Mascot Manor

Happy Birthday, Brother!!!

2012-01-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

Today is my “little” brother’s birthday and I wanted to wish him a happy birthday and tell him how proud I am of him.

He has managed to not only be an awesome brother (despite early childhood issues where I wasn’t sure I was going to survive big-sisterhood...), but he’s also an awesome dad with two great sons.

Oh, and never mind what a terrific Unkee he is to Signa and Will.

So this post is for my awesome brother on his birthday.

Love,

Debbie (your sister)

Sleeping

2012-01-20T20:07:00.001-08:00

I have a new morning game. Ever since we were sick for three straight weeks, I can’t seem to get enough sleep. I refuse to set the alarm, but instead of waking chipper at my normal 5:30-6:00 am, I’m waking groggy and grumpy at 6:30. Well, 6:27 am to be exact. And that is when the game starts.

I can’t get up at 6:27. It has to be even. So I get to sleep for 3 more minutes. But what happens? I over sleep by 5 minutes. So now it’s 6:35. I can’t get up at 6:35. It has to be 6:45. 10 more minutes of sleep.

But then I oversleep that and it’s suddenly 7:10 and I have to race around to get ready.

Crazy. Tomorrow I’m just sleeping. And sleeping and sleeping.

Veteran's Day Solute: Phil Giadone

2011-11-11T20:57:00.001-08:00

On March 20, 1941, against his own wishes, Phil Giadone was drafted into the United States Army. It was World War II and he was sent to Hawaii and shipped out to Java just a day or so before Pearl Harbor was attacked on the morning of December 7, 1941. In the nick of time- a theme in Phil's military life. In Java, he ran the motor pool, once even driving Doolittle Jr.

He was transferred to the Air Force (I think it was the Air Force...) in Java and ran the motor pool for the artillery division. Java was part of the Dutch East Indies conquest. Because it had rubber and oil, it was valuable to Japan, who was cut off from all resources. Japan has no native source of oil, so once President Franklin Delano Roosevelt froze all of Japan’s assets and embargoed all oil in July of 1941, they needed a new country to get oil. Japan took control of Java and the other islands early in 1942.

Phil was part of the last exodus. Japanese air raids had become morning routine. Every day at the same time, the sirens would start and the soldiers would run for the jungle. One day, instead of running to the jungle for cover, Phil ran for the airport and got out before the bombing trapped him. In the nick of time. He spent the rest of his time in Australia running a motor pool.

In 1945, his term was up and he thought he was going home but he was shipped to Arizona and had to wait to August 1945 before he was allowed home to California.

Phil is Marc’s first cousin, once removed, although he has always been more like a grandfather to us. Phil recently had a bout of shingles, which for a 92-year-old is not an easy thing. But he was released from the hospital yesterday and off to an interim home. We hope to have him back to his own home within a few weeks- he just has t o get his strength back. Phil’s a good person, a fun person AND a veteran! So today, I honor him (as I do all days).

Joe Frazier and Vampire Birds

2011-11-08T05:40:00.001-08:00

I woke this morning too early (forgot to change the clock in the bedroom...) and when I checked my emails, I had a CNN breaking news that Joe Frazier had died. I never liked boxing or followed it one bit, but my cousin Jeff and I spent a lot of time talking about Joe Frazier.

For a time, we lived with my aunt and uncle and their three boys. During this time, about 11 years old, I was obsessed with my tape recorder- you know, the old rectangular kind with big buttons. Pressing PLAY and RECORD at the same time brought magic. I had signs that said, “Shhhhh. Taping,” that I’d pin on the door. I had a microphone that I would interview people with. My cousins and brother and I would do skits.

Jeff’s specialty was doing the sports casting for our news show. He was 11 months younger than me and the funniest kid around. I would do serious news in a manly voice and it would make no sense. But Jeff would do an impeccable impersonation of Howard Cosell and yet spin it to make it hilarious. He could also do President Jimmy Carter. The best was when he did both.

“Ha-i. I’m President Jimmy Carta.” “I’m Howard Cosell.”

Then he’d call a fight between Mohamed Ali and Joe Frazier as both and I’d nearly wet my pants laughing. Once, he had a bird fly in and bite Joe Frazier on the neck. “And he died.”

Really, can it get any funnier? Not to an 11-year-old with an amazing cousin.

So thanks, Joe Frazier, for whatever it was you did in boxing AND for the good times we had with birds biting you on the neck until death.

Pete, Pinochle, and (Possibly Peppermint) Schnapps

2011-10-16T12:21:00.000-07:00

I asked Grampa about his father-in-law, Peter Felt. Grampa called him, “Pete,” and described him as a “real nice” guy who loved laughing and jokes. He worked at the Homestake Mine in Moskee, Wyoming with his brother Lars and possibly another that Grampa called a “shirttail” relation.

The Homestake Gold Mine started in Lead, South Dakota. Well, actually, the Homestake Gold Mine itself started the town of Lead, in the Black Hills of South Dakota on April 9, 1876. Two brothers, Moses and Fred Manuel and their partner, Hank Harney, founded their Homestake claim. Moses found a vein of ore, called a “lead” (pronounced LEED) and staked their claim. Homestake Mining Company was bought by George Hearst, father of William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper man.

In about 1921, the Homestake Mining Company developed Moskee, Wyoming, about 30 miles from Lead, to provide wood to the mine. In 1925 they opened a post office and in 1928, a school. In the 1930s, the population was about 200. It closed in the 1940s.

Pete’s wife Inga dominated the family. She didn’t like Pete or their sons to drink so when Grampa would come around, Pete would tell Inga that he had to take Pierre into Deadwood or Lead. They’d visit the shady bar and Peter Felt would drink perhaps a bit more than his share of his favorite drink: Schnapps.

Peter and Inga (Auslund/Aslund) Felt

One time, Grampa and Art Felt, Gramma’s brother, drove out to Moskee to visit and they got snowbound for three or four weeks. They played the card game Pinochle non-stop. Pete would go to work and they’d pace all day waiting for him to get home so they could resume the game. I liked this story, because I have many memories, even recent ones, with marathon family Pinochle games.

Pinochle is a game brought to America by immigrants. The name is from the mispronounced word, “ Binocle,” meaning eyeglasses. Pinochle was a favorite of American Jewish community and Irish immigrants, as well as German.

Bullets in Booneville

2011-09-29T04:00:00.000-07:00

My dad was born in Indiana and I never really thought about why or how they ended up in Indiana. In fact, as a child, I thought that my dad must be an Indian, since he was born in Indiana. While visiting Grampa, I finally remembered to ask.

My grandmother’s sister, Peggy and her husband Bob Burbridge, lived in Booneville, Indiana and worked at the Chrysler factory in Evansville. This was during the War, so it’d been transformed into a bullet factory. “Chrysler’s Evansville, Indiana, factory literally produced ‘bullets by the billions,’ including some 485 million cartridges for .30-caliber carbines and nearly 2.8 billion cartridges for .45-caliber carbines. Just as Chrysler prepared for production at its Evansville plant in July 1942, the Ordnance Department ordered the automaker to substitute steel for brass for the cartridge cases. Although this last minute change required Chrysler to retool much of the plant, full-scale production began in October.” (Riding the Roller Coaster: A History of the Chrysler Corporation by Charles K. Hyde,)

Life Magazine advertisement, Feb 7, 1944, p. 27

Both Peggy and Bob worked and needed help with their children. My grandfather was working in California at Davies Auto, but wasn’t doing what he wanted to be doing. So when Peggy and Bob asked if Grampa and Gramma could come to Indiana they jumped at the chance. Gramma took care of the children and Grampa went to work at the factory.

Grampa, Dad, Auntie Karen

The factory shut down at the end of the war to convert back to cars and Grampa decided to return to California and Davies Automotive where he became a mechanic and worked for several years.

Uncle Art Felt

2011-09-27T15:16:00.000-07:00

Grampa had a bunch of pictures of Uncle Art and I really wanted to do something with them, but I wasn't sure what. There are others that I have a bunch of pictures of, too, that I don't really have a "story" for, but a bunch of pictures can MAKE a story. Then I heard about this website that might be the answer for these "story-less" people. So today I share with you a link to Uncle Art's 1000Memories page.

http://1000memories.com/arthur-felt-792500

I don't have any idea who reads this site, but I'm asking (begging) you to go to this page and let me know if you can see the pictures. Let me know if you can add stories (and please add stories). I made Uncle Art's page "open" so that others can find it. I can also make it "Closed" so that I have to approve you, but for Uncle Art, I just sorta think he'd be okay with "open".

http://1000memories.com/arthur-felt-792500

Family Feud

2011-09-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

My great grandmother’s brothers, Clem and Henry, were among other things, very tall- well over 6 feet and racing to 7. They were farmers and landowners, as well as railroad workers.

Henry Barnard Konst was born on May 24, 1890 in North Washington, Chickasaw County, Iowa. His brother, Clemens Henry Konst was born on April 10, 1896 also in North Washington. In the 1900 census they are in Jacksonville, Chickasaw County and in 1905, they are in Alta Vista, Chickasaw County. In 1908, they moved to Capa, Jones County, South Dakota with their parents and siblings to a homestead. But that’s a different part of the story…

When Henry and Clem were 23 and 17, respectively, they were “haymaking” in Aberdeen, South Dakota. In 1920, Clem married Ora Belle Saxton in Philip, South Dakota and in 1921, they experienced both the birth and death of their daughter Clara. She was born April 10 and died October 10 that year.

In 1922, Clem married Alice Rose Griswold and the next year, their daughter Dorothy was born. They had a son, Paul William, in 1925 and a daughter Dorris in 1925.

Closed to camera is Tony Konst. Two other tallest are Henry and Clem, Tony's sons.

Right to left: Lizzie Elizabeth Bauhaus Konst, Clem and/or Henry (not sure which is which), unknown

After the death of their father, Henry and Clem had a falling out over the land and, despite living in the same small area of South Dakota, didn’t speak for years.

I don’t know much about Henry and Clem, but I did have some correspondence with Jim Konst, Clem’s grandson who reported, “Grandpa was a quite serious man who did not want to leave his home to visit people. Once, my aunt Dorothy and her family ‘kidnapped’ grandpa and brought him to our house, a mere 200 miles away. That was the only time he came to our house. Grandpa had his opinions as well. He never believed that man went to the moon. His simple logic was: ‘How could they go there without knowing the way.’ Grandpa enjoyed fishing in his retirement.”

From Find-A-Grave in the Midland Cemetery, Midland, SD

The Duke of Mixager

2011-09-26T18:48:00.001-07:00

Grampa’s Uncle Henry Konst used to tease him for being so many ethnicities and called him, “The Duke of Mixager.”

You see, Grampa’s father was half Scottish and the other half was a little bit of a lot. Grampa’s mom’s family (Uncle Henry's, too) was German. All German but with a possible hint of illicit Native American.

While I grew up thinking I was Indian because my dad was born in Indiana, I really didn’t know about the whole possible Native American connection. But apparently on Great Grama’s death bed, she whispered, “There is some Indian in us.” Coming from California in the 21^st Century, it’s difficult to imagine that being anything but awesome, but times were different in the homestead years and some things were apparently not something the family was proud of.

But all I have to go on for this illicit Native American is a death bed statement, a tease from Uncle Henry about Grampa being named Pierre for a French Indian, and a story from Grampa’s childhood.

When he was a boy, his grampa, Tony Konst, took him to the Indian Reservation. They went into a tee pee and all sat in a circle and the men smoked a peace pipe. Grampa doesn’t remember where this was, but he remembers thinking that it was important that they were there and that his grampa was important to these Native Americans.

So was Tony’s mom or dad not who we think but actually a Native American? Or were Tony’s children those to first house the possible Native American DNA?

We may never know.

But it's cool.

Naked Turkeys

2011-09-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

At some point during their time in Capa, South Dakota, my great grandfather, Orville Thomas Conner, decided that he was going to be a turkey farmer. They rented a farm outside of Capa near the Badd River and bought 60 baby turkeys. They raised them to adulthood on that farm south of town. One day, a cyclone came through the farmlands.

After they safely emerged from the cellar, they went to check the livestock. The turkeys were nowhere to be found. They searched and searched until they heard an odd noise down by the river. Looking up, my grandfather and his sisters saw the turkeys in the trees. But they looked odd. Something was amiss.

No feathers?

The tornado had plucked their feathers right out. The turkeys were naked.

They finally came down from the trees to eat, but sadly, died in just a few days from sunburn.

Faced with 60 rotting dead turkeys, Great Grampa had to quickly perform a mass burial. But where? He looked around the place and remembered the hole that tended to retain water after the snow melted each year. He decided that if he buried the turkeys there, and covered them with enough dirt… well, two birds with one stone (so to speak…).

He informed Great Gramma (Ann Konst) of the plan and she insisted it would stink. “No, Ann! We’ll bury ‘em deep! It’ll be fine!”

So Grampa and Great Grampa, using a scoop made of a half-barrel looking piece of metal strung up to the horse, dug and dug and dug. When they thought they were done, they dug even further, just to not hear, “I told you so!” from Great Gramma.

And that was that with the turkey farm.

Gerald

2011-09-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

When visiting with Grampa, I learned that he’d had a brother named, Gerald. Gerald was born the just before one summer that my grandfather went to Salem and died while he was gone. Gerald had a very short life, but even though my grandfather hadn’t spent much time with Gerald and it was over 74 years ago, he still talked about, “My brother, Gerald.”

Happy Birthday, Signa!

2011-09-18T07:39:00.001-07:00

Dear Signa,

Today you are nine years old. Nine. Nine is a big number and while I can’t believe you are already nine, I also cannot believe that you are only nine. You are smart, understanding and beautiful on the inside and out- more-so than I thought possible for one that is only nine years old.

But today you are nine and you are growing up so fast. You have wants and needs of your own and are more and more self-sufficient each day. Sometimes I forget you are only nine until I find something like your Littlest Pet Shop figures all soggy from a long bath with you. You still curl up in our laps, making yourself almost as small as you were nine years ago and you still perch on your chair like a kitten waiting for something fun to happen.

People comment to me so often about how cheerful you are and how smiley you are. Your face is nearly always open and free and smiling. You aren’t shy and you don’t hide in your shell. You are confident and know what you want and don’t want.

When I ask you what you want to be when you grow up, you tell me an astronaut, but I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that; I don’t want you so far away from me, for you bring me cheer and joy. And you hate talking on the phone, so that wouldn’t even console me while you were gone. So please pick something else to be. Maybe an entomologist since you love bugs so much? Or an archeologist since you like mummies and the idea of digging things up?

Regardless of what you decide to be, I know you will do it perfectly. You are just brilliant and I’m always so proud of you. Yesterday I watched you with your brother and you were resting your head against his while he was playing video games. It was a very sweet gesture and showed me that you really do like that little guy and that you really do know it. As much as I say how awesome you are as a daughter, I think William would argue with me about being a better sister than a daughter even. Because you are wonderful all the way around in all your roles.

Welcome to your last year in single digit ages, Bunches. I hope it’s your best year so far!

Love,
Momma

3 Milk Street

2011-09-15T04:00:00.000-07:00

When Grampa was a teenager in the tiny town of Capa, South Dakota, the town’s Catholic priest had a car and family in Salem, Massachusetts. What he didn’t have was the knowledge on how to drive the car. But Grampa did…

Priest's garage in Capa, South Dakota

So the summer when he was 15 years old, Grampa and one of his friends, Clarence Petorski, drove the priest the 1,850 miles to Salem, to stay with his family for the summer. They stopped by my grandfather’s grandfather’s house in Russell, Iowa, where this picture was taken.

The next summer they did it again, only this time, using the brilliance that only a 16-year-old can pull off, Grampa talked the priest into letting his friend Pete come along. Pete knows how to fix things, said Grampa. Remember that trouble we had with the car last year? Pete could fix that!

From the 1937 yearbook of Pete, the friend who came along the 2nd summer

So for two summers, a car of teenagers and a Catholic priest road-tripped to Salem, Massachusetts where they stayed at 3 Milk Street.

The priest had a non-priestly brother who worked all day. Grampa and his friends would impatiently wait all day for the brother to get home and then they’d all head to the Salem Willows.

From the Salem Willows website (http://www.salemwillowspark.com/history.html):

This beautiful wooded and hill peninsula jutting out into Salem Harbor became a municipal park in 1858. Graced with majestic, 200-year-old white willow trees, Salem Willows, a public park since 1858, has a special place in amusement park history.

In 1906, Everett Hobbs & William Eaton offered Americans the first ice-cream cone; “Blind Pat” Kenneally introduced Spanish “double-jointed" peanuts to America from his cart at the Willows.

Bavarian woodcarver Joseph Brown created the famous Flying-horse Carousel in 1866. in 1945, the horses were sold to Macy’s Department Store in New York City , where they graced the famous Macy’s Christmas displays. While the original horses have been replaced, the carousel itself still offers a thrilling ride.

A young Duke Ellington played here in 1923; Count Basie and Louis Armstrong performed as well, at the old Charleshurst Ballroom, now the Willows Casino. A tradition of popular summer jazz concerts continues to this day; jazz vocalist Cassandre McKinley performed here in 2003.

Under the Sea Dance II

2011-09-14T04:00:00.000-07:00

I also asked Grampa how he and Gramma met. Grampa’s best friend Harry (who he was friends with for over 70 years) was dating Grampa’s sister Harriet. Harriet was working in a hospital in the Black Hills and my grandmother Signa worked with her. She’d come down to visit and bring Gramma with her. Or Harry and Grampa would go up and visit.

Before Harry went off to the war, he and Harriet were married. That didn’t last beyond the war (Grampa told me several such stories- should be a lesson in there for the future). But Gramma and Grampa lasted a lifetime.

Harry Ravenscroft

Harriet Conner

Pierre Conner and Signa (Felt) Conner

Hewlett Packard

2011-09-13T04:00:00.000-07:00

My grandmother, Signa Felt, was an engraver for Hewlett Packard in Palo Alto, California for many years. All the HP equipment had plates with writing that was done by my grandmother or her team. She even did the plaque on the front of Mr. Packard’s boat.

For my great grandparent’s 50th wedding anniversary, my grandmother made this plaque, which I find fascinating, as the reason I began researching family history was for a plaque. I wanted to create one for my grandfather of his descendents for his 75th birthday and couldn’t get the spacing right. I bought a genealogy computer program and now here we are, 14 years later…

I cannot get this iPhone picture to turn right-side-up. Sorry. Just turn your head...

My grandfather also worked at HP for a time. He was in production and then a master scheduler.

King of the Road

2011-09-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

My grandfather’s sister, Fern, married a guy named, Johnny. I called him Uncle Johnny and although he was a bit gruff, he was the kind of man that looked you in the eyes (even when you were six) and told it how it was. You believed him and when he smiled at you, you know it was because you were awesome. Or at least he thought you were.

My Grampa told me a story about Uncle Johnny’s Uncle Pierre (Jean Pierre Origer). Uncle Johnny (and Uncle Pierre) were from Illinois. Uncle Pierre was a sort of a hobo in those days, living wherever, doing whatever. He would disappear for months, even years, and then just pop up again.

During this time, Uncle Johnny and Aunt Fern had an orchard in Cupertino, California and one day while my grandfather was visiting, Uncle Pierre just popped in on them in California after months of being gone from Wisconsin. He said he was in San Jose and heard the name “Origer” in “Origer Orchards” and so decided to see if he was related. He stayed awhile and told some tales.

The kid in me finds this tremendously exciting. I think it did to Grampa, too, as he mentioned him a couple of times and then got as excited as I did when we found a picture of Uncle Pierre.

Under the Sea Dance

2011-09-11T04:00:00.000-07:00

"How did your parents meet?" I asked Grampa. He told me that my great grandmother, Anne Ellen Konst, was a school teacher for awhile. Her school was halfway between Midland and Capa, South Dakota. Because it was 5 miles in either direction, she lived in a little house behind the school. In rural areas, sometimes the most you had was a few people in each township, so they would get together in the schoolhouses for dances. My grandfather, Orville Thomas Conner, came from his father’s homestead out in Ottumwa (about 10 miles to the train and then another 10 or 12 miles on the train) for a dance at my great grandmother’s school.

Now, Grampa didn’t tell me if it was love at first sight or anything, but look at these two?!?!? Don’t you think it was?

Orville Thomas Conner

2011-09-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I spent the weekend with Grampa (Pierre Conner) a couple weeks ago and scanned about 500 pictures and wrote down at least as many stories. I'll be sharing them here over the next couple of months, so please stay tuned!!!

As a family historian, I tend to think of my ancestors by their full names. “William Mason Conner” “Anton William Konst” “Elizabeth Bauhaus” “Petter Eriksson Felt” So when I hear stories and they are “Bill”, “Tony,” “Lizzie,” and “Pete”, it’s a story and a smile all on its own.

Also, I’d always thought that my great grandfather’s name was Thomas Orville Conner. But it was Orville Thomas Conner. I’d heard stories that he changed it from one to the other because he didn’t like being called “O’Conner” but when I visited my grandfather, he said that his mom and older brother Miles always called him “Orville.” In Grampa’s papers, there was the delayed birth certificate which is listed to “Orville Thomas Conner”. So I guess it’s official. He was an Orville who was called, “Tom.”]

Tom was a true cowboy; he broke horses and herded cattle through the Midwest. When times were tough during the Depression, though, Great Grampa would do just about anything- from odds and ends around town to working on a bridge crew for the railroad. He also was very well-respected in their small town of Capa, South Dakota. Without being asked, he’d walk the 15 miles to Midland to fetch the doctor when someone needed him. He was the first to volunteer to help out with anything anyone needed.

In those days, the baseball town teams were a very big deal. Each town had a team and the kids played all summer. There were two Native American railroad workers who were exceptional baseball players from Fort Pierre. They were named Louis and Franz Franier and as they traveled their rail routes, they would teach the kids all over the Midwest to play baseball. Tom convinced them to come to Capa and they played on the Kleven’s property by the river. Tom was also the organizer, housing the balls and bats and arranging the games.

Peggy Felt Gross' Recipe

2011-09-09T14:51:00.000-07:00

Grampa

2011-08-25T07:38:00.000-07:00

Until I spent the weekend with my 92-year-old grandfather, I assumed that the epitome of one’s past, present and future was reflected in the children. But after being with Grampa, it’s definitely him more than my two little ones that shows me this.

Grampa reminds me of what I used to be: a little girl drawing pictures of flowers and writing, “I LOV YUO GAMBA” in squiggle crayons. Grampa reminds me of what I am: a 44-year-old woman who needs to remember that being 44 is just a number. Grampa reminds me of my future: if I take care of myself, I’ll hopefully be 92 and working and taking care of a house and running circles around my 44 year old grandchildren.

Grampa taught me so much this weekend about our family history, about him, and even about myself. I think it’s a rare treat for a family historian to come home from a family visit with her 92-year-old Grampa with 485 scans, 602 stories, and a lifetime of memories.

Thanks, Grampa.

Grampa and his sister Harriet

Fuzzins

2011-08-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

I had a Water entry all planned out where I was going to tell you about family trips to Santa Cruz, swim lessons in Minnesota, and my encounter with a past life regressionist who informed me of my fear of water. However, since this is about me and I get to choose, I’m going to instead tell you about our recent trip to the beach in Maine.

To begin, I first have to tell you about our dear friends from Ohio. We met on the internet through a mommies email group of women all pregnant and due the same month as my daughter. Sheri and I bonded. When our girls were five, our families met in Chicago one year and it was almost too good to be true that ALL of us got along. Since then, we’ve shared a family vacation in California, I’ve been to Ohio a couple of times (and brought my daughter with me once!). In our co-genealogy work, we’ve also discovered that we are cousins. My 5-year-old son has dubbed us FUZZINS (they are friends who are also cousins).

This year was another co-family vacation, but in Maine. We rented a beautiful beach house in Kennebunkport, just a short distance from Goose Rocks Beach. The house itself had a nice third story loft area that we decided would be a nice place to ~~banish~~ allow the kids to play. The second floor had two baths, 2 bedrooms with twin beds, a master bedroom and another large room with a queen bed. The bottom floor had a dining room, a kitchen, and living room and a front room. The perfect amount of space for our two families. We were afraid by the description that it was going to be too far from the ocean, but it’s literally right around the corner and we could hear the waves while we were sleeping.

Goose Rocks Beach was also perfect. There were enough people there so that you knew it was fun, but not enough to call it crowded. At low tide, you can walk out to an island that is inaccessible a high tide. There were also several of Signa’s favorite areas where she found hermit crabs, sea snails and other living critters. The waves were gentle enough that Will could play in them, but strong enough that he WOULD play in them. Marc and I even joined our friends in boogie boarding one hot afternoon.

The water was amazing. So different from what I’m used to at the Pacific Ocean’s Santa Cruz beach. It was warmer and clearer. I had never been in an ocean where I could see my feet through the water. Some days the water was colder than others, but all in all, it was definitely warmer. And I definitely liked it that way! I loved lying on the shore and jumping in when I needed to cool off. I loved watching Will frolic in the ocean, punching, jumping and screaming at the waves. I loved seeing Signa run off with Daddy with her empty bucket and come back all smiles with a bucket full of “friends” (that would then die in said bucket throughout the heat of the day…).

But most of all, I loved being with my Fuzzins.

Dear Continental:

2011-08-15T04:00:00.000-07:00

Speaking of airlines, it’s amazing how much they have changed. I remember flying Pan-Am as a child and getting treated like royalty. It’s not like this anymore. Here is the letter I sent to the CEO of Continental after our trip:

Dear Jeffery A. Smisek:

There was a short “movie” at the beginning of the flight today during which you announced that Continental and United are doing a good job merging. You also note that one of your main priorities is customer service. I, however, am not sure that your staff shares your priorities or your view of the merger. From the outset of our flights for this vacation, we’ve had nothing but problems and cranky staff from those of both United and Continental.

I work in the customer service industry and so I know how difficult it is to maintain professionalism and friendliness in the face of mergers, pay-cuts, and the public in general. However, I strive to make sure that my customers know they are my priority. However instead of feeling like we were someone’s priority for this vacation, we were made to feel like we were cattle- a necessary evil with no deserving respect.

In San Francisco, we waited in line for 35 minutes for a kiosk labeled, “Continental”. Since our tickets were clearly marked “Continental” we had no reason to believe we should be standing anywhere else. When the kiosk didn’t work, we flagged down a woman in a Continental uniform who was clearly irritated by us and told us we had to see the United representative. She gestured to “That Guy over There.” He was, we were told, the only person who could help us. So my family of four went and stood in another line for 25 minutes for “That Guy over There.”

“That Guy over There” proceeded to check our baggage only part way through our trip (it stayed in Cleveland while we continued on to Manchester). He also failed to give us all the boarding passes for the day. At LAX, we had to run and scramble to get our passes from a gate attendant who treated us like we were stupid. We asked where our next gate was and he told us to look at the board. But our flight, a Continental flight, was not listed on the board. Finally we asked someone else and they told us (with irritation) that we needed to look at the United board. We now had very little time to make it to our gate for our next flight.

In Manchester, we found that our luggage was lost and would be delivered around 2pm the next day to our hotel. Our luggage was not delivered until midnight and that was only after making several dozen calls.

On our trip home, the flights were all “over-sold” and the attendants were rude and overworked, rolling their eyes at us constantly. At every airport we’ve visited this trip (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Cleveland and Manchester) all your staff have been frazzled and rude. I realize that I’m not a frequent leisure traveler, but I’ve not experienced this level of poor customer service with other airlines when I travel for business. I usually go the cheapest route, regardless of airline. This was my first United/Continental experience and, in the future, I will keep this experience in mind and choose accordingly, despite costs. It was extremely disappointing and I hope that your merger straightens out soon so that you can work on the customer service aspect of your flights.

Best,

Deborah E. Mascot

Pan-Am

2011-08-14T04:00:00.000-07:00

I was fast-forwarding through commercials the other evening when I experienced a flashback through my whole body. I felt like I was transported to another time. I quickly pressed replay to see what it was that set me off. It was this:

A commercial for a show called Pan-Am. I hadn't seen that logo since I was a child when Dad worked for them for a decade or so. Back then I saw it on everything. Our duffel bags. Mom and Dad's winter coats. Our toothbrushes. The notepads we drew on. The pens we drew with. Etc. On E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. That logo was more familiar to me than I even could explain in words. And yet, if you asked me to describe it, I wouldn't be able to. It's a logo that is a FEELING more than a THING. And now they are making a show about it. I can’t decide if I should record it or slap my forehead in horror. So I think I’ll do both.

Grampa and the CCCs

2011-06-12T21:19:00.000-07:00

“Our greatest task is to put people to work. This is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously. It can be accomplished in part by direct recruiting by the Government itself, treating the task as we would treat the emergency of war, but at the same time, through this employment, accomplishing greatly needed projects to stimulate and reorganize the use of our national resources.”
- Franklin D. Roosevelt, 4 March 1933

Franklin Roosevelt at CCC Camp, Shenandoah National Park, 1933

From the spring of 1939 to the summer of 1941, at the age of 20, my grandfather, Pierre Conner, was in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCCs), working in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The CCCs were part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s (FDR) New Deal. The most popular of all New Deal programs. The CCCs provided jobs to conserve and develop natural resources in rural government lands. The CCCs began in 1933 and ended in 1942, providing nearly 3 million unemployed men, age 18 to 25, with $30 a month ($25 went to their parents).

Two weekends ago, I got a bug up my you-know-what and had to know more about Grampa and the CCCs. Here is the result of that Butt Bug:

My Grampa and the CCCs.

It was fun to pick Grampa's brain, write up the information, and then send it to him along with a book that I found, titled, "Civilian Conservation Corps: In and Around the Black Hills," by Peggy Sanders. There is a Thanksgiving menu in the book that lists Grampa and his best friend, Harry, who my dad is named for.

Birthday Letter from Gramma

2011-06-05T19:17:00.000-07:00

July 22, 1971

My Dear Debbie

Today you are four years old. What a happy day it must be for you. I will miss being with you for this birthday, the first one I have missed by it is probably the beginning of many I will miss. But I will think of you on your day.

Honey, I will always remember when I lived with you and how you "took care of me" for Grandpa. Remember you always got me my stool- sat in my chair with me and watched our programs. How we always took a nap together and when I called Grnadpa you always said- "Grandma just tell him the good things". Honey, all I knew were good things to tell him about you.

Now you are a big girl - 4 years old. You are growing up so fast pretty soon maybe you can get on an airplane alone and come and take care of me some more.

I love you very much and hope y our birthday is happy. I miss you too.

Be a good girl.

Love
Grandma

William

2011-05-25T06:17:00.000-07:00

William lost his second tooth day before yesterday. I came home from work and he greeted me with all the gory details about the twisting and turning and bloodiness. He pulled it out himself, which is brave of him since neither Marc nor I have the intention of ever pulling out teeth. Regardless of how "hangy" they are. Shiver. Tooth Fairy came and brought him $1.50.

Weekend of Accolades

2011-05-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

William finished his 4-week golf class and did great. He sort of surprised me in how well he listened and follwed directions and stayed focused. Now that we know he can, there will be more of that expected of him! I will have video of his golf at some point. It's not posted quite yet.

Signa started her weekend with a 4-H Dog Field Day where she decided at the last minute to enter the Junior Showmanship competition. And she won 2nd place! We were both happy (and surprised).

Then on Sunday, Signa entered her first karate competition in the Forms category. Here is the video for that:

Happy Birthday, William!

2011-04-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

Dear William,

Tomorrow is Easter and you also turn five years old. The next time you have a birthday on Easter will be when you turn 89 years old and although it’s silly, it makes me sad to know that I won’t be there with you to celebrate that birthday. Tomorrow is my last celebration of your birthday on Easter. And today is last day for me to have a four-year-old.

To say that four has been easy would not be truthful. To say that it’s been equally challenging and wonderful would be. You are an adorable little boy, full of life and energy. You are polite, saying please and thank you, and you are curious, trying out all kinds of things. Even the not-so-smart ones.

You love to be with your friends, but still do a lot of parallel play. You loved our trip to Disneyland and you love our trips to the park. Sometimes I’m not sure which you like more. This year, you played soccer and did very well. You wanted to do it again, so we just finished sign-ups. You also wanted golf, so that starts next week and you are doing a couple of camps this summer. One is a drop off day came and you are a bit nervous, as you haven’t been dropped off before. But I know that you will do very well, as you are mature and capable of listening and following directions. For the most part.

You still think Signa is the bee’s knees and try to emulate her in everything you do. You love to play with her and be with her and when she is apart from you, you just aren’t yourself. This year you lost your Aunt Gin and I think that was harder on you than we yet know. But we love you so much that we are going to love that hurt right out of you.

You are still my cuddly little man and I hope that doesn’t change any time soon. I love getting my morning snuggles and hugs and my afternoon Big Hug greeting. You make my day every day with your joy and energy and silliness.

Thank you for being my delightful big stink. Who just told me that you are taller today and your feet are longer because you are now five.

I love you.
-Momma

Civil War

2011-04-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

I normally don't really post genealogy here, but I really liked this Civil War study that I did on our family, so I'd like to share it!

http://mmgenealogy.blogspot.com/2011/04/civil-war.html

Toof

2011-04-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

William just lost his first tooth, so the sound of the letter F is going to make more of an appearance at Mascot Manor, I'm sure.

The Mariani Ranch

2011-04-09T20:57:00.000-07:00

Now that my dad has his copy, I can share my first ever book! You may recall the presentation I shared. Well, that was actually part of a book that I was working on. Actually, part of a book that I’m still working on, but I decided to do one part as its own separate book.

I gave a copy to my parents for their birthdays and then sent a copy to my grandfather and a copy to my brother. I also sent a copy to the man I know that is (or was- not sure now) the home owner’s association president for Blue Oaks, the site of the former Mariani Ranch.

I’m actually really proud of it! Here is the link to its very own site. The Mariani Ranch.

http://www.lulu.com/product/hardcover/the-mariani-ranch/14959926

WOO HOO! Since the next book is the history of the Mariani family itself, I think I'll use the same exact style and cover. Make it a 2-book set.

Ginger Marie

2011-03-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

Today it was with great sadness and pain that I opened my genealogy program to make a new entry: the death date of my beloved sister-in-law Ginger Marie. At 55, Ginger was much too young to go. Her life was filled with beauty and greatness and her family and friends are going to miss her more than mere words can ever express.

Ginger lived in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles County, California at her death on March 10, 2011. She had moved back to Woodland Hills only a few months ago, previously living in San Jose, California with Phil Jarone, her cousin and great friend.

Ginger was born to Kilbourne Eugene Fisher and Millicent Lenore Jarone on February 18, 1956 in San Jose, California. She was the eldest of four, with Melody, Candy and Marc coming later. She always took her job as “big sister” extremely seriously. Although in her early big-sister years she sometimes tested evil tendencies (“Melody, pick up that bee and see what happens,”), her later big sister years were filled with the amazing outpouring of love and patience and even more love for both of her sisters and her brother (and me!). There isn’t a doubt in anyone’s mind that her siblings meant the world to her.

She also had a great deal of love for her first cousin, once removed, Phil Jarone. Phil was more than a first cousin, once removed to Ginger (and to all of the family). Phil is a friend, stand-in grandfather, uncle and wonder. Ginger loved Phil immensely and one of the most fun things she ever talked about was their trip to Catalina Island together. Her friend, Jason Barnett, is also someone who cannot be left unmentioned as important in Ginger’s life. Jason has been a part of our family due to his closeness with Ginger for many years and I know that many of Ginger’s happiest of times were when she was with Jason.

Ginger also adored her nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Her sister Candy’s children, April, Autumn and Carl, are older and have stories of their own to tell of Aunt Gin, but I do know that she spent a lot of time bragging and admiring those three beautiful children/now-adults. As to her “newer” niece and nephew, my children, all I can say is that their Aunt Gin is leaving a great gynormous whole in their little hearts. Their Aunt Gin was a very big part of their lives and they spent a lot of time with her. I think they secretly loved her so very much because she had so much in common with their dad. From monsters to movies to super heroes, Aunt Gin knew all the cool stuff just like Daddy. What they haven’t figured out yet is that Daddy knew it and loved it because his big sister, Ginger, taught him.

I have heard stories about how she used to watch Creature Features with Marc on Friday nights (a tradition which Marc has continued with our daughter). The difference is that Marc doesn’t: a) have Signa brush his hair through it; and, b) Marc doesn’t make Signa sleep on the floor in our room after watching a scary movie like the Exorcist. But the fact remains that in many ways, Marc has tailored his parenting to house some of the “parenting” that his big sister did for him. Ginger was always protective of Marc and showed him so many fun things in life, from music to movies to art. Marc does the same for our children.

For my own memories of Ginger, one of my favorite things was her ability to tell a story. She would get so caught up in the meaning and the ending that she would just make up words that were too troublesome to remember. One of the best occasions of this has lived on for decades and I’m sure will for decades to come. She was telling a story about Macaulay Culkin, the child from the movie Home Alone. She didn’t even try to get his name right and just said, “Corn McCracken.” We all had a good laugh, but in fact we knew exactly what she meant. Just as we always did.

Ginger was the first of Marc’s family that I met 26 years ago. Marc brought me to her house for Thanksgiving and I remember thinking that she was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen. She was striking with her beautiful hair and make-up and she was an awesome hostess. I remember her beautiful smile throughout the day as she served up platters of food. Later, as I grew to know her better, I found that there was a difference in Ginger Smiles. When I first met her, she had that classic Ginger fake smile. It was beautiful on her, but if you were really, really lucky, you would get to see her flash a REAL genuine smile. And that would absolutely blow you away.

When Marc and I lived with Ginger, she and I used to watch taped episodes of All My Children together in the mornings while eating breakfast and putting on our makeup on the floor of the living room. I decided that one thing she will miss the most is her AMC, since I know she still watched it religiously. So I set it to tape on the DVR and from now on, I’ll watch it for her. Maybe she can peek over my shoulder as the TV is on and get caught up.

I don’t think there was ever a moment when I was in Ginger’s presence that she didn’t have me smiling. She made me laugh and cry, but most of all, she made me smile. It’s rare for me, but she somehow through the years, without trying, earned a sacred place in my heart where I house those who I unconditionally love. Somehow, no matter what, Ginger had my full love. Always did and always will.

Ginger is survived by her mother, Millie Mascot of Copperopolis, CA, her beloved cousin Phil Jarone of San Jose, CA, her brother, Marc Mascot of Livermore, CA, her sister, Melody Kinnard of Granite Bay, CA, and her sister, Candy Lann of Sacramento, CA, and close friend, Jason Barnett of Burbank, CA. She also has two nephews and three nieces, and eight great nieces and nephews. And a host of other friends and relatives that will miss her.

Ginger is preceded in death by her grandparents and her beloved Kitty Juan Jesus Valdez. Kitty Juan, as he was known, was fed shrimp all his life (called, “Shrimpies!” with the exclamation point) and was a beautiful, wonderful jerk of a cat who lived to be close to 30. He meant the world to Ginger and if there is any good in the afterlife, she is petting Kitty Juan right now and feeding him giant shrimpies in the sky.

As I looked for a quote or poem to end this writing, I couldn’t decide what to exactly look for, so I just browsed. I came across this, “When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight,” by Kahlil Gibran. This seemed to fit perfectly, as it’s true; I am crying for the delight that was Ginger. I think she’d like that.

But maybe not as much as she’d like this one to excuse her absence from our lives:

“You will, I trust, excuse that I do not join you but I have dined already and I never drink…wine.” –Dracula

Pile o' Cash

2011-03-08T08:58:00.000-08:00

Today's headline, "Gaddafi hints he is ready to leave Libya (but 'only if rebel council gives him a pile of cash and promises not to prosecute')" is... hilarious.

Seriously, what kind of world leader asks for a "pile of cash"? How important do you need to be to feel that you are actually entitled to a "pile of cash". And, really, what is a "pile of cash". Shouldn't he define this more clearly or surely someone will be smart enough to make a small pile of ones and legally call it a "pile of cash".

"Here is fifty bucks in a pile, Gaddafi. Now get the hell out."

Sometimes people just crack me up.

Nazi Car Guy

2011-02-25T07:31:00.000-08:00

Last Tuesday, I took the day off and took William to the Oakland Zoo. It was a beautiful sunny day and in celebration of a Hitting-Free two weeks (a story for another day...), I decided the little man deserved a reward. We spend the morning with the animals and then after lunch headed over to the ride area. If you haven't been to the Oakland Zoo, you need to understand that the ride area is just a few small carnival rides. In fact, there are two rides there that have NEVER even worked. There is a small roller coaster. Think: up, down, and around twice- just enough to feel sick, but not quiet enough to induce vomit. And no thrills to offset the queeze. There is a carousel with the standards zoo carousel animals to sit on. And go up, down, and around a few times. (yes, more queeze). There is a train ride that is actually pretty cool. And then there are the cars.

Tiny cars going in a circle. There is no gas and no brake, as they are all attached to poles attached to the center. They go MAYBE zero miles per hour. But the attendant on Sunday was extremely serious about his job. I didn’t catch his name, but let’s call him, “Nazi Car Guy” (NCG for short).

We got to the car ride and there were a cluster of kids “lined” up as per the usual. No attendant in sight, but one lady was nervously telling everyone to get in line. In a real line, not a 3-year-old line. “The guy is going to insist, so I’m just sayin’.” She was twitching and looking over her shoulders. Her child was rigid with fright, but I just thought they were weird.

Until NCG showed up. He stood on the other side of the gate. I really think that he saw it as being St. Peter deciding who could go through the pearly gates. Sadly, the gate is all of 2 feet high metal. Not a pearl in sight.

LINE UP! LINE UP SINGLE FILE RIGHT HERE! NO!!! SINGLE FILE. THE SOONER YOU MOVE IT, THE SOONER WE CAN START.

Keep in mind that in order to go on this ride, the children must be between 36 and 42 inches. So it’s for those ages 2-5. It’s not the Tower of Terror or a safari adventure where children could slip out and be eaten by lions. It’s a car ride where cars go around in slow circles.

With the help of startled parents, the children lined up, bewildered, but still sort of plotting which car they were going to maneuver through the intricate circle of fun. NCG would soon take that plotting away, as each child was demanded to STAND AGAINST THE RULERED WALL SO THAT I CAN MAKE SURE YOU ARE THE APPROPRIATE HEIGHT.

Rather than glancing haphazardly with little or no interest at the child next to the ruler as they do in the normal world, NCG opened the gate, walked through, stood next to the ruler wall and then proceeded with The Procedure.

STAND WITH YOU FEET AGAINST THE WALL. YES, LIKE THAT. He would then take his pointer and carefully hold it to the point at which the top of the child’s head reached. MOVE AWAY FROM THE WALL. He would then carefully examine the place where the pointer touched. Sometimes he’d have the child come back to start over.

If the child was approved, he would go back to the gate, open it, let the child through. WALK! DO NOT RUN! REMEMBER WALK, DO NOT RUN.

Then he repeated on the next child.

Once the children were in place. He began the lecture. DO NOT TAKE YOUR SEAT BELT OFF. DO NOT STAND UP. DO NOT YELL OR SCREAM. WE WILL START IN A MOMENT, BUT REMEMBER THE RULES. THEY ARE HERE TO KEEP YOU SAFE. DO NOT TAKE YOUR SEAT BELT OFF AND DO NOT STAND UP. DO NOT MOVE UNTIL THE RIDE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. He said “COMPLETE” extra loud and mean. DO NOT RUN OUT. WALK CALMLY. WE WILL BEGIN.

And then the children gleefully went around in stupid circles ten exact times, smiling and giddy with power.

The parents and grandparents were all swearing to report NCG. Muttering to one another throughout the entire ordeal about how they can’t believe this and spouting expletives when their child was too small at 35.99 inches or too big at 42.01 inches.

I, however, was laughing and making mental notes for writing fodder.

I'm Rich!

2011-02-16T07:51:00.000-08:00

Kristin, my best friend from 3rd grade, found a contract in her files that we'd signed on March 26, 1981. It states, "The signers of this contract will have to pay one dollar each month and five dollars interest per year until age 21. Although, extra money may be added."

We were going to spend the summer of our 21st birthday in Yellowstone Park as rangers and this was to be our fund for it. Sadly, I think we sucked at math, as this contract would only have given us about $150.

The Ranch

2011-02-07T20:30:00.000-08:00

I scanned a bunch of pictures of the Mariani Ranch and decided to make it into a movie with music:

In case it doesn't show well on this page, you can click here for the YouTube page:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-12xw2aagE

My First Car

2011-01-28T07:20:00.000-08:00

My first car was a bright yellow Chrysler Newport. I always thought it was a 1960, but when I pull up pictures, I think it was more a ’63 or so. It looked a lot like this:

Only instead of costing $2,964, it was $100. It was the car of a friend of my grandfather’s. I can’t remember her name now, but she was so very nice and wanted me to have her old car. So this Chrysler Newport sat in my driveway for almost a year before I got my driver’s license in 1983.

Although these days this would be a classic car and a cool status symbol, at the time, it was just a big, yellow, very old car. My friends called it, “The Banana” due to its length and color. It comfortably seated 8. No seat belts, of course. We would pile in and pile out. AM radio only, so I hung a tape player on the ash tray. No air conditioning, so the windows were always rolled down (hand-cranked, of course). The trunk was massive and frequently featured the worldly belongings of a teenager or two who’d run away from home (they knew I had the room…).

It was made of solid steel and had no working meter to tell me when gas was running low. So I had to fill it up (10 gallon tank) and then could only go 100 miles before it would konk out on me. That’s 10 miles to the gallon. 10.

Summer nights, when there was no school and we were out too late to go home, we’d sometimes just sleep in the car (comfortably slept four). We’d put the White Album or the Alarm on my clunky tape player and zonk out until the Creamery opened and we could go in for coffee and usually nothing else- I’m sure that thrilled the waitresses.

The Banana brought me so much joy and fun and freedom. I have wonderful memories of that big yellow boat car. Which is a good thing, as I don’t think there are any pictures of it, either.

I made a mental note to take pictures of my kids with their first cars. In hindsight, it's a monumental occasion.

2011

2011-01-01T12:48:00.000-08:00

I've been working so hard on genealogy lately, that I've neglected posting here. Our December was filled with a week at Disneyland and then three weeks of sickness. Totally worth it, but put a damper on excitement for Christmas when we couldn't stop coughing and blowing our noses.

For New Year's Eve, the kids stayed up until midnight. I lasted until 11pm. Now it's naptime for all as we just spent an hour pulling together everything we could from the pantry, refrigerator, freezer and vegetable bin making a delicious Stone Soup. The kids even say they will eat it for dinner tonight... we shall see.

The 2011 year has a trip to Maine in store for us and we are so excited. We will also be visiting Oregon as soon as the pass will allow and a trip to Southern California for some sort of monster convention for two of the Mascots (here's a hint- not me and not the one who would out-monster the monsters).

We wish you all a very happy new year and I promise to try to be better at this whole writing thing this year.

Halloween!

2010-10-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

This year's costumes feature Signa as Frankie Stein (Frankenstein's Monster's daughter), William as Boba Fette, Marc as a deep sea diver and me as Sunken Treasure. The kids' costumes were store bought, but not ours!

In Honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2010-10-30T06:32:00.000-07:00

A year and a half ago, my doctor gave me a slip for the dreaded mammogram. I sucked it up and went and they said Sorry Charlie, as I hadn’t been NOT breastfeeding for long enough. So six months ago I got another dreaded slip from my doctor and then promptly lost it. I found it a couple of weeks ago and sucked it up and made the appointment for last Thursday.

It’s been a long hard week and to have a mammogram in the middle was just frightening. I shaked myself all the way in, barely able to sign the 40 million waivers, pay promises and privacy notices for all the quivering. I nearly sobbed as I waited. She called my name and I had that stomach sinking feeling from hell.

I put the gown on and went into a slightly darkened toasty warm room. She showed me the machine and how it worked and that she’d be taking four pictures, two of each boobie. She explained everything and then we began. And then 40 seconds later, it was over and I was laughing. “Seriously? That’s IT?!?!? “

There is no pain. There is no pinching or hurting. Perhaps breastfeeding two children past the age of two has desensitized me, but SERIOSLY!??!

If you have been putting this off, stop. Trust me, the Scardy Cat Whiny Baby of the Universe. Just go. It’s NOTHING.

Ouch

2010-10-29T04:26:00.000-07:00

I finished my Halloween costume, but the cost?

Skin.

The user of my hot glue gun (me) decided to shoot glue onto that part between your thumb and index finger. Then that same person grabbed for the offending glue with the other hand.

Ouch.

But my costume's done and now I have a day of work at a client's and then tomorrow a seminar and a Halloween party and then more Halloween parties!

The kids have been practicing their Trick-or-Treat ettiquette. Knocking gently, saying please (I told them that no one says, "Trick or treat PLEASE" and that they could be off the hook this time), taking one piece if the owners hold out the bowl, not walking into their home, saying thank you. While this is all very cute, the over and over knocking is getting on our nerves, so we are glad to be nearing the actual day.

I think with all the parties, we should do a really cool breakfast for Halloween, but not sure I could pull this off:

http://hoosierhomemade.com/halloween-breakfast-food/

We may settle for Count Chocula cereal.

John Wayne Airport

2010-10-27T06:24:00.000-07:00

I spent most of yesterday in the John Wayne Airport. I had a client meeting that we thought would go all day. Our flight choices were 4:30 or 8:30. Since we thought the meeting would go until 4pm, we chose 8:30pm, knowing it would be a long day (the morning flight was at 7am. However, the meeting was over at 2pm and we were back at the airport at 3pm trying to get on the 4:30 flight. To no avail. So I spend five and a half hours at the John Wayne International Airport.

Luckily, I was with a really great person and we laughed through the day and night, but ick. What a LONNNNNNNG day. And I never saw Signa or William yesterday. Cannot wait for them to get up this morning, but since it's only 6:30, I won't stomp around and cough or anything to wake them.

Yet.

Curly Shuffle

2010-10-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

We went to a wonderful Oktoberfest party with Nana and Papa a few weeks back. Nana made Signa a Dirndl and bought a beautiful shirt for William from Germany. She then borrowed Lederhosen in a beautiful red leather from a friend for him.

William, always the ham, couldn't just do the chicken dance; he had to add in the Curly Shuffle (which he calls the Rock and Roll move).

You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_UdE9E96bU

We also took a trip to Oregon to see Grampa and Grandma Molly. Just William and me. We had a great time and now he wants to go there every week. He loved the built in playground, but also all the food and special juice that was just for him! We can't wait for Thanksgiving, hoping they will be joining us again.

And if you are a genealogy friend, I've created a genealogy blog at: http://mmgenealogy.blogspot.com/

I figured I needed an outlook for all my recent genealoging before I start writing it here and boring you all!

Fundraiser for CORA

2010-10-06T06:39:00.000-07:00

I’m doing a fundraiser for CORA through the month of October. There are some GREAT new books (including a new series that I’m coveting for William). All my commissions from your orders (and your friends’ orders – pass it on!!!) will be sent to CORA. Last year when I did this, we raised $50. This year, I want to send them a lot more.

My Usborne Website: www.ubah.com/j2614

“CORA provides free and confidential services to victims and survivors of domestic/dating violence and abuse, including child and teen witnesses, in San Mateo County. Our services include a 24-hour hotline, support groups, legal services, emergency and transitional housing, and more, in English and Spanish. http://www.corasupport.org/ ”

CORA is a wonderful organization and performs so many valuable and needed services. For each of us, this fundraiser is a win-win. You get great books for the children in your lives AND part of your money goes to a wonderful organization.

I love to suggest books for you, or you can see our new titles here:
http://www.myubam.com/ecommerce/results.asp?sid=J2614&gid=101462745&newtitles=on&submit=new

Personally, I’m ordering this for William, as it looks just about perfect for my anxious-to-read 4-year-old:
Very First Reading Set
http://www.myubam.com/ecommerce/VeryFirstReading.asp?sid=J2614&emkt=203

Thank you and please let me know if you have questions!
-Debbie (debbie (at) mascotmanor (dot) org)

Happy Birthday, Signa!

2010-09-18T14:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Mrs. Magilicutty,

Today you are eight years old. You are my big 8-year-old. And this is my eighth birthday letter to you. Eight. You’d think that I’d run out of things to say to you on your birthday, but I don’t. I just say the same things every year- that you are the coolest, most wonderful kid and I love you so much.

This is the first year that you will read your own birthday letter. All the other years, I just wrote it and tucked it away in your journal, but this year, I am emailing it to you. This week is the week you got your own email address and you are so excited and funny about it. I got 5 emails just this morning, all saying something to the effect of, “Send me an email.” And when you send one to me, I always know it even before I hit Send/Receive, as you are laughing and looking at me and grinning.

You got your retainer this year and it makes you look older and I can’t believe how responsible you are with it. I never have to remind you to put it back in after you eat or to put it in your “retainer container” before you do eat. You just know and you do it without question.

You and I had some special times together this year, with trips to Oregon and to Ohio. I was so worried that after being together non-stop, we’d be on each other’s nerves, but you were the perfect travel companion and I loved having you with me and showing you off to our family. You make me very proud.

You love Build-A-Bear and playing games on your computer. And email, as I’ve mentioned. You also love to play with Will even though he doesn’t play the way you like to. It’s still really nice and big sisterly of you to be so good to him. I know it feels like he doesn’t deserve it sometimes, but trust me, he does and you and he will always have a very special relationship because you are each other’s first friends. Just ask Unkee!

I love that you are mature for your age, but still a kid. We get complemented on how great you are all the time and while we love that, we really love you. I don’t think that either Daddy or I could think of one thing about you that we’d like to change. You are just perfect how you are and you are our treasure and our joy and our hearts.

You are the best daughter in the whole wide world and I am so happy to be your momma.

Love,
Momma

Date with William

2010-09-05T14:36:00.000-07:00

Signa is at Gramma's this weekend and so we needed to do something special with William. Marc was in a sculpting mood, so I coerced William into taking me on a date. We went to the bank and I let him take out the cash. Then he took me miniature golfing, to lunch and to the bumper boats. And skee ball, where he scored a tiny back-scratcher and soccer ball eraser. He graciously paid for everything and proudly told the people, "This is for my momma and me."

I will never ever forget Will's first date. I even got a big hug and a kiss at the end.

Tonight he is taking his Momma AND Daddy on a dinner date. He wants to have shrimp (and white wine, although, we veto that).

Most Annoying Conversation Contest

2010-08-06T07:48:00.000-07:00

I think this phone conversation wins:

Me: Why are there two hotel charges on my bank statement?
Hotel Woman: You need shuttle? I get shuttle. What room?
Me: No, I had two charges for your hotel. I stayed last Friday.
Hotel Woman: Two charges for shuttle last Friday? I check...

me on hold

Hotel Woman: What time you take shuttle?
Me: I did not take a shuttle and I do not want to take a shuttle. I want my money back.
Hotel Woman: You want money back from shuttle?
Me: May I please speak to the manager?
Hotel Woman: The shuttle manager? No manager for shuttle. You want lost and found?

After getting through to her that it was a billing issue, she transfered me to a man.

Hotel Man: Let me just pull up your account. Sarah McDonald, right?
Me: No. (Gave my name again)
Hotel Man: Yes, unfortunately we do have a missed reservation policy and because you missed the reservation without cancelling 24 hours before your check in date, we did need to charge you for that.
Me: (in that super calm before the storm voice) Then would you mind just explaining, you know, um what the other charge was for?
Hotel Man: Yes, that was for the room and room service last Friday.
Me: (paused to let it sink in... pause... pause... THERE it is. You could HEAR the light bulb flash on)
Hotel Man: OH, how can we charge you for a missed reservation and then also charge you for a room?

Me: Exactly.

Credit supposedly coming and we already had a free night for the other crappy customer service I wrote to them about. But do I really want to go through this again?

Eye Wars

2010-07-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I put makeup on women. They would come into the spa and I would make them look good. I remember learning to put eye shadow on older women. You would have to stretch the skin out with your thumb while applying it or the brush would just move on the same piece of old woman skin and not spread nicely.

This morning, I realized I have that old woman skin. I had to stretch my eye skin.

This marks the official end of an era. Can I wear knee high nylons with my sandals now and polyester pants with a stupid hat?

Oregon and Momma Camp

2010-07-03T08:21:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, Signa and I went to Oregon. We drove up on Friday and back on Monday, but had 2 full days with Grampa and Grandma Molly. It was wonderful and Signa wants to go back with us next time, even though it's supposed to be just me and Will next time... I think Daddy would explode with NO KIDS for a full weekend, so we will see...

While there, we attended Battle of the Bones (http://www.battleofthebones.com). We tasted 12 or so different pulled pork and voted for our favorite (the apricot one was our family's favorite!). We walked around and got ice cream and cotton candy and giant lemonades with flavoring in them and balloon animals. It was a great day and I LOVE PULLED PORK!

Sunday we went up to the mountain for a picnic. It was a lovely day and the whole weekend was very relaxing and comforting. I love spending time with my parents as you get to be a kid again and they sort of step into the adult role as your backup. I hope my kids feel that way when they are older, too.

Yesterday I took a surprise day off work and we had Momma Camp. The kids got tickets for Momma Camp from 9am to 9pm. The day started with name tags and leis. We then went to get supplies for Momma Camp and then home for the Momma Camp Sing-a-long*. After the sing-a-long, we painted figurines as our craft and then had a water fight with water baloons and Super Soakers in the front yard. Then lunch at McDonalds and playtime in the Playland. Then Will's nap, during which Signa tried to learn how to ride her bike. Then another craft (library bags) and then off to the water structure activity pool at the community center. Then swim lessons, hot dogs for dinner, and smores by the campfire in the backyard. Then bed.

We all loved our Momma Camp.

* Our official Momma Camp song is sung to the tune of "Lollipop" and played on the guitar in the A CHORD until the POP (where you knock on the guitar) and then the ba bom bom part is in the E7 on the guitar (note that those are the only things we have learned on the guitar in guitar class, so it's a bit limiting.

Cooties

2010-06-23T07:03:00.000-07:00

William's computer class started Monday. It's really his first class just for him where we aren't there with him. I was so hyped up for it that I couldn't wait to call him after to hear all about it.

Marc and Signa sat outside the class and waited for him and said he did fine. Serious Will, just like normal, but went fine. When I talked to him on the phone and asked him how the class was. "It was fun and we played games and I don't like it because there is a girl kid in there and I don't like girls."

What the H E double hocky sticks? He doesn't like computer class because there is a girl in it? Did the breath mint freeze up his brain? He repeated that to me about 3 times Monday and then again yesterday morning.

We had to drill it in that he is NOT to say anything like that in class or anywhere else because it's mean and hurts people's feelings.

Who knew that cooties come at age 4?

Minty Fresh

2010-06-21T07:27:00.001-07:00

To start today’s update I will tell you about our drive home last night. Actually, how about I just tell you what I heard:

Signa: Daddy, are those mints?!? Can I have one?
Will: Me, too! I want one, too!
Daddy: No these aren’t mints, but I have mints. Here you go. (he passes one back for each kid)
Me: What are they if they are not mints? (I start to look at the other container)
Marc: Gum.
Then I had an inner dialog about how I thought he wasn’t going to chew gum any more because it kept pulling off crowns. I then debated saying something or not saying something. Right around the time I decided not to say anything because if gum could pull it off, anything could, I heard in the very tippy back part of my brain, “I put it in my nose!” I continued thinking that if gum would pull off a crown, so would marshmallows or rice crispie treats and really, if they were so weak as to have gum pull them off then why didn’t they instruct you to not eat gum? Or marshmallows or rice crispie treats. And what about jujubes. Those were the stickiest hardest things EVER.
Marc: YOU PUT WHAT IN YOUR NOSE?!?!?!
Me: WHAT?!??!

So yes, William put the mint in his nose because Signa put hers BY her nose and he thought she put it IN her nose and that it was funny. Then he found that it wasn’t funny because, “I PUT THE MINT IN MY NOSE AND IT’S STUCK AND NOW I’M GOING TO DIE, MOMMA!” We pulled over on the side of the freeway and I tried to make him blow it out, but to no avail. We kept driving and I checked Doctor Internet. I found not fewer than six other kids who put mints up their nose. Two went to the emergency room, but it dissolved before they saw a doctor. All six were just fine. One was a Junior Mint and it was an adult talking about why they don’t like mint and chocolate mixed together any more, but I’m still counting it.

William will be just fine, even though his snot will be minty fresh for a few days.

Right?

Darth Vader et al

2010-05-15T08:08:00.000-07:00

Apparently yesterday at the end of Return of the Jedi, in a massive amount of tears, William managed to sob out, "Daddy, I forgive Darth Vader!"

---

I had scrapbooking all Will's birthday weekend at a hotel nearby, so on Will's birthday, I got up early and brought donuts home for him. When I was ready to head back to the hotel, I had Will come sit on my lap facing me. "Happy birthday, Will," I said with smiles and kisses for him. "I'm going to go now, but tonight you can come get me at the hotel and then we'll go have your special birthday dinner, okay?"

He looked at me with big wide eyes and said with wonder and joy, "I can DRIVE now?" as if the perks of becoming four had never fully been explained to him. I am seriously still laughing.

---

We recently went to see Grampa and Grandma Molly in Oregon for a long weekend. The kids had such a good time exploring everything. And Grampa and Grandma got worn out by them but I think in a good way! Can't wait to go back.

---

Today we are off to a 4H Dog Field Day. Mr. Spock will be coming along for the ride, so we shall see how it goes!

Testing the Interface

2010-05-13T20:29:00.001-07:00

Testing testing 123..

This blog has moved

2010-04-29T07:19:00.003-07:00

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2010-04-29T07:19:00.001-07:00

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Happy Birthday!

2010-04-14T07:13:00.001-07:00

Today is Dad's birthday! I get to see him in 16 days.

Happy birthday, Dad! I love you!

Couple of Things

2010-04-07T08:11:00.000-07:00

Apparently yesterday at the park, after running behind some bushes, Will ran up to our friend and said, "There was a regular dog over there." She asked what he meant by "regular" and he rolled his eyes at her and said, "Well, it's not a wolf."

Duh.

***

This morning there was a cartoon on about camping. The children had this conversation:

Signa- When we go camping, I'm sleeping in the tent with Daddy.
Will- NO! I WANT TO SLEEP IN THE TENT WITH DADDY!
Signa- No, you get to stay with Momma.
Will- NO! I WANT TO GO CAMPING WITH DADDY, TOO!

And then he tried to punch her.

So I told them both that just for that, we are now not going fictional camping.

So there.

Why I Go to Work

2010-04-02T14:11:00.000-07:00

According to Signa, I go to work every day because I hate vacuuming. While it is true (I do ever so much hate vacuuming), I do not desert my family for 8 hours a day (plus driving time) just to avoid that dreaded machine and make Marc do it all.

No, Signa. You are very wrong.

I go to work for hours every week to avoid LAUNDRY. Which is a lot worse than the vacuum.

Great, Great Grandmother

2010-04-02T07:26:00.001-07:00

For a few weeks now, on and off, I’ve been obsessing over my grandmother’s grandparents. All I knew was their names: John T. Shelton and Laura E. Wilkinson. I knew where they were born and where they lived from census records, but that didn’t tell a good story. What happened to them?

Nana’s dad “left home at a young age”. He was “quiet and reserved and didn’t talk much.” So Nana knew nothing of his life before her. I’d search and get clues, but nothing that drew a line or a picture. Just snippets to confuse me or piece them in a place where they shouldn’t be or with children they shouldn’t have.

But I learned that in 1860 they were in Allen County, Indiana. And then I found a huge history of the Wilkinson family listing Laura, going back generations. So there is part of Laura’s history, but she is listed with the last name of Morton in her mother’s obituary. So searching for a marriage between a Laura Shelton and anyone named Morton found me an 1872 marriage between a Laura Wilkinson and a Thomas Moron. From there, I found census records (with my great grandfather’s brother listed – with a name like Costa, it’s an easy conclusion…).

So I always wondered what happened to John Shelton. He must have died sometime between the 1870 census where he was in Quincy, IL and 1872 when his wife (under her maiden name) remarried. Quincy was the go-to point for the Civil War soldiers. Was he there for that? He’s listed as a carpenter in the census and in the city directory, though. Why were they in Quincy? What happened shortly after?

So for 2 weeks I’ve been looking through everything I can find listing deaths in IL or IN for John T. Shelton. Nothing.

But today I found their divorce notice in the Fort Wayne Sentinal. Laura E. Shelton vs. John T. Shelton. 21 Aug 1872. She married Mr. Morton just a few months later and they had 2 children together.

I also found this.

And these are her parents.

RIP Great, Great Grandma Laura E. Wilkinson Shelton Morton. I’m so glad I know you a little better now. I wish you could tell me about your first husband John, but I’m glad to have at least this.

So far...

Something to Cry About

2010-03-22T20:41:00.001-07:00

William was doing something really annoying yesterday. I can’t remember what, but as he walked by, I swatted him on the butt and reminded him what he was supposed to be doing. About 2 minutes later, I hear him sobbing in the living room. Before I could even get in there, he says, “Momma, you gave me something to cry ABOUT.”

Smart kid.

All is well in the Mascot household. Busy, though. Can’t see to catch our breath these days.

Too Random to Title

2010-03-12T07:59:00.001-08:00

I’ve been working on genealogy a lot again lately and it’s taking up my spare time. I subscribed to Ancestry.com and Sheri and I have been enabling each other in it, so instead of cleaning, working, exercising... we do genealogy. But at least we are now related, so I can now officially call her family!

In other news, William is potty trained now (except for that never-to-be-spoken-of-again time on the couch last week when he was very involved in his Batman game). He’s doing a great job with it and enjoys telling me how he’s big now because “I go pee pee on the potty, that’s why!”

He also doesn’t say today, but instead substitutes the biblical, “ON THIS DAY”. So instead of saying, “I know you said that I wasn’t old enough to chew gum, but today I am ready,” we get, “Yes, but ON THIS DAY I can chew gum.”

Last weekend we went to see Beethoven’s Wig. It’s a group of singers for kids who put words to classical music. Some are silly (like about Beethoven’s Big Wig), but most tell a story about the music, the musician or something about the time. We all loved it and are vowing to see more live theater.

Although we also love movies, having seen and loved Alice in Wonderland. I have a particular fondness for the story, since Dad read it to me when I was little. And then to have Tim Burton, my favorite movie guy ever, make it. Well, it was just perfect and exactly how Alice in Wonderland should look. The kids loved it and now are planning which characters to be for Halloween (we had to talk Will out of being the White Queen- now he’s either the Cheshire Cat or the guy with the eye patch). Signa is, of course, the Red Queen.

The kids also woke up one day and decided to plan a party for their stuffed hamsters (called Zhu Zhu Pets). They made invitations, games and when I got home from work, I made a cake. The party for Mr. Squiggles and Batman was very fun.

I also had a Pampered Chef party a couple weeks ago and it was so fun to see my friends all in one place. Of course there many close friends missing, but YVONNE was there! Yvonne and I were friends when we were 8-12 or so. We were inseparable, living across the street from each other. We had a club house in her back yard and did the gong show, Charlie’s Angels, detective work, and had our own club that we called the Black Panthers (because, really, what a cool name for a club!). We had some very prime years together and it was so fun to see her again. I can’t figure out how she can look exactly like she did when she was 12, but she does. She has grown daughters who are beautiful, just like her.

I guess that’s it for today. I’ll try to write more tomorrow. Should be a relaxing Saturday, YAY!

The Before-Life

2010-02-28T08:52:00.000-08:00

We were watching a movie the other night for Movie Night and I mentioned that Marc and I saw it in the theater when it came out.

Will: Who took care of me and Signa? Gwamma?
Us: Will, you weren't born yet.
Will: (after some contemplating) Did you miss me?

I was noticing yesterday that William is now to the funny sayings stage and Signa is mostly out of it. She now surprises us in the SMART things she says more so than the funny. She notices things differently that I do. Like I will notice something in a movie looks weird, but SHE notices that there are no contact shadows (and she even knows they are called contact shadows). I did find a pices of paper yesterday, though, that she made. It's about a 1/2 inch tall and about 5 inches wide and across it is written, "No, Will!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" with explanation points running the full 5 inches. I still don't really know why, but I imagine that pretty much sums up life at the Mascots:

No, Will!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And Another Wonderful Accomplishment

2010-01-30T15:54:00.000-08:00

My nephew Austin got all As in his freshman year in high school and is #2 in ranking for his class of 484. Go, Austin, GO!!!!

What amazes me about Austin is that he's smart AND nice AND fun AND cool AND perfect. Seriously, he is the greatest kid. I am the luckiest aunt in the world.

Orange turns into Purple

2010-01-30T15:27:00.000-08:00

Signa took her test for karate today and has now graduated from a white gi to a black one and now has a new purple belt. YAY SIGNA!

Today’s Usborne Books and More Recommendations:

2010-01-27T04:12:00.000-08:00

Today’s Usborne Books and More Recommendations:

For the younger crowd (ages 7+), See Inside Math.
http://www.myubam.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=J2614&gid=92852538&title=See+Inside+Math+IR&sqlwhere=submit%3Dsearch%26search%3Dsee%2Binside%2Bmath

For the older, Illustrated Dictionary of Math
http://www.myubam.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=J2614&gid=92852538&title=Illustrated+Dictionary+of+Math+%2D+IR&sqlwhere=Rank

Both of these help make math less “numbery” and more about what it MEANS.

Remember, all book sales through Feb. 15 will count towards the funds for UNICEF that we are raising for Haiti earthquake victims. In addition, I will be donating all of my commissions. Send in your orders to:

Debbie at mascotmanor dot org

ENJOY!

Minnie Newman, Batman, Robin and Nothing at All About Pee Wee Herman

2010-01-26T19:39:00.000-08:00

William was telling us about "Minnie Newman" who was found "in the box!" "YOU KNOW! MINNIE NEWMAN! FROM THE BOX!" It took many minutes to gather more details (what kind of box? A BOX! where was the box from? THE GARAGE! what does Minnie look like? A BIG HEAD!)

He was talking about Marc's Alfred E. Neuman doll...

William has also taken to calling Marc, "Batman" and insisting on everyone calling him, "Robin". So here is a conversation I heard the other day:

William (from the tub): Batman?
Marc (from the office): Yes, Robin?
William: Let's pretend you don't know Pee Wee Herman.
Marc: Um... okay...
William: Hey, Batman? Do you know Pee Wee Herman?
Marc: Why, no, Robin, I don't.
William: Oh, Batman!

And then he went back to playing with the bath bubbles.

BOOKS FOR HAITI

2010-01-21T20:10:00.000-08:00

I was thinking about what *I* could do for the people in Haiti. I don’t have extra cash (that I’m willing to part with) and I don’t want to head off to Haiti to actually DO anything. But I can sell books.

Now I know that they don’t need books there. Really, I do. So instead, I’m doing a book fair from now until February 15.

Depending on the amount we raise, anywhere from 10% to 50% of our sales will be donated to UNICEF, one of the organizations helping the earthquake victims. UNICEF focuses on children and that is why I’ve chosen them as our recipient. More than half the population of Haiti is children, and children suffer most in disasters such as this. I will be donating all of my own commissions, too. So there is no reason for you NOT to buy great books for the children in your lives AND be helping in Haiti. I’m sure you all know how great the books are, but if you would like to see some or get some recommendations, please let me know.

Since this is a book fair, the order won’t be placed until February 16, so keep that in mind as you are shopping. If you need books sooner, I will still donate my commissions, but the other percentage won’t count to the book fair. Please place your order with me via email (rather than on the website) and I will send you an invoice. Start your shopping now:

http://www.mascotmanor.org/ubah

Questions? Please let me know! I’ll be sending out blasts with my favorite books over the next couple of weeks. The “must have” books for every child.

To start you off, here is my all-time favorite Usborne book:

http://www.myubam.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=J2614&gid=90062167&emkt=2&title=Complete+Book+of+Farmyard+Tales+%28C%2FV%29+%2B+CD&sqlwhere=submit%3Dsearch%26search%3Dfarmyard

The Complete Book of Farmyard Tales: This book is a must-have for ages 0-5. In addition to the usual (good stories, good price tag, wonderful pictures) this book is a quality bound book with a ribbon for a bookmark (I really don’t know why this is so loved, but all kids seem to adore this feature. Each page features a hidden duck (making the little ones focus on THAT page instead of just wanting to turn turn turn). It’s a dual reader, so that the top line is easier reading for learners- or faster paced story for tiny ones- and the bottom lines are good for mom or dad to read or to skip until they are older. It also comes with a CD where each story is read aloud and wonderful music. We enjoy the book now for even the 7-year-old and 3-year-old, as the big one read to the little one (and develops more reading confidence in being able to do so).

If you have older kids and are past this stage, here is my recommendation for you:

http://www.myubam.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=J2614&gid=90062167&emkt=2&title=Conspiracy+365+January&sqlwhere=rank

Conspiracy 365 (JANUARY): This is the first in the new Usborne series for ages 10 and up. It’s a fascinating mystery series that will feature 12 books (one each month).

More recommendations coming… stay tuned!

Thank you all.

-Debbie
http://www.mascotmanor.org/ubah

Afraid Hitchhikers

2010-01-17T17:37:00.000-08:00

Today we were playing Apples to Apples and when Paul was reading the cards thrown down for something, Signa complained because he didn't read the one she put down that clearly should have won. He went back through and read them all again and she said, "NO! Mine was Afraid Hitchhikers."

Yes, Alfred Hitchcock. We were all laughing at my poor girl, but even though she was horrified and embarrassed, we just couldn't stop. Especially me.

Sleepover

2010-01-16T16:53:00.000-08:00

Last night, Signa had her first sleepover (well, it was here, so her first Have a Friend Sleepover). Catherine spent the night and the girls just played with their Liv dolls, ate, chattered and then read and went to bed. This morning after breakfast and a couple hours of play, Catherine's family picked up the two girls and they went to see the Chipmunks. Signa had a beyond wonderful time and said that next time she wants Catherine to stay for five nights.

William's Story

2010-01-09T06:52:00.000-08:00

Last night at dinner, I got to hear William's story of an event from the day. I wish I'd recorded it so that I could regale you with the EXACT words, but it was too "in the moment." So I'll do my best.

William's Story

Today in the car and then not in the car there was a dead squirrel and the turkey vultures were in a circle (he made circle motions over his head, and I'm pretty sure he wasn't calling himself crazy) and they were eating a dead not Gilbert (Gilbert is a squirrel that we feed in the backyard and Will was okay with a dead squirrel in the street as long as it was... not Gilbert). And um Daddy said if I wanted to look and I said yes and we looked and there was RIBS! And the turkey vultures were eating that squirrel that was not Gilbert!

Later on he asked me for "Skechimo" kisses. Even though he drives us nuts sometimes, as we don't understand why he does things (kick the dog, not potty train, hit Signa, crash things, break things, destroy things, etc.), he really is pretty freaking cute. :)

Potty Training. Or Not.

2010-01-05T17:57:00.001-08:00

In what way, shape, or form is it “potty training” when they just pee and shit in their pants/diaper/pull-up all the damn time EXCEPT when you happen to remind them at the particular right moment? How is THIS potty training? I’d give up and wait longer, except that diapers now all leak and are too small for my ALMOST FOUR-YEAR-OLD. ERGH. I’ve had it.

In other news, I came home early so that I could take Signa to karate and see her doing it again and she didn’t want me to go- wanted Daddy and for me to stay home with William.

Who proceeded to pee in one pullup and then poop in another.

Oh the joy.

Thank heavens he’s so darned cute.

New Year

2010-01-03T20:51:00.001-08:00

Well, it’s over. Christmas, that is. This was actually my favorite Christmas yet. It started with a wonderful Thanksgiving and then just kept right on going until New Year’s. We did so many fun things, from crafts to a trip to see the City lights to a parade. And more crafts. And lots and lots of baking (pretty sure that’s why my fat pants are feeling a tad cozy right now).

The kids are at the perfect ages this year. Enough magic and wonder still to ignite the joy in all of us. And they do that every year, but this year I paid attention and remembered to enjoy.

Now the new year is here and some tough things are happening in the extended family. I’m crossing all my everything that it isn’t as bad as it seems right now and that all will be well.

I don’t do “resolutions”, but I do make goals frequently. One goal right now is to be better at writing down what’s going on with us so that I can share it with you and also so that I can share it with my future self. As I go through my days, I think, “I should write that down” but then things get busy and I think, “Oh, I’ll NEVER forget that!” And then when I get to the computer, it’s forgotten.

So 2010 should be filled with more “junk” from Mascot Manor and in return, please have a WONDERFUL 2010, because when you have a good one, so do I.

Christmas

2009-12-27T16:25:00.002-08:00

Well, we had a great Christmas, except for my cold and laryngitis (if I didn't call on Christmas, that's why). We had a small crew this year, which was for the best, as I am pretty sick with whatever this is.

Lots of food and fun, though. AUnt Karen was here and that was the best gift I could have. I haven't had Christmas with her in many years and so it was nice that she was able to make it this year. She stayed overnight and apparently was very comfortable, so hopefully she'll share that with Dad and Molly so that they will come to stay for awhile!

The kids got wonderful gifts and Marc's Jack Skellington made it to the front yard on Christmas morning. As I type, I've been watching the cars drive by and then slowly back up to get another glimpse of the giant in our front yard.

Now I just need to get over this sickness and off to a Happy New Year!

Scavenger... Cleaning

2009-12-24T12:10:00.000-08:00

Signa loves to help, but only if there is a game in it. So today we invented Scavenger Cleaning. I hid numbered sticky notes all over and she had to clean to find it (oh, she's also really bad at finding things, so I didn't have to worry about her just finding and moving on). Then she would bring the number to me and I would give her a clue to the next number. At the end, she got her goodie bag for the day, which is making food for the reindeer.

And out of it, I got all the window sills cleaned, the garbages in the house emptied, the tables cleared, the dusting done, the beds made, and the shoe pile organized.

And the kids thought it was a fun game and wanted to keep going.

Ah, I love parenting.

Merry Everything, Everyone! Santa's coming tonight so I'm off to get ready for him.

The Head Honcho

2009-12-20T19:08:00.001-08:00

Today was THE day. The BIG day. The day allotted for the visit with the Big Cheese. Yes, it was the annual trip to see the actual Santa. The kids have been putting it off- on the one hand, super excited to get gifts and on the other hand, super scared to have to talk to a man in a red suit with a covered up with hair face. I finally told Signa she didn’t have to talk. Just smile and hand him a note and then just say two words: “Thank you.” She was appeased and when she’s appeased, William is, too.

So off to the mall we went. We timed it for after Will’s nap, but not so late that they’d be closing. The line was long, but we knew it would be. We stood there talking to the nice people in front of us for about… 17.2 hours. Okay. It was about 40 minutes. It is finally their turn and William, with darting eyes of fear, states, “I have to go potty!” Seriously? 40 freaking minutes in line and he never had to go. Our turn? Has to go potty. Thankfully he was in a pull up and we told him to hold it or go, because we were next and for all we cared he could pee on Santa’s knee- we WERE getting a picture after all this.

It’s our turn and the kids are now resigned to Doing the Deed. They have plastered fake smiles and their wish lists in hand. They are being (gently) nudged towards the Big Guy, when he suddenly stands, walks over to the photographer teenager, who is wearing a frown and chewing her gum, and has quiet words. Then louder where I could actually catch a few. “I’m serious,” says Santa. “If you don’t go, I will.” He picks up his big red bag and starts to leave. Another teenager, but slightly older, clearly “in charge”, runs to him. They have some words and then he strolls back to his thrown and sits. The Boss Girl comes back over to the Gum Girl and says, “Just take this one picture and then we’ll talk.”

Gum Girl says, “He said he was leaving if I stay because he doesn’t like my style.” She chewed bigger and shrugged larger and frowned the same. Some style. Anyway, Santa actually took some time with the kids (hence the long wait) before pictures which was much appreciated. He apparently told them they were on the Nice List and took time to go over their lists with them. He then put the lists in his bag (which thrilled Signa because now she thinks he’s going to be using it as a checklist when he does his shopping for her) and then sat for the photo. William was… scared. And smiling. He had is Scared Smile and it’s adorable. Signa has a grin wider than Kansas, since she’s now thinking that she’s getting every Nintendo DS game ever geared towards seven-year-olds in commercials and all the other things on her list.

And we are smiling, as we have a story to remember forever: The Story of the Pissed off Santa who Hates Crappy Customer Services As Much As I Do.

The End.

(oh, and when we were in line #2 for pictures we notice that Gum Girl was no longer anywhere around. Go, Santa, go!)

What's New?

2009-12-16T07:39:00.000-08:00

Nothin'. Just baking cookies and working and going to parties. The kids' advent calendar things have been mostly little crafts with foam and glue. Foam with glue that doesn't stick quickly or easily and we are not so much enjoying. Tonight is another of those, but tomorrow we do some cookies, I believe. Cookies with Kisses, so they will enjoy.

Thank you, Santa. And recipes.

2009-12-10T07:08:00.001-08:00

You know how you can tell it’s almost Christmas? Even the hint that Santa might be watching sends the children into heaps and puddles of tears and “Please don’t tell!” It don’t STOP them from doing things (like punching me in the face or talking like a rude 15-year-old), but it makes them rethink it afterward. And the things they do (punching me in the face, talking like a rude 15-year old, etc.) are not normal MY kid things, either. Which I attribute to the cookies and candy canes that are strewn about, endlessly trailing our every day.

In other news, I have lots of you that I share my recipes with in email, so I figured I’d just do another website with them listed. I will only post those I actually try, so not just a website filled with recipes that no one can make. I’m not a great chef, nor a great baker, so if I can do it, anyone can. Check it out! Share your recipes so I can try them and post them!

http://whatchamakinmomma.blogspot.com/

FUN

2009-12-06T11:07:00.001-08:00

Friday night’s party was a ton of fun. We had a few of our playgroup families over for wine and appetizers. We get together each month, but this is the first time we’ve been able to have it at our house. Signa and Will had a blast with all their friends.

Saturday’s bag contained mittens and hats, as we spent the day outdoors at the snow fountain downtown and then the parade and tree lighting. Marc was away, so it was just me and the kids and they were happy and amazing. It was a fantastic day!

Today was a small craft that requires glue that we can’t find. So we are off to the store for glue. And water. And coffee. And food for the week.

On the 4th Day of December...

2009-12-04T08:17:00.001-08:00

Today’s advent calendar thing is gingerbread cookies. We have friends coming over this evening and so all the kids get to trash the dining room with decorating cookies.

And they each got a candy cane which William proceeded to tell me that he likes very much. Almost as much as candy CORN.

Baking and Potty (not together)

2009-12-03T08:11:00.001-08:00

Today’s advent bag featured a bookmark craft. Hopefully they can do it today and make some cute things.

Last night we did chocolate pretzels with sprinkles. The kids liked the sprinkles… I also made gingerbread loaves last night and it’s delicious! I’m shocked. I think I have about 30 things to bake tonight, but we’ll see what gets done. It’s mostly for fun, so not a stress factor.

In news entirely the opposite end from food, William is just about potty trained. We still do pull-ups all day, as there really isn’t anything fun about accidents, but they stay dry and he runs to the potty on his own. This weekend we may graduate to just pull-ups at night.

We got the tree up last night and it looks so pretty. I’ll post some pictures soon.

Advent Calendar and Ants

2009-12-02T07:46:00.001-08:00

This month, we are doing an “advent calendar”. Each day , there is a bag to open and inside are the “ingredients” for that day’s fun. Yesterday there was glitter and paint in the bag and so last night we made Snow Dough. Today’s bag featured melting chocolate and so tonight we are making Chocolate Pretzels. Stay tuned to hear what each day brings.

In other news, the ants just ate our cinnamon rolls. They really need to find another domicile…

Thanksgiving

2009-11-29T08:41:00.001-08:00

We had Thanksgiving dinner here this year and due to the bigger dining area, we were all able to eat in the same room. The table looked pretty with Marc’s grandmother’s China all set out and the turkey was just right (if not a bit small, as we didn’t have that much left over!). Our side dishes were perfect and Signa’s pumpkin pie was scrumptious (I am told- I went for the Granny’s cheesecake instead). Guests included Mom, Todd, Joanne, Ginger, Phil, Bob and Scott. The kids were hyped up on hyperactivity due to guests all day and after dinner, Signa went home with Gramma and spent TWO NIGHTS! I picked her up on Saturday when we had the annual Decorate Gramma’s Christmas Tree day. The kids do a craft (made wreaths), make a fun snack (decorated cupcakes), and decorate their tiny trees. We had a great time, but, again, the kids were hyped up on Unkee Energy and were crazy all day.

Today we are off to the zoo (maybe) or to decorate our own tree (maybe). One of those two things WILL happen. Just not sure which.

Proud to be a Life Destroyer

2009-11-23T10:13:00.001-08:00

Will: Momma, can I please have a snack?

Me: No. You should have eaten your breakfast instead of feeding it to Mr. Spock.

Will: Now I’m angry.

Me: Why are you angry, Bubba?

Will: And now I’m angry because you ‘stroyed my LIFE! Because you didn’t give me a snack because I fed my breakfast to the dog.

And You're OUT!

2009-11-21T08:04:00.000-08:00

Right now we are supposed to be in Oregon. Probably eating breakfast and chit chatting with Dad and Molly. Instead, we are at home.

Stupid snow storm.

We had the rental car all packed and the kids all tucked in and were on the road listening to the Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack when the phone rang. It was Dad and the storm was much worse and not safe to drive over the pass. We knew there was a storm that was to last until midnight or so last night, so we thought we’d stay in Redding or Yreka or somewhere along the route and finish today. When Dad called, the storm “end time” changed to today sometime. With the kids (and me) sobbing, we turned around and came home. We were all moping on the couch and William pet my face and said, “It’s okay, Momma, you can see your Daddy tomawow.”

So we decided to let the kids pick something fun to do and they picked lunch at Chili’s and then bowling and then dinner at Harry’s Hoffbrau. Chili’s was fine and then we stopped by Kohl’s to tell Tori that she didn’t need to mind Spocky and to get a jacket for Signa (where is hers? It’s lost in boxes, I think). For our second strikeout for the day, there were no jackets that we liked. We did get a Christmas dress and some pants for Will, though.

Came home for Will’s nap before bowling. Got up, went bowling, but (third strike) there were leagues and tournaments, so no bowling for the Mascots. Off to Target to waste time before dinner, where we did find a jacket for Signa. Off to Harry’s Hoffbrau where the line was too long and no tables were available. Fourth strike.

Dinner at Chinese and then home to bed.

Lovely. What a major let-down.

Weekend

2009-11-09T08:00:00.001-08:00

The weekend was wonderful. I had a business trip on Thursday down south, so I parlayed it into a visit with my best friend from third grade. We had a fun night of chatting and then I was off to my Friday meeting and long drive home (Kris, I’ll get my shoes on the next visit!). Saturday was a craft sale at Mom’s clubhouse and I sold some things and bought some things. Such nice people there. Sweet to spend time with.

Saturday night we had movie night with Harry Potter (the third one, I think- Goblet of Fire) and watched about half before the kids were almost asleep. We watched the rest over a picnic breakfast on Sunday and then dilly dallied all day until we decided to go see Nightmare Before Christmas last night. Was fun to see in the theater again, even though Will wouldn’t wear the 3D glasses so saw it in Super Blurry Vision.

I’m not at all ready for this week, but need to get back to work mode quickly.

Is there a medicine for that?

Lists

2009-11-03T16:00:00.001-08:00

My friend Andi mentioned having a list of lists she needs to make. I know Sheri and I are exactly the same!

Here are my current lists, all outlined in Excel worksheets:

House (with sublists: organizing, ideas, cleaning, to be purchased)
Purchases (with links to the other lists that the things go to)
Christmas (with sublists: gifts, cards, ideas, food, cookies, soaps, budget)
Projects (with links to the other lists that the things go to)
Usborne (with sublists: ideas, shows, fliers, product knowledge)
Parties (with links to fun party ideas)
Genealogy (with sublists for each family branch)
Library (all the books I want from the library)
To Do (with links to the other lists that the things go to)
Homeschool (with sublists for each subject)
Scrapbooks (all the in-progress scrapbooks)
Trips (with sublists for each place I want to go)
Cards (ideas for different cards to make)
Chores (ideas for chores for the kids)

I'm working on getting all of it into OneNote, as I (heart) OneNote. I should put that on the list...

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Sleepover

2009-11-03T06:24:00.001-08:00

Signa has a friend who’s mom let it out that a sleepover at our house is an actual possibility (we also found out that Catherine also makes lists for everything). Within 5 minutes of hearing this, I found this on Signa’s work table:

For me and Cathrin

Have a sleepover.

I put my pjs on.

Then doo a kraft.

Then we blow up the majic bed.

Then we go to slep.

In the morning, we wace up.

Then we eat brecfest.

Then we take a bath.

Sorry Catherine. Doesn’t sound like much fun to me at all…

I can't believe it's over

2009-11-02T06:11:00.001-08:00

I can’t believe Halloween is over. It was fun, but seems like we anticipated it and worked up to it and slammed through it without appreciating it enough! And now it’s gone… Time to store the spiders and ghosts and toss the pumpkins before the mold kicks in.

The kids had a great time- we ate mummy dogs, potato ghosts and bone shaped breadsticks beforehand and then they donned their costumes (Signa was the Creature from the Black Lagoon and Will was King Tut) and hit the streets. Sadly, people kept calling William a cute little Cleopatra, but he corrected them and didn’t care that he apparently looked like a girl. Todd and Joanne and Austin and Mom all joined us for the festivities and I hope we can make an annual event of it.

Also on Halloween, our friend Diane had her book release party. She has written a few books and I’ve always loved her writing but now it’s not on binder paper or even printed on the computer- it’s in a REAL LIVE BOOK! We are so proud of her and so excited!

Enough for this morning. I’m going to try to write just a little bit every day, so that I can get back in the habit of writing.

Testing

2009-10-28T08:22:00.001-07:00

Testing the post via email feature…

Speshl Holuwene

2009-10-25T09:11:00.000-07:00

Note: I think we need to spend less time on phonics.
Here is Signa’s handwritten plan for last night (note that we didn’t actually do any of them except “speshl treat” and “moovey nite”, so they are carry-overs to today):

Pinkone tircey (make pinecone turkeys)
Pumpkin corving (pumpkin carving)
Eat boans. (eat bones made out of breadstick dough)
Eat mumee hot dog. (eat hot dogs wrapped in dough)
Gost Ptatos (eat ghost potatoes- baked potatoes with sour cream and eyes and mouth out of chives)
Holuwene cookie (make –and eat- Halloween cookies- thanks to Britta!)
Moovey nite (Watch Nightmare Before Christmas)
Speshl treat (eat popcorn balls with candy corn)
Bed
The End.

We started today with swamp gut waffles:
Frozen waffles
Syrup (aka mud poop)
Powdered sugar (snow snot)
Bright green sprinkles (Swamp guts)

And before hand the kids were complaining about having to have waffles…

Off to the pumpkin patch and maybe a “moovey”.

(and laundry and cleaning and crafting for holidays)

The Caterpillars

2009-10-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

The kids have been planning a show for 3 days. There have been signs posted all over the house that tonight was the night. So after dinner, they handed out tickets to “The KCoon” (the cocoon) and gave us the Introduction Sign which read:

In this plae the stori will bee ibowt to katpilers that bee kom frnes and they mace theer kucoons at the saim tiem."
Translation: In this play, the story will be about two caterpillars that become friends and they make their cocoons at the same time.

They came out from the playroom area with regular clothes and Will had a hat on. They held up a sign:

Then they went under a blanket and argued for a long time about what they were supposed to do. Then they came out in these costumes as butterflies. And the dog was put in a cape and eyeglasses. The Three Butterfly Friends. Because, really, what kind of self-respecting butterfly would be seen without a white face mask or a red cowboy hat?

Happy 7th Birthday!

2009-09-18T06:43:00.000-07:00

Dear Signa,

Today is your 7th birthday. Only the sixth time we’ve officially celebrated the day you came into this world. Or, more truthfully, were dragged, pulled and coerced into this world. So officially, the sixth time we have celebrated, but you know that we really celebrate you EVERY day.

You continue to be a beautiful person on the inside and out. We are so thankful for every single thing about you. I love that you are part Daddy (you are artistic, you are happy, you are easy-going, you are beautiful) and part me (you are anal-retentive, detail-oriented and you love lists… hey wait… maybe you are more Daddy, as these things are not necessarily good things…).

You are a good friend, a good sister and a good daughter. You are so sweet to the pets, wiping the dog’s eyes in the mornings, taking pictures of the cat with you when you travel. All these things mean that you are a good person with a good heart and no amount of teaching can MAKE someone be these things; they are things that just ARE. And you ARE these things.

We are proud of how much fun you have at all the things you do. You try everything with excitement and joy and never, ever stop smiling. Kids pick up on that and question “Why are you always smiling.” They do this because they aren’t used to seeing it. They aren’t used to seeing pure joy, like we are. It makes us smile too. Every day.

You still do and say funny things, but it’s changing now to where the things you do and say are more brilliant than funny. Sometimes your brilliance and goodness catch us off guard and we can’t help but wonder how you can be only six (now seven) and know and understand these things so naturally. You are amazing at how quickly you learn and how much you retain. You are actually amazing at just about everything.

I’ve written a birthday letter to you every year and every year I just go on and on about you. I don’t even have to try at this, Signa. It comes naturally and flows out, as you really truly are an amazing person. And you bring us more joy and happiness than you can ever understand.

Love,
Momma and Daddy

Gramma Weekend

2009-09-15T06:37:00.000-07:00

For the first time ever, Signa spent the night away from us. It was with Gramma, so we knew it would be okay, but we were traumatized and missed her like crazy!

She and Gramma had made a list of the things to do together over the past few months (yes, months) and as I was unpacking her things, I found it, but it's marked up:

Signa and Gramma's Weekend

SATURDAY
Go to Signa's soccer game (then there is a check mark that looks more like a backward "L" so I know Signa did it)
Have a picnic on the porch/PJ Fluff & Banana (check/backward L)
Go to the park (check/backward L)
Go to the duck pond (check/backward L)
Go to the Palo Alto Airport for "Airport Day" (check/backward L)
Go to two pet stores (check/backward L)
Go to the mall/Build-a-Bear (check/backward L- an owl named Lulu)
Have pizza for dinner (check/backward L)
Go to Cold Stone for ice cream (check/backward L)
Watch the movie Coraline (check/backward L)

SUNDAY
Have pancakes for breakfast (check/backward L)
Bake cookies (check/backward L)
Do art project (no check)
Go visit Auntie Karen (check/backward L)
Go visit Austin's house (check/backward L)
Go visit Momma and Daddy (check/backward L)

And then in Signa's writing: "The End (check/backward L)"

Update and I promise to get better

2009-09-03T07:20:00.000-07:00

It’s been so long since I’ve written on Mascot Manor, that my fingers are all rusty. I’m going to shake them off and try to get back on track here.

To start, let me tell you about the kids’ activities. Will just finished up a month of gymnastics every Saturday. He loved it and did great with listening and following directions, but the music petrified him and he would refuse to do the prancing that the little ones all did. By the fifth class, he was finally prancing gingerly. Signa is taking karate (called Kempo or Kenpo- I still haven’t figured out how it’s really pronounced). She is to an orange belt now and it’s fun to watch her in class, as she is completely focused and serious about it.

Which is very different from how she plays soccer. In the one game (of 2) that I’ve watched, she played only hard enough to not get in trouble. When the ball came anywhere near her, she quickly moved away enough so that someone else could step in. She didn’t hustle or hurry down the field and generally looked uncomfortable and like she hated every hot moment. But after? “That was so fun! I love soccer!”

Whatever. We will let her do her own thing.

She is also in an art class once a week and does AMAZING work and then a physics/art history class once a week. One week will be physics and the next will be art history. (Home)School officially starts next Tuesday for us, but we sort of never stop some of it. Just don’t tell Signa…

We just finished our move and even though we’d been in the new house unofficially for a few weeks, the final drive home from old house to new was traumatic for me. I sobbed all the way, despite the hollering from the backseat, "Momma, your crying is NOT awesome! Why are you crying? Why is Momma crying- it's not fun!"

So all my old neighbors? If you try to drop from my world, just remember that I know where you live.

Moving

2009-08-04T07:33:00.000-07:00

I keep putting off updating, as I don’t have time to write everything I want to write. So instead of putting it off and waiting until everything I want to say is obsolete, first our exciting news: we are moving. Still will be in the same town, just a bigger house and across town. We move on the 15th with the Uhaul, but will start moving some stuff over later this week. First move in 10 years, so I’m just slightly stressed out (as in I don’t eat or sleep very well).

We’ve taken several trip and done many cool things, but I don’t have time for those, so here are some fun children items:

Signa got her orange belt in karate on Saturday. They don’t let anyone watch the tests, so I’m not 100% sure how it went, but she was VERY proud. And so are we.

William started gymnastics on Saturday. I signed up for it so long ago that I was sure the 3-5 age group would be good, but as the date approached, I worried that I should have put him in 2-3 instead. In 3-5 he goes out there by himself and has to pay attention. I worried he wouldn’t and got myself ready to switch to the other class. Instead he did just fine and we even have friends in the class!

Signa and Marc went to Comicon in San Diego and had a great time.

William is learning to potty train a bit and thinks he’s a big boy. We keep telling him that he needs to be more consistent, but apparently “consistent” is too big of a word (and concept) for a 3-year-old as he is completely random.

While Signa and Marc were gone, I took Will to the zoo. I reminded him that he wasn’t big enough for the rides, just the merry-go-round and the train and he responded, (loudly) “But I *AM* a big boy because I go pee pee on the potty!” Much laughter all around us. But then I put him next to the measuring signs at the rides and, low and behold, he actually was big enough for the rides. Unbelievable, as we were just there a couple months ago and he was far from it.

Also at the zoo, we were sitting on a bench watching the apes and I looked over at Will and he had half of a cookie in his hand taking a bite. I looked past him and saw a littler boy on the other side of him, looking at William with wonder and holding half of a cookie. I scolded Will for taking the boy’s cookie and Will’s answer (loudly) was, “But I *SAID* please!”

Signa made a big poster with houses along the bottom, clouds all over the top (and some birds) and a cutout of words glued in the center. “Possibly Sims3 tumoroe.” All of this in response to this conversation: Signa- “Momma, can we play Sims3 tomorrow?” Me- “Possibly.”

I’ll try to be better about posting things as I go. Especially pictures of our new house!
-Debbie

Why religion doesn’t work so great in our house

2009-05-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

Why religion doesn’t work so great in our house:

Us: Some people believe that when you die, you come back as something else.
Signa: Yeah, like a ghost.
Us: (stifling a giggle) No, like other things.
SIgna: Oh, like zombies!
Us: (barely holding back) No, more like cows and cats and dogs.
Will: When you are a dog, Momma, you are going to bark and I’m going to spank you.
Us: -------(silently start William’s future therapy fund)
Us: Other people think that when you die you go to heaven.
Signa: (with joy and excitement) OR HELL!!!!
William: Or DAMMIT!!!!!

Who has a yellow belt?

2009-05-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

SIGNA DOES! She was tested and promoted on Saturday for her martial arts class. The instructor said such wonderful things about her that we've all been walking on air. Well, that is until the colds hit us so hard that are heads are too heavy to be held upright for long periods of time.

But she now is a Yellow Belt! Watch out...

Testing testing

2009-05-20T07:20:00.000-07:00

I posted some items and now my whole site is gone. Just testing...

Mister Spock

2009-05-16T14:42:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know that twice in one day is just silly, compared to how often I've written lately. But here's the thing... I have BIG NEWS!

Mister Spock, formerly known as Pauly, has just joined the family today. He was a stray that the owners decided not to pay the fee for at the dog pound... He's small, but big, super mutty, the most beautiful blue eyes and best personality ever.

Update

2009-05-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

I’ve been having a terrible time keeping up with pictures and with writing here. I know I missed telling you all about our trip to Oregon. Signa and I went and had a girls’ weekend (but with Grampa, too, so not really all girls…). We had a fantastic time just being. My favorite thing was watching Signa being fascinated with the different types of moss. All of us got involved and collected different kinds for her. We had fun at the mall with Grandma Molly and had fun just being around the house, all together.

I’m going to try to get pictures updated this next week, so I’ll be sharing those to those of you who asked to be on the list. We got new cameras, so I need to see how those look compared to our old ones.

In other news, Signa is now in martial arts and has just been told she’s ready to test for her yellow belt. Very exciting. We were unsure of it at first, but have found it to be really good for Signa. Plus she loves it. She never stops smiling the whole time she’s there. I wonder how her face cannot just be aching from all that smiling.

I also missed telling you about our vacation with our friends from Ohio. I could retell it, but their 10-year-old daughter, M, wrote the story herself and gave me permission to share. She tells it better than I ever could have. And when I read it, I just want to have that vacation all over again. I cannot wait to see them again.

---

Chapter 1 Meeting Up

It was the morning that spring break started and I had to wake up at 2:30 AM. We were going to California. I had never been there before and was very excited to go. My alarm went off, I quickly got dressed, and prepared to leave. I pulled my hair back in a ponytail and brushed my teeth. My dad and I put the suit cases in the truck and we all got in to drive to the airport. When we got there, the line to get our bags checked was really long. We waited an hour and a half to get our bags checked! They had to hold the plane because everyone that was on the flight was in line. After they checked our bags we ran through the airport to catch our flight. We made it there with enough time to go to the bathroom before getting on the plane. We had planned to get cinnamon rolls at the airport for breakfast but since we didn’t have time, we had mini chocolate cookies, coke, and fruit stripe gum for breakfast on the plane. We flew to the airport in the Dallas, Texas and ate lunch there. When we finally arrived in California, I was so happy. We drove across a really long bridge called the Bay Bridge. We stayed in a beautiful hotel. We had a junior suite. It even had a kitchenette.
After checking into our hotel, we changed our clothes and went to our friends Marc, Debbie, Signa, and Will’s house. We ate dinner and played outside. When it was time to go back to the hotel, Will thought we were not coming back and started to cry!
The next morning Will was so excited to see me because he has a crush on me. We split up into two vehicles. Mommy, Debbie, little Will and I all rode in Debbie’s mini van. We went to the Harley Davidson store and then to Target to get some Starbucks. A [K’s 6-year-old sister] and I had vanilla bean frappuccinos. Signa had an icee from the Target concession stand area. Will, A, Signa and I shared a piece of coffee cake. Will also drank half of Debbie’s and half of A’s vanilla bean frappuccino. After our snack, we went to downtown Livermore and walked around and went into some of the shops. They had a farmer’s market and we bought cheese and fudge. For lunch, we went to a winery called Wente. We ate lunch beside the golf course there. The adults did a wine tasting after lunch.

Chapter 2 San Francisco

The second day we drove into San Francisco. We went to the Golden Gate Bridge and walked two miles of it and then turned around and walked back. My dad was so scared that he always held onto a railing. We saw sea lions swimming in the water below us. We could see all the way to Alcatraz and the buildings of San Francisco. After that we went to Muir Woods to see the redwood trees that are only found in California. The tallest redwood at Muir Woods is about 258 feet tall. The oldest trees are at least 1200 years old. The trees seemed to go up forever and were so big around that we could fit our whole family in one that was hollow at the bottom.
It was time for lunch so we drove to Chinatown to eat. We all ordered something different and then shared it. We went to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory to see them make fortune cookies. It was just a room with three old ladies folding up the cookies. We all got to eat a fortune cookie that was too cold to be folded. They were really good. After lunch we shopped in Chinatown. Will bought a little Totoro doll with a suction cup on a string attached to him. A got a jade Budda figure. We drove around and went up and down the hills. We went to Lombard Street which is San Francisco’s most crooked street. We walked down and back up. The street is made of bricks and we saw a boy trying to skateboard down the street. It was getting late and on our way out of town, we drove by the Painted Ladies which are pastel colored houses in a row. We drove back to our hotel and crashed.
In the morning, the Mascots came to the hotel and we followed them to the Bart Station. We rode the Bart into San Francisco. The Bart is the subway. We got some hot cocoa and then walked to Pier 39 to catch the boat to go to Alcatraz. Alcatraz, also known as The Rock, used to be a jail until it closed in 1963. It was used as a jail because it is a small island and it made it hard for people to try to escape. We took a tour of Alcatraz and saw the cells for the prisoners, the library, and the dining hall. We even saw the cells where some men escaped by digging through the cement blocks. They were never seen again. I got a book called Alcatraz the True End of the Line by Darwin E. Coon. Darwin was sentenced to four years on The Rock. He was a bank robber. He was in the gift shop and signed my book.
After the tour, we took the boat back to Pier 39 and we ate lunch, shopped and saw the sea lions. We also went to Fisherman’s Wharf and to Ghiradelli Square where we went to the Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory and saw them making chocolate from the cocoa beans. We got ice cream there. At the end of the day, we rode on a cable car. The conductor let A, Signa and I all pull on the brake together. The conductors also let us each ring the bell. After that, we rode the Bart back to Livermore and went to the hotel and to sleep.

Chapter 3 The Beach

On Wednesday morning, we went over to the Mascot’s house. The moms went grocery shopping for food to take to the beach house with us. The kids all played together outside. We played with live snails in a dollhouse. After lunch, we drove to the beach house on Hidden Beach in Aptos, California. The house was so big and beautiful. We went for a walk on the beach. Later that night, we had a little bonfire in the fire pit in the backyard and made smores. I ate four. After that we cleaned up and went to bed.
The next morning when I went downstairs, Will came running to me and gave me a big hug. He also said, “Good morning”. My dad made pancakes for us all for breakfast. After everyone ate, we went down to the beach. We took a two mile walk down the beach to see a ship that sank. They brought it back up and filled it with cement to create a pier to fish off of. We found seashells, sand dollars, rocks, sea glass, and small jelly fish on our walk. We jumped the waves, talked and took pictures. We all had sore feet after walking the two miles back to our area of the beach.
Our trip to California was to celebrate my mom and dad’s birthdays. For dinner that night, we went to the Beach Resort Restaurant for a delicious dinner. Both my parents got whole lobsters. The kid’s meals even came in a sand bucket with a shovel. After dinner, we went back to the beach house to play games and make more smores before going to bed.
Friday was our last full day in California. We went to Capitola where we ate lunch on the water and shopped. They had all kinds of art shops that I liked going through. We got some ice cream. After that, we drove to Santa Cruz and walked the boardwalk. We went in the arcade there and saw old arcade games like the laughing lady and the fortune teller. We went back to the beach house and made tacos for dinner.

Chapter 4 Going Home

On Saturday, we woke up early and went to the beach. It was windy and really cold. My feet felt like they were frozen. We were hoping to find lots of sand dollars before everyone got to the beach but the tide was still too high to find them. We found nothing but rocks and jelly fish. We dug in the sand for awhile with our shovels and buckets from the restaurant. We were all so cold that we went back to the beach house. We ate breakfast and finished packing up to go to the airport. Daddy took me back to the beach one more time to look for sand dollars and sea glass but we only found a few little pieces of sea glass. We went back to the beach house, changed our clothes, and said our goodbyes. Will was so upset that I was leaving that he wouldn’t speak to me. He just cried his heart out. Finally I got him to give me a hug and tell me bye bye. We all cried at the thought of leaving our friends. Mom, Dad, A and I went to the airport. Once we got through security, we got some lunch. We boarded the plane and flew to St. Louis, Missouri. We were going to get dinner in St. Louis but everything was closed. When we got to Dayton it was almost midnight so we drove home and went straight to bed. I will never forget my fun spring vacation trip to California.