well now Mr. Rug

( I like corn, not coconuts.)

If you ever have a chance to travel to Belize you, 1. must have learned how to ignore sticky straight humidity hair, 2. have an immunity for marijuana steeped oxygen or are craving it, and 3. like mangoes and beautiful islands....mmmmmmmmmm.  Both good.  And, there is the local language, of course.  When I was living in Belize some lots years ago, I picked up on some websters that I still use.  Like, for example, chaw.  Chaw is like saying "yeah" with three exclamation points and Charlie Sheen's attitude trailing behind. 

"That girl did not just cross in front of that car!"
"Chaw!"

"It is tooo hot, sister."
"Chaw!"

"This rice and beans be gooood."
"Chaw!"

Then there's my old confusing friend of grouped words, "right now," which clearly means "I'm coming."  Obviously.  If you find the courage of insane persons who like to meander inland and mingle with the locals in their true environment (for the love...that's scary.  Stay by the sea.  Please, stay in the sea on the islands.) you will swear you are being spoken to like the bad dog who can do NO right.
"Should we leave for the movies?"
"Right now!"

"It's time for dinner."
"Right NOW!"

"I just fell out of a mango tree and cracked my head on a purple crab."
"RIGHT NOW!"

It gets very confusing. Like teenage girls or five year old girls who will grow up to be teenagers.  Maybe just girls in general.  Or more specifically a girl who crosses her arms and stamps to the back of the acres because her mom misunderstood what she was saying.  And she decides to stand, shoeless, staring at the sappy peach tree because that is what she decided to do!  In Belize, that girl would be called "facey."  That girl's mother would for sure be called facey as well if she rolled her eyes when her daughter wasn't looking. 
facey: to show attitude particularly through facial expressions. 
That is the Mormon missionary definition which takes it's spot on polar opposite ends of the vulgarity spectrum as the very NOT Mormony missionary definitions out there.  Keep it clean.

So, what say we?
Here is a story of a German/Native American man and a French Canadian/German woman returning an Aztec rug using Belizean slang............

One day, Mrs. Only-on-line-Aztec-rug-lover decides to call Overstock while Mr. Tan-in-the-winter is golfing with his tan brothers.  When she discovers returning her rug will cost as much as this Three's Company number (that she would actually wear in Gateway green or black and belted), she is happy it isn't more while worrying about how she will tell Mr. Closed-wallet it's going back.

Mr. My-clubs-were-really-working-this-weekend comes home and hears the news about the rug and the number of greens required to return it.  He decides to call Overstock himself and see what he can do. 

"How did the call go, Mr. Red?"
"I was on hold for too long, he said "right now," no facey attitude from he or I, one free return label, and a happy me.  CHAW!"

I would roll my eyes because he did in 5 minutes what I couldn't do in, well, 5 minutes but let's look at the positives.  We shipped our rug back for free.  My Native American knows how to barter...Chaw!

sidenote: We took the rug to be shipped last night.  Josh was carrying the 9x13 in the store on his shoulder, which looked pretty difficult.  He was cut off by a really old lady taking three inch steps.  She had no clue she was being followed by a rug.  The cashier saw Josh and shrieked, "WOW!  That's a big rug!"

Good riddiance!

Wallpaper Talk---Colors

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Question: Put these colors in order from your favorite to your least favorite.  And, if you feel like it, which I do, how would you use each color?  On a shirt or curtains?  A car or spatula?  What?

Colors: red, pink, orange, peach, mustard, green, turquoise, navy, fuchsia, purple, brown, tan, black, gray, white 

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Wow.  I learned so much about my taste by putting this list together.  I once thought I liked purple, but when looking around, I realllly don't.  I like the idea of liking purple, but I don't like the look of purple.  I really like the color green, but in lots of different colors on the spectrum.  Like, all greens.  But, I ranked it a measly tenth because I didn't really like a lot of things in that color green that I chose.  Then why did you choose it you say?  Don't know.  Navy is a winner.  But all of it's color family partners seem like wimps next to it's deep, rich tone.  Which seems to make navy the only hue of blue that I really like.  And then there is gray.  Gray and I are goooood buddies that have a one dimensional relationship.  I like the gray v-neck, hoodie, and sweeter ALL THE TIME.  But, that is pretty much the end of my gray profile.  Oh, and a couch or wall never hurt anyone sporting a little charcoal gray.  I have a crush on brown because in my mind brown=leather and wood=goooood!    Black is the beast color.  You can not go wrong with black!  So really, I feel like the first six colors listed are tied for first.  The next four are tied for second.  And the last  five are not even in the race.  They are reserved for holiday usage.  Or, I should say, I can handle them in small, oh so small, doses.

white: this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this

navy: this, this, this, this, this, this,
black:  this, this, this, this
brown: this, this
gray: this, this,
tan: this, this, this, this
fuchsia: this, this
pink: this, this
turquoise: this, this, this
green: this
orange: this, this
peach: this
red: this, this
purple: this
mustard: this
Mellissa
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1. Black: 2011 CTS V-Wagon

OR Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater from J. Crew - every girl needs a great black turtleneck.

2. Navy: I saved the cover of Elle Decor from March of 2010. This scan was the first pin I pinned on Pinterest. This cover changed the way I think about decorating. I take back all the mean things I ever said about my mother-in-law's brass furniture and chochkies. I now love brass, bamboo, and navy because of this cover. The chandelier, coffee tables, navy walls, pillows, lamp, and art hanging on the walls inspire me. I have looked at decorating and design differently since March 2010.
OR -This denim shirt

3. White: Images: anna selezneva by mariano vivanco form vogue russia, june 2011 via fgr. This ensemble inspires me. This is how I like to dress. Straight lines, little color, and few accessories.
OR -Salt Lake City Temple from weheartit.com.  The snow and the Temple= a winter wonderland!
OR -70's design kitchen from paloma81.blogspot.com. 
OR -Seiko Ladies Perpetual Calendar Watch.  I say the white face counts!

4. Gray: Hacking jacket in herringbone (charcoal). J.Crew
OR -one of my favorite places to go as a kid was the fair (Chelsea's). This picture is not of the Chelsea Fair, 28.media.tumble.com. 
OR -My favorite place to go as an adult. The city, Ann Arbor, Chicago, Fort Myers, Les Vegas, douban.com.

5. Brown: Glasses. TheCheapChica'sGuide.com
OR -Jane Tall Cuff - Dark Brown Boot
OR -Ray Ban sunglasses style #3213.  Who doesn't love wearing a great pair of aviator sunglasses?

6: Tan: Horses, annwood.net.
OR - Breuer Cane Chairs
OR -Leather Vintage 70's Distressed Leather Slim Fit Boyfriend Jacket Blazer.  I say every girl also needs a great fitted leather blazer!

7: Green:  Wedding picture,  Austingros.com

8: Pink: Pillows lower left corner. From Wingard Home in San Francisco. Bubble Petal and Bubble Stripe Pillows, Lucky Magazine- May 2003.
OR Skirt, cocokelley.blogspot.com

9: Turquoise: Turquoise accents would be cute on a girl or boy pillow case carrier   
OR -small accents like on this Vintage 1960s Tomlinson Long Black Floral Sofa Couch, I have 90% almost talked Chris into driving to Wisconsin to pick up both these couches for our basement....WOOT.
OR- blue hare print.-kiki and polly

10: Orange: Roubini Rug  
OR -Jacks Halloween costume.:) - Buddy Dinosaur Toddler/ Child Costume. This is going to be a very terrifying Halloween!
OR- This costume is what I'm going to make for John this year.

11: Fuchsia: Hand stitched Indian Kantha Quilt- 
OR -Anna Maria Horner Innocent Crush Loves Me Loves Me Not Golden Fabric- 
OR - Room, theroofovermyhead.bogspot.

12: Purple: Girls room idea. Chapman Interiors Blog
OR - Clinique 'Black Honey' Almost Lipstick Black Honey

13: Red: Dear red plaid shirt I LOVE YOU! helloacademy.tumblr.com 
OR Wallpaper, http://www.lonnymag.com- 

14: Peach: No. 2 pencil skirt in double-serge wool. J. Crew (hthr acron)-

15: Mustard: I'm not a fan of mustard. So i only like it in small subtle amounts. This dress is a good example 
OR Vintage Almanack Ben Franklin Centennial FabricI put these in my favorite color order according to the shades of colors that Wallpaper posted.

My favorite colors in "real life" are Navy Blue and Grass Green.
See you next week-Emily
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Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

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sometimes pouring when it rains is such a good thing

This post has absolutely nothing to do with rain, though we did have some crazy tornado-stormy weather last night. 

We have had a very happy, good week.

 Not confused or angry.  Very far from sad or upset. And not surprised or worried either.

 1.  Craigslist takes life to a glorious place of garage sale hopping with three kids.  And it all happens after hours around 9:00 pm when my alone time starts from my comfy rocking chair in my living room.  There seriously can be no wrong about it.  I am shopping at garage sale prices in my pajamas!!!  What did Craig provide us this week? you might ask.
Answer:  FREE swing set.

 2.  Did I mention that we didn't lose power during the lighting show last night?  No hickory trees down.  No missing screens.  No damaged garden.  And today's high is a woppin' 78 degrees.

3.  We found out yesterday who the kids' teachers will be for the school year.  Ida will have the same teacher that Emerson had in kindergarten, who we know and love.   Emerson has the teacher who is reported to be the best in first grade by some friends of ours.  He is also in the same class as his little friend from church.  What a relief!

4.  I am very proud, though Ida is very much more proud, that her corn plants actually produced corn on the cob.  Each of the last few years we have planted the seeds hoping something will happen and secretly I am not completely trusting of my skills as a farmer, an area I don't feel I have perfected.  Or that I am even close to perfecting.  This ear of corn made me feel invincible for a good ten minutes. 

5.  Yesterday was the day I tightened my belt, opened Josh's wallet and bought a chandelier and rug for our dining room.  This is a life's first.

fear not...enjoy the ride

We gathered for our second Back To School Feast this week.

The theme was, "Fear not.....enjoy the ride."



The menu:

fettucini alfredo with shrimp

roasted seaweed (broccoli)

buoy (bread)

flourless chocolate cake with sea salt

I made knots for each school-goer's backpack.

Remember: Be knot afraid.  Enjoy the ride of this school year.  Think positive, look for the good and be happy.

A simple monkey knot for Andrew, a dragonfly for Emerson and hearts for Alli and Ida...though only one is pictured.

Group picture of Feast 2011, with special guests.

A feast tradition is that the kids choose their own special outfits.

Plaid and stripes is where it's at!

The after feast entertainment.

The kids brag about the alpaca as if they were their own.

Alli told me when they came back that the neighbor was out laughing his brains out while Emerson and Ida explained the dynamic of the main furry group.

They were apparently telling some stooooorrrrrries.

Wallpaper Talk----plants, flowers, trees

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What are your favorite plants, flowers and trees?

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PLANTS:
1. Strawberry Plants
2. Ornamental Cabbage
3. Hens and Chicks
4. Succulents
5. Wheat
6. Corn
7. Ferns. We have them growing all around our cottage at the lake. Chris' mom planted them when the cottage was built.  
8. Snowberries. Were in my bouquet along with my bridesmaids bouquets. 
9. Pumpkins
10. Tomato plant. I could eat them plain like apples.
11. Pickling cucumber plant

FlOWERS:
1. Ranuculus. This was the main flower that was in my wedding bouquet
2. Carnations. They remind me of my parents.
3. Anemones. I can't stop looking at these. 
4. Craspedia. I love how these can accent almost any other flower or look awesome arranged by themselves.
5. Marigolds. I love that they remind me of my childhood home. I also love the 70's vibe they have. I prefer to plant an all orange selection. 

TREES:
1. Walnut Tree. The small of a walnut takes me back to being 10yrs old! 
2. Maple Tree. I wait all year for late August through early November for fall. It is my favorite time of the year.  
3. Pine Tree. Jack always tells me that "pine trees don't lose their needles in the winter." I LOVE winter and looking at the snow on the pine trees.
4. My Grapefruit Tree. This is my grapefruit tree. I grew it from a grapefruit seed. When is was 14 my grandma took me to West Palm Beach Florida. I ate a grapefruit on that trip and took a seed from it. I carried that seed home on my lap on the airplane.:) While I was in college my mom took care of her. Once I graduated the tree went with me to my apartment in S. Lyon and then to our home here in Chelsea. She is 23yrs old and never once given me one grapefruit.-ha. My mom and dad take turns babysitting her in the summer when I'm at the lake. 

See you next week. Emily
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Trees
1. Maple tree.  They scream fall.  I love their smell and how they look.  No maple trees was on my con list for staying in Texas.
2. Walnut tree.  When we moved in to our current house, my stomach flipped ten times over because I was certain the trees lining our driveway were walnut trees.  I couldn't have been happier.  Then we discovered they are hickory nut trees.  Fine.  The hickory nut tree will be the kid's walnut tree.
3. Pine trees. Best trees.  Love their smell. 
4. Birch trees.  We have one in our back yard and I love it.  It's Josh's favorite tree.  He says it reminds him of being up north as a kid.
5. Weeping Willows.  My grandma used to take up swimming in the pond across the road from her house.  There was a weeping willow tree right by the pond.  I have had a thing for them since.

Plants
1. Succulents.  I have them on my front porch.
2. Tomatoes.  Brandywine are the best in the world.  I eat them plain and on everything!
3. Corn.  It means summer.
4. Aloe.
5. Cucumber.
6. Basil.
7. Artichoke.  Pretty to look at and yummy to eat.

Flowers
1. Peonies.  They smell awesome.
2. Hydrangia.  Very pretty.
3. Zennias.  My wedding flowers.  We planted and grew our own.
5. Queen Ann's Lace.  We used to pick if for my grandma and the kids pick it for me.  I love that weed.

Mellissa
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Question: Put these colors in order from your favorite to your least favorite.  And, if you feel like it, which I do, how would you use each color?  On a shirt or curtains?  A car or spatula?  What?
Colors: red, pink, orange, peach, mustard, green, turquoise, navy, fuchsia, purple, brown, tan, black, gray, white 

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garden

I've told you before that I kill plants.  By that, I really just mean house plants, minus cacti which is a really funny word to type.  It definitely does not include garden variety plants.

The proof is right here.

Our garden this year is WILD and out of control and sprouting plants I didn't even plant!

Do you see all that foliage between the corn and crowding the tomatoes?

Our dill really doesn't have a chance against it.  The sunflowers Emerson brought home from school are holding on.

I figured our old pumpkins that we threw in the garden to rot last year had seeds take root and we were going to have pumpkins for this year!!!  No matter how many times I pulled and weeded them, they came back.  Heck, I figured if they are that pushy I would leave them be.

And, they did their thing with germination and bees and today we found gourds!

I have never grown them in my life and don't know if I could if I wanted to.

They are so early though.  I don't know if they will hold on until October.

Does anyone know?

I let Emerson pick one.  He is like me when it comes to the garden.....when we see, we pick.  I don't have the no-picking gene and neither does he.

I love Emerson's t-shirt.  Josh found it at the thrift store.

And, that tomato is mine for lunch.

I seriously can not wait.

and on the third day, ida is still holding on to Raplh Waldo Emerson

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."

me and cheeks

It's going to be just me and this little man in a few weeks when school starts.
My head is on board with the reality of time while my emotions are lagging behind. When I follow what my head is telling me, guilt creeps in....."It's going to be so quiet and clean and peaceful and productive."  But when I listen to my emotions, sadness creeps in......"There will be no one to talk to that talks back and no echoing laughter and no one to tell me jokes and no toys to pick up and nothing to do."  I believe both, my emotions and my head.  On one hand, the kids need school to avoid complete boardom and gain all that social stuff.  On the other hand, they both are homebodies and struggle with being away from home.  They love the summer, they love their freedom, they love family vacations and they love being together and playing. 

Let's cut to the straight skinny: I love my kids and I love having them home and I think I will love having both the oldest in school and I think I will be a better mom because I will have a little time for me while they are there to nap, clean, visit, decorate, plan, organize and play......and I look forward to my alone time with Urban and sometimes that makes me feel like a bad mom.  Does this make any sense? 
 

nine years

Last week was our ninth anniversary.

My dad came down to the house and babysat the kids while Josh and I headed north to Mongolian BBQ and to do some furniture shopping.  It had been a long time since we had been out, just the two of us.  I really liked it. 

The food was very yummy and everyone in the restaurant seemed to be extra interesting that night.  Do you think Josh special ordered good people watching as an anniversary gift?  He knows I don't get my fill living on the acres and it is one of my most favorite things to do.  I could be completely off base, but I can almost certainly tell you that the family sitting to our left was celebrating their mom's birthday, who looked so beautiful and comfortable being her.  Dark hair, beautiful skin, mother of three kids just older than Emerson and Ida and very relaxed.  It looked to me that her sister was there with her significant other, as well as her husband.  They were a cute family and used to being in restaurants. 

There was a table of college students behind them and off to the side, who were people watching more intently than I was.  They probably had Josh and my story tagged from the second we stepped through the doors.  They have the upper hand on my skills, living in the city and perfecting their people-watching skills daily.

The single man sitting at the bar creeped me out.  He filled his bowl next to me at the bar.  While Josh was choosing steak and I shrimp, he chose ham.  He checked out every girl way younger than what was appropriate for his age.  I told Josh he had a wonky vibe.  Josh asked me, in a very non-serious-but-could-be-possible-because-he-has-done-it-in-the-past-way, if I wanted him to say something to Mr. Wonky.  "No, but thanks," I said.  "But, I know you would win." 

Perfect answer.

There was a dad and his son at the bar also.  They were very loving.  I could tell the son really loved his dad and the dad felt so happy about that.  It was nice to see.

The furniture shopping was fun with no results.  We are still looking.  In all the years we have been married, we have never purchased one piece of new furniture.  Now that we have our house (last year's anniversary gift) we are in the hunt for some tufted, curved, straight lined, grandma's basement, craigslist type, new and old treasures.  

Here is a story to honor the man I married:

We have more than enough out buildings, sheds, barns, and garages.

This shed, which completely blocks our view from the dining room window to the acres in the back yard, was sawed in half in the making of the kid's playhouse. When Josh first told me his plan, I laughed.  But, seeing it unfold into a cute little playhouse with the makings of a front porch changed my mind.  Brilliant. 

Unfortunately, the plan of putting the playhouse up on PVC pipe and rolling it to it's destination over by the sandbox was less of a success seeing as the ground underneath was terribly uneven.  It couldn't be drug, rolled, pushed, lifted, carried.....

The story's end, in pictures:

His blowtorch is always the answer.  I have stopped praying it rains when he grabs that "tool."  I now just straight up pray he won't get hurt.

I do like the view so much more.

He will build another playhouse that in his words "will be much better and we won't have to move it because I'll build it where we want it!"

I have learned that decorating a house can be very overwhelming.  I am not as good at it as I thought I may be.  When I ask myself why, I come to the answer that I am striving too much for perfection AND I am nervous I will make a mistake.  Having the freedom to decorate my house takes some getting used to.  I just have to remind myself that it doesn't have to be done tomorrow, though I want it to be.  I just need to focus one room at a time.

And, while we didn't find new furniture yet, we found some craigslist treasures.

I have two wicker chairs, for only $30.

A credenza that looks like a dresser because I think it is and now I may have screwed up.

A brass swoopy lamp with three light levels and an awesome knob.

Josh called me a grandma.
Fine.
It didn't hurt.  I have been called worse.

Wallpaper Talk-- Best Childhood Memories

Wow, it has been a while since I last posted.
We were on a staycation at my sister's house in our old town for a week while Josh painted the interior of our house.
Our Internet stopped working for THE ENTIRE WEEK after we came home and we finally have our connection back. I hold my breath every time the wind blows.
I have missed blogging and have more then a handful of updates to report.  But before all that, why not kick off our return with some Wallpaper that is overdue?

For the record, I used Emily's post set up because I thought it was the easiest way to organize my memories, but I did not read what she wrote until after I made my list.  We ended up sharing some memories, like most siblings would.

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My favorite childhood memories:

1. The playhouse
2. Mulberry trees
3. The Town Hall
4. Kickball
5. Rollerskating in the basement
6. WJR in the mornings
7. Watching for the bus across the pond
8. The Village Market
9. The Mill Pond
10. Doing dishes with my sisters..I was almost always the washer.:)
11. The wooden swing
12. My metal swing set
13. Cartwheels
14 "Choo-Choo Peanut Butter."
15. Going to my grandparents for weeks at a time
16. My parents freezing corn. It always meant school was about to start.
17. The Chelsea Fair!
18. My birthday. It was the only day I was allowed to be the boss and not get in trouble for it.:)
19. "Buckin' Bronco." I was always the "Bucker" i never got to go for rides.:)
20. Cassidy Lake walkaways.
21. Our indoor cardboard playhouse.
22. Burning the trash.
23. Writing on the back door windows when they steamed up in the winter.
24. Walnut trees.
25. Angie Wilson, Nathan and Amy Oake, Ricky Barnes, Larry Taft, and Kyle Klink.
26. Jackie Donnellon
27. Our whole house fan in Waterloo
28. The mirror on the attic door in our house in Waterloo.
29. My Pontiac J-2000. It was robin egg blue.
30. Playing hide and seek in the dark in our house with my dad.

Only Emily:)

My freshman year of high school i tried out for volleyball. I got cut. My sophomore year i tried out again. I was terrified to do so, but i did. I made varsity. I played varsity for 3yrs!

My senior year of high school a girl punched me in my face. She thought I liked her boyfriend. I fell to the ground. My sister Laura stood over me telling me to "get up and punch her back." I told Laura "no way I want to start in my volleyball game tomorrow night!" I started the next night. The girl who punched me was suspended for 3 days.

I did punch a boy in the face when i was 11 for pushing Mellissa and stealing her place in the line for the bus. Mellissa was first in line. This boy pushed Mellissa out of the way so that he could be first. I punched him in his face and told him that he "better not think about it." Mellissa was the first one on the bus that day. My parents told me that I needed to apologize. I fought with them so hard over apologizing that I got grounded. I did not think that I did anything wrong. I finally told the boy "I'm sorry you were not the first one on the bus." I never said I was sorry for punching him in the face.:)

I used to ask for "hair styles" and for "Todd Redding to like me" on my birthday list.

When I was in 5th grade I talked my teacher into changing my F on report card into a F+. I told her my parents would not be as mad because I got a +. Wrong. I was grounded from my grandparents house for a very long time!

The perm I got at Gemini when I was 15. Betty Marsh took me. It is the one and only treatment that I have ever done to my hair!

Memories with my Dad:
1. He taught me to ride my bike
2. He taught me to throw a baseball
3. He taught me to drive a stick shift vehicle.
4. He waited for me outside every sports practice and never complained. He would get off work at 3pm and get to Chelsea at 3:45. My practice would not end until 5:30. My dad was always there when i opened the door to leave the gym. I never took that for granted!

Memories from my Mom:
When I grew my boobs I hated them. One day I was running around outside playing holding them. She called me in the house and said "Emily you are going to have these for a very long time. You can't walk around the rest of your life holding them." I'll never forget how mad I was when I realized she was right.

When I started my period, I called my mom in the bathroom and screamed "I got it." She said, "you got what?" She asked me four times. I finally pointed at the toilet and told her. She laughed at me. I deserved it.:)

My mom always supported me when it came to girly things. She paid for me to work with a Mary Kay consultant so that I would know what color makeup looked good on my skin tone when I first started wearing make-up.



See you next week-Emily
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My childhood memories:
1.   Playing and sleeping in the playhouse
2.   The smell of the garage
3.   Walking to the store in the summer to run errands for Mom and Dad and picking up a gummy worm and stick pretzel on the way.
4.   Going to Gee Farms and getting seeds and doughnuts
5.   Going on drives and getting "lost" as a family
6.   Walking around the pond or riding our bikes
7.   The town hall
8.   The mulberry tree
9.   Kickball with the Waterloo kids
10. Ice skating on the pond
11. Going to spend the night with Grandma and Grandpa Grau
12. The bus stop in the morning
13. The walnut trees
14. Skipping rocks, fishing, cat tails, "the hill"
15. Clear Lake
16. Chelsea Fair
17. The attic at home.  The fan, the creaky boards, the floor register, the house antenna, the Christmas lights, all of it!
18. Picking tomato worms from the plants and putting them in the road for cars to squish.

The Stories:
I remember drawing a picture for a "Hay bale Hoedown" advertisement competition when I was in 4th grade.  I knew I was going to win the contest, I could feel it!  But, Jacob had things on his mind too.  He scribbled all over it with a marker and ruined my drawing.  I was so sad.  My mom convinced me to turn it in anyway and I ended up winning honorable mention.

I won a She-ra poster and coloring book from my strawberry bubblicious gum.  I really thought that was the coolest day ever.

I remember skipping band with Laura (senior) my freshman year.  We went to breakfast and went back to school for second hour.  The office called home and asked my mom why we weren't in class and they concluded that we were skipping.  She didn't care.  It was funny.

Riding up and down the driveway for hours and through the church circle while Emily learned how to drive the stick in the J2000.  We thought we were the bombs, listening to the radio and mixed tapes.  I later learned to drive a stick in that same car in that same loop.

Sharing the living room mirror!  Oh, the torture!  Three girls and one mirror.  I was the youngest of the girls and had the least authority.  My mirror time seemed very limited.

Playing basketball, volleyball and soccer throughout high school and being voted most athletic my senior year.  But most of all, the smell of the gym during summer basketball practice, walking the back way into school, early morning practices, playing soccer in the snow, marching band practice right after basketball practice, the games, the spotlights, the announcer...."good sports are winners!"  I loved every minute of that. 

Memories of my Dad:
1. Dentyne gum in his front pocket or on the secretary
2. Pushing us on the rope swing so high that our feet could touch the house.
3. Wearing his cut off jeans to clear lake to go swimming.  SO FUNNY!
4. Watching us out the front window playing or to see us across the pond on our walks.  He was so nervous someone would steal us.
5. One time some random guy was taking a picture of Emily and Laura having a picnic in the front yard.  Dad snatched me up, ran to the Cavalier, throw me in and sped out the driveway.  We were hunting the guy down.  I was so scared and asked why he snatched me to go along.  He said, "Because I didn't have my glasses on and had no time to find them.  You have the best eyes.  I need you to spot the license plate."  We never caught him.
6. My dad grilling.
7. Cutting corn to freeze for hours in the kitchen.

Memories of my mom:
1. Picking strawberries or blueberries.  I always went with my mom.  And every summer she would take my best friend, Monica, and I.
2. Making muffins and sending them in my lunch.  My lunch was always SO embarrassing.  It was filled to the top of my paper bag, so much that I couldn't carry it normally.  I had to cradle it like I was holding a baby.  My friends loved that I would share with them because I had enough to feed a basketball team.  I never told her.  She was just making sure I didn't get hungry.
3. Going grocery shopping early Saturday mornings.  It was something she and I looked forward to.
4. She went T.Ping with us one summer night after Laura and I had gotten out of work. I will never forget her jumping in the ditch when she heard a car coming.  I laughed to the point of needing to pee.
5. She and I would ride our bikes MILES and she would complain about how much her butt hurt the next day.  Then we would hop on and go again.  It was fun.
6. She always had a home cooked meal waiting for me after a game or practice.
7. Her yelling out the back door, "Get in here!"  HAhahaha!

Mellissa
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Question: What are your favorite plants, flowers, trees, etc.?

(Let's help with the landscaping!)

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