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Lili-bug

Thursday, May 28, 2009

No more pencils, no more books.......

Can't you just feel how excited Brett is?

"Everyone point at Brett because he's leaving!"
Okee Dokee, sounds like a plan.


The best people in the best school in the whole world.
Here I am with the principal (who, by the way, my dad coached in basketball and baseball back in the '80s), asst. principal, secretaries and guidance secretary.
They surprised me today with cards, lots of hugs and tears and a DQ Blizzard cake.
Have you ever had one of those? It was chocolate, fudge and more fudge. Too good!
I'm really going to miss them. But! We made plans to meet at our new house and go out to lunch at our favorite mexican place. So, hopefully I'll see them soon.
They also promised me they'd invite me to the next Cubs game outing :)
By the way, Jeff and I went and bought 1000 square feet of wood flooring and our new FRONT LOAD washer and dryer.
I love those things. Just like the french door fridge. Jeff doesn't understand the draw of either one, but I'm the wife, so I win!
I really, really wanted the red W/D, but I just couldn't spend and extra few hundred dollars for a color . sigh. So, white it is. But they're still the cutest.
Hopefully we'll see them SOON all installed and purty.
15 days and counting.....




Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The Class of 2021 (holy crap)

This was in the local paper.
Ahh, poor girl. "Someday my prince will come." Yeah, whatever.
Lili on the first day of school August 13, 2008

One of Lili's first drawings last August.

Why is it that MOM can take the kids to school 179 days of the year, but when DAD does it, it's a big deal?

This is her last drawing of the year. Notice how she's now drawing full bodies and herself with LONG, FLOWING, FLIPPED UP hair?
But what's up with their faces.....
This just cracks me up!! "We looove to play outside!" Can't you tell?
Lili must've been in a 'mood'!
The last writing sample of the year.
"I want to learn how to learn".
Cute. Huh?
A little note from the teacher.
Aww.


Tomorrow is the last day of school.
Last day of kindergarten.
Last day in the entire school corporation.
Kinda sad :(
Lili's class made a journal that started with the first day of school. Lots of handprints and drawing and writing samples throughout the year. It's amazing to see how she's grown, especially academically.






I was cleaning out my work email (one more day left!) and I came across this. Had to share. Anyone with cats and dogs can identify...

From a Dog's Daily Diary:

8:00am-Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30am-A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40am-A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30am-Got rubbed a petted! My favorite thing!

12:00pm-Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:30pm-Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00pm-Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00pm-Milk Bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm-Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00pm-Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00pm-Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!




From a Cat's Daily Diary...

Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.
The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.
Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am.
Bastards.
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.
The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return.
He is obviously retarded.
The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.
For now................

Thursday, May 21, 2009

"I Wanna Go Home!"

Kitchen Granite
We picked it out in February, so it's been awhile since we've seen it. Good thing we still like it.
View into the kitchen from the hallway.
We have our own drawer pulls and knobs that we'll put on the cabinets. They're dark brown/black so they should tie in the light cabinets with the dark granite.

Living room fireplace and "open" staircase.
The mantle and banister will be painted white next week. The fireplace insert is grey slate, which we preferred over the shiny black granite. I think we made the right choice.

Look! There's green leaves on our trees! Looks sooo much better than the stark branches, doesn't it?

Squatters.
Here we are, refusing to leave.
We met with our construction manager for our 'trim walk through' today.
He updated us on our completion date.
He's moved it up from 6/16 to 6/12. Yay! I was able to mark an extra 4 days off of our countdown today! So, we'll meet with him again on 6/12 for our 'homeowner orientation meeting' where he'll show us how to open and close our doors and turn our lights on and off. geesh.
We should be in our house in about a week or so after that.
The appliances are going to go in on Tuesday and then the carpet, final painting and the final utilities. The sod will go in last. And that's about it. Not a whole lot more to do.
We only have about 3 MORE WEEKS till it's all done.

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Kindergarten Field Trip




We had a wonderful day at the zoo.
The zoo that takes an hour to get to from where we live now, which will be 2.5 miles away from our new house :)
Believe me, you don't know how many times I thought of asking the bus driver to just drop me off....so hard to go by it and not stop!
Anyway, the day couldn't have been more beautiful. It got up to 86 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.
I had actually forgotten what it's like to be hot! woo hoo!
There was a playground across from the zoo where we spent the afternoon after lunch. Nice opportunity for the kids to get out their energy before the ride home. And, turns out, a nice opportunity for me to network in my new community.
I noticed several Chinese girls with several very "American" looking mothers watching them.
Now, I'm still not sure how to approach people and just flat out ask them personal questions about their children.
Thank goodness that one of them finally approached me. She said that they saw Lili and they saw me and assumed that Lili was probably adopted from China, but they didn't want to offend me, so they didn't say anything for a long time either. geesh.
So, long story short, they are a group of China adoptive families, probably about 8-10 families that get together for playgroups and holidays, etc.
So, I'm now included in their little group.
How's that for fate, huh?


Sunday, May 17, 2009

W

We sat in the Upper Deck, close to the pressbox

"Play Ball!"

Wasn't sure for awhile if we'd be seeing the W, but they pulled it off!

It's official...

Cubs Win! Cubs Win!!

What a game! The first few innings were pretty eventless, although the Cubbies did have some great defense.

We went up 3-0, then 4-0, then the very next inning, Houston came back and it was 4-4 going into the bottom of the 9th.
After MUCH booing and yelling about our pitchers, the Cubs came up to bat in the bottom of the 9th. We got a walk and then a base hit to right field (Soriano), which meant the runner (Scales) ran home making the final 5-4. Woo Hoo!
I can't tell you how awesome it was to be there live. We had nosebleed seats, but could still see the whole game perfectly.
To sing the national anthem, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", and then to be able to sing "Go, Cubs, Go" (and to see the Astros homerun balls get thrown back over the wall) :)
was an amazing experience.

The whole day was just fantastic.
We took a shuttle bus from our high school at 9:30am and headed straight to Wrigley. We had about 45 mins before the game to walk around and buy souvenirs.
(guess what I got? One of those giant foam hands in the shape of a paw with claws. so cute!
and such a great padded back rest too, I highly recommend them.)

It was really nice to see all the people that I work with away from their jobs and their titles and just socialize. It was really like being back in high school. Just a lot of fun to hang out together and not talk shop.
I'm going to miss everyone so much when school is over in another 8 days!
Wow, the year has gone so fast.

On a new house note, Jeff and I have our 'trim walk through' meeting scheduled for this Thursday. We'll be meeting with our construction manager to inspect all the drywall and trim before they move on.
It looks like all they'll have left will be the cabinets and countertops and flooring, plus any leftover plumbing/electric stuff.
Yesterday was the 'one month left mark'.
eeeeeeee!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

"Hey, Chicago. Whaddya Say?"


Guess where Jeff and I are going Saturday? The friendly confines.
We're going with a group of around 40 people from my high school/middle school. We're taking a shuttle bus and going up there for the day.
It's supposed to rain in the morning, but then clear off by afternoon. The game's at 12:05 central time....hopefully enough time to clear off and play ball !
Neither Jeff nor I have been to a Cubs game. We're more 'football type people' but if I'm going to root, root, root for a team, it's gonna be the Cubbies.
Make sure you listen for me during the 7th inning stretch. I'm sure you'll be able to hear me.
wherever you are.
Go, Cubs, Go!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

My Favorite Video Right Now.....watch till the end, it's really cute!



Monday, May 11, 2009

Ho Hum

Feeling a little under the weather and a little aggravated about this whole 'not having a home' thing....

Friday, Jeff had the day off (he has to take his remaining vacation days before June 1). So, we decided to go take a look at our house, even though we both said that we had no interest in going to see it this week since we had just been there Tuesday and we knew they wouldn't really have made much progress in 3 days. Should've stayed away.
We got there at 10:30 am and there was NOBODY there. No workers working on, well, anything .
That always makes me very angry. If I go there Monday-Friday before 5:00, there'd BETTER be someone there working, doing anything, making any kind of progress at all.
Jeff tried to get in, but all the doors were locked.
He did see that the drywall was done.
I didn't even get out of the car. Wasn't in the mood to stare through my windows (and see NO ONE working) because I'm locked out of my house. blech.


Saturday, I woke up in the middle of the night sick. Yuck sick. But, Jeff and I were planning on heading off for the weekend, so we went.
There was a really nice auction Saturday morning that I went to while Jeff went to Barnes & Noble and sat and read all kinds of DIY books and magazines to his heart's content with nobody breathing down his neck insisting that we go somewhere else and do something!
So, we both had a nice time apart from each other for a little while.
I'm used to going to auctions by myself. NO ONE else I know will go with me.
While I can't think of a better way to spend 6-8 hours, everyone else I know would rather get dental work done....oh well.
I did make Jeff check everything out before he left me. He found a mirror that he liked for above our fireplace
(that, by the way, isn't finished yet.....maybe that has something to do with the fact that NO ONE worked on our house Friday)
Anyway, he said that he thought it'd be worth $50. Wouldn't you know it, they didn't get to it till the end of the auction. But! I did snatch it up, and for only $25! Jeff was very proud of me. I got all kinds of other 'junk' that I just had to have. There really wasn't anything I wanted that I didn't win. Such a great feeling.
I went to another auction last Thursday while the kids were at school. Got some good stuff there too. I spent $16 total and got some old pharmacy/doctor bottles, enamel ware, canning jars, porcelain 'shabby chic' pieces and an antique Singer sewing machine table.
I love me some auctions.


Yesterday on the way home, Jeff and I stopped and picked up some flowers for our moms and for myself. Yes, I know I have nowhere to plant them
(maybe that has something to do with the fact that NO ONE worked on our house Friday),
but I figured if I waited till end of June/July, everything would be picked over and what's left would be dead, so I got some planters so I can at least have some flowers on the front porch. whenever they decide to get back to work and complete our house.
Know what else I got yesterday? A cold.
Must've been because me resistance was low and I picked something up along the way Saturday. Oh well, I'll survive.


It was nice to see our kids again and have them run to me yelling "Happy Mother's Day!" or, "Happy Mama-dy!" as the case may be!


Turns out, I have nothing to complain about, after all :)

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

"Sunrise, Sunset"


Last night we went to 6th Grade Orientation at Brett's new 'big city school'.
Middle School.
Junior High.
I can't believe it. I can't believe I have a kid old enough to be in junior high.
(yeah, sure, technically I'm old enough to have a kid in high school, even college, but still)
I just can't believe my son is going to junior high. Jeff and I were sitting there in the meeting last night just shaking our heads, remembering when it was us going into 6th grade.
I remember it like it was yesterday. I still remember it so vividly.
So, kids, when your parents say "I remember how it was. I was where you are right now. I know what you're going through." BELIEVE THEM !
So, Brett's new school seems really, really great. The school system is one of the best in Indiana. A lot of opportunities.
A lot of things have changed in the 26 years since I've been in 6th grade. (yeah, ya think?)
Brett will have the opportunity to be in all sorts of intramural activities (mini golf, bowling, etc.) as well as sports.
Sports that he can letter in. I didn't think they did that till high school......
There are 3 music choices: band, orchestra and choir. That's it. No general music and no other options. You have to take music. That's cool.
(Brett's like "pleeeeease let me play an instrument! I don't want to sing in front of people !"---heh. must realize he has his mother's pipes)
You also have to take a home ec. class: sewing, crocheting, knitting, cooking. (I'm like "pleeeease take sewing, knitting or crocheting so you can show ME how!"---although him being able to cook would be pretty cool too!----unless he makes chocolate pudding pie and forgets to add sugar and it tastes like mud! Trish!! Remember? My one and only foray into home ec.)
Lots of computer-type stuff. The art room is set up like an art studio. Art is another thing that's scheduled in. Not a choice.
They call PE 'wellness' now. The gym was amazing. And they had separate shower stalls! Quite a big deal for Jeff and me as we can remember the communal showers in our old school. Horrifying for the pre-teen, believe me.
And, with all this comes greater responsibility. 7 different classes with 7 different teachers. 7 different things to remember to do each and every day. And lockers with combination locks . gulp.
Lots of changes in store. The biggest one being that if Brett stayed in his current school, he'd still be elementary school for 6th grade. I know a lot of his buddies are a little jealous, thinking how cool it will be to be in junior high next year. Our little boy is growing up :(
Yep, lots of changes in store for all of us.
And, of course, we HAD to stop by our house.
Not lugging my cookies all the way there without seeing it.
They had the concrete poured. Finally. We now have a sidewalk, driveway, walkway and steps up to both doors. woo hoo.
Brett didn't want to leave the school. He really seemed to like it. As a matter of fact, he's wearing his 'middle school spirit' T-shirt today. As we were dragging him out of the school (imagine that!) I reminded him that he'll be back there soon enough, another 3 1/2 months.
And as I was dragging myself away from our house, I reminded myself that we'll be there soon enough. 40 more days to completion :)

Monday, May 04, 2009

Spring Fling

In motion on the Tilt A Whirl

Lili glomming onto Cole....take me on the Tilt A Whirl and I'll be your girl forever

Paparazzi shot. You saw it here first.
Poor Brett, Mr. 3rd Wheel

We have drywall.
View from the fireplace into the kitchen
Backside of the house
now off to try to figure out how to remove the date/time stamp from my camera....





Finally....SPRING!

We had a WONDERFUL, SPRING weekend. (about time!) Sunshine and flip flops....aaaaah


We had free tickets to a theme park, so we loaded up the kids +1 (Brett's friend Cole) and headed off for the day.
BONUS! There's a thrift shop right before the entrance to the park, "Mom's" amusement park. We stayed at the park all day and rode the rides over and over and over, ate way too much festival food, and watched Lili on her first date. (you will love the pictures of that. my son is only 11 and he's already experienced being the "3rd wheel".)


Yesterday we went to see our house.
It looks the same from the outside (too rainy this past week to get the rest of the shutters on), but it's completely drywalled!!
Kind of sad to lose the 'open concept' where you can see through the walls :(
We got our official "Drywall Stage Complete" letter from our builder letting us know we need to wrap up all the financing details and get our crap together so we can close 5-7 days after construction completion, which they're still quoting as June 16th. blah.
42 more days till completion....not that I'm counting :)


Lots of pictures to load, but I'm at work, so it'll have to wait.

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