Nationals at BJU

The large instrumental ensemble Joel plays baritone in just placed

2nd at the AACS National Competition!!!!

Congratulations Joel!!!

Pyrex Love

Me and Ginger c. 1974

Since starting my Etsy shop, I have spent some time searching for and researching vintage Pyrex dishes . . . actually, I am starting to become a little obsessed.

I am not sure why I love Pyrex so much . . . actually maybe I do know.

For me Pyrex dishes just feel good. Somehow, much like Pepsi Throwback, Pyrex takes me back to the 70's.

Brian and I talk about it all the time . . . we both just had really, really good childhoods. I am not sure what the political or social climate of the 70's was - but life for kids was great.

We played outside. We watched great shows on TV like Emergency and The Brady Bunch. We wore cool clothes. And we ate supper at home every night out of Pyrex dishes!

Life was simple and just plain good.

When I come across different Pyrex patterns memories of Aunt Ann's meatloaf, Aunt Janie's chicken casserole, or Aunt Rose's garden fresh tomatoes are evoked.

But more than that it is just remembering being a kid.

Is it crazy to feel all of that about a glass dish? Maybe, but I must not be the only one to feel this way.

While trying to research a Pyrex pattern that I had never seen before, I ran across the most AWESOME website. Awesome that is if you love Pyrex.

At pyrexlove.com you can see EVERY Pyrex pattern ever made! Talk about nostalgia!

My plans tonight are to sip on a Pepsi Throwback and look at old Pyrex patterns while watching Emergency on DVD!

Life is still good.

Joel and Amanda

Joel and Amanda in Manchester, New Hampshire

at a hockey game.

Something tells me they weren't that interested

in the hockey game.

New Venture

I have officially entered the world of Etsy!
Go to TheWifeandDaughter to check out my shop!

Nor'easter

Squinting in the sun - but at least the sun was shining!

I can't believe they were filming a documentary

about our trip to Niagara Falls!

American Falls and Bridal Falls in the background.

It has been spring break week here and Brian and I blew through New England like a nor'easter! We left Sunday morning after church for our 18 hour trek to take Joel to see Amanda in New Hampshire!

Considering neither Brian or I had ever been any farther east than Columbus, Ohio, we were excited to see some new parts of the country. Thankfully the weather was good and we made good time.

We got to New Hampshire around 5:30 pm on Monday and had a great evening with Amanda's family. Tuesday morning we were able to visit with Amanda's grandparents, Richard and Diane (missionaries with Open Air Campaigners), who are responsible for getting this whole "Joel and Amanda" thing going in the first place!

Brian and I were were back on the road by noon on Tuesday and made it to our destination of Niagara Falls by 10:00 pm that night. We stayed at a hotel within walking distance to the falls and had a great time there on Wednesday morning.

We were back in the car by noon and amazingly enough were home by 9:00 pm Wednesday night! Wow! That was a lot of driving . . . but we were able to add the states of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, and New Hampshire to the list of states to which we have been!

We are the Champions!

Joel and the TCM Eagles ended the 2010-2011

as IACS State Champions!

(watch highlight video here)

I thought about writing a poem, maybe a haiku, about basketball

. . . something to reflect the emotions and ups and downs of the season. But instead I will just summarize in bullet form and end this post with an ode:

• Season started with a lot of pressure. This was THE team . . . the team they had been preening and nurturing since junior high.
• Joel was the 5th starter. . . the only junior among the 4 starting seniors.
• First big game . . . Joel sprains in ankle in the FIRST quarter. The rest of the season is filled with a lot of tape, ice and ibuprofen.
• The first week of December was spent in sunny Florida at the PCC basketball tournament. The boys played well and had some fun on the beach. Brian and I enjoyed the time on the beach too!
• Christmas break was spent at a not-nearly-as-fun tournament in Richmond where the team faced the stiffest competition of the season. They got their hat handed to them on occasion but out of the pressure emerged the stronger, more confident player in Joel. Coach said if he were giving out a tournament MVP award it would go to Joel!
• January came and so did Megan's wedding. Joel missed a pretty big game which conflicted with the wedding . . . but I don't think he minded that much. He liked his tux and loves his sister!
• Joel battled the coaches and proved to them and himself that he was a determined ball player. I am confident that the steps he took to establish himself as a player will benefit him on and off the court for years to come.
• January also brought with it the full-blown flu. Although he only missed one game due to it, he practiced for a week and played one game while running a 101 degree fever. I guess it is true that that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
• February brought changes to the team and the starting five which consisted of four seniors and Joel changed to three seniors, one sophomore and Joel.
• February also brought a lot of snow which meant a week off of school, missed practices and cancelled games.
• Later February brought make-up practices and make-up games. On one such make-up game Joel was leading scorer with 20 points and had an awesome highlight reel worthy put back!
• Late February, more changes to the starting line-up . . . now two seniors, two sophomores and Joel.
• March Madness finally came and with it the state finals. Shock and Awe was their intent . . . the team resolved to play their hardest . . . full-tilt until the end. And shock and awe they did! Joel, unfortunately, fouled out early in the second game but made up for that in the final game with several big blocks, powerful defense, and some needed buckets. Friends and family there cheering him on, TCM history was made!

Ode to Basketball

I know what plays are Spartan, Michigan State and L from all of my basketball watching.

My bottom is flat from all of the bleacher sitting, and

my belly is flabby from all of the McDonald's eating.

My throat is sore from all of the cheering, and

our bank account is empty from all of the spending.

Our tires are worn out from all of the driving, but

my Tuesdays and Fridays will now be empty.

I will now have no excuse not to go to Zumba.

I love Hoosier basketball especially when my boys play;

I would do it all again in a heartbeat . . .

I guess I will next season!

Dirty Little Secrets

To follow suit with Megan, Bree and Angel.

1. I can stack all of the dishes I own in my dish strainer at the same time. I do it frequently.

2. I used to hide dirty dishes in the oven until they caught fire one day.

3. I have a humiliating public bathroom story that could rival our dear friend R.B.'s - the details of which will go to the grave with me.

4. I am reformed from texting while driving.

5. At any given time there is some form of pet excrement on the floor in my house.

6. I don't ever park in the nurses' parking lot. I park in the closer patient parking lot. Sometimes when it is cold and the nurse with MS walks in from the nurses' lot, I feel bad. (Disclaimer: I am not lazy it is just that I am always running late.)

7. I am addicted to hairspray. There is a can in the bathroom at work. I use it every time I go to the bathroom. The can is not mine.

8. I lie about my weight. Before getting my epidural with Joel, the doctor asked me how much I weighed. I said, "1XX pounds." Brian said, "Are you really willing to risk dying?" I said, "Can I get back with you on that?" The doctor then said, "I will go check her chart."

9. I love the Weather Channel. I find it soothing and comforting.

10. I run bath water when I am worried. I don't take a bath then

. . . I just run the water.