Random Thoughts and Pictures

A couple of weekends ago, Mitch and I devoted some time to working in the yard. It's this time of year - leaf-dropping time - that we begin to curse our choice in house. (Who wanted to live in an older neighborhood with mature trees, anyway?)

I think the girls had a pretty good time in the leaves, even though Gizmo had to share with Gonzo -





It was the perfect fall day that Saturday. The only thing that would have made it better would have been an Illini win.

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The next day, all hell broke loose in the house. Mitch contracted a pretty nasty virus and was out of work for a few days while I worked crazy hours due to conference week. The best part was that the girls avoided the virus.

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I had a few days of work for the state's educational convention (which I did not have to go to), so I was able to stay home and hang out with the girls. We had a great time!


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Tonight, I watched Gizmo inhale a piece of lasagna. It was the kind of no-breathing, no-chewing, can't look up, use both hands type of eating. I was completely impressed. And I come from a long line of fast eaters, especially when it comes to lasagna.

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Gonzo is seven months old. Where has the time gone? She is sporting two new teeth, and could not be cuter, although I noticed that she's starting to look a little bit like a linebacker. A cute linebacker, though.

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When I was pregnant with Gizmo, I was telling a colleague how ready I was to go home for the day to relax. My colleague, who has two teenage children, just laughed at me. He told me that for him, being at work was relaxing, and that going home was when the real work started. I remember thinking, "How could that be true?"

Now I laugh every time I think about that day, because he could not have been more right.

Instead of Folding Six Loads of Laundry, I Decided to Blog

It's been a while since I've sat down to blog, and we here at Casa Fifty Below have been enjoying the beautiful summer-like weather we've been having in the northland. We know all too soon the snow will be on the ground, so we've taken advantage of the 80+ temps and have been outside! (I am a little annoyed that I am running the air conditioner in October, though....)

Here's what's new -

Gonzo has been growing like a weed. Her Snooki poof of hair is starting to calm down, but she is developing a serious bald spot on the back of her head. Luckily, her hair is long enough to cover it up. She is getting her first haircut tomorrow. She's also sitting up like the big six-month-old that she is. And by big, I mean big. She is in the 95th percentile for her weight. Gonzo loves her some rice cereal! Just last week Gonzo's first bottom tooth broke through, and the second tooth will be through before the end of the day tomorrow. She is, by far, the happiest baby I've ever encountered. Gonzo's favorite thing to do is to watch her big sister, and anytime Gizmo flashes a smile Gonzo's way, she lights up in a way that makes my heart soar. She is in one word - adorable.


Mitch and I made a whirlwind trip to Illinois last weekend to celebrate Homecoming at the University of Illinois.


We had not been on campus in four years, and while a lot has changed, there were a few things that still stayed the same.

Still the same - Mitch and I have a great time together. Man, was it nice to get away!
Different - we are not as young as we used to be. Staying up until 3am, then getting up early to go to the game means that we go to bed by 10:00 on a Saturday night. I think we are both still paying for the trip.


Different - the stadium. The renovations look fantastic! Also different - the team inside the stadium. The Illini are 6-0. Are you kidding me? We saw a great game against Northwestern, although the Illini tried their best to lose it.


Still the same - the squirrels on the quad are as brave as ever. Seriously, I was so close to one I could have petted it. (I know that seriously grosses you out, Mrs.)

Still the same - I love drinking beer at Murphy's. I mean love.


Different - the Marching Illini have a new director, who is doing a great job. Also different - my former MCHS students are all grown up! Several of them march at Illinois, and I was fortunate to catch up with a few of them after the game. I am beyond proud of them.


Today we went to Stillwater to the apple orchard. It was a beautiful day, and Gizmo was worn out from all of the activities. She rode the "Honeycrisp Express", and while she was excited at first, as soon as it started to move she began to cry. I walked alongside, holding her hand.


(Side note - while I don't mind paying the $2 for my kid to ride in a barrel behind a tractor, these people must be making money hand over fist with this racket!)

Gizmo also had a great time in the tractor area - her first experience in riding on a John Deere toy tractor! She had fun trying to chase Lil' Missy, although she quickly realized that she was far too fast for her.


I am loaded up with apples and am looking forward to making apple crisp, apple salad, apple sauce, apple pie, apple scones, and everything apple.

Until next time.....