Taking a Drive - for Ice Cream

Tonight Katie and Michael wanted to go for a drive. That was fine by me, because I love to take rides. We have been on so many rides there are only a few roads in Northern Kentucky that we haven’t driven on. We wanted to venture to someplace new.

I started to go east on the AA but then changed my mind since there are always so many wrecks on the AA. I decided to go down US 27 south to check out the new parts of US 27.

When we got about 20 minutes away from home, Michael yelled to bring my attention to a motorcycle carrying two men that had flipped over while turning onto a side road. I drove to the next place where I could exit. I turned around to go back to see if we could help. When we got back to the accident both men were standing. One was rubbing his head and the other guy looked dazed. I asked if we could help in any way, or could we call for help. The one guy in the daze said, “Yeah, you can come over here and kiss me.”

(OK, kids, lesson number one – be cautious when you talk to any strangers, including guys in motorcycle wrecks.) What a weirdo! It was obvious that these guys were drunk. There wasn't anything I could do for them, except let them sit there in the hot sun and dry out….

So, I got back on 27 and continued our drive south.

We went as far as Butler when I decided that I wanted ice cream. The deal was this – we had to continue riding south until I found an ice cream place. (I like to make deals like this…)

First, we went through Falmouth but decided McDonald’s didn’t qualify as an ice cream place. Much farther down the road we went through a small town called Cynthiana. The old "Dairy Barn", I remember from being a kid, was now vacant. On the outskirts of town we saw another McDonald’s and decided this would now be acceptable as an “ice cream place". When we got in the lot we counted 13 cars in the drive-thru line. (Apparently, they couldn’t find any other ice cream place around either.) We did the math figuring at least 3 minutes per car times 13 and we all decided to pull through and continue our trek south to find a real “ice cream place".

Well, we finally ended outside Lexington. We ran into I-75 and all saw the yellow arches again. We drove in. We ordered ice cream and french fries. When we got to the window the kid in the window said they were out of all ice cream – no dairy products. We paid for the fries and left.

Since we were so close to Lexington, we decided we might as well drive through downtown, past Rupp Arena, and then head home. Not something you do everyday. So, that is what we did.

We finally headed for home. Now the kids said that they were thirsty from the fries. And, I still wanted some ice cream. I waited until I got an exit closer to home and pulled off the highway. Wait… this was the same McDonald’s we were at earlier that didn’t have a dairy products. What were the odds?!

We spent four hours on this little drive… We didn’t want to drive on a road with accidents, yet saw the motorcycle crash. And, we did want ice cream, but didn’t get any. Go figure.

Modern Day Cookout

Yesterday was a busy day. I got up early and made my "to do" list and headed out. My first stop was to the bank to get some money and then off to the grocery store. I had planned a cookout for the family. Summer days without an occasionally cookout would just not be right. Our cookout was scheduled for 4:30 p.m..

I had big plans to prepare a variety of culinary delights with little time to work with. The main focus was my famous potato salad, along with a barrage of delectable side dishes with grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. What more would you want at a cookout!?!

After I finished my early morning chores, I started to chop my veggies. Then, the distractions began. My phone started to ring constantly. The kids wanted to go out for lunch. The dryer bell periodically nagged me to come upstairs to fold the laundry. As I looked over my lists, I noticed I had forgotten some main ingredients. So, with kids in the car, we headed back off to the grocery. OK, so they convinced me that they needed an "appetizer" to hold them over until the cookout. So, I drove through McDonald's for some chicken nuggets.

Once I got home, my mom called and asked if I had gone to the bank for her. Oops. Back in the car I drove to the bank. When I got back home, I should have known not to check my email, but there was a seemingly urgent request to return the laptop I borrowed from school. So, I had to get into the car one final time to return the laptop.

By now it was almost 3:30. I found Katie hard at work in the kitchen. She had everything all chopped up, boiling, baking, or cooling, trying to keep this preparation end of my cookout on schedule. All I had to do was fry the bacon (one of the most important ingredients in my potato salad). Unfortunately, I got a glimpse of the expiration date on the bacon. It was two weeks past the date. Scratch my world famous potato salad.

By 5:00, not all that late, we took all the food we, (I mean Katie), prepared and neatly displayed the food on the serving table outside. I am sure it was at least 90 degrees and the sun was very bright. As we walked outside into what seemed like an oven and then back into the cool, refreshing air-conditioned house, we considered the possibility of eating inside. But, as I told Katie, we were having a cook-OUT, so that meant we had no choice but to endure the heat OUTside.

As I grilled, along with the hamburgers, I felt as if I were melting. Thoughts of the chilled air in the house was becoming more persuasive. Hey, wait a minute. All the kids were already in the house with their food. Only the adults, trying to indulge my fantasy of a memorable summer cookout were still outside, trying to hide their discomfort.

So, Katie and I carried all the food back into the cool kitchen. I think everyone was relieved that I had come to my senses. Everyone seemed much happier inside. I certainly was. I even think the food tasted better.

After everyone left, I started to think about the whole day. It was too busy with too much to do. I didn't count on all the distractions. Thank goodness for Katie and all her hard work.

I learned that I didn't have to have my potato salad for a cookout. In the past, this would be unheard of.

Finally, I considered the whole idea of a cookout. It is called a COOK-OUT. Not an EAT-OUT. Next time it is 90 degrees and I want to have a cookout, I plan to keep the grilling outside and the eating inside.

Or even better, I think I will have pizza delivered.

Tape on the Wall

This evening I went to my mom's house to clean. My mom only lives two doors away.

I just got home - four hours later. I cleaned the kitchen. Dishes, laundry, floor, windows and then I started to wipe down the walls. Unfortunately, I literally wiped the walls down. My mom has an old kitchen with walls made of square plastic tiles - pink (now beige) at the top half and across the middle, black horizontal tiles, and the bottom half is blue. As I wiped, the plastic tiles slowly started to fall off the wall.

I have asked everyone I know to help her and replace the walls, yet nothing has been done. If I knew how to do drywall, I would attempt it myself. I even suggested that we all go in together for her 80th birthday (this September) and hire someone to fix her walls, but no one is interested. It makes me feel so sad that she has to live with a kitchen like this.

As I studied the walls, I remembered back over forty years ago looking at those same walls. My mom would proudly tape up my good school papers there. She would tape up each week's spelling words for me to look at all week, until the big test on Friday. Valentine's day I would rush home with all of my Valentine's I got at school in my decorated shoebox to show her. My mom and I would read each one as she taped them on the "blue" tiles for us to enjoy. At Christmas time she would tape up paper cutouts of Santa and his reindeer on the "pink" half. These were such good memories...

The wall was dry. So, I used some tape to put the fallen tiles back up. If tape could hold up so many memories, I figured it could hold the tiles, too.

I have learned so much from my mom.

Full Tummy - Rainy Saturday

It seems like we have developed a tradition of having lunch out on Saturdays.

Today, it is kind of a gloomy day with gray skies and a feeling that it will rain soon. Not much is going on anywhere. I really didn't feel like driving very far, so I took Katie, Michael, Rachel and Brandon to eat at Frisch's.

To entertain themselves, the kids always turn the paper placemats over so they can play hangman. They seem to stump me every time.

It is funny to listen to these guys talking to each other. It is like hearing four conversations going at the same time. I can never follow what they are talking about, yet, they have no problem carrying out their conversations.

Next we went to get an ice cream at UDF. Oh, how I love the chocolate malts from there. However, I restrained from having the extra, and I do mean extra, calories. The kids are not worried about things such as calories or carbohydrates...

Everyone is now home and feeling like taking a nap. Perfect timing, full tummy and a rainy Saturday.

Joe Hedges

Here is a new way to find a band you like.

1) Pick an ailment you have.
2) Google it.
3) Find a link to Youtube.
4) Watch the promotional video.
5) Voilla! You may have found your new favorite band.

This is exactly what happened to me earlier this year. I suffer from Mitral Valve Prolapse. What I found was Joe Hedges with his new CD "Mitral Valve Prolapse." And yes, it is my favorite band.

I have told everyone I know to check out this new CD and the web site at http://www.joehedges.com/ where you can find the MVP music video and the cool promotional video.

So, I am telling you, too.

Home is Where MY Heart Is

I like this title - which really means - I AM HOME!

I got home last night rather late, around midnight. My family was awake and looking forward to seeing me. It seemed like even Buddy (our dog) was waiting for me.

We sat upstairs in the loft on the couch and talked for about an hour. I was extremely tired but so happy to be with my favorite people in the world, my family. It was so nice, the kids joking around and smiling, no TV, no distractions, just being with each other, happy.

Finally, we all went to bed and I think I slept with a smile on my face.

My heart is home.

Home

I am so excited that I will be on my way home at 5PM today!

There are some things that need to be left alone, so, I will only say this, I want to be home.

There have been several workshops that I have attended. I want to focus on the positive aspects of this adventure. There are many talented, knowledgable, and friendly people here.

Among them, a gal from Macon, GA -- funny and I love her accent. Another one would have to be a guy, Rob, who I call the Blue Ridge boy. He is so nice and helpful. I hope to email them occasionally.

Will resume later, gotta run for now. Remember, I am going home today! :)

Sunday Night in Connecticut

I am in my hotel room checking out what is in the room. King size bed - nice. Fridge and microwave - nice, but I don't plan to use. TV and remote are working - excellent.

Well, I am a little homesick. I miss my family.

OK, next I am reading the directory on the desk. I am at New England's top ranked public university, the University of Connecticut. I am at the main campus in Storr's. I have been inside the Nathan Hale Inn since I have arrived. I am looking forward to a little free time to check out local sights.

Well, let's see. The directory says that local attractions include... a dairy? I need to get some sleep. I think I must be reading this thing wrong. I am rather sleepy.

Good night from Connecticut...

Flying on Sunday

Oh my gosh, am I tired! I left Newport, KY at 8:00 this morning, drove to Lexington, KY, to then fly to Hartford, Connecticut via Altlanta, GA. It is 7:30 PM and I have finally arrived. I am at the University of Connecticut in Storrs to learn more about web design for my job.

I am (hopefully) off to dinner and will resume writing when I get back to my room.

Saturday Drive to Augusta, KY

What a beautiful day! It is sunny with blue skies and just enough white puffy clouds for contrast. Seventy seven degrees and no humidity.

I decided that we would drive to Augusta, as I have been doing for many years. So, Katie, Michael and I headed down Route 8. Yes, the AA Highway is faster but not as scenic.

When we got there we went to the General Store for lunch. I love the Augusta Burger with sweet tea. I guess I should know by now that the service is quite slow there. It is very difficult to get a refill on your drinks and if you want dessert, well, you may not have enough time. Even with this being said, I love going there. It is like being back in time, where time runs slow.

Summer Morning

It is early this summer morning, considering I could still be in the cozy envelope of my blankets and sheets. Yet, I prefer the pink and orange rising sun. I enjoy the morning serenade of birds getting ready for their day. The dew on the grass. The smell of fresh brewed coffee.

I notice my environment so much better in the early summer morning. The sights, sounds, the smells and the feel of who I am.

Blogging

OK, it has been less than 10 minutes and I want to post again. You see, I am learning and I need practice.

I am trying to think of the many ways I could use blogging in an elementary classroom environment.

Writing
Communication
Sharing
Ownership
Motivation
Voice

hmmm... I need to think about this.

My First Blog - My First Day

This is the first day of my blog. I am not sure what direction this will take me. I have no plans or format for this thing. I am merely experimenting with the idea of having my own blog. My guess is that I may try this for maybe a month.

It is difficult for me to decide what to write about.

Lesson one for me -- Consider content.

Day in Chicago

Day in Chicago

Testing my new slideshow...