girl at large

Sundays with Nonno

I think someone has a crush.

 

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Big Day at the Zoo

My Little Sister Nevaeh moves to Texas in less than two weeks. Today was our last "Big" outing: a long overdue trip to the zoo.

We've made plans to keep in touch, but she didn't think much of my idea that letter writing will improve her penmanship.

I'm more than a little heart broken to see her go.

I'm not usually the type, but I have always had a feeling that the universe gave me Paul and then Vivienne because I first took a chance on the BBBS program and became Nevaehs Big Sister.

I just wish that if the universe were to be good to me again, it will take care of her and turn things around for her and her family.

Generations

 

Great-Grandma Mickey said she's going to live to be 104 so she can see Viv grow up. I'm now more concerned about being a first-time mom at forty than ever---Viv, have kids young so I get to be a Grandma too!

 

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Great Big....Occasion

We took the train to Chicago yesterday, to bring Vivienne to meet her Great Grandma Mickey. First choo choo train, first visit to Chicago, first time seeing Great Grandma Mickey. Another BIG day.

Best quote from Grandma Mickey, while I was nursing:

"Peggy, take a picture of this. I want a picture of that great big boob and that little head. Look at that big boob! And that little head! It's a beautiful picture. Peggy, did you get that picture, did you?!"

Aunt Peg, in her classic understated style: "I'm not sure Kate wants to be that exposed".

Cousin Jack Sums It Up

J:Hey Kate, I gotta tell you something you should already know.
K: What's that Jack?
J: You've got a big day coming up.
K: What day is that?
J: Um hello, PREGNANT!! Duh!! (big gesture pointing at my belly) So, when are you going to have it already?
K: Not sure, could be any day now.
J: Are you going to have it here at OFR?
K: I don't think so, but what do you think if I did, would that be hilarious or what?
J: I bet you'd get overtime.

Family Fibs

I'm looking forward to continuing my mother's colorful use of fiction combined with fear in child-rearing. Examples include "The Magic Pet Fairy" that took household pets to better homes, usually while we were away at camp. How did Mom always know what we were up to? "A little birdie told me". We tried for years to find (and eliminate) that damn bird. And that dead deer along the side of the road? "That's what happens when Bambi talks back!"

Paul and I are developing our own:

-No Unicorn paraphenalia allowed--Unicorns were Nazi war horses.
-Disney World doesn't really exist, it was sold to the military years ago.
-Wisconsin Dells is for Native Americans only, we can't get in.
-You are allergic to carbination.
-The vet said pets smaller than 10 lbs only have a expected life span of 6 months.
-When the ice cream truck music plays, that means they are OUT of ice cream.
-The floor leaks toxic vapors that disintegrate toys left there for too long.

Pride of Place

I'm nervous about having Paul's parents over for dinner. The house isn't ready for company yet. The kitchen cabinets are only half done, there are paint swatches on every wall, we have ants, the garden is full of thistles, the basement is a disaster zone and everything needs another move-in deep clean. This is more house (1500 sq ft!) than I've ever cleaned or fixed up before. I'm not convinced bigger is better--too much work!

The first time I attended a casual family BBQ at The Rossettos, Paul's mom got down on her hands and knees (after changing into cleaning clothes) and hand scrubbed the gleaming white kitchen/dining room tile floor. The party was in the yard and garage, she had placed protective rugs over the floor, and protective bed sheets over the rugs. Not a "sole" had crossed that floor. And yet she cleaned it again.

I cannot have them over.

Paul reassurred me that our house was up to snuff, then paused as he watched an ant meander up the wall..."My dad washes his curbside garbage cans inside and out every week. Yeah, they can never come over here".

Just Call Her Vinny.

"Mom, it's spelled V-I-V-I-E-N-N-E. Vivienne."

"Vivine?"

"No, Vivienne. Think of the French spelling".

"Vivenne?"

"No, Vivienne. V-i-v-i, then e-n-n-e".

"Oh, just email it to me".

 

This Changes Everything.

1) Yes, I am.

2) About 5 weeks. The due date is October 6th.

3) Yes, we were trying. (But our quick success is a surprise!)

4) Yes, we are getting married. He asked me in the kitchen, with his coat on, after racing home when I told him on the phone. For the record, I asked him first months ago and he said yes. 

5) No, I didn't originally intend to tell him over the phone. But I couldn't help it! 

6) Prudence, Clementine, Mavis, Hazel and Vivienne are great girl names and you are not allowed to have an opinion until you meet her and then you can say to her face that you don't like her name. Ditto for Leo, Chester, and Theodore.

7) No, I don't have a ring. I don't want one. I do, however, very much want an Engagement Convertible. 

8) We have no idea when the wedding will be---most likely this spring. 

9) And we have no idea yet what type it will be ---most likely small and casual.

10) Most of all, yes, we are thrilled!

What Other Wonders Will Be Revealed?

Mom called last night, as she does more often now that she lives stateside--- "I was polishing the car, and guess what? The trim, the trim around the windows is gold! I have a pim..., it's been pimped, I have a you know pimp mobile! And then, you know what I have? I have a sun roof!"

She discovered the sunroof, not from the inside, but because she was polishing the roof outside and noticed the "big rectangle".

Mom has taken the MB to all the hot spots---Home Depot, Bed Bath and Beyond. But the fun only lasts until dusk; at least until she locates the headlight switch.

The Things We Say

A few memorable quotes from my trip to Palm Springs. Can you guess who said what?

1) "So why did you have to go to the Internet to find a woman?".       A) Tom  

2) "That's what she said".                                                              B) Paul

3) "I usually just lick it and stick it back in".                                    C) Mom

4) "I'm so dehydrated my pee looks like orange juice".                     D) Everyone, every day, all day

He Fits Right In. That's What She Said!

Being recruited to do renovation demo, a kitchen plumbing mishap,long drives in a rental car, the worst of the worst embarrassing family stories....The Boy has sailed through the first Mikkelsen family holiday with flying colors. And Mom is in top form. But she may have met her match: Mom, as he was mopping up the water on the floor from the backed up trap:"Has she had you down on all fours yet?" Paul: "Not in the kitchen"

The Meat Sweats

I took Paul up to Cedar Lodge for dinner with Dad last night. I had already explained the fritter appetizer, but I neglected to warn him of the post-dinner meat sweats.

Family Traditions

The boy wants to know if my family photographs every meal.

What's Next, The AARP Flash Mob?

My Dad sent me two iPad app recommendations today; both of them stellar, neither of which I knew.

Fruit or Fritter?

I dropped in at Dad's on the way back from a last-minute work appointment in Menasha earlier this week. My timing was excellent---they were going to have dinner at Cedar Lodge.

Cedar Lodge does what it does very well. Which is to say, it stuffs you to the gills with red meat and ridiculous extras while it wraps you in cedar-paneled Midwestern warmth. Ordering takes awhile.

Fruit or Fritter?

Lettuce Salad or Cottage Cheese?

Lettuce Salad---House, Ceasar or Bacon Spinach?

French Onion or cold Strawberry soup?

Potato, Rice or Vegetable? 

Potato---Baked, Mashed, Hash Browns or American Fries?

Baked Potato---once or twice?

It was the longest conversation I've ever had that started with "I'll have the tuna". 

The Dorks In My Life

Gotta love the dog walker's status update. The subject line for photo 2 was "success". Good lord.

Neglectful Me

I haven't posted since October?! Shame on me. Blame Facebook.

Here's to a better showing in 2011. I have not found my motto for 2011 yet, it is sure to find me in the coming weeks. I prefer a motto to resolutions; mottos are positive, inspiring and more likely to last. However, Aunt Peg's motto choice last night, "I have many regrets", doesn't quite capture the concept. She was laughing while she said it so I'll assume there's an inside joke there.

Happy New Year!

Unexcused Summer Absences

Wow...I had an eventful, lovely summer, but didn't blog from mid-July through mid-September. Perhaps I wasn't blogging because I was out living. Or perhaps it was because I couldn't find my computer under Mom's crumpled Kleenex's. Either way, it's high time to catch up...

...huh, all my funny summer stories escape me at the moment. 

In The Bag

I'm sure I'll find yet another bag of snacks under the sofa, but for the moment, here is the list of goodies Mom left behind:

Mustard Pretzel Mix

Pop 'ems powdered donuts

Kettle Cooked Potato Chips

Malted Milk Balls

Hawaiian Style Potato Chips

Chocolate Chip Cookies (home made)

Peanut M&M's

Goldfish

I'll be a hit with the crew at work tomorrow when I dump all this on the lunch room table. They're not getting the Kettle Corn though; that's all mine!

Middle of Somewhere

Despite the restrictive pinch of the Bible belt, the repetitive nature of rows of corn, and the vast distances traveled to obtain fresh produce; I enjoyed my visit to Nebraska.

Smarties in the kitchen drawer, a stray cat in the sawdust of the wood shop, the card playing buddies with lollies in their front shirt pockets, the rose water aunties and main street one-finger steering wheel waves...Edgar is brimming with childhood memories. Before Starbucks and credit card debt, doc martins and divorce, eating disorders and vitamin D deficiencies. 

I roll my eyes and make the usual jokes about Jesus and overalls and pick up trucks. But I wouldn't tease if I didn't love. That little town is dying. One of my great-great aunts arrived there by covered wagon with her parents. I said "..I understand the coming, it's the staying I don't get...". It got a laugh, as intended. But as the fields turned to strip malls and parking lots on the way to the airport, I understood a little about the staying.  

Kindness Stings

A few of my favorite gems from the family gathering last week in Edgar, Nebraska:

"But she's so pretty! I just can't imagine why she's still single" (Yes, I was standing right there).

"So are you bunking with Stella since you're single?" (Stella is my 5 year old niece).

"You seem really comfortable with who you are. You know, you seem ok with it". (That started out good...)

Replies to the "No" after "Do you have kids?" and/or "Are you married?":

    -"Don't worry, Jesus must have other plans for you".

    -Silence. More silence.

    -"But you're so pretty!" (Well, if I'm pretty enough to be married, but not, I must be a total bitch.)

    -Pained look, then silence.

    -"That's ok". (I hope so--what, is someone rounding up the childless for an internment camp? Are there cocktails?)

Grandma Mickey's 89th Birthday

 

 

   

Happy Birthday Thomas!

Happy Birthday little buddy, I hope it was a good one.

Sweater Weather

Suzanne took this shot when we were up in Door County for Pumpkin Patch Weekend a few weeks ago, enjoying the fall colors and layering up for the season.

The List Goes On...

Just a few more of the goodies I found this morning as I do my Saturday tidy-up after Mom's departure; enjoy: two nail files 5 lighters eyeglass lenses (yes, just the lenses) 2 glue sticks Israeli marina flag two blister packs of unidentifiable medication Turkish Chicklets a mallet 22 rolls of ribbon two buckets, one coffee can earwax removal kit pink nail polish a pack of foreign chewing gum called "First Sensations" clip on sunglasses AARP starter kit Who leaves behind a MALLET?

Mom Droppings

Mom left for Door County earlier this week, leaving me lunch-less, and leaving...well, what didn't she leave behind? Little reminders all over the house, let's call them "Mom Droppings": 2 tote bags 3 pairs of shoes baseball hat 2 plastic tumblers 6 books 13 articles of clothing, not counting random underthings 1 plastic baggie of foreign coins $12.56 in US coins 3 pairs of eye glasses (2 regular, 1 sun) 2 chinese take out menus 1 Milwaukee Bus schedule electric toothbrush 2 paper cutters 6 People magazines t square sheets of paper, rolls of paper, paper and more paper Turkish hotel soap and shampoo M&M's (countless)

"Sometimes you just need a Pat."

When Mom leaves for Door County on Tuesday, I'll miss her way with words. My favorites from this summer include: the "un-empty cup of coffee" (bottomless cup of coffee) "crudiments" (accoutrements) being "kerflexed" (combo of kerfuffled and perplexed) "that microwave guy" (Paul Allen)

Welcome to Edgar

Dad and I took a road trip together this past week to his hometown of Edgar, Nebraska. We swapped Starbucks for Sanka...until we discovered a cafe in Nelson that served fully-leaded, real coffee. Thank god for small miracles. Thank god for small towns.

That's Reason Enough

Mom's coming home for the summer! She called a few days ago, "I just booked a flight, I'll be in on Friday, it's too hot here" (she's in ... Israel).

Storm Warning

Even if the bedroom window had not been open, the thunderstorm earlier this week would have woken me. It was a huge, booming monster of a storm--at one point, the thunder following the lightning by only one second--it was right above the house. I was dreaming when it began, and as the windows rattled from the wind, the storm became intertwined in my dream. As did Buncle Tom's midget story told the previous afternoon. Correction: Buncle Tom's FAMOUS midget story. The story is not famous, the midget was. Back to my story: in my waking and yet still dreaming mind, the storm was Dorothy's tornado, whirling with Oz characters including aforementioned midget, all wielding menacing commercial table legs.

What Part of Wisconsin Are You From?

We had dinner at Fond du Lac's The Sunset Supper Club on Friday night, it was the classic small town Wisconsin evening out. The only way to describe it is to transcribe the ordering conversation: "I'll have the petite filet please". "How would you like that?" "Medium Rare" "Baked Potato, Hash Browns, or Cole Slaw"? "Baked Potato". "House Salad or Cottage Cheese?" "Salad" (with Blue Cheese House Dressing) "Clam Chowder or Tomato Juice"? This is where I lost it...but I had to control myself, not make too much fun and 'when in Rome' the situation. Dad, as he always had in the past, enjoyed my Tomato Juice.

Happy Mother's Day!

I missed being able to talk to Mom today because I was on the road to Chicago to spend the day with HER Mom. We did talk last week though, and thank goodness--classic Mom, she knew just when to call. Can't even begin to tell you how much I love that crazy broad.

330 West Diversey

I went to Chicago for an Easter Lunch with the Q's yesterday---the drive was fabulous, the sunshine and big blue sky a welcome change from Oregon's permanent haze. It would really perk me up, all that naturally-attained vitamin D, if I wasn't so damn tired from all the recent change. A vitamin can only do so much! The gathering was at MG and Kurt's new apartment in the 330 West Diversey building, where Mom used to live and where MaryGrace, Kurt and Patsy also lived once before. It was strange and comforting to be in such a familiar place. Grandma Mickey asked me how the new job was going: "I don't have a clue what I'm doing". Laughter. I had brought a little something for my cousin Andrew because it was his 13th birthday last time I was in town, and another same little something for my cousin Joe because he just picked his college, and a third little something because you never know if there'll be another kid there and well...you gotta be fair. There was a third kid there, a friend of Andrew's, so I gave her the gift--an iTunes card. She was at first perplexed, but then very pleased and thanked me. I shrugged and was relieved I had enough to pass around, even to the quiet kid I didn't know from Adam. It was an awkward moment for us both. An hour later I realized the grateful little girl was not a friend of Andrew's, but my own cousin Maddy!

Really?

Dad and Jamie came into town for a visit this weekend, and we had a great lunch together. Earlier in the week, I had joked with co-workers that for Dad's visit I'd just take him to Fleet Farm and then to Culver's for lunch--you know, hit all the hot spots. At lunch I mentioned this to Dad, and he said "Culver's is my favorite restaurant!" Really? Does Culver's really qualify as a 'restaurant'? Dad: "Sure it does, they have tables!"

The "To Do" List

You've got to see this! Mom is joining a yacht rally through the eastern Mediterranean. As she says, "Going down the Nile has always been on my list of things to do". On my list of things to do today? Clean some used file cabinets. Ah, the glamorous life of an adventurer.

Adventures in Turkey

Mom saw a Whirling Dervish. As a child, I thought that a 'Whirling Dervish' was an animal, perhaps related to the Tazmanian Devil. On her blog, Mom worries about tidying up before Marco arrives on the boat---she worries about keeping house in between photos of camels and dervishes and boats on a stormy Mediterranean sea. I suppose some things never change, despite an exotic locale.

A Long Strange Trip

I'm planning out the road trip, and it's going to be a strange one...heading down to LA first to see Tom , and my friends Kristan and Steve...then across to Nebraska to visit Grandma Eileen and Grandpa Bunny, which takes me through Colorado, so I think I'll stop in Boulder. Then through the plains and up to Milwaukee. Any stops I should make along the way, let me know!

You Can Go Home Again

I'm going to need sweaters. Lots of sweaters.

Christmas Quotes

me: "Your shampoo did something weird to my hair." Tom: "I don't know what you used, but I don't have shampoo in that bathroom." Tom: "I don't know what 'gluten' is, but it sounds DELICIOUS! Can you just add it to stuff?"

Out Of The Snow, Into The Smog

It was still night, and it was still snowing. One change of clothes in a backpack, a layer of tights under my jeans, I made my way through a foot and a half of snow (sandwiched between two layers of ice) down the hills to the train station at 5 in the morning. I'll be damned if I'm not going to make it to Los Angeles for Christmas! And I'll be damned if I'm going to miss this train just pulling up because I don't have time to buy a ticket! The flight to LA boarded on time. Those of us fortunate enough to have purchased last-minute, cheap-o tickets hung our heads, not in shame but to hide our glee, as we walked through the gate crowded with hundreds of holiday travelers who'd been stranded at the airport in some cases, for days. As we were being de-iced (that poor bastard, I hope someone filled his stocking), the white stuff began to fall again in ernest, one hundred squeezed-in strangers held their collective breath. As the plane took off, only 30 minutes behind schedule, it was the first time I heard an entire flight of passengers clap at departure! Of course, I may have over-anticipated the joy of actually being in LA for Christmas --I spent most of Christmas Eve day cleaning my brothers house.

Anticipation Is Exhausting

Stella was soooo looking forward to the wedding, and then, three minutes into the ceremony, completely konked out.

Ruby's New Cousin

Quite possibly the cutest pictures I have ever seen! Welcome home Zepper! My brother Thomas has a dog, I couldn't be happier for him. Tom's lucky, he can bring him to work and his apartment building is very dog-friendly--he had no excuse not to have one. I don't know all of Zepper's story, he was rescued, but I'll post more when I learn more. All I know is, I'm thrilled for my brother (he's going to have so much fun, and learn so much!) and can't wait to kiss that freckled tummy.

102nd Thing To Do Whilst Not Smoking

I had given Mom a small set of drawers to use during her stay. Today, as I fidget for more to do, I tackled emptying them out so they can be moved to storage. Here's what I had to triage; some items destined for the trash, others to Goodwill, and if I can locate her particular Greek isle, to send back to her aboard Daste: -package of Hammond's Old Fashioned Peppermint Sticks -6 magazines and catalogs -half pack of Extra Winterfresh gum -bottle of MucinexDM -Mission Impossible II DVD -piece of Japanese printed silk fabric -one black sock -two bras -one pair undies -half pack of Kleenex -temporary wrap-on sunglass thingies from the eye doctor's visit -a pair of gloves -one brown sock -one black sock that does not match the other black sock -one airline travel pack (sleep mask, toothbrush, toothpaste, socks) -Tea Tree Oil spot stick -tweezers -Portland walking map -wood-handled back brush -3 euros, twenty US cents Did I mention this is a small set of drawers? (very small--only 12" wide, 14" deep, 26" high) Oh, mom.

A Broad Abroad

Mom's in Greece!

In Touch

Check out Mom's new blog!

Bachelor Aid

Tom adjusts to the new location of 'his spot'. Ruby stands guard. Before After Tom's new place is great, big and light and roomy. All the family pitched in to send him furnishings--from Grandpa's prints to Mom's rug to John and Molly's redo of the chairs to Aunt Peg's couch, table and bed. He worked on Friday, so I spent most of the day cleaning, organizing and arranging furniture...sounds so familiar. Was I on a break or still at work? I have a problem--even 1000 miles away, I still want to put things in their right place. Favorite conversation with my brother (aside from The Lightbulb Story): Tom: sniff, sniff "Did you wash my sheets or something?" Me: "Yes, I washed your sheets, the toss pillows covers..even your duvet cover." Tom: "You can wash those?" Did we not grow up the same house? At least I was spared the Easy Mac--he had that for lunch when I was out enjoying my time in LA...by visiting a furniture factory.

New Years in LA

I flew down to Los Angeles today for a visit with Tom and Mom (who came down to spend Christmas week with her boy)----it's warm and sunny and we're all free from work....so where did we go? The Grove. For those who haven't been, my only advice is to treat it as if you were an alien visiting a new planet, just observing the behavior and habitat of a strange species.

You don't even want to know.

"Who ever gets f###ed first, wins."

Haven't We Discussed This Before?

Mom: I picked up your dog's doodle today. Me: "Doodle?" Mom: Yes, her, you know...doodle. A woman who rates her farts at night from the other room ("That was a TEN! Did you hear that one Kate?") has to use a euphamism for the dog's business?