Field Notes

Game Day

Today Nate takes in his first live Illinois football game as we head down to visit his big brother at U of I.

We're pretty pumped.  We've got season tickets and are ready to see some wins!

Taking on ISU.  Should be a fun one for us!

Looks fun...if you like heights!

Brian is the final guy in line loading on to the Blackhawk.

Birthday Top 10 List

So, my littlest sister Kathy is celebrating another year on this earth today.

Here's my top ten list for her birthday:

10.  We got to be together this summer!  We don't get to see each other often, and I really enjoyed it!

  9.  She's got a great Facebook Farm.  I cannot remember the name of the app, but you farmers know.  Actually texted me this year to let me know she needed her pineapples harvested!  So far I have resisted the farming urge!

  8.  It been fun watching her kids get older and to see who they are becoming because of her influence.

  7.  She's known in our family for her homemade cards.  The kids love them!

  6.  She's got a fun blog.  I like keeping up with her life when she posts!

  5.  I love the fact that she is a committed, growing Christ-follower.

  4.  I am grateful that she had me dedicate her kids (Matt this past summer).  It meant a lot to me.

  3.  Without Kathy, Dunkin' Donuts would be bankrupt.

  2.  I will always remember her for the Captain and Denee!

  1.  She likes my tacos!  I look forward to more meals and fun together!

Happy Birthday Kath!

I thought I caught her in a picture this summer.   The image is of Emily and Dave at Lincoln's tomb, doing the nose thing!

Birthday Top 10 List

I'm in the habit of doing a birthday top ten list for my immediate family members.  Today my mom is one year older.  So, here are ten things (out of hundreds) that I appreciate about her.

10.  My mom's childhood was not easy.  I think that by most standards, she would have been marked by professionals as a kid destined for a tough future.  She is a constant reminder to me that your childhood does not have to determine your destiny.

9. In some of my times of deepest personal pain, she listened. 

8.  This past year she was able to retire, and I am happy for her!

7.  I am so grateful that my mom listened when God was calling her to become His child.  She responded to Him, and because of that, I had the opportunity to enter into a relationship with God as well.

6.  Some of the best food I've eaten has come from my mom's kitchen!

5.  Gotta include it though I've said it before...she passed her salt and butter addictions to her oldest son.  I've now gone almost two months without either.  Closest I've ever come to rehab!

4.  Mom and dad moved to Tennessee a few years back and love it.  I am so happy that they are happy.

3.  My mom loves attracting humming birds.  Guess I know where the bird addiction comes from too.

2.  As I prepare Brian to leave for U of I this coming weekend, I have a new found appreciate for how deeply it hurt to send each of her four kids out into the world. 

1.  My mom has a twin (Happy Birthday Cioci Jan).  Both were born with eye issues.  Recently, she had surgery to correct her vision.  Not too long ago I was looking at her Facebook picture and could not figure out why she looked wrong.  Then it hit me...no glasses.  I kind of wonder if that is what will happen to us in heaven.  We'll see a person without their "disability" and wonder what's wrong, instead of realizing that all is finally right!  Thanks for a glimpese of heaven!

Starving U of I Student Garage Sale

My first year at Cedarville in 1981 cost about $4,800 if I remember correctly.  That was room and board...the works.  A year at the University of Illinois is about five times that amount.  I said a year!  That's for a state school.  Cedarvile was a private college, and relatively hidden among the corn fields.

Brian has been working like a madman to raise funds for school. Kim suggested he hold a garage sale...we could use some clear space and he could use some cash.

So, tomorrow from 7-3 we'll be selling off lots of stuff to help our kid go to school.

If you're in the area...stop by.  I'm sure we have something that would look great in your crawl space!

Big Birthday--My Man Nate!

I am in the habit of doing a birthday top ten list for my family members. 

Nate is 12 today. 

His name means God had given in Hebrew.  There is no question that he has been a gift to us in every sense of the word!

Here's the list:

10.  Turtullious (short for Snicklefritz Ufartnick)!  Without Nate, no turtle!

  9.  He's my new running partner and has kept me going strong for two weeks.  He also beats me very time!

  8.  Nate has a kind spirit toward little kids.  He kicks into big brother mode when little kids are around.

  7.  Nate never, ever fails to say thank you.  He is such a grateful kid!

  6.  I love his sense of humor, and the fact that he gets mine.  We've spend many hours laughing over silly and subtle things.

  5.  There is no question that Nate loves God and has a hard time understanding why other people just don't get it.

  4.  Passion!  Nate is passionate about everything.  He leaves nothing on the table.

  3.  Along the same line...for years Nate had a poster on his wall, "Play Hard or Go Home!"   For him, it is not a saying, it's a way of life!

  2.  Huge Cubs fan, unless they are losing.  This year he gave the Cubs up for Boston.  Nice choice.  He's got some advice for Lou Pinella and is ready to share.  

  1.  If not for Nate, we would be in our final year of raising kids.  I am so glad God gave us this gift named Nathan and a few more years to stay young with him!

Hydrangaes

We planted these the first summer we were in the house. 

Every year they do a little better.  This one is the best by far. 

I think they may have liked the cool, moist spring.

Monical's Pizza

We wanted Monical's last night.

If you have roots in Central Illinois, you've probably run into them.

Thin...crispy...burnt on the bottom...amazing!

Our favorite is peperoni and olive.  The kids are into Hawaiian.

I'm from Western NY. 

Hawaiian is a desecration of pizza, but "It's for the children!"

The closest one is in Manteno.  45 minutes.

Nice drive through the country.

Next fall it will be right on our way to seeing Brian at U of I.

Got to drive on Peotone Road.

Who named that one?  Had to have been the decision of a committee.

GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!

Nate did it!

On Saturday morning he scored his first goal of the season.

The game ended in a 1-1 tie.

Great job Nate! 

Way to keep up the effort!

The image is of the teams lining up after the game.

I must have moved.

The field is more level than that!

Dwarf Blue Leaf Arctic Willow

I did some transplanting the spring.

When we moved in, we planted Arctic Willows out front.

They fit our shrub standard...we like wispy, natural looking shrubs.  No Yews please.

We like them to look natural...no shaping or trimming.

They flow in the wind and look amazing.

Problem...they grow fast and large.

More than once I cut them back completely.

This spring I cut them back to the ground and moved them to the back yard to provide cover when we eat on the deck.

In only a few weeks they are already over a foot tall.

Transplanting works...just have to keep them moist and happy.

Looking for quick, natural cover? 

I recommend the Arctic Willow.