Wonderful Weekend With Laurie

I love my kids very very very much… BUT – when Laurie and I have the opportunity to ship the kiddies off to one of the sets of grandparents for a weekend, you bet we’re going to take advantage of that.

So, this past weekend we did just that. My mom and dad wanted to have the kids and Laurie met them in Peoria Friday late afternoon. They visited Tanner’s Orchard for a few hours before heading back to Monmouth for the rest of the weekend. One of the things the kids really look forward to when when they go to my parent’s house for a weekend is to visit the Maple City Candy Company. Although, I am quite impressed with how little they actually brought home (but, then again… my dad is a dentist… so, there might have been some restrictions on how much they could buy).

Anyway… Laurie and I started off our weekend by going out for supper Friday night to Ming’s (it was just “ok”) then we walked around Eastland Mall (we actually bought NOTHING… that’s pretty amazing for us, or rather, me).

After sleeping in Saturday morning I spent about 3-hours reading on the front porch while Laurie went on a power walk with Tumnus then went to Gold’s to workout (she’s amazing). I went on a long bike ride (my legs are still hurting) up and down our Constitution Trail. I grabbed a quick shower and lunch then took off for a couple hours of browsing at Barnes & Noble and then a visit at a local camera store (no purchases today… that’s usually only done online) to talk shop with a couple of guys that work there. While I was out and about Laurie took a well deserved nap. After coming home I sat on the front porch (again) and read for another hour while enjoying some cheese and Barefoot White Zinfandel.

After Laurie’s nap and my snack, Laurie and I went to the historic Illinois Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Children’s Home (we were at what is now called Normandy Village) to take pictures of her and I. (The pictures at the beginning of this entry were taken that night.) Luckily a few of the pictures turned out… I pulled a boneheaded mistake… I had left the camera in “full manual” mode after taking a few pictures earlier in the day and forgot to change it back to “aperture priority” (my preferred setting 95% of the time)… which answered the question of why my shutter speed was sooooooooooo slow while I was using my flash & diffuser. (Ok, so most of that last paragraph really wasn’t interesting to any of you). The bad thing was I didn’t figure out what I had done until I was reviewing the pictures on the computer after we got back home later that evening… I was NOT a happy camper for making that mistake. The late afternoon light was perfect for pictures (with just a small amount of fill light from my flash/diffuser). Oh well… I got a few that worked well. I didn’t shave before we went and it was noticeable in the pictures anyway.

After we got done taking pictures, we went to Lucca Grill in downtown Bloomington for an excellent supper… we’ve been here in Bloomington/Normal for YEARS and had never eaten there. Glad we did finally J We’ll be back.

So, that’s it… can’t say we did anything REALLY special… but it was just a nice relaxing “date-like” weekend for us.

I had to be at church early Sunday morning due to the choir singing, but got home in good time to see the start of the Bears game. Had to listen to most of it on the radio in the car, though, since we had to go meet my parents back in Peoria to pick up the kids. I’m glad I didn’t have to suffer through watching the end of the game… I probably would have thrown something at the TV!!! (i.e. the Bears lost in overtime).

Ok, enough for tonight.. it’s after midnight and Mondays are always hard enough for me to get going. First day of Fall tomorrow… L sad to see summer go, but I have a feeling we’re going to see some nice color this fall on trees.

Peanut Butter Sandwiches

What do you like on a peanut butter sandwich?

My favorite? Peanut butter and pickles :-) YUMMY!!!
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Blog Hits from "Google Searches"

I’ve found it rather interesting the hits I get on my blog based on Google searches. You just never know how someone will be led to Strouthion’s Stammerings. Here are some recent Google search lines that brought visitors to my blog (these are word-for-word as they were entered into Google):

· “I'd like to know where to buy Straw bales for animals Chicago Suburbs”

· “my mom or dad Illinois”

· “florida gators wallpaper”

· “isabelle bloom”

· “gas increase overnight”

· “overnight gas price increase”

· “gas price increase overnight”

· “click to view dance recital photos”

· “why did gas prices increase overnight?”

· “stretching exercises”

· “heleconia”

· “florida obituary Thelma smith”

· “red neck family pictures”

· “wjbc lost pet”

· “fall arrangements”

· “yellow and red tulip”

· “aussie terrier poo”

· “bloom statue”

· “huge bodybuilder”

· “the prefix of dejected”

· “mark price bodybuilding”

· “isabel bloom and dogs”

· “tropical Montana”

· “yellow flower iris”

· “mormonism vs christianity”

· “brazil in square miles”

· “missouri tropical tree pink flower”

· “missouri botanical garden, ambulance”

· “yellow advance belt”

· “white chapel memory gardens”

· “lilacs”

· “peona flowers”

· “cool flower”

· “romney christians blew it”

· “t”

· “white azalea with tree”

· “strouthion stammering”

· “heartworm 3 weeks late”

· “silky terrier”

· “yorkie Australian yorkie pups”

· “tree flowered”

· “eastview Christian church Bloomington IL”

· “blog on coffee at church”

· “purple bouquet”

· “joel Osteen+jw’s”

· “seattle”

· “red tulip”

· “joe osteen was not on tv today, instead was some infomercial”

Well, there’s just a sampling from the last 3-weeks. It’s amazing to me how some people “find” my blog by doing Google searches. Although, I can see a connection with everything listed above… (yes, even bodybuilding… check my archives). But, just how deep are they going on those Google searches to finally find my posts???

I just hope that those haphazard visitors are finding something interesting while on their short visit to Strouthion’s Stammerings.

Track Practice

Savannah and I went on a walk today, but she decided that she wanted to go running. So, we headed over to the IWU track and off she went - one lap... two laps... three laps... four laps... WOW! (Ok, there was some walking & resting in there, too)

I'm hoping one of them has my family's running gene...
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Advice to McD's

Sadly, I went to McDonald's for lunch today (yes, that's partly a guilty plea to my wife and partly a regret to myself since #1) I prefer Burger King over McDonald's any day, #2) I don't need ANY fast food and #3) I shouldn't be spending the money to eat out)..

Anyway - I ordered an icey mocha with my meal. And, well... Hmmmm... Yeah. Let's just say - Hey McD's... stick with what you know (or think you know).

Now, I'm by no means. A coffee connoisseur, BUT - I do enjoy coffee drinks A LOT (yes, I know, this doesn't qualify me to do reviews of coffee, but hey, it's my blog so I can say whatever I want). And, I must say - I did NOT enjoy that icey mocha from McD's one bit.

The reasons you might ask? #1) It plain tasted funny (Cheap ingredients? Wrong measurements? Recycled hot coffee from this mornings breakfast menu?) . #2) The person making it had absolutely no understanding and/or respect for coffee and the world that surrounds it (if you are a coffee lover, you KNOW what I mean) and #3) It just seems wrong!!! (I know, that last reason seemed a little shallow, but - am I right or am I right?)

Soooo - thumbs down to your attempt at being a barista, Ronald. Go back to sodas and milk shakes. I'll be hitting Starbucks or The Coffee Hound next time I want a "special" coffee.

Until next time, this has been Java Jive with Mark. :-)
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Doggy Toilet Paper

There is nothing like having to use TP on your dog! [Please note that I spared everyone the pictures of this event from this morning] And, it always seems to happen at the worst times - usually when I'm in a hurry.

Wait, is there EVER a good time to have to use TP on your dog's butt? And it's not like Tumnus enjoys it either, which makes it all the more fun to do.

But (no pun intended), at least it's better than having him do the butt-drag thing across our ceramic tile or wood floors or the carpet!!!

What a way to start off my day... How's yours?
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One More Shot

Yes, he changed positions - this seems to be his favorite lately: FLAT on his back, back legs spread eagle (sorry if that's too much for some of you to see), front legs straight up in the air and head to the side.

Hmmmmm, he always seems well rested after sleeping in this position - maybe I should try this, too. I'll get back to you all on that one.
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Mr T Sleeping

I really need to do a whole book just showing Mr T's sleeping positions - AMAZING. If someone were to walk by him they'd think that he had croked the way he lays.
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Learning the Art of "Lipsticking"

Savannah worked a little on the art of "lipsticking" this morning - she does pretty well, but goes a little heavy at times. Kind of makes her look like she has a fat lip on her left side :-P
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Smith Family Breakfast Favorite

Mmmmmmm - every once in awhile I HAVE to clog my arteries with a good Smith (my mom's side) family breakfast favorite - corn syrup and butter whipped on toast - YUMMMMMM!!!

Of course, my wife has forced me towards LIGHT corn syrup and butter. Not NEAR the flavor as the real stuff, but still hits the spot :-)
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Butterfly Feeding on a Zinnia

Couldn’t go a day without posting… here’s a picture I took today of a butterfly on a zinnia. Not sure which version of this picture I liked best. Opinions???

Labor Day Food

Brats, beer for the brats, corn on the cob and a Seagrams - need I say more?
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Parade Notes

Another addition to "You know you're getting old when..." list:
•people your age are driving the little shriners cars.

You know there is a lot of candy at a parade when one of your kids says "this is too much candy."

Just what the heck is the "Civil Air Patrol" and why do they all look 15?

Laffy Taffy is by far the candy of choice for parades.

Quote from a parade goer:
"I didn't read the forecast very well, it's raining Laffy Taffy."
"Halloween is cancelled this year, we've got enough candy."

We have a lot of unions in B/N - cool to see how many walk with each local, too.

I can't believe how casual bands dress for parades - looks tacky to see them in just polo or t-shirts with quite the variety of unmatching shorts.

When you hand your kids the camera to take pictures at a parade, they take pictures of everything - and I mean EVERYTHING!!!. Posting of parade pictures coming soon :-)
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A First

"Firsts" for our kids become fewer and further between - unlike when they were younger and "firsts" occurred daily or weekly.

But, today Andrew had a BIG first - first day with NO car seat or booster seat!!! So cool!!!
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