Grass-carrier Wasps

I have finally figured out what it is that nests in my windows. The Grass-carrier wasp. Who knew. Check this out. http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/node/144 I truly enjoy cleaning my windows each spring. Call me a weirdo, I'm fine with that. But it is so satisfying to look out into our woods through sparkling clean windows. I spent the better part of yesterday doing just that. The kitchen, family room and mudroom are all finished. That only leaves about 10 more rooms and the basement! Every year there are these nests in some of my windows. None of my neighbors have ever seen or had these nests in their windows. I had searched google before trying to determine what these critters were. Perhaps I was not as specific in my search terms because when I searched it again this morning this link came right up. At least I finally know that it is nothing to be concerned about. But how gross. Every year. I almost can't stand it. Here's a post from awhile back that sums it all up.
http://bishand.blogspot.com/2008/04/this-is-not-right.html

Precious

We spent the day with our little Audball yesterday and Grandpa got to read her bedtime stories. There's a particular book (not this one) titled Knuffle Bunny that has a cartoon picture of an old man with glasses, a mustache and no hair that Aud likes to point to and call Appa, her term for Grandpa. She waits and waits for that picture and when the page is turned she points to Appa faster than you can begin reading. Way too cute. Rick is the best storybook reader. We look forward to lots of bedtime stories, not only with Aud, but with Dos as well

Boycott Blago

I cannot believe that a judge allowed Blagojevich to be a contestant on The Apprentice. Anyone who watches this show with him on it should be considered an accomplice. The next thing you know he will be crying that he can't get a fair trial. This guy is a crook. Plain and simple. Please do not line his pockets by watching this show. It is embarrassing enough to live in this state, now this? Really? My prediction is Donald will fire him quickly. Too much hair competition.

A True Team Effort

This is Kati doing Amy's makeup while Lauren fixes Amy's hair while Corinna sews Lauren's hair. Yes, I did say sew. The girls have to have their hair sewn in for every competition. The bun form and hair comb are sewn into the hair with a plastic needle and fishing line. This prevents anything from falling out of the hair and onto the ice creating a hazard during a skate. I have sewn so many buns over the years and I don't miss it one bit. Another huge hazard is a blade to the arm or any part of the body. Lauren got the blade to the arm during practice 2 days before they competed. Fortunately no stitches were needed but it looks like she tried to slit her wrist. Kati P. slipped and fell on the ice outside of the rink and twisted her ankle the night before competition. And three girls fell with what we assume was some sort of flu. All in all they managed to pull it together and skate their best skate of the year. They had their highest score of the year at Nationals but it wasn't enough to medal. Fifth place. Missed fourth by just more than one point. I thought with all the obstacles they faced in the weeks leading up to Nationals they had a tremendous skate and I am so proud of them all. That concludes the 09-10 competition season. They still have to skate a few exhibitions between now and the end of the school year so it's not over yet. But to think we've been doing this for 10 years and the next is Lauren's last makes me sad. I can't imagine not watching her skate anymore. She always gets kudos from everyone for her presentation because her smile and posture are outstanding. Everyone thinks so, not just her mom. She says it's because she loves what she does so much that she can't help but smile. Awwww.

Here's all the pics, mostly of the team getting ready for competition but interesting to see them all prepare.

IllinoiSkating Nationals Minneapolis March 2010

Lauren said that Coach Audrey gave the most moving speech to them before they skated. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. Maybe next time she should make them cry before they do their makeup!

Life's Been Good To Me So Far

That song will forever remind me of two things. The first is my many summer vacations spent in upstate New York with my cousins, forever listening to The Eagles and Joe Walsh, drinking beer in the bandstand and down by the river, running back and forth between Aunt Jean's and Grandma's house, sleeping on Grandma's porch, brown bread, molasses cookies (my father's favorite) and so many other great memories. These were truly some of the best times of my life. While we only saw the NY cousins in the summer we are a close knit bunch despite the distance between us.

The second is when my brother Kenny bought his Moped. It was the coolest thing. His was actually yellow, if I remember correctly. My other brothers teased him relentlessly and came up with their own lyrics for this song that included "My Moped goes 45, I lost my license, now I don't drive!" Not very original, I know, but funny as hell at the time. The teasing in our family is still relentless. We will never grow up, at least I hope not.

Off to Minneapolis for Nationals tomorrow. Go ILLINI!