At Home Happenings

2012-02-09T10:31:00.000-08:00

2012-02-02T09:20:00.000-08:00

Buffalo Grove, Illinois, February 2011
I am glad to be enjoying our "Snow in the mountains, rain in the valley" winter!

2012-01-29T19:26:00.002-08:00

Speedy Spud Soup

1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
1Tbsp butter
1/2 cup chopped ham-lunch meat works fine
3 cups milk
1 pkg Idahoan Garlic and Herb mashed potato's
Salt and Pepper to taste
Tony Chachere's or Zatarain's Creole Seasoning to taste (start small)
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

In a medium sauce pan melt butter and saute onion until very soft. Add ham and cook until lightly browned. Add milk and bring just to a boil. Stir in mashed potato's and remove from heat, stirring until thickened. Add seasonings and grated cheese. Extra milk may be needed to thin or make it the consistency you prefer. Serves 4

HURRAY!

2012-01-07T08:29:00.000-08:00

This is what we woke up to this morning. It won't last long, but isn't it beautiful! Enjoy!

What I am wishing for.........

2012-01-02T10:20:00.000-08:00

Gratitude......

2011-12-02T12:14:00.000-08:00

Cooking and baking are not my favorite things to do, but after a year of using (or not using) a toaster oven I am really grateful for my full sized oven! I am also grateful for a great bread recipe and for a husband who did not give up on me when everything I baked that required yeast turned into "road apples"!

Autumn......

2011-11-09T06:09:00.000-08:00

Fall is my favorite time of the year for many reasons. The smell of the grapes on the vine then the juice aroma throughout the house is one of them! I think I went a little overboard this year so if you come to visit and I don't offer you some grape juice, please ask.

2011-10-25T11:13:00.000-07:00

Under Construction-Again.......

I-90 West

2011-09-28T12:26:00.000-07:00

Last year when we headed to Chicago we drove on I-80 East. We decided to come home by way of I-90 West. We didn't stop for the "Spam Museum", the "Giant Jolly Green Giant" or the "Corn Palace". We did however stop in Wall, South Dakota and see Wall Drug. At least I can now say I have "been there, done that". The best stop we made was to see Mount Rushmore! It was amazing! We had heard things like "It isn't as big as it looks in the pictures" and "Yes, I think it was worth it-I guess". You can tell we did not have big expectations, but we both loved it! I would recommend it to everyone. We also made a quick stop at Little Big Horn which was not as amazing but it was interesting. Once we saw the beautiful Gallatin National Forest we knew we were far enough west! A quick visit in Island Park, Idaho and Rexburg brought us home. We have now started our next chapter which I am entitling, "Returned to Life".

Last views of the Lake........

2011-09-27T15:46:00.000-07:00

We couldn't leave Chicago without having one last look at Lake Michigan. Glencoe Beach is really our favorite, and one of the things I will miss.

September 8, 2010 to September 8, 2011

2011-09-07T14:33:00.000-07:00

We are down to the last 16 hrs of this wonderful adventure called "Chicagoland". It feels great to have everything almost packed and ready to go. Our little "dorm room" is looking more like a hotel now that Steve's books have been packed and the dresser is no longer being used as a book shelf. We are homeward bound!

2011-09-03T14:18:00.000-07:00

THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF FUNERAL SERVICE EXAMINING BOARDS

We are pleased to inform you that you have passed both the Arts and the Sciences sections of the National Board Exam.An official certified copy of your scores will be sent to the state that you indicated on your application. You should check with the state in which you are seeking licensure for any other requirements that they might have. Please note that in order to pass the National Board Examination you must pass both the Arts and the Sciences sections with a scaled score of 75 on each examination respectively.

Good old Joe's

2011-09-03T08:55:00.000-07:00

These are pictures of my favorite market. It felt a little odd taking pictures at a grocery store and I lost my nerve after only a few shots. Looking toward the front from the back of the store gives quite a panoramic view. Even the ceiling is painted like a summer sky with clouds.They always have old 40's music playing; Sinatra and such. The Gelato stand at the front of the store tops off the "Italian" theme. I am going to miss the Russian Rye Bread I get here.

Restorative Arts.......

2011-08-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

We are not sure if this guy will make it home with us so I took some pictures for everyone to see Steve's final creation. I think Steve's artistic abilities really shine through here. His final score on this was 94%. Could Steve help it if this guy is a little underfed and malnourished?! I will do my best to see if we can get him home in one piece.

More signs.......

2011-08-16T15:37:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more signs. Let me know what these signs "said" to you!

What does that sign say?

2011-08-16T15:31:00.001-07:00

These signs "spoke" to me so I thought I would share them. See if they "speak" to you.

More Therapy.......

2011-08-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday we went to the Illinois Railway Museum located in Union, IL. We both love trains and old things so it was a real treat! Steve's comment was "It is well worth the admission price." We spent the day looking at the old trains in various stages of restoration and rode the Nebraska Zephyr which was used as a commuter train between Chicago and Rockford in the 1940's. We are thinking about a trip by train to Glenwood Springs, Co. over UEA. All aboard!?

What is your "therapy"?

2011-08-03T07:51:00.000-07:00

Therapeutic-"Causing someone to feel happy and more relaxed or to be healthy".

I think I finally understand why Steve has always said that pulling weeds is "therapy" for him! He is known for actually liking to do the weeding around the yard. To clarify that, he is known for actually liking to weed around "our" yard! (Don't ask him to pull your weeds, it isn't therapeutic that way) Last week we had the opportunity to water our friends garden while they were on vacation. We didn't actually have to water much due to the heavy rains we received (9 inches in one week) but took advantage of the situation and did some weeding. Since we don't have a yard here, we both found it very therapeutic. Weeding is somewhat like knitting.....it is something peaceful you can do on your own or while with others, your mind can roam while your hands are busy and in the end you have something to show for your efforts!

Steve mentioned the other day that sculpting is somewhat therapeutic for him. This sculpture has a deadline which makes it not as therapeutic as weeding was, but therapeutic non the less. I think he has quite a talent for art, but he says he wants to stick with weeding. I am not sure whether to be happy about that or not.

The Big Silver Jelly Bean......

2011-07-17T12:59:00.000-07:00

I love going into The City and enjoying the sites with our visitors. Each time we go, something that wasn't my favorite the last time grows on me and it becomes a new favorite! I wanted to see this sculpture at Millennial Park and would have been contented to see it from afar but Jeff made sure I saw it up close and personal! For being a "Giant Jelly Bean" it is pretty impressive. It is fun to watch how everyone enjoys getting close to "the bean" and the different ways they take pictures. The reflection of the city is pretty cool too. This last time we were there I loved how the park brings people and families together. Kids love playing in the fountains and parents love watching them! I am sure the planners of Millennial Park had just these things in mind because there is a variety of activities there. It is a wonderful use of "green space" and I recommend it to everyone, even if you are really fond of jellybeans!

Celebrating July 4th

2011-07-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

We had the relaxing opportunity to spend some time at this family "Lake House" on Lake Thunderbird over the July 4th weekend. I am still amazed at the generosity and Mid Western Hospitality we enjoy here. The favorite phrase seems to be "Come on in; can I get you something to drink?" Then comes the offer of a piece of cake. I am not sure if it is just some people, but cake seems to be part of that hospitality also. In my wild imagination (Remember Robert Parker Coffin Road) I can visualize a lonely pioneer woman looking over the prairie and upon seeing dust in the distance, quickly mixing up a cake for her soon to arrive visitors! She probably hasn't seen anyone except her husband and children for at least a month and is excited to have company and get some "talk". Was this the beginnings of "Mid Western Hospitality"? We enjoyed swimming in the lake, relaxing on the deck and watching the fireworks show over the lake. We were privileged to eat "Grandads Chicken" from a secret family recipe, oh, and great cake!

Time to get "progressive" lenses?

2011-06-24T07:40:00.000-07:00

This little guy has it exactly right. Grandpa wears his glasses on his eyes, Grandma wears her glasses on her head!

Latest project.....

2011-06-16T07:15:00.000-07:00

I always thought I wanted to "piece" a quilt someday but after seeing the beautiful quilts my sisters make I decided maybe this kind of thing was not for me. I tend to not be "precise and accurate" in my cutting and don't have much of an eye for color matching. I also don't have enough patience for projects that take too long or cost too much. Rather than give up, or work on my precision and patience I think I found a quilt that fits me! I decided I am into "utility" and that is O.K. This little Levi baby quilt fits the bill. It didn't cost much, it didn't take much time, it didn't have to be too accurate and it didn't take much of an "eye" to match things up! It is just the thing to throw on the floor before you lay your baby on it. I think I will actually do more of this quilt and perhaps I can improve my precision and patience.

Seeing the sites......

2011-06-08T12:53:00.000-07:00

These are a few of the pieces of Tiffany Glass on exhibit at the Navy Pier. Mostly the Pier is what I would call a "tourist trap" with expensive shops etc. There are boats that feature different types of tours such as the "Architectural Tour" which takes you along the Chicago skyline and explains all of the old buildings. Chicago is known for its breakthrough engineering when it come to sky scrapers of course! ( Apparently the "Sears" tower which is now the "Willis"tower is changing hands again, but the name won't be changed) You can catch a "water taxi" that will take you up the river to different areas of the city like China town. The stained glass exhibit is maybe the best reason to visit the Pier except to be able to say you have been there!

Old Nauvoo

2011-05-31T17:39:00.000-07:00

We took a quick trip to Nauvoo this past weekend and although it was short, it was just what we needed. I am not going to try to explain how we felt or what we did only to say that attending the Nauvoo Temple was definitely the highlight of the trip! We stayed in an old historic hotel (not the bed and breakfast that everyone talks about) that was very quaint and although small was perfect for the whole "experience". Like everyone else, we met someone who knew someone we knew! We also made a pact not to apply for a visitors center mission when that time comes......

Mama Goose

2011-05-29T16:54:00.001-07:00

Although many people do not really like the Canadian Geese I have had a fascination with them since we arrived last September. Most of them left for the winter, but I did see just a few here and there even in the snow. These pictures are of a mother goose sitting on her nest in the parking lot of the gym next door to our building. I thought it was interesting that someone put up the barricade so cars would not park too close. Someone also put a paper cup of water close beside her. Several times I saw what I would suspect was the "papa" hanging around. This goose sat for at least two weeks. Then one day the nest was empty. The picture of the not so little goslings was taken at Lincoln Park Zoo as I did not actually see the little ones in this nest. They do grow really fast though and I can see why there are so many geese in this area!

The Best Part of Last Week

2011-05-22T15:38:00.000-07:00

This past week we visited Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago Heritage Museum, Navy Pier, Chicago Botanic Gardens, Millennial Park and the Shedd Aquarium. This little guy was the best part of it all!

The Great Chicago Skyline Made Better

2011-05-16T20:22:00.000-07:00

No time to blog! I am having too much fun seeing great sites with great family and catching up on the hugs I am giving this little guy!

Tenacious or Mis-Identified

2011-05-02T07:14:00.000-07:00

This could be a long explanation so stay with me. The other day a huge truck full of mulch pulled into the parking lot. Behind it was attached a "hopper" type machine. Coming from that machine was a large hose which was at least as big around as a dryer vent. The men shoveled or pushed the mulch from the truck into the hopper which was then gently "sprayed" through the hose and onto the surrounding flower beds. The person holding the hose could direct where the mulch was laid down and could keep it off of the newly emerged plants and shrubs. Great improvement over the "Wheelbarrow and Shovel" method. I could not see the end of the hose from my vantage point on the third floor, but the results were pretty dramatic when I went out later in the day. The sprouted greenery lay in stark contrast to the brown mulch. As I admired the effect of this I noticed one small plant up by the door. Yes, it was the Dandelion. It was big enough that I did not think it had sprouted up through the mulch in such a short time frame.(morning to afternoon) Was one man's annual another man's weed or is the dandelion really such a tenacious plant?

Secrets to Toaster Oven Baking

2011-04-24T20:22:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon at home means baking time for Steve. It has been a little difficult out here with only a toaster oven. Toaster ovens are great for casseroles and meat loaf, but not so good for baked goods like Steve's famous Peanut Butter Bars or Grandma White's Banana Bread. When we get home I think he should publish a new cookbook titled "Secrets to Toaster Oven Baking". This is Grandma White's Banana Bread! Notice the cooling rack is actually the cheese grater! YUM!

"Tornado Alley"

2011-04-16T09:33:00.000-07:00

This post is not so much about the title, but about my increasing computer literacy. I actually went to Wikipedia and used "copy/paste". Next I am going to work on bringing in pictures from the internet to make things really exciting! So my friend was right, Chicago is part of a "Tornado Alley". That knowledge is not too comforting......
The most common definition of Tornado Alley is the location where the strongest tornadoes occur most frequently and was first coined by Jennifer L. Wiley in 1904. The core of Tornado Alley consists of the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, eastern South Dakota, and the Colorado Eastern Plains.^[5] However, Tornado Alley can be also be defined as an area stretching from central Texas to the Canadian prairies and from eastern Colorado to western Pennsylvania.^[1] It can also be argued that there are numerous Tornado Alleys. In addition to the Texas/Oklahoma/Kansas core, such areas include the Ohio Valley, the southern Great Lakes, the Tennessee Valley and the lower Mississippi valley.

After all this is Buffalo Grove Cont. ......

2011-04-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

Can you tell there isn't much happening around here? The only thing I could think to blog about was my "Chicago Hair" or Buffalo Bob's Friends. I finally got the nerve to stop and take a few pictures. Since this including getting out of the car and getting up close and personal it took quite a bit of nerve. They warn you not to get too close to these guys in Yellowstone Park. People have been gored! On closer inspection I noticed that one guy is more "life sized" than the others. I like to think he was the inspiration for the rest. Mr. Exercise Gear shows that the wind is still blowing here in Chicago, only a bit harder lately. One of my friends says we live in what is called "Tornado Alley"; that area from the Gulf of Mexico through Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois where tornados are common. Perhaps we could have a little enlightenment about this. (Linds) With the recent tornado's in Wisconsin I am beginning to think my friend might be right!

Steve's Caramel Corn

2011-03-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

1/2 cube butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
3 bags microwave popcorn (we like "Homestyle" or no butter type) This amount can be adjusted according to how much coating you like. Three bags gives a fairly light coating.

Pop the popcorn according to directions. Remove un-popped kernals and place all in a large bowl.
(Tupperware not required)
In a small skillet; bring butter, brown sugar and honey to a boil stirring constantly. Cook for at least 1 minute or until sugar is dissolved. (usually takes 2-3 minutes of boiling) Pour over popped corn and stir to distribute evenly. Enjoy!

Creativity is the Father of Invention

2011-03-20T15:32:00.000-07:00

Living in a small space brings with it many issues. Take cooking utensils and dishes for instance. We have the basic's of most items, but even if we bought more of the "luxury" items we would not have a place to store them! The other night Steve dedided to make Grandma White's caramel corn. (Actually Steve has tweeked the recipe so I call it "Steve's Caramel Corn) We had all of the ingredients; the popcorn, butter, brown sugar and honey. We have a two burner stove, and a microwave. We have a small frying pan. The one and most important tool we did not have was the "Large Tupperware Bowl". Most "large Tupperware Bowl's" have given way to those beautiful large stainless steel bowls that come in a lovely "nest" of several sizes that fit in the standard cupboard very well. The Tupperware one's are bigger and are usually stored in some odd place like an over sized cupboard. My bowl happens to be vintage "White" but I also have the old "green" one.(A very ugly green I might add) The biggest bowls we have are not near big enough for stirring caramel corn in. But Steve was not to be stopped! He scrubbed and dried the sink and the rest is in pictures! Just to reassure all of you that have troubles eating things made in other people's kitchens-like church suppers-we did not share this with anyone! So you see, Creativity (cravingtivity) is the Father of Invention!

The Gray Days of Chicago

2011-02-23T08:26:00.000-08:00

Someone here mentioned "the gray days" of winter in Chicago. I would compare them to "inversion days" along the Wasatch front although I will admit they are less oppressive. The thing that makes them so "gray" is that we can see so much of the sky, and that is a lot of gray! One person's solution to having too many gray days is to go to local green houses. She walks amid the plants to get some "color". I took advantage of one of those unseasonably warm days (54 degrees) and visited Lake Michigan. I could hear in my mind "Sarah" of Sarah Plain and Tall describing the blues and grays of her beloved Atlantic Ocean. They were all there in the sky and in the Lake. These pictures don't capture them, but if you think in your mind the words of "Sarah" as she described those blues and grays you will imagine how beautiful the Lake was for me on that warm day. Better yet, get out your copy of the book or the movie and enjoy this story on a cold winter day........

Wind Chill Advisory

2011-02-10T06:29:00.000-08:00

In this country we watch out for each other. Take for instance the Travel Advisory system that was just revised. You know, the "Red alert" system that no one really new or remembered what all the colors stood for when it comes to terrorist groups. We have "Bad Air Quality" advisories and "High Wind" advisories. "Blizzard, "Severe Weather", "Tornado", "Hurricaine" and "Flood Watch" advisories. All of these come from people who are in the know and really want to help us make good decisions to protect our own lives. We are experiencing a "Wind Chill Advisory" this morning. I don't know who decides to give this advisory but I trust they are in the know. They want me to make good choices if I must go out in this weather. The bottom line is "protect yourself". The temperature this morning was -4 degree's. The wind chill makes it -20. (Yes, people living in the Upper Snake River Valley of Idaho win the coldest temperature and wind chill contest. Their temperatures make us look like wimps!)

Chicago wind chill is interesting. We have an "advisory" today, meaning they know the temps are cold and that there will be wind blowing until 10am. Now I am not here to debate the origins of Chicago being called the "Windy City". Some say it is because of all the "hot air and wind" coming from the politicians sometime back at the beginning of the 20th century, others claim it is because of the reputation of "cooling summer breezes" coming off Lake Michigan that make it a perfect summer destination. I will say we do have "breezes" that all of a sudden appear. That is why anyone who has lived here more than one winter always gets fully "protected" before going outside whether there is a "Wind Chill" advisory or not. The hat, the gloves and the scarf around the face always go on before they leave the building. That is because it can be fine one minute, then the next you feel the bitter wind. You know it is bitter cold because Steve is actually wearing the scarf I knit him last fall and he has it wrapped around his face before he leaves the building!!

"Blizzard 2011"

2011-02-02T14:47:00.000-08:00

I will let the pictures speak for themselves except to say this was a very impressive storm!

UTAH or ILLINOIS? Can you feel the difference?

2011-01-18T07:39:00.000-08:00

One of our major concerns about coming to the MidWest was the winter. We heard stories about "the snow, the wind and the cold". Of big importance was the condition of the roads in winter and how far we would have to commute in traffic. Once we got here "winter" was part of our daily conversation. We heard so many different things from so many people. Having made it part way through January I am finding that this area is like any area in the country. They have their "usual" pattern of winter and then the "unusual" pattern just like everyone else. I am sure that if we spent more than one winter here we would learn to know what the "usual" pattern really is.(According to Steve, spending another winter here is just not going to happen.) So far, we have had a long beautiful fall with above average temperatures. It didn't turn cold after Halloween like everyone said it would. We have had a foot of snow overnight, then rain that melted it all in two days, which is a far deviation from "turning cold and never warming up until spring".(We missed that while we were in Utah for Christmas, but experienced the same thing there.) The roads are what everyone said they would be in that they do a great job of clearing them. If Lake county alone gets their salt from Utah it is a healthy boost to our economy! The one thing that has been consistent is "the wind" and how cold "the cold" is. I can see that this will be unchanging. So, we no longer participate in any contest or comparison of how "warm" other areas are each day. We only compair how "cold" we are, and if we are more cold then we win!

Home for the Holidays

2010-12-20T08:49:00.000-08:00

These Random photos show what my focus has been the past 3 weeks. If Christmas is lacking this year I feel pretty sure all involved will understand. Questions about the pictures are welcome.

Like Gwyneth, am I Country Strong?

2010-11-22T07:13:00.000-08:00

Probably not, but I am slowly learning to be. One of the first things I did when we arrived was scope out the radio stations in my car. I was excited to find just the right "oldies" station, the classics and of course talk radio. Maybe I need to get satellite radio because what I came up with was a very heavy classic station, total rap, a "retro station" featuring music of the "80's" and a country western music station. I was bearing and raising children during the "80's" and I just don't remember much of the music of that decade! I recall that was my era for bringing out the old John Denver and Neil Diamond cassette tapes. One would think that classical would be perfect for driving in all this traffic, but it just doesn't work. I am already gripping the wheel fairly tight and hearing all those violins just adds to the tension. Lately I have settled on the country station. After all, John Denver is somewhat of a cross-over performer. His songs talked about real life and real people. There is a difference though. The music may sound similar, but John Denver's lyrics weren't so "real". I call his music "fantasy country". Given a choice I go for the fantasy! Hop in my car and turn on the radio. Chances are you will be hearing country music these days..........

What's in a name?

2010-11-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

Everything has a name or is named after someone. It seems that all of the road ways in this area have a name. US 21 is Milwaukee Ave, Ill 22 is Half Day Road. The "freeways" have names as well as numbers, like Eden, Stevenson, etc. They are not really "freeways", but tollways. I imagine every big city in America has a road named after MLK Jr. like the one I saw the other day in Waukegan. When I first saw Robert Parker Coffin Road it really amused me. I think it is because we are involved in the "industry" that my mind said " So this is the road they carried Robert Parker along in his Coffin". Which by the way, speaking of the industry; do you know the difference between a "casket" and a "coffin"?Anyway, Robert Parker Coffin Road is a beautiful road. I can imagine standing along the road watching a funeral procession going slowly by with men carrying the coffin. It is a relatively short wooded road with lovely old homes and a traditional white clapboard church with an old cemetery next to it. I would have loved to live on that road in it's early years. You can imagine my disappointment when I learned that the road is named after Robert Parker Coffin. No offense to Mr. Coffin but "Poof", there went the funeral procession. It is still a lovely road and I decided I would still like to take visitors there!

Buffalo "Bob" and Friends

2010-10-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks for trying to help me name our Buffalo. Since Buffalo Bill is associated with the wild west and we are in the Midwest it just didn't seem right. I am not sure where Bones came from but it evoked visions of buffalo skulls so I couldn't go with that either. I was thinking something more creative like "Tatanka" or "Tank" but good old "Bob" just seems to fit. No offense to any Roberts out there. Here are a few of his friends. There are many more but my camera is not working. We are still enjoying lovely fall weather which I am told is unusual. I experienced a down pour yesterday while driving and the windshielf wipers could not keep up with the rain! I hope this is not the start of winter. Speaking of winter, I learned that the geese do not all fly south. Many stay year round. Although I like the geese and have been enjoying them, many people do not. They are protected here so you can not hunt them. Some can be aggressive and will chase and even bite you. There is also the problem that since they are always eating they are also "dropping". If you own a business park you can hire specially trained dogs to chase them off your property but these dogs are trained not to bite the geese and are expensive to use. Wow. Who would have thought that you could make money training dogs not to bite geese. That adds a whole new meaning to the job of dog walker!

The Geese are Gathering

2010-10-13T07:38:00.000-07:00

When we got here in early September I noticed there were alot of Canadian Geese around the many ponds and grassy area's. At first I thought they were there because we live in a business park, but there are tons of geese throughout this whole area. As times goes by I have noticed them flying over head more. If I am quick enough when I hear them while at the computer I can turn and see them fly right by my window! It is really an awesome sight to see their bodies in mid-air from this angle. What I have noticed lately is the geese are "gathering". Where there used to be small groups of 8-10 in one area there are now too many to count! They are also always eating. Heads down, eating, eating while one lone goose keeps watch. I was thinking how cool it would be if they all took to the sky on the same day! They won't of coarse so I have to be watchful so I can see their familiar "V" as they head south. Then of coarse I will be sad.

Name that Buffalo

2010-09-30T07:13:00.001-07:00

This is after all Buffalo Grove! There are many of these creatures roaming the village in various colors and designs. This one happens to be out on the parkway entrance to our building. If you look closely you will notice he has a strap around his front leg to keep him in place. I suppose this would prevent him being "herded" to a specific place by nocturnal high school students, or from actually coming to life like some scene out of "Night at the Museum" and roaming the streets of the village. The strap however has not prevented him from being blown over at least three times in the past three weeks! What he tells me is that this is not called the "Windy City" for nothing! Since he is here to stay I think he needs a name. I am a total blank and would like all of you "quietly reading" people to give me some ideas!There won't be a prize for this but you might find satisfaction when I refer to him by the name you have suggested.

Immigrant or Emigrant?

2010-09-23T08:08:00.000-07:00

If you have ever read any books about the early 1900's you will understand how I feel living in this building. It is a specimen of "Americana" to live here where everyone is from somewhere else. We are all trying to find our way around a new city with different rules, different weather, different people, all while trying to hold onto something of where we came from. The smells of dinner cooking at night speak volumes. The garlic cooking at 11pm tell all about lifestyles.The "clunk, clunk" on the ceiling in the wee hours of the night is just TMI about my upstairs neighbor going to the bathroom. Luckily for us we have not had loud music to tell us more about the culture of our neighbors. We moved from our room on the first floor to a corner room on the third floor this week and the difference in light is amazing. I no longer feel like I am living in a "dugout" on the prairie. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about any of this. It is just a slice of what makes this place interesting and really a slice of "Americana" in the twenty first century. Many of our neighbors are business men from Eastern countries, some from Asia. Many have dogs that get walked every morning and evening.( Don't get any ideas Lindsey, we don't live in a "pet" designated room)There is even a little women with a wheeled walker I have seen go into the laudry room. Yesterday the cleaning staff were cleaning out the room next door where the man had been living for three years! Sure made fall of 2011 not look so far away.

Rush Hour, Mood Rings, and Hot Dogs

2010-09-15T07:17:00.000-07:00

Wow! I got stuck in the morning rush hour yesterday and can't believe people living here would drive to work 5 days a week in it! Think bumber to bumber traffic on I-15, State Street, Ninth East, Fifth West, etc. The 15 minute drive took me 50! (Yes, I did know exactly where I was going and I wasn't lost) One guy in Steve's class was late after his 1 hour commute took 2 hours yesterday! Like anywhere in the USA there is major construction going on before winter sets in, but with so many people in this city it is unreal. The road construction I was stuck in was going on when we were here in May, so I have to take back all the bad things I have said about the 4th East project back home going on and on and on. On my way home several hours later the traffic had cleared and I stopped at the local library to read a book for a few chapters. I can't get a library card because I don't have a permanent address. So, I have been frequenting the Barnes and Noble down the street as well as the library just to sit and read. Hey, if they didn't want people to sit and read they wouldn't have those nice comfortable chairs. I did feel a little guilty the first time at Barnes and Noble, but my need to read just won't be stopped! I am hoping to find a "friend" at church who will check things out for me, or a used book store, or somthing. I also stopped at the only LDS book store in the area. Did you know they have CTR rings that are "Mood Rings"? I can't quite figure this one out. Does the mood ring turn a certain color when you are in the mood to make a wrong choice and not choose the right? Lots of possibilities with that one if anyone chooses to comment! I also stopped to get a hot dog on my way home. Don't ask why but I still have this obscession with hot dogs. It is either because I did not buy one when I was in Central Park in New York, or maybe since I had my first J-Dog. This is how they serve them here. Large all beef dog in a bun (sometimes a specialty bun, but not as special as J's), mustard, chopped onion, piccalilli (sweet relish with too much green food coloring in it), chopped tomatoe and a large dill pickle along the open end as to cover the dog. I have tried two dogs now, just to be sure that is the way they make them here. Hands down I would take a J-Dog any day over this one. I have been wondering if I should contact "J" to see if he is ready to "Franchise"! I don't think it would go over very well in this area which is steeped in tradition! Maybe this has cured my obscession!

One Thousand Four Hundred Sixty Nine Miles

2010-09-09T18:44:00.000-07:00

Three days, five states, one box of "Good and Plenty" candies, a few tears and one thousand four hundred sixty nine miles later we have arrived at our little dorm room! We love it! I have decided that the many, many snow fences in Wyoming say alot about how tough the people are who live there. When the United States government was giving away 80 acres of land per person
I would have gone to Nebraska! I believe all of the wind turbines in Iowa are there because the wind never stops blowing and everything is so green in Illinois because there is plenty of rain! Living in a motel room with a kitchenette is entirely possible because I didn't have to leave my sewing machine on the prairie.