Introducing...Mable Hoffman!

While going through my mom's cookbooks, I came across Crockery Cookery, by Mable Hoffman. Published in 1975, this is a keeper if ever there was one. Initially there was a black spot on her chin that looked like a mole, sadly it was only a speck of dirt. A mole would have only added to her mystique if you ask me. I leafed through every page of her cookbook. Rest assured, the next gathering at Deweybarn will offer one of Mable's lovely treasures. We may present a cheese or chocolate fondue. If you are lucky, you might be served the Cream of Cauliflower Soup (pictured below), mmmmmm.

Busy Goat Day

I worked at the hospital today and Dave had the kids. I got two funny calls from him about goat behavior. Bill E. Goat was spotted carrying a grain bowl around in his mouth. Unfortunately Dave was unable to capture a photo. I wondered why I had to search for all four bowls every night. The other call wasn't so funny. Peanut ventured into the front yard and is now eating my dogwood bushes. Hopefully he doesn't start wandering into the neighbors' yards. Dave tried several things to deter him. 1st, sprayed the bush with Bitter Apple. 2nd, sent Tazor after him. 3rd, tried chasing him away. 4th, and so far has worked, threw large pieces of wood against the barn roof which made a very loud noise. Maybe he'll get hit by a car. No, I really don't want that to happen.
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During one of our conversations today I was telling Dave of my surprise to be assigned to the busier station with a higher patient census. Being fairly new and only per diem I thought they wouldn't trust me with the more difficult station. Just as I was considering they must think I'm competent, Dave put things in perspective for me. He explained when running duty on the ambulance, the new guy always sits in the back and holds the puke bucket. I guess I got the puke bucket. It was alright, at least I didn't sink and was able to keep up.

More From the Archive

The Foster girls, Leta, Donna, then Reta. Of course it could be Reta, Donna, then Leta.

Once again, I think it's Leta on the left and Reta on the right.

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A few weeks ago, Dave brought up one of Reta's photo albums from Middlebury. It's fun going through old albums. We miss the Foster twins, Dave's mom Leta and his aunt Reta. We think of them often.

Last Chance To Cross the Border Without a Passport

Being roughly an hour and a half from Montreal, we like to visit now and then. One of my favorite stops during the colder months is Biodome of Montreal. The brochure describes "A museum of the environment like nowhere else on earth." The building is divided into four ecosystems that feature animals, plants, fish, birds, reptiles and a very cool bat cave. I've always loved going to a zoo, an aquarium, or in the middle of winter a greenhouse. Biodome offers all this under one roof that is not too big, but big enough for a satisfying day trip.

Miss Mae enjoying fish in the Tropical Forest.

Sam and Mae in the St. Lawrence Marine Ecosystem.

Penguins in the Antarctic Zone, sort of like the movie Happy Feet.

Mae enjoys a fabulous meal at Moe's. I eat there whenever we go to Biodome and it is always yummy! One of my favorite moments was with my grandmother. She asked the waiter where he was from because he had a unique accent. Turned out he was from Egypt. She paused briefly and spoke with satisfaction, "Well now I can say I've met someone from Egypt."

World's Worst Mother Award

I thought I'd take a little 45 minute snooze on the couch before meeting Sam at the bus stop. I set the kitchen timer before laying down. It either didn't go off or I didn't hear it. Just like I didn't wake to the house phone ringing. My cell phone wringing shortly after the house phone is what woke me. I jumped in the van and met the bus at the end of the road. I was met with his little face looking puzzled as he walked tentatively off the bus. "Mommy, that girl knocked on the door but it was locked." I can't remember the last time I've felt this awful.

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Evening

It's often a drag when Dave spends the night at the Police Academy for training. Tonight wasn't so bad. A close circle of friends came over for dinner, along with Ibby, a relative visiting from the west coast. It was nice sharing my children's energy. I loved hearing Sam insist, "Mommy, Margie Cain can bring me to bed tonight." Just knowing he was happy, safe and comfortable in my close friend's arms felt good. It also felt good holding Ibby's newborn while she ate dinner child free. There is nothing like a little bum that fits in the palm of your hand. While I set up bedtime, Terri and Kim entertained Mae and handled clean up. Nights like this remind me of how it feels to have family.

Tame Day At Deweybarn

I couldn't resist catching a photo of Mae wearing overalls and a smile.

Jack and Tazor have become good buddies. Jack is still the older brother who likes to torture Tazor daily, at least. He lets out a junkyard dog snarl that would make anyone flee. I've seen poor Tazor drop his toy and run, or take a long way around the couch to avoid Junkyard altogether. Jack clearly enjoys his Junkyard Dog title. It's funny how the dynamic of their friendship is so different from how they interact with people. Jack is thrilled to meet new people and is very friendly. Tazor, on the other hand, I thought might break through a window today to eat the oil delivery man. I might have let him if I'd known the bill would be over $500. Not really, can't shoot the messenger.

Bong Bong Diggy Diggy

We enjoy singing with our kids at the Deweybarn. The past day or so it seems that is all we've been doing. Santa brought Mae this play zoo that came with animals representing each letter of the alphabet. We made up a game where she brings me an animal and I sing, "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" for the animal she gives me. It seemed a little twisted singing, "and on that farm he had a vulture, eieio." She does this all day and gets really mad when I don't play along.

Sam's song this week is "Bawitaba", one of my favorite Kid Rock tunes. He sings his own version of it though.

When she spoke of my Kid Rock obsession, my friend Karie used her most serious tone and said, "She's got it bad". Since yesterday afternoon, having it bad has felt damn good on so many levels.

At 10:30am I left in the big red van and drove 274 miles to the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut. My friend Theresa had booked us a hotel nearby that offered a complimentary shuttle to the casino that runs until 2am. Our main objective wasn't to gamble, it was to attend an 8pm performance by Kid Rock and the Twisted Brown Trucker band!

First of all, the casino is gorgeous! The decor has nature themed areas with beautiful theatrical lighting, sculptures and water features everywhere. The food and beverage service is impressive. As we shared a meal at the Birch Bar and Grill, we agreed the meal alone would have made the entire trip worthwhile. When ready for our tab we ordered another round of drinks to take with us into the casino. Theresa threw her hand up in the air and said, "It's like a free country in here!" It was wonderful to share my first child-free get away in 4 years with a friend of 30 years. The last time she and I went out as a duo was nearly 15 years ago. Of all the years we've been friends, she is happier and healthier now than I've ever seen her. I struggle to find words to describe how good that makes me feel.

The show was insanely amazing! He played most of my favorite songs. I managed to sneak up front, belly to the barricade for 4 or 5 songs before being busted. That's cool, my assigned seat was pretty good to begin with. During the encore he invited a well known artist to join him for two songs. Peter Wolfe, from the J-Giles band! Together, they performed Love Stinks and Angel is a Centerfold, it was fabulous!

After the show it was great to mingle with others who enjoyed the concert as much as we did. I really didn't think we'd still be there at 2am, but we were hustling through the casino to catch the last shuttle. When we checked out this morning I faced a 5 hour drive on 4 hours of sleep. Thankfully there was a Target at the halfway point allowing me to stretch while flipping through clearance racks. I'm surprised to be awake at 10pm. I know I wouldn't sleep until I blogged this wonderful adventure. Thank you Dave Dewey for giving me a night off. XOXO.

Horrified

Here is a picture of Sam and his very good pal, Lucas. I have photos of them parked side by side in their strollers before they were a year old. Anna, Lucas's mom has been a close friend for ten years. If you were to check her blog (http://www.mylifewithlucas.blogspot.com/) this weekend you just might see a photo of her beautiful boy sporting the black eye that my son gave to him tonight. Of course the boys recovered quickly and happily went back to playing. While trying to recover from my horror; I turned my head to see Mae swinging a plate that moments ago had been full of popcorn chicken and ketchup. I said, "Oh No!" Anna's shoulders slumped, she shuttered, looked up at the ceiling and said, "Oh that doesn't sound good!" There was ketchup on Lucas's Boo Boo Bear, the couch (which thankfully is red), and on two rugs. I've always admired Anna for her ability to go with the flow. Both incidents were over and cleaned up in 10 minutes. We had a lovely dinner and some tasty margaritas. If I had been able to let it go we probably could have acted like it never happened.

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I love my kids. I am also ready for a much needed break. Tomorrow morning I leave for the night to see Kid Rock at the Mohegan Sun Casino!!! My wild friend Theresa booked us a hotel that has shuttle service to the casino until 2am. As Dave's said, I don't get out much, but when I do I make it count.