Mike and Cindi

March 24

2011-03-24T09:36:00.005-05:00

As if I would forget to post today! Of course on his 20-14th birthday, I am grateful, grateful, grateful for Mike. I could write you a dissertation on why (and maybe I will when I'm not posting at work...shhhhhh!) - but for now, I'll just say that he's wonderful. And I love him.

March 23

2011-03-23T21:30:00.001-05:00

Today I am grateful for Los Gatitos. They are furry and snuggly and an endless source of entertainment. They know how to put you in your place when you need it (or even if you don't) - and they make the best napping partners in the world! (Mike excluded)

Plus - since Mike and I talk for our cats (hey - don't judge me!) - they say the funniest things!

March 22

2011-03-22T21:25:00.001-05:00

Today I'm grateful for the spice store. Mike and I went out and about in Oak Park Sunday after mass and wound up at Penzey's.

Some spices we bought...

and others we decided to save for later.

Now that I've been promoted to sous chef, I'm hoping that we'll be spending a lot more time at the spice store. It's always fun to go and browse - and it smells SO GOOD in there!

March 21

2011-03-21T09:23:00.004-05:00

Today is a gloomy, rainy day and it matches my mood. I'm missing my mom a lot - just because. So today I am grateful for her. For my mom who raised me to persevere and keep going even when I don't want to.

"Forgive me my sins, O Lord; forgive me the sins of my youth and the sins of my age, the sins of my soul and the sins of my body, my secret and my whispering sins, the sins I have done to please myself and the sins I have done to please others. Forgive those sins which I know, and the sins which I know not; forgive them, O Lord, forgive them all of Thy great goodness. Amen." -Beliefnet's prayer of the day

March 20

2011-03-20T21:31:00.004-05:00

Today Mike is grateful for me. Or at least he should be. Our first attempt at making an Outback Bloomin' Onion at home almost = epic fail. Mike mixed the batter and cut the onion. A miscalculation while onion chopping meant that we were having onion petals rather than a real bloomin' onion. I assured him that this wasn't a problem. Then he had an issue getting the batter to stick to the onion.

He was cleaning the mixing bowls and expressing his frustration when I happened into the kitchen. I made him make up more milk/egg mixture so that I could try and coat them better. He wouldn't let me mix up the spices again (it would take too much time), but I got the onion to take a full coating of flour. It's not the Outback - but it looks pretty good on top of that steak, doesn't it?

And what's for dessert?! Fried ice cream. Yummo!

Today I am grateful that I have enough food each day.

"We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty God, who livest and reignest world without end. Amen. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."

March 17

2011-03-17T08:44:00.002-05:00

Today I'm grateful for another birthday - my twenty-fourteenth. And for Mike, who sent me to work today with sugar cookies with shamrocks on the top...to share with the other kids. Even though he's taking his life in his hands by asking me how old am I - followed by asking how old he is. Sometimes it's hell being married to someone a week younger than you. Feh. I try to explain that what's cute when you're 22 does not translate when you're 20-14. One day he'll learn - I think.

"Christ shield me this day: Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every person who thinks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me" (from "The Breastplate of St. Patrick").

Back on the Gratefulness Wagon - March 14

2011-03-14T10:20:00.002-05:00

So, it's been pretty hard to be grateful lately. It's been - pretty much - a big pityfest for myself. Losing my dad within a few years of my mom seemed to crush my spirit and, while I tried to hide it, I didn't much care about being grateful.

But, on the cusp of my 34th birthday, I've decided that I can only be as grateful as I try to be. So I'm back on the gratefulness wagon - trying to find the joy in the little things in life.

So - I thought that I'd tackle the source of my ungratefulness head-on and start there by finding something to be grateful about even in the things that have caused me so much unhappiness. So here it is.

I am grateful that God took my parents quickly and with minimal suffering. They were not in pain. They did not linger in comas or a vegetative state. They did not waste away in front of me. They are together again in Heaven. And I am grateful.

“O God, great and omnipotent judge of the living and the dead, we are to appear before you after this short life to render an account of our works. Give us the grace to prepare for our last hour by a devout and holy life. Let us remember our frailty and mortality, that we may always live in the ways of your commandments. Teach us to "watch and pray" (Lk 21:36), that when your summons comes for our departure from this world, we may go forth to meet you, experience a merciful judgment, and rejoice in everlasting happiness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Psalm 77

2010-12-28T19:47:00.001-06:00

¹ I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
² When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.

³ I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.^b]">[b]
⁴ You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
⁵ I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
⁶ I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

⁷ “Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
⁸ Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
⁹ Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

¹⁰ Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
¹¹ I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
¹² I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

¹³ Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
¹⁴ You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.

November 13, 2010

2010-11-13T23:06:00.004-06:00

Today - a couple of days late, I suppose - I am grateful for all veterans. Mike and I spent Veteran's Day at the sight of the Civil War battle of Shiloh. It was a beautiful day and because it was Vet's Day, the park waived the entrance fees.

Because the battlefield was (is) so big, they have it set up so that you can drive around to 20 key points where important parts of the battle took place. But, due to road construction, you had to walk to three of the sites if you wanted to see them. Of course, two of the three were sites that we really wanted to see. It turned out to be the best part of the trip - it was a gorgeous day and we were able to get some great snaps.

Mike was really anxious to see this pond, because it looked from the handouts they gave us at the Ranger station that it would be a great picture. It was - but the pond is called "Bloody Pond," because so many soldiers crawled here for water and died that the water turned red.

Mike made a good point. We were discussing whether we'd liked Little Bighorn (in Montana) or Shiloh better. I noted that Shiloh didn't have the same spooky feeling, because at Little Bighorn, they have markers where they found the bodies of the soldiers, where are Shiloh simply has the cemeteries. Mike countered with the observation that at Little Bighorn you were restricted to a couple of paths that they had designated, but at Shiloh, you were tromping through the woods and going anywhere you wanted - walking the same paths as those who'd fought there 148 years ago.

Verdict? - Both are worth seeing. If you go to Shiloh, set aside the whole day, because you can easily spend it there.

Kitty Docking Station

2010-09-27T07:44:00.001-05:00

Charging...charging...charging...

September 27, 2010

2010-09-27T07:25:00.002-05:00

Today I am grateful that I have a job.

I am.

Yeah.

Grateful.

Maybe if I keep repeating it, I'll remember to actually feel grateful in my heart.

Happy Monday, everyone!

September 26, 2010 (Part II)

2010-09-26T17:49:00.002-05:00

I'm grateful that despite evidence to the contrary - it didn't rain today! We were back at Wrigley Field for the last home Cubs game of the season.

Will somebody please tell Mike that his jersey doesn't look stupid with his gray hoodie? I had to threaten to boycott the whole game to get him to wear the jersey!

I'm grateful for the red line, which saves us money for parking.

I'm grateful for Mike - even if he does look slightly homeless when he doesn't shave on the weekends.

(Homeless Mike)

Aww...look how cute he is.

And they definitely don't come much cuter than the two of us together!

I'm grateful for peanuts you have to crack out of the shell. Delish! A winner in almost any situation - which was good, because the Cubs certainly weren't today.

I'm grateful that the Cubs put the Detroit score on the scoreboard today and saved me from having to hear the whining.

And I'm grateful for my kitties, who are always up for a nap in the man cave.

Happy Sunday, everyone!

September 26, 2010

2010-09-26T01:23:00.004-05:00

Today I am grateful for sunny days - because it really looks like it's going to rain.

September 25, 2010

2010-09-25T23:18:00.000-05:00

Today I am grateful for the Mars Cheese Castle, just outside of Kenosha, Wisconsin - because I right now have a fridge full of yummy, yummy cheeses. I also have imported chocolate and Dusseldorf style mustard.

(The new and improved Cheese Castle - which is currently under construction.)

September 24, 2010

2010-09-24T18:13:00.003-05:00

Today I am grateful that Kelly and her "special friend" are enjoying their bike riding together.

And equally grateful that Mike does not ask me to ride a bike with him. Seriously - so grateful.

But have fun, Kelly! :)

September 23, 2010

2010-09-23T13:02:00.000-05:00

Today I'm grateful for Sam, the Russian watch guy. He took the Tissot Seastar watch that Mike bought me on ebay for a steal, got a couple of extra links, and made it all spiffy for me.

My mom always wanted a watch with a blue face. She could never find one that she loved which also fit well. Ever since she died, I've also been on the lookout for the perfect blue-faced watch. It was my mom's quixotic quest and I somehow couldn't let it end without the Holy Grail of blue-faced watches being found!

When Mike showed up with this one, I was in love. But - it was super small, and whomever it had belonged to had sent it to Mike without the extra links they had removed. I worried that it would be difficult to get the fit right - and it was a real chore to get the two new links from the company. (It took quite a bit of time). Well the links are in and the deed is done and I am smitten. My mom would have been so jealous!

September 21, 2010

2010-09-21T23:36:00.003-05:00

Today I am grateful for the Chicago Cubs. Because they stink this year, I was able to snatch up two tickets to tonight's game for $35. Total! Ask any Chicagoan and they'll tell you, that's a damn good deal! (Here are our seats).

And I'm grateful that the Cubs were giving away pink hats tonight. Doesn't Mike look cute in his? Take a good look, because I guarantee you'll never see him wear it again.

It got darker and darker and darker.

So they pulled out the tarp and covered everything up. Good thing, because it started raining shortly after! I was grateful for this, even!

Because it created the perfect opportunity to enjoy a Ball Park frank from Wrigley Field! The official hotdog of the Chicago Cubs! (Also available at Comerica Park).

The took the tarp off, prepped the field and had to run to put the tarp back on when a deluge hit about 20 minutes later...so I guess I'm grateful that Wrigley Field employs such a dedicated grounds crew. You wouldn't catch me out there in the downpour!

And lastly - I'm grateful that Mike has internet on his cell phone.

Inexplicably, the Cubs didn't have the Tigers score posted on the scoreboard...(i.e. nobody cares - kidding! I'm kidding!). So Schmikey had to keep up on his own group of loveable losers (at least this year) on his phone. (They lost to Kansas City).

September 19, 2010

2010-09-19T21:02:00.003-05:00

Today I am grateful for God. (Pictures below were taken during Mass this afternoon.) RCIA begins tomorrow at our parish. And I'm on the team. I'm so excited that it may be a challenge sleeping tonight. I don't know why I'm so excited, but I can't wait! I suppose it's just the idea that I'll be guiding someone through their own spiritual journey.

And RCIA was so much fun for me! It's meeting new people and talking about God and how He has influenced my own life. It's kind of scary, too! It's a big responsibility - at least it is to me! And clearly the staff thinks so - they've given us homework...books on being an effective leader and how to talk to people about God.

Today in church it was the stewardship sign up. They left a list of ministries on the pews and asked that you take it home and see if God is calling you to "share your gifts" with the parish. After Mass, we ran into Luciano (the music director). It happened that Luciano had heard us talk about Mike's decent singing voice before. He asked me where Mike was and if he was at all interested in joining the choir, since they were desperate for male singers. I said I wasn't sure, but Luciano said he'd talk to him. I prepped Mike before hand - I was sure that Mike was going to think I'd sold him out. Mike laughed and told Luciano that he'd come choir practice for awhile and sing in the choir at the 10 a.m. masses. Then Luciano turned on me and convinced me that I should sing, too - since I'll be at the masses with Mike etc. He found out that I played instruments and is working to get me to play during special masses (like Easter etc).

I said I'd think about it.

September 18, 2010

2010-09-18T21:02:00.001-05:00

Today I am grateful for the Knights of Columbus. As evidenced by the pictures below, Mike is a Knight (1st degree, but moving up!). Not only do they do a lot of good in the world, but Mike really loves getting together with the other guys and going to the meetings. They have two meetings a month - the first one is a business meeting and the second is a "social" meeting. I suspect this second meeting is just an excuse to drink beer and talk about sports...but then, I don't know - I'm not allowed to go. Perhaps part of the draw for Mike is that it's for men only and his wife isn't allowed to go with him. He spends a lot of time in my loud-mouth shadow and, while he never complains, I suspect he enjoys being around people without me answering for him all the time. Hey - I'm trying to get better! But I still once in awhile will realize that someone has asked him a question which I answered for him. It's a work in progress.

It's tootsie roll time again for the Knights, although the organization encourages you to refer to it as the "Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities" as the KoC has no official ties to the Tootsie Roll company. Mike has been handing out tootsie rolls for donations all weekend. Please give generously! It's for a good cause.

September 17

2010-09-17T22:01:00.001-05:00

Today I am grateful for sweat pants. I haven't worn them for a long time and then last month, I impulsively purchased a pair during a trip to Walmart and I love them. I'd wear them all the time if I could get away with it!

Sweat pants...that's my pick for the day. Mark it!

September 14

2010-09-14T23:08:00.002-05:00

Today I am grateful for Sergio. I started out being grateful for Piece Pizza and iCream - then realized that, to date, all of my gratefuls have been food related. So I broke with the pattern and have decided that today I'm grateful for Serg.

More on the food track tomorrow...

September 13

2010-09-13T21:49:00.002-05:00

Today I am grateful for french fries. Specifically I am grateful for Edzo's truffle fries. They are the best. Sure they're not good for you and you shouldn't eat them all the time - but as far as I'm concerned, they're the perfect food.

"French fries. I love them. Some people are chocolate and sweets people. I love French fries. That and caviar." - Cameron Diaz

September 12

2010-09-12T22:55:00.003-05:00

So I never blog. I know this - you know this. I don't think anyone's surprised by the sentiment. So I thought that I'd take a page out of my mother-in-law's book and try a little gratefulness blog. That way, my posts don't have to be long and maybe it'll help me remember all those little things (and some big ones, too) that I really am grateful for. So, without further ado...

Today I am grateful for Merle's Rib Palace in Evanston, Illinois. They have a delightful wedge salad with a lovely creamy blue cheese dressing which hit the spot this evening while I was dining with my dearest.

I am grateful for Cinemark Century Theater, also in Evanston, Illinois, which allowed me to watch Resident Evil: Afterlife in 3D...or as I like to call it 3-effing-D. I spent most of the movie like this...

I'm grateful for zombie movies, which scare the bejesus out of me.

And sunglasses - you can never have enough sunglasses.

Amen.

Translator's Note

2010-07-25T00:27:00.003-05:00

So, after a conversation with a fellow English major I work with, I decided that I'd read my way through a list of the 100 best novels in the world. The #1 book - which got 50% more votes than any other novel was Don Quixote. Why not start at the top, I said to myself. And so, today I went out and purchased a brand spanking new copy of The New York Times Bestseller - newly translated by Edith Grossman - version of Miguel de Cervantes' history of Don Quixote de la Mancha. It even has an introduction by Harold Bloom! (He usually talks about Shakespeare - so I'm interested to see what he has to say about Cervantes. Did you know that Shakespeare and Cervantes died on the same day?...but I'm getting off topic).

I could almost hear Mike sighing inside of his head when I announced my intent to read my way through this list and my request that we make a stop at the book store today so that I could get started. I know he figures that we will end up $14 poorer with an extra book on the shelf that I've given up reading. I must confess that I'm slightly intimidated by the sheer size of this book. 74 chapters - 940 pages - plus a translator's note and introduction...did I mention that's by Harold Bloom? I did? What - I'm very excited about this...I'm a geek aren't I?

Anyway - I've decided that I need to do at least a chapter a day in order to keep the flow going. I was excited to get started, but left it so late that I decided to do only the minimum, which in this case meant reading the first bit - the translator's note. All I can really say is that this woman likes to hear herself speak - or type..and she uses the word "utopian" incessantly.

Bring on the windmills!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

2010-04-14T18:10:00.003-05:00

Due to the beginning of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Mike will be putting all non-important matters temporarily on hold until the middle of June.

LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!!!!

Quote of the Day

2010-02-26T21:45:00.001-06:00

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Nelson Mandela (Quote originally written by Marianne Williamson)

When I'm Gone

2010-02-06T22:29:00.002-06:00

So I finally watched the final two-peart last episodes of Monk. They premiered about two months ago, but I haven't been able to bring myself to watch. I have always enjoyed the show, but I haven't watch it much since my mom died. It was her favorite show and the day she died was the half season finale "Mr. Monk Goes to a Rock Concert." That one sat on my tivo for a year before I could finally watch it. After I got past my mental block and watched it, I would occasionally watch other episodes, but I found that the enjoyment just wasn't the same. I always thought it weird that the show continued without its number 1 fan.

And now it's over. The last episode has aired and the major mystery solved - and I realized that I liked it better when the show was still on the air. I guess you just can't make me happy. :) I cried when they played the ending song "When I'm Gone" by Randy Newman (see below) and I realized that my mom is gone and now - so is Monk. It's completely irrational. Even if they were making new episodes, Mom's not here to see them. And to be honest, I haven't been watching regularly for the last three years.

I've just shaken my head and chalked it up to "one of those things." It doesn't really make any sense - but there it is.

Incidentally, despite claims that I've seen stating that the song is available on i-Tunes, I haven't been able to find it. I really do like the song and if you find it - I'd love to have it! Let me know.

Mik and the Ice Diva

2010-02-05T22:59:00.002-06:00

The Heart of Life

2010-01-20T22:38:00.001-06:00

Happiness

2010-01-20T22:26:00.002-06:00

"Happiness lies for those who cry, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives."

Just as Sweet

2010-01-08T23:18:00.002-06:00

So I've been thinking that I want to rename the blog. When I started it, I stuck "Mike and Cindi" on top until I could think up something more clever and then promptly found more important things to do. My archive tells me that Mike and I will have been keeping the blog for four years on January 14. And still no title. We started this blog before we were married, for pity's sake!

But what do we call it? That is the question. I want something catchy and/or clever. Any ideas?

Not Yet

2010-01-07T23:53:00.000-06:00

Give me chastity and continence, but not yet.- St Augustine

...Go I...

2010-01-07T23:05:00.002-06:00

Tonight we fed the homeless. Ok, so I don't really know that he was homeless - but he was begging for money outside of CVS pharmacy where I made Mike take me to buy some medicine to treat a cold sore that I have inside of my lip. I suppose it is more accurate to say that we fed someone less fortunate.

After five years in the city, we can automatically identify those who are going to ask for money. Mike warned me when I got out to run into the store that he was standing by the door. He asked me for money, but I had no cash and apologetically told him that I couldn't help. He thanked me.

As I came out of the store and got into the car, Mike asked me if I wanted anything from McDonald's. Since we had recently had a big talk about "fiscal responsibility" and eating at home, I was surprised that he was wanting to stop for fast food. On top of which, it was after 10 p.m. - long past our dinnertime. I said that I wasn't hungry and asked if he was.

"No." He said, "I'm getting that guy a burger."

Mike went into McDonald's and came out with a value meal and a large coffee, which we took back and dropped off with the appreciative recipient.

If this last year has taught me anything, it is an appreciation for the precarious situation in which a majority of us find ourselves. A year ago, I would have looked at that guy and been irritated because I knew that he was going to ask me for money. I might even have entered through another door to try and avoid an awkward encounter - but tonight I looked at him, as I now look at nearly everyone who asks me for money - and I thought, "There but for the grace of God..."

Both Mike and I were lucky enough to survive job lay-offs at our jobs last year. So many people were not as fortunate. It's not black and white. Where would I be if I didn't have a supportive family and I lost my job? Maybe I'd be begging for money outside of CVS in a snow storm. It could be me. Or you.

Someone recently (jokingly) told me that I might as well have a sign on my forehead because if I have money and am asked, I will generally give it away. Not large amounts - a dollar here or there. I don't care. Today Mike did something nice for our fellow man and that makes me feel really good.

Beatitude

2010-01-07T20:58:00.002-06:00

"A little drowsing cat is an image of a perfect beatitude." - Jules Champfleury

Watching 'Steven Seagal: Lawman'

2010-01-07T20:51:00.000-06:00

A Series of Unfortunate Events

2010-01-06T23:11:00.003-06:00

Mike has had a very bad day.

It started when we were driving to work today. The "Low Tire Pressure" light came on. Then the new Health Commissioner canceled the inspection that he was going to do with the Mikster today. (No big whoop there - but it denotes a pattern.)

Then he somehow managed to lock his keys in the trunk. Our conversation about this event went something like this:

Cindi: So, Houdini - you wanna tell me how you managed to lock your keys in the trunk?
Mike: No.

Then he called and I was working late, so he had to wait to see which train I would be coming home on. Once I called him, he left to pick me up. I arrived and he wasn't waiting for me. I called and found out that he'd had a flat tire (remember the low tire pressure light?) about a block away from where the train stopped.

By the way, he's not very pleased about me taking pictures of him changing the flat. That and the fact that he's forced to kneel in mud to change the tire in one of his favorite pair of pants.

On the plus side, I scrubbed out his pant legs once we got home and the mud didn't set and stain. Go me!

Man, I hope tomorrow's a better day.

Blog Fail

2009-12-28T20:35:00.010-06:00

So. I haven't posted a single blog entry in the month of December...and it's the 28th. Bad blogger! Bad, bad! I guess you have permission to yell at me...but it's so much easier to just post a pithy remark as my status on Facebook. I find that I possess a wicked wit in the Facebook medium.

However can I redeem myself? Oh, I know! Pictures!! How about pictures of our recent trip to Soldier Field to see the Bears play!? Bonus!

St. Louis Rams....boooooooo! No Kurt Warner = no Cindi love.
Who is this cutie?
Beeeeeeeer. Or as we like to call it at the various sporting events we attend..."liquid gold."

After watching the kicker tackle the punt returner, I decided he was my new favorite guy. Too bad that three weeks later I can't remember his name. Better luck next time, kicker man. I'm sorry I didn't find you memorable enough to bother to remember your name. But...you know...go Bears...or something.
More Bears.

How does one survive a Bear attack, you ask? Well there are several suggestions - including:
1) Make a lot of noise
2) Talk to the bear to make sure he sees you.
3) Hold you arms high above your head to make you look like a much bigger animal
4) Continue to talk and slowly back away; (If you run he will chase you).
5) Climb a tree
6) Drop to a fetal position
7) Play dead.

The Rams did a lot of 1-6 and ended with #7, as the Bears managed to eek out a win.
YaY! Go Bears! (Imagine me saying this with a thick Chicago accent)

Is it an Eskimo? Basically.
More cuteness.
I hate this picture, but it really shows how awesome our seats were.

My former employer - still a really cool building.
And an exhibit that I will definitely have to be checking out soon.

And a picture of Mike on Christmas Eve as we pack to head out to the land of wingéd wheels.
Mucho handsomeness.

Mike's mom got Beatle's trivial pursuit for Christmas and we decided to give it a try. Not as much fun as it sounds. Too, too hard. I didn't get a single question right. The questions have different levels of difficulty and eventually we decided to only use the easy questions. Still only about six questions were answered correctly - none by me. Bah!

Christmas cookies!!! (Sorry - got distracted).
So we decided to break out the older millenium version of the game.
The blue piece won the game. Know who was blue? Me! Ha! In yo' face! I left my opponents cryin' for their mommies. Boo. Yah. I rule you! ...And that's all the pictures I've got. My Christmas was good - how was yours?!

Quote of the Day

2009-11-29T19:20:00.002-06:00

"When sorrows come, they come not in single spies, but in battalions!" - William Shakespeare

Thanksgiving and Dicey Snaps

2009-11-28T23:08:00.004-06:00

Charlie and Lyric. We had Lyric all day last Saturday while my dad was visiting and they enjoyed entertaining each other.

We headed for Michigan to spend Thanksgiving with Mike's family. Mike and Kelly at Thanksgiving dinner.

Yummy. Homemade mac-and-cheese.

Mike's salad.

Cranberries!

I was bound and determined to catch Mike putting food into his mouth. I don't know why, but I finallky got it! Yes!!!!

On Friday night, Mike and I met up with Kelly and their cousin, Dave and had dinner and drinks at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak. After dinner, we listened to Christian Collins and Molasses.

Mike at Memphis Smoke...

Then in Saturday it was time for the annual Grandpa Al dicey championship, which Sandy took home! She's the first winner from the Kurczewski side of the family. The first of many, as I'm sure we'll dominate from here on out. :)

More pictures from Dicey night...

Thankful

2009-11-26T23:45:00.002-06:00

And so another Thanksgiving has come and is almost gone. This year I'm thankful (for/because):

Newish cars with great gas mileage.
Having a job.
My big brother remembering my birthday.
Having great nephews - Caleb and Dex aka "Frank".
Lisa Beck.
In-laws.
My dad says he loves me every time we talk.
Fat cats and kittens that jump.
Comfortable apartments.
Friends.
All the years I had with my mom.
Mike falling asleep spooning me and snoring a little in my ear.
Knitting classes.
Blue Cheese.
Vitka's jokes.
Mike's sweetness.
Chocolate chip shakes.
Memories.
Captain Underpants in the Thanksgiving parade.
God.
Every hug I ever got from my mom.
Being able to make Mike laugh.
Mike.
Mike.
Mike.
Did I mention Mike?
Funnel cake.
Dachshunds.
Democrats.
Cat snuggles.
Puppy kisses.
Family.
Sarah jayne and Lyric.
Life.
Love in all its forms.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

Why I Do My Job

2009-10-28T21:46:00.002-05:00

I like my job, but it is sometimes rather thankless. Today I remembered why I do it. I'm assisting on a pro bono case (I do immigration work) which I, of course, can't really go into detail about. Today I talked to the man that we are representing and as we told him what we've done and what we will be doing in the next few weeks, he listened without much comment. Then, as we were ending the call he said, "I want you to know that I appreciate you - the hard work you are doing for me. I have nothing - I can give you nothing. But I want for God to give you everything."

Sometimes my job is wonderful.

Overheard Today At Church...

2009-10-25T19:06:00.003-05:00

Between two little boys in the pew in front of us -

Boy 1: I'm part Puerto Rican and Croatian. Me and Vanessa are exactly the same thing.
Boy 2: You and Vanessa are the same?
Boy 1: Uh huh. We're exactly the same thing - Puerto Rican and Croatian.
Boy 2: Are you Asian?
Boy 1: (pause) Well, I'm not sure where Croatia is, so I might be Asian.

Too cute!

The Sick Returns

2009-10-16T22:57:00.002-05:00

So I was home sick all day today. I started feeling poorly last night and this morning, after I had tossed what was left of my cookies, Mike refused to take me to work. I'm still feeling tired, achy, snotty and generally gross, although I did watch an incredible amount of television, including all of the episodes of NCIS available on Comcast On Demand and basically an entire season of Nurse Jackie.

Tonight I sent Mike out to spend the evening with our friend, Sergio, because (although it does occasionally feel like it) I'm not dying. Now I'm feeling a little lonely, though. I always miss my mom when I don't feel well. I suppose that no matter how old you are, you always want your mom when you're sick.

I've thought a lot about her tonight and tried to figure out what the odds are that, were my mom living, either she or my dad would be on their way to Chicago. (On a side note - please do not come here, Dad). I laughed and cried at the same time when I thought about how she made Matt and my dad come to spend Thanksgiving with me at college one year because I had to work the day after and couldn't make it home for the holiday. She'd had to work, too and couldn't come down - and I had made arrangements to spend the day with our cousins, but she didn't want me to miss the family and so she sent the family to me and spent the holiday alone herself.

And how the first time she met Furio she made the mistake of trying to get too friendly, too fast. She touched his belly without permission. He never really forgave her and would growl at her whenever she came over. Now Meme treats my father horribly and it's become a bit of a joke - he takes it with good humor. My mother, however, took Furio's attitude as a personal insult and always got her feelings hurt when he wouldn't want her to pet him.

Well, anyway - I suppose I should go to bed and try to rest up. I have a ticket for tomorrow night's Blackhawk's game (thanks to Sergio) and I don't want to be too sick to go. :( That would be bad!

Goodnight.

BBC Earth

2009-10-15T18:39:00.002-05:00

So I called Mike from work today to let him know that his amazon order had been delivered to my office. He ordered a new nature documentary (BBC Earth) on blueray. He picked me up at the train today and followed me around until I pulled the disk out of my bag and gave it to him.

I went into the bedroom and changed out of my work clothes. When I came out, I caught him heading through the hallway with these...beer and Cheez-Its.

Then he disappeared into the mancave. That disk has 780 minutes worth of video....

We may never see Mike again.

Today's Conversation

2009-10-14T18:30:00.003-05:00

Mike: (making dinner)
Cindi: Can I help you?
Mike: No. I'm good.
Cindi: Smells delicious.
Mike: Yeah - I'm going vegetarian tonight.
Cindi: Very health conscious of you, Pea.
(pause) (Mike stirs)
Cindi: Would you like to share some of my treats? (pause) My big ass Cheetos? Would you like some big ass Cheetos?

Mike: (continues to stir) No, thank you. You said they weren't very good and you know I'm very picky about my Cheetos.
Cindi: (giggles) What about tuxedos! I'll share my tuxedos....mmmm....chocolate creme!
(pause)

Cindi: (while eating a chocolate creme tuxedo cookie) It says that they are great with a glass of milk!
Mike: (still stirring) Mmm hmm.
(long pause)
Mike: (stirring) It would be great if we'd bought milk with them.

Lyric's Birthday Pictures

2009-10-06T20:32:00.007-05:00

Dear God

2009-09-10T00:43:00.002-05:00

Holy cow - I have always loved this song and I finally found a postable version of it. I stumbled across this song by accident - it's from Mike's favorite angst ridden, goth infused, metal screeching guitar band Avenged Sevenfold. Crazy right? Crazier yet? I just found out that the band's lead singer (who calls himself M. Shadows, by the way) is really named Matthew Charles Sanders. Matthew Charles. Great name...what can I say?

Not a Debate - Just Something that Resonated With Me...

2009-09-09T23:29:00.002-05:00

“I understand how difficult this health care debate has been. I know that many in this country are deeply skeptical that government is looking out for them. I understand that the politically safe move would be to kick the can further down the road – to defer reform one more year, or one more election, or one more term

But that’s not what the moment calls for. That’s not what we came here to do. We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it. I still believe we can act even when it’s hard. I still believe we can replace acrimony with civility, and gridlock with progress. I still believe we can do great things, and that here and now we will meet history’s test.

Because that is who we are. That is our calling. That is our character.”

The House is All Akimbo!

2009-09-04T23:33:00.000-05:00

And that's because we're totally mixing it up! We're bringing in a new entertainment center and trying to get rid of extra bits of furniture that aren't needed.

We're also taking our den (which is actually supposed to be our dining room) and turning it into a REAL dining room by making a home for our computer desk in the cubby hole in the living room. This, in turn, will make more room in our kitchen for Chef Mike. The goal is to get rid of (or put into storage) anything that we don't use on a regular basis.

Mike's not looking forward to putting together the entertainment center and moving all of the furniture around, but his sweet little anal retentive soul will love living in our clutter free haven when we're finished.

Well, time for bed! The real work begins tomorrow!! Wish us luck!

What Love Is...

2009-08-27T21:27:00.003-05:00

I don't pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you.
-- Author Unknown

Say What?!

2009-08-25T23:20:00.002-05:00

I love it when Mike goes to bed before me, because there is a chance that I will jar loose some tidbit of sleep induced wisdom. In other words, he talks in his sleep. Not all the time, but enough to be really, really entertaining.

So last Saturday night, I climb into bed quite late and must have accidentally disturbed Mike from his rest. I heard him mutter something and, thinking he's speaking to me, I said, "What did you say, babe?"

He turns his head towards me and shouts, "I DON'T WANT TO RIDE THE ROLLER COASTER! I'LL BREAK MY GLASSES!"

Classic. Absolutely classic.

History Made!

2009-08-25T20:58:00.001-05:00

It's official! We're a part of history!!!

A Quote for Today

2009-08-23T02:57:00.002-05:00

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”

- Washington Irving

BBQ 2009

2009-08-23T02:00:00.006-05:00

Mike and I haven't been blogging much lately - or reading blogs, to be honest. Our main computer came down with the blue screen of death and has been in the ICU with the Geek Squad at Best Buy for a couple of weeks. They've charged us $200 and haven't fixed it yet. Or so I can tell - I called and sat on hold for literally half an hour and when it rang back to the main switchboard for the fifth time, I hung up. I had a party to get ready for and couldn't be bothered.

Never fear, though - in the meantime, Furio has promised to keep up on all of the blog goings-on for us. If you get a comment that is full of angst and meows - well, you know where it came from.

Meme hasn't been dealing well with my dad coming up for the bbq.

The party went really well, I only took about 10 pictures and all of them were taken before everyone arrived. We had a nice group of people who came - people like Lisa who are there for me every year. She knows it's the same weekend every year, blocks out this day months ahead of time and drives into Chicago to spend the day with me - and I love her for it.

I only gave out a handful of invitations this year. (Although evite added it to my Facebook page!!! I don't think it invited everybody, thank goodness! I'm still not sure how it ended up there, though!) This event is so important to me - therapeutic. I appreciate all the people who "get" how hard this time of year is for me and take time out of their weekend to be with me and help me cope. If I could, I'd hug every single one of them again.

Mike was wonderful - prepping and cooking all the food. He's always such a good sport about it and I know that if it would make me feel better, he'd throw me a BBQ every weekend without complaint. And my dad came in (of course - he'd never miss it) and it's always great to see him.

Anyway, just a few pictures and a chance to publicly say, "Thank you!" to everyone who came to the party - and I'll see you next year. Save the date! :)

My Quote of the Day

2009-08-14T22:57:00.003-05:00

"Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible."

Someplace in Mik's Kitchen

2009-08-13T21:15:00.006-05:00

About 2 weeks ago, I watched an old episode of Hell's Kitchen for the first time and was immediately hooked. I loved watching Chef Ramsay scream and curse at the chefs and the many personal meltdowns that ensued afterward. Since then, I also started watching Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares where he visits failing restaurants in England and the U.S. and attempts to revive them by changing the menu and remodeling the restaurant. Watching the shows in the past week has really inspired me to cook more at home and try some new things. A couple months ago, Sassy bought me a Bobby Flay book called Burgers, Fries and Shakes. This is my first attempt at one of the recipes. It's called a Trattoria Burger and is a grilled hamburger with fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced tomato, and basil leaves drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette. It's basically a caprese salad on a burger.

Here's the picture of it in the book:

Tenting the burgers to melt the cheese:

And the finished product:

It was quite yummy. The fresh basil really adds to the flavor. I finished it off with some Iowa corn, thanks to Charlie.

Earlier in the week I prepared some steak with a caesar salad, and bbq pork chops (a la Carson's) with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. Yesterday, I made grilled shrimp with a tequila-lime marinade over angel hair pasta.

I'm off work Monday, so I may use my bbq pit for some ribs.

How Many Grouchos?

2009-07-23T19:25:00.003-05:00

Once again, Mike and I attended Movies in the Park on Tuesday. This week the movie, Duck Soup, was combined with Chicago's attempt to break the world's record for the most number of people in one place wearing Groucho Marx glasses. The city gave away a pair of free glasses to everyone who attended (and came up and signed to get them). I didn't take too many picture, because you've already seen the park and the city...but I had to take some of us in our glasses. (And a plain one of Mike...what? He's super cute!)

(This is Martin and Gil. We met up at the park and watched the movie together. They're lots of fun!)

FUNNEL CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry - super yummy. Had to have it!

(Groucho eskimo kisses)

Once again Mike was reluctant to go because he didn't think he'd like the movie. And, indeed, I was worried because for the first five-ten minutes he was watching with an odd look on his face - not even cracking a smile. I thought, "Crap." because it would be a really long night for him if he was completely bored. Eventually I heard him laugh a few time and he said at the end that he really liked it. When I expressed the concerns that I'd had, he said, "Yeah. Well, I just had to realize that all of the jokes were gonna be corny." Uh....duh! It's the Marx Brothers!! But I was glad he liked it.

Next week we're back to high drama with Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor in Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. At least it's supposed to be high drama...I've heard this is the happy 1950's version of that play - which does not end happily. Anyway - we'll see!

When You Have a Moment...

2009-07-19T21:39:00.005-05:00

...you might ask my Dad if he remembers what he was doing 35 years ago tomorrow. Oh, alright - I'll tell you...

...HE WAS GETTING MARRIED!!!!

Were my mother living, tomorrow (July 20) would be their 35th wedding anniversary. Well, if he'd survived. My mom would often tell us that with her health issues and family history, she'd never outlive my dad. And Jeff, Matt or I (which ever one of us she was talking to) would say, "Oh, c'mon, Mom - you know you'll outlive him. You'll kill him in his sleep long before you kick off." I know - we have a weird sense of humor...but she laughed every time.

She also loved to tell people that my dad married her for her money. After their wedding, my father (trying to estimate a budget for their honeymoon) made the mistake of asking my mom the date of her next payday. Thirty-two years and two additional kids later, she was still reminding him of it.

Happy anniversary, Dad! In case you're missing Mom, close your eyes and repeat this in your head - it'll be just like she's standing right next to you...

"If anyone had told me that I'd be married to such an old man, I'd never have believed them!"

Movies in the Park

2009-07-15T01:20:00.005-05:00

Today Mike and I stayed downtown after work and went to see Sunset Boulevard in Grant Park. It started as a little knitting get-together suggested by Allyson, but turned into a sort of couples night as each of the knitters brought their significant other with them.

Mike went home before work and made sandwiches for us and brought them with him. Yummo!

Movies in the Park is a very popular event, as you can tell! Mike was reluctant to come, because he didn't think that he would like the movie, but was actually pleasantly surprised.

The crowd was really cool. Everyone cheered when the movie started and the title came on the screen and at each of the famous parts. Especially the part where Norma Desmond says, "I *am* big. It's the *pictures* that got small." And of course at the end - it's a great flick!!

(Allyson)

I had to pretend to take a picture of Allyson in order to get a picture of the make-out twins behind her. They insisted on dirty dancing and grinding against each other for half of the evening. Allyson took a picture over her shoulder and kept saying, "That's so weird." Which it was.

The coolest part was that we're in the park, sitting in this mass of humanity with these huge buildings surrounding us. It was just super cool.

Mike has daggers for the lady sitting next to me on the train. She's blocking an open seat and being generally disagreeable. I went to take a picture and accidentally caught him giving her a dirty look. It made me laugh, so I kept it!

Next week they're going to show "Duck Soup." They are going to be giving away Groucho Marx glasses to everyone who attends, because we will be attempting to shatter the current world's record for the number of people in one place who are wearing Groucho glasses. Awesome. I'm very excited to be participating. Mike has already said he'll go with me and Allyson will be there too. Can't wait!!!!

Fridge Analysis

2009-07-12T09:10:00.008-05:00

I think that any time you blend households, it takes compromise to make the situation work. One of the (many) things that I do which annoys Mike is the tendency that I have to allow the fridge to become cluttered. I come by that honest, as anyone who ever took a trip to my parents' home while my mom was living can attest. The first time Mike had a fridge-meltdown, I was like, "What?! The fridge is too cluttered?! You're making that up, right?" Alas, he was not. But, in the meantime, we have come to a sort of compromise which works well for us. He doesn't complain much during the clutter accumulation period and I don't complain much when he reaches the maximum allowable clutter capacity and cleans it off. But, being a good 'fe, I try to anticipate before we get to the red zone and work hard to "thin the herd" so to speak, so that it doesn't set off Mike's OCD.

Case in point: As I was straightening up the apartment in the wake of Hurricane Caleb (who went home this afternoon), I looked at the fridge and decided that it was probably getting close to OCD time. Let's see what's on the fridge, shall we?

Item 1: Elvis
Analysis: I'm not sure how Elvis came to be on the fridge. While I loves me some Elvis, there are plenty of other representations available to look at and this one is really rather superfluous.
Result: Elvis is leaving the building!
**********************************************
Item 2: Photo of little Mikey and little Kelly
Analysis: This picture is really, really cute. I love the way Mike's sucking on his woobie here. (Although they call it a binky up in Michigan - when Caleb was little, his binky was a pacifier and the woobie was his blankie). This is also fairly new to the fridge line-up, having just been added after our last trip to Michigan to visit Mike's fam.
Result: It stays!!
******************************************************************
Item 3: Postcard
Analysis: When I saw this at the bookstore, I knew I had to have it. Considering the differences in Mike's lifestyle and mine, I was tickled to be able to bring it home and slap it on the fridge to showcase my own personal viewpoint on cleaning up. Now it's been there for several months and while I'm not ready to give it a dirt nap, it's probably outworn it's welcome on the fridge.
Result: Relocated to my desk.
******************************************************************
Item 4: Pictures of Mike and Cindi
Analysis: Again - these pictures are really, really cute. And they were taken at the Brookfield Zoo, which doubles as Mike's happy place.
Result: It stays!!
******************************************************************
Item 5: Smile Magnet
Analysis: This magnet was a recent gift and also has sentimental value, as the verse is my personal mantra.
Result: It stays!!
******************************************************************
Item 6: Home-made magnets
Analysis: These magnets were made and sent to us by my cousin's boys, who Mike affectionately refers to as "the Carters." While these have been on the fridge for a long time, they're small and don't take up much space. Additionally, I am loathe to part with anything home-made.
Result: It stays!!
******************************************************************
Item 7: Gilda MagnetAnalysis: It stays. No analysis necessary. No argument will sway me. I love Gilda and I love this quote.
Result: It stays!!
******************************************************************
Item 8: Erma MagnetAnalysis: I really like this magnet too. I'm open to argument from Mike on this one, as I could relocate it without any significant emotional trauma. But it's small, I really like it, and magnets are very functional.
Result: It stays!!
******************************************************************
Item 7: MWSU MagnetAnalysis: A free magnet that I got in the mail from the alumni association. I was tempted to keep it because there is very little MWSU representation at my house. But really...do we need another free magnet that will be outdated in a couple of months? Really?
Result: Lose it!!
******************************************************************
Item 8: Picture of little Andrea, baby Mike and St. Gemma GalganiAnalysis: The picture is put in a prominant spot for a reason. Every day when I see it, I will remember to pray for Andrea and the prayer card contains a prayer for illumiation/forgiveness of sins for the prayee.
Result: It stays!!
******************************************************************
Item 9: Message board magnetsAnalysis: Message board magnets are very functional! But, as you can see - this one has pretty much ceased functioning as intended. The last time the Potters visited, Kelly covered the message board with "American Idol" related comments - except for the dungenous crab thing...I think that may actually relate to something Mike said during the weekend. Also - these boards are really, really hard to clean. That eraser on the marker works like crap!
Result: Storage. (It may make a comeback if we find that we are missing having a writing friendly unit on the front of the fridge)
******************************************************************
Item 10: Angel Magnet
Analysis: This magnet belonged to my mom. I swiped it off of my dad's fridge during a visit. As I have said also, magnets are really quite functional.
Result: It stays!!
******************************************************************
Item 11: Pickle StickerAnalysis: I love this sticker, although I'm pretty sure that Mike will balk at actually letting me put it on our car. It really doesn't belong on the fridge. Still, I'm sure I can find another home for it besides the trash.
Result: Relocated to my office at work.
******************************************************************
Item12: Lyric PicturesAnalysis: She's really cute, but we see her all the time. I don't suppose she needs to be on the fridge, too.
Result: Back to the photo box.
******************************************************************
Item 13: Various picturesAnalysis: These have been long-time members of the fridge line-up.
Result: Storage - except for my parents' wedding picture. That stays!
******************************************************************
Item 14: Little Miss/Little Mister BoardAnalysis: Ah, I do love this board. But I think it's time to switch it up. It's not taking a dirt nap, but I just don't know what to do with it.
Result: Storage or relocated to work (Haven't decided on this one yet).
******************************************************************
Items 15 and 16: Home-made Picture Magnets Analysis: These magnets were also made and sent to us by my cousin's boys. They're much bigger than our other home-made magnets, but once again, I am loathe to part with anything home-made (with affection) - but they've been on the fridge for quite awhile. I think I'll move them for a bit to another magnetic surface in the house and then sneak them back into the line-up.
Result: Relocated to a magnetic surface in the living room.
******************************************************************
Item 17: Laughs Last MagnetAnalysis: This magnet also belonged to my mom and was "borrowed" during a trip home. She bought it because it reminded her of my dad - and now it serves to remind me of my dad.
Result: It stays!!
******************************************************************
Item 18: Lucky Cat MagnetAnalysis: Ah, lucky cat. You are so cute. But - he's been on the fridge for a long time. Maybe time for a new venue.
Result: Relocated to the heater next to the litter box. What? It's a very cat-centric area.
******************************************************************
Item 19: St. Anne
Analysis: I like this picture - it's beautiful. It's small. Plus it's a new addition to the fridge.
Result: It stays!!
******************************************************************
Item 20: The Black MadonnaAnalysis: Alright - so we've already got St. Gemma Galgani and St. Anne. I suppose that the Black Madonna can be moved. It's all about compromise.
Result: Relocated to a pocket in my purse.
******************************************************************
Item 21: Office Message Board
Analysis: This board has been on the fridge for-EVER and I have yet to use it. In fact, the only person to use it was Amy; to leave a good-bye message the last time she visited - over a year ago.
Result: Bye bye, Jim. I still love you. Please don't hate me.
******************************************************************
Item 7: Furio pictureAnalysis: Look at that fat Buddha belly. Love it! But he's been on the fridge long enough.
Result: Relocated to my file cabinet at work.
******************************************************************

Our new and improved fridge......for the love of God, somebody send me a postcard so I can put it on there! It's so lonely!

Happy Fourth of July!

2009-07-04T12:02:00.001-05:00

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

hen in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Meme's In Love With Maru

2009-07-03T09:57:00.002-05:00

...and so am I!!! That thing with the box makes me happy.

Fo' The Lay-dies...

2009-06-28T16:44:00.002-05:00

Eat your hearts out, girls. :)

Polish Fest 2009

2009-06-27T21:16:00.007-05:00

A Week in Review

2009-06-27T19:00:00.003-05:00

So last weekend, Mike and I went to PolishFest with Lisa and Keith (pictures to come in a later post). And then Wednesday was a Matt Harris Memorial Taco Night at Chez Kurczewski. Mel, Sarah jayne, Lyric and Mike all worked very hard to help me get through what proved to be a very difficult day. Lyric brought over her Polly Pockets for us to play with, although as you can see, she was mostly interested in playing with Mel. Lyric loves Mel.

Sarah's big contribution to the night was a soy ice cream and fruit smoothy, which proved to be quite delicious, I must say. What was that secret ingredient again?

Oh, yeah. That would be rum.

And Mike made the tacos. He had dropped me off at the grocery store while he went to get gas for the car and somehow I had come home with one pound of ground beef and one pound of ground sirloin. When Mike pointed out my mistake, I was really upset because I hate sirloin. Mike was like, "Dammit! Why did I say anything. If I hadn't said anything, you'd never have noticed the difference."

After dinner, we sat around and talked about lots of different topics. Ironically, one of the things we talked about was the love of Michael Jackson that we'd all had in our childhood and how one of the best karaoke songs of all time is "Billie Jean" because it's always fun to be in audience and do the "HEE heeeeeee" part. The next day Michael Jackson was dead.

Then on Friday it was that time of year again. Tornado warnings were phoned in, as Caleb (aka Tommy Tornado) was on his way to Chicago for his annual summer visit. Mike laughed because within five minutes of our arrival, he was looking for our X-Box and trying to get us hooked up to be able to go online and play live.

Mike had to work at the Taste of Chicago this afternoon, so Caleb and I've had an evening to ourselves. It's been interesting. I've watched him play Grand Theft Auto live, made him some alfredo pasta and tried to explain the genius of Thriller. He doesn't get it - he's young and has grown up in the new CGI universe, but he listened to me explain how, when we first saw it, my friends and I thought Thriller was the coolest thing ever. He doesn't understand at 17 that there's such a thing as nostalgia and that someday he too will be sad when things happen that prove that your childhood is long gone. I am sad about Michael Jackson. I'm not going get into any debates about him as a person. You think whatever you want and I'll do the same. The fact is, listening to his music always reminds me of so many fun things that I did as a kid and it is sad that the man responsible for that portion of the soundtrack of my life will never make any more music.

And that's our week. What did you do?

Today (A Repost in Honor of Matt)

2009-06-24T00:01:00.001-05:00

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death. His name was Matthew. He was my baby brother. He died when he was 22, although he'd be 28 today. He was my best friend. I thought he was invincible. I was wrong. Here are just a few things that I learned in the first three years and a few more that I've learned since then.

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and I can tell you that people who say, "time heals all wounds" are full of bull. Time may cover the wound with a scab but wounds like these never heal. The best you can hope for is that it's clean and doesn't hurt every day.

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and I have noticed that the stories you tell about a person after they're gone never cease to be funny. For instance, once when we were little, my family was driving into town when we noticed that one of our distant neighbors were moving in a manufactured home. They had set the house up on cement blocks and my mom said to my dad, "I wonder what they've got that house up on blocks for." My (quite young) little brother piped up from the back seat, "Well, they gotta raise the house to meet the steps."

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and saying good-bye is hard. When I came home from graduate school to visit my brother in the hospital, I sat with him for awhile on the last day of the weekend. Mike went out to get the car and my parents were coming in later - so we were alone, Matt and I. I waited until the nurses had given him a sedative to help him rest because I didn't want him to see me leave. He always cried when my mom would leave for the night and I didn't think I could stand it if he cried. Once he was asleep, I went over and touched him. I said, "Good-bye, Matty. I love you." and walked out of the room. Then I'd get halfway down the hall and turn around and come back. I'd touch him again and say, "Goodbye, Matty. I love you." I did this about (no lie) eight times. I'd get halfway down the hall and think, "What if this is the last time I see him?" It was.

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and I am here to tell you that flatulence CAN be funny....especially when you start tooting to annoy your sister and you inadvertently "exceed the maximum capacity" of your underpants.

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and I know that between us we had several genius ideas before they were famous. For instance, my brother was "Goldweiner" long before Austin Powers faced down Goldmember. Granted, Matt's nickname was due to his penchant for dachshunds rather than an unfortunate smelting accident. The best was when he'd lay Chloe across his arm, stroke her back in villainesque manner, and say, "No, Mr. Bond...I expect you...to....die." Matt was also the original "Captain Underpants." A few days of lazing around in his tighty whities inspired the family to give him the moniker, "Underpants Man." Rather than being offended and always one to go in with a good joke, he soon gave Underpants Man more nemesis....es (what is the plural of that? Nemesi?)...than he knew what to do with. Including the ever popular, "Tuxedo Man" and "Fully Dressed Boy."

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and I've learned that moms really mean it when they tell you they'd take your place rather than see you suffer.

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and it's glaringly obvious that people who've never lost someone close to them can never understand...no matter how hard they may want to.

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and to this day whenever I see feuding siblings on Judge Judy, I cry - because they've got what I want and they don't even appreciate it!

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and I've found that memories are a poor substitute for a deceased loved one. When Matt died, so many people told me, "Well, at least you have some great memories." Yeah, I do. I have tons of happy memories...but what I really want is my brother back. I hated when people said that and so I make a point never to say it to others.

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and my upstairs neighbor is convinced that he still visits me. She thinks so because I semi-regularly have an odd dream. Or hallucination. Or, if you believe in that sort of thing, ghostly visits. I wake up, only I'm not really awake-awake. I'm floating in the ether between sleep and awake...and I see him sitting on the edge of my bed. I mumble something along the lines of, "What are you doing in my room, spaz?" Then something clicks in my brain and I realize that Matt can not possibly be in my room and I bolt wide awake to see an empty spot on the bed. While I am pretty sure that his appearance has more to do with a wistful mind than other-worldly influence, it's nice to think that maybe he stops by sometimes.

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and even though I'm not convinced that he visits me, I did get an email from "beyond his grave." (Cue the spooky music.) Once, about six months after his death, a yahoo glitch somehow either resent a message or marked it as "unread" so it popped up in my inbox. I'll give you a sample of the very beginning and the very end...which will show you both why I loved and miss him so much and why the email itself was sort of spooky. By the way, the language is slightly salty...so prepare yourself. :) Originally, I censored it to be PG-13 but then I thought about it and Matt would have been offended...so here he is in all his slightly vulgar glory.

(BEGINNING)Hey Skip Spence... whats up my moby grapian friend? If you knew ANYTHING about acid bands of the 60s you would be laughin' your ass off at that, trust me. I am one witty mutha, or brutha if you will. Sorry about missin' ya while you're on, I was asleep in the chair about 10:30. Remember when mom told ya I was having those bad tummy pains, well, I slept A LOT, while that shit was goin' on, and it whacked out my schedule a bit, and I'm still sleeping more than normal, but my hours are more normal....like 8am to 10pm normal, which is fuckin' trippy. But alas, that t'is thee thy reason for not being around. You'se digs my complications, eh?......

(END)Ok, this is the last paragraph homes, be good, and I'll try to be around tomorrow evening.....maybe about 9:30. If you ain't here, no problems, I'll catch ya another time, and I'll work on my hours so we catch each other more ok? Be good......Your Brutha, Lil Chu

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and you will never convince me that dogs don't have feelings. Matt's little dachshund, Chloe, still looks for him to show up every day. When he got sick and went to the hospital and for some time after he died, I would sometimes see her lying in his spot on the couch, waiting for him to come and sit with her or whining outside of his bedroom door - unable to understand why he didn't open up and let her in.

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and I have realized that losing a loved one is hard...but losing two is unbearable.

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and his "legacy" lives on. I have only to utter the words "biggest ass hole in Henry County" to make Mike laugh. My mom used to go through phases where she was constantly mad at my dad. No matter what he did, it wasn't what she wanted him to do. My dad always knew they'd pass and so he didn't sweat about them...which only served to piss her off further, naturally. One of these instances occurred just before Veteran's Day. The local paper was publishing pictures of "your" veterans in the Veteran's Day issue at no charge. You could put whatever caption you wanted with the picture. We had decided we'd put in a picture of my dad and of his brother, my Uncle Tony. My dad was watching tv in the living room, while my brother was playing around on his computer (also in the living room). My mom and I were sitting at the table in the adjoining kitchen. I said, "Mom, what are we going to have them put under Dad's picture?" She snapped back, "How about "Biggest ass hole in Henry County?" In an attempt to defuse the situation, I laughed and yelled out into the living room, "Hey, Dad...did you hear what Mom just said? She's going to write 'biggest ass hole in Henry County under your picture." Then I turned back to my mom and said, "Gee...then what will we write under Uncle Tony's picture?" Without missing a beat, Matt piped up from the living room, "Brother of the biggest ass hole in Henry County."

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and although laughing with him is the thing I miss the most, I see his sense of humor all around. In myself, in my Uncle Mike - who shares it, in my Mike - who took to it right away and adopted some of it as his own, in Jeff - who I know misses it as much as I do, in my Dad - who shares with us the uncanny ability to look at a situation and think, "Matt would have loved that.", in the stories that we all tell about him, in the memories he cultivated in all of us who loved him and in the memories we have of my mom - who ached for him every second she outlived him and who passed on her sense of humor to all of her kids.

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and I have found out that sometimes the pain is worth it. "Mother of the best kids on Earth or in Heaven said: Who can forget the movie quotes..."stuck in the big pool for life" or "rectum?, almost killed um" or watching Cheech and Chong's "Up in Smoke" and he laughed every time because Chong had to follow his dog around for 3 days after the dog ate his stash of weed. I never watch "Cops" any more because it just isn't the same without his caustic remarks about the arrestees. After 3 years I still wait to hear "how was your day, Mom",when I walk in the door.----said more out of self preservation depending on how my day was, he knew how the wind was blowing. We both know we could rattle on for days and never run out of endless stories about him. I still keep his guitars and amps carefully preserved and cared for because I can't part with them. I always cry if "Amazing Grace" is played. But I also can imagine Heaven's response when he arrived with his humor, music, and love, although I'm sure things have never been the same. You have to feel sorry for people who never had a chance to meet him. The pain is worth having had Matt with us, because no way would I have missed the dance." --my mom's comment on the first "Today" post.

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and I wouldn't trade the twenty-two years I had with him for any price. Some people are not meant to grow old but rather appear in our lives briefly and linger in our hearts forever.

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death and the best piece of advice I (still) have to offer you is to hug those you love every day and tell them that you love them. Never let a day go by without sharing your feelings.

Today is the anniversary of my brother's death.

For Matt (12/16/80 - 06/24/03)

Meet Me in Heaven

2009-06-23T21:47:00.001-05:00

On June 24, 2003, my baby brother left this earth. Six years later, I still miss him very much.

In the words of Juba, from my favorite part of the movie, Gladiator - "I will see you again...but not yet. Not yet."

Lyric's Dance Recital - 06/18/2009

2009-06-20T21:32:00.004-05:00

This is Lyric's little friend, Farrah. Her grandma works for the City of Chicago Health Department, just like Mike!

Lyric and her friend, Carly are enjoying the show.

This is Claire. She's so cute. She'd get up on stage and get such stage fright that she'd just stand there.

June Beach Photos

2009-06-17T20:41:00.004-05:00

Lyric at the Zoo

2009-06-02T21:36:00.002-05:00

This Sunday we had Lyric for the whole day, as her mom had promised to play at three birthday parties throughout the day. At dinner on Saturday night, we discussed going to the zoo. Or the z-o-o, as it came to be called. Lyric at first was not eager to go, but after I promised her that she would see monkeys (who look like Mik), she was excited to go.

She loved the butterfly exhibit. Two butterflies landed on her hat. Mik told her that was how you could tell if you're really a princess, the butterflies all want to land on you. When I tell that story to the ladies at work, they are all appropriately impressed at his sweetness.

Pardon My French...

2009-05-27T21:27:00.003-05:00

SON OF A B*TCH!!!!

A Day Spent With Lyric

2009-05-17T15:17:00.013-05:00

Bling Bling

2009-05-16T20:30:00.004-05:00

We had Lyric and Sarah jayne over tonight for Taco Night. That's what we have for dinner most nights when Lyric comes to visit, because she loves our La Tiara taco shells. Last time I was was near to home, we stopped at the mall and there was a store going out of business. They had all kinds of little girl jewelry on sale for something like $0.25 a piece, so I loaded up and brought it home with me. We took it out and tried it all on and she danced around, showing all of her new bling so that I could take pictures for my dad.

She also loves to use our hand sanitizer. Sarah says that it's one of her new habits. The other day she asked if she could use the hand sanitizer and when Sarah gave her some, as she was rubbing it in, she said, "There's a bad flu going around." So last night as they were leaving, we all used a little hand sanitizer and I said, "I heard there's a bad flu going around." and she nodded. Then I heard her telling Mike, "Don't touch your eyes until it dries!" and watched her show him how to more quickly dry his hands by waving them in the air.

One Goal

2009-05-14T21:51:00.001-05:00

Naturally, this is Mike's favorite one...

This Cracked Me Up

2009-05-14T21:50:00.000-05:00

Game 7

2009-05-14T19:40:00.003-05:00

It's Game 7, Wings v. Ducks and silence (mostly) reigns in the living room of our apartment. All you hear is the general white noise of the game on television, punctuated by the occasional "Yes!!" hissed through the teeth. It must be going well. I'll keep you posted.

***UPDATE: I thought Mike was going to cry when the Ducks tied the game, but they won. Thank God, because Mike was hyperventilating.

The Trash Talk Continues

2009-05-13T21:27:00.002-05:00

The following conversation took place in the car this morning on the way to work...

Cindi: (sympathetically) I'm sorry your team lost last night, pea. (sympathetic arm rubbing)

Mike: Thank you, pea pea.

Cindi: I'm sorry your team couldn't sew it up in six games like mine did. (sympathetic arm rubbing continues)

Mike: Uh...thank you?

Cindi: I'm sorry your team isn't as good as my team, pea pea.

Mike: You can stop now.

Cindi: *giggles*

For Susie

2009-05-13T18:30:00.001-05:00

My Marriage is Over

2009-05-11T22:49:00.004-05:00

My beloved Chicago Blackhawks just won Game 6 to advance to the next round of hockey play-offs where they will face the winner of the Detroit-Anaheim series. Detroit is leading the series 3-2.

The trash talking has already begun and by this time next week, we may not be speaking to each other.

On the other hand, I found this picture while searching for "Detroit sucks" images, so it's all worth it.

LET'S GO BLACKHAWKS!!!! (Detroit sucks!!)

Green Socks and Magnolia Trees

2009-05-09T23:38:00.003-05:00

So it's mother's day again. It always sneaks up on me now that I'm half an orphan. I was certain that this year I was immune. When Marcia from work told me Friday afternoon to make sure that I was nice to my mom this weekend, I was able to sincerely laugh it off and explain that I wouldn't be celebrating without making her feel bad. But, it's nearing midnight and all evening I've been unable to shake one single thought, "I'm wearing Mom's socks."

My mom gave me these socks in January, 2006. I remember because she got them from an old friend when she was in the hospital after having her first heart attack. It was a very thoughtful gift and one that I knew was special, even before she died. (Once someone dies, everything they've ever given you becomes special). They're thick and soft. She loved thick, fuzzy socks. I never knew why she gave them to me. I suspect it was a combination of the identity of the friend and her sense of pride making her unable to keep a gift from someone who hadn't contacted her in twenty years until she randomly heard of her hospitalization.

It's funny how it is the little things that trip you up. I can think about my mom and tell stories about her without blanching, but realizing I'm wearing her socks makes me sad. I think about her when the magnolia trees bloom in the spring. She always said that she could never see a magnolia tree without thinking of her own mother. We'd look at them together - her thinking about (and probably missing) her mother, me thinking about this person who meant so much to my mother, but whom I had never met. Now I see the magnolia trees and I think that I will probably have those moments with my own children.

I will see them and miss my mother, while they will wonder what she was like. Maya Angelou said once that trying to describe her mother was like trying to describe a hurricane in all its perfect power. Sometimes I feel like this is an overwhelming task. How can I possibly tell my children about this woman who was so much? Mere words will never convey my mother's true spirit. I want to scream at the unfairness of it and I wonder if my mother felt this way when she would tell me stories of her own mother, knowing that I would never understand who she was and what she had meant to her. Maya Angelou also said that people will forget what you said and did, but never how you made them feel. And so this is the legacy of my mother that I will strive to pass on to my children. I will tell them of things that she said and of all of the times we did things together, but what they will remember and, I hope, pass on to their own children is the joy they feel when I tell them about her sweetness, her sense of humor, the love she held for us and how she would have loved to have held them and told them stories of her own mother and father. It will be enough.

Prayer

2009-05-09T22:48:00.002-05:00

A prayer, for those who grieve

God, Giver of Life

Lover of our souls, Savior

Open up for us in this hour (but not just for this hour), we pray,

A window on eternity

A glimpse of glory.

Help us to celebrate the moments past

And await in joyful hope

the day of promise,

when there will be no more death,

nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain,

because the former things are passed away.

Grant us grace, dear Lord, to release into your strong hand this one,

beloved by you and by us,

to be in your care in the promise of life forevermore.

For those who feel most keenly the pain of separation,

we seek the comfort of your Presence,

for in You all live,

and in Your presence every moment partakes of eternity,

and touches every other moment.

In You, as we draw near,

all that we love draws near to us.

Sanctify the memories

and may they sweeten the hearts of those who hold them.

And may every prayer,

even every tear,

be transformed by your miraculous Presence

into a gift of joy,

every memory

a blessing of gratitude.

In Christ, the victor over death, we pray.

Amen.

Borrowed from Fearful Symmetry, (which is probably the coolest blog name I've heard in a long time...but that could be because I'm a literature nerd.) :)

All That I Am

2009-05-09T22:38:00.001-05:00

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.
-Abraham Lincoln

Happy Mother's Day.

Happy Birthday, Sergio!!

2009-05-05T20:27:00.000-05:00

A Conversation

2009-05-04T20:17:00.000-05:00

Radio: ...see Vanilla Ice, in concert with C & C Music Factory...Tickets are $25...

Cindi: $25?!?! To see Vanilla Ice?!!

Mike: (kiddingly) Will you buy me Vanilla Ice tickets, pea pea?

Cindi: (snort)

(pause)

Cindi: (singing) Go ninja! Go ninja go!

Mike: (disbelieving look)

Cindi: I wonder if he'll sing that...remember that? It's from one of those movies...you know... the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movies...

Mike: (laughs)

Cindi: (still talking)...I don't remember if it's 2 or 3. It's the one where Shredder steals the ooze and creates his own mutants. A tortoise and a german shepherd, I think.

(pause)

Mike: That's valuable brain space that you're using.

Cindi: Oh, shut up!

In Memoriam

2009-05-01T12:52:00.003-05:00

We found out that Sergio's dad died this morning. It was peaceful and not unexpected, but Sergio is devastated and because I love him, so am I. I have a very soft spot for Serg. Along with Mike, he was the one who sat with me and held my hand when I found out that my own mother had died. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

Prospice

2009-05-01T12:39:00.004-05:00

Fear death?—to feel the fog in my throat,
The mist in my face,
When the snows begin,
and the blasts denote
I am nearing the place,
The power of the night, the press of the storm,
The post of the foe;
Where he stands, the Arch Fear in a visible form,
Yet the strong man must go:
For the journey is done and the summit attained,
And the barriers fall,
Though a battle’s to fight ere the guerdon be gained,
The reward of it all.
I was ever a fighter, so—one fight more,
The best and the last!
I would hate that death bandaged my eyes, and forbore,
And bade me creep past.
No! let me taste the whole of it, fare like my peers
The heroes of old,
Bear the brunt, in a minute pay glad life’s arrears
Of pain, darkness and cold.
For sudden the worst turns the best to the brave,
The black minute’s at end,
And the elements’ rage, the fiend-voices that rave,
Shall dwindle, shall blend,
Shall change, shall become first a peace out of pain,
Then a light, then thy breast,
O thou soul of my soul! I shall clasp thee again,
And with God be the rest!

- Robert Browning (1812–1889)

Happy Birthday!!

2009-04-30T21:59:00.001-05:00

A quick shout out to my cousin and homegirl, Sara. We're the same age again! Happy birthday!

Prayer Request

2009-04-28T22:14:00.002-05:00

Please say a prayer for Mike's sweet friend, Sergio. His father, also named Sergio, is very sick and the doctors have told the family to "prepare."

Prayer in Time of Suffering

Behold me, my beloved Jesus,
weighed down under the burden of my trials and sufferings,
I cast myself at Your feet,
that You may renew my strength and my courage,
while I rest here in Your Presence.
Permit me to lay down my cross in Your Sacred Heart,
for only Your infinite goodness can sustain me;
only Your love can help me bear my cross;
only Your powerful hand can lighten its weight.
O Divine King, Jesus,
whose heart is so compassionate to the afflicted,
I wish to live in You;
suffer and die in You.
During my life be to me my model and my support;
At the hour of my death,
be my hope and my refuge.

Amen.

Daisy Day

2009-04-21T18:24:00.002-05:00

Make sure to keep your eye on our wedding anniversary daisy ticker (on the sidebar) tomorrow! It'll say "3 years!" YaY!

April Nights at the Beach

2009-04-15T21:13:00.004-05:00

Hoppy Easter!

2009-04-12T11:18:00.002-05:00

Happy Easter to everyone! I'm off to the United Center to watch the Wings play the Hawks!

Somebody in Our House is Very Happy Today

2009-04-04T19:41:00.002-05:00

Know why?

THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations to Mike's alma mater, Michigan State University on their trip to the Championship game on Monday. Go Spartans!

A Light at the End of the Tunnel

2009-03-31T23:16:00.003-05:00

Well, it's done. Immigration's H-1B cap season is come and gone. I'm exhausted, but glad it's over. If you haven't gotten an e-mail from me in the last few weeks, take heart! I'll actually have a few minutes to examine my life and get caught up on things like that. YaY!

A Papaya Post

2009-03-30T21:22:00.003-05:00

I spent a great deal of today thinking about my cousin, Sara and her Mya Papaya. My working morning was spent at the Chinese Consulate in Chicago. A rarity - usually I send away for people's visas, but today I got to act as agent and go, in person, to pick up a Chinese visa for a client. It was an extremely long wait and an interesting one, as it was prime people watching. Lots of little Chinese girls about Mya's age waiting for visas with their parents. I smiled as I listened to one little girl tattling on her brother to her father in rapid Chinese - some things are the same in any language. Plenty of multi-lingual families speaking in a blend of the two languages. The lady behind me spoke to her two young children in Chinese, but ended every sentence with, "Ok?"

Eventually the seat next to me was taken by a very nice Chinese woman who chatted with me for quite some time in heavily-accented English. She asked me when I was going to China. Alas, I am not. She is going back to visit her parents, which she does once a year and has ever since they returned to China about four years ago - after living in Chicago for six years prior. I talked to her about Mya and brought out my phone to pull up Sara's website and show her pictures. She oohed and aahed about how pretty she is and giggled as she said that "she look like she have plenty attitude." By the way, Sara, she told me to advise you to try and find a way to keep up Mya's language because "Chinese very hard learn." Her own daughter, at 11, has forgotten all of her Chinese (it's not her fault, though, she says...her father's American and speaks no Chinese) and so she makes Anna go to Chinese Saturday school, but she's having a difficult time.

It was a nice break from the regular work day - and I get to go back again tomorrow. They took the visa application but were to busy for same day service, so I get to go pick it up tomorrow. I wonder who I'll meet then.

Jeff's New Tattoo

2009-03-29T17:04:00.001-05:00

I love it! Mom and Matt represented in one tattoo.

WeeeHooooo!

2009-03-29T15:39:00.005-05:00

This is my victory song following Michigan State beating Louisville:
"We're gonna Sparty on tonight...We're gonna Sparty on tomorrow!"

Watch out UConn, we're gunnin' for ya! Go STATE!

(**disclaimer: This post was not written by Cindi)

Another Earth Hour Commerical I Like

2009-03-29T15:28:00.001-05:00

Be sure to participate next year!

Earth Hour 2009 - Vote Earth

2009-03-28T22:47:00.003-05:00

In Other News

2009-03-27T22:41:00.000-05:00

It appears that one of our cats has converted to Islam.

You Found Me

2009-03-26T08:15:00.000-05:00

I really wanted to post the YouTube video for the song "You Found Me," by the Fray, both because the first time I heard it, I had to buy it (Mike seems to think this happens to me a lot.) and because there's just a lot of really, ugly stuff happening in our lives right now. I think that it would speak to anyone who has struggled to maintain their faith in the face of unfortunate events, especially those over which they have no control. Unfortunately, the song video embedding has been "disabled by request." I can however, post a link - and I did. If you haven't heard it (which would surprise me) - or if you want to hear it again, I encourage you.

A little background from Wikipedia -

In an interview, Isaac Slade expressed his meaning behind the lyrics of the song:

"You Found Me" is a tough song for me. It's about the disappointment, the heart ache, the let down that comes with life. Sometimes you’re let down, sometimes you’re the one who lets someone else down. It gets hard to know who you can trust, who you can count on. This song came out of a tough time, and I’m still right in the thick of it. There’s some difficult circumstances my family and friends have been going through over the past year or so and can be overwhelming. It wears on me. It demands so much of my faith to keep believing, keep hoping in the unseen. Sometimes the tunnel has a light at the end, but usually they just look black as night. This song is about that feeling, and the hope that I still have, buried deep in my chest.