Top Ten Tuesday

Hello friends.  Welcome back.  Hey, thanks for reading by the way.  It is fun to write and have people actually read what I write.  And those of you who commented yesterday, thanks so much.  Your support means the world.

Summer is the best time of the year, wouldn't you agree?  You get to spend more time outside because it is warmer, it is completely acceptable to grill every meal, and you tend to spend more time with family and friends.  Today there will be a pool party and bbq at our house and I am pretty stoked for it.  Brats and dogs, anybody?

Summer is also a wonderful time to get away and do some exploring.  I love to travel and see sights.  I have been very blessed with the opportunity to go on many vacations and adventures through the years.  Here a a few of my favorites.  There are many other places that I have enjoyed, but I only had room for ten seeing Tuesday is Top Ten Tuesday.  Enjoy.

1.  The Grand Canyon. Arizona, USA.  My friend, Marla and I thought it would be a great idea to take Route 66 for part of the way home to Wisconsin from Utah one summer.  Just so you know, that is not the shortcut to get to Wisconsin from Utah, but Marla and I always have a blast vacationing and road tripping together.  Now, The Grand Canyon is at the top of my list because it is seriously GRAND.  Like really, I thought The Grand Canyon would be a cool place to visit and say I had seen, but seriously, there is hardly any other words to describe it besides, GRAND.  The place took my breath away.  It is huge and gorgeous. And seriously, pictures don't do it justice, so I haven't included one here!

2.  Stonehenge. England.  I have always been a fan of England and it was one of my life goals to get there.  I was so excited when my mom and I planned to go with one of my favorite aunt and uncle duos a few years ago.  I loved everything England and you definitely should see Westminster Abbey(so many famous Brits were buried there), Buckingham Palace(the changing of the guard is so cool), Stratford on Avon(Hello, Shakespeare is important), The Tower of London(be sure to get an ice cream cone right outside.  Best I have had) but Stonehenge was my favorite place to visit in England.  The formation is breathtaking as you walk up the hill to where it is and the mystery behind it's construction and purpose is fun to think about.  Be sure to go there if you get to England.

3.  St. Basil's Cathedral, Moscow, Russia.  I loved visiting Russia.  The people there are very different from us Americans and the history of Russia is amazing.  Russia has been a country for a very long time, they they have lots of old buildings and places to visit. I think the best part of Moscow though is St. Basil's.  It sits in Red Square(where you also can visit Russian leader Lennon for free, which was surprising to us when our tour guide said:  "Why would anybody want to pay to see a dead communist?" It was also a weird thing to hang out with a dead dude all preserved and such) and truly is a sight to see.  Each dome is a different cathedral within the big building.  Each church was decorated distinctly and I was impressed with the altars of gold and the bright colors used in the very old paint.  It was a great thing to see and my favorite souvenir was bought there(a little wooden St. Basil's music box).  Not many get the chance to visit Russia, and I am so glad my friend's parents were working at the American Embassy at the time so we could visit easily.  Wonderful place.  And if you go, be sure to try the grape ice cream.  Frozen grapes inside amazingly creamy cream is delectable.

4.  Perch Lake, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, USA.  This is my fishing lake back home in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.  My parents lived in Rhinelander for a bit in the past ten years and I would always head there in the summer during my single years.  I tried to get to fish there at least once a week and miss my spot so very much.

5.  San Francisco, California, USA.  This is one of my favorite cities that I have been able to visit in the United States.  It is right on the coast of California and has so many things to do.  You must visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company in Chinatown(it is worth the dollar to take a picture of the people making the cookies, because you usually get more free cookies, but be sure to try their sesame cookies and buy some of their fortune cookies and the discs that don't get folded into fortune cookies.  They are yummy.), ride a cable car(I stand off the side of one could all day) and be sure to stop to see the Cable Car Museum), see the sea lions on Fisherman's Warf, watch the cars drive down Lombard Street, have some ice cream at Girardelli Square, and be sure to take the tour at Alcatraz it is amazing.  Oh and do know you can see Redwoods just thirty minutes north at Muir Woods.  Totally worth the drive.

Image from: http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/outoftown/california/sanfrancisco/chinatown/goldengatefortunecookies/

6.  Route 66.  Drive it.  There isn't much left of the actual road but there are bits of it and there just is something special about rolling down the windows and imagining in your mind what it would have been like to drive it back in the 50s in some red Cadillac.  And be sure to stop along the way at little tourist traps.  Fun stuff.

Image from:  http://gardinerfcu.org/products-and-services/route-66

7.  Hollywood, California, USA.  I like Grauman's Chinese Theatre best with all the handprints of the stars, but be sure to also see some of the stars on the Walk of Fame, and take pictures of the Hollywood sign that once said: Hollywoodland.  Glad they shortened it for us, it would be awkward to always talk about famous people and have to say: "Yeah, that is how they think in Hollywoodland."

Image from:  http://spyhollywood.com/hollywoods-chinese-theatre-to-add-worlds-largest-imax/

8.  New York City, NY, USA.  I have been in NYC twice in my life and have only seen a fraction of what you can see there.  Be sure to see a play on Broadway.  I got to see Wicked.  It rocked.  Be sure to walk around Central Park.  It really is huge and has so many things, including a Zoo.  Do walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.  It is just spectacular.  See the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  So much history there and it makes you thankful for your ancestors who made the trek here.  While in New York also be sure to have some street vendor food and eat at a deli.

9.  Mt. Rushmore, near Keystone, South Dakota  I have been there many times because it is very convenient to stop and see while driving home to Wisconsin.  My favorite time was when I took Reuben right after we were married.  It was fun to see him see it as so magical.  If you are going that way, be sure to find Wall Drug, in Wall, South Dakota and the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. They are cool little tourist traps.

10.  Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois, USA.  Now, if you know me, you know I HATE the Chicago Cubs.  I think it's because they were close to me growing up and they were big rivals of the hometown Milwaukee Brewers.  That said, it is an honor that this park made it to my top ten, no?  Totally.  See, Wrigley Field is the 2nd oldest ballpark.  It was build in 1914, just two year after the oldest, Fenway Park of Boston(which is on my list to get to soon!).  Walking into Wrigley was like walking into baseball history.  It looks much like it did in 1914 when people went to watch in their suits and fancy dresses while carrying umbrellas.  I stood there peering onto the field and started to cry.  The tears were made less embarrassing as I looked over and saw my Uncle Jim(Dad's brother) also getting choked up.  For a baseball fan, this stadium is truly amazing.  I love the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field.  If you are a true baseball fan, this should be a trip that is at the top of your list.

That was fun going through memory lane via past vacations.  Be sure to comment with your favorite places that you have seen.  It would be nice to expand this list!  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Happy June to You! Welcome to Alice's Month of Blogging.

Hey.  Welcome.  Sit on down and enjoy this little escape from your reality.  It is June.  Where did that half of year go?  For me, it went very quickly and was full of so much adventure.  Sorry that I kept many of you out of the loop.  See, when you become a mother, your whole life changes.  One of the biggest changes is not having much spare time, especially if you are also working full time.  So here I am, a teacher on summer break and a writer wanting to do more of that, write.

I have decided that each day of the week will be themed.  I'll keep you guessing as to what day is which for the rest of the week, but today is Me Monday.  So, here is a list all about me, and seeing June is thirty days long, these are thirty things you may or may not know about me:

1.  I married for love and to always have my best fishing buddy around.  It was a big bonus to know that Reuben was also in to fishing when we were back in that fun dating stage.  I think it sealed the deal!

2.  I'm the youngest of three kids.  Andi, is my eight year old sister and Erich is my five year older brother.  The are really cool peeps too.  If you ever get the chance, you should meet them.

3.  I'm socially awkward.  You would think that being a teacher would make me not be, but I am, especially with people who are my peers.  I feel like Lloyd in Dumb and Dumber: "Ah, big gulps eh?  Well, see you later."

4.  I'm a slob.  I leave my clothes on the floor right after I change and I always have papers and stuff unorganized.  Maybe it is a reflection of what my brain looks like on the inside.  It is a good thing I married an organized man because he helps me want to and be more organized.

5.  I have a Diet Coke addiction.  Actually, I like Coke Zero a whole lot better but have a husband who loves DC, so I cave and let him win(and by cave I mean that I let him do the grocery shopping!).  I know it is horrible for me, but it is really one of my last vices.

6.  I'm obsessed with sports.  I follow most of them but really love baseball and football.  Teams for baseball are in order importance to me: Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets.  Football I am a true Cheesehead.  Packers or bust. I would go into teams I hate, but that would make some of my friends upset and who wants upset friends.

7.  I'm a great driver.  I have to give props to my dad who taught me how to be great.  I remember when we went out practicing when I was sixteen and he made me parallel park every single time.  He also got me over my fear of bridges by somehow getting me to drive across Snake Bridge, the longest and scariest in my hometown of Wausau, Wisconsin, every time we went.  How he tricked me to get there, I will never know!

8.  I am Mormon, or as we like to be called a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I used to be Catholic but the change to Mormonism is the best thing that ever has happened to me.  I have found faith that surrounds me and comforts me.  I know God and His plan and vision for me.  I also know Jesus and how his sacrifice makes it so I can live eternally and free. If you would like to know more about my religion feel free to visit mormon.org or ask me anything, I am an open book.

9.  I'm a crazy teacher.  I may not be the best at teaching or the most passionate at times, but I am funny and silly and I think that is what gets to my students.  I keep them laughing which is healthy, no?

10.  I had a miscarriage in November that rocked or shook my universe.  My heart is finally beginning to heal, and people don't really talk about it which makes the journey hard.  For all of you who have every faced this tragedy in your life, I feel you and if you every need to talk, contact me:  softballrita@gmail.com

11.  I am not a high maintenance girl.  I live in t-shirts, jeans and baseball caps.  I do put on make-up but just enough to make me womanly(mascara and eye shadow).  I love summer too because I can be in flip flops or slip-on shoes.

12.  I have lots of hats.  I collect a hat from every baseball venue I go to.  I hope to get to all thirty of the pro baseball stadiums in my lifetime.  I am currently wearing a Chicago Cubs hat, and I really don't like the Cubs, but I had a blast at their historic ballpark, so I wear it sometimes.

13.  I  love great smelling perfume and not the cheap stuff either.  It is one of the few girly girl things about me.

14.  I used to be a night owl and then my thirties hit.  Oh yeah, and then I got a baby and there went any staying up late.  When he is sleeping, I like to be sleeping too.

15.  I majored in English.  I try to keep that a secret because I really don't enjoy teaching English.  I did that my first year and it was hell.  I love Physical Education(which was my minor) and Health.

16.  I am writing 365 letters this year.  You know letters, the ones that you hand write, put in envelopes and send via the postal service.  They are going out of style and I hate that.  It is so fun to get real mail sometimes. If you would like a real piece of mail from yours truly, email me your address(see #10).

17.  I am pretty blind.  Without my glasses I would run into walls.  I prefer to wear contacts though because of how active I am, and glasses also get in the way of wearing my caps the way I like.

18.  I am athletic and very coordinated.  I try to be humble about how coordinated I am though, especially when I may be better than guys at sports. It's a guy thing but they often are  intimidated by girls being better than them.

19.  I gained twenty pounds this school year.  It was one hell of a stressful year.  I think more personally than actually workwise, but work had its moments too.  Oh, and ice cream just tastes so good to me right now.  I wish carrots tasted like ice cream.

20.  I love my job!(Again!)  I was actually a bit sad to see the school year end this time around.

21.  If I were rich, I would build a commune for my most at-risk students.  There I would shower them with love, clothes and food.

22.  I love riding my bike.  I bought a really expensive one this year(500 dollars) with some of our tax return.  The wind in my face and the way it wakes me up in the morning to ride to work is worth every single penny.

23.  I start a writing class a week from today and I cannot wait!  #nerdalert

24.  I desperately want to meet Kelly Clarkson.  She is just amazing and down to earth.  She isn't like a whole lot of Hollywood who are stuck on themselves and the industry.  She is who she is and dang proud of it.  We need more role models like her(even if she likes Hillary Clinton-sorry if you do too she is just not my fav!) If you know Kelly or somebody who does know her, please hook me up with a meeting.  I am going to her concert August 8th in Salt Lake City.

25.  I love playing softball and find it so cool that many of the girls I played with in high school still play every summer.  We are getting old and have to stretch a whole lot more before and after play, but it is always a reunion blast to play with them. Can't wait for the few weeks I am home in July, hopefully I can play in a few games!

26.  This year will be my 20th class reunion.  Seriously, where did that 20 years go?

27.  I love motherhood even though it is the hardest job I have ever had.  It is also the best and most important job I have.

28.  I must write with very sharp pencils.  I am not the new age type of writer who sits in front of a computer and produces amazing stuff.  This right here folks is a second draft, and I wrote the first one in, that's right, a very sharpened pencil!

29.  I am 5'9" tall and wear a 10.5 women's shoe.  I would tell you my weight but then I would have to kill you.  Oh and my hat size is 7 3/8...not 7 1/4 like my Angels hat(it really hurts to wear but I love it).  It is also not 7 1/2....I miss that Dodger hat that blew away!

30.  I miss Wisconsin but love Utah.  I used to not like Utah a whole lot but I am glad I stuck it out.  Not only did I marry a wonderful man from Utah, but seriously, this place is beautiful.  Come visit sometime.  We have an extra room and I know some amazing hiking spots!

Well, I hope you enjoyed the first installment of thirty posts this month.  I really want to have an interactive blog this month.  So please, if you have any questions for me to answer or anything you would like to read about, let me know.  I am here for you...and for myself, really.  Honesty is always the best policy, right?  Cheers until tomorrow.

Twenty One Months

Dearest Ellis-
Did you know I still call you by different names?  Many times lately it is just Bubba, but I still call you my little bugs too.  I also look at you a lot lately and say to your Dad: "Dang, he is just so cute, I really think we should keep him."  Your Dad is always silly and one day said: "I think we should quit debating and actually really keep him."  I don't think we ever really questioned because our love from you has always been huge, and it just keeps getting bigger.

I love how full of life you are.  You live in each and every moment and you live it big.  When you are happy, you are big happy.  I love your chuckle and your big smiles.  Your happiness makes me happy.  When you are sad, you let yourself be sad.  You cry and cry and come to one of your parents for comfort.  When you are mad, you are MAD!!!  You stomp your feet, you scream and you sometimes throw things.   Lately, you biggest mad comes from whenever we tell you "No."  You definitely want things your way and you are not afraid of letting us know it either.

As you get older, I hope you keep that sense of what you want.  I hope you won't let society dictate how you express emotion either.  Don't let people tell you that you are "too happy," or to not be mad, because in life you will have times that make you have emotions and they are yours to have and feel. Always remember that it is okay to cry.  Tears are healing and sometimes you will just need to let out some.  Our society is often tough on guys for crying, but I am one Mama who thinks differently.  I once told my brother to quit crying and I have always felt bad for it.  It is okay to be sad sometimes!  If you are sad all the time, then we need to talk about that too.

I hate that you are growing up so fast, but I really do love every little change that comes with you.  Lately, you are walking to the car on your own, when I used to have to carry you everywhere.  Sometimes, as parents, it is hard to let go of being able to do things for your kid, but you have to.  See, you are learning how to be independent and take care of yourself and I need to remember that.

You still love trains, and balloons and puppies.  You can say two of those three words.  You still say "choo, choo" for train.  You also say:  apple, shoe, red, some letters, cracker, mommy, daddy, mama, papa, grandma, grandpa, moon, stroller(man do you love going for walks), backpack(you also love going for hikes), juice, milk, cheese, slide, and many others that I can't think of right now.  You have also put a few words together like when I played softball last week and you said "Mommy baseball."  This last week you have started to say "more" rather than signing it.  It is really cute because you say it and still sign it.

You love to give me loves lately, which I also love.  You hug me and say "mmmm."  You also have recently been kissing us and making the sound.  It is so dang cute.

You love church because you get to play with your friend Lincoln and others.  You truly are a very social bug.  I like how you always go up to other kids and try to kiss them and get them to pay attention to you.  You remind me that I should be nice to everybody.

You make us laugh lately because you find it hilarious if we get hurt.  (We are hoping it is a phase and not indication that you are a psychopath later)  Daddy thinks it is very funny to pretend to hurt himself because you laugh and laugh.  The video above is you doing just that.

I love being your mom.  I hope you remember that in your teen years when I may be tough on you sometimes.  I am so excited for it to be summer here in a few weeks making us be able to have more time together because I won't be at work.  We will have so many adventures.  I look forward to see what those adventures will be.  You are amazing and I love you so much.

Love,
Mommy

R is for Rockstar and that is Definitely Good Enough for Me

I rock. I am a rock star. No, I do not play the guitar, drums or even sing. In fact, I can rarely keep in the same key when I do sing, but I do one thing extremely well: Rock my one-year old to sleep. 

This is a daily occurrence sometime between 8 and 10pm. I am not one of those parents that has a spot on consistent routine. Sometimes, we are just too busy living so bedtime is later. Sometimes, we are exhausted because of all the living so bedtime is earlier. 

It may not be a constant time everyday but there is a definite routine to prepare for rocking. 

I parent a little boy. Boys are filthy. They see mud and think: "I need to be one with that."  There must be some sort of force field that pulls them toward the dirt and grime. Because of this strong force field, our routine starts with a bath. 

Once the filth is removed, it is time for some light reading. This allows time for the boy to dry and to begin winding down (Boys seem to never stop moving. They are like little wind up toys. They go and go and go until they can't go anymore.)  

Next, we get dressed for bed. Because of my kid's wind up toy ways, I let him watch videos of trains on my phone while I dress him. I first get him diapered(hopefully before any urine has escaped onto me or the furniture.), and clothed(It's always footie pajamas because every kid looks cute in footies, and then his feet don't freeze.)

He then watches videos while I get his bottle prepared(Yes, he is close to two and still takes a bottle to sleep. I baby him and that is completely fine with me.)

Eventually, he comes and finds me to request his bottle. This is where I become a rock star. 

This gig doesn't pay much but I think it is worth much more than mosh pit making sounds. I don't get notoriety for this gig either, but I am important to one little person and that is all the fame I need. 

He slowly drifts into complete relaxation and then to sleep.  Sometimes it takes twenty minutes sometimes only two.  I sit and ignore him until he closes those little eyes, but as soon as he does, I stare and stare.  

Soon, he will be too big for this.  Soon, I won't get these moments.  So for now, I will stare with complete love and adoration.  For now, this is the best gig in the world.   

Past Twenty Months.

Dear Ellis-

I told somebody at work today that I didn't post much on Facebook over spring break because we were too busy living. I think that is also why I didn't write you a letter last month; we have been too busy living.  

There are parks to climb slides in, bike rides to be had, hikes to take, stroller time to spend and millions of other things to do. 

You are busy. Seriously, you do not stop unless you are asleep. And when you move these days, it isn't just walking, it is by sprinting. It's so cute how you get on the tips of your toes and just sprint. 

You love to play with what I call your "stacks". They are these plastic half sphere things that stack on one another(Gramma Joyce gave them to you!). Sometimes you make towers; other times you get upset because you knock down a tower. You loved the noise it made to throw all of them on grandma's kitchen floor.  Grandma and Grandpa got a real kick out of that, especially Grandpa, even though he would pretend it bothered him!

You had a lot of fun on our vacation to Wisconsin. You made sure Grandma and Grandpa were watching you at all times. You would call or yell their names when they were not in the room. You danced for them and entertained them the whole time. You also remembered how much you loved Aunt Andi and called her all the time. "An-nee!"

You got your newest and best haircut while visiting your aunts in Algoma and you loved chasing their dogs. (The dogs never really appreciate you like you do them.)  You also remembered how much you love your cousin Chloe and played with her for a long time in the mess you both made of their newspapers.

You are still obsessed with trains. You say "choo-choo" a million times daily. You always want to be watching videos of trains. 

You also have discovered airplanes and move your hand around, pointing your tiny index finger, while making a whooshing sound. You loved them at the airports even though you told me you were all done right before take-off. You finally slept for me once you told me how you hated being contained on my lap.  Mommy may be looking forward to the day you actually get your own seat even though it will mean much more expensive trips to visit Grandma. 

You love slides. It might have something to do with Daddy bringing you one home and having it in you bedroom(yes, you are spoiled, but we think it keeps you from climbing other things). You get mad at me anytime we walk past a park and don't stop to play. You think anytime should be park time.  You have the silliest and funniest little tantrums when I tell you no.  You have to watch your self for tantrums and go to a mirror and slam your hands onto it and scream.  You also will plop yourself on the floor and also do a bit of screaming to let me know you are not happy with no(too bad kiddo, because you may hear that word lots between now and 18!)

You say lots of new things. The newest is Owls. You also say: squirrel, bird, snack, bottle, mommy, daddy, grandpa, grandma, Reno, mama, papa, puppy, apple, milk, juice, Jesus, wallet, car, and many others. You still always sign more, all done, and most recently, please.  You also do this funny hand wave when you want something from us.

You are addicted to videos and are bothering me to let you use my phone right now to watch one. Can't you see I am writing a letter to you?  

Well, just like always, this letter could be longer but you need me and there is life to be lived. 

Until next time,

Love you lots,

Mommy