“My favorite squirrel”

October 11, 2008 · Posted in Tribune articles · Comment

Cue the mournful funeral dirge: we’ve had a tragedy here. It was a very, very sad day. We used to have neighbors with 2 really big dogs, so we didn’t have much in the way of squirrels in the yard all summer. Sadly, the neighbors moved and took “the boys” with them, but on the positive side, according to the 5 year old, the squirrels are back in the yard. This is entertaining for him, because he loves to watch them balance on the fence as they race to the next tree, their tails flipping and flopping for balance. This makes our dog INSANE of course, so HE barks and barks at the windows again. “yay” (heavy sarcasm for those that miss that kind of thing)

I, being the “funnest, coolest mom a kid could ever have” (as declared one day by the above mentioned 5 year old) had gotten him a pool to splash around in this summer. Nothing too fancy, and he didn’t get to play in it much, because I didn’t get any kind of cover for it, and the thing was always just a few degrees warmer than Lake Superior, but it was there. Since school started, it’s been on the “boy, I should really take care of that” list every day, but every day, a hundred other, more appealing things, like cleaning out the fridge, and scrubbing the toilet seemed to bump it off the top of the list.

Then, “Black Thursday” arrived; a day of great sadness in our house. I was fixing dinner, and looked out the kitchen window, and saw “something” in the pool. “Honey? Can you go see what’s in the pool, and then maybe pull the plug, so I can get it cleaned up before winter?” (way to pass off that unsightly task, eh?) Honey goes out to the yard, and says, “It’s a squirrel”. The 5 year old says, “Who are you talking to?” I say, “Daddy. There’s a dead squirrel in the pool” “OH COOL! Can I go see the dead squirrel?” (shudder from me) “sure, knock yourself out” and off he runs. By the time he gets out there, Daddy has the hole dug, and then goes and scoops “Rocky” out of the pool, and puts him in the hole, and THEN the waterworks start. In comes the 5 year old, HUGE tears running down his face, “that was my FAVORITE squirrel, Mom!” Said with all the heartache that he can muster. So I told him that the squirrel was enjoying squirrel heaven, and no dogs will ever chase him again, and he’s got a pile of acorns the size of our house all to himself. This seems to lessen his pain a bit, and off he goes to play. Man, I sure miss those days when Mom could fix everything with a few words and a hug. But it sure is cool being the one who can fix a broken heart with a hug, though!

Son anxious for school

August 19, 2008 · Posted in Tribune articles · Comment

Here we are again, that last month before school starts. Most kids are getting long-faced at the demise of their summer freedom. Some are already “practicing” getting to bed at the right time to allow them to make the bus, or the van, whichever the case may be. MY son, however, didn’t, apparently realize that there were these 31 days of August between him and kindergarten, because all summer long, he’s been saying, “How many days till July 31, Mom?”. I was wondering why in the world he was worried about “July 31”, but have concluded that sometimes it’s best to just not ask, where that child is concerned.

July 31 rolls around, and he was literally bouncing all day. “Goody, goody! Today is July thirty firtz!” and clapping his hands like some creepy little junior cheerleader. (not that cheerleaders are all creepy, but there are those few who are SO cheery, you just want to pinch them to make ‘em stop for just a minute or two) So I finally said to him, “WHY is it such a big deal that today is July 31, Buddy?” And he says, “Because TOMORROW, I get to go to KINDERGARTEN!” And I said, “No, tomorrow is August 1, and then there are 31 days in August, and then you will start school on Sept. 2, I believe.”

I could not have wounded him more, if I had told him that all the chocolate factories in the world had closed down, and he’d never have chocolate ice cream again. OH the look of anguish in his little face! I don’t know if you’ve experienced looking at sad eyes through a prescription for a kid who is very far sighted, but the eyes are magnified. And when big, brown eyes get magnified, and then tears come rolling out of them in big old drops, it will just about tear your heart out! The poor little guy was just devastated! “THIRTY ONE DAYS!” he said, with all the same emotion that you could imagine he’d use to express dismay over that whole chocolate thing, “I can’t MAKE it that long!”

I don’t know yet, who his teacher is going to be in Kindergarten, but I DO sincerely hope he or she lives up to his expectations! He has a whole list of things he plans to learn while there, and I won’t hesitate to assume he will just raise his hand and ASK to learn about the things they don’t cover the first day! He already know all the addition facts from 1 to 10, and is working on up to 20. He’s figured out that if 5 plus 5 equals 10, then 50 plus 50 equals 100. Teacher better watch out for this one. He’s going places, with or without the rest of the class! We’re almost there, Buddy, we’re almost there!

Teacher huh?

May 10, 2008 · Posted in New, Tribune articles · Comment

This months installment from wifes column! {clap}

Well, this last month hasn’t quite been the giant bowl of yucks that it has been in the past. My mom has had to go to a nursing home for the long haul, and that has kind of sucked the joy out of a lot of things for me. Her memory has gone to the point where most days, she thinks I’m her sister, 50 years ago or so, and my oldest son is her brother before he got married and moved away. And the younger grandkids are just cute little kids she has pictures of. She doesn’t really recognize my Dad as her husband, some days either. That’s not easy to see. On the 20th, they’ll have been married for 58 years. That’s pretty impressive, in my opinion. I can’t imagine that much time under one roof with anyone. I like my “me” time!

But the other day, after we’d been to see Grandma, taken Grandpa back home, and were FINALLY (said with all the exasperation that a 4 year old can muster, complete, I’m sure with a GIANT eye roll) on our way back home, Andy announced to me: “When I grow up, I’m going to work at Checkers!” Said with the same enthusiasm that he usually reserves for “I’m going to have cake!” Now, mind you, there’s nothing wrong with working fast food. I’ve done it. It paid my bills for several years. I went to school to manage restaurants, and despite what people think, even fast food with a drive through counts as a restaurant. It’s like a denim jumper compared to a ball gown. They’re both dresses, just not in the same category. But with this child’s wicked imagination, and intelligence, I just feel that maybe we should aspire to something a little “more” than fast food.

I said “Well, honey, I think that maybe you should be like a scientist, or a doctor when you grow up! You are so smart, you could come up with a cure for cancer, so nobody else’s Daddy has to go through cancer like your Dad did.” And he says, “OR! I could be a TEACHER! If a school doesn’t have a teacher, then I can be the teacher, and if the kids want a “A” then I’ll give ‘em a “A”, and if they want a “F” then that’s what they’ll get! It’ll just be an “A” and “F” school! Isn’t THAT a great idea?” You know, the more I think about it, maybe that’s the way schools SHOULD be. So much of life is ”Pass/Fail”, maybe school should prepare you for it. It could be a charter school, maybe. You go through the lessons, and you take a test, and you either get it, or you don’t. Time to start going to school board meetings! I’ll lobby for the pass/fail system! Like Bonnie Rait says in her song; “Let’s Give ‘em Somethin’ to Talk About!” Wouldn’t THAT be an interesting brew-ha-ha!

{clap}

Whew!

September 25, 2007 · Posted in Dream, Ramblings, Rantings · Comment

Man I’m tired! I should not have stayed up til 4:30 in the am working on this blog!Â I have to admit though it is comeing along nicely though.

Â The wife says I need to come out to the living room now and watch some TV.Â Did you catch that? The wife says I need to watch TV? Huh??

Ok I’m done now.Â After 60 calls in a day, don’t call me ok?

I will be posting more movie reviews later.

June 03

June 23, 2003 · Posted in imported · Comment

June 20, 2003

A PrayerI found this and it says what I needed to say.

A Father’s Prayer

Lord I’m askinâ€™ for Your help
To raise my newborn son,
Give me strength and guide me
â€˜Cause I know that You’re the one.

That sent this angel to me
A little heaven here on earth,
for now I know my place in life…
I’m no longer who comes first.

Once I had no answer
As to why it is I’m here,
But when I looked into my baby’s eyes….
It all became so clear.

This little bit of heaven
Owns me, heart and soul
And it’s You that sent him to me
A greater love I’ll never know.

So take these rugged hands of mine
Help me to understand,
Just what it is I need to do
To raise this little man.

Help me build a boy that knows
It’s You that holds the key,
To all that heaven holds for us
Show him Your love through me.

Posted by Allan at 06:48 AM | Comments (0) | Quotes

June 19, 2003

oooops! I forgot!I forgot to mention that the date for baptism for Andrew and Ben has been changed to June 29 2003 9:00 AM at Good Shepard Lutheran Church.

Old Schedule…This has changed!!!!Also, baptism for both Ben and the Baby will take place on Sunday June 22, 2003 at 9:00 AM service, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Highway 13 south. THe church is located across the highway from Country sports. Al and I will also be taking part in the ceremony as we are being confirmed as members of the church. Actually, it’s quite a big day for Ben… he’ll be baptized in the beginning of the service, along with his little brother… and then he will be confirmed at the end of the service. He’s really excited about it all!

Need directions?

We made this change so Julie can get some rest after all the hard work she put in the last few days.

Andrew and Julie are coming home sometime on Friday but, I’m not sure what time yet.

Posted by Allan at 03:20 PM | Comments (0) | Announcements

Happy Grandmas

Posted by Allan at 09:56 AM | Comments (0) | Photo

My BoyHere is is My Boy It is a good size to print if you want.
I took this through the nursery window while watching him for about 20 minutes.
It looks like he is thinking “Wow, this world is big!”.

Posted by Allan at 09:14 AM | Comments (0) | Photo

June 18, 2003

Andrew VideoI have some video of Andrew!

For those with High Speed connections (Cable/DSL) Click here!

For those on a Dial-up Click here!

Posted by Allan at 12:42 AM | Comments (4) | Photo

June 17, 2003

Our New BoyHere are the first pictures uploaded. There will be more in AM plus a viseo or two!

Ben

Details
Andrew Harley
June 16 2003 8:01 AM
9 lbs 15 oz
21.5 in

Posted by Allan at 11:25 PM | Comments (1) | Photo

June 16, 2003

HE’S HERE!just so everyone knows if they haven’t heard already, Andrew Harley Bunt was born this mornng at 8:01 AM… He was 9lb 15oz… (Not as big as the 13-14 we were originally told!!!) LOTS OF CURLY BLACK HAIR! Photos will be posted within the next few days, whn dad gets a chance to get home and put ‘em on, since I don’t know how to. That’s all I can think of for now. I will be checking the messages tonite, since mom and dad will be here for the nite. The room # is Birth Center 247… If you have any ??’s on how to contact us, get in touch w/Jamie… She figured it out on her own. Talk to ya’ll later!

-=bEn=-

Posted by Ben at 03:13 PM | Comments (2) | Announcements

audblog audio post audblog audio post

Posted by Allan at 09:46 AM | Comments (3) | Announcements

Today is the DayGood Morning!

I just found internet access at the hospital so, check back here often!

Julie is scheduled for C-section at 0730 this am. I or Ben will post to this blog ASAP!

Wish us Luck

Posted by Allan at 05:59 AM | Comments (1) | Announcements

June 15, 2003

Baby Bunt News posted for Julie by her loving Husband!
well, had my final baby visit this morning. Checked things out, and my body is nowhere near ready to give birth on it’s own, but I gained another 8 pounds of water in 10 days, and my feet are so swollen now, they are yellow, because the skin is stretched so tightly over them! Monday morning at 7:30 AM, I am scheduled for my c-section. Unfortunately, my days of wearing my skimpy bikini are over after this one, because the doctor can’t use the old scar, because of all the swelling, and will have to do a vertical incision, so she can insert drainage tubes for all the water that has accumulated in my lower body… yee hah! Visiting hours at the hospital are from Noon until EIght PM, we will be in the birth center at Marshfield. You go in the front doors, and ask directions… it’s the easiest way to get there! I will be ready for visitors Monday afternoon… I”m having a spinal, and hopefully, it won’t take all day to wear off. We will be in the hospital until at least Thursday for sure… possibly Friday. ALso, baptism for both Ben and the Baby will take place on Sunday June 22, 2003 at 9:00 AM service, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Highway 13 south. THe church is located across the highway from Country sports. Al and I will also be taking part in the ceremony as we are being confirmed as members of the church. Actually, it’s quite a big day for Ben… he’ll be baptized in the beginning of the service, along with his little brother… and then he will be confirmed at the end of the service. He’s really excited about it all!I think that’s it for now! Will be posting more info, and pictures of the baby as we get them!

Posted by Allan at 01:07 AM | Comments (0) | Announcements

June 10, 2003

This or That TuesdayThis-or-That Tuesday:

June 10: TV Shows/Movies

1. “The Munsters” or “The Addams Family”? The Munsters
2. “The Sopranos” or the “Godfather” movies? neither …Don’t like gangsters
3. “The Jetsons” or “Lost in Space”? The Jetsons
4. “Superman” or “Batman” (either the TV shows or the movies)? Batman
5. “Sex & The City” or “Friends”? Friends
6. “The Wizard of Oz” or the “Harry Potter” movies? Harry Potter
7. “The Simpsons” or “King of the Hill”? Simpsons
8. “Grease” or “Saturday Night Fever”? Grease
9. Old prime-time soaps: “Dallas” or “Dynasty”? Dallas
10. Not very thought-provoking this week…Do you prefer TV shows or movies? TV shows

Posted by Allan at 01:09 PM | Comments (0) | Rantings

June 07, 2003

Great NewsHere is the link to a journal about Gregg Olsen. He is my brother-in-law. He suffered a stoke in January 2003. Take a look at the pix below to see the improvements made so far. I am so proud of him and his family! This pix was taken Memorial Day 2003. Great Job Gregg!

Posted by Allan at 09:55 AM | Comments (0) | Announcements

June 04, 2003

Julie 12 days prior to delivery

Well, this is me 12 days before delivery… it’s scary… but funny at the same time… my belly just looks fake at this point! We’ll let you all know as soon as he’s here!

Posted by Julie at 11:52 PM | Comments (2) | Photo

June 03, 2003

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