Happy New Year

 

Giving Thanks 2007

 

Thanksgiving Day 2007

 
 
 
 

Light the Menorah

 

Fever and feeling yucky

 
Owen was so yucky sick that he didn't want to open his Hanukkah gift. Luckily, Zoe was happy to help. The gift did perk him up a lot.

Home sick

 

My kids have been home sick for most of the past two weeks. It's been rough. Bob is still in a cast, and now out of town for a couple nights. Woe is me.

Can't you hear the whistle blowing?

 

Zoe on the train

 

New Hope Valley Railway & Bob's wrist

Last weekend we all went on a New Hope Valley Railway Train ride. It was a blast for Owen. We all were glad we went, but Owen was thrilled. He wanted to go back the next day.
I've always been a fan of trains and train travel. Over the years, I've read a several of Paul Theroux's train travel books. It is amazing how noisy, messy, smelly and slow steam trains are. Reading about it is much nicer than actually doing it.

On a different note, Bob had surgery on his wrist today. He had a nasty rebuild of his bones and tendons due to a bad Ganglion cyst. It went pretty well, but it was more involved than they expected. This is the second surgery for this condition, so we're hoping it works this time. He's not supposed to work or drive for 10 days. Right, like that's going to happen. And, He'll need a cast for 6 weeks. Mercy, it's going to be a tough ten days. He's pretty loopy on the pain meds. He keeps asking me the same questions over and over again. The most frequent questions are about whether or not the surgeon was confident, or did he get it all? Go to sleep now, Bob. Thank you, Percosets.

Red Sox Nation

 

Ian the little cherub

 

Ian! the cherub

Ian is SO CUTE! We wanted to keep him. Zoe and I tried to hide him when his parents were packing up the car. We hid him amonst my yarn. He was pretty quiet, and it took them a while to find him. I wasn't even upset when he spit up all over my yarn!

Proud Auntie

 

the Joy of Sox

 

We're so thrilled that the Red Sox have won the 2007 World Series. Of course, it was a much bigger thrill in 2004 after so many years of heartache.

Part of my family came to visit for a long weekend. It was a lot of fun to have a group of Sox Fans visiting during the the end of the series. On Sunday, we dressed the kids up all in Sox gear and red socks to have their pictures taken together. I'll post those when they're ready.

Sue's t-shirts

 
Sue gave my kids beautiful crafty Halloween t-shirts. We're getting in the spirit.
Thanks so much Sue!

Owen & Uncle Mick

 

More at the NC State Fair

 
We had some junk food, crazy rides, and a lot of laughs at the NC State Fair.

Jalopy Junction at the NC State Fair

 

NC State Fair

 
We had to blow off some steam this week, so we went to the State Fair.
Now, I need to get back to reality.

My good guys

 

Here is a recent picture of Bob and Owen enjoying lunch at Panera after Sunday school. Today I want to focus on these two good guys.

A while ago, there was a book written by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner called When Bad Things Happen to Good People. I found a bit of commfort in reading this book when something very bad happened to my family. A good title does help a book a LOT. It did pretty well. I'm ready to write a new one called When Bad People Happen to Good People.

We've had a rough couple weeks with bad outside influences. I'm happy to say that the end is in sight and that we're moving on from the problem. We've had some unbelievable upheaval and now it's time to smooth out and de-stress.

Daniel's visit

I'm overdue to update several things to my blog. This draft will have to do. I will add more links.

We had exciting visitors. Our new little friend Daniel kindly brought his parents to visit us!

We had a great time. We had fun being tourists in our own town. We went to WholeFoods, drove through UNC's campus. We went to the Carrboro Farmer's Market, LocoPops, Franklin Street, Southern Season. We drove out to the country to see tobacco in the fields, visited Hillsborough, ate at a nice Mexican restaurant (yum) and back to the mall for the wonder that is Southern Season! Now, did I forget anything?

Daniel was a delight. He's a great baby. We had so much fun.

There is something righteous about going to the gym

Did you ever notice the smug, happy looks on the faces of people coming out of the gym? When are we ever so righteous or proud? No, we certainly do not feel this good--not after leaving the dentist (ouch!), not after (finally) getting a pedicure, and certainly not after attending a PTA meeting. I have felt same on a few other special proud occasions. I have sported the look a few times in the past. I have felt it in the past like the day before and of our wedding, and when I brought home our kids from the hospital.

I’ve seen it on other people too. It’s rare, but nice to see. Lately, I’ve seen it a lot more often. There is something righteous about going to the gym.

What is more virtuous a feeling than leaving your gym with a flushed face, slightly, wobbly knees and the burn in muscles you don’t ordinarily use on a normal day? Well, I’m still at it. I just finished week four. Now, I have that self-righteous, satisfied look.

Peace, love and understanding

Bob and I went to a concert last week. It was Elvis Costello and the NC Symphony. Now, Elvis is a blast from my past. He was very popular when I was in college. He toured and performed at UMASS. The big show was sold out. My boyfriend, at the time, and I managed to see him after his show. He played a set with his girlfriend, at the time, with the band The Pogues at the on-campus bar the Cage. In early 1993, I saw him on a snowy St. Patrick's Day concert at Boston Symphony Hall playing his collaboration with the Brodsky Quartet on The Juliet Letters. That was a wonderful night. Now, he's working with a full orchestra!


The concert was held at the Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary. It was an outdoor concert -- a beautiful night. His performance was strong. He emphasized his anti-war sentiments and love for America. He also seemed happier, talking about his happy marriage and infant twin sons. He joked and belted out some passionate oldies but goodies. He joked that he tries to imagine that we're all the hot young things we used to be when we first discovered him. It seems that the angry young man has grown up, just like the rest of us.

It was a late night for us. We didn't get home until midnight. I even had to wake up the sleeping babysitter--gulp! The very next morning I had to dash to the airport for a trip to Atlanta. I'm not sure why I had to go. I put in some face time with the boss and some VIP authors.

Now, back to the ususal work week...

Working out is hard to do

I've made it through a full week of working out at the gym. I'm sore, but already feeling stronger. It's really hard to do, but so is doing nothing.

I had a session today with my personal trainer. We worked on my arms, legs and abs. She is very good. I think she can borrow clothes from Zoe.

Since joining the gym, I've been every work day. I haven't gone on the weekend yet, but I will add that in the next month or so. Our weekends are so busy with housework, projects, friends, and the kids.

My goal is to stick with this for a year. One down, fifty-one to go!

A new school year

At the beginning of every school year, I used to get excited and anxious to start new habits and to focus my energies. The fall used to be my favorite season. It's changed a bit since we moved to Chapel Hill where the spring is amazing. We never had much spring in Boston. I love crisp fall days with sunny blue skies and fresh cool air.

Even though I am no longer in school, I still try to re-start in the fall. I try to take on new challenges and start new projects.

This past month, I have been focusing on getting in shape. I joined a local gym. I signed up for a year membership! I've even been going to the gym. (Please don't faint!) And, a first, I met with a personal trainer. I'm learning how to use the machines and get on a program. I'm excited because I have never had the training and individual attention that I clearly need.

Wish me luck, and no injuries!

First day of school

Zoe started third grade today. She was very excited and happy. Her teacher seems great. We are hoping all goes well this year.

15 years

Today is our 15th wedding anniversary. We had some help celebrating.

Happy Anniversary--and many more.

Because Bob loves the Dead, I'll quote them: "What a long strange trip it's been."

Tomorrow is both the first day of school for Zoe (third grade!) and our wedding anniversary (15 years!). Zoe is excited about school. We all went to school on "meet the teacher" night last week. I've heard good things about her teacher. The word on the street is good. We are breathing a sigh of relief. That will be a huge improvement over last year.

We spent the weekend getting better organized. We put away old toys. It's a huge uphill battle at our house. We have too much stuff and more shows up every day.

We went to Target and bought some cube shelves and canvas bins to hold the zillions of Lego's and train tracks. We picked out some new clothes and school supplies. We're ready for what we need, but we're not quite mentally ready. The temps are still in the high 90s. We're still in shorts and t-shits. We want to languish a bit more at least until after Labor Day.

Alas, we don't get to determine the school schedule. It's going to rough getting up at 6 AM again. We got off schedule in June, and have not been able to get back on track yet. It takes more discipline than I can muster. I think it has to do with not getting enough vacation time. We're worn out and just plain tired.

As the kids get older, it will get better. Middle school starts an hour later than elementary school. High school start an hour later than middle school. Until then, I will get up earlier and be better prepared. We have at least ten more years of this, so we have to make peace with it. But, I do reserve the right to complain about it.

Ian and Marianne

birth announcement for Ian

Teach them well

Zoe spent half of her summer vacation at a sports camp swimming and ice skating. She spent the rest of the summer at the ArtsCenter doing dramatic and crafty arts. It seems that the dramatic arts have set in well.

A while ago, I was dropping Zoe off at a birthday party. On the short drive to the other child's house, I spent the time reminding Zoe to be polite, to say happy birthday, to remember to say please and thank you, and all the usual mom stuff.

A couple hours later, when I picked her up from the party, I asked her how it went. She said it was great that she had a fun time. Then, I asked her if she had followed my instruction to be polite and say happy birthday, please, thank you, etc. She said, "Sorry mom, I forgot my lines."

Ready, set, go!

The joy of children is infectious and so sweet. Do you remember how much fun it was to go to the park? Of course you do.

Licking the spoon

Owen loves chocolate. He is absolutely, definitely, 100% positively my son.

Boston Fish Pier

 

Lobster