Phase 2

Our cabinet maker arrived early this morning to begin phase 2 of our kitchen remodeling process.  I didn't get home until late in the afternoon and all I could say was "Wow!"  He did such a wonderful job on them.  They completely transform our kitchen as well as our entire house.  We not only gained some space, but somehow they seemed to make our first level look a lot bigger.

I arrived home a little after 8 p.m. this evening from my library board meeting and Meg's basketball practice.  I was exhausted and hungry, but ready to put those cabinets to good use.  As I mulled over where to put the plates, glasses, pans, silverware and food in their new home, the boys headed down to play a game of pool and Meg to the computer,  all muttering about what a nerd I was for being so excited to organize my cabinets.  I realize that they will never share my enthusiasm for the new kitchen and that is alright.  They will, however, benefit from the added space and storage.  I appreciate Doug working with the contractor, cabinetmaker and granite shop.  I couldn't be more pleased.

And Then There Were Two . . .

Cameron, Meg and I spent the afternoon at Fashion Farm.  Every year they showcase hundreds of decorated pumpkins all according to the theme of choice.  This year it was Zoo Time.  As we circled through the bales of hay and cornstalks surrounding the pumpkins, I realized that I was now down to just two with me.  Cal gave up on this adventure last year, but Brett definitely was still willing to venture along.  Obviously, he wasn't able to join us this time, so reality struck -  this is how it will probably be from now.  It doesn't make the fun any less enjoyable, just different (and maybe a little quieter.)

We did enjoy the pumpkins.  Cam's favorite was the mandrill monkey.  Meg was appalled at the sight of the Dolly Parton one.  It said it was back as a fan favorite, but I don't remember ever liking that one either.  We then hit the three mazes (Meg was too tall for one.)  The wagon/hay ride was a nice one through the pumpkin patch.  We ended our venture by picking out pumpkins.  The only rule I had was that they had to be able to lift it to bring it home.  Cam's was just over 27 pounds and Meg's topped the scales well over 30.  We carefully packed them into the van, grabbed our snacks of pumpkin ice cream and popcorn and headed back to Syracuse.

The rest of the day was spent carving their Jack O'Lanterns.  Meg designed a head hunter on hers and after quite a bit of deliberation, Cam picked a cat.  It took a while for them to scoop out the guts and carve them, but they did an awesome job.  We took pictures on the stairs, candles and all.  Until Thursday, the pumpkins will be kept in a secure location on the back porch.  Years ago, some neighbor kids took ours off the front porch before Halloween and smashed them.  We learned a hard lesson that year, but haven't had any problems since.

It was a great way to end Fall Break.  I realized that our life has changed a lot in the last year.  Although we may not always be a group of six anymore, we can definitely still have fun.  Today was a perfect example of that!

Count My Blessings

Doug, my Mom and Jody have had to hear me cry about Cal's ankle several times during the month he was out of commission.  I felt incredibly guilty and was sure that I had somehow brought this upon him.  I was mad at myself for driving him to practice at 5:45 a.m. that morning, and mad that I didn't tell him he couldn't play basketball during tennis NLC's and/or sectional.  I was even upset with myself for jokingly complaining that I had to get up early to take him to pre-dawn workouts.  I am sure Doug, Mom and Jody were frustrated with me, but they just patiently listened.  I think I took Cal's injury more to heart than he did.

Today, however, I realized how ignorant I was.  A mom of one of Cal's golf teammates (who also plays football) posted her son's picture on Facebook, sitting on a gurney, waiting for surgery after last night's game.  There was one of him semi-smiling wearing the lovely hospital gown and hat, one of his legs still in football pants and another of the x-ray of his arm.  His surgery would repair his broken radius and dislocated ulnar with a plate and screws.  His mother wrote that he would be in the hospital until Sunday and his spirits were high, but it would be a long road to recovery.

As I watched Cal return to almost a normal walk this weekend, the first time since his injury, I couldn't believe how worried I had been.  His prognosis from the start had come to full fruition - four weeks in a boot, ankle brace for support and physical therapy.  All should lead to a complete recovery for basketball season - just a blip in his high school athletic career.  Tonight as I listen to Cal and Alex plan the college games that they want to go to this winter around their practice schedule (I think they are joking about trying to make the North Dakota State vs. Oregon game, but you never know), I thank God for watching over the Heinisch children and pray that Cal's friend recovers as quickly and easily.

The Heinisch Reunion Minus One

This morning we met Brett for a walk through campus and some shopping at the bookstores that we didn't check out yesterday.  Meg was still sure she needed $100 striped IU pants.  Cam found IUopoly and felt that it should make the journey home with us.  We settled, however, for putting both on their Christmas list.  Cam did go home with a "Hoosier Brother" shirt and Meg split the cost of IU headphones, so they were happy.  Brett picked up a Buffa Louies shirt  - fitting as we always make at least one stop there while in B-town.

After our campus tour, we talked the Heinisch children into lunch at Nick's.  They had not been there in since we saw two guys pass out in a booth next to us (not college students as you might think, but two locals who had obviously spent a lot of time "tanning" that day!)  We were the first ones at the restaurant this morning, so no fear of a repeat of last time.  Lunch was enjoyable and over all too soon.  We walked Brett back to Ballantine Hall for his last class of the week.  Although our trip was short, it was wonderful to catch up with him and reunite the Heinisch siblings.  He had a lot of plans for this weekend, so visiting on a Thursday night was the perfect fit.

One of the siblings was missing from the Heinisch family reunion.  Cal asked Wednesday night if he could sit this trip out.  At first we said no, but as time passed and he explained his reasonings (volleyball sectionals were Thursday night and he was a key part of the student section, he wanted to work on his ankle, and the confinement of the car trip was a little more than he could take right now) we decided to let him stay home.  There were stipulations to his decision and we talked with him about three key items that we would like him to work on.  He agreed and Mom told him he could stay with them, so all was set.

Parce and Brett were surprised, yet not, that Cal didn't make the trek.  They called him a chump several times, but then we all got busy having fun.  I was at peace with our decisions, even more so after I read the local paper online.  There at the top of the article about the volleyball team's loss was a picture of the front row of the student section.  Cal was there with his buddies, all wearing pink volleyball jerseys, enthusiastically cheering on their team.  I had to laugh.  Of course he wouldn't have wanted to miss that.  They were having a lot of fun - one of those times that you remember all through your high school days.  Thus, Cal will catch up with Brett over Thanksgiving break and we will enjoy listening to their "heated discussions" then.  Four short weeks and the Heinisch reunion will commence once again - can't wait!!

Siblings Reunite

We were up early this morning on the road to Bloomington.  We made it to Oliver Winery before our expected 11:30 a.m. arrival.  Parce picked Brett up for us and we all met up for a fantastic picnic.  The weather wasn't the greatest as it was in the 40s with rain.  The porch, however, had plenty of space and the crowd was relatively light.  Thus, we enjoyed lunch under a heat lamp.  Eventually, the rain turned to snow, but the weather did not dampen our spirits.  Meg and Cam spent their time catching up with Brett and all three had fun giving Parce a hard time.  Before we knew it, lunch was over and it was time to take Brett to class.  Parce was heading to the recycling center, so we parted ways in the parking lot.  We all enjoyed Parce's stories of his neighbors and his rendition of their monkey dance.

Brett headed to Spanish and we walked to one of the bookstores.  Cameron and Doug picked out shirts that they wanted.  Meg finally found an IU soccer ball.  She has been looking for one for several years.  We met back up with Brett and headed to the mall.  There were a lot of stores to browse plus a Target and Barnes and Noble.  Everyone was exhausted when we left, but in a good mood.  Cameron and Meg got into one of their famous arguments while we were waiting for Doug.  Brett looked at me and said, "Can you believe that I actually missed this!!"

Brett asked us to drive him to the comic book store in the center of town.  He wanted to take a picture of himself in his Michael Myers costume outside of their window.  Meg was the photographer and the photo turned out well.  We definitely gave those walking by a good laugh.  Dinner followed at Buffalouies complete with orange push pops.  We then headed to the Union for bowling, pool and pinball.  We all had a wonderful time and Meg was the overall champion for the first time ever.

We ended the evening in our hotel room.  Three orders of breadsticks were quickly devoured before bedtime.  Brett headed home for the night and we watched some Full House before calling it a night.  We had an awesome day with Brett.  So much fun reuniting the siblings - lots of laughter and constant chatter.

Fall Break

I hadn't given Fall Break much thought.  We have been so busy and I have spent most afternoons at school that I didn't allow myself to think about it.  Today at 3:40 it dawned on me that Fall Break is actually going to happen, and I don't have any school work to do!  Getting to that point took a lot of work.  I graded over sixty sewing projects, made lesson plans for the next week, and completely cleaned my room.

Meg and I hung out after school talking with Mr. Larson while waiting for chess club to end.  Meg promised to bring back a spreadsheet on who likes who in the 7th grade, so he can keep up with Milford's hot romances.  After chess club we stopped by the Mishler's to drop off a gift for Julie.  She had her tonsils out today.  We hadn't seen them in awhile, so Cam and Meg wanted to check out the guinea pigs.

Tonight we ate dinner at Mom's as Doug had to work late.  We then packed for Bloomington. There was even time to play a couple of games of backgammon, a new one called Five Second rule, and Scrabble.  So glad to have some time to enjoy the Heinisch Home.

Goodbye Boot!!

Cal received great news from the doctor today.  He no longer has to wear the boot on his right ankle.  The doctor said that it will still be sore and may hurt, but Cal can move on to an ankle brace.  Cal still has to meet with the athletic trainer at school for therapy and will have to take it slow coming back, but he can start shooting again at practice.  Even the bone chip that was most apparent in the x-ray has now healed.

The doctor's biggest concern was Cal's lack of flexibility.  He couldn't get his ankle to return to the normal walking position, but when he pushed the other one up it didn't move much further.  Ultimately, Doug and I think that might be the Heinisch gene in him more than his injury.  The doctor suggested yoga as well as the ankle brace, but Cal wasn't interested in that.

Conditioning has started this week for basketball, so the timing works out well for Cal.  He won't be able to do much this week, but hopefully, soon he will be back on the court where he wants to be.  Can't wait for that to happen.  My Mom said on the way home, "Wow, that has been a fast month."  Don't know if Cal agreed or not, but it seemed like forever to me.  It was nice to see him walk into the high school with two shoes on!!