Where Are They Now?

Have you ever looked up people from high school to see if they show up on the internet? It's a lot easier to do with the guys since their names don't change--but I was surprised to find this:

The guy in the black shirt holding roses with Kenny Rogers arm around him--that's Erik--he was my Senior Class President when I was in High School in little old Kaysville, Utah! He and a friend wrote the song "Buy Me A Rose" that was a chart topper for Kenny Rogers.

Sadly, I've never heard the song--but it's just amazing to my brain that here is this 'guy' from high school--and he's all hangin' out with Kenny Rogers! Just weird what we all grow up to be!

Downtown Chicago

Today I drove to downtown Chicago to take my friend to see her divorce attorney. Parking is such a joke and if you can't find a meter there are parking garages that cost $26! So for a trip downtown for 5 minutes to drop papers off--it was much easier for me to take her and then circle the block a few times while she ran up what she needed to.

I don't mind driving downtown--a lot of people have a problem with it--but it's really fun to be in the city where there is so much atmosphere and so many landmarks. I really only made it around the block twice before she was ready to be picked up, but I got to see the old Chicago Theater, Millennium Park, the skyline and on the way home we even passed the United Center. Nothing huge, I know, but when you live in the suburbs you forget just how cool the big city can be!

Harry Potter V

Well, we finally did it! We took the kids to see the new Harry Potter movie. I think it's just funny, in our family we've started calling HPV for Harry Potter 5, but all I ever think about when we say it is the disease, Human Papillomavirus. Terrible, I know--but it's where the mind goes!! What can you do?

I thought it was an OK movie--not too stressful on the kids, but missing out on so much information-I hardly wondered if the writer of the screenplay was reading the same book as I was. Yes, they 'kind of' showed the anger and resentment that Harry was feeling-but he only used the fact that Dumbledore was talking to him as the reason. There was so much more--Ron and Hermione making Prefect was a huge part of this. That is how he came to meet Luna-R & H had to sit in the prefect car on the train--which left Harry on his own--but nope--no mention, as far as teh movie was concerned--there were no Prefects.

What was missed even more--Quidditch! I think we have seen the last of late in movie number 3. In number 4 it was by-passed for the Tri-Wizards Tournament and it is back in number 5 although Harry is banned by Umbridge--but not in the movie--it's nowhere! Number 6 and Number 7 books also have ZERO Quidditch--so sadly--number three was the last time we'll ever get to see it!

Bye Bye Bear

Wow, I just got off the phone with Rob. Apparently she needs me to watch her baby on Friday because she is going to take her dog in to the vet and have him put down. I really don't blame her, he is a scary dog. My kids won't even go in the house if the dogs are out, so minus one isn't necessarily a bad thing.

They looked into a rescue for Rhodesian Ridgebacks, but decided that it was more humane to put him down rather than possibly bring out some of the separation problems he has experienced in the past. She's afraid if they were to put both dogs down her husband would want a puppy soon, and she isn't up for potty training a new puppy on her new carpet, so I think they are simply going to take Brownie with them.

Hubby's Birthday

My husbands birthday is coming up next week and I'm faced with a bit of a dilemma! I found him the most beautiful hamilton watches I've ever seen. My problem...he's always made the crack that he will only wear a watch when it's a Rolex! Yeah, like that will happen anytime in my lifetime! This watch is on of the most beautiful I've seen, and while I was looking for his, I chose an amazing ladies watch for me. I'm sure I will find something else to get him as well, but I'm really thinking he will enjoy this watch too!

Harry Potter V

I'm taking Jake with me to see Harry Potter today. My sister went on Wednesday and thought it was great. Jake is reading the books right along with me, so I thought it would be fun for just the two of us. Then we can treat the whole family to the flick later on. I still haven't gotten my debit card in the mail, so we will be stopping by an ATM to get a cash advance from my visa card. It's all paid off quickly-and so much easier to use cash over credit at the movie theater! I'll have to let you know how it is when we get home!!

Moving To The Suburbs

We got home from our trip just in time to help Rob start packing. I know, it's not like I spend enough time over here as it is, but now I even have a better reason. Use her computer to blog, and pack a box. Use her computer to blog, and pack a box. Get the picture??

She is moving closer to me, which is farther away from the city. Urbanite turned Suburbanite. I think she will enjoy her new house. There are tons of mature trees and it's really a pretty neighborhood, and best of all...they won't ever have to park on the street again. This house not only has a driveway, but an attached garage. It's been 5 years since they've had that, and she is so excited! She's put pictures up somewhere-I'm going to have to track them down and get them added, since not all of our readers are the same!!

Canvas On Demand

Just looksey what came by Fed Ex today! I'm so excited!! This is a picture that my sister took of her cute kids. Her husband is a Chef and this was his anniversary gift 4 years ago. She had a poster made of it and it hangs in her kitchen. I have always loved it--and when the offer came in to have my favorite photo made into canvas portrait--I knew that this would be my choice.

I first mentioned this wonderful prize opportunity back in June, and honestly--I thought it would take much longer to receive this beautiful canvas. People thought I was crazy that I didn't get something done involving my kids--but I just don't have a picture with all four kids looking good at the same time-so I thought I would steal this portrait for my kitchen.

This canvas was done by Canvas On Demand--and it is priceless! The cost is no where near the quality that you get. I think I will find my favorite single portraits of each of my kids, and have some beautiful 8x10's made. This beautiful 16x20 retails for $89.00, and I would gladly pay it for the piece of art that this photo has become!

Are You A Racist??

I have to start this post by saying that I never really thought about segregation and racial problems when I was growing up--because I wasn't raised around anyone that looked different than me. So when I grew up and kept hearing about there still being racial tensions-I was surprised that it was still an issue.

I would in no way consider myself a racist. When I see a person of a different ethnicity--Sure--my mind notices that fact. Just as it would if I walked by a fat person--or a bald person--my mind notes that--nothing more--nothing less--just a note. Beyond that--there is no difference in my opinion and life moves on and goes forward.

I do have to say---I am very intolerant of stereotypes--any stereotype--I don't care what ethnicity you are--you don't have to "live" the stereotype. It's like meeting a gay man--I've never met a woman as "feminine" as some of these people. They are living a stereotype--and I HATE IT! I hate grills, and tats, and piercings, and doo rags, and dread locks, and pimped out cars---I HATE ALL OF IT! Why? Because no one is doing any of these things because they like them---they are doing them to be "IN"--and where is the individuality in that!

At the same time--I must admit--I fit the stereotypical stay at home mom! I'm a 'big' girl, I wear frumpy clothes, I rarely wear make up, and my hair is in a pony tail 24/7! And you know what--as stereotypical as it is---I HATE MYSELF FOR IT! But honestly--with four kids--I really don't stand a chance!

So in all of this I have to say--I'm not a racist--although I do hate the stereotypical portion of it. I'm not homophobic--but I do hate the stereotypical portion of it--I am a frumpy, stereotypical housewife--and I HATE IT!!!

What 'cha Watchin'?

Brett is in control of the DVD player today. In the last 1o minutes we've had Cars, The Wild and Over The Hedge on--I think he enjoys working the electronic devices more than actually watching the movies. He climbs up on the table-reaches above the TV and pushes just the right buttons to get what he wants--for a two year old--I can say two things---He's VERY smart--and he's definitely A BOY!! Kate has no interest in electronics--Brett has no interest in her dollies--so I guess it's even--but it still just amazes me how much gender really does play a role in their lives at such an early age!

Kids Today

I believe I've forgotten to mention in the past--but my oldest son has been accepted into the gifted and talented program at his school. He is just the smartest thing ever! His test scores put him in the top 3% of the country in Reading/Math/Science. So next year when he starts school, he will be in a normal class setting but will leave for 2 hours in the afternoon for a little bit more advanced work. All of this is paid for by grants to the school-so we don't really have to pay anything extra for a top notch education. How did kids today get so smart? I don't remember learning half of this stuff as early as these kids are--and they aren't just learning it early--they are excelling at it!!

Summer Adventure

Today was a beautiful day. We went running through the sprinklers--old mom even partook in a moment of childlike fun! The kids had a blast with Brett's new 'Diego' sprinkler, and the older kids had as much fun as the younger ones.

Tomorrow I think we will be heading to the Lincoln Park Zoo. It's in downtown Chicago--it's a beautiful, huge park right off of Lake Michigan--but then--it's also a zoo! There's a big merry-go-round that Kate will love-so that is Thursday--and then Friday--we'll have to find some other fun adventure at home! Maybe we'll go ice skating with the cousins!!

NYC Here We Come

My husband just called. He is being sent on a business trip to New York at the end of the month. He has a few meetings that he has to be at--but everything wraps up on Friday Morning--and he doesn't have to be back to work until the next Tuesday. So he's wanting to see if we can plan a quick get a way! You know--take the kids--stay in the hotel room that the company is paying for--and we'll do some site seeing while he's in his meetings--and then he can join us the rest of the time! I've been to New York a couple of times--but never with my kids. They will be so excited about getting to see the Statue Of Liberty and all of the other sites of New York!

What a great Family Vacation!

Fishing

My husband is taking the boys fishing this weekend. Not necessarily something I ever look forward too. I don't eat fish, I don't want them in my kitchen. But they love to do it, and they love spending the day with dad. The other down side in my mind is the huge amount of money that he spends year after year, to get the kids and him set up with fishin' gear. Then add in the license and honestly, I could go out to Morton's Steakhouse for cheaper fish!!

But, I'm all for the time they get to spend together. I hope it's a tradition that they will carry on with their boys when they grow up. Dads and sons have such a hard time communicating affection-that this is a great tradition to have!

Memorial Day!!

We had a really nice, quiet Memorial Day. Nothing much got accompished, but I think that is the best kind of holiday there is. We didnt' get to sleep in at all, and I would complain more, but school gets out in less than 2 weeks, and then there will be plenty of time for the snooze button!

I got some of the yard work completed. The flower beds weeded and the dead tulips pulled for the year, but other than that...not much! Daniel was sick most of the day, I felt really bad for him. We were supposed to go swimming with my sister and her family, but with the flu type symptoms that were being exhibited--I thought it would be best to stick around the house!

Daniel stayed home from school today, and may just miss tomorrow. I feel so bad with him missing school on the last full week of the school year! Poor guy!

The Police Are Coming

Do you remember the Fallout when word got out that the Police had gone their separate ways? It really created a Hole in My Life, and I was So Lonely. I just remember saying over and over that I Can't Stand Losing You! I was Driven To Tears so many times after that. Nothing could brighten my day, it was as though the Voices Inside My Head were screaming at Spirits In The Material World to just Bring On The Night. I felt like I had been hit by a Demolition Man. I know that Truth Hits Everybody differently, but for the longest time I felt as though I was Walking On The Moon, and like a Canary In A Coalmine, I found it hard to breath. You know--when it feels like Every Breath You Take makes you want to scream at Roxanne--Don't Stand So Close To Me. Next To You there was no other group that felt like that. I was Walking In Your Footsteps--you had me Wrapped Around Your Finger!! But alas, you are the King Of Pain, listening to my Sychronicity cassette was just like Murder By Numbers. For years, I sat in a stupor with a dribble of drool dropping from my bottom lip as I chanted "Do Do Do de Da Da Da" while I danced a Regatta De Blanc in my white straight jacket. But hark, what is this?? Like a Message In A Bottle, my sister brings word...could it be? Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic so it must be true! The Police are going on a world tour--and a new police cd is coming out! My heart is thrilled, it's as though an Invisible Sun has warmed my soul...Like Tea In The Sahara the world is full of warmth and light again!!

The Police will be in Chicago July 5th and 6th, and I can guarantee--I WILL BE THERE!! The new police cd goes on sale the first week of June--It is a two disk set with all 28 of the songs listed above included!! There is also a vintage fold out poster from 1978--I'm telling you--I HAVE TO HAVE THIS!!

Garage Sales

Garage sales are starting up for the year...Finally! It's been so frigid here, that it's been slim pickin's thus far! We don't generally purchase much--but I do have a little list of things I try to keep my eyes open for! You can get a lot better deal on some treasures--and unlike Ebay--you don't have to pay shipping on them. I'm looking for a used treadmill this year. I'm not picky--but I would like one that is relatively good shape-perfection is not necessary--but working would be nice! I would also like to find beds for the kids. We have a couple, and we need a couple--so I'm off to buy a newspaper to plan out my mode of attack for tomorrow!! I'll have to let you know what treasures I find!

She's Moving!!

Well, it looks like my sister is finally moving! I know, I talk about her a lot, but you have to realize in order for me to blog, I have to visit her. So I blog about all of the fun things I find out during our visit. She has found a home that she loves (closer to me than she is now) and it is still on the market. We've driven buy it a couple of times, and we both love it. It's enough home for her family, and enough yard for two families. Her husband started the search but then suddenly stopped. But he has finally started back up with the mortgage work, so it looks like it may just happen this summer. We are putting our kids in different summer camps together, so I will get to drop my kids off at camp with her kids, and then head over to help with the packing, moving and cleaning. I can't wait, but neither can she!

Postie-Con

Last night I signed up for Postie Con in Las Vegas. It isn't until November--but with my sister/babysitter going also, I'm going to have to start planning now! I wasn't going to go because it will take up my husbands vacation time at work, and we won't be able to take one this summer as a family-which was more important to me, but I decided that a mom of four, really can use a weekend out with the girls! So instead of going for the week like Rob is, I'm just going to leave here Friday afternon, leaving the kids with dad who will have to take off of work just a tiny bit early--the I have all day Satuday and Sunday--and come home late Sunday night! I think it sounds like a lot of fun-and the man doesn't have to miss one day of work! I'm so glad it all worked out! Watch out Vegas---here we come!

Accelerated Reading Program

Daniel is home sick today! He wanted to stay home on Monday so that he wouldn't have take part in the final Accelerated Reading Test at school. He's so funny. He reads so well, but we didn't understand the program at the beginning. There were no notes home, he just showed up with extra homework. I figured it was something that they were doing at school, so we didn't really do too much with it! Well, now--we understand the whole program--and it's a great one--sadly, because we didnt' "get it" in the beginning-Daniel is a bit behind the rest--and he doesn't want to do it anymore! I feel bad because I should have asked more questions to keep him up to date. All I can say is--next year, he's going to be a pro!