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A week or so ago, Andy got two tickets to the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh from a vendor he works with. We decided to make our way up to the “airplane museum” with the boys today. It was pretty cool. I’m happy we didn’t spend money on admission, as we spent most of our time in the KidVenture area, and didn’t get to do much reading or looking at details of the exhibits, but we all enjoyed ourselves, and the boys thought all the airplanes were cool to look at. (Click on any picture to go to my Flickr page to see other pictures, including more pictures of Caden with airplanes because he insisted on having his picture taken with multiple planes.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
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We went over to the outlet mall after the museum, and as the boys waited in the car while I went into a couple of stores, Noah was messing around with his (disgustingly) loose tooth, and popped it out (finally!).
He’s now out 2 teeth!
 
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On a much sadder, crappier note, my uncle (my dad’s sister’s husband) passed away today. It was unexpectedly expected.
He had a hip replacement on Friday, February 6. On Tuesday the 10th, his discharge papers were filled out and plans had been made for him to move to a step-down unit for some more rehab before returning home with my aunt. As I understand it, as they ate lunch together, my uncle started coughing, then started choking, which eventually led to him into cardiac arrest. After 20-25 minutes of CPR, they were able to get his heart started again, but he was on a respirator in ICU since then. There were occasional bits of good news, but followed by bad news. He was breathing over the respirator at times, but it could just be a reflex. A couple of days ago, the doctors did an EEG on him and found very little response to any stimuli, including pain stimuli. They gave it a couple of days, then this morning they took him off the respirator to see what would happen. He died about 10 minutes later.
He leaves behind his wife, my aunt, three sons and their wives, and 9 grandchildren-4 boys and 5 girls. I have a pretty small family, and we spent most holidays together. He will be missed.
I’ve had kind of a crappy weekend.
There have been some highlights:
-Zumba class with Amy and her sisters (which, thankfully, included margaritas!)
-50-degree weather in February in southeast Wisconsin and a trip to the playground with the boys
-a family baby shower for Andy’s cousin’s new baby where we won one of the games and a B&N gift card
-drinks with my hubby, sister-in-law, brother-in-law and his girlfriend at a fun little martini bar where we were the youngest patrons by about 10 years with a Dean Martin look-alike performing
-a sunny day just asking for a walk outside
But it’s hard to remember those things when you’re exhausted (because you went out for drinks at a cute martini bar when you knew you had to get up for church this morning) and your “adorable” little boys are doing everything in their power to piss you off! It’s mostly a lack of listening, not following directions, and misbehaving in the exact same way day after day.
Add to that the stress of realizing you might have missed the chance to refinance to save some money or put it toward the other half of the windows that need to be replaced on your house, wondering where your 5-year-old will be going to kindergarten in the fall, not getting all of your scheduled hours at work due to low census, not eating very well, not having the energy to work out on a gorgeous day, and it sort of adds up to a bit of craposity.
But then I read a blog entry by Catheroo, my dear SIL. She’s been participating in a group called “Grace in Small Things” and her latest list included a link to this quote, and it opened my eyes a bit. Someone who commented on that quote posted the entire version, and here it is:
Do What You Can
A motivation by Ralph Marston, Jr.
Do what you can, when you can, where you are, with whatever you have available to you. Though you may not have enough time or resources right now to finish, you have some time available to get started.
Every book that was ever written, no matter how lengthy, was written one word at a time. Every race that was ever won was completed one step at a time. Great accomplishments come from stringing one effort on top of another.
With enough small efforts, anything can be achieved. Though you may not have the time or the resources to make a big impact, use what you do have to make a small difference. Do it often enough, with commitment and focus, and the big results will surely come.
Don’t waste the time you have by complaining that there’s not enough of it. Use it to do what you can. As quickly as time is used it is replaced, but if you don’t use what you have right now, you’ll never get the opportunity again.
Do what you can, every opportunity you get. You’ll soon find yourself getting exactly where you wish to go.
So I think things have been put into perspective a little more. Maybe the fact that my kids are in bed is helping too…
Remember a few weeks ago, when I wrote this post? Well I got the email today saying they’ve chosen my picture of the tree in the Walnut Room at Macy’s to be in the Schmap Chicago Guide!!! Needless to say, I’m pretty proud of myself! Yeah me!
Check it out!!!
Walnut Room,
http://www.schmap.com/chicago/restaurants_romantic/p=10738/i=10738_8.jpg
Today, the boys and I went sledding with Noah’s friend from preschool, Nathan, his sister Teagan, and their mom, Angie (the same family we went with to the Domes). We picked up the big boys from school, had lunch at McDonald’s, then headed to the sledding hill. It’s the biggest hill the boys have ever been on, and initially, Caden was a little nervous. But it ended up being a great hill, and we had a ton of fun! Here are the pictures to prove it…
 
 
 
 
 
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While Noah was at school, Caden and I came back home to hang out. We were in the kitchen working on making a lasagna for dinner, 
when I looked out the window and saw an animal in the yard. I initially thought it was a turkey (totally not) based on the tail which, at first glance, looked like feathers. I then realized it looked a little like a dog. Finally, I realized it was our neighborhood fox! Awesome! I saw it at night once, but never in the day. And today it was in my yard! It started walking through the yards, and then started rolling in the snow, sort of like my parents’ dog. It was really cool. I thought they wouldn’t be good to have around, but Angie said they take care of rabbits. You know, I haven’t seen rabbits around here very much. Thanks, Mr. Fox!
 
 
 
On my Facebook page, I was “tagged” to post 25 random things about me. At first it was a slightly daunting task. But once I got into it, it was sort of fun. Here’s the list:
1. I love, love, love, love, love my kids.
2. I don’t think I’m the greatest mom. I can get very frustrated, very quickly. My patience could use some work. I let them play by themselves a lot. But I’m always available to them, no matter what. And I love being a mom.
3. I’ve been to Europe three times, twice before I turned 12.
4. I’m desperate to get a tattoo, but can’t decide what design to get. I know I want it to honor my kids. Suggestions welcome!
5. My first car was a 1982 Honda Prelude that backfired and also had a sunroof that I had to crank closed.
6. I enjoy watching golf on TV, but not as much as I enjoy playing it.
7. I’m a control freak but live amid controlled clutter.
8. I sometimes wish I were more artsy. I have a ton of supplies to do a scrapbook of our family trip to Disney World two and a half years ago, but no desire/creativity to do it! And I’d love to paint, but again, no creativity. I used to think I had gotten a “gene” from my grandmother who was a wonderful artist. No such luck.
9. I love my family very much. I talk to my mom multiple times a day and she’s a great Nana to my kids. My dad is a great resource for computer issues. My brother is a total geek and proud of it, and extremely helpful with blog/photography stuff. My sister-in-law is a huge inspiration to me with her half-marathon running and her amazing photography and blogging.
10. I worry a lot about what my boys will encounter as they grow up. One of my biggest fears is bullying. Not just them being bullied, but the thought that they could be bullies! I know there’s a lot more out there that is worse, but bullying is a biggie to me right now.
11. I wish I had a reason to own an iPhone. Can’t justify it right now.
12. Andy and I met in third grade and always went to school together, all the way through college. The first time we lived in separate cities was while I was in grad school. He knows me better than I know myself, and I love that about him.
13. If I could live anywhere, I’d probably still choose Wisconsin. Crazy, I know, but I like having four seasons! But I’d spend more time where it’s warm during the winter months.
14. If I could vacation anywhere, I’d probably choose a Caribbean island, like St. Maarten or Turks and Caicos or something. Anywhere with sun, a beach, exotic food and drink, steel drums, and a relaxed way of life.
15. For a few weeks after Caden was born, I wasn’t sure if I liked his name. It took a while for it to grow on me.
16. When I was little, I “modeled” in a fashion show for the MACC Fund which included some Brewers, like Robin Yount and Paul Molitor.
17. If I hear the song “Dancing With Myself” by Billy Idol, I will seriously start dancing with myself if no one else is around.
18. I love taking pictures, and want to be better (maybe so I can make some money doing it!).
19. I really want to run a half-marathon, but don’t know if I’m disciplined enough to train for it, or strong enough to do it.
20. I hate birds. I don’t mind seeing them in the trees or hearing them sing (unless it’s early in the morning and they wake me up). But I can’t stand the idea of a bird for a pet and I don’t take my kids into the aviary at the zoo. My mom takes them in there! If I do go in there, I walk through as fast as possible without looking crazy and wait for them at the end.
21. I have a ginormous sweet tooth, and no real shut-off valve. I’m an impulse buyer (hence the two bags of Brach’s Jube Jel Hearts in the drawer), and have learned I can’t go shopping on an empty stomach or I’ll come out with a donut and a candy bar, and a huge sense of guilt.
22. I’m addicted to playing games. Computer games, especially. But I love Sudoku, crossword puzzles, trivia games…I want to learn to play Scrabble next!
23. I’m rarely in a bad mood. Even if I am upset about something, it’s short-lived.
24. I love to read. I have a hard time staying awake at times when I read, but I really enjoy it. I’m always looking for suggestions for good books to read.
25. I’ve learned that I don’t want to waste my time on things that don’t interest me. I don’t want to go to movies I’m not excited about. I don’t want to spend time with people or in places that aren’t stimulating to me. Life is precious and I want to spend mine with the ones I love doing things that I love.
Try it, it’s interesting what you can learn about yourself! Send me your list if you’re so inclined.
Yesterday, the boys and I headed over to the Mitchell Park Domes with Noah’s friend from school, Nathan, Nathan’s little sister, Teagan (Caden’s buddy), and their mom, Angie. Every year around this time, they set up model railroads in the “Show Dome” that run amid the flowers and plants. The theme this year was “Legoland” so there were areas set up with different types of models. The kids had a great time running around, “chasing” the trains, and looking at the Lego stuff. Angie and I loved the smell-fresh flowers, reminiscent of spring. Just a few long short months away!
There are two other domes, the “Desert Dome” and the “Tropical Dome.” The Desert Dome was dry, cool, and not terribly thrilling to the kids. The Tropical Dome was a dream-nice and humid, reminiscent of the rain forest and making me think of steamy Mexico! The kids liked it for the fish swimming under the waterfall and around the pond.
 
 
 
Tonight after dinner, Andy was playing on the Wii with Caden. He’s not the greatest at the games yet, but he’s getting there. He likes to try playing baseball, golf, and now, boxing.
Not too long ago, I was talking to my friend, Liz, about our kids playing Wii. She said her three-and-a-half-year-old was really good at boxing. I hadn’t even thought of having Caden try it, so tonight I suggested it to Andy. Caden thought it was a great idea, so we set him up with the remote and the nunchuck, and told him to start swinging. (Noah was having a really hard time sitting still to watch!)
Three games, three KO’s!
At one point, he was “fighting” a Mii with glasses on. Suddenly, Caden said, “I don’t wanna hit his glasses off!” How nice of him!
He’s really cute to watch. These pictures don’t do as much justice, but they give you a taste of it.
 
 
 
Okay, not in the “super-mega-star-Jennifer Aniston/Jennifer Garner/Meg Ryan” kind of way, but in the “small-I’ve-never-heard-of-but-it-must-be-looked-at-by-someone-travel-guide-photograph-byline” kind of way.
I woke up this morning to sunshine (okay, it was still dark when I woke up, but the sun came out shortly after that), the promise of a brand new day, excited to be on the brink of change in our country, and jumped online to check my email. In my inbox I found this email from the managing editor of “Schmap Guides.”
Hi Saj,
I am writing to let you know that one of your photos has
been short-listed for inclusion in the sixth edition of our
Schmap Chicago Guide, to be published mid-February 2009.
Whaaa????? Someone has seen my pictures (besides my family and friends) and thinks I did a nice job!? No f$*#ing way!!!!!
Later in the email, it says this:
While we offer no payment for publication, many
photographers are pleased to submit their photos, as Schmap
Guides give their work recognition and wide exposure, and
are free of charge to readers.
I’m not so sure about the “wide exposure” as I’ve never heard of this Schmap thing before, but I’ve also never searched anything like this out before. And I suppose I’m okay with the “no payment” part of it. Hell yeah! My picture could be publicized! I’m on my way, world!
Oh, I suppose you’d all like to see the picture. Here it is, in all of its glory…
Yea me!
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I love being an American. What an amazing day it was today. I loved the fanfare, the hype, the millions of people packed in to the Mall to watch the inauguration of our 44th president.
At the hospital today, most of my patients* had one of the news channels on to watch the proceedings. I was in one room during the performance by Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Anthony McGill, and Gabriela Montero and she had her TV on MUTE! Seriously! “I didn’t want to disturb anyone” was her excuse. I couldn’t reach her control until they were done performing and Obama was 90% done with taking the Oath of Office, but those musicians really looked like they were having a good time! Watching it tonight was great to see.
But I’m glad I got to watch it in the comfort of my home, bundled up on my couch, remote in hand to skip through the not-so-great stuff (i.e. Aretha Franklin in her crazy hat singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”), dreaming of what’s to come.
*Not everyone had the inauguration on. Just down the hall from my lady with the mute TV was a man watching “Tom and Jerry.” Slightly to the other end of the scale, but to each their own!
 
Noah’s tooth has been wiggling for a few weeks. I get grossed out really quickly when it comes to tooth/mouth-related stuff, so I’ve been avoiding messing with it. Every now and then I’d look over at him and it would be out of alignment which pretty much creeped me out.
Tonight, Andy and Noah were playing with Legos, when suddenly Noah said, “Uh oh, Daddy.” Next thing we knew, his tooth was in his hand! He got really excited and asked for an envelope to put his tooth in so the Tooth Fairy would know where to find it.
He then called my mom and began to tell her how excited he was for the Tooth Fairy to come and leave him “a dime!” (My kids get really excited about any type of coin.) After that he called Andy’s mom to let her know as well. We thought he could just surprise her tomorrow when she comes to pick up the boys for the day and overnight (yipee!), but then we realized she may read my blog beforehand. It’s always funny to watch Noah on the phone. He paces. Andy paces, too. It’s cute.
Anyway, we now have a 5-year-old minus one tooth! Apparently, it’s not unheard of. According to my parents’ dentist, kids who get their teeth early may lose teeth early. Noah definitely got his teeth early, so I suppose we’re on track. Never mind his 6-year molars that have been coming in over the past few weeks as well.
 Caden heard Noah tell my mom about the money, so Caden brought Noah a “dime” which was really a penny. Cute!
 Ready for the Tooth Fairy!
Here are pics from the TV today showing our temps, our windchill, and our forecast. BRRRRRRRRRRRR!
 The temp this morning.
 Forecast for Friday morning.
 Wind chill forecast for Friday morning.
 The temp this evening.
I just saw on the news how some people in Chicago were throwing boiling water into the air and it was freezing before it hit the ground! That’s some cold air!
Can I go to Mexico tomorrow?
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