Ahh another great recipe from The Gluten Free Vegetarian Kitchen.  We had Mexican stuffed zuchinni.

It’s another beautiful day in Texas.  Man on man I love it here.  The weather rocks and the blue skies don’t suck! I love these 90 degree days and am despising the air conditioning.  Of course I am sure I will love it once the temperature goes above 110!  The only other place that comes close to Austin is Boulder(Denver).  Sure it snows in Boulder but there are 300+ days of sunshine and that includes right after a snow storm.

Tonight is muffins with moms at Noah’s school.  I subbed today for another kindergarten teacher.  They are so cute but I am so cut out for middle school.  I had one little girl cry 3 times.  I can understand that at the beginning of the year but holy cow.  When I mentioned someone had cried in class to Noah he knew exactly who it was.  LOL

I am going to write a whole write up on Lost.  I have a lot of Theories I would like to bounce off you all.  Got the Wings game and Grey’s finale then I can write more.

TTFN

ahhh the owner died.  He was such a sweet man when I met him.  Everyone had good things to say about him.

Warning!  Warning!

Whoa nothing like a winter storm in Texas. I sat in bed and watched the night news and had a good giggle.   The sand trucks were going to have to work in 3 hour shifts and there might be 1/10^th of an inch of ice.  I’m sure everyone back in MI. is laughing, especially the salt truck drivers.  They would love a 3 hour shift.  Round Rock Public Schools even cancelled after school activities yesterday(Tues.) and it hadn’t even rained yet.  Now in fairness they aren’t accustomed to this but a little common sense is all that is needed.  There are some HUGE ramps here (bigger and Higher than the 96 ramp at Southfield Fwy in Michigan).  My mom always gets white knuckles when going over and I have to say that I am not enjoying the scenery when I travel on these ramps either.  I would avoid them all together in this weather.  It isn’t too far out of the way to travel around.

The Jeep was covered in ice this am but nothing different from when you wash your car in Michigan in the winter time and don’t drive around enough until it dries.  You know what I mean….you decide to wash your car on the way home from work at the neighborhood car wash and then 2 minutes later your at home and parked, of course the car doors are going to freeze shut.  Ugh I hated that.  I started driving around with a towel so I could dry the inside of the door before I shut it for the night.  Oh and the frozen key locks.  What a pain in the ass.  How do you get that warm if you can’t even get into the car.  I remember once climbing in through the back door of my car in order to get in the car and start it.  I love my auto start now.  Of course I use it more often for the hot days than the cold days!

They put sand on the streets here which is part of the reason the roads are in such good shape.  I’m pretty sure they use different stuff on the roads here since it is WAY too hot for the Michigan tar and stuff.  I’m not sure if the sand works as much as it makes a nice muddy mess around my classroom and a coating on my car.  At least we don’t have to worry about this kind of thing very often. 

Gregg’s brother came for a visit just in time for our “ice storm.”  We are always saying how nice it is here and he comes on the one freezing and gray day.  It’s back to beautiful blue skies and a high today of 55(now it is wet and sandy).  This weekend it is suppose to be in the 70’s which will be nice since we are taking him to the lake Sunday.  I love it when people come to visit because that means I HAVE to take them out to enjoy the local cuisine.  I see some Rudy’s, Salt Lick, and Chuy’s in my future.  YUMMY

Cooper is crazy good at these video games and computer stuff.  The boy is an addict.  I can barely stay on the road (Mario Kart) and Coop is finishing in first all the time(I’m in 12^th, ahhh last place).  The other day I noticed it was quiet in the game room.  I walked in to see him on my computer.  I didn’t leave a browser open but he managed to get online somehow and get to Playhouse Disney.  He is 3 years old for Pete’s sake.  I’m constantly amazed by him.

Speaking of being amazed, have I mentioned what a great reader Noah is.  I love that he always likes to spell.  Learning has always been a game to him.  He loves to walk around and spell things.  However, I did catch him spelling “s.t.o.o.p.i.d”  Not very nice.  He loves to answer all questions with spelling the answer.  Cute, but not when I am in a hurry. 

I am anxiously awaiting news of an important birth.  I can’t wait to see the puppies!!

AAHHH Friday!  What a great week.   It has been nice here.  Today it is 82 and I am out back watching the golfers blogging.  Nice day!!!  Just said nice shot to a guy.  I never do that.

WHat a great week and sad one.  Great week for America!  Not so great for some people in Detroit.  Gregg’s old station is now out of business.  They pulled the plug on Tuesday during the inauguration.  They were hoping no one would notice.  Some great people are out of work now and that is always sad.  Even more so with the way the economy is in Detroit.  Radio is just not a good gig.  Sure it is good when you got it but things change, owners change and tastes change.  My advice to anyone in radio now is…”don’t get used to it, have a back up plan.”  Look at the veteran radio personalities who are now still in their prime(non-retiring age) and have to find work.  Gregg knew back in the wxyt/krk days that things weren’t going to last forever.  He had told me that radio was going to die and syndication, internet and “Bob/Alice” type stations were going to take over.  He was always interested in doing something else be it another job, college or opening a restaurant.  Even though the thought of openning a breakfast place had ALWAYS thrilled me it was just easier to collect the big salaries offered and not think about the future.  I still regret not buying the breakfast place we were talking about.  Once in Philly and seeing how miserable Gregg was I knew we had to make the move.  He dreaded talking about sports again.  So we set forth to open the Jungle Java.  Now in the beginning we were going to open one in Clinton Twp. and I was going to go back to Farmington Public Schools and resume teaching 6th grade math.  Then Gregg got the job here in Austin.  He didn’t want to go back to sports talk but it was an opportunity for us to get out of Detroit once and for all and get started on our dream.  Yeah that hit some bumps when he lost his job and we had to finish the financing without the job.  I’m sure if we would have waited another year we never would have gotten the loan.  But it was well worth the wait.  I love it here and I Love being our own boss and having our destiny in our hands.  Business ownership may not be for everyone but if you are in radio I would recommend that you at least have one back up plan if not a side venture going.  Things won’t last and I know everyone in radio has been unemployed before and knows some of what I say is true.  And with the way the market is going and the direction radio is taking there may not be another job opening once you lose this one.  THINK AHEAD or plan to move a lot(or be a great ass kisser and have no self esteem OR always keep a job while you cut the legs off from those under you ie./ be an executive).

OK enough of that on to sunnier things………TEXAS  LOL

Noah has his first science fair this week.  Kindergarten kids can’t go to regionals but I thought it would be good for Noah to do a project.  and………………..NOAH did his project.  He came up with the idea after searching the web and wrote the whole thing by hand.  Having been a science teacher I know too well how many parents do the project for their kids.  Often I would have to call a student to my desk to have them explain the project(mind you 6th grade) and they couldn’t.  Not only that but often they couldn’t pronounce some of the words on their board nor tell me what the word meant.  So this meant a lot to me to have Noah do his on his own.  Last night was the night when all the boards were on display and it wasn’t surprising to see what I saw.  Clearly parents had helped more than they were suppose to.  However I did learn something.  It is OK for parents to help if they put that in their reference and acknowlegement section.  Next time I will definitely type what Noah dictates to me but it will still look like an age appropriate task.  I had the poor child write everything out on his own and that took more time than coming up with his project and actually doing it.  I am happy to say that although Noah’s board did not look as professional as others he did receive a second place ribbon.  He was happy and I told him he won it all on his own.  This is not to say that other’s did not do their project on their own.  I saw and talked with some of the other kids in all grades and saw the work and effort they did in building their own items.  It was a great night and nice to see all the displays.  Congrats to Colin and Addison and good luck at Regionals(sorry if I missed anyone I didn’t see everyones).

Well another week is done and time to relax.  Couldn’t think of a better way than with a gluten free beer and lime salt so I am off to sit on my back porch, enjoy the weather and sun, and do a crossword…oh then beat the boys in Mario.  Gotta get ready for another busy day at JJ tomorrow!  Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TTFN

OK.  I went back to Michigan this past weekend and can’t figure out why anyone would subject themselves to that.   It was freezing cold.  I was ready for the cold weather but not that ready.  It snowed all day Saturday.  Then came the wind, as if the snow wasn’t bad enough.  I had told my students I was going to Michigan and they were excited about the snow.  I told them it wasn’t all that.  I explained about the wet socks in stuffy boots and how their feet and boots would smell.  Oh but the best was the scraping of the car.  Ahhh the joy of having to scrape snow off the car and windshield.  We have an indoor garage so don’t have to worry too much about that but after my meeting on Saturday I walked out to my car to see snow covering my vehicle.  I had no snow scraper!  I just sat in the car waiting for the car to heat up so that I could put on the defroster to melt the snow and ice off.  Then came the task of using the “blue juice” to spray the windshield clean.  And inevitably the wipers dragged across the windshield prompting me to have to go out into the cold and beat the windshield wipers clear of ice.  AAAHHHH the snow.  Then there is all the salt.  There is salt on the sidewalks you have to get off your shoes or they will ruin and there is the salt on the road.  Now the salt on the road creates quite a nasty and dirty film on the windshield thus prompting you to use more “blue juice.”  Eventually you will run out of “blue juice” at the most inopportune time.  Oh and don’t forget all the salty snow and ice on your shoes.  You have to pound your feet together to get it all of so that your floor mat doesn’t get that nasty salt and water stain. 

I have to admit for the first few moments I was inside watching the snow fall I thought it was so pretty, then I had to go out in it.  Snow is nice to watch but not nice to live in.  When I left Sunday morning I was freezing my tush off but by noon I was driving home with my windows rolled down.  On my way home I drove past the front of our subdivision and saw the kids enjoying our winter fest.  The sub has snow made on one of the hills and the kids get to sled down it.  I just drove by laughing and thinking, that is the way I want to see snow…..70 degrees outside and sledding, how perfect.

Ok I am finally caught up on Heroes.  To tell you the truth I was one of the ones that was about to abandon the series.  Normally I would be waiting by the TV but as of late I have found other things to do.  Tonight I finally sat down and decided to watch them.  I must say that the last episode was a long time coming and may bring me back to watching “on time.”  It was interesting to see how everything came about.  Senior Petrelli scares me and it aint just his Chicago accent.

Speaking of accents.  It is so funny to hear my students tell me I have an accent.  I have restarted the tutoring at the middle school and in teaching a lesson one of the kids said, “omg, I hear your accent.”  It’s so funny because I don’t hear it.  Occasionally I hear someone here with a very strong accent but otherwise I think I am getting used to it.  Heck half the people here are from California.  Two weeks ago I did book a party with a mom and then had to say….are you Canadian?  She was surprised I recognized her accent until I told where I had grown up.  Paul, my step father, is British and people would ask me where he is from and I would say Franklin not realizing that they were talking about his accent.  It’s funny how you get used to things.

Noah is entering the science fair this year.  Today we did research on what topic he would like to cover.  We have our topic and will begin our research tomorrow.  This is such a fun activity for us to do together.  I told him that I have graded hundreds of science experiments through my years and have ideas but he is ready to take this on all by himself.  Go little man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had a nice day today…

Noah has asked for a dinner party for his friends.  Preston and Heathcliff have had him over a few times for dinner and Noah wanted to return the favor.  Today we had the boys and Taelyn over and had nuggets, veggies, and baked and decorated cupcakes.  I have some fun pics I will post(I know mom I have a ton and will get to them!!).  Good Times!

Gregg had fun doing his “sports” radio show on the internet the other day.  If you like sports this might be an opportunity to hear him daily.  He got a call last week and we shall see what happens.  Either way I am fine with what happens.  We have never hidden our disdain with terestial radio so I hope this venture will prove to be a good one.  If it happens it will be rough at first but one that may be worthwhile.  Enough speculation we shall see what happens.  On other radio news.  Gregg told me JJ and Lynne were out of a job.  That is so sad.  It is hard to see people lose their job especially in the Detroit economy.  I know JJ holds a special place in Gregg’s heart.  I hope they both find opportunities soon.  I would think that the D and D rumors must also be buzzing because when I heard of the release I thought that right away.  It is bittersweet that they get that gig.  I’m sure that they both feel the same way.  D and D are nice guys and although they want a gig in Detroit I know that they are not elated to know how they got it.  They too know how it is to be working one day and out the next.  That is one TOUGH transition.  As I am sure you know we went through it as well.  My mom has often said I am a VERY pragmatic person.  True but it was hard to leave a house that I had built from the ground up!  That aside the prospect of moving someplace cool like Austin also appealed to me. 

Now…..It appealed to me because we were also making money and a cheaper lifestyle.  I had started my “adventure” living when I had moved to Boulder during my senior year in college(much to the dismay of my parents).    It was my “pyschosocial moratorium“.  It was at that point that i realized I wanted to return to college and see the world with new(employed…LOL) eyes.  I was always ready to move…I almost did my student teaching in Boulder but had no way to support myself and teach.  Once I was employed I found it hard to leave so it was ALMOST a godsend that Gregg and I were whisked away to Austin.  I loved it here…moved to Philly, which was fun as well but Austin was GREAT(Boulder is still a close second save the weather).  Not everyone is “built” to roll with the punches but hey, why fight it.  It is what it is and make the most of it.  Trust me we still have about two people who still post and write nasty shit about Gregg and radio and JJ stuff.  I find it amusing because two weeks after we left I moved on and they still haven’t.  Not everyone finds it easy to move on and I am not making light of those who can’t or don’t.  I can only imagine the pain that you are going through but once you get past it there are so many blue skies out there that you will be blinded by the sun.  I hope you are all fortunate to  gaze into the sun and put on those shade because life truly is a sunny place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  ENJOY!!!!!

This is why I don’t want to move back to Michigan.  It has been nice and 80 all week and back in MI…………  It is getting down to the 60’s this weekend and we have been getting a mad rush on last minute birthday parties.  Mi. would love a 60 degree outside party.  Love the Milford house and these shots but not worht the cold.  Loving the swift 70 degree breeze blowing in anticipation of the colder weather here!!!!!!!!!

I went back to Michigan for the msu game.  UGH. not what I had hoped for as of score nor play.  Damn I wouldn’t have cared who would have won if it had been the least bit exciting(sorry Gregg).  The tailgate was wilder than usual.  They had octobongs and an ice luge.  I did participate in the ice luge.  Patrick rented a sound system and the place was hopping.  Sooo many more people than used to be there when I hung.  It’s a nice location only being two parking rows from the stadium-Thanks to Aaron and his contributions to the U of M hockey team-and by the way GO Boston Bruins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I found Jamie Morrison working the crowd and giving out field passes to past and soon to be present players.  He commented on two young men shadowing him and mentioned whoe they were.  When I turned to look at them the both said, “Oh My God, Ms, Champe/Mrs. Henson.”  I recognized the boys as Matt and Ryan Leach(sons of ex QB/baseball player R. Leach).  I almost died.  THese cute little boys were grown men.  The first a senior and the latter a freshmen.  These were great guys.  I remember Matt as an outstanding math student.  He is going into Athletic mangement(hence shadowing Jamie) and Ryan as such a ham.  He was such an outgoing guy that I had him do the play by play for the Piston’s MLK game with George Blaha.  The kid was a natural and is still as outgoing.  They were both interningfor Jamie and my friend Joe who is  Sr. Assoc. Athletic Director.  Funny thing is back in college Joe and my friend Pia and Topher and I were all suppose to get married and grow old together.  Oh how things have changed.  Joe has a family and stayed at Michigan(was on swimming team),  It was actually Joe and Pia’s time in Austin that taught me how cool it was here and allowed me to make the jump to move here.  Pia is a Dr. in Santa Monica and saving animals across the country with  adoptapet.com That is Pia with the pigtail braids.  I love that girl!  Topher is?????????????????????  Aspen, San Diego, Some third world coutnry, or somewhere parts unknown.  Please contact me or Kendo if you get this we would love to hear your latest adventure!

I have a ton of pictues to post when I get time.  I am back to tutoring at the middle school.  Great two day a week gig but I had to quit the PTA Homeroom parent chair.  That was hard but between the JJ, MS and kids it was too hard.  It is still nice though because Gregg and I get to regularly have lunch with Noah at school and go on his field trips.  Noah got his first report card and got great grades in music, art, PE, and math.  He got god grades in everything else but I am especially happy he got such great grades in math(being a math teacher and all).  It’s funny, I always thought his strength was in verbal communication of just about anything.  I was actually surprised to learn that he is great in geometry and statistics. 

Cooper is very much a computer guy.  It is funny to see him move the mouse around and get done what he wants.  He can do just about anything on the computer and we have never taught him it.  He knows how to turn the volume up and down and how to print many documents.  I always ask Gregg, “Did you teach him that?”

Anyway, Good things are happening and I will be writing more and sending pictures in the next week or so.  Sorry for my absence!

He’s a coming!  That is good news for our business but not such great news for C.C.  They are already boarding up the businesses.  It is suppose to hit Sat. Morning.  That is the same day that our community is having a garage sale.  I guess that is off.  Hard to sell things if the wind is at 80 mph.  The good news is that people are booking parties this weekend.  We are almost completely booked.  I have a baby shower to go to(congrats Jamie and Joel) then I must get to the JJ to help out.  Most of us are looking forward to the rain.  Other than the other night(slept through it I guess) I don’t really remember when it has rained.  I also noticed that the temps are suppose to drop by about 10 degrees too.  I know I have said this before but I think the mid 90 are the perfect temp.

Gregg hasn’t acclimated to the temp.  When he went back to MI he said it was great there and hot there.  When we went back in May I was freezing.  Coop and I arew going back the weekend of Oct. 25th so I’m sure it will be crisp.  It will be great to see Julie and everyone at the tailgate.  Thanks Julie for watching Noah during the last half of the game while Gregg was on the field.  He loves his press pass.   Hey, I’m part owner of Sports pages perhaps I can get us ont he field too.  I remember when I was pregnant with Noah I was on the field and soooooo nervous.  First there is the possibility of getting hit then there was the overtime of the game.  I was so stressed and excited I thought for sure I was going to hurt the baby.  Oh to be a first time mommy.

OK so Dove hunting?  What the hell is up with that.  I guess it started a week or so ago and all I hear now is bang. bang. bang.  Who the hell shoots a dove and why?  Do you eat doves?  That just sounds gross.  OK Veggieism aside what the hell.  Occasionally I will eat meat(going back to vegetarian) but a dove?  I remember the uproar in Michigan about dove hunting.  I don’t know if it ever passed.  Speaking of passing.  I am glad that Kwame is finally out of office.  Or should I say out of office until his 5 year probation is over.  I’m sure the city will reelect him once it is over.  I hope not.  How long until his name is off the Detroit zoo?  I hated driving by that everyday and seeing his name on it.  Please keep me updated Detroiters.

I went to Whole Foods today.  I have been waiting to go for so long.  In Royal Oak I had three Whole Foods within a 10 mile radius.  The one in Troy was only 1 1/2 miles away.  Here in Austin where it originated there are only two and one is 10 miles away the other is in downtown and San Antonio.  HEY you don’t have to worry about flooding the market you need another one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I called Carol early this am and she was game.  We hit the market and I was sooooo surprised at all the GF stuff they had there.  I never had a problem finding Gluten Free items in the stores in Michigan and Philly.  Even the little stores in Philly had a great selection.  Here in Texas it is slim pickings.  The only store here is HEB.  They really have shit.  Sorry to be so vulgar but I am sick of going and not finding any crackers or goo Tinkyada spaghetti and noodles.  Their freezer section is lacking as well.  I stocked up at whole Foods not only for me but for the business as well.  I found spinach/feta pizza/ hand rolled frozen cookies, and full beef corn dogs to say the least.  I was very happy.

OK well I have been interupteda few times by Gregg at the JJ on my day off.  Yes he was sweet enough to give me a day off.  I SUPER cleaned the house so he is ready to give me many days off.  LOL

I hope everyone is doing well.  Chris I have been trying to send something to you and Josie for  a while now.  One day I will get it right and order it.  Computer illiterate.

PS.  Have you seen Victoria Beckham’s new hairdo?  Love it.  I already cut all my hair off but I wanted to go shorter.  Next time I get it cut I will go all the way.  Loving the new hair here in Texas.  LOL