Growing Up

I spent Saturday and part of Sunday with my niece and nephew, Kate(9) and Jack (10). We had a full day - went to the Farmers Market, the library, grilled out, went swimming, to a movie, a party and to Bay Beach. We had a great time, and I love spending time with them. They love to hear stories about me and my siblings when we were little, stories that my sister has told them time and time again.

But somewhere between the swimming and sitting with them on the top of the Ferris wheel, it hit me. They're not going to be little "pips" forever. Right now, it's still "cool" for them to hang out with their Auntie Jamie. They still give hugs, want to snuggle when watching TV and aren't afraid to show their affection. They want to be seen with me on the Tilt-a-Whirl. They beg me to go on The Scat and think it's funny when I can't stomach the rides as well as they can.

I know this probably won't last much longer, and evidence of this is in my two older nephews, Bill (15) and Bob (12). Bill, who was born when I was 15 years old, will have his drivers' license in two months, and before we know it, he'll be off to college. Bob is becoming so mature and polite, his voice is already changing, and I don't get as many hugs from him anymore.

I know it's all part of growing up, and my parents probably felt the same way at one point. I can't keep them little forever, and all I can do in the meantime is enjoy this time and their youth while it's still here.

Good Things

- My boss at the Y wishes she had the $$ to hire me as a full-time staff member.
- My friend told me it appears I've lost weight since the last time she saw me, and that I am looking "awesome." (Who doesn't like hearing that?!?)
- "Eckfest" is on Saturday.
- My niece (Kate) and nephew (Jack) are having their annual "Auntie Jamie sleepover" this weekend.
- I am getting a massage next week.
- The Brew Crew is still in first place in the Central Division, despite their inability to establish anything close to a winning streak.
- Kelly is back to her normal self: barking, running, playing, smiling, being annoying.
- I recently got to have dinner with a friend and catch up.

Happy B-day

On a more positive note, it's my brother's b-day today. My "little" brother, Joel, turns 28. He is the baby of the family, but married, and is also a dad to Isabella (2.5) and Ben (1.5). Joel and I were always pretty close growing up: playing in the sandbox, swimming in the pool, and eventually, watching shows like "90210" and "Melrose Place" in his room. Seriously! Even today, I have called him to check out things in my attic or basement, and he's always there.

We've certainly had our fights and disagreements over the years, such as hair pulling and vicious brother-sister hitting. But we eventually always wound back up as friends.

I'm very proud of him. He works for my dad on the farm, and he is a great husband and dad himself - always hugging and kissing Bella and Ben, and they adore him, too.
And no matter what, he'll always be my "little" brother.
I hope he has a great b-day!

Bridge

Can you imagine sitting idle on Tower Drive, or the Mason St. bridge, or the Walnut St. bridge, and it just....collapses? The thought of that seems so scary to me. I can't even imagine what people yesterday in Mpls were thinking, especially the kids who escaped from the bus. My heart goes out to all of them, who were hurt, who lost someone, or who still can't locate someone. What a horrible, scary, scary thing.

Saving

I decided to take a personal day on Friday. I need one badly, physically and mentally. I haven't had a whole day off since March. I was home for a few days when I had strep throat, but laying at bed at home coughing up my lungs and then some isn't exactly a great time. I can get stuff done in the morning and then head up to CL (Crooked Lake) in the afternoon. CL has always done wonders. The sandy lake, sun, good company and good dive bars are enough to make anyone feel better.

I'm always hesitant to take personal days, because I only get two per year. I've wanted to take them before, but I always felt I had to "save" them for another time - Thanksgiving, Christmas, a long weekend, a trip that I probably won't take, etc.

Well, what the FLIP am I "saving" them for!?!?! I could get hit by a truck tomorrow when crossing Pine St., and what good will they do me then??

But it's not just the personal days I've saved for. Several years ago, Victoria's Secret carried this perfume called "exotic bouquet." It was exotic. It was amazing. I loved it. After I found out the idiots were discontinuing it, I tried "saving" what I had left, and only dabbling myself with it for those special occasions. Finally I got to the point where enough was enough, and I started wearing it every day.

I'm not knocking the whole saving concept, because it is a good thing. But I'm also realizing that sometimes you just need to cash things in. It's worth it.

Welcome Lily!

I have a new niece: Lily Patricia Matczak! !
7 lbs. 10 oz., 19 in. long.
She has 1o fingers and 10 toes and lots of dark hair; little lips, rosy complexion and the infamous "Matczak" (i.e. wide) nose!

She was born on the same day (July 26) as her cousin, Kate, and a day before her parents' anniversary!

I'm sure my mom (Pat) almost wet her pants when they told her. In her defense, my dad already has two grandchildren named after him (William Bernard and Jack Bernard), my deceased aunt has two (McKenzie Mary and Mary Madeleine) and one is after my grandmother (Kathleen Alice). Heck, one has our family name (Robert Matczak) and another is named after a country (John Ireland). My mom, never one to be subtle, always made it well known that "Patricia Ann" was still not taken when my siblings would throw around potential baby names. Like all 11 others, she'll spoil this one extra rotten.



Lily had lots of visitors at the hospital, including her cousins Isabella and Ben, and twin siblings, Jack and Elle. I heard they seemed to like her in the hospital, but we'll see how they feel about her when she is at THEIR house, playing with THEIR toys, taking away from THEIR attention. That could be interesting!
She is going home today and will probably have lots of visitors. She's a cutie pie!! Of course, I am a little biased...

Peppy Kelly

Kelly's back (I took this photo today!)
She's definitely back to her more normal self, only not as crazy as before.
She wants to play, cuddle, bark, go for walks, chase rabbits, sleep on my bed, eat a lot, be nosy and nibble at my food. I'll take this Kelly any day, compared to the sad one I had for a few weeks.

I've been putting some aspirin in her food, and I think it's helping. If it makes her feel better, then I'm all for it.

I'm glad she's back to her former self, because when she's happy, I seem to be happier, too. She just has that crazy, stupid way of always cheering me up. If I need a little nap after work, she knows to just lay next to me and take it easy. If I'm not feeling well, she knows not to pester.

I know she won't live forever, but I'd like her around for awhile yet. I can't imagine not having her or another dog in my life. It's amazing how attached I've become, and its surprised me more than anyone else. When I agreed to take her, it was on a "trial" basis. The deal was that I could give her back if at any time it wasn't working out. Now if someone tried to take her from me I'd probably fight tooth and nail!

Taking her in has definitely changed my life and lifestyle, but I wouldn't want it any other way.