Snap. Scrap. Repeat!

Mommy, I don't speak adult...

2012-02-19T20:00:00.000-06:00

...and sometimes, Aly, I wish I didn't either!

These past few weeks haven't been too fun.

Between the exhausting day schedules and the weekend catch ups, there haven't been to many moments in the middle to enjoy, sit back, and breathe.

I hear the kids wishing all the time that was in front of them would disappear so they can grow up, do their own thing, buy their own stuff, and enjoy their own world -- so to speak. I'm thankful that they dream ahead, but I want them to enjoy today - and lately we've been so busy taking care of work that we are not doing such a good job at showing them how.

The truth is, I don't even remember what conversation Aly and I were having to have driven her to say that she doesn't speak adult, but these words certainly caught my attention and I made a mental note to think on it. During the day, there are constant decisions to be made and THAT adult voice is the one leading the discussion. Even in my classroom, a world away from MY homelife, my students use adult language and expressions that Aly and Brandan have yet to recognize. And it makes me wonder, when is ADULT used and how effective is it? I used to think mastering vocabulary and sentence structure gained me notoriety as a writer in an adult world, but when I watch children write (and I've had opportunity to see 325+ students not counting Aly and Brandan) I see such freedom in expression and invented design! I think it is hidden within this type of creativity that I want to dump the ADULT speak and regress. Forget the politics, the monetary struggles, the hassle of being organized -- I need to learn how to speak KID!

And just think...How much MORE time I could have as a result! Who's with me here? Yeah, I know. Peter Pan won't be grabbing me by the arm anytime soon, but I still have the intention. I'll figure it out one day...

...and PINTEREST will probably coax it out of me. Really don't know how I lived with out it for as long as I did! My WORDS TO LIVE BY board sustains that childish notion; thank goodness!

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I did fall into one of B's downloaded game apps on the iPad yesterday: Who knew that Back to the Future had a continuation GAME? Aly and I have worked to complete three different episodes so far!! Can you say ADDICTED?

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I think the thing that makes me saddest about the past couple of weeks is that I very rarely pull out my DSLR for anything. The love of my iPhone and the ease has helped me to survive a picture-less world by noting a few things here and there...like the lazies...

...and yucky head colds...

...alongside the long hours of planning down to the wire.

Absolutely nothing exciting.

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I have kept up with my 52 weeks challenge so far!

Week three's theme was CLOSE.

Week four's theme was AT ARM'S LENGTH.

Week five's theme was DARK.

And this past week six's theme was LOVE.

(Hence the love of those crazy iPhone apps, since time hasn't permitted all the loves of my life to sit in the same spot for any duration of time!)

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So, it is my intention to uncover one of those adult-to-child translation guides. Who knows. Maybe it can transport us Back to the Future? :)

snow good

2012-01-29T09:00:00.000-06:00

You can take that title anyway you want.

This cute face makes you think of fun times with the fluffy white stuff...

...and fun times were had on this day, just over a week ago when Chicago landed 8 inches of pure white powder. It started coming down in the early morning. And by rush hour all the roads were covered pretty thick. My school is typically an hour commute for me one way with the downtown traffic heading out of the city to the southwest. On this day, I knew to leave promptly, so at three o'clock I hit the road...

...only to find myself an hour later, still stuck on the south end of Lake Shore Drive because they closed the ramp getting on to the Stevenson. I was able to get off at 31st Street -which was a whole other bag- because the main side streets were clogged.

By the time the clock was striking six, I was still playing stop and go with the side street red lights and the itty bitty cars spinning out with no traction. (So thankful for my big Suburban that everyone makes fun of - he did the job well!) I made it to around Kedzie and Archer when my brain started telling me to pull into the White Castle drive-thru for something, anything to eat. Lo and behold, a car spun out just in front of me blocking the entrance.

Sigh.

A few blocks more of the stopping and going convinced me to try a different route. I headed down 47th Street, which is a LOT less trafficked unless you count 18 wheelers heading to factories, and was able to move between Kedzie and Central in 10 minutes flat, hitting whopping speeds of 20 miles per hour!! It wasn't much longer then. I arrived home around 6:40pm. SNOW GOOD.

We spent the rest of the weekend playing in the white stuff; which is what it SHOULD be...

Brandan got a brand new snow board and mastered that thing fairly fast.

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I took time to paint my nails a festive bright color to make me smile.

...and the rest of the week flew.

I did wrap up the grant a colleague and I have been working feverishly on...

...and our fingers are crossed that Fund for Teachers will grant us $$$ to head to Costa Rica this summer; can you imagine? We won't know for sure until the beginning of April.

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And on that SAME $$$ page, and on the down slope of things...

Brandan (and his horrified parents) found out that it costs $5300 to put braces in a mouth for a struggling, misguided eye tooth. Eeegads! (Coming to a post near you mid February!)

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So, all's good.

We are busy being busy and enjoying the wonderful winters Chicago always guarantees us.

good deal

2012-01-18T16:56:00.001-06:00

I got the coolest $20 FREE coupon through Shutterfly today. How awesome! Maybe they like me? Maybe they liked my Mom's calendar and wanted me to make something else just as cool? Yeah, I'll go with that one...

I've always loved this pic that I snapped a couple of summers ago.

Travel mug

View the entire collection of cards.

...isn't this super cute? If you hover over the mug you can turn it to see the different sides!!!Chato and I have been drinking EXTRA coffee lately. It will definitely come in handy! So, it took me all of three minutes to put this together and upload it! I can't wait to get it!! Thank you Shutterfly!

iphone euphoria

2012-01-15T15:34:00.006-06:00

It has, undoubtedly, made my picture taking desires more controllable. While I still pull out the Nikon for big events, everyday life has been so much mmmmmmore notable since I started using my phone for picture taking. Add in all the filter bearing apps and my heart is content.

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Keeping with my 52 Weeks of Me Challenge I went a bit more serious this week...
This week was pretty solid and rewarding. There is a mix match bunch of things we did:
The kids had to GET OVER the fact that their sleeping in time was GONE and school was back in session.

Brandan had team basketball pictures snapped late Sunday afternoon.

By Tuesday, we were court-side to an outstandingly CRAZY game. I would liken it to one of those you see on the tv news where the opposing coach is wicked bent on winning and will do anything to do so. Even a couple of parents in the crowd were a bit too much for me to handle. HELLO PEOPLE - they are 12/13 year old boys - NOT NBA players!

We took it to overtime, but feel to a three pointer from the opposing team in one those last half second shots.
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I made a calendar through Shutterfly (I had a cool coupon) for my Mom using some old vintage pics, and I love how it turned out!

Upon doing the laundry, I was greeted with this silly smiling face when I opened the door. It took me back a few years, when I used to see this funny Curious George washcloth in the laundry all the time. Someone must have pulled him out from the bottom of the drawer and he got to come out and play. Sure made me smile...

Margie and Bianca came over before break ended, with the intention of having a girls' evening, but we did not scrap a thing!! I'm glad B got to come - its been a while since these two got the chance to monkey around...

Allison came out to play with us, too...

We had fun being super silly!! We went to the bookstore where Brandan can always be found in the sports book section. Today, my scraggly haired looking oldest child was going old school 3D.

By Wednesday, our FIRST big enough to be counted, snowfall fell here in Chicago. I worried about the commute, but the powers that be cleared a path for me and it was not bad at all.

By week's end - it was definitely a wear your hair UP kind of adventure...

I've been letting my hair grow out again. Thinking of doing a digital wave thing...anyone know where I find a good salon that does this???? I'm really thinking it might be a good NEW me.
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As is the life.
iphone well documented.

the start

2012-01-07T12:02:00.003-06:00

Somewhere down the road is where this will pop up. If it is me that comes across it, I might have a variety of reactions. Why on earth would I have posed for a picture without make up, without getting my hand out of my face, without my hair combed? This would be my first thought of what I would think today. Years from now, it may not be me that comes across this picture of all of my self imposed imperfections. It could be my kids or possible grand kids. I can't imagine what they will see in it, but today, there is a spot in my heart that calms me...because they will be able to see ME.

There are a ton of avenues I could twist this story into.

I could tell you about the day we were sifting through pictures of my mother-in-law reflecting on the life she left behind and found THIS first picture, so calm and real to life outside of any huge event. Her eyes were intently focused on the camera, but all the while there were no grimaces or effort to look away. You could see her. There were no imperfections, through our eyes...looking back.

I could tell you how I dream of finding a childhood picture of my grandfather. One that is clear. One that shows him as a child. One that gives me a clue to something new that he didn't get the chance to tell me about. Or a picture of my grandmother - there are only two in my possession - just to admire the look on her youthful face.

I could tell you how much I love to take pictures (but you knew that already). And because I love to take pictures, I am always behind the lens. I'm learning to be more adventurous and put the "imperfections" aside when I use the flip lens on my iPhone. I CAN put myself into the picture more. But WILL I?

When I overheard the conversations of "52 weeks of Me" I didn't jump at it like I should have. Thank goodness for encouraging friends and really cool examples out there in the virtual world, I have been pulled in - and not a moment to late! I will FORCE myself to take a picture every week. I will use pictures (like the yucky one above) that note me...not just the ME I want YOU to see. I can do this for a year. I can guarantee that my year long collage will look interesting. I can guarantee that it will get some interesting raised eyebrows too. ;) I can guarantee that if my great grandchildren want to know me - they will SEE me.

the jammie mantra

2012-01-04T11:34:00.008-06:00

(I found this on Pinterest here, and knew it was meant for me!)

I said it to myself once. I even mentally made a note of my goal. When the holiday break began right on top of the Christmas weekend, I knew that it was possible. With the festivities over, our first Monday off would be carefree and a day to sleep in late. Since that day, we have been living in our pajamas and sweats. Not a formal piece of clothing was washed in the laundry this week! (okay, there was a pair of jeans or two, but that's casual wear, right?) My mantra was to be as comfortable as possible. Mission accomplished.
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The kids have had NO dispute over this AT ALL. In fact, in their lifetime, they have never been allowed to stay up so late, nor have they made the attempt to sleep past 10am! There have been a few days this week that the clock has passed 11am and I check them to see if they are still breathing...

... ahhh, so the jammie mantra has been fulfilled. We are in hibernation mode.

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And there are plenty of things that can be accomplished while wearing jammies. I made up a batch of tamales on New Year's Eve...

We packed away the Christmas stuff, too. (See you next year greens, red, and shiny holiday cheer!)

I cleaned my scraproom (only to mess it up again and play!)

I unpacked my brand new HP ENVY (air print) printer...that instantaneously prints my photos from my phone or iPad...

SO techie cool!
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I did (shhhh!) slip out of jammies long enough to have dinner with friends at Tapas Valencia.

...and also to enjoy breakfast with friends this morning...

I am so very thankful that this break has given us so much downtime to touch base and enjoy one another. Chato and I have Redboxed all kinds of movies and I feel like I am making a dent in catching up with all the things I wanted to see!
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Aly put my brain to work when I helped her and her friends put their science project together. Their initial attempt was to make a LEMON BATTERY, and I am SO NOT the science person to talk to. Needless to say, we couldn't get the circuit to close. I threw my hands up. We started over the next day. Come to find out static electricity is a much more VIABLE fifth grade project for THIS mommy to handle.

And somewhere in it all, I have found time to scrap a page here and there. My 2011 progress was the worst ever since starting this addicting hobby back in 2006. I am hoping that 2012 lets me find my creative bug again. To build my initial scrappiness, I pulled out my latest Studio Calico kit and started searching for pics and embellies to tell some stories...

...and these have given me a start.

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I have not used my Nikon since Christmas.
I have used my iPhone everyday, plenty times across the day to snap pictures left and right. The ease and the filters and the apps are just SO appealing to me right now. I know I have not abandoned my SLR, but right now, the convenience helps me gain a bit more of time, and that ALWAYS makes my heart happy.
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Soon enough, it will be time to get serious again. I'll have to lose the comfort of the jammies and face the real world, but until THEN --- LONG LIVE the JAMMIE MANTRA!!

revolutionizing the resolution

2011-12-30T19:27:00.010-06:00

Maybe one of the hardest struggles for most people is developing that one HUGE resolution that will set the tone for the new year. I've always gotten by with refusing to make one. I've always enjoyed the television programs that glance back at the year that WAS and the HAPPENINGS that occurred. It's the vintage in me, I guess. Always looking back and celebrating the accomplishments makes me happy. And even though we did not take any big trips this year, nor did we celebrate any milestones, 2011 was a good year. We lived life everyday, planning, doing, eating, enjoying. I didn't need a resolution for that.

I try not to think too much about the "what is to come" part of the world, and resolutions seem to be wrapped up in that. All the while, I am an organizer; a planner. And I contradict myself. Maybe it is the solid things that I have faith in most that allow me to make reservations for a vacation and design a layout for scrapbooking, but it is the fear of the unknown that keeps me from making a resolution?!

Then I think resolutions need not be so tremendous like losing 20 lbs. or running a marathon. Maybe resolutions can be as sweet as kiss my kids goodnight EVERYNIGHT or refuse to take for granted the time I can sit across from Chato, even though we are both working on separate projects, and appreciate that we CAN work side by side in anything. These are REAL RESOLUTIONS to me. And while not everyone will agree with me, I do believe everyone must do what is best for them.

So, all the while, I have expectations for another beautiful new year, I refuse to label it. And maybe I contradicted myself again. Last year I followed through with Ali Edwards' "one word" idea. It surely set a tone to my actions. If you remember THIS blog post - I chose the word UNDERSTAND. This was such a good choice for this year. Whether it is taking the time to take a deep breath when Brandan is having a "moment" or stepping back when good friends struggle with life altering decisions. Understanding has helped me to push forward, research more, and put definition to things that I see everyday. I think I UNDERSTAND that tremendous things happen in small increments. AND MAYBE, just maybe, that is my key to the resolution world...mini resolutions, expectations that are shorter in term and sweet like a check off list that offers a true sense of accomplishment!!

Hmmm...I'm on to something here....for me. Well, maybe I can convince Chato and the kids to do it with me! AND I think it just might be possible to pull off a two birds with a stone kind of thing here: mini resolutions and a new "one word" for twenty twelve - LIMITLESS.

There are no boundaries to what we CAN accomplish. Chato got it into his head this past year that he wanted to try something new and he did - he is now wrapping up just over two months at his new job. I know that we can all do the same. I believe that with that ever present spiritual guidance and tons of courage and perseverance, anything is possible. I will continue to reflect, UNDERSTAND, and move forward, but our actions are LIMITLESS as long as we do it all with the intention of positivity and good faith.

So, here, once again...
HAPPY NEW YEAR BLESSINGS to one and all. May Twenty Twelve enlightened your hearts and journey you onwards to great expectations, outrageous adventures, and spontaneous happiness!

HOLLY Jolly...

2011-12-29T11:10:00.014-06:00

Every holiday season starts off with the hanging of ornaments (my Mom's tree is my favorite-must be due to sentimental childhood traditions)......and the writing of Christmas cards...
(this year was the latest I have sent them out by far!)

... and the stuffing of the candy into our advent house.It was somewhere at the snapping of this picture (above) that I realized just how fast the holiday season was zooming by. It made me so sad that so many of our days were packed with work and chores. The kids felt it too, always getting behind on taking their treat out for the day. (This year Aly chose a mint chocolate and Brandan went with the traditional Peanut Butter cup to stuff into each day.)
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We went a bit rustic with kraft paper wrapping and hand punched holly for name tags. Aly and I (she really did most of it!) stamped out each recipient's name right onto the paper and strung each with festive wired ribbon.

As the prep was wrapped up (so to speak), I adjusted my holiday spirit and got out my Santa and reindeer socks...

...for our Christmas celebration to end 2011 at school.
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I can't say we didn't enjoy ourselves in the days leading up to Christmas. I learned to make ponche (a hot Mexican holiday punch) that I had tasted years ago on my first trip to Mexico during the Christmas season. It really is a treat. Chato says it's better when you invite Don Pedro to join you. ;)

There are a gazillion recipes for Ponche Navideno here, but WE decided to concoct our own with guavas, piloncillo, sugar cane, pears, apples, oranges, and cinnamon sticks. Boiling it all together between 30 minutes to an hour makes for a nice warming punch.

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We also participated in my friend Michelle's annual cookie swap just like we did last year at this time. Only I was working down to the wire and needed a simple recipe so I could whip up 6 dozen cookies to share with 12 cookie munching people! I found this Strawberry Angel cookie over on Pinterest that seemed perfect! I changed it up with some Raspberry Jam instead and baked up a batch...

They were definitely big, fluffy cookies, but not quite as pink as the picture showed. Only, the next morning before packaging them up - they shrunk! I'm imagining that it had something to do with the texture of the angel food cake mix and no water?! Hmmm... Sorry guys, I will do better next year.

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In my downtime (yeah, right) I have been playing with all of my photo apps...

There are soooooo many and they are all soooooo cool. I am not sure just which one is my favorite. I'll have to do a post just on them so you can help me decide.

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So, when the EVE was upon us...

...we headed over to Mom and Dad's house to spend the night and await the ringing of sleigh bells. The kids have always opened up "christmas jammies" on this night. (It thwarts the begging of opening more daintily wrapped gifts before the morning!)

Aly got some new fuzzy fleece, while Brandan happily found some BRIGHT orange U of I jammies.

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We used Pam's shared royal icing recipe for our cutouts, but I forgot the sprinkles and tubes at home :(

We researched our choices of a holiday movie (while Aly continuously ran back and forth to track Santa's whereabouts). A Christmas Carol was the winner, only because we couldn't find our copy of the Polar Express!

The kids took HUGE marshmallows to the fireplace. They were so BIG and sweet, one was enough to eat!

Aly tracked Santa all the way to Indianapolis and then freaked out ushering everyone off to bed.

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We were yanked out of bed by 6am and the deep amber glow of Christmas lights lit the unwrapping of gifts...

Brandan and Aly both requested skates (which a day has not gone by yet that these blades have not been on their feet) and some good old-fashioned board games. My babies are definitely growing up...because the acquisition of clothing was a happy event.

They both received a "video" chair, too. Santa was so smart. Now they no longer have to steal chairs from the dining set to sit THISCLOSE while playing Wii games.

Chato got a few new sweaters and the new King book (appropriately themed with JFK), along with a sweet gift from Aly's Secret Santa Shoppe at school: a Golf tee CADDY - now, the funniest thing about this gift is that Aly thought she was buying him CANDY - not something to hang on his golf bag to hold his tees in!! It worked out to be pretty practical and nice, Aly!!

I, too, got the goods in slippers and sweaters and a new COFFEE MAKER.

With the arrival of my grant $$, I did purchase an iPad2 - and picked out the HP ENVY printer so that I can now print from ANYWHERE from the iPad or the iPhone. Me Happy.

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After breakfast and a lazy afternoon, we headed back home to prepare for celebration #2. I somehow convinced Aly to let me try this neat Pinterest/Youtube 'do on her. Needless to say...

...I'm in love with how easy and elegant it is!!

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By the second and third days after Christmas, the kids were still sharing and unwrappin g gifts, so they got a bit more creative in opening them...

All said and done, this holiday is by no means over.

We are still baking and cooking.

We are looking for dinners out with friends and sleepovers with cousins. I am planning on making up some tamales for the New Year. Lots to do, i guess. But the best part is there is NO SCHOOL in sight for a while! WOO HOO!

where we are

2011-12-10T14:55:00.010-06:00

really.

we are here.

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Somewhere between Thanksgiving and today life has been a roller coaster of a lot of things - none too trying, but some were definitely tedious. But no matter the nature, it just doesn't SLOW down for anyone or anything. Chato and I are out the door before sunrise, and if we are lucky, we get home just before the sun sets somewhere in the west again.

The days have been heavy. We are both putting in 10 hour days and wore out at the end of each one of them.

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Approximately two weeks ago, we left off with a celebration of gratitude and youth. Then the next day the kids were hopping up and down to get the Christmas decor put in place...

Which we did.Cheerfully.

We had quite a few non-friendly light sets this year. But nonetheless, out home is dressed in it's full holiday decor. I haven't had the chance to sit back and enjoy it yet. In fact, we only started a bit of shopping this morning, but today wasn't the right day for it. SO we didn't get too far.

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I wonder if I could get the kids to do Santa pics this year? Yeah. Right. I thought about this while going through some old pictures at My Mom's house...

(hee hee....)

I was about THREE and I have all these cute Santa pics from the mall.

sigh.

I think this sleigh has flown off...

Although I will say, whether my almost teenager wants to ditch the ringing of the Polar express bells or not, Aly is still hopping on a famous Santa site to check for the countdown and she has stated she will keep the iPhone in her hand BY the tree to await the jolly old elf...I think she is either REALLY cute or REALLY wanting to investigate the truth.

SIGH.

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Well, shortly after getting the Christmas tree in place, we took a side trip to the Eastside of the city...

...and picked up Dario and Giselle for a sleepover...

They have have hung out and stayed with each other before in Mexico, but never at one another's houses here at home. It was the perfect night for them! They enjoyed each other SO much.

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But since then, it has been a flurry of the NORMAL stuff. The homework and the projects.

I found myself a cool pinterest PIN to help Mom hang all of her old frames that she had scattered across the old house before, and she decided to paint up the frames...

...and we laid them out in a HUGE line design for the staircase...

...which is complete now!!

:) so very happy with the results! :)

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I had a two hour reprieve at an early holiday Christmas party from my school last Friday.

... and I work with some pretty amazing ladies...

I've been trying to use my crockpot more. I found this yummy Baked Potato soup for last Sunday...and Mom brought the cornbread. Even if no one else was-- I was a fan.

...and somewhere amongst it all, I attempted to take Christmas pictures...

...sigh...

Even though our house is telling us so...we just haven't found that jingle bell spirit yet.

TWO WEEKS and counting.

Hoping we find it sooooon.....

oh gracious day

2011-11-27T20:04:00.005-06:00

There isn't one thing that comes to mind that I would change about our lives right now. We are so blessed. It is a gracious day, such as this one, that we remind ourselves to be grateful for all we have: family and true friends, good food and full tummys, love, health, peace...
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Our Thanksgiving day began just as many others. Chato headed off with running buddies to a Turkey Trot. Brandan decided not to notch this one on his belt and stayed home with Aly and I to prepare for the meal (but truly have a front row seat near the television to watch the Macy's parade!)

The day also celebrated Chato's 37th birthday. Just before dinner, Lissette posted this 20 year old picture of her and her oldest brother on FB - (he & I have been together her whole life, and I remember him just like this!) Aren't they adorable?

Pinterest provided the bulk of ideas for our decor and feast. Let's start with Tom the turkey...

...he was an interesting conversation piece in the center of the table! Then there was the Indian corn placeholders Brandan, Aly, and I made for the table...

Pumpkin dip has been a staple on our table for the past few Thanksgiving holidays...

While we fixed and prepared, sliced and diced, cooked and whipped...all the non-helpers found cozy spots to make themselves comfortable...

I made up this easy peasy cherry limeade...

...alongside some black cherry ginger ale punch...

The good deal i found on blackberries at the market, morphed themselves into blackberry cupcakes for dessert...

Our turkey was wonderful.

There is a secret though?...I followed a good friend's suggestion from last year. She told me that if you place an onion inside, the turkey will stay moist and tender. Oh, man was she right! LOVE LOVE LOVE how it turned out.
Leo is our family carver...

Chato enjoyed birthday presents after the meal...

...that he shared...

...with everyone EXCEPT his on duty brother!

We were just thrilled that Marco got to stop by and eat with us!!

By the end of the night, Lissette and I broke the wishbone...

...and the wish? Well, let's just say I made one to have another blessed year ahead.

finally falling

2011-11-11T14:25:00.004-06:00

We are edging in on mid November and it is absolutely autumn around here. The leaves are beautiful. The air is completely crisp. The runners are wearing hats. The trick or treat kids wore sweaters.
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Unsurprisingly, we've been busy.
Last week and the week before that flew right by us in not much more than a blink. Brandan ran the Hot Chocolate 5k. We were taken back by the size of it. We didn't have 20,000 runners in mind. We know that is saved for the Shamrock Shuffle 8k in the Spring. Now, add tons of hot chocolate cups and drippy, gooey fondue and THIS was a race...

There wasn't much opportunity in this crowd to get a cool family shot like the Carrera de los Muertos race the week before (Thanks to Ana and Javier!!!) So, we tried to pull off a reflective surface on the Art Institute's new Modern Wing...

...yeah, that didn't work to well.
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B's entire race was on city streets, but he complained that the crowd of runners pushed him up off the blacktop and onto the curb quite a bit. :(

There was a glitch at the beginning of the race, though. A semi-truck got stuck under one of the viaducts blocking the runner's path. They diverted the runners, which in turn lengthened the 5k a bit. I think B did awesome - still in the TOP quartile of male runners his age!! Find the DATA here. Crispy weather, hot chocolate, and a good run...not bad at all.
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I had forgotten completely- I didn't upload any Halloween pics. In truth, I didn't take too many at all. I forgot my gloves at home and kept my hands in my pockets as we walked about ringing doorbells. The kids are still kids here. I hope they never lose the ability to dress up...

...and treat themselves to good time.

El Muerto muy listo...

2011-10-29T12:27:00.007-05:00

I was pretty excited when Brandan signed on for THIS race. I was even more excited when we found out the the weather would be perfect for it. I got even more excited when I got to paint Brandan's face and it turned out like this...

I've secretly loved el Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) holiday for a long time. Getting B to dress up for it was awesome!!
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So, we headed out before sunrise to Pilsen (parking there is no joke - so you better come early). The place was JUMPING with sights and sounds.

The boys were at the head of the start line (gotta remember to watch Chicago Univision tonight to catch the new footage!) and there were some brave "souls" out there who ran without shirts in the upper 30, lower 40 degree temps!While the boys ran...

...the girls hung out on the side lines with their champurrado...

...and donned the skull masks that Aly made from an old ditto I use at school...

Do you know that they got caught wearing them by a photog from HOY newspaper? She gave me her card and said to look for them in the paper tomorrow!!! Bianca, Leslie, and Aly were so excited!!
**UPDATE** Here is the online LINK from the news story in the paper!! Make sure to click through the pictures to see not only the girls, but one of B almost to the finish line!!

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Good thing Mom brought those things home for my little crafter!!

The festivities at the finish line were brightly colored and reminded me of Ocampo last year.

All of out friends made it across the finish line in good time. Brandan placed 25th in his age group (the top third!) and put another 5k notch on his belt.

It was crazy crowded, but the food was YUMMMMMY....

...arroz con leche...

...pozole...

...y menudo.
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Beautiful way to start the morning...

...although I am so sleepy from being up at 5am, I think I might just have to fit in a nap today!

Papa's got a brand new bag!

2011-10-21T19:03:00.005-05:00

Today marked Chato's last working day at Ferrara. After 6+ years managing candy colors and flavors, this guy is leaving his tasting days behind to try something new. He, unfortunately, leaves some outstanding colleagues that he had TONS of fun working with over these past few years...

Can't you FEEL the love?
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Thank you all for supporting this guy during his time with you. It was great having the opportunity to meet most of you over the past couple of years, too! I know I will truly miss hearing all of those crazy "work" related stories...(oh, wait! He wasn't supposed to share those?) :)
--------------------
Chato, too, appreciates all the hugs from today... May paths soon cross again!
----------
Now? On to an outstanding new chapter...!!!

Now I get it...

2011-10-09T19:15:00.004-05:00

Each May, when we head "down home" to Kentucky, Claudia always tells us we need more time to spend there. The Memorial day weekend is never quite enough. This weekend, Claudia and Dean made the trip NORTH with the exact same amount of time we make to Columbia each year -- two nights and barely one whole day smacked in the middle. Now I get it. I wanted more time with them.
------------------------
We made the best of it, followed the suggestions of all involved and headed out to play some mini golf in the gorgeous summer-like weather we are having here in Chicago this fine October.

The sun sure beat into us, as we rounded out 36 (yes, thirty-six) holes.
-------------------
We took advice from the masters, putt putted our way around, and...

...and a few of the lucky ones scored a hole-in-one......or won some major tickets while playing games!!Woo hoo! I LOVE Deal or No Deal!

-------------------------
Back at Mom and Dad's house, we had a sweet little house warming party with Aunt Ruth...

...and got to meet Alaina Grace!!

...who is absolutely precious!!

And, of course before you know it...the weekend wraps itself into a great big memory...

...and sends my family back home to KY...

Thanks for the visit, guys.
We miss you already.

boys of fall

2011-10-02T19:59:00.005-05:00

I've never been a huge football fan. Sometime this month, about twenty-two years ago (not that I am dating myself) I would have been more than happy to have attended a Friday night football game at the high school just so I could sit next to Chato and talk right through the entire event. Couldn't tell you if we won or lost or even which team we were playing...

-------------------------
...all these years later (and the same man at my side) I can hear Kenny Chesney's song in my head as my son heads out to play flag football with his friends over at the park.

I want to tell Brandan to really listen to the coach's message at the beginning of the video. Time just goes by so fast...but I know he has to live it to look back and really respect it.
---------------------------
Back on the HOME front, we got to enjoy a great first meal in the brand new dining room at momma & papa's house today...
...and Aly decided that we MUST get the Halloween decor up...

...for goodness sake! It is October ALREADY!?!

solaced scrap

2011-09-25T20:14:00.004-05:00

The distinct pleasure was mine when Amy sent word that a scrap day was needed. She came over yesterday and pulled me out of my "back to school funk" and allowed me to gather steam once again. Oh, dear girl...i thank you for the nudge! While Amy was here I pulled of a variety of different scrappy realms......including a brand new cover for a newly began 2011 album.
(Some days before the school rush hit, but I never got the chance to upload/post, I also made a cover for the recently/almost completed 2010!)I got in a 12x12 layout of the beautiful day we spent in Michigan at the Dunes back in August...

...all using my September Studio Calico kit!
-------------------------
I've been secretly working on this, too. Just before summer came to an end, I wrapped my hands around all of my Instagram 4x4 pics that I got developed from the Postal pic App on my iPhone. For some reason I decided to pull out some 6x12 page protectors and construct my own album...

...and all of the Lime Twist papers were so divine; I am so glad I got this add-on during August from Studio Calico!
---------------------
So, I put together lots of crazy pages (some doubles stretching as long as 24x6!) using all of those cute 4x4 vintage pics...

Since scanning the length of these pages would have been like putting a jigsaw puzzle together, I did what any iphone addict would do: I took snaps of the pages and edited them with a Photoshop app, of course! The album looks much better in person though. I am loving it's size!
----------------
Back in the REAL world, our weekends fly right by us. We did stop in over at Momma & Papa's to see the BRAND new SIGN that they were awarded! Woo Hoo!

It is starting to look like home again over there. Most boxes are unpacked. New furniture was delivered. We are awaiting some family visits just for the occasion, too. Hmmmm...I'm thinking maybe we need a house warming party. Any excuse for FUN, of course!

when it gets personal

2011-09-18T20:00:00.006-05:00

Saturday marked Brandan's fifth 5k this season.

But this race set ambition to an all new high. Raising money for lung cancer research, Montrose Harbor hosted the 5k and 10k 2011 Lung Run, Brandan knew he could honor his grandmother's memory though she lost her fight with this disease in 2009. Aly, too, played a huge part, even though she did not run. The opportunity to design a kite in honor of Ma suited her love of creativity to a tee. We had a beautiful day for it all. Bright, sunny skies, with highs somewhere in the 60s made it perfect weather to be out along the lake.
We shared the event with Johonna, a colleague of mine, who knows the lung cancer battle all too well, having recently lost her dad.My little Prefontaine is always at the head of the pack.The Montrose Harbor was a great course, alongside the beach, only a mile or so away from my school.

Almost there...

Baby boy ran alongside 485 other runners and his results were phenomenal:

73 BRANDON PRADO           542 M 12   26:34  8:33

So proud.
I know I can't run a 8:33 mile!

--------------------------------------------

In the end, we got a swift wind and Ma's kite flew well into that blue sky. Aly and Brandan made sure to stock up on plenty of bananas, bagels, and other race fare enough to tuck under their arms and carry home just like Ma would have liked too! ;)

-----------------------
Today, the rain set in allowing us to travel back in time...

I dug through old boxes that Mom had stored since I was very little. I found an old make believe watch that came in a pair (one for me and one for my dolly) from Ben Franklin's back in the day. The poor elastic band now stretched out beyond repair tells a story of a day when I thought I knew how to stop time.

I found the remaining pieces of a tiny china tea set my babysitter's dear mother gave me...

...an old friend, monchichi...

...and OMG my favorite cassettes from the 80s! Thank goodness I had my dad's tape player nearby today so I could hear my old Jets album!! Oh my I loved THIS SONG!

My favorite, though, was my Toni Basil tape, given to me by my cousin Mikey when I was only six or seven years old. I listened to it so much back then that I think I wore it out. Today, it plays a bit rough, but I'll never get rid of it!

My cousin Claudia always had a pad of restaurant checks that she picked up from a stationary store in the old neighborhood. I would drive everyone MAD for hours asking them what they wanted to eat and taking imaginary orders!
---------------
And long before my scrapbooking heart could imagine....

......I would doodle myself silly for hours on end. I am THRILLED that I found my old set! It ALMOST has all of the original pieces too! Hmmmm? Maybe....coming to a layout near you!
----------------------
The house is rounding it's final finishing touches with the backsplash in place along the kitchen wall. We are only awaiting the balcony railing and the kitchen island to be installed and call this remodeling process a done deal!!It's certainly been a week.

of freedom and faith

2011-09-11T19:44:00.004-05:00

There were glorious blue skies on this peaceful day of remembrance, just like the ones that we enjoyed ten years ago. We've defined and redefined freedom and faith many times over the last few years. In fact, it is the only truth that Aly has ever known. I want to tell her that we once flew the skies without taking off our shoes at the gates, without "no-fly" zones, without tension of underground train rides with strangers who have different perceptions. I hope, one day, we can live again where nations travel carefree to take in and explore each other's wonders, so she can see it first hand and not have to imagine it. Thank goodness for hope and optimism.
------------------------------
On that same note...It took a bit of good time, but hope, optimism and a lot of patience finally got Mom and Dad back into their house today. Yes, there is still a dumpster on the side drive, but the countertops are in and the everything is functional. I bet they will be so glad to get back into their own bed tonight (after nearly nine weeks at my house!)
----------------------------
I'm in love with the colors in the kitchen, and can't wait to see the back splash up on the back wall.

Yes. There is still cardboard covering the floor until the rest of the railing and furniture moving is complete. We moved all the boxes from the garage back into the house for the unpacking process. (You would think they moved from one house to another....well, in a way they did!) It will still be awhile, but everything is truly coming together now.
----------------------------
The first week of school did exhaust me, but with all the moving, I did get the chance to enjoy this beautiful couple's company! It won't be long at all now before Sena and Fred's big day!! Thanks for having me at the shower guys!

...and thanks for letting me take THESE pictures of you both and making them a part of your invitations and guest book, too!! <3 <3 <3

But with all time spent this weekend, it is time to get this new week started and there is TONS to do....I'm going to need a bit more faith to survive it all!

first day love

2011-09-06T18:42:00.002-05:00

OMG!
My babies are not so little anymore!
I remember last year that I reminded all of my non-school aged Momma friends out there to put bricks on their babies. QUICK! I'm telling you now! DO IT!! LOOK AT LAST YEAR'S POST!! Do you see what one year does?!
OMG!
------------------------
Inches and stature.
Fifth and seventh.
No, I didn't stutter!

Child A...still has my favorite looking tomboy spirit -- no bows or braids here...
...while Child B here still has that glum "don't tie me down" look...
...but I think he wouldn't admit that he really enjoyed his day today the way he came home explaining it all!

Another year has come so fast. It was chilly; only in the 60s today, but the sun was welcoming and we are ALL IN on this new school year!

between there and here

2011-09-05T16:40:00.008-05:00

I swear we've been up to plenty. All document-able, of course.
----------------------------
We celebrated Momma's birthday...

at Uncle Julio's in Lombard, where the food was absolutely yummy.The weather was so comfortable and perfect. We ate outdoors under a bright red umbrella. BEAUTIFUL.
----------------
Brandan got a haircut. He went from fuzzball to fine in less than 20. I still can't get over how he walks over to the barbershop on his own...

I got a haircut, too. And this was the best I could do to take a selfie...

...at 9 o'clock at night when I had to be up at 5am the next morning. I'm not a fan of mid-week appointments AT ALL.
-------------------
Way back in the early summer, I pinned THIS funky recipe to my board. Boy was it fun to serve up to the kids...

I'm not quite sure Brandan knew how to eat his lunch!
-----------------------
The last full week of MY summer break, I headed back into the classroom to unpack my gypsy mess. I spent four to five hours M-W of the first week and T of the second before I had to officially return to school for meetings W-F this past week. Each day I took a kid or a Mom or a cousin to help me out. (THANK YOU Aly, Brandan, Mommy, and Jessica!!) It always starts out like a tornado...

The library area is my least favorite to pack and unpack each year.

But, I got it all put back together and am in LOVE with my desk area. The window looks out to the world just below. I love the old buildings down Broadway.

After a LONG online search for the perfect class mascot, my friend Jakki led me to find Owliver at the Pier 1 store!!...I feel in love with those big bird looking legs immediately, and convinced myself I needed another one. Owliver and Owlivia will meet my students tomorrow!!
-----------------------
My friend/colleague, Nichole taught me that 360 was available at the touch of my fingertips (i love iPhone!) so THIS is a panorama of my classroom when it was just about finished last week.
----------------------------------
Somewhere in all of it, we got the impromtu chance to hit a FIRE game.
...and there wasn't much more after that.
-------------------
We were hoping beyond hope that the HOT weather that we had during the week (suffocating both Chato and I in our NON AC environments) would let us head back to the beach to swim and splash, but no dice. Chato did get to hit the greens with some good friends he had not seen in a while, this morning...
...but, really, in the end...

...all we can do is dream of the days to come...
:(
Good bye sweet Summer. You treated us well.

how you know

2011-08-25T18:55:00.002-05:00

You know it is time that school is approaching and summer is winding down when the sunshine pictures dwindle and the water splashed faces are no longer smiling at my lens.

You know that the evening sun comes earlier and the bike rides are fewer in number when the temperature no longer requires an air conditioner and the breeze is bit sharper.

I know.

I haven't used the camera for one happy face all week long.

I'm going to change this over the course of the next few days. I can't give in to that ringing school bell just yet. Await me. Don't give up on me. I'll be back. SOON. I promise...

Sweet, sweet interlude

2011-08-21T17:52:00.003-05:00

I live for short, endearing side trips.
And this was one of those said trips, where the past entangles itself with the present, and the world gobbles it up like it will save us all from the worries of tomorrow. Oh, to wish.
-----------------
This was our first trip to the Third Sunday Market in Bloomington.

History and vintage as far as the eye could see, with a tad of craft and homemade goodness enveloped the Interstate Center for the day. There were metals and tools, glassware and silverware, old license plates and toys of a day gone by. There were windmills, oil cans, rocking chairs, and coins from around the world. Some were covered in dust, while there were radiant pieces shined to perfection. Acres of sifting might not be possible in the period of just one Sunday. We didn't try. We let our eyes catch glitter and golden treasure with just a bit of luck, knowing that another trip would be needed to try again.

Chato came across these wall tins for the "decked out" garage.
--------------------
Sweet kettle corn was a warm, delightful scent. So much so that one had to stand in line to get some...

Aly made sure to get some.
YUM.
---------------
Three hours of skimming, surfing, and brushing off the dust of the dry fielded ground - later we left content to have soaked up the vintage contents and all its glory.

-----------------
I would not leave empty handed (and thus contented heart) on this trip. In fact, I purchased a bag of antique clothespins for $2.00 and a solid wood (carved from end to end) rolling pin just like grandma's for $8.00 knowing that dough and cookies will taste all the better from a seasoned pin!

But, my true treasure of the day...

...was this cool piece!
I spotted it within the first ten minutes of arrival. A price tag of $125 marked down to $100 on it's uppermost knob. The seller said she would give it to me for $85!! I'd been dreaming of a veggie bin for a long time. I knew it was a bit early to be jumping into purchases, and Chato told me that if I returned before leaving and it was still there...it would be meant to be mine. It was THERE, but somewhere over the course of the three hour trek we took on, the sellers lowered the price tag to $75! As I approached it again, she said "we took ten dollars off the price," which was easy to see - so as "YES!" and Chato took out the money, the seller said "$65, please." WOW! I looked it over from top to bottom, opened each hinged bin and just as I stood back, the seller said "Let me get my dolly to take it to your car!" Oh, sweet deal and sweet service and sweet peace of mind to shop where heart is involved!
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We ended our day with a drive back up to Wilmington and a stop at Hayden's Crossing for lunch. Yes. We were surrounded by antique stores. And YES. Brandan made us go in those too.
LOVE these Sundays.

rolling days...

2011-08-18T09:57:00.006-05:00

...going right by us.
---------------
After nearly (or literally) passing out after a day spent purchasing school supplies for the impending date, we realized that mid-august is NO fun. Hours seem to slip by more rapidly for whatever reason. The whole FREEDOM vacation wraps itself into a ball and goes into hibernation.

As this week began, I got my head back in gear and headed downtown to a workshop. There's nothing better than watching the hustle of the city at 7am. I had the opportunity to walk over from the train station with a DD bagel and coffee, sit next to Marilyn, watch the morning news on the plaza LIVE, and eat breakfast.NBC Towers...

...was my back drop.
----------------
Since we were already downtown for the workshop, we went out for dinner for Tricy's birthday...

At Grand Lux Cafe, the food is good, the desserts are divine! I've never taste such goodness/flavors at one time!! ...a nice evening!
----------------
A few more tricks in our bag, a few more things to check off before I commit to ringing in the new school year. But hanging with my girls? A BIG PLUS!

There are Elvi(s) everywhere!

2011-08-12T10:19:00.005-05:00

One of my favorite Chicago 5k races to attend is the Elvis is Alive 5k. Our very first one was waaaay back in 2003 when Chato was training for the marathon. It wasn't as exuberant waaaaay back then. Today, the hoop-la and festivities were hilarious. We were surrounded by look-a-likes and wanna-be Elvi. And every one of them wanted their pictures taken...

The guy in the left of this shot cracked me up. He applied scotch tape to his sideburns to hold them in place. Unfortunately, the heat led to sweat and flapping facial hair is SO funny to see. Ha hahaahaaha!
----------------------------
We met up with our good buddy, Josh, who is also in training for some BIG runs. He's off to the half-marathon in September and we are SO proud of him!

So, as we headed out for the race this evening, I posted a picture of MY Elvis on Facebook. I asked the question "Who can guess where we are going?" and BOY did I get some funny responses...

I was cracking up the WHOLE time as people continued to guess!

--------------
It was So much fun to be a part of this race, everyone has such COOL spirit! Makes me wanna take a trip to Graceland...

Once the race started and the Elvi set off to run their 3.1 miles......the sun shone down on my boy...

...it was a perfect night for it!

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I LOVE this:

They were SO in sync with one another! LOOK at those legs!!

Tired to say the least, but another good run into the books!!B did receive a cool baby blue tee that his sister aptly lifted......SO much fun.We LOVE summer.

Grandma's biscuits

2011-08-11T14:30:00.003-05:00

For only $1, I purchased a distant memory.
I can close my eyes now and remember laying curled up in an old quilt. The sizzle of Papa's sausage in a skillet and the warm toasted scent of Grandma's biscuits would rise up the stairs and tell me to get out of bed. Most mornings I wouldn't be as lazy and I could get downstairs early enough to watch grandma make the biscuits. Flour all over the cutting board, rolling pin stretched out alongside, and the sight of grandma's hands twisting that old tin cutter back and forth across the dough, layering them across the high sided baking pan.

It took me all of 2.3 seconds to decide to buy that cutter yesterday. It took me that much longer to convince Momma to show me how to make grandma's biscuits...

YUM.
There's really no secret recipe.
But there was something about grandma's hands making them that made all the difference. Some people prefer the buttermilk recipe, but I didn't go that route. And if that's the case for you- just omit the baking soda if you do.

Antiquing

2011-08-11T11:08:00.006-05:00

It SO wasn't my idea.
I was SO in agreement, though.
Vintage girl has undeniably raised a vintage son.
-------------------
Brandan requested a trip over to LaGrange for the sole purpose of stopping at the antique stores. Each time we are there it is for some reason or another, but never one to take the time to stroll into the past and discover it's wares.

Yesterday, at his request, we did so.

Boy, we have been missing out! La Grange is only a couple miles away from us and have some of the best antique stores we have ever been to. We LOVED it...

...but I will say that it breaks my heart each and every time I see discarded pictures in a box with a price tag on them. How horrible a fate! A lost family, a picturesque homeplace, tin-type photos with no loving family to cherish them or marvel in their ancestors' faces. I know that the antique malls are full of family treasures of years gone by, but pictures are on a WAY TOO PERSONAL level and cannot have a price tag!! If I thought I could riffle through them and uncover their true owners I would have bought them on the spot!! Unfortunatley - for the same reason they found home in this box - most of the photos had no labels, no names to assist in identifying them. :( Hence my broken heart.

There were acres of goodies here. It wasn't possible to sift through it all (which will require a return trip) just to see all the pieces of historic americana.

Yes. I see that adorable little accordion camera stretched out on that beautiful old television model. I did not bring him home with me. His price tag was a bit too large for my already extensive collection. Sorry, little guy!
--------------
I found tons of things that reminded me of my grandparents, even some pieces that my Mom still owns today. I have old political buttons and memorabilia that could have some fancy price tags - but not on my watch!
--------------
I did come home with some close-to-my-heart trinkets...

I found an old iron Eiffel for Aly, a set of BINGO cards for scrap, and an endearing replica of my grandmother's biscuit cutter...Sweet.
Look for me to use that REALLY SOON.
There was an old glass stein that reminded my of one I used to drink out of at my Grandma's, and it brought me to tears to see it. I may have to go back and get it.
-------------
We did hit another local farmer's market...
...but (this makes five) we haven't been too successful in finding excellent produce. Brandan did find some sweet honey sticks to invest in; flavors like sour strawberry honey, mango and watermelon, lime, ginger, etc...

Another sweet summer day.

Zoo, zoo, zoo...

2011-08-09T13:50:00.006-05:00

We took advantage of the KIDS "FREE" day at Brookfield Monday. And we followed these wild animals all over the place...

With nine kids (3-13 yrs) we were able to hit the Dolphin Show, Stingray Bay, and ride the Safari tram throughout the park...

Andy, Cristian, & Brandan loved, loved, loved the stingrays...

With just a bit of time to cool off (and then the rain showers set in) we headed home after an eight hour looooong day. Boy, am I pooped. The kids? They are always ready for the next thing...UGH!What? You didn't see enough WILD animal pictures? You'll have to see FB for them all - make exhaustion prohibits me from posting them all!!

lazy summer nights

2011-08-07T12:21:00.002-05:00

We've been pretty kicked back lately. A stroll down the street to a local italian ice joint, a RedBox movie or two, and a backyard bonfire are what makes up this passed week.The kids (B + A and B's BFF Bryan) had been begging to make s'mores...

...and YUM. A time honored tradition.

oh, sweet sand...

2011-08-02T13:50:00.006-05:00

...we have missed you so.When Margie said, Let's GO to the beach! I was sold. She packed up her family......and Nichole packed up hers...and we played in the sand and surf from late morning until the sunset that evening. The Warren Dunes in Sawyer, Michigan offered us the inviting shoreline of our beautiful lake. No hustle and bustle of the downtown venues. Wide open stretches of endless waves to play with were in store!

This was our home away from home yesterday...

Not a neighbor in sight while the men held down the fort!
---------------------
We, from time to time, kept seeing a passerby cross our path full of caked on clay. Our curiosity couldn't keep us away, as we followed the trail to a tributary lined in a gray muddy silt...

What a blast to PLAY in the MUD!Our day was nearly ten hours long. We had the MUSCLE pack it in for us...

...but Margie suggested one last romp: up the dune we went!

tiny, tiny girls...Bianca and Aly led the way behind Brandan.

I've never felt so weak in the knees after trekking THIS, but we made it to the TOP!
-------------------
What a FABULOUS day spent. The kids are ready to go back in a heart beat!

...and the ADULTS are, too!

A HUGE hug to these guys for introducing us to this new playground!The sunset capped it off just right.
Glorious!

sweet saturdays

2011-07-31T11:56:00.002-05:00

When there is nothing better in the world to do, you dig into the corners and find something interesting to play with...Brandan and his buddy found my spare bag of mardi gras beads that Tammy gifted me with for my classroom. (I was able to lug most of them to school already; this one must have gotten left behind in the garage!) Anywho...they had fun piling them all on for a while.

Chato spent the afternoon cutting up his 25.5 lb watermelon.

He has got this down to a science.
I think I cut up a watermelon a million different ways - and never thing twice about how i did it the time before. Chato always cuts it the SAME EXACT WAY each time he does it. Whack off an inch thick slice, ring out the center, and cut up the insides into triangular pieces. He's so OCD!

bailando con mariposas...

2011-07-30T11:43:00.007-05:00

A couple of weeks back, one of my favorite comadres decided to put together a book club, and I jumped at the chance to get back into reading again. I am so glad I did! Patty has knack for organizing (yes, she's a teacher too!) chapters and set our goals for us to read Dancing with Butterflies. I ordered my book through Amazon and stalked the mailman for a week. I received the book two days before the first four paced chapters were due!! We maintained a group/chat on Facebook to discuss what we were reading character by character or problem to problem. I hit that fourth chapter mark just in time, but didn't hesitate to read right through to the end before chapter 5,6,& 7 were due the following Friday.

Needless to say, Reyna Grande's story left me wanting to follow the characters more and more. (I love a book that has that kind of lasting impression!) I quickly picked up her other book (her first published piece) Across a Hundred Mountains. I finished it in a 48 hour period flat. Loved it even more!! Now I await her memoir.

So, last evening Las Comadres met up at Patty's house, and the conversations flowed; envisioning the characters and their struggles...

Patty, thank you for bringing us all together for this wonderful evening! (And thanks to Yesica for helping me the photography!)We will be back in September with a new book read!

messy, but magical

2011-07-29T08:35:00.008-05:00

I can't remember the last time I updated all the stuff about the construction. It's been about three and a half weeks with Mom and Dad here at OUR house. THEIR house has come along way. Angelo has certainly worked some miracles from start to finish. A few weeks ago preparations were made to refinish the hidden hardwood and add on to the flooring throughout the house.

Today, the finished flooring stretches from end to end...

What was once a mess, with furniture being pushed from one end of the room to another, has become spacious.Where the carpet ends above is where my old bedroom and my parents room became one large room...
The old office area was extended (with the removal of an old closet and replaced flooring)......and the floor finished nicely to add that all over shine.About a month ago, the kitchen/sunroom area seemed small......and the dining room floor was a mess,...but today, with fresh paint and continuous hardwood......it looks enormous to me!
----------------------
I have yet to get back and take pictures of all the new colors on the walls, but I do believe the plum in the bathroom is one of my favorites......but I love the colors throughout.
---------------------
Now, where did all of that crazy furniture go?

Well, that's a project for another day.

MOA mini

2011-07-27T11:17:00.006-05:00

Our Mall of America trip is finally recorded!
I constructed a small homemade/hand stitched book a few weeks back...

...and stuffed it full of everything we could collect for the two days we were there!

----------------
Since it was Aly's birthday weekend, I dedicated the opening page to her.Here's a close up of the stitching of the re-purposed pages I saved from my Mexico notebook last summer. There are about ten pages stitched and attached to a ribbon bound tagboard cover.I tried to document the cute and important things, like this one where Aly made her first purchase (with birthday money). She chose these crazy, square earrings with little Eiffel Towers on them. I thought they were funny because they looked like capital letter A's! Later she purchased an outfit to wear for her actual BIRTHday that matched them to a tee...by the end of her birthday extravaganza (with all the rollercoaster riding and such), she lost one. I kept the sole survivor with the intention of using it on THIS page. Can't find where I put it to save myself!Whether it was swimming at the Waterpark or shopping in the mall, we had a blast.

Aly's favorite, by far, was the sushi...

...whereas Brandan prefered the rides at Nick's theme park...

...but I REALLY enjoyed the aquarium! I rigged this page to hold the photo we got at Sea Life......so you could see the open and closed versions!

Sweet treats...

...and mini golf made our trip complete!

Now, if I could figure out away to close the book on it...all would be just right!!

------------------------------------------

I finally came across the original story of what my cousin Bev was trying to teach me back in February

...and I wanted to share it here...

HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR DASH?

I read of a woman who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
She referred to the dates on his tombstone
From the beginning...to the end.

She noted that first came his date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears, (1922-2002)
But she said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That he spent alive on earth...
And now only those who loved him
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars...the house...the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard...
Are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile...

Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy’s being read
With your life’s actions to rehash...

Would you be proud of the things they say
About how your spent your dash?

-Author: Unknown

be still my vintage heart...

2011-07-27T10:07:00.003-05:00

Maybe it was all those long afternoons on the farm, sitting aside my grandpa and his photo albums. Maybe it's the desire to time travel back and be a fly on the wall of my ancestor's lives. Maybe.

I have always adored the rustic old frames that hung on my grandfather's walls. I asked time and time again (even though I knew it by heart) who each of the people were and how they were my kin. I finally got it in my head to put together a frame to mimic the originals...

(excuse my reflection)
With un-uniformed photo sizes from the early 1900's it would have been a nightmare to recreate the photos in size, so I did the best I could...

...and kind of wishing I didn't use the white matting, but the ancestral faces will make me smile each time I see them, no doubt.

Wednesday words: the world

2011-07-27T08:56:00.003-05:00

I've always had grandiose ideas.
I guess if one were to make assumptions they would say I am crazy for my adventures and endeavors. In my mind, you must always try things once. And if you don't, then the expression ignorance is bliss applies. My philosophy? I intend to BRING IT, not just talk about it or criticize it. And if I can add some color to it - then I am set!
---------------------
And with four more days, July will be gone.
A new school year is fast approaching (or so says the advertisements with cheap supplies for sale). It won't be long before the early mornings and short evenings set in. I am looking forward to some backyard cookouts and campfire s'mores before this summer ends. Who's with me?

...to go along...

2011-07-26T08:56:00.004-05:00

A sweet friend recently recommended that summertime is NOT the time for to do lists. I had to take a deep breath, and whole-heartedly agree with her. And for as much as I agree with her, I also think that my brain is wired in such a way that I need to organize all the FUN things I just MUST fit in. Summertime flies by so fast, you see.

So, in an effort to abide by the no list rule, I am going to fall off the "Tuesday TO DO list" wagon, but make mental notes and check marks where necessary!! :) Between you and me, YOU will know how happy I am each time I post the FUN things here on my blog!!

Speaking of FUN things... I set my alarm clock for sometime before 4am yesterday morning. With an idea in my head (check!) and friends to support me, Aly and I hopped on the Orange line and set out for the Bean in hopes to catch the sun rise up on it's reflective surface...

...but the sky and it's clouds had other plans, as the fog settled in and hid the sun from us! Nichole, Margie, and Lupita were perfect camera mates - and we took advantage of the not a soul around atmosphere anyway.

We hiked down Michigan avenue only to be greeted by Marilyn's wind blown skirt...

...this time taking advantage of our crowdless city (It was probably 6am or so at this point!)

While we dodged hazy skies at first, we were not deterred in our efforts to have fun.

We really lucked out with good humor. Four crazy camera-wielding mommas and their drag along chicks did accomplish some distance without much of a whine or whimper!

With a sweet treat from Sugar Bliss, we wrapped up our morning - we were going on seven hours or so at this POINT - and headed home with ideas of another photowalk day to come.

So, thankful to this little girl who tagged along with me on this adventure...

...of 400+ pictures! I sifted through and pulled out a quarter of them. You can see them on my Facebook album if you are interested in paging through them all!

flea hopping

2011-07-24T11:53:00.004-05:00

Yesterday.

We hit our second flea in a month.
Can't explain why I love the trip.
Maybe it is the bartering. Maybe it is the open air market. Maybe it is the expectation of the unexpected....

...like the kid in the fedora hat...
or the girl sifting through hundreds of old comics...

There's nothing like a churro at the flea.
good times. good times.We are making plans to do THIS ONE in AUGUST, and maybe a another side trip back to Wilmington's antique section like we did last year.

Wednesday Words...

2011-07-20T13:41:00.003-05:00

My Mom might kick my butt for this one, but......and with that said, our home computer is back up and running. Yay! This means I can get back to work and put my Week in the Life pages together!
----------------------
I am using AE's templates and I adore the change this year.

This will be the cover page.
I will give some sneaks to the other pages soon, but think lots and lots of numbers (dates, times, etc.) with journaling. I love it!
--------------
Words. Words. and more words....

Tuesday: To do list #4

2011-07-19T11:59:00.007-05:00

ya know...I can feel time starting to get away from me. The first couple of weeks I could say I felt accomplished; checking things off and sitting back in satisfaction. I can still say I am getting things done, and I am satisfied with their completion...but I am feeling time is running out ALREADY!!

So let's take a look at last week's list...
July 13-19

Submit digital copy of WITL to be printed over at my favorite LARGE print site.

NOPE. Our desktop is going through a major hissy fit. We are reformatting it and it is taking forever to get it back online and usable. ALL WITL stuff is completed on that computer. (This is mainly because I favor my old version of Photoshop that is on CD and the laptop doesn't have a CD drive!!) ugh.

Make a mini (handmade) album of MOA

I am! I am half way through it. When I am finished I will upload it.

Aly's sundress

OMG! Okay. This is finally DONE...after much strife and re-do's between my Mom and I, Aly has a simple (yeah, right) sweet sundress made out of her own chosen material!...I will always sew cute little home decor items, but I may think twice about attempting wearable clothing for me or my family members ever again!!I just pray this little stinker who haphazardly let me snap her picture wears this sundress out, and passes it on to her own daughter some day. It was that much of a pain - people better get some use out of it!!

Okay, back to the list...

get some Italian ice from Mario's

Check. Last Friday, we hit Taylor Street and yum, yum, yum! Brandan and my Dad snuck into the Italian Sports Hall of Fame Museum, too. We did walk all the way down Taylor Street - what a HUGE difference since we used to go to school at UIC. There used to be a point (around Racine) that you did not cross due to the projects that were falling apart. The Muhammad Ali homes are no longer present, with the exception of one lone structure. It gives it such a different vista.

see the new Monroe sculpture downtown

Half of a Check. We did head down to Michigan Avenue. We did get this close to the newest art piece in Chicago. But being the FIRST day it was officially open to the public there was NO getting closer. May have to attempt this again soon. Another day.

log more bike miles

Check. Even last night's heat didn't keep me away. Another 5.5miles around the airport and I am getting eager to try twice around (I'll wait until the heat wave passes, though!)

scrap more pages

No. I will try to get back to this. Soon. I am dying to.

Choose fabric for Aly's quilt (last step in completing her bedroom)

Nope. Gotta head to JoAnn's with that 50% coupon I have in my back pocket.

Find a new/good crock pot recipe or two

This afternoon this is on my list. Anyone know any good sites that they prefer?

And I suppose I need another to do list:
Week of July 20-26

Antique picture frame for Mom
Get BLURB up and running for blog book
WITL pages to printer
Completed MOA mini book
Update Parents' house construction (They have been living with us for two weeks already!)
Go on a date with my husband
Find some BFF time

With the heat here in Chicago, I can handle these air-conditioned projects!

Friday frenzy: 5k style

2011-07-15T08:39:00.002-05:00

OMG! I love THIS CITY! It always has SO much going on. Brandan prepared to run his 3rd 5k yesterday evening. The Run 4 the kids 5k was held to the east of Soldier Field.

Baby boy ran so fast his feet barely touched the ground!

He placed 6th in his age group!

And what may have looked like TIRED immediately after the race...

...was replaced by delight when he found out all the food he had earned as reward!

Connie's pizza, applesauce, bananas, apple juice...Well worth the worry and wait!

Thursday totals

2011-07-14T08:58:00.003-05:00

I've got some totals for you.
Five to ten barbeque ribs per kid.

Over the weekend, we pigged out while in Lansing. These crazy cousins ate themselves silly. Can't you see the BBQ sauce all over those faces?

That's an appetite!
----------
I've got b-ball totals too!

Brandan has joined a summer basketball street team. The boys in the neighborhood expressed their desire to play at the park district and they took time to choose their own teams. Last night, they went into double overtime, but eventually losing 21-22. The halves are only 11 minutes with 2 minute overtimes. The perfect summer outlet.

Now, the way Thursday totals started was a $$ topic.
Hmmm...Two weeks ago we invested $35 in my cousin Ronald's old bicycle. He must have rarely used it before his passing; it is in mint condition and perfect for Chato to trek with me around the airport! That same week my cousin Tim wonderfully donated his girls' old hoop to Brandan. Once we got it over here we had to rig it so that it would fit in the alley, next to the garage without impeding on the limited space back there (Gotta love the city experiences!) so we acquired Chuck's help for $15 to jigsaw the gate in such a way that the net would fit snuggly between the the fence and garage. There went my $$ for that week - but good use I suppose!

This past week, I accounted for the flea market finds. I lent B + A $10 each. On Monday evening, we went to Sports Authority where I came across great clearance on dry-fit shirts for bike riding! That counts as "improvement" right? So, $30 there. $$ gone for another week. I'm thinking that by the time I upload my WITL pages for printing - next week's $$ will disappear too. Oh, the life of re-purposing - it's still a pretty penny.

Wednesday words

2011-07-13T08:39:00.002-05:00

It's very simple to understand...

...and admitting it is the true battle!

I have come a long way on this. Graduating high school, college, graduate school x2 could not help me in this endeavor. True success and/or failure comes from the experiences and little things in life. They cannot be found alone in big titles and culminating events. Everyone has to admit mistakes, for we cannot grow, nor learn without them. I am proud of my failures - they put me on the track I am on today - where you can find me very content. Married too young? Nope. Thirteen years this October has us in a sweet spot of life. Too many bills? Maybe. But life can be lived simply, re-purposed, and fulfilled as long as agreements and compromises are had. An answer for everything? Definitely not. There are too many years to come, if ever, that anyone can say they know it all, lived it all, and experienced it all. Don't ever let anyone tell you they have the right answer - they may have the right OPINION - for them, but the spice in life is gathering the data, the good stuff, and forming your own rights and wrongs. And herein lies just how failures help us to live life; it's how you use what you have gathered to live life.

And on THAT note, I failed to put up my Tuesday to do list.

Last week's list said:
July 6-12, 2011

Hem Aly's curtains
Start Aly's sundress
Get some more layouts finished (just got a new shipment of pictures!)
Log in some more bike miles
START on my Blurb BLOG book!!

I did hem Aly's curtains with my Mom's help. I even took the slack and added two more panels to give the windows a fuller look. I'll have to take a picture of it.

I didn't start Aly's sundress. I read through the pattern, but haven't began to cut into it yet. Maybe today.

I did make a couple of layouts, but not using the brand new pictures I received. I've had these pics for quite sometime and they were just waiting for this idea...
I did log some more bike miles. Last night's 5.5 trek was so nice with a cool breeze and sun at our backs. You'll have to believe me when I say there are some very peaceful spots in and around the airport, where the traffic and noise pause for a moment and urban sprawl ceases to swallow everything in it's path.

I didn't start my BLURB blog book. But I did download and sketch out the plan for my WITL album. I walked Chato through it last night and he gave me a thumbs up. My green light is set on MOTIVATE. I want to have this wrapped up by the end of the month!

Success?
Don't have to have it to be happy, but I've learned short term projects are my forte lately. My old age is not liking long, drawn out endeavors. Guessing I'll need to look for a happy medium when I head back to school... :)

New LIST?
of course.

July 13-19

Submit digital copy of WITL to be printed over at my favorite LARGE print site.
Make a mini (handmade) album of MOA
Aly's sundress
get some Italian ice from Mario's
see the new Monroe sculpture downtown
log more bike miles
scrap more pages
choose fabric for Aly's quilt (last step in completing her bedroom)
Find a new/good crock pot recipe or two

Doable? Sure.

Monday: Make & Take

2011-07-11T11:44:00.003-05:00

I did not get much accomplished in my scrap room this week. I did get lots of chores done, though. I guess one can never have a good share of BOTH. I did get lots of pictures edited and sent off to be printed. One of my favorite things about pictures is coming across the ones that offer TONS of white space to one side or the other...

...this is a favorite.
TAKE the time to try this! When snapping pictures, make the focal point off to one side or the other. It MAKES the picture take on such an interesting perspective and adds to the story!
-------------------
So, I wanted to report back on some of the "finds" from the flea yesterday...Can you believe this chick?
She is so funny.
The last time we were at the flea market in Alsip, Aly had five dollars in her pocket and made sure to buy a ton of unique little items. She did the same thing yesterday. A headband here, a zippered change purse there, and some WHOPPING earrings to boot - were a few of her acquisitions!

The boys, on the other hand, were JUST as funny. Chato found a white belt he wanted for golfing. I half-heartedly found a seriously amusing belt buckle that I suggested...dang if he took me for REAL...

He and B both picked up the gaudiest looking buckles ever. Now, let me tell you that Chato's offers a bottle opener on it! Can you imagine?! Oh, to have a crazy conversation piece! He showed it off everywhere he went yesterday!

Plum goofy.

a trip to the flea...

2011-07-10T13:46:00.004-05:00

It has been a very long time since I had walked the stalls of Montana Charlie's...

...it is even possible that the last time I was here, I was Aly's age. My Dad's cousin, Mildred and her husband Ralph would come for a visit each year, and there would not be any doubt that a trip would be made to Romeoville and Montana Charlie's flea market.

It has changed a bit, over the years, of course.

...but the kids loved it. They both had $12 in their pocket and a plethora of items to peruse...

Even the big kids enjoy the flea.

TOTALS and tallys

2011-07-08T08:35:00.004-05:00

Between the holiday and WITL, my days are sincerely sideways. But we survived both. Yesterday marked the last day of the Week in the Life project. Oddly enough, it was much different this year because I've gotten so used to using my camera for the un-holiday version of life that it wasn't an imposition at all! My family doesn't think twice about the camera (as much) being in their face for odd times and moments. Gotta LOVE LIFE DOCUMENTED.

So, without further ado...yesterday's photo log: I found this Emerson quote on (you guessed it; Pinterest) yesterday. I felt like it wraps up WITL in a nice package. There is no magic time machine to change anything, therefore FAITH will guide us through. And with today being a NEW day, with new ADVENTURES; off we go!!

2011 WITL: day six (and some Wednesday Words)

2011-07-07T08:46:00.003-05:00

We were SO normal yesterday that I didn't do too good of a job keeping track of pictures for WITL yesterday. I promise to do better today.
I've been loving my WORDS board over at Pinterest. There is so much inspiration over there that each week it is so hard to choose just one. But I narrowed it down to this one...

I think about it alot.
Maybe it is because I have picked up bike riding again after so many years. Maybe it is because my faith in what is to come has reached a comfort point. Maybe because I believe more people should UNDERSTAND what balance truly means.

We all do our jobs. We all have likes and dislikes. We can plan and organize all we want, but balance will set up straight everytime.

Without a doubt.

2011 WITL: day five (+ a new TO DO LIST)

2011-07-06T09:10:00.005-05:00

Mundane life after a HUGE holiday results in less active pictures.

Case in point.
We got Brandan out the door for school, and Aly & I awaited Momma and Papa's arrival from their trip away (TN/KY). This was a BIG deal because they would be moving in with us today. With house construction splattered across the new and old sections of the home - livable space is no longer an option. We are glad to have them for the summer and look forward to the completion of this crazy long project!

So, let's see where we were this time a week ago:

WEEK #2: June 28-July 5th

Finish Aly's chair. CHECK!

Scrap 10 pages. ALMOST --I think I fit in 9 if I count the cover of the WITL album!

Make these festive pretzels. We intended too, but also came across these festive strawberries and made them first. So, when we started to make the pretzels we realized we had used all of the white chocolate on the strawberries and there went THAT idea.

Make this wreath. CHECK! (See yesterday's Make and take idea!)

Trash vertical blinds and hem new curtains for Aly's room.

The vertical blinds are TRASHED. Still need to hem the curtains. Might do that this evening.

Take 3+ bike rides. CHECK! Sure did. I miscalculated the mileage (per Chato) to Midway. We are approximately 3/4 of a mile from the airport. The distance around the airport is 4 miles. Therefore, that puts me in at 5.5 miles each bike trip and I got in three evening rides this past week (holiday interferred a bit) totaling me at 16.5 miles! Woo hoo!

GO TO the BEACH. NOPE. We decided that the heat + the holiday didn't make this a good idea. Chato has some vacation days coming up that we might use, instead of trying a weekend trip.

Hit up a Farmer's Market for some fresh goodies. Didn't do this either. Time got away with us and Aly & I didn't go early one morning like we had planned.

Start WITL on July 1st. CHECK!! Keeping in mind that this is earlier than Ali Edwards' WITL, I wanted to highlight the holiday and the things that are going on right NOW. We are two whole days away from completing it. Our journaling has suffered a bit with the post holiday fun, but we have collected lots of goodies and I can't wait to get it put together.

Two-thirds completed.
Not too bad (again)!

So... A new list?
July 6-12, 2011

Hem Aly's curtains
Start Aly's sundress
Get some more layouts finished (just got a new shipment of pictures!)
Log in some more bike miles
START on my Blurb BLOG book!!

Monday: Make & Take

2011-07-05T17:00:00.004-05:00

Two posts in one day?

I couldn't forgo the Make & Take idea just because a bit of WITL? Gotta keep it normal.
So, 'member (you 'member!) those cute little circle/heart paper flowers I made on some layouts last week? Well, I made up some liberty themed ones and found some chipboard stars...

...and whipped up this wreath for my front door. Very summer festive, no?

Guess I'll have to put a check mark next to that one on my to do list DUE tomorrow!!

2011 WITL: day four - Independence style

2011-07-05T09:59:00.004-05:00

What a blast!
Our fourth was great. We got to do a bit of everything: enjoy, rest, have fun, kick back...

I'd been dream of using Candice Stringham's idea for a long time. I finally got to do it yesterday! My little patriotic munchkins were all smiles...

We have pleanty to add to our WITL album, starting with Brandan's "Stars & Stripes" 5k in Tinley Park yesterday at 8am...

...and all the festivities in the late afternoon and evening......we were completely content with our holiday!!!

2011 WITL: day three

2011-07-04T10:21:00.003-05:00

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!While we are preparing to celebrate our Independence today, I thought I would jump in and post a few WITL pictures from DAY THREE...

It was hard to choose just a few!!

There are plenty of red, white and blue pictures headed our way today!!
I am SO glad I chose this week to document!!

2011 WITL: day two

2011-07-03T10:29:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was a good day. Hot weather, fun times. The WITL project is chugging along and we are on track for another nice day. Got some chores to do first, but we are definitely getting excited about the holiday tomorrow!!
Yay!!

2011 WITL: day one

2011-07-02T10:30:00.003-05:00

Week in the Life is underway here. July 1st we racked up quite a few
everyday events....

Day TWO already has us hopping!
Be back soon!!

Friday frenzy: Gearing up!!

2011-07-01T05:16:00.001-05:00

Here we GO (again) being crazy and documenting the insane part of life: the EVERYDAY.

Last year for my birthday, I begged and pleaded with my kids (Chato didn't mind - he knows me) to help me carry out Ali Edward's "Week in the Life" project. And they did. And they secretly enjoyed it. We had a SPRING version of the album last year (See HERE) and it was one way of looking at how school and work schedules flowed for us.
This year, I am looking forward to doing it in the SUMMER and highlight the way things are so different for us during this season. The timing with the holiday made patriotic themed paper very summer appropriate. But, the teacher in me had to set up and layout the necessary paperwork...

...for journaling, of course!

SO, today we will begin WITL: day one
YAY!
---------------------------------------
On another project note, Aly and I made our way through this one...

Our old closet doors in the basement have seen their better days. The kids have put stickers on them and they have fell off track splitting their seams, but we figured we could repair them and sand them down and give them one more chance at a happy existence.

Tah-dah...! Granted they were still wet from a third coat of chalkboard paint, but they look really great. I love the CONTRAST. The paint needs to set over a day or two before you can use it, and we need to get our hands on some pretty colored chalk...but in a few days I should have an updated picture!

Brandan has been in my scraproom lately.

He had to design a cover for one of his school notebooks. Lucky him. He knows right where everything is and didn't have to ask for assistance at all.

I've been in my scraproom too... :)
Isn't summer grand?

Thursday totals

2011-06-30T05:38:00.002-05:00

I promised Chato I would stick to a budget with all of my summer projects.With a $50 allowance, all of the projects that I take on this summer must fit within my budget. Last week, with all of the projects in Aly's room, I met that goal. I did go back and pick up four more needed knobs for her dresser on Saturday. I won't mention that I purchased a rod for her new curtains that cost $15 and her fabric & pattern for the sundress was another $15- because those projects are not finished yet! I can count that in next week's allotment, right? :)

This is going to be hard.

Another total I want to chart is mileage. With the investment of my new bike, Chato is supporting (more like encouraging me) each evening to get online and trek around the airport. The starting perimeter is approximately one mile on each of the four square sides surrounding Midway. We live about 1/2 mile from the airport. So, Monday and Wednesday evening's beautiful weather clocked me in at 4.5 miles each night and I can total 9 miles complete! Yay me! Not too bad for a beginner who hasn't ridden a bike for quite a few years! Yay me!
The evening sun and the shade of the airport walls is wonderful. I'll be doing it TWICE around before you know it --- but give me a week or two - Okay? :)

Word-filled Wednesday

2011-06-29T05:37:00.005-05:00

Between all of the room cleaning and crafty projects Aly and I have been involved in, I always forget to document the crazy stuff we see and play part in on the EVERYDAYS.

So, when I came across this on the boards over on Pinterest, I knew it was perfect to match this picture of the goofball above. I would probably add LAUGH without END. Ultimately, my love for quotes will be found here on Wednesdays. With the help of WORDS I find I am looking forward to documenting our EVERYDAY way of living.

Tuesday: To do list #2

2011-06-28T05:02:00.003-05:00

Let's see...

Last week wasn't quite a FULL week, because teachers didn't get out for summer until Tuesday afternoon, but nonetheless I did set out to make a dent in a BIG list of things I wanted to accomplish. Now, Martha Stewart - I am NOT! Certainly don't have the crew she has to go behind me and clean up all the little messes so I can quickly move on to the next idea or project! Having said that, let's take a look at last week's list:

~~Pick out sundress pattern for Aly to sew.~~

Check! We found this geometrical fabric that she adored......and this simple pattern to start with: See & Sew

~~Take Zumba class with Ceci.~~

This I did! Ceci took me with her to Get 'N' Shape off of 79th and State Rd for an intense, hour long Zumba class. I know it's been a while, but I definitely need to remember all my old merengue and salsa steps to get with this program!

Add 2nd coat of paint to side door & Aly's chair.

:( We didn't get around to this outside project because of all the rain. We are putting it back on this week's list. Someone nicely sat in the little chair during the week and busted out the wood in the back, so we will need to get some nails and a hammer before we go forward.

~~Overhaul Aly's bedroom (clean slate!!)~~

And boy did we!
This is the BEFORE mess...Can you see her hiding up there?
I think if my bedroom looked like this, I would HIDE too. She is such a piggy. During the school year it was easier to SHUT the door than to deal with her piles of toys, books and clothes. Well, NO MORE! We junked the toy box and all of the inconspicuous spots where she hides things that she doesn't want to pick up. We made three piles: one to toss, one to hopefully sell, and one to keep. On Wednesday, this was the result......with a new design (kid still hiding on floor), but it still needed a few things. I hate WIRES. Moving Aly's television required running a cable up and around doorways OR under the bed. I opted for the bed maneuver. Now I am in the market for a cute rug to conceal it.

We got the idea to reconstruct her door in to something girly, but practical too! I took and old frame and purchased some chalkboard paint...
...and we taped off a large section of the door...
...painted the frame a fun lime green color...
...and how awesome is this simple project?
She has since erased and changed the message several times! I am thinking I might search out some bright pastel chalk markers for her to use!
---------------
I couldn't let the lime green paint just sit in the can, so I got another idea in my head. This old solid maple dresser has been in my life since I was born. It has surely seen plenty of scratches, lost knobs and some added nail polish texture (that Aly thought would be cute when she was five!)
So I took it apart, covered the floor and walls, and sanded it down...
...gave it two to three good coats of that pretty BRIGHT semi gloss lime green color...
...and POOF! Brand new dresser for a new ROOM!
That was all of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Yeah, that's where I was when my blog wasn't being updated! Then came Saturday and a boy who wanted a fresh look in his room...
It definitely took us most of the morning to sift and sort through all of his belongings too, but his narrow length of a room doesn't allow much choice when moving furniture around. Brandan promptly sat down a drew a sketch of how he wanted it: OPEN space near the window to play Wii and move around! It's perfect space and works really well for him! And there went Saturday!

Attempt 3 bike rides.

Didn't do it.
I can give a hundred excuses.
The week was rainy W-F.
I will try again.
Promise.

~~DIY raspberry ice cubes from Pinterest.~~

Check! These look so yummy! I am going to add them to everything! Going to make some lemonade later to go with dinner and add these in!

~~Find three good recipes for dinner and add to grocery list.~~

A Chicken Alfredo Mancotti is one.
A Pepperoni Pizza Pasta is another.
This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is a must for all the rainy days we have been having!
I found one for a Pear Margarita that I had to add in there.

Not too bad!
I got a bit carried away, though...but I accomplished most of my list.

So, I guess I need a new one?

WEEK #2: June 28-July 5th
I might be in trouble because of the holiday weekend, but...

Finish Aly's chair
Scrap 10 pages
Make these festive pretzels
Make this wreath
Trash vertical blinds and hem new curtains for Aly's room.
Take 3+ bike rides
GO TO the BEACH
Hit up a Farmer's Market for some fresh goodies.
Start WITL on July 1st. (This is a bit earlier than Ali Edwards' WITL)

That sounds like enough!

Monday: Make & Take

2011-06-27T09:57:00.004-05:00

Yup.
I'm behind already and I'm not even a week into summer break. Where did Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and the weekend GO? I'll get it back together this week. I promise!
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I lifted this layout from the May/June Creating Keepsakes by Kathie Link. I thought it would be perfect to highlight my Papa's old RED truck.

I'm thinking that this "make and take" idea will surely get me going and back on track with the TON of pictures I have on my table! So, who is with me here? I am calling out all of my scrapbook friends for a scraplift party. I found this CUTE flower idea inside the pages of an old CTMH idea book:

I am obviously not done with page yet, but isn't that flower sweet? All it is made up of is six circle punched pieces of double sided patterned paper folded into thirds to form a precise little funneled point at one end. Who is up for it? Take this idea and make one! Show me what you come up with! I would love to transfer this idea to quilting -- anyone know of any CUTE double sided fabric?? :)
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I'm off to edit pictures and print them. I'll be back tomorrow to check off that TO DO LIST.

I feel quite accomplished, but more about THAT tomorrow.

Tuesday: To Do List

2011-06-21T18:02:00.002-05:00

So, I am a day late...and I'll make this short. I promised myself I was going to get back to making lists. There's no better way to keep myself accountable this summer! With only nine weeks before a new school year begins again, and tomorrow being the first day of "official" summer for a CPS teacher -- there is no time to spare (especially because new year planning always eats into some of that time...) if I want to cross things off!

I plan on attainable week by week goals. This is best filled with DIY projects and cute techniques that Aly and I wish to try with sewing, cooking, and crafting while B is in summer school in the mornings. To do lists for techniques, I suppose.

WEEK #1 (June 22-28)
Pick out sundress pattern for Aly to sew.
Take Zumba class with Ceci.
Add 2nd coat of paint to side door & Aly's chair.
Overhaul Aly's bedroom (clean slate!!)
Attempt 3 bike rides.
DIY raspberry ice cubes from Pinterest.
Find three good recipes for dinner and add to grocery list.

Hmmm....
A little much? Maybe.
Here's to it!

Monday: Make & Take

2011-06-20T18:48:00.005-05:00

With a visual nine week summer outline in hand, I've decided to follow suit of my friend Pam's effort to label the days of the week with specific themes that motivate me to blog more often. As long as it encourages me to get more accomplished and knock things off my "to do list", then i am all for it! I know I can do this for the summer AT LEAST! Well, I'm going to do my best and try. So, Mondays will be MAKE and TAKE days. In my mind it is defined as a way get crafty, all the while scraplifting or stitchstealing from my favorite artists as a means to push me out of my creative rut. (I haven't put glue to a picture since April!!) And yesterday morning I did JUST that! Pam's TODAY layout was just the inspiration that I needed. So, here you have it: make & take!!!

Another swing on making and taking was this one:
From an old scrapbook mag, I ripped out a TON of layouts I wanted to lift. The one above is my take, but I used the words that inspired me HERE on the Ormolu blog. And the quote under the picture came from a lead I followed on Pinterest HERE. I chose the quote because I do get a lot of strife about my camera poking into everyone's face and my silly story-telling demeanor, but I've come to conclusion that I don't need approval from junior high attitudes, nor opinionated stances to validate who I am or what I LOVE to do. (Yeah, I guess I was in a MOOD when I concocted this one!) And I've been wanting to get myself back into my pages lately! I am always behind the camera -- need to get back in front of it!!
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Another "take" I picked up over at Pinterest were these CUTE Dad's day notes that the kids filled out for Chato:
I refused to "help" them with any information they didn't know to see just what they would come up with! I haven't had the chance to really sit down and compare the info they added to the "real" answers, but the food one cracks me up! Aly said "sardines", while Brandan couldn't pick just one, labeling hamburgers, tacos, and menudo. They weren't far off, as gross as that sounds, but Chato replied with pozole as a favorite. Mmmm...I could go for some RIGHT NOW, too!
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Aside from all of the make and takes, lots of progress is being made at Mom & Dad's house! It's amazing to see the shape of things and how everything is aligned! LOOK:
From the top left you can see the lofted arch that protrudes into the new sunroom area. Just under the loft is where the new kitchen will be. Brandan is standing in the stairway heading down into the basement (leaving that unfinished for now). Chato and Mom are standing in the passage area between the stairway towards the loft and the new family room. Below them is a view of the loft upstairs looking outward toward the backyard. And below that is the space just underneath the loft looking backwards into what will be the kitchen. The bedrooms upstairs have HUGE closet spaces, as you can see in the left corner pic! Look family members - visiting quarters are almost ready for YOU! (Yes, there's always room at my inn!)
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Oh! And I am officially marking #9 off of my 36 list!! It's not the vintage cruiser my heart is eventually set on getting, but I love, love, love that Aly and I have plans to go for a ride every morning (weather permitting, of course!) this summer! We hit three miles on our very first trek out yesterday! YAY! I promise to get pics of us soon...as soon as I can get C or B away from whatever it is that they are doing to snap us!!
With one more professional development day at school left, summer is definitely shaping up around here! My heart is CONTENT!!

Of fathers, family & fun...

2011-06-19T12:13:00.005-05:00

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. ~Clarence Budington Kelland
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An most fitting set of words for this day, I believe.

We day tripped ourselves downtown yesterday.
The weather was perfect June style, summer in Chicago beautiful.

We hit up the Art Institute and took in some perspective...

All the Miro, Pollack, and Picasso one could desire was wrapped along the walls in the Modern wing. I still have some getting used to the new layout of the museum's structure, but we hopped and skipped through some abstract pieces.

Aly considered the one above as "anything you want it to be" - I couldn't have said it better myself.
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Since the day was sweet, we walked down to Millennium for a splash or two.

Taking time to dry off, watch the passer-bys, and contemplate what to do next...

...relaxation is key.

The "bean" was extra crowded. Maybe this week's Steinberg article in the Sun-Times was correct. We have fell in love with this odd shaped city artifact. Or maybe it's the only way we can all get into the picture without asking for help...

And it's here where I tell you that I love this city. It freaks me out at times; the fast pace, the unusual events, the fearful unknown...but it is one big urban outlet that I love to see the kids explore.

It was a perfect afternoon.

Aly would not let us leave downtown without stopping by Sugar Bliss first, as you can see.

She was right.
My margarita mini cupcake hit the spot.

backward and forward

2011-06-11T14:37:00.005-05:00

Finally! Some friendly faces... After weeks of unremitting weather, last weekend, we were able to pull out our summer froggies and old planters and bring this season into reality!!

Now, I made a plan to "be more resourceful" on my 36 list, but didn't expect everyone else to jump on my bandwagon - well, at least not right away. But Brandan, who is known to salvage items from the alley, found this pint-sized wooden chair. He dragged it into the backyard, and I discovered it the next day. It was a bit wobbly and worn, but sweet enough for a fresh coat of paint and a pot full of petunias, so....

...Aly picked out some brushes and I chose a color...

She went right to work! On Sunday she gave it a first coat, and has designs in mind for it. She wants to find a floral stencil to "spruce" it up a bit more!

I think it is adorable!
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On another note -- you would imagine that there was a crime spree at my house last weekend, too...
Late Saturday afternoon, a wild thunderstorm whipped through town bringing torrential downpours and hail. Our side door is usually protected in the gangway, but not this time. I had a dark red wreath hanging on the glass window. The storm murdered it! It's bright colored dye dripped all the way down the metal framing looking like someone had been slaughtered! (Either that or a kid threw a kool-aid filled water balloon!) :0)

Here's the culprit:
...pretty as can be, smiling in the sun, unaware of the HUGE mess it left on the door!
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But, all is well, I was able to plant and paint the day away, and it made feel like the end of school was finally in sight.
The temperatures soared here mid week. Nearly suffocated the teachers and kids in the classrooms (I was one crabby educator!), but we took time out to go check out the work underway at Mom's and Dad's. Yes, it has been tremendous --the wait time-- on this project, but yet, again...here is the culprit:
Not ever dreaming that they would be required to install a fully-functioning sprinkler system throughout the house (both new and older structures), this dude above ate up the entire winter - from fall through spring - to run pipes and hook up all the pieces and, ULTIMATELY pass inspection from the stoooopid village to get this construction site rolling again.
Drywall is going up this week. How wonderful it is to see WALLS!!
Something to look forward to seeing completed this summer HOPEFULLY!
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So, with all of this behind us, we are looking forward.
Brandan will be attending summer school classes, while Aly and I have made some initial in between plans. Quite excited to not have to share her mommy, she promptly sat down and made a list Thursday evening. She has certainly gotten crafty lately! She WANTS to paint. She WANTS to sew. She WANTS to cut paper!!! OMG. So beside myself that this little couch potato is eager to do this kind of stuff with me! She asked me what I wanted to do so she could write it down. I suggested the WITL update album and trips to the farmers' market. Love, love, love her haphazard spelling. Can you see her creative-ness oozing just from the design around her numbers? :)
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With three whole school days to finish, a one hour good-bye to this year's gang, and a couple of make up teacher institute snow days, this one is going into the books. Bring on SUMMER!

beyond beautiful

2011-05-30T18:09:00.008-05:00

We did it again.

It was absolutely wonderful to head back to the farm again.
Just like last year, we enjoyed beautiful blue skies and endless countryside.

I didn't even get a chance to get a starting picture of this boy. He headed straight for the gravel roads, no shoes at all. Just LOOK at those britches! He had on brand new shorts, and he will be lucky if they EVER come clean. But he didn't care. He was a boy running free on a farm, and to him (and in my mind) there is nothing better.

Dinner was served.

A meal meant to feed the masses. Alice Loy wouldn't have had it any other way.

All that was missing was the old deep freeze that she used to set the desserts on...

...because the endless table was filled with every flavor of sweetness you could imagine.

With the meal out of the way, the gator got a new driver this year...

Chato took the kids up to the upper places on the farm, dodging the huge mud puddles the recent rains have drowned the area in over the past couple of months.

And you have to remember, that on this day, EVERYONE is young at heart...

It was hard at times to battle the bright light of that glorious sun, so excuse the bleached out colors and believe me - everything was brilliant with color.
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The faces have grown a bit since last year...if you remember this guy:

I work quite diligently (and undercover) a few weeks back on these reunion BINGO cards...

...and what I had thought I made up for the great grandchildren to play with turned into a game for elders...

...they cracked me up wanting to play again and again. They would fuss and argue over who was which picture. Some would help others find the right spot. I used some old buttons for space markers and so glad that they got a kick out of it all!
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The kids were starting to feel the heat (It hit 92 degrees on Sunday, unlike the dismal 60s I heard were home in Chicago with it's rainy weather). It didn't take long to figure out where all the kids had ran off too...

...the creek was cool and comfortable...

...and even more reason to add some more mud to those already dirty britches...

Madison and Aly searched for minnows.

Andrew and Alex showed off what was caught.

Heaven on earth.
I could have stayed in the creek all day too.
But, of course, we needed to head out to the cemetery and gather for those for which we celebrate Memorial Day...

These loved ones may not have served in the war, nor fought for our country's freedom, but we honor them for the stories they built, the legacy constructed, and the love they maintained so that we can still gather today...

...and we know HOW to gather!
Great thanks to the Bluegrass State for letting us go "down home" once again.
And for lack of a better way to word it; just like I said last year: "We give gratitude to Darrell and Peggy for bringing us all back to the farm on this day, and allowing our children to know the wonderful world that my grandparents once gave to me and my cousins when we were small. There is nothing in the world grander than strolling the gravel roads and traveling alongside the creek beds as far as you are willing to venture. It was the best day ever..." AGAIN.

WE LOVE YOU!

this guy....

2011-05-24T20:07:00.002-05:00

...is my guy.

He always puts up with my crazy head. He followed me around while I shot Sena and Fred's photo shoot on Saturday. He kept up with the props and wardrobe changes. He drove us between points A, B, and C. He did get a bit over excited to pose next to the Playboy insignia at the corporate location (it just happened to be across the street from Fred's old apartment on east Erie).

And in the end, he always puts up with me and supports me in my goofy endeavors.
There's nothing more needed in life.
I've got my guy.
<3 love you, Chato!