Happy Birthday to my firstborn, Courtney!

Thirty one years ago today(actually tomorrow, the 28th, I am posting a day early since Courtney won't be around on her birthday and I wanted her to see this) I had my first baby. Courtney Lynn entered the world at 12:10 A.M. on Feb. 28. Being our first baby and not knowing anything we headed to the hospital at the first sign of a contraction. Needless to say, we were there for 18 hours with only the last one being painful. A few times it was suggested that we go home and return when things progressed a bit, but I remember thinking, "Heck no, I am not leaving here without this baby in my arms!" We hadn't confirmed a name yet and in those days there were no ultra sounds, fetal monitors, or other technology. If our baby was a boy he would be Michael John, I have always loved the name Michael. It was a toss up for a little girl between Kari (pronounced Kerry, not Caree like Paul's sister, nothing Norwegian about it) Melissa (glad we didn't choose that or we could not have used Alissa later) or Courtney. I think we always knew she would be a Courtney, but had to see her first to be sure. Since I didn't know any Courtneys I am not sure what I was looking for her to look like, to wear that name. Long story short, she is a Courtney and I have always loved her name. She is definitely a Courtney!
She shares a birthday with Grace Ingalls. We watched Ma birth Grace at 7:00 that night and I thought it really looked like a piece of cake for ma, so I figured how bad could it be for me?
She was the only baby in the nursery so she got lots of attention, I suppose. All I knew is I wanted to get out of the hospital and go home. Once we got her home John and I just sat and looked at her and wondered what two college graduates were supposed to do with this little baby. Anyway we settled into a nice routine quickly and I absolutely loved being a stay at home mom with my new baby.
Just a side note here. I watch a lot of Baby Story to see how the women handle the birth process. I have to chuckle at all the epidurals and pain medicine and IV's and whatnot... I had both my girls without a stitch of pain medication or any other medication for that matter. Just a fact for everyone out there.

Now on to the good stuff. As you all know, I have become a big fan of random lists and will make one for any occasion that comes up. That being said, here is my random list of 31 items about my firstborn, Courtney:

1. Courtney and I are way more alike than she would want to admit
2. The way Courtney kept her room in such disorder made me cringe
3. Courtney swam competitively since she was 7. We never missed a meet and we loved the whole swimming world. A world that only a swimmer and her family understand. It has its own dynamics. Courtney even swam in college. Thanks for all those great memories! There was something magical about the way she moved through that water.
4. Courtney caught me reading her notes from friends in her disorderly room one day. I gave her some lame excuse, but she was on to me. I could never get them folded up correctly again! I was the gestapo and was in her business constantly, but she never really got mad at me for it.
5. I lived my cheerleading dreams through Courtney. She was a cheerleader for 8 years. I was her coach for four years. That was a fun time, except for all the bleachers. Courtney is a natural born cheerleader, she is peppy and full of energy.
6. Courtney was a bit of a bully when she was around two. She used to push our neighbor Vanessa around a lot, but perhaps it had to do with jealousy over Vanessa head of black curly hair. She outgrew her bulliness quite quickly and was always a kind friend after that.
7. I always wanted Courtney to have a boyfriend and she did not disappoint me. She went to all the high school dances always with a different boy. Luckily she married the perfect boy for her!
8. Courtney is a wonderful mom and I pray she will have lots more little ones to fill up her world. She learned many of her mothering skills from me and I love seeing them in her.
9. Courtney was lucky in jobs. She always landed whichever job she wanted. Interviews were always an easy thing for her. She is a real people person and has a knack for making others feel good.
10. Courtney had a strict curfew all through High School and didn't abuse it. She always called if she was going to be late. I wondered why they put in a movie ten minutes before curfew time, but I guess it was a smart thing to do. I think she will enforce a curfew on her child(ren), too.
11. Courtney was a very good student. Straight A's until end of Sophomore year and then just a few B's along the way. I like to think I taught her to be the good student she was by demanding good grades but never paying for them.
12. Courtney dabbled in many activities while growing up, thanks to me. She did ballet, gymnastics, T-ball, soccer, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, (now there was a boring sport), softball, and I am sure there were many more that I signed her up for. She also went to summer school for fun and Girls Pioneers for mischief. The only activity that really stuck was swimming.
13. Courtney was in all the plays in her gradeschool. This was before camcorders so I don't have evidence of any of these. I wish I could just sit back and watch these, I miss those old days of Grade School.
14. It was a day of mixed emotions when we dropped her off at Knox College. I missed her so much but was so proud of her for choosing a college that she really loved. Knox was a good fit for her and we had so many wonderful trips to Galesburg to visit her and relive our college years.
15. Courtney took piano for many years. I hope one day she will thank me for the thousands of dollars I spent on that activity. She would have quit in a minute, but I made her keep going. She also played the clarinet for four years. I think she is a great singer, too. Music is not one of my stronger suits so she got all that talent from her dad.
16. Courtney is a pleaser just like me. It is not the easiest way to be, but it makes lots of people happy.
17. Courtney lives her faith and I am glad that she and Paul found a church on middle ground for them in Oshkosh. Who would think two Lutherans would have difficulty finding a common church that combines both the WELS and the ELCA into one.
18. Courtney has gone a bit soft since she met Paul. We raised her a bit more conservative and not so concerned about the environment and liberal politics. It is always a good source of conversation though
19. There were times when I cut Courtney's hair which resulted in crooked bangs and in a major mullet in the second grade. I don't think she will ever attempt to cut her child(ren)'s hair.
20 Shopping for dance dresses was never an easy task for the two of us. We would go in with such high hopes and excitement and then realize all too soon that we were not looking for the same style of dress!
21. Courtney and Paul got married on St. George Island which is a little piece of heaven on earth. It was a most beautiful wedding. St. George is just such a magical place for our family. I could go back again and again and again. I am so glad that I have passed that love on to Courtney.
22. I don't know if Courtney considers me a friend, but I certainly count her as one of my friends. I love spending time with her especially going out and having a few beers together. Somewhere along the journey she became my friend as well as my daughter.
23. Once in eighth grade we had quite the boy-girl party at our home. It caused quite a stir when a little strip truth or dare was played in our basement. To this day, I don't see the big deal with that whole business.
24. I don't quite know how John and I got such a terrific daughter. ( Actually two of them) It is like Courtney and Alissa grew up in spite of all our mistakes. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I could raise such marvelous women.
25. I joined facebook because of Courtney, I wanted to check out her business, but whoa, I am way beyond addicted now. I can check out everyone's business! Courtney isn't nosy like I am. She would never snoop for gifts even if they were right in front of her. She is like her dad that way.
26. Courtney just does not seem like a 31 year old to me. The time passed so quickly it is almost scary. She still has such a youthful attitude and that does run in the family.
27. Courtney is a wonderful sister. I just love the relationship that my girls have. They are best friends and always have such fun together. Makes me wish I had a sister.
28. Courtney has also been a wonderful cousin to Mallory. In many ways, Mallory is like a little sister to my girls. Courtney has taught her many useful survival tips for her teen age years.
29. Courtney has bad luck with cars. Lots of break downs, running out of gas, tickets, crashes, window breaks etc. Her run in with a semi on her way to High School was a scary event. From that day on, I always followed them so I knew they got across the highway safely. That semi hit was not her fault though-he didn't have his lights on. That is our story and we are sticking to it.
30. Courtney has always had more boyfriends than girlfriends. She just seemed to get along with boys better than girls.
And lastly number 31. Courtney makes the best chocolate caramel bars ever! She shares my sweet tooth.

So, Happy Birthday to my first born. I will be thinking about you on your special day, having a beer or two in your honor with Dad and Alissa.
Thanks for all the good memories!

Lightbulbs, that's all just Lightbulbs

First off, let me explain that this picture is sideways, but you can still get the idea. John has been hoarding regular light bulbs. Every time we go to Walmart he throws another pack of these old fashioned light bulbs into the cart. He has this fear that the government is going to tell us that we can no longer use these kinds of bulbs and that we will all have to use those curly cue bulbs. We now have over forty light bulbs in varying wattages. This is the kind of man I married, he watches out for his household!

A gadget we just couldn't live without

While shopping on our weekly trip to Walmart yesterday, John spotted this banana keeper and insisted we purchase one for my mom. He finds it so odd that she eats half a banana each morning on her cereal and he figured this is something she really needed to keep that uneaten half of that banana covered and fresh. Who invents these things? And who buys them?

Found: One small Treasure

John found this in our bed this morning while we were stripping (get your mind out of the gutter) the bed to do the sheets. You get one second to guess what it is..........

Okay, time is up. It is a bead from Tizita's beautiful hairstyle and it brought back all those sweet memories of when she visited us last. We won't see her for at least three weeks and we miss her. I am so glad that we live close enough to see her quite often. I think this will be the longest stretch that we have had to go without a visit. So, in the meantime we will hold on to these little treasures that we find around the house.

Wacky Day and Dogs at school

This week was spirit week at school. Today was Wacky/clash day. Nothing creates more chaos in a classroom than a bunch of kids and a teacher dressed like clowns! My three year olds hardly noticed me and my crazy outfit. To a three year old clash is a daily occurrence, but my four year olds really got into the whole crazy business. To top everything off my star of the day brought her two dogs in for Show and tell. If you know me, then you know that I don't care for dogs. One of my pets peeves is when people expect you to get all excited about their dogs. John and I will be out walking and as we pass a person with a dog, they look at us as we totally ignore the animal and say, "Oh, don't worry he won't bite you, you can pet him." Now first off, what makes that person think we want to touch their dog? Dog lovers, take note, not everyone likes a dog or wants to pet it, so go on your way and leave us alone. Luckily, my mom today knows how I feel so she didn't take offense when I did not make a big fuss over the dogs. The kids had a great time petting the dogs though. As we finally sat down for our Jesus circle I looked around at ten kids dressed all silly and all hyped up from seeing the dogs and prayed for patience because I could see where the day was going. God did indeed give me patience to enjoy my blessings of the day.

Some Special Dollies

Here is Courtney showing Tizita the dolls for the first time. Look at that cute tennis outfit!

I don't know who had more fun with the dolls. Here Courtney and Alissa show off the outfits that they chose. Courtney's doll is wearing her artist smock and beret while holding a pallet. Alissa's is dressed for St. Patrick's Day and is holding an umbrella.

Here is Tizita holding one of the dolls. She chose the pink swimsuit and cute headband for the doll to wear. At this point she was hugging it tightly and not willing to give it up to anybody!

Our friend, Verna who happens to be Alissa's roommate Kim's mom, made these cute dollies for Tizita. Not only did she make the dolls, but at least ten outfits with matching shoes and accessories! I first saw these cute dolls on one of Verna's blogs. She had made Kim a pair way back when she was a little girl. I thought they were so cute and I asked if she could make a set for Tizita using brown yarn for the skin. What a pleasant surprise when they arrived in the mail in time for Tizita's visit on Valentine's Day. We all had so much fun playing with them and showing Tizita all their pretty outfits. I am keeping them at my house so they can be a treat whenever she visits. I am looking forward to many years of enjoyment from these special dollies made with so much love and care by Verna. Thanks Verna!

Our little Valentine comes to visit

We had another fantastic weekend celebrating Courtney and Paul's birthdays, but the little lady who stole the show was our Valentine, Tizita. Just feast your eyes on our beauty. We bought her this new dress and it was just perfect for her. We babysat again on Friday night while the "kids" went out to celebrate with a few beers. Tizita was so good for us again. She sang herself to sleep. We had a playdate with one of my favorite Preschool families on Saturday. All in one household, Tizita got to see a new baby, a new puppy, and three of the nicest, most well behaved children ever! When we were leaving the kids insisted that she take their huge Elmo home with her. Tizita was thrilled with the new stuffed friend. The rest of the weekend was spent opening gifts, eating, and playing loaded questions. The game definitely had a theme to it and we all ended up laughing till we cried. It was definitely a weekend to remember.

Happy Valentine's Day times four!

Party number 1 on Wednesday morning.

Party number 2 onThursday morning.

Party number 3 on Thursday afternoon.

Party number 4 on Friday morning.

Yep, you read it right. It isn't even officially Valentine's Day yet and I have already had four parties with myPreschoolers! Lots of hearts, candy, and games! The parties were fun and a good time was had by all. I, for one, am glad they are over though and I am ready to move on with my weekend. Tizita will be arriving soon with her mama and papa and then later in the day Alissa and Nathan will arrive for another fun filled weekend.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Friday the 13th, fact or fiction

It is against my religious beliefs to put any stock in superstitions, but I still have a moment of panic when a black cat crosses my path. I have been known to throw some salt over my shoulder, although I am never quite sure which shoulder it is or what the purpose of the salt is. I never walk under a ladder just because it or the person on it might fall on my head. If my left ear rings, I wonder who is thinking or talking nicely about me, but I worry when it is the right ear, who is bad mouthing me? I won't open an umbrella in the house, who needs to take a chance with that one. If a fork falls on the floor, I wait for the doorbell to ring with the unexpected company. I think you get the picture...
So today, I will err on the side of caution and be just a bit more careful in my comings and goings.
Have a safe, uneventful Friday the 13th and don't break any mirrors!

Random thoughts about my dad

Since I really enjoy doing random thoughts, I decided to do some in memory of my dad. (See previous post) His 83rd birthday is today. In ways it seems like he has been gone for a long, long time, but in other ways it seems like only yesterday. So this one is for you, Kenny...

1. My dad loved watching Hogan's Heroes and McHale's navy.
2. My dad insisted that Christmas day morning be just our family-a tradition which I have continued with my girls.
3. My dad played softball and after the games all the kids got to hang out in the local bars. I have great memories of those times.
4. Every Saturday morning my dad would take me to Tegg's Tap ( local tavern) He would get a few beers while I would have a soda and a bag of chips. Such a treat! I loved sitting right at the bar.
5. My dad got along so well with John's dad. They even went on trips together.
6. My dad loved going up north.
7. Actually my dad loved road trips. We traveled to S. Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Canada, Missouri, Michigan, Ohio. After a long day on the road we would find a small motel. He always went in to look at the room (not sure what he was looking for), then he would relax while me, my mom, and brother would walk to a shopping center or nearby attraction.
8. My dad worked at Brandt Automatic Cashier Co. all his life. He was offered some kind of early retirement thing, but I don't think he really wanted to leave and I don't think it was a very good deal.
9. We never called my dad at work. I figured once he was in that factory he could not be disturbed.
10. My dad once bought us a new fawn colored dodge dart for Easter and said the Easter bunny brought it.
11. My dad was a very social guy. He had so many friends and genuinely enjoyed being with people.
12. My dad always wanted me to be a stewardess, now referred to as a flight attendant.
13. My dad was very proud of me when I went off to college and I think he missed me. He would leave me little notes on his memo from Ken pads about finances and money matters. I still have those little notes.
14. My dad loved to do laundry.
15. My dad loved to do laundry because he liked to spend time in the basement where his bar was located. The bar is still there just as he left it.
16. My dad collected beer cans. Sometimes I wish I still had that collection but we recycled it.
17. My dad paid me ten dollars to go out for cheerleading. He just really wanted me to be a cheerleader, I did not make it, but he let me keep the money.
18. My dad burned our waste paper in our fireplace each Saturday morning. Once an aerosol can got in there, not sure how that happened, Kevin!
19. I wish my dad could have known Courtney and Alissa as adults and met their husbands.
They were just ten and twelve when he died.
20. The dentist told my dad that he had gum disease and his teeth would fall out, my dad said, "I will be back when they all fall out." Quite a few did indeed fall out!
21. My dad once got his foot in the lawnmower. I still remember the sound of that mower stopping suddenly. After that he always wore spiked golf shoes while mowing.
22. My dad was the only driver in our family and once I got my license he controlled the car. I very seldom got to drive.
23. My dad used to stop on our road trips and have a beer and a shot of brandy at the waysides along the route.
24. My dad let me sit on his lap while he was driving and turn the steering wheel.
25. My dad ran along side my bike while I learned to ride my two wheeler.
26. Mosquitoes never bothered my dad and he would make me feel bad for not staying outside longer on nights.
27. My brother and I saw my dad and his friend, Floyd on the bar singing "Red roses for a blue lady" one fourth of July. My mom sent us down to the orange boards at the park to tell him to come home and we peeked in the windows and saw him.
28. My dad loved tobaggoning. He even stood up on the tobaggon going down the hill.
29. My dad loved watching my brother play basketball and baseball. I don't think he ever missed a game.
30. My dad loved the fourth of July. I love that holiday, too.
31. My dad loved his beer. I love my beer, too.
32. My dad made my Valentine boxes for me. He also made the signs I needed to wear at our school track meets listing my events.
33. My dad loved big band music. He had been known to play his belt on more than one occasion.
34. My dad went to Wethonkitha Club once a month on Thursday nights. It was a social club for Lutheran men, but I think it was more of a drinking night. He always came home late and brought my mom a Zwieg's hamburger on those late nights.
35. My dad was a controller, so am I.
36. My dad liked things in order. He had a place for everything and didn't like clutter or messes I don't like messes and clutter either.
37. My dad was a faithful man, he believed in God and heaven although he wasn't verbal about it.
38. I don't know my dad's political views, he was quiet about them.
39. I never heard my dad swear and I don't remember him raising his voice very often.
40. In ways I miss my dad, but I would never wish him back. The Lord took him before all his friends because God knew it would have been too hard on my dad to see his friends get sick and die. He really did have a soft heart!

I wrote this two years ago and I had to add two more things to my list:
41. My Dad loved a good Delmonico steak
42. My Dad wore vinyl shoes which led to a few unfortunate slips

So, tomorrow, I will stop and remember all the great things about my dad and if it weren't a Wed. I would probably drink a beer for him, but that will have to wait until the weekend.
Rest in peace, Kenny!

Random Valentine thoughts

Before we know it, Valentine's Day will be here. As an adult I don't care much for this holiday. As John says it was created by card, flower, and candy companies to make money. I don't give John a gift and he returns the favor. In our early dating days, I suppose we did exchange love tokens, but over the years we have given that up.
Step into my classroom and you will see a teacher who thoroughly enjoys Valentine's Day. I love watching my little ones exchange their Valentines and share their friendship with one another. This year I am having all of them make a Valentine mailbox out of a shoebox and bring it in to school to collect their Valentines. I used to make one of these every year. My dad always helped me with my box and they were always beautiful. He always helped me cover them with white tissue paper and then glue all kinds of cut out hearts on them. I wanted my little ones to have an experience like that with their parents to remember someday.

I have always heard that when you lose a loved one around a holiday, you never look at that holiday quite the same. Well, nineteen years ago on Feb. 11, my dad died at age 62. It was unexpected and sudden. He exited in a quiet, painless way ahead of any of his family or friends which is a blessing in itself. I know he has greeted numerous friends and family as they passed through the pearly gates. I like to think he is up there with either a red, white, and blue beer or a manhattan, visiting with the stars of Hogan's Heroes and the old Packers. I think for him it could not get any better than that! I look forward to the day that I will see him again.

His death has not changed my feelings toward Valentine's Day. I still look forward to celebrating it in my classroom each year. I think with a roomful of three year olds, it is hard not to enjoy the festivities of the day. And, like I said as an adult, I didn't care much for it anyway! I did put a heart made of roses up on my dad's grave and wished him a Happy Valentine's Day and thanked him for the memories of those beautiful Valentine mailboxes.

A big night out in the big city

Which forehead belongs to a 55 year old and which to a 29 year old?

Last night John and I picked up my old (she is not old, but from the old days) college roommate, Joan and headed to the third ward for dinner at a restaurant called the Water Buffalo. It was an excellent dining experience. Joan and I had the tuna done sushi style. It is the first time I have enjoyed tuna that way, but it was very, very good. John had stuffed salmon. Also very good. Alissa and Nathan met up with us and we went over to the Irish Pub for some drinks. Alissa had just gotten her hair cut and donated it to locks of love so I was excited to see her new do. She said she was suffering from phantom hair, always reaching for the long stuff, kind of like amputees still feel their legs, arms, etc. We were serenaded by an old James Taylor wanna be playing his guitar. I actually liked his music. The memorable line of the night came from Joan, "I can't walk in the slush!" As usual when we are with Joan, we had many good laughs and shared our familiar old memories! Good Times.

Intruder Squirrel, Read all about it!

I just read John's blog and I could never do the squirrel story justice like he did on his entry. Please go over there and read about the squirrel adventure. You can find his blog listed on the side-madj's missive. He tends to get a bit political in his writings but this squirrel story is a must read. There is no indication if he was a democrat or a republican squirrel. Enjoy the adventure.

Birthday celebration In Milwaukee

Here is Miss Tizita with her Build a Bear Turtle.

Enjoying guacamole

Tizita is wearing the little pink boots that she picked out for her turtle. This is on the table at the restaurant. Notice all the salsa and chocolate on her shirt!

The Birthday girl and boy

When John turned 50, the girls planned a surprise weekend for him in Milwaukee. We stayed at the Astor Hotel, took in a Bucks game, ate good food, tour the brewery, and partied. It has become an annual trip for us since then. The girls always plan the weekend and we do some fun and different things each time. It has also turned into a party for both John and I. This year was going to be different because it included Tizita so the plans needed to be more kid friendly. We started with a pizza lunch at Balistreri's whileTizita napped at Alissa and Nathan's with her papa. After lunch we went to two of our favorite places for sweet desserts and candy. We all went back to the Hunters and opened our gifts. When Tizita woke up we headed over to the Radisson across from Mayfair. The guys drank some beer and watched TV while the ladies shopped. It was Tizita's first time in a mall and in true Damman style she loved it. We went to Build a Bear and made her first stuffed animal. I am sure there will be many more to come. She chose a turtle complete with a shell. She had fun watching it being stuffed, fluffing it up, and choosing clothes for it. After that we went to Barnes and Noble and played with the train table. We met the guys for dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Tizita loved the salsa and guacamole and was such a good little diner. Paul put her to bed and the rest of us had a few martinis in the hotel bar.
Today we started our day by swimming. Tizita has the same love for water as her mama. We had lunch at Alissa and Nathan's and then we all headed home. What a fun weekend!