Memorial Day

We went to a Memorial Day parade in the most picture perfect all-American town today! I am absolutely infatuated with Worthington, OH and would love to live there. Unfortunately, it's on the other side of Columbus so it's not a smart idea since Mark works east of the city. Oh well. In the meantime, we had a great morning. I love the patriotic holidays. And in my old age, I'm getting sappier as the days go by. I could not help getting teared up seeing the Vets pass by throughout the parade, especially the older men. (If you haven't read Tom Brokaw's book, "The Greatest Generation," you should.) And I think a big part of that was seeing people stand and clap for each and every group. I am proud to be an American, and even at their young age, we are teaching our kids to keep their flags off the ground, to clap for the soldiers, and to stand when they hear the national anthem. I love seeing them in their red, white, and blue!

Counter Culture

I just finished watching a two hour documentary on hippies. What many of us have suspected for some time is true...I was born a few decades late.

Miami Ink

This show is my latest TV interest. This winter, with Mark coaching so much and not knowing too much of the city yet, I spent more time than usual watching reality tv. I don't get into the games and competitions, but I have an unhealthy fascination with watching other people's lives. It seems like just about every network has a couple of versions of just watching people, and I readily admit that it's a pretty big waste of time. But I like tv, what can I say? My favorite right now is Miami Ink, on TLC. It's about a tattoo shop in South Beach and all the people who work there. Some of it is about their personal lives, but I think the really fascinating part is hearing what the customers' tattoos mean to them. Most of them come in knowing exactly what they want to have done. And it's always very personal--anything from a girl's journey to becoming an American citizen, to guys' siblings taking their own lives, to a father who loves his daughters, to a woman coming out of an abusive relationship, to a guy who feels peace everytime he looks at the ocean, to a young mother who wants to be a strong role model for her kids...it's really interesting stuff if you're looking to waste a half hour of your day!

Summer Is Calling

It's getting to be that time of year again. Lost of bubbles, sidewalk chalk, riding bikes, wagon rides, whiffle ball, and this year we've added soccer balls, orange cones, jump ropes, frisbees, and a few other odds and ends to the growing box of outside toys. We're outside as much as possible, so I'm loving the dollar store here because I've found quite a few little treasures to help keep preschool minds occupied while getting fresh air.

It's also time to start planning for our three-week excursion to the Pennsylvania Hills for basketball camp! It's only a little over a month away. As usual, I have long lists and a box started of snacks, pullups, extra bubbles, chalk, etc. I'm really looking forward to it this year, in a different way than last year though. Last summer I was still so homesick for Clarks Summit, my home of 10 years. We had been gone for a year already, but I just couldn't shake it. This year, I'm happy to say, God has given me peace and has begun to fill my heart with a feeling of home here in Columbus. I'm sure one of the major differences is that I actually GAVE Him my homesickness this time around. You'd think after 29 years I'd finally figure out that God is everything, but my human mind will forever be learning, I suppose... but I digress. What I was saying was that I'm looking forward to camp again this year, but for different reasons. Last year I was craving time with good friends there that I missed so much and also some mental regrouping for myself since we had moved twice in 10 months. This year, I'm really excited to just be with my kids on campus. The longer I'm gone, the less people I know. I have a few friends I can't wait to spend time with, but mostly, I'm just psyched about the fact that both my kids are getting bigger and will enjoy so much there. AND there's less baby stuff to bring--no pacifiers, no wipes, no booster seat for the cafeteria, no sippee cups... What an amazing feeling!

I feel the rest of summer sneaking up on me too because a couple of weeks after camp, Mark's brother and his wife are coming down for about 4 days to help us build a deck! Yaayyy! Then a few weeks after that comes our Ireland trip, and then summer is almost over. This is really going to be a great few months. In the meantime, we have a very relaxing and fun May planned, so for now, I'm kicking back, doing a little planning here and there, but mostly just enjoying this time of life. God has given us so much and I plan on NOT taking anything for granted. So bring on the lemonade, the Memorial Day parade, some casual cookouts at the park, and whatever else blows our way. Like I love to say, it's the simple things...

A Good Movie

I saw Reign Over Me this past weekend--the Adam Sandler/Don Cheadle movie that's out right now. I don't really have much to say about it. It's one of those movies you have to see for yourself. It was amazing. I love Adam Sandler in serious roles--he's a phenomenal actor. And well, Don Cheadle--what do you say about him? How can you not love him in absolutely everything?! After sobbing my way through the rough parts, I came out feeling uplifted. I didn't expect that, but that's definitely the feeling I left with. See it, and then be in the lives of people around you.

Hmmm...

I can't think of anything particularly interesting or witty to talk about today. But I'm feeling very guilty after reading Jamie's post about facebook taking over his blogging world. Since I think I belong to a "blogging clique" as someone once called it, I feel the need to at least post written words today. Let's see, what's happening, what's happening...

Well, we've had lots of things happening around here since my last post--St. Patrick's Day parades, Easter egg hunts, meetings at our church to get involved in ministries there, lots of soccer practices for Jake, Mark's spring break, lunch with new friends, visits from old friends (Och, Mattox's, and Show), an overnight visit to Mark's parents, meeting 3 neighbors, another visit to the zoo, a great Life Group every Wednesday, drives downtown to campus to look around, just because we can...

Wow, I guess it's been a pretty busy month. We're definitely settled into our new city. That fact makes me smile.

Spring Cleaning

I thought today was the day. I decided that I would embark on my spring cleaning for this year a little early. Probably because we had a couple of days this week that were almost summer-like, so I was in the mood. Plus it takes me a good long time to get everything done that I want to get done because there are certain things that I will only do once a year (like washing curtains, etc.) But then I realized that I can't start without my lists. A long time ago (when I had lots of computer time on my hands at my many secretarial jobs) I made lists of everything that needed to be done in every room in the house. I made a master list, then printed out several copies to use over the next few years. I know at this point whoever may be reading this has come to the definite conclusion that I'm a mental case. But I thrive on organization...so just love me for who I am! Anyway, my lists are no where to be found. I'm assuming they somehow got lost in one of the two moves we made in the last year and a half. But alas, I cannot begin cleaning until I have lists in front of me. The contentment of a clean house is not complete unless I have crossed things off my list. I get so much satisfaction from the "cross-off." On top of that, as the day progressed I ended up with a doozy of a cold and now I'm just down for the count. And also, it was snowing by lunchtime. That immediately threw me out of spring cleaning mode and back into cuddle up on the couch mode. So it seems spring cleaning is not in the cards for this week. But one day soon, my lists will be made, my windows will be thrown open, the house will smell of pine and lemon, and every closet and drawer will be resplendant with reorganization.

Turkey Day

Now I know you're thinking, Turkey Day in March? Yes, that's what this is. Every year I buy a huge turkey when they're on sale before Thanksgiving and keep it in the freezer through the winter. Turkey is our favorite meal around here, and we definitely get our fill of it during the holiday season. But just once or twice a year is not enough. So every year, at the end of the winter, I haul out the huge bird and make an entire turkey dinner complete with all the trimmings. I guess it's a kind of farewell to the season we call winter. We love winter while it lasts, but we're always happy to see spring ushered in. So tonight we'll feast on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, etc (ooh--don't forget the mouth-watering gravy). And in doing so we say see ya to winter and WELCOME to spring!

The Yard Sale Bug

“Digging through a cellar or an attic is like archaeology of the soul.” –Anonymous

It’s getting to be that time of year again. I have the itch—the yard sale itch. Every spring I can’t wait to pour over the classified section of the paper looking for yard sale ads. Every Saturday I love to while away the morning hours going from neighborhood to neighborhood, looking for hidden treasures. I think this bug started because for 5 years, I lived in the Yard Sale Land of Plenty, also known as Clarks Summit, PA. There were always friends to go with (Gretchen, Laura, and of course Judith--who taught us to haggle) I realized the bug was back last week as I was flipping through Craig’s List online, looking for outside toys for the kids. Jackpot—I got a little tikes picnic table for just 5 bucks! Then I realized just how bad my bug is: the fact that I was going through not just the Columbus ads, but the Cleveland ads too. I knew if I found anything worthwhile, I could get my in-laws to pick it up for me (they’re just great like that). And low and behold, I found my perfectly priced picnic table in Cleveland! It’s sitting in Grandma and Papa's garage as we speak. I got even more excited last week after talking to my friend, Lydie. She told me about amazing multi-family neighborhood sales that happen annually in certain upscale towns, and we already have a date to leave the kids with the daddies and hit those up! So until the spring weather actually comes and the newspaper starts filling up their ad section, I’ll get it out of my system by scouring craigslist.org. Ya never know what you might come across.

“It is the beholder who lends to the beautiful things its myriad meanings, and makes it marvelous for us.” –Oscar Wilde

He will quiet you with His love

"...He will quiet you with His love..." (Zephaniah 3:17). I have never read this before. The worship leader at our new church mentioned this passage in passing on Sunday morning, and for some reason, it was like a fog horn in my head. The phrase kept repeating itself to me (I'm assuming that was the Still Small Voice, Gretchen) over and over throughout the service and the rest of the day. The rest of the verse is just as amazing as the middle phrase--"The Lord our God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." I simply cannot get enough of this right now. Isn't it the most amazing thing? I'm speechless.

Rest and Oscar

Last weekend I spent a glorious Sunday afternoon holed up in our basement. Sundays are the only days that Jake still takes a nap and for some reason, this past Sunday both kids took really long naps. I went downstairs and curled up on the futon with a quilt, my pillow, a book, and glass of water, and some chapstick (just for you, Jamie!). The original purpose of our basement was for Mark's sports memorabilia, the treadmill, a playroom for the kids, and storage. But it's turning out to be more than that. It's still all those things, and it's by far the kids favorite place to play. Probably because we have tons of bookshelves down there full of toys, blocks, activities, etc. But it's turning out to be a little getaway for me too. We have a nice comfy futon down there, a lamp to turn on when I don't want overhead lights, and it also houses all our books, since we don't have space for bookcases up in our living area. I love being surrounded by my books--it automatically makes for cozy living. We also put our old tv down there along with a $17 DVD player (LOVE black Friday!), so now it's the official place for kids movies. And on Sunday afternoons, it has become my safe haven to watch old movies. Sunday afternoon is always reserved for sports on the bigger tv upstairs. I have no problem with that--it's the American way. Maybe it's because we spent every Sunday afternoon at my grandparents' house while I was growing up, and because they always had old movies on all afternoon (they had cable a long time before us!), but I am so content to just sit down with an old musical or a black and white movie and loll the afternoon away. So last Sunday, after reading a few chapters of Harry Potter (I'm re-reading the whole series in honor of the final book coming out this July), I settled in with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck for an afternoon of "Roman Holiday." If you haven't seen it, SEE IT! It's a classic. We are talking pre-My Fair Lady, Sabrina, Funny Face, Breakfast At Tiffany's... It was Audrey's first movie and she won an Oscar that year for Best Actress. I love the Academy Awards, but don't like to put Mark through the torture, so I'll probably settle in on the futon once again this Sunday night for the Oscars. I just love when Sundays turn out to be what they are intended for. Rest...

Trip of a Lifetime

I'm not sure how many people I've had a chance to share this with but I'm going to Ireland!!! My mom has always wanted to take my sister and I there because we have a strong Irish heritage (don't forget I'm from Boston--the only people I knew growing up were Irish or Italian or both!) and last year she mentioned actually making legitimate plans. We talked about it here and there, but I guess in the back of my mind I didn't think it was actually happening. Well, over Christmas we talked about it more and settled on this summer, but we still had no ligitimate plans. Then this past week my mom got snowed in here in Columbus, so we got out the guidebooks I had bought on eBay last fall and just started making plans. We even bought our plane tickets (August, by the way)! We're spending 5 days in Ireland and 3 days in London and Mark and Ryan (my sister's huband) are coming too! As it turns out, the entire plan and itinerary is pretty much falling on my shoulders because everyone else is too busy to take care of such a detailed trip. And I gotta say, I don't mind one bit. I have a lot of time on my hands, I'm an internet addict, I love researching, and I especially love organizing everything in life. I'm in heaven. So I've spent the last two days online and with my nose buried in my travel books looking at ticket prices, hotel reviews, restaurant suggestions, train schedules through Ireland, day trip bus tours, festival dates... My sister thinks I'm psycho cuz I keep calling her and asking questions and opinions trying not to leave her out of the planning process and I keep using phrases like, "well, I'm working on Phase 2 of the trip..." I'm just being silly, but it makes it more fun and elicits a chuckle out of her. I'm hoping to keep a rough journal of the trip while we're there, and then post everything on a new blog and that way be able to share everything and all our experiences with our friends. I'm just giddy with anticipation, but keep in mind too that I've never been out of the country before. This is all new for me and beyond exciting!

(FYI, I'm listening to my new AG Silver CD right now and I think they have a new fan--Thanks Abby!)

30'th Birthday Weekend

My amazing husband treated me to the best birthday ever. It was a full weekend inluding dinner at Mongolian Barbecue, spending time with Mark, chai from Barnes & Noble, my wonderful and amazing friend Abby's "surprise" weekend visit, a razzmatazz latte from Cup-A-Joe, quality cafe time with Abby, a surprise party complete with family and Columbus friends, a REAL surprise visit from my mom, Mark's exciting game win, Mark taking care of every meal the entire weekend, peppermint mocha from Starbucks, surprise gifts from Mark, fun gifts from friends, including lots of Starbucks gift cards, many many pounds of Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks coffee, an extremely special gift from my long distance but close-to-my-heart friend, Gretchen, and two phone calls from my kindred in Germany, Daylin (which I missed, sniff). I am blessed. I am thankful for what God has given me and for the people He has put in my life. Turning 30--not such a huge deal. Spending time with and hearing from people I love--the best deal in life!

Mum and Abby

Julie and Brian (Mark's brother and his wife)

Katie, DJ (Jamie Miller's sister and brother-in-law and also who Mark is coaching high school basketball with) and Brian or Big B as our kids call him

DJ, Brian, Mark, Rory, and Mom C (Talan and Jake in front)

Mikayla and Rory

Me and my wonderful new Columbus friend, Lydie (Mark's cousin's wife)

Rory, Grammie, and Jake watching The Aristocats

Me and Abby

Abby and Rory

New CD's are Definitely Pennies from Heaven

I love Amazon! I just treated myself to a little pre-birthday present. I got Carly Simon's "No Secrets" and Carole King's "Tapestry." I'm totally in a funky 70's chicks phase right now and we're talking the original albums--the ones that made them legends--not the greatest hits or new recordings. The classics. Fun.

January Piercings

Well, I don't know what it is about me and January and nose rings, but it's on my mind again. I want to get my nose pierced! For anyone who might be reading this not knowing the history, last January I got a nose ring--just a tiny diamond. I LOOOOOOVED it, and it was so fun having Abby along for the ride and moral support. But I had to take it out 4 days later because of infection and I was devastated. I haven't considered trying again because to have it pierced was no big deal, but to have it removed was excruciatingly painful. But here I am, a year later, considering...If I had money in my pocket, I'd probably go today...

You're only young(ish) once.

"Lady In the Water"

I finally got to see M. Night Shyamalan's latest today. I'm a big fan of his movies, ever since "The Sixth Sense" scared the bejeezes out of me. This one was the usual Shyamalan fare: slow moving plot, lots of silences, interesting camera angles, etc. I LOVED "The Sixth Sense," liked "Unbreakable," thought "Signs" was okay, until they actually showed the alien, which basically ruined it for me (although I did appreciate the twists at the end), and then LOVED "The Village" again.

As far as "Lady In the Water" goes, Paul Giamatti is amazing, as always, and I'm loving that Bryce Dallas Howard (Iris from The Village) is in this too because I just think she's an interesting actress. This movie was different from the others in that it didn't have a major twist or surprise at the end. In my opinion, the theme of this story is that the goofy people, the boring people, the weird or interesting people, the people that you may look right through every day around you--they all have a purpose. There is a meaning for everyone. Everyone has their own little piece of the larger story.

M. Night Shyamalan actually used to tell this to his daughters as a bedtime story, then had a book published, then turned it into a movie.

It took a while to get into it, but by the end, my heart was full, my spirit was soaring. What a weirdly inspirational movie!

Game Over

First the Ohio State Buckeyes, now the New England Patriots. Football is a fickle friend...

My Heart is Full!

It's snowing! So far this winter we have had NO SNOW, and I don't know if I can explain to people just how difficult it has been for me living in a place with no snow. We had a few flurries one day in the fall, and since then, nothing. Even now, it's only flurries, but at least it's still light out and I can watch while it lasts.

MY SNOWFALL
My eyes behold its beauty
As my hand Reaches out for its touch,
While my face
Feels that certain tingle
That makes me love
Snow so much!
My heart embraces its coming
The way a child frolics In the fallen snow!
My beautiful snowfall
Brings joy to my spirit
And sunshine to my day.
It doesn't matter
Whether it be a blizzard
Or a dusting of flakes,
Snow falling from the sky
To me looks the same
Any old way!
Snow, my ever lovely snowfall!
Be it Valentine's Day, President's Day,
And yes, Be it Groundhog Day!
Let it snow I walk in it,
As well as sing in it!
I play in the snow
And build my favorite snowman,
Then chase
Each falling flake
As fast as I can!
Each breath of air
Feels crystal clear
Making Winter so very dear!
Each descending flake
Falls as if it were
A blessing from the angels,
Appreciating this gift
Of nature from God,
More than any other
Man created pleasure!
Let it snow
As well as
Let the winds blow!
I wait for the snow every year,
And can't stop smiling
When it finally appears!
Snowfall, my snowfall!

--Holly Bianchi (Age 11)

Rut Be Gone!

I've been a cooking maniac lately! It feels so good to be out of a rut and be on to bigger and better things. My goal has been at least two new meals a week, since I have all these great cookbooks, but this week I did four. I've been cooking with fresher ingredients, and it actually makes cooking more fun. To have to chop up the rosemary, smash the garlic cloves, etc--that's way more fun than getting dried herbs and spices out of the cabinet and my bottled minced garlic out of the fridge. So here are the new meals we ate over the past week:

Penne with spicy chicken alfredo
Chicken piccatta with whole-grain mustard roasted potatoes
Risotto with tuscan chicken
Garlic roast chicken with rosemary and lemon with pesto smashed potatoes

Some of them are keepers and some of them aren't, but it's great trying new things and finding out!

Coffee Timeline

I realized the other day that my relationship with coffee has been an ever-evolving one. I don't know what got me thinking about the details of me and coffee, but here's what I came up with. In high school, I drank it once in a while, with a friend here and there, or on really cold days while slinging Christmas trees. Once I got to college, it was purely social. I didn't need coffee everyday, but I drank it mostly nights, when I went out with friends. There were many late nights at Perkins, Daylin with her pitcher of tea, Diana with her pitcher of decaf, and me with my coffee pitcher straightup. It was also in college that I was introduced to the wonderful gas station cappuccino, which is a little too sweet for me now, but delicious when combined with half regular coffee. This is still a road trip staple for me. Once I started working full time, that's when the everyday coffee came about. Not because I needed the caffeine, but because it was nice to have my mug waiting at my desk for me everyday, ready to be sipped all morning long. It was just habit. I got into bad habits though--drinking about 4 cups a morning and once in a while in the afternoon. That ended when I quit my job to have a baby. I went down to two cups a day, which I maintain to date. I still didn't need the caffeine, it was just love of the flavor and of being able to hold a mug everyday. Holding a mug provides a lot of comfort, for those of you who don't know because you don't drink hot beverages (Mark!). Once I had a second kid, THAT'S when the need for caffeine kicked in. I needed that jump start in the mornings. I still do need the caffeine, but I realized this week as I was thinking about this, that more than anything right now, for me, coffee holds the promise of a new day, a fresh start... Maybe it's because my kids are getting bigger, and there are so many changes around here. They need constant interaction, they are constantly learning, and they get that from me--all day long. I have been learning that I mess up as much as they do. I have a short fuse, I am learning to be a teacher since it doesn't come naturally to me, and I'm learning how to love my kids for the fact that they are little people with huge personalities, not just because they are my children to raise. So I try to sit with a cup of coffee every morning, not just sip on the go as I do things around the house. My kids are starting to figure out that for 15 minutes, Mom can sit and not get up--no filling cups, no changing pullups, no untangling necklaces or helping with lincoln logs. And as I sit there sipping, I'm thinking, What will we do today? Everyday is an adventure and everyday I have a fresh mug and a clean slate.