Top 5 things I like about Carter

Today is Carter's 17th birthday. It's really hard for me to believe that he's this old and so big. I remember so well him being about 4 weeks old and delighting in his lopsided newborn grin that reminded me of Harrison Ford. He was a big baby -- 8 lbs, 10 oz. -- but now he's nearly 6'2".

So today, it being his birthday, I thought it fitting to devote this posting to him, my first born son.

Let me say at the outset that there are many, many things that I like about Carter. I'm just picking my top five faves to share.

5. His intellect. His memory (for the things he's really interested in), is AMAZING; he could do simple arithmetic around age 4 and has been able to understand and apply complicated concepts for quite a long time. And this isn't just his Mom bragging!

4. His inquisitiveness. Always, always curious about things. As a little kid I could hardly keep up with him, and I'm pretty curious myself.

3. His athleticism. Regular readers already know how much I enjoy this about him. He could ride a two-wheeler (no training wheels) at 3 years old. He's played hockey, soccer, basketball, and run track competitively. He's good at moving his body through time and space....that whole male, spatial thing.

2. His emotional intelligence. Even as a very little boy Carter could read and interpret accurately (most of the time) the emotional landscape. When he was about 6 or 7 he was helping me clean the bathroom (which is pretty remarkable in the first place). He and I were chatting away, him asking questions and me answering, and then one of those out-of-nowhere depressive thoughts invaded my brain space. Carter said "What's wrong, Mommy? You got all dark."

1. His sense of humor. Carter is just plain HILARIOUS. Unless you know him and have experienced his quick-moving, sharp-as-a-tack funny bone, these pictures won't quite capture my favorite thing about my oldest son, but will maybe give you a glimps:









He's the one in the middle with white socks on.

Happy Birthday, luv!!

Black Friday

I'm not going out there.

You can't make me.

You know who you are

for all the family and friends, near and far, who make the foundation of my rich and meaningful life.

Thank you.

Top 5 Friday

Because last week had a negative tone, I'm going all happy on ya this week.

Top 5 Favorite Places

5. Bay Area and north, California. Spent a summer in the Napa Valley and along the coast and fell in love.

4. Downtown Chicago. Just can't beat the lake, the museums, the eating, shopping opportunities, the architecture, and the music. Fun, fun, town. I lived there for two years, which was hardly enough, but at least I got that opportunity!



3. The Indiana Dunes lakeshore. Not only is it beautiful, it holds special significance for me and ONO. It was one of first dates where we hiked, he let me take him exploring off the beaten path, and he demonstrated his thoughtfulness by bringing grapes and water. Also, he grew up going to these beaches so they hold lots of memories for him.




2. Northeastern New Mexico. Specifically Santa Fe and Taos. Again, very, very beautiful, but more importantly, this is where we got married and honeymooned. We got married here. If you go to the site, you can see how amazingly beautiful it is, but we were also able to rent the entire facility for ourselves and small wedding party and guests. Cool!

After spending a few days in Santa Fe, we headed up to Taos and stayed here for our honeymoon.
One of the best parts of our time together was hiking down into the Red River Gorge and back out.


1. Southern Utah -- preferably very close to one of the national parks.

It would take too long, and you'd grow bored, if I shared all the reasons why this is my favorite place. And honestly, I don't understand all of it myself. In large part it's the place where I experienced some coming-of-age, and it represents a place for wandering, contemplating, finding things, never being bored. Peaceful, yes, but not bored. And best of all....it's almost always warm!

For Nana

Like most children of the male persuasion, the mini-muffins like cars. And of course they like sugar. So their Nana knew what she was doing when she sent Logan a car-shaped cookie decorating kit for his birthday. It just doesn't get better than that (if you're 3 years old).


Both boys LOVE to help make stuff in the kitchen. I'm convinced it's about the whirring machine and the opportunity to lick the bowl. Oh, and they really like cracking eggs.



For this project we had to mix up the bright, blue frosting. Luckily I caught Logan before his outstretched tongue actually touched the butter. It's also a little tricky keeping their hands out of the bowl, even when the mixer is on!



Next came the actual decorating. I coached them on spreading the blue frosting on the cookie cars, which they tried, but the knives spent WAY more time in their mouths than on the cookies!



All in all, it was a fun afternoon project with a very sweet outcome.



Thanks Nana!

Dances with snowflakes

That's what I did today. At least it felt like dancing. And yes, there were snowflakes. Lots of them, actually. And lots of wind.

Why does this matter? Two reasons.

First, it's November 17, and while a part of my brain is conscious of this date, the rest of me still thinks it's summer. Well, mid-September maybe. I mean, the grass is still green and some things in my flower beds are still blooming (I don't pay attention to those brown, withered things). So seeing this apparent blizzard (ok let's call it a squall), threw me squarely into reality.

And what did I do? Did I get my cozy woobie, some cocoa and a book and huddle up near the fireplace? No, I promptly when outside. And ran.

My original thought was to walk for an hour. After dutifully using the elliptical (AND lifting some weights) for nearly two weeks, the desperation to get outside was very high, so on went the cold gear and out the door I went.

I did walk....about half a mile, but then I noticed that my leg didn't hurt so I thought "what that heck!" and went for it. Of course then my leg DID hurt, but not enough to make me stop.

After about a mile I was feeling pretty darn good -- like I was dancing with the snowflakes.

Come on, Old Man. I'm ready for ya!

No More Babies

And ya know what? I'm ok with that!

Logan James Haake turns 3 today. As munchable as he is, he has taken care of any more personal desire for babies or very young children -- FOREVER.




Admittedly, Logan is cute. The kind of cute that would melt the heart of Satan.....or Dick Cheney. And, he has a killer personality.

I mean that literally.

When he's angry or upset, any hope of tranquility or a "win-win" solution is put to death. He came into the world this way and spends roughly 50% of his waking hours in this state (no, I'm not exaggerating.)

But when he's happy.....sadness, boredom and gloom are banished from the world of the living. He is definitely a ray of sunshine -- when he's happy.



Happy Birthday Big Boy!

Top 5 Friday Addendum

My original list was posted this morning....before I had lived through nearly an entire day and was reminded of things that annoyed me even MORE than the other things.

But in order to not come off like a complete shrew, I'll share only one more.

This one easily ties for first place: boom cars. You know, the cars with the VERY loud bass, that rattles the window glass when they pass your house? I guess I should appreciate the generosity of those people who so willingly share their so-called music. I mean, that's what the world needs more of, right? Generosity. In this case, I'd take consideration, thoughtfulness, courtesy. I suppose it's too much to ask for.

I found this that might help. I don't know.

Maybe Obama could do something?

Top 5 Friday

I've become bored with my own blog -- definitely a problem -- so I've decided to institute something new.

Today is the first of many and varied "Top 5 Fridays." Let's start with this:

Top 5 Pet Peeves

5. Commercials

4. Finding containers that, for all intents and purposes are EMPTY, left in the pantry or fridge.

3. Whining

2. One sheet left on the roll.....again, IT'S EMPTY!

1. Chewing with your mouth open, gum popping, lip smacking and other assorted mouth noises. Sends me Right Over THE EDGE!!!!

What are your peeves?

Carter recently went to Boston to visit his sister. Here are some pics:





I think they've both missed their callings.....they should be in the THEATRE!!

Sidelined.....for now

Well, it appears that running the Allerton Park trail run causes

weeping,
wailing,
and gnashing of teeth.

Yes, the slippery, slimy mud, which caked onto my shoes, and the giant puddles I tried to jump at first but then just slogged through, along with my lack of training (probably the largest factor), has once again given me serious shin splints and I can't run without doing one or all of the above.

It really, really sucks.

It means I didn't run the 10K I had planned as my penultimate race for the year.

Did I say sucks yet? Yeah.

I will be using the eliptical for at least two more weeks and will try again around Thanksgiving -- just in time to work off all the Halloween candy, birthday cake, and other fatty, yummy stuff that's omnipresent this time of year.

At least I got a cool T-shirt.



My shoes? That's another story.

Guide my thoughts and ways

If you planted hope today in any hopeless heart,

If someone's burden was lighter because you did your part,

If you caused a laugh that chased a tear away,

If tonight your name is mentioned when someone kneels to pray,

Than your day was well spent.

Emerging Emotion

Today I looked at our nation's flag and wept.



For joy. And with pride.