It's Been Busy...

It's been a busy time, so I haven't spent time updating this blog. We've been getting ready to move into the new house, dealing with our old house, and doing a lot of family stuff. The time is flying by! The funny thing is, I haven't felt like shooting much this month. Even a week long trip back to PA with Freja didn't stir me to shoot.



One of the things we've been doing is exploring the new home range, which I expect is something we'll do for years. We've discovered great places to enjoy a leisurely coffee on a Sunday morning, as well some of the local attractions. Teri and I have even had a day time date thanks to great sitter! I have to admit, we're also spending more time around the new house, walking the neighborhood and driving by to look at the house.





Another thing that had me busy was taking care of Freja. She had a minor bought with strep throat. Nothing serious as it was caught just as it started. She also had an infected, ingrown toe nail that was soar. First she was ill, and then I took her to the old house back in PA for over a week. Ten days of just the two of us was really nice.




Just a couple of weeks to go until we move!

Catching Up

Over TWO months have gone by since my last post. I've written so many times in my head, just not online. I'm going to try to do some catching up. In a nutshell, most of November was spent just working on the old house. I didn't do a whole lot other than try to complete the renovations. By the beginning of December I was in Mount Horeb with my family. Most of that month was spent simply adjusting to the new surroundings.

Right away one of the first things I fell in love with is the shear abundance of "natural" areas! There are conservancies, parks and reserves literally EVERYWHERE around us! We can be in a quiet setting in a matter of minutes! I've even found time to actually go and just walk around by myself with my camera.



Another amazing realization, of which I've not photographed yet, is the access to a variety of quality foods. As the cook in the family I spent almost all of December just driving around to shops, sampling the wares. I've gained some weight! It's a combo of the cheeses, meats and beer! I have to admit that the quality of the foods I am finding here far surpass what was available in Greensburg. The only area I've found somewhat lacking is (naturally) seafood. While the local seafood suppliers are great they just aren't Wholey's. I've even found wild game here! I cannot WAIT to get into my new kitchen! Spring cannot get here soon enough. (For those who don't know, we're renting until April when we move into our new house.)

And then there's the beer! Amazing variety and flavor!

Mainly though, it's just being back with my family that feels the best. Cooking for them, spending time with them are things I truly missed. At first it took some time for Freja to adjust after my long absence but things are returning to our version of "normal." She also loves school, which I am now trying to figure out how to interact with.



I'll try to post more often and will catch up on some of the back story soon...

Waiting for Godot, the Lutz version

It's been a while since I've written anything. Trying to get our old house done so I can be with my family again means no time for processing and writing. Also, around Halloween, the ghosts can get to you a bit.

I did get to go spend some time over the spooky weekend with my family. Teri made a red-kneed tarantula, costume for her. I was amazed! I knew she could sew, but this was amazing! I didn't see it finished, so only have this one shot of it just before it was done.



Now I have an idea for a giant "Ron Troll" costume...



I've been thinking about my life with the two of them almost constantly. It's hard to believe that I've been so fortunate in meeting Teri, becoming her husband and raising a child with her. As I work on the house I'm always trying to focus on the fact I'll be with them soon; and not so much on the memories of living here. Which can hit me hard sometimes.

Take today for instance. Painting the trim in the bathroom I suddenly recalled the time Teri I took a special photo of ourselves. She'd just taken a pregnancy test we'd bought on our way home from spending Easter at my father's. It was one of the most bizarre drives we've had. Suddenly, after eating enough radishes to make her glow, she'd begun to uncontrollably belch out a demon stank worse than anything that ever came out a troll's arse. I'm not exaggerating. So as not to torment my family we left immediately. Even before we drove away, her window cracked, face pressed against the opening trailing a cloud of ichorous wrath, we both had a feeling as to the cause.

Anyway, she tried oh so nonchalantly to call me in to see the EPT test results.



I can't even begin to describe how much I miss being with my wife & daughter.

Short Break from Blog

I couldn't take it anymore. After two weeks without my wife and daughter I had to see them. Yesterday I loaded up the car and headed to Wisconsin. The only internet connection I have until friday is my Droid, so there will be no new posts until then. All I have time to say now is how good it is to be with them. Freja has changed a LOT. She also has a bad cold, so I kept her home with me... I never thought I'd be so happy she has a runny nose!

Intrepid Explorer

The first time we all went to Madison, WI was in late June, 2011. We went to an interview for a job being offered my wife. We'd spent a lot of time investigating the area, mainly using Google Earth. Being that we may end up here I'd taken Freja exploring. It was a warm, sunny day, so a beach seemed like the best idea.



I knew from looking at satellite images about where to find a small park. It had a tiny, little, mostly wild beach. Freja immediately began to comb the waterline, looking for treasure. I love how she can immerse herself in the simple act of exploring everyday objects. A side effect from us always being alone, aside from becoming socially inexperienced, is how imaginative she's becoming. Things I think most adults take for granted are wondrous objects of expression.





I'd expected her to get soaked, so I'd packed her swimsuit. She played for over an hour by herself. We saw ducks, and chased butterflies. I watched her litteraly chase a yellow one for over ten minutes, eventually picking up with her fingers. She even found treasure in some loose change.

Eventually some small children did come, but they didn't know how to deal with this overly friendly, "play with me, kid." She didn't know how to play with them, though she kept trying in own unique way. With time, she'll sort it out though. She was only 3 years old...

Leaving Moraine Behind

After picking up some tools from my father I took quick spin around Moraine State Park. It never occurred to me how sad it would make to leave this particular patch of ground. I've been coming to this lake since I was a little kid. It was created around the time I was born in fact. There's a connection I feel with it I cannot explain. So many memories. It's the one place I think I'll miss the most outside of family homes.

A Hand in My Chest

Coming back to an empty house was a lot harder than I thought. All I can see are "ghosts" of the past. For the first couple of days I had trouble sleeping, and just walking around the place makes me feel as if there's a hand in my chest, squeezing. It's as if I've lost them, even though I know there in Mount Horeb, and I'll see them again. It all happened to fast! From the time I met Teri until now has been a blur. It's hard to work on the house.



I took a short drive just to get out of the house. I made the mistake of going to Mount Odin Park, where I took this photo. It was a mistake to go there. This was the park that Freja and I went to the most. On the way back from grocery shopping we'd often play here before going home. I've not felt this sense of melancholy in many, many years. All I could do is reminisce.



I have to snap out of it...

House Inspection

After dropping Freja off at school we went to the house we plan on moving into come spring. We went for the house inspection, and just to see the house again of course. We just love this home! Both of us really appreciate Arts & Crafts style houses. To have found one that we both love, in a town we both like, seems like destiny.



What was especially wonderful was getting to know the current owner a little better. She told us all about the neighborhood, and the quirks of the house. We're hoping to get to know her a little more. It would be especially nice to learn all there is to know about the place from someone who's been there for 40 years.

The Forerunner

Our plan is simple. I'll drive the box truck to our apartment. Teri and Freja will fly in the next day. The two of us will set up the place and then I'll fly back to complete the house. After a LONG almost 12 hour drive I arrived in Mount Horeb.



After dealing with the details of moving into a new place I was ready for a break. I took a very short stroll and discovered the Grumpy Troll Brew Pub. Naturally I thought, "great name!" When I went in I found a lively crowd, a great wooden bar and lots of tables with a super high ceiling. It felt like I'd been here before. As I waited for a table I ordered a house stout. It was PERFECT, as was the food.

My waitress welcomed me to the town when I mentioned I'd just moved in. I'd worn a red t-shirt, it was one of two clean shirts I'd brought at random. As I glanced around the room I couldn't help but notice most of the patrons were also in red. Some of the kids even had painted faces. I asked the waitress what gives with all the red. Apparently I'd arrived on homecoming night.



I then walked to the game myself. I'd not been to high school game since I left school myself. It was an electric event. People were really happy to be there, and there were kids running around everywhere unsupervised. The fact that not only could I walk to games, as well as a great pub, but people felt safe enough to let their kids play really let me know I was in the right town. Especially when the learned the school team is called the Vikings!



So basically we've moved to a Nordic/Northern German town, complete with trolls!



The next day I was able to walk to Schubert's Diner. If you know me, then you know how much I LOVE old diners! The fact that most of the things I enjoy are in walking distance make this the perfect town for me.