Where I've lived and what I've loved

Devan has a blog that I read, although I can't remember how I found her.  Anyway, she wrote a post about all the places she's lived and what she liked about them, so I thought I'd do the same...

Let's see...

Dayton, OH...I was born in Dayton, and the nurse in the delivery room was in the delivery room when my dad was born 30 years earlier...so it's where my dad's family is from, obv.  I have no recollection of living in Dayton...at least until college brought me back there.

Indianapolis, IN...we moved to IN when I was 6 months old?  A year old?  And moved away a year later.  No recollection of this place, obviously.

Lexington, OH...this town is northeast of Columbus...and actually really close to where Jeff grew up.  I lived there from the age of 1 until 7.  I remember walking FAR to school, and a big hill in the backyard that overlooked the cornfields behind us.  I remember the park at the end of our cultisac and big buckeye trees.  I remember wallpaper that looked like the old Wendy's tables (remember those old time newspaper designs?), yellow carpet, and how we had cinder blocks in the basement that we used as shelves for our toys.

Mansfield,OH...this is the "big" town next to Lexington.  I lived there for only 2 years, age 7-9.  I remember walking to school...far again...I remember the woods in our backyard, and our driveway that was on a busy-ish street.  I remember my blue bedroom, with wallpaper on the ceiling and a teeny tiny closet that I liked to make reading nests in the bottom of.  I remember my baby sister being born there.  I loved school and that house and the pool (Possum Run).  And I remember that the moving truck showed up on my 9th birthday...and I was NOT happy.

Cincinnati, OH...or a suburb of, in actuality.  This is where I consider myself "from".  I lived there from age 9 until I got married.  I love Cincinnati...but I know it through the eyes of a dependent, having never lived there or gotten into the politics or raised a family there.  It was a great place to grow up...lots to do and places to go.  Great schools.  Friendly people, but enough of them that you aren't always running into people you know.  4 distinct seasons, not much snow, humid as heck, allergy central.  Great food, fun culture, beautiful river and skyline.  Loved it.  Would move back. 

I spent 4 years in Dayton for college...but I was in the college bubble...so I don't know much about Dayton at all.  UD is awesome, though.  ;)

Orange County, CA...Jeff and I got married 2 months out of college and moved out to Southern California for his new job.  I got a job teaching 5th grade.  To say I was miserable would be the understatement of the year.  I distinctly remember creating scenarios in my head of how I could run away.  The weather was incredible and there was so much to do.  Beaches, mountains, museums, amusement parks...but we had very little money or vacation time to appreciate any of it.  ;)  We could watch the Disneyland fireworks from our apartment balcony every night, but we couldn't afford to go there ;)  And there were too.  many.  people.  Everywhere.  On the roads.  In the mall.  At the beach.  Just people everywhere.  Generally people were less friendly and more materialistic than my experience in OH.  Everything cost too much and everywhere was too crowded.   I did enjoy the weather and lack of bugs tremendously.  I missed song birds and seasons...  I was too homesick for much of our time there to really appreciate it.  But I made some great friends and truly feel like it solidified our marriage because I had no one to turn to but Jeff...and he couldn't pass me off on anyone else.  We bought our first property there, a little townhome after living in 2 different apartments.  We were there almost 6 years, and when we finally left, selling that property was like winning the real estate lottery.  So in the end, California set us up financially for a long time.

Louisville, KY...in a desperate attempt to get us back to a lower cost of living and closer to family, Jeff took a leap and took a job that he ended up hating.  We only spent 18 months in Kentucky, but I loved it.  I loved the people and how eagerly they took me under their wings.  I loved how family centered the city was.  I loved the size and what it had to offer...beautiful parks, good food, great people.  I loved our house and neighborhood...even though it was WAY more than we needed at the time.  Cost of living was terrific, and our closeness to family made me so content.  I think it would be a fantastic place to raise a family.  But not if it is giving your husband an ulcer.

Our town, PA...I moved sight unseen to our little house here on the outskirts of Philly.  After more than 5 years here, I have to say it is wonderful.  Historical buildings tucked everywhere, you can just sense the birth of America as you walk around.  Our town was founded in the late 1600s, and there are still many many buildings from the early 1700s still in use.  We have lovely seasons, and no real natural disasters.  We are close to so many amazing cities, but there are farms and little towns surrounding us.  People are abrupt and blunt and a little hot headed, but fiercely loyal and proud.  The cost of living is a bit high, but when you are surrounded by NYC and New Jersey and DC, you start to feel down right affordable. 

I don't know if I'll ever believe I'm permanently planted...it's just not my life experience.  But I feel privileged to have experienced so much of our country and tasted a bit of the flavor of the regions.  Midwest, West, South, and Atlantic.  The only place left would be the Northeast and the Northwest.  Not that I need to give Jeff any ideas...

Our new grownup

One of the great things about living near a large city, is sometimes our far away family and friends just happen to have an event nearby.  And then we get to see them.

My big sister had a Public Library Conference in Philadelphia last week.  I drove down to meet her on Saturday, where we listened to Betty White talk.  (she's awesome and so cute and with it...and 90!)  Then I drove her north to our little town so she could bond with her niece and nephews a bit.  They were a little disappointed that she didn't bring her energetic side kick, but still really enjoyed hanging out.   She played UNO with Lily, discussed measurement with Andrew, and zombies (of course) with Michael.  Jeff enjoyed having someone to drink beer and talk basketball with.  And I enjoyed catching up in a relaxed atmosphere and talking about anything and everything.

My favorite quote of the weekend came from my youngest, of course.  Michael couldn't remember her name at first, so when he wanted to tell her something, he would first turn to me and say, "Mom?  What's our new grownup called?"  When I answered Aunt Kate, he would turn to her and say, "Aunt Cake, look at this..."

Oh, Aunt Cake, how we wished we lived closer...

Sexy wrists

Well, it's official.  I've lost 10 pounds in 10 weeks.   

But if I didn't weigh myself, I would have no idea.  Jeff says the scale doesn't lie, but my body sure isn't listening to it.  My pants fit the same.  My shirts fit the same.  I still have that lovely muffin top pushing down my pants and my side/back fat bubbling over the edges of my sports bra.  I'm dead sexy.

Only one part of my body shows those 10 pounds of loss.

My body is obviously very good at prioritizing body fat.  Muffin top with matching hamburger roll above it...let's keep that around a bit longer.  We need those extra chins!  But those wrists really could use some slimming down...phew!  Top priority!

My wrists.

My watch is so incredibly loose compared to 3 months ago. My rings also some off a lot easier, now that I think about it. 

So...fabulous?  It's just what every girl dreams of.  You watch those commercials for the miracle weight loss pill or read those articles about amazing slim downs.  And the first thing that pops into your mind isn't the cute little black dress or bikini...it's finally setting your watch on the 2nd hole instead of the 5th.  That spells success.

And so I will take you on a bit of time travel and show you my "after shot" of weight loss.  This will be me at the gym after losing 20 pounds...

Lookin' good, baby.

Nervous

I am looking at a single sheet of paper on my desk.  A registration form for on-line classes...(ironically you cannot register on-line for these on-line courses...it must be printed out and mailed in.)

These classes are no big deal.  Every 5 years I must earn 6 graduate level courses to maintain my teaching credential in Ohio.  My certification expires at the end of 2012...so it's time to get on the ball and get this done.  (Certificate?  Credential?  I can't even remember which one I technically have.  I know it isn't a license...that changed a year after I graduated or something.  Lordy...do I deserve one of these if I can't even remember what I have?)

But still the paper sits.

On one hand, it makes a ton of sense.  It is costly and time consuming to earn a teaching degree...and I already have one.  It is simple to renew and keep current.  I have no idea what job opportunities will be available when I go back to work...perhaps having this certificate will give me an edge over someone else.  Jeff is getting hotter and more muscular every week AND he's approaching 40...aka mid life crisis age.  There's like a 75% chance he's leaving his tubby housewife for some hotty soon.  I'll need a good paying job when that happens, and teaching would be that. 

On the other hand, it seems ridiculous.  In every scenario I have in my head of going back to work, teaching is no where to be seen.  I am way too lazy to be a teacher, much less a teacher AND a mother.  Even if I wanted to teach, who in the world would hire me?  I taught for one year way back in 2000, I have no computer skills to speak of, and all the jargon and what-not has changed.  I might as well have a degree in zoology for all the good my degree would do me in a classroom now.  I am not qualified to have this certificate/credential/license anymore...is it a farce to even have it?  False advertising?

Perhaps my most pressing concern is the fact that I am going to take on-line course on the computer that is so slow and annoying I can't even blog more than once a week.  Frustration is sure to be at a high.

-sigh-  I'll do it.  Don't worry.  It is just too easy to keep it current not to.  I just have to mail this stinkin' sheet of paper.

Yes Day!

We have a new book in the house...Yes Day!  The premise is that this little boy gets one day a year where his parents will say yes to anything he asks.  In the front of the book there is a little calendar where all the days of the month are variations of No...Not on your life day...Go ask your father day...What part of no don't you understand day...etc.  Until the last day of the month...which is yes day.

Andrew quickly figured out that this calendar had 30 days in the month and that based on the activities they do it is in the summer.  So Yes day must be June 30.  And he and Lily asked if we could have a Yes day on June 30th.  We will be in Kiawah that day this year, so I agreed.  Lily and Andrew have been so excited...they are already planning what they will ask for that day.

Last night, Lily was tired.  She'd had a big day of swim lessons and school and running to Andrew's swim lesson, etc.  She didn't want her dinner of chicken nuggets, and so she accepted that she wouldn't be getting chocolate milk before bed.  A few minutes after leaving the table she asked if she could play on my Kindle.  I said no, because they'd already played with it quite a bit that afternoon.  She went to the steps and quietly cried.  She insisted she was okay.  She came up a few minutes later and asked if she could have a piece of gum.  I said no, because it was almost bedtime.  Her shoulders slumped, her head dropped, and she sadly muttered, "It's like it's a No day."  She was so so sad.  I asked if she needed a hug, and she sobbed into my shoulder. 

It was so stinkin' cute and sad all rolled up into one.  So I let her play Kindle for a little bit.  I'm not a monster.

Anyone?

2 things you should know about Michael for this story. 

#1- Michael does not like to be alone.  He panics if he is on a level of the house without anyone else.  Unless the Kindle is on...in which case half the house could be carried away on flow of lava and he wouldn't notice.  But NORMALLY, he is frantic to be with other people. 

#2-Michael wakes up early on most days.  He has learned to wait until the clock says 6 to come out.  Well...most days.  Last Saturday he came into our room at 5:54 and asked, "Mom?  Can I come into your bed?  My clock won't turn to 6."  So, usually when he gets out of his room, he comes straight into our room.  Unless there is a light on downstairs, in which he will go find out who else is already awake. 

But it is getting light out earlier, and this is throwing the poor boy for a loop.  On Sunday, Jeff and I were lounging in bed after a night out partying.  I'm serious.  Anyway, it was already 6:15, and we heard Michael's door open for the first time.  He went immediately downstairs (I'm assuming because the sun was up and lighting the kitchen).  We then hear his little voice...

"Anyone?"

"Anyone?"

(with increasing panic in his voice) "ANYONE?"

I stumbled downstairs to find him frozen in the hallway, freaking out because he just realized no one else was awake yet and he was downstairs...alone!

Photo blog

I don't think I've posted pictures in a very long time.  And I haven't seen family in quite a while, either.  So pictures it is!

This is what the kids would like to do all day long.  Play with my Kindle.  I have to admit I use it as a bribe or threat quite a bit.  It also brings out my inner 3 year old...I don't wanna share!

 Andrew's Humanities class had a puppet show about the ocean world.  It was nice to meet the other parents and to see Andrew in a class full of Andrew's.  Except I think he has exceptional social skills compared to some.  Others are silly and friendly like him.  But others...whew.  Future Bill Gates's in there.

 I took a lot of pictures like these.  Lily always wants a whole apple instead of cut up, and when I tell her that she never eats very much of the apple, she protests and complains and moans.  Same with a cup of hot cocoa.  So I started taking photo evidence to support my argument. 

 Michael has become just as much of a pretend player as the others.  When not wandering around the house moaning "I will eat your BRAAAAAAINS", he likes to be Worker Mike.  And that is what you have to call him while he is in character. 

 Lily loves to cook, and unfortunately Mommy's new diet is not giving her nearly as many experiences as she would like.  But occasionally I give in...like when we made Valentine's cookies and then delivered them to neighbors.  I need to do more of that...bake and give away. 

 Lily's last photo with long hair.  After many weeks of begging, I finally gave in and let her get it cut off.  But I didn't put the photos in order, so you won't get to see it for a few shots.  Oh, the anticipation!

 Andrew is in cubscouts this year...which is a whole post in itself.  For now I will leave you with photos of the pinewood derby.  Andrew came in 5th.  Of 6.  At least he wasn't last?  That's what you get for waiting until 2 days before to begin.  Again...another whole post about Jeff's apathy towards this activity.  No, not apathy.  He actively hates cubscouts, and it shows.

 Michael and I made a floor puzzle, and he told me it was big enough to be a bed. 

 Shadow also loves the sunny spot in the living room.

 My handsome blue-eyed boy.  Isn't he getting big?

 Michael's typical pose for photos.

 I bribed him to look at the camera...no strawberries until you smile for the camera.

 Andrew's lying face.  His eyebrows go way up...I believe he was lying about tucking his pants into his socks on purpose just to drive me crazy.  He was trying to convince me that he didn't do it.  I got photo evidence of the lying face. 

 Lily's new hair.

 Isn't she cute?



Ninjas!

Another  favorite pretend game around here is ninjas.  It is one of the only things that all 3 kids can do peacefully together.  Semi-peacefully at least.  This stems from all 3 children being obsessed with Ninjago, which is a Lego based cartoon.  Doesn't make sense to you?  Me neither. 

The show has 4 different colored ninja trainees who are striving to become the "green ninja" that has been prophesied.  It is kind of funny and they are Legos, so the violence isn't too much, whatev's.

So my kids are constantly playing Ninja.  Which Michael endearing calls "Inja".  As in, "I am a INJA!"

The other day, they were all sitting quietly drawing ninjas.  Andrew was asking them what kind of ninja they were and drawing their weapons and costumes.  Michael drew a really cute 12 fingered ninja that I will be keeping as one of his non-scribbling pictures.  And Lily was drawing the people in our family.  Not ninjas, now that I think about it.

Here's how Andrew described their chosen ninja powers...

Michael decided that he was the grass ninja.  Not as in "duuuuuuude, awwwwwesome" grass, but as in green -won't come out of the knees of jeans- grass.  His sword was covered in grass blades.  When he attacks, the grass blades cut people and cover them with grass.  Fierce?

Lily was the flower ninja.  Her sword throws flowers at the enemy.  (?)  I don't think Lily understands the point of ninjas or what they really are.

Andrew is a red ninja.  He has a lava sword that shoots hot lava at the enemy.  By far the coolest weapon.  Coincidence?  I think not.  It pays to be the artist.

When Andrew isn't home, the ninja game falls by the wayside.  Like as I type this, Lily and Michael are playing Barbies.  You may think this was Lily's idea...but you would be wrong.  Michael is a non-discriminate toy player.  He will be pummeled in elementary school.  But he'll make a great husband and daddy.