Back to the grind!

I’m home! Whoo Hoo!

Okay, that is about all of the excitement about that that I can muster. Now, while I LOVE to be in my own home & sleeping in my own bed there is a price to pay for these luxuries.

I came home to a house lived in by one pretend bachelor who was visited by 1 Army friend, 2 college friends, & 1 brother in law. AND a home that had hosted Jamison’s 2009 Fantasy Football draft. What this means is that the house was not quite what I expected. I was expecting the frat house from Animal House when I returned. In hubby’s defense it was pick up however it was NOT clean. He tried, bless him, however it was not good.

Laundry. Check. Grocery shopping. Check. Appointment to get the gray out of my hair. Check. (Note: Little cleaning has yet to be done!) Cleaning the house…soon. It is just too daunting. Tomorrow is another day.

Another Tornado!

I grew up in Western NY - Rochester, NY to be exact and in my 20+ years of residing there the WORST weather I can recall was an Ice Storm in 1991. This is cool, & memorable, since I was a Freshman in HS and it hit in January the night before we were to go back to school after Christmas break. I grew up with 4 distinct seasons, mild rain storm, CRAZY snowstorms, and mild summers.

I got married when I was barely 21 and moved to the South. Since September 1997 the closest to Rochester that I have lived was in Washington, DC. I have lived though countless hurricanes, tornados & tornadic weather, and WICKED hot weather. Each time I get to enjoy these blessings from Mother Nature I can always fall back on the good & faithful saying, "This is NOT what I am used to. I bet the weather isn't like this at Mom's!". Well, today that all went to hell in a hand basket.

We had a beautiful day. It was hot & hazy. The kids played in the pool. I went to see my Grandparents. We made dinner. As I was cleaning up dinner my mother sat down, turned on the TV, switched to the news, & for the FIRST TIME in 70 plus years there was a TORNADO Warning. NO Way! Not in Rochester!

We stopped what we were doing & joined the kids in the basement. They had NO idea why Mom & Grandma would choose to come down & watch Phineus and Ferb. We waited it out, came back upstairs, and looked outside. Feeling thankful that nothing was damaged we decided to go outside.

Again, feeling thankful as we went next door to see the garage door completely off of the track & their backdoor blown off. WHAT THE HECK.

I think I brought a bit of the midwest charm (ie tornadoes) to NY.

I think the Mayor is calling...he's asking me to go home & take the weather with me.

I'll be on the road in the morning. Damn!

A typical Ella "train of thought"

Anyone who spends time with Ella will quickly learn that she ALWAYS has something to say. There is never a lull in conversation.  The following is a typical conversation.  (And I use the term conversation lightly as she really only needs one other person to say things like uh-hu and yes.)  

"Mom, do you remember a long long time ago when I tried meatloaf?  I didn't like it.  I was in daycare & I tried it.  I try things in preschool it is called a taste test.  What are you drinking?  Can I taste it?  Taste is a funny word.  Do you think I am funny?  Ha ha ha ha.  Would it be funny if I really laughed like that?  Laughing is fun.  I laugh & it makes my belly shake.  Do you know the road at Aunt Lisa that I call the belly road.  It feels funny in my belly when she drives fast down the hill.  Dad drives fast...Daddy's a crazy driver, driver, Daddy's a crazy driver WHooo! ..........."  

And this could go on & on forever.  I wanted her to talk...now I just NEED her to stop talking.  

Ella turned 5

Elizabeth Catherine Hines..5 year old!

I meant to, and forgot, to post information about Ella's 5th birthday.  Much to my chagrin I ended up with birthday week instead of birthday.  It all began with a very informal party with a few friends at Monkey Joes (jump houses inside...) and lunch at McDonalds on Wednesday the 1st.  We picked up my parents at the front gate on the way home from the party.  Jamison & I were able to go out & shop for Ella gifts without the kids.  It was nice to shop with him instead of having to go by myself.  

Before we knew it it was the 4th.  It was a dreary day in St. Louis & all fireworks were canceled.  This was upsetting to the angel since she likes to think that the fireworks are for her.  (Yes! She does know that they are not but come on, she is only 5!)  We only found out about the cancelation AFTER we got ready & went down into Mascoutah to ride some rides & have some fair food.  

On the 5th, her actual birthday, we got in the car & headed to NY.  We stopped about 7 hours in for the night.  We found a restaurant & while they did not sing to her they DID have a bathtub ice cream sundae bar.  No, you did not misread, it was, in fact, a sundae bar IN a bathtub.  Good times were had by all.  This was not the ideal for my 5 year old's birthday but I am sure that I will have many more to overcompensate with in the future.  

There's no place like home...

There is no place like home...  As an Army family we always live by the philosophy that home is where the Army sends us.  With that said, coming back to Rochester is always such a treat.  The day after we got here there was a crazy sun shower & this rainbow was reward for waiting it out!  

New York, New York!

Did you know that there are, in fact, other cities in New York state than New York City?  =)  

I am from Rochester, NY.  When I meet someone new, oh this crazy Army life!,  they often ask where I am from.  I answer, New York.  "Really?" they ask.  "Yes, I am from Rochester, NY."  "Is that close to NYC?" "No, I've never actually been."  "No, Way!" "Way!"  

I was lucky enough to have my parents come to Scott AFB for Ella's 5th birthday.  They left their car at my house & we all got in my van for the trip back to Rochester.  It was a long 2 days but we arrived safely.  Now...if I could just find some friends for my boy to play with all would be well.  

New Pictures

My kids can be so photogenic!  They did not disappoint this time.  It has been months since I last had their pictures taken professionally (okay over a year) and I could not be happier with the outcome unless they had been free too!