Tuesday, May 31, 2011
23 is not 31... but...
Alright, this is post 23. I didn't make my goal of 31 in 31, but I think I did a pretty impressive job trying. My true goal was to jump start my blogging again, and I think I did just that. So, here we go... let's keep it up. :)
My gardens... so far
I love this walled in garden. It is mostly perennials, and I get so excited when they come up bigger and more bountiful each year. I am really excited to plan out gardens for our new house and property. I saw a book on Amazon called the companion perennial or something like that. It talks about pairing up your plants in ways that the heights and blooms all match and provide beautiful gardens all summer. Ahhh... it makes me happy to think about it.
This is the garden by the back deck. This fall I plan to removed the hostas and take them out to the property. They are getting pushed out by the ground coverings... myrtle and pachysandra. There are also day lilies in the back, and I had pansies grow again from last year in the front. To the right are lilies and black-eyed susans.
I have two main areas left to work on. One will be a challenge because when Mike put the new water line in last fall it really ripped up my garden. The other is not too big, but has a lot of stuff that needs pulled right now.
This is the garden by the back deck. This fall I plan to removed the hostas and take them out to the property. They are getting pushed out by the ground coverings... myrtle and pachysandra. There are also day lilies in the back, and I had pansies grow again from last year in the front. To the right are lilies and black-eyed susans.
I have two main areas left to work on. One will be a challenge because when Mike put the new water line in last fall it really ripped up my garden. The other is not too big, but has a lot of stuff that needs pulled right now.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
George
When my mom was first moved to Lakeland Continuing Care Center on December 1 I learned a lot about myself. I sobbed as the ambulance crew readied my mom and wheeled her out of her hospital room. She was nearly in a coma at that point, and completely unaware of what was happening. I, however, knew exactly what was happening. My mom was being moved to a nursing home, and we had no idea how much recovery we would ever see. A nursing home. Ewwww.
At that time my nursing home experience was limited to Christmas caroling there with youth groups and my time working in marketing at Lakeland. There were -- hut hum -- old people there. I really didn't know how to deal with them, and knew I would never want to work in one. There were people who drooled, in wheelchairs, and I had no idea how to approach them.
How life changes you. I spent hours and hours there in the five months my mom lived there. I realized how wonderful the residents are. I realized how compassionate the staff there is, and how hard they work. I learned that I can relate to "old people," and I loved it.
I loved sitting my mom at the same lunch table each day. Talking with Agnes who was always, "Fit as a fiddle and ready for love," when you asked how she was. And who amazed me when I learned she was 102! I enjoyed conversations with her daughter, Kathleen, who lunched there most days. I learned to smile and cheerfully answer Virginia's same questions again... and again... and again. And George became my boyfriend. :)
George has been a resident for many, many, many years. A massive stroke has him in a wheelchair with the use of one hand, an inability to talk, and swallowing issues. In my prior life he would have been the resident that I saw drooling in a wheelchair, food on his face, hands and shirt... and I would have left him to someone else to help. In my new life I am happy to hand George napkins, help him with his food, and talk to him. I have learned enough of his facial expression language to converse with him. But my favorite is his thumbs up every time I see him. It hurts my heart that, although married with a grown family, I never once saw anyone visit him. So when my mom moved, I handed George a McDonald's milkshake and told him that I would still visit him. He got a hug and a kiss, and a thumbs up on my way out.
I feel guilty that it took me a month to make due on my promise. Today I stopped in with cookies for George. An employee I knew was there in the doorway when I got there, and most residents were in a program in the dining room. I talked with the employee a minute, then peeked in the dining room looking for George. The employee said he had been taken to the hospital today, but he couldn't tell me more because of confidentiality. I said, "Well, maybe I can swing by there to visit." No, I was told it wouldn't be a good idea today and he was still in the ER.
So here I am, saying prayers for George. Hoping that someone came to sit with him in the hospital and keep him company. Ease his nerves. Hoping that what took him there is minor and he gets to go back home soon. So if you've read this far, whisper a prayer for George for me.
At that time my nursing home experience was limited to Christmas caroling there with youth groups and my time working in marketing at Lakeland. There were -- hut hum -- old people there. I really didn't know how to deal with them, and knew I would never want to work in one. There were people who drooled, in wheelchairs, and I had no idea how to approach them.
How life changes you. I spent hours and hours there in the five months my mom lived there. I realized how wonderful the residents are. I realized how compassionate the staff there is, and how hard they work. I learned that I can relate to "old people," and I loved it.
I loved sitting my mom at the same lunch table each day. Talking with Agnes who was always, "Fit as a fiddle and ready for love," when you asked how she was. And who amazed me when I learned she was 102! I enjoyed conversations with her daughter, Kathleen, who lunched there most days. I learned to smile and cheerfully answer Virginia's same questions again... and again... and again. And George became my boyfriend. :)
George has been a resident for many, many, many years. A massive stroke has him in a wheelchair with the use of one hand, an inability to talk, and swallowing issues. In my prior life he would have been the resident that I saw drooling in a wheelchair, food on his face, hands and shirt... and I would have left him to someone else to help. In my new life I am happy to hand George napkins, help him with his food, and talk to him. I have learned enough of his facial expression language to converse with him. But my favorite is his thumbs up every time I see him. It hurts my heart that, although married with a grown family, I never once saw anyone visit him. So when my mom moved, I handed George a McDonald's milkshake and told him that I would still visit him. He got a hug and a kiss, and a thumbs up on my way out.
I feel guilty that it took me a month to make due on my promise. Today I stopped in with cookies for George. An employee I knew was there in the doorway when I got there, and most residents were in a program in the dining room. I talked with the employee a minute, then peeked in the dining room looking for George. The employee said he had been taken to the hospital today, but he couldn't tell me more because of confidentiality. I said, "Well, maybe I can swing by there to visit." No, I was told it wouldn't be a good idea today and he was still in the ER.
So here I am, saying prayers for George. Hoping that someone came to sit with him in the hospital and keep him company. Ease his nerves. Hoping that what took him there is minor and he gets to go back home soon. So if you've read this far, whisper a prayer for George for me.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Our little mama
Erin is SUCH a little mama to her babies. She loves them with her whole heart, and hugs them and dresses them and walks them in the stroller. She feeds them and puts them in her new baby swing. She is a mama through and through. Even at Kyle's baseball game the other day she was sitting next to another little sister she met that night and rubbing her back. And at play group she kept checking on the brand new baby that was there and wanting to help with him. Our friend Rachel is pregnant and due in August. Erin talks about Rachel's baby all the time, and what she is going to do to take care of him (bathe him, feed him, put him to bed... Rachel is set!) I love this little mama!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Kids getting political early
For the second year I took the kids to Lansing and the State Capitol to rally for early childhood education. It was part of the Star Power rally for funding the Great Starts program. We met with our legislators to voice our concerns, and also got to enjoy some fun activities. Here are some pictures from our day.
When we arrived we marched as a parade to the Capitol steps.
Once inside we met with our representatives. Here are Erin and Kyle and on the House of Representative floor, and then with part of our group along with Representative Aric Nesbitt (on the right next to Erin and I.) Kyle is peeking out from the center of the picture, to the right of the baby in navy blue.
Fun with emergency vehicles demonstrations... Kyle on the motorcycle, and then in a fire truck with Joshua.
This was a huge hit with the kids, and so simple. They just had squirt bottles with colored water -- red, blue, and yellow -- and they mixed colors in ice cube trays.
Also bouncies and trees for climbing. Climbers are Dorian, Joshua and Kyle.
And proof that it was a muddy day!!
When we arrived we marched as a parade to the Capitol steps.
Once inside we met with our representatives. Here are Erin and Kyle and on the House of Representative floor, and then with part of our group along with Representative Aric Nesbitt (on the right next to Erin and I.) Kyle is peeking out from the center of the picture, to the right of the baby in navy blue.Fun with emergency vehicles demonstrations... Kyle on the motorcycle, and then in a fire truck with Joshua.
This was a huge hit with the kids, and so simple. They just had squirt bottles with colored water -- red, blue, and yellow -- and they mixed colors in ice cube trays.
Also bouncies and trees for climbing. Climbers are Dorian, Joshua and Kyle.And proof that it was a muddy day!!
Teddy Bear Tea Party
The library held a Teddy Bear Tea Party at our church last weekend, and Erin LOVED it. She has so much fun taking a teddy bear with her, she loved the Teddy Bear Princess, and she loved the magician they had. She especially likes that the magician had a pretend raccoon (which she thinks was real) and it burped in the magician's ear. Again, the whole mix of girly girl and tom boy!!
Monday, May 23, 2011
16 in 8
I had such aspirations on May Day... 31 in 31. I began the month with a daily post. I missed a day, but mostly kept up. Blogger was down for posting for two days, and I fell apart. I'm blaming them, of course. :)
Seriously, while I have fallen off track, I'm still okay with it. Today, May 23, I have 15 posts in -- 3/4 of the posts I have made for the entire 2011. I'm still improving. And 16 more posts in 8 days to hit my 31 in 31 goal... doable. I have some up my sleeve that I am working on. Some will be just a pic. I'm still going to give it a go!!
And hey, I just realized the birthday post I just did was 15. This is 16! Hey, I'm already down to 15 in 8!! Woo hoo!
Seriously, while I have fallen off track, I'm still okay with it. Today, May 23, I have 15 posts in -- 3/4 of the posts I have made for the entire 2011. I'm still improving. And 16 more posts in 8 days to hit my 31 in 31 goal... doable. I have some up my sleeve that I am working on. Some will be just a pic. I'm still going to give it a go!!
And hey, I just realized the birthday post I just did was 15. This is 16! Hey, I'm already down to 15 in 8!! Woo hoo!
Erin's Third Birthday
Catching up, I'm posting about Erin's third birthday. She had a party the day before the big day, with her Nana, Grandpa, Aunt Beth, Uncle Troy, Jack and Brett joining us. She had a lot of fun, and was spoiled with some great gifts. She liked every one of them!
At three Erin is still sweet and cuddly, but also forceful and assertive. She will shout no at you if she doesn't want to do what she is asked. She will whine and cry to try to get what she wants. We have entered the terrible threes, which is really what it is... two is still easy.
Erin is a girly girl, yet also a tom boy. She loves being a mommy to her dolls and dressing herself. At the same time, she copies Kyle in his boyish ways and we see a lot of that shining through. It's great when we hear it in the poop, burps and farts references... not!
At three Erin is still sweet and cuddly, but also forceful and assertive. She will shout no at you if she doesn't want to do what she is asked. She will whine and cry to try to get what she wants. We have entered the terrible threes, which is really what it is... two is still easy.
Erin is a girly girl, yet also a tom boy. She loves being a mommy to her dolls and dressing herself. At the same time, she copies Kyle in his boyish ways and we see a lot of that shining through. It's great when we hear it in the poop, burps and farts references... not!
Here are some pictures from her party. On her actual birthday she got to go out with Gran, Papa and Aunt Beth to Dairy Queen for lunch.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Super Star!
Kyle had his last game of soccer on Saturday, and was thrilled to get a medal. He's our super star!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
That's a bunch of bunk...
Not really, there is a bunch of bunk! Well, two may not qualify as a bunch, but there are two bunks. Yep, a top for Kyle and a bottom for Erin. Kyle is excited to get to sleep up high. Erin is excited to be out of the toddler bed she hated because it was too small. She now has a full bed, and will excitedly tell you it has TWO pillows. They have spent three nights in them now and are doing great.
And Mike and I are excited, too. No more going to bed and having to move Erin from Kyle's bed to hers, and Kyle from ours to his. About one more year and they will each have their own rooms!!
And Mike and I are excited, too. No more going to bed and having to move Erin from Kyle's bed to hers, and Kyle from ours to his. About one more year and they will each have their own rooms!!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Muffins with Mommy
And because everything is fair in love, war and PTO breakfast fun, the Mommies got their turn this morning. I went in with Kyle to have muffins. :)
Doughnuts with Daddy
No, I still didn't make any... but the school had a Doughnuts with Daddy morning that Mike took Kyle to. Here they are heading out.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Time to make the doughnuts...
Okay, I have never actually made doughnuts. Really, never. But the phrase still comes to mind when I think of something repetitive, or of work. So here is a post about my work. That is, beyond my stay-at-home-mom take care of the kids and house kind of work.
While I do some occasional freelance writing and photography, I really don't seek it out because I really don't have time. But sometimes it comes in, and I do it. :) I do, however, have two regular part time jobs.
My other job is a merchandiser for American Greetings. Without me South Haven residents would be glum and tearful that they weren't receiving and giving greeting cards. We would, in essence, be without greeting! Seriously, I have three accounts I maintain in town -- Dollar Tree, Dollar General and WalMart. My hours vary by week depending on the season. For example, this week was busier because today I took down Mother's Day cards and put up Father's Day cards. I also added some more graduation stock. I also maintain the everyday cards and order more as needed.
The best thing about both of my jobs is their flexibility. They are excellent jobs for a stay-at-home-mom. The editing job is pretty much a daily job. They send me assignments, and I do them. But I can still do them when it works for me during that day. The American Greetings job is weekly. I am assigned calls on Sunday. This week I have five. I can basically perform them anytime during the week, but I have activities which have time frames that may affect my call schedule. For example, I have to have Mother's Day cards down by tomorrow.Yawn. Excuse me now while I go finish editing so I can go to bed...
While I do some occasional freelance writing and photography, I really don't seek it out because I really don't have time. But sometimes it comes in, and I do it. :) I do, however, have two regular part time jobs.
The first is editing for a company called Bare International. They perform mystery shopping services for a number of well-known companies and organizations. A shopper is assigned a shop and given a set of guidelines to follow. Once they have performed the shop they enter the information into a pre-designed form on the Bare International intranet site. This is where I come in. As Editing Superhero I rid the report of nasty grammar and spelling! I seek out inconsistencies and halt non-direction-following shoppers in their tracks! I save the day by saving the report! Yeah... in other words, I edit the report to make sure they did it right and it reads well.
My other job is a merchandiser for American Greetings. Without me South Haven residents would be glum and tearful that they weren't receiving and giving greeting cards. We would, in essence, be without greeting! Seriously, I have three accounts I maintain in town -- Dollar Tree, Dollar General and WalMart. My hours vary by week depending on the season. For example, this week was busier because today I took down Mother's Day cards and put up Father's Day cards. I also added some more graduation stock. I also maintain the everyday cards and order more as needed.The best thing about both of my jobs is their flexibility. They are excellent jobs for a stay-at-home-mom. The editing job is pretty much a daily job. They send me assignments, and I do them. But I can still do them when it works for me during that day. The American Greetings job is weekly. I am assigned calls on Sunday. This week I have five. I can basically perform them anytime during the week, but I have activities which have time frames that may affect my call schedule. For example, I have to have Mother's Day cards down by tomorrow.Yawn. Excuse me now while I go finish editing so I can go to bed...
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day
What a great mother's day weekend I've had! Yesterday Beth and I took both my parents out for lunch. It was a really nice time. All the stress and worry of the past year seemed to take a break for two hours while we enjoyed a pleasant, happy lunch. Just like old times, and what a relief!!
Yesterday afternoon we hiked around on our land and Mike cut down more brush to create our drive in. There's going to be so much nature to see there! We explored a lot, and checked out some fallen trees and animal holes up close. And I've realized that 15 acres is probably enough to get lost on, haha!
Today I got to sleep in (well lay in bed late, at any rate, dozing amongst the noise of children.) I even read a few pages of my book before hauling my lazy bum out of bed. We went to our favorite breakfast joint, which we hardly ever go to anymore. It was a great meal, and fun to say hi to all the servers again.
The day was gorgeous!! What a difference sunshine and warmth makes! Even with the nice weather, we took in a movie because we'd been promising Kyle we'd take him to see Rio. It was very cute. Although I have to say we will not let it leave our cheap hometown movie theater again without getting there... we had to hit the expensive one!
Yesterday afternoon we hiked around on our land and Mike cut down more brush to create our drive in. There's going to be so much nature to see there! We explored a lot, and checked out some fallen trees and animal holes up close. And I've realized that 15 acres is probably enough to get lost on, haha!
Today I got to sleep in (well lay in bed late, at any rate, dozing amongst the noise of children.) I even read a few pages of my book before hauling my lazy bum out of bed. We went to our favorite breakfast joint, which we hardly ever go to anymore. It was a great meal, and fun to say hi to all the servers again.
The day was gorgeous!! What a difference sunshine and warmth makes! Even with the nice weather, we took in a movie because we'd been promising Kyle we'd take him to see Rio. It was very cute. Although I have to say we will not let it leave our cheap hometown movie theater again without getting there... we had to hit the expensive one!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Soccer!
FINALLY we had a nice day for soccer. Poor Kyle only associates cold and rain with soccer, because that's pretty much all he's ever know. He had a good time, but I don't know that he's interested in it enough to stick with it.
An exercise in teamwork?? :)
Friday, May 6, 2011
10 years
It was ten years ago today that Mike and I went out on our first date. We went to The Pump House in St. Joseph to eat, and then we went to see the thriller Along Came a Spider. The date, obviously, went well! Here we are ten years later, having tied the knot and brought two children into the world. Who knew ten years ago? Although I think maybe we both did. :)
Here's the first picture taken of us together. It was about a month later, and we were at a going away party for good friends Cathy and Gary Lane. While I was so sad to see them move all the way to California, Mike and I have had some fabulous, fun trips out to see them.
And I've pre-dated this post to post while we are out. I have secretly gotten a babysitter so we can go out on a date night to celebrate!
Here's the first picture taken of us together. It was about a month later, and we were at a going away party for good friends Cathy and Gary Lane. While I was so sad to see them move all the way to California, Mike and I have had some fabulous, fun trips out to see them.
And I've pre-dated this post to post while we are out. I have secretly gotten a babysitter so we can go out on a date night to celebrate!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
It takes a village
We often say this in my group of friends, because we help each other out so much. I made a decision several years ago that has changed my life. I was new to the stay-at-home mom scene, having quit working at Bronson early in the summer of 2007. When September rolled around the play and learn group sponsored by the school system was starting up again. I had never seen myself as a "play group kind of mom," but felt it was important to provide social opportunities for Kyle since he lost them when I took him out of day care. So, for Kyle's benefit, I went to the play group. I knew no one there, but there we trudged every Thursday.
Kyle had a blast playing, dancing, singing and crafting each week. And I got to know people; I got to have adult discussions with other moms. And friendships grew. I have three play group sessions left, and then it will be summer vacation, and then Erin will begin preschool. I'm ready for that next stage, but mainly because my friendships are so steadfast that we go far beyond play group.
Beyond our kids, my group gets together regularly without -- gasp -- kids. We call it book club. This joke began when I asked a few other moms if they would be interested in creating a book club. The response I got was, "I don't have time to read, but I'll come for the eating and drinking." So our "book club" consists of just the eating and drinking, and we love it that way! Several are scrapbookers, and we scrapbook together.
I can't imagine my life without these fabulous friends. Simply put, I love them. I know without a doubt that they will be there if I need them, as will I for them. I know they offer and accept shoulders I can cry on, smiles and laughter to share, and just the comfort of hanging out.
Life has had it's challenges lately, and my friends have stepped in a lot. Monday I was stuck in St. Joe helping my dad and realized I might not make it back in time to pick Kyle up from school. A phone call later it was taken care of, he would go home with a friend. This morning a friend had a doctor appointment for one child, and I took the other and then dropped him off at preschool. While I did this I was able to leave Erin with another friend, so Erin wouldn't have to miss out on a party with her friends; that friend dropped her off at home. A friend is bringing Kyle home from his after-school program today. I drop my nephew Jack off at school each day. The list is endless. We help each other out in a heartbeat, and we all love doing it.
I often say I don't know how single parents manage. How they swing it alone when there is so much that raising children entails. Well, not only would I have trouble as a single parent, but I don't know what I would be without my village. To each and every one of you, and you know who you are, I thank you and I love you!!
Kyle had a blast playing, dancing, singing and crafting each week. And I got to know people; I got to have adult discussions with other moms. And friendships grew. I have three play group sessions left, and then it will be summer vacation, and then Erin will begin preschool. I'm ready for that next stage, but mainly because my friendships are so steadfast that we go far beyond play group.
Beyond our kids, my group gets together regularly without -- gasp -- kids. We call it book club. This joke began when I asked a few other moms if they would be interested in creating a book club. The response I got was, "I don't have time to read, but I'll come for the eating and drinking." So our "book club" consists of just the eating and drinking, and we love it that way! Several are scrapbookers, and we scrapbook together.
I can't imagine my life without these fabulous friends. Simply put, I love them. I know without a doubt that they will be there if I need them, as will I for them. I know they offer and accept shoulders I can cry on, smiles and laughter to share, and just the comfort of hanging out.
Life has had it's challenges lately, and my friends have stepped in a lot. Monday I was stuck in St. Joe helping my dad and realized I might not make it back in time to pick Kyle up from school. A phone call later it was taken care of, he would go home with a friend. This morning a friend had a doctor appointment for one child, and I took the other and then dropped him off at preschool. While I did this I was able to leave Erin with another friend, so Erin wouldn't have to miss out on a party with her friends; that friend dropped her off at home. A friend is bringing Kyle home from his after-school program today. I drop my nephew Jack off at school each day. The list is endless. We help each other out in a heartbeat, and we all love doing it.
I often say I don't know how single parents manage. How they swing it alone when there is so much that raising children entails. Well, not only would I have trouble as a single parent, but I don't know what I would be without my village. To each and every one of you, and you know who you are, I thank you and I love you!!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Ayyy batter batter! Ayyy batter batter!
Kyle officially began baseball today with his first ever t-ball game. He did great! It was so fun to watch him, watch all the other kids his age, and watch Mike help coach. Five-year-olds learning an organized sport is a hoot. Here are some of my favorite things:
- How many times I heard a mom say, "Do you have to pee?"
- Watching EVERY boy in the field try to get the ball... no matter position.
- Tears over things like hats. (They were all tired by then!)
- Hearing coach comments like, "When you get to home plate you have to let the players running bases in front of you cross first."
- Seeing Bos Concrete on all their shirts! :)
Even Erin had her friend Gracie to play with!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Country Living
After a long search, looking for land, not finding any and looking at houses, not finding one and going back to looking at land, we found it!! Exactly what we were looking for!! In early March we became the proud owners of 15 acres of land!
The land is just four miles from the downtown and beach, and a straight shot out of town. Easy access to everything, yet we have our piece of quiet country living. The land is flat and wooded. We will clear enough to plop our house down in the middle.
We hope to build next spring, and are looking at ranch plans. Erin has already insisted on a purple room, which is just fine with me. When she suggested a purple house I said she probably wasn't going to win that one. ;-)
The land is just four miles from the downtown and beach, and a straight shot out of town. Easy access to everything, yet we have our piece of quiet country living. The land is flat and wooded. We will clear enough to plop our house down in the middle.
We hope to build next spring, and are looking at ranch plans. Erin has already insisted on a purple room, which is just fine with me. When she suggested a purple house I said she probably wasn't going to win that one. ;-)
Monday, May 2, 2011
Our budding artist!
South Haven has a great art center just on the east side of the downtown. The kids have enjoyed craft days there during such city events as the Icebreaker Festival.
We were thrilled to get a letter that Kyle had created a piece of art that would be displayed in the elementary art show. Go Kyle!! Here he is with the ribbon he was presented with.
And here is the clay heart that he made that earned him his spot in the show. Way to go, Kyle! We're proud of you!!
We were thrilled to get a letter that Kyle had created a piece of art that would be displayed in the elementary art show. Go Kyle!! Here he is with the ribbon he was presented with.And here is the clay heart that he made that earned him his spot in the show. Way to go, Kyle! We're proud of you!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
