Freedom

I just received a gift. Had lunch with my two college friends, which we do every month. We had an ornament exchange.

I received a very nice Susan Lordi ornament. It is called "Happiness." Isn't it great?

To me it looks more like "Freedom." And for me, it has special meaning. Freedom is something that I can definitely relate to, and celebrate.

Thanks, friend!!

plant

i got a new plant its pink green yellow its a croton its vary cool.VARYccccccccccccccooooooooooooooooooollllllll
(cool)i named it corcie!!!!!!

B&W

A. was invited to a Sweet 16th party, Black & White was the theme, so everyone had to dress in black & white. So here she is with friend A. beforehand. Stunning...

Fireplace Photos

Here are some after photos of our fireplaces. For Mike. These were taken yesterday...

The first one is the upstairs fireplace. If you look at the racetrack ceiling, you can see that adding the stucco only made the wall come out maybe 1/8" to 1/4". Not sure how to express this right, but hopefully it is understandable.


This is the downstairs fireplace. The stucco came in this color. (I can take a closeup of the texture if you like!). We will be able to paint this again, any color, if we wish.

About Fear

There's a theme for today. Faith & Fear.

I read this recently:
Fear knocked on the door. Faith answered, and no one was there.

Sometimes I am ruled by fear. It affects my life -- in a bad way. But faith overcomes fear.

Fireplace more-for Mike

Here are some more before photos. See the mesh ones, which show the preparation for stucco-ing. Putting the mesh on squared off the angles and made everything so that after the stucco was applied, it was all flat etc. It ultimately only added a fraction of an inch to the surface.

Now I just need to take some more after photos!

Halloween

Halloween was fun this year. The weather was nice, which is amazing! We do not take this for granted here in Minnesota.

Here are some pics. I did not get photos of daughter #1. She was dressed as a "superstar".

Sign of the Times

Our 8-year old brought home a worksheet the other day. It was about careers. On the left hand side, students were to put something they were good at. On the right hand side, they filled in what career might work for this skill.

So Super G.'s list was this (I kid you not):

SKILL...CAREER
Good at math...Teacher

Like to talk...Actress

Good at taking photos...Paparazzi

You bet!! I can just see it now...Super G. swarming around the crazed superstars of the 2020s-


...and then our beloved photographer getting the one-finger salute from said celebrity...

Carve Your Own Pumpkin

Try this! It's fun!!

Carve your own pumpkin.

Here's mine-I am a horrible artist. But there you have it!!

HB Kate!

Happy Birthday!!

Good for some laughs hopefully.

Have a fantastic day-thanks for being my cool Utah "cousin!"

With love-

Friday routine again

Today-finally-we took up our schoolyear Friday routine. Taking a daughter or two to Caribou, right before school.

This year the 2 oldest girls are in different schools that start at different times. So while last year I could take both together, this year we need to split up.

So finally today, what, a full month since school started, we went to Caribou. S. celebrated the day by going without crutches for the first time in almost 2 weeks. Ah, a little hot choco, and real, rich coffee for Mom. Great way to start the day.

And thankfully, the Blue Bunny hat was not part of the attire...

Oh, So Helpful

Teenager: "Hi Mom. Are you going anywhere today? Do you have any errands to do?"

Mom, thinking to self: "Wow this is great, she wants to help get some stuff done around here."

Mom, out loud: "Well, we could go over to *boring store* and pick up *this boring thing that we need*.

Teenager: "OK great. Mom, can I drive?"

*Mom slapping head*

Of course. The true motivation comes out...and yes, I am a little slow...

Homecoming

Ah-what a day what a day...

Hair straightening-Friends & Group photos (I'm even in one!)

school picture

next week is school picture day. I just picked out my outfit and I am wearing it right now. so I am right now because exitved!!!!!! Thats all bye.

I LOVE The White Sox

Yes, it's true.

I LOVE THE WHITE SOX.

I was just afraid to come out, being here in Twins country and all. What a great team: There's Cabrera, K. Griffey Jr., Swisher, and of course, fan favorite A. J. Pierzynski.

They won a nail-biter last night against the Twins, 1-0, on a homer by Thome.

Good luck to them in the playoffs!

Are ya happy, G.W.??

Ha ha per your note-I'd love to see a photo of my Dad in a Chisox t-shirt. It would be so terribly WRONG...

Big Day in Baseball

Ah, it is a big day in baseball today, for the Minnesota Twins.

Central crown comes down to one game
The Twins and White Sox, with identical records for the 162-game season, will play today for the American League Central crown, with the winner advancing to the playoffs.

Wow, what a day, what a day.

Hmm-I think my sis GW and I should have a real wager on this one. How about the LOSER has to wear the WINNER's jersey on the first day of the playoffs?? Yes? (oh, and I'd be happy to supply you with a jersey in time for the game...!!)

Nuthin' Better Right Now

Well, if I have to work on a Sunday night, at least I am spending it with my friend Vladimir Horowitz. It doesn't really matter what he is playing, it is all good.

Listening as i am mindlessly entering page view #'s for a web site. Sauces & Potato Recipes-have a new meaning! Or at least kind of a different backdrop.

Horowitz is amazing and inspiring. *smile on my face*

Today

Today is my 30th high school reunion. In Chicago. I am not there, because I just couldn't get there this time. Either I'd have to pay an exorbitant airfare price, or endure 2 8-hour drives over the span of a few days. With a bad back that option is not super appealing.

So in honor of my hs alma mater, I am wearing my school sweatshirt today. We used to be the New Trier East Indians. But years ago, NTE and NTW (Cowboys) have merged into one hs -- New Trier. They are the Trevians. Didn't know what that was myself, but it is like a warrior. Regardless, I couldn't find a sweatshirt with a Trevian on it, and anyway that wouldn't even feel right, because to me we are the Indians.

Ah-my head is in Chicago today, celebrating with my schoolmates...


Thanks Super G., for taking the photo...

Wouldn't Qualify

Oh yes, I would definitely not qualify to be a blog included in the BlogHer network. They have guidelines about consistency of content, and frequency of posts. Yup, the frequency thing just would drop me right off the coveted blogroll.

OK, any readers out there may have gathered that this could possibly be a "filler" post...

Just not enough time-
- busy with work
- one daughter has sprained ankle which means we all need to pitch in a little more to help
- many other commitments
- driving children to and fro
Woe is me (actually not really).

Putting energy into other stuff...but good stuff at that.

Living life one day at a time.

This Day

Post of the day...
Yet I have nothing to say...

First Day of School

Alright -- I am a couple days late here...

We have a new high schooler-yes only the hand was provided for photo subject matter. And quite a nice hand it is!!

8th grader-Looking good, "Shorty"!!

3rd grader-Ready for what the day brings, as always!

Oh man, time is flying...and the house is strangely calm and quiet until, oh, about 3pm...

Family-Happy

Last weekend we went to Chicago to celebrate a special event. My big brother's 50th bday. It was a surprise party. How fun! My sis-in-law organized the whole thing.

There are 130 some-odd people there, and it really was a special celebration. My bro's work associates (docs and nurses etc.) and friends were there, and I was so delighted to meet them. I played photographer and enjoyed interacting with them.

I also had the fun task of reaching out to his high school track mates. This was a bit of a challenge, as I had to do it stealth, without the use of his records of their contacts. I managed through their help to find a couple people that they had "lost!" I got to hear how they felt about D., some stories about him, and generally it was great and I felt helpful etc. But mostly, I felt proud of my big bro.

Here's a couple photos-bro & sis with D's wife G, with my parents, cousin S.


The next day, G. got to swim at their pool with her fun and very energetic cousin D., while we had a nice visit. This was after my bro did a swimming leg at the Chicago Triathlon. Hard core!

Beautiful Smile #2

G. just got her expander off today. We have a before pic...

...and the after pics!! Yes, first thing she did after getting the expander off was pop in a piece of gum.

Nicely done Boo!