Aw poo!

I thought I was being so unusual, and there are probably 20 other blogs named "the roaming mom."

Back to the non-Euclidean drawing board....

I don't mean to complain....

I just hate to be sick.

My first daybook...or eveningbook as the case may be.

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...Dark, cloudy and damp

I am thinking...I wish my nose would stop running.  If I ran this much, I would have no weight problems.

I am thankful for...heat and hot water and lights are all on, and will be paid for when the mailman delivers the checks.

From the learning rooms...I have to spend more time reading with my kids.  Not only are they good at it, but they want more attention than I have been giving lately.

From the kitchen...biscuits made with my white/whole wheat flour mix.  Yay for the return of the whole wheat!

I am wearing...tan comfy pants, ducky shirt, blue fleece vest and bright pink socks.

I am creating...lots of tissues

I am going...to bed soon

I am reading...my friends and families' blogs

I am hoping...for a great party tomorrow

I am hearing...the quiet of a sleeping house

Around the house...sleeping babies

One of my favorite things...cold water

A few plans for the rest of the week...good party for multiple birthdays with great friends.

A thought I am sharing...I love my family.


  originator of the daybook idea: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
  and I borrowed it from my sister...

Museums by Moonlight!

So for those of you who haven't been to Buffalo, we have an incredible array of culture and architecture.  I went out last night with my Best Friend on a self-guided tour of one area of town called Museums by Moonlight (http://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/includes/events/?action=displayDetail&eventId=60931).
We started the evening out at Member's Night in the internationally known Albright-Knox Art Gallery (http://www.albrightknox.org/), for the opening of "Full Color Depression: First Kodachromes from America's Heartland."  It was a powerful exhibit, showing many of the scenes familiar to the era of the Great Depression.  I was struck by how many people commented that life now looks much like it did then.  I suppose the talking heads are losing the battle of calling this a "recession."
The event had a lovely little buffet with great selections (including sushi!).  The drinks left me feeling a little torn.  I love the fact that they had local, small batch boutique beer and wine; but, the only non-alcoholic option they had was sparkling water.  We chatted with several people we knew there, and got to know a few new folks.  It was a lovely event overall.
When it was time to join the Moonlight tour, we returned back downstairs to a scene of controlled mayhem.  I am getting the general impression that the organizers for this tour had no idea how many local people would be attending this event.  I think, in general, they only expected a few on top of the conventioneers from the National Preservation Conference (http://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/includes/event/?action=displayDetail&eventId=60064).  We were all sorted out eventually and settled down to wait for the trolley to arrive.  While we were waiting, we met another local woman who was interested in Buffalo's heritage.  We had a lovely conversation, which culminated in a determination to travel on together for a while.  The trolley did not arrive in good time, so we walked across the street to the Buffalo State College Art Conservation Lab (http://www.buffalostate.edu/depts/artconservation/About.htm).  It was not supposed to be the next stop on the tour after the Albright Knox, but we were being rebels!  :-)
It was, in a word, stunning.  The staff and students were absolutely lovely; answering questions and giving us references and resources for our own work, as well as letting us know what they could do for us as renovators.  I have to say that this was my favorite stop overall.  We got some very interesting and useful information from their paper lab, drooled over the supplies in the painting labs and even learned of a use for the swim bladder of Russian sturgeons (an incredible adhesive, it turns out).  The lab where they restored objects covered a wide variety, from an antique frame to a suit made of rattlesnake skin (no, I'm not kidding).  We even found a new project in the photo/radiography lab for recording the surface of objects that have worn down, like grave markers.  The science labs downstairs were especially fun: lots and lots of equipment that would probably get me in trouble!  :-)
Unfortunately, since there were so many rooms, and so much walking, we lost our new friend.  Her knees were not holding up well, and she wanted to be sure to see the Richardson Olmstead  Complex, so she moved on.
My BF and I next moved on to the Burchfield Penney Art Center (http://www.burchfieldpenney.org/); again, just across the street.  We enjoyed the "Art in Craft Media 2011" exhibit, but agreed to come back to view it in detail another day after a brief perusal.  We both wanted to move on quickly to get a chance at the crowning jewel of the evening, which we reached by slipping through the connecting lawns.
The Richardson Olmstead Complex (http://www.richardson-olmsted.com/) is one of the most beautiful, yet imposing edifices within the city limits of Buffalo: also known as the H.H. Richardson’s State Psychiatric Center.  It is a lovely building adjacent to the grounds of Buffalo State College with a dark history.  No one has been allowed inside this building for years, as it fell into disrepair; but, the conservators now restoring this historic landmark have done a wonderful job within and without.  The only downside to the evening was the ten minute wait in the rain to get into the building.  Since it is still in a state of semi-disrepair, the Fire Marshall threatened the conservators to within an inch of their lives if they let more than a few people in at a time.  We did enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the building (even within the wards!), and the wonderful job they have done restoring the interior.  The work has been unique in that rather than recreating damaged pieces, they opted to repair and restore the original pieces.  The wooden stairway sticks in my mind as a beautiful if monumental task that they repaired to a lovely state.
We were still soaked through when we left the Complex, and were lucky enough (since it was still raining) to find a taxi waiting just at the entrance.  This driver was a bright girl: after picking up a fare at the complex, and noticing all the folks waiting in the rain, she returned to give people rides who were soaked through and unwilling to wait for the trolley (which finally did begin to operate).  She took us back to the art gallery, where we picked up the car and went to the last stop of the night.
In general, the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society (http://www.bechs.org/) is not our favorite venue.  Honestly, they don't treat their patrons very well.  The staff tends to be preoccupied and customer service is not a priority.  They also do not have trained staff to talk about the exhibits.  I'm sorry to say that last night was no exception.  The best part of this section of the evening was the truck cafe parked in front of the building with hot chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with loganberry frosting!
So come and visit, friends and family!  Buffalo has a wonderful array of history, culture, art and fun!

First Posting!

Ok, so here we go.  I have no idea how often I will blog here, but I'll try to as often as possible.  I'm finding between blogs and Facebook, I can keep up with such a larger number of the family these days!
The basic premise of this blog is to keep everyone up with what is going on, and comment on what I see within the adventures of being me.
Hope we all have fun on the way.