Pumpkin Carving

Ella drew a face on the biggest darn pumpkin we could find...
Then she dug out it's guts...
slimy!
After a little facial reconstruction due to cutting errors she finished the project. Note the victims for next weekend are looking pretty scared...
Then we dug up some of the garden...
And planted seeds in hopes of our very own pumpkin harvest next fall.

After all the hard work we went in and roasted some seeds for a little snack.

It was a good Sunday!

Report to the General

General de Cline: -1 today. I thought I would be UP so I am pleased with how things turned out this week. My body is a little achey from all the weight lifting and trying to use that darn elliptical machine yesterday. Man, that thing is a WORKOUT!!! And it feels so awkward after using the treadmill. My bum hurts! I am going shopping today with Liz. I am a bit disappointed that I am not back down to my low point in July, but I have still made progress from last year. Today's total losses from my start date is -25.
I am setting a NEW GOAL today... I hope to lose 25 more pounds by July of 2007. That is an average of 2.5 pounds a month. I set my goal a little lower because those first 20 pounds just sort of flew off and then the next 12 were a struggle. I managed to gain some back (dammit) due to pigging out over the summer (mostly beer) but now that I am back in the saddle and have added the weights to my life I think I need to work on being more fitness minded and not just focused on losing pounds. Balance, Amy, Balance. So I am going to get stronger, healthier, and tone this flabby old body up! Onward HO!!!
Oh, shit, I think my trash can is blowing dawn the street. Ciao!

Knitting

I forgot all about knitting! I started a new project: Hat, mittens and a scarf for Ella. Scarf is first and it's about half done. Here is a picture. Ella picked out the yarn and it took a bit for be to get used to the extreme fuzziness, but now I am rolling right along with it. Any babies out there need a little hat? I'd be happy to make them one! Send me the head size and color preference!
I really need to get the scarf finished this week. It is DARN cold here. Don't believe me? Click on that Weather Underground sticker to the right of the page. Brrrrr.

Gettin' Ready for the Big Chill

Yes, that's right, we are preparing for the "Arctic Invasion"... At least that's what the forecasters are calling the winter storms that are heading our way. Ella is really looking forward to the snow. I am hoping to get the lawn mowed just one more time, and maybe rake up some leaves. Thankfully, it will warm up again early next week.
Here are some pictures of our sweet little darling. She loves her new daughter, Molly, who was given to her by her cousin Hayley. Molly goes everywhere and does everything with us. It's kind of nice because Ella has someone to talk to. She takes VERY good care of little Molly and we have birthday parties for her all the time.

Ella got all bundles up for her bus ride to school today. She and daddy have been taking the city bus together. It's a quick 20 minute ride to campus and we don't have to spend 30 minutes looking for parking! I think her favorite part of the ride is pulling the cord for the stop. *DING*!

All those chores are done except putting away the laundry. Sometimes I wish we just had one GIANT closet and three dressers in an all family changing room. It would simplify the laundry/getting dressed process. There is a house I want to buy on Elmwood Ave that, I think, could accommodate this plan. And it's "only" $157,000.I really want to buy that house. I LOVE that house. It only needs a bit of fixing up: all new plumbing, all new heating, many wall repairs, a new stove. The rest is cosmetic.... Besides fixing the wholes in the lathe and plaster walls. And some work in the basement. Really, it's a steal of a deal if we could buy it for $120,000. And had $50k immediately available to put into it. And it really is my dream home. If I try and imagine what kind of house I want it always ends up being a place like that. I forgot to mention that the entire chiminey(s) need to be redone... so add another $10k. Shit. I'll never get that house. Oops, I also forgot that it is entirely nob and tube wiring. That's gotta go.
I guess I should go too.

Report to the General

Well, like my pal Chris in Pella, I am +3 this week. Must be something in the air! OR the pizza one night, Mexican food the other, and my general laziness. I joined the "Fitness Center" yesterday and had an assessment yesterday. I am meeting my drill sergeant, Liz, on Monday morning for a workout.
Goals for Today:

1. Finish costume (1 1/2 hrs)
2. Wash dishes (1/2 hr)
3. Clean downstairs (2 hrs)
4. Wash guest room sheets and make beds (1/2 hr)
5. Other laundry and put all the clothes away (1 hr)
6. Errands (1 hr)
7. Vacuum (1/2 hr)

With all the little things that will come up during the day I will be glad if this little list gets finished before I pick Ella up at 4:30.

Happy Friday!

UPDATE: It's 2:30 and I am way behind schedule... The costume is done, along with dishes and guest room sheets, but there is still so darn much more to do!

Freaky Weather & Politicians

We had some really freaky storms here yesterday evening. Hail, Wind, Sunshine, More Hail, More Wind... We thought the orange sky and double rainbow rain break was quite pretty so we all went out to take some pictures. Too bad only one rainbow showed up in the picture... Along with our GLOWING Blind Pedestrian Area sign, which does not really glow, but looks impressive in the picture.
Our burning bush is quite fiery these days. I kind of like the way the raindrops are glowing. Perhaps a reminder that acid rain is in our not too distant future? I really need to get out there and trim the hostas.
Ron and Nelson having a chat. I sure hope Mr. Eisman is elected as our Governor in November - Or at least gets 7% of the vote. In my limited knowledge opinion that would be a victory for the Green Party.

SuperGirl Flies again!

She has decided... SuperGirl!
Last night she looked at her "old" costumes and really liked SuperGirl's cape and big S.
I am looking forward to making this costume and I think Eleanor is going to enjoy wearing it.


Time to head to the fabric store! I hope I can find some metallic red fabric for the cape and skirt, and an easier gold fabric to work with. Last year the stuff I bought for Wonder Woman frayed easily so I used fabric glue around all the edges. It was a little messy and rather time consuming.
I am going to attempt boot covers this time.

Fireworks

We had a lovely pre-dawn thunderstorm with lots of lightening to light up the skies... It was pretty. It mixed in nicely with my dreams.
Ella and Ron rode the city bus into campus the last two days. It's so cute to watch them walk down the block to the bus stop holding hands - Ella's frog umbrella bobbing along... I can even watch them board the bus through the window. It just makes me smile.

five million things to do

Yeah, that's about right. I am so busy. And I have another five millions things to do at home.

Back to work so soon?

My parents are off for Florida. They wont be back until Spring... It's going to be a long winter with no trips to IC. We may travel back on Oct 14 for Eli's long anticipated wedding reception, but as those plans are only 70% solid, who knows?!
The General looked great. I think her Turbo Jam workouts have really been effective. I should try exercising some day...
Nelson Eisman, candidate for WI Governor, will be staying at our house on Wednesday so I guess I had better get the bathroom cleaned and the guest room sheets washed. Rae Vogeler was staying with us last Thursday and I have not cleaned up yet. I will not meet my goal of getting the "new" guest room finished this month unless I really go for it on Friday *insert faint glimmer of hope here*. I still keep trying to win that jackpot so I can just hire someone to do the job and be done with the whole thing.
Maybe I should go home early today (I am over on hours from last week) and mow the lawn or something... I bet I could. Hmmmm...

Report to the General

General Ma'am: I'll be seeing you in a few hours, but thought I'd report here too. Up 1/2. In my defense I would like to add that I am experiencing the first pangs of my womanly woes.
I am looking forward to seeing you for Dad's birthday!

Because she's so darn beautiful...

I am totally in love with my daughter. It's true. Every day I am more amazed by her. She's just the greatest thing in the world. This picture is from last month some time. See? Beautiful. Look at the love in those eyes!Baubau loves her, too. Every morning he sneaks into bed to snuggle with her while she sleeps.
And this is the smile she woke up wearing. Oh, so snuggly and warm with her kitty.

Preparing for October

Yeah, I make Ella's costumes and I think it's fun and fulfilling and all that. (Besides, when she gets a little older and starts with the attitude "you never do anything for me!" and all that business I can have concrete proof to defend my case.) But what am I going to make this year? She wants bat girl again. Or Sailor Moon. I want another Wonder Woman costume. I can't make a Sailor Moon costume! Too many pleats and bows and that whole Moon Princess scepter, forget about it. Perhaps we should revisit Super Girl? Do any of you have a favorite female super hero that would be ideal for a four and 1/2 year old to dress up as? And that I can make?
Here is the list of previous costumes:
9 months - Super Girl
1 1/2 - Batgirl
2 1/2 - Pretty Witch (this took a long time to make and cost a lot of $ for all the black velvet and then she changed her mind and wore her old Super Girl costume)
3 1/2 - Wonder Woman
Oh, and since we live in Wisconsin, she needs to be able to wear some warm things under. Last year it was two pairs of tights and two turtle necks under Wonder Woman's skimpy attire.
And I think she's into capes.

Report to the General

General Ma'am: -2 this week. So let's see.... If I can lose 3.5 more I'll be back at my low from early July. Not quite the slimming summer I had hoped for, but It feels good to be back on track now.

Almost Better

Well, I have almost recovered from the horrible crud that attacked me on Sunday. I can hear out of both ears and am at 75% nasal cavity function. I think if I had a new hot water heater and could stand in the shower for about a half hour or so I could get totally cleared out and be functioning at 90%. Any one want to buy me a new water heater? I didn't think so.
I still want that Thai green beans and ginger #20 from Bangkok. Jenny, I know you couldn't bring it to me, but it was super nice to get your e-mail.
This picture is almost what it looks like... but I eat it over rice, not cabbage, and the curry is nice and thick. Mmmmm.... I just can't stop thinking about it.

Bleh

I am so friggin sick I can't stand it. Last night my whole head was threatening to explode and I couldn't breath out of my nose so every 20 or 30 minutes I woke up very thirsty and very unhappy. I am spending the day on the couch with the exception of the 30 minutes it took me to go down to City Hall and cast my absentee ballot for tomorrows primaries. It's horrible out there today. Rain rain rain, windy and 50 degrees. I got so darn chilled I came home and turned on the heat. I'll mark it on the calendar as our first use this season. I must head back to the couch. I wish the Thai food fairy would come and bring me green beans and ginger in red curry. It's #20 on the Bangkok menu.

Cold, Windy, Wet

Happy Saturday! I did not do the sanding in the Neptune suite because just after I got done posting yesterday the Day Care called me to say "Ella is sick and you need to come get her". Oh, well. I DID practice for the Dragon Boat races and it was fun. We have three races on the 23rd and I don't think my team will win, but we might just have some fun!
Practice was cold and windy and wet. Thank goodness it did not rain! Well, I must make some lunch. Ella is feeling better and needs some nourishment. Ciao.

Report to the General

General Ma'am: -3.5 and damn proud. I think two weeks of discipline and the ending of the "Womanlies" made it a bigger loss.
Today I am going to sand baseboards and tomorrow I shall be paddling a Dragon Boat for a few hours, so I am sure my exercise will add up fast. Tomorrow is just practice, but I am looking forward to the real event September 23. I'll post pictures, I promise.
And hey, it's super nice that you are stopping by again. I've missed you!

Remembering When...

Ella and Ron in Pella March 2003

First Day of School

The University starts today and that means that Ella is back at the Day Care Center. I had been really looking forward to this, but now, of course, I really miss having her here. Every night I have terrible dreams of her getting injured or worse. Man, I thought these dreams would decrease in frequency as she got older! Will they ever stop? Did my mom have these nightmares? I lay there for hours trying to get over them... Maybe it's just a mother thing.
The positive thing about having a little time to myself at home is I will return to my exercise plan. I am promising myself that I will work out at least a half hour daily. And I have Friday to sand those pesky little baseboards in the Neptune Suite. Goal: Finish that room this month.

Report to the General

General Ma'am: I am finally reporting again and all I have to say is +/- 0. Have a great weekend.

The Clan of the Fish

I hope these work for you!

Home

Ella and Lily sitting on the stoop in Winona MN
A scenic overlookHaving lunch at the beach
At the park with LA and Esther

We had a good trip. Ella really enjoyed seeing her pals and says she misses Lily and Izzy very much. Izzy is the Stwalley's cat. It was a long drive, and I must say that Ella did a fantastic job dealing with the time in the car. Thanks to the pals who put us up for the overnights and fed us super good food. Steve, I still think you should let me pay for the Thai food!

The start of another work week

Time to pack up the car with toys and games! We are heading into work... Ella managed to handle last week, but I fear this week will not go as smoothly. She is really beginning to miss all the friends and play time at school. Only four days till we are on vacation. The Levelwinds will be here Thursday for a sleep over and Ella is really excited about playing with Henry. I wish they could stay longer than just one night... Our travel plans have been settled and we are looking forward to visiting friends in Minnesota. We head to Winona on Saturday morning to stay with Lily then head to Minneapolis on Monday to see the Stwalley's. We'll be home Wednesday for a little travel break and to pack up for our camping trip Saturday the 26th. Busy. Fun. I am looking forward to it!

Dinner Out

By now you might have noticed that there are two fairly consistent things around the Hardy House: 1) Ella loves to cook and 2) I love to post pictures of Ella cooking.

The weather has been so great that we decided to have a picnic in the back yard, It was a really fun time.

We set up the card table and Ella set the dishes out then sat down to enjoy the sunshine and soft breeze. What a nice way to relax and enjoy our yard!

Ella really enjoys making rice salad. She used to not eat it - she preferred all the ingredients separate - but when she makes it she sees that all her favorite stuff is mixed in, so now she thinks it's delicious!

See? What a happy little girl!

Baubau enjoyed it, too, because he could run around under the table and get snacks.

Ouch

My sides hurt. My tummy is sore. My legs ache. Why do people exercise? It is much more pleasant to pretend the muscles are not there.
Ella and I are going to do more exercises today. I hope I can do the sit-ups... Or get off the floor when we are finished.

The start of Ella's summer vacation

It's going to be a busy juggling act for the next four weeks.
The good thing about this is we will not have to pay the $300 a week for Ella's day care expenses, the bad thing is that she could get very, very bored and I may become quite frazzeled.
Following some good advice from Chris, I got up early today to do a little exercise. Just some squats and leg lifts, but at least I can say I did something. I may try to squeeze in some sit-ups right now. I don't like sit-ups. My tummy roll gets in the way. That is the very reason I am going to do them. Hopefully they get easier over time.

A lovely anniversary and lovely daughter

This is our sweet princess. She had a delightful evening at our friend Justin's house playing with baby Anabel while Ron and I heading out for dinner at Koreana.
It's been a long, long time since I have had Sushi! I am a bit of a Sushi snob after so many years living in Seattle and having super good super fresh access to fabulous culinary delights.



Here is our yummy appetizer: Crabby Spring Rolls. They were divine.




And super good Miso soup. It was perfect.





Ron had Tempura and he really enjoyed it.
I opted for Sushi and Sashimi combo platter that was very good, but not as perfect as everything else. But very good. And very pretty. Of course I could not eat the whole thing, but I gave it a good try. I know, some may think that eating that much raw fish is not for them, but it was my anniversary and I loved it!


I am looking forward to another fantastic year with my wonderful husband and daughter. Did I ever tell you how much I love them? And how fortunate I feel to have them both? I must be the most lucky woman in the world!

Happy Anniversary!

I love you Ron.

Does every post have to have a title? I can't think of one for today.
My big push at losing the rest of my weigh before my shopping trip is NOT GOING WELL. I have lost all ambition and hope. I think I am stalled out on WW and need some crazy new plan. It's been so hot that I have not wanted to exercise or be anywhere near the outdoors. I have been biking or walking to work, but the constant threat of thunderstorms has had me riding home in the car with Ron and Ella instead of risking getting her soaked or hailed on. Part of my failure has to do with my albatross, whom I have named "Really Good Beer", and the other is the loss of my constant partner in this mission, Liz. When I started on the WW plan last October I was all gung-ho and had the General & Liz by my side. So I need a new strategy and a new support group. And less beer. I gained five pounds over the fourth of July holiday and have not been able to lose it. I am thinking of joining an on-line group that costs $4 a week. Or maybe going back to WW meetings. Things are going to be more difficult this next month when Ella has no day care and therefore my days are less routine. See, routine is good for me. I wonder how the general manages it running that daycare out of her home.
On the positive side of things: today's high is supposed to be mid-eighties and no thunderstorms! I have to walk into work because I left my bike there on Tuesday (rain and hail in the afternoon) but Ella and I should have a nice ride home. If the weather is good on Friday I'll pack a picnic and we can ride to the park to play and have lunch.
I need to get the treadmill set back up. I stored it away when we started working on that guest room thinking it would be finished in July. I should just put it in the empty, half finished room, and use it for 30 minutes each morning before work. I used to do an hour, but my work schedule has changed and now I open then center every day, so 30 minutes is all I can squeeze in. But I could do the other 30 in the evenings... I'll have to ask the family what they think of that idea. What would be super great is if I had a walking partner. A pal who is willing to go for a walk with me every evening around 6:30. Then if E wants to come along she can ride in the stroller or something. And I would not be tempted to have those evening beers. Hey, maybe Ron would be my walking buddy?
Instead of walking I blogged this morning. Blogged about how I should be walking. Man, I gotta prioritize! I'm off to get ready for work.

August 1

It's hot, it's humid, and we are supposed to have a bog ol' storm tonight. I am looking forward to it, except for the leaky roof. "What? Leaky roof?" You say... "I thought you fixed your leaky roof!" Yes, yes, yes so did we. But, alas, it is not fixed at all. We have a new set of twins! Matching leaks in our bedroom and Ella's. I think we need to just hire someone to come and tear off the whole roof and start over. Perhaps a reputable contractor? With actual skills? Our roof was slapped on by some roving crew a few years back after a series of hail storms damaged many roofs in town. They did an extremely poor job.

I have some great news: Ella and I have a week off! Who wants us to come visit? We are available from Thursday, August 17th at 4PM through Friday, August 25. I think Jenny and the gang are coming through Oshkosh the 19th so we will want to be home for that... But if someone wants to feed us and play with us any other times during the week we would be happy to oblige! I am thinking of looking into a train ride or something. I think Ella might like to travel by train.

Ella's day care is closed from August 7 throught Septmeber 6. I hope I can set up enough fun things for her to do at work with me. It could suck really bad if I am not prepared. Anyone have any ideas? Fun but not too messy arts and crafts?

The last day of July

Hard to believe August is on the doorstep.
We had a busy weekend of not doing much bet doing a lot all at the same time. I did some pretty major cleaning in my kitchen and living room. Ron was home to keep the wee one busy while I busted a power move on the floors. They were getting really bad. This summer it has seemed impossible to keep up with the up keep. Ron is trying to get some organizing done in the computer room today and then I should be able to finish the house work tonight. It's gonna feel good to have a sparkly clean abode. I always feel more peaceful in a clean house.
Ella and I took a trip to the paint store and I think I have found my color for the guest room. I need to paint all the trim still, and may wait to take my paint samples to the fabric store before my final color decision. I want to see if there is some really great curtain fabric first. I may find something so awesome that I chose a wall color to match the fabric. It's kind of fun to do a room however I want. I wish I had an IKEA so that I could find a groovy comforter cover and matching curtains. I'll just have to make do with what Oshkosh has to offer. Unless we plan a trip to Minne sometime soon..... Hmmmmmm. That's something to think about. We are supposed to head that way sometime in the next month or so. And it will probably take me that long to sand and paint the baseboards and install the quarter round trim. Oh, and I have to paint the doors upstairs, too.
Bah, I keep going around in circles in my head. I am getting dizzy.
It's really hot outside. My cats are shedding too much.

Report to the General

Uh, General? Are you out there anywhere? I think you abandoned your troops in the field... Oh well, I'll continue reporting because it's helpful to me.
Today I weighed exactly the same as Monday. How can this be? Dunno. I was very extra special disciplined for 5 days. BUT the good news is that I am NOT going to get discouraged because I've all ready told myself that I must "stay the course" (I feel like such a republican when I say things like that, yeesh). Just because the scale did not show me results today it does not mean my plan is failing... Tomorrow could show me great results! So onward I go. 15 pounds and 9 weeks to go.

Long Emergency

It's a good thing there is no such thing as Global Warming or a fear of running out of fossil fuels. Otherwise I might be a little concerned about the 90 degree temps way up here in Wisconsin and the rolling blackouts affecting many regions in the U.S. If anyone wants a good read about these issues I recommend The Long Emergency by James Howard Kunstler.
I struggled through another day of discipline and good choices. 4 days till August. I know I will not make my goal for the month, but I am feeling much more in control this week. I've got to keep going, one day at a time, and I'll get there. I need to start using my muscles more and get a little bit of strength somewhere in this floppy noodle body. Chugga-chugga...

A Note to Blogger

I am feeling a little dissapointed with the template options. I want something more me... Perhaps I'll attempt to create my own.

Mid-Week Madness

There is no madness, really, I just could not think of anything else to call this post. As I was looking through some pictures to send to my cousin this morning, I realized that I completely forgot to post these pictures from Clio's birthday party two and a half weeks ago. Ella just had to wear her crown to the party...
This is Ella between her favorite Oshkosh Kids, Madison and Clio.
And this beautiful shot is from our ride on the carousel. I was standing between Ella and Clio and was lucky to capture some super happy beautiful girls.

Okay, on to other things. Yesterday afternoon Clio's mommy called and asked if Ella could play and join them for dinner. I said "Absolutely!" Clio has been on vacation for a week and Ella has been missing her best buddy. So Ron was gone all night at a politics gathering and I had the chance to finally get some work done in the Neptune Suite. I got ALL the trim pulled up that had been glued down with huge oozing glops of silicone and could not be painted AND I used a gallon of primer and completed one coat on the walls. Next up is to finish removing the silicone from the baseboards and floor (it was really gooped in there. They must have used a whole tube for every strip) and do some sanding, caulk around the window, and paint some more. It sounds like more labor than is... It is just really hard to find the time. Ella is scheduled to go to Clio's for about three hours on Friday so I hope Ron doesn't get roped into any meetings and can help. Six hours worth of effort would get a lot done.

OH, I almost forgot to mention that I had another very disciplined day yesterday. That's three in a row. Chugga-chugga-chugga. I feel like the little engine that could trying to scale a mountain. But I'm not delivering a car full of toys. Just a gift for myself.

Tuesday

Okay, yesterday I was very disciplined. Very. I feel good about that.
Unfortunately I did not get much sleep due to troubled dreams, my daughters nightmares and my husbands snoring. I moved Ella in to the guest room with me around 1 and tossed and turned till 5 or so before having a fitful sleep till 7. Big Sigh. Ella continued to have bad dreams. What was going on last night? Ron said he slept terrible, too. Maybe it was the thunderstorms or humidity? Thankfully E is perky today.
I am interviewing a student for a job opening we have Fall semester and I hope it goes well. And that I am alert and focused.

Monday means a fresh start

Yes, it is time for new beginnings. My personal goal deadline is fast approaching and I have a LOT of work to do. LA, do you have any tummy strengthening exercises you like best? Or a whole body workout that does not require weights? I just don't have any small ones and no money to buy them. Only 10 weeks left.

What am I thinking?

Ron says I have the word "sucker" written across my forehead, but it's in special ink and only shows up under a black light. He may be correct.
Jasmyn was here until 11:30pm last night. I know there was a pretty good reason for her mom to be almost 5 hours late in picking her up, but I am not sure how soon I'll be repeating that favor. Ella and I had a fun day, though. We made decopage drums out of old coffee cans, wrote a book and colored the pictures, played with Janetta, went to visit dad at the library, read books and snuggled. This morning we worked a bit more on her book, but I am a little sleepy. Ron's off to his student groups weekend-long meeting. I hope they get done early today.