Gandy Rant

Rebelling at 30

gandyrant — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:43:43 +0000

My personal forms of rebellion have failed throughout my life to take on a James Dean like persona. Rather, to get under the skin of my party-loving parents, I would fall asleep early on nights out. Forcing everyone to close down the festivities closer to 9 p.m. than midnight. In my teenage years, I required friends in my car to wear seat belts, switched from Rock music to bluegrass and to add insult injury began in college to attend church. Rebelling is hard work when your parents are children of the 1960s. I thought my rebellion climax took place when I announced at the age of 19 I was getting married. My parents lectured me on that one. “Why don’t you date around? Sow some wild oats? Go a little crazy in Mexico?” Not me, I strutted down that aisle, a rebel in a veil. As my 30th birthday approaches, I thought I was running out of rebellious ideas to shock my parents with – I already went to graduate school. But, then it came to me. I called my stepmom up and informed her that I have now begun to make my bed. That’s right. Take that! Shock does not begin to describe her reaction. It’s good to know that even though I’m aging I can still rebel with the best of them.

Weekend Fun

gandyrant — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:22:19 +0000

I know the weather is not supposed to be seasonal this weekend, which is why I’m coming up with lots of back up plans for family fun. If all goes well, Saturday will be spent outdoors watching little league baseball games. However, if the rain and cold moves in, I suggest backing up the little ones and joining me at the Children’s Museum of Denver for beach fun. Starting June 12, the museum is going to have a covered outdoor beach available for kids. So if you’re like me and not making it to Florida this summer, the kids can still enjoy a sandy experience. Also, if you haven’t checked out the new bubbles exhibit it is definitely worth the trip. Visit http://www.mychildsmuseum.org/ for details. Once again, depending on that tricky weather. We might head to the Renessaince Festival Sunday. We’ve been every year for the past three years and we always have a great time. There are a lot of extra costs once you enter the festival, which can be a bummer, but there is a petting zoo, playground and butterfly ride that’s free for the little kids near the jousting ring. Susan has always loved playing there for an hour. I hope your weekend plans include some family fun too. Maybe we’ll see you there!

Back from Italy; Ready for family fun

gandyrant — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:10:05 +0000

I’m not saying everyone should take a two week break from their life and head off to one of the most beautiful places in the world, where their only concern is which piazza to lounge in that afternoon. But if you can I’d definitely reccomend it. It was so awesome to celebrate being married 10 years and realize that my husband and I can spend two weeks together with no one else to talk to (and no television to watch) and still come up with new, interesting coversation topics that don’t revolve around which dance class is best for Susan. So in a nut shell, it was perfect vacation. And now I am so happy to be right back home – where there are diapers that need changing, groceries that need buying, kids that need rocking. It is so great to be home! To celebrate we have had a family weekend with park trips and ice cream cones and tomorrow we’re heading up to Boulder for the Boulder Creek Festival. If you don’t have plans for Memorial Day and are looking for a fun family outing, give this trip a shot. We’ve been for the past four years. There’s music, rides, plenty of cool booths and demonstrations. If the weather is nice the kids can dip their toes in Boulder Creek. Hope to see you there.

A Day on the Ranch

gandyrant — Sun, 02 May 2010 14:41:50 +0000

I grew up a college-town girl. Farms, livestock, crops – I experienced them as grocery store shelf products and temporary boarding facilities for the pony I owned for about six months. Moving to Douglas County, I feared my two children would grow up with the same ignorance about the origins of our food. For the past three years, I’ve driven to livestock shows, rodeos, and 4-H events (I even was a guest judge for one most-colorful donkey contest), to educate William and Susan about chickens, sheep, cows, horses, soil, compost, and grain. On this weekend’s journey, we went to the Lowell Ranch (just 2.5 miles south of Plum Creek in Castle Rock). The Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation opened up the Ranch for a May Day celebration. Free access to hay rides, livestock, a chuck wagon, roping lessons, stick horse rides, nature trails, and many knowledgeable volunteers made for an excellent visit for all three of my nephews and both my children. Ages 8 months to 8 years were all entertained for a full three hours. The 8 year old was begging to stay when we insisted on leaving for lunch at 2 p.m. There are other events happen at the Lowell Ranch throughout the year. You can check them out at www.thecalf.org. I would definitely recommend this place for any child trying to learn where food comes from before it goes into our mouths. When I visited an actual farm for the first time in my life, I jumped in repulsion when I went to pet one of the cows and saw bugs crawling over it. I shied away from touching dirty sheep. I absolutely balked at shoveling out any of the stables. I’ve come a long way. Friday, I washed little insects off my locally grown organic lettuce without screaming. Two-year-old Susan dug up a worm today and paraded it around for everyone to see. She’s already way ahead of me. More visits to CALF programs at the Lowell Ranch will guarantee she stays dirty.

A cowboy never gets tired

Hi Bambi

Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center

gandyrant — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:49:10 +0000

Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center

Divide, Colorado

www.wolfeducation.org

Plan Two hours for visit (not including travel time)

Cost is $10 per adult, $7 per kid

Reservations required

I herded my pack to the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center in Divide a few weeks ago. The trip was especially aimed at my 8-year-old nephew who loves wolves but never seems to be able to see them on our zoo trips. My two six-year-old nephews, two-year-old daughter and my eight-month-old son tagged along for the ride. We broke up the trip with a stop at Cracker Barrel, both on the way there and back. The bathrooms were clean, there was a kids’ toy section and I drank sweet tea and ate fried okra. The center itself was wonderful. I lost count but there were around 30 wolves, some with incredible stories that will make you want to sign petitions. However, if you lean more to the right on issues about conservation, this passionate owner might be a little much for you. The tour was educational and informative. My nephews were captivated and paid attention the whole time. The group was small so we all got to ask questions. I recommend this tour for kids at least five-years-old. The two-year-old got a little bored after the tenth wolf and the eight month old just wanted to howl. There are picnic tables so you can pack snacks and as long as the weather is good enjoy watching wolves while chowing down. The highlight of the tour was when we all got to let out a wolf howl and the wolves howled right back. Even the eight-month-old loved that moment. Go explore!

Three weeks and counting

gandyrant — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:53:33 +0000

I have three weeks to buy a toothbrush. That’s the last thing on my Italy to-do list and it is driving me crazy. How come I have to be so organized. I’m dying to do anything Italian and all that remains is a toothbrush. I’ve been thinking about what color to get. I wonder if they have black toothbrushes, then it will match most of the outfits I’m taking with me. Should I stick with my normal brand or branch off and do something crazy like buy hard bristles since I’m taking it on my big exciting trip. There is no way I can keep this up for three weeks. I’ll probably end up buying the toothbrush today and then what’s left. I can obsess over Icelandic volcanoes. Or maybe the potential for workers to strike. I’m sure I’ll find something.

Good Night Sleep

gandyrant — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 13:39:12 +0000

I never thought it would happen. But I woke up this morning at 6 a.m. and my baby wasn’t crying. I was woken up to the sun rising rather than hungry baby cries for the first time in seven months. I have never been so happy or well rested. He’ll probably wake up 10 times tonight but I’m simply going to rejoice in this moment. Yeah for William!

Body Worlds

gandyrant — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:22:49 +0000

We’re headed to the science museum on Saturday to see the return of Body Worlds. We missed it last time it was here and Jon, my husband, was very disappointed. He loves all things that have to do with anatomy and the human body. I’m just a little worried that Susan is going to think it is the most gross thing ever. I’m actually probably worried that she will think it is the coolest thing ever and I’ll be the only one in the room thinking it is the grossest thing ever and I’ll have no excuse to leave because my child is enraptured by it all. I’m going to stay positive though. I’m sure looking at dead humans on display will be a lot more pleasant than I’m imaging. Let me know if you’ve been! It’s going to be great.

The sickness never ends

gandyrant — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:11:04 +0000

I was so excited to have my three nephews have a slumber party at my house. I had ice cream sundaes and movies planned for the fun evening. But if there was one thing I’ve learned about having kids and making plans is there is no chance it will work out the way you think. There we were, Susan and William asleep; whip cream, chocolate chips, caramel syrup and ice cream in hand; the sickness started. Susan stood at the top of the stairs. Her Tinkerbell nightgown covered in throwup. Screaming. I thought maybe she had just gotten upset and gagged. She had not been happy about leaving her nephews and hitting the sack. I changed the sheets, cleaned up Susan, started bedtime routine over again. I thought I had it under control. Throw up again. I had to cancel the slumber party and watch my poor daughter wake up every hour sick to her stomach. The poor thing. She’s lying next me right now on the couch sleeping. There has been no vomitting since 5 a.m. When she wakes up I’m going to give her a big hug for keeping me on my toes and wait for the next adventure. Sorry boys. We’ll do a sleepover again later.

Writing out Wills

gandyrant — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:53:25 +0000

Jon and I have been working on our wills. There is nothing that will depress you faster than writing letters to your children that they are only to open if you and your spouse meet your end in an untimely demise. What letter could ever impart all the wisdom and advice they’ll need? The chances are these letters will never be opened. But if by some chance Jon and I should meet our maker together, what thoughts will help my children deal with the aftershock? Should I joke around. Don’t ever give your contact information to an Nigerian prince who e-mails you. Should I go for tough love? Listen, crap happens to everybody, get up and get moving. Should I go all mushy? We’ll always be there for you if you need us. It’s not that hard for me to think about dying. I don’t mind the idea of leaving behind all the messiness of this life for one of peace. But I hate to think of my children hurt and me not there to hug them. It’s one of those things though that as a responsible parent you have to get done. And expect even a letter filled with the worst tripe would provide more comfort than no letter at all. Maybe I’ll lead with, “Don’t ever forget we love you more than you can ever imagine.”