...and the pursuit of happiness

Blog to Book to Goodbye

2009-11-06T09:13:00.002-06:00

I'm thinking about hanging up the ol' blog. Actually deleting it. Now that my kids are older I feel less like I have ownership of the things that are happening to them. I don't want to compromise any of that and though this has never been a blog 100% about the kids, I find my life heading in other directions.

I'd like to put forth some more posting on the hobby/cooking blog. Do things that will be helpful or useful to people without annoying my family. And I still like getting products for review...I AM the target demographic, so I think I have useful things to say.

Blogging hasn't jumped the shark, but for me, writing and reading the diary-like entries I used to devour every morning with my coffee...it's just changed, I guess.

In the meantime, I would like to save these archives before I delete them off the face of the blogosphere. A personal record for my own enjoyment later. There are things I would have already forgotten had I not blogged about them.

Does anyone know of a service that you've heard good things about that will turn your blog into read actual pages without costing a fortune?

And this isn't the last post...but it's close to it.
Love you all.

This One Might Be Worse Than Swearing

2009-10-26T08:21:00.002-05:00

So, last night hubby is downstairs working on a cleaning project, had the radio on and "Single Ladies", which he hates, comes on.

He yelps in annoyance and runs over to snap the radio off.

Sammie, in a sign of solidarity, says, "Yeah, that song sucks".

Hubby says, "Well, we don't really need to say it like that".

Then Emersyn pipes up, "Yeah, you're supposed to say it SUCKS BALLS".

OMG, kill me now.

I Guess Hell Can Freeze Over After All

2009-10-19T13:41:00.003-05:00

There are some scenarios, prior to being a parent, that you don't anticipate happening with your own kids.

For example, there was a time I realized that there would never be a need to teach my children how to operate a rotary dial telephone. Obviously, because of technological advances, you see that there woud not be a need. And that's just one example.

I also didn't think I'd be "friends" on a computer with my kid. Back when I was in high school taking my computer class, I never could have suspected that computers would become the tool they are today in every aspect of my daily life.

So, let's file yesterday's development in the "OMG, seriously?" file.

My 13YO son begged and pleaded, with $20 in hand from doing chores, to please get on Amazon and order him The Beatles "Abbey Road". IN VINYL.

Wow. Just wow. I may be speaking too soon, but this may be the salve that eases any future hurts....like incarceration or the like.

Never thought I'd see the day.

Slumber Party at the Meth Lab

2009-10-09T08:11:00.003-05:00

I'm faced with a parenting issue I never thought in a million years I'd face. Ever. Never ever.

My 2nd grade daughter came home with a birthday slumber party invitation. This is not unusual, she's been to a few of those in the last year with her friends turning 7 and 8 years old. So, she got home from school one day, excited to show me and give me the lowdown on the festivities.

As I'm reading it, suddenly I'm realizing this isn't going to be as cut and dried as the usual "if we're not busy, of course you can attend" kind of slumber party.

I don't know the little girl, it's someone she's not had as a classmate yet, which isn't a big deal. In that case, when Sammie has made a new friend I call and chat with, usually the mom, and get as familiar as I can if the girls are friends enough to want to do things together.

It was the address that was problematic.

Yes, even here in small town Iowa we have "bad" areas. And this little girl happens to live in an apartment complex that has pretty much the seediest demographic of our population. Drug dealers, wife beaters, deadbeat dads, petty criminals, your usual dregs of society. Hubby, in the course of his onetime work for the sheriff's department paid many a visit here, and now, in his work for the fire department, had occasion to spend multiple nights in toxic gear breaking up meth labs. ACROSS THE STREET FROM OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

I'm assuming that this little girl and her mother (there's no dad around) are nothing more than too poor to live anywhere else. Heck, that used to be me once upon a time. I was the girl too poor with a single mother that didn't live on the right side of the tracks. I'm assuming that the little girl's mother is not part of the criminal element surrounding her.

So, my heartstrings are tugging a bit at the balance between my daughter's personal safety and what is, honestly, outright discrimination against a girl who doesn't deserve it. Because do I really want my daughter in an environment where, on any given Friday night, police will be by half a dozen times to break up a drug deal or altercation just outside the front doors of the building where a bunch of 7-year old girls are supposed to be telling ghost stories and playing Twister?

After discussing it with hubby, we came to the conclusion that our daughter will NOT be attending. We do have a wedding that Saturday and could technically make it work, but will be telling a couple little white lies instead about our circumstances in order to protect the feelings of the birthday girl and her mother.

Something as simple as a birthday party invitation and I'm filled with such a sick feeling about it. But, at the end of the day, I have to make smart decisions about my daughter's safety. And I wouldn't let her trick-or-treat at this apartment complex, let alone spend 15 hours there overnight from school dismissal to Saturday morning.

This was definitely not in the "What to Expect..." series.

NyQuil Costs Less Than Real Drugs

2009-09-28T23:10:00.002-05:00

Was talking with a college friend about how STUPID, and I mean really really stupid, we were about our health.

Now, those four years were the sickest four years I've been in my life. The lack of sleep, possible imbibing of drugs and alcohol, and stress....well, that's like the Perfect Storm, folks. I felt like I was in the health center all the time, but really, I only went when I could barely afford the cheap service afforded me there.

The rest of the time, I sucked down the NyQuil. It was a 3 block hoof to the nearest drug store from campus. A sniffle, a cough, a wheeze...bring on the NyQuil. I preferred the red stuff but that nasty blackish green would do in a pinch.

Truly, there is a lot to be said for recovering from something purely from a combination knocking yourself unconscious for 3 days and sheer will. It can do wonders with even the nastiest of sinus infections.

I had a roommate once though, that got sick from actual serious things quite often. She had urinary tract infections regularly (sorry, TMI). She also got bronchitis or something so bad one time that the coughing was like ripping her ribs apart and she broke down and went to a doctor and had to wear some kind of shell thing that kept her ribs in place while she coughed. Gah!!!

She was sicker and poorer than me. She would try to go donate plasma but they'd turn her down because her iron or whatever you have to have be normal was never good enough to donate...and she really wanted the twenty bucks or however much it was you got when you donated. So, she'd pop iron pills for a few days before trying to donate to squeak in under the wire on appearing to be of "normal" health.

Now, let's put the whole health care debate aside for a moment, assuming no one who reads has had anything truly life threatening or whatever.

Think back to anything truly stupid you've done when you're tried to tough it out or just plain old diagnosed and treated yourself or you were young and dumb and didn't know better. Anyone want to fess up??

So, What Does It Take Exactly to Be an Evil Sidekick?

2009-09-18T05:34:00.000-05:00

WARNING: You might be in this post.
DISCLAIMER: Names have been shortened to protect the guilty.
REQUEST: Reader participation needed in the comments

Since everyone I've ever met in my entire life (almost....almost) is on Facebook, the most interesting conversations take place in threads there. And the most social commentary, political debate, networking, marketing, etc. It's one stop shopping, folks, which is why I really really like it.

After the insanity of the evening hours where I am taxi service to multiple activities, kids are finally in bed, I've got a glass of wine in my hand and settle in to watch whatever has stockpiled on my DVR and kick open the laptop to chat up some of my FB peeps.

Everyone else is in the same boat....kids in bed, time to unwind.

So, I offer up the following random thought, because that is the vast majority of my nighttime status updates:

I'm thinking about finding myself an evil sidekick. Should begin scheduling interviews. Any interested parties, please submit resumes.

Well, let's just say that after that...it was pee your pants worthy stuff. Now, truly, most of my friends haven't been thru a true job interview in many years. They haven't lost their touch.

I'm posting the whole thing because, bloody hell, you've gotta see it.

R :Where do I sign up?

Katrina: I am thinking about being Word Girl for Halloween.... and dressing Felix as Capt. Huggy pants. When that gig is over I'm totally going to audition.

Rachael: you and I both know I am so over qualified

Jason: Is this a paid gig or an internship? Actually, I don't care, I'm submittiing my credentials either way.

Niki: Ooooo I'd be purrrrrfect. Consider my FB profile my resume. I think it will more than suffice, especially if you've seen the pics.

Sonia: the pay would be eventual world domination...is that enough?

Sonia: with this much competition, there will be interviews. prepare yourselves...queries forthcoming.

Julie: I am not evil enough but I think that is an excellent idea.

Brian: Count me in!

Nicole: Oh me!!! Me! Me! Me! I deserve this! I have to be 'good' all the time!!! Me!

Niki: Who needs money when can have the world?! Muahahahahahahahahaha coughcough hahahahahahahaahahahahahaha breathe hahahahahahaahahahahahaha. Ha. Ha.

Andy: look no further.

Nicole: What better dichotomy, than the most obvious parallel of good vs evil? What better evil sidekick, than a pastor's wife? I can PROMISE you complete anonymity. Me!

Andy: Save it, I was born for this position.

Nicole: ANDY NEVER WOULD HAVE MADE IT OUT ALIVE IF I HADN'T CARRIED HER OUT OF THE QUARRY ON MY SHOULDERS!'

Niki:
1. Catholic girl (13 years of parochial school)
2. Mensa (can come up with all sorts of diabolical schemes)
3. Actor (sticky situations & need to improvise? i'm trained in it)
4. Innocent face (who? me?)
5. Loyal (gotcher back)... Read More
6. Ending this list on a 6. I said a 6. A 6.

Andy: Nicole, you have proved you are not qualified. If you in fact had rescued me, and I'm not saying you did, but if you did, that would prove your overwhelming goodness. I on the other hand would have left you to the wolves. baaaaad...

Andy: and your little dog too!

Ann: I already signed on to be my husband's evil twin, but he thinks I have it backwards. Evil sidekick's should probably live in the same country though, so that takes me out of the running.

Amanda: LOL- I am so there! Trust me when I say I've learned from the best and have no equal in the evil sidekick-ness!

Nicole: It was a lie! I LIED! It wasn't true! I LEFT Andy at the quarry!! I never carried anything! Not even a water bottle- I don't help thirsty people! And I fed Andy's dog to a wolf! I'M bad!! Me! Me! Me!

Nicole: I give. Andy trapped me, and I must admit defeat. (Impressive) If I missed that one, I cannot promise not to be out-eviled. Drat...

Rachael: You sure you need evil? How about a side-kick for comic relief...

Jason: I think my esteemed competition are all missing the point of sidekick. None are as qualified as I am. You see, I'm roughly twice your size, so when the bullets start flying you'll have plenty of me as your human shield. (yea, I know, I peeked at your question sheet... how evil of me)

Henry: Holy conspiracy, Batwoman!

Richelle: OOH! I'd make a kickass sidekick! I'm so underestimated that I am practically stealth!

Richelle: What are we going to do tonight, Brain?

Lesleh: HELLOOOOOO

Jef: Can I wear a blue cape? Can I have my own utility belt?

Dawn: I'm evil and would love the job but I think I'm too far away since I'm in Maryland to be a sidekick. :(

Sonia: Thank you to all interested parties. There's some stiff, evil competition. Application questionnaires will be along directly.

Jef: Hee hee, you said "stiff".

James: Versed in diabolical schemes, great evil laugh, good at saying "yes master!" with enthusiam to whatever you say, can play the dual role of 'goon' as needed, but need a costume with low spandex quotient. Not so good on that count. Something armor plated would be better. Oh, and i make great coffee and strudel.

Sonia: this may qualify as my favorite FB thread of 2009

Christy: I made someone cry not too long ago. Does that qualify me?

Katrina: ummm. I could design us matching costumes for every evil occasion!

Jef: I'm not union, so you know, there's no overhead cost or strikes or anything. Hey if evil needs to be done, I don't take a break. And I have a shovel, that's my super hero tool ... a shovel. Think about it. I know, you're feelin' me now, everything goes well with "The Shovel".

Tim: I can both read and write, and when the forces are moving against us, I'll throw down a wicked beat to get our evil groove back on.

Heather: I got tattoos, 8 years military experience, I can wrench and ride Harleys, I look sweet but can be quite evil if need be. Plus all I'd need is a cool costume.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

So, that's quite a list of excellent candidates! I ask you, what questions should I be asking in the interview process? And who, of this listing, should definitely be granted a follow up?

I'd like to get my evil sidekick hired by mid-week next week so I'm dealing with a time frame here, world domination is time consuming business.

Thanks for your help!

A Letter to Kanye West

2009-09-14T16:44:00.003-05:00

This is a little piece written dazzlingly by my good friend Gunfighter. He said I could post it, so I'm gonna...I hope Kanye's publicist reads it.

Dear Mr. West,

For the sake of full disclosure, I feel that it is important to say that I have never been a fan of your music. I have never been able to discern the "genius" that some people are, or at least were, attaching to your name. That said, I would like to get straight to the point of this little missive.

You, sir, are a boor. You have no class. You are arrogant, rude, and clearly incapable of good and decent behavior.

In past years when you misbehaved as a result of perceived snubs at award shows, I put your behavior down to the general silliness of the entertainment business... I figured it was just another way of gaining publicity. I was wrong. You weren't doing publicity stunts, were you? You were just being the ridiculous little prick that you apparently always have been.

How sad.

As pathetic as your clowning has been in the past, your behavior last night at the MTV video awards was a new low, even for a little fellow like yourself. In what mental plane do you exist in that you think that it is forgivable to treat a fellow artist with such incredible disregard? In what world do you think that it is alright to get on stage and spew your opinions when someone else had the floor?

I have to tell you, Mr. West, your behavior was inexcusable. I would like to call it childish, but I am certain that neither of my children would put on such a shockingly uncouth display.

I know that you lost your father at a young age, but was there no one to teach you how to act like a man? Did no one ever tell you that you just shouldn't act this way? Did no one ever tell you that treating anyone, especially a lady like that was wrong?

Taylor Swift didn't deserve that. She didn't do anything to you, or to Beyonce Knowles that could possibly have earned the treatment that you gave her.

Personally, West, I don't think your are much of a man. I think that you are a short, spoiled punk. A horse's ass, a clown, a minstrel. I used to look at you and shrug, now I will always look at you with scorn.

If you had treated my daughter, who is around Swift's age, with such disrespect, I would already have called you out to give you the beating... no, the spanking that you deserve.

TV, How I Love Thee - and Brian Boitano

2009-09-08T13:57:00.003-05:00

I make no secret of it.
I love TV. (My DVR makes it all possible)
And I watch everything from Emmy-winning critically acclaimed masterpieces to reality trainwrecks. I love it all. Well, almost... I'd love to see the Kardashian clan go away, still can't figure out their appeal.

My newest addition to the lineup is "What Would Brian Boitano Make?" on Food Network.

I was madly in love with Brian Boitano when he was in the 1988 Winter Olympics. Madly. I mean, recorded everything on VHS tape and played it over and over, madly.

And, yes, I realize that Brian Boitano may or may not be gay. I do that all the time...develop serious crushes on gay men. My friend Peter says my "gay-dar" is broken. Oh well.

So, that's my latest...the "not disclosing it for TV purposes" alleged gayness of Brian Boitano and he's cooking food for ridiculous scenarios. What's not to like?

He's so darn adorable. And funny. I want to hang out with him, and perhaps help him chop veggies.

What is your latest TV addiction or what is it you are desperately waiting for when the new TV season begins?

High School Casualties

2009-09-02T10:42:00.003-05:00

I've mentioned before that I had a fairly satisfactory high school career. Friends I did (and still do) love dearly, supportive teachers, and relative success in many areas...one of the benefits of going to a small high school.

I also didn't have any money. My parents didn't have a pot to piss in and my 80s wardrobe came courtesy of my own pocket from weekends on end of babysitting and summer spent detasseling (you city slickers will have NO IDEA what that means).

So, by the time I paid for my normal clothing and everything I needed for cheerleading or track season, my discretionary spending fundage was fairly tapped out.

Two things I wanted at the time but did not get: a class ring and a letter jacket.

Even though I doubt it now, at the time it seemed like I was THE ONLY PERSON in the whole school to be lacking those two items. Though, now that I recall, my steady boyfriend didn't have a class ring either. Otherwise, I'd have been wearing it.

Still...I have a few little mementos saved from high school around here somewhere, things I thought that someday, when I had kids, they'd think was interesting...or at least have a little ammo to make fun of mom. But, yep, no ring or letter jacket to share.

Our oldest son wore hubby's letter jacket (since he attends the same school hubby did back in the day) to school for Homecoming week for a theme day that was something along the lines of "old" or "vintage". Considering letter jackets for the school have changed a lot in 20 years, it was kind of a novelty, especially for a few teachers that also taught dear ol' dad way back when.

I have nothing of that to pass along. Pictures and notes, but nothing tangible save for two sets of cheerleading pom poms that I've given my girls to play with in their dress up box.

I know it seems a little silly to be wishing all this time later that I had that ring or jacket, but I guess there's just something about sharing that personal history and having those memories flood back. Then again, I don't need a "thing" to remind me of the joy I felt at landing the lead in the school play or the heartache of having a boy make me cry at a school dance.

Did any of you skip getting the class ring or the letter jacket? Do you miss it or does it just not matter anymore?

You Deserve It

2009-08-31T08:07:00.003-05:00

We humans, we're so different and yet, so much the same.

Something happened the other day that struck such a chord with me, I started wondering if other people have some of the same moments.

At the most base level of this thing we call life, we need a little something called Love, don't we? Even the most vile and nasty among us....maybe especially them, because since they never felt love from others, that's what made them become what they are.

But the way we interpret what is Love from others, that's what makes us different. I know I've mentioned the book "The Five Love Launguages" before where a marriage counselor analyzes that people have trouble in their relationships because different people need different kinds of love. They are: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.

I know I've talked about them before, and after reading the book many years ago, I can tell you without compromise that I am an Acts of Service person. I do things for people to show them I love them. And when people do things for me, man that just gets me in my happy place. I so appreciate it. Like yesterday, we went to church in the morning then I spent several hours in the kitchen canning while hubby did yard work. Him doing that made me super happy, while I hope that he'll enjoy reaping the benefits of my work in the kitchen (though I can tell you undoubtedly he is a Physical Touch person).

Many years ago I went to visit a friend Lori and we spent a couple days, enjoying the quiet solitude of her lovely lake home in the bitter cold of a February weekend. It was truly some down time, we talked very little. We slept, we read books, we went out to dinner, that was about it. She was on the verge of exiting a loveless marriage of almost twenty years.

One afternoon she called and had two massage therapists come and we had incredible, relaxing massages. I think it was a man and wife team if I remember correctly, the wife gave me my massage. It was a treat, to just go down to the living room in the lake house and enjoy a massage and know that they'd pack up and leave and we could relax in our robes for as long thereafter as we wanted to.

The thing that is so clear in my memory was Lori's reaction. Nearing the end of our massages (our tables were set up in the same room, so we could have talked to each other if we wanted to) I could hear Lori sobbing quietly. She didn't stop. When they were done with us, she tearfully paid them, bid them thanks and walked them to the door.

I was concerned, I was kind of wondering if the stress of the breakdown of her marriage was starting to get to her. That wasn't it.

It turns out, the physical touch of another person in a gentle way like that was something she was so lacking she had a hard time emotionally dealing with it. Even though the massage therapist was someone she knew in a professional way, she still felt the affirmation of "you are worth touching" and it was hard for her not to cry, it was such an emotional release.

Now, I'm very huggy and kissy and I think touching other people in a loving way is important. But it doesn't rock the very core of my being like my old friend Lori. I suppose, though, if no one had touched me in a loving way in many many years like was her situation, I may have been singing a different tune.

I went the other day to get acupuncture (I've become quite fond of it, I may need to do a post) and I love my gal who does it. She is very positive. When she was leaving the room to let me alone, once she had me looking quite like a pincushion, the last thing she said to me was, "now, just relax....YOU DESERVE IT."

When she left, I was kind of caught between elation and tears. Do I deserve it? I've been stuck lately, wondering. I've been, for the most part, a SAHM for 13 1/2 years and now, my "baby" is in Kindergarten. After nearly a decade and a half of having babies and toddlers with me 24-7, I'm by myself all day.

And though I have a few little "jobs" like my television work and my shirt business, those are hardly regular...I have most days now to do with as I please. Part of me is having a hard time getting used to it because I miss Emersyn so much, it's weird not having her here. And part of me is having that weird guilt that people will think I'm sitting around doing nothing all day. Even though, if I want to sit around and do nothing all day, I can if I damn well want to...but I'm too manic for that option. I need to be doing something all the time.

So, when she said "you deserve it", it was a moment of affirmation, from someone who isn't a best friend or family member. I've worked hard all these years being home with my kids. I don't regret a moment of it, even when there were moments I wondered if I might lose my mind, I was glad I was there. It was the right choice for me. And now I have some options, to continue working little ventures that don't tax my schedule and still give me a lot of freedom to do stuff with the kids. It's nice. Why was I feeling guilty? It's so stupid!

"You deserve it."

Sometimes we need a hug, sometimes a little gift is nice, or doing something fun with a loved one. Sometimes it's nice when somebody does something that makes our life easier, like picking up one of the kids from piano lessons when you're stuck across town.

But I don't care who you are, like Mark Twain said, "I can live for two months on a good compliment"...it's nice to hear something up and positive every once in awhile. I may get two months on this one myself, maybe it'll help me enjoy the time I'm at in my life now instead of analyzing whether I'm worthy of it.

As for you, consider this with your own happy moments today: "You deserve it, too."

When It Comes to the Kennedys, I Like the Chicks

2009-08-26T09:33:00.004-05:00

I address politics on occasion here, and would like to think that I'm your favorite Libertarian.

I also have the same position that many of you may have as well...I have friends on both ends of the political spectrum, from the incredibly liberal to the incredibly conservative.

I figure, if my grandparents can make a mixed marriage work (he a Republican, she a Democrat), I can be friends with people across the board with whom I, respectfully, disagree. Sadly, I also see people who cannot be open-minded enough to see past their own viewpoint and realize that someone with the exact opposite perspective isn't a moron or an evildoer.

Obviously, lots of people have lots of widely varied views on the Kennedy family. They are arguably one of the most famous political families in U.S. history, competing with the likes of the Roosevelts, the Bushs, and the Tafts as families with a stronghold in politics.

Politically, I agree with some things the Kennedy brothers championed while in politics and part ways on others. And while some are hailing the longtime service of Teddy, I'm one of those who thinks a political office should be held as a calling, not a career. I'm not fond of career politicians of any party, put me in the "term limit" group, if you will.

When it comes to the Kennedys, though, I like the chicks better.

Rose Kennedy, the matriarch of the clan, had to be a pretty tough cookie. And as a mother, I can hardly wrap my brain around the tragic circumstances wherein she had to bury four of her children. FOUR! That's the terror the makes me wake up in the middle of the night, sobbing at the prospect of something happening to one of my kids. I don't care how old you are, or how old your child is, a parent should never have to bury their child.

However, the legacy of the Kennedy family that is by far the most impressive to me is that of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her forming of the Special Olympics. I thought that was cool long before I had an autistic brother competing in the Special Olympics himself. To me, anyone championing those with special needs is deserving of my praise.

So, while many others are remembering Ted Kennedy, I'll still be thinking of Eunice as the most stellar example of leadership and dedication.

Thank you, Eunice, for your hard work and devotion to the Special Olympics. I can assure you, it brought something special to the life of my brother, and for that I am eternally grateful.

I Need To Stop Watching the News In Front of the Kids

2009-08-24T08:11:00.003-05:00

We're back full swing into the school morning routine. And as is my habit, I watch local news then Today show (generally).

There are so many shocking and horrifying things that are discussed first thing in the morning. Like the would-be model who was murdered and dismembered, stuck in a suitcase, and then they just tracked down the primary suspect where he hung himself in a hotel room

And how about the group of people watching the hurricane and the 7-year old girl who was swept out to sea and died? That piqued the interest of my resident 7-year old girl.

Like a rated R movie, I analyze the appropriateness of having my kids hear things even on the news.

Is it weird that I even want to keep them in a protective, happy little bubble from not only scary movies, but reality...that creepy stuff in the news? I don't want them to stick their heads in the sand but I also don't want them to worry needlessly about things so abstract that they won't be affected by them in any way, shape or form.

It should be noted, of course, that of everything that appeared in the hour of news this morning, the only query voiced came from Sammie asking, "Why do they talk about Michael Jackson every day?"

*sigh*

It's Not You, It's Me

2009-08-18T13:26:00.004-05:00

I broke up with you.
All summer.

I was having a fling with life outside the computer screen.

It wasn't intentional, but the more I was spending time away from you, the more I didn't miss you.

Tomorrow the kids start school and while we've had a long summer packed with travel and activities and very little time spent thinking about what may have been stockpiling on my Google Reader, the unplanned hiatus turned into a pretty solid vacay from my blog and everyone else's.

But, I'm not sure, things may be different around here soon. You see, after 13 1/2 years of being, pretty much, a SAHM, my "baby" will be in Kindergarten. Yes, sure, I'll be able to work without lining up childcare. I'll be revamping my shirt business and pumping up some marketing to increase sales more than I've ever bothered past emailing and word-of-mouth sales.

I'll also have a bit more time to see what I've missed in all our lives over the past 3 months.

To help me kick start it, please leave a comment with a link to your BEST blog post of the past 3 months. Your funniest, your most profound, your most dramatic, your most introspective...whatever. Just something that, sadly, I missed reading and didn't realize how great it was. I'll start there when I just back into the "back to school" routine.

Thanks for not being all emotional and bitter about our "breakup"...turns out, I just needed some time to find myself again.

Iowa State Fair - No With No Michael Jackson!

2009-07-29T10:00:00.000-05:00

As I enjoy a few days off (not from the blog, I've been doing that all summer!) I'd like to remind you that it is almost Iowa State Fair time! Remember, last summer about 80 of you were going to come stay with me while you attend??

I'm reposting that post for those that missed it, and yes, it's true....there was a massive online survey and the Michael Jackson made of butter was overwhelmingly voted down. In case you're confused, there is the ages old butter cow sculpture and also usually at least one other timely item.

So, enjoy a blast from last summer, and get your tummies ready for those over forty foods on a stick!!

Think of all the things you can that last 11 days.
A Hollywood marriage?
Christmas vacation from school?
Rehab?

11 is the magical number of days of the Iowa State Fair. If you are a "going to the fair" type person, it's really the place to be. We're not the biggest (that would be Texas), but I'm not the only one who thinks we're the best.

The Iowa State fair is featured in the book 1000 Places to See Before You Die (which is a great book if you are a travel person)
When Martha Stewart wanted to cover the awesomeness that state fairs are, she taped Martha Stewart Living at, you guessed it, the Iowa State Fair
USA Weekend put the Iowa State Fair on it's Top Ten Places America Goes to Have Fun, placing it second only to Las Vegas. Lower down the list were Times Square and Disneyland if you want to gauge those with your own fun-o-meter!
Featured in Midwest Living as 30 Things Every Midwesterner Should Experience
The Washington Post's Kim O'Donnel ate her way thru this year's state fair
Inspired a book, three movies, and a Broadway musical (we actually did State Fair, the play, when I was a junior in high school and I played Margy Frake)
So many more articles about journalists from absolutely everywhere covering the Americana experience that is the State Fair

Since 1854, people from Iowa and now, from around the world attend the fair each year with attendance topping over 1 million people going thru the gates each season. The Iowa State Fair is set on approximately 410 acres, including wooded land for campers. It takes place in August each year, generally ending about two weeks before Labor Day. Aside from the food and the exhibitions, the fair attracts the biggest names in music, both classic acts and current chart toppers.

Iowa State Fair by the numbers:

600- number of pounds it takes to sculpt the famous Butter Cow
63,190 - about the number of exhibits, from cattle to needlepoint to vegetables, that show at the Iowa State Fair
45,000 - approximate number of ribbons, rosettes and banners awarded to winners
200 - number of food stands
1926 - the year the Hog Calling Contest began
More than 30 - the number of "foods on a stick" that can be purchased at the fair. The list includes pork chops, dill pickles, corn dogs, cheese, Cajun chicken, caramel apples, chili dog, beef, cotton candy, veggie corn dogs, turkey drumsticks, nutty bars, chocolate cheesecake, hot bologna, chocolate covered bananas, taffy, fried pickles, honey, wonder bars, deep fried Twinkies, meatballs, Ho-Hos and fudge puppies (waffles drenched in chocolate sauce).
5 - number of fairs that have been cancelled (1 year because of the nearby World's Fair in Omaha, and the rest were during WW2 years)

I could go on and on about the all-American fair experience that we have to offer here. It is something truly special. Myself and other Iowans (though when I was looking up articles somebody referred to themselves as an Iowegian - dude, I have NEVER referred to myself as an Iowegian, that must be old school) are quite proud of the Fair. Many people I know never, ever miss it and would tell you it is the thing they look forward to about every summer.

The rest of the post, I have a few more photos to add from when hubby and I were there Saturday. (Including the butter cow and the butter Shawn Johnson!)

Photos:
-Hubby enjoys his favorite fair food, Greek Gyro
-I have a couple of my favorites, BBQ Pork sandwich and fresh lemonade (I also had funnel cake, which is my MOST favorite fair food)
-Cigarettes next to Deep Fried Twinkies and candy bars - it's the "die quicker" area of the Fair
-Chicken Lips!
-Cast Your Kernel - during Presidential elections, voters can "cast their kernel" - click the link for the neck and neck results! (FYI: Hubby and I canceled each other out)
-Cow barn
-Vegetables exhibits
-The Butter Cow and the butter Shawn Johnson

Hope you enjoyed the brief tour of the Iowa State Fair. And like with a few other things, this is my blog. If you think you're too cool and want to leave a snarky comment, I'm deleting it. Because, seriously, if you're so awesome that making fun of pork chops on a stick and the butter cow thrills you, when really, the Iowa State Fair is a lovely, entertaining, family event, then your heart is full to the brim with black goo. And I feel sorry for you.
For the rest of you, who like to learn new things about places you've never been, I would encourage you to make the Iowa State Fair a travel desination as soon as you possibly can. There are new things, and there are things that have been done every year for 150 years plus. It's something really special. Let me know when you'll be there...

It's Better to Be Stupid, Ignore Dr. Google

2009-07-21T08:16:00.002-05:00

I'm not gonna say what it is, but I've had a medical issue come up recently.

And I did what a ton of people do when they start experiencing symptoms. I went to Dr. Google.

The thing that's bad, though, is that you then start freaking yourself out with all the possibilities of what could be wrong with you. And, if you're like me, you always gravitate toward the most dire in the list.

I must say, I'm pretty glad that when I started having babies I didn't have internet. And by the time I did and there were actually a wealth of baby websites, I already had two and thought I'd pretty much gotten the whole "people coming out of my girly bits" thing figured out.

What I'm going to do now is go to a REAL ACTUAL DOCTOR who deals with my specific medical concern. On Friday. And until then, I'm going to stop Googling and dwelling on family history and wait to see what the doc says.

Anyone else done this before? What kind of crazy things have you self-diagnosed?

Sometimes, it's better to be stupid.

I'll Be Sure and Turn the Lights Off When I Leave

2009-07-08T10:30:00.002-05:00

First and most important, I want to thank 'Sunshine' for inviting myself and our great friend Nicole to guest blog in her absence. I am honored and hope that I can bring some joy and entertainment to her readers as she has for years. I feel as if I have been asked to house-sit for her while she is away. So being very careful not to spill on her carpet, leave the lights on or forget to water her plants, I am kicking my feet up on her coffee table and relaxing on her couch (but please don't tell her) and telling my story......

My name is Robert, and as she and Nicole have mentioned, we all went to school together in small town, rural Iowa. We lived in what Nicole refers to as 'an alphabet town'. Many small towns in Iowa combine themselves with other small towns to create schools of many letters. This is how I had come to know 'Sunshine'. At the start of my senior year, our community was joined by 2 other small towns to form the school we have now. Thats what brought 'Sunshine' into Nicoles and my life. As Nicole mentioned, she was a golden haired beauty that always smiled, laughed and added fun to whatever event was going on. But I do have proof that she did have a sad side. She was a cheerleader for our basketball team that year that blew thru the season and made it into the first round of the playoffs, where we lost badly. Our yearbook that year of '87 has captured her standing on the side of the court at state looking as is she is about to cry, and chewing her fingernails. (pg. 69). Her look expressed the emotions of everyone. We all knew that she would be special and be the wonderful person she is.

She had suggested we discuss the aspects of growing up in Iowa. Nicole did a great job capturing the 'small town' feel of growing up an Iowan. Now I would like to add some more great reasons why I am proud to call myself an Iowan.

I feel I am a special type of Iowa person because I wasn't born there....I moved there! I may not be native, but I grew up in the heartland. Now for any of you who react the same way people do to me when they ask where I'm from......by asking "Where?" when I say Iowa...come along with me on a journey thru the 'Hawkeye State'........

First, we do NOT grow potatoes! We specialize in corn and soybeans. We have the distinct ability to add letters to words when they really don't belong. For example, ask an Iowan to say "I like to wash my own car.".... and you will discover they will add an "R" to wash and create 'warsh'. Trust me, I have heard it done. Where else can you hear someone say "I can row them now" and absolutely not be talking about a boat. It refers to when the corn or soybean stalks peek up thru the soil after planting. Giving you the ability to see the corn 'rows'. To us, detassling corn during the summer was a way to buy a car, or take our sweetheart to Marshaltown to 'scoop the loop'. Again, this has nothing to do with ice cream. We be cruising in our cars. We actually would..."go home and catch a lightning bug and put him in a jar". I'd like to say that Iowa is so flat that if your dog ran away from home, 3 days later you could still see him. Our towns have water towers with the towns name on them. Although I can thankfully say I never saw any one carry a paint can to the top to defend his sisters honor.

Our beloved state is home to many of the products you use. The best tractor manufacturer, John Deere is out of Iowa. Some of the professional concrete contractors in the country use 'Marshaltown' brand trowels and tools from Marshaltown Iowa. Marshaltown is also the birthplace of the best sandwich ever made, like Nicole mentioned....Maid-Rites! Taylors in downtown M-town. This type of sandwich was featured in the hit show 'Rosanne' as she referred to them as 'loose-meat'. Some of the parts to Winnebago Motorhomes come from Iowa. Our little town also claims fame to having the blackest, richest dirt in the world. We also can brag as to having the 'Worlds Largest Truck Stop' in Walcott off Interstate 80. Being an former 'over-the-road' truck driver, I have spent many nights there. Who's from Iowa???

Well, besides Nicole, 'Sunshine' and myself...here are some people you may know that come from our beloved state......John Wayne....heard of him? .......Buffalo Bill Cody, who by the way I am a very distant relative of.........actor Tom Arnold.....former model turned actor and complete heartthrob to many young women (and luckiest man alive to us guys) Ashton Kutcher. (married to Demi Moore)....Olympic Gymnast Shawn Johnson is from our state capital......actor Elijah Wood hails from Cedar Rapids......still not impressed? Well how about former Super Bowl MVP with the Rams (now with the Cardinals) quarterback Kurt Warner is from Burlington. He attended University of Northern Iowa which is our lovely 'Sunshines' alma mater.....Super bowl winning tight end with the Indianapolis Colts Dallas Clark is from Livermore. He attended University of Iowa with current Colts teammate Bob Sanders. I also want to mention the 2005 High School NFL Coach of the Year Ed Thomas who was shot and killed recently in a town near where we grew up in. Many of his 292 wins and 1 of his 84 losses were against us. He graduated and sent 4 men from his town to the NFL: Aaron Kampman (Packers), Brad Meester (Jaguars), Casey Weigman (Broncos) and Jeff Devries. ......now there are so many more I could mention and if I missed someone, believe me it was not intentional.

Well, I do hope this sheds some light on our fair state. I know that I am a better man today for growing up in Iowa. I received a better education, better family values, and better friends. I am proud to tell everyone that I grew up in Iowa, even if they don't know what or where it is. Plus, I should mention that my future wife - to - be is another schoolmate of ours from Iowa. So I hold Iowa near and dear.

Well everyone, I hope I was able to entertain and inform you. 'Sunshine' will be back soon so I better wipe down the counters, replace the toilet paper roll, re-stock the fridge and find the T.V. remote. I wish everyone out there health and happiness and until next time, I'll be sure and turn off the lights when I leave.....

Robert

On Iowa, Touchstones and the Chupakabra. A Cautionary Tale.

2009-07-08T07:11:00.003-05:00

My name is Nicole, and I went to high school with Sunshine. She asked our friend Robert and I to fill in for her while she's on vacation and suggested writing a bit about ourselves, and then about growing up in Iowa. I'm 39, and turn 40 this October. No, no, don't feel sorry... I find great comfort in the fact that my husband turns 50 ten days later. (Sorry Honey) I have a daughter, aged six, and a son who's five. I was an English/Theater major with emphasis in both acting and playwrighting. I met my husband Steve working in Entertainment. He had a background in screenwriting and we were asked to co-write, produce and direct live action stunt shows here in Reno where we live. We were sent to Universal Studios/Disney World for 'research' then worked with their stunt men, who rigged and choreographed our stunts and pyrotechnics. The most fun ever! We then worked for Cloud Ten Productions. Steve was a story consultant for 'Left Behind,' and I was also hired to write a behind the scenes book on the making of the movie. I've actually blogged for several years, within a small circle of friends. This is my first foray into the world of hitting 'publish' for complete strangers. I'm trying to get past the cold sweats and palpitations! :) But enough about me! Let's talk about Sunshine!

Yes! ...That's the answer to the question everyone wants to know. 'Was Sunshine always as popular, gorgeous, amazing, talented, energetic, resourceful, funny and popular as she is now? She was! I have fond memories of Sunshine keeping the rest of us in endless stitches, exactly as she does now! She was often the glue that held everything and everyone else together. Not much has changed. She was everything I was not in high school. She was the golden haired cheerleader. I was the subject of the question at the bank where my mother worked, when everyone asked, 'Who's that little brown haired boy who's always fishing down at the bridge?'

Before discussing Iowa, although Sunshine is on vacation, I happen to know they have 16 giant Dobermans, named Satan 1-16, respectively, an alarm system and three large cousins named Buck, Jake and Ahab who are house-sitting. Along with watchful neighbors with shot guns. Just wanted to make that clear. Now, back to growing up in Iowa. I've spent two days pondering which memories and thoughts to focus on. As usual, I thought with my stomach. Two Words: Maid Rites! That's right. I said it. How do you explain a steamed, chopped, hamburger sandwich? Pure Perfection! Trust us on this. Many of us ship them to great distances out of pure addiction. Now that my stomach is reminiscing, I also miss 'The Corner.' The local restaurant where everyone knew everyone, and if they didn't, they'd introduce themselves! Perhaps one of THEE first restaurants that introduced tossing peanut shells on the floor! This was the place families went 'out' to dinner, and where kids would hang out after games.

Conrad is a town of about a thousand people, give or take a hundred, depending on the decade. Through farming, the community and sporting events, everyone knew each other. I regret my kids will never know what that sense of connection feels like, as one of the best things about Iowa is the people. The town picnics, the parades, the bake sales and pancake breakfasts, the whole community turning out for school event because they 'knew' the kids. During one of my huband's trips home with me, when staying at the Conrad Guest House, we got a call informing us my brother had fallen and broken his back at his construction site. Literally, by the time we took three minutes to get dressed and shooed, the bank President, riding his bicycle on the way to work, stopped to ask if my brother was okay, as he'd heard he was injured and on his way to the hospital! That's 'news traveling fast,' but with it, true caring and concern. A small town game of 'telephone,' where everyone knows your name. We don't have that here in Reno.

It's hard to explain the comfort that comes from decades of families knowing each other and knowing 'of'' your family. It's quite something to know a thousand people care that you lived. It's special and reassuring. Last summer, home for my 20th high school reunion, I realized that Iowa is my touchstone. Somehow, everything I do and am wasn't validated and real until that moment when I set foot in the town that made it so. And now, my friends, family, and Sunshine, who post and blog about Farmer's Markets and neighbors or teachers we all knew, are the touchstone to 'home' when I can't be there. In word association, Iowa equals home. Nevada equals gambling and the dubious distinction of birthing the 'quickie divorce.' Iowa equals family, even among strangers. Nevada, does not. It's a transient state, and is a desert both relationally and literally speaking. In Iowa there is RAIN! Iowa has moisture and green! It's so humid, hair is soft, skin is plump and your contacts don't tear! My hair was bouncy and shiny in Iowa. The moment I stepped off the plane in Reno seventeen years ago, all the moisture in my body exited at the speed of light, and has never returned. My hair is dry and lifeless, my skin, lackluster. Nevada is brown and dead. Iowa is LIFE! People in Nevada are guarded, but in Iowa, they treat you like family! And hey, to my knowledge, there has never been a Chupakabra sighting in Iowa. So let's just add that to the 'plus' column right now.

In fact, speaking of Chupakabra, I don't think it's any undiscovered type beast at all. Nor is it some rabid, bald coyote with mange and an unfortunate snout. Seeing it all here, it's so clear. Chupakabra is merely a previously moist but presently dehydrated, un-nourished housewife from Reno, who shriveled in the sun, lost their hair and delirious from gambling noises, cigarette smoke, and the housing collapse, wandered away in the night. Blinded and confused as well, due to contacts long ago dried up and plopped out in the heat. I'm not quite sure where the 'drinking of blood of goats and chickens' comes in. Maybe she was thirsty? So in summation: If you see a Chupakabra in Iowa, sitting on a street corner, drooling and macking down Taylor's Maid Rites, or fishing on the bridge down by the creek? Don't shoot! It's just me. Home for the next reunion.

Be Our Guest....

2009-07-07T13:58:00.000-05:00

I have a very special surprise.
While I embark on a family journey for the remainder of the week, I have two friends from high school blogging in my stead.

They're not bloggers. I don't even have any idea what they're gonna say here. They could really trash the place. But I do ask you give them a very warm welcome and be polite and good like I know you can be...

AND!!! It's time for another edition of Sunshine's Passport to Fun where you get this nifty button and brag up your home state when I'm gone at the end of the month.
If you are interested in posting about a state you know and love, let me know...click the link to see states that have already been done. Would love to hear some new and fresh perspectives on other parts!

To Ebay or Not To Ebay

2009-07-06T01:21:00.000-05:00

I have been asked to put up a post on Ebaying. You see, after our garage sale was over, I took stock of the items that were worth Ebaying (oh, yes, there are things not worth the time it takes to even bother putting on there) and listed several things.

For about seven years I've been on Ebay, first as a buyer then as a seller as well.

Is it perfect? No. But it's pretty good and I've learned a few things along the way.

First, there are some things worth doing. Some not.

Here's a few things I've learned. If it helps you, great.

List a bunch of stuff at once if you can. There is a certain amount if time invested in getting stuff listed. So if you can save a little time by doing many things at once, it's slightly more satisfying. Also, when people look at your listing, they'll also see links to other things you have for sale so that may increase your stream of potential buyers and increase the final sale amount. Any little bit helps, right?
Take pictures of the actual item, don't put up a stock photo. I, as a buyer, like to see the real item I'm getting. If its something like a Pottery Barn quilt, then sure, put up a stock photo so somebody can see what it would look like all purdy made up on their bed, but have the REAL ITEM YOU'RE SELLING as your first photo. I think it also helps the integrity of the listing, because you can't fluff up how awesome something is in the picture, what you see is what you get.
List things so that the listings begin and end during the work day (like if you're in the Central time zone, make sure things are listed around the middle of the day, then East Coasters and West Coasters are all up and at 'em). Why? Well, snipers. Meaning, there are people who watch listings and don't bid on them until the last second. If you're a night owl and you're putting stuff on Ebay at midnight, you're gonna lose a lot of snipers. If your listings end at a reasonable time of day, you might get some great last second bidding going on.
What is worth listing? In the time I've been selling things here and there on Ebay, I have found certain things are worth selling. Anything where I'm only going to make a buck profit - not worth it. Good things: name brand childrens' clothes, large lots of childrens' clothes (all the same size, brand doesn't matter), electronics (especially old video games or previous builds of things), collectibles, brand name toys (if you have a Dora umbrella or something that got used once and is super cute and no one would be able to buy it at a store anymore, go ahead and list that sucker....somebody will buy it)
What is especially worth it? The highest return on my $$ is Hanna Andersson clothing. It is nice, Swedish clothing that is pretty expensive as far as casual kids' clothes are concerned. But the quality is so good and it's organic cotton that gets softer and doesn't fade when washed (and that European red dye NEVER runs!), that it's kind of better when used than new. Everybody who has Hanna clothes for their kids knows this so the Ebay sales of Hanna stuff is INSANITY. I had an outfit (playdress and matching leggings) listed on Ebay that cost $60 retail when I bought it, I made something like $54 for it on Ebay. WHEN IT WAS USED. Trust me...go watch a couple Ebay auctions for Hanna Andersson stuff and you will be shocked. I had some things listed and a lady emailed me the same day I listed them, wanted two outfits and offered to pay me $90 for both outfits if I pulled my listings and shipped them to her right away. You can't make this stuff up. So, if you haven't bought your kids any Hanna Andersson stuff ever, do it, because you'll just about get your money back when you resell it on Ebay.
How long to list? Use 5-day or 7-day listings. That is plenty long. If you do 5-day, though, make sure the auction ENDS on a weekday (for those middle of the day people who you need bidding it up...on the weekends, people forget).
Where to Ship? I limit my listings to United States only. It's time-consuming enough already without opening up to an entire planet of figuring out shipping expense. Of course, there are ALWAYS people who ignore the information in the listing and either email you asking, "hey, will you ship to Canada/Germany/etc?" And then, like happened to me last week, you have people who live in another country, like the Philippines, and go ahead and bid then win your auction. *sigh*
What about Shipping Expense? On things that are parcels, I go to the post office and have them weighed and have them figure up the cost for Priority and Parcel. Then I add $2 for shipping supplies and the gas expense of what ends up being two trips to the post office to do all this shipping stuff. I put right in my listing that I add that $2 and why and if the person thinks that is unreasonable that they SHOULD NOT BID on the item. I also start most of my listings at 99 cents, so they're still coming out waaaaaay ahead. If I'm sending little tiny video games, or other items that are small and I can buy small padded envelopes and the shipping amount is going to be very little, I make it free shipping because Ebay will promote your item more with a big "Free Shipping" bubble on your listing. I'm not going to lose my shirt by shipping everything free, but some things it's worth it. And, make insurance optional, some people believe in it, some people think it's a waste of $$$, but they're paying for it so it shouldn't make any difference to you.
What do I say about the Items I List? Describe the hell out of them. If it's clothes, put everything about the condition of it, because especially if it's used, people want to know just how used it is. If the fabric has some pilling, don't neglect mentioning that. If it's a bit faded, mention it. If your kid only wore it twice and the thing looks like new, mention it. And put everything from the tag...how to wash it, what it's made of, sizing, etc. Describe a lot. I do not offer returns and I put that in my listing that, unless I made a mistake and the information about the item is wrong, what you pay for is what you get, no returns, I'm not a store, I'm just a person. So, it's better to overdo it on the describing so people can't come back and say, "hey, you didn't mention this hole in the back!" By the way, if there is a defect of some kind, take an extra photo of it up close...I have sold some name brand things (like a Hanna sweater) that had some sort of fixable flaw and yes, they have sold because some people will pay next to nothing and take care of it themselves. If you are selling electronic things, try to find the same thing on Amazon or something so you can highlight the specifics, especially if you no longer have instruction booklets for stuff like that.
Finishing the sale. When people win your item, give them half a day to pay on their own (if you're setting up your account to accept Paypal), most people will pay on their own fairly soon after winning the auction. If they haven't paid immediately, then go in to Ebay and send invoices on unpaid items. I put in my listing that people have 7 days from the close of the auction to pay me. I've had a couple times when people have fudged beyond that and a few emails back and forth usually takes care of it. Only once did I have a deadbeat bidder that disappeared off the face of the earth and I filed a complaint with Ebay. But 99% of the time, people know how it works and pay quickly. Allow yourself 1-2 days handling time (you can do this in the listing) to package and get items sent after payment is received. I print off an invoice from Paypal to put in with the item and once it is sent, I send the buyer an email letting them know the package is en route. You can do a lot of automated communication but most people appreciate a personal email that shows you are paying attention to getting their item to them in an efficient manner. If they paid and were easy to deal with, leave them positive feedback. If you had issues, you could leave neutral or negative feedback...I just don't leave any. My grandma always said, "if you can't say anything nice about anybody..." you know the saying. With the exception of the deadbeat bidder, I haven't had any earth-shattering problems as a seller.

That's about all I can think of right now. There's probably something else, just ask in the comments but this has worked for me, I have 100% positive feedback and I've made a little money doing it, so it's been pretty good on my end.

Anyone else have any tips or advice on Ebay, tell it!

Eating Rolls Instead of Sushi Probably Means I'm a Poser

2009-06-25T10:51:00.003-05:00

Just in the last couple years I've become a sushi chick.

But I should clarify.

The sushi part of eating sushi isn't my favorite part. A tray full of slabs of raw fish and seafood. Nope. That isn't my thing.

It's the rolls, that's what I love. Maki, I guess, is one term for sushi rolls.

Here's the thing. I can, and have, tucked into a plate piled high with a variety a sushi options: salmon, red snapper, a variety of tunas. And I mix all my happy little condiments on the side and munch away on this and that. Some things are better than others but you know what? It's kinda boring. Dull, even.

Chewing away on stuff all the same texture and taste for many bites on end is a real snore, I gotta say.

But sushi rolls? That is just a mouthful of excitement.

Why have a slab of yellowfin when you can have it in with some spicy stuff that is somewhat undentifiable, seaweed, rice, and kiwi on top, just to keep things interesting? That many different textures and tastes at once? HEAVEN.

I know the purists probably think that my shunning of straight up sushi and embracing of rolls instead makes me a wannabe poser. And I'm OK with that. I'm also OK with somebody thinking my wasabi/soy sauce concoction that I dip select bites into is a amateur move.

My only downfall is that there is not a sushi restaurant in my town. Our town is just too small. But I guess that makes it more fun to wait until I can get my mouth on a combo of flavors so crazy, yet so tasty, that it makes me wonder why somebody would even bother with a slab of plain old tuna when they can have 5 things at once!

How about you? Are you a purist or a poser? Or does sushi make you gag?

All the Fun is at the Farmers' Market...Who Knew?

2009-06-16T07:37:00.003-05:00

I've still been wavering on the whole hanging up of the whole blog altogether but then some stuff has happened and I was thinking about "hey, I need to post this for some feedback". So I think I'm gonna start with this post and work backwards, especially to something that happened that a few months back I got a LOT of great advice from you all and I need to catch you up to speed.

But I digress...

You all know I'm kind of the crafty, cooking, sewing, baking, knitting, gardening type chick. And I got to thinking about peddling some of my wares at the local Farmers' Market. And the more I thought about it, the more excited I was to think about doing something I enjoy (baking artisan breads) and actually making a little money doing it.

So I got information about the when, the where, the cost, the rules. Yeah, there's rules. There's a list of things you're allowed to take and sell and then there's a list of things you have to have a sales license. Bread, though? No problem.

I got busy going thru my recipes and finding items I've made successfully that are the kinds of breads that are challenging enough or unique enough that most average people aren't probably making them from scratch at home themselves. Then I got busy researching price points so I knew how I could price everything.

Then I spent two days baking before last Saturday morning's first foray at the Farmers' Market. Because the breads I make involve starters and do actually take 2-3 days to make.

Even while I was baking away, I was getting nervous. What if I went to all this work and I get laughed out of the place? What if nobody likes any of the breads I make? What if my pricing is off and people laugh at how expensive I priced stuff, thinking I'm crazy.

I went, set up my table, had my bread packaged and labeled with ingredients and set everything out. I even had a container with chunks of banana bread for samples. Then I waited. A few people walked by, stopped, looked, but didn't buy.

Then I had my first sale. Then another. People I know well were stopping by every 5 or 10 minutes to chat and buy. The guy next to me with a bountiful garden was quite busy with his wares. Another lady had baked goods as well, but hers were rolls, pies and cookies. Some people were selling garden stones. Another had flowers.

It. Was. Awesome.

And you know, I'd hardly call my "crunchy" or "granola", even though I keep trying to find small baby steps to make greener changes in our lives, one thing at a time. But it was so cool to fully absorb into an atmosphere where everyone had done or made things themselves, or grown things themselves and were passionate about it enough to say, "yes, come see what I've got here, it's the best because I made it myself!"

It was fun and the entire 3 hours of Saturday morning that I spent there was the most pleasurable I've had in quite some time. Why? Not only were all the vendors in high-spirits, so were the shoppers. Have you done anything lately where every single person was in a really good mood?

Best part, though? I sold everything. Every single thing I took. Even breads that were heavier and probably better suited for the Fall season, I sold those too. And yes, the massive three and a half pound Greek celebration bread that I made, for some crazy reason, to sell in a Farmers' Market in a town full of German Catholics...yep, sold that too. For $15.

It was a learning curve and I got a lot of advice, tips, pointers for next time. I'm even going to start making a couple crafty things to have another table full of wares as well. Tomorrow is the next time I go. I'm spending today with my hands in dough.

Never would have thought that selling dough to make dough would be so darn rewarding.

So, I ask...do you have a Farmers' Market near you? Do you go? What do you buy? Do you have suggestions for me of things I could sell?

Another Chapter Ends, Another Begins...with Facebook Flair

2009-06-01T07:54:00.003-05:00

Today is the last day of school. They go until five minutes after noon to make it barely count. They had seven snow days. SEVEN. Actually, a couple of them were for those days back in January when it was -45 below zero with the windchill and the buses wouldn't start.

Good times.

Truthfully, I do actually miss those hermit days of January when the month of May was so insanely busy, my busiest month of the year. Yes, far above and beyond busier than the holidays.

So, God willing, after today Haste will be in 8th grade, Zach in 5th grade, Sammie in 2nd grade and my BABY Emersyn will be a Kindergartner. After more than 13 years of being home with babies, I'll be the school-time empty nester. I gotta say, it's been weird to wrap my mind around that concept. That's a mass majority of my adult life spent with the kiddos and every little outing being a military operation and any time spent working my crazy TV job meant arranging daycare for Em.

To bring this transitional time into sharper focus is that my son joined Facebook the other day. It was only a matter of time, really. He never was one of those kids who did the MSN Chat or whatever and he's not gotten to a point where there is a cell phone constantly at the ready as he texts and does 4 other things simultaneously.

He's loving the Facebook, though. However, he is under the watchful eye of Dad and myself. He had to "Friend" us and we also have his login information. I said I understand if his friends swear in comments on his FB page as he has no control over what other people say but I better not catch him swearing or he is so done with FB.

But, it's interesting to watch my son's social life online. And oddly, it brings into sharp focus the ways in which he is so much like me. I've talked before about how much arguing we do. It will take some time but eventually he'll appreciate how much we have in common, I see so much of myself in him.

Creativity unfulfilled at the junior high level. I trust he will feel better about an outlet for his talents when he reaches high school and there is more there for him.
I also see him finding his social footing where in junior high it's so hard. He has analyzed his place in the mix and declares himself "in the middle". He is neither total victim nor Mister Popularity. He has friends in every different kind of clique and feels pretty good about his core group of friends who like him exactly how he is. So in the scheme of things, it could be worse.

So, with the Facebook thing, I think it's funny to see what things there appeal to him. Once I showed him the Flair feature, he was hooked. I think the Flair is fun myself and it is one of the few applications I bother with, but he quickly went beyond finding Flair he liked and moved on to creating his own and sending it to friends.

I ask you, you long time readers, which things clearly show my influence on him and make it appear that perhaps, despite the usual battles, he just may be his mother's son after all:

Highlights from his Flair:

John F Kennedy
Jon Bon Jovi
The Twilight Zone (hubby gets credit for this one)
Wii
Iowa State University (hubby again)
Def Leppard
Guns N Roses
iPod
Back to the Future
fleur de lis
8 ball
"Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Tacos"
piano
AC/DC
Ireland (hubby here too)
Mythbusters (yep, hubby)
Obama
Starbucks
Metallica
Aerosmith
Family Guy (hubby again)
Stormtrooper
"That's What She Said"
shamrock

I think before he gets home from school today, I'll find some more Flair to send him. Who knows? Maybe this Facebook thing will be a good development in our relationship so he can see from my profile that maybe, just maybe, I'm a little bit cooler than he thought. And maybe I'll see that despite my nagging and directives, he's trying harder to do less stupid things than I thought.

Let's see how this goes...but I gotta say, having all that Flair of 80s music makes me swell with pride.

Remembering the Fallen

2009-05-25T07:59:00.002-05:00

***This is a repost from when I started this blog. But the message is exactly the same save for the fact that this summer, when we take a family vacation to South Dakota, we'll be visiting Hans' grave in Lead to pay our respects.***

Today is Memorial Day, and if you live in America and you're reading this, you should already know that. Today isn't about parades. Today isn't about going to the cemetary to put some flowers on grandma's grave. Those things are lovely, but not the focus of the day by any stretch.
Today is about honoring our fallen soldiers. Those who have fought and died for our country. It is about soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Pictured is my husband's friend Hans Gukeisen. My husband fought in the Persian Gulf War in 1990-91. Hans was there and perhaps they both thought the battle of 73 Easting would be the lowest point of their lives.
Hans reenlisted in the military sometime later. I got to meet him when I attended a 10 year reunion of Desert Storm with my husband. Hans was so excited about finally flying and moving his military career not only forward, but up into the sky. While we walked around Fort Knox and a lot of the guys who had attended basic there were saying "remember when...", Hans was saying "I can't wait 'til..." but little did we all know that 9/11 was right around the corner.
Hans was killed May 2003. My hubby, and his friends Joe and Monte who also served with Hans in Desert Storm all attended and spoke at his funeral in Lead, South Dakota. My husband said, "I've never had to speak at a funeral before. But none of us had the strength to stand up there by ourselves and talk, so we went up together and we couldn't say anything sad, all we talked about was our days back in Germany and all the fun memories we had of Hans."
I know a lot of people will never know or hear the name Hans Gukeisen. But he's a hero to the people he grew up with in Lead, SD. And he's a hero in our house. A man and a soldier, who died for our country. We'll never forget him and we remember him today.

Do You Know How Fast You Were Going?

2009-05-11T11:01:00.002-05:00

Many of you know that a long time ago, hubby used to be in law enforcement. He did great at his job. He was tough but fair.

And when it came to speeding tickets, he was never decided about whether he was going to ticket somebody until he got up to the car.

One time he stopped a mini-van and was met with a frazzled mom with screaming toddlers. And he gave her a warning. Because cops are human beings too.

One time he stopped a teenager who gave him attitude before he could even begin to speak, "do you know who my dad is?" Yeah, son, that doesn't really matter and you're gettin' a ticket. Have a nice day.

I went for a run this morning and was reminded of a cop story that is in the archives of local lore. See, my hubby knew the letter of the law and when it came to wife beaters, child molesters, drug dealers and the like...there were no ifs, ands, or buts. However, he was also, like I mentioned earlier, a guy who would go help an old lady on his day off, or give a mom with screaming kids a break on a speeding ticket.

There was one law enforcement guy, now retired, who was an absolute rule follower. Break the law? He's gonna bust ya, and he's not gonna care about your excuses.

Speeding? That's breaking the law.
Failure to make a complete stop? That's breaking the law.

So one of two tales goes that this guy, many decades back, pulled over his soon-to-be mother-in-law as she came in to town for the wedding. She was speeding. He gave her a ticket.

Now, you can react to that in a couple ways.

You can admire the fact that he is an honest cop who adheres to the law and doesn't favor anyone.
You can admire the fact that he definitely stuck it to his mother-in-law (if you're the type who can't stand your own).
You could be incredulous at the fact that he gave his MOTHER-IN-LAW a speeding ticket when she was en route to his wedding to her daughter!

Now, another story goes that, while patroling in the middle of a pretty heavy snowstorm he lost control of his patrol car and went in the ditch and, yep, he WROTE HIMSELF A TICKET for failure to maintain control.
That one I'm not sure about, it may be an embellished tall tale from decades of swapping stories at the cop shop. But knowing this particular former officer of the law, I could believe it.

I have several cops in my family and have a overwhelmingly positive opinion of officers being decent and honest. And it makes me mad when a few bad ones give everybody else a bad name because it's really not very fair.

But I have to say, I've never heard of a cop more honest than one that would write his mother-in-law and himself a ticket!

Onward Christian Soldier With the 70s Rock

2009-05-05T14:05:00.003-05:00

I'm still on the fence about the blog but this was a moment that will go down in infamy.

This past Sunday at Sunday School, they have kind of a fellowship time at the beginning before they divide up by classes. The leader was asking the kids what their favorite song was.

The big consensus was "Jump, Shout, and Sing" which is a mover and shaker in the annals of kiddie Christian music tunes.

The kids simmer down, pleased with the overall results of "Jump, Shout and Sing" being the big winner.

Then Emersyn, who is tiny but very loud, offers up, "Mississippi Queen!" as her song of choice.

Needless to say, my boys were quite proud of her.

Enjoy!