Christmas Party

Last night was our annual Schroeder Family Christmas party.  We always have our gathering the night after Christmas to accommodate  all the different schedules that happen at this time of year.

We were really looking forward to a crowd but the snow started around 2 p.m. and by the time folks would have been driving into Dearborn for the party, the roads were pretty treacherous and so the turnout was smaller than planned.  But, that doesn't mean we didn't have a great time.

Szegedi's Catering cooked for us again this year and the roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy were wonderful.

We had some music this year.  My niece, Rachel, played her guitar for a little while and my nephew, Dan, brought his friend, John, who brought his accordion.

The accordion music brought us to our feet as we tried some polkas, tangoes and some swing dancing.

My mom took a swing around the floor with good friend, Joe.

And, a few of us tried a Tango.

The kids aren't kids anymore. Most of them tower over the adults and they love to be together.

Most of my siblings were there:

Time flies when you're having fun and the two events I had been looking so forward to are now over.  But some of us get to escape up north this weekend to have Christmas with my dear one's family and so not all of the fun is done. And, with the New Year comes our first birthday of the year which means the partying will last a little while longer.  May you all have a wonderful New Year!!

New York

Ten years ago I took our three oldest daughters to New York and Boston for a long weekend.

This year, they, plus the next oldest daughter, took me.  (Just to New York.)

 Liz and Caitlyn drove in rain and dark for 9 hours through Pennsylvania and New Jersey onto Staten Island.  (I drove the Ohio portion). What troopers!  It was a terrifying ride because, not only did it rain the whole way, there were semi trucks crowding the road and the rest stops.  They were very boldly driving through the rain and passing slower cars left and right. After our book on CD ended and we still had two hours to drive, Amanda and Caitlyn took turns reading "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" to help keep Liz awake while she drove into the wee hours of the morning.  I was very grateful to get to the hotel.

After arriving at 3 a.m., we fell into bed and slept until around 9 a.m. Then, Erin managed the freeways like a champ and we spent Friday on Manhattan seeing the typical sites; 30 Rock, the Christmas tree and ice rink in Rockefeller Center, NBC studios, St. Patrick's Cathedral (all wrapped in scaffolding for repairs) and of course the street performers.

We figured out the subways, which are still in the midst of cleanup after Hurricane Sandy.  The line we were on had just opened that morning so we lucked out.

We took Boston Market chicken back to the hotel for supper and crawled into bed exhausted.  I decided, since it was only 8 p.m. and I was wiped out, that the next day I was staying in because I wanted to be awake for 'Newsies' which is what we were there to see.  Saturday evening, Erin got us to the parking garage and theatre with no problem and even learned to beep her horn New York style.  The drivers are so bold and the taxi drivers don't even need lanes!

The play was amazing.  I found myself wishing for a rewind button so I could watch it again. I was so engrossed with the singing and dancing that I didn't even sing along.

Erin and Amanda made the drive home in 3 fewer hours. It was not only shorter it was much less hair raising because it was Sunday, so no truckers, and it was sunny and dry.  We had a great time and I'm so grateful for the  memories.  Now, I'm counting the weeks until I take our 12 year old to Los Angeles to see my brother and his family.  We'll be flying!

Ramblings

I woke up this morning to find: a bottle of Windex on the floor in the living room, a roll of paper towel on the chair in the family room, and a car part of unknown name on the counter in the kitchen.  Guess who finished his semester and is on to other things? (btw- he passed Diffy Q. and Thermodynamics).

I went to Target today (didn't end up shoplifting anything this time) to buy snacks. One hundred fifty dollars later, I checked out.  But, I'm that much closer to being done Christmas shopping. And, I found a new book!

Had lunch with my dear one at Pot Belly.  Good food and great company. Thanks, Sweetie.

The five of us who are going to New York this weekend are trying to figure out the least amount of clothing to pack for a four day trip in a vehicle with very little storage space.  Very much looking forward to being with my girlies!

Getting up at 5:20 a.m. to go work out is so hard to think about when you're crawling into bed at night, but makes you feel so glad you did it the next morning once you're home again.

I got to use my nursing skills several times this week.  On Monday, a gentleman passed out in church right at the end of morning Mass.  I was very glad there were several nurses, two priests and other helpful people standing there as it wasn't just a quick slump, put your head between your knees and you'll feel better kind of passing out.  This man was quite sick and his poor wife was so scared.  I heard today that he spent the night in the hospital and is expected to be fine.

Today I got to do an ultrasound on a 21 week old baby.  I love to watch these little ones move and stretch, and to see their moms get excited.

I also got to do some nutrition and exercise counseling for a mom concerned for her daughter's health. It was a great day.

And a final note: last Friday, my nephew Michael received his nursing pin.  My mom, who is a nurse, got to pin him.  We now have 3 generations of nurses is the family.  

Barenfunc

That's pronounced 'barn funk'.  The spelling is questionable but the fun at the parties is not.

This is the name of our family's Christmas party each year.  It is actually the name of the drink that is made at the party.

So, I called my mom and got the history of the party:

It seems my grandparents on my dad's side pickled tongue yearly but it was never a party, just a family tradition.  You start with a nice fresh cow's tongue.

The tongue is cooked in pickling spices for several hours until it is nice and tender and easy to peel.

It is then set out to cool and wait for the guests to arrive.

At the appropriate time,  before the drinking begins,  large onions are sliced in to rings and the tongues are skinned and cut into bite-sized pieces (about the size of a Ritz cracker.)  Yes, the taste buds are still on there.

The tongue and onions are layered in a crock pot and the pickling spices and vinegar (I believe a 2:1 ratio) are added.  The tongue goes into the fridge to pickle for two weeks and then the Barenfunc in made.

According to the story, brought over from a friend of a friend from Germany, there was a farmer who wanted to kill a bear so he would have his winter's meat.  He decided to pour vodka into a honey comb,  thereby making the bear drunk so he would have an easy shot.

So, Barenfunc is vodka warmed on the stove with honey and lemon added.  Each year a new brew is created and lately different flavors of vodka have been tried with mixed success.  One year my parents did not have a funnel to use to return the vodka to its bottle and so my industrious brother-in-law (of sod laying fame) made one.

As you can imagine, with shots going around, a lot of laughter follows.   In order to remember what made us laugh, we took to writing down "funnies" on paper napkins. For years my parents had stacks of them that we would re-read each year.  This year my brother took over the tradition for us and now he has stacks of napkins to remind us of fun parties past.

Lucky for me, only one of our children likes pickled tongue so she and I will share it this year and look forward to next year's party.

The Accidental Shoplifters

I have always followed in my big sister's footsteps.  She taught me how to walk, talk, and share.  She was a lefty and so, even though I was a righty, I wrote with my left hand.  We shared the misery of chickenpox, mumps and 4 new schools in 5 years.

When she got her driver's license, she used to take our slightly younger sister and me shopping at F & M for some great deals.

While I know we are close, in age as well as other things I found how just how much we think and act alike when she told this story:

Seems she had her daughter at Target and was holding onto a tank top she intended to buy. She threw it over her shoulder to keep it out in the open while her daughter went into the dressing room to try on some new clothes.  And, she forgot it was there.  She walked all through the store with it on her shoulder and through the checkout.  Even the cashier didn't notice.

When she got outside, her daughter said, "Mom, are you going to buy that tank top?"  Back in they went to pay for the tank top.

This week, I had the same type of experience, twice.  I put a small item in the seat of the cart and forgot it was there when I was unloading the cart.  The beeping at the door, ignored by everyone anywhere near the door, alerted me to the fact that it was still sitting in the cart.  Thankfully I had only gone through the first door and not made it to the van yet.  So, I turned back in and paid for it.

The second incident occurred when the kids and I were shopping for outfits to give to needy kids this Christmas.  Number two son put an outfit together to show me.  Unfortunately, I didn't think to ask if the belt was already on the pants or if it came separate until we were home and I was wrapping the gifts.

Off to my favorite store, again, tomorrow to paid for said shoplifted belt.  On the upside, I have to print our Christmas photo so I was going to be there anyway.

Endorphins and College Kids

We've all been doing a lot of hugging lately.  It was brought to my attention recently that at about 20 seconds into a hug endorphins kick in and a happy feeling starts to spread through the hugees.

With Diffy Q. (differential equations), nursing clinicals, a chemistry professor that does not speak English very well and Master's level classes there have been many endorphin rushes needed to keep kiddos on track and feeling loved so that they can accomplish all, in good time and with good grades.

I take my place on the bottom step cause all of these kids, boys especially, are much taller than I and then we hug away.

Josh asked for a hug the other day while I was in my bedroom and I said, "yes, hang on one sec."  He replied, "snubbed!" I then reached under my bed and pulled out a step stool.  He wondered if it was my hugging stool.  I told him yes, it saves my neck and your dad's back!

There is a small downside to all this hugging.  Apparently we've also been sharing germs as 4 of us are now sick.  On the upside, we should be better by Christmas.  I think we'll keep on hugging even after the semester ends.

Those endorphins are pretty sweet.

The Scent of Christmas

Everyone has certain aromas they associate with Christmas; evergreen trees, candy canes, cookies baking.  For me that scent is pickling spices.

Every year, for as long as I can remember, our family Christmas party has been a tongue pickling party; as in cow's tongue.

My favorite pre-Christmas thrill was to go to my parents' house the day the tongues were stewing in the pickling juice and just breathe deeply.  The scent would go right to my core.  It meant a fun party in the evening and that Christmas was only two weeks away.

This year, my parents did not have their party, but my brother has taken up the tradition.  Even though I was unable to attend his party I still got to have the thrill of the scent as well as my first piece of tongue for the year.  I even have my own little container of tongue that will be fully pickled right at Christmas.

In a future blog I will explain the tradition, with photos!

Spotlight On . . .

I've been contemplating doing this for a while so I guess I'll begin today.  As I go about my days, running errands or enjoying lunch or dinner out every once in a while, or even needing something repaired around the house,  I run across a business or restaurant that really makes me feel good about spending my money with them.  So, I've decided that when I encounter one of these fine places or people, I will blog about them so that anyone in the area who reads my blogs can check them out.  A little free advertising so to speak.

Today I wish to highlight:

Westborn Tailor & Cleaners is located at  22668 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48124. 

 While I've been aware that they were there for a while, I never had need of a tailor so I never thought to go into the shop.  Well, in the past year, our family has had that need several times and I'm glad I finally went in.  Daughter, Caitlyn, and I each needed dresses altered.  The job on each dress was beautifully done and the fit was perfect.  

My dear one has a very nice wool overcoat.  The lining was a wreck last year and he wore it anyway.  This year I decided a new lining was probably a lot less expensive than a new overcoat.  The smile on his face when he wore it the first time after the repair was priceless.  Again, the job was flawless.  

Son, Josh, needed some work done on his Air Force uniforms and he was looking sharp when he wore them for field training this summer. 

Currently, they are hemming a pair of slacks for me.

Sam Sabbagh and Mariam Eid were kind enough to let me take their photo and share it with you.

So, if you are in need of alterations, or dry cleaning, I highly recommend Westborn Tailor & Cleaners.  The staff is very friendly, the work is done quickly, the price is very reasonable and the quality is top notch. Thank you Sam and Miriam and all of your employees who make my life a little easier! I'm glad you're in the neighborhood. 

Memories of Christmas Trees

When I was a child, we always had a real Christmas tree.  I remember tromping around in the snow (yes there was actually snow back then) in my snowsuit, with my siblings in a 'forest' looking for the perfect tree.  My dad would bring a saw and crawl under the tree and down it would come.

The years passed and I got too busy to go with my dad and younger siblings to look for the tree.

When I was dating my dear one, we, along with my sisters and their boyfriends, went to cut down my parents' tree and I realized that the 'forest' was just just a tree farm and most of the trees were actually pretty small.  Amazing what a little height will do for you.

The next year, when my dear one and I were engaged, my parents got an artificial tree.  The horror!  But, things change and my dad wasn't feeling the need to go cut one down and, with wedding plans in full swing, I think it was just easier.

That turned out to be a year-round tree in 1983.  My mom decided not to take it down (either that or she just never found the time).  So in January she hung New Year's decorations on it, in February it was decorated in hearts.  Of course March saw it wearing shamrocks and in April the replies to the wedding invitations were cut into bells and hung on the tree.

May was kind of a blur with the wedding, but each month got a unique set of decorations depending on the celebration that took place.

The tree finally came down in November!  My dear one and I used the top of it for a tiny Christmas tree in our first apartment. I don't remember if my parents had a tree that year.

Eventually, when all the kids moved out they reduced the tree to a color-changing fiber optic table top model.  The less clutter the better.

Now, they don't have a tree at all. Instead they decorate the mantle with a Christmas stocking for each person in the family.  All the stockings are hand-made and decorated with the names and there is a "?" stocking for a  baby-on-the-way.  They haven't had to use that one in a while. The Jesus stocking hangs  bottom center and when nice things are done the person's name and good deed go into the stocking as  gifts for Jesus' birthday.  Each grandchild gets a candy cane and a gold dollar.  It's a great tradition that started when our oldest daughter and the oldest grandchild came along.  It keeps things simple for my parents and the grandkids love it.

I'm looking forward to getting our tree this weekend.  The weather will determine if it is pre-cut or harvested.  Either way, it always brings back memories of my childhood and a hope that the memories our children carry will be just as special.

Advent Tree

If you've driven down Silvery Lane between Ford Road and Cherry Hill when it was dark, in the past few days you probably couldn't help noticing two towering, lit up trees in front of The Church of the Divine Child; one with purple lights and one with white.


Advent started Sunday and for the third year in a row our parish held its Advent Tree lighting ceremony.

The first year it was bitterly cold but the tree lit just fine.

Last year it poured buckets and in the rain and the mud everyone was afraid Fr. Bilot was going to be electrocuted as he attempted to get the lights to go on.  No luck.  They sputtered for a second and the tree went dark again.  It was lit up the next day, after the rain stopped, and it looked beautiful.

This year we had the honor of having Mayor O'Reilly present as well as City Councilman, Brian O'Donnell.  
The high school brass ensemble played a couple of Christmas carols and members of the grade school and high school choral groups each sang for us.

The weather was beautiful and the rain had stopped.  Both trees lit with no issues.

The festivities ended with hot chocolate and cookies, and for those who waited until 8 p.m. there was night prayer.  A peaceful end to the day and a wonderful beginning to the new week.

Night prayer continues each Sunday throughout Advent.  Join us as we wait in joyful anticipation of Christmas. 

Black Friday Shopping

I don't usually venture out of the house on Black Friday.  I'd rather stay home and be warm and comfortable than fight the crowds just to save a little bit of money.

This year was a lot different.  My dear one and I were at Sears bright and early after dropping off our son at swim practice at 8 a.m.  We decided to see if we could get some deals on appliances for our new kitchen.

We did well!  We found a new range  and a new dishwasher (photos in another blog after they are delivered.)  Our salesman, Luis, was a big help, but maybe a little disappointed that we didn't buy the $1100 range with "true" convection and, I believe he called it, induction heating. Apparently only metallic pots and pans on the burner will make the stovetop heat up.

We decided on a stainless steel finish, and the stove has a glass top so, hopefully, it will be easier to keep clean.  The dishwasher is one the kiddos will love.  The dirtier the dishes, the better it will clean them.  It has its own garbage disposal and a sensor to detect the dirt level.  This should be interesting. I've seen the commercials where they put a whole cake in the machine--let's hope no one tries this at home!

As we will milling around looking at appliances, I happened to see some lovely Christmas dresses for little girls.  I picked out one for our tenacious one and, because it was 60% off, I paid less than $25 for it.   And, they had so many cashiers I didn't even have to wait in line to pay for it.

Then I hit Meijer and Costco, but just for food.  The kids were going to starve it I didn't because "there's nothing to eat in this house" week had arrived.

Later in the day, the five youngest kids and I hit Target.  I just needed a few things (like new pillows for $3 each!) but the kids were on a mission to buy Christmas gifts for each other.  It was so much fun watching them try to avoid each other and, yet, still find me to get my opinion on gifts. At one point I was walking down a main aisle and I thought I saw a streak of green and white go past about 50 yards away from me.  Turns out our youngest son was in pursuit of his sister-at a faster than walking rate of speed- trying to peek at what she had picked out for him.  Glad we didn't get kicked out of the store.

The youngest and I found our way to the toys and we both ended up with a Bop-it Smash in our hands, kneeling on the floor sitting against our feet, trying to stop the light in the middle section of the wand.  Too fun!   I hope one ends up under our tree.  We all left happy and having saved some cash.

But, the day was not over.  My dear one and I went to dinner and then he took me to Dress Barn where everything in the store was buy-one-get-one-half-off.  And then, he spoiled me.  I got a new black skirt with a blouse and a red (favorite color) jacket to wear with it.  Also, a new pair of slacks and two new sweaters to wear with them.  Thanks, Sweetie.

So, for my first Black Friday outing, I would say it went very well.  Next year I may not balk at trying it again. I may even prepare for it by looking at the hundred pages of ads that come in the paper.

Then again, after watching videos of chaos in stores over small items of zero consequence, maybe not.

Let the destruction begin!

We are getting a new kitchen!  After 14 years with this one and all the use it gets day in and day out, it is time.

Once we order cabinets it will take 4-6 weeks for them to be delivered but there is a ton of work to do before that.

The dining room used to have two corner cabinets.  Once the kids got permission to take them out they were gung ho to help.

The only picture I have is from a birthday party.

This is what it looks like now.

As you can see, there is a lot of repair work ahead of us.  

The scalloped decoration over the half wall is gone as well and maybe the beam up there will hold lights in the future.  

Stay tuned for updates.  Off to the Home Depot to show my dear one the plans that have been drawn up and maybe to buy a new stove a little early.  The oven door is no longer functioning on my current one. Timing is everything! 

Birthday Girl

Last week our tenacious one turned 8.  This is a milestone birthday as it means no more booster seat in the car.

For weeks she had been thinking about and planning her birthday celebration. She wanted a Harry Potter birthday.  She made invitations even though the only people coming were mom, dad and siblings.  Everyone got an invitation to "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry".  They also were assigned a character name and received a train ticket for platform 9 3/4.

I was content to let her have her fun and be done with it, but when there are many siblings, there is a lot of input especially when it comes to the youngest.

So, Amanda pulled up Pinterest on my computer, searched Harry Potter themed birthday parties, and then left for school.

Thankfully, she, Caitlyn and Josh got home in time to help pull off a little surprise.  The birthday girl got home from school to find:

Harry Potter glasses and  Quidditch broom goodie bags,

wizard hat cupcakes,

presents wrapped like school books,

 a wizard hat and her own train ticket. 

The look on her face was priceless.  The party was a huge success and she got just what she wanted for her gifts:  Disney Fairies, and a special pan in which to bake cake and brownie pops. Ten down and one more to go for the year.  In less than a month, we will have a 12 year old.  I wonder if I can find some One Direction party ideas on Pinterest!

Wedding Bells

But not at our house.

One of Caitlyn's best friends got married yesterday and my dear one and I were invited to the wedding.

Caitlyn and Katherine met in kindergarten and have been friends ever since.

The wedding,  though it did not come off without a hitch, (no pun intended) was lovely.  I think every bride and groom encounter something that is out of their control but Katherine and Jeremy had two things to deal with before the wedding even started.

The hairdressing took much longer than expected because one of the stylists did not show up for work. Caitlyn was still in the chair getting her hair done at 12:45 and the wedding was at 1:00.  Ack.

Katherine remained calm until they arrived at the church, 15 minutes late, to find that the florist had not delivered her flowers.  Double ack!

Never the less, she smiled all the way up the aisle to meet her teary-eyed, beaming groom and the ceremony was lovely!

The reception was held at the Fairlane Club and was very nicely done.

The groom is a chemist and, as I learned last night, a groom's cake is a new tradition at some weddings.
Well, Jeremy's mom went all out.  She made enough bite sized cup cakes to make the entire periodic table. Using color coded fondant she labeled each cupcake with an element's name and mass number.  Pretty sweet.

After the bridal dance, I got a peek at Katherine's blue high tops.  Nice!

My dear one and I danced a few dances and caught up with some old friends that we have not seen in a while. It was a nice evening out and there will likely be a few more like it in our future.  

Trunk or Treat

My dear one and I took the two youngest girlies to their school for our first ever Trunk or Treat.  Although I have seen signs for them in the past, I never thought to go to one until this year.

It was pretty fun.

When the older kids were little, I would stay at home and pass out candy and dad would take the ones old enough to walk a block or two without losing their mind, out to get candy.

As they grew too old to go get candy, they passed out our goodies and still, my dear one would take out the trick or treaters.

This year, I got to go too.  No more little ones to sit home with and no need to pass out candy because it's not yet Halloween.

The parking lots were full of SUVs and mini vans with bundled, costumed candy givers.  It was a really short walk from vehicle to vehicle and even though it was a bit cold, it was nothing like having to walk for blocks to get a bucketful.

There was a hearse decked out as an ambulance and the "nurse" was handing out candy from a bedpan (a real metal one from the good old days).  Cider, hot chocolate and donuts were available and everyone was really friendly and having a good time.


With all the time spent on the girls getting them ready, we had one zombie and one princess, you would have thought it was the real deal.  And, it might just well be since I've heard the weather is supposed to be pretty bad Wednesday.










The girls still want to dress up to show their friends on the block their costumes but they may be done getting candy.  That should be okay as they brought home quite a haul tonight.  I'm looking forward to Trunk or Treat next year.

Just a little brag.

Can I just say, my dear one and I have great kids!!

Over the past week I have had many opportunities to watch our kids in action with other kids, and with adults.

Let's start with the youngest.  We were standing in line at the spirit store after school one day, waiting to buy a smencil (otherwise known as a smelly pencil).  The two children in front of us were both with grandparents, and unfortunately these adults did not receive the respect they deserved nor did they correct the kids when they were treated disrespectfully. I heard no pleases or thank yous during the purchases.

Then up walks our princess (dad's nickname for her).  She politely and with a please, asked for her pencil, and thanked the mom working the store not once, but twice;  once for the pencil and once for her change.

Next we went to 7-Eleven for our end of the month Slurpee.  Number two son escorted the two younger girls into the store and held the door for a gentleman with a noticeable limp who came up behind him. He was aware enough to look back before letting the door close.  :-)

Amanda, while going for a run, decided to stop in and see her grandparents.  She spent the better part of an hour and half just chit chatting and sharing stories.  I'm sure my parents were thrilled!

Last night we went to parent-teacher conferences. Our 11 year old's math teacher made sure that we knew that our sweet daughter often stays after the last bell to help put the chairs on the desks of the students who forget to put theirs up when they leave the classroom.

It is wonderful affirmation to see that our words and expectations are being heard and taken seriously.  Not that we or they are perfect but it is fun to brag just a little.

Tonight

As I sit here typing, there are two different computers playing two different kinds of music, both loudly enough to keep the youngest awake, but apparently not loud enough to wake her up.  One good thing about being the youngest in a noisy household; you can sleep through anything.

Erin is baking again. More pumpkin bread for the co-workers and M & M cookies for us.  Yea.

The car shuffle has already happened, much to the dismay of the person waiting in the street to pass by as three cars made their way up the driveway.

This evening was day 6 of our 6th child driver's ed class.  Even though this is our 6th driver, I've already warned my dear one that he will have to do a lot of driving practices because, the older I get, the more jumpy I get in the car, unless of course, I'm driving.

The homework was done by 7 p.m. Whew.  She's getting better every day.  Either that or it's just a lighter load this week since the 1st quarter just ended and there is no rush to get grades turned in.  School tomorrow and then a 4 day weekend for the youngest two kids.  A much needed break for mom, too.

I have my third book for the week waiting on the arm of the chair for me to get to it.  Not that I've read two whole books this week, just finished two that I had previously started.  (I very rarely have only one book going at a time.) This one is called, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.  So far it's pretty good.

So, to the aroma of fresh baked cookies, I'm going to go curl up with a good book (and since I've been up since 5:30 a.m., probably fall asleep!)

More Books!

Remember my earlier post about books?  Well, I did it again.  I just bought three more books.  :-)

Of the previous three that I purchased, I loaned out two and read one.  The one I read was A Secret Kept by Tatiana de Rosnay.  I have to say that after reading her book Sarah's Key and loving it (it was a very riveting story) this one was a let down.  There was a lot of filler and too many plots going on, only one of which was resolved at the end.





The new books are: The Gift of Faith by Rev. Tadeusz Dajczer, which I am reading in conjunction with The Year of Faith that the Church began celebrating on Wednesday (see my post at centeredinchrist1.blogspot.com),  Clara's War; One Girl's Story of Survival by Clare Kramer, which just happened to pop up when I went to Amazon to buy the first book, (we love holocaust surviver books around here), and Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry.




The last book was in my shopping cart just waiting for me to buy over $25 worth of books so I could get free shipping.  It is one of four books in a series that starts with The Giver,  which, if you haven't read, I highly recommend.





In fact, if you decide to read it I wouldn't mind some commentary.  We have a split decision in our home about the ending and I'd like to hear what you think about the outcome.

The other two books in the series are available at the library so I am just borrowing them. This requires a shorter storage time and more pressure to read them in a timely fashion.

I think I'd better get the two that I loaned out, back and get started on them.  It's probably a good thing that colder days and darker nights are coming.  More reading time for me.  I just hope it's not after midnight when I get to them.

1:52 a.m.

Here I sit writing and waiting for our youngest son to finish his homework.  Yawn.  I did get some sleep already tonight which is probably why I'm even functioning.

The dishes are done,  most of the house is picked up (sort of). and the floors are swept.  I have a line of pumpkins, some carved and some not, sitting on the living room floor.  The skeleton, that earlier graced the front door, lies limply on the couch awaiting a fresh tape up job.  Oh, I just found the tape.  It's under the living room table.  Missed that when I swept.

Gracing other horizontal surfaces are a computer charger, a shoebox now "piggy bank", a bottle of glue and a stuffed animal sitting on top of the CD player. The requisite pair of shoes awaits the morning rush.  They are where they are because it makes the morning easier for the person to whom they belong.

This is life in a houseful of active, busy people.

Life happens here and it's a beautiful thing.  Even more beautiful is that fact that sometimes I can look at the clutter (that often drives me crazy) and be grateful for it.  I am not alone.

I have been immensely blessed with a big, happy, peaceful (for the most part), loving family.  When the little things start to get to me, it feels good to stay up late and remember how blessed I really am.

Thanks A Million!

My parents needed a new lawn, desperately!  When the Jimmy Tree was removed to become Dearborn's Christmas tree a few years ago, the lawn where the tree used to be never grew to anything resembling nice.

My mom called a local nursery and got an outrageous estimate for new sod ($5000!)  and so, instead,  the in-law men and grandsons stepped up to the challenge.

My brother-in-law, Rob, took charge and everyone let him because he is so good at whatever he attempts.  He sprayed the lawn to kill it,  measured the lot, ordered the fill dirt and sod and replaced all the heads on the sprinklers so the hard work that was about to happen would not be in vain.

On a Thursday evening a couple of weeks ago he came with the sod cutter and loosened all the dead grass.  Friday evening my other brother-in-law, Roger, came and helped Rob and the grandsons, Alex, Michael, Joe, and Jake roll up and dump all the dead stuff.

Saturday morning, dark and early, Rob was back pulling the fill dirt in to level the area so the new lawn would look nice.

The guys, including another brother-in-law, Tom, and another grandson, Dan, got back to work Saturday morning and by 11:00 a.m. the new lawn was in and looking wonderful.  My parents were just in awe of them.

Just wanted to give a public THANKS to all these great guys for their hard work and for making my mom and dad very happy with their new lawn.

Getting this homework business under control

Well, it's been six weeks since school started and my sixth grader and I are getting used to the nightly ritual.  I've come up with a system that benefits the second grader, the 6th grader, my parents and me.   My mom takes the second grader and does homework with her. It is a very quiet, peaceful environment and it is wonderful grandma-grandchild time.  My dad doesn't help with the homework, but he gets to enjoy the company. That leaves me free to work the 6th grader.

Two nights ago I hit upon another strategy:  use the college kids to help.

Amanda is currently taking a chemistry class that is a little overwhelming for her.  Well, Erin already had the class and so she got out her trusty white board and makers and showed Amanda how to use that large space to make the learning a little easier.

So, when there was a 6th grade science test to study for,  Amanda, after deciding that my method of going over the study notes was a boring and terrible way to study,  took the white board off the wall and set it in front of her little sister.  I went to my room for some quiet time.

When I came downstairs, there was the white board covered with information,  pictures, and a mnemonic device, and the sixth grader grinning from ear to ear because, not only did she have her big sister's undivided attention, she actually understood her science and was getting geeked to have a go at the test.

Grandma seems to be a good teacher too, because the spelling test only had one misspelled word.

So this week I'm grateful for a little less homework, my mom and dad, big sisters and white boards.

Homecoming Parade

The Homecoming Parade, that we almost didn't get to participate in, was actually pretty fun.

The boys and I hopped in the van ready to head to the high school so the van could be decorated for the parade.  Not a full two blocks from home, it died and would not restart.  We were already going to be late and this was not helping.

Dear one to the rescue!  He drove his vehicle to where I was stalled and let me take it to the parade instead.  Unfortunately he had vacuumed and washed my van but not his truck, which was in dire need of a good scrubbing.

The kids seemed to have a good time wrapping it all up in streamers and flags from different countries (it was the International Club that  was doing the decorating).

As we started driving the parade route, the teacher who had bummed a ride with us, popped in a CD of German music that we were supposed to blare while we made our way along the route.  It was awful! The cover said something to the effect of "German music for merry making and beer drinking."  Not my cup of tea!

Along the way, all the folks who had come out to see the floats and prom court waved to us.  I cheerfully waved back while anxiously awaiting arrival at the football field so I could turn the radio off.

We had the back hatch of the truck open and the teens kept taking turns sitting in the back.  It's a little disconcerting trying to drive with the back end of the vehicle readjusting to the varying weights of the riders getting in and out.

Overall it was fun.  The clouds that hung and sprinkled us a little as the decorating was going on, dispersed as we drove and by the time we arrived at our destination, the sun made an appearance.  The clouds totally cleared from the sky and the game was played under the lights with a beautiful moon hanging in the sky.

And to top it all off,  our team won the game!

Spirit Week

This weekend is homecoming at the high school our boys attend.  So, besides having a half day today, and field day tomorrow (about 2 1/2 hours of fun and games) the students got to have a no uniform week.  Monday was pajama day.  I'm not sure when it became okay to wear p.j.s in public, much less school.

Tuesday was crazy sweater day.  Our Jr. likes to shop at Value World and so he has an awesome sweater with lots of colors and a neat pattern.  The frosh borrowed one of his dad's sweaters.  Being that his dad is an accountant, it's not too crazy, but it was something he wouldn't typically wear so it fit the bill.

I don't remember what Wednesday was.  I saw them both dressed for school and didn't notice anything amiss so maybe they just wore jeans.

Today was crazy hair and dress day.  I tried to take a photo of the two of them but one wouldn't stay posed.  It was too early in the morning and he not only did not want his photo taken,  he definitely did not want it shown on my blog.  A couple of the girls had fun helping their younger brother with his first crazy hair day.  He went to school with about 30 little pony tails in his curly, red (freshly dyed) locks.

Their outfits matched the crazy label, too.  Mixed patterns and unmatched socks and such.  Tomorrow is field day so they won't have any classes, but I'm kind of wondering if they got anything done today.  The outfits and hair would have kept me very distracted.

Hopefully next week it will be back to business as usual.  Although the 9th grader already informed me that he will be on retreat one of the days so maybe I'll have to wait until the following week for a 5 day work week.  I don't think I'll check the calendar until then.

Next up:  Homecoming parade and I get to drive one of the vehicles.

Adjusting

Today is the first day of the fifth week of school.  So far the kids have not had a single full, five day week.  For the high schoolers, this week will be no exception.  Parent-teacher conferences are Thursday and so they have a half day.

How are we all adjusting to school?  I, for one, can't figure out how I home schooled in the first place. It feels like all I do is run.  I know we got school work done so the errands must have taken a back seat.  I know the house cleaning did!

The days fly by ( I've only had one nap) and then comes pick up time.  From 3:00 p.m. until up to 10:45 p.m. we do dinner and then homework.  My poor sixth grader is having quite an adjustment.  We are drying lots of tears.

I wish there was a way to make it easier as we are all exhausted by the weekend.  It's still only September and they are counting the days until Thanksgiving break.

I have not baked, I have had hot chocolate with a friend only once and the book reading has come to almost a complete halt, although I did use my Barnes and Nobel birthday gift card and bought three new books so I hold out hope.  And, you can tell how much writing I've done if you look at the date of my last post.

I have, however, been to Mass almost every day.  I visit my mom and dad, do laundry and cook dinner so we can eat at 4 0'clock.

I am enjoying the quiet during the day.  It gives me energy for the evenings.

I suppose I will fall into a routine.  For now, I take it as it comes and keep smiling.

Surprise!!

That's what I got July 29 at about 4:00 p.m. after being with my mom and sisters for a lovely birthday lunch in Novi.

My sister drove me home and when she pulled into the drive way I was greeted by A LOT of guests waiting to wish me happy birthday.  I was so shocked I sat in the van with tears running down my cheeks.  My sister said, "I think they're waiting for you to get out!"

As I focused farther and farther into the crowd and I started realizing just who came to help me celebrate turning 50, I became even more overwhelmed.

It was awesome to see siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends from church, other friends and neighbors all gathered in my back yard.

Apparently it was a month long effort by my dear one and the older kids. Wayne made a list and told the girls to make it happen and let him know how much it was going to cost.

I found out one of my daughter's friends stored quite a bit of the food at his house even though it was Ramadan and he was fasting!  What a guy.

Other neighbors pitched in by hiding the necessary tables and chairs, grill etc in their back yard.  Some friends loaned Wayne a canopy to keep the sun off everyone.

The kids and their significant others pulled it all together including grilling hamburgers and hot dogs and when it was over, I did not have to lift a figure in the cleanup!  Another gift.

It was an amazing party and I'm grateful to be so loved.  Thanks everyone!

Alone time? What's that?

I still need to change my profile but we had a big change happen August 21.  All of the younger children went to school outside of the home.

Our oldest child was born a little more than 28 years ago.  In the years following her birth, I can count  the number of days I have been alone in the house.  And, in the house we currently live in, I can count it in minutes!

That's a lot of years of not being alone!!

And, even though the four of them are in school, the older ones have not yet returned to the college campuses, and so I have still not experienced 'alone' time.  However, I have had some time to myself.  What have I done?  Cleaned.

I have a week and half left before every is gone for at least a little while every day. I want the house to look great (and a little less lived in) when I decide to put my feet up and read a good book, or watch a video. (That's another thing I can probably count fairly easily- the number of videos I have seen all the way through.)

I am looking forward to having company over for hot chocolate or tea and being able to have a conversation with a friend.  I hope I still speak adult.

I am looking forward to going to the library and bringing home some books that don't come from the middle school shelves.

I am looking forward to napping, baking, writing, shopping and rediscovering me.

I wonder how long it will take me to adjust to alone time.  We shall see.

Proud Mom and Dad

Son, Josh,  graduated from Air Force ROTC Field Training on Sunday.

He was in Alabama and Mississippi for one month with very little contact with the outside world.  The contact he had was in the form of mail and the bus trip from Alabama to Mississippi and back.  Other than that it was 33 days of entrenchment.

My dear one and I were able to fly down to be with him on graduation day. It was an impressive ceremony and you could certainly see how well trained these cadets are.

It was a little intimidating being there because I witnessed all the saluting and stiff walking that was going on. At one point the color guard got yelled at (over the loud speaker) because a tassel on the Red, White and Blue was touching the ground.  She fixed it rather quickly and continued her march.

It was a wonderful couple of hours filled with many, many stories.  I figure since he was gone for a month, he'll likely have a month's worth of stories to tell so that should keep us gagging or laughing for a while.

Proud of you, Josh!!

You know you're camping when . . .

...the paper plates blow onto the ground and you brush them off and use them anyway.

...you have to walk 100 yards to use the bathroom or shower and you do so willingly.

...you smell like campfire smoke for 5 days even after a showering on each of those days.

...your children spend hours together with no electronics and actually get along really well.

...your 16 year old plays Yahtzee with you and you use real dice and a score card that you have to fill out yourself.

...breakfast is eaten on the bed because the picnic table is wet from last night's rainfall.

...the s'mores taste better than ever, dripping with melted chocolate and gooey marshmallows.

...you take the time to enjoy the sunset.

...the bug noises keep you awake the first night and lull you to sleep on subsequent nights.

We had a great time, but boy is it good to be home.

Down Time

Last week was our annual family summer vacation.  This is only the second year in the past 11 that we have not all been together.

Son Josh is away for field training in Alabama and could not come and daughter Amanda was working so she got to stay home with the mutt. 

Twelve years ago one of the home schooling moms sent an email saying that her parents were moving and the house she grew up in was going to become a cottage and let us know it was available for rent.

While the children have dubbed it the Ugly House for reasons unknown, it has become our haven. Fittingly, it in is Grand Haven.

To say it is a cottage is a bit of a stretch. The only thing that makes it cottage-ish is the fact that there is a beach nearby.

The “cottage” is actually a three story, 7-bedroom home with a wrap-around screened in porch on which there is a bench swing hanging from the ceiling.  It is close enough to the beach that the older kids can get there easily but far enough to keep the younger ones safely away. (Getting to be not such an issue anymore).

A short walk takes you to the top of the staircase that leads down to Lake Michigan.  It is the sunset spot. From it you can see one of the famous Lake Michigan lighthouses. 

On Sunday, after Mass,  we take the  “stair” photo and the change in the kids from year to year is so cool to see. 

Every year some things stay the same and some things change. 

This year there were  no crossword puzzles done but lots of books were read and enjoyed. 

We still had lunch with the kids and date night dinner at the Kirby Grill. 

One of our favorite activities was pottery painting. Unfortunately the Ceramic Cafe went out of business and the space is now a clothing shop.  Thankfully we have lots of pottery from previous years and all the memories.

This year there were no tears as we were packing.  But there is the promise of next year to hang onto and so the countdown to Grand Haven begins again. 

Telegraph Cruise or Bust!

As we were driving the last 3 miles home from a week at the cottage, we spotted the car buffs who were out all up and down Telegraph Road watching the muscle cars that were being shown off by their owners.

Our tenacious one was curious about what was going on, and after I explained it to her she asked if we could go watch for a while.  I told her we could go after supper.

After we were all unpacked she spotted the empty boxes and asked if she could have two of them.  Her mental wheels were spinning.  She knew that the folks on Telegraph had places to sit and food to eat and so she got creative.

She glued a box lid down to make a table and then she took another box apart and glued it to the first and cut a hole at one end creating a wagon-type handle.  Then she packed her snacks (fig newtons and Oreos) and grabbed a towel to sit on.

She realized she would need pockets for her snacks so she put on her hot pink bathrobe and she was ready to go.  My dear one and I walked over to Telegraph with her and crossed to the median to sit in the shade. She laid out her towel and bathrobe for seats and proceeded to eat her snacks and watch the cars.

She asked her daddy to carry the box home as the noise created by dragging it was a bit much. :-)

We were only there about 15 minutes but I'm quite sure she'll remember it as a great time!

Losing It!

I'm not really sure what my problem is lately, but I have locked my keys in the car twice in the past few weeks (once with the engine running) and almost locked them in a third time.

The engine running time was especially unnerving since I didn't notice until I came out of the store.  Thankfully AAA was close by and fast.

I could blame the kids for distracting me but I've been driving with noisy kids in the car for a quarter of a century and it was never an issue.

I never used to carry a purse and now I have a wristlette.  I wonder if the actions of having to, first remember to get the purse, and second to actually reach over and pick it up off the floor, throws me for that big of a loop?

I finally put the extra fob in my purse just to be on the safe side.  I don't like having to have a back up system.  This getting old(er) thing is not all that fun.

Baking Day

I can always tell when the kids are feeling peaceful.  They start to bake.

When the three oldest girls were little we used to love spending time baking.  Mostly we made chocolate chip cookies because they were easy and had lots of ingredients to measure and pour.

We would close the sliding door that lead from the kitchen to the basement stairs and then pull up a chair by the door and they would stand on that to reach the countertop.

I baked some with the younger ones, too and now a few of them love to get in the kitchen and bake a favorite recipe.

They have expanded from chocolate chip cookies, I'm glad to say, so we have a nice variety on occasion.  Right now, for example.

Yesterday was a peaceful day.

Amanda made sugar cookies with purple (?) icing, and Erin made banana bread.

Not to be outdone, number 3 son made chocolate-zucchini roll.  YUMMY! 

Yes, I tried each one!  So good.  

I love it when they are peaceful and ready to bake but I'm glad we don't have this much variety all the time.  

Mini Get-Away

My dear one and I took the three youngest kiddos up north this weekend.

We spent a couple of days in a little hunting cabin in "a clearing" in the woods as our tenacious one put it.  My dear one and his brother, dad and uncles built it many years ago and have since updated it to include two bedrooms, a bathroom and a laundry area.

The older girls never wanted to use the outhouse so the bathroom was a must for keeping mom and kids happy on trips to see grandma and grandpa.

This is the view from the chair in the corner. Look at those

racks! There is also a good size fireplace and mantle which is awesome in the late Fall but, which,  in

94° weather,  we did not use.

We went to the beach one day and the water was surprisingly warm.  Of course sea shells were collected and stones skipped.  

The water was so shallow the kids could walk out a fair distance and still not be in up to their waist.  

I actually finished two books.  They are re-reads but it was still nice to have some quiet, peaceful time.

They had a great time playing with a couple of their cousins and were very sad to come home.  But we'll go back in August for some more family time.  

One Direction

Time to learn about a new boy band.

A few years back, ok maybe a few more than a few, our older girls loved to listen to the popular boy bands that were flooding the world with their music.

They had their posters on the walls and their music on the radios.

 I could name all the members of "The Backstreet Boys", "N Sync" and "98˚" and even sing many of the songs.

Now "One Direction" is making a name for themselves and I need to catch up. Our eleven year old has a poster and I know there are 5 guys in the band and that's about it.  I don't know a single song or even one name of a band member.

I do know there is a t-shirt available and much to my chagrin it has a grammatical error.  It says, "This girl love's One Direction!" Ack!

I also saw some not-too-friendly comments about a photo that shows them strolling Abby Road as the Beatles once did.  Apparently not a good idea.

Our daughter is saving her money to purchase a concert ticket even though they won't be performing in Michigan until  next summer.  She'll be needing a chaperone so maybe I had better get a little more informed.

Summer Reading

Yesterday we signed up for the summer reading program at the Dearborn Public Library.

The program has changed a bit since the oldest kiddos used to participate.  At first they just read the books and reported on them to the volunteers who were at the library talking to readers to see what they liked about the books.

Then they were the volunteers.  They loved interacting with the children who came in all excited about getting stamps and prizes for the books they'd read that week.

Well, the volunteers are gone.  The kids don't have to talk about what they read and whether or not they enjoyed the books.

But the thrill is still there for our younger ones.  They fill out a form which lists the books they've read. They drop a slip into a box for one of the weekly drawings for prizes and they get to attend a party at the end of the summer to wrap up for another season.

There are three age groups: Kids up to 5th grade, teens (6th-12th grade) and adults.  I even signed up this year.

Hoping to get our tenacious-with-everything-but-reading one finally to love reading to herself.

Talk About It

I love the way our kids converse.

I was doing a crossword puzzle and asked "who is the Norse god of war?"  Three of the kids chimed in and then a discussion ensued about who was correct and they each stated their case.

They talked about Odin (correct answer) and Thor and Loki.  All names I've heard before, because this is a subject area that interest them.

FYI- Odin is the biological father of Thor. Thor is the god of thunder. Loki is the half brother of Thor and is the god of mischief.

Another topic which gets them talking is World War II.  We have many, many books on the Holocaust and they know a lot about the War, Hitler and stories of survivors.

The Royals, especially, but not limited to, Henry VIII and his wives is also an area of fascination. They could go on for hours!

I know I had history classes in school but I've learned much more listening to the kids talk.  The younger ones get a kick out of it too, and hopefully the enthusiasm they see in their older siblings will encourage them to dive into history as well.

Ready to Read

With school almost over and a little (ok a lot) more time on my hands I had to decide which project to tackle first.

I am a clutter hater and so the fact that virtually all our horizontal surfaces have something on them drives me a little batty.

One thing we have way too many of is books.  We are book lovers.  We are readers to the max.  And boy, do we have books!

Well, today the used book store was the recipient of four bags of books.  It was a very hard thing to do.  Actually, I've tried several times over the winter months to decide which one to part with.  Today I just bit the bullet and started clearing space.

What amazed me was seeing so many books with bookmarks in them. My dear one and I seem to have the same tendency: we start a book, get busy for a week or so, the book gets put on a shelf and we forget we've started one and go choose another.

Well, I've made a plan.  No more new books until I get through the started ones (and those that I received for Christmas and Mother's Day).

However, that doesn't mean I can't window shop.  In fact, we went to the bookstore tonight and I made a list of several books I would like to read in the future.

One book at a time, one day at a time.  If I come across any particularly great ones, I'll let you know.

Winding Down

The school year is almost over and May, as usual, has been a busy month.

Our high school Sophomore takes his last finals tomorrow and then becomes a Junior!

The home schooled kiddos are mostly done. (Well the youngest two are done, the eighth grader will be at it until his math book is finished which means I'm not done either. )

We've had a Confirmation and are soon to have a First Communion.

We had a fantastic Memorial Day picnic with lots of family, from the oldest aunt to the youngest cousin, (who happen to be grandma and grandson) in attendance.

Our tenacious one has had two more successful lemonade stands and has planted pumpkin seeds that are growing very well. 

Our nursing school daughter has just been offered a job in a hospital where she can put her skills into practice.

We start June with great expectations for a wonderful summer full of changes, challenges, vacations, some hard work and hopefully more time to write about what we're up to.   

Brave Moms

Part of my time is spent doing ultrasounds at the local crisis pregnancy center.

Because of the generosity of our donors, we are able to give our clients free ultrasounds when they are between 8 and 22 weeks pregnant.

Today I want to talk about some brave moms.  These moms come to us in desperate situations.  They are scared and confused.  Many of them are way too young to be moms right now.  Sometimes they are alone.

And yet, each of them has this one thing in common:  they are all moms.  Whether they are waiting to give birth or are already able to hold their little ones they're moms.  They come to parenting classes so that they can not only learn to be great parents but also to earn material goods for their child(ren).

They get ultrasounds so they can see their little one moving and growing.

Whether they take a cab, a bus, or drive a hardly reliable car, they show up.  They talk to each other and find support and make new friends.  They give each other advice based on new experiences they have had with their pregnancy or newborn.  They bond.

So during this month that we celebrate Mother's Day, I would like to tip my hat to these brave women who, though it is a struggle, have done a marvelous deed and given their child the gift of life.

Shoes Blues

Last evening our son was Confirmed.  Last Friday it finally occurred to me that he actually would need some new clothes for this event.

I had already made plans for myself and the youngest girlies, and so I asked my dear one to step in and go shopping.

On the list:  pants, shirt, tie, shoes.  After the shopping trip: pants-check, shirt-check, tie-check, shoes-no check.  The thought process was to buy shoes that he could wear for the Confirmation and also would be appropriate for school in the Fall.  We all just ran out of time.

 So, I went to plan B.  He could wear his older brother's shoes (which have not been worn in a year) and we'd get him school shoes in August.

Come the big night and, uh oh, big brother actually needs those shoes.

Plan C: borrow shoes from a cousin.   All well and good except he didn't like them.  So he made the next plan.  He took, without asking, the only other nice pair of shoes left that actually fit and wore them.  So when his oldest brother tried to get ready to go . . . his shoes were missing.  He ending up wearing  the size 10 1/2 shoes which fit no one.  Ouch!

Come to find out the shoes that Confirmation kid took were his brother's Air Force dress shoes.  Oops!

Thankfully, there was no yelling, no smacking upside the head and only  ten squished toes.

The ceremony was lovely and we have a new soldier in the family.

Say What?

My dear one and I were driving our golfer son home from the golf course the other evening.  After practicing for two hours he was a bit thirsty so we stopped at a gas station so he could grab something to drink.

I was sitting in the truck waiting and looking around.  Right in front of me I saw a sign that made me do a double-take.   And it make me take a photo.

The sign was on the door leading into the cooler which holds the cold drinks.  Unbelievably, it said "Not An Exit".

Had someone or someones actually tried to get out of the store through that door.  Or, perhaps it's a law that inside doors have to be so marked.  I'm not sure which.  Either way, what does that say about our society?  Weird.

Friends

It's been a little crazy here lately with school ending and new schedules to get used to, golf season swinging into action, Confirmation practice, clothes shopping, and generally just keeping the younger kids going on their school work when they would really just like to be done and go outside.

Visiting time with friends and family has been at a minimum.

Today, however,  I had the extreme pleasure of spending 2 whole hours with one of my best friends.  All we did was talk and take turns holding the baby but, I feel like a new woman.  A little "me" time.

Thanks, K!  It was wonderful to be with you and my Godbaby!!