Iowa

Iowa

Sunday, June 21, 2009

I'MMMMM BACK

Sorry for the delay, but it has been a busy week.
The small road trip was wonderful. So relaxing. Except for the Pens game. That was NOT relaxing.
Rain on the way out, seems always to have rain on the road. About 5/10 hours. Yuk. The way back was sunny and great. Well, except for getting off the turnpike going 90 miles per hour around the off ramp. That Mippy! Now whenever we take a turn Bean and I yell "Wheeeeeeee". But we made it home in time for the baseball game.
Brother and sister-in-law always show us a wonderful time, whether it be sitting quietly talking, eating sister-in-law's wonderful cooking, listening to her play the piano or watching the kids. I am amazed when someone can pick up a song book and just begin to play. It is so wonderful to listen to. Bean played also, as did A. and even C. played a bit. The kids are a delight. Lots of giggles, lots of laughter. A bit of a scare when Bird had an eye problem back in the burgh, but it turned out okay, thank goodness!
The Penquins....what can one say except they were wonderful. Screams abound, cheering and jumping up and down. Monkeyboy went to the parade with his friend and got to high five the coach. Our teams are the greatest. Well, most of them are.
I have been sitting in the yard, under the tree, reading away the day. It is so wonderful, and it helps to have a good book.
I leave my one job in eleven days and I have an interview on Wednesday for a position at Phipps Conservatory.
We had quite the crowd at the ballgame today. Family for North Carolina, Ginger, Mippy, Bird and Bean of course, and all of the regulars. Even Mippy's brother came. Final Sunday tournament game and the next tournament begins next Friday. I am so glad it is summer and we have all the summer activities of which to enjoy.
Happy Father's Day!

29 comments:

Lori said...

So glad you are back Mia. And thanks to Bean for posting and letting us know you had a safe trip. I think I love summer because it means getting out of the house, having windows open, hearing the birds, swimming...all of those good things. And of course, baseball! How exciting for Monkeyboy to see the players and coach up close.

Ben said...

Welcome back Mia and company, we missed you. Really did. Kept checking to no avail. No problem, you are back and posting. Tournament little league. My nephew is playing also, in the city league, so I guess he and Monkeyboy won't be playing against each other. Yup, the Pens game was terrific, I think I still have a sore throat. Remind me to not get off the turnpike with Mippy. Those exits are always bad. We have such good road crews and engineers here in PA. Happy Fathers day everyone who is a father.

Mark said...

Summertime is for vacations, for golf, for baseball. Winter is just the time to rest for summer. I wonder how people do it in climates where it is warm all the time. There wouldn't be any time to rest. Welcome back, Mia.

SassySam said...

She's back! Summer is the time to wear all the clothes I have been buying at the mall! Seriously, it is a time to have fun with the kids, cook outside, swim and just kick back. Your vacation sounds very restful. What is Phipps Conservatory? Good luck on your interview. We'll be pulling for you!

Angela said...

That's a pretty big lunch portion mia, but it looks wonderful! Are you going to share or eat it all yourself? I like the pictures of the kids and I like the way you only show them from the back. The one of them walking is cute, very nice.

bean said...

You did a nice job on the "lunch" you made. I hope you didn't actually have that for lunch. It's supposed to be a dessert...oh well. :)

Cathy said...

Here we all are again, good to be back together. I must admit, I did have a bit of a worry when Mia didn't blog. But Bean came to the rescue, thanks, bean. That dessert looks wonderful! And I am sure she is going to share. Aren't you?

Bill said...

Mia, welcome back. And good for Monkeyboy! What a thrill. My kids saw the parade also and said it was great. What a crowd, well behaved from all indications. My wife had to park at Ben's and walk over to see it with the kids. There is at least one advantage to having a friend who lives within walking distance of the city.

tigger said...

Phipps Conservatory, if it's like the one here, is a flower/plant exhibit. We have a great one in Brooklyn that is the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. They are wonderful to visit and great places to have parties and weddings.

Jen said...

I love summer, and the part I love most is sitting here on the deck, with a glass of wine after the kids are in bed. We had a great picnic for father's day and now it is time to relax. Happy Father's Day everyone. And good luck on the interview, Mia. And, Bean, thanks for letting us know everyone made it back safely.

SocialWorker2 said...

Your reading of the book under the tree sounds peaceful. And to work around plants and flowers all day sounds like a dream job. So, good luck on the interview. And keep us posted about the tournament games!

Allie (cat) said...

HELLO???? Is no one going to acknowledge the great cheering job we did for the Pens? I nearly split my skirt on that last goal. Glad you are back and had a good time folks.

Another Original by Tamara said...

Hey Bill, that is the Mermaid Parade you are referencing, right Tigger? Happy first day of Summer to all. My fav season, looking forward to warm (90 degree)and sunny weather!

I knew that Mia was safe and sound. Planning the surprise party for us all in her lovely backyard. Ooops. Sorry. Cat(s) out of the bag. We were awesome, weren't we Allie?

As for the piano, read that someone asked their teacher how frequently one should practice. The answer: "practice on the days that you eat." Pretty cool retort. Leaves one either very skinny or a great pianist!

Twigs said...

Wait, did I miss lunch? Did you save me some? I knew I shouldn't have gone to work today! Darn it! Do you have leftovers? I can be there by late tonight.

Jessica said...

I don't much like being on the highway in rain. The windshield wipers put me to sleep. Not really, but they do have a hypnotic effect. It's nice to visit family, but it is always nice to be home again. Glad you had a good trip, mia.

Anonymous said...

Glad you had a nice trip, Mia. Always good to get back home, isn't it?

Elizabeth said...

I love the sounds of summer, the birds, the rain, the kids. It's just fun. Don't like the high heat as much as some, but I do love summer.

Cathy said...

Is that Tamara in a 1974 graduation picture? Looks like the hair my sister had in her graduation picture. Can you believe what we used to do to our hair? Nice to have the natural look now...well, almost the natural look, just some help on the color. ;)

Ben said...

In Pittsburgh it is called hockey hair. Popular in the 70's and 80's. My sister also had it.

Kevin said...

Welcome back Mia. That dessert loooks wonderful. That's one of my favorite things about summer, all the fresh fruits and vegetables fresh from a farm stand or garden.

Anonymous2 said...

Ha, ha, hockey hair. In retrospect, it does look odd. Everything that goes around comes around I guess, although that hasn't made it around again. The long, straight hair seems to be in now.

SassySam said...

Looks like you are right, the girls in Mia's pic have long hair. I assume that is Bean watching the game, and it looks like she has braids. I think long hair is much easier to manage than short, though mine is curly, so it gets very unmanageable in the humidity.

Mark said...

Good luck on your interview tomorrow, Mia.

City Kitty said...

So, are we like talking Crystal Gale long? I don't think that particular style either will ever be in fashion again. I actually used to iron my hair to get it straight, Sassy. Yep, on the ironing board. A very long time ago. Now I just grab a handful of it and a pony tail holder. Much safer. I hate ironing anyways.

That was very nice of you Mark. I forgot to wish Mia well.

Bill said...

Mia, my sister-in-law works at Phipps! Small world. Good luck.

Tim said...

I have long straight hair

Lori said...

Ballerinas usually do, Tim. Do you put it in a bun when you dance?

Jen said...

Again, sitting out here with a glass of wine....am I becoming a wino? Oh, well, if I am, so be it. What an absolutely perfect day. Tim, I think we should have a picture. I am so curious. And, Tamara, you IRONED your hair?? I'm glad you don't do it anymore. I love summer.

ginger said...

Why is it that everyone with curly hair wants it straight and vice versa? The grass is always greener on the other side. Only Tim is happy with his long straight hair.

Great to have Mia back and now it's time for Skipper and I to go. Going to CA to see our daughter and grandsons. Leaving today (June 25th) at 2:30 and back on the 2nd.
Like Mia says, it's just great to be able to get together with family every now and then. We sure miss seeing those grandkids grow up.

Don't do anything too exciting while I'm gone.