Bloggety Blog...

Chapter 1:
Donna - is better and home from the hospital.  She was gonna go Thelma and Louise on them if they didn't let her out when they did.  Yep, the Zuidermeister is a tough one - warrior!

I got her casual text last Friday that she was having a bad day and had clots in both lungs, thus admitted to the hospital. After a few exchanges, I really had a mini-freak-out of "what if something horrible had happened????"  See that smile above?  It's one that I can't live without and I'm thanking God that she is getting better.

Chapter 2:
Jodi - now she is in the hospital.  Gallbladder :(  Really, when we hit 40, does it all have to go to hell in a hand-basket?  Gallbladders, cancer, blood clots - we're 40 for God's sake, not 80!  Hopefully Jodi will be home very soon and feeling much better.  Another dimpled smile I can't do without ;.)

Chapter 3:
Dead Turtle / Sad Siley - Little Turtle man bit the dust.  Uncle Tim found the cute little turtle on the golf course this spring and brought him home to Si...unfortunately, he did not survive our household.  It's survival of the fittest around here - if you can't feed yourself at this point, be prepared to go 2-3 days without eating.  Toughen up.
Silas was very sad though.  It really bummed him out the last couple days. It probably didn't help that we kept the dead turtle in a baggie on the deck for 48+ hours in 96 degree temps.   You've seen CSI and what that can do to remains :(
He's been properly buried with a few kind words and he's with Grandpa J now.

Chapter 4:
Hudson Class Reunion - Last weekend was Justin's 20 year class reunion! Who knew I'd end up with such an older man!  We drove up to Hudson for an overnight stay and Justin reconnected with many friends that he hadn't seen in forever.  I had a great time mingling and seeing people that he's talked about for years!  We both had a fantastic time and Justin was so glad that he went and that they had such a great turnout.

I find it amazing how quickly, 20 years later and worlds apart, the connection can be re-established. I think a great alumni event would be to do a day back in high school.  Backpacks, books, teachers, a happy hour after...hmm...(but no homework!)

Chapter 5:
Chad's Visit - Another fantastic reunion this week was Justin's elementary and post-high school Europe traveler friend visit.  Justin and Chad are T-burg friends and honestly, I feel like I've known Chad as a friend myself all these years because of the stories that I've heard (we know how Justin tends to repeat stories!).  Chad and his girl, Meara AND their two large dogs (Meisha and Bear) stopped for a visit on their drive from the Finger Lakes (NY) to Tuscon (where they live).  I expected complete chaos with all the animals but they were fantastic and Zoe and Cleo were very hospitable hosts.  I wish they had been able to stay a few more days and we'd gotten to catch up more.
Justin and I stayed with Chad in NYC many moons ago (pre-kids).  Chad lived in a tiny apartment above a Greek diner and Justin and I slept on the couch.  Sometime during the middle of the night, I was woken up by mice (quite possibly RATS) rummaging  through the garbage in the tiny kitchen area.  Yeah, it makes me appreciate a rodent-free suburbia!
Chad and Meara are awesome folks - I hope it's not another 15+ years before we can visit again...

(a picture of Meara and Chad that i stole from Chad's Facebook page :)

Chapter 6:
Indian Lake - We had a fantastic time with the Hile's and Lang's a couple weekends ago at Indian Lake.  A weekend of total relaxation, swimming, boating, fire by the lake...greatly enjoyed it and got a terrible sunburn on my back!  The kids tubed and (Silas especially) - were thoroughly exhausted!!

JP all big and burly - he looks like Popeye :)

Coming soon!
BEACH!!!!! One of the things that I love about vacation is the time to take pictures and blog about our trip.  I really hope that I have the time (and internet connection!) to do that this year.

YOSP update - I've been bummed that we were slowing down in our progress but Justin started "officially" on the basement last week and that has been a huge boost in our progress on the house!  Pictures sometime soon :)

Reunion Name Tags

So, our reunion organizers went to the trouble of creating name tags for all of us attending - with our Senior picture from the yearbook on the tag. Here is what mine looks like...the only thing that eased the blow of wearing that all night...is that there was not one girl among us who didn't have ginormous hair on her name tag. Such an 80's girl!!

20 Years - Seriously?!?

I have spent the last 2 evenings catching up with so many friends and classmates - and if I had a dime for every time someone asked - "can you believe it's been 20 years?" - well, these hardwood floors would be paid for! I was amazed at how easy it was to slip right back into the same friendships without missing a beat - felt like we'd been hanging out at each others' lockers the day before.

Of course, I wanted to look good for the reunion, so I asked for some help in taming my crazy-girl hair (as we call Ella's when it's going nuts).

Courtney was a doll and played hairdresser for me at Beth's

Me, Sherry and Gretchen - 2 of the reunion planners and my running around pals from the day.
Rob B - (one of my best pals from HHS) - and Me

It was a ton of fun both nights and I am sad that it will be another 5 to 10 years before I see most of them again...

I love...

having someone to walk to school again in the mornings now that Miss Boo is in the big K. I love the back-to-school atmosphere. She is adjusting very well to the new schedule and to getting up early every morning. She is always full of news when she gets home. Yesterday she told me that she made 2 new friends in class - Cloe and a boy (but she doesn't know his name).

This morning Si was still sleeping when I walked Ella to school, so Justin stayed home while I took Ella. As I was coming out of the school, I saw a very sleepy looking Si walking with Justin towards the school. He was still in his Bob the Builder jammies and was wearing his beaded turquoise flip-flops. Justin said he didn't want to get dressed, he just wanted to walk to the school "right now!" I wish I had taken a picture of the goofy boy.

Drama Queen!

Mason got another haircut - the cut from the beach wasn't short enough for him

Siley J.

Here is the current state of my office while we are putting down the hardwood. How can I be productive working in this mess? (I always have an excuse!)

Weekend Outlook:
~ Hope to make major progress on the flooring over the 3 day weekend - it is LABOR DAY isn't it??
~ First OSU game - Go Bucks!!
~ It's my high school 20 year reunion weekend!! How can this be??
Tonight is an informal gathering at Otie's (of course!) and then tomorrow night we will have the official shin-dig at the Buckeye Hall of Fame. I bought a "new" camera on eBay - a handy little point & shoot so I should have lots of pictures as I play with it.