3rd Grade Field Trip

In Indiana third graders study "Our Community".  Our school's third graders took a walking field trip earlier this week and I tagged along as a chaperone.  We had a really good time and were all worn out when we got back to the school 6 hours later!

Near our school is the local airport, 3 colleges, and a brand-new fire station, all within walking distance.

First up we went to the Air Museum at our local airport.  Back in the day it was an Air Force Base.  A retired general who commanded the Base still lives in town.  The museum has a lot of local volunteers who have built it up and who happily toured us through.

 First up we watched a video in the media center about the gliders that were built at our Air Force Base and people came to train to fly them.  The media center itself is built to resemble the inside of a glider.  The kids were super-impressed when a screen came down behind the gentleman speaking to show us the video.

The benches some of us were sitting on are actual recovered benches from WWII gliders.

We were honored that Gus Potthoff was at the Air Museum the day we were there.  He was a WWII slave labor prison camp survivor.  Mr. Potthoff was instrumental in the production of the film "Lest We Forget" that honored those he served with who died alongside him on the Burma-Thailand "Death Railway" and the "Bridge Over the River Kwai".  Please click here to learn more about Mr. Potthoff.  He spent a lot of time with Brennan and me on our visit. 

Photo of Mr. Potthoff receiving his Emmy

One of the paintings that Mr. Potthoff created of his time during WWII.

Brennan and Sean in front of an authentic re-created glider.

Jacob, Ethan, Rogan, Brennan, and Sean

Ms. Norbeck is the great-great aunts of one of Brennan's classmates (Jacob above). 

Two of the squadrons of the Tuskegee Airmen were stationed at the Air Force Base during WWII. 

And then it was on to the Fire Station!  Officer Williams was a terrific guide!  We got to see where the three crews of firefighters sleep, exercise, cook, eat, hang-out, work and train at the Fire Station.

Officer Williams got all geared up for us.

There is a celebrity working at Fire Station #2.  The second firefighter from the left is Allen Smith who was on last season's Biggest Loser tv show.  He was a great competitor on the show and did Columbus proud.

Then it was off to the Center for Teaching and Learning and Indiana University-Purdue University of Columbus (IUPUC).

The CTL houses some beautiful artwork, including this Chihuly on the ceiling that I could look at for hours.  We've seen quite a few pieces of his including here and here.

Those who worked at the universities we visited gave us great tours.  We saw what the libraries are like inside a college.  We got to sit in computer and auditorium style classrooms and ask lots of questions about how college will be different from elementary school.

This moving water globe was a huge hit!

When one of the science professors asked the students if they wanted to see a real brain (in the jar in her hand), Brennan was the first to line up, with a huge smile on his face.

At one of the large sculptures outside.  A student ambassador came out to talk to the kids about college.  He did magic tricks as well and was a big hit with the kids.  He had an important message about studying hard and being curious and one day going to college to learn even more.  The kids would have done anything he asked them to at that point. 

I'm so glad I get to be a part of these days with the kids.  I learned so much and really enjoyed getting to know Brennan's classmates and some of their parents a little better.



He's a Bear

I mentioned last month that Brennan had joined the Cub Scouts this year for the first time.  3rd graders are Bears.  He's had a great first couple of scouting months.  He shares this activity with Dad and Dad takes photos with his phone, so excuse the fuzziness!

The Den had a bike safety course a couple of weeks ago.  Mr. Kahlenbeck from the bike store where we have bought our bikes came and talked about bike safety and then the boys showed their skills by completing a small obstacle course.

 There's Brennan at the front.

And he's off

In addition to a number of other educational programs, the Pack took a camping trip this past weekend while I was in Chicago.

They went to Dayton, OH to the Air Force Museum at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.  After tours at the museum, the scouts set up camp.  This was Brennan's first camping trip and he was soooo excited.  I'm so glad the weather cooperated!

The next morning.  I was so glad David kept me updated with photos!  We were all 4 in different states this past weekend and it was an odd feeling! 

We're proud of our Scout!



10-10-10 Chicago Marathon

I was thrilled to be able to go to Chicago with my friends Ginger and Lora for their first marathon!  I had followed their weeks/months of training and knew how hard they had prepared for the big event.

They did GREAT in the race and we had a really fun weekend.

Lots of photos ahead!

We drove up to Chicago on Saturday and attended the Expo where the girls picked up their running packets.

This movie showed runners the route they'd be running.  It was fun to watch the route going through all the "little" neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little Italy.

 The next morning when the runners were walking to the event the Alert Level was Yellow since it was dark out.

Another map showing parts of town the runners would be going through.

After the Expo we had dinner in Old Town on the garden patio at Orso's.  Yummy risotto and pasta! 

Marathon Day!

We all got up bright and early and headed to Grant Park to the starting line.

 Just before I said goodbye and the girls walked off to the starting line.

On my way to the get a good spot at Mile 2 or 3 I saw lots of people walking with their signs.  I loved that!  People along the course were so motivating.  People passing out beer, water, candy, yeast rolls(!) from their homes along the race.  Families with supportive t-shirts for their runners, signs, balloons.  Lots of cowbells.  It was really fun to be a part of.

I didn't have a plan for my few hours in Chicago while the girls were running.  I thought about spending an hour here at my favorite Chicago museum (The Art Institute of Chicago), but decided to see as much of the race as I could instead.

When the race started, the first group through were those who were physically challenged. They were AWESOME!  It was really inspiring to see.

Then here came the Kenyans.  Everyone was cheering.

I don't know how many runners there were.  I heard everything from 45,000 - 51,000 - that's more people than are in our town!  We know that 36,000 finished.

In these photos I'm at Mile Marker 3 (more or less).

Batman and Batgirl

Superheroes

Man with the flag

It was such a hot day - can't beleive this guy could run in this costume the entire race.  (Or was it a REAL polar bear?)

I knew Brennan would love the Banana Guy

Loved this lady's sign - Release Your Inner Kenyan

Thing1 and Thing2

I was so proud of this couple!

Here I am at Mile 15.  It was soooo hot for the runners at this point.

Hot but beautiful day in Chicago

And they finished!!!  I was so proud of Ginger and Lora! 

Here's Ginger after the race!

And Ginger with her cousins Brad, Peggy, and Ryan who came in to the city to see her finish!

Love this fountain in Grant Park at the Finish Line - always reminds me of the opening to "Married with Children" (the tv show).

They did it!  I was so proud!

Making Peace - Oak and Popcorn

I really love our home.  Stacy took some great photos last year.  I feel bad even saying this, but there are a few things about it I would change.
I know that if we lived in a newer home in a newer neighborhood the home would be more our style, with white trim and non-popcorn ceilings.  I dream about moving into such a home.  Then I read a recent blog post by Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick - one of my absolute favorite bloggers (and I know I'm not alone).  She said:
"And one day…maybe moving to a house that’s not in a neighborhood, one that’s older than ten years old, on some land with a creek in the back."

And it hit me, this is what we have.  While we do live in a neighborhood, we all have lots of land and it's secluded.  Creek in the back.  1983 home and lots of land and gorgeous gigantic trees.  Instead of dreaming of a newer home (where I would possibly have to give up a lot of great features for the same price), I'm making peace with our home instead.

Even though our house needed a lot of upgrades (appliances, carpet, paint...) when we moved in 6 years ago, I am not interested in putting a lot more $$ into the house.  We simply won't get it back whenever we do sell - which could be 10+ years from now.  But I think there are a number of things we could do on a small budget to upgrade the look. 

Oak - everwhere I look I see oak, oak, oak.  This house is quite large and has an open floor plan.  I am not going to change the trim throughout the entire house.  I just don't have the energy for that.  So I'm going to do what I can to minimize the eye going straight to the oak everywhere you look.

A curtain here?

 And valances across the back?

Won't that make a big difference and minimize all the oak trim?  (Hello little 5 year old Brennan!)

And lots and lots more oak.  I've got ideas for this room, but am not even sure where to start.

Popcorn Ceilings - I realize these are waaaayy out of date, but really, to replace/fix/whatever the entire ceiling of just this floor (2200 s.f.) would be a NIGHTMARE.  So, I'm solving this problem by just not looking at them.  I have a decorator friend who encouraged me to just leave them alone.  I'm heeding her advice!

It's a lot of fun to dream about a newer house with more flexibility in the decorating options, but I'm making peace with the few things about our home that I would change if only I had a magic wand.  Instead I'll spend that dreaming time on enhancing what we have.

All decorating suggestions welcome!

Marathon Gifts and an MG Update

I am so excited to be going to Chicago this weekend with two girlfriends who are running their first marathon.  I am going along for moral support and to do the driving on the way back when their legs may feel like rubber.

I wanted to put together little gift bags for them to commemorate this momentus achievement.  I asked my favorite running blogger, Tricia, if she had any ideas.  Between the two of us, I came up with these goodies.

I bought a frame for each and embellished them with paints pens.  They read "26.2", "Chicago", and "2010".  I'll take a photo of the two of them at the race to put in their frames.  I got a bottle of bubbly to share in the hotel room.  Bath salts, lotion-infused fuzzy socks, Luna bars, Extra, and good dark chocolate.  Tricia suggested an iPod gift card too because they're probably tired of their music after months of training!  Thanks Tricia!

This guy was soooo happy when his MG carburetors arrived last week.  He sent them off to NY to be rebuilt and has been patiently waiting for them in the mail.

I won't attempt to describe correctly what all David has done on the MG of late.  He got the carburetors in, has the fuel pump working and has found some leaks in the fuel line.  He made a great list of parts he'd like for his birthday, even labeled the parts catalog for me.  He'd love to have the engine running in the next few weeks.

October 4, 1988

Last night David was cleaning out his jewelry box the box where he keeps his one watch and a bunch of odds and ends.  He found a letter that I wrote to him on October 4, 1988 from college.  I was almost afraid to open it.

Being that TODAY is October 4th (22 years later), it felt like quite a coincidence and I had to read it.

I was 17, in my freshman year at Cottey College in Missouri.  My suitemates and I were doing "spot perms".  I don't even know that term now.  And I can tell you that with this thick hair, I never should have been getting a spot perm.  Apparently it was only in my bangs.  Why I thought my almost-20-year-old boyfriend needed to hear about this, I am not sure.

I talked about lots of mundane things in the 3-page hand-written letter.  Lots about my Calculus, Western Civ, and Spanish classes.  Lots about my suitemates (people he'd never met) and about an upcoming trip we were taking to the Ozarks.  God bless him for sticking by me and for reading my letters.  I wrote lots of them over the years we were dating.

And that perm?  It looked something like this.

That's me on the left and my sweet suitemates Monica and Karen.