Horse Manure Park

I had to scrape my windshield when I got out of work this morning. It's still September. That's not right. 9 9 9 9

8 8 8 Ava learned to whistle yesterday.   The house will never be the same again.... 6 6 6 6

It's been a while since I've updated, but there's not an awful lot happening these days.  Summer projects are done, fall is here, and it's time to start getting things ready for winter.  They say this winter is going to be cold with lots of snow.  Really?  Minnesota winter.... cold?  Snow?  Who knew? I got my flu shot today.  My arm is stiff and sore.  I've got a problem with knowingly introducing a virus into my body, but our pediatrician recommended we get vaccinated because Neil is too young for a flu shot.  If we get vaccinated, there's a lesser chance he'll be exposed.   Obviously Beth and I are at a much higher risk of bringing home germs and bugs than your average person, although we do have a little "home from work" routine involving removing scrubs and getting in the shower before any children are allowed to touch us.  We (health care workers) are supposed to get the H1N1 shot in early October and it will be available to ...

Forty-eight hours, 1,763 curse words, 269 head-scratchings and 122 mosquito bites later, it's done. My PVC pipe idea worked as well as it did for Pharoh Horus Aha of Egypt (First Dynasty)...  Three pieces of four foot, three inch PVC pipe can transport a 500+ pound piece of playground equipment with ease.  Physics are awesome.  The Egyptians are even awesomer. A funny story with the PVC pipe:  we went to Home Depot with the intention of buying a 10 foot section of PVC pipe and have them cut it for us (it's a little cheaper that way).  The store was nearly empty when we got there at 8:15 AM; however, there was no "customer associate" to be found in the plumbing section, where shelf upon shelf of PVC pipe lay, just waiting for my wallet.  After five minutes of standing around, somebody came along and asked us if we needed help.  After getting over the shock of actually being acknowledged, we said (rather sarcastically) "That would be great!"...

It's time I update here.  A few things have been going on. First, the big news:  Ava started preschool on Sept. 15th.  We all went together to the school early Tuesday morning and Ava took it all in stride, although Mom didn't really want to leave.  Ava seemed to like it and she's looking forward to going back tomorrow (she goes Tuesdays and Thursdays). Ready for her first day of school.  She had to put on her green necklace and her duck necklace which she won while playing bingo at Farm Fest (we put them in the backpack when we got to school).  I thought it was pretty cute.  8 Early this morning, my brother-in-law, Tom, and I went to Elk River to get a playset for my two munchkins.  It is Elizabeth and Blair's old playset, and it is going to work great.  It is really big, really heavy and wasn't really made to be dismantled and transported with ease, shall we say.  We separated it in three big sections, loaded it on Tom's huge traile...

Thank you for 13 wonderful years and two beautiful children... seems like just yesterday when we said "I do" on that beautiful September afternoon. (Click the play arrow in the lower left corner) If I'd go a million miles away I'd write a letter each and every day 'Cause honey nothing can ever change this love I have for you... You make me weep, you can make me cry See me coming, and you can pass me by But honey, nothing can ever change this love I have for you... You're the apple of my eye You're cherry pie You're cake and ice cream You're sugar and spice Everything nice You're the girl of my dreams... But if you wanted to leave me and go when you got back I'd just say "Welcome home!" 'Cause honey nothing can ever change this love I have for you... Nothing can ever change this love I have for you...

Due to the start of football season, life as we know it has ceased to exist... (at least at my house)!  Skol Vikings! ~~ ~ ~

We had an enjoyable Labor Day weekend at Grandma and Grandpa Dau's over the weekend.  We decided to spend the night Saturday instead of driving an hour back and forth both Saturday and Sunday.  Ava was very excited to have a "sleep over" with her cousin Nora, and it was a very good time.  Saturday night was perfect, so we enjoyed a beautiful fire under a full moon and had plenty of cold beverages to keep us hydrated. On Sunday, I tried my hand at golf for the very first time.  I should have taken a couple lessons and spent a few hours on the driving range before actually attempting to play, but I learned on the fly and completely sucked at it.  Toward the end of the 18 holes I started getting real good hit the ball straight a couple times, but spent more time searching for golf balls in the woods than actually putting on the green. Still it was frustrating as hell fun and I wouldn't mind going again someday, because I love pissing myself off spending time...

Okay, you all know I love music.  I've had several people ask me what the song "The Greatest Discovery" sounds like.  It truly is a rare Elton John gem.  I altered the lyrics in my last posting to fit my life, but I'll post the song here.  I checked You Tube and evidently I'm not the only one who is deeply touched by this beautiful song.  This is a home video which I found... I have no clue who these folks are, but that doesn't really matter.  Love transcends everything.  I know you'll enjoy this... Just click the play arrow on the bottom left.

"The Greatest Discovery" Peering out of tiny eyes The grubby hands that grip the rail A strange new sound she never heard before A sound that makes little girls explore Tread so neat those little feet Amid the morning her small heart beats Large hands lift her through the air Excited eyes contain her there   Her puzzled head tipped to one side Amazement swims in those bright brown eyes Glancing down upon this thing That makes strange sounds that hum and sing In those silent happy seconds That surround the sound of this event A parent’s smile is made in moments They have made for you a friend   And all you ever learned from them (Until you grew much older) Did not compare with when they said, “This is your brand new brother.” Based on the song by Elton John

We are having a big get rid of all the shit that we never use garage sale tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 4th.  If you're in the neighborhood, come see us!

The ol' "conversion" is not going so smoothly this week.  Working seven consecutive night shifts has its drawbacks and I am experiencing them right now.  I went to bed at 10 PM after not much sleep the night before, thinking I should be able to sleep all night -- but I guess half the night isn't bad.  Woke up at 3:30 AM, wide awake.  Damn it.  There's no reason for it.  I avoided caffeine, didn't nap -- some times I am able to sleep all night the first night and get right back to a day schedule.... and some times this crap happens. Worst of all, Beth has to leave before 7 AM, will be gone all morning, then has an inservice this afternoon.  In other words, a nap today is out of the question and sleeping in later this morning is out of the question. I'll look on the bright side; I'm sure some people keep this schedule all the time: to bed at 10 AM, up at 3:30 AM to start the day.  That would suck like a Kirby, but I'm sure it's true. I gu...