The Nursery: A work in Progress...

Well, Kent and I have gradually painting and putting things together for the nursery. Here is what it is looking like lately... Also I featured the stencil and the Clock that Momma Obert gave us. Uncle Bernie gave us the Harley bear which I promptly put into the baby carrier that Uncle Jim and Aunt Mary gave us and carried it around the house. I knitted the froggy huggum's blanket for Lil "O".

Bowling for Kids Sake with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program

I will be participating in the "Bowl for Kids Sake" fundraiser again this year. You can visit my Donation webpage by clicking the link. As some of you may remember I also participated in this last year. Many of the children I work with and am very close to benefit from this program and it is one that is close to my heart. I have a very modest goal of $200.oo. Please help me reach that goal.
Thank You!

Happy New Year (pregnant style) to you too!

Well, today is my last day of holiday break before going back to work tomorrow (that should be interesting). Tomorrow will be a full day, as well, because I have caucusing and a doctor's appointment.
Today I am at 36 weeks. One more week makes my baby full term and I could go into labor any day. My advice has been to enjoy this time before baby and I feel I have, for the most part. Being home while Kent is at work as well as having friends and family out of town has been admittedly boring and has increased the feelings of "waiting". Moving around isn't very fun but I have floated in a pool and gone for a walk amongst the snow and ice.
Olivia didn't like that very much. About half way through the walk she looked at me dejectedly with her tail between her legs. I resolved to picking her up for a spell and sticking her in my coat for a little warm up. The walk was OK but I had the urge to pee for most of it.
As for the New Year... It was a really nice one. Kent had to work. I had friends over for dinner. I made tater-tot casserole which was agreeable with everyone including the kiddos. The chocolate milk was also a huge hit! We ate left over holiday sweets for dessert. At about 8pm everyone went to their respective New Year's plans.
I went with Melissa and Sara for our regular poker group. I enjoyed watching as my friends got inebriated and acted silly and racked in the dough (a whole $6.05 above my $5 buy in) at the end of the night! I drove home the drunkies and then settled in with my sleeping hubby for the night.
The next morning, Kent made me breakfast and we had a very relaxing and cozy New Year's day. He built his LEGO deathstar and I knitted the baby blanket I've been working on for Baby "O" (sorry, I didn't take any pictures of my adventures).
I guess I just need to hang in there. This coming weekend Kent and I have our birthing class and the following weekend is the Baby shower. After that- Baby "O" is welcome anytime.

At the risk of posting something political I wanted to brag a bit about my friend and poker buddy who made NATIONAL NEWS! Click here or here to read about what Brian Hagmeier said about being a republican in support of Barak Obama.

So, I married a Jock...

Kent's X-mas wish list included having all his medals, memorabilia, and general "stuff" from his mother's basement. Since Kent made this request the boxes have been literally POURING into our home and since then I have learned something I only had only begun to acknowledge before... I married a real JOCK! Kent's swimming career went so much deeper than I realized before!

Over dinner this X-mas Elaine and I started talking about Kent and his swimming and I described how much I underestimated it because Kent rarely swims anymore, even on vacations, and he didn't swim in college. Elaine told me the sad story of Kent coming home from his freshman year of college. He was unable to make "a splash" at Iowa State. He thought he was going to be a big swimmer and engineering student there. Somehow, things didn't work out as expected and Kent came home to regroup and "figure out a new plan".

I had a similar conversation with my friend Sara on this very topic of that crucial first year at college. It is dangerous, although rewarding as well, to put so much stake in certain talents. If you are identified too strongly with something it is hard to figure out something else when that doesn't work out for you or when you somehow get lost in the crowd.

Anyhow, I'm having a week where I fall in love again with another part of my husband. I find every so often there is a time when I uncover new deeper reasons to love him as I continually learn more and more about him. This time its a younger part of Kent. I look in these pictures and recognize that same twinkle in his eye he has today.

I've also learned that if this baby will look anything like "Baby Kent" we will have one adorable baby (esp. mixed with a little Obert/Wuennemann good looks). Part of me is glad Kent is not an "in your face and everything up front" kind of person. His stories take awhile to come out and it takes a lot of patience to listen to him... Mom and I laugh about the way Kent tells a story because it usually starts with some statement that makes sense to no one but him. After that he follows up with something starting with, "Well...." then a long story after that. It will probably be one of the only things you hear out of him the whole day (unless your me and then you hear a lot more of them).

Kent was hard to love at the beginning as he fought it kicking and screaming. Then once your in his heart he's even harder to stop loving.

Kent and I will celebrate our first date/kiss on January 1, 2008. It will be seven years.

Merry Christmas 2007...

We are now at the Obert household about to have brecky.

Kent and I spent last night with the Olsons. Kurt, Kent's brother and his new wife had all the combined kids last night (FOUR girls , all puberty age--- Boy, I'm beginning to have new respect for Mike and Mar Moyer, sorry girls) and AJ... FULL HOUSE!

Kent got a X-mas singing Scooby.

My Father-in-law, Duane, received a "bathtub" complete with bubble bath (beans to make farts in the tub), scrub brush, bar of soap, and towel from Kent and I. He said that he needed a bathtub and we gave him the best our money could afford- a galvanized tub.

Weekend in CR

Well, I'm back on line after a weekend at home. I ended up going to Cedar Rapids on Saturday to see my niece and nephew in a Christmas program at Kennedy High School followed by cookies and Hot Chocolate. AJ, as many of you know, is quite a performer and a wonderful singer. His little sister Lindsey performed, as well, with her elementary school. Many of you may remember her singing, "We are Family" at our rehearsal dinner at the Longbranch (my wedding).

Afterwards, Duane and Elaine took me to dinner at Granite City. Duane has one of those electric/hybrid cars. It was freezing rain and the windshields wouldn't melt as fast as the rain was coming down. Needless to say, I feared for my life for a period of time. Dinner was good (I had a Buffalo Burger) and got home safe and sound.

Our first snowy snowy night

I made the holiday drop chocolates last night and finished cleaning the house in lieu of going to Cedar Rapids. It was snowing pretty heavily and conditions were not good for driving. I have learned, however, that multi-tasking and melting chocolate do not go well together. My first batch of "Peanut Clusters" were disastrous and came out looking more like "Peanut Poop"(you know what I'm talking about). They are tasty enough but very unappetizing to look at. I was so frustrated with myself that the "Chinese Noodle cookies" turned out perfect but the recipe made a small batch. The turtles were OK but I didn't heed my mother's advice and dropped them on wax paper... Getting them off the wax paper caused swearing and high blood pressure. Making these holiday goodies was not at relaxing and fun as I anticipated.
The view outside is wonderful right now... Right out of a Christmas card. I REALLY want to go X-country skiing as the snow is light and powdery. I surprised my husband last night. He came home to find I shoveled the sidewalk and driveway. It was nice enough outside and the snow wasn't too heavy. I don't feel very debilitated by my pregnancy at 7 1/2 months. In fact, I feel less so now than ever. My hips and other joints ache all day but I have more energy than ever.
So.... X-country skiing? Bad idea?

Holiday fun

This past week I made holiday spritz cookies and they turned out lovely. I'm planning on making some of those chocolate drop cookies this week too. I will try to post a photograph of them.
I have joined a choir for the holidays called "MetroMix Choir". Its been lots of fun and we have been preparing for a concert at the Englert on December 13th (doors open at 6:30) called "Festival of Carols". There will be cookies and hot chocolate and a reading of The Night Before Christmas as well.
Our tree is up and I'm just really enjoying the season. I will be preparing for the greatest gift of all: our new family member. There is a song we sing called Mary did you Know that gets me all emotional. I can't help but wonder what wonderful things are in store for Kent and I.

My New Hobby

Just wanted to let you all my new favorite thing to do is cuddle in my bed listening to NPR and doing a crossword puzzle. Surprisingly, I'm not knitting. However, I am nesting so the rest comes after a vigorous cleaning of the household- organizing drawers, scrubbing floors, laundry cooking, baking and dishes.

Doctor Visit

Yesterday, I visited my doctor. My friends tut-tut me because I'm not going to a specialized OB. Anyway, I like my doctor because she has a real laid back approach. I'll be going every two weeks now. The baby seems to be a persistent breech which means I may get that third ultrasound yet. Still no good specific word on the sex of the baby. Maybe I'll be in a "go get 'em - I want to see the doctor of this place" mood next time and insist on a professional word from the doctor. I hate getting second rate care from techs. Last time the tech gave me a mouth full of information that was (as my doctor put it) wrong and that she shouldn't have done that. Must be hard when the patient doesn't even get to see/talk to the doctor.

Anyway, the appointment went well and she estimated the baby a little "longer" than average. The heartbeats were normal but on the lower side (some say this is a sign that its a boy). I know the "tech" told me she things its a girl but I still can't help wondering if its a boy...

Internet Dilemma

Just wanted to wish everyone Happy Thanksgiving and Happy birthday to my sister-in-law and brother. Kent and I are negotiating an internet plan at the moment so I am unable to check e-mail or blog unless I'm at work.
I want to ditch dial up and our home phone to opt for a cable internet service. Kent wants to get a cheap dial up that would add to our monthly costs. I don't think its worth it and the only calls we get on our home phone are from telemarketers.
So, let the peace talks resume.

Halloween 2007

Kent and I had a quiet night at home receiving trick or treaters. Our yard, ala Momma Obert, was decorated for the occasion. I had to dress in a costume for school that day but promptly took it off upon arrival home as my belly buldge was making me uncomfortable in the clothes I scraped up in my closet for a pirate costume. There is photographic evidence of that costume- However I am not in possession of it. Olivia wore her "ladybug" costume. We got to see Hannah, Damond and Quincy, Liam and Mae and last but not least Josh in his Elmo costume. I forgot to take pictures of the former children (Sorry!). They were all adorable! We did get a few "Older" trick or treaters... I think one of them was about thirty with her daughter. We had plenty, if not too much, candy and low turnout so I gave the "older" ones candy nonetheless (and No, JR, Melissa, and Sara I'm not talking about you guys!). Here are some pictures for you to enjoy!

Just want everyone to be pulling for my Grandma! Some of you may remember her from my wedding as the old lady shredding up the dance floor! She's having a bit of a hard time with her health and no matter what higher force you all believe, please send something out there for her to get better... She's been steadfast and strong for so long. Send her and the people there with her your love... it's one of those moments when we need to share some strength.

My Brother-in-law Kurt got remarried to Kim on October 5th!

Congrats to the new Couple. Thier wedding was very nice and casual. We all drove down to Arkansas to support him. In fact, Kent and I stuffed ourselves in Duane and Elaine's mini-van with Kurt's kids, Lauren, Lindsay and AJ... It was a full ship! That was the first "family" car ride I have experienced since I was probably... Oh... 10 years old or so. 24 hours in a car full of Olsons... priceless. Thanks to all the Arkansas people who put us up for the that couple of days!

It's a girl?
Well, after about an hour of poking and prodding around my belly they, "Guess its a girl." I'm not convinced. I wish I had something a little more conclusive to share. You see, first it was hiding its genitalia behind its hand, then it was hiding in back of my belly button, then it was hiding its genitalia behind the umbilical cord. They said they didn't see anything poking out and tried to show me where they though there were three lines representing the labia were. Hmmmm... A friend compared my baby's hiding to an Austin Power's movie where there is always something hiding the naughty something. I thought, "Well if it is a girl then she must be a "Venus de Milo": so full of chastity ;)."

Woman Overjoyed By Giant Uterine Parasite

NEW BRIGHTON, MN— "I'm so happy!" Crowley said of the golf ball–sized, nutrient-sapping organism that will eventually require hospitalization in order to be removed.

Day two of not working...

I'm on day two of not working. I start my new job at an elementary school on September 10th. Kent and I are working on a puzzle. Now all we have left is the annoying non-descriptive background peices to place.
Kent did most of it because he just can't walk away from the damn thing.
I already love this weekend because its so gorgeous outside.
HORRAY! for good weather!
Thanks to another burst of hormones I have added yet another pimple to my chin. Geez these hormones drive a girl nuts.
Me and "O" a.k.a. Olivia will probably discover someplace wonderful to walk and I will talk to her, "Who's the best dog in the whole world?" *Olivia looks up at me with her tounge half out smiling-rolls onto her back and wags her tail* It doesn't get much clearer than that folks!
I have a list of things I want to do today/this weekend:

• Go for a walk with Olivia
• Go to Radio Shack for a missing plug-in for my Ipod.
• Shop for new light fixture for my bathroom. I need affordable!
• Maybe pick out some paint colors?
• Pick of car from the mechanic.
• Visit Tanger Outlet Center's Labor Day sale.

There is more but I'm done listing things.

Here are some pictures from our trip to Denver. Top to bottom/right to left: Kent and I at Cubs/Rockies game [Cubs won but also inflicted serious injury to a Rockie who was up to bat when the Cubs pitcher accidentally hit him in the head with a fast ball- cubs got booed :( ], Kent enjoying a Black and Tan at an Irish pub outside the left field entrance to the stadium, Coors Stadium, Kent at aquarium with the sharks, Katy and Kent at the Zoo, Kent at Summit point in Estes park just before the rain.

(above from left to right: "The cousins"- Me, Kent, Shelly, Chis, Jared(?), Lisa and Joel)
Lisa and Joel got married Sept. 22nd, 2006 and had their reception this last month.

I have the utmost respect for all the women before me who have endured this thing called, "Pregnancy."

I'm at about 17 weeks and still puke in the morning. I have a pinched nerve where my leg meets my hip.I'm EXHAUSTED and I have acne like a teenager. I have another friend who is just as pregnant as I but her pregnancy has gone much smoother than mine.

At about week 15 Kent and I went to Colorado for a reception for a cousin of his. We camped some and, thankfully, were able to check into a motel for a few nights. Camping the first night was nightmarish. I don't think I slept more than an hour. It got better the two nights that followed. We camped at Golden Gate Canyon State Park in Golden, CO. There is a gorgeous view of about 10+ mountain from a lookout in that park. Kent and I went for a very nice hike (minus the up-mountain hike portion of the hike) to that Panoramic point.

Kent's mother, Elaine, his Aunt Kay and cousin Shelly and Chris (any of you remember the guy yelling for someone to take him to breakfast during gift opening at my wedding?) stayed in Evergreen. That was a very quaint touristy town.Turned out that Shelly is only a week or two less pregnant than I!!! She is also having a fabulous complaint free pregnancy. She had been trying a very long time and had to endure a lot to conceive.

Kent and I had the best time in Denver where we saw the Cubs play the Rockies, went to the zoo, the aquarium and to the art museum. I LOVED DENVER! I would live there if it wasn't for having to drive a million miles around mountains to get anywhere. I also don't like the idea of driving through Nebraska anytime soon.

Now to tie in the Pregnancy to all this... Kent and I haven't seen a whole lot of each other. Kent wakes up to the sound of my retching in the morning but hasn't experienced all my emotional and physical changes.

Chris (Shelly's husband) is, lets face it, a loud mouthed, loving, hilarious Italian man. He is VERY involved in every stage of the pregnancy as he too waited and worried as they were trying to conceive. You could often Chris and Kent hiding somewhere to smoke what they professed was another one of their precious last cigarettes (that was more Chris than Kent). Shelly laid an ultimatum on Chris but I know better with Kent. You need to know when to strike, choose your battles, and expect nothing. Kent always performs but on his terms (usually). Kent has a prescribtion for Chantix but hasn't gotton it filled yet. Its going to happen when he's ready. I credit Chris for preparing my husband emotionally for the coming of our baby. Thank you so much Chris!

I honestly think Kent didn't know what to think (and sometimes still doesn't) when in comes to becoming a Dad and having a family. I think its been drilled into Kent's head for so long that it's something naughty or wrong to get a woman pregnant that he's adjusting to the idea that its okay now and actually very welcomed by our families. Guys are weird and programmed sometimes (no offense).

Kent was able to laugh and joke with Chris about their upcoming new roles. It was very nice to see. I always feel really good when I see Kent off with a friend (that doesn't make my skin crawl). He is generally a home body and its a relief when he gets out socially.

Lastly, I have quit my job folks... Don't ask. Long story. My last day is next Wednesday. I think we'll be okay but it is worrisome. I'm working on a plan. I might like to take this opportunity to see some family. Mom and I talked about the possibility of meeting my niece Madeline or going to see Grandma (+family) in Ohio. I love going to Ohio.

Oh, one more thing... The new house is coming along. Kent and I are in no rush to make everything perfect all at once. We will paint the baby's room after we find out the sex. I just read a friend's blog wehre she is also pregnant and she's WAY more on the ball then I have been. I have an appointment next week to get blood work done. My doctor calls it the "Big OB" exam. Then we will schedule an ultrasound. Pretty exciting even if there are no guarantees that they will be able to distinguish the sex.

Anyone have votes or suggestions for names?

Here are the current possibilities in order of likelihood that we will actually name our kid this:

Boys (According to me I'm having a boy):

1. Michael "Mikey" Anthony (which is funny because this is a prominent name in my family that I could never spell and let me add that it was at Kent's suggestion).


2. Martin "Marty"


3. Evan

Girls (according to Mom and Kent they want a girl)

1. Annette "Annie"


2. Vivian "Vi Vi"


3. Kara

I didn't post anything on Pop-o's Birthday but I spent the day with him on Saturday. It was great because I really missed my folks. I have been on a vacation in Colorado with my in-laws for a reception (more about that later).

I'd just like to dwell a bit more on my Pop-o.

Boy, is he the best. Popo works hard for his family. He isn't the most outgoing or showy of personalities but Popo can be very funny. The older I get the bigger kick I get out of spending time with him. I tell Momma, "I just like watching him because he's just such a goof-ball!"

Pop-o has always been the handsomest man I ever knew. I have compared his looks to Elvis Presley on occasion. People say he looks more like Raymond from, "Everybody loves Raymond," but he is really much more handsome than that.

Everybody knows that Pop-o is smart and is very successful but he also has a very big heart. He genuinely cares about the people in his life and has turned out to be a very fun Grandpa. Its not always easy to see how much Popo cares because of the aforementioned lack of showy but there are tells in the more subtle variety and he would do anything to ensure that the people he loves are safe from harm.

I have looked up to my father my whole life and know that when he is angry that he means business because most of the time he didn't pay any mind. So when he yells- I jump. Most the time he yelled because of something bad I had done to Mom. Popo was always the model of a protective and loving husband. I also admired my parents loving relationship and would take no less in my own marriage than the love my parents had.

Pop-o travels and enjoys fine things in life because he works hard to get those things. I hope you get to enjoy those things for another 50+ years Popo. Take care and I love you! Happy Birthday.

Happy belated Birthday Cutie.
Love, your pain in the ass sister.

Here it is! Here's the amazing Peanut with a beating heart!
Due date: January 29th, 2008.

Love you Pop-o!

I learned all the pleasures in life from you: Family, Wine, Travel, and hats ;)

Happy Father's day

Its true Folks!

I've got something like the above picture growing inside my uterus.

I've got morning sickness and about every other symptom you can imagine.

Growing an alien inside me.

Wish me luck!

Happy Mother's Day!

Here's a cpuple Mother's day quotes:

"A loving and careful mother both recognises and even protects her daughter's autonomy and also helps her dance out confidently on to a wider stage."

-Rachel Billington, b.1942, from "The Great Umbilical"

"My mother raised me, and then freed me."

Maya Angelou, b. 1928

"A mother and her daughter are never free of one another - no matter how they disagree.

For they are so entwined in heart and mind that,

gladly or unwillingly, they share each love, each joy, each sorrow and each bitter wrong life-long."

Pam Brown, b.1928

P.s. I can't speak for Mothers and Sons... I'll leave that to someone else ;)

My new House

*Contingent on Inspections and information regaurding the stream in back...

Lepic Kroeger Website
MLS # 20072665


Visit this wonderful walk-out ranch and see why the quiet street and beautiful backyard make this a rare find. Screened Porch over looks large yard, mature trees and little creek. 3 bedrooms 2 baths and non-conforming 4th bedroom in lower level. Newer windows & siding. The garage is deep and the driveway widens for an extra parking space. Plenty of storage space inside. Updates include water heater, water softener, dishwasher & stove.

Type : Ranch
Bedrooms : 3
Bathrooms : 2

I have just finished catching up on all my family's blogs.
Today is St. Patty's day. I'm (I think) 1/8 Irish. My grandmother (Marge Cushing) was full Irish-which makes my father 1/2 Irish which passes down to me as 1/4.... Hmmmm.... Maybe she was 1/2 Irish. I'm confused.
My brother and I went to Ireland together. I was pretty sick during that part of my trip but I did enjoy some of its beauty. For example... Kissing the Blarney stone and Kilkenny castle. We drove around and Chris got pissed drinking Guinness. How many was it Chris?... Eleven?
Yesterday, Which was Lent and it was, therefore, a sin that I had my pints of Guinness with my Jamison Baily's back/shots before the actual St. Patrick's day. I also ate a corned beef Reuben yesterday. I'm such a sinner.... The corned beef on FRIDAY?!?!?! I think the Pope pardoned us last year but I didn't hear anything about yesterday.
Today, I pretty much just feel like sitting at home, cleaning, shopping and surfing the Internet for new homes for Kent and I. Kent had to go to work today and I'm at the end of my "Kent working every night" rope. Well, if you can't change 'em... join em' eh? Nah, I value my sanity too much (what little of it I have left).
Nice reading all your blogs... Keep posting!

You Belong in Paris

Stylish and a little sassy, you were meant for Paris. The art, the fashion, the wine, the men! Whether you're enjoying the cafe life or a beautiful park... You'll love living in the most chic place on earth.

What City Do You Belong In?

Personality Disorder Test. Fun for the whole Family! Disorder	Rating
Paranoid Disorder:	Moderate
Schizoid Disorder:	Low
Schizotypal Disorder:	High
Antisocial Disorder:	Low
Borderline Disorder:	Low
Histrionic Disorder:	Very High
Narcissistic Disorder:	High
Avoidant Disorder:	Moderate
Dependent Disorder:	Moderate
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:	Low
-- Personality Disorder Test - Take It! -- -- Personality Disorders --

Beautiful farm I'm dreaming about these days (thanks JR) is seen here:

http://www.benndog.com

I think the Coghill-Behrends and I are thinking back to the days when our idea was to run an "Art Farm"...

...Promotion city....
Well, I did it. I accepted the promotion at work. I will soon be considered an administrator and will be working directly under the executive director. My on-call will be increased but I will be 2nd tier so I will receive less of the silly calls and more of the serious scenario calls... yikes.
I have a lot to learn-being so new to the business. I think I have a lot of homework ahead of me. However, I couldn't ask for a better opportunity to build on my skills. This will be interesting. Wish me luck. I think I'm going to need it.

These pictures made me laugh out loud today. I can't believe Chris could tolerate that bitch on his face like that. The former is testament to the insanity that was our household. I remember Mike and Chris saying their friends came over just to "watch the show". I miss those days... As children our differences made a hysterical fusion.

Advanced Global Personality Test Results Extraversion 83% Stability 73% Orderliness 53% Accommodation 30% Interdependence 63% Intellectual 23% Mystical 30% Artistic 90% Religious 16% Hedonism 50% Materialism 90% Narcissism 36% Adventurousness 83% Work ethic 83% Self absorbed 43% Conflict seeking 16% Need to dominate 50% Romantic 63% Avoidant 23% Anti-authority 76% Wealth 63% Dependency 70% Change averse 23% Cautiousness 16% Individuality 63% Sexuality 63% Peter pan complex 56% Physical security 90% Physical Fitness 37% Histrionic 63% Paranoia 23% Vanity 56% Hypersensitivity 63% Female cliche 76%

Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Personality snapshot: social, outgoing, worry free, optimistic, upbeat, tough, likes large parties, makes friends easily, rarely irritated, open, enjoys leadership, trusting, dominant, thrill seeker, strong, does not like to be alone, assertive, mind over heart, confident, controlling, feels desirable, likes the spotlight, loves food, social chameleon, hard working, concerned about others

What can I say, I'm into tests right now.

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Brains > Will

I think my parent's are having an anniversary soon. Keep up the good work guys! Love ya!

Gracie was running to the light with the sound of "Her girl, Here girl" coming from god when the kennel rudely stuck an IV in her and revived her.
Gracie came back to life and said, "DAMN IT!"
Live in peace ole girl. They'll let you die someday.

This is our adorable Madeleine...
I made her the kitty blanket she's lying on.
Thank you Chris and Trish for the pics... I'll take some of the booties if you don't mind, too!

I had another Katy dream adaptation of Florence the other night.
There is a very yummy and regional soup that you can only find this time of year in Florence called Ribolitta. In English is means "Reheated" because the more you use it as leftovers the better it tastes.
I went to this little Tavola calda after class in the winter and had this soup with a side of roasted chicken for lunch with my friends. That's been a hard experience to replicate. It took a long time to find this recipe. However, since the surgance of Rachel Ray its in her cookbooks. You can also find Pasta Carbonara which is "bacon and eggs" pasta- a Roman delicacy. I think that the word Carbonara comes from the family name Carbonari and is a secret society today. Or it could have something to do with the cooking process involving coal. I like the former idea better. Rachel Ray calls it, "Coal Miner's pasta". She's probably right.

Here are the recipes:

Ribollita
-means “reheated” in Italian- soup that tastes better with each reheating. Also, a native Tuscan staple food in the winter time.
Ingredients:
1. 2 onions
2. 6 Carrots
3. 4 ribs of celery
4. Fresh Parsley to taste
5. Cubed bread (day old, stale is fine)
6. Curly chard (handful or two- chopped)
7. 4-5 cloves of garlic
8. 5 large tomatoes
9. A heel of parmigiana (grate the actual cheese part for sprinkling on top)
10. Vegetable stock or meat stock
11. 1 lb of white Tuscan beans (Great Northern work fine)
*You can also put in any leftover pasta, green beans, peas, pancetta, and potatoes)

directions: Prepare a lb of white beans (Well washed). Cover w/ water in a stock pot and bring them to a boil. Take them off the heat and let them sit in the water for a couple of hours. Add more water to cover, add seasonings, and simmer until barely done. They should be watched because they ten to become mushy soon after they are done.
Clean and cut into medium dice: Onion, carrot, celery, curly cabbage or chard, garlic, and tomatoes. Mince a bunch of parsley. Saute the onion and carrots in olive oil.
After a few minutes, add the celery, then the chard and the garlic, adding more oil as needed.
Cook 10 min.s then add tomatoes, a heel of parmigiano and the beans. Add enough stock (vegetable, chix, or beef) to cover. Bring to boil, then simmer 1 hr to blend flavors. Add the cubes of bread. Allow to rest for several hours. Add parsley, reheat, and serve w/grated parmigiano on top and olive oil to pass around the table. Finally, add leftovers.
(Makes 15 servings depending on stock)

Pasta Carbonara:

makes 4 generous servings

1 lb spaghetti
salt
a drizzle, plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (I like 1st cold pressed *KO)
1/3 lb pancetta, chopped (Italian meat (Bacon) available at deli counter or specialty meats and cheeses section of grocer)
4 or 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped (*KO says do the work and chop it your self - do not buy pre-chopped garlic)
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes, w few pinches, crushed in palm of hand.
1/2 c white wine or chicken stock
2 lg egg yolks or 1/2 pt container of pasteurized egg product
1/4 c boiling water
1/4 cp grated Parmigiano Reggiano chz (2 handfuls) plus extra or passing at table (again- do the work and grate it yourself from an authentic Italian cheese *KO)
a handful of fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
coarse salt (a must have in every serious food lovers kitchen), to taste
several grinds of black pepper (again no shaker of pepper- you should have a grinder with good peppercorns)

Warning: do not drain pasta until you complete step 3!

1. Place a large pot of water on the stove and when it comes to a rolling boil, add salt and pasta and cook to al dente (to the tooth), about 7 to 8 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over moderate heat. Saute pancetta in a drizzle of oil until it browns, 3 to 5 minutes. Add 2 tbls olive oil, garlic and crushes pepper flakes and saute, 2 minutes. Add wine or stock to pan and reduce liquid by half, about 1 min.

3. Beat together egg yolks or egg product, and while whisking vigorously stir in a ladle of the boiling pasta water.

Drain pasta, and add pasta to pan with pancetta and garlic and remove from heat. Add egg mixture, cheese, parsley, salt, black pepper and toss 2 minutes until sauce is absorbed and thickly coating the pasta. Adjust seasonings and serve immediately with extra cheese

As embarrassing as this is for me to post... In light of the Gini essays on G-ma and G-pa O: here is a very early Katy artwork (circa 1990)... Mikey wrote an essay on Grandpa O and I drew them... I think Grandma O would have been happy that I drew her thin (although I wasn't trying to at the time).

(this is the same quiz from last year... thought I would repost and cross reference my 2005-2006 with my 2006-07 answers.)
The New Year's quiz
1. what did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
2005: Plan wedding
2006: Married and Honeymoon!
2. did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
2005:I kept most of them at one time or another. I didn't go to Europe with Kent, however.
2006:I accomplished a few more (I keep a list on the fridge and a few more are checked off).

3. did anyone close to you give birth?
2005:My Cousin Chu had his second baby this year.
2006: My friends Genevieve and Rich had Joshua and Chris and Trish had Madeline
4. did anyone close to you die?
2005:My grandpa Charles Anthony Wuennemann died around St. Patty's day
2006: No, thank goodness
5. what countries did you visit?
2005: Mexico and America
2006: Mexico and America
6. what would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
2005: more money and a single job that makes me happy.
2006: More time with Kent (travel)
7. what date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
2005: Hurricane Katrina and the poor doggies left in the storm.
2006: September 2nd: My wedding!
8. what was your biggest achievement of the year?
2005: Being a good girlfriend to Kent and trying to be a good friend.
2006: Getting "one job to rule them all!"
9. what was your biggest failure?
2005: Not going to Europe.
2006: Getting into Guitar Lessons and having to bow out after a month because I didn't have time to practice.
10. did you suffer illness or injury?
2005: It was decided that I suffer of depression
2006: A sprained ankle, sprained wrist, and a bout with a digestive virus
11. what was the best thing you bought?
2005: I bought a bike off my friend, Melissa's, Dad.
2006: I got a lot of gifts this year so I didn't buy anything too major. Maybe my Honeymoon...
12. whose behavior merited celebration?
2005: My girlfriend Genevieve and her husband Dr. Rich got knocked up!
2006: Everyone who went to my wedding! Thanks for coming- everyone was a joy to be with!
13. whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
2005: I plea the right to stay silent!
2006: Oh my, this really is an incriminating question. You know who you are...
14. where did most of your money go?
2005: Bills.
2006: Wedding stuff or bills.
15. what did you get really, really, really excited about?
2005: Planning my wedding, the prospect of moving and going to school, seeing my parents.
2006: Getting Married and going on my honeymoon. Quitting the school job and working at Reach.
16. what song(s) will always remind you of 2005?
2005: ?
2006: "Fly me to the Moon" - Frank Sinatra
17. compared to this time last year, are you
i. happier or sadder?:
2005: Happy- horray for medication!
2006: Happier (not due to meds :)
ii. thinner or fatter?:
2005: maybe a little fatter
2006: a little thinner
iii. richer or poorer?:
2005: Approximately the same.
2006: richer (a little)
18. what do you wish you’d done more of?
2005: Traveling
2006: Camping
19. what do you wish you’d done less of?
2005: sleeping. I slept most of 2005 away.
2006: watching TV
20. how did you spend christmas?
2005: With my honey, Kent, warm and cozy.
2006: with Mom and Dad (lots of food and fun!)
22. did you fall in love in 2005?
2005:I am always falling in love again with Kent.
2006: ditto
23. what was your favorite TV program?
2005: Project Runway
2006: Lost
24. do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
2005: No
2006: Sort of...in retrospect
25. what was the best book you read?
2005: Harry Potter #6 was pretty good.
2006: another Douglas Adams book. They are pretty funny
your greatest musical discovery?
2005: That I hate R. Kelly's multi par song "In the closet"
2006: Shakira SHAKIRA!!!
(I don’t know what happened to 27 and 28)
29. what did you want and get?
2005: I wanted a nice place to have a wedding and I got it... wedding still on the way!
2006: a happy and joyous family filled wedding!
30. what did you want and not get?
2005: I generally want too much so I won't bore you with the list.
2006: (shhhhh.... a wedding band)
31. what was your favorite film of this year?
2005: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
2006: maybe "Running with Scissors"
32. what did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
2005: I turned 28. I can't remember. Must not have been too exciting. Unless it was the one where I got the New England travel guide from Andy and JR- In which case I had a nice breakfast at my friends' Melissa and Sarah's house.
2006: Low key again. I think it was a nice european lunch with my friends and dinner with Kent.
33. what one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
2005: Traveling to Europe with Kent.
2006: Ditto
34. how would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
2005: Kinda sloppy. Sometimes i dressed up but mostly I just wore what I've been wearing for the last four-ten years. I don't buy new clothes very often.
2006: Improved... more assecories and a little more razzle dazzle.
35. what kept you sane?
2005: Looking forward to moving, going to grad school, my friends, and Kent.
2006: Knitting
36. which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
2005: Definitly Colin Firth.
2006: Maybe Johnny Depp
37. what political issue stirred you the most?
2005: Hurricane Katrina and the poor doggies that were left in the storm.
2006: Gay Marriage... want my friends to be able to get legally married in name.
38. who did you miss?
2005: My parents in Mexico and Kara in Australia.
2006: My brothers and their kids... after getting a taste of my family I want more of that too!
39. who was the best new person you met?
2005: i think my best new people are the new associates that worked in the same classroom with me, Jessica Gordon and Brian Rath.
2006: Friends from work at Reach.
40. tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
2005: There is no such thing as constructive criticism. To construct is to build up and to cricize is to break down and pick apart.
2006: Stay cool- don't lost yourself to stress.
41. quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
2005: The lyrics to "I'm telling you now" by Keb Mo'
2006: Lryics to "my hips don't lie" - FUN FUN FUN (Chicago's bachelorette party, the wedding, and out with my friends! Also a lot of workouts to my ipod)

Honorable Father in law dressed in his new overalls from Katy.

It was a very special Christmas. Mom kept saying, "Ohhhhhhh! I don't want today to end!"
Christmas is her favorite thing in the whole world second to any grandbabies that come her way...
I had the pleasure of giving some very special gifts as well as receiving a few.

For giving:
I got my honorable father-in-law overalls and a denim hat to match... I will post a pic. His father was Kent's favorite person growing up. He had a farm and kept squirrels (sort of like pets) in the bibs of his overalls and would feed them little things from time to time (as Kent tells the story). He would also get up in the middle of a meal because he thought he heard a rabbit or a raccoon getting into things and shoot his shotgun out at the yard.
Anyway, Duane was delighted by his overalls and hat. He put them on right away. I got down on my hands and knees and I folded up the cuffs to mark where they should be hemmed. I took them to my mom to hem and back to CR on the way home. When we drove up into the Olson's driveway Duane popped out of no where for his overall almost as if he had been waiting for them all morning long.
I got our nephew AJ (you may remember him as the usher at my wedding) a PSP game-thingy. He was confused by our generosity and we had to convince him that he could take it home with him.

For Getting:
Aunt Gini put together a very special collection of Obert memories. The complaint letters made me laugh out loud and a few of the stories choked up tears in my throat. All x-mas morning Dad, Mom and I read excerpts out loud and laughed and shared.
Excellent gift Gini. Good job putting that disclaimer in the front too! Way to stay one step ahead of the game! If someone has a different recollection they can write it in! It would be cool to see all the different versions of the same story.

I'm addicted to www.postsecret.blogspot.com

It started out as an art project where people mailed creative postcards with very personal secrets divulged on them. Now they are scanned into this blog and changed every Sunday.

I haven't mailed a secret in yet...

Here is our beautiful sleeping X-mas pup.

isn't she cuuuuuute?

I've spent so much of this last month in a hibernation mode. I don't know if I'm subconsciously self medicating or if I'm just plain lazy but every night I've been coming home, cooking something for Kent, settling into my knitting and my television.
Tonight I did just that once again. However, instead of just watching television I decided to rent movies. I rented "Click"- that one produced by Adam Sandler.
It hit a resonate chord with me somehow. It made me realize that sometimes we live our lives in auto-pilot and before we know it a month goes by, then a year, then five years...
The guy in the movie is so anxious to make life better for himself and his family he fast forwards through the struggle to find that he lived his whole life with only one goal in mind and missed out on love, family, and himself.
I'm 29... I'll be thirty in April.
Its not old but I find that I keep looking to the next, "what's next..." Family? Marriage? Babies? A promotion? A move?
I have parents 45 min.s away. for the first time in about 6 years. My brothers haven't lives close to their parents since about 1990. That would be 16 years.
In that 16 years we have probably spent about 4 months of it as a family. Five of us: Mother, Father, two brothers and a sister.
Every one's life is different and it is what it is. Shit, Kent lives 25 min.s from his mother and father and see them only on holidays. When its all said and done, I wouldn't have it any other way. My brother, Chris, lives a very happy life in Seattle and has a beautiful wife and daughter and lots of family to bother him on a regular basis. My brother Mike also is happily married with a hilarious and joyful son in sunny weather and has a successful career. We are all strong, capable, and complete individuals.
Mom and Pop-o have traveled the world over and have seen many wonderful things.
Pop-o wants us to take a summer vacations in the Rocky Mountains. All of us with each our consecutive families. I guess uploading all those slides to his computer has made him a little nostalgic too...
I told him that I didn't know. That Kent and I were thinking of a trip to Europe. Pop-o said, "I understand, You guys have your dreams" and I smiled.
I think Kent and I may not worry about that for now. There will always be Europe (well, maybe not Venice but Venice smells funny anyway). If everyone is willing then so am I. Who am I to argue with good timing?

Well, I'm working late tonight to prepare myself for having tomorrow off. I will be taking my Popo to the airport and (maybe) having breakfast with him... Our new furniture will be coming soon so Kent and I have to pack up our old Futon in their truck to store at Mom and Pop-o's until we buy a house.
Ahhhhh, the old Futon...
The site of many firsts. ah-hem.
Its the end of an era, folks!
We are now in the realm of grown-up comfortable furniture. A very big step...
Gone are the days of using a case of beer or a dog as a footstool... Today, Couches Recline!

I'm so looking forward to this.

My loving husband got up and made my favorite breakfast for me: Eggs Benedict. Mmmmmm. Home-made hollendaise sauce is really the best. And to make it extra naughty be melted a slice of cheese under the ham. Oh boy.... Hellooooo heart attack. I sometimes wish I my tastes were less rich but I've always been this way. I try to eat healthy for the majority of my life but when my husband makes me eggs benny am I going to refuse? Hardly.
I had a really lovely weekend. I saw the movie Running with Scissors with my friends. It was one of those movies that sucks you in so much you have a skewed sense of reality when you walk out.
Today, I went to the Chek Slovak village in Cedar Rapids and saw a Christmas fair at the farmers market there. I ate smoked bratwurst with saurkraut and drank spiced cider with Rich, Joshua and Genevieve. We went to Kid'r'us after and looked at toys. I'm shopping for something very special I'm looking into for Madeline but it has to be just right so I'm going to take my time picking it out. I knitted a lot because I'm working on a project for the baby I wasn't supposed to know about (as I've been calling it). It was a full- all for me and none for work- weekend. I love those. Oh yeah, and I got to do one of my favorite things- I went on a dog walk out behind my apartment building (in the wetlands) with my friend JR and his daughter Hannah. There's actually more, too! I sang Karaoke at the American Legion with friends. The songs I sang were:
-Bon Jovi: Livin' on a prayer
-Fever
-One way or another by Blondie

I had a good weekend. I'm going to finish it off by watching an all new episode of The Simpsons.

Ahhhhhhh... Too bad we have to get off our duffs and work every Monday morning. Ah, it's not so bad. I like my job, too.

Who else had a nice weekend?