Jason

It has been a while, and every time we think "we should write about this..." and then we forget to submit until after the Lingo comes out. This time we remembered, now what do we say?

Life is great here in Hyde Park. We love our neighbors and are constantly reminded how nice it is to live in a good community when we hear stories from friends about spats and complaints that run rampant. Of course it isn't heaven and nobody is perfect, but it is fun to be working in the yard and chatting with the neighbors as they walk by or waving to those in cars. If only every community would be more friendly, I think that would solve several of the worlds problems. But enough of my soapbox.

We have begun in the yard for the year. The early seeds have been planted, plans for the later ones are in place. Now let's see if anything grows besides weeds this year. Our side yard is beginning to take shape, but is far from complete. For those who don't know, we ripped out over 2000 sq feet of grass and we are trying out a prairie/wildflower section with low water, native plantings. We will have to post some before and after pictures, but we don't have them downloaded yet, maybe once things begin to grow. It will likely take 3 years for the plants to actually get established and look good, but we can wait.

Work at the recycling center is going as normal, except for the economy. The prices on the recycling commodities market have plummeted (along with everything else) so we'll see where we sit fiscally after June (when we try to sell everything). What I need everyone to do is to start buying things that they need to put in cardboard boxes, supposedly that will solve a lot of the recycling market woes, but what do I know. We have also been in flux because my boss declared two months ago that he was taking the early retirement/separation from the University and leaving. Well, the deadline for his contract to be signed and turned in was Friday, and Wednesday we found out he had second thoughts and would likely not be signing. So nothing is changing at work, even though we have all been planning on it and making arrangements for several months. Oh well, life goes on.

Dorothea has begun giggling and babbling a lot more. She is a doll (and has been mistaken for one) and always gets attention. We went to an awards/recognition banquet for the School of Accountancy, a big shindig with all the professors and recruiters and alumni. She got more attention than I did, which was fine, now the recruiters and professors will remember me as the one with the cute kid (right?) and that I must be a great guy to have such a cute girl.

In other news, we are trying to get David interested in potty training, but he would rather use the diaper than stop playing and we are not ready to deal with the messes without a diaper. He keeps saying he will use the potty when he is 4. Sadly we know if he doesn't start soon, he still won't when he's 4. Ah, the joys of parenting.

Katherine is excited for kindergarten, the bus stops across the street and whenever she sees it she asks if it coming to pick her up. Registration was a over month ago and she has been asking ever since.

Thanks everyone who contributes to the lingo, we enjoy reading about family. We often think about you, even if you are not aware.

Jason and Becky Tomlinson