Another Loss

I got another one of those calls last night. Just like that call that came January 5 to tell us about Jimmy's plane crash. This time it was my friend. Tragic circumstances.

Thank goodness Bill is home today working in the yard with the kids because I am walking around with my mind in a daze and constant tears. I sit here trying to think of how I'm going to tell them about their friend.

You see, Stephanie and I have known each other almost since we were born. Our birthdays are 5 weeks apart and we met when I moved to the neighborhood in July of 1973. I had just turned one (we literally moved ON my first birthday) and she was lived down the street. Steph's mom, Connie, and my mom became best friends and still are today. We used to trick-or-treat together.

Stephie moved a few years later, but our families still kept in touch. I used to love to go to their house in Perry. It had a great yard and lots of room to run and play.

You remember that Duran Duran concert? The one where my Dad drove us and sat in the parking lot in a giant snowstorm? Steph and Connie were with us.

In high school and college we didn't keep in touch much, but I always knew what she was up to since Connie and my mom remained close.

Steph was at my wedding shower, my wedding, my baby shower. She held my kids when they were just days old.

 She would come over with her mom and my mom and babysit for us. She cleaned up my kids "kitty barf" the night my mom gave one of them too much candy. My kids loved her and she them. She has pictures of them all over her office and house.

We bumped into each other at Old Navy in December. We talked about getting together some Friday for lunch when the weather got better. What were we waiting for and why should the weather have stopped us? Regrets, I've had a few. Add that one to the pile.

I sit and think of how I'm going to explain this to my kids. Steph,along with her two beloved cats, died from carbon monoxide inhalation from a kitchen fire. The fire put itself out and no one knew anything until the next day when she didn't show up for Easter dinner.

Ironically, for the past few weeks my kids have been into talking about fire safety. They know stop-drop-roll, call 911, feel the door before opening, they have a ladder in their room, we check the batteries in our smoke detector and they know the family meeting spot outside. Nolan worries about fire and sometimes at night asks me if we will ever have a fire in our house.

There is a lesson here, but I have no idea how to teach it through the pain.

Yesterday while we were cooking dinner, some bread got left under the broiler for too long and the alarm went off. Nolan was heading for the door until we reassured him that it was OK to stay in the house. Maybe that was Steph on her way to the other side, stopping by one more time to say goodbye.

Friends, and you all are my friends if you are reading this.....please check the batteries in your smoke detector. If you don't have one, call your local fire dept. Ours will come and install them for you FOR FREE. They will even give you reminder calls to check your batteries. No one needs to go through this pain.

Hoppin Our Way Towards Easter

I have been lax in blogging, so thanks Ash for the email to get me back on track!

Here's what we've been up to:

Nolan likes the bunny this year!!!!! We went to the mall last week and he was cuddlin' up to the bunny telling him that he wanted a forklift and a Grave Digger monster truck. They also got to ride the track-less train with Grammy.

We also visited Peter Rabbit's Egg Factory (a program put on by Lake Metroparks). There are lots of games, a chance to visit the Easter Bunny, an egg hunt, and a really cool egg factory where you get an egg to start and you wash it, color it, dry it, weigh it, and send it through the pipes to see if you are a "good egg." It's a really cute set-up and a lot of work, especially when the egg hunt has to be inside due to rain & wind. It was fun to see so many of our Moms of Multiples friends, too.

The bunny giving Reagan's egg an x-ray.

 Oh, I hope it comes down this chute!

 Indoor egg hunt.

 decorating cookies.

They gave the bunny a great big squeeze and it looked like Nolan was going to take a bite out of him!

Then it was on to an ice skating birthday party for their friend, Cora. The twinadoes have never been ice skating and where very excited to give it a try. Nolan took to it like a duck takes to water. Reagan; not so much. She did finally give it a try about 30 minutes before the end of the party with a little bribery from cousin Taylor. To all of our surprises, she liked it! I hope she learned the lesson about not giving up and giving new things a try. She did great!

Miss Jen giving Nolan a little help for his first time on the ice. It was cousin Taylors first time, too!

 Nolan and his new "best friend" Michael.

 Reagan giving it a try!

The kids also figured out how to get their bikes "stuck" so the back wheel would just spin and spin. Of course, they figured this out right over a big puddle. What they did not figure out was that they should not be behind the bike when the rider starts peddling. Or maybe I am wrong and that was the most fun part!

We took in an "eggstravganza" at the local library. There was lots of singing, stories, and a craft. I had to laugh when we got there.....there is all this space to sit down and this is how they ended up.

I love that they have each other. It makes this only-child so happy to know that (when they want it and even when they don't) they will have a playmate, a friend, a sibling. It was just one of those moments to remind me how grateful I am that things worked the way they did for us.

Bill and I are very lucky parents.



Ka-Chow

We got to see the life size versions of Lightning McQueen & Tow-Mater. I'm not sure if the kids were more excited or if I was. I really, really like the movie Cars. It is the only Disney movie my kids will watch, so it means I only have Cars merch all over the house and not a million princess' or robots.

The tour stopped at Great Northern Mall, which might as well be in Indiana as far as I'm concerned. The weather was awful, driving rain and gusty winds, but that didn't stop us! Luckily, Aunt Jan and Aunt Deb went along for the ride.

The mall has a cute (brown as opposed to the Great Lakes Mall's white bunny) Easter bunny and a train that goes through the mall; no track. It is $3pp and about a 10 minute ride, but it beats 3 times around the oval at other holiday events that cost the same.

Since we were on that side of town, a stop at Fatheads for lunch was in order.....meaning Bill got his growler (that he so kindly left in my car this morning as a hint) filled with Imperial Headhunter IPA. No matter what he says, I am a good wife ;)

Long Time, No Post

Wow. It's been a month.

February was full of editing. I did a job for Kirtland Elementary School's Princess Prom that was 200+ portraits of father/daughters and then a bunch of candids. I also did a marathon session with Baby Amelia, a cousin.....of sorts. Not sure how I left the session without packing her in the props bin. What a doll.

I also have started < drum roll please > working out. And enjoying it.  I am not allowed to swim the "normal" way yet (another 3 months probs) and haven't given the kickboard method a try, but the heavens have opened and somewhere I found a piece of the mojo I had before the twinadoes came along.

Actually, Deb joined the Y and basically said I'd better get there with her or else! I like having a work-out buddy as it makes the 40 minutes on the treadmill go pretty fast. We've had a few good laughs too. Like the other day when I nearly strangled myself to get my headphones plugged in to hear an access hollywood interview with Simon LeBon and John Taylor of Duran Duran. Guess Deb now knows how far my Duran love really does run.

So it's been about 6 weeks of 3x/week working out. 2+ miles on the treadmill (40 minutes), 2 miles on the bike, and a few minutes on the arm bike to help my shoulder in the recovery process. Here's the kicker. The first 3 weeks I got on the scale once a week and hadn't lost ONE FREAKIN' POUND. I stopped getting on the scale because it was driving me insane. I know that I am moving 12 miles more per week than I had been. I have more energy. It feels good to sweat. It has to be having a positive effect somewhere.

In another "heavens open" moment, we (Bill and I, yes Bill AND I) have gone out TOGETHER the last 3 Saturdays and have another one coming up this weekend. Mark your calendars, friends. This hasn't happen since April 2007. We hit up a friends and fam night at Harvest restaurant, Michael Longo's awesome new place in Solon, a birthday party, a co-ed baby shower (at Buckeye Beer Engine--genius), and coming up this Saturday we will be attending, what Deb has dubbed, "The Coranation of Bob." Our Bobabooey is being crowned, "Exhaulted Ruler" (no joke) at the Elks Lodge. Big props to my Mom, Jen, and Taylor who have allowed this to happen.

So, I looked back at the pictures for March and this is what we have done:

2 Dr. Seuss' Birthday celebrations

I photographed Orchid Mania at the Botanical Garden had lunch at Mama Santas

Went to a "Meet the Opposum" program at the Wildlife Center/Pen Glen

Uncle Bob came into town and he was the kids "special guest" at story time

It snowed. A lot. Two Fridays during the month were a complete mess.

Nolan's yearly follow-up with Dr. Papay. All is good. Better than good, actually.

Twinadoes earned a trip to Chuck E. Cheese by filling up their marble jars.

St. Patrick's Day Parade, enjoyed from the 8th floor balcony of the Embassy Suites.

Cousin Jim's Art Show at Pen Glen

1st trip to the zoo of the year, with a stop at Happy Dog on the way home.

There's still 7 more days left, too!

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

As a parent, you do things for your kids that you never imagined yourself doing.

cue < Crazy Train>

It was an interesting event to photograph and the freestyle stuff at the end was fun, but the rest of the show was an entire commercial for monster truck jam merch with a bit of WWF action thrown in for good measure. The 4-wheeler racers, some from CLE and some from Pittsburgh, got into a "fight" after their race. Helmets were thrown, dirt was kicked up, and gums were flappin'. Exactly what we want to be teaching our children about good sportsmanship, right?!

I guess all that mattered is the kids had a good time and the only crap we came home with was a program and 2 jolly roger flags with Grave Digger Racing (in very small letters). I can handle that, as opposed to the foam Grave Digger hat filled with cotton candy that was going for $15.

Next year, (if there is a next year for us) I think I'll sit it out and have it be a twinado/Daddy/Uncle John/Sam event. Once was plenty for me.

Pictures here.

Happy Valentine's Day

I am lucky to spend the day with my two sweeties and then the evening with Aunt Deb at a library presentation about ghosts in downtown Willoughby. Romance Smomance.

Here's my Valentine's from their very first Valentine's day. I so wish for them to be that small again. Too many life-changing decisions to make as they grow up so fast!

Nolan was only 5 weeks post cranio surgery in these!

Day 27 - A Picture of Yourself and a Family Member

This was the first time Papa met the twinadoes. They were 11 days old. He was their only Great-Grandparent and my last Grandparent. He was a character! He left us this past June. I'm glad my kids got to know if a little bit.

Day 26 - A Picture of Something that means a lot to You

1979 Bally's Supersonic Pinball Machine. My Dad and I bought one of these together when I was about 18. We played it for hours. When the novelty wore off for me, my Dad still played it. He would go do in the basement with his beer on a weekend and play and play and play.

The Supersonic is now in my basement. It needs some work. Some lights are out and things aren't hooked up just right. That doesn't matter to my kids. They love it.

I know my Dad would have loved to have played it with them.

Day 25 - A Picture of Your day

Had another post-op visit. Shoulder is too stiff for the surgeons liking, so I got some cortisone. It's not that bad. Just like a bee sting. Hoping this aids the recovery. He said I should notice a huge improvement in a week.

Day 24 - A Picture of something You Wish You could Change

I always wanted an older brother. How that for something you could wish for all day and never get?! Several brothers would have been fine with me. Maybe if I had them, my kids would have a ton of cousins to play with and maybe even a place to spend the night once in a while so my husband and I could get away together.

Day 23 - A Picture of Your favorite Book

This is a hard one. I was a librarian for goodness sake. They are all my favorites. There is nothing like holding a book in your hands or fanning the pages and smelling the fresh ink and paper. I used to love to unpack the new books at the library. I'd just stick my head in the box and take a big sniff!

I do have a special place for Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe though. I loved everything about the book and, surprisingly, I loved the movie as well.

Day 22 - A Picture of something You Wish You were better at

Swimming. I love to do it. I was doing it on a regular basis at the Y before my rotator cuff injury. Whenever this one guy would show up to swim laps, I would just hang in the corner and watch him. He literally glided through the water. He is an amazingly fast and smooth swimmer. I tried to check out his form and mimic it. I'm pretty sure I looked like I was drowning!

catching up on the 30 day photo challenge Days 19, 20, & 21

Day 19 - A Picture of Your High School

A very lame picture for the Eastlake North High website.

Day 20 - A Picture of somewhere You'd Love to Travel

I want to see every last bit of it. Better get going on that!

Day 21 - A Picture of something You Wish You could Forget
Infertility. Once you go through it and are successful, you still don't forget every needle stick and month after month of disappointment. It becomes a piece of who you are.

Day 18 - A Picture of Your biggest Insecurity

I suppose this is the root of it. I don't start a lot of things for fear of failure. In school I never did things on my own for fear of failure.

I did group activities like baton corp. Things that, if there was failure, I could not be directly blamed for.

I have no idea why I was this way. My parents certainly didn't foster that attitude. It just is what it is.

It wasn't until high school that I joined in a couple of activities, with a little (OK a lot) of pushing from my friends) that I really could "mess up" on my own. Writing for the school newspaper and drama club. Back then, I didn't think I was very good at either, but it brought me out of my shell so that is what counts. I would be so nervous before a play that I would make myself sick. Afraid I'd blow my lines or miss a cue.

Over the years I've gotten better and started sticking my neck out there a little more. Doing the photography thing for me has really brought this up for me again. I am so worried that people won't like their pictures. I'm working on letting that go.

Day 17 - A Picture of something that has made a huge Impact on Your Life recently

I always enjoyed being around Jimmy and vibrant personality. With his untimely passing a few weeks ago, I have found him to be a source of inspiration for how I want to raise my children and live the rest of my life. So, Jimmy, from now on we are going to get our good shoes muddy!

Day 16 - A Picture of someone who Inspires You

My Granny Pike was an amazing lady. She raised three sons on less than a shoestring budget. She put up with a husband that drank up a lot of that household budget. She was a confidant to all the neighborhood kids. She cooked, crocheted, sewed, gardened, and had a lot of love to give. Even though she has been gone over 20 years, I still think of her several times a week.

Pappy, Granny, Me & my Dad.

Day 15 - A Picture of something You want to do before You Die

I used to work with a guy who was from Africa. His descriptions of it were pure poetry. Now that I have a daughter that adores animals and wants to be an animal vet, I think I might have a partner-in-crime for an African Safari!

Day 14 - A Picture of Someone You could never Imagine Your Life without

Of course its going to be my husband and my kids. Without them, life would not be what or where it is today.

Another person I've had to live the last 11 years of my life without is my Dad. It was, and still is. unimaginable to have to do this. He was one of a kind and I still miss him everyday.

Day 13 - A Picture of Your favorite Band or Artist

Anyone that knows me, knows I am a Duranie. Have been since I was 12 years old.

I have been fortunate to be front row center a couple of times when they reunited in 2004-2005. I temporarily lost my mind those nights. I also happened to have the blind luck to be at the Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh when they dropped by for a little meet and greet. Honestly, I screamed like I did February 27, 1984 when I first saw them at the Richfield Coliseum. My favorite Duran Duran related story happened that night.

Pictures from Baltimore & Pittsbugh 2005

me--->

me holding Rogers hand. He gave me his wrist band ---->

At age 12, I ate, slept, and breathed Duran Duran. When the 7 and the Ragged Tiger Tour dates were announced, I camped out at the ticket outlet (which was inside Sears at the Great Lakes Mall.) For what it was worth, I got crappy seats, but didn't care one bit. I remember thinking I'd be breathing the same air as Simon LeBon. I was sure I'd pass out. (Little did I know I was breathing the same air as one, Bill Polewchak.)

February 27 comes and NE Ohio is hit with the biggest snowstorm it has seen since the "Blizzard of '77." I remember coming home and my mom telling me we would not be going because she was afraid to drive the almost 1 hour drive to the Coliseum.

I sat on our blue tweed couch and cried my eyes out.

My Dad came home from work, took one look at me and said, "Get dressed. I'll drive you."

So he did. It was an awful drive, but here is the kicker.......

There were no parents waiting area back in those days. He sat IN THE CAR and waited for us in that freezing snowstorm.

The concert was on a Monday night. It was so bad school was cancelled for the rest of the week.

I know. I was a lucky, lucky girl.

Day 12 - A Picture of Something You Love

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. That doesn't begin to cover it.