Makes Me Laugh

Since I lived by myself for most of my 20's, I often thought it was funny that I spent so much time cleaning.  Being the OCD person that I was/am, I would still go about my weekly routine even things never really got dirty.  Nothing was ever out of place, either.  If I set something down, I always knew where to look to find it.

Happily, those days are over and have been replaced by a new regime in which I hunt for something almost every time I leave the house.  Jacob is one of those kids who gathers random bits of this and that with the intensity of a squirrel gathering nuts.  Then he plays with his new finds, sometimes leaving them in places that make us laugh. 

You just never know what you're going to find. For example,

every time the window was open last week, this guy had to be in the windowsill.  I would take him out, and Jacob would put him right back in.  Like he had a job to do there, or something.

There are often surprises in my microwave as well. 

Or how about his new fascination with taking his chicken on a ride? 

(This one screams, "Grandma Donna was here."  That had to have been who tied the chicken to the firetruck because I didn't do it.) 

Another case in point:

He happily drove them around the toilet bowl lid one morning last week. 

I didn't stage any of these pictures, and although this last one isn't stuffed-animal-in-a-microwave-kind-of-weird, it did make me laugh as I walked past. 

I wonder who was there first:  the stuffed grey kitty or the real grey kitty?

It's Fall, Y'all

Just a few pics of the fall decor around here. 

My personal favorite is the jack-o'-lantern on the candlestick (picture 5).  I've had both the jack-o'-lantern and the candlestick for at least 10 years, but I've never thought to put them together that way until this year!  It actually faces the sink, but because of the lighting, I had to flip it for the picture.

A Stop and Think Moment

You know how sometimes you have those moments that make you stop and think?  Yesterday was one of those moments after hearing about the unexpected death of a former co-worker.  This gentleman had been in charge of Risk Management at the hospital where I used to work; he was an easy-going guy who offered to lend his impressive credentials as one of my professional references when I was job-hunting in 2005.  Although we hadn't done a good job of keeping in touch, I know that he was in the middle of making some major professional and personal changes in his life. 

Maybe it is because he was just starting this new chapter of his life, or maybe it is the fact that his death came the day after his 55th birthday, but it made me think about how quickly life can change. 

"...for you do not know what a day may bring forth."  Psalms 27:1

Completely Unplanned

This past weekend, we were planning on going to my friend Amber's in Lafayette for a cookout, but she had to cancel at the last minute when her daughter got sick.  In a weird sort of "What-should-we-do-now-I-don't-know-what-do-you-want-to-do-well-we-were-packed-anyway" kind of scramble, we set out for South Bend, IN.

<Blink blink>  Why South Bend?

I'm still not totally sure. 

After a drive that was made remarkably short by a happy toddler and Destroyer on the Ipad (for me, not him), we arrived to a crisp fall afternoon in Northern Indiana. 

Our first stop was the zoo.  Their zoo was a bit bigger and better maintained than the zoo here in town, and there was hardly anyone else there which was great, since Jacob was more into pushing his stroller than riding.

We saw some cool animals,

and watched a couple of other animals play in the water.

It started raining again after the zoo, so we hit up the mall.  For as happy as this made me, we only stayed about half an hour.  It was crowded, and the guys weren't into it.  At all.

We ended up at a local Italian place for dinner.  Restaurant selection is one area where Frank and I have some interesting discussions.  He loves the hole in the wall, non-chain places, and while I like those places, too, I usually pull for places more on the beaten path.  Taking a toddler to a restaurant is difficult enough, but when you don't know the atmosphere of the place (i.e. quiet?), or if they will have toddler-friendly food, and/or someplace other than the floor for a diaper change, it adds a whole new level of stress.  So that's my philosophy.  But this place ended up being fine! :)

The next morning, we visited with some friends of Frank's family who live about half an hour south of South Bend.  They were lovely people, and it was fun to hear stories about Frank as a little kid.

For a completely unplanned trip, it ended up being a great getaway!

Lawn Care Public Service Announcement

Jacob would like to remind you that proper lawn care is important, even during the fall months.

This message brought to you by Jacob's mom, who might have a little too much time on her hands.

Randoms

• I've totally been in the mood for some fall desserts-- anything with apple, pumpkin, banana, caramel or brown sugar.   I haven't made anything, though, because I would probably be eating it by myself.  Frank's idea of a good dessert involves chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate.  He would eat a 'courtesy helping' of my non-chocolate dessert, but I don't think he understands why I would want an apple crisp just because the weather is chilly. 

• Any good recommendations for fall TV shows?  We haven't caught any new shows.  Actually, we're hooked on the "Dallas" re-runs that are available through TNT.  We both remember our parents watching it and remember bits and pieces about the show, so it's fun to watch the old episodes now as an adult.

• My closet shelf is still broken.

• Jacob has been very into giving his stuffed animals a personality.  He wants them to do exactly what he does, and thinks it's hysterical when they "cry." 

• This year, Frank is participating in the McLean County Executive Lock-up for MDA.  As a jailbird, he is challenged with raising a bail of $1600.  If you would like to donate to his cause, please visit https://www.joinmda.org/2011mcleancounty/MyLockup/MyHomepage/tabid/243293/Participant/fjanello0/bfimp/true/Default.aspx

• I'm still hoping to pick up some additional classes.  I am now in Week 6 of what was supposed to be a 3-5 week credentialing process for the second university.  The person in charge of the process isn't responding to my emails, either, so I'm getting pretty impatient.  I've also applied for an adjunct online position at a third university, although I think this position is probably a longshot. 

• That's about all I know for today!

 

 

Pumpkin Parade

On Saturday, we went to the Morton Pumpkin Festival.  Apparently, this is a MUCH BIGGER DEAL than I would have anticipated, because the town was packed.  I'm talking Disney World-type crowds.  I've never seen anything like it. 

The highlight of the festival for us was watching the parade.  For 45 minutes, Jacob was mesmerized.  Frank and I took turns holding him so he could see.

The fire engines and police cars were big hits, and since Saturday he's been making a 'siren' sound.  (Picture him screaming in a shrill little voice, "Eeeeeee!")

Even though it was too crowded to spend much time there, it was worth the drive if only for the parade.