O Christmas Tree!

Trying to stay devoted to the blog, so here are some more pics of the Christmas decor.

This is our Christmas tree. This was a relic from mom's auctioning days and I love it. I don't have to kill any real trees, its recycled from years past, and I think its pretty. I even found one of those colored disk lights that you use to make it sparkle.

Aaron is thoroughly ready for Christmas break. All the kids are on his last nerve as they get crazy. Every night I come home to him whining - even I can't take it any more...he only has a week left! Aaron also started taking classes towards his masters. He decided to take them through one of CMU's satellite classes at an army base about an hour away. He only registered for one this semester and due to some scheduling issues he only has to meet two weekends to complete the course. The weekend before last was his first. It was slightly disappointing. The cohort he joined is a class of about 12, with only a few actually having teaching backgrounds (the rest it seems are making a career move). It also seems that the classmates are not the brightest of people so the discussions leave a lot to be desired. I am hoping that this last weekend goes a little better and that he decides to give it one more chance and register for a couple more classes next semester.

As for me I have a big deadline coming up. The State Implementation Plan that I have been working on for the last few months is due to the EPA on Monday. I am sure that will mean lots of work for me this weekend.

All else is going well. I can't believe it is almost Christmas. Today we hit a record high of 81 degrees - just doesn't seem right for December!

Thanksgiving '07

This year Aaron and I spend Thanksgiving in SC with friends. A few couples from work (who have family elsewhere) decided to spend Thanksgiving together. We all helped make the food and just spent the day playing games and enjoying each other's company.

Here are our hosts playing Wii.

The rest of the weekend was either spend working or relaxing. We watched lots of movies, including Blood Diamond, Bridge to Tarabithia, and The Departed...all good. We also managed to decorate the house (inside and out) for Christmas.

Here are the outside lights and the mantel complete with stockings.

Also spent so time reading and being inspired to read more...firs, let me say that I will, I repeat, I will have Atlas Shrugged read by January 1st! I am determined!

A friend recently posted a blog about creating a reading list for all those books you have been meaning to read, but never have - I subsequently also have a movie list that I will post another time...The idea is to pick a book a month. Here are mine - feel free to help me fill in the blanks by suggesting books that you think I would like, or like yourself.

January: Desert Solitaire - Edward Abbey

February: Crash - Jerry Spinelli

March: Angela's Ashes - Frank McCurt

April: Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut

May: Hoot - Carl Hiaasen

June:

July: How to Live Well Without Owning a Car - Chirs Balish

August: The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands (for Aaron and our anniversary) - Dr. Laura

September:

October: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain

November: Profiles in Courage - John F. Kennedy

December: The Catcher and the Rye - J D Salinger

On another note...I am going to be an aunt again! The new addition, scheduled to arrive in August brings the Denja tribe to a total of 7 (mom and dad) and 5 nieces and nephews! No need for Aaron and I to have any of our own, we have enough fun with the family.

Looking forward to Christmas in just a few short weeks...

pterodactyls

So, Aaron came home today after work to see a pterodactyl in our back yard! That's right, just as he pulled into our drive way he spied a huge bird in our backyard - visible through the open back yard gate. Of course he scared it away, but this is what it left in its wake.



Aaron says he thinks it was about a foot tall and by the look of the molting pile I would wager to guess that whatever it was...it was likely nursing itself from some kind of wound.

This is the pile of feathers it left in our backyard. Pretty cool - although we have no idea what it was...thinking maybe some kind of hawk.

A sad state of affairs...

So Aaron and I had a nice weekend at home. Maeve didn't have to work on Saturday or today, so we were able to relax, run, and watch some football. We also had our first fire of the year. The trees are in full color here and the weather has been great. We put together the futon Aaron bought for my birthday too (surprisingly without much fighting). So bring on the visitors - now we have even more room!

We also watched the movie "Sicko" yesterday by Michael Moore. Of course it was depressing with the theme being about the current American Health care system and the state of things. The one point I loved - the theme that resonated the most with me was that no matter what your political persuasion might be, no matter what you believe - it is essential to get educated on the issues, get active in the system, and vote!

Even I am guilty...despite still voting and trying to get involved with volunteering (with no response back from the party organizers) after moving to a red state, I have been increasingly inactive in the political system. Not only have I personally missed the excitement, I have found myself falling prey to the typical response - why? Nothing I can do (especially here) will make a difference.

Which brings me to this...I was always told/always thought (as a complete generalization) that the older you get the more conservative you become. While I still liken myself to tree hugger, I have recently found myself becoming more sympathetic to...well, let's just say more realistic ideals. This I have found to be true: the older you get...the more responsibilities you have, the less time you have; the more experience you have, the more practical you become; the busier you are, the more apathetic you tend to be...it is my nightmare. What happened to my old pie in the sky optimism? What happened to my drive to make a difference? What happened to my belief that I (just one person) could make a positive difference in the world?

I have even felt this at work. Aaron and I have both discussed this lately (in terms of each of our careers). So you start working and find yourself wanted to make a positive difference, you start thinking about how you can make things better, what works - what doesn't, what you would change. You start examining your career and making goals for yourself professionally. Then you realize that the very people that make your life difficult are the front line administrators and managers you hope to next become. And then you wonder, will I become that? In all my daily efforts to further my own career, will I loose sight of what matters - making a positive difference? Would I in their shoes (realizing what pressure their under from their bosses and all the things they have to do on a daily basis) forget about all the good ideas I once had...be beaten down by system. It's such a catch 22. How do you work the system and be in a position to make a difference without changing in the process? So, what are you left with (what Aaron and I have come to appreciate) is that one of two things typically happens: (1) you become one of them - part of the problem, a pawn in the system - a manager stuck with the pressure of politics, or (2) you become apathetic and content to stay where you are at...to do your job - nothing more, pick up your paycheck and tow the line.

I am not quite sure what the solution is...how to change the system, but I am more determined than ever to do so. Aaron always tells me that I was born in the wrong decade - that I am just a lost flower child, hippie with Farrah Fawcett hair - lost without a cause. Maybe he's right, but I for one don't think there is anything wrong with being passionate, wanted to make a difference, and doing something about it.

So, my pledge to you...my life's ambition...my new project is to work through this - find a way to exist in this screwed-up system, while making a difference. In theory it all sounds great - everything we have ever been told - that democracy works, that with hard work and perseverance you can be in a position to make a difference...in reality, it's all a game...a challenge - to live within the system while simultaneously bucking it. I don't know what the solution is, but I refuse to give up or succumb to it!

Fall in Michigan

Oh, how we miss fall in Michigan! So we traveled back to CW for a long weekend. Aaron was asked to stand up in a friend's wedding, my sister Erin made an unexpected trip home from San Diego to see our cousin's new baby Spencer, and the Denjas made their way to Sturgis to visit with Grandma. So it was a quick weekend.

Anytime we head home for a weekend, we are filled with excitement and anxiousness - excited to be home and able to visit with family and friends and anxious that we will never have enough time to visit everyone we would like. This weekend turned out to be a pleasant surprise...with much less anxiety than normal. We had time to visit with Aaron's family, my family, and of course several friends we hadn't seen in a long time. Speaking of long time - on this trip home I realized it has almost been a year since I last visited CW.
There is something nostalgic about coming home - especially home to Michigan in the fall. Seeing the leaves, being around people that talk like us, and all the beauty that Michigan has to offer. It all makes me think of home and a sense of place. Sometimes I feel as though I am caught in between two places - my old, forever home and my new home. As nice as it was to see home in Michigan - it was equally as nice to be back home in SC. So, I think for now each 'place' brings me a unique sense of place. On one hand, a sense of family, a sense of childhood, a sense of belonging...on the other hand a sense of self, a sense of something uniquely mine.

That's right, I'm a Chippewa!

So last night we were able to watch our beloved Chips on television in the last game of their regular season against our rivals Western Michigan University....and, they won!

Now it is on to the MAC Championship in December at Ford Field.

Happy Halloween

Aaron and I have decided that Halloween just isn't what it used to be. Whatever happened to trick or treating with friends, dressed up? What ever happened to actually scaring kids for the fun of it! So, we didn't have many trick-or-treaters this year - which really stinks considering that Aaron was actually really in to it. He did scare a few kids with his menacing looking costume.

We also had a fun Halloween party with friends last weekend. We had some great costumes and played some fun games. I was a beer wench and Aaron was Skeletor from He-man.

Some of you may remember the Skit from Saturday Night Live about the Dick in the Box. And who could forget Michelangelo from the Teen-Aged Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Other costumes were Wonder Women, Superman, and a Princess and her Frog. Hope everyone else had a good Halloween.

Peace and Love from SC.

Go Fire Up Chips

So the Chips didn't do so well against Clemson, but we still had fun. We traveled to Spartanburg and hung out with the Amicks (our friend Brooks and his family) on Friday night. His family made us ribs, baked beans, and coleslaw - yummy!

We got up at the crack of dawn and headed to Clemson where we met lots of Central vans - included our old friends Kristen and Drew. Drew introduced me to Rebel Yell Whiskey (which I have since vowed never to drink again). But it sure was fun! Probably a little too fun. So, what have a learned...

1. Old friends are the best
2. New friends are fun.
3. The Chips (although ahead in the MAC) still can't quite hang in the ACC.
4. I shouldn't drink hard liquor
5. You are never quite as obnoxious as when you have had one too many drinks.

So, to all those Chips fan out there who attended the Clemson game, I apologize...
Peace and Love from SC.

A work truck...

So we decided to put the truck to work. I have been wanted to spend some time working the yard, so with most of the weekend off we decided to buy some mulch and replace the pine straw in our flower beds with some natural cypress mulch. Here it is as a work in progress...

We also had a baby shower for my friend Megan. "Gert" (what Aaron has affectionately named their soon-to-be new little girl) is due to arrive the end of this month. It was a nice dinner out with the girls from work followed by presents at our co-worker's beautiful home in Lake Carolina.

Thanks to Leigh for sending me flowers at work in honor of the new promotion. Not much else is new. Just enjoying fall and looking forward to the next couple of weekends with friends at the Clemson vs. CMU game and then the annual Halloween party at our house.

Peace and love to all.

The good, the bad, and the better...

Okay, so it has been awhile since my last post. It seems life has been a whirlwind lately. Where to begin...

The "bad"...Oscar hasn't been doing well and after a trip to the doc, we found it was time to let him go. Seems all those winters in the cold and snow, left much of him rusted out - including the drive train. So, rather than put $900 into prolonging his misery, we decided the most humane thing to do was let him go in peace. Although once we made that decision the mechanic at the shop offered to breath new life into good ol' Oscar. So, this is all that's left of him...at least for us.

What to do...eventually cold comes to the south as well and Aaron can't drive the motorcycle to work for too much longer. So we started the process of shopping around. Aaron demanded a V6 or V8, while my only concern was gas mileage. I caved and Aaron retained some power in the relationship and we bought a Toyota tundra...it's huge!

The "good," it is fun to drive and makes me feel powerful!

Adam moved back to Coldwater after his job as pool inspector was through, so we are on our own again. Except for when Brooks comes to visit. Here is a pic of our latest fun playing quarters - Maeve lost and paid for it the next day.

School is going well for Aaron. Seems he will have a tough year ahead of him trying to accommodate his inclusion kids. But, what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger. As for me...good news - the "better." I was promoted to an EMII - which comes with a higher pay band. The "best"...I now make more than Aaron. Life just doesn't get any better. Just in time to handle the new truck payments.

So its been a busy couple of weeks and I am glad to have the weekend off to relax and clean up this poor house which has been slightly neglected.

That's the news from SC. Peace and Love to all.

Savannah and Atlanta...

Well I was able to attend the Southern Transportation Air Quality Summit (STAQS) conference in Savannah recently...which was very nice. I really enjoyed Savannah and can't wait to go back for a long weekend with Aaron. Personally I liked Savannah better then Charleston - same great historical element but with a slight New Orleans twist. The old fashioned candy shops were great! Below are some pics....the second pic is made from jelly beans.

Also was able to attend a public hearing today in Atlanta for the new proposed National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone - most affectionately know as smog. The proposed options would reduce the standard. Since ozone is a health based standard, there was a great deal of evidence presented which indicates that health effects of ozone. The day consisted of several speakers - each given 5 minutes to read testimony before the EPA. It was very interesting...I learned a lot and I have a renewed respect for the process. It was very cool to see it in practice. Some presentors of special note were representatives from groups such as the Sierra Club, Mothers and Others for Clean Air, National Association of Manufacturers, American Lung Association, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, various PhDs who are active in air quality monitoring research, even a third grader!

Several positions were discussed (both pro and con) and I thought it was a great experience! I have a renewed respect for those active citizens engaged in the process as well as those advocating for a greater emphasize on science as the backdrop for policy decisions that may ultimately effect my job in the future. FYI: If the proposed standards are lowered, several new counties all over the country will be designated as non-attainment...meaning 1) job security for me, and 2) significant effects on growth and development. I encourage you all to become informed...

Aaron is doing well. Getting to know all his students...and parents (as he has had several behaviour issues already arise). But, he is hanging in there - although with a recently developed head cold - ahh, yes the school year has begun!
That's all from us...peace and love in SC.

Something's starting to smell...

So what's new with the Masons. Well, aside from the incredibly uncomfortable, tense living arrangements recently, nothing. What have I learned recently...what Dad always said about fish and house quests having one thing in common - its true...hence my home has developed a very peculiar odor lately. If only I could put my finger on it....

As least I get a brief reprieve from the nasty smell - ah yes, a trip to Savannah for a conference is just what the Doctor ordered. I have actually never been, so I am looking forward to it. I think I may even partake in a haunted tour while there. Perhaps things will smell a little better upon my return.

In other news the heat wave has also passed...although low to mid 90s isn't what I would call comfortable.

So so brief, but that's really about it.

Peace, love, and patience in SC.

Hug a tree...thanks I think I will.

A belated thanks to the Denjas for my awesome "hug a tree" t-shirt and necklace!

Well, the patient is doing very well. No swelling and hoping around as normal today. Figures that Aaron would have a swift recovery.

I have an interview in a couple of weeks for a new job within my section at work. So, stay tuned for more information...maybe I will actually start making more than my husband (the teacher)...pathetic!

Thanks goes out to Erin too for buying our new curtains from Ikea and sending them to us. Don't they look nice?

That's it for now. Peace and Love from SC.

August already!

A little news from the Masons…a little late…

So, I can’t believe it is already August. Where, oh where did the summer go? Last I recall it was July 4th! Not a lot new to report.

Aaron is dreading starting school (Aug 13 for him, and Aug 21 with kids) and I can’t wait! He has recently got on a health kick – no thanks to a bet between him and his friend Mark. Whoever is in better shape by Dec 31st, collects $200 from the loser as well as an all expense paid night out. So he is motivated…really motivated! Not only have we reverted to eating nothing but steamed frozen veggies and chicken, we have also joined a gym. Now don’t get me wrong, this is going to be great, but wouldn’t you know he has already lost like 10 pounds and has refused to allow any good food in the house. Not only that, he has taken to telling me every time he loses even 2 tenths of a pound and (when really bored) working out several times a day. So yes, he needs to go back to school! But really, I am very proud of him and hope that he keeps it up.

As for me, I am contemplating my career and applying for a few positions within the agency/section (with better pay). Also should find out soon whether a pay increase is in my future. Decisions, decisions…

Hot, hot, hot. It has been over 100 for five days now. Heat index today of 115 today! Thanks goodness we were able to get our new programmable thermostat installed and working so that we had air conditioning. It was an experience…who knew we had a heat pump which requires a special thermostat? After several attempts and some trouble- shooting, we got it done…although, Aaron has made me promise to leave well enough alone in the future…

Aaron had his wisdom teeth taken out this morning and is pretty out of it – to which I am grateful because it gives me an excuse to take a day of family sick leave and watch Days of Our Lives while he sleeps it off.

Adam is doing well too. Still refusing to clean his bathroom and making me watch conservative television, but doing well none-the-less.

Blessed to be a homeowner...

Hello all. So it was an interesting weekend here in SC. Aaron left for a trip home to MI on Tuesday of last week. I was suppose to go to N. Carolina to hang with some friends, but instead had to work at TJ...good thing too...

As I woke up on Saturday morning I heard what sounded like water running. To my dismay (after searching the house) I head to the shed to check the water heater only to find that it has sprung a leak. What to do!?! Of course, I call my parents...in tears! I shut off the electricity then the water - then start the process of looking through the yellow pages for a plumber. Long story short, we have to have the water heater replaced, but (of course) no one will do it for a reasonable price on the weekend - ah yes, because heaven forbid that something should go wrong on the weekend. So after several phone calls, I decide that it will have to wait till Monday. Too bad, because just Thursday Adam's friend David decides to head down to SC for a visit - so cold showers it is. But, we survived...

Then the toilet breaks...and just when I think, 'hmm - what next, bad things always happen in threes right?' - I wake up on Saturday to check the bank accounts because we have no food in the house...

Ah yes, there it is...overdrawn and already two overdraft fees. What a nice way to spend a weekend off of work. After hours on the phone, we discover it wasn't our fault, but Discovers online bill pay. I get it corrected.

So I have decided being a home owner stinks, being an adult stinks even more, and being alone to deal with it all myself stinks the most...does Aaron owe me big! Here I am dealing with it all why he lives it up in MI on vacation. The moral of the story, life is just not fair.

But, it gets better...how quickly I learn that someone was watching over us, because had we not had the overdraft fee and reversed our discover payment, we wouldn't have had any money to pay the plumber.

So, what else have I learned beside that being a homeowner stinks, being poor stinks even more! Please, let us someday be in a spot where we don't have to live paycheck to paycheck.

But alas, I guess it isn't too bad - at least we have running water, and jobs, and a house. It's all a matter of perspective right? Maybe life isn't that unfair, maybe everything happens for a reason, and maybe - just maybe this will all make me stronger, wiser, and a little more thankful for what I have been blessed with!

Peace and love from SC.

We're in the"money"....

Greetings! So today was my day off and guess what I had to do...help Aaron clean his room. But it really wasn't that bad...after we had our fight.

Attached are some pics of the fruits of my labor in the garden. Haven't sampled it yet.

And most exciting...we found our first cache! I would have pics but alas my phone died - leaving us with just our wits to help us find the prize. Aaron actually found it. He snatched a dollar and we left a bracelet and keychain.

Baked some cookies and now we are watching the home run derby.

Rearranged the living room this weekend - pics attached. That is about it for us here. Hope this finds you and yours doing well. Peace out.

July in SC

Haven't posted in forever, so here goes....








After returning home from Utah, Aaron, Adam and I went to Atlanta to visit Jennie. While there we saw the Tigers sweep the Braves and took in a pride parade. Pic attached is baton Bob.

On Sunday we took in another game with friends Allison and Brooks. Don't they make a cute couple?

On Tuesday the 3rd - we went to a blowfish game and saw fireworks! For the fourth the boys saw Transformers and the girls got pedicures - so nice! We grilled dinner, had fun with our sparklers, and played the game of Life. All in all it was a great couple of weeks.

The garden is doing well, Aaron's shoulder is feeling better, and life is good. Don't have to work at TJ the next couple of days, so looking forward to working around the house. AWS on Monday so I will go help Aaron clean his classroom. He will likely head to MI on Tuesday to spend time with family and friends - hopefully Adam and I don't kill each other while he is away...

Park City Utah, Fiestas, and Family

Ok, so it has been awhile since my last post - sorry. Here is what we have been up to...

Aaron's mom, Grandpa Wayne, and Aunt Kathy came for a visit recently. We had a great time visiting, watching movies, eating, and even attending a polo match. As always the time went to fast....

Then my dad arrived on a bike journey he had been planning. While the visit was cut short (given a sick mom and wife) it was great to see him and enjoy a dinner out together.

Then we had a fiesta for a dear friend (as a going away and birthday celebration). We had a ton of fun and way too much mexican food.

Then I high tailed it to Park City Utah for a conference to present my thesis research. So far so good, with unbelievable weather and scenary.

Looking forward to the rest of the week and then a tigers/braves game this weekend when I return.

Love to all.

Rain, Rain go away...

...Actually it can stay as long as it likes - if it means I don't have to water the flowers and garden. Speaking of...the pics attached are an update of sorts on how things are shaping up in the way of our vegetable garden. If you look really close you can actually see the beginning of a green pepper --->

Picked up the bike on Saturday morning, so that Aaron was able to drive it to his first day of summer school today.

Worked all weekend long, so looking forward to some fun times at the blowfish game this Wednesday...went last Wednesday too with some co-workers and friends.

Aaron and Adam are well into their diets and exercise routine - not sure how long this will last. I picked up reading Atlas Shrugged again, so who knows maybe I'll actually finish it.

Linda, Aunt Kathy, and Grandpa Wayne all planning to arrive in SC on Saturday for a few days stay before heading to Charleston. Then Bob arrives on his motorcycle for a few days before heading back north via the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Hope this finds everyone well. I'll leave you with more pics of the flowers popping up in our yard.

Memorial Day

Well after a weekend visit to Michigan for Memorial Day weekend - I am back to the grind today in SC. The trip was great! Arrived in MI on Friday morning and after a quick pit stop in Sturgis to pick up Grandma Redmond we headed up to TC for some R/R. Ran in a 10K on Saturday morning with sister Erin, found my first geocache, saw a Massasauga rattlesnake (Michigan's only poisonous), celebrated the Mikes' b-days, attended a high school friend's wedding in Lansing, spent a day on a pontoon on Elk Lake, and generally just enjoyed time with family. Below are some pics from the weekend.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Good news! Aaron has a summer job...and he'll need it to pay for the repairs on his bike and truck (both of which are currently out of commission). On the way home from work, poor Oscar the truck started to overheat...hopefully with some new belts and radiator/coolant flush he'll be back on his feet. As for the bike - who knows? But an appointment on June 1st will hopefully shed some light on the situation.

Adams first couple of days were good. After some defensive driving training he is now 'safe' to drive a state vehicle. He'll start to shut down pools tomorrow.

I am staying busy running in preparation for a 10k Memorial Day weekend in Traverse City. I fly out on Friday morning and am looking forward to spending time with family and friends while celebrating Mikey/Mike's Birthdays, Mother's Day, and Father's Day.

Spring in SC

Well, in spite of Aaron and Adam's best wishes...I have created a blog as a means to share what's going on in our lives with family and friends. Please check back often.

Sunday: Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all those moms out there. We are sorry we can't be with you in person, but know that we are thinking of you. We are both lucky to be surrounding by some incredible women/moms who have helped to shape our lives...Rose, Linda, Grandma Alice, Grandma Char, sister Leigh, countless aunts and friends...so thank you for all you have done and continue to do.

Well it is a beautiful day here. Attached are some pics of our recently created garden, recently planted Rose Bud Tree (in honor of Grandpa Redmond), and some awesome flowers in our back yard.

Hoping to tear the boys away from Baseball games on TV to get them outside for some geocaching. My new job is going well, Aaron only has 10 more 'regular' school days left , and Adam starts his new job tomorrow - so life is good!