School Supplies

I don't usually post more than once in a day, but today was school supply shopping day. My dear daughter takes after me and gets very excited about such things--clean notebooks, unsharpened pencils, a fresh bottle of glue...wonderful stuff ;) Today though, she cracked me up. Apparently these days, when you get to 5th grade, your accessories (meaning pencil sharpener, pens--you only get 2 in 5th grade, eraser, etc.) must all MATCH...what?! Who does that?! Apparently my child does, and it all revolves around the "home" in which they'll be living...if the pencil bag is brown and blue apparently everything else must be brown or blue...I tried asking why you couldn't use coordinating colors as well, such as pink, but I just got a "moooom"[insert disgusted, you'll never understand, how can you be so lame to even ask, tone.] Anyway, I gave up trying to understand and figured as long as things weren't costing any more that it was really none of my concern. And then a few minutes passed and I thought...hmmmm, maybe it's not such a bad/crazy idea--coordinating products--my classroom would look very trendy...watch out world the Bellus(-Penz) ladies are on the loose...

Dreadful heat...thoughts

I walk/run about 4 time a week (mostly walk these days...then try to run, just to see that my achilles still hurts and then end up walking). I always take the same route and listen to MPR Mid-morning...it's really my only intellectual stimulation. Sadly most of my life I'm an underknowledged (see...is that even a word?!) individual. So today, the heat made me suffer a bit on my walk and the talk on mid-mornign was about CEO's...yes, they make too much...blah, blah, blah...what's there really to discuss on that front (nothing in my eyes) ...So to get my mind off the heat I started to think about something my sister was talking about the other day. She teaches highschool and I think the story goes that at the end of one school year (after their senior speeches when they told stories about their lives as teenagers--their struggles/insecurities/etc) she gave them a little talk and told them that she wished they could see themselves how others saw them...I'm guessing she meant--funny, athletic, intellectual, etc. So today I started to think about how we see ourselves as adults...now being more mature (hopefully) do we have the knowledge to see ourselves as others see us? And if not, at this age do we see ourselves in a brighter, or more dim, light than others see us? Do we see ourselves as we want to be? Do we see ourselves as we used to be, refusing to see ourselves how we have changed? I guess you don't really know the answers to any of these questions unless you know what others think about you...and very rarely do we really tell people, especially the negatives. But I think we could learn a lot by taking a moment to at least reflect on who we strive to be and whether our actions truly match that outcome. Anwyay, enough thinking for one day...I am a sweaty mess (that damn heat sucked the life out of me...and apparently all the sweat!) and now it's time to get back to reality and hit the HGTV :)

Dream

This weekend was spent once again being busy...from Highland fest Friday night where we got to watch Dave Mordal from the last comic standing bomb on the stage, to viewing the fun art, to watching steve chow down on cheese curds, footlong hotdog, gyro and mini donuts (plus whatever he snuck in when he wasn't in our sight ;) To Ann Reed concert on Saturday night with Amy (more to come on that.) To a nice get together with Steve's friends Joel and Jamie (and their little one Taylor...Tori got to stay with grandma and grandpa)on Sunday night. A whirlwind of fun for all!

Speaking of Ann Reed...if you don't know her work, I'll just say that she is a liberal minded lady with a folky kind of music. The venue (Riverview Cafe) was a small intimate one and yes, it was filled with a lot of lesbians (as Ann is one herself), but I found her music to be filled with messages that really spoke to the heart and transcended era as well as race and sexual orientation. As a matter of fact all of her inspirational music got me started thinking a lot about my dreams and the mark that I'd like to leave on the world. So, for the sake of putting it in print, I am going to share my dream. I hope that some day when I strike it big... in teaching (LOL :)... you will all remind me of what I am about to share and push me to make it a reality.

MY DREAM...after Alix was born I found that one of my biggest challenges with daycare. It is EXPENSIVE! For a single mom working with a small income (even as a college educated professional I was making measly money in my Catholic school job...and seeing as they booted me--more or less--when I was pregnant I was forced to lose my benefits and be dealing with paying for health ins. as well--as many pregnant women do) I soon realized that even with the daycare aid I was getting (yes, a educated working professional on welfare), paying for the care I needed was a huge challenge. Luckily, I had support and guidance of my family...as well as the opportunity to find a higher paying job in the public schools. So, you are asking--What is the dream already?!?! So...here it is...Affordable Daycare! Well, I wish I could actually make that happen, but unfortunately I don't think I have it in me to become a politician, so my dream is a little more specific...I would like to buy a home in the inner city, spruce it up, and then staff it with volunteers--made up of retired (or past) teachers. I would then offer affordable daycare to low income single moms who are interested in, or already attending, programs to better their lives. We would be able to offer the expertise of teaching.... in teaching these children everything they need to be ready to attend school, in teaching their parents (tutoring) as they are working towards an education that will better their lives, and in educating the community-- that when you take away the burden of trying to find affordable child care people are willing...and really WANT TO...help themselves up and create a better life for themselves and their child(ren). I know it's more complicated than what I make it out to be here, but I believe it is very realistic. Caring people, a place in a location that would be accessible to these families, and a lot of Love is all it would really take. Even if it could only reach 10 families it would be a step in the right direction...a step to a better life...a life full of opportunity. That is it... that is my dream--a day care staffed by teachers for single moms who want to get an education that will lift their family up. Perhaps someday it won't merely be a dream.


Enjoy your week everyone! Steve is off to San Diego until Friday, so Alix and I will be here alone :( eating Leann Chin and leaving the house a mess ;) By the way... Yesterday was our one month mark of being married! How time flies!! Steve brought me a beautiful purple hydrangea (just like at the wedding) to celebrate (he's so sweet!)...I feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life (and not just b/c he gave me a flower, but b/c he is the most caring man I have ever met!)

Como Zoo--Girls Day Out!

You have been waiting...I'm sure ;) Here are the pix from our adventure to Como Zoo!!



Alix hammin' it up for the camera...as usual

Enjoying the carousel

Never too old to have a little old fashioned fun!

They were just pretty...

Good Ol' Sparky showing off for the crowd.

Recovering...

This week brings recovering from all the weekend fun! Alix and I headed to Como zoo for a day of girl fun Friday afternoon. Even at the age of 10 and 34 Como Zoo still rocks! We saw the animals, watched Sparky, rode on the carousel and enjoyed each other's company (pictures to follow soon...I know you are all dying to see them ;) Friday brought us downtown for the sommerfest concerts in Peavey Plaza. We sat in the grass and listened to the likes of The Hopefuls, who were amusing. It was a beautiful night to spend outside. Before heading down to the concert we grabbed a bite to eat at Palomino and wrapped the evening up there as well with another drink before going home...Saturday brought one of my favorite restaurants, some of my favorite people, and 2 of my favorite foods. We got to Chino Latino at opening so we could get a good seat near the patio and it was worth it--a beautiful day, made more beautiful with good friends, and all topped off with Paella and Sangria galore (YUM!). Luckily Steve and I had gone bike riding that morning so I had some extra calories to play with (albeit not enough for gorging like I did ;) Sunday brought a chance to have a little breakfast with the Penz parents. It had been since the wedding that we had last gotten together--much too long! Soon to follow was another great group of people and a fun celebration for our friend Mike's 35th birthday party...are we getting old or what?! Steve will turn 35 in a couple of weeks too...and then it's not long before it's my turn...where does the time go? Makes you start to wonder if you'll really have the chance to do all those things you hope to do in life...I guess it's time to get busy livin'! Now, I sit here watching it rain outside while feeling very happy for the quiet days that make my summer--life is so good that all I can do is smile and wonder if it can get any better than it is right now. For once life seems like it is all falling into place...I'm sure I'll be jolted back into reality soon enough, but for now I'll just smile and thank my lucky stars that life has worked out the way it has!

photobooth mischief

Here are a couple of my favs of us from our photobooth at the wedding...what a trip it was to see everyone and their messages on the whiteboards...too fun! I'm not sure why the one of Steve and I is so small, but probably for the better seeing as I am not ms. photogenic.

What to write about now?

So, life has pretty much returned to normal, but now I'm wondering what in the world do I write about. My sister said that my entry on Sangria proved the point that our lives are really just too boring to have anything interesting to share that others care about. Somehow, I think that's ok. So, from now on you will probably have to read incessant babble about the lame things I do on a daily basis and about what my weird little mind thinks about them. To start you off...

For some reason I haven't been too good about making paragraphs on this thing...I will learn the trick soon, until then good luck deciphering my everchanging topics :)

No matter how much of a grammar nazi I pretend to be (is that politically incorrect?!) I must say that all rules regarding grammar and spelling go out the window on this thing. I do my best to type quickly so that my lil one can get on her darned webkins website or so that I can make dinner (ha!) Anyway, don't expect all my me's to be I's and all my goods to be wells...but I will try (for my mommy who I know it bothers so much) and because my daddy learned me well and I don't want him to be embarrassed.

Steve and I went biking on the 4th of July. It was the first time out on my road bike in over a year and it felt really good (well, my achilles didn't, but the rest of me did.) I miss being on my bike! Towards the end of the ride we ended up at M'haha Falls and so we decided to stop and have a little snack at Sea Salt. I'd heard they have great, fresh seafood and it was a GORGEOUS day to sit outside and enjoy. We had to wait a while, but sitting outside on a beautiful day made the wait part of the fun. However, when they brought out my food, I was very surprised to see little legs on my shrimpy. Why would they leave these on? It was all I could do to pull them off before eating the little guy. From there it only got worse as I found what I figure to be a little poo still left in it...it was all fish from that point on. Speaking of which....the grilled tilapia tacos were pretty yummy! I recommend the spot for it's scenic beauty, but you'd probably have to be a bigger seafood junkie than me (who doesn't even really like anything other than fish) to get the full flavor of the place...oh yeah, and if you go on a holiday or weekend afternoon, be ready for a line :)

I'm a Mrs!

Finally the day arrived...I wish I could remember all of the details of this very special day, but it was such a whirlwind that really all I can remember is being very, very happy! Thanks to the hard work of my mom and friend Amy Newton everything went off without a hitch. It was truly a magical night. The off and on day of clouds and rain parted right on cue as the sun peeked out just in time to shine on me and my sweetie as we said our vows and became husband and wife. I was thrilled to have my other sweetie next to me (Alix) and was so proud when she shared a poem she wrote during the ceremony...truly she is one amazing kid! The night continued with a fun dinner and dance inside the pavillion. To get the festivities started Steve and I did a quick salsa for our first dance, Me and my dad spent a wonderful moment during our dance together and we capped off the ceremonies with Steve, Alix and me doing a family dance to 3s the Magic Number...a little cake cutting (no one smooshed cake on the other person...although don't think it didn't cross my mind)...a great slideshow (despite the technical difficulties of a burnt out bulb making things a little hard to see)...and a very moving toast by my sis started out the evening. Much to my happiness the night continued with people dancing as well as enjoying the great outdoor scenery. The photobooth also seemed to be a hit (I am still awaiting the posting of pictures so that I can enjoy everyone's messages). The thing I really remember though, is just looking around me no matter what I was doing and noticing that I was surrounded by people that I care about. What a great feeling...so many people taking time out of their busy lives to be part of my special day...I am truly grateful! Of course what is a wedding without the bride and groom hoofing it down the street after the reception was over to spend continued time with friends at the local bar. While perhaps not the classiest of moves, it was fun!! Sadly the evening had to come to an end, but not without priceless memories of family, friends and lots and lots of love!

Mr and Mrs!
Here comes the sun!
Steve walking in with his mom
The crew getting ready to pose for pictures before the ceremony
Kristin taking a moment to pause and think before the craziness begins

Spring Showers bring...wedding fun!

My future mother in law Sharron and Steve's dear cousin Deb were kind enough to through me a shower with the girls from the family. We had a great night celebrating the upcoming wedding at a local wine bar...Good Friends, Good Food, Good Wine...what more could a girl ask for?!

Another wonderful night full of family and friends came just a few nights later as Chad and Nicole Mc Guire hosted a wonderful couple's shower for us. Thankfully there are no pictures to share (nothing I hate more than taking pictures ;) but a good time was had by all and it was nice to see everyone one last time before the big day. It was also fun to meet new friends as the very pregnant, soon to be mom, Becky Leahy joined in the festivities. As far as I remember it was our first meeting (but my memory often fails me) and it was truly a pleasure! The night ended with a rousing game of Boy v Girl 80's Trivial pursuit in which the girls kicked the boys' asses (well, as far as I remember it anyway ;)

The crew at the wine bar...minus Susan who was taking the picture...thanks ladies!!

And the Diploma Please!

My cap is falling off, my hair is mussed, my flowers are all droopy...but I have my diploma in hand and can now call myself the holder of a master's degree!! At times I never thought this day would arrive...but thank god that it did ;) I've actually been done with classes for a couple of months now, but there was something very special about the day anyway...it wasn't the lame speaker that wasted 10 minutes of my precious weekend day, or the fact that I got to sit on a real comfy folding chair in the beautiful auditorium of the shrine center, or those crazy batwings of arms on my gown...but it WAS the one last time to see my cohort and appreciate the gifts each of them shared with me during our time together, it was the fact that my family was there to support me and cheer me on down the aisle (thanks mom, dad, amy and al!), it was hearing my name and seeing the hood be placed around my neck and knowing that all those nights I spent in front of the computer or reading some lame book was definitely worth the effort. When it comes right down to it...and I'm sure this will sound kind of full of myself... if I'm to be totally honest, I am quite proud of myself! Not for the academic stuff--I know I'm capable of doing well in that arena, but for finding the balance needed to complete the program while everything in life continued to go full speed ahead--changing jobs, being a single-mom, dating my future husband, training for a marathon, moving, etc. However, I won't pretend I did it by myself...it was actually due a great deal to the beautiful people you see below in my picture--my mom and dad! Without the support of them I never would have had the flexibility to keep the kind of schedule that allowed me to do all of the things that make me whole. It was nice to know that in a time of need Alix was in good hands and with people she loved, and who loved her! So, thank you mom and dad...thank you for your time, your support and your love! Now I am off to teach, but somehow I'm not sure much of what I learned in my master's program will come in handy on these last couple of days of school...perhaps I should have taken some type of survival courses instead ;)

My loving mom and dad celebrating with me on my big day!

My baby turns 10 today!

How can this be?! Just the other day she was toddling around the house making us laugh with her pigtails and big smile...now she is chatting on email about boys, worrying about what products to use in her hair, and making us laugh with her silly and sometimes dramatic manner. I can't believe how time flies...my kid is in the double digits...I am not ready! She has blessed my life in more ways than I can count and continues to do so each and every day. All my love to my little munchkin on this her special day!!

Pretty pics

Just a couple of pretty pics of the famly...springtime in MN is so beautiful! I can't believe I get to say family now...it really seems to have all come together. Although still a transition, espcecially for Alix (hard time of life to be getting a step-dad), I am so happy with the way everyone is doing their part to make it work. I feel truly blessed to have such a smart and beautiful daughter who has weathered many changes in her life, yet who has still come out as such a great kid. And I feel just as blessed to have such an amazing almost-husband who is so willing to learn and grow and work at becoming the best step-dad that he can be. I'm sure the road ahead will bring many challenges, but I also know it won't be anything we can't handle together!

33 more days until our family is official!

Damn...that is unfortunate

Now I come to find out...I guess I really always knew, so I must've just been in denial...that Sangria is really Spanish (duh! Exactly the reason I chose Spain as our honeymoon destination--just another reason to drink Sangria ;) and not Mexican. So, perhaps it was a poor choice for a Cinco de Mayo celebration...wait, is there really a wrong time for Sangria?! Now that it's tradition I guess I can get away with serving Sangria at every Cinco de Mayo and not feel the least bit bad. This worked out perfectly!

I wonder what else I am in denial about?! I'm sure you all have plenty of ideas ;)

She said, "Let there be sod, and there was sod!"

Instant gratification...what more needs to be said?! It is the American way of life (good or bad). A couple of hours on one beautiful Saturday morning and our lawn goes from weedy mess to lush green and gorgeous. It is a beautiful sight...now if we can just keep from killing it ;) Steve's dad and brother were kind enough to help and even I pitched in as we rolled the green carpet into its new home. It makes a huge difference and I couldn't be happier! Later during the weekend Steve braved the almost winter weather (brrrrrr....) to put some tomato and red pepper plants, along with a few herbs, into the garden and now the backyard is looking grand!

The transformation begins
Does the garden border go here...or here...or over here?
watering the lawn...this is way better than weeding it!
I am in love with our new green goddess!

Looking better already!!

A friend of mine writes her blog through the eyes of her dog...how clever. I, being not so clever and witty, have decided to try stealing her idea and writing my blog through the eyes of Steve...because I don't have a dog ;) and I'm bored. Here is the first installment...





Finally, the damn bobcat is coming and I can be done with this crappy yardwork. I have been weeding my weed infested backyard for days now and have made no progress. At least it gets me out of the house and away from the girls...girls are crazy sometimes...I didn't realize just how crazy until I moved in here... and now I am surrounded by them. Now that I think of it, how am I going to escape the crazy ladies of the house when there are no weeds to pull anymore?! Perhaps I need to sneak some weeds back into the yard while Kristin isn't looking so I have a reason to escape. Ha, I'm sneaky ;)

Here's one of those crazy girls now hammin' it up for the camera...she's right though, it DOES look better already!
I love this dirt...and look, no weeds! Now comes the sod laying next weekend...do you think Kristin will help with that? (no...types Krisitn ;)

How could I forget...

Alix and her friend rolling in the dough as they manage the garage sale with their superior selling style!!

A work in progress...

Ah, homeownership...what a joy ;) This past weekend was a crazy one spent trying to clear out the garage so we might again be able to park in it (merging 2 households means a lot of leftover stuff!) and digging up the yard as we give into the weeds (or is it that we are overpowering the weeds) and ready the yard to be plowed under. I managed a successful garage sale (just in time to use the funds to pay for my new brakes...argggghhhhhhhhh!) Steve kept busy transplanting flowers (which have since bit the dust, but it was a nice try) before the bobcat comes to plow under the yard in preparation for sod next weekend. A successful weekend through and through!

The yard (albeit a sideways view) in progress
Steve being a manly man as he works in the yard.
well, at least the front yard looks a little better...flowers in pots/flower boxes soon to come!
Now this is what I'm talking about...soon our whole yard will look as beautiful as this!! For now we settle for one bush looking grand!

Cinco De Mayo

We needed to Break the Penz/Bellus house in somehow and we thought what better way than to invite people over to celebrate a holiday we know virtually nothing about! All I know about Cinco De Mayo is that it's a mexican holiday...and our patio is red and green bricks (the mexican colors.) Mexico is hot with little grass, but lots of dirt/weeds due to the climate, and our backyard has little grass...just weeds and lots of dirt. So it seemed like a perfect fit...that and in my world Cinco De Mayo includes guacamole and sangria which in my eyes is all it needs to be worthy of a celebration!! We were a little worried when the rain started that morning and was accompanied by gusty winds, but it cleared up just in time to sit out by the fire--and although still a bit cold and windy, with a boatload of sangria it was mostly manageable. I had a great time with great people and we got to enjoy our first wedding gift--the firepit (yay for great wedding gifts!! thanks Joe and Becky!!) Here are the pix!

A couple of the Schloo girls enjoying the early festivities
Life by a fire is always a little bit better
Steve and Jen chillin' by the fire
The sign of a good party is a nap in the backyard...right Julie?
2 handsome men!

House becomes a home

Steve moved in on Saturday--Yea!! This is the final touch in making our house a home! I am very excited and a little nervous...waking up next ot the same person everyday for the rest of my life?!?! That will take some adjustment for both of us, especially this lady who has been doing her own thing for more than 34 years now. However, there's no one I'd rather go through this transition with and no face I'd rather kiss everyday for the next 80 years (I hope it's that long ;) than his, so I'm so glad that our life together has started!!

Winterpark Fun!

Michael's friend (Law) owns a great little restaurant in WP called Carver's. We ate there for dinner on Saturday and it was oh so yummy!

Kristin happy to have made it down the hill without major incident...sorry, you'll have to turn your head sideways until I figure out the whole picture rotating thing!

Alix posing.
Alix happy to be done with lessons
the crew enjoying a brew slopeside after a day of skiing
Amy and Alix introducing Baby Marek to the Bellus's favorite past time--eating!

The whole Bellus clan recently went out to WinterPark, CO to greet new Baby Marek and have a little slopeside fun! It was great to have the WHOLE family together again and have our first meeting with the newest member who arrived about 2 months ago. We spent plenty of time smothering the little one, a little time skiing, and Alix, Amy and I spent a day at a snowboard lesson. Alix said she had a great time, but it was A LOT of work. I braved making my way up the mountain and hitting some of the longer green runs. Steve joined me along the way so he could observe my wipe out...for which I am still suffering! The rest of the time was spent enjoying the company of family and some of us even went out on the town and apparently had a great time (although, I'm not sure they exactly remember that to be true...or remember it at all ;) I can hardly wait to see everyone again for the wedding in June!