Archive for January, 2010

Yeah, yeah, she’s sweet too

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

In-laws can be a touchy area for a lot of couples.  I suppose it has something to do with the perceived and/or expected transformation of allegiances and traditions once someone marries.

And, let’s face it, you do marry each other’s families too.  But, you aren’t related to them by blood AND you didn’t pick them, just your spouse.  It makes for tenuous relationships to be sure.

So if you are looking for a spouse, I’d suggest doing what I did.  Marry the nicest guy around and chances are it runs in the family. 

It’s SweetGuy’s sister’s birthday today, which just gives me a good excuse to write about her.  I hope she doesn’t mind.  I don’t like to get terribly sappy in here.  I just like to tell it as is.

And here’s how it is with SweetSister:

  • She, like her siblings, is a tireless worker.  But, only at the expense of themselves, never at the expense of the ones they love.
  • We’ve been sisters-in-law for almost 25 years and I’ve never heard a cross word out of her.  Or, and this is kind of amazing, had a cross thought towards her.
  • I’m not even sure how this is possible, but her husband and children might even be sweeter than her.  There’s something really wrong there.  Her family is throwing the whole earth’s nice balance off it’s axis.  *COUGH*globalwarming*COUGH*
  • Never mind, I thought of a cross thought I’ve had.  She looks amazing, weighs nothing, and is one of those runners.  Oh yes, I’ve had a few cross thoughts.
  • She was close friends with FavoriteChild before SweetGuy and I ever even met, so her judgement IS questionable.

And, she, like her whole family has an impossible time keeping their eyes open for photos.  So, below is the best of 15 pictures I took at Christmas.  In every one of them at least two people’s eyes were closed.  In this one, you can tell SweetSister is doing her darndest to FORCE them to stay opened.  And, it’s a shame her husband fell asleep right in the middle of our session.

Happy Birthday, SweetSister!  Thanks for making this extended-family gig so easy.  Sincerely.

Posted in Family | 4 Comments »

The hippo is younger than Favorite Child

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

In honor of Emmy’s 18th birthday Singing Sally, Emmy, Bud, Magoo, and I flew to Florida for the weekend, essentially.  We flew out on Saturday and back on Tuesday.

It was quick, but absolutely awesome.

We spent a little time on the beach, but not in the 53 degree water.

We ate out at two awesome restaurants on the water.  Bud and Nanni got a little out of control, what with Bud downing an entire frozen strawberry margarita by himself.

We went to the coolest nature preserve, called Homosassa Springs.  This place has a hippo named Lucifer who is about to turn 50.  Dad LOVED old Lou.  And this place was one of the last outings he had that was not health related.  If you are ever close by, I’d highly recommend it.

We took walks where the girls were cheered on by the locals who definitely knew they were from the north because they had short sleeves and bare feet.  The locals were all bundled up for the 65 degree weather.

Singing Sally started Nanni on Facebook.  I’m afraid of what she might write on my wall.  Mom, remember, all my friends can see it!

We ALMOST put together a 750 piece puzzle.  Mom is tasked with finishing it.  Piece, piece.

We packed a week’s worth of activities, laughs, and even relaxation into a weekend.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming:  ice, slush, and cold.  I’ve included a few of my favorite pictures below.  And here’s a FLICKR SLIDESHOW if anyone is so inclined.

Hey, it says KEEP OFF!

That’s right.  I’m not shorter than my children.

I just don’t believe there’s a cooler 75 year old on the planet.

Yep, good old Lucifer here, with his skin actually sagging over his legs, is younger than Favorite Child.  And better looking too.

Oh, these girls.  They are so much fun to just be around.   They refused to acknowledge it wasn’t tank top weather.  Then stole someone’s jacket, and since they are joined at the hip anyway, it did the trick.

Never a good sign.

I’ve been back for three days.  And, I’ve already checked for cheap airfares to Florida four times.  It’s an illness.

Posted in Family, Travel | 2 Comments »

Leaving the frozen tundra

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

This is the loveliness that is Illinois today:

So, pardon me if I’m not too disappointed about the fact Bud, Magoo, Singing Sally, Emmy, and I are about to jet off to Florida to see Nanni!

And, get this, I’m not even taking a laptop.

I shall post again someday if I decide to return to the frozen tundra.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Birthday Buddy Party

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Emmy and I share a birthday.  It’s today as a matter of fact!

This is a monumental birthday for Em, her 18th.  Singing Sally decided to have a party for us this past weekend before everyone went their separate ways.  It was a raucous affair.  And, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Emmy have more fun.  That girl had a smile on her face the entire evening.  Check it out!

Making the pizza.

Em doesn’t normally love being around Saje, but oddly, she was enjoying it on this night.

 

 

It was a pretty magical evening for Em.  She is normally gluten intolerant, but amazingly, on this evening she was able to eat as much gluten as she wanted.

And, look, she smiled the whole time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

After stuffing herself with gluten, Em went on to party like there was no tomorrow.  Here we have a little crazy Jazz hands action.  That girl was out of control, let me tell you.

 

Look at those birthday buddies having fun together.  We do share a special bond.  And, I’m thinking I will wear that hat for all future photographs.  It cuts down on the double chin.  But I’m not sure the hat does much for Em.  She’s looking a little flat.

 

I had been wondering just why it was that Em was unusually smiley on this evening.  I believe I’ve found my answer:

Dear Emmy,

We missed you Saturday night, but as you can see, we made do without you.  And your proxy had a smashing good time.

This 18th birthday is a very special one.  You are officially an adult.  But, please don’t ever let that stop you from acting like a kid.  See the post a few days back about your Uncle if you need lessons.

Love,

AABB  (Aunt Annie, Birthday Buddy)

Posted in Family | 3 Comments »

Shoe Count

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Winter break is over.  A week ago, the entrance of our house looked like this:

All the kids walk in through the garage and immediately dump their shoes right in front of the door.  And, Magoo, she dumps two or three pair.

I don’t mind them cluttering up the space, because you see, this morning the entrance looked like this:

It’s a lonely little entrance, isn’t it.

Here’s to great successes for everyone in the next semester. 

And, don’t worry about me.  I’ll be fine.  I’ll be busy cleaning my floor.

Posted in Home | 3 Comments »

Not acting his age

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

FavoriteChild is 50! 

That should depress my Mother.  She should think about disowning him and TheOldest so she only has children in their 40’s.

Hey, FavoriteChild, I have an idea.  I want to challenge you to a race.

An age race.

Ready, set, go!

Ding.  I win.

Would you like to try again tomorrow?  I’m game.

When we arrived at Favorite’s house for Christmas a few weeks ago, I didn’t actually see him for about the first hour.  You see, along with AUBS! and the Jakester, he was inside an igloo hollowing it out.  Yes, this 49 year old Uncle was playing in the snow with his 20-something niece and nephew.   How immature.

By the end of the weekend, they’d created a multi-room igloo with in-law sleeping quarters, a library, and his and her walk-in closets. 

The guy is like Peter Pan.  He refuses to grow up.  Except for the part about being a Doctor blah blah and Director of blah blah and supporting his better half’s pursuit of a blah blah PhD and always there for everyone blah blah, he refuses to grow up.  It’s embarrassing, really.

You be the judge:

Yeah, I thought you would come to the same conclusion as me.

He needs to grow up.  But, well, I guess being FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY FIFTY is a good start.

Happy Birthday FavoriteChild.  It’s hard to imagine you could top the first fifty, but here’s to an even more amazing second fifty!

Posted in Family | No Comments »

How to take pictures of the snow in the dark

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m amused that someone somewhere will want to figure out a great way to photograph snow falling at night, so like any respectable human, they’ll google it.  And, someone somewhere will light on this post.  You there, if this is you, you might just want to click the back button now.  But, wait, first let me tell you I relate to your desire to take pictures of falling snow at night, because the look of snow illuminated by a single lamp is gorgeous. 

Anyhow, you’ll want to move along because this post won’t help you.

SweetGuy bought me a kick-butt camera tri-pod for Christmas.  I haven’t played with it yet, so last night when the blizzard kicked in I decided it would be the perfect time to mess around with the tri-pod, and hopefully capture some beautiful nighttime snowfall shots as well.

Rather than this being a tutorial on how to take said shots, you’ll note by the finished product that this is actually a lesson on what not to do.  So here goes:

  1. Do NOT go outside to take pictures of the outdoors.   Because, dang, it’s cold!
  2. Instead, take pictures through a window. 
  3. Do NOT look up expert’s suggestions of the best camera settings for these conditions.
  4. Do NOT bother trying to really understand what those pesky things like ISO and aperture do.  They are just window dressing.
  5. Instead, fiddle with all the settings in the dark.  If you fiddle enough, and just keep snapping away, one of them will turn out perfect.  That’s the way the pros do it.

If you follow the above instructions, behold:

 

LOOK, it’s a too bright, fuzzy lamp surrounded by what appears to be rain.  AND the glowing green eyes of the Abominable Snowman, I’m sure.  That’s one quality picture, let me tell you.

And if you follow my lead and continue adjusting random settings randomly (and at random) having no idea what you are doing, you will also end up with these gems:

Hey look, Abominable is levitating now.  That never ends well.

I don’t even know.

Now, there’s a keeper.  I must remember the settings I used for this one.  At least Abominable has come back to earth.

So, here’s the thing.  I actually did learn how to take a good nighttime falling snow picture.  Gather in and pay attention. 

  1. Move the camera outside.
  2. Switch the camera mode to AUTO.
  3. Set the camera self timer for ten hours.
  4. Snap.
  5. Go to bed.  Check out the results ten hours later: 

I’ll be holding a clinic next Thursday.  Seats are filling fast.

Oh, and as long as I’m showing pictures I took this morning, here’s a few that make me very happy, despite the fact I stayed up til 2:30 AM believing I would have a snow day.  And, I don’t.  Oh, ALSO, upon announcing at 2:30 AM that I was definitely, absolutely going to bed, Magoo incredulously exclaimed, “Are you seriously going to bed?”  As if I was crazy for even considering the notion.

Where’s that empty nest?  And, here are the pictures, I’ll stop talking now.

 

And, lastly, soak in this pure joy:

Posted in Photography | 9 Comments »

24

Monday, January 4th, 2010

SweetGuy, you and I have been married 24 years today.  How is that possible.  I mean, really.  It went SO fast.  Time really does fly when you’re having fun.   Not literally of course. 

SweetGuy and I are going to take off work a little early today and have an anniversary date night.  We’re even abandoning the kids tonight and will stay at Nanni’s lovely place by the frozen river.  (I hope that’s OK with Nanni, I sorta forgot to ask.  Nanni, is it OK?)   Bud and Magoo left a truely lovely note for SweetGuy and me to see when we got up today.   Among other things they said:

First of all, we want to be clear that we still love you both despite the fact that you’re completely ditching us for the day.

… In light of how wonderful you guys are and how hard you both constantly work, Bud and I both want to give you our blessings to enjoy this day and enjoy each other (but not too much!).

… We will try not to burn the house down, but no guarantees.

To Bud & Magoo, your father and I LOVED your note.  And, if you do burn the house down, please remember above all else, SAVE MARIO KART.

One more thing, to you, SweetGuy, I always think that there is no way I deserve someone as wonderful as you.  However, as I ponder that thought now, I am certain the Lord didn’t put you in my life because I deserved you, but rather He knew I needed you.  And, I am now, always have been, and always will be exceedingly grateful for such an unequaled blessing.  Thank you for being you.

Happy Anniversary.  I love you! 

And, next year, let’s go someplace WARM!!

Posted in Family, Wonderful | 8 Comments »