Thoughts from Alison that might at least entertain you!

Bunch-o-stuff

Hello Friends!  Fair warning - this is probably headed towards being a very random collection of thoughts:

• For anyone out there who might be wondering, my email (as well as John's) isn't working!  Our host is experiencing challenges.  In theory, we'll be back in communication mode sometime tomorrow.
• The girls are thrilled to announce that they have a new Pet Sitter!  (Ok, I'm excited and a bit nervous to announce it - they don't know what it means yet.)  We have located (through Food Gatherers, of course) a Pet Sitter who does insulin shots, and she'll be taking care of the girls for a weekend coming up pretty soon.  Yay!
• You might think to yourself "Alison and John can't possibly spend a hundred bucks in one trip on groceries."  You would be wrong - we can and we have!
• We have new custom-made curtains in our bedroom at Prune Ridge!  I'm a wee bit proud of them, I must say.  Now I tackle the matching set for our closet area.
• I really need new sandals that are good for my feet.
• Who knew that I actually really like prunes?!?
• Today has been National Vinyl Record day - I hope you celebrated!
• Joel Zumaya is NOT going to lose tonight's game for the Tigers.

And so, goodnight All - Be Well and Be Good!

Random Randomness

Hello Friends!  I'm sure this is headed toward a random collection of thoughts...

• Today was long at work, but not altogether bad.  Delivery day means a routine that not my routine one day each week.  This week it was also new cash register installation day!  We have a busy few weeks ahead of us to learn and teach this new system, but it's all good.
• Tomorrow morning brings a visit to Dr. Sweet for Tori!  We've had a few little behavior changes lately from the princess, so it seems like time to check her insulin again.
• A chipmunk (possibly Serge The Loud) has dug a new tiny little access into our back yard.  I shoved the dirt back in his hole and put a little deterrent over the access.  I play like I think I can win against the wild critters of Prune Ridge!
• I have a suspiciously sore neck that feels a lot like it did the last time I got sick in January.  Curses!  Out, Out Ye Demons!
• Our Tigers won their game against Kansas City last night 19-4.  Ouch for Kansas City, but they're playing again now and all I can say is Go Tigers!
• This Thursday brings a party in the evening for our Volunteers at the club.  It should be a fun time, even in a long day for me.  (Umm, make that a long week at this point.)
• P.S. My husband is CUTE!

Happy Tuesday, All.  Be Well and Be Taking Care of Each Other!

Alright, you blog, you!

Well hello again, All!

I'm back, so to speak.  I've decided not to cash in my blog for the time being, even though I'm still annoyed and nothing seems "better" than the "upgrades" to this system.  We'll see what I manage to format this into for appearance's sake.

Random bits of life include:

Tomorrow is "Grillin' for Food Gatherers!"  This is one of my favorite events of the year.  Food Gatherers (the amazing organization my beautiful husband works for) had crafted this event which is quite successful and lots of fun.  I appreciate it as a day-long event because it can be whatever you like in a day long event.  If you like to socialize and chat, you can do that all day.  If you like to eat, you can do that all day.  If you like to listen to music, you can do that all day.  If you like any combination of those things, you can do that!  It's great fun.  If you haven't been before, consider joining us this year or next, ok?

I worked most of today, but got to fit in one of my favorite pieces of my job.  I hosted an Orientation for several new Volunteers.  I love working with Volunteers - even at the end of a week during which one of my Volunteers has been very angry with me.  I STILL love Volunteers!

I managed to dig up the weeds and overgrowth from our small front gardens yesterday.  Now the test will be to see how long it takes to buy and plant a few things to fill the space nicely.  I'm thinking about a couple of hostas and some taller things with pretty colors.  Pretty specific, eh?  I was pleased to discover yesterday afternoon that Meijer has a wonderful garden section.  It's well organized, well labeled, and easy to shop!  I'll keep you posted with pictures when (if?) I get some brilliant planting going on!

(Tori is rather disappointed at this moment that I am munching on a few chips and not sharing.)

The coming week will bring plenty more working for me, followed by a weekend packed with work.  I will fit in some time off too.  John will have a few days of hectic of catch up after Grillin'.  We will make time together!

Oh - AND - the birds have finally really discovered our bird feeder.  We're having fun talking to the birds and watching Tori (and Maggie B a little bit) react to the flurry of activity.

The next project here at Prune Ridge might be a patio!

Last, but not least, for tonight - CONGRATULATIONS and LOVE to Camille in BG!!  We are so sorry to miss you party tomorrow, but hope to celebrate with you yet this summer.  Good job!

Be Well and Be Good, Friends!  Have happy (even if it's too warm) Sundays, and stay in touch!

Various Bits from Ann Arbor!

(Grrr, still not happy with changes to my blog-posting options!)

Anyway...

Tonight, we've been listening to the "Urge Radio" Swing station that's part of our fancy cable since the move.  It's fun to have radio stations (commercial free - not like real radio) that we can pull up for music anytime!  It's arguable, however, whether Bruce Hornsby and Barry Manilow should be on the Swing channel!

I lost a decent game of Scrabble tonight.  Decent for John, that is.  My brain actually suggested at one point that if I added "a-i-n" to the word "tour," I would have the word "terrain."  That might explain the losing...  And also the fact that I mostly lose!  (But win well, sometimes.)

This weekend brought mostly relaxation to our home, with more than enough running around for new-home errands.  I think John and I will both be happy to stay home once we feel like we've settled most of the standard new-home things.  We are also enjoying settling our new home!  Over the last week and a half or so I've managed to buy bed linens and decorate (at least mentally) the guest bedroom - without a bed!  John also managed to get our decrepit screen door to work a little better.  We've learned we have wasps nesting in at least a few places right around the screen door.  Oh yeah - and we ate brats and potato salad like good Americans!

The week ahead brings mostly busy evenings for us/me.  We'll also get our dishwasher repaired this week.  Family will be in town Saturday for a great show at the club.  We have pizza to make!

This week I will also pull out an old favorite book that I've been wanting to revisit - "Everyday Sacred" by Sue Bender.  I'll share some thoughts here once I have a chance to read it again.  It's a quick read, as long as I actually pull it off the shelf!  This reminds me that I should try to tackle the other two books sitting near me that I haven't quite yet.  Sheesh, gotta get to work!

Happy Week Ahead, All!  Be Well Out There!

Random Bits

(She exhales deeply)

Happy Friday, Friends!  I'm sinking into the couch with one snoozing kitty next to me.  The Weather Channel says it's 77 degrees outside, and my bare feet, shorts, and tank top agree!

Today (still taking Fridays off work for the time being) has brought many bits of accomplishment.  I hauled our kitchen table to Toledo this morning.  A coworker called while I was driving, and said "you're moving things the wrong direction - you know that, right?"  Yes indeed - the table is making the move south to be replaced by our dining room table which will be coming north to Prune Ridge.  Also picked up many packing materials from mom and Bernie's house!

I loaded my car with stuff already packed from the basement, hauled more from the basement upstairs, and packed almost my entire collage room.  (My collage supplies are NOT a small packing task!)

I'm just to the point in packing when I feel I've accomplished a lot, but I look around and it doesn't really look that way!

Tomorrow Mom and Bernie will make the trip north to see the new place for the first time and maybe help us heft a little bit of stuff.  John and I are trying to move as much of our non-furniture "stuff" ourselves before moving-truck day.  We've already taken two carloads to Prune Ridge, and I'm sure we'll tackle a reasonable amount this weekend.

Truck day is next Friday (the 25th).  Give us a few hours after the truck and then y'all can start visiting!  Ok, maybe a few days after truck day.  Ummm, maybe a few weeks!

In other bits of life in Milan:  The girls are going to see Dr. Sweet next week.  The Herons have returned to the lake in good force and today we have a new pair of mute swans cruising around!  The birds are thrilled with the weather and so are the locals - I've seen LOTS of ice cream cones around town today!

So there you have it - life is good!  I may be a bit absent from this forum while we make the move and get settled, but I'll try to keep up!  I also promise some pictures of the place as soon as I have that part of my act together.

Be Well and Be Good To Yourselves, All!  I'm off to go sit in the sun for a bit.

WEEKEND!

Happy Friday, All!

I find myself feeling grateful for the weekend, even though this one will be jam-packed by (possibly too much) activity with Masterworks concerts, etc.

Tonight at our dress rehearsal we will pull together two choirs for the FIRST TIME in a rehearsal together for the weekend's shows.  The music is outstanding and very difficult, and of course it remains to be seen how we do!

Both days of this weekend will still present an opportunity to sleep in.  Wooohoooo!

Regarding Prune Ridge, we are still in the waiting game for completed financing, but we're on the way there.  More to follow still as we learn more!  (It is important to note that the selling agent's realty sign has been removed from the property, and today I see that the posting on the seller's website has been taken down.  That's good, right?!?)

Regarding the girls, all is well.  Tori is sleeping as usual, and Maggie is creating various moments of mischief.  All's right at the Reed house.

Oh Happy Day To You, Friends.  Be Well and Be Weekend-ish!

Tidbits of thought

Hello and Happy Sunday, All!  I realize I haven't been "on" here much recently, so here's a random collection of updates, thoughts, and upcoming events in the lives of the Reeds of Milan:

• Prune Ridge awaits, we are still waiting for the final word(s), and we'll update more as we know it.  (Yes, the suspense is sometimes killing me, but it's also fine.)
• This current weekend is one of lots of work for me, and the week to follow will be one of variable hours so it all comes out fine in the end.
• We've fit in a couple of good walks since the weather is finally turning toward spring.  I already feel a bit better with myself by mixing in some activity.
• The geese are ever-present on our little lake these last few days.  I'm still waiting on the herons...
• We seem to need some groceries
• This week brings one of our favorite performers to the club - Chris Thile and his group (recently re-named) Punch Brothers returns to The Ark on Tuesday evening, and I CAN'T WAIT!
• Next weekend (and a couple of evenings this week) bring Masterworks performances in Toledo and Bowling Green.  We'll be singing with one of the choirs from BGSU, and of course this should be a good show!
• John bravely protected me from a monstrous vicious jumping spider thing this morning.  (I don't actually have a typical scare response in reaction to spiders, but this one got me.  What was it about this one that so instantly made me a girl?!?)  Thank you, brave husband!

And that, my friends, is all the news as I know it.

Be Well and Be Taking Care of Each Other on this Sunday afternoon.  Is spring creeping into the corners of your lives?

Note To Self

(Blog something this weekend, no matter what!)

Where in the world have I been?  A bit busy, I suppose.  A few very short updates from me, with more complete thoughts to follow:

• I got my new boots - the colors are "winter white" with "dahlia" trim.  Lovely - and my feet are dry!
• I have a NEW computer!!!!  This is exciting, and I haven't reported on it at all here yet.  Short version:  New laptop, a Dell vs. a Mac to save cost, and I'm currently typing on the old rebellious PC while John works on setting up various things on the new 'puter.
• I have a NEW assistant manager at work and I'm thrilled with her addition to our team!  She officially starts training with me in a couple of weeks.
• The cats are silly and overly adventurous, as usual.
• I have a new minor dog obsession after the Westminster show this past week.  (Some of my readers may not know I love dogs and need to have a dog in our household eventually.)  I am currently in love with a new breed that had its debut at Westminster this year - the Tibetan Mastiff.  Yes, it's a giant.  Yes, it's WONDERFUL!
• It's past my bedtime, for sure!

More blogging to come this weekend, and better up-keep of my thoughts and this li'l site to follow - I promise!

Be Well, Dear Friends.  Happy Late Friday Night To You!

Welcome Back!

Hi Friends!

The Welcome is for myself, more than anyone.  I'm hoping to really be "back here" at this point.  What a week it's been, and what a knot I have in my shoulder!

The Folk Festival this weekend was wonderful and really all I could have hoped for as a work experience.  It was also INCREDIBLE as a music-listening experience, and fun to boot.  There are several shows coming up now at our club with acts from this weekend - ask me and I'll fill you in!

Wednesday this week brings my husband's birthday.  I'm fond of reminding him that I will only be the "older woman" for a few more days.  Until my next birthday, of course.  John and I will celebrate with dinner out on Weds, and dinner with my family in Toledo on Friday.  I'm also celebrating with a massage for myself.  (Umm, I scheduled that one on his birthday accidentally, but keeping it anyway!)

Here's a little picture for you to enjoy.  Happy Birthday from a couple of weeks ago to Dave (John's dad)!  The sombrero is THE look for you!  We had a great time celebrating with you - and truly, Happy Birthday!  (Also, Dave - the act you asked me to let you know about at The Ark was JUST BOOKED today for April 1st.  I can't say it here, but the tickets go on sale this coming weekend - We'll give you a call and give you the details!)

Happy Day, All!  I hope you are well and enjoying this brief thaw (in our neck of the woods, at least).  Take care of Each Other!

Bits of Not Too Much

Hello from Fancy Milan, All!

So, it seems that I have been fully neglecting my blogging adventures for many days now.  I thought I'd at least check in and give a few fascinating updates on my life.  (That's an overstatement.)

I am slowly, but surely (I think?) fighting my way back from this nasty cold that has really been with me for 3 weeks at this point.  I still don't believe that I'm not driving John crazy at night.  The cough is nearly gone but still grips me several times each day.  I'm still feeling like I'm definitely getting better - just v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y.

Next weekend (Jan 25/26) brings the Ann Arbor Folk Festival to town - that being the gigantic fund raiser for The Ark each January!  This means it is a gigantic (and NEW) project for me!  We have two nights of amazing lineups at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor - seating 3600 per show, and both shows will be sold out.  I am working on finishing up our staffing of nearly 200 Volunteers per night!  No pressure...

Tomorrow Tori and I return to Dr. Sweet's office to have more blood drawn.   The blood she gave last week wasn't usable after a little lab debacle.  Lucky for us, Tori is currently much more tolerant of visits to the good Dr. than her sister is.  Last week's visit was unbelievably traumatic for Maggie B and it took several days for her to recover.  I'm pleased (mostly) to say that she's back to her normal self at this point - cranky, peculiar, and obsessed with shadows.

I'm off to Toledo Friday evening for my good friend Betsy's baby shower - Yay!  John and I will head up Clio-way on Saturday to see the parental units there - and celebrate a birthday!

That's this week as I know it so far - not quite enough sleep, a few too many moments of stress, and still some coughing.  Also, a bit of time with my Beautiful Man of a husband, one roasted chicken, and just enough fun to keep me sane. 

Be Well out there in whatever version of winter you're having, Friends.  Happy Tuesday!

Saturday at THE MALL!

Well, yes, you did read that correctly.

Believe it or not, John and I went to the mall this afternoon!  We walked the halls (sort of - slow going with the holiday shopping craze) and bought a calendar - and then fled!

Today we also saw "Charlie Wilson's War."  It was a great flick, with only about 12 people in the theater!  (Apparently, everyone else was already at the mall.)

I had a nap earlier today and general relaxation with the cats.  Tonight brought a cooking duet in the kitchen with John, (FREE) Zingerman's brownies, and later - a bit of Scrabble.  Life is good.

Be Well and Be Taking Care of You, Friends!

This and That

Well do you wonder where I've been?  I do!

I've been working a bit, it seems.  I've also been trying to sleep a bit.  Here are some other bits of life at the Reed house, and in Milan, and in my life:

Tonight was Midnight Madness in downtown Ann Arbor.  I worked a completely experimental evening of gift item sales.  The challenge now is to convince other folks that we should do this again next year - since we sold 1 item!  It was a good night, altogether - and I already have superb plans for next year!

The holidays are working their way into the fabric of daily life, it seems.  I actually have most shopping out of the way for the season.  I will have an evening next week of shopping with a good friend, and a work holiday lunch next Friday.  The work party will bring a dessert bake-off!  I hear rumors of spectacular desserts from a few of my coworkers, but I'm pretty sure that I need to "submit" my signature cookie.  It's pretty straight forward as desserts go, but it's an awesome cookie!  (Right, those of you who know it?!?)

At the Reed House, the girls (yes - cats) have been working on their Christmas lists.  Tori still wants a petting machine with a tuna dispenser, and Maggie B still wants better parents.

Milan is looking festive and fun for the winter holidays.  As usual, John and I missed the spectacular local holiday parade.  Every year it falls on the same Saturday evening as the first Masterworks concert!  The good news is that every year there is a terrible grainy video taken that we can watch on the local access TV station.

Speaking of Masterworks, the concerts were quite lovely.  It's always interesting to perform the same show twice (or more) in a weekend.  As John said after the second show on Sunday, "What a difference a day makes!"  One of the silly high-points of the weekend for me was coming out of the show Saturday to an ice-encrusted car.  John and I scraped together, and then were able to help 3 other Chorale members with their cars.  I love my husband who is will to humor my need to help other folks, and who has his own need to help folks too!

Tomorrow I'm off for a day of Volunteering with Food Gatherers!  They have this really cute employee that I get to spend the day with.  (Just don't tell my husband - Oh wait - he IS my husband!)

Happy Nearly-Winter to All.  Be Well and Be Staying Warm!

Various Notes

(How's that for a clever, informative, and definitive post title?)

I find myself not fully awake yet this morning, and really not full of any news or entertaining thoughts - but it's been a while, so here I am.

Mom and I had a great time on our quick weekend of shopping.  We ate a bit too much, spent a bit too much, and had a great time at dinner with John's mom too!  I came home with a few too many treats to share with John, especially considering that I'm trying hard to do some better things for my weight.  (Honey - that means its your responsibility to eat most of the treats, ok?)  I also came home with a few things for our home.  Kudos to John for tolerating the new stove burner covers I picked out (roosters), and the chicken spoon rest I got only because it was funny with the rooster covers.  We really did need a functional spoon rest rather than the one we had which didn't actually hold spoons.

Tori is still holding her own against her new-found diabetes, although she seems to be eating a bit less in the last few days.  She's still ultimately herself and we're pretty happy with the progress thus far.

I'm looking at a couple of very long weeks ahead at work with a number of evenings at the club.  I will be interviewing today and tomorrow to fill the open role I have there, which will help a LOT when it is filled!  We also have a major fund raiser coming up a week from Saturday.  My predecessor has graciously offered to head up the pieces I will be responsible for eventually so I can watch, follow, and learn this year.  This will be very helpful!

Well, I suppose since it's nearly light out I ought to hit the road for today!  Happy (Sleepy) Tuesday to All.  Be Well and Be Taking Care of Each Other, OK?

Pssst

Don't tell anyone, but I think they're digging up Jimmy Hoffa in the American Legion parking lot behind our house!  Call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure the gigantic hole and backhoe can only mean one thing - Human Remains.  And living in Michigan, human remains can only mean Jimmy Hoffa, right?

Have I mentioned that I love Indian Summer purely for the continued amazing growth of our pepper plants?  We've got about 5 peppers nearing maturity, and many more in the works.  Does anyone out there know how potted pepper plants will fare if I bring them inside once the weather really turns?  We've got no less than 12 more peeping out of the buds!

I had a lovely bike ride around town this morning and was reminded of a few things:  This really is a nice little town, getting out early is good (if you are careful of the early-Sunday church-goer traffic), and the Deck that Ate Milan really is the biggest deck in the history of decks.  Oh yeah, and I need to ride more!  I also saw more than a few Killdeer this morning on my ride.  I was interested to note that they were not even remotely wary of me careening by on my bike, but they flew into a frenzy when a minivan went by.  Apparently I'm much less intimidating than a minivan.

I'm off now for a bit to finish making a copper wire spider web, and then perhaps a field trip to purchase something very exciting - A Second Litter Box!!!  Woohoo!  Tonight will be dinner in Toledo.

Happy Sunday, All - Enjoy the rest of your weekend and Be Well!

Assorted Updates

Hello Friends!

I feel like I've been sort of absent since my last post, even though it wasn't that long ago.  I'm in the middle of a full-working weekend (Fri-Sat-Sun nights at the club), and the short week leading to this weekend has felt jam-packed.  So, various notes and random thoughts:

The Tigers lost Tuesday when we went to see them live and in person!  We had a great time, all the same - and got to see my friend Sean Casey pinch hit with two outs in the 9th.  (He hadn't been in the game until that moment)  He got on base and advanced a runner to 3rd, the crowd got crazy loud and excited, and the next batter was out - end of game!  Oh well - we really did have a good time, and we're committed to going back for a few more games.  I also got a Tigers cap - traditional logo and colors, but with pink trim!  The Tigers have won all 3 games since Tuesday night, for the record.

I have officially managed to miss every single art fair event I normally visit this summer.  This weekend is the Black Swamp Arts festival in Bowling Green, OH - and with a full weekend of work, I'm not quite making it there!  John and I did make it to the Old West End Festival fair early in June, but got stormed out of that one!

Masterworks Chorale rehearsals start this Monday!  (And Monday dinners with my brother!)  I'll report more on our upcoming season as soon as I remember anything about it.

John and I are performing in church tomorrow morning.  This is a bit of an experimental piece for us - which we just started rehearsing today!

We are off next weekend overnight to the Stratford Festival in Canada.  We have tickets to see To Kill A Mockingbird (yes, we know it's not Shakespeare, but it's what we picked!).  We're also staying at the "Wakey-Wakey Bed and Breakfast!"

I am contemplating adding a new pair of eye glasses to my collection.  If you're interested vote for a pair!  (I'm leaning towards a red pair.)  If you don't know, I discovered the craziest site about 2 years ago in 39DollarGlasses.com.  I needed to wear glasses much more than my contacts at the time, but felt like I needed to have choices to make me interested in wearing them.  I got both of my current pairs from the site, for $39 bucks a piece!  The three frames you see here are in order from top to bottom:  First a Burgandy frame identical to the black ones I have already (called "Milan!"), Second a purple-blue frame called "Urban," and Last a red/rose frame called "Roxy."  I'm leaning towards one of them, but will see if anyone has thoughts to share.  I know - it's hard to comment without actually seeing them on me, but go for it.

This week I have actually managed to finish the 3rd Harry Potter book (The Prisoner of Azkaban) in spite of feeling like I had time for nothing.  John has just started it now, and we need to rent the 2nd movie to watch and compare to the book.  (We are working on reading the books, which neither of us had read, then re-watching each movie, until we catch up to the end!)

Happy weekend to All, and please do something fun with it!  Be Well, Good Friends!