Winter Sucks January 18, 2009

I’ve been so busy lately and I’ve completely ignored my little blog.  I’ve been working on my writing lately, but none of it has ended up here.  It’s all in random word files on my computer, half of which I end up deleting because I get frustrated by my own lack of talent and ambition.  I should probably be working on my self esteem issues too.

It’s been so cold here lately and I haven’t been taking any pictures at all.  We had an ice storm right before the holidays and I went out with Carson and Riley and while they slipped and slid around the front yard, I took pictures of the ice coated branches and remaining leaves.

A cold gnome and his special friend.

It's hard to make a snow angel when the snow is frozen solid.

Use Your Imagination October 29, 2008

Yes, I know it’s been forever and a day since I’ve written on my poor old neglected blog.  I’ve taken pictures, I’ve had thoughts, I just haven’t taken the time to get them up here.  I will try to do better.  The only people that still read my blog get here through googling chicken enchilada recipes, I should at least make an effort to entertain them.  Right?

Tonight the kids, Matt and I carved pumpkins.  It was so much fun and perfectly highlighted the difference in my two children.  Carson hated reaching in and pulling out the pumpkin stuff, it completely icked him out.  Riley on the other hand, loved it.  Couldn’t get enough of it.  When I told her to take a break and I would finish cleaning it out she asked, “Can I watch?  I want to do this with my kids when I’m a grown up.” How sweet is that?

The jack-o-lanterns came out looking pretty good.  This is where I need you to use your imagination, I forgot to charge my camera batteries. Bad, bad amateur photographer!  If they don’t get smashed by random punks before then I will take pictures of them lit up on Halloween and get them posted here sometime before the next administration takes office.

Holy Hill October 1, 2008

We recently took a trip to Milwaukee and while there we visited Holy Hill Basilica.  It’s a beautiful place that is situated on the highest point in that area of SW Wisconsin.  You can see the spires of the church from miles around and when up on top of the hill you are treated to beautiful views of the surrounding area and the shrine itself is breathtaking.  Unfortunately while we were there the spires were undergoing a renovation project and were completely covered with scaffolding.

Inside the chapel

The Altar

Outside – taken from further down the hill. It was difficult to get pictures that hid the construction equipment.

Stained Glass Window

When School Germs Attack October 1, 2008

Riley is home sick today from school.  She has a headache and a fairly high fever that is not responding much at all to Tylenol and Motrin.  I feel so bad for her, she is so whiny and grumpy when she is sick.  Come to think of it, so am I.

I’ve volunteered to be the leader for her Daisy troop.  She is so excited to get started and I am completely nervous. I was never a Girl Scout and I know nothing about the Girl Scouts.  Well, I do know that the thin mints are delightful.  That’s a starting point.  I have my first leader meeting tonight and several training sessions over the next few weeks.  I think it’s going to be fun.

Across the Universe September 21, 2008

I tend to get very angry when anyone tries to redo a Beatles song so I thought that I would hate “Across the Universe.”  I had heard that it was very original and well-done but I wasn’t so sure.  We watched it tonight and I loved it.  I thought the songs were incorporated beautifully into a powerful story about coming of age in the turbulant 1960s.  I was most impressed by Jim Sturgess who played Jude in the film. I haven’t seen him in anything else but I thought he was wonderful in the film.  He draws you in from the very first scene of the film

If you haven’t watched it yet, you really should. If you have, let me know what you think.

Someone forgot to tell Riley September 21, 2008

Riley, Future Historian

We went to the Arboretum today and on the way up there I hear from the back seat “That’s not true, Carson!” in a very dramatic voice.  I asked Riley about what was wrong and she says in a sad voice, “Carson said that George Washington is dead.”  I had to break the news that yes, he was indeed dead and had been for about 200 years.  I explained that he was our first president and lived back in history.  Trying to explain that span of time to a 5 year old is not easy.  She burst into tears and expressed she was very sad because she never got to meet him.  I tried my best to console her but she was pretty bummed until we got to the Arboretum at which point she became otherwise distracted.

Fun at the Fair September 15, 2008

I know what my readers want.  Clearly it’s more posts with towns/cities/counties/municipalities/monarchies with names that are fun to say.  In this case it’s not a new name, we’re back at the Sheboygan County Fair, which takes place in Plymouth, WI and not the county seat of Sheboygan.  Perhaps there is a story full of county politics and intrigue as to why that is, but quite frankly I don’t want to get involved.

The fair was everything you would expect from a county fair in Wisconsin. There was food, most of it fried or dairy related and in some cases both, fun in the form of impossible games and rides of questionable safety standards and cows.

When did fairs get to be so expensive?  We purchased over $20 in ride tickets and the kids were only able to ride 4 rides, and you can not find a game to play for under $2 these days.  I remember when you could hand a transient a dollar, they would hand you a few darts and you would pop a balloon in exchange for a Poison or Motley Crue mirror.  You know, the good old days.

Test driving the tractors.

I think they were trying to match their outfits, I've taught them well.

I thought this was so sweet.

What???

Bumper cars

Funnel cake, anyone?

What do pigs dream about?

Oh look, another cow.

Blog, blah, blah September 10, 2008

I need to make time to write on my blog.  I’ve been trying to adjust to my new schedule, it’s getting better every day I just need to stop feeling so overwhelmed.  Once we develop a solid routine, things will not be as stressful.

Since school has started I’ve hardly had any time to take pictures.  My camera is just sitting there looking lonely and neglected. The last time I’ve even turned the camera on was while were in Milwaukee visiting Matt’s parents over Labor Day weekend. 

I hope to be back to regular photography and blogging very soon.  I am looking forward to taking lots of hikes (and pictures) once the leaves begin to change. 

Until then, enjoy a chicken from the Sheboygan County Fair.

The Second First Day of School August 24, 2008

Thursday was Carson’s first day of school and Riley’s first day of school at her a.m. Kindergarten.  Another first day meant I got to buy her another first day of school dress.

She picked this flower for her teacher.

Carson ready to go. Note the cooly slung backpack.

Helping his sister find the way.

I think this may be the cutest back to school picture ever.

A week of firsts August 20, 2008

Monday: Riley’s 1st day of kindergarten. I am now the parent of two school aged children. No more babies, no more toddlers, no more pre-schoolers. It’s bittersweet, but I am so proud of my big girl. She has been waiting for this all summer and was thrilled to get back to her Montessori school where she will be attending in the afternoons. Public school, all day for Carson and mornings for her, starts on Thursday.

Ready for her big day.

Superstar

Yesterday, I started my new job in the Elementary School library.  So far, I love it.  I’m just getting to meet the staff and teachers.  There are so many names to remember, but I’m sure I’ll get them all eventually.  You know, with the limited amount of brain cells that my children have left me with.