Illinois

     Leaving Missouri on our big trip this summer we had a decent drive all the way up through Illinois to get to where we were staying. Figuring most of the day would be spent in the car we decided to break it up with some fun stops. About and hour or so in we stopped first in Collinsville, Il. to see the Worlds Largest Catsup bottle. We're not big catsup/ketchup eaters, well maybe Emily is, but it was something fun and silly to see and on the way. I thought it'd be easily spotted, it was not. We stopped at a gas station to get exact directions after being unable to find it on our own. It is quite high so getting pictures with it wasn't going to happen. There was a building at it's foot with a celebration banner painted on it about the bottle and we took some pictures with that. We also brought home a small cardboard sign that had fallen over advertising the Worlds Largest Catsup Bottle Festival which was to be the next day. Our timing was just a bit off for it.

     About ten thirty in the morning we made it to our next stop, The Cozy Dog Drive In, Springfield, Il. They are actually a certified Route 66 Roadside Attracttion. They are the creators of the original corn dog, or as they called it the cozy dog. The place was really cool inside with a ton of Route 66 memorabilia. And we all had to have a cozy dog snack no matter what time it was. We washed them down with cool route 66 sodas, orange and lime. Yummy stuff we can't find at home. The bottles were really cool too with historic Route 66 places written about on the back. Great useful souveniers. Emily had become obsessed with corn dogs before we took off on our trip so this should have been a great stop for her. Too bad she didn't really like the real thing freshly fried up to eat. At least not that early in the day.

     A few hours later we stopped at Mcdonalds. This one was across the street from Wrigley Field. We didn't eat here but did run in for a bathroom stop before taking some pictures outside Wrigley. As it was a Saturday I thought it quite funny that two separate wedding parties also showed up to take pictures outside it. We were all getting hungry by this time again and so in Chicago we knew we had to try some deep dish pizza. In the car we checked the GPS to see what pizza places were around. Rob then jumped on the internet through his phone to find some quick reviews and pick a good one. Don't you just love technology? We wound up at The Art of Pizza, a few blocks away. We got our drinks and had some garlic bread as we waited for our pizza to cook. It was so delicious I was tempted to get more just to have it while we were there despite being stuffed already. The kids and I all loved it. Rob just called it a glorified round sicilian. Whatever. It was good pizza!

     Next up was check in time at the hotel in Waukegan, Il. Our room was at the end of a long hallway, thankfully with a door to the outside close by. We also had a great view of a different Mcdonalds drive thru right out our window. It was late enough that we didn't want to head to the next Six Flags park we had come for but early enough we wanted to do something. We decided on mini golf. We picked a place close by from the flyers and what not at the hotel. When we arrived we weren't even sure it was the right place, it seemed so small and dark. Rob looked around the back of the building to be sure before we even got out of the car. It turns out it had been someones house and backyard that were now turned into a small game room and the whole backyard was the mini golf course. Weird, but actually quite nice even if it was smushed together and in between other regular homes. you could see their backyards some from the course. We had a fun game and then called it a night at the hotel so we'd be raring to go for a full park day the next day. We had brought some easy microwavable things for cheap meals along the way and thats what we had this night. Any of us who were still hungry.

     Because we went to the Missouri Six Flags and this one here in Illinois, called Great America, so close to each other I tend to confuse them. I know that Six Flags Great America had this thing called the Skytrail. You had to pay extra to do it but not much and so I let the boys do it and they loved it. Basically your harnessed in and have to go up and around all these balance beams, rope ladders and crazy things up in the air. Emily wanted to do it too but couldn't because of her shoes. Robert and Andrew loved it and stayed up there quite awhile. They also had one of Robs favorite rides where you sit in a boat and go around shooting water at all the other people in the other boats. I can't recall the name of it. Not my cup of tea. I remember giving in and getting a bag of M&M's for the kids. And of course while trying to open it walking down the path the bag ripped and we lost half of it on the ground. Oh and I cannot forget that when you first entered the park there was a really cool double level carousel we of course rode a little later in the day.

    Although the day at the park wasn't very memorable for me I'm sure the kids could tell you a lot more about it. I know they enjoyed it. I believe it was this night before we took off for our next states that I had some crazy dreams about strange, bad things happening to us along the way. I was paranoid in the beginning we'd get into an accident or have some kind of car trouble and not be able to make it home. Or that something would happen to any one of us and we'd be spending our vacation in some strange hospital somewhere. Of course none of these things happened but it took me another few days to relax and really enjoy the trip. It was sort of like that first week of the trip I really couldn't believe we were doing it, that we could do it, it was such a crazy thing to do. But I am so glad we did, bad dreams, crazy paranoia of mine and all.  

Scrabble

    When her brothers go to their dads for the weekend Emily hangs around us, the parents, a lot more. Keeping her busy we started playng Scrabble again the other night. We have played it a lot off and on over the years. It's like a phase, we'll play every day for awhile and then not play for a longer while, usually before coming back to it again. I never played it much as a kid but with our kids we've played it a ton. I think it's great for kids in that it really is such a learning game. Being the lover of books and words that I am of course I love this game. It's not only english practice they get with all the words they try to create but math too when they do the scoring. What better addition practice than adding up the points and the scores for every word everyone plays. That a lot of math.
    Robert reallly liked to play and we played quite often. A lot of times just me and him. It took some time but he can usually beat me now. If he tries hard enough. He also really needed the extra math practice as it's not a strong subject for him. So there was always the extra bonus of playing with him and getting in some learning practice at the same time. Andrew didn't take to the game as much. He's always been big with having to win since he was very little. A game he was going to have to take some time to learn and understand the best way to get the most points wasn't high on his list of things to do. Emily used to watch Robert and I play a lot and always wanted to join in. Once she was old enough to make her own words we played a few different versions of the game just for her. We'd let her play creating any word she could come up with and placing it anywhere she wanted on the board. The rest of us would work around them sort of playing the correct way. We didn't keep score then but let her write down all the words that everyone made - handwriting practice. More learning.
    The past few games we have played with her recently she has been wanting and ready to keep score. Of course now Jacob is the little sibling wanting to join in and play. Being he can't even read yet it's not easy. He does know his letters though so we humor him and help him create words and teach them to him. He does get sick of it quickly and then we just dump his letters back into the bag and continue on with our game while he finds something else to keep him busy. Keeping score for three people wasn't as much fun as Emily thought it was going to be when she volunteered to do it. We wind up helping her her some or taking over when it becomes too much as the game gets longer. She is learning more about the points and how to play to win big. I think she'll get it quickly and in no time will be able to beat me. I figure eventually she'll beat Rob too, but that will take a lot more time.
    Rob plays very well and always plays to win. When we were dating we had to stop playing Scrabble altogether because it caused too many fights. We are both a bit too competitive and I'm really not a good loser. Yes I can admit that. I've since given up trying to beat him so we could all play as a family. We rarely play just the two of us. Every once in awhile when I'm feeling lucky or know I can take the loss we do. Sometimes drinks are involved and it really doesn't matter. I think I'm good with the words it's finding the best places for maximum points on the board where he royally kicks my butt.
     I'm looking forward to most likely playing tonight with Robert and maybe Andrew too when they get home from their dads. I know Emily will want to play yet again and I'm curious to see how she does against Robert now that she seems to be understanding better how to get more points for her words. She has come up with some great words but we've mostly shown her the best places on the board for them. She has always loved words and used to write down all she could think of in a notebook when she was little. Now she has learned cursive in school she writes everything that way, happy to show off her new talent. I'm so looking forward to her beating her dad at Scrabble that first time. I know she will. She's a quick learner and loves learning. Scrabble may just be played quite a bit here in the next few weeks, or months, or so. 
    

10th Anniversary

    Come this June my husband and I will be married for ten years. As he's been off this week for school break we've been playing with ideas of what to do for our anniversary. We've gotten as far as taking a weekend away for ourselves. My mom will most likely be watching all the kids and seemed excited about it when I threw the possibility out there to her. As for where to go, well, that's supposed to be the fun part right? I'm torn between going back where we've been before-Lake George-the first place he and I ever went away alone by ourselves 12 years ago. We have since taken the kids a few times too. Or, Montauk, where a friend of ours had a house and we went quite a few times while we were dating with and without the boys but always with other people. A few years ago he surprised me with a trip out there just us and it was amazing although we only had one night, maybe 24 hours. Or, going somewhere completely new and different. I usually prefer to stay with what I know and am comfortable and familiar with but I guess after the big trip this summer and seeing how much more there is out there it's like why not use this opportunity for something new?
    We also have to think about cost so that may decide for us no matter what. There have been a few other ideas that have pretty much been swept aside because of the cost. Namely, Atlantic City, where I'd be fine hanging on the boardwalk I think, but know he'd need to at least do a little gambling while we were there. That can always add up fast. I want us both to be happy in what we choose and our budget to stay happy too. I guess the most important part is no matter where we go we'll be there together and make the most of it with each other. I have been doing a lot of searching online for somewhere new and different. I've even asked friends for suggestions on facebook. Still going through and figuring them out. Still looking and thinking something different, somewhere new could be great. Of course as long as it was afoordable. That has been the biggest factor in my looking. I always go straight to rates and know whether or not to go any further then.
     It's that time of year again and I'm re-reading my favorite book "The Wedding" by Nicholas Sparks. I've realized it's so much better and more enjoyable to sit and read and become engrossed in the story than it is to listen to an audio while driving. Enjoying this book yet again by reading it and having our anniversary plans coming up I cannot help but think about us in the beginning also. There is a lot of looking back in this story as Wilson and Jane's 30th wedding anniversary is approaching and they prepare for their oldest daughters wedding on the same day. So both Lake George and Montauk hold some incredible memories for us and I've been recalling more and more of them as I read. Nostalgia-wise I think Montauk would win. I worry though that even when Rob says he loves Montauk he thinks more of when there were a lot of people and things going on, and I've even asked if just me would be enough. He really didn't answer. It's ok. I know he needs to be kept busy and moving and doing. I could spend the entire day walking the beach and the town and that would be plenty for me. With that, Lake George would win as there is more to do. Or maybe just a challenge to me to find more for us to do in Montauk than just enjoy the beach.
     Ten years is a nice milestone but we've known each other 16 years come April. Some years of course were better than others, especially early on. We've come a long way and it's been quite a trip. We're real adults with our own crazy family. We're still learning. We're still loving. We're still having lots of fun. I always thought I'd cry on my wedding day the big sap that I am. He had me laughing too much I didn't have the time to wallow in my sap. Although it's been some time since I've seen our wedding video a showing is in order this year and it may just be time to wallow. There's a lot of years there to think about. 

Happy Superbowl

    When I was a kid Superbowl Sunday was pretty much a holiday for us. We had a bunch of people over and had a big party every year. It started with three people. My dad and his two friends, Roy and Jack. They all worked together at Grumman many, many years ago by now. They started a tradition on the 3rd Superbowl ever played. They all got together at my dads house. They've been doing it ever since. They missed only one together when Jack, I believe, was out of the country, possibly in the service. Over the years they all got married and the wives were included. Then of course came the kids and we loved our once a year party.
   In total there were eight of us kids. We made banners and made up shows for our parents. It was a day full of fun. We always got pizza and had plenty of snacks. Then the game was actually on earlier so the men would watch and the women would chat and the kids would play. After the game was over the parents all used to play Trivial Pursuit. Sometimes we kids would watch, sometimes we'd be watching the WWF (as it was then called) Royal Rumble that used to be on after the Superbowl. Now it's on so late there is no doing anything after but sleep and getting the kids ready for school. I remember the pizza used to be ordered at halftime. Now you can certainly be done with dinner well before kick off.
    As I lived with my dad for quite a long time even after I had the boys I was always there for Superbowls. Long after the wives and kids stopped coming because the kids all grew up and went their own directions. But my dad Roy and Jack still got together no matter what. They would barely speak to each other throughout the year sometimes but come Superbowl they're spending the day, or now the evening, together. I don't remember the details of the games I don't even know what number we are up to this year like the guys all do. Which is why I'm not sure if it was the first superbowl after Rob and I moved into our own house that I did not go to my dads. I think it probably was. I'm sure he'll correct me if I'm wrong. That one just so happened to be the Janet Jackson half time wardrobe malfunction game. Even now when I hear about it again I still remember how I wasn't there to see how the guys reacted to it. And boy can I imagine how great their reactions would have been. That would be the one I missed. Needless to say I've gone back every year since. Someitmes Rob comes, sometimes he doesn't. I usually have the kids with me no matter what as it's fun for them too whether they watch the game or just play at Grandpa's house.
    Tradition will be upheld for yet another year come Sunday. I'm very much looking forward to it. So are my kids. There has been a fourth added to the original male threesome some years ago. John is Roys' oldest daughters boyfriend. Has been for some time now so he's been coming with Roy. He works in a deli or catering place and now brings hero's. No more pizza. There are still plenty of snacks. And of course now I'm allowed to have some of the alcohol. Last year my dad even asked what to get for me and my sisters and Roys' girls who were joining the party again for the first time in a long time. What we might like to drink. It was a little surreal. The kids, or us girls had our own little reunion of sorts last year thanks to Facebook. Well really my sister who bumped into one of Roys daughters and then started talking more and made the Superbowl plans on Facebook. So now we can all see what we're up to once again on Facebook. Though I have no idea if any of them are coming on Sunday.
     Rob and I recently started talking more and more about the mortality of our parents. Not fun, but it is reality. Though I don't believe my dad is going anywhere anytime soon, or my other Superbowl dads, you never know. I won't miss Superbowl no matter what anymore just incase. I had a weird feeling about it this year. The dads first watched Superbowl was the only one the Jets ever played in. I believe anyway. With the Jets coming very close to making it in again I was very paranoid. I had an overwhelming feeling that if they did this could very well be the last Superbowl they watched together. Don't ask me why it's just a feeling. Now, they didn't make it and it may not matter whether they did or didn't. But time will tell on that one. I'm not sure what would happen if one were gone. Would the others still get together or would it be too weird? It's too tough for me to pictue a superbowl without my dad, Roy and Jack. I think I'll just keep looking forward to Sunday and ignore the rest. 

Six Months

    That's how long it's taken me to be ok with where I am in life right now. I went into my old library the other day and didn't feel the least bit sad or upset walking in or walking out. It was great to see everyone and though I couldn't chat too long, as I had the little ones with me, I did make a few stops and do a bit of catching up. It felt really good. And as they complained about the same crap going on I just felt indifferent and sorry that they were still stuck dealing with it. I feel something better is coming along, or already has.
   I've realized I'm finally doing what I always wanted to be doing, always planned, or thought I'd be doing. In a way. Sort of. My life plan was; get married, have kids, stay home with them and write. So, it went this way instead; have kids, get a job, get married, have more kids, babysit other peoples' kids, lose job, stay home and write while watching my kids and the extras. In a round about way I'm doing what I wanted. And I think I've finally made peace with that. Sure I miss the money, sometimes a lot more than others. Sure I miss adult conversations, sometimes a lot more than others. But I've decided to be happy and enjoy being where I am. And to finally try giving my writing my all.
    Last year I helped a friend by editing/proofreading his book. I enjoyed it immensely. He self published it and seeing my name there in print only as a thank you in his book was a boost and kick in the behind. If he could why couldn't I? Another friend recently was looking for an editor for her novel she's not quite finished yet. Even though I hold no degree I told her I'd love to go over it and read it if she wanted. She did and I'm having a great time going through it. I learned she'd never wanted to write, her story came from a dream and she just had to write it out. She's only been at it less than a year. Again another kick in the ass to me. Look what she's done! So I'm editing and writing and blogging. Let's not forget babysitting, taking care of house and home and baking too when I get an order. I'm also preparing for library clerk tests, because a real job I can count on isn't a bad thing to have if I can get one that works for me and the family. That is of course when I finish my novel and it never gets published. But I guess if I figure that's what will happen and prepare for it at least I'll be ok with it.
    I also realized when I put myself out there as an editor again that when I was younger, reading constantly, I used to send letters to the publishers of books I had found mistakes in. I had completely forgotten all about that. Had I kept it up and pushed myself maybe I'd be a "real" editor or somewhere in the publishing industry, who knows. Again though, that's not what happened. I'm here keeping busy, but most of all keeping happy.