Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Happy Birthday Liz
One of my favorite people is having a birthday today. That's right! Liz, at A Chair, A Fireplace and a Tea Cozy. Head on over and give her some birthday wishes.
Liz and I have known each other most of our lives at this point. And I'm so glad I do know her. We made our publishing debut together at the age of ten when we created a newspaper - that we sold subscriptions to and then had to return the money when we only made one or two issues.
We've vacationed together: a very memorable trip to Holland and Belgium.
She was the maid of honor in my wedding and is my son's godmother.
Liz may not be related to me, but she is the sister of my heart.
Happy Birthday!
Liz and I have known each other most of our lives at this point. And I'm so glad I do know her. We made our publishing debut together at the age of ten when we created a newspaper - that we sold subscriptions to and then had to return the money when we only made one or two issues.
We've vacationed together: a very memorable trip to Holland and Belgium.
She was the maid of honor in my wedding and is my son's godmother.
Liz may not be related to me, but she is the sister of my heart.
Happy Birthday!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Pippi Got A New Bike
This is big news because the bike is actually new. She hasn't had a new bike before. Okay - that isn't technically true, when she was 2 her grandparents gave her a tiny bike. But that was eight years ago and she didn't have any say in the matter.
Since then she's been riding used bikes. First was the pink Huffy bike we bought for $15 from a neighbor. That's the one she learned to ride on and I'm sure it will always hold a special place in her heart.
Then there was the red bicycle. This was my old bike. A 1970's era red Schwinn Bantam. It was in good shape and she enjoyed riding it. Though, as Harry got his second brand new bike last year I made sure she knew that if she wanted a new bike she could get one. She always assured me that she was very happy with her old red bike.
But the time has come - she's outgrown the Bantam. So today she got a brand-new bike. One that she picked out. It has hand brakes and 21-gears and once the rain stopped we went for a ride around the park. We managed three miles and she's getting the hang of both the hand brakes and the gears.
And as much fun as the vintage bike was, she's very happy to have a new grown-up looking one.
The only problem is that now we have eight bicycles in our one-car garage (and no, the car absolutely does not fit in there). I think it's time to purge bicycles.
Since then she's been riding used bikes. First was the pink Huffy bike we bought for $15 from a neighbor. That's the one she learned to ride on and I'm sure it will always hold a special place in her heart.
Then there was the red bicycle. This was my old bike. A 1970's era red Schwinn Bantam. It was in good shape and she enjoyed riding it. Though, as Harry got his second brand new bike last year I made sure she knew that if she wanted a new bike she could get one. She always assured me that she was very happy with her old red bike.
But the time has come - she's outgrown the Bantam. So today she got a brand-new bike. One that she picked out. It has hand brakes and 21-gears and once the rain stopped we went for a ride around the park. We managed three miles and she's getting the hang of both the hand brakes and the gears.
And as much fun as the vintage bike was, she's very happy to have a new grown-up looking one.
The only problem is that now we have eight bicycles in our one-car garage (and no, the car absolutely does not fit in there). I think it's time to purge bicycles.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Jersey Girls
I'll admit it. I'm a Jersey Girl. Though in the interest of full-disclosure, I was born in Philly. Esther, of A Catholic Mom in Hawaii has decided to link up all the Jersey Girl bloggers who pass her way. And, I know. You're thinking Hawaii? That's about as far away from Jersey as you can get. Yes - true - but Esther has deep roots here in Jersey.
So what does it mean to be from Jersey? First of all I suspect it's the only state that continually has the first part of it's name dropped. You don't hear people talk about being from York (unless they're from York in England, or York, PA), or being from Hampshire, or Mexico (well, okay, that one makes sense, what with the real Mexico being right there and all), but the original Jersey is pretty far away, and fairly obscure. (It's part of the Channel Islands off the coast of England).
Being from New Jersey means people from out of the state not getting what is so great about it. We have beaches and skiing, we have farms and cities. And we have lots and lots of people.
When I was in Wyoming once I was surprised to realize that at times I wasn't really in any town. Neither here nor there I suppose. One town was left behind the next was miles away (I'm sure those areas are accounted for somehow). That doesn't happen in New Jersey. You're always somewhere. (It might happen a little bit in some of the far corners of the state, but not in most places.)
New Jersey has a lot of History. Many revolutionary battles were fought here. Washington had an encampment in Morristown. Molly Pitcher was a Jersey Girl. There are lots of places in New Jersey where Washington slept. One of them is behind our 7-11. Okay - that makes it sound like he was sleeping in an alley. There is a historic building, behind our 7-11, it's now several apartments, but it used to be an inn. It's been moved from it's original location - but it has a historic marker out front to say that "Washington Slept Here" (in more detail than that).
Thomas Edison did a lot of his inventing right in New Jersey. About a mile from my in-laws' house there is a tower with a huge light bulb on top, to commemorate Edison (they live in the town of Edison, by the way).
Another great thing about NJ is it's weather (aside from the humidity which is horrid). I was just convincing Harry tonight that a bit of a breeze does not mean that a tornado is coming. We don't get tornadoes here (now and then a baby one that aims for an unsuspecting trailer park, but that's about it). We also don't generally get direct hits from hurricanes - usually just the remnants of one as it makes its way up the coast. We don't get bad snowfalls (maybe a major one - meaning more than two feet of snow every couple of years.) No earthquakes. (there was a small earthquake when I was in middle school - the people who were running the seismograph in Princeton were changing the paper, so the severity was not recorded.)
All in all, I look at it this way - if New Jersey didn't have so much going for it (especially proximity to major cities), not as many people would live here. So we get cool stuff - and lots and lots of traffic. Oh well, there's always a bit of give and take.
And as far as the other Jersey Girl bloggers that Esther highlighted, they are: SFO Mom - Barb, Ellen at From Across the Net and with Jersey roots Christine at Ramblings of a Catholic Soccer Mom and Domestic Vocation. I want to add one more Jersey blogger I know, Liz at A Chair, A Fireplace and A Tea Cozy.
So what does it mean to be from Jersey? First of all I suspect it's the only state that continually has the first part of it's name dropped. You don't hear people talk about being from York (unless they're from York in England, or York, PA), or being from Hampshire, or Mexico (well, okay, that one makes sense, what with the real Mexico being right there and all), but the original Jersey is pretty far away, and fairly obscure. (It's part of the Channel Islands off the coast of England).
Being from New Jersey means people from out of the state not getting what is so great about it. We have beaches and skiing, we have farms and cities. And we have lots and lots of people.
When I was in Wyoming once I was surprised to realize that at times I wasn't really in any town. Neither here nor there I suppose. One town was left behind the next was miles away (I'm sure those areas are accounted for somehow). That doesn't happen in New Jersey. You're always somewhere. (It might happen a little bit in some of the far corners of the state, but not in most places.)
New Jersey has a lot of History. Many revolutionary battles were fought here. Washington had an encampment in Morristown. Molly Pitcher was a Jersey Girl. There are lots of places in New Jersey where Washington slept. One of them is behind our 7-11. Okay - that makes it sound like he was sleeping in an alley. There is a historic building, behind our 7-11, it's now several apartments, but it used to be an inn. It's been moved from it's original location - but it has a historic marker out front to say that "Washington Slept Here" (in more detail than that).
Thomas Edison did a lot of his inventing right in New Jersey. About a mile from my in-laws' house there is a tower with a huge light bulb on top, to commemorate Edison (they live in the town of Edison, by the way).
Another great thing about NJ is it's weather (aside from the humidity which is horrid). I was just convincing Harry tonight that a bit of a breeze does not mean that a tornado is coming. We don't get tornadoes here (now and then a baby one that aims for an unsuspecting trailer park, but that's about it). We also don't generally get direct hits from hurricanes - usually just the remnants of one as it makes its way up the coast. We don't get bad snowfalls (maybe a major one - meaning more than two feet of snow every couple of years.) No earthquakes. (there was a small earthquake when I was in middle school - the people who were running the seismograph in Princeton were changing the paper, so the severity was not recorded.)
All in all, I look at it this way - if New Jersey didn't have so much going for it (especially proximity to major cities), not as many people would live here. So we get cool stuff - and lots and lots of traffic. Oh well, there's always a bit of give and take.
And as far as the other Jersey Girl bloggers that Esther highlighted, they are: SFO Mom - Barb, Ellen at From Across the Net and with Jersey roots Christine at Ramblings of a Catholic Soccer Mom and Domestic Vocation. I want to add one more Jersey blogger I know, Liz at A Chair, A Fireplace and A Tea Cozy.
Drying Clothes
Ah - it's a lovely summer day (okay a bit hot and sticky for my tastes, but nevertheless) and the load of laundry I put in the washer this morning is hanging on the line, wafting in the gentle breeze and lovely sun that the Lord sends us.
The only thing is - it's not my clothes' line. It's my neighbor's. Because I don't have a clothes' line And my clothes are out there because it seemed better than letting them just sit in the washer, since it seems that my dryer has decided that it is too hot for it to emit any heat. So it stopped. Emitting heat that is. And it seems that my clothes (judging from the first load that has spent several hours in the dryer now) prefer to get dry when a little heat is thrown their way.
Luckily I have very accommodating neighbors and she even lent me clothes pins to use as well (because since I don't have a clothes line, I don't have a large supply.)
I'm guessing that the agenda for this weekend is going to include shopping for a new dryer.
The only thing is - it's not my clothes' line. It's my neighbor's. Because I don't have a clothes' line And my clothes are out there because it seemed better than letting them just sit in the washer, since it seems that my dryer has decided that it is too hot for it to emit any heat. So it stopped. Emitting heat that is. And it seems that my clothes (judging from the first load that has spent several hours in the dryer now) prefer to get dry when a little heat is thrown their way.
Luckily I have very accommodating neighbors and she even lent me clothes pins to use as well (because since I don't have a clothes line, I don't have a large supply.)
I'm guessing that the agenda for this weekend is going to include shopping for a new dryer.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
RIP - Leafy
The little green tree frog has jumped his last jump. I suppose after his taste of freedom a couple of weeks ago he simply lost the will to live. Whatever the reason, the frog was found dead today - splayed out in his water dish.
Pippi was upset at the passing of her frog - but she had lost interest in the frog almost a year ago (she had it for nearly two years) and so I don't think the loss will affect her that much.
We are very limited in the type of pets we can have in this house. My husband and I are both allergic to cats, dogs and birds. Harry is allergic to dogs - not sure about cats and birds. So pet wise we are pretty much limited to things without fur.
For a number of years we had fish. A few gold fish now and then. Then two years ago we turned the aquarium into a home for a frog and a lizard. The lizard died last year. They were excited at first. But the frog turned out to be nocturnal and the lizard liked to hide. They also came with instructions that you weren't supposed to touch them too much (or basically at all). So that left watching a sleeping frog and looking for a hiding lizard. Woo hoo. No wonder they lost interest.
All the same, it's sad to see any pet die.
So, here's to you Leafy the frog - (and Greeny the lizard) may you both rest in peace and find an afterlife with lots of little crickets for you to eat. Yumm Yumm.
Pippi was upset at the passing of her frog - but she had lost interest in the frog almost a year ago (she had it for nearly two years) and so I don't think the loss will affect her that much.
We are very limited in the type of pets we can have in this house. My husband and I are both allergic to cats, dogs and birds. Harry is allergic to dogs - not sure about cats and birds. So pet wise we are pretty much limited to things without fur.
For a number of years we had fish. A few gold fish now and then. Then two years ago we turned the aquarium into a home for a frog and a lizard. The lizard died last year. They were excited at first. But the frog turned out to be nocturnal and the lizard liked to hide. They also came with instructions that you weren't supposed to touch them too much (or basically at all). So that left watching a sleeping frog and looking for a hiding lizard. Woo hoo. No wonder they lost interest.
All the same, it's sad to see any pet die.
So, here's to you Leafy the frog - (and Greeny the lizard) may you both rest in peace and find an afterlife with lots of little crickets for you to eat. Yumm Yumm.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
And...It's Gone
I had a brilliant idea for a very profound post today. I had it all figured out; was writing it in my head.
But summer took over.
And... it's gone.
I have no more idea what I was going to write about than you do.
If I ever think about it again, I'll post it. If it's not as profound as I thought it was, I won't say that it's the idea I remembered. (grin)
But summer took over.
And... it's gone.
I have no more idea what I was going to write about than you do.
If I ever think about it again, I'll post it. If it's not as profound as I thought it was, I won't say that it's the idea I remembered. (grin)
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Philosophy a la the Muppets
Harry was listening to our record of The Muppet Movie (and just in case you're wondering I do mean actual vinyl record) and I realized again how much I love most of the songs from that movie. The song where Rolf and Kermit commiserate over their love lives (new leash on life) (take myself for a walk) (come Father's Day the litter bugs going get you) is priceless.
But then there was the one line that I think should be a sampler or something.
"There's not a word yet for old friends who've just met"
In thinking about it though - sometimes it seems like the blogosphere is filled with "old friends who've just met" (and just met in cyberspace to boot). So, maybe the word we need is "blog buddies."
But then there was the one line that I think should be a sampler or something.
"There's not a word yet for old friends who've just met"
In thinking about it though - sometimes it seems like the blogosphere is filled with "old friends who've just met" (and just met in cyberspace to boot). So, maybe the word we need is "blog buddies."
Tuesday's Proverb
The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses; When he is dealing with the arrogant, he is stern, but to the humble he shows kindness. (Proverbs 3:33-34)
Monday, July 23, 2007
His First Concert
They'll be able to say they were there at the beginning: his cousin, his sister, his grampy (and his ammy who was taking the picture). Harry's first public concert. He's got the stage (okay, so it's a picnic table), the venue (grampy's pool area during the cousins campout) and the adoring fans.
I just hope that when he's older he doesn't do his concerts in his pajamas.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
Back in the Old Days
My eight-year-old nephew to his dad (my brother): Dad, before people had computers, how did they use the internet?
Poetry Friday - Home is Love
In honor of the fact that there will be a gathering of the clan tomorrow - and for the first time in two years I will see all three of my brothers and sister-in-laws and 1 niece and 3 nephews, as well as my parents, I offer for Poetry Friday a poem and about home and love by Charles Swain.
Home is Where There's One to Love Us
by Charles Swain
Home's not merely our square walls,
Though with pictures hung and gilded;
Home is where Affection calls,
Filled with shrines the Heart hath builded!
Home! -- go watch the faithful dove,
Sailing 'neath the heaven above us;
Home is where there's one to love!
Home is where there's one to love us!
Home's not merely roof and room--
It needs something to endear it;
Home is where the heart can bloom,
Where there's some kind lip to cheer it!
What is home with none to meet,
None to welcome, none to greet us?
Home is sweet - and only sweet -
Where there's one we love to meet us!
The round up is at Mentor Texts & More.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
A Lesson in Patience - All Tied Up
Want to convince impatient children to wait for something? Do a little tie-dye. First the shirts have to soak for 20 minutes (20 minutes isn't too bad), but then after they are dyed they must sit for 24 hours (while the dye bonds to the cloth).And you can't see how it turns out for those 24 hours. No peeking or anything.
But the time passed (and we've done this two separate days this week, so we're getting really good at waiting) and the results were fun - though maybe not as colorful as they would have hoped based on what it looked like when still all bundled up.
Harry wants to tie-dye his underwear - I vetoed that idea - but he did do one of the under shirts he sometimes sleeps in.Pippi wasn't sure about the whole venture (this was more Harry's thing). But besides the sweatshirt above (I think she wasn't sure she wanted to mess with it's lovely whiteness) she also did a large yellow t-shirt that she can sleep in.
They had fun and didn't make too much of a mess, and that's what counts (the fun part, not the mess part - I'm used to messes).
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Anticipating the Weekend
This is a big weekend. A lot of people - young and old - are anticipating the arrival of the last Harry Potter book. Now, my kids have read some of the Harry Potter books (Pippi has read the first five, Harry the first three), they've seen the first four movies on DVD and Harry even gets his blog name from Harry Potter.
But that's not what my kids are busy anticipating. They've got something to look forward to that offers them more excitement than a new book (and they love books). They are going to get to see their cousins again.
You see - two years ago my brother moved his family to Bahrain due to his job. Bahrain is far. We didn't go visit. The cousins - both boys - are a year older and a year younger than Harry. He has missed them something awful. Pippi misses them too - the older boy was her practice brother before Harry was born (while grandma babysat them both). Before they moved we used to see them a couple of times a week. But they are back now. They are only in New Jersey for a short time before moving to Florida - but this is the week we get to see them again.
This is bigger than Harry Potter. This is the Cousins! Yay!
But that's not what my kids are busy anticipating. They've got something to look forward to that offers them more excitement than a new book (and they love books). They are going to get to see their cousins again.
You see - two years ago my brother moved his family to Bahrain due to his job. Bahrain is far. We didn't go visit. The cousins - both boys - are a year older and a year younger than Harry. He has missed them something awful. Pippi misses them too - the older boy was her practice brother before Harry was born (while grandma babysat them both). Before they moved we used to see them a couple of times a week. But they are back now. They are only in New Jersey for a short time before moving to Florida - but this is the week we get to see them again.
This is bigger than Harry Potter. This is the Cousins! Yay!
Tuesday's Proverb
Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways:To the LORD the perverse man is an abomination, but with the upright is his friendship.(Proverbs 3:31-32)
Sunday, July 15, 2007
When He Grows Up
Harry has big plans. When he grows up he's going to be:
An author
An editor
A publisher
A rock star AND
A sports player (sport to be determined, so far he plays baseball, basketball, hockey and tennis)
He's also mentioned being a college math professor.
One thing for certain - when he grows up - he's going to be busy.
An author
An editor
A publisher
A rock star AND
A sports player (sport to be determined, so far he plays baseball, basketball, hockey and tennis)
He's also mentioned being a college math professor.
One thing for certain - when he grows up - he's going to be busy.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Poetry Friday - Summer Fun
Harry and Pippi have a friend over today, so I gave them the job of writing a Summer Poem for Poetry Friday.
Here it is:
Summer Fun
by Pippi, Harry and A.D.
Running, Jumping
Swimming, Splashing
Crazy Bikers always Crashing
Having fun in the sun,
I don't want Summer to be done!
The Poetry Friday round-up is at Chicken Spaghetti.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
A Little Creativity
A little fabric paint and tote bags from AC Moore makes for a great chance to exhibit a little creativity.
Pippi tells it like it is:
This is what summer is all about:
Harry needed a bag for his guitar books, so he made a guitar bag:
With an amp on the other side. He's all ready to be a rock star now.
Pippi tells it like it is:
This is what summer is all about:
Harry needed a bag for his guitar books, so he made a guitar bag:
With an amp on the other side. He's all ready to be a rock star now.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
That Catholic Show
They've done it again. The wonderful Willits family has another episode of That Catholic Show up and ready. This one is about the role of priests. Enjoy.
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