New Roof

It's no secret that this winter has been bruuuutal.

Our roof took a toll and started to leak into the kitchen ceiling.
Mike went up and patched around the pipe (which led to nowhere and was taken out) that was leaking and it held until we could get someone to get us a new roof.

Mike knew some companies that he dealt with through the cities grant program and called for some estimates.
I knew right away we had to go with Valentine Construction.
Why?
It's a father-son deal and I liked them almost immediately. The senior Julio stood up when I entered the room. Who does that anymore?
He wore a cool hat and when he talked with me he ALWAYS took it off. Who does that anymore?
 He seemed very excited to be doing Mike Millikan's roof.
He told Mike that he is missed down at the city and things were just not the same.

All that  said they do damn fine work.

We got to listen to pounding and Mexican music for 2 days, but I didn't mind at all. They were friendly and very polite.
Lovin' my new roof.

Like the Wind

Dylan decided that he wanted to try track this spring. I was excited because I loved running track and I like to watch it too.
H chose 6 things that he wanted to try and the coach then assigns you to your races.

After a few weeks, Dylan's has the shot putt (though I think he was better at the disc - just saying), the 400 dash (which he much preferred than the 800) and the 4 X 200 relay.
On the relay he was always the 2nd runner, maybe because he is good at passing the baton. Anyway for sectional tryouts last night he was running the 1st leg. He admitted to a nervous stomach, but he was up to the challenge. I, and his Mother, both told him nervous is good. Kinda like you want to pick the dog or horse that shits a lot before a big race. Nerves are good.

I was so glad that I brought the camera so I can show you and not just brag about how fast this boy can run. That's my grandson in the white shirt flying by the others.

LIKE THE WIND - Not just cause it was a windy day either.

LegoLand

Kaylyn is turning 9 May 10th and for her birthday celebration with us she wanted to go to Legoland in Schaumburg.
She was so excited. She talked and talked and talked all morning (our tickets were for the 12:00-12:30 entry) In the car on the way there she takes a deep breath and says "Oh My Gosh, I really need to stop talking!" Mike and I had a good laugh with her.
 I have never heard of this place, but it is very cool. Only one rule - Adults must be accompanied by a child.

 You enter through a room filled of Chicago, entirely made of legos, of course - this is only half of it. So impressive.

Then you enter a jungle . My favorite part.
.

 Then on to the star wars room. There were display along the way for kids to push a button and something either lite up or moved. Again - way impressive.

 We stopped into the 4D movie. We got wind in our faces, rained on (very little drops) and the skunk in the movie let out some smelly farts. Very cool for the kids in the theater. The movie is only about 12 minutes long.

The dragon laser ride. You each get a gun to shoot at targets. Along the way they take your picture and you get you scores and a chance to purchase the pictures. We passed.
Kaylyn had a faulty gun so we switched back and forth. Turns out neither of our guns were working so Papa had the highest score! Little hint there - sit in the back where the guns are less used.

 The peddle ride. You peddle and the ride rises. There was a lot of adults on the ride, but it's clearly made for kids - Mike's knees were feeling it.

 A build your own race car and send it down the track area.

 It was a fun filled day.
Kaylyn had a great time, but the place is made for more little kids I'd say around 3-6. They did have an area with large legos and padded seating on the floor for even younger kids, maybe 1-3 year olds.

We had dinner at the "Castle" (That's what the kids call the Village Squire by our house).

Topped the day off with a selfie in the hot tub.

And cupcakes!

Happy Birthday Granddaughter!!

Knock, Knock

Who is it?

It's Mathew, Kendell and Kallie.
"Hey, Aunt Karen, wanna go to the creek with us and Grandma?"

Of course I do.
Mike and I took our grandkids down to the creek that runs by our house almost every time they came over. (weather permitting). This was Sharen's first trip with her grandkids and boy were they excited.

They were spending the night with Sharen and Dup and she promised them a walk by the creek if they are good.
Note to parents of grandkids "if they are good" is always a YES. Especially when they get so excited about something.

They took off running. This is a little trick I know to slow them down - make them stop for a picture - then you can catch up to them before they fall into the creek.

The creek was really low for this time of year so we all climbed down the bank to feel how cold the water was.

 Another little trick.
OK, Everybody sit with Grandma on this log for a picture. Which means Grandma and Aunt Karen get a rest period.

 I told the kids about the surprise pond on the back property that had pretty flowers to pick and they wanted to see it. So we took a hike to the pond.
They all picked flowers - Matthew and Kendell each gave me one, but Kallie only had flowers for Grandma.

 We head back to the creek to throw rock and make big splashes. 

 



 The girls were really tired after the hike, so Grandma promised Matthew a return visit, soon, (he could of stayed there a few more hours) and we head to my house for a rest period.

Kendell asked me to read her a book. Shocker - with Sharen in the room. Another shocker - Kallie wanted to sit on my lap too. One happy Aunt Karen right here.

 

Rest period over.

They put their coats back on for a walk back to Grandma's house. They had big plans to make cookies for Papa when he gets off of work.

Dylan - NO Logan

I must have been having a very long senior moment, because when Logan spent the weekend with us for his birthday I consistently called him Dylan.Even when we took him to BWW and he got this silly hat (which he wore proudly). I called him Dylan. I would look at him with this hat on - name clearly in sight and call him Dylan. Stopped at Cold stone for ice cream.
"What do you want, Dylan?"
"Why are you calling me Dylan?"
He was a good sport about it, but come on what is wrong with me?
The next morning for breakfast I made him pancakes. I did remember that Logan is the one who loves my pancakes!

After his 4th pancake I said "Wow, I forget how much a 9 yr old can eat."

"Grandma - I'm 12!!!"

I think he deserves a sleep over/do over - don't you?

This is my grandson LOGAN and he is 12!! Repeat to yourself 3 times.

He also is a heck of a baseball player - hits the ball a ton.
He has always wanted to try golf so Papa set up the net in the back yard so he could give it a go.

 He struggled with hitting the ball. Swing was good - follow through was good - but the ball stayed on the tee.

I suggested using Papa's clubs. He's left handed.
I remember when I played softball and my brother would make us all bat left handed. We all hated it, but I have to admit, it worked. You had to think about hitting the ball more. You were seeing it from another angel and your normal swing and rhythm were thrown off. When you went back to your normal stance you thought about it more.

He didn't fall for it.
Can't blame him - what do I know - I called him Dylan and thought he was 9.

Masters and Mystery

The Masters
I am a huge Tiger fan. I love to watch him play and I want him to win every tournament.
When I read the paper this morning and saw he is not going to be playing in my favorite golf tourney I got very sad. Though I do know first hand what back surgery can do to fix an aching back, I am not happy he won't be playing.
Watching the Masters without Tiger is like watching the Bulls without Michael and the Bears without Walter. I am going to suck it up and watch it, BUT I WON'T LIKE IT!


The Mystery
I logged on to get step 2 to my mystery quilt and I see that they have already given the instructions to step 3.
What?
Who would want to see ahead? The whole idea of the mystery is gone.
I know who - the same people who read the ending of a book first.
Well not me, I like the mystery of it all so I am not going to click on the last step until I finish step 2.

Here is a picture of my material. I did end up getting it from Hobby Lobby (with a 30% coupon).
I decided on a spring theme. The quilt is a throw size, so I'm thinking about a spring table cloth for my dining table.

Sharen Retires

Being a twin is special
All twins, identical or not have a connection, a kinship, an understanding, an unexplained bond.
But it's much more than that. I like to think it's more like having a life that's blended.

We grew up doing everything together. We got measles, mumps, our ears pierced, drivers licenses, our first real full time jobs at the same place, together. Don't ask me which one did it first. Doesn't matter, and the stories change; one day it's Sharen and the next time it's me. It all blends together.

We ended up at the doctor at the same time once . One of us stepped on a rusty nail and the other had a display of paint fall on top of her. Really, I do not know which one happen to me, but I do remember it happening.

Some things can only happen to one person, but that didn't stop us from being there for each other.
She was right with me when I won the middle schools free throw shooting contest and I watch her win the Female Bowler of the Year for the city of Elgin.

There are so many stories, but my point is - Twins Forever!

Sharen retired yesterday.
I was there for her.
The guys made breakfast for her and she jokingly told them that she was glad they had breakfast together, because they would probably get a call when her party starts and no one would be there. Now red shift hasn't had a fire in a year. Party starts at 2pm. A call for a garage fire came in at 1:48. Party started anyway.

 A beautiful quilt, made by Brita, her replacement. She found 40 different firefighter materials. A great keepsake for Sharen. On the table sits her teddy bear I made her out of one of her old work shirts and flowers sent from the grandkids.

Sharen trying to strike a pose like our Dad did.

 The Engines were finally back and the grandkids watch them back the big rig in with Grandma.

 Her firefighters gave her this awesome golf bag. She was overwhelmed to say the least. This gift could not have been more perfect, hers is really old. Harvey took charge and even got the colors right - matching her Ohio state head covers.

Sharen and some of her boys. When she started there were only 9 full time firefighters. Now, 22 years later, there are 30 full timers and 14 POCs  (paid on call).



 

After lots of hugs her last day ended. The party continued over at Mary's Corner Tap.
What better way to cap off her work life but with a ride on the engine over to the bar. She offered me a ride along, but I said no "This was her day."
When she asked me a second time I agreed to join her. I almost forgot that we share things, that's what we do, and she wanted to share this with me.
We made arrangements for someone to drive Carrie's car over to the bar so she could ride with us too. I am So glad I went with her. A ride I will never forget.
Sharen rode in the front and Carrie and I took the back seats.

Now the guys get to meet the fun Sharen. The relaxed Sharen who drinks beer, teases them, and laughs at their stories. I heard some pretty nice things about my twin from people who knew her, but don't know me. They really liked her. They will really miss her. I heard from a couple wives who were there (one was there while her husband was at work) who are going to miss her too. I certainly was feeling the love for my twin and I couldn't have been more proud.

 

I am so glad that Justin grabbed my camera for a picture of the 2 of us.

 

Now the fun times begin. When she's not playing in the park with her grandkids or off playing golf with her husband I am pretty sure she will be getting in just a little bit of trouble with me.