Visit with Sam!

Brian had to travel to Georgia for the weekend, so Isaac and I decided to become wondering travelers!

We stopped to see Dawn and Sam for a night, then over to Flint, then up to Tawas to do "end of the year cabiny things"...and then back home again.

While visiting Sam, we went to a pumpkin patch and picked out pumpkins to paint! It was a quick, but fun visit!

Bed head, anyone?

Ride a lil horsey...

A lil movie time so the mom's can visit...

Applewood and 15 Year Class Reunion Mixer....

I am going to post-date this because I am SOOO behind on my blogging!!!

The first weekend of October, we were in Flint for my 15 Year Class Reunion Mixer. That afternoon - while Brian watched the UM/MSU game with my Dad - Courtney, Isaac and I went to the Applewood Estate.


(The frog statue from Genessee Valley Mall)

I had never been there before. It became open to the public after I moved, and it is only open a select number of times a year. I was SO impressed with Applewood and will definitely be going back again! Not to be cheesy but - WHAT A GEM.

They had home-made refreshments made from many of the items they have grown there, including a wide selection of apples. Organic coffee, fresh apple cider, apples, fresh salsas, cakes....it was sooo tasty!!! The grounds and the house were beautiful - and for those of you who know me well - it's right up there in my "fantasy house" league. They had horses, cows and chickens in the barns, a wide array of gardens (including veggies), and an fall educational tent from the MSU extension.


After the game, we cleaned ourselves up and headed downtown for a rare "adults only meal" at the Blackstone with Courtney, Scott and Jonquil. We had a really nice time!

After dinner - Brian and I roamed down to Churchhill's for the reunion mixer. We had a really good time - and I was pleased to see some old friends I haven't seen in a long time. We had a great turnout...hard to believe it's been 15 years. Unfortunately, I was too busy gabbing to take any pictures!

Bedroom Transition 2009 = Check.

Isaac is officially in his "big boy" room - and loving it! We were able to put the shelves up, move in the toys and even throw the mattress on the top now that our month-long visitors are gone.

Isaac is thrilled with his new room (although, he has slept in his "little bed" a few times this week).

Enjoy!

32 Reasons.

Today is Brian's birthday. Since I am horrible at getting cards - and find them rather wasteful - I thought I'd try to come up with something more interesting to say..."Happy Birthday Mr. B".

1. He is funny...really funny.
2. He always knows how to act in a given situation.
3. He's a better driver than I am.
4. He goes to work and likes it.
5. He likes to lay around and read with me.
6. He doesn't show jealousy, even if he feels it.
7. He's always confident.
8. He's a "family guy".
9. He always picks out the right beer for my mood.
10. He enjoys concerts and music.
11. He is a subconscious cuddler, even when he's mad.
12. He is a hands-on-Dad.
13. He enjoys being with my family ALMOST as much as I do (at least I think?).
14. He is passionate about his interest (hockey season, GPS POI's, Harry Potter).
15. He's a Farkle champ.
16. He does dishes.
17. He makes a good cup of coffee, even though he doesn't drink it.
18. He picked up the house last night, even though I told him not to worry about it.
19. He always doubts my projects - but helps anyways.
20. He knew all my "rules" when we started dating, but didn't give up.
21. My grandma loved him instantly...and not just because he's Polish and Catholic.
22. He reads to our son.
23. He supported my decision to quit my job to do contracting - and still does, even though the contracting has been few and far between.
24. He is respected by his peers - and deserves to be.
25. He is wicked smart.
26. He is the most faithful, trustworthy guy I know.
27. He is only marginally addicted to Mafia Wars.
28. He is really cute when he's being "sporty spice" (playing sports or running).
29. He is careful with money.
30. He helped me create this wicked smart, beautiful child.
31. He is my BFF.
32. Life with him has been so fulfilling, it makes it hard to believe it's already been 10 years together.

Happy Birthday Brian.

Ya got the fever, boy!!!

For the 11th year, we got "the fever".

What is "the fever"? Well, back in the late 90's, there was one of the worst horror films ever, shot at our friend's summer home. It was called Fever Lake. Thus, our annual visit is now called the same. Tradition is to watch Fever Lake at least once, discuss who has the room with the "blood" on the walls, yadda yadda.


It's awful. Corey Haim is in it. Need I say more? Here's the wiki-page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fever_Lake

We love going to Fever Lake. The house has such wonderful character, having been built at the turn of the century, remodeled in the middle of the century - and aside from the Wii we play with at night - frankly, hasn't changed much.

Isaac and Blue were pooped out when we left...

but did wake in time to see the double rainbow on the drive home. What excited us the most was, not only was it a double rainbow - but we could see BOTH ends of it!


Anyways - here are the photos from our adventure. Enjoy!
Fever Lake Photos

More bedroom pictures...

Well, the big push is done - we had the room ready for Brian's sister & husband (and new niece)'s arrival on Monday. We still have not finished the misc wall stuff, lamp, etc - but it's a usable room at least!

Special thanks to my Dad, for coming over to help me paint the bed. I couldn't have done it without him.

Here are some pictures!

Making a big boy room for Isaac....

We have started making a big boy room for Isaac. He has come to an age where he needs a bigger room, and a bigger bed. So - the remodel has begun...

I stole the idea from a Pottery Barn catalog. We purchased unfinished furniture and have been painting it navy blue. I am very excited about it.

These are the most recent pictures I took. There has been more work done - and hopefully the rest of the furniture will be done by this weekend - so I will post more then!

Click for pictures

Hammock Bloggin'

Ah. Nothing like swinging in a hammock with your laptop to inspire you to blog. But, about what? The last almost 2 weeks up at the cabin? Beach, beach, Mackinaw Island, Wolverine, beach, wedding, beach....

I will post pictures soon - but alas, since my laptop battery is now saying "warning, warning"...I guess I will just have to nap instead of blog.

;)

Near Disaster Averted....Sharpie Carnage 101

It's not blood. Thank goodness.

When I heard Brian walk into Isaac's room tonight, to see if he was asleep and heard "oh (insert poopy explicative here)"...and didn't hear Isaac crying - I was terrified.

Rightly so.

The scene which I happened upon, only seconds later was one that brings oneself to a standstill. Wordless. Stricken. Overwhelmed.

Red streaked down his legs. It covered the sheets. It dripped from the sides of his bedrails.

Was it blood?

No. Worse. Much worse. Sharpie. RED sharpie.

How he got it, we can only speculate, but he had it. He had it on his legs, his arms, his toes, his sheet, and worst - HIS BED. The beautiful white bed, purchased with such consideration....striped. Like a zebra. Only red and white.

"Get mom on the phone - STAT!".

Mom came to the rescue with the bizarre knowledge that only mom's of many years (and many sons) would have. Perfume.

So now, our son is blissfully sleeping, in a room, reeking of "Clinque Happy"...to the extent that I don't think I will ever be able to consider it a "fresh delightful smell" anymore. It is now on par with bleach, resolve and ammonia.

Happy. Right. Relieved is more like it.





(I think Brian is high off perfume - he claims to see the image of the Grinch in Isaac's scribbles)

Frog or Poo?

When your son goes quiet, while playing in the pool - and then you hear "Mom! I found a frog when I pooped on the ground"....well, really, what else can you do but chuckle? What came first? the frog or the poo?

Go Fire Up Chips.

To counter-act all the "Go Redwings" I had to endure during the playoffs, I decided it was time Isaac started learning about his parents Alma Mater.

Celebration in the City

Last weekend, Brian and I got a sitter (Grandpa Freeman), dressed ourselves up and headed out for a night of fun in Flint. We went to the Fundraiser for Downtown Beautification and Dedication of the Rutherford Parking Garage. We had a wonderful dinner, drinks while enjoying a performance by my aunt and uncle (Lynne and Rick Church)....some dancing - and all capped off with fireworks (and lightning!).

In classic fashion, we didn't get photos of ourselves, but we managed to get some nice ones of friends and family who attended...

Lynne and Rick Church performing

Perry and Michael

Brian and Michael

Mom, Candy, Aunt Cathy, Grandpa and Laurie

Gerard, Heather, Jim and Mike

Grandpa Time

Isaac, Dad and I spent some quality time together this week. We made a trip to the cabin to fix the water heater and a window...and spent some time in Flint on the way to and fro. Uncle Michael provided some iShots of the iSprat.

Does this look like the sort of man who just gave his grandson a Popsicle? Oh yes, yes it is. After 3 days of hanging out with a mischievous toddler, a Popsicle is all he could come up with to get him to sit still...for a minute or two.

More pics....

Downward slope of 2009

This photo is from the Relay to Life in Cascade. Please note the "Sinking Titanic" bouncy toy. I found this excessively disturbing. A boucey that mocks plummeting to one's death - at an event for people stricken with cancer!!!

Anyways, I digress. I have been slacking in the blogging department.

Right now, we are in the midst of preparation for Brian's "Canada Man-Trip Oh-Nine" and the Mothers & More garage sale - which I volunteered to host. Garage sales are a lot of work, geesh! Isaac keeps asking "are we having a party in the garage?"

Later this month, we will attend the Celebration in the City gala in Flint, a dedication of the new parking garage as well as a fundraiser for downtown beautification. Aunt Lynne and Uncle Rick will be performing - which MAY be Brian's first time seeing them perform, aside from our wedding. It should be a lot of fun.

Isaac Update:
Isaac is quite the grown up little man nowadays. He loves playing with friends and riding his bike. It's hard to keep him entertained if there isn't something physical involved, yet, he still loves his books. He now understands the concept of the library, and we have been checking out new books every other week. Sometime this spring, he just started spouting out letters, and now he knows almost every one. The other day at Sears he said..."S, E, A, R, S...Two S's, one E, one A, one R!". It cracked me up. One of my favorite phrases from right now is "just a couple little whiles, mom". In addition, we have casually re-started potty training....he actually can go almost all day in his "big boy undies" - with the exception of errands and sleep times. I am just not brave enough to attack the errand part yet. We have Boo-Boo Car ("Cars") undies and some REALLY cute boxer-briefs (he doesn't think they are half as fun as the cars ones).

Also, in the meantime, I am working on the back bedroom. Progress is slow because of everything else we have going on, but slowly but surely, we are making progress.

Hope everyone else is having a wonderful start to the summer!

Photos...Long overdue.

I know I have been bad at uploading photos. There has just been a lot going on lately!

Here is my catching up:

Misc April 2008 Photos

Easter Weekend 2009

Cabin Cleanup

Rod and Sharron McDonald's 50th

Enjoy!

April, Part Deux

Isaac sometimes likes to have towels or his jammies hanging off him so he can have his "batman"....I am sure you can get the point. However, I am pretty sure batman wouldn't be so impressed with the addition of the hat.

We did our annual "cabin cleanup" weekend at the cabin - and the first day we were there, the weather was BEAUTIFUL! Isaac took full advantage of his sandbox - and Dad and Brian did a great job of cleaning the yard up!

We got to visit with several of our favorite up north friends over the weekend, before the rain set in. On the drive home, we stopped through Alma to see Grandma and Grandpa Spratke...and Isaac got a special ride in "the little car" with Grandpa!

April in pictures...

April went by in a whirl. I spent a good portion of it working on a contract, meanwhile, Brian got to spend some special time with Isaac doing things like...oh, mailing Isaac's bedroom blinds back to the company after a rabid monkey attack (we won't name names, but I think you get the gist).

We went to our first "bounce party" b-day party for the neighbor....which was a big hit. Monkey did what monkey does best. Climb and jump.

Then, we had a Easter of Puke. Isaac got sick, and therefore we stayed home for the weekend - however, he managed to recover in time for some Easter basket huntin' and a trip to see the butterflies at Meijer Gardens with Courtney and Chris.

150 grit....220 grit....400 BAM!

So, we have started to redo our back bedroom, which will eventually become Isaac's "big boy" room. He has started to grow out of his current room in terms of books, toys...oh, and size of bed.

We have bought a great bunch of unfinished furniture, which I am going to paint navy blue. A bunk bed, dresser and shelf. Today, I finally started the process....3 different grits of sandpaper, and the shelf unit is about 75% of the way to being ready to prime...and all during Isaac's naptime!

I am not naive, I know how long this is going to take...but that's why we are starting now! We hope to have the room ready by the time Brian's sister comes to visit in July.

I will try to post some pictures soon!

A long drive and XM radio

I drove 6 hours home last night, from the far reaches of Ohio. I was anxious to get home - and very thankful for the rental car with XM radio. Nothing like long stretches of road and a multitudes of stations to send you floating down memory lane.

It started when I was 13, my collection of songs related to significant events in my life. Sitting in a window, in a pension in Vienna, listening to my mother and her friends laugh and chat about random topics - a pair of now outdated headphones on, listening to Madonna's Like a Prayer. Somehow, during a trip of visiting beautiful old churches and monasteries, the music became a musical reminder of that trip for me.

And so it continues, I can't hear mid-90's hip hop without thinking about Senior year spring break...some 90's songs that remind me of Perry's 25th Birthday party or dancing at the Copa, 311 at Rothbury Festival...Cake at Blue Sky camping...Blues in New Orleans...Myrtle Beach this year, how many times did we hear that "Hot and Cold" song? The Smiths at Scott's house, Simon and Garfunkel during high school - Alice's Restaurant - anyone? Counting Crows and Fifth Third Triple Play...The Police = Brian and I's first date, Blue October = when Brian and I were dating in college, Lifehouse - our wedding...Fergie = Isaac dancing at the cabin...

So the whole drive, I just enjoyed my memories. I am certain I thought of a few things that a good night's sleep has tucked back away...but suffice it made the drive go much faster for me.

Do you have any songs that bring up an interesting memory for you?

Bad Blogger, No Donut.

Ok. So - I stalk everyone under the moon's blog - but I have been neglectful to my own. It is just amazing how BUSY I have been lately!!!

First, since becoming co-leader of my Mothers & More chapter, I find myself doing so much more. We just finished elections, are starting a new webpage and preparing for a garage sale...and of course, I seem to have my fingers in all of that. I should know better. I should learn to say no. Well, I do...to some things, but apparently not to these.

In the meantime, Isaac is growing like a weed - and keeping me on my toes. He officially is a little boy now. We have conversations, he tells me how and where to drive AND...he knows letters. Lots of them. It just happened one day, he started pointing out "Two S's!"...then R's...then E's....next thing you know, he can identify every letter in his name! Wild. I can't take credit, I don't try that hard.



Here is a picture from a friend of Isaac's 3rd birthday party. This is part of his "gang" that we hang with. Love the rock star glasses.

In the meantime, I am sitting in an airport - having gotten up at 3am this morning - to go home. I have been doing some consulting this week - and although it was been refreshing and fun to get back in the "work saddle"...I am ready to go home to my boys - the big, the little and the furry - and have a quiet weekend...

...oh yeah, until the Progressive dinner in our neighborhood that I helped plan with Portia (she gets most of the credit)...and then the board meeting for my Mother's group....

...Will I ever slow down?

Article by Ricky Hampton

I read this article this morning, while drinking coffee at my mom's house, in Flint, ironically enough. I am not totally familiar with this writer, but I thought his article hit pretty close to home. "If you don't have friends and family who love you and care about you, you will be alone."

I'll admit though, it doesn't totally explain why he is a writer for the Flint Journal...living in Grand Rapids...that's still a little bit of a mystery to me.
**Update: Answer - like me, his spouse has a good job here**

What outsiders don't get: Flint's indomitable spirit
, says Flint Journal Columnist Rickey Hampton
by Rickey Hampton | The Flint Journal
Sunday March 08, 2009, 11:02 AM

Rickey Hampton
• Read more by him.

I have been a resident of Grand Rapids for a couple of years now, although I still do business in Flint on a regular basis.

Recently, I was talking with a gentleman at my daughter's high school basketball game, and we had the typical, casual conversation. How are you doing? Do you think Catholic Central will win? Do you have a relative on the team? Where do you live and work?

It was just the typical fluff conversation as we waited for the game to start, until I informed him of my long connection with Flint.

"You lived in Flint?" the man asked in disbelief, his face twisted as if he just drank a glass of sour milk. "I know you are glad to get out of there."

I can't tell you how many times I've heard that one over the years. In some people's minds, living/working in Flint is akin to being in Siberia or, worse yet, a living hell.

"No, sir," I replied. "I loved being in Flint. I love Flint."

The man looked at me as if I needed to be institutionalized.

"Why?" he asked, noting -- correctly -- what a great city Grand Rapids is.

The gentleman didn't have to explain to me why he asked that question. I figured he probably watched "Roger and Me" at some point or heard about the state takeover, the crime and massive job losses.

And, certainly, there is no denying those things.

However, while Flint has taken its hits, which have been more like beatdowns, its people keep bouncing back.

If the gentleman had an opportunity to have met some of the people I have met during my time in Flint, he would have a lot better understanding.

I've said it for years -- Flint's greatest resource is its wonderful, hard working, resilient and caring citizens.

There simply wasn't enough time to tell him about people like Clif Turner and Norm Bryant, two long-time Flint residents who have given so much back to the community. And, I know another couple of dozen with that same passion for Flint.

I couldn't tell the gentleman about the Flint Cultural Center, and what a jewel it is. I didn't get to tell him about the incredible sports community, the legendary noon-time hoopsters at the downtown YMCA, such as Dennis Martin, John Drudi and Taylor Baker. I wish he had time for me to tell him about my golfing buddy, Dr. Julian Moore. Nor was there time to tell him about all the tremendous friendships with people like Terrence "T." Greene and George Hamo.

I wished I would've had the time to tell him about the courage of Willie McQueen, who played high school football at Southwestern Academy despite having no legs.

At least for me, quality of life is more than just city services, shopping districts, restaurants and concerts, although I wished Flint would've had more.

But I learned quality of life isn't the material things we have accumulated or the places we have been. You could live in where ever you think the greatest place in the world is -- New York, London, Paris or some tropical island.

If you don't have friends and family who love you and care about you, you will be alone.

That's why I love Flint.

But I really didn't have time to explain of all that to the gentleman. And, I don't know if he would've understood it, anyway.

Merry Christmas to Mee......[overdue]

Introducting: "Vibeage"

My "Christmas present" this year was a 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT. I am excited to have a silver car again, along with many fun bells and whistles I didn't have before (so in love with the XM trial subscription! yipes)

My other car, a 2000 Saturn SL2 is still running pretty darn well, considering it's age and mileage, however, we just felt that it was a good time to get a deal. Now, the El Saturno is our 'round town car. She had a glorious tune up and some new tires....now she is clean and car-seat free (and I suspect, lovin it). The Envoy spends many a day resting in the garage, waiting for it's many hauls around the state come summer time.

We sampled several cars before settling on this one. My heart wanted a Saturn Astra - and it's glorious sunroof - however, when it came to creature comforts, the Vibe won hands down. In fact, it's (Astra's)lack of cup holders was the nail in the coffin. If anything can make a road trip sour for Brian and I, it's accessibility to cup holders. This is no longer a fear. All family members, Blue included, can have at least 2 beverages at a time!

So, if you see a zippy silver streak pass you....it may be the Vibeage and I, out for a spin!

This is long overdue - however, the weather finally warmed up enough for me to head to the car wash!

State of the Boxer

That time of year has come again. Blue's yearly physical was this week. Along with that - I found a lump on his abdomen that had me concerned.

In the last year or so, we have lost many of our canine friends. With the exception of Harlow, all have been close in age to what Blue is now. Harlow, China, Max...all his buddies, age and sickness have gotten the best of them. Oh - and he misses them, and we know it. Even just this past weekend, he kept whining at our friends..."where is Maxie-boy?"....so sad.

So we are not foolish enough to think that we will escape such heartbreak with him. It's just more of a question of when. So, the yearly exam...with "the lump"...well...of course we were worried.

However, I am excited and happy to report...the state of the boxer is....HEALTHY!

She said the lump was nothing more than "ol' man lumps", his knees, heart, gums, eyes...all things we have worried about in the past - are good form. She even said "oh, what nice muscle tone for a boxer his age!" [I am pretty certain that Blue made a hpmf sound to this remark]. Muscle tone? For a dog how practically hibernates all winter? He who has almost worn a dent in our couch? Yessiree...muscle tone, folks.

So, we can ring in Blue's 10th year (Feb 14th) with a note of happiness. Let's hope he defies the odds, and his unfortunate 3 "branched" ancestry and continues this trend for several more years to come.

Blood

That Dr. was a smart guy when he said no more monkeys jumping on the bed.

So when Isaac didn't heed the warning last night, he and his friend were jumping on the bed. Isaac felt that he should make it a challenge. Jump off the bed, onto a chest, and then onto the floor. He failed to figure into the trick that when the distance down, is the same distance between the chest and end table, there is no room for error.

Well the error happened and an ER trip that produced 3 stitches later, he's 5 days from being good as new. The biggest surprise for me is that he never cried, he didn't even flinch. I have to give credit to the Dr. and the staff. They were awesome. He even walked out with swag: a slushie and a new truck with "wha-bowls".

We will also be able to remember the date pretty easy. Yesterday was Aunt LoLo's birthday. Hopefully she had a better one then him.

Courage of Detroit

For those that don't know who Mitch Albom is, he's an on again, off again sports writer for the Detroit Free Press. He has a couple of books, Tuesdays with Morrie and the Five People you Meet in Heaven.

This month in Sports Illustrated he was given a few pages to be a voice for a lot of us in Michigan to tell the rest of the country how we feel. Not that I expect it to change anything, but it's nice to see someone stand up for the state in a national publication.

Warning, it's not short...
http://tinyurl.com/MitchAlbom