Year in Review

Writers block has plagued me as of late. As well as a host of bad moods. It has been a weird couple of weeks around our house, and because of that, I haven't wanted to write much of anything. But since it is about to be a new year, the bug has caught me, and off I go.

Since Thanksgiving, Rob worked ungodly hours, as he is teaching 10 credit hours this term (the usual is 6 or 7). Due to this, we hardly saw each other, which put a bit of a strain on the two of us. He was stressed, so I was stressed. Add stress plus stress, it wasn't a real pleasant place to be in our house for a few weeks. Then you add in the holidays, and it was nearly unbearable. This year, the holidays (for the first time) were felt as if they were endured rather than enjoyed. Such a horrible way to feel, but it was true for us this year. With the economy, our parents getting older, and Rob's car dying for some weird reason AND having to fly to New York in a snowstorm to pick the new piano for Augustana, the holidays were kinda shitty this year. We ate too much. The parties felt obligatory rather than festive. Plus another year without a baby. We're both feeling a little out of sorts. Hopefully, with the passing of this year, things will start to look up.

Things that made this year great:
The creation and productions of Riverbend Theatre Collective
RTC had a nice opening year, with a great success of our first show, Elegies- A Song Cycle

We were lucky enough to also be featured in last weeks QC Times Arts section with a nice article by David Burke.


The purchase of our first home


After years of renting, we finally became homeowners on August 29 of this year. From November of 2007 to March of 2008, we paid off ALL our debt, with the exception of our car payment, school loans, and our one credit-card each. Because of this, our credit ratings went through the roof. That combined with our secure incomes, we were able to purchase our adorable house in the hood. Each day I love it more. Lucky us, the sellers left the house in great condition, with many new upgrades and remodels. The only work we've done is painted the bathroom, dining and living rooms, and up next is the horrid burgandy mess of a studio.


Five Year Anniversary-

(Courtesy of Jan Scott Photography)

This year, Rob and I celebrated five years of marriage. I love this man more every day, and am so thankful he came into my life in the fall of 2000. We've had our rough patches, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. We wouldn't have the relationship we have now. And that is pretty wonderful.


One Year with Ike-


One of the best little dogs on the planet. Enough said.



Friends-
I wish I could put a zillion pics up of all of lovely friends. This year was a great year of meeting people and cultivating friendships with a lot of important people. I won't name them all. You know who you are.


Plans for 2009
Stop spending money on stupid crap- after buying a house, we did have to buy a lot of stuff to put in it. But the constant dining out needs to stop.
Learn to relax
Try to have a stress-less theatre season
Be good to myself- more exercise, less food, more yoga, more visits to see Lucia
Just keep swimming- As Dorie says in Finding Nemo, I need to just keep swimming when it comes to having a baby. It's something I desperately want in my life, to be a mother. But what I am trying to understand is that making a baby is a very delicate thing. I need to be a patient and know that when the time is right, it will happen.
Support Rob- Rob is struggling... with work, trying to make time for me, trying to make baby, and losing weight.


On Wednesday, Rob and I fly out to visit Dad and Cathy for a week. I am greatly looking forward to seeing my brother Jake (who I haven't seen in nearly 7 years) and my sister Abby, who I haven't seen in almost 4 years. We are both looking forward to having some down time with no responsibilities or obligations. Just time to relax, read, and spend time with my family.


Because I felt bad about adding Ike and not Maddy. My lovely, old girl.

Week in Review

Yes, I baked these for Thanksgiving. Pumpkin, Pecan, and a Dark Chocolate Chip Cheesecake. All I'll say is that the pumpkin and pecan were not even touched.

We spent the holiday with Rob's family in Morrison this year, rather than go to Ridgecrest with my family again. Last years' festivities were more sad and depressing than joyful, and we both didn't really want to spend the holiday this way again. We had a very nice dinner with the Elflines. My only beef was that they didn't have cranberry in a can. You know, the kind with the ridges? That is my favorite.

On Friday, Rob and I indeed go shopping. However, it wasn't nearly as bad as we had thought it might be. We ended up at Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Target, and were pleasantly surprised at the lack of craziness. We did, however, splurge this year and buy ourselves a very nice Christmas tree. Since we have more than enough room for a tree this year, we decided we would be grown-ups and buy a nice one. It is, of course, artificial, but it looks just beautiful in our dining room. Rob picked the royal colors of gold and purple. You should see it at night. It's really breathtaking.



Since my last post, I've really had quite a nice week. After learning that I wasn't pregnant, and posting about it on both my blog and Facebook, I had a bit of an outpouring of comments and support from friends. One in particular mentioned I start reading books by spiritualist Eckhard Tolle, who has penned The Power of Now, Stillness Speaks, and A New Earth. Mr. Tolle talks much about living in the moment, and not allowing yourself to get caught up in the chatter of what comes next. It's been a real joy reading his books, and finding that I have the capability to turn off the mind when I need to. Because of this, I've had such a peaceful and lovely week. Yoga has also helped this. I practice every day now, and I am noticing how my body is changing. Rob and I had our last class with Jeani yesterday at DSY, but we did sign up for the next 6-week class that begins next Saturday. In addition, we get two weeks free unlimited classes with our first 6-week session. I'm planning on going at least twice this week.

In a random twist, I've recently received a message from an old college acquaintance on Facebook. I was presently surprised to find a message from her this past week, as it has been years since we've spoken. During my freshman year of college, we had become friends when I started getting more involved in the theatre program at Clarke. In the beginning of my sophomore year, I sort of went through an emotional breakdown of sorts. A crisis of conscience, if you will. At that time in my life, I wasn't really able to communicate (or really wanted to) what was happening in my life. When I decided that sticking to the music program was going to be my path, I think I alienated many people, including her. It was a strange time in my life, as I had also started dating a boy who ultimately turned out to be a gigantic mistake. As I grew into an adult and left Clarke, I did often wonder about her and where she landed. Turns out she is married and landed here in the QC with a brand-new baby. I am unsure what else she is doing these days, but she had mentioned to me that she is involved in Venus Envy with our mutual friend Melissa. It was really quite wonderful to receive her message, and I hope that we are able to continue in getting to know each other again.


Lastly, I picked up my recent B&W rolls from the Camera Corner this past week. Here is some photos from the Fall.


The goat at Niabi Zoo



Our nephew Enzo



Aiden, son of our friend Dawn.



Oliver and one of his moms, Abbey


Rob and the lorikeets



Oliver on the run



Norallene and Zoe the dog



Our niece Isabella and her daddy.

Dis-ease.

When I first started this blog nearly 3 years ago, it was primarily for me. I stopped journaling (which was, largely, a mistake) and allowed this to take it's place. I used to write most days during the week. I posted thoughts, feelings, poems, pictures of what was happening in my life. I didn't care who in cyberspace could read it, because it was for me.

Then, last fall, when the blast-from-the-past/Anonymous poster reared her all-in-bad-taste head, I lost my nerve. Maybe that was what she was going for. To make me feel small, which, incidentally, was exactly what she and her friends did to most people in college, so I wasn't really surprised. However, anonymous poster doesn't check my blog much anymore or, really, at all. It made me realize that I shouldn't give a crap who reads what I write, or for that matter, their opinion on the things I do write. That's what blogs are for. To write about what is happening in personal lives. And I miss doing it. From now on, I write what I like. End of story.

I haven't been having the best couple of weeks. Since moving in, I've always felt a little "off". Like I should be doing something, but the something never comes. I feel uncomfortable, bored, lazy. My studio took a bit of a hit since moving, so the fall has been a bit slow. It is, however, starting to pick back up, with four new students added just in the last week, so I'm starting to feel better about that. I've been planning the 2009 theatre season, and I'm feeling pretty great about that, too. But there is still something that just doesn't feel right. It's as if I'm always waiting for the next big thing. Ideally, what I'd like to do is to begin living my life between the goals. Or, living in the moment. Which is something I used to be able to do. Even just last year. But for some reason, I've ceased to remember how. I started seeing Lucia again, my therapist. We talk about seeing everything in life as an experience, and being present to each one. Also, just being in the process. Last year, when I was dealing with all my (for lack of a better phrase) "Daddy Issues", I relished being in the process. I knew what was happening each and every moment, and I loved it, because I wasn't afraid to feel everything in that moment. Now, I get too caught up in the outcome. I think this past summer has a lot to do with it. The theatre season, as well as closing on the house. I was so nervous something would come along and fuck everything to Hell. In the end, it didn't, and all was well. Lucia seems to think that I didn't recover from all the stress over the months of May-September. Frankly, I think she is spot on. So now, we work on stress recovery and living in the moment. I am greatly looking forward to it.

Last night, I finally pulled out the journal. In the past, I used to write every night. Lately, it's far and few between when I actually get to it. However, something compelled me to write last night. I have a book of writing prompts. Just a simple line to prompt you into some train-of-thought writing. Last night's was about returning. I wrote for a few minutes, just letting the pen flow. Towards the middle, I started writing about how I wished to return to "my art". My brain seemed to know what my hand wanted to do. When I finished, I realized what I wished I could return to. And that is performing. Being a performer is just a part of who I am, and have and will always be. I mentioned in my previous post that I haven't been cast in any shows here, and how it is upsetting. There aren't many other opportunities to perform here. I really enjoyed last winter, as Rob and I were contracted for lots of gigs and had a blast. But I haven't performed since Elegies, and I'm really itchin' for something. It feels nice, though, to know what it is I'm missing.

I am now going to rant. Those of you who'd rather not read, then just stop.

A year ago, Rob and I decided we were ready to have a baby. Emotionally and physically, I was in the prime of my life, and very ready to make babies. Once the theatre season started, we very seriously never had sex. We were too busy or too tired or both. So we stopped trying. Now, we are settled in the house, and we've begun trying again. I know that it takes time. Nature is taking its course, and we need to be patient. However, I honestly thought I was pregnant this week. I was having symptoms that seemed very much like pregnancy, and it turned out not to be. I was devastated. I felt so stupid for thinking that there was a chance when, in reality, it was a wicked case of PMS. On one hand, my body may feel ready, as I've been "preparing the nest" so they say. No alcohol, exercise, eat right, take prenatal vitamins. I'm doing everything a woman should do. On the other, maybe baby knows I am in a weird place emotionally and that it shouldn't come yet until I figure some stuff out. This is supposed to be dangerously easy! Why is it so hard?!
And here is the kicker. I'm so tired of people saying to me that "it's okay". I'm tired of the advice. I'm tired of the universe kicking me while I'm down by showing me thousands of pregnant women or women with newborns,or ultrasound pictures or baby clothes or maternity shops (I know, how existential of me, right?). There are moments I just want people to stop talking to me about it. It's nobody's business to talk to me about my reproductive system, or my husbands. And frankly, I don't care if YOU get pregnant at the drop of a hat. So please, oh please, just don't mention it to me.

Today, I'm going to see the Twilight movie with an old pal I haven't seen in years. I am very much looking forward to it. And looking forward to seeing the movie. And tonight, dinner with D, who I miss very much!

Week(s) in Review

Christ I'm a slacker. No, for real. And it's not like I have an excuse for not writing. I have none. All the time I could be sitting here at the computer, I'm doing other things. Like watching hours upon hours of The Office. I hate to say that, while I've always sort of liked the show, I never really watched it religiously like most fans. I bought Season One for myself for my birthday last month. Then, I came into a little early Christmas money and bought Season Two just last week. And now, I can't seem to get enough. And by that, I mean I can't get enough of John Krasinski. I'm probably a couple years behind the time of falling madly in love with him like most Office fans, but who cares. I didn't get into Supernatural until just before Season Three as well. I didn't start watching both Alias and Lost until the tail end of Season One. Ah. Who cares, right? The point is I'm a fan now. And Netflix has Season Three available in Instant Watch. Which I will probably do for the majority of the day today because Rob is in Morrison preparing for his gig with the Clinton Symphony tomorrow. Jim Halpert, it's you and me today, baby.

This week, Rob had his Fall Break from Augie. What really sucked is that the majority of break, he spent it at work anyway, practicing for his gig. I won't lie. I was kind of upset. But what can you do? I wish my husband were able to take some time off and RELAX, which he desperately needs.

In other news, I wasn't cast in the musical I auditioned for a few weeks back. Honestly, I was a bit upset. Just between you, me, and the entire blogging community. I think any strong singer would feel the same way, as this is Jason Robert Brown we are talking about, and not just anyone can sing his music. JRB's music requires not only nuiance, but stamina. My anonymous reader would probably take a moment here to bash me for being so full of myself, but honestly, I'm a trained musical theatre singer who knows her shit. And one of the girls (notice I say girl, not woman) that was cast, in my opinion, is WAY too young and doesn't have the MT chops to handle the role. This kind of stuff makes me miss Cincinnati desperately. In Nati, mediocrity is thrown to the wayside. Granted, there is more talent in Nati than here (not saying there isn't talent here, just more of it there!). But there isn't that political bullshit there like there is here. It's a bit ridiculous, really.
However, because I wasn't cast, Rob and I bought our tickets to Texas to see Dad, Cathy, Abby and Jake. It was probably a blessing in disguise, not getting cast, because now we get to spend a week with our family. And that is going to be great. In addition, we are heading to Chicago a day before we fly out of O'Hare to take in some museums, and hopefully see our friend Andrea, and possibly Keith.

We are also trying to plan a trip out to LA to see Ross and Christopher. They have lived there for years now, and we've yet to pay them a visit. Rob has never been to LA (it's been over 10 years since I've been), so it is definitely time to do so. If we're able to go, we hope to get down to San Diego for a day or two. I was lucky enough to spend some time there in college on Choir Tour, and it was a beautiful, lovely place. In addition, I may even get to see old friend Celeste, and finally get to meet my blogger friend, Anne Elisabeth. We shall see!

11-4-08

I don't want to say cheesy things. Or things that are cliche. But something happened last night that the whole world is buzzing from. Not only did we see the first black man elected president, but we saw a GREAT man elected president.

I am a liberal. And I am proud of that. My parents raised me to be a free-thinker. Politics, religion, it doesn't matter. I am a liberal. I believe in the upholding of the Constitution. I believe that women should always have the right to choose what happens to their bodies. I believe in equality no matter your race, creed, sexual preference. I believe that women have just as many rights as men, and should be given as such. I believe that my two best friends, a same-sex couple, should have the rights that all heterosexual couples do. I believe in affordable health care for everyone, as for a time in my life, I paid out of pocket for my own insurance, and understand the burden it is on the working class. I believe in the Earth, and hope to see it improve over the years to come, instead of perish because of ignorant people who can't understand its power and beauty. I am a liberal. And I helped to elect Barack Obama.

Last night, we spent 3 hours with our closest friends, glued to the television in hopes of seeing the man who has not only inspired us in that room but a nation sick and tired of the religious Right policies of a failed administration. Every one of us in that room understood the magnitude of every mistake of the Bush administration, and could not for a minute see how our nation could elect into office the McCain/Palin team. When, at 10pm, the TV flashed "Obama is President-Elect", we all sat there, in awe and disbelief. Shocked, we said "What? For real?", and it was. We kissed, we hugged, we cried. A collective group of young professionals, moved to a point of absolute joy no one could explain or put into words. When President-elect Obama came to the stage with his wife and two daughters, the tears silently flowed from all of us, myself included. We all sat in silence, listening to him speak of how we as a nation did this. The man who has inspired hope, change, ideas, freedom in each and every Obama supporter, spoke and we listened as he thanked Joe Biden, his family, his wife, and of course, promising a new puppy to his two young daughters.

I hope the pride I feel as a liberal American feels the same to everyone who shared in as magnificent night as I did.

Amazing

PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Halloween 2008

Pics from last night's party at Jake and Andy's house!



Scott from "V for Vendetta"



Can you guess what we are?



A very clean girl Erin



A stingy Jaci



Nosferatu!



A lovely group



Some random folks



!!!!!!!!



Bowie squared



Ann, Chris, Jill and Aaron



Andy and Arsh

Week in Review

It has been an absolute gorgeous autumn in the Quad Cities this year. Last year, we had so much rain the trees never turned. This year, the trees are just gorgeous. Or maybe it's because we live in Rock Island now that we notice all the colors. We feel very lucky to see all the Fall colors this year that we didn't get last year!

This past weekend was a busy one. Friday night, Rob and I hosted 3 couples (8 people total) in our first ever dinner party. We cooked an amazing meal that everyone loved, and had a blast with friends old and new. Around 11pm, I started to turn into a pumpkin and everyone finally left. We can't wait to host another so we can get these wonderful people back in our house! Christmas party, here we come.

Saturday, Rob and I started our Intro to Hatha I yoga class at Davenport School of Yoga. I tried going last Spring, but I didn't know much about the poses and always felt as if I was looking at everyone else rather than practicing the asanas. Now, it's me and Rob and only a few other folks in the class, with our amazing teacher Jeani, this little Austrailian woman who is probably the most gentle person I've ever met. We both left feeling amazing, and can't wait for class again this coming weekend. In addition to my gym workouts, I've been practicing yoga every day this week, and already I feel great!

On Saturday afternoon, we celebrated our grandparents 70th (yes, 70 years!!!) anniversary at Ridgecrest Village, where they live. We had a lovely party room and many folks came to celebrate. My sister and Lou came down with the two kids, and we finally got to meet our niece, Isabella.


Isabella



Enzo

The best part of the day was watching Uncle Rob and Enzo playing garbage truck for at least an hour. By the end, both boys were exhausted.



This week, both of Rob's siblings are in town. Ross from LA and Ann from Tasmania. We are looking forward to spending more time with them during their visits!

Week in Review

The big news of the week was that we finally painted the living room! After living with the dark, dismal green for 7 weeks, we decided to go with something a little more bright and warm. We tend toward the warm colors in this house- reds, browns, and now, yellow.


Before



Primed



Done!!


I call this the Panera Bread bathroom color. If you've ever been to a Panera Bread, you know what I'm talkin' bout. I love the warmth of this color, and it looks amazing next to the red dining room. We will, however, be finished with projects for a while. Next up? Getting rid of those horrifying colors in the studio.

Yesterday I had my first audition in about 6 months. The Green Room Theatre is staging a production of Jason Robert Brown's Songs for a New World in January, and I am hoping to be a part of it. I felt quite confident with my audition and singing from the score. Now all I gotta do is wait to hear!

This coming weekend, we are having a little dinner party and inviting some close friends, and some friends we'd like to get to know better. We are very excited for all of them to meet each other, and for us to host a lavish dinner. It's something we've been excited to do for years. Now that we finally have a beautiful dining room, the time has come!

This week, I'll spend some time grant writing, as deadlines are beginning to loom again. RTC can always use grants and donations, so it's time for me to put on my Producer hat and get to work.

The man

In case you didn't know, I support and am voting for this man in the election...






I'm just sayin'...

Week(s) in Review

After a long hiatus from seeing my Dad and Cathy, we had a nice visit with them while they were here last weekend. We ate way too much (which is the norm when they are here) and we even got to take them to the Blue Cat to show off our local hang-out. The only downfall of the weekend was having to spend time with extended family I don't care too much for. Being told that "28 is old for having a baby" and constantly being insulted with passive-aggressiveness is not my idea of fun. Seeing Dad and Cathy is always a positive experience when they come to the QC, when it's just the two of them.

Tomorrow I turn 31. To celebrate, Rob and I had a lovely weekend of travel and shopping. Saturday we drove down to Burlington to have dinner at Martini's Grille, a swanky place overlooking the Mississippi River. The drive down was beautiful with the midwestern trees finally turning their autumn colors. Burlington is a beautiful town on the bluff with old houses and railroad money. It reminded us both very much of Galena.


View from our table at Martini's


After eating so much we felt like we might puke or die, we rolled ourselves back into the car and drove home. Sunday, Rob took me to Best Buy to get my birthday present, my new iPod Shuffle.


It's so awesome! I spent two hours downloading 60 songs onto it last night, and still have room for 190 more. I took it to the gym today and I love using it. Rob wanted to get me the zatzie iPod Nano, or even the 2 GB Shuffle, but honestly the only time I ever use it is at the gym, so why in the world would I need something that holds that much information?


In addition to celebrating my birthday, we also celebrated one year with Ike. We went to the shelter to bring donations and brought him back with us to visit. They always go gaga over him and can't believe how good he looks and how social he is. It was a long row to hoe, after all his health problems last year, but he is now the healthiest, sweetest little guy and we are so happy he is in our lives

Ike one year ago.



Ike today

Happiness vs. Contentment

My journey as of late has been one fraught with conflicting emotions. For months, I fretted over the house. Was everything going okay with our loan? When will we close? Will we have enough money to get through?

Once all of this came and went with no hiccups, I found myself in a new house, with an extreme amount of free time. With the economy a nightmare, the studio is down a few students. I kind of figured that might be the case. But honestly, teaching is my livelihood. Take it away from me and I'm completely lost. I enjoy being in the studio more than I can say, and now that I'm not in it as much, I'm finding myself becoming more and more discontent.

The work I did in therapy last year still sticks with me, and I still find myself quite happy. But I also find there are extreme differences between being happy and being content. I'd like to feel both, because contentment is seeming to elude me most days.

I am far from depressed. Bored is more like it. While there are a few projects I'd like to do around the house, they will have to wait for a month or so. I am planning the theatre season, and getting things done there, so that is helping.

However, the more time I have on my hands to think, the more I'm beginning to realize how much I want a baby. That little person has decided not to come yet, and that is okay. Biology needs to make an appearance and take over. What I'm tired of hearing from people is "just relax and it will happen". Frankly, this comment does nothing but piss me off. I'm sure there are women friends who read this blog who can understand. Once a woman decides she wants a child, she wants it NOW. I am no exception. Once I did the work in therapy last year, I finally realized I was ready for a baby. That my past/childhood was nothing but just that - in the past. I dealt with the demons that were holding me back for so long in getting to the point that I was ready to make that step with my amazing husband. I also realize that it has been a bit crazy these past months since April: Elegies, Kimberly, Bees, packing, closing, moving. All in 6 months. That is a lot of stuff. My body was probably making it so no little person could survive with the amount of stress going on in there. But there isn't much stress now. So come on, little person. We're ready.


In case you wanted to see some of the shots Rob and I had taken by Jan Scott, click here to access her blog. Just scroll down and you'll see some of shots! We ordered our prints and should get them in a week or so. Can't wait!

Week in Review

After a week of mostly boredom, I finally did some research as to what I'd like to do with all this free time I seem to have. Of course, I'm planning the next season of theatre, and doing some early grant writing work (most aren't due until Spring), so that is keeping me somewhat busy. But I decided to find some things to do with my days that are monumentally free. This is what I've come up with-

- Start back up with yoga, Monday and Thursday mornings
- Work out EVERY day during the week (I go every day but Weds. now)
- Rob and I take a ballroom dance class (something I've wanted to do for EVER)
- Take an online non-profit management course
- Take an adult tap class
- Become an adult literacy tutor

There may be more to come, but I think this will be enough for now. Rob is looking into how I can audit classes at Augie. Since I'm spouse of a professor, I can take them for free. I'd really like to get into an anthropology class (maybe one with Adam!), an art class, or something else creative.

Last night, Rob and I headed up to Morrison to have our photos taken by Jan Scott of
Jan Scott Photography. She is a high school friend of Rob's who has recently become a professional photographer. Her work is just gorgeous, and we wanted to get some shots of us together since we don't have many. Here is just one of the hundreds she probably shot of us.



This week my Dad and Cathy get into town, and we are quite excited to see them, as it's been nearly two years since the last. I can't wait to show them the house!

Sunday morning, I'm wakin' up

Rob is still asleep, the dogs have been outside to poop and pee and had their breakfast, and I'm sitting at the computer with my coffee. Kinda wish I was still sleeping, but I'm realizing as I get older, 1. I don't need as much sleep anymore, 2. I have to pee a lot in the middle of the night, and 3. I'm now a morning person, thanks to the skylights in the master suite. I don't mind it. I feel like a million bucks these days, and I go to bed earlier because I'm up early in the mornings.

The good news is that I'm finally ready to talk/think/see theatre again. It took me, what, 2 months? That's a good amount of time, I think. I needed to focus on getting our household moved, and I was so burnt out after the summer that I needed a break. But now feels like a good time. I've had much time to think, and to get to the heart of the matter. I know I made mistakes in my first season. Who wouldn't? The beauty is taking those mistakes and rearranging them to positives and what I could do better next season. There were also many positives that will carry on to seasons in the future. And the beauty? We've got a helluva season planned for next year. Four shows instead of three, and I WILL not be directing AND producing all of them. One of the things I realized this year is that I am only one person, and I cannot and WILL NOT do both at the same time. I just about lost my mind. While I know it's hard work, I also want to enjoy it, and frankly, I didn't this year. So things are going to change, and I hope it shows.

Last night, D and I finally got together after not seeing each other for an entire month. We had such a nice time, drinking cosmo's and having a bite at the Blue Cat. It made me realize how much I missed her friendship and the ease of our conversation. We gossiped, we laughed, and talked about the season premiere of our boys on Supernatural, which was last Thursday! It was a lovely evening.

Have been spending much time with Abbey and Anya, our friends who live just a block over. They are such wonderful ladies who love to share their life experiences and love to hear about mine. It's great to have girlfriends I can just call up or walk down and have coffee with any time. I just love them.

My Dad and Cathy will be making their way up from Texas to the QC in just two weeks. I'm thrilled to see them again, as the last time was Christmas of '06 on our way from O'Hare to Eureka. My Dad just had hip replacement surgery, so hopefully he'll be able to make his way around without getting too tired during their visit. I can't wait to show them our new house!

Week in Review

Am still unsure whether or not we have a ghost in the house. Maddy hasn't gotten stuck in the bathroom since that last instance, and doors have kept open. Who knows?

Rob and I survived our first (somewhat minor) homeowners crisis, as after 4 straight days of rain, the basement flooded with 6 inches of standing water. Lucky for us, both the water heater and furnace stand in the middle of the floor, where water was barely seeping. With old houses like this, it is common to have a wet basement. Especially for us living under the water table level, and owning a house nearly 100 years old. The water is just about gone after it's been sunny the past few days. We are hoping it stays relatively dry enough until we can get a dehumidifier (sp?) down there to help a little. Spring will probably suck.

This weekend we had a lovely housewarming. Probably close to 40 people came and went on Saturday night, including old college pal Kevin, who came from Rochester and stayed too short a time.

Now the house is finished (for now!), am I finding myself at a loss for what to do. Sure I have Kindermusik and students, but I'm finding I have much free time. We are in a position where we are financially doing quite well, so there is no need for me to take on much more. But frankly, I'm sort of...bored. What do people do with their free time?

Some pics from the weekend...

Kev and his vice



The night just kept getting longer...



The infamous Quince pouring



Rob and the bottle



Everyone has scary eyes, even the dog

In the material world

I think there is a ghost in my house.

Now, that being said, it could be something I'm totally projecting and it isn't for real in the slightest. It could just be paranoia. But I'm curious.

In my new house, you can get to the bathroom by either A) going through the guest room, or B) going through the kitchen, to the office, and then to the bathroom. We always keep both bathroom doors shut, as Ms. Maddy loves to go into the bathroom and eat copious amounts of toilet paper.

Last night we went out for our anniversary dinner, and upon returning, we couldn't find Maddy (this is not the first time this has happened). Of course, we have a much bigger house now, plus a second story, so I ran around looking for her until I heard Rob yell "I found her, she's in the bathroom".

Okay. So I've seen Maddy nose her way in to the bathroom via both doors. But here is the weird thing. She was stuck in the bathroom for who knows how long... and both doors were shut tight. In addition, the door from the guest room into the dining room was also shut tight. Incidently, we had left that door wide open when we left.

So someone please explain to me how all three doors were shut up tight, when no one with opposable thumbs had been in the house for hours?

This same thing happened a few days ago, except Maddy was trapped in the guest room and not the bathroom.

Now here is the thing. I never get an oogy feeling in the house. It is a warm, gentle feeling being here. I think if there is some kind of spirit in this house, he/she is a playful one, and means us no harm. It's an old house, over 100 years, and I'm sure there may be someone who's passed on, some disembodied soul floating around.

There may also be some logical explanation. I am open to both.

The Last Five Years

Happy Fifth Anniversary, love of my life...

Dining Room

In case you're following along, here was the dining room on Tuesday...


And here it is today. Lovely, don't you think?


I am finally done doing things to the house... for now! I got everything done I wanted to before students come next week. Today, I think I'll head over to see Abbey at Green Thumbers and buy some mums to plant for my window box and front porch pots. The outside needs a little color. Tomorrow, Rob and I celebrate our 5 year anniversary. We're taking each other to the Bass Street Chop House down on the Moline Riverfront. It's supposed to be quite swanky... and expensive. Should be a nice weekend!