Old Curiosity

Growing up I had a love-hate relationship with the Old Curiosity Shop that was on the Waterfront Pier of our city. I liked that it was creepy, while at the same time, I did not like how it was creepy. Our children have been down to the Waterfront a handful of times, but mostly to visit the aquarium and restaurants, rather than the shops. During break, we visited the local stores, specifically, The Old Curiosity Shop.
As soon as we stepped foot onto the hard wooden, uneven floors, my son turned around to find a stuffed carcass of wildlife on the wall near the ceiling. He immediately exclaimed that we had to leave. He would have no-part of this store. The animal and nature lover that he is, takes it personally when he sees prior live animals stuffed and displayed. While he did not agree with us partaking in the browsing of the store; he finally agreed to stay, as long as we did not purchase one-single-item.The store is an odd mix of current, and really old artifact "Ripley Believe It Or Not" type of things*. Creepy to some, loved by others. But regardless of taste, it is one of those local things that you just have to experience; a bucket list of sorts. A tourist destination ... and since our break was all about the local tourism ... we had to visit.

*My son would not even allow my husband to take any photos of the "creepy" in this store. The two photos just show the variety that is sold.

Crashing on a bike is a part of life...

It dawned on me recently that all four in my family were raised in houses that were built on a cul de sac. In my opinion, a great street to live on to accomplish all those fun neighborhood memories of biking, chalking, hide and seeking, kick balling, and jump roping. You only had to look one way down the street to see if someone was coming. And then yell, 'Car Alert' to clear the street.

However, one of the most painful memories of my cul de sac growing up was the sewer cover. While the metal bumpy ridge pattern of lines made for an interesting ride over on your bike, falling off the bike and landing your knee ontop of the metal bumps was painful. I was about in the second grade when I went whipping around the circle of the street, lost my balance, and landed smack on top of the metal bumps with my left knee. Bleeding, swollen and a complete mess, I hobbled into my house where my dad and mom fixed me up. I remember it took a good while to heal and I still have an ugly scar to prove my childhood accident.

While on break last week, my family went riding on a gorgeous lakeside trail that we had never discovered. It was not a paved trail, but a comfortable ride on compact gravel. My son and husband took turns being the leader, and it was about the time when my son was racing his dad, that he lost control; somewhat rolling off his bike, and skidding to a stop on the gravel. Bleeding from the elbow and knee, his skin was torn, but nothing that a multitude of band aids and bottled water couldn't fix up. Out came the stories of my bike accident and the scares to prove it.

After our completed ride, we shook it off at the playground. Amazing what a tire swing and climbing toys can do to a child's happiness.

Opening Day

An old man calls of hot dogs and licorice as I walked by the green gates that led to our home towns Major League Ballpark this afternoon. Bundled in my ski coat and hooded sweatshirt, arm in arm with my favorite date, we walked up the ramp to our seats and sat. Today was the first game of the season played at home.

The exciting news is that our favorite player came back to our team. After a ten year leave, he's back and we are excited! This summer, when we take them to a game or two, our kids will finally get to see the legend that they have heard about.

Although the sun shone brightly on the field, the chill of the stadium seats was warmed by the energy of the fans, the wafting of garlic fries, fish and chips, hot chocolate, and hot dogs. The sold-out crowd did The Wave a few rounds, stood on their feet for standing O's in acknowledgment of our Super Star's return, and slapped high fives with strangers as we won the game in extra innings.

Opening Day. Love the ambiance of our green field, the skyline backdrop, the fireworks, the announcers, the music, the kids, the adults ... all joining in for America's Favorite Pass Time.

Gotta Love it! Sodo Mojo!

And so ...

We had a fantastic Spring Break!! Our Staycation was just what we needed to recharge our energy to lead us into the home stretch of school. My husband suggested that I clarify the word Staycation. We didn't really just stay at home, rather we toured the cities around us as if we were tourists, doing things we don't normally do. He suggested we call it a Location (local-vacation). Ha! Whatever it was, we had a fabulous week!
We did hit the low-70's for a number of days during our break, so we spent a day in a park with our picnic and dog in hand. We all enjoyed the sun, the view, and being together with no clock to look at. I wish we would have taken a picture of our picnic, but we were pretty engrossed in the city skyline across the lake to think about turning the camera back around toward us.
Our dog is a gem to take along on little excursions. Although her short little legs were tuckered out by the time we had scouted out this park, and then over to the state's University to walk through campus, which took up the entire day. Cora was all about finding the green grass. She didn't care much for the boring cement. But she got the reaction of many on her good looks; and I think she knew it.

Every day was full of nonstop touring, staying up late to treat the kids, an occasional dinner out to treat mom, and no business work to treat dad. More to come ...

Kicking it off right

Count down to Spring Break has begun and I have kicked it off on the right start. This morning I had a coffee date with my friend at Starbucks. While we both do not drink coffee, we certainly enjoy the ambiance and the coffee smell that sticks to our clothing when we depart. We laughed our morning away. It was great.

Then, I jumped in my car and went up the street to my next destination, Red Robin, to meet my dad for lunch. We have not lunched in so long, by ourselves. Usually my mom is with us or the kids. But today, it was just daddy-daughter time and we had a good chat and a yummy lunch. My dad is the kinda guy who is just easy to talk to. He listens well and shares his stories and thoughts to keep the conversation going; he has always been a good conversationalist. We both left stating that we needed to do that more often; just the two of us.

Now there is just an hour or so left in the school day and then Spring Break begins. While others are off chasing the sun with friends and family, we are staying home to Staycation our Spring Break. Now, leading up to today I thought this was a great idea ... and then I watched In The Motherhood on ABC last night. They mocked the family Staycation in their funny theatrics, and after hearing of another couple skipping town as the rain poured outside my window just minutes before turning on the show, I looked at my husband with a wince at our decision.

But, then I woke up to this fun day with my friend and my dad, the sun started to shine, and things were actually looking really good. I am back to feeling great about our Staycation, so much so that I am locking up my blog and taking a break. This is what I would be doing if I were jumping on a plane, so I am doing the same to concentrate on our family, myself, and enjoying every minute of our break from the ordinary.

While I will read my email (come on, I can't give up all communication!) I will not read, comment, or write in blog world until the kids return to school on the 13th. By then I envision I will be full of blog worthy entries with lots of interesting photos of our Staycation!!

Happy Spring, Happy Easter, Happy Spring Break!!

Turning into ....

... fish around here. I think I speak for the entire state when I casually mention that we need some warm air and sunshine in our neck of the woods. It snowed yesterday, on April Fool's Day, some humor this Mother Nature of ours has. I did not find one person laughing.

Spring Break happens tomorrow at precisely 3:40pm. There are little orange dots on the weather forecast for Friday afternoon through Sunday. But the sad part, we are all cheering that we might just match 60 degrees as our high temp. I know people who wear sweaters and hats when it dips to 60 in their state. But guaranteed, I will see people in my city with flip flops and shorts.

For those chasing the sun during holiday, you have my blessing and cheers ... as long as you don't complain to returning to our rain.

Good Job Me!

I had an ortho appointment yesterday. I have gathered during the year that my doc is not very forthcoming with his atta-gals; he is a very down to business person who is always on task and one of few words. My dollars are definitely not paying for office socializing, that is for sure! Even the assistants are always on task. Friendly, but very slim room for chatter outside of teeth.

However, yesterday the Orthodontist gave me praise, after praise, at how well my teeth have been moving due to the rubber band he asked me to wear. I was shocked to hear him actually tell me I'm impressed; amazing job! Good Job Me!

The bands are removable so he asked before the exam, "How many hours do you wear the band?" and I replied, "I only take them out to eat." One would think that would be a perfect set up for a comment like, "Well, how often and how long are your eating?!" But he is a professional.

Proof positive, I only take them out to eat, because my teeth have moved so dramatically in the last six weeks that I over-corrected my bite. He was surprised, but highly pleased, that I stuck so faithfully to this agonizing contraption. His work is being performed as planned.

My reward: four, yes, four rubber bands in my mouth. Good Job Me! (said sarcastically from here forward) Two triangles now shape the right side of my mouth starting with tooth #3, with the mirrored design on my left side. I am now the proud owner of four very obvious bands; dare I say fangs?. Good Job Me! But since he was so impressed, I don't dare sneak a longer anti-fang look throughout the day. I have created my own bar, the challenge has been set.

And for those thinking about braces, I do not recommend it for adults looking for a cosmetic upgrade. Seriously, how cosmetic of an upgrade are rubber bands hanging from your teeth?! It would have to be a life-changing-health-related reason for me to give the thumbs up to the decision to follow suit. Every muscle under my lower jaw, up through my cheek bones, feels like one-gigantic charlie horse. I can not get my jaw to relax. I know in a few days it will, but getting there just isn't fun. And once it passes, give it another week, and something else will start the cycle of pain all over again.

Good Job Me!