Going Home

Who says you can't go home?   

Yeah, yeah, I get what Thomas Wolfe observed that one can't go home.  That attempts to return to youthful memories will always fail.   But this past weekend, I sure did have a great time connecting with friends and family back "home".  

I was able to spend time with a few favorite couples....

*Not pictured are my aunt and uncle, here's one from last September with my dad

Not sure why I didn't snap a current picture....I think we were so absorbed in visiting that I failed to pull out the camera...

I was able to spend a Sunday with these three forever friends...

Where we toured the Historic home of these Broadway Icons...

 If you are as clueless as I was....that's Lynn Fontaine and Alfred Lund..

and this is their house...

Ten Chimneys...

 tucked away just down the road from where I grew up....

 Yep, that's their restored chicken coop

and this is the bedroom inside of said Chicken Coop

 Yeah, not your average Wisconsin farm that's for sure...

I sampled the good eats found on pretty much every corner....

I enjoyed time with man's best friend...

And of course...there were plenty of reasons to laugh...

And yet....eventually all good fun must come to an end..

 it is indeed time for me to head back home to these guys...

They needed me too.....

In the blink of an eye...

Stay tuned....more fun times await this wonderful kid I call Thing Two!



Just as I did for Thing One when he finished up middle school, I've put together a collage of pictures of his school days, mostly firsts and last days with a few tossed in between.   I know that many great things await this young man, but for today, I'm pausing and looking back at how much he has changed and grown and celebrating this milestone moment of wrapping up the middle school era.

Homebodies need not apply

A busy week here at the House of Chang...Ok, a busy week for Thing Two.
Thing One kept out of the camera lens by studying for his finals (which, by the way, he is acing!  He apparently is a second semester strong finisher type student!)

 First Stop....Final Orchestra concert...

Tusen Takk to the talents of Ms. Ravnan...

 Second Stop....8th grade awards night

where yes, he was honored for his contributions to the music program...

Because, well, they don't hand out ribbons for most forgotten grammar worksheets?

And third stop....8th grade dance...

where he would be the escort for the girl next door....

Ok, if we're gonna get technical....she lives around the corner...but still...

Proud Mama?  Gee How could you tell...

Thanks to Colleen for capturing and sharing a photo of me and the younger Thing!

The Graduate that was late

Today was graduation day for the school where I work.   A graduate showed up really late today.  As in everyone had walked in, the pledge had been said, and the last bars of the national anthem were being sung.

She shows up and in my judgmental but silent voice I thought "Gee Girl, why'd you even bother?"

I was even more surprised to see an administrator and her assistant hustling around to get her chair put back in place.   Where was their scowl?

Later,  learned that this young graduate was late because first she went to our school (we have the ceremony at a local university arena, a good 30 minutes from where the school is).   It was locked up and she didn't know what to do.  

You see, this young graduate has been living in her car since her mom took off for who knows where.   This young graduate has attended 5 different high schools in 4 years following her mom and apparently this time she decided she was staying put.   Yes, even if it meant she lived out of her car until she finished up her classes and earned her credits.  

Why did she go to the school in the first place?   Seems she went there in hope of being able to take a shower in the locker room, something our administrators have been aware of and assisting with.

It breaks my heart to think of the determination it took for her to make it to graduation.   What thoughts she must have had as she raced downtown, hoping to make it in time.   And how heart warming it was to see a usual gruff-by-the-book administrative assistant smile at this young lady and hurry off to make sure a chair got placed back in her row.  

What a timely reminder for me...I may know their name (as was the case today), but that doesn't mean I know their stories.   I may have heard what she had done, but clearly I had no idea what she had been through.

Congratulation to this young graduate, and the 550 classmates that received their diplomas today!
Here's a few of my favorite photos from today's graduation...

Way to go ILC graduates!

 This young man, was one of the first to arrive...he just couldn't stop smiling the whole time...

The beauty of working in the neighborhood school, I've known this fella since he was in 1st grade!

 Twins...this young man has a heart of gold and the love he shows in helping care for his sister...

well, you'd just have to see it to believe it!

We shouldn't have favorites...but this one is one my favorite clinic visitors!  

My favorite Things

The past few weeks have just gone by in a blur.   But it's been a happy blur as the time has been spent doing some of my favorite things.

For starters, Hubby and I enjoyed a recent his-and-hers weekend.   I've mentioned this concept before, but you know, he gets to do the things that make him happy, and I head off and do my own thing.  We return rested and refreshed, ready for whatever rolls our way.

 For Hubby, he got to spend the weekend with his friend R. who was visiting from Alaska.   R and his wife took really good care of Hubby during his adventure to Alaska last year so it was nice to return that favor, even if our hosting was small by comparison to the hospitality they provided during mechanical delays last Spring.

So, while Hubby had a weekend of male bonding, I headed off to a local hotel with this gal.    Sure, it is an old picture, but that handsome fella checking out the goodies with his mama is due to graduate high school in a matter of weeks.   So we loaded up our crafting stuff and she worked at warp speed to finish up his school days album in time for the big reveal at Graduation Day.   I just provided the comic relief and encouraging words....as I've got a couple more years before that milestone reaches our doorstep.  

With little time left to bask in the glow of a weekend away, I had a party to get ready for.   One of my favorite traditions is hosting an Easter Lunch.   As you can see, I've been doing it for many years now...

 With Easter falling on 4.20, and our state being the butt of several jokes now at we've legalized marijuana,well...the Lovely Lish girls sure know how to kick it up a notch on the fun factor...

Yes,it your look closely the bunny was indeed lighting up...

No sooner had we put away the dishes from our party, was it time to shift gears for another event.  

  I sent Hubby off to the hills...

I hear they are alive with the sound of Urals this time of year...

While I remained home to get the house company ready for Grandpa's visit (Oh, don't cry for me quite yet, I've got my own girls weekend planned for June).

 A few cocktails were enjoyed

And a couple stories were told...

But the real reason for the visit was to catch the debut of 

Featuring a cast of many talented middle schoolers...

With one very special viola player making his pit orchestra debut!

So while some find rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens to be their favorite things, I have enjoyed this past month filled with friendly faces, supportive family and memorable moments!

Facebook Fun

I confess:   I still like Facebook.   Supposedly it is on its way out with the young kids.   They've all moved on to Instagram, Twitter, and Vine videos.  According to my source (Thing 2, the resident expert on all things cool):   All that remains on Facebook are us old farts.   That's ok with me

For in the last few weeks, I've discovered a couple things that I really like about Facebook

• It's a great place to get rid of stuff.   I posted this picture of a book shelf I no longer had a need for (Hubby and I have been on a plan to simplify things around the house)   Within 7 minutes, someone from our Neighborhood Group Page said she'd take it!   Sweet!
  
• It's a great place to connect with forgotten friends and co-workers.   Last month, I found a message from someone asking if I was the same Martha stationed at Ft. Campbell and who made an awesome spinach dip?   Oh my goodness, yes, that was my specialty dish back when I was first learning how to cook, and what a treat it was to re-connect with this long forgotten colleague.   She travels to the Denver area occasionally with her husband, so fingers are crossed we'll get to meet in real time.  I might even have to dig out that recipe for Spinach Dip (although these days?   Safeway makes one that is really good and way less messy than trying to drain frozen spinach.)
• And finally, it's a great place to walk down memory lane. The newest Facebook trend seems to be something called Throwback Thursdays.    I've been having a great time, sifting through forgotten photos and posting a few of my favorites....trying to match a picture with something relevant for the week.   Here are just a few of my recent postings on FB
  
  
  

First Day of Spring?

A perfect time to remember Spring 2000 (before digital cameras)

The eve of Spring Break?

Why not try to capture that sense of anticipation we were all feeling...even Thing One circa 2001

And when it snows on the first Thursday of April?

Time to remember when as Georgia girls, we traveled north to visit the grandparents..

such a treat for us and our dear dog Max!

Which brings us to today...

Who knew it was National Sibling Day?

A perfect time to remind my sister of that famous quote...

"I smile because you are my sister, I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it"...

Yes, nobody is safe now that I know how to use my scanner and upload photos...

Friend me....and you too will see what foolishness I share on Facebook!  

March Madness

Much as I wish I could indeed sit around and do nothing this Spring Break, I am determined to tackle several little projects that I've been putting off doing. One thing is to update the blog.

It's hard to imagine that here we are at the end of March.   The month really has flown by.   Here are just a few of the highlights in our family.

For Hubby, I'm pretty sure he'd say the highlight was taking receipt of his new motorcycle.   Valencia served him well, but the allure of the new 2014 model coupled, with an enabling spouse (raising my guilty hand) and some general trust issues when it comes to Valencia's engine reliability all served as signs that it was time to move on to a new model.

Introducing:   Scarlett....

I must admit, she's a very pretty rig and I'm liking the name more than my original suggestion of Lucy.   Yeah, if you want a new trusting relationship, naming your rig Lucy is probably NOT a good idea.

A sense of peace and calm has returned to our house...knowing that hubby now has motorcycle options for year round riding.   Bring on the Spring Snow Blizzard, we're ready!

In other family news, Thing Two spent a lot of time this month in the orchestra.   For starters, there was the annual String-a-thon.   What a great concept this is.   All the middle school orchestra students in our district, practice a series of 10 pieces.   The students then test off on each piece and passing earns them a chance to perform that piece at the large gathering of all the students.   Again, this year Thing Two conquered them all and I admit, it's pretty cool seeing over 350 students all playing together in one large setting.  

Not long after this performance, he shifted gears for another performance event..

This is a try-out orchestra.    During 7th grade, he got nervous right before try outs and decided not to try out.   Once his nerves calmed down, he regretted his decision and his teacher, the ever fabulous Mrs. R, was kind enough to make an exception and let him do a late try out.   He ended up being selected as an alternate.  This year, he tried out, did his best and guess what...he made it!   Yeah, I admit, I'm bragging now.   But holy smokes if you could hear these kids play...you'd appreciate how tough the competition is.

For Honors Orchestra, the students all gather for about 8 hrs of rehearsal.   And then they give a fabulous concert.   I found myself failing in my attempt to hold back the tears...as I recalled a conversation some years ago when we first started parenting a violist.   Concerts?   Oh my gosh, if we must.   They were a painful ordeal that we endured.   I recalled Judy Lish telling me "Martha, they get better, I promise".   And right she was...

Ok, so you can't spot him, but trust me, he's tucked in behind the cello player.

And here he is...saying his final farewell to his cub scout uniform (yep, in an effort to simplify things, we've been doing some serious Spring cleaning...take a picture and move on has been the motto of late...

And so what about Me and Thing One..

Well for starters...we were goofing around to see how much taller everyone is than me...

As I am only 5'4", if that these days...being taller than Mom is really nothing to brag about..

For Thing One:   he let's me post embarrassing pictures like this of him on Facebook, but is hesitant to let me take current pictures.   He's cracking us up with his quick remarks.   Some recent favorites include

• A recent meeting with his case manager, when I teased him about fixing her a warm beverage (she had a bit of a cold and wasn't feeling good), he quickly replied "I don't know how to fix you a warm beverage, but I can pour you a whiskey, will that work?".   There ya go:   we were talking about career options.
• He also came home beaming with pride that his math teacher had praised him for having one of the highest grades in the class.  Ok, hold the applause, his grade was only an 83% at that time.   He smiled as he said "If I can get my science grade up I will be embracing my Asian heritage".  

And as for me...March has proved to be a good month.   I've got a new assistant at work and while I miss my good friend Susan dearly, I am at least not so frantic trying to figure out how to do it all on my own.   

The kids at work give me plenty of reasons to smile.   Especially our special needs students.   Something about their genuine nature, keeps me grounded, reminding me that the little worries I have are indeed just that...little worries.

So with this recap...I can strike one more thing off my to do list..

Hope you all enjoy a little break this Spring!  

Happiness is sometimes a surprise!

I'll admit, I'm not one who enjoys surprises.  I like things planned and organized to the best of my ability.   Yep, even when I was pregnant, I wanted the ultra sound person to tell us boy or girl.

But last night, I was reminded that there is indeed great happiness to be found in a surprise.

Our friend is turning 50 and her husband and family wanted to make sure she was honored and celebrated.   As well she should, she's really is a remarkable person and someone that I consider it a great honor to call friend.

So for the past couple of months, we've all been mindful of our conversations with her, careful in what we sent through email and face book, doing our best to ensure that the surprise went off as planned.

I think the video shot by my own talented hubby pretty much tells the rest of the story...  
Jacqui:   Happy Birthday!   I'm sure you will rock the 50s!  

What brings a nurse to tears?

When the parent calls to tell me thanks.   Yep, that is all, a simple thank you is all it took.

A few weeks ago, I was called in to help a counselor with a distraught young student.    Seemed she had made a decision that she regretted after the fact.   Yep, a boy was involved.    Then last week she came back in, concerned about new details she had heard about the boy.     I thought it was a bad clinic encounter:   We kept getting interrupted, she was shy and didnt know how or what to ask.  

Of all the things I help kids with, I admit, having conversation about kids having sex is my least favorite.   It can all go so wrong.   Kids hear what they want.   They can twist my words for their purpose,   And well, I am a mom to teenagers.   It is all just unsettling.   But it is part of my job, so I do it. I talk to the kids about intimate relationships.

But this time, it went right.   I encouraged the girl to please confide in her parents.    Legally I am not obligated to call parents when kids report certain concerns but as a mom, I really push hard for the kids to confide their concerns in a parent.  

This girl apparently not only confided in her parents, but according to her mom, it was because of my kindness, she knew that she could tell her mom.

Mom went out of her way to call and thank me for helping her daughter.
And well...that is what got me crying, it is indeed why we do what we do, things we don't necessarily like to talk about, but need to.