What's all the Ruchus

January 13th, 2012

2012-01-14T21:31:00.004-06:00

Ah Friday! What a long day...Today, I worked at school and at the clinic, 12 hours in all and then went to pick up Kristina and Lizzie at the movie theater after they saw Beauty and the Beast 3-D. Imagine my delight when I looked out my passenger window and saw this little cutie waiting for her Auntie!

January 12th, 2012

2012-01-14T21:28:00.003-06:00

Winter Arrives! Our first measurable showfall and finally it's cold! As well as the unpleasant experience of being on crutches in the snow! The doctor noted this week that if the Xray looks good next week, she will take the pin out. Still no word on when I'll be done with the crutches, but another step in the right direction! My staff at work has been so wonderful parking my car and making sure I get in and out of the building without a catastrophe!

January 11th, 2012 Kristina's 16th Birthday

2012-01-14T21:26:00.002-06:00

For Kristina's birthday we shared a wonderful dinner at JMK Nippon with our favorite chef the Yellow Hat guy :). Shana stopped by to wish Kristina a happy birthday after a long day at work, Tim & Deb drove in from Kenosha and of course Gramma, Tracey & our family were there. It was so nice to have so many family members together to celebrate! Happy Sweet 16 Kristina!

January 10th, 2012

2012-01-14T21:19:00.003-06:00

Brennan walked in from working at Hilander and said, "Dad, you wanna play chess?" One of my best purchases for Christmas this year was this beautiful Chess set for Brennan. It has clear spaces in which you can insert your own photos (Pokemon photos are Brennan's choice) and of course, it's a great opportunity to beat your Dad at Chess!

January 9th, 2012

2012-01-14T21:17:00.001-06:00

I love this image...first of all, because it shows the amazing weather we have had this winter. We have had one snowfall so far that was less than an inch and melted the same day. (My kind of snowfall) AND, we've had several days in the 50's. If every winter was this way, I surely wouldn't want to move south! While I, of course, was busy sitting in the recliner with my foot up, the girls headed outside to take down the Christmas lights while the weather is still balmy. Thanks!

January 8th, 2012

2012-01-14T21:14:00.003-06:00

Such an enjoyable afternoon spent with my girls. Footloose AND Grease were on CMT today, so we took the opportunity to enjoy the film of last year's musical movie and this year's musical movie. Meanwhile, Kristina was taking a moment to wrap a few final presents for Nemanja. Whenever the curling ribbon comes out...the cats are not far behind! They are big helpers when you're trying to wrap presents!

January 7th, 2012

2012-01-14T21:12:00.003-06:00

Friday night pizza! We hadn't planned it exactly, but Grandma asked me to hobble over on my crutches to trim Robert's nails. He had been using them to attack faces again :/ The definite upside of the evening was enjoying delicious veggie pizza from Sam's, spending time with Grandma, Tracey, Stephanie, Kevin and the 3 crazies and THIS super sweet picture of Robert...in his usual spot looking out the window...and Mishu joining him!

January 6th, 2012

2012-01-14T21:10:00.003-06:00

Although I do not love the kitty bullying that is going on in this picture, I love the fact 1) That Kevin took it and 2) That it is a daily happening in our house that we captured on film. Poor Jake goes downstairs to use the litter box, and crazy Julio keeps him trapped there by stalking him outside the cat door. Look closely and you can see Jake inside the door. Poor Jakey!

January 5th, 2012

2012-01-14T21:05:00.004-06:00

This is a completely annoying picture for me...I have spent more time sitting around the past week, since surgery than perhaps any other time in my life! The DVR is empty as I have finally caught up on my recorded shows or deleted them finding myself no longer interested! I have read all my magazines, newspapers and cross-stitched a bunch. I guess the only sit-down-thing I haven't caught up on is reading. I do know one thing...I'm tired of being on crutches. Already! The Doctor didn't offer any timeline for when I may be done with the crutches so that was a bit disheartening. She said my stitches will come out next week so that's a step in the right direction.

January 4th, 2012

2012-01-14T20:55:00.003-06:00

Today was my first day back at work...both at Easter Seals and UIC. I must admit it was a pretty trying day physically...as the crutches just don't suit me well. I was very pleased, however, to come home to sit in my cozy chair, with my cozy blanket, with my cute kitty and PLEASE notice that my dear husband took the tree to be recycled today. EXCELLENT!

January 3rd, 2012

2012-01-03T16:26:00.004-06:00

Finally! Out of bed! Today I was out of the house...the first time I drove in a week. What freedom! I was committed to staying out of bed all day in preparation for my first day back to work tomorrow. I made it to lunch and back and also made it through packing up one crate of ornaments. My family has been such a great help during this time. I surely couldn't have done it without them. Hopefully Kevin will get the tree out of the house and off to be recycled. Bring on the new year!

January 2nd, 2012

2012-01-03T16:19:00.003-06:00

I was a little challenged in the photo department for a few days as I was recuperating in bed from foot surgery. (Not my favorite way to start the year!) Anyway, Kevin agreed to run downstairs to take a picture on command when I realized...SHOOT! I haven't taken a picture yet today. I surely couldn't crash and burn my commitment to project 365 during the first two days of the year! Today, Stephanie hosted a voices reunion which provided amazing music for my listening pleasure. After the wonderful singing there was game playing. Even though quite a few friends had left already, I got picture #2 of the year compliments of the hubby!

Ringing in 2012 with New Resolve!

2012-01-03T16:13:00.003-06:00

Project 365 part 2 or 3, I'm not sure. What I am sure of is even though I've never made it 365 days or even 35 days to my 365 day commitment, I do always love the pictures I have AND I have a brand spanking new project life kit from Becky Higgins, just waiting to be used. So, in 2012 I commit with new resolve to a picture a day. Here we go!

Jan 1,2012

January 1st and what better way to kick it off than preparing for musical auditions! Kristina made a deal...you compose my try out dance and I'll clean the house for your party. Here they are busy composing a dance to the hand jive. Grandma's going to love it!

January 28th

2010-02-06T16:43:00.003-06:00

I finally got a chance to get to Kristina's swim meet. She swims 4 events this year: 2 relays, 1 free, and 1 breast stroke. She's an awesome swimmer!

January 27th

2010-02-06T16:38:00.002-06:00

Kevin special ordered Good n Plenty's for a candy machine for my office. How sweet is that?

January 25th

2010-02-06T16:34:00.003-06:00

I came home today to find Kristina all bundled up watching idol...flannel jammies, polar fleece blanket, and her space heater. What could be more cozy?

January 24th

2010-01-24T17:10:00.003-06:00

Brennan has a pretty consistent agenda on Sunday's. Sleep in...pick up a cheeseburger...and head to Robin's nest for a tournament. This Sunday was no different.

Good Luck Brennan!

January 23rd

2010-01-24T17:07:00.003-06:00

Let's call this picture 'Brennan's choice'. We all coordinated our busy schedules to have a family dinner at Angelo's so I thought it would be nice to have the waitress take a picture of us as a family. Brennan thought it would be nice to take a picture of his mutant cheese stick :)

January 22nd

2010-01-24T17:04:00.003-06:00

Friday! So much to do! Stephanie had a game, Kristina was at Grammas and Kevin and I had a date night. We headed first to HHS to watch Steph at her game, then to Chili's to eat, and then to see the snow sculptures. With temps in the 40's we were glad we went, because when we went back on Saturday, most of them were unrecognizable!

January 21st

2010-01-24T17:01:00.002-06:00

Thursday's are looooong days for me. Between work and my college classes at night, I usually get home about 9:30. By the time I get a few things done around the house, I hed upstairs to find Kevin...TV on, remote in hand, sound asleep!

January 20th

2010-01-24T16:58:00.002-06:00

Between school, the boyfriend, dance, friends, and homework, it seems we hardly ever see Stephanie anymore. It's always nice to see her smiling face when she comes home from work.

January 19th

2010-01-24T16:55:00.003-06:00

Here lies my faithful blog companion. It is usually only a few minutes after getting on the computer until I hear his familar meow...as he hops up on the chair next to me.

January 18th

2010-01-24T16:52:00.002-06:00

We may be known as the lastminute champions in our house...but even at the last minute, we can still come up with a darn cute Language Arts project. Kristina made this puppet to represent the book kira-kira and got a 99%. Wow!

January 17th

2010-01-17T19:25:00.003-06:00

Today we helped out Shana (who has Mono :( ) by keeping the girls...look at this big girl holding her bottle!

January 16th

2010-01-17T19:23:00.002-06:00

Today, Stephanie took another step toward adult hood. She opened her first checking account.

January 15th

2010-01-17T19:20:00.002-06:00

Phone versus Matchbox car...Matchbox car wins. Kristina is now on her 4th phone in a year. Sometimes we're slow learners, we finally purchased insurance.

January 14th

2010-01-17T19:14:00.002-06:00

And so it begins...Semester 2 of 5. This is where I spend my Thursday nights.

January 13th

2010-01-17T19:11:00.003-06:00

Ewwwww! Our crazy dog Blue runs up and down the fenceline with the neighbor's puppy Lucy. He evidently doesn't realize how old he's getting. He gets warn out and starts to drool. Then the crazy dog comes in with all this drool on his face! Yuck!

January 12th

2010-01-12T20:44:00.002-06:00

Some days I feel like all I do is drive. Today I drove to Freeport, to home, to HHS to drop off Stephanie's dance bag, to work, to UIC, to HMS to pick up Nina, to Jeanne's, to Hobby Lobby, to Walmart, and FINALLY home!

January 11th

2010-01-12T20:41:00.001-06:00

Happy 14th Birthday precious one!

January 10th

2010-01-12T20:35:00.003-06:00

You pick...some days are just worthy of more than one photo...

Brennan won two tickets to NYC including airfare at the BakuCon...

While Ricky mastered the art of mocking :)

January 9th

2010-01-12T20:28:00.003-06:00

Let's just say the family drama gets out of hand sometimes.

January 8th

2010-01-12T20:26:00.003-06:00

We don't call him pizza Daddy for nothing! There's nothing like Friday night pizza and rootbeer.

January 7th, 2010

2010-01-07T19:37:00.002-06:00

Jake had the opportunity to go outside today...after 7 inches of snow...let's just say he passed!

January 6th, 2010

2010-01-07T19:35:00.002-06:00

Today was the winter target meeting for Middle School Swimming. Kristina is all signed up. Practice begins Friday and her first meet is next Thursday

January 5th, 2010

2010-01-05T19:43:00.001-06:00

It's here! And I couldn't be more excited. My Project Life kit from Becky Higgins arrived today.

I plan to use this kit to document my project 365.

January 4th, 2010

2010-01-04T18:15:00.002-06:00

The precious one returned home from Virginia today with a terrible cold. Good to be home so the mama can nurse her back to health. Welcome home Kristina.

January 3rd, 2010

2010-01-03T15:57:00.003-06:00

January 3, 2010. Spent the afternoon with Zoe and Jason. We shared a yummy bowl of peppermint icecream!

January 2, 2010

2010-01-03T15:53:00.003-06:00

January 2nd, 2010...We had a COL reunion breakfast at Old Country Buffet. The Keller's, Tracy Mitchell, Ginger (from ES), me and Stephanie all attended. The crowd was small, but the company was great. It was so nice to see my BFF :)

January 1, 2010

2010-01-03T15:50:00.003-06:00

Welcome to a new year! A blank slate! A new decade! This year I have re-dedicated myself to taking a moment a day to snap a picture. Won't you come with me?

Let's give 'er another try...

2009-11-29T14:04:00.002-06:00

I was just looking at the month's worth of pictures I took and posted last year. What an awesome idea...it just wasn't the right time. I am going to commit to the photo a day for a year...again. This is the year I will get my school social work certificate, by LCSW, my daughter will begin her senior year and my baby will begin her freshman year. I'm thinking of perhaps doing a photo a day blog for Steph's senior year and then being able to publish it into a book for graduation. Ithink that would be the bomb as well. If I can keep up. I've got 31 days to gain the dedication to start this one again...and then 10 months before the beginning of senior year. I'd like to capture registration, college visits, college apps, senior pics, etc...so, without further adew...let's begin.

27/365

2009-02-05T20:19:00.002-06:00

My honey sent me these lovely roses on my first day at work...way to score extra brownie points!

26/365

2009-02-05T20:18:00.001-06:00

Today, my petitions were due to the Harlem Administration Office to get my name on the ballot. I turned mine in at 4:38 just shy of the 5:00 deadline.

25/365

2009-02-05T20:16:00.002-06:00

I love holiday decor...I came home to find Kristina had decorated for Valentine's day.

24/365

2009-02-05T20:14:00.002-06:00

Stephanie and I went to the Harlem vs. Belivdere North game tonight so I could get signatures on my petition to run for the school board. It was a great game, especially since the Huskies won in overtime!

23/365

2009-02-05T20:12:00.003-06:00

My last day at Circles of Learning...I will miss my baby Savannah Moore and so many other precious ones!

22/365

2009-02-05T20:10:00.002-06:00

Sometimes I crack up at what becomes the wallpaper on our computer....like this picture of the Jonas Brothers....butts!

21/365

2009-02-05T19:59:00.003-06:00

Kevin, me, Mark and Angie had a great time at Larry the Cable Guy...some times we laughed harder at Mark than at Larry!

20/365

2009-02-05T19:57:00.003-06:00

Inauguration Day...History in the making...our first African American president.

19/365

2009-02-05T19:55:00.003-06:00

Today Brennan got his 9th grade physical in preparation for high school. Ugh!

18/365

2009-02-05T19:51:00.001-06:00

My tag along...when I ran to get milk this morning

17/365

2009-02-05T19:45:00.002-06:00

Jake, my constant companion...wether I'm on the computer and he's waiting patiently along side me, getting ready in the morning when he waits on the toilet seat, or when I retire for the night...he's always where I am.

16/365

2009-02-05T19:43:00.001-06:00

Some days I feel like all I do is drive...today I'm driving back to Lake Geneva to begin my final semester at GWC.

15/365

2009-02-01T19:46:00.001-06:00

Just leave em where you takem off! Kristina's shoes in my office @ Circles

14/365

2009-02-01T19:45:00.001-06:00

We had a heavy fogthe night before, so the earth was covered with diamond frost this morning...stunning

13/365

2009-02-01T19:42:00.002-06:00

I can't get enough of this face. I love you Zoe!

12/365

2009-02-01T19:40:00.001-06:00

I am no longer impressed with winter...way too much snow!

11/365

2009-01-22T10:10:00.002-06:00

1/11/2009 Happy Birthday to my baby girl...

10/365

2009-01-22T10:08:00.002-06:00

1/10/2009 Finally a new paring knife...my first one in 20 years! I love that it's pink :)

9/365

2009-01-22T07:47:00.000-06:00

1/9/2009 Woody has grown on me. He is so sweet and snuggly :)

8/365

2009-01-22T07:44:00.000-06:00

1/8/2009 Placed my very last order for books through Aurora. How Sweet it is!

7/365

2009-01-22T07:43:00.001-06:00

1/7/2009 Back to my internship @ UIC and more snow...bleck

6/365

2009-01-22T07:42:00.001-06:00

1/6/2009 Ever turn around and see someone carrying a tree down the hall? It cracked me up!

Angie Keller @ Circles of Learning

5/365

2009-01-22T07:41:00.001-06:00

1/5/2009 This is what sick and back to work at 6AM looks like...

4/365

2009-01-22T07:39:00.000-06:00

1/4/2009 Finally home and struggling to get my vacation pictures posted on slide

3/365

2009-01-22T07:38:00.001-06:00

1/3/2009 Clarksville, TN Breakfast with Papa Larry

2/365

2009-01-22T07:34:00.001-06:00

1/2/09 Georgia Sunset - on our way home from Sanibel

1/365

2009-01-22T06:57:00.000-06:00

1/1/09 The Ruchus on Sanibel Island - New Year's Day at Bowman Beach

Ready to head home

Let's Begin!

2009-01-22T06:55:00.000-06:00

I stole this terrific idea from my friend Candi...here's why...the terrific Becky Higgins project 365 kit of the month sold out before I got one. Right now they are selling for about $200 on ebay which is just not reasonable to me. So...I believe if I post my pics for every day on this blog...at the end of the year I can publish it into a blog book and voila! Project 365 will be complete....let's begin...