This weekend

Saturday sunrise. Mid 50s. I worked.

Sunday. Rob and I went to a church in Bedford.  We've been to the local satellite church here a few times and wanted to see the main campus. (I guess that's kind of a pun, since it's at a local high school.)  Rain and icy rain on the way there, and when we came out, it looked like this.

No worries on the long drive home.  A nice spring snow, heavy, wet. Home for the afternoon, where it's warm and dry, and we can watch the snow from the window.

Mom brag

This is Holly's second semester taking Chinese via dual enrollment from Northern Virginia Community College.  (The class is online, offered through our local CC.)  Her final grade in her Chinese I class was an A.  She just received back her midterm in her Chinese II course--and received another A.

 I'm very proud of her!

Past few days

A very good week. Holly's sociology class was canceled. She and I dragged Trevor along to Walmart to pick up her new glasses. We made a rare trip to Dairy Queen. We all ordered the exact same thing, a cherry Mr. Misty float. They don't even have Mr. Misty floats on the menu anymore (and they don't call the drink a Mr. Misty anymore, but I can never remember the --no longer--new name), but most stores will happily make the drink.

Trevor's Tuesday biology class was postponed to later in the week.  I joked that, if I had cancelled school as much as these teachers do, we never would have done anything!

Holly received her orientation information for Mason. Exciting!  (And nerve wracking!)

It's been in the upper 70s this week, it's rained, and we've had a high of 32.  It's the first week of spring, and with soccer beginning next week, it had better warm up soon.

One more pic

Here's one more really nice picture from when my dad and Sherry visited. This was on his camera, so I missed it during the earlier post.

On Mill Mountain overlook

Work

Especially now that I no longer live or shop where I work, it's too easy to forget the impact we have on the little kids that come through our library week after week.  Last week, a little 2-1/2 year old boy approached, held out these flowers, and lisped, "Dees are fuh you."

The angle of the photo is deceiving.  It's a miniature vase, and the whole thing, from the bottom of the vase to the top of the buds, is just 4-1/2 inches high.

Precious.  Priceless.

St. Patrick's Day

After sleeping through dinner last night, and then going to bed early last night, this was the product of my early morning.

A very lazy St. Patrick's Day. Rainy, gray, cold.  Happy to stay inside and never leave my pajamas.  A big dinner of corned beef, carrots, potatoes, and (root) beer.  Sweet memories of this day when the kids were little. Robert and I would sprinkle their beds with gold glitter, leave gold coin candy bedside, and we'd drop green food coloring in the toilet water and milk.. (Yes, an interesting combination, I suppose!)

Lucky

Holly took this picture of Lucky.  He was laying on his giant pillow, which is against the computer cabinet, and apparently he didn't mind that it was smooshing into part of his head. He didn't even move when she got close to take the picture.

Our sweet goofy dog.

National Pi Day

My friend Judy's husband has been working out of state since the beginning of the year. That means he comes home every other weekend or so. We've made it a point to have Judy and Kurt (Trevor's best friend for many years) over for dinner on Thursday nights. We've all been really good about making this routine. I like it; things are much more low key since it's just the two of them. I just make more of whatever we would otherwise have for dinner, and I don't feel guilty for doing the dishes while she sits at my table doing her knitting.

She's a lovely dessert-baker and has been in the habit of bringing dessert. Tonight, we had Pioneer Woman's Potato Soup. In honor of National Pi Day, Judy brought Lime Meringue Pie.

She brought a square pie--because Pi R Squared, don't you know?!

Spring Snow

As expected, we woke to a nice bit of snow on the ground this morning.

It was deep and wet enough that I opted to not make my way through it to get into work today, but my dad and Sherry figured they were right off the highway and heading south, where they'd be out of the wintery weather within a few hours.

A good day to stay inside, pretend to catch up and really do not much of anything. Maybe that's not entirely true.  I'm slowly continuing to catch up on photos and blogging.  Trevor gave the dog a bath. There ya go!

Dad and Sherry's visit

My dad and Sherry stopped by on their way back from Uncle Al's memorial service. It's been 3-1/2 years since we've seen them. They came in on Monday afternoon, and we stayed at the house. I made homemade minestrone soup, a salad and Panera bread. There is no real room for guests at all, and they stayed in a nearby hotel. On Tuesday morning, we went to Gander Mountain to look at guns. They had a huge selection (although overpriced!). We went back home to get the kids and headed to a farm trip: We'd made arrangements to visit the Schroeders' so Sherry could see the alpacas.

It had been drizzly and cold all morning but the rain held off for us.

Trevor took off with Kurt.

My dad and Robert were out for a few minutes but retreated back to the car.

Judy gave a wonderful tour and was full of all kinds of information and alpaca trivia. We went to see different animals and Sherry and Trevor hand fed a baby or two.

Robert and the kids headed back home.  I was going to take Dad and Sherry on a nickel tour of Roanoke via the Blue Ridge Parkway, but it was closed due to the impending storm!  Instead, the got the penny tour right through an unattractive part of town on our way to Mill Mountain and the lookout.  Cold, cold, and we were the only ones there, but I was able to get this--a view that I love, no matter who's taking the picture!

We went back home, warmed up by the fire, and ate Marlboro Man sandwiches for dinner.  Knowing we'd get some snow overnight, I wasn't prepared for them to have plans to leave in the morning. We took a few last minute pictures--and you can tell they are last minute, because Robert isn't in any of them, and I'm not sure about Sherry.  But this was a lovely photo, really, really nice of every single one of us, and even nicer that we are all together.

And for whatever reason, my darling dog wedged herself beneath the chair in the next room.  How can I help but try to take pictures of that adorable face?

Dad and Sherry went back to their hotel, while Holly, Trevor and I settled in for a night of American Idol, and several hours of an old Amazing Race series, thanks to huluplus.

Sunday conversation with Trevor

In anticipation of my dad and Sherry's visit tomorrow:

Trevor: Does this mean I'll be taller than Grandpa?

Kristine: I don't know. How tall are you?

Trevor: Taller than Dad.

Kristine: Well, at his tallest, Grandpa was 6 feet.  He's 75, he might have shrunk since then.

Trevor: Grandpa is SEVENTY FIVE??? .................YOUR DAD??? ..................... SEVENTY FIVE????

Kristine: Yes!

Trevor:  You can't be serious!  He's really SEVENTY FIVE?  NO WAY!!!!!!!!   ...................... Wait. WAIT!! You're not typing this to anyone, are you?

Book Reviews

This has been in draft mode for at least six months. I guess I haven't been reading much non-fiction. Some of these books were really, really good, perhaps an indication that I'm being a bit pickier about my sources for suggestions.


 The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures by Anne Fadiman

Fascinating story of a young Hmong girl who immigrant parents seek treatment for her epileptic seizures. Her parents don't understand the treatment (or really believe it is necessary); the doctors grow increasingly frustrated with the parents' seeming refusal to help their child.

This was a fascinating read of the clash of two cultures. This was a "new" book, and I was disappointed to find that it occurred in the 1970s. A quick search, however, revealed that the girl in the book, Lia, passed away last year--surely cause for the book to be reprinted. A very good, unforgettable, tragic read.

Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife by Eben Alexander, M.D. 

Retelling of a doctor's experience with near death in which he travels to what he believes was heaven, and his attempts to reconcile his scientific knowledge with his new-found spiritual beliefs. It was an okay book. He's a scientist and a doctor, and he writes like one, with not a lot of emotion or passion. He may have visited a spirit world, but it was not the spirit of God.  For the most part, I find these types of stories mildly interesting-and I am more intrigued by the differences in each, rather than the similarities. This was creepy and unconvincing.

Hidden America: From Coal Miners to Cowboys . . . by Jeanne Marie Laskas

I immediately recognized the name of the author as a columnist from Reader's Digest, which I haven't read in several years.   Writing in the same contemporary culture vein, this book was a brief journey into the occupations of people who work behind the scenes in this country--air traffic controllers, migrant laborers, beef ranchers, and more. Interesting peek into their own lives. Not a great book but short stories mildly intriguing enough to finish.

The Astronaut Wives Club: A True Story by Lily Koppel

True story.  Gossipy, behind the scenes look at the wives of the Mercury Seven astronauts. It brought up memories of the wonderful movie "The Right Stuff," but it was very difficult to keep track of the different wives, remembering who was whom, who was married to whom, etc.


Death at Sea World: Shamu and the Dark Side of Killer Whales in Captivity by David Kirby

This is the best, well-researched, easy to follow, book I've ever read. The author presents chronological research regarding orcas in captivity, paralleling 30 years of the life of marine biologist Naomi Rose from grad researcher to spokesman for the International Humane Society.  At first glance, the books seems the perfect platform for treehuggers--and it may well be, but I was quickly drawn into the story and convinced by the research presented.

I also liked that I was familiar with some of the areas mentioned, from Santa Cruz State University to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands.  And Dr. Rose is married to a biology professor at GMU.  It would be such an opportunity for Holly to take a class from him, but I'm not sure that's in her future studies!

An information, extremely well written (and researched!) book--I highly recommend.


Unremarried Widow by Artis Henderson

A personal memoir written by a newlywed whose Army pilot husband was sent to Iraq and killed in an Apache helicopter crash.  She writes of her grief in a detailed but mostly unemotional way as she struggles with finding her new place and redirecting her life. It was very sad to read and I found myself crying several times.

I'm struck that we now have an entire generation of men and women, along with their families, who have been an active part of our war in the middle east.  They seem to be mostly unseen, existing in a subculture which most of us know nothing about. Food for thought . . .

Hair of the Dog

Kota is shedding. She looks like a giant puff ball, and I don't even want to be near her. To top it off, she does not appreciate my attempts to brush her. She was brushed out yesterday. This is what I was able to get tonight, but I didn't even try very hard.

Book reviews

I'm shocked to see that I haven't done book reviews in over six months.  I don't think I've been reading much, so here goes:

An Amish Christmas by Cynthia Keller

Fluff fiction; no need to review.


Debt-Free U: How I Paid for an Outstanding College Education Without Loans, Scholarships, or Mooching Off My Parents by Zac Bissonnette


Published in 2010, this book might be significantly improved if public college tuition indeed were $3,000 - $6,600 as the author used as examples throughout the book.  It would also be improved if the author didn't outright lie and make entirely outrageous claims.  But then I suppose he wouldn't have anything worthwhile to say, and the book would never have been written. . .

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Apparently, I've been reading a lot of books on my phone via my (free!) Kindle app.  Which is pretty much why I read them on my phone.  I don't have a Kindle, and yet the app was free. Also free are most of the books I've read on it. It's a little odd taking my phone to bed, but it's nice that it makes its own light, and it's easy to hold(!).


The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door by Jay Pathak

Meh. A great idea but nothing memorable.  

Glimpses by Renita Terrell

Hey!  Renita is a friend of mine, and this is a nice effort for her first published book!  Fun read!
 
Planning High School Courses by Lee Binz

Lee, also known as The Homescholar, is another friend and mentor.  I picked this up, thinking it might be helpful as I think of different options for Trevor. It's always good to have a plan for the next few years in my head, although I think this may be more helpful for those who haven't gone the high school route yet.

Chop, Chop by L.N. Cronk

The first in an eight-book series, this could very easily be considered Young Adult fiction. But as the series progresses, the characters age.  So far, I really liked it and am waiting to see if I can get the second book for even less than the posted $2.99 Kindle price.


What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst

I said yes to God and started an online Bible study group for this book.  While we enjoy Lysa's Proverbs 31 Ministries encouragements, this book began strong in the first two chapters but quickly fizzled out for all of us.  I think, though, that it was a blessing in that it spoke to us individually in several ways, and also started some great discussions among my group--not to mention we are our own little group now, which is definitely a good thing!

Made my own AMAZING mayonnaise!

And I don't know if I'll ever buy mayonnaise in a jar again!

1 egg
2 tsp. vinegar (you can use more)
1 cup oil
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. salt

Put egg, vinegar, seasonings, and 1/4 cup oil in the bowl of a food processor.  (It's easier to scoop out than a blender.)  Process for a minute or so. With the machine still running, steadily add the rest of the oil. Process for another minute or so. Scoop out the yummy mayo into a container and store in the fridge.

The taste of the finished product will vary depending on what kind of oil, vinegar and seasonings you add. I preferred cider vinegar over red wine vinegar.  I've heard that white vinegar is nasty.  I also preferred a blended oil over plain canola oil; you can also use extra light oil.  I used seasoning salt.

The taste was so very superior over jarred mayonnaise.  And it was a lot cheaper to make too.  I guess there's the issue of the raw egg, but I'm taking my chances.  I suppose I could use a pasteurized egg in a carton . . .

Holly and Kristine go to Fairfax

The Honors College at Mason had a big shindig last weekend. It was part of their "we love you, now love us back and come here" schpiel.  Holly's already committed; the event was for both committed and undecided students.  Holly and I drove up the day before, on Saturday.  It was drizzly and damp.  This is the second time I've Pricelined a hotel in Fairfax.  Decent rooms, decent prices, but both have had views of the hotel's lower level rooftop.  Well worth it, though.  And there's always construction in Fairfax (quiet on our weekend visit).

We had plenty of time to kill and had laid out several shopping stops.

Trader Joe's.  Our first visit. I was expecting something quite a bit more upscale.  Just to be sure, we even visited a second store.  A lot of the frozen food looked good, so maybe that's something to keep in mind for next time.

We stopped at TJ Maxx to look at purses.  At Nordstrom's The Rack, I found jeans, and Holly and I each bought a scarf.

We ate at Holly's favorite place, Wild Chicken.  We shared a whole chicken and fried yuca.  And we really ate the whole, amazing thing.

Foggy, misting driving to the Mall.

Back at the hotel.

On Sunday morning, the "Celebration of Excellence" began with light pastries, juice, and coffee.  As the students registered, they were given a packet of stuff, including a very nice writing notebook and a(nother) green Mason mini-backpack.  Holly now has three, and I'm thinking she can wallpaper her dorm with them eventually.

400 students and their parents crowded in, even going up in to the balcony.  We listened to several speakers and a panel of students.

We were split into two groups, and it was our turn to eat and check out some of the academic and student booths that had been set up for us.  The was a nice buffet spread out in the dining room, along with live music on stage.  It was quite amusing to see each of the students head for empty tables, one kid and parent per 8 seat table. Eventually, though, there were no empty tables, and they had to sit with other people. Overall, not a hugely social group.  :D

Holly had prearraged to meet her hopefully-new-because-they-requested-each-other roommate, Allie.  We found Allie and her mom and went on the tour together. It was a nothing-new tour, but it did give me yet another opportunity to become completely and utterly lost on campus. I even had a school map.  Thinking back on it, though, I should have used my phone to display a close up satellite map, and I bet that would have been perfect.

As soon as the ceremonial stuff was over, we bolted for the car in an effort to beat the mad rush.  Mission successful.

Getting on the highway to head home, we were surprised to see such a back up of traffic 25 miles out of DC heading into the city. On a Sunday afternoon.  

We had a pretty good drive home--blue sky, light traffic, although driving into the sun glare all afternoon became quite tiring.  An exciting weekend and lots of stuff to look forward to in the next six months or so.

Uncle Al

Allan J. Holtz, of Allentown, passed away on February 20, at the age of 72. He was the son of William and Grace (Sewards) Holtz. He would have been married to his loving wife Barbara (Motko) for 44 years this coming April. Allan graduated from Allentown High School in 1958 and then attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He served with the U.S. Army as a medical photographer, worked for the Morning Call, and then went on to be a photographer for PP&L for 30 years. He was a musician, playing with The High Society Ragtime Band and The Music Makers as well as many other groups. Allan was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Survivors: Wife, Barbara; two daughters, Marie Holtz and Laura Flynn and husband Ben; two brothers-in-law, Joseph and wife Kathy Motko and Michael and wife Sherry Motko; sister-in-law, Sister Loretta Motko. Services: A calling will be held on Tuesday, February 26, from 11 a.m., until a Blessing Service at 12:30 p.m., both will be at Weber Funeral Home, 1619 Hamilton St., Allentown.

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So glad that Holly and Trevor had the chance to get to know Uncle Al. We've visited several times since moving to Virginia.  A sweet, gentle, funny, and kind man, he was loved and will be greatly missed.

Animal House

Holly took these a few days ago. Lucky is old, 12, and hanging in there.

Pumpkin saw the suitcases out and knew something was up. She tries to look cute, perhaps hoping Holly will not leave. Or else bring her along.

Eye C U

Trevor has been concerned about his eyesight for the past few months.  I made him an appointment to visit the eye doctor.

He's always had excellent vision and did fine at the informal "tests" at the pediatrician's office when he was little. He's always been the "eagle eyes" of our family, and he's never been to a real eye doctor before.

Holly's been so many times that I can't believe Trevor has never gone along. Apparently not, though, as he wanted confirmation that he could keep his clothes on.

His appointment was this morning. It was very quick.  Yes, his right eye is worse than his left eye.  But he doesn't need glasses.  His right eye "only" normal, 20/20.  His left eye is still 20/10.

Always worth double checking through when it comes to your eyes. 

And now, for this message

I'm here.  I've just had a rough couple of months.  Came home after a great day at work today to find a long letter from Georgia's dad that makes me cry all over again.  Exhausted, tried laying alongside the Princess Dog, but I finally switched sides.  After I woke, I found a text from Trevor on my phone with this:

I guess turnabout's fair play!  I've posted enough silly pictures of him over the years, and this one makes me laugh. 

I asked Robert to come see it, and he replied, "Who do you think told him to take the picture?  Couldn't you hear Holly and Trevor shrieking with laughter?"   Well, no.  I was sleeping!

Anyway, a great laugh that I needed tonight.

Valentine's Day

Holly let me know well in advance what she wanted for Valentine's Day:  a giant stuffed animal, a bunch of candy, and an iTunes card.  Trevor said he also wanted a giant stuffed animal, but Rob and I weren't sure we believed him.  We got them both stuffed animals and candy--iTunes will have to wait.

I bought Robert candy also, and he bought me a lovely orchid--hot pink, of course!

TeenPact

On Monday, I dropped Holly and Trevor off in Richmond for TeenPact. I'm so glad they had the chance to go one last time together, especially since Trevor ended up coming home sick last year (his first time attending).

Robert and I had a quiet and quick week at home. I worked both full days that they were gone. The house stayed very clean and was almost too quiet. Actually, it was nice for a couple of days, but it would get old very fast!

Robert and I tried a new(ish) Vietnamese restaurant in town. I was asleep every night by 10pm and up each morning by 6 without my alarm. I liked going to bed early and waking up early--BUT I am glad I can stay up much later most nights with Holly and Trevor. I'll have p-l-e-n-t-y of time to sleep in about five years, and I'm sure I won't enjoy it nearly as much.

We drove up to get them on Thursday. I always enjoy the end of the TeenPact session. This was Robert's first time listening to the mock legislative session, hearing the wonderful speeches given by a handful of kids who won senate seats during the week's mock election, and watching the graduation ceremony.

So the kids went to TeenPact all dressed up, but they'd only let me take pictures -- well, they didn't let me take pictures, so I just have a few taken on the sly. From the back!

More from December, Part Two

Taking ornaments down from the Christmas tree, I was struck by such a wave of sadness when I came across the ones Georgia gave me years ago.

I was there for Christmas in 1988.

Sweet Star, 1988

 For as long as I knew her, she loved animals--from strays she would turn into pets, to the bears she'd hope to see when visiting Glacier National Park.

And I was there for Christmas in 1989.

I was there for 1990, too. It was the last Christmas I would spend in California.  I don't think I have an ornament from her that year.  It was her baby's first Christmas, and I know she would have been so busy with him!

I wasn't there for 1991, but she still sent me this--a last and perfect addition to my small collection.

So bittersweet.  I'm so thankful  have these to pull out every year. I've always smiled and remembered earlier times when I see these. But now there will be an underlying sadness too, for my wonderful friend whom I miss so much . . .

Christmas Day

(Catching up and writing this almost six months later. While I had blogged a few notes and save, it's still a rather pieced together and disjointed post.)

The annual Christmas Eve photo.

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(Robert's mom is here with us for Christmas.)

8:30 a.m.   Jean: "Well, it's not like when the kids were little on Christmas morning!"  Robert, Jean, and I have been up for more than an hour, but the kids sleep on.

On the plus side, I can take advantage of this time to prepare some of the food for later today . . .

?? Begin opening gifts.  Trevor opens the first present.  As he begins, I see that it's a package of socks for Holly.  I stop him and ask him to check the tag.  Yep, it says it's for Trevor.  I wrapped it; I wrote the tag. I'm off to a great start this morning!

Lakota--aka The Princess--has claimed her spot on the couch, complete with a pillow for her head.

Lucky in his favorite spot, on his favorite cushion, where he can see everything going on.

Holly opened a box of candy from Aunt Barb and Uncle Dave.  She lifted off the top and found this.  So cute and clever!

Apparently, it's been an exhausting morning for some!

12:00 noon Present unwrapping done, kids looking at various things, Trevor and I ate lox and bagels for breakfast; Jean, Robert, and Holly had pastries.

1:00 p.m. Ham cubes -- done.  Now to begin jello pretzel salad.
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Conversation between me and Jean.

Jean: I don't know why they'd do that on a Sunday.

Me: Except that today is Monday.

Holly, from the other room:  Um, today is Tuesday!

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Listening to the epic Bing Crosby White Christmas CD, the best Christmas CD ever!

4:30 p.m.  Ha, I guess I should have started the meat an hour and a half ago.  We'll see how this turns out.  Late, in any event!

We have collectively talked to Barb and Dave, my Dad and Sherry, Mike and Valerie, and my mom.

7:30 p.m. Dinner of standing rib roast w/horseradish sauce, swiss chicken bake, new red potatoes, cheesy mashed potatoes (at the kids' request), spinach madeline, corn, cranberry nut bread, and raspberry pretzel jello salad.  Adding in the chicken casserole seemed odd, but the kids weren't super interested in the prime rib, and it actually turned out to be a marvelous addition.  We need to keep this in mind and do it again.

Good thing it's cold out on the sun porch, because not everything is fitting into my refrigerator!

Merry Christmas!