I'm really enjoying my new yard and have been anxiously anticipating the blooming of my flowers.
Today, I came home to 4 of my tulips decapitated. Here are some pics from Monday and their final pic today... so sad. The small purple ones never actually bloomed (there were 3 of them). The orange tulip started out yellow this weekend and then started turning orange. I'm definitely disappointed...

Cooper Updates

Hey everybody,

I have not posted any news from NE Iowa for a long time; sorry! Our worlds have been pretty crazy lately.

Jack and Lily seem to be passing sickness between each other way too much. We've probably been on 6-8 rounds of antibiotics (combined total) for ear infections or strep since November...they are my children, aren't they?! Jack got another set of tubes put in at the end of February. He seems to be doing pretty well since then. He's got a bit of a cold now, so we'll see if it turns into an ear infection or not. Hopefully not. He also had what they think was an extremely mild case of chicken pox. I'm still not convinced that's what it was, but we kept him home nonetheless.

Since Jack got tubes, though, he has become MUCH more vocal. He has mastered several words: mine, no, go, mama, and finally began saying dadda a couple weeks ago. Sometimes he even puts words together. His favorite seems to be: "Go Away".

I'm down to 27 (I think) days left in the school year. And it's a good thing...high schoolers are kissing in the halls and middle schoolers are starting to get stinky and hormonal. It's time for them all to have a break from school, I think.

Our district is closing the Junior High in June, and on August 1 hope to open a new 5-8 facility. I just went on a tour today, it's pretty amazing. All of our kids, 5-8, will have an iPad2, and the place is state-of-the-art. The district's 5-6 building was flooded in 2008, so FEMA is providing funding for a large share of the building. The 5-6 grade students have been in a make-shift school in a strip mall since the flood. The "school" has worked, but the walls don't go all the way to the ceiling, so you can hear things across the building. Apparently band time (remember 5th grade band??) is pretty loud and painful :P)

Well, I've got to go meet with another teacher, but wanted to give a quick Cooper update.

Hopefully spring will be here soon. Lily was excited to see snow on the ground Saturday morning, but I'm hoping we're done with the snow!!

Love you!

Sarah

Inside House Pics

Here's a few pics of the house...

I still have boxes in all the rooms. I'm kind of glad it's going to rain this weekend (at least Saturday), so I can focus on the inside of the house instead of spending all weekend outside. Looks like Mom & Dave will be able to come visit next weekend, which will be a big help with some of the items that I need assistance with. In addition, Mom will be able to help me some plant identification. Yay!

My New House

I've closed on my new house and moved in 2 weeks ago last Thursday. It's hard to believe it's already been 2 weeks.

The house was owned by the same woman for 25-30 years who is now in a nursing home (sounds like she is in her 90's and has dementia now). The daughter gutted and updated the kitchen & bath, cleaned up the basement, refinished the hardwood floors & had it painted nice neutral colors. The main thing I need to do is to get someone in here who can help me with better closet configuration. The master bedroom closet has one short rod on the side of the closet and two-thirds of the closet is empty space. There are plenty of other little to-do's, but that seems to be the highest priority right now.

I'm still working on unpacking. It's hard to figure out where I want to put everything. I have less closets (and they aren't configured well) than I did in my apartment & a smaller main bathroom (go figure), so I am still trying to figure out where to put things.

Bailey seems to be adjusting well. Sometimes she gets a bit vocal, but not like she was the first night when she started talking at 4:30am and didn't stop until about 7:30am. I was exhausted and really wanted to sleep in, needless to say I think I finally got up around 5:30. To counter her early morning meowing, I went to bed Saturday night (2 days after the move) at 7:30pm and slept till 6:30am. I felt like a new person when I woke up and didn't mind that Bailey was doing her morning wake up call!

Without knowing it, I picked a great house for gardening. I saw the house on Sunday, went back to the house on Monday (an inch or two of snow on the ground both days), put in my offer and my offer was accepted with a little negotiation on Tuesday. We did the inspection 2 days after my offer was accepted which was also 2 days after the 2 feet of snow we received with the blizzard. I couldn't see the yard at all.

The previous owner has tons of perennials planted, a few crocuses, a clump of daffodils, hostas and ferns, and a lot of things I am still trying to identify. I think I have hyacinth coming up, and I was told there are peonies. I think there are geraniums and there are 2 or 3 types of plants that are planted all over, but I haven't figured out what they are yet (going to have to dig through my gardening books to see if I can get any ideas - one might be the peonies). I think I found the bleeding heart today. There at least 5-6 roses, 2-3 lilacs, a forsythia, and a couple other bushes I haven't figured out yet. Apparently one of the roses is an edible rose and the seller & her daughter used to make Rose Jam out of the leaves.

The yard/grass needs some work, I see dandelions, creeping charlie, and clover. I borrowed my neighbor's weed killer today and sprayed the weeds in the grass that I am seeing right now. Need to get to the store and get some of my own. Dad got me a reel mower for my birthday & house warming, so I'm all set for mowing the yard and I think it will only take about 15-20 min to complete. Although, I am tempted to hire someone to do the grass and get it back into top shape this year, while I take care of the garden.

Hopefully everyone can come to Chicago for a visit!

Busy Winter!

It's been a busy couple of months since we were together at Christmas.

I started looking at houses again at the end of January. Ironically, I found a house on my first trip out with my realtor after a few weeks off. All of the negotiations have been completed and now I am in the financing stage. We asked for an extension on the financing and closing date because the inspection negotiations took a couple weeks. Hopefully the financing can get done in 2 weeks, because the newly requested closing date is March 21st.
Here's a link to the house and some pics -
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/1837-N-77th-Ave-60707/home/13523510
I figure I will do a couple things in the house (possibly another protective coat on the floors, some painting, etc) and then move sometime in the first part of April, if the closing remains the same. Hopefully my apt people can find someone to rent my apt starting May 1, so I don't have to pay for May rent.

I'm also busy with Wright Plus preparations. I'm House Operations Co-Chair again this year, so I have been going to house visits for the last 5 weeks every weekend. The houses are amazing this year (as they are every year)! It's so nice to know that in just 10-11 weeks it will be a beautiful spring weekend - enjoying Wright Plus!
http://gowright.org/wright-plus.html

Happy Birthday Grandma!

I hope you have a great day!

out of the mouth of a preschooler....

Andrew had a couple of great statements yesterday. Yes, he does learn to speak from me...

On the way to his sitter's a car was crowding our lane. Andrew loudly tdeclared, "hey, dude, stay in your lane!" Yes, I do talk to other drivers on the road.

Last night's supper had a couple of gems. First, how many 4 1/2 y/o kids cheer, "yeah! Fish!" when they see tilapia on the table?!?!? What a kid. Then he wanted to pray for our meal. The prayer went something like, "Dear God, thank you for our supper. Thank you for the person who caught the fish, thank you for the person who delivered it to the store so we could buy it and eat it." He does know where his food comes from!

Hope you are all doing well. We've been fighting colds and such, but otherwise doing okay. Andrew is indeed my kid because his cold turned into a sinus infection. (And Sarah's kids get ear infections. Aren't genetics fascinating!)

Any news on the house hunt, Erin? I've been thinking of you. Grandma, is Grandpa's eye still doing well? Have a great day!

Love,
Heather

birds!

When I opened our front door this morning, I heard chirping birds!!! Wahoo! The weekend weather was amazing here--50s on Saturday, 60s yesterday. The snow piles are about gone (the fact that there were even snow piles in STL indicates how atypical this winter has been). Mike's parents are coming for a couple days and Andrew has big plans for all that they will do tomorrow, including a hike and the zoo. Maybe not time for both, but I'm sure an outside adventure will be in order.

I hope you all are seeing signs of warmer weather, too!
Love,
Heather

Quick trip to STL

Hi family!

Tonight after Steve gets done at work, we are making a run to St Louis for some further tests at Barnes Jewish Hospital. I start the day with a CT/myelogram. I had gotten conflicting instructions, so I called and talked to the dept sect'y. She was very helpful, and gave me instructions on where to find their dept. She also gave me their phone number- if I have further questions.

So first is the CT/myelogram, next is additional x-rays that Dr. Zebella wants, apparently some additional flexibility shots. I will drop off the nuclear cardiolyte scan that I had here at IMMC last week to Kelli Jo, Dr. Zebella's nurse.

At 2:00, I have an appt with an Endocrinologist, Dr. Ostlund. He will then be available to function as my Internal Med Dr, while I'm in the hosp, and everyone can relax about the Hydrocortisone that I take daily. Dr. Ostlund can manage the steroid dosage while I'm in the hosp.

When we get done after Dr Ostlund's office, we will say good bye to Heather and Andrew, and head back home.

I'll let you know when or if we find out anything new!!

Love you all,
Cheryl

tick, tock, tick, tock...days are passing!

Hey Family!!!

I'm sorry to hear that Scotchy is having a rough week. You might try mushing the pill in something like ice cream, or yogurt, pudding! The other way is to just open the mouth and force it in, and hold the mouth together. There is a few ideas for you!!

Well, I am feeling the inner clock inside my brain, and hearing the time beginning to move faster until this scary surgery at Barnes Jewish Hosp in the fair city of St Louis.

I had an Adenosine Cardiolyte Stress test on Tues at IMMC. Someway a 2 1/2 - 3 hr test actually took from 7:30 to 1:00.

We will come to STL on the 9th. We'll drive late after Steve gets done with work. Probably get to STL around 11 or so. I have to be at the hosp at 7:30 for a lumbar CT myelogram.

At 2:00p We have an appt with Dr. Ostlund - the Endocrinologist, Hopefully, he will be my internist while I'm in the hosp, Otherwise, we will get emergency staff priv. for a pr. of Drs Sidney and Sidney.

Surgery is Tues, the 22nd of Feb. On Monday, we will meet the anesthesiologist--I have already requested Dr Zebala choose his favorite guy or gal for gasses. I plan to share that request again.

We will also have an appt with Dr Zebala that Monday also, to go over the last minute stuff.

I do know that for the first 3 months I must walk with a walker, for my balance, as well as alerting other people to my Slow Moving Nana!!! I am still going to water aerobics 2x/week. Hopefully I will soon be back in that class.

The weather today was wonderful, with the pm temp around 40. So Chloe and I found a reason to take a drive. Saw a bald eagle soaring just above the treetops
of Beaver Creek!

Have a great week--- and wish for spring!!!

Cheryl

January in St. Louis

Hi all,

It was so great to have time together over Christmas, even though it was limited. We had a good start to 2011, although the past couple of weeks have been harder for all of us. Highlights (or lowlights, I suppose): lots of snow and a few snow days (some warranted and some not...I am living in the south now...) and we all three got the stomach flu at the same time a week ago. Ugh. Not something I care to repeat. Quote from 3 a.m. when it hit Andrew and Mike at the same time and I'm going between bathrooms checking on both guys (I had started around dinnertime the night before): "But mommy, you're still sick too and now you have to take care of daddy and me." Pretty thoughful considering how he felt...

For Butterscotch, the rough stuff came earlier this week when we had him front declawed. Sometime around the summer/early fall, he developed a really bad habit of scratching wood in our house. No amount of postive encouragement to scratch in appropriate places--including multiple scratching things that Mike made out of carpet, corrugated cardboard, etc. nor negative consequences of broken rules (can we say spray bottle?!?!?!) seemed to break this habit and it seemed to be worsening. So, we had to do it. Not what I really wanted to do, particularly because he's an adult cat, but we had honestly exhausted all other options aside from just letting him ruin all the wood trim in our house...Surgery was Monday and he came home yesterday. Andrew was SO excited to have the little guy back--there were tears at the vet when he saw 'Scotch! He's still pretty sore today, understandably. Only problem is that he's not really eating which means he's not getting the pain meds that are crushed into his food. I've tried coaxing him to eat, but to no avail. That and he earlier attempted to get into the litter pan and couldn't climb in. Poor guy.

I'll try to post some recent pictures soon, but ought to get to work. Just thought I'd start a new thread on here since we've all been so busy!
Love,
Heather

Christmas Lists

Hi All! Seems that we have all been very busy these past few weeks.
I'm still in the negotiation stage of the structural issue with the house. Should have a final answer by middle of this week. We'll see if everything works out, or if I am on the house hunt again.

Thought I would start a post about lists, so we can make sure everyone is updated...

Matt:
Bread Knife
Food Processor
(pretty much anything kitchen related is good)
Good thick socks
Gift Cards: Target, Kmart, HyVee

Erin:
Single-Serve Blender or Immersion Blender
12-Volt Inflator (a tire inflator) - there are a few different ones out there that either are charged by your car's lighter plug or can be charged by an outlet and will hold the charge so you could take it out to the car)
Gift Cards: Sears, Lowe's, Home Depot, Target, Amazon

Thanksgiving

Hey guys!

I can't wait to see all of you next week--I'm ready for a long weekend. We have our compensatory day from conferences on Wednesday, so I get a 5 day weekend! Unfortunately Dan still has school on Wednesday, but that'll give me a chance to get some things done at home and play with the kiddos :)

Grandma, let us all know what we can bring with us on Friday--I'm sure everyone would chip in to bring things to lighten your load; just let us know!

Well, I better run. I get to do a lesson in three 7th grade science classes today--I'm excited :)

Love to all, see you Friday!!

Sarah

Happy Halloween!

What are the kids dressing up as this year?

Thanksgiving

Hi All...
Thanksgiving plans...
Mom talked to Matt and he & Lindsey will be going to the Quad Cities to have Thanksgiving with Lindsey's family on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday).
I need to head back to Chicago on Sunday.
How does Friday or Saturday look for the rest of you?
If Thursday works best for everyone else, Matt & Lindsey will be missing but will understand :) If Sunday works best, I will be missing, not sure about Matt & Lindsey.
Grandma has said that whatever works for all of us, works for them.
Mom said they shouldn't have any conflicts for either day because the Sidney kids will not be in Des Moines for Thanksgiving this year.
Thoughts?

Loving this fall weather!

How about this fall weather? It's been great!

Things have been busy here in Chicago. Had a friend from Des Moines and her mom come visit a couple weeks ago. We enjoyed a great warm Friday doing lots of Chicago sightseeing things and then Saturday when it was cold and rainy we went shopping. Man, they know how to shop!

I have agreed to be House Chair again for next year's Wright Plus - the one day special event that the FLW Preservation Trust holds in Oak Park where 8 private homes are opened up for the public who buy tickets. We have our first meeting next week to discuss house captains. I'm really looking forward to some of the houses on the tour!
I've also been asked to become a Volunteer Leader for the regular Home & Studio tours that I give one day a month. This means helping to coordinate the volunteers on my regular volunteer day, helping out the staff to keep things running smoothly.

Along with all the volunteering, I've been really busy with work (many projects going on at the same time) and I have added to all the above busyness by deciding to start the house hunt.

I know it's early for most of you, but are there any thoughts on Thanksgiving? I need to figure out the rest of my vacation time for the year and depending on the day we decide to get together may affect if I need to use a vacation day to drive back to Chicago.

Hope you are all doing well!

Well, we survived the big birthday party! This morning around 9:30, six of the kindergarten-and-under crowd descended on our house, thankfully many brought their parents with them.

Thankfully, the weather was nice enough that we could play outside for awhile before cake and snacks. Andrew had a great time and now that Mike and I have had a nap, I think we agree! :)

Tomorrow we're headed to a state park about 90 minutes from here to meet Marvin and Phyllis. Mike and I will camp tomorrow night with them (Mike has Monday off for Columbus Day), then leave Andrew with them for the bulk of the week. The weather looks great for a fall camping trip! "Back at the ranch," I'll be writing as much as possible and Mike will relish the opportunity to work in the bathroom without "help." Andrew has enjoyed working on the project with us, just isn't always the most helpful...Plus, he goes to bed early, so we can't clunk around in the bathroom most evenings without waking him up.

Enjoy this wonderful weekend!
heather

Fall is here!

Hey everyone - Missing you!!

Fall is here... Leaves are starting to change... Can't believe it is almost October!

I've got friends coming to stay this weekend. Mom & Dave were out of town this last weekend.

We are all hoping that Cheryl is doing as well as can be. Curious about if you are going to get a 2nd opinion.

That's all I know...

Anyone else???

Happy Grandparent's Day!

I hope all of you have a great day! Looks like the weather is going to be great for everyone!

The impetus for a National Grandparents Day originated with Marian McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County, West Virginia. Her primary motivation was to champion the cause of lonely elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide. President Jimmy Carter, in 1978, proclaimed that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day.

"Because (grandparents) are usually free to love and guide and befriend the young without having to take daily responsibility for them, they can often reach out past pride and fear of failure and close the space between generations." - Jimmy Carter

A day with Matt & Lindsey in Chicago

Matt & Lindsey came to Chicago last night. We spent the day together and now they are at a music show hanging out with friends. They are heading back to Iowa City tomorrow.

We went to the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio and took a tour. Turns out the weekdays allow for extra long tours. When I volunteer on the weekends, we try to keep the tours btwn 45-50 minutes. Our tour today was 1 hour 15 min. Luckily we had a great volunteer interpreter. I actually learned a couple things. I probably need to re-read my training manual to see if there are some other things I have forgotten over the last few years.

Then we went downtown, got a quick bite to eat and went on the Chicago Architectural Foundation's boat tour. I haven't been on the boat tour for at least 3 years. It's amazing to see the new buildings pop up in just a few short years (and an economic downturn). We saw 2 projects that have been on hold for a couple years and are either an empty shell of a building or just a big hole in the ground (the Spire).
It was a busy, but great day! I'll post a couple pics after I get them downloaded.

Hope everyone is doing well!