The Huddle

Yep that is me.   My intentions are there, I have thoughts and ideas; but the act of logging into Blogger and letting the keys fly has eluded me the last few weeks.    We survived Spring Break 2019.  And when I say survived I mean we keep busy and our spirits up all whilst be in the only family NOT IN FLORIDA. Luckily we had great weather here - well not Florida great - but sunshine and no rain.    The kids went to friends, had friends over. We went bowling (they could definitely benefit from a little more practice with that sport !!!), we went to AirTime trampoline park, we went to Flip Out at the gymnastics gym!  The week flew and now we are in the last stretch of the school year. Things are going to start to get very real around here with busy sports schedules and end of the year school stuff and family birthdays, holidays, etc.    Plus my list of house projects and for some insane reason I decided to paint my office ... On a p...

Signs of spring...... Mud and lots of mud!    Time Change (spring ahead) Birds chirping.  Spring sports schedules wallpapering the fridge doors Lent Soup Suppers and Worship March is reading Month  this is our last year of One School One Book - we are ready "The Chocolate Touch".   It is a silly book and easy read.   I have enjoyed the One School One Book over the years and maybe Reese and I will continue to read a book together every March Selecting classes for next school year Boat in water and walleye fishing starting! Getting motivated to do spring projects/cleaning and making lot of lists.  Next week is School Spring Break and then we start a very crazy couple of months. 

Last Saturday night I supported my parents and Marine City business community by attending their 3rd annual Llama Races.   I have been to many different fundraisers and was excited to attend this one! My dad's power parachute business Eagle Airsports LLC. became a Marine City Chamber of Commerce member a few years back to help promote his flights and to generally just be social!  The concept of the Llama Races is 24 businesses decorate a cutout wood Llama!   At the beginning of the night all the Llamas are on display and there is a jar next to each one for dollars to go in!   The Llama with the most dollars wins Best Dressed!      My mom worked so hard on their Llama and it looked amazing.    "Eagle One" was voted the Best Dressed.   My parents were so pleased and I was so proud of them.  Then comes the races.   Each race included 6 Llamas and a roll of a dice is how they moved ahead.  Fir...

For 24 years our Congregation has hosted a Chili Cook-off Fundraiser.  It started in the church basement and grew to filling Perch Point Conservation Club.   I have probably attended 20 of the years!  It is held the 1st Sunday of March and is a great way to break up the long winter and early thawing of spring.    Congregation members, their family & friends, community and anyone that loves Chili and fellowship, laughs and bake goods assemble to try out multiple pots of chili.    The pots of chili have numbered close to 30 and this year there were 22.  Aaron has been the head judge for many, many years and always finds 3 other pals to judge with him.   It is not for the faint of heart or picky eater to taste all of those pots of chili. Not knowing who the chef is that made the chili they are tasting, makes the judges even more brave.  The judges like sweet/spicy chili and preferably made with homemade canned tomatoes....

This year was Reese's last Daddy Daughter Dance.    It is always such a magical night for the girls and the mom's that plan and set up / clean up take so much pride in creating a memorable night for all the girls.  This years theme was A Night in Paris!  I was stationed at the sign in table so I got to see all the girls and the sparkle in their eyes when they proudly told me their name and teacher and I in turn told them how beautiful they looked.  There were berets and black & white strips, there were big dresses with crinolines and girls wearing tennis shoes with their dresses.   Curly hair, braids, sparkly headbands and corsages!  The decorations were pink & black and oh so Parisian!  Reese and Aaron went out to dinner with friends before the dance.   They have done that for the last couple of years and it is a nice time for the dads to spend with their daughters. 5th Grade is full of events that are...

After the craziness of the weather and of life in January and February it was great to have a night with just the gals to laugh and be creative.      My great friend Lisa , invited Reese and I to paint signs with her and her daughter Julia  (and 10 other gals) at a  cute place in St. Clair called The Craft Loft.  It was a snowy night, but it was so warm and cozy inside the loft space we painted in.   We had snacks and drinks and laughs!   It was fun to put everything aside and focus on making a beautiful sign.   Everyone's was so different and an expression of their personality.  I didn't realize until I got home that night and could reflect how great it really was to just have a night where I wasn't on the sidelines of a sporting event and that I was just with the gals!     Being able to do things like this with Reese is so special.   She did a great job and is becoming so grown up.  ...

Last week flew by.    We didn't have any snow days thankfully!   Instead we had school and homework and sports practices and kids birthday parties.     I also got the kids schedules organized for March and worked on the rest of years Sunday School schedule.     It feels so great for my soul to get organized even if it is just for as long as it takes for the ink to dry on the calendar.    Because undoubtedly it will change - coaches move dates,  snow day......    We just go with the flow and pretend we are organized.    Aaron continues to have major elbow pain, despite several visits to the sports medicine Dr.  So I have been helping split wood and load the stove.    I don't mind except for the smoke smell and also on the rare occasion that I get a stray ash that singes my hair.   The smell of burnt hair, especially  when it gets wet is the worst thing I have ever smelled...

We didn't go to Iowa for Thanksgiving or Christmas this year.   So I planned a trip for all of us to meet at a 1/2 point.  By all I mean us 4 from Michigan, Don & Marilyn and Steph, Crock, Cooper, Carson and Grandma Jenny.    I found a resort with pool and waterpark in Sheridan, IL; called Fox River Resort.     I reserved 2 villas (nice 2 bedroom, full kitchen rooms) and one standard room.   It was alittle over 5 1/2 hour drive for us and we got there first and checked out the resort (even stumbled on a waterfall).   It would be a very fun get away for the summer, as it has many outside activities.    We found a great mom and pop Pizzeria for a late lunch and it was yummy and authentic! Don & Marilyn got there next and we enjoyed nice conversation, catching up since we hadn't seen them since last January (when we met in Grand Rapids for the Globetrotter game).    We also gave them the rest of th...

I have to admit that I am not the mushy romantic Valentine's type of gal.   I don't Pinterest out our home with hearts and glitter and in the 18 Valentines's I have had with Aaron, I have probably only given him 10 cards or less.   And maybe because I don't put a lot of effort into the day, the same can be said for being on the receiving end.  The counter at out house is not filled with chocolates and flowers and going out for a romantic dinner - HA!  Guess what I don't get mad or sad! The hips don't need any chocolate and the card would get filled away! But, none of that means that I don't love my husband and children.  It doesn't mean that if I know someone that could use a Valentine card - that I don't send them one.   As a matter of fact I had a few dear friends that I sent cards to this year, because they are going thru some tough times.     And I am taking some Dove candy to give to my mother in laws and sister and law...

The crazy weather continues!    After 2 days off last week and Reese getting strep throat I was ready to start the week yesterday with a major to do list.    We were up early so that Parker could get to Dawn Patrol at the high school by 615 a.m. ( winter agility training for football!).    Between work and my list - it really was a great day yesterday.    The highlight was with both kids at a sports practice last night, I found my way to my beloved library!   I used to be a pretty frequent library visitor - especially when the kids were little.  Oh, how I love the library.    Last night it was very quiet and I found a biography on Eunice Kennedy and got lost in the quiet and lovely words of the book.   Soon it was almost 8 p.m. and time for the library to close.  I found a fiction book that was recommended by Sarah Jessica Parker - A Place for Us.    I look forward to reading that this weekend. ...

The grey skies, extreme cold, household issues and no school have really gotten to me.  My motivation is zero, my attitude crappy and all I want to do it sleep.  Yes, I know that is the clinical definition of depression.    The root of it all is that I am just missing my routine.   I like structure and my daily routine and not knowing day to day if there is going to be school or not has really interrupted life.   As of today they are at 11 snow/ice/water main break days.    The last week run down: After the frozen pipe and repair - the Polar Vortex continued and the pipe froze again.   I didn't even think to check and well let's just say the man of the house was not thrilled.   Woke up at 330 am on Friday to Aaron's phone calling him in for water main break.  Then 530, they called off Parker school and 630 they called off Reese school.  So Friday night we needed to all spend some time apart.  Re...

It is never a boring day.  Today started at 630 am with the frantic start of searching for AAA batteries.  The batteries in the thermostat in the office/toyroom died, so it was VERY cold out there.  We found some in the remote for the air conditioner - crisis adverted.   Back to bed for a bit.  NOPE - back bathroom water pipes frozen.    Lovely. Aaron brought in a Mr. Buddy heater and I sat with a blow dryer on the pipes for a few hours.    When the water finally started to flow, it also was leaking all over where the top fitting had expanded when it froze and then cracked.     Water everywhere!!! Called Aaron, he was here quickly and we got the water turned off.   He went and got a new fitting and some insulation.  It is now fixed and when he gets home from work he will put in the new insulation and we will be back to normal.   Minus the 18 loads of laundry to wash all the rags/towels. Only ...

Today is the 6th SNOW day of the year.   We got about 7-8" of snow yesterday.  Aaron was out from 6am to 9pm yesterday and then had to go back out at 2am this morning.   So, I was gladly on shoveling and stove work here.     I shoveled a path to the barn 3 times and loaded the stove as needed.  I was pretty tired when I finally showered off the smoke odor late at night.  Parker was a a friend's house most of the day, until they went out shoveling for $$$!  They weren't fortunate, but I give them big KUDOS for the effort.    Reese had a friend over and I printed off a recipe for the "new, trendy -  Mug Cakes" and they gave it a try!   Super quick and fun to make.  Their taste assessment was that they were a little bland.  So, we need to amp up the taste for future attempts!  I recommend them for all these stay at home kids. Confetti MUG Cake!!!!!

Well the heat issue was fixed, just a little water pump issue on the boiler!  So grateful they were able to come out to fix the problem the same day and the repairman was nice, the bill not so much!!  As of today 1/28, we are on day 5 of "snow/ice" days.  The Middle School has been trying to get mid-term exams in for a week.   The forecast for the rest of this week is looking pretty darn cold too; so stayed tuned for more days off.    I used to cringe at the thought of snow days, when the kids were younger.  That is the one downside of working from home.  But, now that they are older and wiser - lol!, and they have Netflix and phones and homework it is not so bad.  And I throw in a chore or 2 or 3.  On the bright side of January, I have been enjoying watching this beautiful flower bloom and blossom.  My sister in law gave me this thoughtful gift for Christmas and it it puts a daily smile on my face.  The book re...

We got the call last night that there would be no school today!  Sometime through the night I woke up because I was soooooooo cold.  Our house is normally pretty cold at night, but I was really cold.   I put in more blankets only to wake up to a text from Aaron saying that there was not heat!    I don't understand it all, because we have the outdoor wood stove, but something is preventing that hot water from getting thru the house.  So......... more to come.  Drink coffee and wear a hat.

Snow Day Work while kids sleep in So cold outside Take Parker to sled hill Reese friend Ally comes over Take Reese & Ally to sled hill Run dry boots and socks to Aaron at Guy Center (The river is jammed with ice and flooding had started).  Pick up kids at sled hill - Parker, Reese, Ally and 3 other boys!  Make PB&J's and SNOW snow cones!   Take Parker and boys to Grant's house.  Do more work Check on wood stove Take Reese to Dentist Drive Ally home Chores Pick up Parker Load stove Make dinner Fold clothes Make flashcards Read Netflix - Frankie & Grace Bed Normal Day!   I pretend that I would love a day curled up on the couch with a cup off coffee and a good book; and stay in my PJ's all day.   But reality is, I love the hectic busy life we have; where most days there is no schedule. As long as the work gets done, commitments and appointments are met and everyone is happy and healthy - this will likely co...

Last Friday night I had the pleasure to take Reese and two of her girlfriends to their 1st Rock Concert.  Our amazing theatre in Marine City - The RiverBank Theatre  https://www.riverbanktheatre.com/ hosted an up and coming band called Yam Haus.  It was a fun girls night out from picking them up from school and slime making!  To dinner out and being part of their girl talk. Talk of the future, names they want to name their kids, stories of the boys in their grade and lots of giggles.   Then we headed to The Sweet Tooth for some candy treats and more laughs.     We got to The River Bank early and the girls got to listen to them warm up and checked out the "merch" booth!    The Concert was AMAZING.  Great songs  new and old.  The girls clapped and sang and danced.  I hope this is the 1st of  many concerts with Reese.  She loves to dance and sing and the smile on her face was contagious!  ...

I have always been a reader.  It started as a child because mom my had a light that hooked on my headboard.  I remember reading every single night.   If I am eating by myself  I like to read.   It used to be just books, magazine and newspapers.   Now I read Instagram, Facebook, blogs and cookbooks too!  I love the used book sale at the library, buying a bag full of boxes and stacking them next to my bed is so comforting to me. The last year the stack got pretty high because of my addiction to Netflix streaming.   UGH!    So this year I am vowing to get back to what I love.   I love reading at the baseball field waiting between games, I love reading on the deck on a warm summer night and most of all i love reading on a cold winter night until my eyelids are so heavy and then I dream of the characters and how the book ended.  So far this year I have read 2 books I got at a Christmas party White Elepha...

We got the call at 5:30 a.m. that due to poor road conditions there would be no school today!    Though I could hear cars flying by on the road out front!!    There is no snow on the ground but was some ice in areas, so to be safe they cancelled school today for us and many schools in St. Clair County.    I gladly reset my alarm for a little bit later and went back to sleep.   The best is the kids got to sleep in and didn't know there was no school until they woke up!  Being a work from home parent, snow days are admittedly not my fav.   But, as Reese and Parker get older it isn't as bad as when they were dependent me for sustenance (unable to get their own cereal)!  Instead they need me to run them places.   In between work meetings today, dropped of  Super Bowl Square money to Parker's baseball coach, dropped Parker off at the gym, done a few loads of laundry, helped Reese clean out the hamster cage (God it w...

Yesterday was the last day of the 7th Grade Basketball Season.  It was an edge of your seat, fast paced game.   I love basketball for that reason, plus it is inside where it is warm and cozy on a cold January day.   It wasn't been a winning season, but yesterday's game was a win in OT!  It was a win against the cross town rival St. Clair.    Marine City had lost to them the last 2 times they met up.   It was a back and forth game that was tied at the buzzer and then went into overtime.    Then Parker fouled and went to the line for the last of many times this game and he was cool as could be.  Both shots swooshed thru the hole and then the team was in the lead.  There were several more plays (who knew 4 minutes of OT could last for what seems like hours....);  with Parker rocketing the ball down the court to his pal and teammate Grant who then flipped it through the hole.  The game ended with a SC air bal...

January 2019 is half over and still no snow here is ol' Michigan.  I am actually getting used to it and if we went the whole winter without it, I wouldn't mind really.    We started a new series of lessons at Sunday School yesterday called Snowflakes - discussing their Beauty, Uniqueness, Size.  The children cut out lots of snowflakes using coffee filters and q-tips (thanks Pinterest).  So, though it doesn't look like winter outside the church basement is starting to look like a winter wonderland. Last week was the first week back to school after Christmas break and it was a very busy week and flew by. Most days and weeks do around here.   After school each day there were basketball games and practices,   Baseball and softball practices.     We enjoyed a family day on Saturday watching Reese play in the morning, then we went out for breakfast/ lunch and then watched Parker play at St. Clair County Community College....

No one tells you before you have kids that every SINGLE DAY, there will be clothing, toys, misc. items; that they will out grow.  It is a constant cycle of moving stuff around.  New clothes & shoes put away in drawers and closets.  Clothes that are to small stacked in a pile by bedroom door, then moved to a Rubbermaid bin in the attic, then when the bin is full moved downstairs closer to the door.  Then when there is a pile so high you can't maneuver around them, you finally load them in your car and drive around with them in the back until you finally remember to stop and drop them off at a local organization.  Today is the day that I am dropping off our purge of outdated holiday decorations, 4 garbage bags of  clothing, out grown basketball shoes and cleats, and misc. items that NO ONE has used in years.  We are lucky to have a wonderful non-profit organization in the next town called KIDS (kids in distress services).   I take many of ...

I started a Blog many, many years ago but I wasn't diligent enough to update and post frequently.  I love the concept of an online log.  So much of your lives are captured online with cell phone photos, Facebook, Instagram, websites, emails; that is makes sense to have a place online to capture the memories and day to day life.  I named my new blogging adventure The Huddle, because it is the name of our outdoor bar (more to come on that).  I love starting the New Year with a feeling of organization and structure. There has been some cleaning and purging of stuff; the decorations put away and the to do lists made.  But, I was still feeling slightly unorganized and gloomy.  Most that come from it being  grey, rainy and muddy here for months.   A little of the white stuff may help!   But, what I am really hoping is that a daily update here will help keep my thoughts organized.  Cheers to 2019.