Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Goodness I Love Philly


Ted lives here.

Ted has a fun bike.


We ate lunch here.

In the park looking at the restaurant. It was a restaurant where they did not list soda's on the menu.

Had no idea there was an Anthropology in Philadelphia.  Earlier this week I checked their nearest stores while on their site requesting a catalog... did not see Philly on the list.  Should have looked closer.  Oh well, this way I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed this in our travels today... I informed my Mom and Ted that we would be shopping at Anthro after lunch.








Fun vintage shop.  Where they knew the stuff was great. I was tempted to tell the ladies at the register, "I so get this." 


This morning while I scurried around to get the children to babysitters I wondered if this was really going to be worth it.  Guess I was scared Ted would have us sitting on park benches all day.  Now I only wish we had taken the time to sit on the park benches.  It was so great. Thanks Ted. You're such a trooper... putting up with Anthro and all.

Monday, September 27, 2010

My Children Do Things That Haunt Me

I know what I was like as a child. I try to forget about it though.  Then my children do things that remind me.
Mia has been begging to take a snack along with her to school.  I have been saying no.  She goes on to tell me that the other kids bring snacks!  Mom! Well dear, they probably have food allergies.
So the other afternoon waiting in the van for the bus she whispered to her friend, "Hey, I want to tell you a secret, I have a snack in my backpack" Her Mother has good ears.  Anyhow... she waited to relay this information until the bus was pulling up.  So I walk them across the street and inform Mia that we will talk about this when she gets home.  I did not get a hug good bye that day.  She looked a bit troubled.  At the last minute she turned and blew me a kiss before climbing aboard.
You know what I found in her backpack that afternoon? Two packs of gummies, and a pack of Lance crackers. So basically that was three snacks.  She did not even try to eat any as her teacher gave them gummies that day.  She was prepared for a day of 4 goldfish crackers.
Why this story haunts me.  I was in Kindergarten or possibly first grade when I decided I was going to wear shorts to school like the other girls.  I had this pair in my dresser, They were bright yellow and I don't recall ever wearing them before or after this particular day that I wore them under my skirt.  I had a plan, it was to change at the end of the lane while I waited for the bus.  Stow the skirt under the bushes there at the end of the lane.  For some reason I chickened out and wore the yellow shorts all day long underneath the skirt.  Nick teased me at recess while swinging on the monkey bars that he could see my yellow underwear. When I got home that day, my Mother was waiting for me on Big Red the 3 wheeler. I was so glad to not be in those yellow shorts.  Alas, my plan was all discovered that evening when Mom found the yellow shorts in the basement very far from the top dresser drawer in my bedroom. Mom's are smart.

Ellie takes every opportunity she can to go outside in the buff.  No clothes at all.  It happens after baths on Sunday mornings and while her Mother is editing photos on a Monday afternoon.
Nate always smiles and says, "She takes after her Mother" Oh dear.
While on a date one time we stopped for gas at the local Hess.  I mentioned to Nate that I knew the guy that was beside us, Pete was his name.  He used to work with my Dad.  Nate was feeling exceptionally chatty that afternoon and said, "Hi Pete" while waiting to pay for his gas.  Upon relaying how he knew Pete's name Pete laughed and said, "Lydia Jo?, let me tell you a story about her" and he proceeded to tell him about a time that I showed up down at the shop without clothes on.  Blush! Nate was howling till he came back out and I was in for a real treat.  No one else ever told me I did that. Thank goodness I don't remember.

Boring detail, but I learned to ride bike along this wall. 




There were so many big trees before.  Makes me feel old. To be here after the trees have gone.
During our lovely thresher man's reunion we got a tour of the home farm.  The stories that the feelings from these pictures evoke.  Nothing like seeing the place where you grew up.  What was really neat was Aunt Cindy got married here at this farm house.  And we were there looking around on her 39th anniversary! So while I thought it was so neat to be back. It was even way neater for them!
Standing in the very room where they said I Do.

  





Saturday, September 25, 2010

The Final Thresherman's Reunion by Iron Amos













Heather knows it's all over rated.



Iron Amos (Grandpa)

Listening to the heavenly tunes.
all this... and it was only part of my exciting day!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Going Back


Wedding Slide show.  It is all out of order. It was a happy day.

Here is a much shorter slide show.  Something that I quickly put together to show the family.


When I look out our window in the night I remember this evening.  It was snowing, it was Christmas, very cozy night.  We watched the snow fall in the light of the church steeple.  I rarely see that steeple all lit up at night without remembering this night. And it always seems like it's snowing.

 Stuey just started doing "So Big"

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Laundry Fun?


Laundry Fun?, originally uploaded by LydiaJo.

Yard Sale


Yard sales are not for me.  I mean having them.  Guess I'm not a morning person.  And I might have a better attitude if I could have slept till 5am.  Did not.  No, two of my little children (read smallest) cried all night long.  I never fell back to sleep after 2am.  Bad, bad start to my day.  I could not believe how the junk sold.  The very things that I was embarrassed to be sitting beside. Household things that I was tempted to toss.  They sold.  For mere dollars but still? And yet I know that is exactly how people must feel when they sell me cool vintage chairs for $5.  And I walk away trying to wipe the huge smile off of my face.  No they can't feel that happy about my junk, no possible way. Amazing how our styles are so different. 

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

New Stuff Makes Me Nervous

The other Sunday I had to teach the ladies Sunday school class for the very first time in my life.  I was nervous.  Not that crazy to be nervous about something like that. Nate got me a spa pedicure certificate for my birthday. Nervous. If your feet looked like mine you would be too!  I'm having a yard sale on Saturday and same thing, I'm a little nervous. I am rolling my eyes at myself right now.
Took engagement pictures Monday evening.  Was fun!

Nate was carrying my second camera around for me and I was surprised to see some really good shots when I went through my files. Shots that I didn't take. I didn't even know he was shooting.

Have you seen what's going on over at baileyandme2? Fun stuff.  Share a photo of your living room and what you'd serve when you have guests over.Pretty inspiring as far as home decor goes. Styles vary.


Most of my paintings do not look good on the blue walls. Waiting on new inspiration, snowy winter days, and blank canvas.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

The lovely Carolyn Roth. We felt honored that she'd come see us.
9 Months. Crawling.  Pulling himself up.  4 Teeth.  Fun.