Decaffeinated coffee

I remember when I was a kid, I wanted to drink coffee and be a grown-up lady like my mom. Every once in a while, Mom would make me a cup of coffee that was more milk than coffee, but I had the opportunity to pretend that I was 'grown up.'

Emma loves McCafe's and the Starbucks chocolate fudge chunk something or another coffee. She talked me into buying caffeine free coffee bags so she can make her own specialty coffee at home. She makes it and drinks only about a third of the cup.

Today I was napping on the couch and she asked me if she could make a decaf. I told her "Sure." She's done it before. She puts water in the microwave, takes it out, adds the coffee bag, chocolate, and milk or creamer. Not a big deal, until today.

Like I said I was napping on the couch. I was awakened by Emma, screaming at the top of her lungs... "MO-O-O-O-O-O-M, THERE'S A FIRE IN THE MICROWAAAAAAAVE!!!!!!" I jumped up, started running, hit the kitchen floor, and fell flat. I am not a Weeble. I wobbled, hit the floor, and tried to get up but I was unable to. My feet were moving, my hands were moving, my butt was up in the air. That is how I made it across the dining area and kitchen. The fire was a teeny tiny flame that burned itself out. It was enough to scare the crap out of an 8-year-old.

Seems as though I never told her not to use the silver Starbuck's travel mug in the microwave. Six hours later, the knee and hip I landed on hurt, and I must have twisted my back because that hurts too.

Violin recital

This is 6 days late. I'm sorry about that. Keeping the blog updated has not been a priority this week.

Last Saturday, Emma and I jumped in the van and drove to Indianapolis to go to Mackenzie's violin recital and visit with she and Madeline. Oh yeah, Matt and Miki were there too. Cathy called and invited herself over to their house, so I got the bonus of seeing Faith, Eva, and Cawood...Oh yeah, and Cathy too.

Mackenzie played beautifully. No really, she played beautifully. I expected to hear squeaks and squawks, but I didn't. Mackenzie plays the violin just like she does everything else that she sets her mind on. She plays with precision, maturity, seriousness, and grace.

Aunt Eva

My sweet Great Aunt Eva passed away. She was 84 years old. My memories of her are more fond than I can possibly put into words. I am honored that Cathy chose to name her daughter after her (with my suggestion). Check out Cathy's blog... http://djflorencefamily.blogspot.com/
I don't have the energy to type it all out for you. I figure if you're reading this blog you love our family, so you inadvertantly love my sister's family. She enjoys it when new people check out her blog. Almost every time she posts something, I laugh and say to myself, "Geez, glad I'm not going through that any more!"

44!

Today is Todd's birthday. He turned 44.

After church, we gave Todd his birthday gift... We gave him a Nerf shooting game for the Wii. The game comes with a real Nerf gun that shoots real Nerf darts at the tv or anything else that the person holding the gun wants to shoot at. Emma and Cameron immediately played the game while Todd went to grab a nap between church and the football game. Emma asked me permission to shoot darts at the cat, permission denied... fast forward to after the game... Todd granted her permission to shoot Nerf darts at the cat.

In retrospect, maybe the Nerf dart gun game wasn't such a good gift.

Our Grandegg

Cameron is taking a Home Ec. class this 9 week period. His current project is taking care of an egg for a week. He named his egg Huevo. He colored him. He found a comfortable bed for him. He made the bedding to ensure protection and comfort. He was doing a relatively good job... until today. He forgot to bring our grandegg to the football party. Poor Huevo was left alone while we were gone. It's a good thing there is no Protective Service Agency for egg projects!

Pher is Fine

For all of you wondering and concerned (thank you for your thoughts and prayers), Christopher is doing well. He has not complained at all since Tuesday. He spent the night with one friend on Friday night and with Zeke on Saturday night. If he does complain again, I'm going to give him "the hand."

Fantasy Football & Friends

Todd and I belong to a Fantasy Football League with our friends. The league has been active for 6 years, I think. As I stated in a previous post, last year's competition was tight so we had a party to antagonize each other face-to-face. This year we had another party. There were about 33 people here when it was at the largest attendance point. We got a group picture, but unfortunately I forgot to round everyone up when we were at the most people here. Todd remembered around 10:30 or 11. Several people had already left. I'm whining about that in case you can't tell. Also, we had several friends that were unable to make it due to work schedules, family commitments, their own illness, or a family member's illness. We are thankful for Deb who came after working (really running) for 12 hours at Kohl's and then started feeling ill in the evening. I don't know how retail employees maintain their energy level and their mental composure during the holiday season. God bless you all.Since this party had originated as a Fantasy Football party, Steve Buit brought league statistics. He has an amazing way with number compilation. Rob Buit made a hat. Well, I called it a 'hat' and got chastised for it. It was a Pierhead... A Michigan Pierhead to be exact. I think next year we make wearing a costume a mandatory admission requirement for all league members. No wait, I can't dress as that sexy Marauder that we have as our team avatar. Here are our team's names: Marauders; Wing-It; Martha Say, Michigan Pierheads, Selur Nagihcim (Michigan Rules spelled backwards); BUSCHMANators; Lunatic007; Colts_Rule; Cowboys1; and last but not least is Kickbuiesbutt. Deep Post Pattern has been a team for several years. He did not participate this year, but he was invited to the party anyway since we love him and his wife, and they are also good friends. We did try to make him sit on the porch and watch the party through the windows. Since he's not active in the league, we weren't going to allow him to be active at the party, but it was chilly and we let him in.

Kicking Buie's butt is really the objective of our league. Even though we all want to win every game, we also root for whichever team is playing Selur Nagihcim (Rob's older brother Steve). He is, by his own admission, the most competitive and arrogant member of our league. It is fun to see him lose and make jokes in his honor. It's all in good fun with lots of love, of course.