It's a bio-scarf.

It's not just a beard, it's a bio-scarf. I guess I always knew that intellectually, but emotionally I just realized it. I shaved it off last week so the dust-masks and paint-respirators would fit, and I miss it.

It's cold out, and my face needs its fur back.

Home Sweet Home

Well, we have finally achieved our goal of buying a home. It has been a long 2 year search that culminated in a month long mad dash to the finish line. We found the house we wanted to buy on August 29th and closed September 30th. It is a small home that our small family can grow into. Right now we are in the process of renovating certain aspects of it to make it ours. We are throwing some paint on the walls, and redoing the kitchen. Alexandra's bedroom is finished, ours is close - we just need a few touch ups. I have completed assembly on 5 of 8 cabinets. The Ikea cabs were very easy so far. I am sure that we will see how it is when we get to the installation part.

I will try to write some updates soon.
Mary

Lincoln Park Zoo

After living my whole life in the Chicago area, I finally went to the Lincoln Park Zoo this year. And this is the second trip this summer even! I was surprised at how nice a zoo it was, I had always had the impression that is was small or would have far fewer animals than the Brookfield Zoo that my family had always gone to. Brookfield is still my favorite, but I do like the idea of a place in the city where Lions, Tigers, and Bears roam. The Ape house gives a relatively close look at these majestic creatures.
I think that going to the zoo now, as a mother, has a different meaning. I get to see a little girl's eyes light up at seeing these animal that she reads about live and in person. I love watching the conclusions being drawn in her mind. Lion=roar noise.

Happy 4th!

Hope everyone had a great Fourth of July!

http://picasaweb.google.com/marythegr8/July2009#

Red Sky

Near our home.

Reminds me of the saying "Red sky at morning Sailor's take warning, red sky at night, Sailor's delight. "

Take me out to the Ball Game!

Well, Mel used his corporate tickets to the Cubs game to take Me, Alexandra and his Mom and Dad. It was Alexandra's first Cubs game! They won in the 13th inning! Our seats were so close we could get up and go touch the Cubs dugout! 4th row behind the dugout. Too bad it was such a hot day, but we were all troopers. Taking the time to get into the shade and get some icy stuff when we needed it. I paid plenty of attention to put sunscreen on the little girl, totally neglecting myself - so of course, my sunburn is still red and painful! We had a GREAT time - thanks Mel!

Chicago Botanical Gardens

Well, just to round out our May of going to the Arboretum and Horicon Marsh, we went to the Chicago Botanical Gardens. It is a great time of year to go and it was a beautiful day. The weather was absolutely perfect. My favorite part was actually the Green houses - the orchids were simply stunning.