Baptized!

Ms Morgan Elaine was baptized at First United Methodist Church last weekend. Ethan was a great pew sitter with some help of sticker books, Cheerios, and all the bulletins and paper all around him.

Morgan smiled her big infectious smile the entire morning and let the minister walk up and down the aisle with her. I think he was taking bids on her!

After the event, the Trobaugh's (2 generations) came over to 905 for a quick lunch before they eases back to Georgia and Pennsylvania.

A good time was had by all. Though Jim had a little meltdown after everyone left--the results of the Ryder Cup almost ended his life. He's better now...though still talking about it.

Poor Louie

What do you do when you're 9 months old? You terrorize the dog.


Louie is so patient and good with Morgan. He just keeps moving to another part of the couch hoping for peace and quiet.

Not happening...

We've all been there

I wanted to share my afternoon with you. I've spent the last 3 hours trying to configure my wireless printer to my computer. It stopped working....and it will continue not to work.

That's it....that's my day!

Music

I listen to the '60's' & 'Coffee House' on Sirius Satellite Radio. I also listen to QMix, out of Columbus Indiana; occasionally when I'm in my car. Ethan manages to find 'Party Rock' on any electronic device. And that's it. That's my musical repertoire. So when small town girl goes to NYC....they listen to lots more than the above. Here was one of my favorites I heard at the Tibi runway show. I'm thinking it's a little like the grass skirt you buy when you go to Hawaii. Looks great there, but when you get it home; it never leaves the closet. I'll be back to my Satellite, QMix, and LMFAO in a few days.

Dizzy

Need I say more.....

Fall Fashion

Now that I've been to a runway show (did I mention I went to a runway show?), I'm all about Fashion. Here's my new fall nail polish. It's called 'Berlin There Done That' from the new OPI German collection. When I showed it to Jim, he asked me when I was going to get a tattoo. But, when I went to Menards; the check out person told me she loved my nail color. I immediately texted Jim (how does he ever get anything done with my constant messages) and told him about my nail admirer. He asked me to take a picture of the person who liked my nails.

I enrolled him in the next advanced class of Diversity Training!






I couldn't believe what a close match to my car interior!!

Location:U.S. 17,Brunswick,United States

Fashion Week NYC 2013 Spring Collection

Enough about Jim at the Mayo Clinic. Let's go back to talking about 'Me'!

Did I mention to you I was in New York City last week? Did I mention it was Fashion Week in the city for the Spring 2013 collections? Did I mention I weaseled myself into a runway show? Tibi is a collection who's operations are based out of Saint Simons Island, GA. I met the designer's Mother who just happened to live in TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA. So, we immediately became fast friends! It was through this connection that I contacted the PR person for the company and asked for 10 invites (they aren't tickets--you're invited to these events). That was a stretch, but they gave me 2 standing room only spaces (which turned into fabulous seats). I emailed my new BFF PR person Friday afternoon and secured a 3rd seat. My friend offered to give the PR person her firstborn, but she never took us up on that offer.

I sat in my chair staring at everyone wondering what they were doing here. Everyone I know works for an Engine Company, hospital, or designs things for industry. Is fashion really this big? Do people buy their clothes somewhere else besides Kohl's (not that there's anything wrong with that)?

My fashionista friends-Pam and Michelle at the show.

Here I am with Pam rocking the vintage Tibi (thanks Anne for the loan). I should mention here the Hoosiers arrived 1 hour before the show. We were the first ones there. Everyone came late. We'll know next year for 'Oscar'.

The Future of Health Care

I've moved on from NYC to Florida (via Columbus Indiana). Jim and I are here at the Mayo Clinic for Jim's physical. Jim 'gets' a physical every 2 years through Cummins. It's a generous benefit for him and I always thought that if he contracts Dung Fever or the Bubonic Plague on one of his trips, he will feel better knowing his blood pressure is under control thanks to the Mayo Clinic!

I learned about a new Mayo program I thought all my readers (2) might be interested in. Mayo has a new 'Medallion' program where you pay a fee (I was told it was 'hefty') and you get fast access to emergent care and you can talk to a doctor whenever you wish. I asked if they take insurance, which they do, once you get in their club. I'm sending Mr. Obama a note about it later. I'm sure he will love the idea.




Here's Jim as he leaves the exercise echo where everyone told him he was a 'Machine'.

Our next step is to sign up for Medallion status. That way Jim can talk to a doctor when he gets Dung Fever to learn he's hosed.

NYC

Do you think I watched Morgan today? Or maybe Ethan? Or flew up to see Bennett?
Wrong-O. I came to New York City with my investment group. (that would be a bunco group-aka lame dice game)
Our group collects $20.00/month and this investment is kept in Diane Robbin's kitchen pantry. We occasionally give out cash prizes to the winners of the lame game, but mainly we watch our investment grow!
When we accumulated $862.00, we decided to take a trip. New York City was high on the list, and amazingly 10 out of the 12 'members' were able to come. We had lots of fun with amazing sites, wonderful food, and lots of laughs!
Here we are at the Today show, being interviewed by Al.



On to the NBC store to get photographed with Matt.



After our Today Show appearance, 3 groups of people came up to us in New York telling us they saw us on the Today Show. You don't think it was e PINK t-shirts, do you?

Sweetest Picture

You might have heard that the newest member of the Trueblood clan made his inaugural appearance to Indiana this past weekend. Bennett Michael Trueblood was welcomed to Columbus and brought some much needed rain with him. Fortunately, there wasn't enough rain to cancel the planned golf trip that Corey, Mike, and Jim had planned. Linda landed a Golfer's Dream vacation through an auction which opened up the fabulous courses of- Victoria National, French Lick Pete Dye course, and Valhalla in Louisville to common folk.

We were able to get the cousins to meet each other and the cutest thing occurred when Morgan met Bennett. She places her hand on his arm and rested it there the entire time. I think she was saying, "Welcome to the world dear Bennett. I will be your friend and watch over you."

Minnesota State Fair

I finished up my last night in Minnesota by going to the State Fair. It's the 2nd largest fair in the country (congrats Texas for #1). There were TV stations covering the fair all week while I was in Minneapolis. They only thing they talked about was the FOOD. Seems eating is all one goes to the fair for. Mike, Ali, Bennett and I met Pat and Lauren Grant there. Lauren grew up down the street from Mike and Pat has lived in Minneapolis since he was a youngun.







Here we are arriving. Bennett didn't find it too exciting.




We saw the Queen as soon as we walked in. Then we saw lots of Toddlers in Tiaras throughout the evening, just hoping they will someday....(have their own trashy TV show)




Bennett woke up in time to see 'Beer on a stick'. (I got the one in the middle and it was tasty).

Here's what we ate (in chronological order)
1. Walleye cakes
2. Salad on a stick
3. Beer on a stick
4. Cheese Curds
5. Sandwich- it was eaten before I could see what it was.
6. Chocolate Chip cookies- 1 bucket of them
7. Snow cones



I tried to capture how many people there were, but you had to see it to believe it. It's like a small city with many intersections.

I had a fun time in Minnesota. Now it's back to life in Cbus.

Transition Day

No, you're not seeing a repeat of a precious blog posting. There's another Transition going on. This one is just a day, not a week.

Bennett was invited to meet his new teachers at Kinder Care prior to starting there next week. His Daddy dressed him in official Miami of Ohio college wear for the first day.


He's rocking the Red Hawks wear!

This is what Bennett looked like before he left for school.


This is what Bennett looked like when I picked him up from school


And to celebrate his new transition and that fact he's the most talented baby in Room 4--we went to Starbucks. This was Bennett at Starbucks.


And lastly, I want to share a picture of Bennett after his 2 hours at his new school.


It's been fun to be part of Transition day/week for Bennett and Morgan.

Where's Waldo?

If any of you are following the GPS tracking of 'me', you know I'm in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota; visiting Ali, Mike, and Bennett. Ali started work last week and her parents came up to watch Bennett. This week it's my turn and next week Kinder Care takes on their prime student.

Bennett has grown so much since I saw him in Georgia. He smiles, coos, and says, "Grandma". (not really, but it will be soon). We've had fun taking walks and watching the coverage of the hurricane. (Sadly, there's more coverage on 'ya better not loot' than where the storm is headed)

Here are some pictures of Mr. B.












And here's a picture of a tree I've seen on our walks- Hydrangea Tree.

Restaurant Opening

When Columbus gets a new restaurant, the town comes out to celebrate. It took a month after the Burger King opened in the mid 80's to get a parking space...let alone a Whopper.

Since May there has been a sign for a new frozen yogurt shop: Yo Mama, about 1 mile from our house. I asked all of my friends in the know why the delay in opening and no one was sure.

The Trobaugh's must have been camping out in the parking lot, because they knew the day it opened. They have been many times. Jim and I get our party clothes on and joined the Trobaugh's for a visit. Ethan greeted us at the door and showed us what to do. (yes...it took instructions- self serve, add toppings, proceed to weigh and check out station). We would still be trying to figure it out if our guide hadn't demonstrated.
Grandad held Morgan and shared his sorbet (Morgan's favorite flavor- Very Berry. Least favorite- Dream Orange)

The place is really fun. We'd love to take you there on your next visit to Columbus.

And the winner is....

Yesterday morning I drove to the Trobaugh's for a play day with....
Corey and Anne decided who stayed home with grandma based on who needed a break from school. I guessed with was Ethan as I rounded the corner to their house. But, Morgan just started school last week so maybe she was due a nice nap in her bed.

And the winner (or loser depending how you looked at it) is:







Miss Morgan!

We had a fun day taking a walk, 3 naps, bath, and lots of yummy snacks-puréed peas, rice cereal, and spinach puffs. Morgan sang some songs and worked on saying 'Mama'.



The fashionista changed outfits twice---because she can!

Next week I travel to Minneapolis to visit Bennett. I'm taking a large suitcase to bring him back home.

Mark This One Off the List

Jim left for the UK a few weeks ago. He asked me if I had any projects I was going to work on while he was gone. That's a nice way of saying, "what are you going to do while I'm gone"?

So.....



Big ugly headboard.


Sand and primer.



Paint, sand ...repeat, repeat.

When Jim returned he saw my work and said, "it needs something". Is this what management is all about??




Wax to the rescue!


Voila...the new headboard!

Transition Week

For those of you who have been following the Trobaugh Transition Week; it's over! Yea!
I'm happy to report that all participants made it through the event with minimal wounds, tears, and sleep. Restate that 'sleep' item, since there was little sleep from both parents and child.
Here's some pictures of Morgan when she spent her full day at school on Friday. She loves the fun toys they have at school.




And her serious--I'm ready to learn look:

Birchbox

I received my first Birchbox today!




For those of you who aren't familiar with Birchbox, it's a monthly box that arrives to your door with 'high end cosmetics' samples. I wanted to get one for Ali and Anne (both new Moms). A friend told me about it and I signed up. Unfortunately, there is a wait list to get 'invited'. After waiting a month I asked my friend (Tammy--who's aware of everything cool in life) if she would use her magic powers to sign Anne and Ali up. She had no idea there was a wait and told me she felt proud as a prom queen that she could do that!
A week later an email arrived that explained I had made the cut. I had 72 hours to order my boxes, then after that I was scratched from the list. Talk about feeling like Cinderella approaching midnight. I decided to send one for Moi!
So that's the story of how I received my Birchbox. Now here's the reason Birchbox works. In my box was a sample of a lotion to make my eyelashes longer, darker, and thicker; lip stain; Japanese hand cream (could have been Crisco tinted yellow); 2 natural hand sanitizer wipes; Juicy Cologne and a granola bar. I tried every sample and ate the granola bar. That granola bar was so tasty I stopped by Target and bought 5 more. (the samples were Apple Turnover flavor, but since it was noon and I was hungry I picked up a Bananas Foster one also!




I'm really excited about next month's Birchbox I hope they throw in some more tasty treats. Maybe I should start a tasty treat box subscription. Yum Box here I come!

Gratitude.

Sometime you're lucky enough to be born into a wonderful family. A family that cares about you and others. A family that instills hard work and fun in the same sentence. I'm one of the lucky ones. Here's another example of such generous giving from my sister, Linda Elaine White (Morgan Elaine Trobaugh's namesake). Linda made a donation to the Hospice Center in Columbus in memory of our Mother, Elizabeth White (Anne Elizabeth Trobaugh's namesake) and in honor of the great staff at the hospice center.





We have all felt Linda's generosity and love her dearly!

Day # 3 of T week

Transition week is going well. Morgan was so excited she woke up 3 times last night and grabbed a snack while she relived the day.

Morgan is positioning herself as the fashionista of Infant Room 3. Catch the blue jean skirt she's trending for today. Outside of looking like a baby Pentecostal, she's definitely on the best dressed look at Cummins Day Care!





And the completed look- with matching socks!

Transition Day # 2

For those of you who woke up this morning wondering what Day # 2 for Morgan would be like..the suspense is over. Morgan loves her new friends. When I arrived to pick her up she was playing with the toes of a little boy sitting next to her in this bathtub like device.


Funny how we measure a successful day!

Transition Week

Morgan starts Cummins Day Care this week (academic excel class...of course). Anne decided that a transition week for Morgan would work better than just throwing her to the day care wolves. Poor Anne is still in therapy after Ethan's first day of day care experience when everyone just stared at her when she brought Ethan in.

So what do I have to do with this process? I'm the transition sitter when Morgan isn't at Cummins. Morgan went for about 1 hour this morning. This was what she looked like after the experience:


By now you've figured out the transition is for Mama Anne!

Art

Before we packed up and headed back home today, I took a beach walk. There's some driftwood that has turned into a 'decorator's dream' (nice way of saying junk collector). The first time I saw it was in February when it was decorated in valentines to all sorts of things. Today's collection is 'End of American Beach Vacation'.


Let me know your shoe size and I'll pick you up some slightly used flip flops next trip!

Children having Children

Both of my children have children! It's such a pleasure to see what caring, wonderful parents my children have become. You don't take lessons for that.





Anne--I need some pics of you with Morgan or Ethan. You are always snapping the pictures.