The Travelers Journal

Christmas Season

2009-12-14T02:20:00.000-06:00

The outside of our condo. Hope everyone is getting in the Christmas spirit! I have been wrapping gifts and just started cooking and baking for our family party here the 20th. Older son decorated the outside.

2009-12-14T02:14:00.002-06:00

Younger son is in the red jacket on the left. Mame

These videos were taken at rehearsal.

Mame, "That's How Young I Feel"

2009-12-14T02:05:00.001-06:00

Younger son is the only one in a sweater. "That's How Young I Feel"

Mame,opening Act 2

2009-12-14T02:01:00.002-06:00

Mame,opening Act 2

Mame

2009-12-14T00:32:00.005-06:00

Younger son performed in an other musical with the drama group at the beginning of the month. He played the older Patrick. The first act when younger Patrick was on, younger son was part of the ensemble dancing and singing. The second act he was older Patrick, Mame's only living relative. They did three shows. He had lots of family and friends in the audience. Here are some pictures of the rehearsal and shows. It has been so much fun being involved in community theater!

Pioneer Women's Book Tour 2009

2009-11-20T03:03:00.003-06:00

Thanks Ree for coming to Chicago! This has been quite an experience! I left my house about 5:15am to get in line at Barnes & Noble a little before 7am. I was a somewhat hesitant only because I am TERRIBLE with directions. Luckily if I did not take the expressway and added a little more travel time it turns out Skokie is only two turns from door to door! That I can do :) I am So glad I went. I met the nicest people standing in line. Bill and Alisa from Naperville and Debbie from Rockford were the first three after me in line and we got to spend a couple of hours together. The made the wait go a little quicker. I drove home and about 2pm my niece and I headed out again. My niece has no aversion to expressways so we got there a little faster. While waiting for Ree to sign books we sat around and talked for a few hours with fellow PW blog readers and some bloggers. It was a very friendly group. I can't wait to check out some websites like
onpicnichill
susansnippets.blogspot.com
talesfromthecoopkeeper
and Marcy if you would send me a link to redbootsnruts I would love to link it, but I can't find it.

The highlight of the day of course was meeting Ree herself. She remembered my name from blogging comments which really made my day! She is just a lovely person. We all know her so well from her blogging and feel like she is our friend after following her so long reading about her and her family. As you sat down she makes you feel the same way. I sat down with her and we could have been having a cup of coffee at the ranch. Marlboro Man was nice to pose for pictures and sign books. Even their boys signed books! They were too cute, ok handsome :)

I only have one question left for you Ree, what is next for you and when are you coming back to Chicago?

Thank you for putting Chicago on your tour!

2009-11-20T02:55:00.001-06:00

2009-11-20T02:41:00.002-06:00

2009-11-20T02:23:00.004-06:00

Meeting Pioneer Women Tonight!

2009-11-19T04:15:00.003-06:00

I've been away for a while from blogging, but the excitement of seeing Pioneer Women today at the book signing has me back :) I couldn't sleep. It's 4am and I am leaving at 5am to stand in line to get a number so my niece and I can stand in line again tonight. Pioneer Women and from what I have read Marlboro Man and her two boys will be there tonight. Our two permanent flat travelers are coming with too. Skokie is about an hour and a half away from us. So wish me luck getting back before I need to be at work. It will be close! I will have my camera and bringing PW our family cookbook along with 5 of her cookbooks to sign. So check back tomorrow for pictures.

Happy 21st!

2009-07-28T01:16:00.012-05:00

My first born turned 21 on Sunday. We had a party with family and friends over at my parents house. Lots of fun and a big cake :) My children are surely a blessing. Twenty one years flew by. I know it won't be long until he is out on his own, but for now I am still enjoying every minute he still lives with us. I couldn't be prouder in what he has already accomplished in the first 21 years. I can't wait to see what lies ahead for him. He are a few pictures from Sunday. Happy Birthday!

Mary Poppins

2009-07-13T00:50:00.005-05:00

This weekend I took younger son to see Mary Poppins downtown. The show closed Sunday so we just made it. It was wonderful! The choreography was so good. I think our favorite was Step In Time. The cast was a very talented group. The kids that played Michael and Jane had great vocal range. We enjoyed every minute of it. Our seats were two rows from the very top of the theatre, but the view was still good. The actor that played Bert already played this roll in London and New York. He was so good! After Younger son and I had dinner reservations at the Rainforest Cafe. It was our first time there and really enjoyed the setting. The food prices were higher then we would usually do, but for a special occasion it was well worth it. The whole place was a jungle and even had a rainbow set up in part of the room. The big thing everyone is seen ordering there is the desert they are famous for, a chocolate volcano that comes out with a sparkler lit in the middle. We were too full to try it, but if the three of us go back we will get one to split. A very fun day!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY 2009!

2009-07-03T23:19:00.000-05:00

Guess who was able to get to the groomers today and have a bath? We found a new groomer that Milo loves. He can walk around and play with other dogs. Today was the happiest I have seen him! They were wonderful with him. Normally he doesn't like many people or dogs. I was worried in the open environment they have, but he did really well! If you are looking for a groomer, Pretty Paws in Oak Forest is great! He came home and was so tired he plopped on his bed and slept most the day!

Rehearsal For Seussical June 28, 2009

2009-07-03T22:55:00.001-05:00

Younger son is in full blown rehearsal for Seussical The Musical! It is a community theater about 20 miles from here. He is having a great time. I am SO glad he is driving now. Rehearsals are 4 hours long and 4 days a week. This is the big month of rehearsals. The musical starts the second week in August. He is now a Who Citizen, a Who Cadet, a sea horse, a zebra and a circus animal. The musical has 40 numbers. Younger son is in 20 of them. Seventeen on stage and three off stage. So lots of costume changes! I can't wait to see them all. When I went to a practice to take some pictures I was able to see the fish heads for the younger kids. They are so adorable! The seamstress is doing an amazing job!

Wow,the pictures when clicked on are huge! I know the quality is poor too. I had to take them all with no flash and low lighting. It didn't help that everyone was dancing and wouldn't hold still for the pictures ;)

Our Church Picnic & Contemporary Service June 27, 2009

2009-07-03T22:21:00.005-05:00

We recently had our church picnic along with our contemporary service. Younger son played bongos for the service. When I arrived I found him filling balloons for the younger kids before the service. I didn't stay too long because it was hot and muggy, but at least the rain held off. Younger son went and helped set up earlier in the day. They had a lot of entertainment for the younger kids. Inside was all the food. It ended with a family movie. A very nice day. I though I would post a couple of pictures.

Sparky

2009-06-23T19:54:00.008-05:00

Older son is also the safety person at Walmart. Guess who got to be Sparky for a couple of hours Saturday greeting everyone and letting kids check out the fire truck? I thought he made a cute Sparky :) It was very hot, but when you have the fire department looking after you, I guess it is safe! It was fun to watch.

I'm Here!

2009-05-27T22:53:00.005-05:00

Good thing a picture is worth a 1000 words since I have been away from the blog for so long! We have not been home much. Lots of change and fun stuff going on. I have been helping out a lady across the way from me and working on Board of Director's business for our Condo Association the last couple of months. So I am in and out a lot more. Love doing both!

Older son is working two jobs and gone a lot. I recently fixed up our patio and bought a small grill so we can barbecue when he is home and have a meal together. He is enjoying being able to have his friends over when he is off and grilling for them. He loves his full time position at Walmart. He is enjoying security and getting to know the local police well. He still has just a short wait until 21 to start applying to police departments. I have mixed feelings about it, but he will be a great officer if he ends up getting on a force.

Younger son landed his first job working for our Condo association. He is really enjoying it. The big news is younger son is now a licensed driver. I put it off as long as I could, but when all the Spring rehearsals came up for everything he is in and he was cast in Seussical the Musical I finally had to let him go get it. It was impossible for us both to be in two places! His concerts and recital went really well this Spring. He has his Fine Arts group play coming up two days in June and then is in rehearsal for Seussical most days until August. Our whole family is going to his final (He has 10 performances. I will be at them all of course!) performance in August. Along with getting his first job, I see him just a little more often then older son! I can't imagine not homeschooling. He has had so many more opportunities! He is doing the cleaning of our buildings, painting, helping out our maintenance guy and learning a lot of skills for when he has a family. He is taking up accordion this summer too:)

That leaves Milo, he has had to adjust too, poor dog. He is used to having younger son and I home a lot more. I started giving him a treat when I leave for a couple hours in the morning and now he just about opens the door for me so he can get his treat :)

Hopefully I will be back a little more regularly :) Thanks for checking in!

Younger Son's Spring Concert for Tonechimes & Concert Chorale 5-21-09

2009-05-27T22:41:00.005-05:00

You may notice a moustache in a picture:) The chorale sang a song called "If You've Only Got a Moustache" Younger son had a solo verse and another singer also had a solo verse. They both put on moustaches as they went up to sing their parts.

First Rehearsal for Seussical the Musical 5-17-09

2009-05-27T22:31:00.004-05:00

Younger son is in his first committee musical, Seussical the Musical. He is a Who Citizen, a Who Cadet, and an animal. The musical has 40 numbers in it and younger son is in 19 of the songs. Rehearsal are 4 days a week for 4 hours until August. He has 10 performances! I am sure I will be writing more about this :) The pictures are from his first rehearsal on May 17. There were 80 or so adults and kids trying out and 40 were given parts. Younger son's parts are extra's but he is so thrilled to be part of 19 songs!

Band Concert5-12-09

2009-05-27T22:25:00.004-05:00

Guess Who Has His License? Yep since 5-8-09

2009-05-27T22:22:00.000-05:00

Younger Son's Summer Project Taken 5-5-09

2009-05-27T22:20:00.000-05:00

Younger Son's Voice & Piano Recital 5-03-09

2009-05-27T22:15:00.003-05:00

Grand Opening of the New Walmart 3-17-09

2009-05-27T22:04:00.004-05:00

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T09:52:00.002-05:00

I know it has been awhile! I hope you all have a blessed Easter Day with your families. My boys are at church all day playing. I just came home from the 8am service. I am meeting them at my parent's house for dinner. It is so strange now that they are older. We always got up early on Easter and went to church together. After church was a huge Easter egg hunt and Easter baskets. Lots of noise and pictures. Then off to my sister's or mom's for dinner. There were more Easter baskets and another egg hunt at their house. I am glad not to have all that chocolate around, but miss all the excitement of younger kids. I so enjoy the people they are now! Holiday are just so much more quiet without young kids. Remind me I said that after grandchildren or great nieces and nephews start coming :)

Enjoy your day!

Presidents Day

2009-02-16T11:34:00.001-06:00

In honor of Presidents Day

The Presidents Song

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-02-12T18:54:00.000-06:00

Avon

2009-02-10T20:07:00.002-06:00

I decided to sell Avon. With my scheduale and the job market, I am hoping it will help out. I sold Avon about 12 years ago when the kids were little. I have always liked their products and now you can do so much with the online features. It will fit right around the hours we keep here! If anyone is interested in checking out my online store you can go to my Avon website.

Last Concert Until May

2009-02-10T14:25:00.005-06:00

This was our last Winter concert. So now it should be Spring right? It was a wonderful concert last night. Younger son is in the choir and tone chimes, but does not play in Orchestra. Although he has now been talking about playing the cello. He already knows who he wants to take lessons from, but I have pointed out he would need a cello :) He sees this as a minor point. I see this as a huge problem. For now I am going to enjoy the pictures of the concerts and the nice evening we had listening to good music and block out that I may have to start looking at ebay for a very used cello.

More Pictures!

2009-02-08T21:30:00.007-06:00

I finally took younger son out to do his 16 year old pictures. On the way we ran his car through the car wash because he wanted his "official" 16 year old picture with the car. Well since I had the camera with I took a couple while we were going through the car wash too :) I took several pictures before I remembered I needed them to be vertical to fit the frame and had to start over so we end up with many! Here are a few and I put some of the rest on Flickr.

Winter Band Concert

2009-02-03T23:57:00.006-06:00

Tonight was younger son's band concert. This was the first concert older son was not playing in. We took my next door neighbor with us. She hears him practice all the time, but this is the first time she came to the concert.

The Combined Cadet and Concert band played, "March from Scipio" by Handel/Bulla, "All About a Cat" by Grieg/Park, "Sunliner (Concert March)" by Osterling & "Overture Variations" by Bulla. The Brass Choir played, "It Is Well" by Bliss/Bonam. Then the Concert band finished up the concert with "Espana Cani" by Marquina/Longfield, "The Syncopated Clock" by Anderson, "Man of La Mancha Selections" by Erickson/Leigh and "Brighton Beach (Concert March)" by Latharn. Younger son played trumpet in all three. His lips were really pooped tonight! They did a wonderful job. The have a great band director.

And The Winner Is......

2009-02-02T16:20:00.002-06:00

On Sunday I had a family party. I know it was Super Bowl Sunday and we did watch the game, but I had an Oscar party a few weeks early because it was when everyone could make it. I decorated some, made chili and hot dogs. We had a lot of fun. We had our own awards ceremony too. The winners are as follows....

Fastest Driver- older son (unfortunately)

Most Opinionated- my sister, she voted for me which I just can't understand how that could be, but that is just my opinion of course :)

Drinks Most Coffee- my brother in law

Most Likely to Throw Out Their Back Shoveling- my dad

Most Likely to Slip in the Tub- my mom

Most Competitive Playing Games- my nephew

Neatest Handwriting- my niece

Best Neighbor- my neighbor that joined us

Most Likely to Repeat Themselves- me, can you believe it!!

Most Likely to Repeat Themselves- me, can you believe it!!

Most Likely to Run for Office- younger son (he won his category by the most votes)

After the awards were done each winner was presented with a mini trophy and had a picture take with our big trophy. I didn't want Milo to feel left out so we voted him cutest dog :)

It's Finally Down!

2009-01-24T00:32:00.003-06:00

We finally have our tree down and put away!! With older son working two jobs (about 72 hours a week), time is hard to come by. So today we had a block of time to get it all down, packed up, and back to the storage shed. Younger son and I already did the outside of the house during the week and had the car packed up with that. As we were taking down the tree, I found one last ornament my brother has made us. It was a gift in 2005. I promise this will be the last ornament picture until at least November of this year!

Milo is very happy to have the living room back to normal too! He has much more room and the only chair he is allowed to be on was in the bedroom this whole time.

Older son's second job is full time. He has been there 5 or 6 weeks now and they have already asked him to stay on. He was hired temporarily for the holidays, but knew a larger super store was opening and this one was closing. He asked to be considered for security in the new store and just found out he has the position. The store is putting in a high tec security system and he will be learning that and working plain clothes. He was able to watch as a shop lifter was caught yesterday. He was in the room watching as the police were called and what the procedures are that he will follow. He is happy it is in his field. Younger son is now looking for a job too, but he is have a hard time finding something. Once he turns 17 he can work at UPS with older son, but he need something until then.

I just ordered younger son Saxton's Algebra 2. The curriculum we are using only went up to Algebra 1 and then gave him a business math this year. So as soon as the book arrives we will work on that until next Fall. I want him to get at least through Algebra 2 before taking his PSAT again or the ACT next Spring.

House Call!

2009-01-19T17:40:00.004-06:00

I feel like we have been hibernating the last few weeks with below zero temperatures and all this ice and snow we have had! We have been very lucky we still have at least one visitor a week :) Younger son's trumpet teacher makes house calls! He is in a great fine arts program with band, choir, tome chimes, orchestra, drama, & speech. Younger son is in all except orchestra. He has been taking lessons for about 8 years now. We have been in this fine arts program for 7 years. Even Milo sits at the window each week and just waits for the band teacher to arrive.

Our Last Christmas Get Together of the Season

2009-01-12T02:10:00.003-06:00

We had a wonderful time at my mom and dad's house. My Aunt and Uncle from Wisconsin made it in and my brother from Michigan finally made it through the snow! My brother makes us lovely ornaments each year for Christmas. We all love them. Here are the two he made this year out in his pole barn freezing since his barn isn't insulated or heated. We really appreciated the ornaments even more knowing he froze just to make us these ornaments!

All Smiles For The New Year :)

2009-01-07T18:30:00.003-06:00

I found a fun baking site called Bakerella. She does the cutest lollipops. I printed the instructions and was planning on keeping them for next year and doing Christmas trees and reindeer. Then I saw her smiley faces. I thought how cute. It didn't look too hard, so off to the store I went. I wanted to make some smiley face lollipops for friends of ours we are seeing tomorrow and for my friends little boy. Well Tom is not really a little boy, he is 19. I posted a couple of pictures. Now if you go look at the original pictures on Bakerella's site, mine don't look a whole lot like them. I couldn't find an edible pen, so I used gel instead and that I am finding out doesn't dry. I bought little plastic bags and twist ties to put them in and I am worried the gel will smear. Some of mine turned out cute and some look like they have warts and are a little drunk. They do all taste good though! It was fun to try.

The Last Hour

2008-12-31T23:02:00.003-06:00

It is the last hour of 2008. I just watched the New York count down. It is a quiet night here. Both kids are at friends houses this year. We are usually at my sister's house. I think this is the first New Years I have ever been by myself ever. Usually among the noise, games, food and fun I usually don't reflect too much on the year. The quiet makes it hard not to reflect. In many ways we have been very blessed. I have two great sons and we have great extended family, a place to live, food to eat and lets not forget Milo to love too. I am looking forward to what the new year will bring. I do have some resolutions that have been rattling around in my brain. Since there is still about 50 minutes I think I will let them rattle a little more :) I know health is on the top of the list. I hope everyone has a happy and safe night! Now to the Chicago count down. See you all next year!!

Happy Spring?

2008-12-27T14:01:00.002-06:00

Pardon me for my confusion! Yesterday younger son and I chopped ice for 2 solid hours to make a path from our front door to the mail boxes along with adjoining neighbors sidewalks in our little square. The ice was so thick we had to chop it with metal things (I don't know the name of them, but boy were they handy) and then shovel the large piece off the sidewalk. Today all snow and ice has disappeared and we have thunderstorms with 60 mile an hour winds and tornado warnings. Did I mention it is 61 degrees right now and we have flash flood warnings too? But don't worry tomorrow the high is back to 31 degrees and I am sure there will be much more ice to chip away at! Gotta love living in the Midwest!

We Hope Everyone Had a Very Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T23:38:00.001-06:00

2008-12-25T23:37:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas From Our Family to Yours!

2008-12-23T13:22:00.000-06:00

Today Was Our Family Christmas Party

2008-12-22T00:17:00.002-06:00

Today I had my family over to kick off the Christmas celebrations. Unfortunately my brother was snowed in in Michigan and didn't make it this year. We missed him, but still managed to have a lot of fun. My niece brought a new game that I can't remember the name of right now. I will have to ask her again what it is called. If was a lot of fun and we played in teams. Of course my team won :) Each team has 45 seconds to think of 10 answers. You have a word like apple and then each of the 10 answers have the word apple in the correct answer. After 45 seconds the other team gets to try any words you missed and then starts on a new word. One person on the team reads the clues and the others guess. We are always looking for new games. We did a bunch of Christmas trivia too. We had a lot of food. I tried a couple of new recipes along with some of the recipes that I put in the cookbook that my grandmother use to make. With the cookbooks this year, I also had John Braden's diary printed up for the family. John Braden was my great great grandfather and I printed each page of his diary on this blog as I went along interrupting it.

Hope everyone is enjoying the season! I have a little more shopping and wrapping to do, but mostly want to enjoy just being with my boys the next few days.

Younger Son is Almost 16

2008-12-22T00:13:00.001-06:00

Each year at the family Christmas party we usually celebrate younger son's birthday too. He will be officially 16 a few days after Christmas.

A Little Women Christmas

2008-12-13T19:51:00.002-06:00

Younger son had his Christmas play this afternoon. The group did three short plays. Younger son was in the first one, "A Little Women Christmas". He played Laurie, the girl's neighbor.

After tomorrow where both boys play at church for lessons and carols, we are done with activities until the first week of January! Makes younger son sad and me happy. I enjoy all their activities, but I am looking forward to baking and starting to plan for our "Not so Christmas Eve" family party next Sunday.

Younger son just got over the stomach flu, so we are hopeful none of us gets it! I need to start cleaning, but after cleaning the bathroom every hour for about 12 hours, I am dragging me feet. So next week will be all about cleaning, baking and cooking. I may even get some gifts wrapped!

Older son has been applying for a second job for a couple of months now and finally found one! He will be working full time during the day at Walmart and still part time at UPS. Friday was his first day. He can start applying at police stations by next April or May. It is getting closer!

Hope everyone is enjoying preparing for Christmas!!!

Younger Son's Piano & Vocal Recital

2008-12-09T20:58:00.003-06:00

Sunday we had younger son's piano & voice recital. He started the recital off on piano playing, "Shadows on the Moon". In the middle of the recital he played, "Spinning Song". He ended the recital by singing, "Oh Holy Night". He has only been taking piano & voice for about 3 months so he was pretty nervous to be on his own. With his trumpet and drama he is usually with a group. He looked pretty pale singing, but made it through without passing out:) It was really nice listening to all the kids play and sing. I thought he did a great job. It was great that older son was off work and came with. It was nice to have someone else record the recital. He has never heard younger son sing. He missed his musical this summer. After we went out to eat. It was a nice day together.

Unfortunately younger son ended up with the stomach flu last night and has missed his dress rehearsal for his play on Saturday. He is finally feeling a little better, but has a fever. I am hoping he is back to himself by Saturday.

Since we were home today, I was able to make a list for the food I am serving on the 21st. I am having my annual "Not Christmas Eve Party" for my family. I always had it on Christmas Eve when the kids were young. Now that everyone is working and busy we started having it the weekend before Christmas. I have separate lists for cookie and candy making ingredients and for the party. Shopping will have to be on two different days too. I will come back and post a list. My computer in acting up again. My screen keeps clicking on and off!

Very Old Santa

2008-12-06T01:27:00.001-06:00

This is one of my favorite ornaments. My grandparents had two of these Santas on their tree. I have only a couple of ornaments from my grandparents so I let each son have one of these from them. They both enjoy ornaments as much as I do.

Christmas Lights

2008-12-04T23:29:00.002-06:00

It's Here!

2008-11-30T01:36:00.003-06:00

The cookbooks arrived about a week ago! I have been wanting to put a picture up, but they are Christmas gifts. Oh the dilemma :) Since we are selling the extras for $10.00 and they make nice Christmas gifts I decided to wrap them up and give them to my family for Thanksgiving. Everyone enjoyed looking through them. I loved how the cover turned out. Since the immediate family has theirs already I though it would be safe to post. Many more are in the mail or waiting until it is a little closer to Christmas to mail out.

The project took about a year and a half or so to complete. I took most of the Summer off so it could have been done a little sooner.

My sister and mom already knew friends wanted to buy a few for Christmas so I am glad they arrived early! I have a box of 42 in my car and two boxes of 48 still in the house.

2008-11-30T01:33:00.000-06:00

Mom & Dad looking through the cookbook.

Happy Thanksgiving From My Family To Yours!

2008-11-27T23:59:00.001-06:00

Christmas Tree 2008

2008-11-19T13:11:00.003-06:00

Yep, It's up already :) The next few weekends are going to be busy, so we get to enjoy the tree it for an extra couple of weeks. Usually we try for the weekend after Thanksgiving, but with church, concerts, and one less weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas this was the weekend open. I am glad it is done! Actually the boys did most of it this year. Older son did the whole outside and both worked on the tree. By the time I had my ornaments out of their boxes most of theirs were up.

I so enjoy going through all the ornaments each year. It takes me so long because I am always telling the kids the story of when we got each. I love the homemade ornament the best. My brother makes me a wooden ornament each year and my friend in Canada has made me a couple of the most beautiful ornaments. I have made a few and the kids have too. I love my picture ornaments too. I have one of the kids since they were born. We have a couple of new ones this year already from our trip. I try to pick up ornaments when ever we travel. Taking out the ornaments is one of the highlights of my holiday! I will have to go take a couple of close up ones now :)

Our Christmas Village

2008-11-19T13:08:00.002-06:00

The kids put the village up this year. They did a good job. Now we just have to keep Milo away. He was good last year. When we go for the day on Thanksgiving we will pick up the smaller pieces just in case he gets board.

Milo

2008-11-19T13:06:00.000-06:00

2008-11-05T22:22:00.001-06:00

John McCain's Concession speech, what a speech!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2008-11-04T16:56:00.001-06:00

Going In To Vote 2008

2008-11-04T15:50:00.000-06:00

Signed In & Ready To Vote

2008-11-04T15:48:00.000-06:00

Voting Day!

2008-11-04T15:30:00.002-06:00

We were up and ready to go by 7:55 this morning. It really lends a lot of excitement to the race as your children get old enough to vote. Older son voted four years ago, but there was a problem with his paper work and he was not able to vote for president. He had the paper with him that showed he registered, but he wasn't in the system. They let him vote, but was told he couldn't vote for president only the others on the ballot. Funny the government didn't loose his name when he had to register for the military at 18, but couldn't get it together for him to be able to vote for president. Needless to say he was pretty disappointed. So even though he has voted in the past this year was the first time he was able to vote for president. It is one of those times you realize you child is an adult. I still see him as my little boy when I look at him, but the world sees him as an adult. In four years younger son will be voting too. I can't quite believe it. We have talked about this election for two years now. I am glad we were finally able to go vote.

I expected long lines. I was very surprised to pull into a parking space and go right in. We stopped for a picture with our traveler friends in front of the building. When we went in they pulled up our names right away and I asked if they minded me taking a picture. All 4 judges said they did not mind. There was no one behind us in line. As soon as I took the picture, the other side came over and told me it wasn't allowed :) Last year they were thrilled to see the kids and travelers. This year people are pretty tense. At least I took the one picture. In 4 years I will be back and ask again because it will be younger son first turn :) Maybe by then people will lighten up a little.

GO VOTE!!!

2008-11-03T12:52:00.002-06:00

This picture is from 2 years ago. It was older son's first time voting. This will be his first presidential vote. He is excited to be able to have his vote count. This will be younger son's last election for president he will have to sit out. He wants to be able to vote so badly. He definitely has been following this election. Our flat travelers will be up early tomorrow to come vote with us.

I think we have taken our right to vote so casually in America over the years. I hope anyone who is legally eligible to vote will get out there tomorrow. We live in a country where we have so much freedom. I am thankful!

Happy Halloween!

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Younger Son's New Car

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Younger son is pretty excited. His aunt and uncle gave them their old car. We took car of all the paper work this week. The car is a 2000 and in good shape. Younger son can officially get his license in January, but for now we are planning on the Spring. I would like him to have one Winter of driving together first.

More cookbook news.... everything is moving along nicely. I knew they received the package I mailed them and the company assigned my book to a person. Today via FedEx I received the cover to proof. It looks better then I thought it would. I liked what I picked out, but it is hard to imagine it all put together. The cover person captured exactly how I wanted it done. I thought about posting a picture of it, but the though occurred only on my way home from the post office after mailing it back :) I had 5 days to mail it back, but wanted to do it today so they would have it back by Monday. We should as of now have the books by the second week in December. I am so happy it will give me time to mail them out for Christmas.

Milo had his check up and shots today. I feel bad leaving him. We use Petsmart and they ask that pets to be left for 5 or 6 hours to run all the tests and examine them. He is wonderful and healthy, but they now say he is over weight again!! He weighed 15 pounds today and last time he was 15.20 pounds. It seems like every other time they tell me he is overweight. Last time I received two papers, one said normal weight and one said overweight. He weighed like 16 pounds before that and they told me he was normal. I could probably gain 10 pounds in my sleep, but hey I'm not 8 or 9inches tall either. So we will exercise him a little more. He only eats 1/2 cup of food a day and he is allowed 1 full cup. We do give him treat, but not every day.

While Milo was at the vets; younger son, my friend and her son went to see High School Musical 3. Younger son and friends son loved it. My friend and I thought it was good too. A lot of kids were there! Friend's son was off today and we homeschool so we can always fit in a field trip. The school around here were all in session today, so we were surprised at the amount of kids at the show. Friends daughter heard on the radio a lot of parents were taking their kids out of school to see it today. That explained the crowd!

Some of Our Fall Colors

2008-10-19T20:24:00.001-05:00

Taken at Lake Katherine Nature Preserve today. The rest of the pictures are in my Flickr account on the side of the blog.

It's In The Mail!

2008-10-08T19:29:00.002-05:00

Finally!! I mailed out all the cookbook information this morning. I made sure it was certified and someone will have to sign for it when it arrives. Now I just want to make sure it doesn't get lost in the mail. Then I will breathe a sigh of relief. Now it will be in the cookbook company's hands.

On an other note, I had the John Braden diary printed and bound today. It will be a Christmas gift for several people in the family. Wow, between the two things I finished today you can account for so many hours of my past year! What will I do with myself? Oh yes, the years of stacked up photo's might be a good place to start :)

I had such a nice day today. My friend and I went for our morning walk and took Milo with us. He was so excited. We usually don't take him because I spend the walk waiting for him to sniff every inch of grass & trees or I'm being pull like a mad women across the track to chase a squirrel. Then my friend took me out to lunch for my birthday a week or so ago. After I came back home I went and had the books bound. I feel like the day was pretty productive along with relaxing and fun.

This Sunday the kids and I are down sizing our shed. I can't wait to get it organized and into something much cheaper. We are cutting the size in half. My sister and brother offered to come help, which I am grateful for. I am thinking of having a few plastic creates on hand to get rid of some of the boxes we have holiday decorations in. I hope we can get it all to fit! If we ever start cleaning out the bedroom I will have to take before and after pictures! I wish we had some on site storage in our condo. Maybe one day I might be able to once again call myself organized...:) not likely.

More Cookbook Stuff With a Twist!

2008-10-04T23:10:00.002-05:00

Yes, today was the day my sister and niece came to proof read the cookbook. My sister was nice enough to bring donuts, bagels & coffee this morning because we knew it was going to be a long day of reading. The cookbook printed out on computer paper it was about 159 pages. Did I mention my niece likes very darkly toasted bagels? No, well she does. Have I ever mentioned we have an under the cabinet toaster and it was put in when we moved here about 24 years ago? No, well we do and it was. About the second set of bagels made never made it! The whole thing started on fire and ended up shooting up the cabinets. Luckily the toaster is mounted right over the sink and my niece dowsed it with water, I ran and pulled out the cord and younger son about tripped me and elbowed me in the chest. Older son ran for the smoke alarm and I then ran for all the doors. It was pretty smokey in our little one bedroom. Luckily the only damage was the toaster and that went out to the garbage right after it was cool enough to touch. Looking back I am surprised it lasted this long. Next toaster I am replacing after 20 years! :) I am just very happy my niece didn't burn her hands putting it out and there was no damage to the cabinets. The condo still smells a little like burnt bagels, but not too bad. Right after it was put out and everything cleaned up we had to put on the episode of Everybody Loves Raymond when he started the kitchen on fire. We had a good laugh. Our family is strange like that. As long as no one is permanently damaged we always find humor. Of course if my sister would have called fire no one would have moved, assuming she was just trying to give us a heart attack.

But don't worry we saved the family cookbook!! It is being corrected tomorrow and the recipes are being sent over the Internet Monday with the rest being mailed out this week.

We celebrated my birthday today too. My sister and her husband were on vacation on my birthday so in between proof reading we fit in a nice lunch and a walk. All in all a great day.

Spider

2008-10-03T08:32:00.002-05:00

My intent was to go out this morning in the day light and take some pictures of this great web. It looked so cool, that after walking the dog at 11:00 pm I came back in for my camera and went out a took a couple of pictures. With the night lighting and the lamp post behind it, it just didn't come out well. I was going to go back out this morning and get a really good shot, but then it rained. Maybe the spider will be back, I will be checking.

One of The Benefits of Home Schooling

2008-10-03T08:28:00.001-05:00

Happy October!

2008-10-02T16:09:00.002-05:00

It is Fall!! I love Fall! My favorite season. I love the crisp temperature and the color in the leaves. My friend and I went for our walk this morning and it was definitely cooler. We have to get in as much walking as we can because before you know it it will be below zero, snowing and icy :)

I haven't been here in a while. I had my niece staying with me for 9 days and she left on Sunday. They are only a state away and she works in Chicago, so I am closer to work for her then her home. She worked Monday through Wednesday and then took Thursday and Friday off to hang out with us. Mostly me. Older son is hardly ever home and most of our time was spent driving younger son to his activities. It was nice having someone with me. She took me out for a very nice lunch to celebrate my birthday. Milo loves when she is here too. He gets more walks.

I am happy to announce the cookbook is finished!! I couldn't be happier! Unless it will be early next week when I actually mail everything to the company that is putting it together. It even took me about 8 hours to fill out the forms and write down all the details of the book. I thought after typing recipes this would be a breeze. I kept second guessing myself on font, color, and just about everything else. You know when you look at too many options it gets hazy after awhile. I should have had a poll like Pioneer Women, but I may have still been the only vote :) After I mail in the information and transfer the recipes to them by computer (somehow still unknown to me), it will take until the first week in December to get the actual cookbooks. Family & friends that submitted recipes are getting a free copy and I decided since we had to order 200 cookbooks, we are going to sell some extras for $10.00 a piece along with $2.00 postage if I need to mail it. I really like the cover and picture I picked to go on it. It also has 4 personal pages; a poem, dedication page, & 2 family tree pages. The dividers were hard because I am having black and white photos on each divider. I picked the pictures last year, mostly from going through all my grandparents slides. Now that I looked at them again I changed things around and was short a couple of pictures and went with two I wasn't sure about. As of right now we have 424 recipes. I can still add up to 26 more for the same price. This Saturday my sister and my niece are coming over for the day to proof read the entire thing before I mail it off. I found several mistakes when I proof read it, so I am hoping by three of us reading it we will catch everything. The company does not proof it or correct anything.

Enjoy the cooler weather!

Younger Son's Television Début

2008-09-10T16:07:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was our second day of doing work for this school year. I had just gone for a walk with my friend and came home to start the day. I received a phone call a few minutes later from younger son's driving instructor from earlier this year. Channel 5news was planning on coming out to interview him about Illinois changing the driving age laws to either 17 or 18. They asked if he could have a couple of students with him. Dan gave us a call and called Sarah, the girl we drove with for drivers ed. We were both available so we drove out there and found out channel 5 and 7 wanted to interview Dan, the driving instructor and the kids along with the parents. Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a public speaker! Turned out to be a lot of fun and a great experience. Channel 5 was there first and Alex Perez interviewed both kids, parents & driving instructor. Alex Perez was very friendly and easy to talk to. They took Sarah in the driving school car out with Dan. Channel 7 only wanted to interview younger son and I because he would be the age most affected by a new law. Sarah was already 17. So Michelle Gallardo interviewed younger son sitting in the driver's ed car. Then she interviewed me in front of the driver's school. Next Younger son, me, Michelle, and Paul(the camera man) all climbed into our van and younger son drove them around while the camera man recorded it. First younger son & I were in front with the camera man behind son and reporter behind me. They had son stop and the reporter & camera man changed seats. Next we stopped and I went in back & camera man came in front. They had us pull into a parking lot and the camera man jumped out and took film of son driving around and backing out of spaces. For all the interviews and time spent we ended up on the 4:30 & 6pm news on channel 5 and 7. Of course I taped it all and all 4 segments came to about 12 minutes. I thought that was pretty good since I though at most we would get a minute or so.

After both of our families went to lunch and had fun talking about the experience. Can you believe I didn't think to bring my camera! I know, me neither! Luckily Sarah's mom had hers and took some pictures for us. And that's the way it was. :)

Younger Son's Interview With Channel 5 News

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Younger son gave about a 10 minute interview to Alex Perez from channel 5 news in the class room he took drivers education in earlier this year.

Channel 7 News

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Paul, Sarah, younger son, Michelle Gallardo, & Dan Wilkins (Driving instructor)

Younger Son Watching The Channel 5 News

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Younger son being interviewed by Alex Perez from channel 5 news. He was a very nice person and very easy to talk to. Camera man Bill was great too.

Younger Son Watching The Channel 7 News

2008-09-10T15:42:00.002-05:00

Younger Son in pulling into traffic with news reporter Michelle Gallardo, camera man Paul & I in the car.

The End

2008-08-30T21:46:00.002-05:00

This is it, 89 pages. I am almost sad to be done. I hope I have captured the spirit of his diary. There are a few pages of notes in the back of the journal that has work hours people spent putting up a fence and purchase from 1910 and 1911. Animals born and sold. Mostly incomplete pages that wouldn't make a lot of sense to put up here. It is fun to look over though.

Hope you have enjoyed the journey back in time!

A Note About the John Braden Diary

2008-08-30T21:44:00.001-05:00

I should post every so often what this diary is and dates to let some one just coming to the blog know what these pages are and who wrote them.

John Braden is my great great grandfather. He was born December 19, 1864 in Illinois. He started this diary when he moved to Webster City, Iowa in 1898. The diary spans over a couple of years with a few entries after.

I though since I am putting John Braden's diary on here, it might be a good idea to put some information about his family here too. I wish I had Lucina thoughts on paper too. I am thankful for the diary I have, but it just peeks my curiosity about Lucina life. Here below is the information John wrote in the back of his diary.

John Braden was born in the year of 1864 December the 19th
Lucina Gatton was born in the year of 1867 November the 11th
Lora May Braden was born in the year 1891 of May the 4th
Harry Vanburen Braden was born in the year of 1892 September the 25th
John Young Braden was born in the year of 1895 June the 26th
Cora A. Braden was born in the year of 1898 June the 29th
Ray B. and Fay G. Braden were born in the year of 1899 October the 19th
Dorothy J. Braden was born in the year of 1902 July the 17th

Lora May Braden died May 26, 1893
Fay Gatton Braden died October the 15, 1900

Sadly it looks like when he wrote this diary they had already lost one child. They lose Fay just under a year after she was born.

Page Eighty Nine John Braden's Diary

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9/18
clouddy & coald all day

9/19
show day four _____ & sells show i dident work it rained all day no show

9/20
uncle will got up sick had to go home tom went with him went on the 4.17 train

9/21
ma went down to Johns to stay all night

9/23
i shaved John was here to day

Page Eighty Eight John Braden's Diary

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JULY THE 16
i cream supper in the Park wife & i went a while i shaved my mustash off i have got the store Bill Paid Paid it the 15th the wether is offle dry all though it look for rain to night i am loading cars & pooting up mills

July 21th
ma arived Home to day Paid on my Place July the 7th $9 00

august the 7
$9 00 to a ply on contrack with Edger litchfield for my place

september the 7
i Paid $9 00 on my place John gatton moved Back to Webester city

9/16
i sent art $20 00 to come here on 9/17 tom Phairs & uncle will come here this evening we set up and talked till after 12 o clock

Page Eighty Seven John Braden's Diary

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May the 6/1901
i made my first payment on my place $9 00

May the 13
Well we have got moved to our new home moved last tuesday we went out to Jo Barneses yesterday

May the 12
i paid him $1 00 for syrup i planted currents bushes & some goosBerrys bushes

May the 7th
i paid $9 00 on my house

May the 6th
i bought Ed gattons Banjo & a pair of shoes for $5 00

May the 12
Ed g paid $3 00 on acount & the 18th $3 00 & 25 $3 00 31 $3 00

June the 9th
$3 00

June the 10th
i am doing the teamming a gain i Paid Edger litchfield $9 00 on my house

Page Eighty Six John Braden's Diary

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March 31/1901
Well we are quarnteaned in yet i have not worked for 3 weeks comming tuesday ed Braden wint out to Jims thursday he has been here 3 weeks

april 13th
Ed gatton give me two dollars and half

Sunday 14
read the papers all day

Monday 15
made garden at litchfield

tuesday 16
___ Dr one of the big horses at the foundry

17
ma wint to misouria today

sunday the 21
i worked in the L.M.F.G. co. yard 17, 18, 19, 20 last week Edgar litchfield & i am on a house & lot deal

April tuesday the 30
Ed gatton Has $4.50 on a count ma Has gon to mo We got a letter from Her last week Wife is sick with soar throat

Page Eighty Five John Braden's Diary

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Monday the 11
i came home sick i worked 8 to day

tuesday the 12
i worked 2 to day was in bed most of the day

Wensday the 13
i was in bed all day pritty sick

thursday 14
was up all day Felt better i have got the small pox wint up and votted at the primary after supper

Friday 15 am not so well to day

saturday 16
am better to day wife cora & the baby have got the small pox to they are getting on all Wright tom H was here to day

sunday the 17
all Hands doing very well i took a short walk out it was so fine out dooars

Page Eighty Four John Braden's Diary

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monday the 28
got my money Paid the coal Bill $5 35 got $3 95 Halled iron all day

March the First
a nice warme day i Have been doing the choars For the l.M.F.G. co. For a bout 3 weeks as the temester has quit the foundry has been closed down for 3 weeks under going Repairs & pooting in new meshinery I was Halling mills un till noon halling lumber this after noon gorge G is going out in the country to work Jim & Minie is going to move out to grace & tom has gone to the countary to work Friday Ed & Charley G

Page Eighty Three John Braden's Diary

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Janory the 17/1901
i was pooting up Feede Grinders all day Ed G With George G went out to cut Wood But came Back

Friday the 18
i was ironing sweeps & dipping ey Boalts Painting Roods Wife went up town got Harry & John a pair of pants & waists & socks

sunday the 20
wife & ey went to church ollie & wife was Babtised

monday the 21
Pay day i ironed sweeps till noon Run the ingin after dinner went up town after supper Paid the Butcher $1 94 paid the log 85 cents

tuesday 22
i was ironing sweeps & cleanning up a round the foundry took the cow red to the bull Jo Barns was here for dinner to day i Borrowed $5 00 From ma to night Paid on my store Bill

Page Eighty Two John Braden's Diary

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Janory the First (1901)
i dident work to day dad was Here for dinner we Had duck for dinner I went up town got a ax 75 cents some Hair for my Fiddle Boo 25 cents charley started for illinoise to day

Janory the (16)(1901)
marrion & ed gatton came here on the 4th Ed is here yet marrion has gon away wife went to church last sunday night with george & ida i went to the log last monday night the 14 i went up town last night paid $7 00 on acount to the store i loaded a car of nock down mills to day 40 mills

Page Eighty One John Braden's Diary

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December the 19 1900
26 years old to day ma got me a pocket knife for my Birthday We had co_sno_ cake & mine Pa for dinner Frank Wikle Was here for dinner he came from illi last night Pa gatton Was here to dinner i got H. V. Braden a pair of shoes last night $1 50

monday the 24
Pay day & christmas eve old sandy Brought me a pair of coof Buttons & wife got a lamp gramma got a cup & sasar dad gatton got a cup & sasar Harry John & cora got Harry a Bank John a Bank cora a dool

christmas day
i dident work to day We had chicken for dinner dad was here

Happy Sister's Day!

2008-08-03T23:54:00.000-05:00

Kidsfest 2008

2008-08-02T20:06:00.002-05:00

An other great day! We went back to Joliet today so younger son could be part of Kidsfest. They had a lot of activities for kids and performers. A friend of ours was dancing with her group today. It was too bad they both had 2pm performances! I would have love to seen her dance. Younger son and 6 other cast members preformed for about 15 minutes in front of Rialto Theatre and did some of the High School Musical songs they did on stage a couple of weeks ago. They did a great job! For the last song the college that was sponsoring the kidsfest had college kids from their school that also preformed HSM this year joined them. It was a lot of fun. Younger son made some great friends through this experience and had lots of fun. Of course I was standing in front with my camera :) It was so hot I though the camera was going to self destruct! It took forever to take the picture after I would click the shot. Luckily they all turned out ok and the camera seems fine. Originally they were calling for 98 degree temperatures, but we were very lucky, it was only 85 degrees. In the sun it was still pretty hot though. At least parking was free today! Always a plus.

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Happy August!

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We had a great first day of August! We got together with some friends we haven't seen in quite awhile. While homeschooling years ago we met a few families we hung around with regularly. We did a lot of really cool field trips and had lunch and pool parties often. These kids are closer to older son's age and two of the families ended up going to high school. The kids have all been busy with high school, college and assorted activities. So our gatherings are more like once a year. One family is moving next year so this may have been our last get together as a group. The mom's still get to go to lunch once in awhile :) Younger son was always the youngest in the group so even though he is still homeschooled all but two kids are college age now. We miss doing things with this group!

The kids had fun swimming and hanging out and us moms sat around and talked. Here are two pictures I took.

The "Kids"

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The Moms

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Old Friends

2008-07-30T21:56:00.000-05:00

My younger son was in a special ed preschool for ages 3 and 4. In hindsight he really didn't need to be there, but at the time I was told he did and wanted to do the right thing. Turns out he received some benefits I didn't realize until later. He was the highest functioning child in the class and helped everyone. He just wasn't talking much at almost 3 when the district had their testing. Older son was still in public school at the time and younger son would have been going in at kindergarten age too.

Younger son learned some life lessons about compassion, helpfulness, and patients. Older son learned from the experience too. He entertained the class as a magician and loved playing with the kids. He realized early on how blessed he was just to have normal physical and mental ability. By the second year all the teachers were telling me he really had no reason to be there, but he had friends :) At age three this boy and younger son were inseparable. Younger son moved on to a private school kindergarten and this boy stayed in public school and also moved to kindergarten. They were the only two able to move on, so they had a little ceremony for them the last day. We had play dates and visited each other for a few years. The other family ended up moving a couple of times and we lost touch about 6 or 7 years ago. Out of the blue yesterday the boy called my son from his grandma's to say hi and see if younger son wanted to get together. What a shock when they saw each other. I still saw the same little boy from years ago in his face, but they are both taller then I and their voices are a little different too :)

Now they both have their driving permits, computers and exchanged cell phone numbers. I am thinking they will do this staying in touch thing better then we parents did!

2008-07-30T21:34:00.004-05:00