Sunday, December 25, 2011

Bad blogger -- no blogs in too long

We traveled to Tuscon to visit my grand daughter (step-granddaughter???) and step daughter in December. Somehow in the tumult leading up to that trip that involved approximately 10 Christmas related events before 10 December, plus packing and nerve calming, I haven't been blogging. Sorry.

Eycis, the granddaughter is enjoying life as a 2 year old. She is adaptable and happily likes kid stuff so she and Eileen did reasonably well together. That allowed Tia to take her finals without needing to worry about keeping a 2 year old happy and studying at the same time.

Eric came with, so we turned it into a bit of a vacation, with museums, zoos, and good food. I wished we could have had more ethnic food, but we didn't want to tax Eycis who was already demonstrating gracious adaptability.

So, we are now more than half way through Channukah. I am loving lighting candles with Eileen nightly and watching her unwrap gifts.

Speaking of gifts, this year at my friend Julie's suggestion, we decided to forgo cookies or savory snacks and hand out mini-challah loaves (challah is a Jewish egg-bread that we make for holy days). I think it has been a hit, but I should have ordered a 25 pound sack of flour....21 loaves later we finally got to taste one.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Whew....lots of work -- but Officer's Spouses' Club worth it

My friends. If you don't live as or with a member of the armed forces, you don't know what you have been missing. Sure we have lived 4 places in six years. And my three year old has had 3 homes on two continents. But, there is a built in community if you reach toward it. In the Netherlands, we had a Support Our Squadron group that was a great way to find other moms. A holiday party or many holiday parties. Here, I belong to both the Support Our Squadron and the Officer's Spouses' Club. I am a treasurer for both.

I have just returned from spending three days helping a lot of capable friends run a bazaar. We raised money for scholarships for locally assigned kids. We reached into the heart of the local community. I feel about 5.5 feet high (which for me is tall) and three days behind in sleep.

I am sorry for people who choose to hunker down and not reach for the community that exists for us on bases. I chose that for myself when we live in Colorado Springs. While I don't regret the friends I made there - the life I chose for myself there, I do regret the friends that I did not make.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

That time of year

Some how the time from Halloween to Christmas on the secular calendar is lived in fast forward. In the military world you expect 3 or 4 different Christmas events and two Thanksgiving ones...and then you have Veterans Day in the mix, which needs to be celebrated. Needless to say, it makes posting difficult.

Of course Eileen had a bunch of Halloween events and never turns down a chance to win prizes and be given sugar.

Now, I know you are remembering that I am not Christian, but 1) these are community building events and I am all for community building and 2) turns out I have friends who are.

So, if I don't post, it is merely because I am busy with the annual Hangar Holiday bazaar to raise money for local military dependent scholarships, or I am organizing a holiday education night, or I am baking holiday gifts....or I am taking a well earned nap.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Eileen in motion and rarely at rest

Sorry for not posting more. Despite Eileen's assurances that she will be just fine biking by herself, I seem compelled to keep her company. We are up to riding about a mile at a go on the local bike path.

We made it through Sukkot. Some cold spells. Some warm spells (it is over 75 degrees out today). Halloween. Sugar ups and downs.

So, now it is a break neck rush to the winter holidays.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

As Halloween approaches

Eileen, Eric and I have already attended our first Halloween party -- it was super fun. Eileen went as Rapunzel from the Disney version. The costume came with a two foot long wig that was discarded as soon as we arrived...and no one could really tell the difference :-P.

I was going to make her costume from scratch when it became clear that she would just change her mind 5 times and we would never get it done. Maybe someone can help me with ideas next year....please if you have dont this with preschoolers, I would love to make her outfit. I have a half decent sewing machine and that is about my level of sewing competence, but I am improving.

Thanks!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Communication -- what we lose and what we gain

So I admit that I facebook. Perhaps too often. And I check my e-mail  -- again, perhaps too often. I also admit that I am more likely to post on facebook or here than I am to send an e-mail or even more uncommon, to write a letter on stationary, or call someone. I do try to get to thank you notes in a timely fashion, but even there I am sometimes slow. But, otherwise, just writing letters? hardly even put pen to paper. In fact, if I didn't have a young pen pal, I might never put pen to paper.

So, now the question is: do I feel more or less connected to the world. Here I am able to share all these thoughts -- sometimes the worse for limited filtering involved. And, yet, it is a monologue. One where I rarely if ever interact with my audience. And so instead of making me feel connected, it merely fills time. So, then I find myself wondering why I spend my time and energy this way.

Just a Saturday night question.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

On finding fitness - or at least my version of it

For those of you who only see me electronically, let me tell you that I was not looking as heavy as I was feeling, so you didn't miss the visual cues. But, I must admit that the several months of transition to Wichita Falls from Volkel did add weight to me. So, for mother's day Eric bought me a new fitness thing for the WiiFit. While it didn't help, in response to the hot weather, the kind folk at the YMCA who watch Eileen free (with our membership dues) for two hours a day, and the new tool, I did find myself working out more. I can honestly say that I am feeling better for it.

Eric and I eventually found the right set of fitness stuff for each of us, and I do think that our stress level is a little lower going into the Jewish New Year.

By the way you should all have a wonderful 5772 on the Jewish calendar (holiday starts at sundown on Wednesday). Happy New Year!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

school year is in swing

You know your 3 year old is over scheduled when she has preschool daily, Suzuki violin (hers is 1/16 size...it is so adorable), tap and ballet (it is a combined class). We have her in extended care one day a week so I can catch up with several of the clubs that I am involved with.

I continue to be involved in Jewish education and the Officer's Spouses' club and the squadron's support our squadron group.

Eric is still working his crazy hours. I am so glad that we are now in the slow mode count down list (like, this is the last time we will be asked to do a Race for the Cure on Yom Kippur in Wichita Falls, rather than 100 days -- we won't do that count down until about 10 days out). Somehow it makes me both more tolerant and more nostalgic to allow myself to say 'I won't deal with that again.'

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Music and Motion

So, the heat wave broke last weekend. To celebrate, Eileen got her training wheels removed. She is still a little shaky starting and stopping, but otherwise, she is tooling around quite easily on her two wheeled bicycle.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Chicago - and a return to normalcy

For those who didn't know where I disappeared to, the answer was a family reunion and a chance to remember how incredible my last remaining grandmother was - a life full of adventure and obstacles overcome with a smile, an ability to laugh off the tough times and create a positive future. She died with all three kids nearby and the three local grandkids and three or four great grand kids nearby. If I learn to become half the kind person Grandma Edie was, it will be a good thing. And, all of us Hirschs gather in Chicago for a memorial. Eileen had a great time playing with her cousins (first and more distant ones).

I know you are thinking that I would do anything to avoid the 100+ temperatures here, but in truth we are used to things here and there are some benefits to this summer. The bug population is sure a lot smaller. We got more time together as a family indoors doing things. Because I was out of town when the sign ups happened for Gymnastics, Eileen missed not just July (due to our vacation) but August. And so, she convinced me that Dance classes would be more appropriate. 

That brings us to the school year (starting on Monday): School for Little People again, with some new faces and some old friends; Dance classes once a week; Violin classes once a week; and Sunday School.

For me, I am going to finally have time to get the house really clean, catch up with both Officers' Spouses' Club responsibilities and Support Our Squadron work. And I am thinking of research proposals again - thank goodness my brain is starting to kick in.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

the cost of hot hot hot is hard on the wildlife

Let's preface this with the statement that except for the people in the Northwest, we are all suffering from the heat, but with two animals dead from heat related issues in the past week in our tiny yard, I am feeling like we don't have the right to even complain. Not that it keeps me from complaining.

Eileen was a mess after going through two outdoor experiences today. Too much sun. Too hot. She has reached the point of preferring to swim at the indoor YMCA pool rather than outdoors.

Monday, July 25, 2011

return to hot hot hot

So excited to spend time with our wonderful family. So glad that I didn't tear my eyes out during the six days of listening to the stories from "The House at Pooh Corner" close to non-stop. So glad that I am not planning on spending multiple days consecutively traveling with a 3.5 year old in the near future.

The trip was a success...and now it is time for us to be home -- where the temperatures sound more like FM Pop Radio Stations then actual temperatures. Nothing less than 100 for the foreseeable future.

At least we have air conditioning.

Eileen is already committed to spending time indoors somewhere. Tomorrow a movie and trip to the library.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Vacation from the hot hot hot

Well, we will be headed off to what my brother lovingly calls oblication soon...but that isn't fair. I am really looking forward to seeing my mother-in-law and the five cousins on my husband's side of the family. I am also thrilled to be making a very overdue and far too brief visit to C. Springs. If I don't see you there, I apologize, it is an overnight mostly to check on that house we still own. I promise we will try to find a way to stay longer and see more people.

I know that it is in the 90s and miserable for the folk there, but I am looking forward to not worrying that Eileen has burned herself on car seat or car doors. I probably won't update for a couple of weeks....so stay safe, stay comfortable, and know I am missing my friends wherever you are!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Radio - where have you gone

It is funny. Between music on the radio in the car in Europe, and everywhere we ate. We spent a lot of time at "the beach" -- Hemelrijk. And, there too the radio was on. So, I was at my Zumba Gold class on Friday and the Italian instructor asked if the song we were listening to was popular in the US. I realized that I had no idea. With the exception of NPR, I have my own personal soundtrack. We listen to lastradiofm at home...or CDs...we listen to books on CD in the car (or music that is on CDs or NPR). So -- I have no idea what Americans are listening to. Even when I listen to the radio it is usually Oldies, or Jazz, or classical...not pop. But, I am hardly ever subjected to radio in public (except for a Christian station at the YMCA in the weight room).

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Hot hot hot

So for those who have had real weather where you live, I apologize for both not posting more often and for complaining. The truth is that we have a lovely home not far from a YMCA with an outdoor pool...we are members of that YMCA. But, really 25 days over 100 degrees already this year??? And the small kid has limited thermal recognition, leading to forcing me to play kick ball in the blazing sun. Ugh.

Good thing that I have libraries, friends, and a world that is mostly temperature controlled!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Eileen in a reading program from the library

The base library has a lovely reading program this summer. For the young kids they win a prize for every 10 books that they read (or are read to them). So far it is an eclectic mix of reading that we have recorded including the Berenstain Bears (whom I find insipid), a book about Cinco de Mayo, some fables, Edward Gorey, Winnie the Pooh, and the Knuffle Bunny trilogy by Mo Willems. Can't wait to see how far up her forehead the librarian can move those eyebrows (or perhaps she won't even glance...just tally and go).

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Eileen school pics





This was one of Eileen's school pictures from this year. She is 3 years old!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Shawl done!



Here is a shawl I was working on for several weeks. The yarn is from Serenity Stitches a lovely Cashmere silk mix. The shiny or blurry things are class beads. Yes. All of them. Anyway, I have worked on this and on 4 pair of socks and a hat since I have been here. But, I think the move slow down has finally lifted and I will be sprinting through knit projects again soon. Eileen will be in school 5 days a week and I will continue to have at least two projects at once.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Living somewhere in the weather extremes

Well, hail stayed most of the day on the ground. Temperatures were in the 50s. Yesterday, 90+ degree weather. I just cannot even imagine (though I know it to be true) that people who have no local relatives somehow dreamed of living here. The winds today were bad enough that I couldn't let Eileen open the car door (though same was true on Friday - with a wildfire within a mile of our house) for fear that it would be slammed on her by mother nature.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

favorite times of day

Eileen and I have great and deep conversations in the car and in the bath we play fun games.
Yesterday in the bath, she played teacher and had me be a kid. I decided to ham it up and be a kid pretending to be a monkey. This leads naturally to amusing ways to correct unlady-like behavior...like "The Monkey Advisory Board (MAB) strongly protests the use of bath water as a drink. Such items might contain colors and/or soaps not advisable for consumption by monkey type creatures."
Recent car discussions have included her plans to attend medical school in Pittsburgh next year. She has heard that they have good libraries in medical school. So, Doogie Houser -- watch out. If she starts medical school at 3.5 years old, you can imagine where this will go.

Friday, April 22, 2011

News from the home front

Eileen will be in preschool 5 days a week next year instead of her current 2 days. I can't wait. So, why am I interested in hiring someone to help clean my house? I think I have lost my mind.

Other signs include getting upset over a needle breaking at the end of a knitting project. Inviting my parents to stay with us for a weekend. Forgetting the date that Eric needed me for something. Singing with Eileen's electronic entertainment devices. Dayenu

Meanwhile, Passover in Wichita Falls is at best awful. To get Kosher for Passover Matzos takes looking in 5 shops. To get matzos meal required special ordering on line or driving more than 2 hours.

Haag Sameach everyone...from your whiny friend -- Karen

Monday, March 14, 2011

And then...Camp was Cancelled

ARGH! Eileen and I were both thrilled with the idea of her spending Spring Break (yes, I was surprised to discover that  preschools even have Spring Break) in gymnastics camp at the YMCA. Yesterday they canceled it for her age-group...and so, we awoke this morning with no actual plans. In fact, she knew it was canceled and chose not to sleep last night. Now I am scrambling on two fronts: 1) I had plans for every morning that she was supposed to be in camp -- including starting that famous Spring Clean and getting a hair cut...the first in many months and 2) she is bored stupid and driving me crazy. So, today, thankfully, her little friend invited us for lunch. Tues and Thurs we have swim lessons (and maybe a concert for Eileen on Tuesday and a mandatory evening out for me on Thursday) and Wednesday we have our usual gymnastics class and possibly a pool party.

So, as I grappled with this, we had friends for dinner. The daughter said that she too had been signed up for gymnastics camp years ago and had it canceled the day before with the Y. So now, do I trust them to actually make a camp happen if they advertise it??? Do I ask how many kids it takes for the class to 'make?' and then recruit them? Do I bite the bullet and go to a more expensive gym where things won't be as likely to get canceled at the last moment?

Saturday, March 5, 2011

a new hobby?

Well, I kept staring at my sewing machine that I have hardly used. It is time to admit that even when I did use it, I usually had to have someone better (like my husband) undo the damage. Yet, here I am with Eileen piecing our first joint project: Mom and daughter aprons (hers in brown and pink polka dots with pockets in the pink/brown harlequin fabric of mine). I have managed to lay out the pattern and cut on the lines and I am about ready to get it pinned for sewing. Ack...another time sink?

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Drivers are wierd everywhere we go...

So in the Netherlands, drivers tailgate, bikes are crazy, and the lanes are narrow. Here it is a good idea to turn into whatever lane you might eventually want -- right lane turning right into far left lane....go for it...just seems strange to me.

Here we also pay homage to my friend Reiner's  observation of cars in New Mexico -- if the turn signal is on, the owner bought the car that way.

Otherwise, we are healthy and home from a second short weekend trip - this one to visit family in Chicago. 

Monday, February 14, 2011

off to chicago --- this weekend

Happy Valentine's Day my friends and bleaders. Eileen is just getting past a double ear infection (one week into the antibiotics we are both feeling less crabby). It looks like the snow and ice are done for a while. I hope that means that we will have a lovely visit with my family. As has been typical for a long time, Eileen and I will be doing this together. Does anyone need anything from the second city? humor? chocolate? hugs from Eileen's grandparents or great-grandma?

Me, I am hoping for a Greek meal, but will settle for Eileen having a Chicago Red Hot (a hotdog, but -- with capital letters) -- and maybe a slice of deep dish pizza.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

weather in Texoma

If I haven't mentioned the extremities in weather here, let's start with the wind. It is often in the 'howling' category...except during the sweltering summer. Apparently, we don't need wind if we are blessed with 114 degrees and 97% humidity. Well, now let's mention that we are located in the south. Our version of the recent 'blizzard' contained about .25 inches of lovely ice that is pretty solid...and 4 to 10 inches of snow on top of it. Then the temperature dropped (from 80 or so on Saturday) to single digits today. We have rolling blackouts going.

The base is closed for the second day in a row. Eileen spent yesterday morning playing in the snow with her daddy and getting sugared up on leftover cake...I spent it making home made chicken noodle soup and soaking beans for an unusual chili type soup today.

I secretly hope that everyone gets to go out tomorrow, but I am not holding my breath.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Third Birthday is upon us

So, Sunday night is the birthday party. Sorry if we didn't invite you, but we know most of you are out of town that night. I am baking our traditional Anna's Chocolate cake -- but using a vanilla butter cream. I have even been practicing cake decorating and think it might come out looking nice. Anna was my mother's mother's cook/maid. Somehow it became a tradition for me to make it on birthdays - starting around age 7 for my mother. I always liked the dense chocolate layers more than the frosting. Additionally, we are making a lemon cake -- but using a recipe from Gourmet Magazine (may it rest in peace).

I am rolling out oodles of pasta and making the parents a lasagna and the kids noodles and a red sauce on the side.

Otherwise, should be mostly fresh veggies and fruit.

Oh, and the Tumblebus is coming. I can't wait to find out what it is!!!! The kids should love it. Pictures might follow if I ever become the organized person who not only takes pictures but also downloads them.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

A trip home

Well Los Alamos was too brief, but lovely. Thanks for all who took the time to see Eileen and me. Sorry for all the inconvenience to my lovely host who played endlessly with Eileen while I had stomach flu on my return travel day (thus I spent one more day there than planned, but trust me -- no one missed seeing me).

It is good to be home, but of course in our house it is always seemingly something. We arrived home for one night with my husband before he went on travel. He'll be back Saturday afternoon. Ah...the traveling life for me POSH (hint...a reference to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)

Sunday, January 9, 2011

A Trip to Los Alamos

For those who are in the habit of reading my life here, let me proclaim that if the weather behaves itself, Eileen and I will be traveling to see friends in Los Alamos in a week.

I have been planning a T'u B'Shvat Seder for the synagogue and enjoying that part of life.

Eileen is doing great at school.

Meanwhile, I am feeling like I am still behind. If I owe you a letter, I worry that I will never manage to mail it. Please know that it is me and not you.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Being Tired

Hello my friends (and assorted random people who happen to read this blog);
It is time to admit what must be obvious from the outside. I am clearly exhausted. I don't know if it has anything to do with my wonderful daughter who has more energy than the sun. Or if it is the excitement of Eric's work and the life of an Air Force wife. Or if it is the excitement of 3 moves over the last 5 years. Or more than a month of discomfort as my new crowns settle in. Or if it is just living the good life. But the fact is that I am tired. So, if I have not been my chipper self, please do forgive me.

Eileen is thriving, though definitely confused, as she just spent a month learning the story of Christmas only to hear repeatedly that 1) we are Jewish and Santa doesn't visit most Jews, 2) while Jesus may indeed love her, historically we have in fact not seen that demonstrated to our people, and 3) if you want to tell a story about Joseph in the synagogue, it better have a multi-colored coat somewhere in it. We learned that this was a time of year that was special to our friends and extended family. That it involved a birthday. And that we are lucky to be able to celebrate with them.

We got to play with the grandkid in the end of December and that is good. Eileen was thrilled to have a pint sized playmate to push around...and started using the same nicknames that Tia and Nick (my step-daughter and son-in-law) use for their daughter. Cute photos abound and will be posted when they arrive here.

Meanwhile, if I have been an incompetent or uncommunicative friend, I apologize. I am sure that the second wind will come as the days get longer.