Poker face

Emma loves games. She excels at games. She kicks my butt almost every time. It struck me tonight that she loves cards most of all. A simple deck of cards brings her great joy. She loves to shuffle and she loves to deal. She loves to play Garbage and she loves to play Go Fish, and she is good. While playing Go Fish tonight, I noticed how calculating she is. The cards talk to her. She shifts her eyes as if others are playing with us. She avoids eye contact with her opponent. I'm waiting for her to slip on a pair of sunglasses in an effort to conceal her eyes just like all the professional poker players do.

The most scary part that I noticed is that she has a poker face. She does not give up what is in her hand. She does not let her face show any emotion at all. No frustration and no excitement. She has a perfectly beautiful poker face and smiles her wide and brilliant smile as she kicks my behind.

It's genetic. She gets it from both the Meyers and Misterka genes. I think both grandfathers should be proud and frightened.

Election Day Irony

I put Maui (our dog) out on his chain. After a few minutes he was scratching at the back door to get back in. Emma ran to the door to get him.
Emma: "Mo-oM, you put his chain on wrong!"
Me: Blank stare at her.
Emma: "You put it on the left way instead of the right way. The left way is the wrong way."
Me: "I wish more people would see it that way!"
Emma: Blank stare at me.
Me: "You're right, Sweetie. The left way is the wrong way. Always remember that."

Capers and Candy

I remember high school. Really, I do. I also remember my mom complaining about some of the teacher's requirements. Two memories immediately come to mind. An English teacher (straight out of college) wanted every student to provide a cassette tape so she could "talk to us" as she was grading our papers. Dumb idea, and my mom let me know it. Spanish II had a study of the culture and food of the regions of Spain. Mom had to find and then buy saffron so I could make my dish for the class. Prior to her shopping excursion neither of us knew that saffron is the most expensive spice sold. She found out when she was shopping for it, and she sure as heck let me know it when she got home.

I don't remember any high stress high school experiences with Christopher that involved stupid teacher ideas or me hunting to purchase something. However, I had the pleasure of experiencing both with Cameron.

Spanish II is having a culinary section. (I guess not much has changed in Spanish II after all this time.) He found a recipe online. He chose Fricase de Pollo. The recipe was printed and I was requested to go to the store to purchase the ingredients. All was going well until I started looking for the capers. What the hell is a caper anyway? They weren't with the spices. I spent a good 5 minutes reading every label on the spice shelves. No capers. So, I moved on to the next ingredient... stuffed green olives. We hate olives, but the recipe calls for them. Lo and behold! Right next to the olives were the capers. Killed two birds right there. I spent $40 on all of the ingredients, but he was set to cook.

The very next night I was handed a list of candy that he needed for Biology. "Why in the world do you need candy for Biology?" I asked. "So I can make an animal cell. The giant gumball will be the nucleus and the Nerds rope will be the DNA" he replied (smiling large because we all know how much Cameron loves candy). "That's dumb" I said. "What's wrong with styrofoam balls, pipe cleaners, and construction paper?" Still smiling, Cameron said, "She is making it fun."

So on my lunch hour the following day I headed to Dollar General. I picked up the Jolly Ranchers, regular M&M's, and peanut M&M's. Next stop was Wal-Mart. I got the pull-apart Twizzlers. I was slowly making some progress. After work I went to Meijer and got lucky finding multi-colored Rainbow Twizzlers. All I needed was a large gumball and a Nerds rope. The young lady that was helping me look for these last two items recommended that I go to the candy store at the mall. I tried Gander Mountain first because they have some obscure candy and it was much closer than the mall. I struck out and headed towards the mall.

I walked into Inside Scoop at the mall. It is a store with candy floor to ceilling and hundreds maybe thousands of stuffed animals. It was a Willie Wonka candy room that I stepped into, and under normal circumstances it would have made me smile. Picture this... I walked into this candy store and an absolutely adorable young store clerk, who was as effervescent as shaken ginger ale, and who had a smile from ear to ear bubbled, "Hi!!! How are you this afternoon?" My reply was short and to the point, "I'm tired and I'm frustrated."
Clerk: "Aaawwww!!!! That's too bad. How can I help make your day better?"
Me: "Lead me to a giant gumball and a Nerds rope and I will be very grateful."
Clerk: (giggling and smiling) "I bet your child is making a cell for Biology. Right? I just had another mom in here buying these."
Me: "Did she buy anything else?"
Clerk: "No. She was having a hard time finding these pieces of candy too!"
Me: "Makes me feel better."

So now I type this and I think to myself that my mom is smiling as she reads this. She probably has a smile as big as that candy store clerk's smile. Her saffron and cassette tape are my capers and candy 28 years later.

Oh, and the olives that led me to the capers? Cameron wouldn't use them even though the recipe called for them. He very much dislikes olives also. I have a reminder of my journey in the pantry.

Copied from Cathy

I imagine many of you follow our family as well as Cathy's family. For you guys, please excuse this duplication. For everyone else please read the entry Cathy made on her blog. Every time I think of this I laugh.

Every. Time.

Twindom
Here's the situation as I saw it: Faith had a Strawberry Shortcake cup of water, without a lid sitting on the counter. It's a cute cup, really. Eva walked into the kitchen and saw that cup. She put down her milk and started frantically reaching, signing, grunting for Faith's Strawberry Shortcake cup - again, without a lid. I told her no, but I offered her another cup of water, with a lid - which started a huuuuuuge, size toddler two, temper tantrum. She got down on the floor, face red, screaming as loud as she could, smacking her little arms and kicking her little feet. I was just watching - I'm a believer that tantrums are much easier if you just let the kid scream and throw the fit (as long as they are safe.) Cawood came and found his twin horribly worked up. He very calmly walked over to her, patted her back, rubbed her head, picked up the water sitting beside her and offered it to her. It was very, very sweet watching him care for her. But when he offered her the water she lashed out at him, smacked in his direction and pushed him away. That little boy took the cup of water that was in his hand (still completely calm,) bopped her over the head with it and walked away.

Stewing

It's not been a great week. It's not been a bad week, it's just not been great. Stick with me:
Monday we found out about our classmate and the cancer diagnosis.
Tuesday I found out that Pher is eating squirrels.
This week Todd is working days instead of nights except for Wednesday when he worked from 8 am - 9:30 pm. On the way home he blew a tire on the highway. That was not a big deal except that the air compressor was in the garage insted of his trunk. At 9:55 I was on 69 north to deliver the air compressor.
Wednesday and Thursday have been inventory days at work. Usually this is not a problem, except this year everyone seems to be on edge about it. By the end of the day on Thursday, I was whooped.

I got home from work at 5 on Thursday. I was beat, grumpy, my hands were terribly itchy (eczema), and my head was fuzzy from the number of Benadryl I had consumed during the day. I walked into the mud room from the garage and was overcome by a delicious aroma. "Yes," I thought, "Todd started dinner." No way he could have. He wasn't home from work yet. I walked into the kitchen and spotten an unfamiliar Tupperware bowl on the counter. I lifted the already ajar lid and the delicious aroma wafted out of the bowl. It looked much like vegetable soup. I asked Cameron if he made this for dinner...

"No. Go ahead and taste it" Cameron stated looking at me with that beautiful Cameron smile. "It's Christopher's squirrel stew."

That, dear friends and loved ones, is how my week has gone!

Classmate

We have a classmate that has been diagnosed with cancer. I don't have many specifics. We've heard both brain tumor and skin cancer. Whichever it is doesn't matter. The bottom line is that he is very ill. He recently found love and happiness, and now they have been struck with this devastating news.

We've all witnessed the power of prayer, and I ask that you please keep Matt and Lori in your prayers. Thank you so much.

Uncle Leo remembered

Tuesday night I called Pher. I wanted to hear my son's voice. I asked how he was doing and what he was doing.
Pher: "I just got done skinning me a squirrel, Momma."
Me: "Where are you?"
Pher "AJ's house."
Me: "Where are AJ's parents?"
Pher: "Right here."
Me: "Are they aware that you just got done skinning a squirrel?"
Pher: "Yes."
Me: "How did you get the squirrel, Christopher?"
Pher: "AJ, his brother, and his dad killed it."
Me: "What? How?"
Pher: "I don't know. I'd imagine a .22 or something."
Me: "What are you going to do with this skinned squirrel?"
Pher: "Well, I'm going to eat it."
Me: "I should have known."
Pher: "Yup. Gotta go."
Me: "Christopher, you can come home and eat."
Pher: (chuckling) "Yes, Mom, I know. Love you. Bye."

I posted some smart alec remark on Facebook about not asking him what he's going to do with a dead squirrel ever again. Cousin Jennifer commented and stated that "your uncle" (a.k.a. her father) killed a squirrel, cooked it, and made them taste it once. Yes, Uncle Leo would have done that I fondly remembered.

You see, Uncle Leo was born in the wrong century. He should have been born in the 17 or 1800's. He loved the primitive life. He loved muskets & gunpowder, cooking over open fire, and reliving what life would have been like in that era. I remember Uncle Leo and Aunt Judy taking us to 'real life' forts in upstate New York. I remember the stories about the people living in the forts defending it against the Indians. I remember their authentic attire. I remember my Uncle Leo telling me that the people who pretend to be living in the Fort or the Camp would talk and act like they were really living there. If I were to talk to them about things of modern times, these people would not know what I was talking about. I remember trying to fool them. I remember never being able to get them to 'break character.' I had a flood of memories... fond memories of my Uncle Leo and Aunt Judy and them exposing Matthew and me to the rich and full history of upstate New York.

At that point I started to think that Christopher may have inherited his free spirit. It might not be as acquired as I thought. It could very well be an inherent part of his being. Grandma Jan had a wandering relative (I can't remember if she said it was an aunt or uncle). I have an uncle that enjoyed primitive and sparse living. Christopher is like his family, and it's sad that they are family members he never had the opportunity or good fortune to meet.

Josten's School Spirit

I think this company has a monopoly on high school class rings, graduation gowns, invitations, key necklaces, glasses, frames, mugs, autograph dogs and all other high school crap that kids suck their parents into buying. Why do kids "have to" buy this stuff? Once the order arrives, the mugs and glasses just sit and collect dust. Key necklaces are worn for maybe 6 months. The crap just sits in parents' homes after high school graduation. You get my point.

We bought Pher a class ring. He wore it. He really did. Our kid that complained about high school wore that ring for his freshman and sophmore years of high school. It's a cool ring that has musical instruments and his graduation year of 2010 on one side. His name "CHRIS" and a peace sign are on the other side.

It's now Cameron's turn, and he is just as excited about ordering his class ring as most every other freshman gets. He got to design his online so he could "see it" before placing his order. His will have a guitar and his graduation year of 2014 on one side. The other side will have his initials "CAM" and an open bible with a cross.

Emma started to get upset that Cameron gets to order a class ring and she doesn't. "It's not fair" she wailed. "It IS fair. It's how it is. When it's the year 2016 we'll discuss your class ring. Until then, here's a catalog for you to look at." Baby girl designed out a class ring, and you bet it had diamonds in it!

Visit

He was home. I asked how long he was going to be home. His reply was simply, "I don't know. I'll be here until I leave again."

He was home for about 3 hours.

Grandparent Assignment

Emma's teacher gave the class a grandparent assignment. The children had to write about them. Through Emma's eyes we get to see how Emma perceives her grandparents...

Monkeying Around

Boy Scouts at 7:00. Emma wants to go to her friend’s house for “just a few minutes.” I told her to be home at 6:30. At 6:32 she came in through the garage, holding her left arm, and crying. She fell off the monkey bars at her friend’s house. Todd did a range of motion test and we decided that the ER was the next step. It may be broken… again… because she fell off the monkey bars… again.

We had a record setting visit to Parkview North ER. In and out (with x-rays taken and read) in 60 minutes. It’s not broken. It’s just a sprain that hurt like crazy. Once again they gave her a splint. Once again the nurse said that she can take it off if her arm is not hurting.

Oh, we didn’t make it to Boy Scouts. Better luck next week, Cameron.

Fort4Fitness

March 2008... A local news channel advertised that they were partnering with Parkview Hospital to sponsor the 1st Fort4Fitness Festival. It would include a 2-day health festival, a 4-mile walk/run, and a 13.1 mile mini-marathon. I mentioned to Todd that I was thinking about participating. His reply was, "Pfft, yeah right. You don't exercise, Barbara!" I left it at that. I did not participate. I regretted it when the weekend came and went. 3,000 people participated in the 4 mile and the 13.1 mile races. Next year... next year I'm going to do it.

February 2009, I got very ill and had my surgery. I had the colostomy. I was in no frame of mind to start training for the races when they made the announcement in March 2009 that there would indeed be a 2nd annual Fort4Fitness Festival in September. Colostomy reversal in August kept me out for sure, but 5,000 participants signed up for the races.

February 2010... I'm doing it this year. I don't care what anyone says. I'll keep it to myself. It will be my own secret, but I'M GOING TO DO IT!

March 2010 I signed up for the 13.1 mini-marathon. I bought a pair of REAL running/walking shoes from Three Rivers Running Company. They were expensive but very much worth the investment. I was not strict about my walking, but I was financially committed, so I was certain that it was going to happen.

April, May, June, July... I walked here and there. I'd walk for 4 miles and wish I could get my time below the 18 minutes per mile that was required to finish the race the the 4 hours allowed.

August & September... Holy cow, I'm financially committed but I'm not sure that I'm morally obligated to do this. What happens if I have a heart attack right there on the course? Silly lady, you can do it. You won't have a heart attack. Just finish the race. You have 4 hours to finish the race. You can do it! 7,500 people are signed up for this event. Surely you won't be the only one struggling.

September 25, 2010... 8:00 am... The race started.

Around mile 7, Todd and Emma showed up on the tandem bike. I didn't feel like talking and told them to go away. Around mile marker 9, I saw a woman who was doing her best to persuade 2 medics to allow her to continue. She kept saying, "I can go on. I will be OK. Really. I can do this!" Right after I passed them I heard one of the medics say, "You don't understand. We are not going to allow you to continue." I don't know what happened to her, but it must have been bad.

At mile marker 10 I wondered why in the hell I signed up for this. My hips were no longer cooperating. Every step took thought to complete. At mile 10.5 Todd and Emma showed up again. Emma threw her arms up in the air and said, "You can do it Mommy!" Todd said, "Go, Babe, Go!" Once again, I told them to ride on, but they were right where I needed them when I needed them.

It took me 3 hours, 44 minutes, 43 seconds to walk 13.1 miles, but I did it. I finished with time to spare. I had a 4 hour goal, and I came in under that! I finished close to the end of the pack, but I crossed the finish line as if I were the first one to cross it. It doesn't matter to me that I took well over 2 hours longer than the first place winner. I finished a mini-marathon, and I have the medal to prove it!

Finish line in Parkview Field

See!!!! I have a medal!

Rough spots

It was a rough August. September has been rougher. Things seemed to have smoothed out. I'll get back to blogging again. I do have some great pictures to share!

Kickoff

Another season has started. We are a house divided. I bleed Indianapolis Colts Blue and Todd bleeds Pittsburgh Steeler’s Black and Gold. Cameron leans towards Black & Gold. Emma is strong Black & Gold. Sigh.

Football season also means Sunday afternoons with our dear friends at their house. He is from Pittsburgh. She’s always loved the Steeler’s. They have NFL Ticket on Dish Network in order to get all of the games. Steeler’s parties every Sunday. I love their company, so I go also. I have been known to forfeit my Colts games just to enjoy their company.

Yeah, our friends are that much fun!

RUSH

Todd's favorite band of all time is RUSH. They are a 3-man band from Canada. Their drummer is amazing. Last February or March we received an e-mail that they would be touring this summer. Todd looked at the dates and picked the August 29 show in Columbus, OH. He called Billy and Val, they agreed, tickets were purchased... Then we had to wait, and wait, and wait.

The show was at Nationwide Arena. We went there three years ago to see Genesis so we were familiar with the location. A very nice Doubletree is within walking distance to the arena, and the block in front of the arena is full of great restaurants. It was supposed to be a Saturday and Sunday event for the four of us. See previous post. Cameron threw a wrench in that, but I wouldn't change a thing. The rafting reunion was that great. So... Sunday morning after church Todd and I jumped in the car and headed to Columbus to meet Billy and Val at the Doubletree.

We checked in, changed, grabbed the Fairbanks', walked to O'Shaunessey's Irish Pub to eat & drink, saw an amazing show, and went back to O'Shaunessey's for more drinks and post concert snackage.

What a great show. What a great time. What great friends.

And... If ANYONE EVER sees this license plate frame, please pick it up. It would make a great gift for Todd...

Rafting trip reunion

(Above: Cameron, Nate, and Jonah at the reunion. These are three boys that I hope have forged a forever friendship. They are good for each other. They challenge each other. They grew closer to each other and God on this trip.)

On Saturday the 28th Cameron had a reunion with the kids and Team Leaders from the rafting trip. We had a chance to meet Pastor Bob and Mr. Cashen (his Spanish teacher that extended the invite). We also had a chance to listen to several of the Team Builders and fellow rafters speak. Listening to these people speak reinforced what Cameron said.

The trip was a spiritual adventure and different from anything that he's ever experienced.

Different in such an amazing way.

Mr. Cashen up above and Pastor Bob down below.

Another adventure

He came home yesterday. He sewed some clothes. He packed his backpack. He kissed me on top of the head and said, "I love you Momma," and he was gone. Just like that.

He also grabbed a bag of rice and a sweet potato... to last him a month.

Plans are to head back to the upper peninsula of Michigan. He and Zeke and probably a girl named Tessa that we've never met.

Shakley's Stars

Emma loves her teacher. We met her at the Open House, and she is a sweet woman. She named her class "Shakley's Stars" and she continuously reinforces that each student is to do their best. She also reinforces that it's OK to make mistakes, but learn from them. Emma brought home this bag that was full of little reinforcing trinkets and gifts. This is our third kid going through elementary school, and I've never seen anything this unique. Emma loved it.

If one person is made aware...

When Cathy was expecting Faith, she did extensive car seat research. Car seats are her passion. On an Internet posting board, Cathy learned about keeping children rear facing in their car seats for an extended period. In the US, we can turn our kids to face forward at 1 year-old. In Europe, they keep their kids rear facing sometimes until 3 or 4. It's an unusual concept for us.

It is so much easier to have kids facing the front. Parents can see the child's face in the rear view mirror. It is much easier to interact in the car when the child is facing the front. It's easier to get the child in and out of the car seat when they face forward. I'll be honest, it was a relief when we could turn our kids toward the front.

I thought Cathy was a little nuts in the beginning, but whatever. Her kids, she can do what she wants. They certainly aren't being hurt by extended rear facing. She has educated me, and I am now a supporter. I'm not radical about it like she is, but I have brought it to the attention of people. To the best of my knowledge, everyone I've told has appreciated the information and then discarded it. Like I said, front facing is easier for the parent. Anyway, the twins are 18-months and still rear facing. I'm so glad she is a car seat nut.

Here is a post she put on Facebook:
Parents of small children PLEASE learn about extended rear facing! One year is too young to forward face!!! ERF saved my twins serious injuries last night. Thank you God, thank you Honda, thank you Britax for keeping us safe. Thank you Babycenter for teaching me about kids and car safety. Five Florence's = safe. One Honda Pilot = annihilated.

If one person is made aware of this by you taking the time to read and pass it on, it was worth it. Thank you.

3rd Grade and High School

The kids started school on 8/12. Yeah, I know. Super early, but not as early as my nieces who started on the 10th, I think. Emma is excited about her teacher. She used to teach 5th grade. A 3rd grade teacher retired and the 5th grade teacher took the 3rd grade spot. Little Miss Emma Carole thought that this teacher was going to teach the 3rd grade class the 5th grade curriculum. No Sweetie, it doesn't work that way. She was feeling much better (I don't think she was 100%), and she wanted to go to school. We let her go with the understanding that if she didn't feel well, she was to head to the nurse's office. She loves her bookbag. When we found it she exclaimed, "Look Mom. It's candyfied!"

Cameron is now in high school. He's a freshman. When did that happen? When did he grow up?

He was not nearly as willing to for Mommy pose as Emma. I had to run down the sidewalk to get him as Todd stood on the porch laughing at me. iPod in ears and cell phone in pocket. Neither are allowed to be used in school. He's been warned.

Coughing and camping

Last week after registering Emma for school, we went shopping. When we were leaving the mall, she complained that her head and throat hurt, and her chest hurt a little when she was breathing in. That was Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday night, she had a fever.

Thursday she still wasn't feeling well and had a fever. Friday when she STILL wasn't feeling well, we knew it was time to visit Dr. Mike. Bronchitis not yet pneumonia was what he told Todd. Phew! She and Todd have been planning a camping trip with another family for the weekend. A day on antibiotics and she should be good to go.

Saturday morning she got up very early and asked to leave. She wanted to get to camp. We left the house at 9 and headed for the camp site.
Sunday when they got home, she wasn't feeling well. Todd said that she voluntarily went to bed early on Saturday night. Very much not an Emma thing to do.

A call to Dr. Mike on Monday and a chest x-ray was ordered.

Pneumonia. Pneumonia? Really? In August? Yuppers, she is a sick girl.

Rafting trip

Just a quick note on Cameron's rafting trip. I don't want to forget his feelings when he returned.

First let me fill you in on the trip. His 8th grade Spanish teacher is very involved in his church. Every summer the church takes youth on a spiritual retreat, and they go to West Virginia. The teacher invites 8th grade students to attend the retreat. It is completely separate from school. It is voluntary. The kids are told upfront that it is a Spiritual retreat. So, youth from the church, current 8th grade students, and high school students that have gone in previous years all traveled to WV for spiritual enlightenment and reflection. There were 148 attendees this year.

Just prior to his trip I received an itinerary of their week. They had only one day on the river. I was disappointed to see that, and I was hoping he would not be. I also noticed that every morning and every evening they had bible study time, devotions, and team building activities. I was a little worried that it would be too much church stuff on a camping/rafting trip. Remember, he's used to camping with the Scouts and our family.

No, he was not disappointed about the lack of rafting time. They did so many other fun activities. All in all, the trip was, "Great!" He's ready to go again next year. As far as the bible and devotion time goes, he enjoyed that also. He never ceases to surprise me. He said, "It was different." It was different than any other study/reflection time he's experienced.

It was different in "such an amazing way!" Yeah, I got goosebumps too.

Full House

I haven't gone into it much, but it's been a quiet week around the house. Christopher has been hanging at Zeke's. Cameron left on the 25th to go on a spiritual white water rafting retreat. I was going to have a nice week with Emma... Well, that is until her friend called on Sunday afternoon and asked her if she wanted to go camping Monday through Friday.

All of a sudden I was ditched. I was looking forward to having the time alone with Emma, and then I was looking forward to having some time alone. It will be quiet. No arguing. No bossing. No attitude.

On Thursday we received some devastating news. A young man that we met when he was in Cub Scouts passed away. He was 21. We're not sure, but we think it was complications of diabetes. Although he was never diagnosed as diabetic, his sugar level was 1,158 just prior to his death. Anyway, it was a sad Thursday and a sad Friday. I wanted my family home and together.

Friday evening, they were all here. The noise and commotion levels went from nothing to chaos in a matter of minutes. For once, I loved it. I didn't try to stop it. I soaked it all in, because in the blink of an eye it can be taken from you. I am so thankful to have my kids home. I can't imagine the pain the the Campbell family is experiencing. Sunday is the viewing. Monday is the funeral. It's going to be rough. Keep us all in your prayers.

For those of you who don't follow Cathy's blog...

... You must see this entry she made. I'm copying it and pasting it because I can't figure out how to simply insert the link.

Kids: Big and Little
If you aren't up-to-date on the happenings of my extended family, long story short: my 19-year-old nephew Christopher had decided he was going to go live in the woods with his buddy Zeke for 3 months. When the boys first told us their big plan we were worried, then we moved on to thinking they were nuts, then we decided, "that's a great idea!" They need to go off and have a little adventure. Something to tell the grandkids. They left right around Faith's birthday and have already made it back to the comforts of Zeke's parents house. . . "but. . . but. . . but. . . we're going back out! Really, really, in just a couple weeks" . . . um hmmm. I'll circle back to Christopher in a moment.

I've had a whole watermelon sitting on my counter for a solid two weeks. It looked good when I cut it but I wasn't sure if it really was or not so I asked Faith to come sample a bite (I know, I know - good mother, eh?) She said it was great and asked me to cut it up. I took a bite myself and while it tasted fine, the texture was a smidge off.

I decided to take that watermelon out to the forest in the back yard and toss it for the deer to eat. After Faith and I came back to the house she said to me:
Faith: The deer are going to love that watermelon!
Mommy: I know! They are going to find a nice surprise later.
Faith: And the goats.
Mommy: Goats? I've never seen a goat in the back yard. Have you seen a goat?
Faith: No. Christopher said he saw a goat in our woods.
Mommy: I'll have to ask him about that.
Faith: Christopher lives in the woods now.
Mommy: No he doesn't. He's home now.
Faith: (busts out laughing) He came home? He said there was food in the woods! I heard him say it. FOOD! IN THE WOODS! He got hungry and came home.

She'll call you out. She will.

He's back???

So, I'm at my desk at lunch time and my cell phone rings. It's Cathy. She asks why Pher came back already. I had NO IDEA they were back. Last I knew, Pher, Zeke, and Tessa were going to be hanging out in the woods of Michigan's UP in and around Pictured Rocks National Forest. Zeke's family had returned home on Friday the 23rd. These kids had tents and as much food as they would accept from Zeke's family. They were not supposed to be returning until this coming weekend. (The original plan was to stay put up north until the end of September.)

Whatever. Matt was right. He was back before I was ready for him to be back. He really needs to go and live in the woods and live off the land for at least a couple of months. Maybe once he gets that primitive existence and experience under his belt, he will realize that a relaxed mainstream society really isn't so bad after all (I do agree with his philosophy that most people are too uptight and move too fast, myself included). A hot meal can be comforting; A hot shower can be relaxing; Environmental allergies stink (the boy is allergic to everything environmental and peanut butter); and maybe, just maybe, he will be gone for long enough to develop an appreciation for family.

Rafting & Roaming & Camping

So... Pher is wandering the woods on the shore of Lake Superior in Michigan's UP. Cameron is rafting, hiking, and spiritually reflecting in West Virginia. Emma ditched me to go camping with her friend this week. It's been quiet.

Anticipation

I remember when my dad's little blue Gremlin hit the 100,000 mile mark circa 1977. It was an exciting day.

This was exciting and sad day for me. This van that I was surprised to get (it was a conspiracy between Todd and my parents). This van that I didn't want in the beginning. This van has grown on me. I love this van more than I loved my last van, and I never would have thought that would be possible.

The best day EVER...

Emma is going to the YMCA for camp this week. On Monday afternoon, I picked her up and received the announcement above. "How fun will that be?!" I asked myself. We ran to the store and bought some water shoes that were on clearance. She dug up an old zoo camp t-shirt and old shorts to get trashed in the mud. We got her extra outfit, swimsuit, and towel all ready to go. At 8:30 on Monday night, Emma was set for camp on Tuesday.

On Tuesday morning the above note was taped to the bathroom mirror. Todd must have taped it there on Monday night when he got home from work. He obviously picked it up on Monday morning when he dropped her off at camp. "Sweetheart, really?" I wonder what would have happened if I did not know about this before Tusday morning. Regardless... I did know about it and Emma was set to go for a great day.

When I picked her up from camp on Tuesday afternoon, she exclaimed that this was the best day of her life.

Water shoes on clearance... $5
Camp fee.. $125
Happy memories for a lifetime... PRICELESS!

Weekend of tears and smiles

Friday June 16th Pher left for Zeke's house. Early morning on Saturday the 17th they were heading to the northern side of Michigan's upper peninsula. They will be with Zeke's family for the week of the 17th through the 25th. After the 25th, I don't know what is happening. Zeke's uncle wanted to send the boys to the woods to begin their self-sustaining experience. This plan would enable them to return to the cabin in time to catch a ride home if they choose. If they do not come home with Zeke's family, they will be gone until the end of September. I do not have a way of contacting my son, and it is scary.

On a very happy note, Faith turned 4 on the 17th. We made a super-fast birthday run to Avon, IN (just west of Indy) for a Chuck E. Cheese birthday party. This is just what I needed. I needed to be with my family. I needed to hear my sister laugh and tell me that everything with Christopher will be OK. I needed to hear my brother tell me that the "Black flies are bad this time of year. He may be home sooner than you want him."

Graduation party

Christopher and Zeke expressed an interest in having a graduation party to Zeke's mom. She agreed to allowing them have a party in the barn... If and only if they cleaned the barn.

They were given a little over two weeks to accomplish this task. They did it. The party was on Saturday the 10th. It was a joint party since they have mostly mutual friends. We invited some friends and family. Zeke's parents invited some friends and family.

The boys belong to a band. They plugged in and started playing. It appeared as though a good time was had by all.

Zeke's dad on guitar and Todd on drums. The old guys had fun playing music together.Christopher on guitar and Zeke on drums.Pher and Zeke's dad.

Kids say the darndest things...

Emma is going to camp at the YMCA this week. She came home yesterday and told me this...

"Mom, I saw grandma age ladies changing their swimsuits today. Their boobs were saggy. Sorry, but it's gonna happen to you. Soon, it's gonna happen. Sorry to tell you this, but you're 44 now you know."

Why, why, why does she have to state things so matter-of-factly?

Pittsburgh on the Fourth

When Todd got home from work on the morning of July 3, we hit the road for Pittsburgh. More specifically, we made a visit to Brentwood, a borough of Pittsburgh. Todd's Aunt Johnni and Uncle Eugene live there. It is a quaint neighborhood town. Their daughter Nicole summed it up best. "I love it here. I can walk anywhere I want."
No matter where we are, no matter what we are doing, I always keep my eyes open for one of our mixers!Almost every house (and I do mean almost EVERY house) has a porch... This is where I fell in love with them. Aunt Johnnie's beautiful house...
The Oldest house in Brentwood...So, we walked past all of these beautiful homes, and many, many tents set up in front yards. We stopped at a tent where Todd's cousins were hanging out with their friends from high school who were home on college summer break. More on this later...

Aunt Johnni is crazy and interrupted the parade several times in order to say 'hello' to people.We ended up at her friend's house. We ate and had a soda or two while the parade went by. Then we headed back down the street the way we came. We stopped back at the tent with the cousins. It was here that Emma learned the art of bartending. She watched intently as the college guys pumped the keg and drew their buddies beer. She politely asked for a turn. After 10 minutes of pumping and flirting, our daughter had $26 in tips.

I Went to the Crossroads...

and fell down on my knees... literally.

We arrived at our hotel with ample time to eat a wonderful dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. After a great night sleeping, we got to Toyota Park at 9:45 am on the 26th. The line was long. The gates opened at 10. A very nice English gentleman at the Embassy Suites in Lombard told us what to do IMMEDIATELY when we entered the gates. If you want the advice for the next Crossroads Festival, e-mail or call me... I will not share it openly.

We entered the gates, followed his advice, Cameron and his buddy Nate went directly to the stage. They stayed there until the Finale at 11 pm. Yuppers. They manned their post for close to 12 hours. Cameron's second time seeing Eric Clapton and his third 'real' concert. Nate's first 'real' concert. What memories they created for themselves. They did rotate out for bathroom and food breaks.

... and thank God for texting (Oh my goodness. Did I just type that?!"). Texting is how we kept in touch with the boys. This is how we learned that at one point they "were not leaving their spots." The temp was a good 90 and the humidity level was over 90%. Todd bought water. He took it to a security guard. He told the guard, "Look, I've got two 15-year-old boys on the rail. They need water. Please find them." Todd got a text shortly thereafter... "Got the water. Thank you."

The day was full of blues music. It was mesmerizing. It was phenomenal. It was a wonderful fundraiser of 30,000 who paid $100 each for Eric Clapton's Crossroads Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center. The performers played for free, and they enjoyed every minute of it. We were close enough to see their expressions. They were friends supporting friends.

For me if was kind of like the AFC Championship game where the Colts beat the Patriots to go to the 2007 Superbowl. I was there. I can die a happy woman knowing that no other football game will ever surpass that game in emotion... for me. That was my pinnacle of football, and I have not had a desire to attend another football game since. I feel the same way about this concert. It was the pinnacle of music... unless I am fortunate enough to be able to attend another Crossroads Festival. At that time we will talk again and reassess the situation...Me and Todd at the CrossroadsEric Clapton. Guitar phenemon since the early 70's. He's in his mid-60's now. We saw him on the side of the stage with his daughter. We have several pictures of them. Touching doesn't begin to explain the love he showed for her while enjoying his friend's performances. Oh, and his little girl was holding an American Girl doll. He's sucked into that too!I will post more pictures in the near future.