I'm going to IRONMOO...How about You? And Other Musings from a 3/or 4 Year Absence.

I forgot I had started this blog.  I would not have known where to find it. It's time for me to talk to myself once again- and thereby share my stories.  I hope you don't mind.

Recap- 2 years, AWESOME. Still live in WI. Still wonderful.  New child (Emma), same job, new triathlon club. 

Emma at 

one day. 

Emma, Mom and I, last month.

The Prairie Athletic Triathlon Club. 

Here we are in Sugar River. It was a few weeks ago. It's only a small portion of the team. 

This weekend, we race again.

But that's not what's on my mind. 

The last few weeks have been emotionally difficult.  We've had a lot of positives as a family, and as a new classroom.  Lots of exciting things.  

A new School year, off to a great start:

August Started 4K.

12.9.15

I never finished this post.  12 months ago I wanted to begin again, and track my thoughts and ideas moving forward.. but I stopped, worried about how people might perceive my notes.  So now, a year later, I'm back, and hope to begin again.

Since beginning the post above, August started kindergarten,  I raced Ironman Wisconsin, got 2 new jobs, and began my PhD program.  I also continue to struggle with major anxiety, and some challenges after my parent's divorce last year including stress, and family, who I love, and who drive me crazy.


I went to a conference the last 3 days, where they said, if you're not writing your story, you should be. If you died tomorrow, and no one knew your story, what a shame that would be.  So, I'm going to try.

Here's my story.  It's not always pretty, but it's mine.

The "Eyes," Have It.

Thanks to my son, I've become a pirate. . . .

Long story shorter:

Last night, August was not feeling so hot.
Crying from his crib, I went to save the day.
With Keith out of town, and the time already nearing 11pm, I decided just to bring AJ to bed with me.
He kicked, he screamed, I put him in the shower and rubbed his back....

(side note-- my Chicago baby won't bathe unless he's in a shower.  He doesn't "get" baths.)

He calmed down and let me hold him for a bit.

Not 30 minutes later, he was kicking and screaming. Some milk and a few kind words, and he fell back asleep in the middle of my bed.

I decided the floor would be fine for me, just hoping to get a few hours sleep before my 5:30 wake up on the alarm.

4:00am, once again, screaming and thrashing.  The only excuse I can come up with is that he must be teething.  I roll over on the floor, hoping he'll soothe himself to sleep... and then
CRASH.
My world went white.
Eyes closed, curled up in a ball, August had rolled off the bed, his toes landing on my sleepy eyeball.
I couldn't even pick him up, I was in so much pain.
My kid clobbered me.

Thankfully, August was ok, startled, but my pillow and face protected him from the floor.

He was whimpering but fine.. I was stomping around the room grabbing my eye and crying.
I thought I was blind.

With ice pack in one hand, and baby still curled in the crook of my arm, we slept there, bruised and sick for an hour or so.

When the alarm rang in the morning, I still couldn't see. My eye wouldn't stop watering, and my vision was blurry.  I had to call in sick to work- which was a disappointment to say the least, but trying to teach with fuzzy vision sounded like a bad plan.

With family all busy, and new in town, I didn't know anyone who could drive me to the doc.
August and I made the slow journey to his daycare in my car- stopping to rub my eye and pulling over to cover the bad eye.

At the doc's office, I found out I have a mid grade corneal abrasion... basically, his foot cut my eyeball. It hurts BAD.

I called Keith in Milwaukee, and he came home to help save the day.
I'm on the mend, but will be wearing sun glasses inside for quite some time.

All I know is August would make an excellent soccer star.
My eye can tell you the tale.

Why No, I Didn't Fall Off The Face Of The Earth... Just Moved to WI.

Things are good.
Busy, but good.
First I had no internet access.
Then I was too tired, and too overwhelmed to write.
Big changes, happy and emotionally, but not socially full...
So much to get used to!

Looking forward to connecting with you all again soon.
I'll be a better blogger. I promise.
As my students say, "Pinky Swear."

Big love from the heart of Sun Prairie!

Beginning of the Beginning. Chicago Style with Corn...

This week has thankfully been much better than last week already.
Wednesday night I went and cut most of my hair off in response to the bird in the face....
I decided it was a pleasant end to a dreadful few days.

Through the rest of last week and the start of this one, Keith and I have begun the process of visiting the places and people we love.  Unfortunately, there are too many great people and places to see and share them all.  Our time table and budget can't take it.

As we ready the house and our overwhelming piles of stuff for our new adventure, we say, "so long," to Chicago as we've known it.

There is a little bit of melancholy in all the lasts.
Saturday Keith and I had our sixth anniversary dinner at Shaw's.  We shared fabulous oysters (didn't use to like those), martinis, and selections from the sea.  We chatted and talked about the future- as well as the oddity of having to leave things and loved ones behind in the process.

I am incredibly grateful for the time Chicago has given me and my family.  I have loved the long days in the sun, the walks through Andersonville with friends, and the shared excitement in festivals, parties and shows. The opportunities in both experience and food, and the family I've built here.

When I moved to Chicago, it was December 2002.  I graduated early from school in Kansas City Missouri with a theater degree. Keith came and picked me up in a UHaul.  (I was so eager to move, I skipped walking in my graduation ceremony. ) Keith and I rolled into town on a sunny but cold day - December 18th.  We drove our little UHaul with my meager possessions into Uptown to our first apartment together.  We spent two days in Chicago before heading to Wisconsin to see my family, then to Texas for Christmas.

In January, when we returned I hit the ground applying.... downtown padding the streets... steakhouse after steakhouse, I applied for positions waiting tables.  I was so excited, and naive.  I'd purchased the smallest purse possible- I didn't want,  "to get robbed on the el," my wallet is now bigger than that darn purse.

I began auditioning right away too.  I was told by one of Keith's friends who was an actress that it'd probably take me years to get a part in this town.  So, of course I was thrilled when I was cast in the first play that I auditioned for (oh, I got turned down for a bunch that week too- BUT, I should have known something was up).  I was cast in the play, "Dazed and Cornfuzed," at the Cornservatory.  (side note- dear young Chicago actors- run, screaming.)

I was cast as a dominatrix (fully clothed, not to worry), who's day job was as a barista at Starbucks.  I also had a lovely cameo as a dancing poo.

You read that right.

Poo.

Each day I worked waiting tables at Petterinos, (an upscale restaurant next to the Goodman- I had to wear a tux and bow tie. lame.), then would rush home, say hi to Keith, and jump back on the el for rehearsals.  The first time I went on the el to rehearsal- I accidentally took the purple line and ended up in Evanston.  Whoops.

When the show began, my parents came down to see me perform.  They of course were glowing with pride.....

that is, until they saw me as the poo.

Dressed in a trash bag, covered with fake corn attached to my bodice.
I shimmied and shook to the song, "Corn in my Poo."
You now understand why I am telling people to run away screaming right?
We were supposed to perform for 3 weeks, but probably only went on 10 times, since we had to have an audience of 5 to perform.
It was like pulling teeth.

I think I even made the poster.

As we leave the city, these are some of the things I'm leaving behind and raising up as an offering to all those just starting their journey.

More stories from the marks we've left on Chicago to come. . . .

Sleep well.

A Pantload of Horchata and a Bird in the Face.

That's right.  A description of my night last night.

Yesterday was great for all intensive purposes.  The house terms are final... we officially have all the details worked out.  Earnest money in, inspection and radon - check.  Negotiations complete.

Our new address will be coming to you all soon- we'll be moving August 4th, and signing the final documents on the 5th.  Craziness, yes.

This week has been an exercise in enthusiasm and continued belief in the positive things.

Monday August and I headed out to the doctor to check the staples in his head from last Friday...
On the way there, we got a flat tire.  After waiting for AAA to come, a good samaritan helped me put flat stop in the tire and get me to a service station.  I filled the tire and went in search of a place that could quickly replace my tire with the donut and get me on the way home so I could make school on time.  I found a great place- Acorn Tire, at the corner of McCormick and Lincoln.  Helpful gentlemen said they'd have me on the road in 30 minutes, and repair the tire by the afternoon.

Happily I crossed the street to get August some water to beat the heat.  Well, I got beat instead.  I tripped, while carrying August, and we both went down hard.  I tried to protect him on the way down, and the 10 second fall seemed like an hour of personal freak out- worried about his staples -please oh please don't hit your head baby.....

Knees and elbows bloodied, Kneecap badly bruised.  August, a small scrape and bump - -thankfully escaping with a minor scared cry.  Now shaking uncontrollably, I limp back to the tire store to tell them there is no rush, I need to get cleaned up, and want to get the baby checked by his doctor before I go to school.  Two bumps on the head is two too many in my opinion.

Needless to say, the rest of the day was a bit hectic.  Knees cleaned and bandaged thanks to the manager of the tire store.  August checked by doctor- he's great. Busy, but great. Tire repaired- thankfully, no need to buy a new one.  Home late in the afternoon, school missed. Geez.

So, then that night I noticed that the water stain on the baby's ceiling had grown.  I don't know where it's from, so I text the tenant upstairs... Turns out her ait conditioner has been leaking on the floor- the entire floor in her bedroom is warped, and the ceiling in our sons room has a giant water stain.  Great.  Just Great.  Keith changed out the ac for an old one of ours, we checked the now wavy floor, and retreated to our apartment.

So, we're cool.

Tuesday, we rest.  Go to school, limp around, negotiate the building. No roof fixing, no new water heater.... but they'll throw in a washer and dryer.  Fine. Deal. Stress, but deal.

Wednesday, morning is great!!! We get an estimate on the move, make a mess, and head to school.
Post school AJ and I have a dinner date with my friend Monica.  August throws a hissy in the restaurant, kicking and screaming (nothing was wrong), and refuses to sit at the table.  He sits under the table, throwing things and trying to run around the restaurant.  Needless to say it was hard to chat with Monica (sorry dear!).  Trying to calm August, I put him on my lap and he's kicking and screaming (again, nothing is wrong with him- he's fed, has water and juice, food to eat, and a great place to sit with toys and friends), in his anger, he grabs his Horchata and throws it all over us. My pants and underwear are soaked, the floor tiles are slimy, the baby bag full of ice, rice, and flavored milk.

The waitress ignores us.

Screaming baby, Horchata filled lap, horrified friend.  Calmly we wait for a to go container...
Packaged food, walk down the street. Kind goodbyes and apologies.
Walking towards car, giggling at my misfortune.

That's when the bird flew into my face.
Seriously.

Today's a new day, right?

Last week in Chicago- A picture diary.

I've been a bad little blogger, busily out in Chicagoland, running errands, sharing beverages and mothering to the best of my abilities.

Looking back, it's been a great week......in pictures.

August and Keith at "Aqua Babies."

Sunday, Aqua Babies started the week out with a splash.  

Monday- August and I began collecting notecards for school 

next year.  On the way, we happened by a park and enjoyed a ride

on a busy bee.  Monday night I packed my closet and most of our

kitchen.  

Tuesday after school some girls came over to make amazing creations. 

Here's an example of one of my students' pieces from summer school. 

We felted, fimo'ed, and raised a glass.  What fun! 

Yep.  That's me, and a pole, at Flirty Girl Fitness.  Kaytee Kavanaugh 

showed me the ropes as we twirled, swirled, and dropped it like it was hot.

Or in my case, luke warm. 

Still Wed, after dance class, I headed home through the West Loop.  

I passed this scene, and was inspired to stop and grab a picture of this 

lovely sunset.  

I also made a quick stop at Stanley's fruit market.  I love that place.

Thursday, August and I stacked foam for jewelry class, 

throwing a ball to knock it down, and starting again.

Thursday night Karyn, Kyle and I went to Ravinia, and literally

got "shuusssshed," into submission during the classical concert. 

I couldn't believe that so many people could sit completely silently

during the concert.  We headed to Fat Cat for a beverage and chat to 

soothe our souls. 

Uh Oh, that's right. Our first trama.  Courtney and her friend Elaine came to 

visit for the weekend.  First, we went out for a great German dinner at 

Lashettes. (So Fun!)  Not even home five minutes, August was at the table drawing 

(I was standing next to him), and he was standing on a chair.  Ten seconds later, 

he was on the floor with a little whimper, and when I picked him up, there was a pool 

of blood on the floor.  He'd caught the back of his head on the edge of our buffet. 

Thankfully Keith has had some head-wounds in our relationship, so I have seen how 

much they bleed.  He stopped crying almost immediately and started eating chips, so I 

knew he was going to be ok .  It was a gash about an inch long, and we kept a towel on it as we took him by car to the ER.  We went to Methodist at Ashland and Winnemac.  In less than 10 minutes at the ER, August got three staples in his little noggin and was ready to roll.  He was flirting with the nurses and trying to check everyone's tempwith the thermometer.  It was hard to see him hurt, but I'm so glad he is ok. Of course we came home and he was all over the house climbing right away.    

We went to the beach on Saturday. Someone tiny ran right into the water. 

He was so excited. On the way home, he refused to let me put a blanket or 

warm shirt on him.  Covered with sand and water, I took him home and let 

him run in the sprinkler. 

Later in the day, we ventured out to Margie's with Courtney and Elaine.

Courtney and Elaine hung out Sat and went home early Sunday.  It was so cool to be

able to hassle Courtney again, and to meet Elaine! 

Later in the day on Sunday, I went to a handbuilding pottery class.  It was exciting. 

Who knows how the piece will turn out when it's fired and glazed, but in the meantime, 

It made me want to learn more about pottery! 

This is the bottom of the basket. 

side 1

side 2 

side 3 

side 4. 

So, at week's end (plus one extra day), we've gone far and seen much.  

We swam, ran, ate, potted, swung, bounced, ice-creamed, and spent time with some fantastic friends. 

I'l be sad to leave all the excitement and opportunities behind, but in all honesty, it's Monday morning, 

and all I want is a nap.

Have a great week everyone! 

Rainy Day Snuggles.

August and I are laying in bed right now... nearly 3 hours into my Monday morning.  We're watching Sesame Street reruns and enjoying some honey bunny snacks.
I'm so happy just to be here with him.

I know all the things I should be doing- laundry, cleaning, packing eek! Sometimes it is hard to get motivated when just relaxing feels so good.

Bootcamp at 5:30 this morning took it out of me. I've been going for a week now, and my legs are so tired I feel like I could sleep for days.  After what seemed like 100s of laps around the track at the gym, more "burpies" than I could muster, and enough lunges to tighten even my butt, I came back home and opened the bedroom door to find a newly awakened baby... smiling.  Saying, "Hi," and extending both arms to reach me.

I picked August up and set him on the ground.  He immediately ran into the bathroom, turned around and smiled.  It was time for his morning shower.  I imagine that not many babies are so familiar with the experience of stepping into the shower, wetting his hair, and helping soap himself up.  He seems to really like it, and is just learning to dry himself off when he gets out.
It's amazing how fast time goes.

When he first stood up and walked into the bathroom, I tried to grab a picture of his cuteness.  The light was a soft blue and his tall frame was segmented only by a puffy little diaper.
The picture is nearly a minute later... the moment was gone, (by then he found my coffee cup) but these are the things that catch me.  His accidental beauty and excitement at everything.  I hope I can help him to keep some of that joy as he grows.  He adds joy to my life each and every day.

Now August is cooing at my computer screen, shrieking as the letters fill the screen.
He's laying his face on my fingers as I write and tapping the top of the screen. (seriously)
Now, he's crawled over my lap and is down the hall.
I guess snuggle time is over.

Here's a photo or two from swim class yesterday - I can't help but want to share.