Livin' it UP

The sweetness of life ...

2012-01-30T14:27:00.000-05:00

So, life moves on. Seems like little Miss Mags grows and changes everyday. Of course, I know this is a common refrain among parents and my observation is not unique. However, Miss Mags IS unique! hehehehe

And so it goes. Miss Maggie in the morning.

Life.Is.Good.

A New Day

2012-01-18T18:18:00.000-05:00

So, it's a new day here in da Yoop. We officially have a Yooper living with us. She arrived on Saturday, January 7 at 12:45am and weighed in at 7lbs 13oz. She-is-beautiful.

What can I say? My cup runneth over.

The big day .....

2012-01-05T18:36:00.000-05:00

So, tomorrow I'm being induced. I'll be 39 weeks and 4 days. Hard to believe that this time tomorrow we may actually have a healthy baby. Margaret Mary will arrive shortly!

Happenings UP north!

2011-10-10T15:45:00.001-04:00

Last week Chris was in San Diego for a conference. While he was there, a few things happened -- you might call it a banner week for yours truly.

I won a hunting rifle! Yep, pregnant women in the UP win hunting rifles. :-) It's a Savage Axis .308 complete with scope. We took it to the range on Saturday to get it sighted. Although it was pretty windy, it worked our decently.

Backstory --- I purchased a raffle ticket last month supporting a local American Legion post. I figured it was a good donation of $5. I received a call last Thursday from Northwoods (Freeman's) and initially thought, "What did Chris order now?" Well, the message went on to inform me that I had indeed won the grand prize! Pretty awesome, indeed. Now I just need to take it hunting. Imagine this ..... a 7-month+ pregnant women stomping through the woods with her new rifle. Hmmm ......, perhaps a new pair of cute boots might be in order! :-)
Chris actually made it home on Friday ... and I made him an apple pie. OK, banner-week worthy? Well, I think so!
I good friend of mine met me at a quilt shop and had me pick out a design and fabrics for a homemade baby quilt! I must admit, the design is cool and the fabrics we picked kick-ass! There will be NO other quilt like it in the world. It is SO going to rock. Thanks, Kristen!
Our 15th wedding anniversary was Wednesday. I was the recipient of a free lunch at work - - courtesy of a meeting about GRE/TOEFL testing standards. Lasagne and salad was had by all. So, if forced to be without your husband on your anniversary, look into attending an ETS testing update meeting. Things could be worse!
Chris brought back Godiva chocolate for me from San Diego. Ask any pregnant woman .... this is a sign of TRUE love!
I also was the recipient of a BE-A-UUU-TIFUL ring enhancer that fits perfectly around my engagement ring. Chris presented it to me in a very romantic and sentimental way. He asked me to marry him. At first I was a bit thrown. Of course I said yes! Then I realized that there was something additional being placed on my finger. He's a smooth, smoothy, he is! I will treasure it and, more importantly, him ALWAYS.
I'm a very lucky woman. :-) I need to find a camera and post some photos.
I was also surprised with an impromptu viewing of our wedding video -- once he located the VCR (you do remember what those are, yes?) Man, we looked so very young. We also looked happy. We had no idea back then, did we? I envy our younger selves the youth, but wouldn't go back. Life makes you stronger and helps you appreciate all you have ... even if you don't really realize just how much you DO have.

Of course, there was a bit of sadness ... seeing the faces of all those we've lost since then. Desperately wanting the camera to move back in another direction so we can see more of a particular loved one .... knowing that it can't and those moments were so very fleeting -- at the time, thinking you had eternity. Sad for the loss of those gone on ahead and sad for the loss of those who weren't yet here to meet them ... those who will never meet them in this life.

Great times, sad times ... all part of the same package. What can you do? Roll with the waves the best you can and take the time to look at the scenery ... even when, especially when, the schedule calls for a scenery-free trip. That's when there's the most to see.

Running with cargo

2011-09-26T14:54:00.000-04:00

This past weekend I ran what will be, in most likelihood, my last race of the year .... plus some -- I think a turkey trot over Thanksgiving might be a bit much. Although it was a 5K, the cargo I now carry made it a bit more challenging. However, between support belts and heartburn a good time was had. It was a bit chilly starting out, but once the freight got moving things warmed up quite nicely. Chris and our friend Bruce once again volunteered -- they did last year as well, but I was on a different course and never saw them. Of course, after the race we required sustenance at Candies Cafe in Hubbell, yes, Hubbell.

Later in the day we picked local apples. I made them into applesauce on Sunday. I canned some as well! My first experience canning anything turned out pretty nicely -- if I say so myself. So, in the depths of winter we will have applesauce. Applesauce that came from UP-bred and raised apples, prepared in a UP kitchen, and consumed in a UP house.

If you ask me, life is pretty darn sweet. :-)

Fall thoughts ....

2011-09-14T10:35:00.001-04:00

Context: written around a campfire on a cool, windy, beginning-to-rain, September morning. Actually, the handwritten pages of this journal have some smears from the raindrops that began to fall as I wrote.

September, ... Your arrival oftentimes finds us hot and miserable. Your departure oftentimes leaves us snow -- at least frost-speckled, late summer gardens.

It is my lucky circumstance to have been born at the almost-midpoint of your annual lunar travel. Fall has always been the best .... Change. Last respite before winter. Hell, I even match September -- brown-golden eyes, red-golden-brown hair, same color freckles, a propensity for sweatshirts and hiking boots, red wine and campfires, apple cider, new-paint smell, hot dust smell from freshly-turned-on furnaces ..... Ah, how I love this time of year.

Surprise!

2011-09-13T09:56:00.000-04:00

On this birthday of mine, I wish to say one thing: hehehehehehe

Poems in peanut butter

2011-08-31T09:28:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago (probably longer than that now) I went to a writing workshop on the shores of the big lake. It was a beautiful day. Windy, a bit grey, the lake singing to us all day. The kind of day that screams for crackling fireplaces.

One of the prompts that day began with a list of random words generated by those in attendance:

green
love
windswept
family
solitude
peanut butter

We were to take these words and write something using them all. What follows is the result of my labor. :-)

Oh, sweet peanut butter!
How I love your windswept mountains of peanut love.
You make family meals,
and comfort children in lunchroom solitude
with warm visions of home.
What could spoil this protein-filled dream?
Alas, dear peanuts, if you were green.

Training ... sort of

2011-07-19T12:40:00.000-04:00

Well, is you follow the tagline of this blog I guess I should say something about "training."

So, Chris and I are set to complete the Grand Isle Half-Marathon in a little over a week and a half. The race happens in Munising, MI -- about 3 hours east of Houghton. As the name suggests, the race does indeed occur on an island. Part of the fee for participation includes a ferry ticket to get to the race site.

At this point in the game I should be trained to kick the behind of this trail race. Ha! As you well know, life happens along the way. There's also something about some kind of road being paved with the best intentions .... Let's just say this: I will run the race. Run is a subjective word and will be applied subjectively to how I approach the race. Enough said.

It's also been warm here lately -- right now my office is 87 degrees. While it doesn't get super-warm in Houghton all that often, when it does the un-airconditioned nature of many of the buildings on campus makes life a bit icky. Alas, tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer. Joy!

Whew - I better stop typing ... I'm working up a sweat!

One year ago.........

2011-07-14T14:49:00.000-04:00

One year ago yesterday I was in the hospital giving birth to our daughter, Katie.
One year ago yesterday was one of the worst days of my life.
One year ago yesterday was one of the best days of my life.
One year ago yesterday we left the hospital without our daughter, Katie.

On July 13 this year we went to Katie's point and visited the place where we spread her ashes. We also spent some time sitting by her rock that is placed under a small pine tree. We took her some pink roses from a rose bush in our yard. They smelled like rose-perfection.

We also visited the place where Mary's ashes were spread by the Copper Harbor lighthouse. Its a beautiful little field, still and full of daisies.

It ended up being an absolutely beautiful day. Not too warm - not too wavy. The big lake treated us kindly in our kayaks and rocked us gently in our sorrow. We could feel both Katie and Mary looking down on us ... smiling.

Copper Harbor holds such special meaning for us. It seems only natural that we would someday retire to this special place while we live out our days, waiting to be reunited with the ones we love.

Happy Summer!

2011-06-22T11:27:00.001-04:00

So, yesterday was the beginning of summer. It was a balmy 59 degrees here with rain all day. I turned on the heat in the house, but just for a little bit ........ Today we have even more rain and it's pretty much the same temperature. Honestly, I enjoy grey and rainy days. However, I'm wondering if summer plans to arrive this year. One of two things will happen:

We will have a cool summer.
It will stay this way for awhile longer, then suddenly be 90 degrees.

Don't know which it will be. Either way, it's still a beautiful place with wonderful people. Our life here is truly blessed.

Goodbye, Grandma

2011-05-23T09:36:00.001-04:00

Chris and I went home this past weekend to attend my Grandma Helminen's funeral. She passed away last Tuesday at 86 years old. One word the minister used to describe her was "energetic." Those of us who knew her couldn't help but to laugh a bit. Energetic .... yes, that's one way to describe her. :-)

Much love, Grandma. Tell Grandpa we said hello.

Killing Facebook

2011-05-16T13:06:00.000-04:00

So, it's been awhile since Chris and I killed our facebook accounts. Well, we killed them as much as you CAN kill a FB account -- deactivated is as far as they'll let you go. All you have to do is login again and it will all magically appear once again. Joy of joys. It's been pretty enjoyable .... life without FB. Can't say I miss it all that much. We're considering opening a joint account in the future ... for family and CLOSE friends only. However, we're not in too much of a hurry to do that either.

I'm thinking I'll start using this blog more often. Don't know what exactly it will hold .... perhaps info about the dinner I plan to make tonight, or about the run I took yesterday, or about the sore foot I now have (and the nervous feeling that if I'm smart I may want to avoid running for a bit despite the 1/2 marathon plan I'm following), or about the truck we're planning to buy ..... who knows?! The blogging world is my oyster.

To those folks who bother to keep track of this thing .... thanks! Hopefully, I can provide something worth your efforts.

Just another mellow day ...

2010-11-18T14:58:00.002-05:00

So, I broke some bones this week. Seems to be about par with the type of year it's been. So many folks we know have had a less-than-wonderful year ... heck, a downright BAD year.

I'd like to say that I wish this year had never even happened. I'd like to say this year was the worst ever. I'd like to say I wish I could forget this year. However, there were good moments ... and experiences that have changed me forever. The best we can do is roll like the waves on the Great lake. Tempest-torn and tired, grey -- we still roll on. Perhaps next time we'll wash up on a friendlier shore.

The amazing human body

2010-09-01T14:13:00.000-04:00

If life had gone as planned, I'd have a two week-old newborn ... or thereabouts. Instead, I'm seven weeks postpartum. Milestones that would have been pass quietly.

It's amazing how resilient the human body can be and, at the same time, how much of a slave our bodies are to our own mind. At first, I could hardly breathe. My mind would wander to images of tiny feet and toes that would never be used to walk. It would imagine the first-day-of-schools that would never come. The breath would flow out of my lungs and fight to return. The mind is truly a powerful creature and can makes slaves of us all.

Now those breathless moments come a bit less frequently, but they're still a constant companion -- there, just waiting in the wings to once again make me a slave.

Hot, hot, hot ...

2010-08-12T15:04:00.000-04:00

Guess it's hot here, eh? The heat index here is currently 90 degrees. Yes, compared to other places we've lived this isn't too bad. However, when your office has no A/C and your windows face the afternoon sun .... At least the A/C in the house will feel great when I get home.

A warm, dark (trying to keep the lights off to reduce heat) office in the afternoon really makes the idea of a nap very attractive. Of course, that means I have an afternoon meeting with a faculty member today. Yay! She's very nice, but the idea of being here late into a hot afternoon doesn't do much to increase my motivation. My last post talked about complaints, so I guess I shouldn't complain today. However, I'm just not feeling very motivated now to get any work done. It's warm, I'm tired (mentally and physically), and I just don't care about work all that much right now. Of course, I NEED to care about work now -- our online program begins very soon and there's tons to do. My thoughts --- Oh, well.

This afternoon Katie's remembrance tree was planted outside my office building on campus. The folks in my department got together and had the university plant the tree -- it's some sort of coniferous tree. I'll post a picture at some point. This was a very nice gesture. This way we will always be able to see the tree since we work on campus. I hope it grows tall and strong for many years to come.

Annoyances and Complaints

2010-08-11T11:28:00.000-04:00

So, I did not suffer a miscarriage. I can't speak to what that feels like. I carried Katie for almost 8 1/2 months. I think this is not the same as a miscarriage.

I'm trying to figure out how to exercise again and my body doesn't want to cooperate. When searching online for information/advice about exercising after pregnancy I've encountered TONS of information. However, almost all deal with how to fit exercise into the schedule of a new baby. Others talk about not worrying about exercise at this point -- telling me to treasure this time with my newborn because I can always exercise later.

I'm also annoyed that just going back to work and sitting at a desk has completely worn me out. I don't like that feeling -- especially when it comes from just sitting at a desk.

Seeing pregnant 16 year-olds bugs me more than ever. I know accidents happen in life, but come on.

Mostly, I am annoyed that I'm complaining so much. Ug.

2010-07-14T14:58:00.001-04:00

Kaitlyn Elizabeth Middlebrook entered the world quietly on July 13, 2010. We'll see you soon, Katie-bug.

Shoes

2010-04-27T19:22:00.001-04:00

OK, so it's been awhile. A LOT has happened in the last almost-year. I doubt anyone is even reading this goofy thing any more.

At any rate, I think I've decided what this blog needs...

... shoes. New shoes. Perhaps it should even be dedicated to shoes.

I like that idea.

end of an era

2009-05-12T16:57:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow we are putting Tucker to sleep. He's been going downhill for quite some time. Took him to the lake yesterday - he didn't even really want to get in the water.

It's going to be a rough, rough day. My heart breaks.

Time .... where has it gone?

2009-03-16T22:02:00.002-04:00

So, this is my first entry of the year. Pretty pathetic, I know. In my defense ... I've been pretty busy. I'm working full-time, teaching two courses (haven't taught either of them before, so every day is a new prep), trying to look for a new job since mine is going away at the end of May, and finishing my dissertation. Plus, there's that thing called life. Excuse me while I vomit.

I'm hoping to defend my dissertation next month. I have A LOT to do. Every day I wonder if I'm going to be able to make the deadline. I feel bad for my students--like they're not getting the best of me. I feel bad for my dissertation--like I'm not spending as much time working on it as I should. I feel bad for my job .... well, not so much! (There's a LONG story behind that, but I don't think I'll ever post it here.)

So, long story short, don't expect many updates to this thing any time soon. (Yeah, I've had such a great track record up to this point!)

Hopefully, Dr. Mspuppers will be updating soon. :-)

I've been tagged!

2008-12-05T09:59:00.004-05:00

OK, so I haven't updated this thing in forever. Well, you know, life has a way of getting in the way and mucking up the blogging process. I bet there are worse things to happen in this life. :-)

So, Kim, here you go ......

1. Where did you meet?
In the local "it" grocery store at the time in our hometown.

2. What was the first thought that went through your head when you met?
What eyes!

3. Do you remember what he was wearing?
A Demond's red apron over his clothes - I believe black jeans and most likely a white, long-sleeve shirt.

4. Where was the first time you kissed this person?
In my parent's garage after our first date.

5. Where did you go for your first date?
It's been a long time ...... I know we ended up at his brother's softball game and some kids there kept running by me and smacking my behind.

6. How long did you know this person before you were a couple?
Hmm...... About 5 years, I think. Friendship is wonderful.

7. How did he ask you out?
He asked me to go to his sister's wedding. The rest is history.

8. Has this person ever proposed to you?
Yep.

9. Do you and this person have kids together?
At this point just dingoes and felines.

10. Have you ever broken the law with this person??????
Probably .... every time we drive somewhere! And then there's the tree poaching and not following included instructions ......

11. When was the first time you realized you liked this person.
Immediately. Even though I was only 13 when I first saw him, something was there. Over the years my thoughts always returned to him.

12. Do you get along with his family?
Yep!

13. Do you trust this person?
Most definitely - except when it comes to doing laundry the "correct" way. (Read that as MY way!)

14. Do you see him as your partner in the future?
Yes.

15. What is the best gift he gave you?
Our pups!

16. What is one thing he does that gets on your nerves?
Well, he has a tendency to kick his legs around at night. I swear, sometimes I think I could just cut them off! :-)

17. Where do you see each other 15 years from now?
Living in a house in the middle of the woods with herds of pups and goats running around. In our spare time we travel the world completing long-distance runs.

18. What causes the most arguments?
I don't like to think of then as arguments, but as discussions that require clarification.

19. How long have you been together?
This coming July 1 will be 16 years.

20. Are you married?
Yep.

That's done! So, I should write another entry that updates our happenings. Well, .... maybe later. ;-)

the Deck - a test of endurance

2008-09-25T21:34:00.005-04:00

Here are a few more photos of the deck ... the beast that it is:

Deck photos

2008-09-13T09:53:00.010-04:00

OK, so I haven't written in this thing in "many moons." Many moons as in butts. As in, mine keeps getting bigger because we keep eating too much! Ha!!!

So, here's the scoop. I haven't been doing much at all on my dissertation, but the deck is coming along nicely. Here are a few photos:

This on is of the guys digging holes for the supporting posts for the deck. There are 17 of these things in total. Our ground is just about completely ROCK. Needless to say, fun was had by all. :-)

And here's one of Corina -- helping dig/clean-up the holes. Isn't she just too cute? She had bought those new blue jeans earlier in the day at the local ShopKo. She found quite a few nice things at ShopKo.

And here's the "boss" of the operation. He does like to supervise. And if you don't do what he likes, he'll lift his leg on you.
Here's a shot of the part of the deck that goes off of the dining area. Combined, I think the deck will be 800+ square feet! That's bigger than many of the apartments we've lived in! Ha!

So, I'll try to take more photos of the deck today and tomorrow and I'll update this thing once again.

The end is near

2008-07-31T10:17:00.003-04:00

OK - sounds ominous. What I'm talking about is the end of my summer vacation. I will be going back to work on August 18. I wish I could say that I have accomplished a TON on my dissertation during my break, but alas, this is not the case. I have made quite a bit of progress in how I'm thinking about it and the overall organizational structure of the thing, but, as is the case with pretty much everything I do, I don't feel like I've done nearly enough. I seem to do much better when I have less time and severe deadlines. I'm hoping that going back to work - this time having my own office (with a door!) - will encourage me to kick it in gear. It looks like my last day to defend and graduate this fall will be November 7. Ug - -now I feel sick.

So, what else has been going on? Hmmmm...... Well, we've been putting up insulation and drywall in our garage. It's not much fun, but it certainly looks a lot better than it did before. Chris has been doing some fishing - he even caught a walleye and three lake trout last week. Boy, they were good!

Chris is doing the Copperman Triathlon this weekend in Copper Harbor. We plan on staying at the Ft. Wilkins campground on Friday night to avoid traffic and parking on Saturday morning. Hehehe - parking and traffic in Copper Harbor! It should be fun. Chris did it last year and enjoyed it, so I know he'll enjoy it this weekend. I'll be the athletic supporter and will have both dogs on leash, so it should be interesting. I'm sure they'll enjoy being out-and-about, I just hope they behave.

Other than that, life goes on. One of our sets of friends found out they were expecting last week - she's due at the end of March. Anita is exactly 3 days older than me and her husband, Chris, graduated with his PhD from UCF at the same time my Chris did. Funny that we both ended up here! So, I guess our time is coming! I'd like to first graduate and finish the Chicago marathon, but anytime after that is as good as any I guess. Hopefully, it won't take too long -- tick-tock, tick-tock. Ah, how time flies.

The price of living in heaven

2008-06-06T10:07:00.002-04:00

OK, so an admittedly odd title.

When we were considering the move up here a colleague of Chris' mentioned that air travel can be a bit unpredictable up here. Apparently, he told us, air departures/arrivals are on time and without delays and problems about 30% of the time. He went on to say that this could be a bit frustrating (much travel occurs in order to locate and maintain relationships with sponsors), but that's the price we all pay for living in heaven. Well, Chris paid up for quite awhile last night.

Yesterday Chris flew to Minneapolis for the day - taking the 6am flight out and coming back on the late flight at 11:45pm. At least that was what should have happened. Morning went off without a hitch - step 1 complete. He arrived back at the Minneapolis airport yesterday afternoon around 4pm their time, hoping to get back here on an earlier flight if possible. Well, that earlier flight was canceled for some reason (maybe not enough people to "make" the flight). No big deal, he thought, he'd just come back on his scheduled later flight on the "big" plane - read that as an actual jet, 4 seats across. Our other plane selection is a nice little, 3-seat-wide, prop plane. These can be quite exciting to ride as they like to bounce up and down a bit on the wind. So, then the late flight on the big plane was canceled. A bit later, the late flight was rescheduled, but on the small plane. Again, no big deal, at least he'd get home .... he thought.

The time came for plane boarding. They all got on the little plane - the little plane that never seems to have much in the way of forced air circulation until it is completely up in the air. After they sat on the tarmac for over an hour, they finally took off. There was a line of storms that had moved through Minneapolis earlier that caused a bit of a backup for flights taking off. Up in the air, Chris got to enjoy a simulated roller coaster ride - he does not normally enjoy riding roller coasters. The line of storms won the race to the Houghton County Airport. The plane circled for quite awhile. The pilot finally came on to inform them that they were running low in fuel and needed to land somewhere in relatively short order.

So, it was on to Iron Mountain! I bet Chris would have never guessed he would be so lucky as to get to visit Iron Mountain at 2am this morning. What an exciting adventure! After landing, they were informed that they needn't worry - a bus was on the way from Calumet to retrieve them. It would be there in just 2 short hours!

After all was said and done, Chris arrived home this morning a bit after 8am.

Ah, the price we pay for living in heaven. Chris' account must have a positive balance at this point!

Race Report

2008-06-04T14:35:00.004-04:00

Well, ................ I finished! I must admit, I'm not all that pleased with my time (2:58), but I did finish. I ran until mile 8+, but then began a run/walk approach. See, I had pretty new running shoes (had only run about 9 miles in them previously) and I didn't tie them tightly enough before the race. I had a lot of rubbing going on that really hurt. A bit into mile eight I stopped, retied my shoes, and then began the run/walk regimen. It was also pretty darn humid - especially in comparison to where I've been training in the UP. I'd only run in shorts (in the UP) once this year prior to the 1/2 marathon on Saturday. Let's not forget the ankle issues I've been dealing with for the past month and a half either!

OK, so it sounds like I'm making excuses. Maybe. However, I am happy to report that I did finish my first 1/2 marathon and lived to tell the tale. I hurt a bit for a couple days - mainly my quads, but all is just fine now.

Here's a photo taken a few minutes after I crossed the finish line. It includes Chris' dad Mike and his wife, Wanda, Chris' sister Corina and her husband, Gary, Chris' brother Larry, and Chris and me. Chris and I ran the 1/2 marathon and everyone else did the 5K fitness walk. A good time was had by all!

Tabouli Time

2008-05-28T14:04:00.002-04:00

OK, so that's a super-exciting title. As you may have guessed --- I've recently dealt with tabouli. In fact, I just got done eating it for lunch. Chris and I took a trip to the Keweenaw Co-op today at lunch to get some spices for Wanda, Chris' stepmom. They had some freshly-made tabouli and I figured it made as good a lunch as any, so I got a little container of it. Not too bad. It could have used some tomatoes and a bit more "bite," but other than that it was pretty darn decent.

Tomorrow we take those spices and head south. The annual Suburst races are this weekend and Chris and I are running the Half-marathon. It will be the first 1/2 marathon I've ever run in and I'm a bit nervous. My training schedule has been upset a few times these past few months with ankle problems. I'm sure I'll be able to complete the 13.1 miles, but I really want to run all of it and at least not be LAST to cross the finish line. I guess we'll just have to see what happens. I'll post some sort of update next week - incidentally, my last week of paid work until August 18. Look out dissertation, here I come! ha!

New format

2008-05-23T10:32:00.002-04:00

Ok viewing public - what do you think of the new format of this blog? I must admit, I'm a bit disappointed with the "uncustomizability" of this template. I lost my photo of myself on a ridge in Alaska and the template doesn't have the same drag-and-drop capability as my old one. Alas, I guess this is what happens when your lack of coding skills leads you to utilize free templates.

So, tell me what you think. Thanks.

A long time coming ....

2008-05-22T10:21:00.002-04:00

OK, so here I am once again apologizing for having not updated this thing in a long time! And so it goes ..... Enough said.

I've been pretty busy - worrying about my dissertation instead of writing it; training for the upcoming May 31 Sunburst 1/2 Marathon in South Bend; dealing with ankle injuries which have hampered training for the Sunburst; traveling to Orlando to meet with committee members regarding my dissertation and possible defense dates; visiting with good friends while in Orlando; preparing for my annual summer leave from my job - trying to be sure loose ends are tied up; attempting to enjoy Spring weather in Houghton (if it ever becomes Spring here); buying a new comfort/commuting bike (which will be ridden to work once the aforementioned mythical Spring arrives); etc. So, as you can see, it's not my fault that I haven't updated this thing in awhile. :-)

Other than the above mentioned drains on my time, not much new has been going on. Life continues... I should post some wondrous photos, but I don't really have any. The leaves are just beginning to come out up here in the north woods and I'm feeling an ever-increasing urge to get out in the wilds. Of course, living in Houghton really isn't "the wilds," but it will have to do for now. I imagine that many would consider Houghton particularly remote - 100 miles to the nearest Target, no Starbucks, no Lowe's or Home Depot, and only a Super Walmart and ShopKo for everyday shopping needs. However, venturing further north into the wilderness of the Keweenaw ephasizes the crowded nature of the southern burg of Houghton. There are times when returning to my southern home brings stress and aggravation because of the "traffic" and increased number of citizenry on the prowl. Only after a visit to Houghton will you understand how comical my feelings of social smothering really are. I think it's been decided that if we stay in this region we will definitely be headed towards the big Copper Island north of the bridge. Again, if you lived/visited here, you'd get it.

Yes, you'd get it, indeed. My recent trip to Orlando brought home the notion that this place is now home to me. Most people would be very excited to visit Florida - let alone Orlando. Just think of all the entertainment and shopping opportunities (I must say, I did indeed spend a few coppers during my extreme southern exodus)! However, the weekend before my grand Floridian adventure found me bemoaning the fact that I would be missing the entire weekend of Keweenawian adventure. No trips to Estivant Pines, or the Eagle Harbor Inn for dinner. No wondrous trips to the shore of the big lake. No pints of frothy goodness at the Keweenaw Brewing Company. No marvelous meals or visits with friends who appreciate the same northern luxuries mentioned above. Oh, the sorrow! So, it was with these persistent thoughts that I realized I must indeed be Home - yes, "H"ome (caps intended and emphasized). Of course, I imagine Alaska would bring the same feeling! hehehehe

Once again remiss

2008-02-13T09:37:00.002-05:00

So, seems that I've once again been remiss in my blog-updating duties. I offer no grand excuses. Nothing life-altering has happened since I last updated the blog. Haven't taken any wondrous photos. Just not entirely motivated I guess.

We did have blizzard conditions this last weekend, so Chris and I didn't really do anything. Well, take that back, we DID go on an extravagant jaunt to Walmart on Saturday - Oh Boy! Other than that, it's just the same 'ol same 'ol. Perhaps this weekend we'll get out and go snowshoeing or something. It's supposed to be in the low 20s this weekend, so the weather should be just right for some outdoor activities. Maybe we can get up to Copper Harbor and wander around there for the day on Saturday. We should probably be working on dissertation and class preparation/research proposals on Sunday. Man, our lives are filled with excitement .... NOT!

It still continues to snow, which I like, but my thoughts have begun to turn towards the warm summer days that will arrive in a few months. It will be nice to once again have the windows open in the house ... to hear the birds sing ... to feel the warm sun on my skin. Hmmmm .... perhaps I have a touch of the winter blahs. Perhaps my pretty much lacking training schedule is beginning to have mental repercussions. It's weird to think that at this time of year in Orlando I was involved with runs, Chris was already doing some triathlons, and "the season" of training was well under way. Here it's difficult to imagine doing a triathlon outside at this point - or even going for a run outside for that matter. I don't mind running in the snow and cold, but since we've had very cold temps (for here), snow, and plenty of wind recently the notion of going outside to run actually pushes me back down into bed in the morning. And my body is showing signs of this neglect.

Oh well. Spring will come, the dissertation will get written, the house will get cleaned, and the miles will find their way onto the bottoms of my shoes --- and all will be good with the world.

Here's one that's good for a laugh

moar humorous pics

2008-01-31T20:43:00.000-05:00

OK. So my good friend Kim "tagged" me. Here's what I have, for what it's worth. Now you know me more than you ever wanted to ....

Four Jobs I've Had:

English professor
Book warehouse worker
Payroll/accounts payable clerk
Dump truck driver

Four Places I've Lived:

Houghton, MI (in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula)
Orlando, FL
Bloomington, IN
Mishawaka, IN

Four Movies That I Love:

Four Favorite Foods:

Macaroni and cheese
Kalamata Olives
Hummus
Salmon

Four Weird Things About Me:

I truly believe that there exists a "correct" way to hang a bath towel after use. Two-thirds of the wet towel should be seen on the front hanging over the shower curtain rod and the remaining third should be behind. This configuration allows for maximum air flow that will let the towel dry properly. That way the towel dries completely before the next use and it doesn't end up smelling funky.
Even though all the food you eat does mix in your stomach, it should not mix on your plate. I even like separate piles of spaghetti and sauce on my plate.
I always have to brush my teeth before I get in the shower in the morning - I just have to.
Jeesh ... all that makes me sound really neurotic. Is that the 4th weird thing about me?

Four Favorite TV Shows:

Men in Trees (if it ever comes back on the air)
The Shield
Corner Gas
South Park (I know, it's truly evil, but I can't help myself!)

Four Places I'd Love To Go:

Finland
Mongolia/Nepal
The North Pole (via the "Great Land" Alaska - - I think I'd just stay in AK when the visit was complete)
Morocco

Simple lists

2008-01-20T20:25:00.001-05:00

OK, I haven't gotten to this thing in awhile. Actually, that could be a good thing - "my life is so exciting that I just don't have the time to update blog!" Well, I wish that were true. Unfortunately, it's easy to get caught up in the mundane day-to-day activities that comprise the largest part of all our lives (even if we don't admit it). So, what's been going on? Ah, I'll make a list (see, that way I don't really have to be creative, just write it in a list):

My parents and grandmother came up here from MO for Christmas for a visit. It was great to see them. It had probably been 2+ years since I'd seen my grandmother. Sometimes it really sucks when you move far away from home.
Finally got our truck back from the shop. Thank God for insurance - over $6000 in repair bills. Hopefully it's sound as a pound.
New Year's came and went. Had pizza and stayed in and watched a movie. Not all that exciting, but there's no one I'd rather spend it with more than Chris, so it was all good.
We got ourselves snowshoes for Christmas and took them for a spin up at Cliff Mine. It was wonderful - nothing quite like walking on snow where no one else has been. It's so quiet and peaceful, until, of course, snowmobilers roll by. What fun!
Got word that my dissertation advisor will probably be accepting a position up here and moving at the end of this summer. This will be great because she's a wonderful and very intelligent woman and very nice to work with. We get along and work well together.
Because of this ... I really need to get everything done before she leaves at the end of summer. OMG - - don't expect many updates of this thing over the next few months.
Tried downhill skiing. We really liked it, but my legs hurt for a few days afterward. No wonder skiers really don't have hips!
Signed up for a Yoga class at the university athletic center. It's three mornings a week - - at 6:15am! Yeah, I'm rethinking that one!
Participated in the first of what we hope will become annual Lumijuoksu (snow run) as part of the Heikinpaiva celebrations in Hancock. It was great fun, although it was a bit chilly. At the time of the run the temperature was a balmy 4 degrees! Add 20-25mph winds ..... Chilly enough that I did NOT participate in the Polar Bear dive in the Portage later in the day. Maybe next year!

So, that's been life for the past 1.5 months. Other little things have happened, but, more or less, life goes on as it will. Perhaps I'll get motivated and use this space as a type of mental download during the process of writing my dissertation. Actually, that would be an interesting thing to do in itself - chronicling the trials and tribulations of someone desperately trying to get their entire dissertation written in the next 4 months. Oh God, I don't feel very well.

Ah, and so it begins! Wish me luck and send all the good "smart" thoughts you can!

Been Awhile

2007-12-03T11:03:00.000-05:00

Well, the title says it all. A great deal has occurred in the time since I last wrote in this blog. The most significant - Chris' mom passed away. She had been ill for awhile and we drove home to visit on the weekend of November 10. After much fighting, her body could hold on no longer. Mary passed away in the morning on Monday, November 12. She was 59 years-old.

Things have been going as well as they can in this type of situation. Some days are better than others, but knowing that she is out of pain and once again whole comforts me. Not too much else to say about that. I miss her dearly.

To add insult to injury ... Chris and I were on our way to look at snow blowers last week when some "genius" decide to ram into us. OK, it was snowing and the roads were a bit slick, but small cars don't beat the hell out of F250s and push them off the road ... unless the driver was going too fast. The guy said to us, "I slid a little bit. I was braking the whole time." Yeah, right! He was behind us and we were slowly turning left into the parking lot of the snow blower place. Suddenly, there were about 3 loud bang/thuds. Chris' head hit the window - knocking his glasses off and down on to the floor in front of me on the passenger's side. Hid hand must have hit something too as his knuckle was bleeding nicely. Just a flesh wound, but still. I was OK, then. The next day my neck and back were sore - whiplash I think. Chris didn't get much of that - since the window stopped his head before it could whip around too much. So, now we have no truck to drive, but Ford is still allowing us to make payments. They're such nice folks, eh?

The repair place said it will take quite awhile to get "parts" as most of the parts are being made into new trucks at this point - our truck is a 2008. Funny, it's not even had its first oil change yet. The truck can be driven (we drove it home to sit in our garage until the repairs can begin - so it's not sitting out in the snow getting the interior damaged more), but not very far. It wobbles around quite a bit. All the driver-side panels need to be replaced, both wheel rims are bent up, the doors need to be replaced (they are bent open at this point and can't open or close), and the side-step is bent down. Those things are normally mounted to the frame, so I don't know whether or not we should expect the frame to be bent as well. Won't know for sure until they start pulling it all apart. The real bitch of it is, ... we still didn't have a snow blower! AND, now, no way to get it home ourselves! What a great day, eh?

NOTE: We ended up getting a snow blower on Saturday. A friend of ours offered to bring it over to our house in his truck. Thank you SO much, Mike!

Lazy

2007-10-18T09:43:00.000-04:00

OK, no new photos of the kittens yet- - yes, I did say kittens, ... as in plural. We just couldn't walk away from Freya's sister and leave her unadopted. It is really great to see them playing together and just living life with each other. Good to see. Of course, that means twice the deposits in the litter box, but we can always take care of that. The second kitten is named Kala, which means fish in Finnish. Yes, we think we're quite clever!

Other than that, life goes on. My normal day consists of feeling guilty about not working on my dissertation or on myself - read that as not working out. We still haven't gotten into a schedule. It doesn't help that the weather is nice and cool and very "stay in bed in the morning" inducing. Well, I will need to change something - this year's bloodwork revealed high cholesterol -- not just elevated. So, who knows what's going to happen with that. I'd sure like to not have to take meds, but I do eat pretty darn decently and I do exercise more than most people, so I'm not quite sure what to think. So, mom and dad, if you're reading this - thanks for genetics! hehehehehe

I submitted a CFP proposal earlier this week to the CCCC Individual Research Presentation in New Orleans next April. Of course, I doubt I'll be accepted, but I should know for sure by the end of this month. I also have a book chapter due by the end of this month - it's another one of the multi-modal museum exhibit-things Dr. Kitalong, Jane, and I have been working on. So, once again, you can see how the diss takes a backseat role. Oh, and there's a possible "shake-up" on the job front. Nothing that will push me out of a job, but something that could basically cut me off at the knees as far as controlling my own budget. The wonders never cease.

Well, on that note, I need to get to a meeting about that very thing. Next time, I promise, there will be more photos.

Sooner than you think!

2007-10-04T11:05:00.000-04:00

UPDATE: Went to visit the little furball only to find out that her trip to the vets office has been moved up -- to today! So, if all goes well the little future mouse killer will be home with us on Saturday. Kudos! The jury is still out on the second kitty. :-)

Early Anniversary Present

2007-10-03T15:53:00.000-04:00

Alas, Chris did not wait until the day before our anniversary to shop for me -- no, no! This year planning commenced quite early and I've already received my gift. A very "nice" cold! Honey, thank you. hehehe

Well, he didn't mean to, but it's still not all that pleasant.

Last week we went down to the Copper Country Humane Society and looked at cats and kittens that need homes. We pretty much settled on an almost 3-month old kitten and filled out all the paperwork on Saturday. She is due to be spayed on the 9th and we can pick her up on the 12th. So, needless to say, we're pretty excited by this turn of events. I hadn't really thought too much about getting a cat, but Chris really likes them and there are just so many that need homes .... Our newest thought is that if her sister isn't adopted yet perhaps we should get her as well! Yes, we're going a bit nutsy! Here's a photo from the animal shelter -- the one we've adopted is on the left. We're thinking of calling her Freya (Freyja) -- who, incidentally is the Norse goddess of love and leader of the Valkyries who welcomes 1/2 the souls of those killed in battle. She is also widely known for her beauty and kind nature.

And so, ... it begins.

2007-09-25T10:04:00.001-04:00

Before we begin, let us celebrate the first people to ever come home at the end of the day and partake of nicely fermented beverages! This is a photo of Chris, me, Wanda, and Chris' Dad Mike on their recent visit -- relaxing at the end of the day.

Well, once again it has been awhile since I updated his thing. Let's see, ... what's been going on?

I haven't been running as much as I'd like. This really sucks. I think a lot of it has to do with still trying to settle into some type of routine. I guess that's just a lazy person's excuse, but I DO think there's quite a bit of validity to it. Plus, the days are getting shorter now. This makes it still pretty dark outside at 7:30 am. Unfortunately, since I have a full-time job I need to get to in the morning running after 7:30 am isn't much of an option. We DO have a treadmill in the basement, but I tend to think of it as, what our good friend Bree christened it, the "dreadmill." So, I guess my other option is running after I get home from work. But, that means another shower and fighting the urge to relax and eat dinner when I get home. Ah, the complexities of life!

I've begun work on my dissertation - or, I should really say, I've begun work on some of the stuff that will go into the appendices that no one (not even my committee) will read. Now that's an encouraging thought, eh?

Last Friday we had dinner with a couple from Orlando! Funny thing: he just graduated from UCF and started a faculty position up here at Tech. His name is also Chris! So, it's pretty funny that we come all the way up here and then meet a couple who just moved up here from Orlando too! Small, small world. We went to the only "Mexican" restaurant in the Keweenaw -- it was pretty good even though the "spicy salsa" was very sweet. It seems that up here ketchup is a bit of a spice! Funny place.

The pups are adjusting well. Toby likes to chase the "chippies" and the squirrels. It seems that little critters are looking for someplace to bed down for the winter recently. We keep getting chipmunks and mice in our garage - not in the house, thank God! Chris has set up traps (ick!) and even got a live trap for the chippies. Of course, the live trap hasn't worked yet. Maybe we need a cat. Ugh, now there's a thought! I love them, but I do also love my pee-free, leather-sofa-ed house! At the same time, I don't really want to share my house with mice and chippies. They ARE cute, but they need to be cute OUTSIDE! Tucker is, well, ... he never changes much. He likes to sleep, chew his bone, and carry around toys. He does enjoy swimming in the big lake. I really think he'd retrieve for HOURS--yeah, he IS a retriever. We haven't given the pups a bath since we've been up here. When they go to the lake they come back SO soft and dog-smell free. There's never even a hint of wet-dog smell either. Can you say heaven?

This past weekend we got a few rose bushes and some lavender and sage plants. I ripped out the weeds in the front planters and put in the plants. We also got some spring bulbs. I will have to put down a bit of chicken wire in the ground around those as chippies love to feast on the succulent, tender bulbs. Man, those little things sure seem to be taking up a good deal of my thoughts lately.

I'm sure other REALLY exciting things have been happening in our lives, but I don't remember any of it. So, on that note, I'll end this post.

Home

2007-08-24T11:53:00.000-04:00

A few moons have passed since I last updated this blog -- go figure. Quite a few things have changed in the elapsed time. Chris graduated with his PhD in Optics, we left Orlando (thank GOD), we resided in Missouri for a couple of weeks, made our way to Michigan, moved into our new house, and began our jobs at Michigan Tech.

Whew --- busy much?

Unfortunately, we haven't been able to get in "the bush" lately, but we're hoping to get out and do more hiking and biking in the coming days. We did manage to take out the kayaks our second weekend here -- getting nicely sunburned in the process. Lac La Belle was the origin of our trip -- leaving from a nice sandy beach and going almost to Smith Fisheries. However, our bodies need a bit of time to adjust to the waves and currents found in the big lake. We tired easily on our first venture in Lake Superior and decided not to push ourselves too much -- the lake will be there the next time we wish to set sail.

I haven't even thought about my dissertation recently -- well, other than feeling guilty about not working on it. Guilt is always fun. Since I took my job here at Tech full-time, I really need to set a schedule that allows me to work on writing my dissertation. The research is pretty much done, but the writing of it weighs heavily on my mind. Oh well, such is life.

On that note, I should get back to the thing that pays the bills. Hopefully I will update this thing more regularly now that we're a bit more settled. Hope springs eternal! Maybe photos will also be posted.

About time

2007-05-24T12:33:00.000-04:00

The perils of living in a technological age persist in vexing me! Note to self - don't use Netscape when trying to update my blog. The goofy thing always shuts down all tabs when I try to update my blog.

Uh, yeah ...... that's my excuse for sporadic updates -- technical difficulties. It seems to work for the masses, why not me? ;-)

So, things keep chugging along here. "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow ... creeps in this petty pace from day to day." Recognize Shakespeare? He's quite the optimist! The petty pace creeps here in Orlando. Work continues. Plans are made. Words are written. Drafts are edited (by me! God, my brain is going to explode!) Meetings are met. New words and understandings are created by sheer force of the mind. Ah, life as it should be. Actually, "life as it should be" will commence in approximately 2 months. Perhaps I'll have more encouraging and positive things to say at that point.

As for now, the petty pace creeps. Brief candles burn out, poor players strut and fret their hour upon the stage, and idiots tell tales that signify nothing.
(Brush up on your Shakespeare -you never know when it may come in handy!)

Everyone else is doing it

2007-04-26T11:08:00.000-04:00

OK. I am not the most dedicated blog-poster in existence-I guess there are worse things in life, eh? However, in the interest of communicating to an audience that will never read this thing ...

I've been running quite a bit more lately. Hmmmm ... am I running towards something or away from something? Most likely, a bit of both. There is a mountainous pile of student papers to grade, final exams to be guffawed through, and course grades to calculate. Has anything that exciting happened to you lately? So, why not avoid those things altogether by running and blogging? Sounds like good avoidance therapy to me.

The running has been fun. I am not the fastest runner by any stretch of the imagination, but I do enjoy it. In the past week I have run about 25 miles -- not too bad for a 'not-in-the-most-althetic-shape' English professor. Truth be told, I mainly run as an excuse to listen to music on my iPod and allow my mind to get away from thoughts of anything dealing with work. Is this successful? Well, on one of my more recent running adventures (the adventure here in Orlando is not getting mugged or murdered and avoiding the sidewalks that are being repaired months at a time) my mind wandered into the vapor of mediated composition and spat forth a title for something I planned on submitting: Re-visioning the Nature of the Writing Workshop in Computer-mediated Composition Courses.

Yeah, the excitement in my life never stops!

Well, I should get to grading ... This weekend my husband will be competing in the St. Anthony's Triathlon. Of course, I will be "the support crew." Wow - I'm a plural! I hope to complete a triathlon of my own before we leave FL in August. Only time will tell.

A Run in the Rain

2007-04-20T21:38:00.000-04:00

This afternoon I took a run ... in the rain. Actually, it wasn't raining when I began, but about 2 miles into the run the rain started to fall. It was grey and windy ... reminded me of U.P. fall weather. It felt GREAT! I've always wanted to run in the rain, but until today the opportunity never seemed to present itself. At any rate, it was a great run. Perhaps the best so far.

It's been quite a week. Who would have ever thought that university professors would take on the role of 'protector-of-students'? The events that transpired on the Virginia Tech campus have caused us all to pause and take stock of our lives. Some of us have grown up, while others have once again become children.

As a suddenly grown-up college 'professor' (according to my students) I take joy in the fact that my soul can still be stirred by something as simple, ... as wonderfully marvelous, as a run in the rain.

Perhaps we all need a run in the rain.

Time well-wasted

2007-02-02T14:58:00.000-05:00

Since I don't have anything else to do (54 Comp. I papers to grade, 3 interviews to transcribe) I thought I'd waste some time posting on this infernal machine. Yes, quite the opinion to hold when composing a blog entry AND when studying a field that heralds the supreme nature of all technology!

Although I have an over-abundance of time to fritter away, the thoughts come slowly to my mind. A mind supposedly disciplined to fashion great thoughts about great things. How I'd much rather be in the hearth-side embrace of a roaring fire as the dismissive winds howl through the cracks of cabin walls. What a more fulfilling Friday that would be. Instead of great thoughts about the peculiarities of teaching online, my mind could focus on the great thoughts of the sounds of silent snow falling. Yes, there is a sound ... it's silent, but in the stillness of towering white pines you can hear it. It's a stillness that's always been there and will always be - long after I am gone. It's a stillness that can stop the very beating of your heart, if you let it. It's a stillness that will wrap you up in arms that make you believe you are a child once again. And in this stillness, falling snow has a sound.

Yet, far from this stillness I exist. Far from this stillness in the plastic pandora's box of urbanity.
But, ... if I listen closely, the stillness is still there. Just on the other side of sirens announcing the most recent murder, the screams of yet another female jogger being attacked, the unnerving volume of bad music and cell phone conversations, and the constant drone of pollution-belching vehicular cocoons ... it's there.

Just on the other side. It's calling me home.

The first day

2007-01-17T14:00:00.000-05:00

This is my first blog entry. I'm doing this as a test so I can see what my students experienced when I asked them to complete this very same exercise.