He ain't heavy, he's my Ladybug

It seems the seasons are a tad mixed up here in the Midwest. What was supposed to be spring was really just winter continued. What was supposed to be summer was....well.....spring. Fall? Uh, no fall--we just went straight into winter. Now we have our fall. Naturally, after winter, right? Ugh. It's crazy and confusing for animals and humans alike.

With a sudden wave of sunny 70 degree temperatures, the frogs that are supposed to be hibernating are sitting on the edge of the pond warming themselves. I saw one little guy heading out to the grass to look for bugs until I corralled him back into the water. With temps dropping suddenly, they slow down and become easy prey for whoever is walking by. I actually picked up my pally and plopped him back into the water--something unheard of in summertime. My frogs are not pets--we shouldn't be able to catch them.

I'm digging this weather, wearing my jean jacket to work instead of the warm wooly one that I was wearing a month ago. Sweaters are packed back into the wardrobe, short-sleeved blouses are back in fashion at the workplace. I've actually turned the heat off for a week (in November!) and opened the windows for one last gasp at grabbing some fresh air.

Even the kitties are confused by the sudden emergence of fall weather. Hobbes, who a month ago was settled in by the fire preparing for winter hibernation, is now back on his schedule of spending the majority of the day in the yard. The kitty door is swinging like an Old West Saloon door and the squirrels are back on high alert for orange stripeyness. He's chasing the birds, leaves, bugs, and basically anything that moves.

Ladybugs seem to be a particular favorite of Hobbes. "Ladies" they are not, as these are the evil, biting kind of ladybugs that everyone hates. We were fooled into thinking that we avoided their visit this year with the sudden onset of cold weather, but we were sad to see them appear last week. As we swat and scoop those bad boys out of our house and cars, Hobbes seems to downright enjoy them whizzing past his head, crawling on the windowsill, and invading our lives.

As he sits in the warm grass with his ladybug pally on his back, Hobbes is my gentle reminder to live for the moment, enjoy what is happening for today without regard to what was or what should be. Look past the annoyances of those around you and to enjoy the moment if it is a good one. Seize the day and wallow in warm sunshine, even if it's gonna snow tomorrow. Take folks for what they are worth and forgive. I've got to learn to laugh with the ladybug that does not bite me (yet) and giggle at the dotty armor that deceives.

He's a smart kitty, that Hobbes. Sort of the Dalai Lama of the yard.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

Colin's Tri-M recital Quartet rehearsing.

Emmett Otter's Jugband rehearsing.


Only a mom can see the connection.

I'm bringing sexy back with my band magnet

I had a bunch of errands to run on my way home from work yesterday and I was determined to get them done as quickly as possible and not get crabby doing them. All spiffed up in the work clothes, I drove nearly 2 hours stopping here and there, sitting in traffic, and taking care of returns and hurried needed purchases. Criminy, I hate doing this kind of stuff after work--but you gotta do what you gotta do, right?

After one quick return, I decided to push my limited retail patience and head into the next store to face yet another customer service person to make a return. Surprisingly, the return went quickly and I was back flying through the parking lot to get into my car. I was happy as my heels clickety-clacked on the pavement and I hopped into the van to get to the next stop.

As I was backing up, I noticed 3 hooliganesque teens walking past my car, so I stopped to let them pass. I was watching in my mirror to see that they went safely by so I wouldn't get jail time for running the thugs over, when I noticed that one boy looked at the rear end of my car and pointed. The other two thugs looked at the back end as well, and soon all 3 were yelling and cheering, hootin' and hollerin'. What for, I don't know. I must have had a terrified/confused look on my face because they were pointing at me, at the back end of the mini-van, and screaming.

Okaaayyyy. So, now I'm wondering what on earth do I have on the back of my car that would warrant such a response from some gangstas. Was there a "I'm an idiot" sticker on the bumper? Did I run someone's dog over? I don't think I've got any naked pictures on the back end of my car. Hmmmmmm? My mind was racing.

I drove onto the next stop and the whole time I'm wondering what I've got back there. Then I realize that it's one of two things:

1) My very cool, snappy orange band magnet that boasts my affiliation with The Marching Astros or,
2) My very cool, snappy Lietuva sticker that boasts my affiliation with the homeland of Lithuania.

Somehow, I'm thinking it wasn't the Lietuva sticker, but you never know. Maybe it's cool to be Lithuanian now. I personally think it's always been cool to be Lithuanian, but maybe the rest of the world is catching up. You know, those waders are catching on too, so who's to say what's "cool"?

I'm going with the band magnet. Apparently they must have some knowledge of the band--perhaps they are former band students gone gangsta or maybe they are groupies, who knows? All I know is for one brief shining moment, I was cool. Frightening, isn't it?

I'm bringing sexy back with paint in my hair

Phew! The painting of Col's room is complete and he's back in his "new" pad as of last night. I love painting-- the instant gratification of a whole new look with just a gallon of color. And the smell? Love it. It screams fresh and new while reminding me of my Grandpa who was a painter by trade. If it wasn't for the cost and clean-up, I'd repaint the place once a year.

There are many things that Joe and I bicker about, but home improvement projects are not one. He and I will tackle just about anything--although major projects are left to the professionals. We've learned that things like drywall and carpentry are better done by those with the experience, and it just saves us a lot of headaches. But we have been known to do siding, laying a wood floor, tiling, as well as the painting, staining, and wood trim. We've learned a lot by doing these projects together over 21 years, and most of all, how to work together.

As Joe was rolling the walls yesterday, I trimmed, and we both cracked up as Dave Mathews' "You and Me" came on the I-pod. Dave was singing about how "we" could do anything and I laughed how I didn't think painting was on his mind when he wrote that. Somehow home improvements don't seem very romantic, but I think it speaks volumes about who you are as a couple if you can complete some projects together. It takes teamwork, collaboration, and a little bit of give and take.

Twenty plus years of being together, Joe and I have learned the pasa doble of home ownership--trying to paint a small room without killing each other. It still amazes me that while he's maneuvering the pan of paint around, I'm wrestling the ladder, and neither collides. I trim high while he rolls low, and vice versa. Put us on the Amazing Race and we'd kill each other, but stick us in a 10 x 15 room to paint in an hour and watch us go. When I'm goobing up the ceiling, he's wiping the dropped paint off the floor. While I'm cleaning the brushes, he tossing the rollers. What is a huge task for one, isn't so bad when you've got a partner who knows what brush you need and when.

So, our project turned out great and the room is put back together again--albeit it a snappy shade of mustard yellow. The weather worked in our favor as the kitties were more interested in going outside to chase leaves instead of bothering us. There were no mustard yellow paw prints or playing of "Where's the Kitty?" amongst the stacked furniture and belongs in the garage. Even the kids were busy, so we didn't have to yell and scream about nobody helping around the house. And yes, there was a dance break at one point as Justin Timberlake's "Sexy back" came on the I-pod.

I'm thinking that instead of pre-marriage counseling or Pre-Cana, the requirement for marriage should be a home improvement project. How you go about planning and executing a project speaks volumes of who you are as a couple. I always love those bickering dating couples on the Amazing Race--forget traveling together--try holding a piece of plywood over your head while the other person nails it. Now that is the true test of love and patience.

Blog Off

Hey, what are you doing here??! Reading? Laughing at Hobbes? Looking for hibernating frogs?

It's Sunday--you are supposed to be relaxing, taking a nap, or annoying your family members by spending some quality time with them. Go on, turn that computer off and chill, pallies. Have a life away from electronics for a day. Take Hobbes' cue and take the day off. That's what I'm doing.

Painting stories on Monday.

Home Improvement Day

Sorry, no exciting tails of worms invading the patio or rat butts in planters today, pallies. As off season as it is for me, I'm doing a little home improvement work in Col's room today. Yep, I've got the painting overalls ready for the wearing and my trusty assistant, Joe, hopping today.

If I could wear my waders for painting I would. Nothing makes a project more fun than waders.

Or a orange stripey ottoman "helping" us. Ugh.

The Magic of Sunshine

I saw an old friend the other day that I hadn't seen for quite awhile. You might remember that friend--the SUN. Oh gees, it's been hiding for so long, I forgot how just it's mere presence makes your mood improve and your heart sing.

While I was driving home from work I just felt the need to go for a nice walk, so I quickly changed, tied on the 'ol jimmies and hiked Weirdville--and I did it all I-pod free. It was just so darned lovely not to be freezing or getting wet, I didn't want to dampen or dilute the moment by drowning it out with tunes. I wanted to hear the birds sing and the leaves crunch under my feet.

Hiking Weirdville is just that--weird. There are folks leaf-blowing to Metallica cranked out of their car stereos. There are odd lawn ornaments and scaffolding permanently set up to do I don't know what. There are houses with strange additions that couldn't possibly be code in any other town and overgrown bushes the size of Manhattan. There is some odd stuff going on here in Weirdville and nothing surprises me anymore when I'm walking the 'hood checking out the other houses. Typically, walking around here just makes me crazy--this time was different, it was making me laugh. I credit the sunshine.

Joe came home later and we compared our sunshine stories of the day. He went out for a walk at lunch and enjoyed downtown Chicago while I was strolling Weirdville. I told him of my ability to laugh at the wackiness that surrounded me and look beyond it all to see what a lovely day it was, and he shared his own story.

Apparently, Joe, like me, was digging the sun and smiling at the sight of squirrels bustling around the planters in Daley Plaza. Due to budget cuts, the city of Chicago cut down on the huge amounts of fall planters and decorations they typically display, but the Plaza was still tastefully dolled up to impress visitors.

As he walked by one planter, a small furry body had his little bottom up in the air, sniffing about for something yummy to eat. Joe spied the little guy and made a step closer to see the squirrel amongst the mums. It was then that he realized that this was no squirrel--it was a RAT. There was a rat digging around in the fall spectacle that was Daley Plaza! Joe, needless to say, was creeped out, changed course, and skeedaddled to the train station a little less joyfully.

It's amazing on how much the sunshine improves our mood--how it can make even the ugly look good in it's rays. Both Weirdville and the rat were somehow transformed into Cinderella for a short time thanks to the golden twinkle that is sunshine sorely missed.

I love sunshine and it's magical powers. I hope I see it again soon.

Happy Weekend, pallies. Remember to take some time out for you and to breathe deep. I hope the sun shines on you and brightens your day.