck was complete, we drove off for dinner. I wanted to treat her. Her answer was predictable. Hy-Vee Chinese. Okay, I think. Let's go.
We're in the car, stuck in traffic. I had to confess.
"You know, I underestimated you today," I said. "I really thought all you would want to do would be to get me water and check in on me every so often. I didn't think you'd want to be as involved as you were today. I'm very proud of you and all that we did. I'm sorry I underestimated you."
"Okay," she said with a smile, letting it all fall off her back like a child does.
We sat there as I watched her devour multiple plates of Crab Rangoon and Sesame Chicken. She told me this was a great day as we ate. I was even too tired to really make any conversation, a rarity for me. My muscles and bones were mush from all the deck work.
"Dad, why don't they make grape ice cream?" she asked, perhaps the deepest question of all. Then she wanted to go swimming. Yes. Swimming after being outside with me all day.
Of course, I took her swimming. Both kids, actually. I couldn't even pull myself into the water from exhaustion yet I watched the kids playing, from a distance, and found it so... heartwarming.
Have you seen the Extra Gum "origami" commercial? Look it up and watch it. This day was one of those days, a day where the two of us spent seven hours working through a project that, when it started I was dreading and, eventually, powered through. We saw it through. We finished it.
She believed I could do it when I did not.
She's still at that age where she thinks Dad has some super hero qualities. I'd better enjoy these fleeting days, right?
Ten years from now, our daughter will be on the edge of 20. I hope that she comes home at some point, in that summer of 2024, and we will sit out on that deck, laughing about whatever is important and her world.
I hope one of us asks:
"Remember when we built this?"
I hope she is the one who asks it.
Monday, July 4, 2011
July 2011
July brings my birthday, the fourth of July and what feels like the first days of summer vacation.
In June - we had a lots of 8U baseball, including the state tournament in Des Moines, where we also enjoyed a day at Adventureland and a side trip to Jordan Creek Mall. Sam attended a Kennedy basketball camp and Katherine experienced her first Coe College basketball camp - she has an extremely good knack at defense. She is also quite a good little shooter.
We enjoyed a visit from Papa John and Gigi in mid June - it was fantastic to share our crazy life with them for a few days - they were able to watch three of Sam's baseball games and Katherine's dance recital. We also were able to share a few meals and catch a movie. It was especially awesome for to be with Papa John on Father's Day.
Sam went off to Camp Io-dis-e-ca for three nights and four days - mom missed him horribly, he was a little homesick but had a fabulous and fun time. While he was gone - Kate went to four days of Pony Camp in Springville. She was able to ride two of the pony's Snickers and Reba and also a huge stallion named Oscar. It was a long distance to drive back and forth but she loved it so much.
The last few days we finally had our roof replaced - hallelujah - it seems we've been saving for it forever! There were some minor glitches, but in the end it worked out okay but still emptied our savings account. Now it's on to the bathroom and then some saving to replace a car or van.
Our swim pass has also been very helpful for the summer - we are at the pool almost every day. Sam has braved the Ellis Pool high dive and Kate is finally tall enough to travel down the blue slide!
Kate has taken her deep water test twice now. It's amazing how she just decided she was going to do the front crawl the first time she took the test without ever even practicing...she just has to learn to swim underwater and she'll be flying off the diving boards too. Hopefully we'll sign the kids up for swim lessons later in the month to help them both with their technique.
Birthdays always bring pause for reflection. I hope to continue to focus on experiences and not materialistic possessions, enjoying my family and friends and living in the moment.
In June - we had a lots of 8U baseball, including the state tournament in Des Moines, where we also enjoyed a day at Adventureland and a side trip to Jordan Creek Mall. Sam attended a Kennedy basketball camp and Katherine experienced her first Coe College basketball camp - she has an extremely good knack at defense. She is also quite a good little shooter.
We enjoyed a visit from Papa John and Gigi in mid June - it was fantastic to share our crazy life with them for a few days - they were able to watch three of Sam's baseball games and Katherine's dance recital. We also were able to share a few meals and catch a movie. It was especially awesome for to be with Papa John on Father's Day.
Sam went off to Camp Io-dis-e-ca for three nights and four days - mom missed him horribly, he was a little homesick but had a fabulous and fun time. While he was gone - Kate went to four days of Pony Camp in Springville. She was able to ride two of the pony's Snickers and Reba and also a huge stallion named Oscar. It was a long distance to drive back and forth but she loved it so much.
The last few days we finally had our roof replaced - hallelujah - it seems we've been saving for it forever! There were some minor glitches, but in the end it worked out okay but still emptied our savings account. Now it's on to the bathroom and then some saving to replace a car or van.
Our swim pass has also been very helpful for the summer - we are at the pool almost every day. Sam has braved the Ellis Pool high dive and Kate is finally tall enough to travel down the blue slide!
Kate has taken her deep water test twice now. It's amazing how she just decided she was going to do the front crawl the first time she took the test without ever even practicing...she just has to learn to swim underwater and she'll be flying off the diving boards too. Hopefully we'll sign the kids up for swim lessons later in the month to help them both with their technique.
Birthdays always bring pause for reflection. I hope to continue to focus on experiences and not materialistic possessions, enjoying my family and friends and living in the moment.
 |
| Katherine in her dance costume for Musical Theater |
 |
| Sam and mom before he leaves for camp. |
 |
| Kate riding Oscar. |
 |
| Sam jumping off the high dive at Ellis Pool. |
 |
| Beautiful Kate on Oscar at Pony Camp. |
Sunday, June 5, 2011
The start of summer vacation
We wrapped up the school year. Kate finished kindergarten. Over the past year she has learned to read, spell, add and subtract and remains extremely creative. She is always interested in crafting, drawing, coloring and pretend play. Sam finished third grade. His ITBS scores place his learning level at the 99th percentile and in seventh grade. He wishes he didn't have to take summer break as he wants to learn, learn, learn. However, his Cougar baseball team calls and he needs to take a break from learning to play ball!
With pool passes on hand on Memorial Day - we've already made two trips to the pool - Sam has braved the drop and yellow slide. Miss Katherine - who is finally as tall as the otter's nose experienced the big, blue slide - proud and triumphant of her feat - she quickly exits the pool for another round. Hopefully by the end of the summer - both kids will be proficient swimmers.
Yesterday - after six hours and four games of baseball - in the sweltering heat - we had a taste of what the summer will bring - pool, baseball, friends and fun! Kate is a trooper - hanging out at baseball diamonds without a single complaint - being joyful, sweet and curious to find new friends.
With pool passes on hand on Memorial Day - we've already made two trips to the pool - Sam has braved the drop and yellow slide. Miss Katherine - who is finally as tall as the otter's nose experienced the big, blue slide - proud and triumphant of her feat - she quickly exits the pool for another round. Hopefully by the end of the summer - both kids will be proficient swimmers.
Yesterday - after six hours and four games of baseball - in the sweltering heat - we had a taste of what the summer will bring - pool, baseball, friends and fun! Kate is a trooper - hanging out at baseball diamonds without a single complaint - being joyful, sweet and curious to find new friends.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
To remember
Feb. 24 Katie lost her first tooth. "Now my tongue has a bed to sleep in."
Feb. 27 Kate has her friend LuLu spend the night. Over the course of the night I remove a completely dry towel from the bottom of the bath tub three times - Kate - what are you doing? It's our changing room - Lucy changes in the bathtub and I change in the bathroom - we are together but each have privacy. Of course!
Feb. 27 Kate has her friend LuLu spend the night. Over the course of the night I remove a completely dry towel from the bottom of the bath tub three times - Kate - what are you doing? It's our changing room - Lucy changes in the bathtub and I change in the bathroom - we are together but each have privacy. Of course!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Katherine's 6th Birthday & first Coe BBall Game
 |
| Sam with Bamboo at Kate's 6th Birthday Party. |
 |
| The Birthday Girl = SIX! |
 |
| Working hard at the Coe/UNI game as team Water/Ball Boy! |
 |
| Waiting for the team to arrive! |
Friday, August 27, 2010
First week of school
The house is a bit quieter with two in school - here are photos of the first day.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
spend less day one and two
Day two -
$20 Gas for van
$28 Riley's
Total: $48 I/we will not eat out tonight or tomorrow!
Day one - hmm - not so great on the spending less.
$46 Hyvee - groceries.
$6 Starbucks - have to have coffee for in the morning.
$13 Hyvee chinese - love Hyvee chinese
$6 Also used a $20 gift card I had to purchase a present and sunglasses - my third pair of free $10 sun glasses from JC Penney - hopefully this pair will last longer - Chris gave me a compliment and said I look like Elton John in them.
$4 Strawberry shake for all of us to split.
Total: $75
$20 Gas for van
$28 Riley's
Total: $48 I/we will not eat out tonight or tomorrow!
Day one - hmm - not so great on the spending less.
$46 Hyvee - groceries.
$6 Starbucks - have to have coffee for in the morning.
$13 Hyvee chinese - love Hyvee chinese
$6 Also used a $20 gift card I had to purchase a present and sunglasses - my third pair of free $10 sun glasses from JC Penney - hopefully this pair will last longer - Chris gave me a compliment and said I look like Elton John in them.
$4 Strawberry shake for all of us to split.
Total: $75
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Blistering heat
Summer update:
Kate decided on her own she wanted to start swimming, not just swimming, but diving in with a belly flop, going underwater, kicking her feet and moving her arms and swimming for a good 12-15 feet. She's progressed to doing underwater flips, twists, turns, dances and swimming. Of course, she decided in her own time she wanted to do this and then she just does it. Typical Kate.
Sam too has decided he wants to swim underwater, do handstands underwater and just play underwater. The family pool pass has really paid off. Swimming is such an important, lifelong skill, I had to jump up the momentum and sign both up for the last session of summer swim lessons. Fingers crossed they are both swimming like seals by the first of September.
Kate has bangs!
Spend less challenge-day one:
Erica's lunch - 3.73
Crocs - half price - $11 Kate had blown through hers.
Kate decided on her own she wanted to start swimming, not just swimming, but diving in with a belly flop, going underwater, kicking her feet and moving her arms and swimming for a good 12-15 feet. She's progressed to doing underwater flips, twists, turns, dances and swimming. Of course, she decided in her own time she wanted to do this and then she just does it. Typical Kate.
Sam too has decided he wants to swim underwater, do handstands underwater and just play underwater. The family pool pass has really paid off. Swimming is such an important, lifelong skill, I had to jump up the momentum and sign both up for the last session of summer swim lessons. Fingers crossed they are both swimming like seals by the first of September.
Kate has bangs!
Spend less challenge-day one:
Erica's lunch - 3.73
Crocs - half price - $11 Kate had blown through hers.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
No spend month
I read with amusement the posts of people who implement an extremely limited budget or a no spend month. You can read posts on Simple Mom or Frugal Living. I've decided to try a no spend week - which begins today - $50 for gas, groceries, eating out and miscellaneous items. This doesn't include the money Chris will spend on gas to visit the grandparents though :)
Sam's 8th Birthday
Sam has been awaiting his 8th birthday for weeks and counting down to the minute he would turn eight. His birthday began with a kiss at 2:22 a.m. from mom - Sam promptly rolled over and said, "I'm tired." At 4:30 a.m., I tried again when he was up running to the bathroom - "Happy Birthday Sam." This at least received a big smile and a "Thanks!" before he ran back to bed!
After a McDonald's breakfast from Nana - he began opening his presents- he made out like a bandit! Sam's lunch choice was Hyvee Chinese and after a few hours of swimming, we were off for his birthday party at the Kernel's game with 13 of his friends.
Sam threw out the first pitch - his pitch went the distance and Chris thinks it averaged a speed of about 20 mph. Not bad for a lefty pitcher! A hot, but beautiful night at the ball park complete with lots of G2, Culver's ice cream cake and a win by the Kernel's.
Happy Birthday little peanut butter bear!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Exercise update
I'm still not eating well but 
Erica Earl Over the past 34 days I have lost 8 pounds, lost one inch around my waist, 1.25 inches around my hips, 1.5 inches around my thighs (hooray) and .75 inches around my calves - chest remains the same :( ... it's working!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Family walk
As we return from a family walk and are entering the garage - Kate stops and looks at the clouds for several seconds, says, "I can see those clouds moving." "I ate a lot of carrots yesterday."
Friday, June 25, 2010
Day three Chicago
Hot. Hot. Hot.
We boarded the express bus to the Museum of Science and Industry. We all loved it, especially the submarine, tornado and seeing the chicks hatch.
Our bus was late arriving due to the horrendous thunderstorms, but after waiting two hours we were on our way. Delightful weekend!
We boarded the express bus to the Museum of Science and Industry. We all loved it, especially the submarine, tornado and seeing the chicks hatch.
Our bus was late arriving due to the horrendous thunderstorms, but after waiting two hours we were on our way. Delightful weekend!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Mowing the lawn - thinking of grandma
Yesterday after a three mile run - I decided to break out the weed whacker and trim the grass along the sidewalk and driveway - I usually do this - so no big deal, but then - something strange happened inside my brain and I decided to begin mowing the lawn - I had no intentions of mowing the entire yard - but with rain six out of seven days the past three weeks and more rain forecasted for the next week - yesterday was sunny and the grass was l o n g gggggg! Chris had taken the kids swimming and I really thought he would return to find me mowing and offer to finish - despite him only having had three hours of sleep the night before and working all day yesterday - wishful thinking on my part - I know.Mowing the yard is not something I do - it's Chris' job - over the years - I don't think I've mowed the entire yard but maybe once or twice - but yesterday I did and as I mowed - I thought of my grandma.
From the time I was nine or so - I mowed my grandma's lawn religiously week after week - she'd drive to our house and pick me up just so I could mow her lawn. I think my grandma taught me how to mow a lawn - at least she taught me how to mow her lawn - I could see every step of her yard and every tree of her yard as I mowed my lawn yesterday - and I could remember some of her directions like she was talking right to me: "around the driveway you have to point the mower inside away from the gravel so you don't shoot the rocks into the grass." and "Mow around the trees and then go up to the tree trunk between the roots." and "Careful not to mow down the flowers."
In the earlier days of mowing grandma's lawn was not just about mowing - it was about moving and mowing as she had a swingset, a huge slide, a glider, a whirligig, a fancy teeter totter, a bench swing and more.
The best part of mowing my grandma's yard was milk and cookies afterwards and she'd always give me $5. Usually I'd spend the night as it was over summer vacation and we'd play yahtzee, board games and watch TV together, usually CNN :).
It was a nice day of reminiscing about grandma and being productive at the same time.
Chicago - day two - Navy Pier
Chris and the kids were among the first people to board the ferris wheel - $18 and one go around was a bit shocking, but it was enjoyable and I'm told the views were amazing. We walked down the pier and back - not a bunch of activity going on at 10 a.m. but we saw the pirate sail boat and the water taxi's. Then Chris and Sam headed off to Wrigley Field and Kate and I browsed the stores and went to the Children's Museum. At the Children's Museum - Kate made lots of new friends - her favorite activities were digging for dinosaur bones, playing in the water exhibits, making and serving pizza and climbing the sail boat tower. After playing for three hours - we visited the museum store, of course, and bought Katie her first secret diary - complete with a lock and key - this is her latest obsession and fascination - she can't write words, but she can draw pictures, she tells me. We returned to the hotel via Michigan Avenue and stopped for a late lunch at Noodles - yummy - where I had my favorite Penne Rosa and Kate of course had Mac and Cheese. For my beverage - I had a bottle of cream soda - a rare treat - and I told Kate she could taste it - her eyes became really big and she said, "really, I can? - it's a grown up drink - mommy." Which brought on the discussion of how many things are put into a bottle and some are for everyone and some are for just grown ups. Criminy sakes - almost six years old and she's never drank out of a bottle :) My children do lead sheltered lives! After we returned the hotel we of course had to write and draw in the diary and then we took a quick little nap.
The boys arrived back to the hotel around 4:30 and then since Sam wanted to visit the Children's Museum - Chris took Sam and Kate back for free family night - I think the kids must have walked about five miles total.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Chicago - day one - Wednesday
We packed and drove to Iowa City to catch the bus to Chicago. Chris dropped us off at the downtown IC mall - and went off to find a parking spot for the van in the Hancher parking lot 1.5 miles away. This gave Sam and Kate time to eat lunch (Taco Bell) and I ordered gyros and fries for Chris and I at a nice little restaurant - the best gyro I've had in a long time - probably since we ate with Drew and Chris at a favorite St. Louis Greek restaurant - the name escapes me, of course.
Bundled up the kids and luggage and went to the bus stop - typically travel by bus has a negative connotation - for the $2 per person round trip fare I was not expecting much - but I was pleasantly surprised. We rode comfortably on the upper deck of the Megabus all the way to downtown Chicago - wifi was in and out but I was able to browse and surf enough to make the trip pass by quickly. We were dropped off at Union Station after four hours, on time - we gathered our bags and barely turned around before a very nice gentleman had our bags in the trunk of a cab and we were taking off for the Hyatt Regency - downtown. Later I found out the nice gentleman was a cab hustler and it cost us $3 for him to secure the cab - worth it in my book, but not Chris' I think. Cab fare was $11 - not too horrible.
We checked in and found a fabulous room on the 20th floor overlooking Navy Pier, the river and lakefront - very pretty view - which is always nice - much better than say a parking lot or busy street.
We were hungry - and after perusing the magazines decided on Chicago style pizza and headed out to find Giordano's - which appeared to be close to our hotel - we set off and walked the two blocks to Michigan Avenue only to realize we had gone to far and the restaurant was actually kitty korner from our hotel - very convenient :) Our pizza was bigger than our tummies, but yummy. The consensus was Tomaso's in Cedar Rapids is still better. We decided it would be wise to walk off some of the calories from the ten pounds of cheese we consumed and headed to Millenium Park - after a bit of a walk - we found a playground - which is the only one we saw our entire time there - and the kids played and we watched. More walking - back to the hotel - baths and bed!
Bundled up the kids and luggage and went to the bus stop - typically travel by bus has a negative connotation - for the $2 per person round trip fare I was not expecting much - but I was pleasantly surprised. We rode comfortably on the upper deck of the Megabus all the way to downtown Chicago - wifi was in and out but I was able to browse and surf enough to make the trip pass by quickly. We were dropped off at Union Station after four hours, on time - we gathered our bags and barely turned around before a very nice gentleman had our bags in the trunk of a cab and we were taking off for the Hyatt Regency - downtown. Later I found out the nice gentleman was a cab hustler and it cost us $3 for him to secure the cab - worth it in my book, but not Chris' I think. Cab fare was $11 - not too horrible.
We checked in and found a fabulous room on the 20th floor overlooking Navy Pier, the river and lakefront - very pretty view - which is always nice - much better than say a parking lot or busy street.
We were hungry - and after perusing the magazines decided on Chicago style pizza and headed out to find Giordano's - which appeared to be close to our hotel - we set off and walked the two blocks to Michigan Avenue only to realize we had gone to far and the restaurant was actually kitty korner from our hotel - very convenient :) Our pizza was bigger than our tummies, but yummy. The consensus was Tomaso's in Cedar Rapids is still better. We decided it would be wise to walk off some of the calories from the ten pounds of cheese we consumed and headed to Millenium Park - after a bit of a walk - we found a playground - which is the only one we saw our entire time there - and the kids played and we watched. More walking - back to the hotel - baths and bed!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Love to dance recital - updated
Friday, June 11, 2010
Walking and swim season
We bought our swim pass last weekend - $182 for the summer's entertainment - I knew if I was spending enough time at the pool to justify the pass - I'd have to buy a swimsuit - which I did, today, and hopefully it won't be too painful for the fellow pool patrons.
This morning, I completed three miles and hit the 50 mile mark which was my goal to purchase new shoes - my current avias have been around since I regularly attended Gold's Gym, pre arthritis diagnosis. Fellow facebook friend and high school friend Betsy raved in a post about her Sketcher shapeups - I researched and read about the somewhat unheard of technology incorporated into these types of shoes and found these shoes are actually kinder and gentler on joints - something I take seriously as I've yet to shed the additional five pounds in my goal. As I'm doing more power walking and some running, I picked up the Avia brand today - the Avi- Motion - they are still somewhat "large" but they are superbly comfortable and still pretty! I'm very excited to walk tomorrow.
This morning, I completed three miles and hit the 50 mile mark which was my goal to purchase new shoes - my current avias have been around since I regularly attended Gold's Gym, pre arthritis diagnosis. Fellow facebook friend and high school friend Betsy raved in a post about her Sketcher shapeups - I researched and read about the somewhat unheard of technology incorporated into these types of shoes and found these shoes are actually kinder and gentler on joints - something I take seriously as I've yet to shed the additional five pounds in my goal. As I'm doing more power walking and some running, I picked up the Avia brand today - the Avi- Motion - they are still somewhat "large" but they are superbly comfortable and still pretty! I'm very excited to walk tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Trial run for single mommy mode
It's election night for the primaries, in case you didn't know - Chris is working 2-who knows when...he's in Des Moines covering the Branstad campaign - Branstad is running for governor of the state of Iowa, in case you wanted to know.
It's 9 p.m.. I successfully picked up Kate from child care and Sam from school - we came home for dinner, playtime and off to Sam's 7:15 p.m. baseball game - which included a six minute rain delay - Sam hit a pop fly to center and two line drives to center - two were caught - he had a single off one of the line drives. Last inning - he played first and caught three consecutive throws resulting in three straight outs - way to go SAM! We came home drenched at 8:35 - no need to shower - just throw some soap and water on a wash cloth, clean the face, hands, feet, privates and under arms ( not in that order) - clean jammies, snack and into bed by 8:50 - By 9 p.m. I'm on the couch with the puter and HGTV is on - not too shabby - after two years - I still "got it."
It's 9 p.m.. I successfully picked up Kate from child care and Sam from school - we came home for dinner, playtime and off to Sam's 7:15 p.m. baseball game - which included a six minute rain delay - Sam hit a pop fly to center and two line drives to center - two were caught - he had a single off one of the line drives. Last inning - he played first and caught three consecutive throws resulting in three straight outs - way to go SAM! We came home drenched at 8:35 - no need to shower - just throw some soap and water on a wash cloth, clean the face, hands, feet, privates and under arms ( not in that order) - clean jammies, snack and into bed by 8:50 - By 9 p.m. I'm on the couch with the puter and HGTV is on - not too shabby - after two years - I still "got it."
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