Kayaking.

Have you enjoyed the break from blogging? I haven't...I've just been busy with work and life. This Summer has started off so busy for us - which is good, I suppose. So - I'll just jump right in -

2 weeks ago, there was a snafu with childcare. I had called to reserve a spot for Joseph at the day camp at Lifetime. When I called the day before to confirm it, they politely told me that the day camp wouldn't be open until the following week. So - Joseph came to work with me. and he was VERY good - he was quiet, he read books, he played on his PSP, and he even came to a few meetings with me. The last meeting of the day was at Gallup Park, for Huron River Day. (If you aren't going - you should be.) Anyway - he was GREAT, and the woman who operates the canoe liveries (she was in the meeting with us, and has raised 2 boys) commented on how well Joseph behaved, and asked whether I would be doing something special for his good behavior. I said that I would probably stop for a chocolate shake on the way home - to which she replied "Not good enough!!" and then proceeded to offer us the opportunity to go kayaking on the Huron River. Right. Then. and. There.

Joseph hasn't stopped talking about it since then!!

However, it did give me a few moments to reflect on why I enjoy my career path...If you haven't been kayaking on the Huron, or kayaking on ANY river for that matter - Do. It. Now.

And check out Joseph's video:

Changing Places and Roles

I've been thinking a lot about friendships. Are they more or less important as we grow older? Do they mean the same thing to others? Do they mean the same to me? Are friendships worth the effort? Are friendships important as we grow families and careers?

I feel pretty lucky to have some amazing friends in my life. Some of them I have known for almost 30 years. Some of them shared growing up and teenage troubles with me. Some of them I have only known since college. Some of them I have only known since I started my career. Some of them I have only known for less than a year. Are they all important to me? YES. Am I important to them? I hope so...but I'm not so sure anymore. Bear with me...

I understand that friendships change over time. I also understand that some friendships take a wrong turn somewhere and can not withstand difficulties. I have lost a few friends from change in geography. I have lost only a few friendships for stupid reasons (some of which I still don't understand). But it still isn't easy to lose a friend.

Losing a friend, or losing contact with a friend hurts. It hurts a lot. It amazes me how *little* some people value a friendship. Sometimes there are trite issues that split people apart. But what I find is this: people don't put effort into friendships.

A good friendship doesn't come easy. A friendship needs to be nurtured. If both people don't actually put in the effort to BE friends - then the friendship won't work. I've seen this so many times...and it hurts. I tend to always be the one that makes the effort - because I care about my friends. I think I care too much. I don't like losing friends. Friendships are needed. Friendships make you a better person.

When was the last time you nurtured a friendship?

Plants and Digging to the Inner Crust of the Earth

I think I overdid it. Like usual. I planted all 72 plugs with seeds...and every single one germinated. I think I will be giving away baby plants to friends, once they get big enough. You know - I do this every year...I should know better. But, better to be safe and have too many veggies than none!!

Joseph has decided that he wants to dig to the next layer in the Earth's crust. (Those were his words...not mine....Thank you Second Grade Science.)

He has made alot of progress...in the MIDDLE of my garden. He isn't very happy when I remind him that the holes will be filled in by April 15. He can stand in the hole, and is still working on it as we speak. The sanitary lead is under there somewhere - I'm hoping it is deep though.

Cookbooks

Ever notice how a memory that doesn't really exist can seem so powerful, even if you KNOW you were there, but you just can't remember it?



I've been doing some spring cleaning (er...getting rid of clutter)...and came across something that is clutter, but I won't ever get rid of...My birth Mom's cookbooks. I don't know the story behind why she wrote down and chronicled about 8 spiral notebooks full of recipes. And some mini-3-three binders. And a photocopied packet from an Indonesian cookbook.



Many of the pages are splattered and stained. Some are crossed out. Some have notes in the margin; "Great" or "made 3/13" or "needs more salt". Some phone numbers are jotted down in the margin. Some pages even have crayon scribbling across the entire page. I have to believe that is my doing. Which means I was there.



I was there when my mom made Banana Bread, or Mud Cake, or Lemon Chicken (yes - those are all written on the same page). I was there when she found a recipe to write down and make for her family. I was there when she spilled the 1/2 cup of water onto the cookbook (which explains a lot...seeing that I spill EVERYTHING also).



But more importantly - I. Was. There. You see - I can't remember anything about my mom. I spent 6 years with her, but who can remember times from before they were 6? I have photos. I have events that are vague. I have what people have told me...but I don't have my own memories. And that isn't fair.

Crazy Bugs, Seeds and Chocolate

How many of you forgot to spring the clock forward? I did...of course. I feel like I have lost half of my Sunday morning! (yes - I realize that it is only an hour!!)

Not for the faint of heart: check this bug out!! I found him on the blinds in the bathroom...no clue how he got in the house though. I *think* he is an assassin bug...which means he is harmless. He actually eats the other little yucky bugs. However, he looks a little like a stink bug too - which are gross. I caught him and threw him outside. Yes - he'll probably freeze to death - but that is the Circle of Life, my friend.

I started my seeds already. (only 6 weeks until May!!) I have 72 little plugs of: oregano, basil, morning glories, poppy, yellow tomato and butternut squash. There are other veggies that I will directly sow. And there are other veggies that I don't have luck starting from seed, so I will just buy the plugs at Schwartz's.

As for self-indulgence...this chocolate bar is heaven. Last week, I was on my way back to work from a meeting - and found that I hadn't had lunch yet. I wandered over to Sparrow Market in Kerrytown, and though I *love* this little market - I was struggling finding something that I really wanted. I grabbed an apple and a box of GF crackers...but wasn't excited about it. As I was checking out, I pondered the chocolate selection. The cashier shyly asked if I was interested in any chocolate. I told her no- because nothing was really jumping out at me. She recommended the "Lindt with the Sea Salt" Huh? Seriously? She assured me that I would like it..."Just try it!!" So - I did. Holy Crow! She was right!!! I'm in love with my new found chocolate bar!!

Busy week coming up...and I can't wait!! I've been in the new job for 5 weeks...and I am learning so many new amazing things! And I LOVE IT!!!!

Wine, Sunrises and the Rouge River

I started a new batch of wine last week. A French Sauvignon Blanc. It is very sweet-smelling right now. And it is bubbling away in the basement. Joseph helped me start the batch...I had him smell the yeast to see if it was activated.
He also stirred the batch for me. (Yes - I put him to work!!!) I haven't racked it off into the carboy yet - the SG is still too high, so I'm waiting, and checking.



This was the sunrise view from our front window a few days ago. Gorgeous, huh? Joseph woke up early and came out into the living room and pointed out how beautiful it was. I hadn't really noticed - but...Wow.

As you know, I have spent the past 15 years of my career working in and around the Rouge River. I have a soft spot in my heart for this abused urban river. Mr. Ford ruined it, and we are doing our best to restore it. However - my son has now also caught the bug...and he knows more about the Rouge River than any normal 7-year old should know. He built a model for me....a bridge, over the Rouge River...out of Legos. How cool is this?!?!?!

In other news - I just finished my first month at my new job. (Wow - time flies when life is awesome!!) I'm overloaded, busy, overwhelmed, and LOVING IT!!! I have some amazing opportunities to work on some great projects, with great people and can really make a difference. The workplace has respect, integrity, passion, creativity, collaboration...in a word: perfection. Good times.

A2 and Happy People

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE Ann Arbor? Not just because I work downtown now. Not just because I work FOR the City now. Not just because they have an awesome Art Fair in the summer. Not just because they have a great University here. This entire community is just that. A COMMUNITY. People here are helpful. People here are kind. People here are welcoming. People here smile. People here are happy. So - in short order...YES. The new job is wonderful. I am busting my behind getting caught up on so many amazing projects - and they are really a forward-thinking place...which makes me happy. I haven't ventured out to the many eateries here (only becuase it is so darn COLD, and I don't want to go outside). We have a 3-day weekend coming up, and I'm looking forward to a relaxing day of doing nothing with my family. Absolutely nothing. Whoot!! maybe I'll upload photos to the blog or something productive like that. On a side note - I've joined the Ypsilanti Community Choir. Yes - you read that right. It is odd, it is bittersweet, it is sad and happy at the same time. But, I'm enjoying it.

Lonely

How can one be lonely, yet happy? 

 

It’s not that I AM lonely…but right now, I am alone.  But, I don’t think that it is necessarily a bad thing.  Big Joe went on a mini-vacation to the Caribbean, he left this morning at 4AM.  And, not that I’m EXACTLY alone…Little Joe is sleeping in his bunk bed, rather…he is snoring and seeming very restless.  So, technically, I’m not ALONE…and the dog is here with me too.  Not that I could forget her!

 

These weekends when Joe leaves, I miss him like crazy – but it is a little opportunity for me to spend some quality time with my son.  We play.  We read.  I TRY (yes, TRY) to get him to eat something new and different.  I’m thinking of maybe taking him out skiing or snowboarding.  Hmmm…  We also have Valentines to get ready, homework, reading, and he needs to help me go through his toys.  We need to downsize his stuff….majorly.

 

But these weekends are also a little recharge time for me.  I take care of the things I’ve been procrastinating about.  I do some heavy cleaning. (The breezeway is on the list for this weekend, moving everything out so I can wash the carpet!!) Yes, I know…you are thinking I’m CRAZY for getting excited about steam cleaning the carpet in the Dax’s room…but it is good.  It FEELS good.  I get to reconnect with myself, eat what I want, have the whole bed to myself and watch chick flicks all weekend.  Well...I may be a LITTLE more productive than that:

 

So – the agenda is to:

1.       Work my LAST DAY EVER in a job that I truly loved and will immensely miss. (Yes – there will be tears, and a post about it…)

2.       Celebrate my NEW job with my awesome girlfriends whom I am lucky to have in my life!

3.       Clean the house, grocery shopping, laundry, etc.

4.       Get a massage at the spa (YEAH!!)

5.       Maybe visit some friends that we haven’t seen in a while

6.       Maybe go snowboarding?

7.       Go to a Super Bowl Party with family and drink wine.

8.       Start a new batch of wine (just remembered that one…)

9.       Start my new job on Monday.  Start a new chapter of my life.  Start a new journey.  And hopefully find a good parking spot too…

10.   Love my life.

 

Hope you enjoy YOUR weekend and watch a chick flick too!!!  J

 

 

getting back to the positive.

Our lives have been busy for the past few months, and I have not been doing any decent job keeping things caught up with photos, etc. So - I am going to see what photos I have to upload and go from there.

Dax is getting older and older...we caught this great picture of her (with a wizard hat on. What? Your dog doesn't have a wizard hat? SHEESH!!) Look how GREY she is!!!

And I'll bet you are just DYING to know what this is....Joseph made it for me from Legos. It's the ROUGE RIVER with a BRIDGE over it!!! :) (Yes - my kid rocks)


And my new favorite thing: Vodka Martini with a jalapeno-stuffed olive. (Chopin potato vodka!!)


In other news:

I am happy.

I am moving in a direction that I want my life to be.

I have a new job, and I start on Monday. WHOOT!!!

Expect greatness from me!!!! (well...sorta. Give me a chance to get back up to speed!!)

And, just in case you were worried...I can't forget a list:

1. I need to have surgery on my hip. This will be a topic of blogging.

2. Little Joe is growing up WAY too quickly.

3. We are in the midst of SnowPocalypse 2011

4. I love my new IPod

5. I already have a list of plants for the garden - YEAH!!

6. I'm going to miss my friends in Troy, and in the Clinton, and in the Rouge.

7. But I'm not going to miss everyone.

8. I'm thankful for my training buddy!

9. I love Slows BBQ

10. I'm thankful for BK finding an awesome GF Bakery in the Grand Rapids area!!

Good things.

I am in transition.  I am changing the way I look at things.  I have been a pessimist for way too long.  I can pinpoint the day I became a pessimist: December 18th, 2009.  That was my last day in Troy.  After that, my world got turned upside down.  I thought I knew the answers....but I didn't.  I have had a year of soul-searching to figure out what I wanted, and didn't want.  I think I know.  No - I take that back - in the spirit of optimism - I KNOW what I want...and I'm on my way there.     Things will be changing.  You will hear from me more.  I will have more to say.      Just know that we are good.  The family is good.  And that is what is important.

Holiday Preparations

Wow. I always pride myself on being prepared for the Holidays. Gifts are usually purchased throughout the year, and they are wrapped during hunting season. The decorations are up right after Thanksgiving, and the Holiday letter is done by Dec 15th. Well...at least I reached one of those goals. However - the gifts aren't wrapped (I still was purchasing things this morning!) and the Holiday letter isn't done. It will be a HOLIDAY letter, being delivered after Xmas. Get over it. I'm busy - and I can't do everything.

That has been a lesson for me this year: I Can't Do Everything. It needs to be my mantra while I run. It needs to be written on the bathroom mirror so I see it every day, just to remind myself this little life lesson.

Speaking of running: I won't be running much in 2011. I have to have hip surgery. Again. The same PAO surgery that I SHOULD HAVE had a few years ago, but I CHICKENED OUT...and the problem wasn't fixed...thus...surgery. April 5th. Unless I reschedule it. I might. Life has a tricky habit of getting in the way, and the date might not work for me.

Have you thought about your 2011 resolutions yet? I have. I have one per month, then some overall ones. No - I'm not sharing until January 1.

Not much else is going on...I am working throughout the week between the Holidays...at least the office will be quiet. I am pretty busy at work - I have some big things I want to get off of my desk in January - so I am busy with that.

More later -

yes. I am alive....

Sorry to not have posted in so long.  Life has gotten too busy for me to be me.  Seriously.  and I'm stressed out about alot of things - and I won't vent about them in public.    Needless to say - the family is awesome.  Little Joe is amazing.  We have deer in the freezer.  We are getting excited about the holidays.  I throughly enjoyed teaching at LTU this semester...and it sounds like they MAY ask me back next Fall to teach this same class. (SWEET!)    Our christmas tree is huge, and fully decorated.  I am trying to find a Gluten-free recipe for lefse. I am going to meet with the orthpaedic surgeon about my hip....again.  I recently bottled a shiraz, but need to get some more bottles.  and I am planning on starting a Cab over the holidays. Dax had surgery.  She looked like Franken-dog.  The vet cut a 12-inch incision.  :(  but she was a trooper. I miss my mom. Work is crazy. more later...I promise.  I have tons of pics!!!

nothing much...

Things here are hectic for me.  I’m working a lot, and don’t have much time for myself.  I know this is a bad thing…I need to learn to say “NO”.  It has been a problem of mine for a long time.  I keep thinking that maybe I’m not doing my job well…but I’ve realized that I have too much on my plate.  And I need to cut down some stuff.  I know where that needs to be – and I’m working on it.  It won’t be overnight, but I need to make sure that I am happy, and not just making others happy. 

 

Other than that realistic view of life – things are good.  Little Joe had his school pictures on Monday – and I let him dress himself.  Hee!  He chose to wear dress pants, a button-down oxford and a tie.  Seriously.  His teacher said he was, by far, the most handsome student of the day.  And he had his hair cut on Sunday, which made him look like a teenager!  I swear…he is growing up so fast, right in front of my eyes, and I can’t believe it. 

 

He has to read every night, as well as do any homework assigned.  And some nights…we argue, and he gets mad because he wants to play, rather than do his homework.  Other nights, (like last night), we sit at the kitchen table, do the homework quickly, and neatly, and then have a great night of lego-building and cuddling or movie-watching or bike-riding.  He is like a little lawyer – he tries to trade and bribe and make side deals.  “If I write one sentence, can I play with my legos for 15 minutes, then I’ll do another sentence?”  Ugh.  He keeps me on my toes – that’s for sure!

 

It is also hunting season…and I can’t wait until our freezer gets newly stocked with fresh venison!  I’m looking forward to yummy venison.  I’d like to try making breakfast sausage…but I have to find a GF spice mix/cure…which is a little difficult.  Maybe I have to make my own spice blend…we’ll see. 

Office Coffee

This past weekend my boys went to Mackinac Island for a boys weekend.  They swam in the pool, took the ferry to the Island (under the bridge!!), visited the fort, and had a great time!  And, they brought me back some gifts.  (yay!) First and foremost: fudge.  They made me so happy!  Even though nobody needs the extra calories from fudge...HELLO?!?!?  Who can resist it?  Chocolate with Pecans.  Oh yeah.  and Choclate with Peanut Butter. Double Oh yeah. But, even better...(and what could be better than fudge??)...they brought me back some house blend coffee from Java Joe's.  This place is in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn in St. Ignace.  They have pizza, and omelets, and crepes, and COFFEE!!!  They have WHITEFISH PIZZA!!!  and they have LOBSTER PIZZA WITH WHITE SAUCE!!!!  they have some seriously yummy food.  Including OREO PANCAKES!!!  (Yes, I realize that I can't eat anything that I just yelled about, but they sound so yummy!)  Oh, back to the coffee...I made a pot of it on Monday morning.  Heaven.  So good.  Smooth, not bitter.  Hearty flavor.  Good stuff. Fast forward to today...I arrived at the office early, thus needing a cup of coffee.  I made a pot of the office coffee...and sat back to wait for the brewing to finish.  I poured a cup, mixed in fresh half and half, took a sip...and almost spit it out!!    Office coffee is nowhere near as good as Java Joe's.  Darnit.

Proud Mama...

So, I previously about Joseph getting his library card...and now, I can proudly say he is reading chapter books, and really getting into them. He is required to read for 15 minutes a night (thank you, Ms. Ciupek). He is reading "Diary of a Wimpy Kid", and I *think* he likes it.

Needless to say, when I caught a picture of him, reading on the couch...my heart swelled.

Growing up, I was a reader. As in...I never went anywhere without a book, and my Dad would constantly get mad at me if I had my nose stuck in a book during dinner at a restaurant. I loved Nancy Drew, and the Black Stallion, and all of the VC Andrews books. (the early ones). I couldn't put Stephen King down (on second thought, I was probably much too young for S. King...but what did I care).

Hopefully, this is the start of something amazing. I can't wait to see what he reads next!!!

Dax

I am worried.  I am freaking out.  I had to bring Dax to the vet last night.  Again.  Sigh.

She has a growth on her back that won’t go away.  And won’t heal.  And won’t stop oozing.  And won’t stop growing.  I brought her in a few months ago, and the vet cleaned it up and gave me some medicine for it.  And….it didn’t work.  The growth came back.

So, I brought her in last night, and the vet took a look and said “We can remove it.”  And of course, I asked the inevitable question…”Could it be Cancer?”  He said no, not likely.  He said it looked more like a cyst, and it didn’t seem to have any roots, so he thinks removal outright will be the best solution. 

So, the proposed plan is for pre-surgery blood work done in the next 2 weeks, then full anesthesia surgery after that.  And a chunk of change out of our wallet.  But, she is our baby…and our FIRST baby.  I want to do the best for her. I’m scared.

Borrowing Books...

It's a rainy day, and I feel like there are a million things that I want to get done - most of them being outside though.

Instead - Little Joe and I went to the Library. Firstly, to pay a late fee for one book that I forgot to turn in. All of 10 cents. Secondly - because it was raining, and I felt like I HAD to get out of the house. So, off we went. I love the library - so many books...so many possibilities for learning about new things. And...Little Joe loves the library too! He more so likes the idea of picking encyclopedia-type books...but hey - they count, right?

So - as we are checking out...I ask the lady at the desk "How old do you have to be to get your very own library card?", (thinking at least 10 years old....) She says "old enough to sign your name!".

So....guess what Joseph got today:


His very own library card. Yup.

yummy easy butternut squash lasagna in the crockpot

Yumm!!!

mixture 1:
2 packages of frozen butternut squash (or roast a big one in the oven) - thawed
1/4 tsp. nutmeg (or more...I used 1/2 tsp)
mix in a bowl

mixture 2:
32 oz. cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
2 cloves garlic minced
S&P to taste
6 cups fresh washed spinach
mix in a bowl

1 package uncooked lasagna noodles (I used GF ones!!!)

1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese
12 oz (or more) of sliced mozzerella cheese

layer in a crockpot -
mixture 1
noodles (break to fit)
mixture 2
several slices of mozz cheese
mixture 1
noodles (break to fit)
mixture 2
more mozz cheese

continue layering, finish with parmesan sprinkled on the top.

cook in crockpot on LOW for 4+ hours, until noodles are done.

SO GOOD!!!!

I'm still alive!!!

I keep saying that I will get back to blogging, and then I never do. My life is very busy right now, and I am trying to figure out what is best for me. I’m happy, but I’m frustrated about some things. Mostly career-wise…but I’m not going to talk about it online. So...Other news in our lives: (yes, in a list format)

1. Joseph started 2nd grade yesterday. Wow. I can’t believe he is already that grown up. I remember my 2nd grade year so well.
2. Big Joe is in Vegas. He is visiting Sid Wright, whom many of you may know – He had a stroke a few weeks ago, and isn’t able to fly back to Michigan yet. Joe decided to go and visit him in the hospital. He is leaving this afternoon, flying home on Saturday.
3. I love teaching. It is tough and challenging – but it is so cool.
4. My garden is dwindling. Tomatoes didn’t fare too well this year – except the blasted cherry tomatoes – they are out of control. The heirlooms were OK, and the Better Boys didn’t perform at all. Very disappointing for tomatoes. However – the zucchini are on steroids. I can’t get a zucchini under a foot in length. ARGH!! Peppers did really well – wish I knew what to do with all of them!
5. Little Joe has got to be one of the most independent kids I know. He scares me sometimes, how much he wants to go grow and be an adult. He does things HIS way.
6. Another batch of wine is brewing - an Australian Shiraz. Yumm.
7. I went running earlier this week....and hurt my hip. Badly. the same one I had surgery on...I'm a little scared that I did something to it.
8. Dax turned 12 a few weeks ago. She is getting old, and I am worried about that. And, she has this weird growth on her side that won't go away, and won't heal. Ew.
9. Why is it that I feel incredibly unorganized all the time??
10. And I feel disconnected from myself...like I'm watching myself going through the motions. Hmmm...kind of philosphical, but I think I need to center myself.

Tomato Thief

I could shoot the dog right now. After waiting for 6 weeks for the most perfect luscious Purple Cherokee heirloom tomato to ripen in my garden...I looked out the window this morning...AND SHE WAS IN THE GARDEN EATING IT! She. picked. it. off. of. the. plant. ARGH!!!

 

Now, I realize that in the whole scheme of world problems – this is minor.  Nonetheless…I can’t believe she had the gall to do this.  She usually just sticks to eating the cherry tomatoes off of the plant…this is going a step too far. 

 

FYI – my camera memory card isn’t talking to my computer anymore…so I can’t get photos off of the card.  I need to find the cord to make the transfer.  I think it is in the basement.  And I have a TON of photos…