As many of you know Gregg is now the cohost on the afternon drive show on 105.3 The Fan.  He is very excited as this was very unexpected.  Mr. Big B called Gregg and the next thing you know(within hours) he had a job.  I had been interviewing all spring to get back into teaching and while we were on vacation Gregg gets a call out of the blue(you got to be kidding me) and get’s a job while I just got a call saying I was not the #1 of the 2 they had narrowed it down to.  I am so sorry to that principal that called me to tell me I didn’t get the job cuz I just said ok and hung up since I had learned 15 minutes before that that Gregg had gotten the surprise gig in Dallas.  Hired by CBS, Really, so much for those burned bridges that a certain old GM started on fire. 

Then less than a week later I got the call for my gig.  I so badly wanted to get back into teaching that I jumped at it.  I LOVE my new school and am having a blast teaching again.  You get a totally new perspective once you have kids of your own. 

We have hired Chris, Gregg’s brother, to run the Jungle Java.  It is doing so well.  We are actually growing faster than our expectations which is nice.  I know I have said this before but I can’t believe how much money people spend on a birthday party.  I figured that once I threw a party at our home, with all the cleanup and food and stuff I probably spent about $200.  So I base that as the norm price for a party.  However I would say the average price of a party is about $250 and we can do 16 parties a day on a Saturday and 12 on Sunday.  We get wicked busy on the weekends.  (:  Next weekend we have our biggest party yet.  They are closing out the place for 3 hours and I believe their tab, with all the food, drinks and extras,  will be around $1,100.  We have had a lot of $500 parties but this is our first $1,000+ party.  What recession?

The boys are doing great at school.  Cooper can write his name and is getting better at it every day.  He loves his preschool in Cactus.  Noah is doing well too.  He is in the math pentathalon club and the Math Superstars Club.  He has always done so well with the spelling and reading(doing so at a 3rd grade level now) that I thought since I was a math teacher I should get him involved in math activities.  I don’t know how to extend the learning much more in reading, but could lend a hand in math.  I have been freakishly surprised at his skills.  The freaky thing is he knows how to do these tough problems without giving it much thought   Of course I thought he was just guessing the answers so I had him break it down and tried using some higher level thinking skills and he knocked it out.  I swear the group is going to think I gave him the answers.  One question was that he had to buy two things that equaled exactly .33 cents and with out much thought he circled the .18 and .15 cent items.  There were 6 things he could have chosen from.  How did he guess these two items?  He’s only in first grade.

G-ma was in town this week and we had a blast.  Yum Yum G-ma.  So sad to see her go tomorrow.  I hope Cooper doesn’t break down at the airport when we drop her off this time.  She is off to Paris and then she will come back to see us again.  Bon Voyage Mon petite.  Returnez-mois, toute-de-suit.

I could go on about my boys.  LOL

So much has happened since I last posted so I wil try to fill you in.

Mouse has gone over the rainbow.  It was soooo time.  It was said but needed to be done.

We moved off the Path and are on the Bend!  LOL  We moved to the West side of Round Rock and I LOVE our new house.  If you are on my facebook then you probably already know that.  We have a great new house and terrific backyard.  It is perfect for entertaining and as everyone knows that is one thing I love to do.  We have a beautiful pergola and I have a Bouganviella growing through the end trellis.  Perfect for sitting out on a nice warm night(two ceiling fans).  This neighborhood is more mature.  We have huge trees.  So large in fact that we weren’t able to get Direct TV.  We got Uverse instead.  No NFL Ticket so I am a little bummed.

Jungle Java is crazy busy.  It is amazing how much things have changed.  It has been one year now and we are a well oiled machine.  We have art camp at our place all summer.  Mrs. St. John from Cactus Ranch has set up camp at our place and we couldn’t be happier.  The 100 degree heat is also forcing people to come in.  As a result we have had a chance to get away more.

We went to New Braunfels for three days and visited Schlitterbahn Water Park and Natural Caverns Safari Park(watch out for those emus and zebras they are quite aggressive).  We are also going to Dallas to see the Tigers play the Rangers and spending a weekend at Houston to visit NASA and other sites.

We are having one of the best summers ever.  Man oh man I love it here in Texas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you enjoy eating meat do NOT see Food Inc.  Food Inc will do to the meat industry what “Super Size Me” tried to do to McDonalds.  Only it is a lot harder to erase the images you wil see in Food Inc.  I saw a film like this over 20years ago.  I was a Veggie for over 12 years before I was diagnosed with CD 10 years ago then I slowly got back to meat.  Now I am getting Gregg back to the Veggie lifestyle.  They are even making fake meat now without the wheat gluten.  I remember back in the 80’s that it was reported that 1 in 3 chicken pieces in normal grocery stores were infected with Salmonella, hence the need for better contamination procedures and antibacterials.

If you dare to see the film you will know what I mean.  I cn not bear to see it again but I suggest everyone to watch and decide the best choices for yourself.

I still have my views on Lost coming soon.  Suffice it to say I see a lot of biblical references but I do promise I will get to that once things start to slow down.  JJ has been bloody busy and so have I.  I promise to print some thought provoking ideas and would like some great responses.

report back soon.

NIk

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

Had a very yummy dinner.  So full and happy.

Cooper had his 4th birthday on Sunday and what an event!  Lot’s of love, fun and friends.  Thanks to everyone!!!!!!

Ok so I am going to post more and post some pics but I was watching Better of Ted and I couldn’t stop laughing.  I know it probably won’t be re-upped next year.  It is pretty funny!

The Swallows are Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spring is springing here in Austin.  We finally got some rain the last two days which should help the buds that have already appeared on all the bushes and trees.

One Swallow has come home.  Much to the dismay of my husband, and I imagine neighbors, a swallow has returned.  I was a bit surprised.  I don’t remember  them coming this early.  Perhaps that means they will start a family early and leave earlier.  That would be nice.  I think they are so cute but Gregg would like to get rid of them.  They do make a poopy mess and the nest is in our front porch.  It may mean having to use the garage door once the babies are hatched.  However they eat a tremendous amt. of mosquitoes and since I am a mosquito magnet that makes me happy.  We had hardly any problems with them last year.

On a sad note Mouse is not long for this Earth.  Last Sat. she had a bad day and Gregg decided it may be time.  He called the vet and set up the “rainbow” trip on Sunday.  On Sunday he thought she looked better and decided he didn’t want to do it.  She is still having a hard time getting down the porch steps and looks awkward when she tries to lie down.  I think Gregg just has to get more comfortable with the idea.  It’s hard on him.  He has had Mouse longer than me and the kids.  It’s hard to see her the way she is.  She was such a playful pooch.  She loved the ball like nothing I have ever seen.  She would fetch that thing for hours.  She would bark and bark if you didn’t throw it fast enough.  As she got older she would run herself to the point that the next day we would have to give her meds as she would be limping.  Finally we had to retire the ball for her own safety.  That is a far cry from the dog I see now.  Poor dear!

Survivor time.  Gregg said that he heard this season Survivor is suppose to be hands down the best and that the first 5 minutes of the show this Thursday should not be missed.  I’m hooked, let’s see how it goes. 

I am loving Lost and wishing it were on for 2 hours every night.  I haven’t caught up on the Heroes of last season so I’m not really watching the Heroes of this season.  I kind of lost touch last time because it was so bad.  I’m going to give it a second chance.

Top Chef is winding down now but I’m not really hip to who is left.  I’m still surprised that Leah has made it this far.  I know I keep saying this.  I thought Jamie’s food was better although she did rely on scallops a little too much.   I think the winner is going to be Stefan even though he is a pompous arse but Fabio will be a star.

 I haven’t been online in a while.  If you have been emailing me I’m sorry but I will get to it soon.  It would help if I didn’t get so much spam from my friends.  I don’t need jokes or Obama updates sent daily it just clogs my email box.  I hate going to check my mail and having 120 messages and over 75% is spam from my friends.  I don’t have time for all the jokes(oh that sounds sad/bad).  Once I delete all the spam I don’t feel like reading the rest or responding.  Sorry if that sounds like hate but it takes so long……..

I hope everyone has a Happy Valentine’s Day and a GREAT weekend.

TTFN

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.

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!!!!!

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!