Sadness

Today I am very sad.

I received an email today stating that my major professor from undergraduate school isn't doing very well. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year and has been fighting tooth and nail against it - but it sounds like he is losing the battle.

Charles was very instrumental in getting me into graduate school. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have gotten in. He believed in me at a time when others hadn't. Graduate school gave me hope, it was inspiring and it was very important in my development as an artist and person.

I have taken many paths and turns away from art, but it has always remained in my heart. My admiration for those things Celtic and sculptural really are because of Charles & George (my graduate school professor). Their influence on me has been extreme - yet they do not know it.

When I found out that Charles was sick, I wrote him a letter - thanking him for everything. He & his wife, Deborah, really do not know what it has meant to me to have them in my life - even if it was for a short time a long time ago. I think about those days often. Not because I regret the path I have chosen for myself, but because it was the foundation for now - in many more ways than most will ever know.

What will I miss most about Charles? Many things and nothing - because the memory of him is so ingrained in my head that I have always felt him around. His smile under his mustache, the twinkle in his eyes behind his wire rimmed round glasses, his little smirk and shovel walk and who could forget his locks - his braided hair that I had once the pleasure of seeing completely down - to his knees. Hamms beer and pizza parties, tractor seat stools and iron pours and hog roasts. Many of the things that I remember and so many more.

I am blessed to have known him. Thank you Charles, for everything.

Payment

Ever since Celie was born, I have really struggled with going back to work or not. I believe that there are pros and cons to each situation.

However, since moving to the Cleveland area, there are a lot more opportunities for me than in Michigan or even possibly in CT. So, I have been applying to those jobs that would interest me the most - mostly meeting/event planning positions. I have applied to may be 5 different companies. One company sent me a follow up questionnaire. I filled it out - but what do you say when it asks what your current title is? What is your current compensation? Do you tell the truth or embellish? I chose to tell the truth. I am the Manager of the Ostroski Household.

But the compensation question threw me. Then I decided to be truthful.

I am compensated by giggles and smiles.

After writing that, I realized what a great way to be paid.

I made it through the recruiter interview and she was going to pass me along to the hiring manager. I haven't heard anything.

But that is o.k. Because I think being paid in giggles and smiles just might be the best after all.

Time Flies

It doesn't seem possible that 5 years ago I was preparing to walk down the aisle.

A bagpiper playing a march. My dad guiding me in my dress & veil. Friendly eyes of family and friends. The misstep of Bob on my dress. The mishandling of my ring by Father Joseph. The quick snap up by my best girl, Sarah. My hands shaking, tears welling up, happiness in my soul. Papa Tony & Grandma Peggy's presence. Our first kiss as husband & wife. Celebration.

I feel very blessed to have found Bob, for us to be together and for beautiful daughters. Though the last 5 years seems a blur, I hope to be more "awake" during the next 5 and beyond.

Below is a picture of Bob and I on our Honeymoon in Italy - well, that would be the Italy pavilion at Epcot at Walt Disney World. We had a wonderful time and look forward to sharing our time with the girls and Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom in a few short days.

Experiment

So with our pending vacation coming up, I thought it might be a good idea to try out our video feature on our digital camera. We have only had our camera for 4 years and Bob has used the feature maybe one or two times, but I wanted to see how much memory it would eat up, etc. Then I got the brilliant idea that I could post our little videos on our blog.

So, here, I am giving it a try. This should be Anna walking around thinking she is all that and then some.

An outing on X-mas Day

While some rested on x-mas day, Bob, Uncle Mike, Celie and I decided to go to Brandywine Falls. Bob wanted to take us there. So, we hopped in the van and went. It was about 5 miles from our house. Here are some of the pics from our little jaunt.

Tangent

I have to take a moment and rant a little bit, please forgive me.

It has been difficult moving to a new area where we do not know a lot of people. In the past, if we needed to have work done on the house, we knew who to call - my brother - or he would point us in the right direction. We are pretty handy and we can do some home renovations ourself, but some things we can't and are better left to those who know how.

We have been trying to find a contractor that we could work with to replace our windows and gut and replace the kitchen. We thought that we had found one until we got the proposal back for the kitchen. We had already signed the contract for the windows, but were now negotiating the kitchen portion. Their prices seemed out of whack. I became frustrated and slightly aggravated. We scaled back portions of the proposal but it still yielded a higher price than I was willing to pay. I scaled back again - still didn't really put a dent in the budget. The money guy of the contracting company seemed to be pushing us to sign the contract, but we didn't. I just didn't feel comfortable until we got some other numbers.

Meanwhile, the work for the windows had begun. When we moved in, the house had 13 sliding glass doors and 1 window - all pretty much original to our 1975 home. With cold weather approaching, we felt that the windows were the most important thing that needed to be done to keep our house warm. We took this opportunity to get rid of some of the sliders on the first floor and replace them with windows. We now have 6 sliders instead of 13. We like the new windows, but as the renovations are coming to close - we are not happy with the craftsmanship. I could list the many things that I do not feel have been done up to par, but it really isn't the clincher - this is.

I went out to our freezer to get the Lithuanian Sausage that Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom had brought from Chicago. I was going to defrost it for our Holiday Meal because Uncle Mike loves it. Well, the freezer smelled funny. I thought it was the garbage. I went to reach for the sausage packages - they were mushy. Everything in the freezer had thawed. I thought that maybe the freezer was going. Then, I looked at the plug. The workers had unplugged my freezer to use both plugs and forgot to plug it back in. I was LIVID. I came into house and told Bob that as soon they were out of the house, the better. I am still VERY angry about the whole situation. That was supposed to be our x-mas meal. (Thank goodness for Heinen's - we will have to have ham instead).

So, I have made a list of all of the items that we are not happy with. We have received our final invoice for the remainder of the work. I will have to call the $$ guy next week and discuss. I refuse to pay the entire amount until all of the work is completed. There are some items they have not fulfilled on the contract and I plan on requiring a credit for those items. I hate to nit pick contracts, but that is what contracts are for - to hold accountability to all parties involved.
I just want them out of my house - NOW!! But I will try to remain calm and professional when I speak with them. But I will be holding out money to fix the items - ourselves!

What I do not understand is people's lack of respect for other people's property. What happened to integrity? What happened to being proud of the work that you do? I have always given 110% when working for other people and myself. I expect that from others as well. However, I am not seeing it. If what they have given us is their 110% then I would really hate to see what their 75% is.

The Girls

Celie's B-day

We celebrated Celie's 3rd birthday with a small trial cake (in anticipation for a bigger cake on her "party" day) with Bob, Anna, Celie & I. We gave her one present and she opened it quickly and began playing with her Princess figurines. Here is a picture of the trial cake. It was suppose to be an all edible princess castle. It was to my delight when I asked Celie, "What does that look like?" Her response, "C-rella castle mommy." I was very proud. It might not be beautiful, but if she loves it, than that is all the praise I need.
On Saturday, we celebrated Celie's B-day again with Grandma & Grandpa Stump and Grandma & Grandpa Ostroski. We had lunch. Celie opened up presents, and we had the bigger cake that I made for her party. I had wanted to add windows and doors around the castle, but I became sick and couldn't finish it. So, Celie ended up with a blank castle with a little bit of grass.

Celie had a good B-day. However, she really hasn't grasped the idea of her b-day. Every time we said, "Happy Birthday Celie!" She would respond, "Happy Birtday Mommy!" Oh well. She is now 3 and full of energy.

Anna in a Pan

Mrs O had borrowed my roasting pan and we had it sitting by the entry way. Anna thought it was great fun to crawl in it and sit. We couldn't get her out of it. Every time we took her out, she would crawl right back in. Finally, we had to put it away - after getting pictures of course. No Hansel or Gretel here.

Celie & Bob's first Snowman

'Twas the day after Thanksgiving when Bob was going stir crazy.
He decided to take Celie outside so she wouldn't be lazy.

They gathered what snow might be left on the ground.
To create their first snowman to show all around.

It wasn't very big - actually quite small
But the best snowman so far this fall.

Our Tiny Dancer

Dance class has been a challenge for Celie. She doesn't like to listen to what the instructor is saying. She wants me to be in class with her. She makes in hard for me to want to keep taking her back, but I do because I know it is good for her and me.

Tonight, I had to take Anna with us because Bob is off hunting. So, Anna was the perfect excuse for me not to go into the class with her. That sort of worked - but she still came to the waiting area - she banged on the glass to make Anna laugh. It was definitely trying - not only the Celie part, but also to keep Anna entertained while trying to have some kind of coherent adult conversation with the other parents.

In the nights prior, I had just dressed her in leggings and a t-shirt. She does have dance shoes thanks to her cousin Makayla. As I was going through some boxes to re-organize and pack and store, I came across a leotard from Makayla. So, I thought that and tights would put Celie in the mood to dance. I don't know if it really did - but she did look pretty cute in it - stocky as all get out - not necessarily a ballerina build - but she can boogie with the best of them. Just ask her to shake her tail feathers.

Here are pics prior to class in her outfit.

By the thanksgiving morning light

Turken for Thanksgiving

What does one fix for Thanksgiving dinner when you have an ill equipped kitchen with a double oven that could only fit a couple of cornish hens - a Turken - Or my rendition of a Turducken. I have tried a turducken in the past and found that the duck portion of it really didn't turn out that well - so this time, I opted to omit the duck part.

So, Wednesday night Aunt Sue and I wrangled Tom and Chuck and their appropriate stuffings and set him up to roast - low and slow. We started him at 11:30 pm and he was done at 11:45 am. He might not have been the prettiest bird in town, but boy was he tasty. How did I manage such a feat with a dinky oven? Thank goodness for a plug in roaster. It works wonders on turkey and anything large. Phew.

Here is tom & chuck prior to roasting.


Here is Tom & Chuck being cut up and served up on a platter. Can you see the layers? They are a little obscure.

Hmmm Hmmm Good

Hip Check Up

Yesterday, Bob and I took both Cecilia and Anna to the Orthopaedic Surgeon here in Ohio. I was a little concerned as we entered the waiting room because there seemed to be A LOT of people. We have experienced 4-5 hour waits in the past and do not like to subject the girls to that. At least the front desk notified us that there would be an extended wait - 30 60 minutes. Bummer - but hopefully, I had brought along enough snacks and bottles to keep everyone occupied.

After going through most of the snacks, we were called back into the room. We had started to break out the portable DVD player - so we had to continue it in the room. I gave the nurse Celie and Anna's X-rays and a letter that our old Surgeon had written about Celie's condition. We met with the Dr and then an Xray technician came in the room to let us know that he was ready for us. Both girls needed x-rays. Here is where the challenge came in. Once Celie saw the room, she freaked out, then Anna became weary of what was going on. Arghh!! I took Anna, changed her diaper and got her ready for her x-rays. After several tries and her beginning to cry uncontrollably, it was Celie's turn. She began crying the moment she went in. Thank goodness Bob was there to help hold her down. For me, it was torture to here her inside and not be able to do anything about it. It is still hard for her to understand that this is necessary and that she will have to do this every 6 months at least until she is 18 years old. The same for Anna.

After the x-rays were ready for viewing - all digital (very nice). The Dr. showed us what was going on. Anna's hips are still shallow. Her left pocket is better than her right - but both will need to be watched. She doesn't have any dislocation - just shallow hips. She might have to have surgery when she is 4 but they will determine that when she is 2. So, it is a wait and see game. Celie's hip is doing o.k. It is measuring right at 30 degrees. So, we will definitely have to watch that one as well. She might have to have another surgery at some point. But again, it is a wait and see game.

It was a little disheartening to hear the news about both girls. However, we are blessed with two very smart and beautiful (yes we are biased) girls. And these problems are fixable. It was as evident at the clinic yesterday, but after our many visits to Mott's, Bob and I keep reminding ourselves - it is fixable. For so many kids at Mott's, things aren't as fixable. We are blessed.

Celie's 1st Dance Class

Since Bob was VERY groggy from his trip back home - I took Celie to her first dance class. I didn't take my camera with me because I didn't want to be one of "those" moms. She was very shy even though she knew one girl in her class. She liked looking in the big mirror, but she freaked out a little bit. I had to go in the class with her. She didn't follow the directions very well, so I had to help her with her warm up and her various dance moves. She has the potential to learn a lot. But it was good that I was in class with her because now I can help her with her moves and we can practice before next week. She started warming up toward the end. I do not think that it helped that she just woke up from a 2 hour nap right before leaving for the class.

Hopefully, next week will be better. It is very fun to watch all of the girls dance around in their tights. We will continue to post her progress. It can only get better. Hopefully.

Snowing in OH

I thought that maybe the winter blast of weather wouldn't come so soon to OH. Boy, I was wrong. We are definitely trying out the heat pump for the house these last couple of days. It definitely is wintery feeling weather. The leaves are dropping quickly with each rustle of the wind and we actually have some white fluffly snowflakes f
allin
g fr
om the sky.
3.+

I hope that things won't stick. But we will see. I hope we can find the scrappers and the shovels.

(the odd spacing and extra's in this post are courtesy of Anna - trying to help me type).

Tiny Dancers

I am not the type of person that thinks our girls should be in a bazillion activities that require careful coordination and precise timing like a synchronized swim team. My goodness, they are only 3 yrs old & 13 months - but the potential for them to be in a lot of activities is huge. I, quite frankly, was hoping to slide on by until Pre-school. However, many of the preschools in this area require potty trained 3+ year olds and ours isn't quite there yet. So, what is a mother to do? Well, I have found a class for Celie to take at the local Arts Center - Tiny Dancers. Yes, that is right. Celie will be taking a dance class that starts this Monday. She will be joining other 3 year olds and shaking their little bodies, probably more like moving around in a semi controlled chaos state. Bob will be back from India on Monday, so I am sure that we will be fighting over who gets to take her. She will know one other little girl in her class. I hear it is hilarious to watch them. I can't wait. I just hope that she has fun. I am concerned about Celie not wanting to interact with other kids. Time will tell.

Happy Halloween!

I wanted to do really cool costumes for the girls for halloween, but with the move and such, I just could find the stuff I needed to make it happen. So, I went for easy. Buying wings and dressing the girls in all black. Celie was a butterfly and Anna was a ladybug.

We set out trick or treating in our neighborhood with Grandma Ostroski. Anna was in the wagon with her cooler of treats and Celie set out on foot (in the beginning - she ended up in the wagon at the end). We ended up going to the end of the cul-de-sac at the end of our street and back up. That was enough for the girls.

Anna and Grandma came inside and had something to eat while Celie and I went to say Hi to Ellyn and Annie that live in our neighborhood, but about 1/2 mile away - so we drove over. Celie and Annie were meeting for the first time. Ellyn's husband works with Bob. So, it is nice to know some other people in the neighborhood. Annie and Celie will be in the same dance class together too.

Here are pictures of our butterfly on Halloween. If they are blurry, it is because she was flying.

Sisters