Monthly Archives for July 2010

Are you heading for a crash?

Last night, after Matt + I tucked our children into bed, we opened our refrigerator to find a bottle of champagne that’d been chilling for so long we couldn’t remember where we got it. “Should we drink it?” Matt asked, … Continue reading

30. July 2010 by Jennifer Jeanne Patterson
Categories: Marriage | Tags: , , , , , , , | 17 comments

Do you work the second shift? And egg fried rice.

Today, Matt’s trial comes to a close. And he returns home from Oakland for good. Then life will slow for us, just a little bit, which I hope will let me catch my breath. Because I would like to get … Continue reading

28. July 2010 by Jennifer Jeanne Patterson
Categories: Food, Marriage | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 4 comments

Bundled Green Beans welcome us home

While traveling out East, I couldn’t figure out how to feed our kids. Because restaurants that catered to families offered burgers, hotdogs and fries on their kids’ menu. Which I couldn’t understand. Because we teach our children basic life skills … Continue reading

23. July 2010 by Jennifer Jeanne Patterson
Categories: Food, Parenting, Travel | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 14 comments

Mommy’s Day Off

Today Matt returns home from Oakland, after 4 1/2 weeks at trial. We’re excited to see him. Our 5-year-old has set out his newly lost tooth to show his dad while our 3-year-old practices his tackles against my legs. And … Continue reading

21. July 2010 by Jennifer Jeanne Patterson
Categories: Marriage | Tags: , , , , , | 1 comment

A night of luxury: Hope Lake Lodge

We’re back, finally, at home in Minneapolis, with more than two outfits to wear, which makes us feel spoiled, almost, after spending four weeks on the road. Our routines support us here; I know when I can get breaks and … Continue reading

19. July 2010 by Jennifer Jeanne Patterson
Categories: Parenting, Travel | Tags: , , , , , , , | 16 comments

A monument of love: Boldt Castle

On our drive back to Ithaca, we stopped at Boldt Castle in the 1000 Islands. It was built by George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, out of love for his wife, Louise. … Continue reading

16. July 2010 by Jennifer Jeanne Patterson
Categories: Home Building | Tags: , , , , , , , | 7 comments

Quiz: How much money does it cost to get to the North Pole?

It just so happens that the North Pole isn’t where you thought it was. It’s here, in the Adirondack Mountains, alongside a steep mountain road. And today we drove through a sheet of rain to get there. Our 5-year-old stuck … Continue reading

14. July 2010 by Jennifer Jeanne Patterson
Categories: Parenting, Travel | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 7 comments

Living the good life: Lake Placid

We arrived at the airport on Friday to find our flight was oversold. By 10 seats. “Should I stay?” I asked my mom, because Matt’s trial lingered on and the thought of returning to Minneapolis without him there made me … Continue reading

12. July 2010 by Jennifer Jeanne Patterson
Categories: Parenting, Travel | Tags: , , , , , , , | 13 comments

The Grumpy Jack Review: CSN Stores

It’s our last day in Ithaca; our kids are wiped out and so am I. It’s taken a toll on us, sleeping together in one room. We go to bed when the last child falls asleep, and wake with the … Continue reading

09. July 2010 by Jennifer Jeanne Patterson
Categories: Home Building | Tags: , , , , , | 6 comments

American Pride: What makes a great leader?

While in Washington, DC for the 4th, I felt optimistic about our country, and surprisingly nonpolitical. Because reading about our founding fathers’ vision made me proud to be an American. I was reminded of a speech Pulitzer prize winner David … Continue reading

07. July 2010 by Jennifer Jeanne Patterson
Categories: Parenting | Tags: , , | 1 comment

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