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Archive for Travel Man

The Game Room’s Been Quiet

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Renee Spindle

It’s a quiet Saturday here at The Party House. Quiet meaning the twenty-somethings are all out at their various activities. Travel Man is “on the road”. It’s fine though I have the stereo blaring with some good tunes, and I’m writing this post. Earlier today I was in our Game Room (this is where the twenty-somethings normally hang out with their friends) doing some cleaning. I realized, this room’s been quiet for a few weeks. It funny since the college kids have finished classes, and are into their summer jobs we haven’t had as much activity in the evenings here as we normally do.

And then I realized, as I was cleaning, that the Game Room is becoming a dumping ground for “stuff”. The available floor space in the room seemed to be shrinking at an alarming rate. You know the kinds of things I’m talking about. It’s those things that maybe belong in the garage or out in your garden shed. The things that make an interim stop on some “flat surface” (that one’s for you Hilary), and dont’ quite make it to their destination. I am the first to admit I’m guilty of parking some things in this room too. Camp Grandma supplies that did not get put away. Pool supplies that haven’t made it outside yet. And a Rock Band set that is collecting dust on the ottoman that needs to be put away. Anyone, anyone?

You know, if you have a big family and everyone leaves just one thing lying around it can add up to a mess quick style. We have tall sons with big feet. So just two pairs of shoes not put away can almost create a traffic jam. And then there’s our (mine and daughter Hilary’s) running joke with Travel Man about the flat surfaces. If there’s a flat surface in the house with empty space it gets filled quickly. And not to pick on Travel Man, because we are all guilty of leaving “stuff” on the flat surfaces in the house.

After working my Domestic Goddess magic, the Game Room is back in order and ready to go. Everything is parked back in its’ respective place. And the “flat surfaces” are cleared and ready for the next round of “stuff”.

Is the “stuff” in your house driving you nuts?

6 comments Posted in Around the House, Blogging, Family, Organizing, Travel Man

When Travel Man is out of the Country

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Renee Spindle

This is the first day of a three-week trip for Travel Man. He is on a work assignment that requires travel to Brazil, and will return long after the Fourth of July. The preparation that went on before this trip was so stressful. He was not originally slated to be dispatched for this job. What this meant was that we had to scramble to get a visa for him to travel yesterday. In the normal course of things this would not normally be an issue, but Travel Man had to get this visa on a “rush” order. He had to take all of his paperwork to the passport/visa service office last Tuesday in order to get the visa by Wednesday of this week at the very latest. He was flying out on Thursday.

On Monday afternoon he calls the visa service office, and is told his passport and visa are scheduled in that afternoon, and he will have to drive to their office to pick it up on Tuesday. We call again on Tuesday morning and are told that the Brazilian consulate has gone on strike this morning. They proceeded to find out if Tom’s passport and visa had cleared through the system before they went on strike. After 3 most stressful hours and numerous phone calls by Travel Man we find out that his passport and visa had been released, and he will have it on Wednesday morning. Remember he is leaving on Thursday morning. The major panic subsides for both of us, and Tom tracks the package via FedEx.

Thankfully his passport and visa arrived early Wednesday morning, so we could breathe a sigh of relief. If it had not cleared on Tuesday before the consulate went on strike there’s no telling when he would have gotten his passport back. This was the most stressful pre-trip preparation that Travel Man has had in a long, long time.

For myself, I have not been this stressed out since Travel Man went to Russia last year. My stress level stays right up there until I hear from him that he has made is to his destination, and has cleared customs without incident. My Travel Man has been all over the world, and had some crazy experiences going from country to country. Maybe one day he’ll find time to blog about it or write a book. For the time being this Domestic Goddess is thankful that her hubby is safe and sound and on the ground.

No comments Posted in Family, Travel Man, Travels

Angels Baseball with the Boys

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Renee Spindle

Travel Man and I squeezed in some time on Tuesday night to see and Angels game. Yay!! With his crazy travel schedule we have had to learn not to plan our outings too far ahead, as his travel plans can change in a moments notice. So we are learning to be more spontaneous than we normally would. But it’s working. We took our oldest son, Bryan to the game, and grandson, Evan.

The Angels were playing an interleague game with the San Francisco Giants, with CJ Wilson pitching. We love baseball, so it’s always a treat to get to see a game live. And Evan is getting into baseball more and more each year. First inning, Albert Pujols hits a three-run homer. A great at bat, and Evan is on cloud nine because he got to see Pujols hit a homer while he was at the game. He knows who most of the position players are, and gets lots of questions about the game answered by his Uncle Bryan. He’s like a sponge this year soaking in all of the baseball details.

Before the game Evan got a mini bat for a souvenir. He told the employee at the counter that he could only spend $10, because that was Grandma’s budget. When Evan gets back to his seat he tells me, “Grandma, we only spent $5, so we’re in your budget!” Just too funny for me. I was laughing for 5 minutes along with some “Grandma’s” sitting a few rows behind us.

Evan got lots of treats; churros, red vines ( I tried to call these red licorice, but got corrected), peanuts, a soda, a soft pretzel. Not the usual Grandma meals, but hey we were at the ballpark. Funny thing is he told his mother last night that we never fed him dinner!

The first inning was so exciting, 4 runs scored, and 4 runs scored in the 4th inning, more excitement! Right after the seventh inning stretch we get on the jumbotron!! Evan had the funniest delayed reaction. Bryan and I are pointing to the jumbotron telling Evan to look, and he was just in awe. Then he got excited and started jumping up and down. Just too funny because Evan had been dancing all night when they had the “dance cams” going in the stadium trying to get on the jumbotron, and then he did. The 8th inning we score 3 more runs. The Angels won this game 12-5. Lots of offense, and fun times with Evan too.

Evan’s getting lots of lessons in reading the baseball stats from all of us. Bryan is teaching him to read the stats in the newspaper. Great way to teach a little reading, and the numbers and percentages. If you have a sponge like Evan who likes sports this is a wonderful way to soak up some knowledge.

It’s always a treat when we get to spend time with any of the kids and with Evan along too. Bryan is a baseball aficionado, and so knowledgeable about the game it’s always a treat to get to watch a game with him and learn something new.

Travel Man will be back on the road today to South America, so I’m thankful we got to have a trip to the baseball park while he was home. It’s always a treat.

What’s your favorite summertime adventure?

No comments Posted in Family, Sports, Travel Man

The Dad’s in our Family.

Posted on June 17, 2012 by Renee Spindle

Today is Father’s Day, a day we pay homage to the Dad’s in our lives. Our family has some amazing Dad’s, and I just wanted to let you know how special each of them are.

My grandpa, Harry, lives in Illinois with my beloved Grandma. They will be celebrating 49 years of wedded bliss later this week. My fondest memories with my Grandpa growing up in Illinois are the times when I got to dance with him while standing on his toes. And his never-ending teasing of my dislike for mayo. He is a devoted, loving, kind family man. The kind of man you want your sons to be like. It can be hard to be so far away from them some times, but we try to visit as often as we can.

My Dad, Jim, is my hero. I remember growing up I felt like my Dad was almost untouchable, because I had the utmost respect for him. Of course I still have that sense of respect for my Dad, but it’s matured. He’s such a smart man, and his love for his family knows no bounds. In good times and bad I have always, always known that I can call my Dad anytime for advice or support. And now he is a Warrior, battling lung cancer, and showing all of us that you should never, never, never give up.

My brother, also a Jim, is a rock solid, smart, funny, loving man. He’s our family Uncle, Unc, and in the kids younger years they called him Oinkle. Such a funny nickname. He’s so much like my Dad. He has always been, and still is the calm in the storm. I have relied on my brother more times than I can count when I needed some advice or something fixed around the house. When Zach was so sick with leukemia my brothers loving support carried me through the tough times. He and my Dad have been the greatest role models to my sons. I don’t know if they realize how much the boys look up to them.

Then, I have to tell you about Tom, aka Travel Man. Almost 10 years ago when Tom and I got married this man walked into an entirely new world. Marrying a single mom with four kids and one of his own. What was he thinking. I used to ask myself that. He must be crazy! He was crazy, crazy in love with me. We knew at that time what we were getting ourselves into. Tom’s goal when we first got married was to have fun. Show the kids they could have fun with him. We took little weekend trips a lot, and the boys had their own guy trips with Tom. We were able to take a few vacations together to Disney World, Chicago, Monterey, and made some great memories. The kids know now they can depend on Tom for anything. In the early years they would question his methods, and craziness a lot. But Tom stayed strong, has gone the distance, and has forged his relationship with each one of the kids. I am forever grateful for this man in my life. My Rock of Gibraltar, my calm in the storm, and my soul mate.

Our family Dad team would not be complete without my son-in-law, Brad. Brad is steadfastly devoted to our daughter Naomi, and such a great Dad to Evan. Brad and Naomi have a crazy work/ life schedule, but they make it work. Brad’s work schedule doesn’t always allow him to get to the Party House for every event. But he always make a point to get here after work, and say hi to everyone. When he walks in the house on a Party Day we all yell, “Brad!” in unison. We’re so crazy.

On this Dad’s day my brother will not be with us as he had to be out-of-town for work. So we’re sending him long distance hugs today. As we celebrate this Fathers Day, remember all the wonderful, meaningful things the Dads in our lives have done for us. Take a minute to reflect on the warm and loving memories, and hold them near and dear to your heart. My cup runneth over with thankfulness for the Dads in our family. Each of them special and unique in their own wonderful way.

Photo credits for this post go to Elaine, Naomi, and my Mom.

No comments Posted in Around the House, Family, Travel Man

Just a word about Naps…..

Posted on June 16, 2012 by Renee Spindle

If you have been following my blog for any length of time you know that I have become a Domestic Goddess in the last year. This is my new job title along with Chief Finance Manager, and Household Project Manager. Now for a little back story. When I was working in the corporate world and had a lot of stress in my life I would tell you, “I can’t nap. I’ve never taken power naps, can’t take power naps just don’t do naps”.

I’m now one year out of the stressfulness, fast paced, rat race. And here’s my revelation. I love naps. I can easily take a little snooze after lunch, after a busy morning. This is my favorite time to nap. I’m usually home by myself this time of day. It’s so quiet, and easy to find a spot in the house to nap. Travel Man teases me to no end on this subject. He says my napping is now an art form. He finds it quite amusing that I can now nap at the drop of the word nap. He’s been a power napper his whole travelling and working career, so I think there’s some sense of victory for him getting me to realize naps are good. Kind of like a welcome to the napping club thing!

That’s all for now on my napping update, Happy Saturday everyone.