Enjoy! (Sorry about the sideways view - we cannot change it.)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Cheap Thrills: Family (not so) Quiet Time
With our new status (temporarily broke), we made a list of "Cheap Thrills" - things that we can do for little to no money. Among those things was Family Quiet Time where we can draw, read, rest, etc. without music or television. Obviously, this was my contribution to the list. Today when we (I!) called for Family Quiet Time, Georgia ran upstairs to put on a dancing outfit. She, apparently felt that a "performance" was part of FQT.
Enjoy! (Sorry about the sideways view - we cannot change it.)
Enjoy! (Sorry about the sideways view - we cannot change it.)
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Happy 2009!!
We had not been to Young's in a while so we decided to spend a
portion of our New Year's Day there.
Some of you have already heard that Brian was laid off from his job upon his return to work on Wednesday. For a variety of reasons - mainly financial - the company decided to eliminate his position and refocus the warehouse function. We are hopeful that he will find another job in a short time. We have known for a while that this was not the right job for Brian as he has been unhappy and unsatisfied for some time. We are trying to look at this as an opportunity to start fresh in the new year.
This is a tough time to be job hunting and, as difficult as this time is for us, we know that we are fortunate when compared to many other job seekers. Most importantly, we have the support of our wonderful families and friends.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Cookie Party!
Yesterday Georgia and I made gingerbread cookies. We signed up to make the cookies for her preschool holiday party next week so this was just a warm up. You can see that her favorite part (which happens to be my least favorite part) was rolling out the dough. And using a TON of flour.
Cheater recipe that we used yesterday: Sandra Lee's Gingerbread Cookies (Now, Sandra Lee is not my favorite Food Network star, but not everyone can be Ina.)
BEST ginger cookie recipe EVER - Stacy and I made these a few years ago when we got together to make sweet treats to send to family and friends.
For both recipes (instead of cut outs or slices) I'd recommend that you scoop out balls of dough, roll them in sugar and pressed down with the bottom of a glass (or your palm, I suppose, but that is so not what Ina would do!). In the words of Rachael Ray - YUM-O!!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Breakfast with Santa!!
This morning we attended Breakfast with Santa at Georgia's preschool. While eating some treats, we were entertained with songs performed by each class. Georgia's class sang On Our Way to the North Pole. You can view the performance below. As expected, Georgia performed with gusto! [She is in the middle (usually - I apologize for my shaky camera work!) in the pink dress with white tights.]
As Georgia and the rest of her friends left the auditorium to return to the classroom, a classmate's mother told Georgia that she'd done a good job. Georgia asked, "What was your favorite part?"
After the performances, each class was allowed to visit with Santa. Georgia showed him the collage she made so he would know EXACTLY what she wants. Here she is with her classmates and teacher, Mrs. Booth, and later alone with Santa and her infamous American Girl collage.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
"Gingerbread" House
The beauty of preschool is that the teachers willingly do all of the activities that I do not have the patience for! Today Georgia and her 10 classmates each decorated their own pre-made gingerbread house made from graham crackers and royal icing. Georgia was proud of her creation but was eager to eat all the candy! At least she waited until Brian came home to see it before eating a few pieces!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saga of Christmas Tree Lights
We hope you had a happy Thanksgiving. Brian, Georgia, and I joined his parents for lunch at the Worthington Inn, where Matt works, and had a delicious meal, buffet style.
We dragged out the holiday decorations on Friday. We put up the top and middle parts of our (sad) little artificial tree (which I insist is up for the last time, at least as our main tree!) and are happy that we make that decision since our living room is small.
I'd braved a few Black Friday sales and decided to upgrade ouR Christmas tree lights with energy efficient LEDs. After years of white lights, I thought we would try the colored lights. Brian objected but we put them up anyway. After 24 hours, I had to admit that they were not our style. So, last night Brian returned to Kmart and exchanged the colored lights for white LEDs. Much better, although we are still getting used to the difference of the LED. At 80% energy savings, I am willing to make the adjustment!
We dragged out the holiday decorations on Friday. We put up the top and middle parts of our (sad) little artificial tree (which I insist is up for the last time, at least as our main tree!) and are happy that we make that decision since our living room is small.
I'd braved a few Black Friday sales and decided to upgrade ouR Christmas tree lights with energy efficient LEDs. After years of white lights, I thought we would try the colored lights. Brian objected but we put them up anyway. After 24 hours, I had to admit that they were not our style. So, last night Brian returned to Kmart and exchanged the colored lights for white LEDs. Much better, although we are still getting used to the difference of the LED. At 80% energy savings, I am willing to make the adjustment!
Tomorrow is a big day for us: Kathy and Danny have returned from their 10 months in Africa and we will see Kathy for the first time on Monday morning! She should be here when Georgia gets home from school in the morning. Danny will come up next weekend.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Art of Musical Maintenance 2008
Brian is once again participating in the annual Art of Musical Maintenance poster show in Portland. The organizers have published a book this year and Brian is one of the artists featured in it.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Beggars' Night
Happy Halloween, everyone! Last night, our neighborhood celebrated Halloween with trick-or-treat. Earlier in the week, "Princess" Georgia had some problems and chose to skip trick-or-treat. She did, however, wear her costume while passing out candy with the neighbors. I enjoyed some peace during that time, but Brian said she performed the entire 2 hours and had a ball.
Trivia! Courtesy of Wikipedia:
Beggars Night or more properly Beggars' Night, is a regional term for what is referred to in most parts of the United States as "Trick or Treat." Specifically, the term is broadly but not exclusively used throughout Ohio, in many parts of Iowa, and in some cities in Massachusetts.
In general, Beggars Night represents the "treat" portion of Trick or Treat, where children in costume make evening rounds of homes (and to a lesser extent to businesses during the day) and are given candy after telling a joke. This being closely tied to, but distinct from Halloween, when various forms of mischief may occur.
The night has usually been scheduled by municipal governments on a date prior to the actual Halloween date of October 31. In recent years however, the trend has been towards having it on Halloween, and the use of the term has been slightly diminished because of the loss of the distinction from the date of Halloween.
Trivia! Courtesy of Wikipedia:
Beggars Night or more properly Beggars' Night, is a regional term for what is referred to in most parts of the United States as "Trick or Treat." Specifically, the term is broadly but not exclusively used throughout Ohio, in many parts of Iowa, and in some cities in Massachusetts.
In general, Beggars Night represents the "treat" portion of Trick or Treat, where children in costume make evening rounds of homes (and to a lesser extent to businesses during the day) and are given candy after telling a joke. This being closely tied to, but distinct from Halloween, when various forms of mischief may occur.
The night has usually been scheduled by municipal governments on a date prior to the actual Halloween date of October 31. In recent years however, the trend has been towards having it on Halloween, and the use of the term has been slightly diminished because of the loss of the distinction from the date of Halloween.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Boo at the Zoo
Last weekend, we met Grandad and Nana for an early dinner and ice cream then headed up for Boo at the Zoo. Georgia wore her Halloween costume - a princess. We had a great time and enjoyed being at the zoo at night. Star Wars characters and Batman seem to still be very popular costumes. Brian's Angus Young of AC/DC costume seemed popular with some fathers. We saw the most adorable costume on a 5 or 6 year old girl - Little Orphan Annie, complete with a curly red wig! I just loved it!
Princess Georgia meets Angus Young
Georgia, the ferocious tiger
Our last stop was the penquin habitat. Just a few Humboldts were outside and they seemed a little edgy. We quickly realized they were put off my the shadows made on the walls of their habitat. Georgia started moving around and her shadow followed suit. The penquins began barking at the shadow! Very funny. When we went through Saturday's mail on Sunday morning, Georgia had received a postcard from Kathy. On the postcard? A penquin! She wrote of seening penquins in Africa and said that they'd sounded like donkeys! We know that's right!
Princess Georgia meets Angus Young
Georgia, the ferocious tiger
Our last stop was the penquin habitat. Just a few Humboldts were outside and they seemed a little edgy. We quickly realized they were put off my the shadows made on the walls of their habitat. Georgia started moving around and her shadow followed suit. The penquins began barking at the shadow! Very funny. When we went through Saturday's mail on Sunday morning, Georgia had received a postcard from Kathy. On the postcard? A penquin! She wrote of seening penquins in Africa and said that they'd sounded like donkeys! We know that's right!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Children's Garden
This afternoon, Georgia and I went to Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark for the first time. How beautiful! It features several gardens, walking paths and a hiking trail, as well as a horticultural center and the Dayton Playhouse. We had a great time and will surely go back again soon.
Click on the photo below to view all of the pictures from the day.
Click on the photo below to view all of the pictures from the day.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
The Boss says, "Vote for Obama!"
We took the new car out for a road trip this afternoon. Bruce Springsteen was playing at an Obama rally on the oval at Ohio State. We had a really great time. The Boss played about 6 songs, all with an acoustic guitar and a harmonica. He played a couple of my favorites (The Ghost of Tom Joad & Thunder Road) and ended with an audience participation performance of This Land is Your Land. We are happy that Georgia's first political rally featured a memorable star like Bruce Springsteen. We hope it is the first of many such events over her lifetime. 
(Yes, that is Michelle Obama on Georgia's button - her choice. "You know why I chose this button? Because I LOVE her!") 
Georgia and a 2 year old (James) she met. They danced and read her book together. 
(Yes, that is Michelle Obama on Georgia's button - her choice. "You know why I chose this button? Because I LOVE her!") 
Georgia and a 2 year old (James) she met. They danced and read her book together. 
Saturday, October 04, 2008
New Ride
After much deliberation and mind-changing, we decided to help the economy by spending some money! Today we bought a car - a 2001 Volvo V70 wagon. We got an EXCELLENT deal, assuming it is in the great shape that it appears to be. We really think this will be a great long-term car for us. We hope to drive it for many more miles.
In case you wondered how smooth the ride is...
In case you wondered how smooth the ride is...
Friday, September 26, 2008
New Dresses
Hello, all! September started quickly and has flown by! Since Georgia started preschool, we've manage to keep ourselves busy. A friend lead me to a simple dress pattern online and have so far made these 2 dresses for G. She loves them, which is always a good feeling.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
First Day of School!! Finally!
After an overall good summer, we all happily celebrated the first day of school yesterday. After I picked G from school, we met Tante for ice cream. A great day.
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