How can we have so much crap?

I remember, as a kid, thinking it odd that people on our block would have a garage, but never park their car in it. Well now I see what happens. We do really well in the winter keeping things to the side so that we can park both cars inside. But once the weather breaks all the stuff seems to take over.


A few weeks ago I posted my Donna Do list (most of the items are done - working on the windows this week). The Danny Do list has one item on it - clean the garage. It was so hot last week that Dan didn't even want to thing about going into the garage. Now that the weather has cooled some, he thought today would be the day. Things are going well so far - I think that this is going to be a project that goes beyond one day though.

Neither one of us are savers, so I ask again HOW CAN WE HAVE SO MUCH CRAP?

Some sad news from DC

Matt called today - his bike was stolen from the bike rack in front of his apartment complex. He was coming home from the library tonight when he noticed that his bike was missing. He called campus security to report it, and he found the bike lock not far from the bike rack.

Luckily Dan had him write down the serial number and all the vital information before he left (don't know how much good that will do). Tomorrow I will call the insurance company and find out what we need to do next. Of course Matt is upset, who wouldn't be. But it was only a bike.

Welcome to the big city :(

Summer vacation has finally started

People always think that teachers are done when the kids are done. That is not necessarily the case. I have worked every day since the kids left for their three month hiatus. I was finally able to get all my reports done and pack away my desk.

I have ordered a couple books from Amazon, and plan on relaxing by the pool each and every afternoon. On a sad note Fun Island finally died today. The hole is inoperable. Dan did have a great idea since we have not been able to find another Fun Island as sturdy as the one we had (from Cosco of course). We're going to buy an inflatable mattress. The thickness of the plastic is the same as Fun Island so it should work just fine.

I do have a list of things that need to get done:

Scrub grout
Wash windows
Trim hedges
Finish painting trim in a bedroom

I know it sounds weird, but I'm actually excited about starting on this Donna Do list.

Matt called

Matt called for the first time last night. He started his job yesterday and I was happy that he thought enough of me to call and fill me in. So far he loves it. He takes a Georgetown bus to Dupont Circle and walkes a few blocks to his office.

I found his work location on Google Maps

I think that he's "adjusting" to big city living. I would think that for a country boy, being thrown into the hustle and bustle of city life would be a bit overwhelming. Last night he, and his roommates, went to a local bar to watch the Red Wing game. He also told me that there is another intern in his office who is from Ohio Northern (a school he played against in football) and that this guys dad went to Hillsdale College. I think he's finding out that the big bad world is smaller than he thought.

He did have one complaint - the humidity. He said that dressing up and walking to work or to a seminar is a big pain. Welcome to the real world.

A bit of sightseeing

The boys and I did a bit of sightseeing on Saturday morning. We took a detour into Gettysburg. The boys had just watched the movie the week before and Nate is currently reading the book. We had taken the boys there about 15 years ago, but they didn't remember very much of it.

We had a blast. We bought a CD and book that let us do a self directed audio tour. Along the way we stopped and the boys reenacted the movie. Eventhough they didn't reenact this particular UTube scene, Nate did quote the movie lines as we drove past the site. (This was one of the few things the boys did remember from out last visit, so they opted to skip it this time) Even though they are almost 22 and 21 they were as happy as 10 year olds.

The pictures I posted were of some of their more animated stops along the way. The first picture is taken at the Virginia Memorial. Nate is pretending he is Longstreet looking out over the Union lines.

The bottom picture of both boys is taken at Little Round Top. The memorial in the background is that honoring the Michigan Soldiers who fought there. Needless to day the boys were very excited to find that memorial. And yes, we do have the traditional cannon photo - you're never too old to play on a cannon.

What a week

With Carl's passing our plans for the week drastically changed. Originally Dan was suppose to take Matt to DC this past weekend. I had a busy Friday at work, and on Saturday I was suppose to go to my parents to spend the day with my brothers, all of which were here this weekend.

Instead, Dan spent the weekend with his family; the funeral was on Saturday, and Nate and I took Matt to DC. We left on Friday morning and got there on Saturday afternoon. Dan did spend the night at Norm and Joan's and thoroughly enjoyed the boys banter with one another.

Matt is living with 4 other guys. One from Wisconsin, and one is from Latvia. I have no idea about the other two. As we were leaving, the participants of the internship program were having a pizza party in the courtyard. Lots of good looking girls walking around, so lets just say Matt was eager for us to leave.

I wasn't as worried as I thought I would be - leaving Matt in a big city to fend for himself. I'm more worried that he isn't going to eat. I guess that must be the Polish coming out. I'll post more as Matt shares this adventure with us.

They say things happen in 3's

People always say that tragedy happens in 3's. I never really knew if I believed that. This week proves that there may be some truth to this old wives tale.

On Thursday my mom called to tell me that my uncle had died. Uncle Frank was the oldest of the Ozog children. He has been suffering diminished health for some time. At 86 years old it's hard to really mourn the death, it does seem easier to celebrate the life. Frank had a wonderful life. He was a Polish immigrant who chose to embrace America: a war hero, an accomplished professor, a wonderful husband, and a loving father. His children can look back at his life and be proud of who their father was.

On Sunday my mom told me that my Aunt Dorothy's mother-in-law had died. Again she lived a full life, and I'm sure her passing will be met with great comfort to those who she leaves behind.

Last night my brother-in-law passed away after a short fight with cancer. His passing is a little harder to comprehend. He was 46 years old-from my perspective in the prime of his life. My heart breaks for my nephew Max. And even though Carl and Anne were recently divorced, I'm sure that she still has feelings for him and is struggling with his passing.

I guess in thinking about these three deaths I realize that some of the things that we stress about in life are senseless. When I die I want people to remember me by how I treated my family and others. People won't say I was a great person because of the hours I put into my job, or how clean my house was. They will, I hope, remember me by how I raised my children and how I treated my spouse. Hopefully people will remember me as a good friend, someone who doesn't judge the action of others, but accepts people for who they are.

So, take a minute and ask yourself this question, Are my priorities in the right spot?