Happy Toes

We were getting ready to head out and run a few errands when William removed his socks. When I asked him why he took his socks off, he answered,

"My toes are giggling."

"What do you mean your toes are giggling?"

"My socks are tickling my toes and my toes are giggling."

My Name Is Susan And I'm An Insomniac

Do you remember the story of the Princess and the Pea? The young lady could not sleep because there was a pea under her 20 or so mattresses that she was "sleeping" on. The pea was put there by a queen as a test to see if the young lady was indeed a REAL princess...

Well, I have had peas under my mattress for a long time.... So long that the peas are rock hard. Granted I don't claim to be a princess, I just can't sleep!

I have had this pea issue since I was in high school. Back in the old days, I worked in the evening at a department store, Crawford's, then came home to a night of homework and studying. After the schoolwork, I would be so wound up that I couldn't get to sleep.

Then there was college and yet more peas... Between the typical crazy schedule of a college student, coupled with roommates (one sleep talker- not mentioning any names) and late night phone calls from a particular boyfriend - "Just got back to the house from a late night of, aah, studying. Yeah we were studying... belch...!" - I can count the number of times I slept through the night in college on one hand - Two! Two nights of non-alcohol induced sleep!

Then I got married and the peas multiplied! Brian, my husband, makes a lot of noise when he sleeps. He has the unique ability to produce noise simultaneously out of every orifice of his body! Not only does he "serenade" me throughout the night, but he is also a bed pig. Which isn't to say he necessarily takes over my sleeping space... he's just taken what used to be mine prior to the marriage.

Because of the lack of sleeping space, I just can't roll over anymore. I have to roll over and scoot myself back to my side of the bed so that I don't invade his territory. Roll... scoot... Roll... scoot.... Why can't I just roll and remain where I am? Those were the good old single days.

Then there are the trains. I hate the trains. Never liked them, never will! They blow their stinkin' horns at every crossing- which I now count and recite as they blow, "Roosevelt, Calumet, Franklin, Washington, Lafayette, ....". Some engineers hush the train horns at night. Some, on the other hand, like to blow the horn as loud as they can for as long as they can.....I know it's just to irritate me......some kind of twisted torture.......as if I ever did anything to a train engineer.

Along with the trains, there's the moaning dog, the biting cat and, of course, the kids. Especially William, who thinks our bed is an extension of his.

Once, out of desperation, I brought the issue up with my doctor........She asked me if I had tried "prayer"as a sleep remedy. I had to restrain myself from telling her to kiss my holy ass. But I refrained from profanity and instead kindly thanked her for the suggestion as she handed me a Rx for a sleep study.

I've tried everything from sleep aids to warm milk( disgusting!), hot baths, earplugs, daily exercise, fans, sound machines, less caffeine intake, a regular sleep "routine" and even a lavender spray for my sheets. NOTHING has worked!

I've accepted that I'm going to have to live my life in a pea-induced haze. I can't get rid of Brian, the dog, the cat, the trains or, of course, the kids..........

That extra bedroom is looking better and better, though.....maybe I'll even soundproof the walls!!!

Any Way You Like It....

Today the kids and I made pumpkin bread. The recipe was easy to follow and the result was delicious! Even if you are not a big pumpkin fan, this recipe is worth trying!

Anyway You Like It Pumpkin Breads Estimated Times: Preparation - 15 min Cooking - 50 min

Ingredients:
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup Stir Ins (raisins, sweetened dried cranberries or chopped dates)
1 can (30 oz.) LIBBY'S® Easy Pumpkin Pie Mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup orange juice, apple juice or water
2 large eggs
Directions:PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease two 8 x 4-inch loaf pans. COMBINE flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Combine pumpkin pie mix, oil, orange juice and eggs in another large bowl. Pour pumpkin mixture into flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Fold in Stir Ins. Spoon batter into prepared pans. BAKE for 50 to 55 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely.

FOR EIGHT 5 1/2 x 3 1/4-INCH MINI-LOAF DISPOSABLE PANS:PREPARE as above. Bake for 38 to 42 minutes.FOR TWO DOZEN MUFFIN CUPS:PREHEAT oven to 400° F. Prepare as above. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes.

A Day At The Museum

On Monday, the Stage Family decided to take a day off from work and school and head to the Museum of Science and Industry. Actually, I had a doctor appointment with my rheumatologist at the University of Chicago and since the museum is almost next door to the campus, we decided to take advantage of the situation.

We arrived at the museum late in the morning, parked in the underground garage and walked in to the immense lobby. Do you know what we saw and heard? Nothing! There were no crowds... or noise..., just an open lobby without the long lines at the ticket counter. This was really strange. I've never been to the museum when it was this quiet. How cool!!! The last time we were there was on William's birthday in July and it was packed, as in hold on tight to your kids because they could get lost in the crowds packed.

William in the mist

The kids absolutely LOVE the museum, especially William who is interested in trains. Claudia likes the circus exhibit, the United airplane and the baby chicks. Brian and I just like it all! We decided this would be a good time to purchase a family membership. It's a pretty good deal. Cheaper than the family membership at the Shedd Aquarium and has a few more perks. We have unlimited tickets to the Omnimax theater, passes to the Smart House, discounted parking and we can bring a guest. Our guest was Brian's mom, Mimi. We really had to twist her arm to join us!

We started our visit with a ride from Denver to Chicago on the Pioneer Zephyr. It's streamlined design made for a really speedy trip. And we arrived in Chicago in time for the 1934 World's Fair!

William thinks the Zephyr is so cool. We missed the trip on our last visit and he was really bummed, so we made it a priority stop this visit.

After the train trip, we headed to the Smart House. It's actually a house full of "greenness". I know this isn't a real word, but it should be.... bamboo floors, rooftop garden, recycled materials.... I'm sure you get the idea. It was really cool. We left there inspired to make a few changes in our house. Now we just need the $$$$ to do so!

After the Smart House, we headed to the Omnimax for some white water rafting on the Colorado River. I became pretty queasy in the theater. I'd write more about the rafting trip, but the images are making my stomach churn right now.... Yuck!

The museum closed at 4:00pm on Monday, so we didn't get to see everything we wanted. We did get some of the important stuff in such as the John Deere tractor in Farm Tech, Christmas Around the World and the Great Train Story. Both the kids love the trains. The train story replicates a train trip from Chicago to Seattle with realistic terrain and cityscapes. It's awesome! If you haven't seen it, it's worth the trip!

Our day ended with the trip home with two overtired kids and adults! We can't wait to make another trip back. Yeah for memberships!!!

This is one small step for astronaut William, one giant leap for mankind

Christmas Around the World

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Look at me!! Look at me!!!

Is It Christmas?

Our deck and yard

One of the trees in our backyard

We woke up to over a foot of snow! I can't believe it! We have never gotten this much before Thanksgiving. I don't even have snow pants or boots for the kids!

Claudia and William came downstairs together this morning. That walked right past the sliding doors in the kitchen. I told them to back up and look outside.

Claudia: "Whoa...".
William: "Whoa...".
Claudia: "Can I make a snowball, a snow angel and a snowman?"
William: "Is Santa coming tonight?"

The kids are not the only one in the house that is excited about the snow....

Brian is outside clearing off the car so he can head out to purchase his first snow blower. Six years of shoveling has taken a toll on his shoulder. The store doesn't open for another 45 minutes.... Guess he wants to be the first in line.

Have a snow filled day!

Big Daddy Returns

Brian came home late last night from his business trip to Pittsburgh. The kids didn't get to see him last night or this morning (he had an early meeting). However, they did find a little surprise waiting for them on the kitchen table...

Brian brought home Pittsburgh Pirates t-shirts for the kids. William's is black and Claudia's is pink. Both shirts have pirates on them that glow in the dark. How fun!

Both of them wanted to wear their new shirts this morning. William was sitting with me in the living room and asked if he could go get his shirt and put it on. "Sure, " I said. Claudia asked William for hers too. William had a few other important things in his hands at the time such as plastic pliers and a book he made yesterday. Instead of putting this stuff down and getting the shirts out of the kitchen, he responded to Claudia, "What do I look like to you, an octopus?".

It appears my sarcasm is started to trickle down to the little people... giggle, giggle.....

Good Enough To Eat

My Friend, Shawnie, posted a tasty recipe for play dough. Thought I'd share it with you...

Kool-Aid Play Dough

1/2 cup of salt

1 cup flour

3 Tbsp oil

1 pkg kool-aid

Mix together ingredients and add 1 cup of boiling water.

Knead until soft and put into sealed container.

Papa's Party

On Saturday we celebrated Papa's 60th birthday Rock and Roll Style!

William the Superhero and Papa

William and Papa's old car

"Papa, open our gift first!"

Elvis came to sing "Happy Birthday" to Papa


Cake face Claudia and Mimi


Papa's cake- need a fire extinguisher for all those candles?

Brian and Papa

Fall Colors

This is a picture taken from one of my bedroom windows.

I thought the window made for a colorful frame :)

Have a colorful weekend!!

Sick Days

This has been a long sickly week at the Stage house.....


All four of us have been sick to one degree or another. Congestion, runny noses, coughing and a fever for Claudia.


I hate being sick. Who doesn't? I don't feel like doing anything. The house is cluttered with toys, beds are not made and the laundry is piling up. We've been scrounging for meals because I don't feel like cooking. I did make a giant pot of split pea soup. The kiddos refused to eat it- not pretty enough....

The kids don't feel like doing much either. They have met their yearly quota of television viewing in the last few days. I believe I now owe PBS a big check for babysitting my children as I lay on the couch in a semi-comatose state. Makes me feel so guilty for being a slacker.

I fondly remember the days when I was working out of the house..... That's when I had the option of not going in to work and using a sick day. A sick day for MYSELF! I didn't have to wipe anyone's nose, make meals, referee children. I could lie on the couch, sleep, read, eat when I wanted.... It was MY sick day.

Now that I am no longer teaching, sick days are a thing of the past. Recently I mentioned to Brian that I'd like him to stay home so I could have a sick day. He looked at me as if I've grown another head. "Sorry. Got meetings today... " He has probably racked up thousands of sick days that he never uses. These include family sick days. I'm family. Don't I count? Can't you just use one of those days to stay home so I can rest?

To put the pressure on, this Saturday is Brian's father's 60th birthday party. I'd hate to by the person blowing snot all over and sneezing uncontrollably. In addition to the party, Brian is going out of town all of next week. I feel the need to get healthy by Saturday so that I can attend the party as well as get the house back in order so the rest of next week is not as chaotic as this one has been. Wish me luck!

A Spooktacular Week

This year we had a full week of Halloween!

Our fun started the Friday before Halloween. The city of Valparaiso had their annual trick or treating around the square. The weather was a little wet which seemed to help lessen the usual crowds. There was still a good turnout of people but not quite the large crowds there have been in the past few years. The kids had fun trick or treating at the shops and going for a John Deere led hay ride.

The Trick Or Treaters

Claudia on the hayride

William checking out the police car

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the kids had Halloween parties at their library programs. Unfortunately I forgot my camera on Tuesday but DID remember it for William's class on Wednesday.

William (the fireman) and class

William's library parade

On Wednesday and Thursday nights, Brian and the kids carved our pumpkins (four this year!) into jack-o-lanterns. Things got a little crazy in the kitchen so I stayed away and let Brian manage the chaos all by himself....

"Let's carve mine first"
"No, mine first"
"No, mine"
"OK, since you two can't stop arguing, we'll carve Mom's first"

"Would you stop grabbing the pumpkin before it falls on the floor and breaks?!"

"Stop touching the knives or the pumpkin will be finished now with only one eye!"

"Would you please stop grabbing my arm when I'm carving?! This knife is sharp!"

The final results - with no injuries!

Then came Friday, the "real" Halloween! First, William's preschool had a short program and trick or treat parade in the church basement. It was fun to watch all the kids sing their spooky songs! Mimi joined us at the program and parade and watched Claudia later in the afternoon so I could return to school and help with the class party. The last half an hour of class was reserved for games and the party. William left school with a bucket full of treats and a huge smile on his face.

Later that evening, Grandma and one of William's friends from school and his family joined us for supper. We attempted to gets the kids to eat so they wouldn't make a meal out of candy. Not much luck..... It was Halloween after all!

We took the kids trick-or-treating down Lafayette and Washington Streets. The boys had fun running from house to house. Claudia, as cute as she was as a green M&M, couldn't quite keep up. In fact, after about four or five houses she wailed pitifully to be carried. She did manage to walk up to most of the doors for treats - nothing gets in her way when candy is involved!
Our neighbors had their usual spooky house complete with music, gore, amazing decorations and the comical commentator! All of the kids, Claudia included, braved the big front porch with scary witches, werewolves, and monsters, the promise of more Halloween treats winning out over any fear or trepidation.
Halloween in our neighborhood is incredible. It actually reminds me of a movie set.... tons of families walking up and down the streets and lots of decorated houses complete with animated "scary guys". Grandma, who handed out candy at our house, said we had a record amount of kids this year. Thank goodness we didn't run out of candy!

Our neighbor's porch

Our neighbor's haunted house

The kids couldn't wait to get home to chow down on their treats!

What a fun week. Both of the kids have been asking when they get to do Halloween again!