Ground Lights

I have to get a picture of this for all of my Northern friends. Now, like most places in the country, the houses in our neighborhood are decked out with holiday cheer--lights, hanging baubles, wreaths, wrapped tree trunks. And, there are quite a few inflatable Santas/snowmen/etc. out there, too. But, one thing I've never seen before is the lighting of the yard's perimeter. When I first saw it, I said, "Oh, wow, how neat! I've never seen that before!" And then I realized, well, of course I haven't. Where I come from, we don't need lights on the ground. We have snow! It was an ah-ha moment.

I know that this post is useless without a picture, so I'll try to get one this evening. We're off to a huge Christmas party with some of our new friends here in Katy. We're looking forward to Elizabeth's cooking and a visit from Santa!

Back to Blogging

I am sorry you've been stuck looking at Henry's yucky feet picture for weeks. Blogging has taken a backseat to our trip to Chicago, Thanksgiving, and Christmas preparation. Our trip to Chicago was not what we had planned, as Henry got sick and we had to rearrange and cancel plans. We did manage to eat the food we've been missing (lots of pizza!), and we saw the slew of new babies born since we left. It was bittersweet being back in the city we love, but, we must admit, it was nice to return to warm weather and not having to bundle up!

Our Thanksgiving was fantastic. We hosted Andy's parents, two brothers and their wives/fiances, and our adorable 11-month-old niece, Anna. We cooked two turkeys: one traditional roasted and one deep fried, which we injected with cajun butter. YUM. We had a minor issue with the fryer, but, thanks to the maverick ways of the guys, all was fine.

Guys fixing the fryer:


Henry bundled up in Chicago:


Me with my sister-in-law-to-be:

Our Discovery Health Show

Here is what the Hand-Foot-Mouth rash looks like. (This was taken last week; thank goodness it's better). YUCK!

Road Kill

First, is Road Kill one word or two? I am not sure.... Second, today I saw an Armadillo road kill on my drive back from the bookstore. I've never seen that before.

Voting Democrat in Texas

If I could pick a day to warp to Chicago away from Houston, today would be the day. I already voted early, but I would love to be in the energy of the city I love, with the people I love, watching my candidate win (I hope!). Moving to Texas during this emotional, heated, intense election has been interesting. I knew I'd find McCain supporters here, but I have been surprised to find a lot of Obama supporters as well. I must admit, however, that the election is putting a spotlight on how different I am from many of the people I have met here in Texas so far. I think it has made it harder to adjust to being here. People always say that Texas thinks it's its own country, and I am beginning to see that as true. I know a lot of people who are both Republican and Democrat, conservative and liberal, left of center, center, and right of center. But, for some reason, political affiliation feels different down here. I recognize that I am going from one extreme to another. But I wonder if McCain supporters feel out of place in Chicago. Maybe.

There is no doubt that I miss the City of Big Shoulders. I do. I think I miss the North. I am a Yankee, after all, and I don't think that I am cut out to be a Southerner. Actually, I know I am not. So, you see, my political affiliation is the tip of my homesick iceberg. It's just one of many parts of who I am that feels lost in this new place. Who misses the changing seasons, the poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks illustrated in front of my eyes, and dear friends. Who wonders when my vote will count again.

Halloween Bust

Our first Texas Halloween was a complete bust. Earlier this week, Henry came down with a runny nose, not news-worthy because he's a toddler who commonly gets bugs. Well, on Friday, he had a fever and a rash that made me think he had a viral infection. I talked to the nurse at the pediatrician's office, and we sort of thought it was Fifth's disease. Henry never made it into his costume. He refused dinner (a sure sign my 32 pounder isn't well) and went to bed, waking numerous times in the night.

After shedding a few tears that my boy wouldn't be able to show off the "Trick or treat!" we'd been practicing all week, I came to terms with the fact that it was all ok. We had lots of kids come for treats, and we didn't run out!

By yesterday, Henry had worsened, so we headed to the pediatrician's office. The rash and other symptoms were inconclusive, but pointed toward Fifth's. By last night, however, the rash had turned to mostly blisters on his hand and feet, and he kept crying saying "Bite cheek" which we realized was code for the start of the blisters in his mouth. He was up hourly last night from the pain, so we put in another call to the ped. and the nurse and I both feel he has dreaded hand-foot-mouth disease. It sucks. My happy boy has sores in his mouth and is in so much pain. He'll go back to the doctor tomorrow. I hope he feels better soon!

Dewberry Farm

We had a great weekend. We went to Dewberry Farm, which is all set up for its Fall Festival. Henry had a blast petting the horse, feeding the goats, climbing in the hay pile, sliding with daddy down the pipe slide...the list goes on and on! I must say how much I love this age. Henry is so interested in everything, and he is just plain funny! I have to say, it didn't really feel like being at a Pumpkin Farm because it was 80 degrees, but it was still fun. Here are some pics from our adventure:

Happy Birthday, Henry!

Today is Henry's second birthday. So, to honor him and to mark the most amazing day of my life, I am sharing his birth story with you.

On Friday, October 13th, 2006, I spent the day walking around our cute neighborhood. I went shopping at Diversey and Clark, got my hair cut, and enjoyed a beautiful Fall day in Chicago. I felt like I had cramps all day, but I didn't think too much of it. I hadn't had any Braxton-Hicks contractions, so I didn't realize I was in the early stages of labor! Plus, it was 9 days before my due date, so it wasn't really on my mind as a possibility. The cramps worsened as I walked home (due to the walking!), and I called Andy to tell him that maybe we should revise our dinner plans. We had plans with Eddie and Risha to get Thai food at Penny's, but I was thinking we should maybe get take-out instead. Once I came home and rested, the cramping was gone, I felt fine, and we decided to go to dinner.

Our dinner was one of the most memorable ever. I had red curry (labor inducing!), and Eddie was excitedly playing out the scenario of what we'd do if I went into labor right there. Eddie's vision was a bit too movie-like, thinking we'd throw money on the table and rush out to grab a cab. He kept badgering Risha (who is a doctor) about whether she could deliver the baby in a pinch, if needed. She assured him she could, but she didn't really think it would come to that. We laughed about the visual on our walk home--jumping in the cab, baby about to be born. Little did we know that's about what we'd be doing a few hours later!

After going to bed around 11, I couldn't sleep. Any person who has been 9 months pregnant can tell you that this is not a news-worthy issue. Not many people can sleep well at 9 months pregnant! I decided to make the 10 minute journey that was rolling to my other side, when I heard a "pop!" and I thought to myself, Hmmm. I got up, headed to the bathroom, and my water broke. It was midnight.

We made it to the hospital, did the whole triage thing, went up to labor and delivery, and, after a slight scare that I may be pre-eclamptic (I wasn't), I got my epidural. At about 7 am, I was ready to push. I pushed once, before the Doc arrived, but Henry's heartrate didn't recover well, so they had me wait about 15 minutes until Dr. Chen and the halo I swear he had shining above his head came in. I pushed for about 25 minutes. Yes, those of my friends with 3+ hours of pushing hate me (especially Melissa), but it was FAST. Henry Warren Zone came into this world at 7:48 am. He was 7 pounds, 4 ounces, 21 inches, and perfect. And it happened in downtown Chicago, with the shadow of the Hancock tower on one side and Lake Michigan on the other. Happy Birthday, my sweet boy!

The Joy of Cooking

I love my new kitchen. It actually has empty drawers--amazing. It is so fun to cook now that I have room! Henry and I made brownies early in the week. He loves the kitchen, too!

Our Texas Abode

Our house is really coming together. We've had some painting done, have installed new hardwood floors and carpet on the first floor, and have bought a lot of furniture. We're still in the process of hanging pictures, but we're finally at a point where we can share some shots.

Great room: (with my little buddy peeking out!)


Master bedroom:


Kitchen


Kitchen



View into study:

Front entry:
Study:
Dining room:
Great Room:

The start of Fall where there is no Fall...

I have always loved Fall. The changing leaves, the cool air, football, chili in the crock-pot, pumpkin patch, gourds...the whole bit. Well, here in Houston, Fall doesn't really exist. Today at the library story time, the theme was "Fall" and the leader kept saying how the leaves change and you can rake them and jump in them and it's so fun...yada, yada, yada. And I wanted to yell out to her, "Don't give these kids false hope, lady! The best chance they have for leaf jumping is rounding up debris from Ike and going to town that way." But, the spirit of Fall is not totally lost here. I have set up my little hay bale and scarecrow by the front door, decorated with orange, gold, brown, bought a mum plant (that promptly died), and researched all the Fall Festivals. Here in Texas, you just have to fake the Fall a bit. I guess this is fine by me considering it means we have to fake the snow, ice and wind of winter, too. Now that won't be hard.

Zones: 1, Ike: 0

Clearly, this score is better than the ND/Michigan score from today. We didn't get to see the game (a blessing, I think) because we just got our power back. We lost power at 9 pm last night, and it came back on around 6:15 pm. It's been a long day, but we have a lot to be thankful for. Our home and neighborhood didn't suffer damage. The winds picked up around 10 pm, and then at 5 am they were strong enough to inspire us to get Henry out of the crib and head for the master bedroom closet. Henry thought that laying in the closet was a total gas, and, of course, he wouldn't sleep. Luckily, we got him to take a 3 hour nap this afternoon. Overall, we did fine through our first hurricane. It's not something I'd want to deal with often! Houston is going to be a mess for awhile, though, so send your prayers this way! Thanks to everyone for checking in on us!

Under Curfew

Our county is under curfew. As of right now, the skies are an eerie shade of gray and pink, as the night falls. The wind is picking up quite a bit, and it's howling. We could lose power at any time, so say a little prayer that we don't! It looks like Galveston will be totally submerged. Please send your prayers that Ike moves a bit East. That's the best our county can hope for now.

Ike Update

We're hunkering down here in Katy, as the effects of Ike are starting to be felt on Houston's coast. So far, not much has changed in our neighborhood, save the cloudy skies and few neighbors who have boarded up. We are hoping the storm does not strengthen to a Cat 3; although, we've learned the difference between a high end Cat 2 and low end Cat 3 is nearly the same. Our concern remains winds more than rain, and, of course, the loss of power. We are hoping that any power loss will be remedied quickly. If not, we will head to Austin. Those in Galveston will be most affected, with the news predicting "certain death" to those who stayed behind due to the anticipated storm surge of over 20 feet.

Check the latest updates on The Houston Chronicle's website.

Bottled water, canned goods, and lines at the pump

We're in the midst of preparing for our first hurricane. It looks like Ike will make landfall early Saturday, and Houston is in the path of the storm. As of right now, we are not evacuating. Actually, our county has been asked to avoid the roads to allow for safe passage for those coming in from the coast. The biggest issue for us will be a loss of power, which affects water (think toilets being able to flush), cooking (even the gas cooktop won't work), refrigeration, A/C (it's currently 92), etc. I've learned some interesting survival tips from Texas and Louisiana vets, such as filling the bathtubs with water for flushing toilets and bathing, buying canned goods that can be heated through on a gas grill, and more. Our plan as of right now is to remain at home, with the option of heading to Austin if it looks like our power loss will last awhile. Luckily, we have some friends in Austin, so we have a place to stay. (All the hotels in Austin and San Antonio are booked).

So, that's the latest from Hurricane central. Let's hope Ike loses momentum and power as the day wears on and that he shifts further South.

Missing My Great Lake

We have just returned from a glorious trip to the homeland. Erie is a great place to be in the summer. We enjoyed beautiful, humidity-free weather, cool evenings, cheap drinks, and fun times with our family and friends. It is hard to compare Erie to Katy. They are very different places. But, what stands out the most is how much I miss the trees and water.

I've been on one Great Lake or another my whole life. Being landlocked is new for me. (I know I can get to Gulf, but we're on the West side of Houston. It's not like I can walk there in 10 minutes!) For one thing, I never know what direction I am going. In Erie, the lake is North and in Chicago, it's East, so it's been a bearing for me directionally, and emotionally. The lakes most dear to me, Erie and Michigan, look beautiful late in the day in the summer, when the sun is low in the sky. Of course, Erie has the best sunsets in the world. I've seen the sunset over the prairie here in Texas, and trust me; it's not the same.

Most of all, what stands out to me when I visit Erie is how steeped it is with a sense of place for all who grew up there. Good or bad, Erie leaves an indelible mark. You feel it when you walk into a smoky bar on State Street, when you talk to people who have literally known you your entire life, when you drive by every moment of who you were, and are, in a completely organic way. It's a place where you are all at once a person of a past life and living in the present. It's odd--slightly disconcerting and comforting at the same time.

But now I am back to Texas--a place so different from what I know. And I wonder how I'll find a sense of place here. Where will I turn, with no lake to guide me?

The Search for the Perfect Donut

Most people who know me (especially my former co-workers), know that I love donuts. (In fact, one of my friends bought me The Donut Book as my going away present when I left Chicago.) No, a love of donuts is certainly not a healthy love, but I don't consider it the worst vice around, either. Growing up in Erie, we'd get donuts from a great place on W. 26th Street, that has since closed. The cream-filled donuts were amazing, and I scoured Chicago to find a substitute. But, alas, even the City of Big Shoulders couldn't deliver the cream-filled from my Gem City upbringing. (Note to all the Dunkin' Donut franchise owners in Chicago--cake frosting jammed in a powered pillow is NOT "cream filled." I love your coffee, but the cake frosting filled nightmare has to go!) You can imagine then, my excitement when I saw a lot of independent donut places here in Katy. So far, I have tried two Snowflake Donut locations, both of which had great glazed numbers, but lacked anything cream filled. I tried Shipley's Donuts (not an independent), and it's the closest I've come thus far. The cream was light and airy, but it had a hint of a marshmallow-fluff flavor. So far, that's all I've tried. Don't worry. I'll update as I try the donut shops of Katy. The cream-filled donut wonder of my childhood will not only live in my past. Mark my words: I am a donut-loving gal, and I know the prize is near.
P.S. This post is dedicated to Michelle, who shared a bag of donuts with me on a San Francisco pier, igniting and sealing our friendship with one bite, and to Gretchen, who can appreciate a warm glazed over a bagel any day of the week, and knows that it's perfectly okay to drive from Western Springs into the city just because "that crack frosting" is so damn good. Miss you both....

Busy Season Begins

Even though Henry will not be attending school this year, there is something about the start of a new school year that results in being busy. I have been trying to figure out how Henry and I will spend our days, and, so far, we have some fun activities lined up. We'll be taking the "Tornado Toddlers" class at our gym on Wednesday mornings. I am thinking it'll be a faux Gymboree experience (which is fine with us!). We did Gymboree in Chicago, but there is not one that close to us here. Plus, as gym members, the price tag is a lot smaller. We'll also be doing MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers, which is a national program) every other Friday. On the alternate Fridays, I will be taking a golf clinic with my neighbor. We've got one sitter lined up, and she will watch Henry and two of my neighbor's kids while we master the links.

I'm also in the middle of training for one of the two adjunct positions I have teaching online. It's a great gig because I can do it when Henry is napping, without having to worry about a babysitter. It's going to be a unique experience teaching in this format, but I am excited about it.

We've also met some moms outside of our play group, so that's been fun. It's nice to have play dates that are not a huge group sometimes. Henry is very social, so it's a real joy to see him with his little friends.

We've decided that life in Texas is good so far. We miss our friends dearly, but we are enjoying the benefits this new lifestyle brings.

Train Table

Here are some pics of Henry enjoying his new train table. You'll see that the "gameroom" (as they call it here in Texas) is coming together. He has a reading corner, an art corner, train area, and (for his b-day) a kitchen corner.

Adventures in Suburbia

The last couple of weeks have been filled with a visit from Mimi, play dates, pool time, a job offer, and a "Welcome to the Cul-de-sac" party. We've been busy! Andy's mom came in for a visit, and it was great having help as we finally finished our furniture shopping. We did manage to have some fun at the Cinco Ranch Beach Club.


I have been enjoying my "New to Katy" mom's group. We meet-up for play dates and mom's nights out. It's nice to make connections with other moms and plug in to the goings on of the area. Henry and I have been frequenting the pool often, which is the only way to really beat the heat. We have made some friends at the pool at our gym, and we're looking forward to spending some more time with them.

In other news, I will be teaching some online college courses this Fall. I am really excited about having a connection to the teaching world without having to pay for gas or a babysitter. (I can do it all at home when it fits my schedule.) So far, I am signed up with one school, but I will be interviewing with a university in Iowa on Friday as well.

Here's the slide our neighbors had at the "Welcome to the Cul-de-Sac" party they threw for us. Henry had a ball. We love our neighborhood, and we really feel like we lucked out!

Dog Days

Last weekend was busy and fun-filled. On Sunday, we took an early morning trip to the Millie Bush dog park. Finally, a Bush I actually like! ;-) Kirby had a ball sniffing all the smells and swimming in the swimmin' hole. Henry loved seeing all the dogs, but we really had to watch him by the water because he wanted to jump right in!

To Henry, On Leaving Chicago

This is a poem I wrote for Henry as we took off from Midway when we left Chicago on 7-6.

Boy of mine,
sleeping high above the city
you are leaving behind.
You probably won't remember
the bend of late day rays
on the lake--
the glisten of a bean--
the giant towers, arms reaching
to
the
sky.

This place, absent in your geographic history,
will be a destination,
but never home.

What will you do with all the
space and silence--
with no El train,
blaring horns,
rustling wind,
to lull you to sleep?

Picture Time!

Thanks to my mom, I have some pics to share of life in TX so far:

First, Henry and Kirby LOVE their new yard.
Here is a shot of Andy and Me, before our 5th Anniversary dinner.

Here are some shots from our dinner at Lupe's Tortilla:
With mommy on the car ramp ride...

Going down the ride...


Enjoying some Mexican food...

And finally, playing with the new water table we got for him:

Our First Texas Play Date

One of the things I knew I'd miss about Chicago is my network of friends with kids. I don't think I could have survived being a SAHM with Andy's long commute and his schooling were it not for play dates (which is code for "let's feed the kids some Goldfish crackers, watch them play, and drink wine). Now, there was no wine at my first Texas play date today, but, to its defense, it was at 9:30 am and I AM getting together with a handful of girls at a Mexican restaurant tomorrow night for Mom's night out. Of course it's always hard to start anew, but the women I met today were really nice. Then, tonight when I was at the sports store buying my new bike, I ran into one of the gals I met today! It felt nice to actually know someone besides my son and husband.

Besides the playgroup we met up with today (called the "New to Katy Moms meet-up"), I have signed us up for MOPS (Mother's of Preschoolers) at the local First Baptist Church. It meets every other Friday throughout the year, and provides a child program called "Moppets" for Henry. I am excited for him to have a little "pre-school" time while I connect with other mom's of kids Henry's age.

I know it'll take time to make a network of friends, and not just those I want to have play dates with, but real friends who I can call and chat up, vent to, etc. This is what I miss about Chicago--my friends. It's really the people that make a place as the adage goes. And it's an "old adage" for a reason.

Our Suburban Evening

After dinner tonight, we went out in our driveway to give Henry a chance to ride his bike. Our neighbors came out to join us because we had Kirby with us and they wanted to see him. Soon enough, they had pulled out all sorts of ride-on toys, and Henry tooled around with them for awhile before bed. It was so fun to watch him riding his bike with the other kids, mimicking them, and laughing. Talk about a 180 from our non-existent yard in Chicago!

On another note, it took Andy 15 minutes to get to work today. Compare that with the hour + commute he used to have. Beautiful!

Howdy Y'all!

Tomorrow marks our first full week in Texas, and, so far, we are doing well. Our movers came on Monday, so we have been able to unpack and start organizing. After finishing unpacking the kitchen, Andy commented on how he couldn't believe how we fit all of our stuff in our kitchen in Chicago. It is so nice to not have to pile everything on top of each other.

We have also been furniture shopping fiends. My mom came into town to be on Henry duty while Andy and I outfitted our great room and master bedroom. Our bedroom furniture was delivered today, taking us one step closer to being settled.

Henry is doing super. He loves his yard and the new water table we bought him for the backyard--hours of fun. Kirby also loves the yard, but his favorite spot is perched on the upstairs balcony where he can guard the house. He has a view outside and below, which, apparently, is all a dog really needs for hours of enjoyment.

The best part of our transition thus far is our neighborhood. On our cul-de-sac, three of our neighbors have come over to introduce themselves, and everyone is so nice. Our neighbors to our immediate left are Midwesterners with 4 kids, and we really like them. It is amazing how convenient our neighborhood is to everything we need--Target, Home Depot, grocery stores, banks, doctor's office, etc. The whole community is so well-planned. (I guess there is a reason it's called a "master-planned community" after all!)

I will try to get some pics up soon, once I dig out my camera. For now, though, know we are doing well. Andy and I are already saying "y'all," which is going to make my sister-in-law (who is from Tennessee) so very proud!

Oh, and it's hot. Really hot.

Making the Rounds

We've had a glorious last few days in Chicago. Andy finished work on Wednesday, so we spent Thursday, Friday and today seeing our friends and bidding them adieu. I don't think we were prepared as to how sad we'd be to say goodbye to everyone. We've had some great memories here over the past nine years. In fact, we spent Wednesday going through a sort of "greatest moments" with some of our friends.

Andy and I ended our last night here together with a toast outside, enjoying the cool summer evening. This morning we went to our favorite diner, and then Andy and Kirby left to pick up my dad and head South. They are sleeping in Memphis tonight, and will continue on to Texas tomorrow. They'll drop off some things at our new home before heading to Hobby Airport to pick Henry and me up and drop off my dad at the Hilton by the airport. He flies out early Monday.

We have learned that our goods will be delivered on Monday morning, which is great news. We're also set to get our Direct TV and new washer/dryer early in the week. We have a lot of furniture shopping to do, which will be made easier with my mom in town to watch Henry while we do our errands.

So from here our adventure really begins! Goodbye to Chicago...hello Houston!

Super Packers

I am doomed. I will never again be able to move without the help of packers. The packing service was provided for us through the company, and it was great! On Monday, the team showed up, packed the majority of the house, and loaded the basement. Yesterday, they finished up the one room left to pack and loaded the rest of the boxes and furniture. Today was the final day, when they disasmembled the bed and crib and off they went.

I will admit that I was sad last night. Something about giving Henry his bath and putting him to bed for the last time in his nursery made this move such a reality. It seems like yesterday that Andy and I were painting and readying the nursery, and to see it stripped down, with nothing but the paint to remind us that this was our little boy's room, was really depressing.

But, this morning was a new day, and now I feel like we are ready to make our move. We also found out that our delivery will be very early in the spread. Our moving representative gave us a spread of the 7th to the 14th for the possible delivery of our goods. We were nervous that the 4th of July holiday would mean that we'd be waiting for days for our things. Today, however, we learned we'd get them on July 8th, with the possibility of them coming on the 7th. I am thrilled to think that we won't have to spend a week on an air mattress and Henry won't have to deal with the pack n play for too long.

Henry has been pleasently resiliant thus far. We got to our temporary residence today (Joe and Melissa's house since they're out of town), and Henry went right down for his nap after eating lunch. I hope this bodes well for the future.

For now, we are going to spend the next few days bidding adieu to our home and friends here in this magnificent city. We will miss it so!

The Last of the Bread Pudding Pancakes

Here is Henry and me, at one of our favorite spots: Southport Grocery and Cafe, eating our last order of their delicious bread pudding pancakes. They come with a side of vanilla custard sauce and are a dream! I had to get my cholesterol test the next day, so it it's high, we know why!

Final Week in Chicago

We are heading into our final week in Chicago. It will be very hectic because we'll be out of our house on Wednesday. Luckily, we can stay in the city until we have to leave on July 6th. It will be nice to have a few remaining days, but, once we are out of our place, it will be hard to not have a home here anymore. Andy has been in Canada for the last 5 days, fishing. Lucky guy. He was scheduled to go on this trip long before we knew about the move. He'll return home tomorrow night, and then he'll have to get busy packing his personal items that he use for the next week or so.

I am trying so hard not to be sad, but I am. It really is the best time of the year in our neighborhood. But I have to remember that with summer comes other annoyances...like loud neighbors, drunk Cubs fans and all the other general ballyhoo that summer brings--the local color of summer in the city as we English teachers would call it. I do love this town, but I know there is so much in store for us in Katy. I just need to remember that!

My Liminal State

One of the major components of the qualifying exam for my M.A. in English was a focus on the post-colonial notion of "liminality" made famous by political theorist Edward Said. Said argues that the post-colonial world results in a state of exile for those who don't belong in their native land, nor fit in with their "new world." In his essay "Intellectual Exile: Expatriates and Marginals," Said describes the unrest felt by the exile:

The exile therefore exists in a median state, neither completely at one with the new setting not fully disencumbered of the old, beset with half-involvements and half-detachments, nostalgic and sentimental on one level, an adept mimic or a secret outcast on another. (49)

Now, I am not suggesting that this move to Texas allows me to understand the post-colonial experience, but I do think the notion of being in a liminal state is intriguing. When I was studying for my exams, I was pregnant. In fact, I took the test at 8 months along. (Let me say, sitting in front of a computer, writing three separate essays for 8 hours while 8 months pregnant is NOT something I'd recommend!) But, during my studying, I often found ways to compare my pregnant state with a lot of the theory I was reading. I wasn't quite a mother, but I also wasn't the same as I was before I was pregnant.

Now that we are moving, I recognize my liminal state once again. Next week, when we move out of our home, we'll be like exiles until we leave Chicago 5 days later. Once we arrive in Texas, we'll be trying to find our identity. Where are we from? Do we say Pennsylvania, by way of Chicago? Do we launch into our geographic history? Do we simply say "North of the Mason-Dixon line?" Can the exile really answer this question? I guess we are transients, finding our new home, existing in a space of what was, and what will be.

2 Weeks and Counting

Henry and I leave two weeks from today. We just returned from a vacation in South Carolina, so now the real fun of organizing begins. I can't pack too much because we have packers coming, so I am just getting certain items together, cleaning out junk, etc. The actual packing crew comes on June 30th. On July 1st, they pack our storage unit, and on July 2nd they pack the furniture. From there we head to our new Chicago "home" (Joe and Melissa's house) until we leave. I do think it will be odd to be hanging out with no where to live, but the time will pass soon enough.

Under Contract

That's what our condo in Chicago is--under contract! I've been waiting to post about this until the inspection and attorney review period ended successfully. We got an offer on our place a week and two days after we listed it! After negotiating, we settled on a price and closing date. From here, our relocation company buys us out of the deal, so we're done with it. We are very happy to have sold the place ourselves, but it does bring us one step closer to life in Texas. I also keep thinking about the new soon-to-be owner of our place, and I am excited for him, but it is weird to think of someone else living in "our" house!

In other news, Andy is in Houston today because we close on our Houston house today! He did a walk-through this morning, and he'll go back tonight to check out the place. I sent him down with an "essentials" bag, but he may also make a trip to Target to help prepare for our arrival. I am so jealous that he is there without me, but soon enough I'll be there!

Last night my friend, Michelle, hosted a farewell dinner with a small group of my former co-workers. It was so nice to see everyone again, albeit bittersweet. I do miss teaching, but I think one thing I miss the most are my friends from school. (I certainly don't miss grading 125 essays!)
Here are a couple of shots from last night:

Letters to my Younger Self

It was eight years ago that I moved to Chicago. I packed up my things in Ann Arbor and arrived in the big city to "start my life." I had a job and a boyfriend and a cool apartment on Diversey. When I think about that time in my life, it seems all at once forever ago and just like yesterday. So cliche. But, so true. (Cliches exist for a reason, after all.) And so I have spent the last few days thinking of what I'd say to that girl, the one who bought all her furniture at Ikea and planted impatiens in the window boxes at that apartment on Diversey. What would I say if I knew there was a date when I'd be swept away from the city?

I don't know that I'd tell her anything, only because I feel my time in Chicago has been well-spent. On Saturday, I walked around that very first neighborhood, killing time before an appointment. I revelled in the graystones and wrought iron, materials so foreign to my suburban upbringing. The air was heavy with humidity and June rain. This is what I'll miss. I thought to myself.
I'm having a lot of those moments now, as I try to call it like it is, knowing it's something that can't be replicated. As Andy and Henry and I sat outside of our favorite diner, experiencing the accessories of our urban existence--bus exhaust mixing with coffee, a dog's barking melding with a blaring siren, it happened again. This is what I'll miss. I don't know why I'm doing this now, why I feel the need to consciously validate these snapshots of my life here. Maybe I was avoiding it before. (Such an activity is, after all, quite sad.) Maybe I want to find a way to hold on to that passing moment--to look across a table and freeze my 19-month-old son, the smile on Andy's face, the flavor of French toast and a great cup of coffee on my tongue--and know that, someday, my older self will be saying Look around, take it all in. Stop waiting because this is it, my friend.

Goodbye to the Bean

Here's Henry, bidding farewell to Cloud Gate (known as "the bean"). If you are ever in Chicago, I recommend a visit to Millennium Park to see the bean and all the park has to offer!

Plane Reservations Made!

Today I booked our flight to Houston from Chicago. By "our" I mean Henry and me. Andy and my dad are taking the great American road trip, with Kirby in tow. For those of you who don't know, my dad loves driving more than anyone I know. He should have been a cartographer because he really likes studying maps and working out routes. I am just relieved that I don't have to take a two-day trip with a toddler! The boys will get on the road in the morning of July 5th, stay in Memphis, and drive the rest of the way to Houston on the 6th. They will actually drive right to the Hobby Airport to pick us up, and then we'll drop my dad off at a lovely airport hotel and he'll fly out the next morning. No, he won't even see our new house. That is just how hard core he is: he's driving just to drive...not to actually "get" anywhere!

The packers and movers come June 30th to begin packing our stuff. On July 1, they'll finish and pick up the items in our storage unit. On July 2, they take the furniture. We'll be moving to Andy's cousin's house for a few nights since they'll be out of town. Having an actual "last night" on the books is hard for me. Even though I am excited to move to our new house, it will be weird to see our condo as it was when we moved in--empty and ready for a new person/couple/family to start filling it with memories.

Floor plan

I was able to find the floor plan for our new house! It's a bit of a newer version because we have a porch in the front rather than a courtyard, but here it is! Click on the image and it will get bigger.

On the Market

Our place here in Chicago went on the market on Wednesday. So far, we've had a good start with two showings. We were not expecting any due to the holiday weekend, so we were pleased! One of the two showings was a success; it was a young couple who spent quite a bit of time looking. Of course, who knows if anything will come of it. We hope traffic will really pick up next week. The challenge of having the house listed is keeping it constantly tidy, which is not easy to do with a toddler who likes to launch his broccoli overboard. But, it sure keeps me motivated to clean!

Our Memorial Day weekend is going to be relatively low-key. We are planning on doing something on our "Chicago List" because the weather is supposed to be very nice. It was 92 in Houston today, so I guess the heat has started there. I will take 92 over the winter we had any day of the week!

The Magic of the Internet

I made a fun discovery online yesterday--an online mom's group for moms in Katy! It's a forum designed to connect moms to one another to schedule play dates, book club, nights out, etc. It may sound dorky, but it's a goldmine for me! I know that having Henry will make it a bit easier to meet people once we move, but it is nice to find a resource like this.

I have also been exploring my teaching options once we move. I have already begun the process of obtaining certification in Texas. It is really such a rip-off. The first step involves me sending in copies of my Illinois certificate, transcripts, and, of course, a big check. The people at the Texas State Board of Education call this the "Review of Credentials." Once that is complete, I will most likely have to take one exam, pay more money, and get fingerprinted before I can officially be certified. I am not planning on teaching at the K-12 level right now, but I thought it made sense to have the certificate in case something comes up. What I really want to do is teach adjunct at the University of Houston because it is more flexible and part-time. (That was the point of getting the second Masters in English!) They have a "learning center" right in Cinco Ranch, so it would be very convenient! Plus, they are looking for English/writing teachers. It would be nice to have a way to make more connections once we move, and I miss teaching! (I just don't want to do it full time right now!)

Cleaning and Croup

Now that we have settled our living situation in Houston, we've been preparing our condo here in Chicago. While I am excited to have a house with room, leaving our city abode is certainly bittersweet. Our little condo is where Andy and I started our married lives together, so it's more than just a place. It's a place that is filled with memories. A place we brought Henry home to. A place we've poured work into. A place we will miss. We've been busy taking all of our extra "stuff" to storage, in an attempt to stage our house. We've also been cleaning and organizing non-stop. Well, it was non-stop until we were sidetracked by a Croup attack. Poor Henry came down with a high fever and the tell-tale sign of the Croup's seal bark a couple of days ago. We ended up at the pediatrician yesterday for a steroid to help with his breathing. It is so scary to see your baby struggling to catch his breath. We are lucky that Henry has been so healthy, and this was his worse illness to date. So, I have been putting our moving appointments on the back burner.

Prior to the Croup attack, we met with two potential Realtors, had an inspection and had an appraisal. We also had Al, our "Stuff surveyor" over to determine the logistics of the move. If we get it our way, the packers will pack our things on June 30th and July 1, with the actual furniture being moved out on July 2. Andy and my dad will drive from Chicago, with Kirby, on July 2. My plan is to hang out for a couple of days and fly down on July 4th.

So, now let's hope Henry starts to feel better so we can go out and enjoy Chicago!

Appointments Galore!

We had heard that once the relocation paperwork was submitted, we'd be deluged with phone calls for various appointments. Boy, that is the case! So far we've had our condo inspection (passed with flying colors), and we're meeting two potential Realtors this week. We also are anticipating a Friday visit from Al, "stuff surveyor extraordinaire." Al works for the moving company, and his job is to determine the size of truck and crew needed for the move. I've also spoken to a couple of appraisers, so that is underway as well.

In the meantime, we have been faxing pounds of paper back and forth to our agent, trying to finalize our new home. It makes me wonder why there is not a better system for electronic signatures. We are pretty much set, and the next step is the inspection of our new home on our end. Because we won't be able to be there, our agent goes. The home is relatively new (2005), so we are not anticipating many issues, but we are interested to see what the inspector finds.

On a side note, the weather has been perfect here in Chicago this week. I know I complained during the winter, but, really, there is nothing like Chicago in the Spring/Summer. On the other hand, this morning we found two sticks of string cheese on our car and two slices of bologna on our patio. This could have been the result of a few things:
1--The rats that raid the trash and live under our back steps. Yes, I am serious. It's like Nimh down there.
2--Our idiot next door neighbors (renters). They hate us because they think we called the cops during their "jean shorts party" last summer (We didn't, even though we should have because they peed in our parking spot and threw a beer can at our door.) These same neighbors called Andy "Amelia Earhart" when we returned from the BP Holiday Party because he was wearing a scarf. Funny, yes, but, because we can't stand them, it wasn't that funny. (Although, thinking about it now is funny.)
3--The fabled raccoon who has been making his way around our alley. This I can't confirm. He's merely a legend at this point sighted by another neighbor.
So, while I love Chicago in the summer, I hate the fact that it results in bologna on my patio.

Our house!

We got word late today that we got the house. We're still working on a close date. (They wanted to move it up and we didn't want to.) It is hard to believe that we will really be living in a house! Keep in mind that we have been in a 1600 sq. ft. condo for 5.5 years! Here she is:


We love the neighborhood, and it's on a corner cul-de-sac lot. We are leaving a lot behind in Chicago: great friends, a great city, and priceless memories, and it will certainly be hard starting anew. But, the new house will be fun! Now, start planning when you want to come visit. We can actually accommodate visitors on something other than a couch!

Offer time...

Without giving too much detail (in the name of not jinxing anything), we made an offer on a house late yesterday! We finally got the information we needed regarding who would be handling our relocation, and we were able to get in touch with that person yesterday, who gave us the go-ahead! More to come....

Baby Steps

Well, any news is good news at this point, and Andy learned that we are, in fact, part of the group assigned to a Houston-based relocation company called Weichert. He is now trying to get in touch with our contact there to find out if we can make an offer on the house we like. Apparently, because so many people are being relocated to Houston, BP decided to use a local company to assist. This makes sense, but it means that another set of paperwork has to be sent to the new company, so, once again, we are playing a waiting game.

Time. Is. Standing. Still.

Honestly, I am ready to blow a gasket. We have been trying to get everything square with paperwork that needed to be submitted to Hewitt (HR). Then yesterday we learned that Hewitt may not be handling the relo. I really hope that is not the case because I just want to be able to be in touch with our relocation consultant, who becomes our guide through the next few months. Our official relocation date is June 23rd, which puts us within 60 days of the move (and within the time frame to finally be in touch with our consultant). It seems that every step of this process has been ridiculously slow. And now time matters because there is a home we'd really like to make an offer on. Why can't we? Well, we need to talk to our relocation consultant first. This is, of course, difficult when one doesn't have a consultant. I just wish someone had an easy answer. I was postponing this post, hoping it'd be more positive, but, right now we really need some good vibes. Let's hope that the next check-in will be better.

Cinco Ranch it is!

We had a very busy few days in Houston. It was a very productive trip! One of our goals was to narrow down our search by checking out the various communities in Katy, and we have decided that we want to be in Cinco Ranch (www.cincoranch.com). We also looked at Seven Meadows and Grand Lakes, but the amenities in Cinco Ranch can't be beat.

When we arrived on Wednesday night, we met with our Realtor for the first time. We really like her, and we feel she has a good grasp on what we are looking for. We spent the evening touring model homes and meeting with builders. While we are not interested in building a home from scratch, we were intrigued to hear about the inventory homes available. After much discussion, however, we have decided not to go that route. We really do not want to be in a brand new area, surrounded by construction.

On Thursday we toured all of the resale property in which we were interested. We ended up seeing around 15 homes. Needless to say, it was overwhelming. We then narrowed the field to five, which we revisited on Friday morning. From that list we have three strong contenders, with one more that is still an option if all else fails. It is nice to have choices! As with any house hunt, each has its pros and cons, but we'd be happy in any one of the three. The next step is to wait a couple of weeks (still waiting on some company relo paperwork to go through), and then decide if there are additional properties we want to see (depending on what comes on the market) or if we are ready to make an offer. We also have a plan for one more trip in May.

Overall, we are feeling really positive about the move. The community offers so many amenities that will really be great: pools, waterpark/splash pad, kid events, shopping, etc. The area is growing; there are 4 hospitals slated to be opened in Katy in the next few years. There is also a branch of the University of Houston and Houston Community College, so I have some options for adjunct positions.

We did buy a "Don't Mess with Texas" shirt for Henry. I guess that's the first step to assimilation. But don't worry; he'll be inculcated into Notre Dame and U of Michigan football traditions. (And I think we all know who is more likely to have a winning season this year. Clearly, MOM is writing this blog.) In any case, we are NOT raising a Longhorns fan.

The Countdown in On!

We are a few days away from our first house hunting trip. Andy and I will be there from Wednesday until Saturday. We have quite a list of homes to see, and we are excited to start narrowing down the large area in which we are interested. It's been in the 80's so we'll have our first taste of the Texas heat in a mild form. With the snow showers predicted for Chicago today, I will take the heat! I will update about our trip upon our return, complete with pictures. Now just cross your fingers that American has their flight inspections done so Andy gets out of Chicago. (I'll be coming from Cleveland!)

The Busy Season Begins

For the past couple of months, the homes we have found on HAR.com (Houston's real estate hub) haven't really gone anywhere. From time to time I'd get a notice that a property I had saved in my bookmarks was no longer available, but it certainly hasn't been that often. Our agent told me that April marks the start of the busy season, but I wasn't sure how this would affect us. Texas schools get out at the end of May, so many people start their house hunts/searches based on that. Well, in the last week, three of the eight homes on our list to see in a couple of weeks are now gone. I know that more will come on the market, so it's not too much of a concern, but it is a sign that we may have to move fast if we find something we can't live without. We are also planning on looking at new construction inventory, in particular a few homes we saw back in November. Of course, the model homes are beautiful, so it's easy to get sucked in when it looks perfect. I have to picture these homes with toys and dog hair to really imagine what it'd be like for us to live there.

In other news, Andy is still waiting to submit the official paperwork. He still needs some info from his boss regarding budget matters. Most likely, July 1 will be the date on the paperwork; although, we don't plan on moving until mid-July.

When the Dust Settles

Last night, Andy and I were talking about what it will be like when we move. It's weird because, even though I feel like I am thinking about/talking about Texas all the time, I still think of actually living there as a hypothetical thing. So last night we went through the "What will we do when we live there?" talk. At first, of course, things will be chaotic: moving, unpacking, ordering furniture, decorating, finding the grocery store, etc. But, once the dust settles, will we just look at each other like "uh...now what?!"? I hope not, but, like any unknown, we wonder.

Fun for Kirby!

One of the best parts about living in Chicago is that it is a very dog-friendly city. In the summer, we frequent the Montrose Dog Beach, which Kirby LOVES. After doing a bit of research, I was happy to learn that Houston has an active dog park community. We'll be close to the Millie Bush Dog Park, which includes swimming pools for the pups and more. There is also a Katy dog park right in the area we are planning to live. You can check out the parks at www.houstondogpark.org
It looks like a good group.

Preparation and more Preparation

I must say, I am loving actually having something constructive to do concerning this move. Today I emailed our Houston agent with a list of the homes we're interested in seeing on our first trip. It's always fun to actually tour the houses as online pictures and tours only tell part of the story. We have also made the decision to look at some new construction, but only inventory homes (those already built) so we can compare. Many builders take a large amount off their inventory homes, especially depending on how long they have been available.

Our plan is to go on this initial trip, then once more in May to make our choice. It seems crazy to make such a big decision in a short amount of time (two visits), but, in reality, we've been weighing the pros and cons of the houses/areas/etc. since we first visited in November.

Our other big project involves getting our house ready for appraisal and sale. We already had a lot cleared out and put in storage from last summer when our place was listed (before we knew we were moving to TX) in anticipation of moving to the Chicago 'burbs. This past weekend we painted a wall in our kitchen and installed new 6-panel closet doors. Now we need to take another load to our storage unit--consisting mostly of toys Henry no longer likes. One thing I am definitely looking forward to in Texas is MORE SPACE!!

House Hunting Begins

We have our first house-hunting trip scheduled for mid-April. Our plan is to go, look at all the listings that interest us, narrow down the list/areas, and return in May for a final trip. We are anxious to meet our agent, tour Katy again, and see our new home. We will be traveling sans Henry, as a toddler and house hunting don't really mesh well.

We've seen quite a few homes that really interest us, both new inventory construction as well as resale. Our agent has advised us to look at homes newer than those built in 2002 because that is when the Houston builders were mandated to use double-pane windows in all new construction--an energy saver for sure. We are excited to see what's available and what our new home will be like.

Here Comes the Sun

There's nothing like the first warm, sunny day in Chicago. I always say you know it's Spring in Chicago when you see all the dogs and babies. These sunny, cool Spring days keep me going in the dead of winter. As I was walking around yesterday, I couldn't help but notice the smiles on the faces of those I passed. Yet, Spring's coquettish ways don't have us fooled; we know there will be more cold days to come. Days that provide fodder for conversation at the check-out line at Jewel.
"Stay warm out there!"
"Yeah, thanks. Hard to imagine it was 60 degrees yesterday and now it's 20!"
"That's Chicago for ya."

And, yes, that is Chicago. We have a torrid love affair with our weather, and our moods (or at least my mood) is greatly affected by the weather. So, all of this got me wondering. When I move to Houston, will I miss out on these brilliant days? Yes, I know there will be plenty of sun, but will there be that feeling, that indescribable something that permeates the air? I've said that people are friendly in Texas, and maybe that is partly due to the nice weather. But, it also makes me think that something is lost. With no struggle in the cold, are the days as glorious?

Box 'o Fun

Yesterday morning I was greeted with a big box on our doorstep. On the outside it read "Relocation Package: information about schools, neighborhoods, hospitals, recreation, and much more!" I was so excited to crack it open and start reading, but I was on my way out with Henry. I waited for nap time, and then I went for it. I haven't been this excited about mail in a long, long time. It was filled with all kinds of great info: maps, master-planned community brochures, school info, golf course listings, Houston's official relo booklet and much more. I spent the day reading and soaking it all in. The brochure for Cinco Ranch, where we think we'll end up living, is very cool. You can check it out here: http://cincoranch.com/flash/brochure.html

Moving in July

It looks like our move will happen in July--certainly not ideal. We really wanted to be here through the summer to enjoy Chicago and avoid the Houston heat. At least we have a time line. We're thinking it'll be the middle of July. Andy and I are planning on an initial trip to house-hunt at the end of March/early April, and our house in Chicago will hit the market in the middle of May. Now that things are moving, we are picking up momentum, and I am more emotional about the thought of leaving, especially in the summer!

We have an Agent!

We are finally able to work with an agent in Houston. We were given a couple of referrals from BP, so I contacted both and chose one. It was so nice to be able to talk to someone about all the research we've done and to confirm our assumptions about certain areas. We also have figured out that we'll probably be in Houston sooner than we suspected, most likely in July. It'll be boiling hot, so it's not really the best time to move, but oh well. Andy and I are planning an initial trip to house hunt ASAP. We need to narrow our search and meet our agent in person. It's exciting to be looking at homes. The home prices are so much lower that what we are used to in Chicago, and even with the higher property taxes, we'll still be saving! We'll have plenty of room for visitors, which will be nice. After living in a 1600 square foot condo for 5 years, it certainly will be a change to have more room. Of course, we need to fill the house, so that's another consideration. Our place in Chicago will probably be listed in May, so we have a bit of time to get organized around here.

Waiting for Signatures

Well, "the form" Andy needs signed is all ready to go. His boss got the budget info she needed, so now Andy just needs it signed by a couple of people. After that, it gets submitted and the train starts moving. According to Andy's boss, once the process is going, it's pretty intense. As I mentioned before, we will be assigned a point person from the HR group, who will coordinate all aspects of the relocation. I am hoping to be in touch with this person as well. As soon as we are able, we will be matched with a Realtor in Houston, and I can't wait to get feedback from a real, live person about the areas we have narrowed down. Andy and I will go for a visit sans toddler coming up in April or early May. We still really like the area of Cinco Ranch. I imagine it is where we'll end up. The amenities are wonderful: neighborhood pools, a splash pad, greenbelt trails, family events, social gatherings, a golf club, YMCA, library...the list goes on and on. We are also looking at Grand Lakes, but we need more info about it (that's where the Realtor will come in handy). What is appealing about these master-planned communities is the easy lifestyle and family-friendly activities. We are going to need that because we don't know anyone.

The actual town we are looking at is called Katy. It has grown considerably in the last 15 years thanks to the expanding Energy Corridor in West Houston. Katy is now home to a beautiful new branch of Memorial Hermann Hospital, a new mall, new Y, and so forth. Opportunity exists out there for all of these organizations. (Actually, the Y was funded by Ken Lay, of the now defunct Enron. He had to ask for the $$ back, so it's no long the "Ken Lay Y.") In addition, there are a couple of branches of Houston Community College, so I am looking at joining on as an adjunct instructor in their English and Composition departments.

So, that's the latest and greatest. Stay tuned for further updates!

Tag! I'm It

Michelle, my friend and former co-worker, has tagged me. She is so hip. Apparently, when another blogger tags you, you have to share seven items about yourself. I am guessing no strangers out in the blogosphere actually read my boring musings about moving to Texas, but one never knows. In the name of being a good sport (and so as not to upset my friend, who can get a little feisty), here are my seven:

1. I think I am addicted to the Internet. Actually, Andy would confirm that I am, in fact, addicted. Maybe it's because I am lonely, maybe I am seeking a connection to the outside world, or maybe I am just a weirdo, but I do spend too much time blogging, reading email, checking on friends' baby websites, searching homes in Houston, and reading my Mommy Gossip message boards. I have noticed that I spend a lot more time online than I did when I was teaching. I guess it's due to the fact that I no longer have 130 essays hanging over my head. Really, though, I do think that being a stay-at-home-mom/domestic engineer is quite isolating. Contrast that with being with 130 teenagers all day and you've got a very different lifestyle.

2. I sometimes wish I would have chosen a career involving animals. I don't really have the science in me to be a vet, but I wish I did. Or, sometimes I wish I was Cesar Milan, the "Dog Whisperer." I could train therapy dogs and work in a hospital. There is nothing that upsets me more than reading about animals in distress. I know it's awful to say, but I have often have more sympathy for animals than I do for people.

3. I can't stand when people misuse the word "peruse." It means "to examine carefully" but people often use it to mean "skim" or "browse." You would think that an English teacher would have lists and lists of grammar/usage pet peeves. I don't, really. But, yeah, the "peruse" thing bugs me. Oh, and switching around "less" and "fewer" is also annoying. One more: when people insist on putting punctuation outside of quotation marks. See my first and second sentence? The period goes INSIDE.

4. There's nothing better than a choreographed routine. I love them all--commercials, movie scenes--you name it. The opening scene of Austin Powers (check out the link)? Hysterical. The Little Dancing Man on You Tube? Weird, but funny. Do you watch 30 Rock? I am talking about "midnight Train to Georgia" with Tracey Morgan and crew. Check it out here.

5. I hate olives. I guess that doesn't really need an explanation, other than it's the one food I don't like. (I'm not a picky eater.)

6. I want to live in Vermont. I have no idea why. Maybe it's the image I have in my head: fall leaves, maple syrup, stone houses. Did I mention that I have never been to Vermont? Imagine if Andy had informed me that we were being relocated to Vermont. What would the blog be called then? "From Lincoln to Green Mountain State..." Um, not as catchy.

7. I grew up in a town with the best sunsets in the world. Have you seen a sunset in Erie, PA? There is nothing like it. Check out the pics: