Looking Forward...

to Addie returning home, and the four of us together for the whole summer the first time in four years;

to our work conference this week in MA, and planning for the upcoming year. Geo is coming along with me for some R&R at a very fine New England inn.

to the ordination to priesthood and the first Mass of a young man we know (Addie’s confirmation sponsor). It will be quite the celebration and a privilege to witness.

to fresh flowing lake water at our Kamp on the Lake. Phil has the expertise and an amazing plan for a new pump system. I will be ecstatic to see it in full operation.

to wild raspberries in our yard, and vine-ripened tomatoes and beans from my garden.

More News

Addie emailed from London. Something I would never have expected to hear: she's finishing up her aesthetics paper, due May 14, while traveling in a coach between London and Leeds. She has planned this UK trip well and has already purchased tickets for traveling to Leeds, York and back to Leeds and London. I'm eager to hear more about the art internship. She is winding up senior year in high style.

Jenn is completing finals this week. She's already landed two part-time summer jobs - one on staff working with teens at risk, and the other catering with a culinary school.
Knowing Jenn, she no doubt has a few more adventures in the works...

The Accident

Mom had an accident – while helping a friend from church; carrying a package to be mailed, she slipped from a steep step. She went in an ambulance to the hospital and she is now in a nursing home. Her pelvis is fractured in 2 places. We understand that they are “hairline” fractures. The good news is that she did not damage her knee replacements, and she did not hit her head. We hope and pray she heals quickly and completely. Please join us in prayer for her.

Addie, This One's For You

It’s a gray day today, but the rain is holding off, and that’s good news. Our lake level has reached over 100.7 ft, and is leveling off and beginning to go down. What a relief. I think the water is running under the camp, but may not be inside saturating everything. Next week I plan to drive up to check it out. Can’t wait for quality time up there!

Geo and I had a relaxing Saturday. We had lunch at our fav Thai restaurant - the Massaman was really good. We ran some errands. I bought a rake and pushbroom for spring cleaning and yardwork, and also a cedar planter for my summer tomatoes. Geo bought a fresh loaf of bakery bread. After that, we went to a coffee shop where I had decaf Guatemalan Antigua and creme brulee, and Geo had decaf tea with a bowl of fresh fruit. Addie would like this place. It’s new, hip, and has wifi.

I hope and pray Addie is having the best of final days, well - almost final days - on campus. She knows how to plan well, so her UK holiday should be fine. We will look forward to her email updates everyday. It will be soooo good to see her again when she returns, AND to see her accept that diploma! She has so much going for her, and we are proud. Her thesis is so totally original. The pics she gets in London will add the finishing touch...I do hope she considers presenting her topic with pics, not only at the college, but also here in our home state...

Jenn is planning a celebration for the big 2-1. Hard to believe the BIG DAY will be here soon!

They're Off and Running

We're moderate political junkies. Like some people are sports enthusiasts, we follow politics. It's not the political race itself, but it's ABOUT the political race that interests us - the personalities, the strategies, the rhetoric and counter-rhetoric, the drama, the commentary, the historical significance, etc.
Geo and I are among the few who intently watched the first Democrat debate. The only "fireworks" I could see was between Rep. Dennis Kucinich and Sen.Barack Obama who took him on. Sen. Obama "scored points" on that exchange.
The whole debate was overall boring except for the entertaining former Senator from Alaska, Mike Gravel. He is turning out to be the "Al Sharpton" of this crew. Sen. Clinton certainly presented herself well, looking most comfortable of everyone on stage. Sen. Edwards surprised me with his philosophical clarity on the US being viewed once again as a force for good in the world, including some practical applications, but he appears a little too blow-dried, too "packaged" with his $400 haircut, for widespread appeal to the electorate. Governor Richardson was sweating so profusely, I couldn't help but wonder what he'd do in the Oval Office when he'd really be under pressure. And Sen. Dodd and Sen. Biden? What else is new...
Chris Matthews was certainly gushing over Sen.Obama over and again, post debate. He's becoming Sen. Obama's number one cheerleader. On the other hand, Matthews usually brings up "Hillary's unfavorability rating." Seems Matthews wants to take her down a peg to see a real battle ensue between Clinton and Obama. Eventually, a Clinton/Obama ticket could be powerful. Obviously, the country is looking for change, big-time. A Presidential candidate of the female persuasion with a running mate who identifies as an African American would be defining change for our country.
And Keith Olbermann? I do like his new glasses.

Anticipation

It's quite sad hearing the alarming weather reports from across the nation. A Nor'easter is heading our direction with the major impact expected to occur after midnight on Sunday. Monday will be messy with wet heavy snow. And this is mid April.
This time of year I am concerned about late snow accumulations, April showers, rapid snow melt due to rapidly rising temps, and rising lake levels that may cause flooding. Our little Kamp on the Lake can be very vulnerable. Water came up and into the Kamp fourteen years ago, and it seemed like forever before the waters receded. So every year at this time I get a little nervous. It would be so nice to open Kamp early this year.
Mother Nature is very powerful and all we can do is deal with whatever she brings our way, whether that means more shoveling or bailing out, or repairing damage. Makes me think about and appreciate all the more our fair weather days, and those breathtaking sunsets on the West Shore.
Looks like Monday may be a "snow day" work- at- home day. Keep safe, everyone!

Proud Parent Report

Jenn just called to say she was elected President of Psy Chi at her college. What a wonderful honor. And one of her photos from Thailand took a first place award in a travel abroad college photo contest. Congrats, Jenn!

Addie blew us away with her email to say she is completing her senior thesis with a 2 week trip to London BEFORE graduation in May. She saved money for her trip by working extra hours and using borrowed (not purchased) textbooks for the semester. She has arranged to stay with friends. It has taken a lot of juggling for her to schedule her class time and thesis presentation to her profs, especially since her thesis is interdisciplinary and she attends classes at 2 different campuses.

You two never cease to amaze me. Thank you for making us proud!

Decisions

Jenn selected classes for her final undergrad year: History of Psych, Theories of Counseling, Science and Religion, Independent Research, and Practicum. I hear she has a research topic, but I’ll keep that “in mind” and “close to my heart” until I hear more.

Addie has been accepted at 4 grad schools in the UK; she seems most excited about York and her study of Aesthetics. HOW will this come to be, and WHEN? Stay tuned. She is pursuing this with focused determination.

Geo and I have quite a weekend ahead of us. We’re going to a student play at Jenn’s college, then tomorrow nite it’s the Dean’s List celebration and dinner with Jenn afterwards. Our place to dine? Yet to be determined...On Sunday Geo and I will be getting ready for a work trip to Boston – 2 jobs, 1 trip, very convenient.

As for Lucy? We decided to give her a short vacation... at the Crate Escape.

It’s My Birthday, and …

when I drove by Speedy n Earl’s, there was a parking spot right in front! So I pulled over and stopped in to discover that they brewed Guatemalan Antigua today – my favorite coffee! For lunch I had a birthday burrito at Mo’s.

Jenn came over last night while we were gone. She did some decorating AND she brought over a home-baked cake with caramel pecan frosting. She also gave me a CD of songs to drive by. I enjoyed them while cruising around town today. Love that Velvet Sea.

Mom called and Addie emailed best wishes.

Wednesday the celebration continues with dinner downtown with Geo.

Peach Pecan Coffee Cake

By request, here it is, so EZ to do...
Mix together:
2 beaten eggs
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 - 15 oz can sliced peaches with juice
generous 1/2 cup pecan pieces

Pour into 13x9x2 inch baking pan.
Top with 1/4 cup brown sugar.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.

For dessert, serve with whipped cream.
And now you have it...

23 on the 25th

Our 23rd Wedding anniversary. Geo got reservations at an upscale local restaurant. We had the choice table near the fireplace. When the manager learned it was a special day for us, just as we were seated we were served champagne - on the house. The meal was excellent, the service could not have been better. It was a perfect dining experience, but best of all, our meal extended for three hours. It was just the two of us, no distractions, relaxing ambiance with candlelight, and a delightful way to spend an anniversary evening. I was reminded of leisure time in Hawaii 23 years ago, before kids (We love you!) and the hectic pace of life that has somehow overtaken us. #23 is a memorable one for me. Thank you, Geo!

The Future Has Just Begun

Nothing major happening.
I took off from work for our trip to visit Jim and Kay, but Geo’s work took priority, something we could not predict...so a vacation for us will need to happen at a future date.
I’ve been asked to mentor 3 new team leaders at work. Training is what I like best about my job.
Addie is pursuing her dream of graduate work in Great Britain. An expensive route, especially with the exchange rate, but if anyone can make it happen, it’s Addie. She reaches high and learns so much in the process. If, however, she ends up at grad school a little closer to home, that would be A-OK with us.
Jenn just became “van-certified” at her college. That means she can take her turn driving students to the homeless shelter for meal prep. She’s also acing her psych classes. She enjoyed Thailand so much. Would be neat for her to do grad work/service over there.
What did I hear this morning? “The future has just begun....,” meaning, take that step forward from where you are now.
Geo and I are looking at a Steubenville conference on Scripture this summer. I’ve been in need of a good conference to keep myself directed in the right way. All the better to share with Geo.
He and some of his guy friends are beginning a new exploration of the Book of Revelations. I pointed him toward Scott Hahn’s book for some background from the Catholic perspective.
Tonight we are invited to Mike and Carol’s for pinochle and dessert. Geo doesn’t play pinochle, but he really likes dessert. I’ve offered to teach him, and he says, “In time, not yet...” Geo, the future begins now!