For the Hub

12 years ago, June 20, 1998 we went on our first date. It was the day before Father's Day, to Ciatti's for dinner and to "The Truman Show" for a movie.

(This was New Year's, 98. Hot weren't we? I know, you're jealous.)

We'd met April 30th, at "The Rox" in downtown St. Cloud. The biggest meat market of a bar in downtown. The dancing was fun, that's why we were there. With a dear friend of mine (Denise, who was in our wedding), we were heading to the restroom and I heard a "Hey" from a tall guy I had met before; his name was Shoe. He wanted to introduce me to his friend. I was in no mood for a pickup and a little put off by a guy with a goatee, a bright orange shirt and the name Bud. So, we said our hello's and left it at that.

A week later, wearing the same shirt of orange, we meet again. This time, with Paul (the bestman at our wedding.) Maybe I had a few more drinks than the week before, but I gave you my number and screened the call.

I had done a little checking and heard you were a good guy. A couple more run-ins at the Rox

and you got me. Took you two months, but you got me.

I knew I would marry you a month after that first date. I don't know why, I just did.

Love you, Babe.(Why, yes, we have improved with age!)

A Father can always improvise

Don't have an actual pool chair, one that you actually sit in?

Do not fret!! All you need is the following:

One foam pool floater, intact

One foam pool floater, ripped to shreds

One plastic lawn chair

Directions: Place intact floater under lawn chair. Take pieces of shredded floater and place them strategically inbetween chair and floater. Have son bring you another piece of floater for pillow. Keep balanced and relax.

Happy Father's Day, Buddy!!!!!!!

There's obviously something amiss.

Sunday while I was making Maya a quick lunch, she was having a grand time doing something in the laundry room.

Our laundry room is a big room used for many other purposes than just doing laundry. It's my craft room, sewing room, cleaning supply room, pool necessities room, diaper changing room, Prada's kennel room/dining room and our refrigerator for beverages. So, lots of things for a toddler to do.

However, when Maya's lunch/dinner is ready, she typically comes running. I was calling her while making it (chicken nuggets, nothing major). She made some squeeks, figured she was just having fun with the dog and I continued on.

I called a couple more times, with a laughing reply. I cleaned up some, did dishes and didn't really pay attention to some other sounds generating from the laundry room.

I was kinda wondering why my normally ravishing toddler wasn't running into the kitchen to eat. Calling her again, I noticed a little change to her tone. More panic than happiness. Another call to her and more paniclike responses from her. Getting a little worried myself, but knowing it can't be anything major, I round the corner and find her here:
She had locked herself in. And, just so you know, this was not the face I walked in on. This was the face I got because she was ticked at me for leaving her there to get the camera to take this picture.

Gimme a drink!

You'd think by the title that I would be the one wanting a drink. Ha ha, jokes on you!!

Maya, in all her cuteness, could not make up her mind as to what she wanted to drink.

Maya: (pointing to her milk cup from earlier) More.

Me: More milk?

Maya: Ya. No.

Me: Maya, do you want juice?

Maya: Ya

I give her her cup of juice already in the fridge. She takes one sip and says, "No."

Me: Do you want milk?

Maya: Ya, no, ya.

I go and get the milk. When she sees it says, "No."

Me: Okay, do you want water?

Maya: No, ya, no.

Me: Milk?

Maya: No.

Me: Water?

Maya: Beer.

Me: Juice?

Maya: Ya.

She's drinking her juice. Although not too happily.

Lucky in Love

I don't know why, but I am seriously lucky to have these two little people in my life. Not only are they completely adorable, they are fun, happy, healthy and lovely. The days/weeks/months go by and I wish I could make it stop. Stop them from growing so stinking fast. Stop them from learning so dang quick. Just stop for a minute and let me take it all in.
I want to bottle up the laughter, smiles, smells (the good ones), the joy. But, sadly, I cannot.
Bring on our amazing photographer, Jackie Lindfors, and I do kinda get the bottled up feeling of their little personalities.
Some of these pics aren't even edited!! They were taken right in our development at the main drive in and in our neighbors courtyard. Seriously, she is amazing.

The Old and the New, together

I am happily and sadly putting my Grandma B.'s treasures amongst mine own. My living room feels more homey with an end table and lamp. My stairs landing is finally complete with a black console table and my bedroom finally has a seating area with a recliner perfectly named, Hayden (seriously, it's a Lay-Z-Boy line; Hayden).

Tonight I was putting away the silver serving pieces I have. A huge heavy platter, cream and sugar bowls, teapot, relish tray and two pieces I have no clue as to what they are called but do know their purpose.

As I was laying out the pieces on my dining room table, I was picturing in my mind where to put each one. I know I cannot put them all out for the world to see, but I needed to put something out in the open. I have a hutch, it's small, but it serves it's purpose. I looked at the hutch and looked at my table and smiled. I have so many wonderful things from 2 wonderful families and am very lucky to have anything, much less everything I do have.

On the top shelf, I inherited VERY delicate crystal from my Grandma and Grandpa W. These champagne and water goblets have a beautiful floral/lace pattern that reminds me of my Grandma. I never saw them used, but I can picture her picking them out. They are so delicate, I was cleaning them once, and the stem just broke off. I don't dust them much anymore. Next to them are mine and Buddy's wine and water goblets we picked out for our wedding. We have used them for a couple Thanksgivings now. Hopefully we will do more elegant dining when the kids are older. Isn't it amazing how the years change the style? I figure Grandma's were purchased around the mid 1930's and mine are from 2000+. They don't make detailed like that any more.

On the middle shelf are the silver serving pieces I just received. A casserole dish, I am guessing, a relish platter: this has a glass insert for, and the tea/coffee pot. My mom and I polished these up when I went home in March. They were pretty blackened as they hadn't been used in many years, but they cleaned up beautifully. I am anxious to use some of these pieces for Thanksgiving this year.

In the middle of the shelf, in front of the tray are sorbet/ice cream cups in a lovely cranberry color. These are from my Grandma W. I remember these on display at her home dining room on the huge built in hutch painted pink. She had a thing for pink. I haven't used these yet, but they are really pretty.

And, the bottom shelf. The candlesticks coordinate with my Grandma W's crystal. These were given to me by my aunt and uncle, also my godparents, for my wedding. I was really touched that she remembered that I had received her crystal and wanted me to have the candlesticks to complete the set. I had also gotten a serving bowl and platter with the glasses, but they are so big, I have no space.

The two highball glasses I DO remember using at my Grandma W's. There were tall glasses and short glasses in this lovely cranberry color with a grape bunch etched twice on each. I can picture her holding hers at the table and enjoying having her family there with her.

In the middle of the bottom shelf is a new Mikasa bowl I received for my wedding in 2000. This bowl has been used many times. It is so pretty with the cranberry salad for Thanksgiving. Pretty on its own as well.

*sigh*

Hayden's new favorite shirt

This picture was not one I had to pry a smile to get. I was getting a pic to send off to my Dad and Mom, but the excitement was not anticipated.
On Saturday, we headed to my brother's house to pick up all the things my Mom had shipped down to us. I was eager to get the things from my Grandma's home and some other things. Mom told me she was shipping some other things as well.
Other things included: my wedding dress (I knew this one was making the trip), all of my Little Women Dolls, other dolls (I colletected them as a kid), homecoming buttons, Dad's bronzed baby booties, music box, old sweatshirt (used as "packaging material"), my old baby shoes, Dad's baby blanket, a Brandt Electric plastic mug, Atlanta 1996 Olympic pins, cheerleading buttons (the ones with my picture on them), First Communion cross and a knit baby hat.
And to top off the goodies was the t-shirt upon my son. I probably had it somewhere between 1st and 3rd grade. It is 50/50 cotton polyester, so I think it will be around for quite a bit more time. Hayden put it on after pooltime on Saturday, wore it all day Sunday and asked if he could wear it today. Asked what his favorite shirt is? My new mom's school shirt.
I went to St. Al's Catholic School from 1st-6th grade. We wore uniforms, so what these t-shirts were for and why my Mom saved it, I am not sure. Mom was not a saver of clothes for us kids, so this is pretty special to have.
And, yesterday, he wore my Junior year basketball cheerleading button too. :)

If he only knew

Forgive me for this post, but it was funny to Buddy and I. Some will get it, some may not, some may be offended, but we laughed pretty dang hard at our sons oblivious humor.

We were sitting around the table finishing up lunch. Buddy was trying to get Maya to say, "Hayden's goofy" and few other little two word phrases.

Hayden, more than likely thinking Goofy as a name and not a verb chimes in and says this: "Maya, can you say Mickey Mouse and Goofy in Clubhouse 69?"

Sorry, it was funny!