I escaped to Indiana this week. On Monday I flew out to see Mamacita and all of her magical creatures and buttons. At least HB is convinced of that. She has a singing button bathroom, a cute little neighbor girl, and a magical turtle that gives prizes whenever Mr. Turtle deems.
In her bathroom it is like a child’s wonderland. A little creepy when the gargoyle’s eyes open as you sit a top her throne and starts singing away. The sun on the wall sings a different tune as well as the moon. Then there is the case of the molting bird. It sings a merry tune of “Zippidy Doo Da” while it proceeds to lose its paint. It is kind of old. Of course that one was HB’s favorite.
Mr. Turtle had a mind of his own. He is a wooden turtle with a shell that you can take off. Inside there seems to appear a treat. HB found money and “clips” as he called them. Today he is wearing his clips. They are dinosaur pins. He loved them. He also shared them with the little girl next door. Actually, he shared most of what he had with the little girl next door. He is just kind of like that.
We enjoyed White Castle hamburgers per my request. I have not had one since my childhood. We also visited Steak and Shake, another blast from my past revisited. She let us sleep in until the sun was high and we had to run about to get the fun accomplished.
We visited a beautiful pioneer village, which is right up HB’s alley. He loves hands on history. He did not care must for listening to the older gentleman describe how to mill corn, but the moment the wheel started he was into it in a big way. We also got a visit from “Rocky” the raccoon. He came pretty close to us just seeing if we would feed him.
I enjoyed the nights after HB we to bed and Mamacita and I would be dueling computers right next to each other. There are few friends that you can sit next to without saying a word and there’s never an awkward moment.
I truly relaxed and enjoyed myself. I know HB did as well. Then reality struck and we flew to Chicago for a memorial service for my dear college roommate that had breast cancer. After that we flew back home and back to reality.
It was such a nice break. It felt like I was in France and enjoying the countryside.
Thank you lovely Mamacita for a wonderful visit. We miss you already. XXOO

Before we left for Europe the kids received a gift and what a fantastic gift is was. It was 6 test tube experiements in a rack. WHAT A BLAST!
I decided that we would do 1 experiment a day. It was a fun and interactive activity to do with the kids. The instant snow was the biggest hit of the group. So much so that HG decided to take some with her to Europe to share with her “cousins”.
In Finland the little girls watched in awe as their big cousin created something that they normally had every winter. It took their breath away. In France the kids party came to a halt as the children looked on and experienced the fun of learning through the international language of play.
Today I finally got around to signing up for the “Experiment of the week”. I am looking forward to seeing what is in store for us next!
If you are interested in signing up for fun Science experiments that you can do with your kiddos then click HERE It’s fun fun fun…and even more fun in a test tube.
Thank you Steve.

We have spent this summer traveling and today is no different. Honestly, I can’t wait. I didn’t sleep last night that’s how much I can’t wait. We head out today to go see Mamacita!!
The packing was done last night (which is not like me at all) and the bording passes have been printed. I can’t believe that after two years of wanting to have a visit that it is going to happen.
I am sure I will have a story or two about the fun HB and I will have, but for now I have to get dressed and headed to the airport.
Too-da-loo for today.

There’s nothing sweeter than a little boy that gets a gift certificate for his birthday and decides to buy something less so that he can get something for his sister. (his sister is not even in town to ask for this) This little boy lost most of his toys in our flood.
*sniff He just fills my heart with happiness.

Dear HH,
I know that you might actually read my blog today to see if I really posted something cool and loving about our anniversary. See…I am!
We’ve been together now 20 years but married 14.
14 years ago all chaos broke loose at high noon.
At high noon the sound of horse hooves filled the air. The chatter of little girls and big girls getting out of a buggy. The doors to the chapel on the mountain opened up and I saw you. I know you saw me. For a split second I could see that you were reconsidering our decision to face the audience. There were only 200 people. Yet I could see you sweat knowing that you would have to talk in front of everyone.
As the “Cathedral March” rang out from the piano I stepped from being a single woman to joining my life with yours. Then…the unity candle went out. All I could think of was that I was hoping it wasn’t an omen. Then I tried to “flick the bic” and caught my nail on fire. The smell of acrylic nails filled the air as we finally got that boot of a candle lit.
We had a casual wedding that was just right. I had been dreaming my whole life of my wedding and when push came to shove we were just downright poor and could not afford to do that dream wedding. What we did do was so much more. The simple elegant wedding where the people still talk about the food was one of the best days of my life. It was that because I was starting on an adventure of a lifetime with you.
We have seen wonderful times and hard times. But through it all I still like you. Strange now that after all of these years I have always known that I love you but liking you was sometimes hard. That is one of the harsh realities that comes with life. But look at where we have come to now.
In our wildest dreams I know we did not dream about our little home so filled with love. Nor do I think that we thought about how wonderfully cool it was going to be being a parent. Our Bugsy and Mac have sure made our life complete…and hectic.
Simply said…I love you. Thank you for the last 14 years give or take a few months here and there. It has been an adventure…and a blessing.
Love,
Me

How do you say “see you later” to your little girl that is going on her first away vacation with a friend’s family? She’s only going for a few weeks but my heart is so so heavy knowing that she is away. I keep trying to consentrate on the positive that she is having a good time but I know that these are growing pains for me. She is enjoying her life while I wait by the phone to hear from her. I wait by the computer so that she will chat with me for a moment. She’s only 11. It is not time to let her go yet. She has plenty of time to be away when she’s older. Pretty soon she may not even want me around but for now I savor every moment.
Is this what my dear friends that have grown children feel like? If so I don’t know that I will survive the pushing out of the nest.

Note to my dearest A

If someday by chance you should happen to read this just know that you are loved beyond my explanation. I know that there are times when I am hard on you. I am sorry. It is only because I see so much potential in you. You have a gift and you are a gift.
I am having a hard time thinking that you are old enough to be in this new phase of life. I know that I must adapt, but you know me…change is difficult.
So my sweet Bugs, should you ever read this crazy rambling of a blog just know that I am merely a human being. I make mistakes just the same, I feel so much but sometimes have a hard time expressing and a heap more.

Your biggest fan,
Mommy