Kate The Great

Random Thoughts

2011-04-15T09:46:00.002-05:00

Yea! It's Friday and there are just a whole ton of random thoughts floating around in my head... 1) Sue, at work turned me on to an author she thought Samantha would enjoy: Sarah Dessen. I read her bio on her website and I totally want to be her. She sounds so cool. Ok, so I am pretty pleased with me as me so I suppose I'd just like to have her for a bff. 2) And speaking of authors, we just took Samantha to the Book Fair at her school. It was really difficult to not walk around smelling all the books! I did give in and sniffed a few. Samantha picked out a few good books for summer reading. She is kind of into the supernatural stuff currently but not vampires. She likes to smell books too. 3) Spring is here. All sorts of things are budding and blooming. Our Pear trees are flowering. They smell absolutely hideous. We like to think up all sorts of gross and disgusting things that we think they smell like. The Forsythia and Daffodils and Hyacinths are blooming as well. (Hyacinth would be an awesome name for a cat don't you think?) 4) The other evening Samantha and I curled up in her bed and read. I had just gone into her room to tell her something but her bed looked so inviting that I had to stay. I started reading one of her books: " Kissed by an Angel" By Elizabeth Chandler. Lying in Samantha's bed is so neat. When the front door is open you can see outside and all her stuffed animals are so fun. Some days I think it would be cool to pull a Freaky Friday and change places with her. 5) Huh, I think I just ran out of random thoughts... oh well, it's Friday... Yea!

I am a stalker...

2011-01-14T12:47:00.002-05:00

So, there we were, Samantha and I, at the gym the other day when my twin walked by. I had been looking for a song on my MP3 player and my eyes have trouble adjusting from close up stupid tiny letters to people off in the distance. "Did you see that woman?" I asked Samantha. "Yes and she looks just like you only taller" she replied.

My twin went into the locker room and that's when I turned my child into a mini-stalker. "We have to go in there" I said. "But I don't have to go to the bathroom and I just put my coat on" Samantha whined. I begged her to shut up and just wash her hands or something.

When we got in the locker room she wasn't there. I walked all the way around the other end of the lockers and, poof, she'd disappeared. Then I see Samantha pointing toward the toilets and mouthing: "She's in there". So we washed our hands. We didn't just splash some water on them but did it the way they recommend with the soap and the singing your ABC's and rinsing and the drying and my twin was still in the bathroom stall.

Then Samantha showed me an ad for a body spray she wants. It was one of those ads where you rub a certain spot and then smell it only she'd smelled it so many times that you had to rub and rub and rub to activate the scent.

My twin was still in the stall and we came to the conclusion that my twin was pooping but, that's ok because everybody poops.

Next a woman I'd run with a few times on the track came into the locker room and I struck up a conversation with her because I'm friendly like that. I'm so glad I talked to her because we made plans to run 10 miles together. She is about my speed which will make it fun. So there I am all thrilled that I have made a new friend when my poopy twin comes out of the stall. But I'm all engrossed in conversation with my new friend and can't really say: "Oh, excuse me a minute while I check out this woman who I followed in here because I think she looks like me" so I totally missed her. That sucks! I was really thrilled to make a new friend and all but it still sucks.

When I was done chatting Samantha gave me one of those looks that implied: if we don't leave now you will embarrass me to death and to seek revenge I will cut you while you are sleeping. You don't mess with the child and her evil looks so we left.

We went to the gym again yesterday I saw her after John and I were done running. I was standing with John while he used the ab machine when I saw her on the treadmill. "There's my twin," I whispered to John. Of course he laughed at me and said, "just because she has short blond spiky hair doesn't mean she looks anything like you. You are way cuter than she is."

I love my husband!

Don't you hate it when...

2011-01-05T10:05:00.003-05:00

Don't you hate it when you finally turn out the lights, snuggle up under the covers and have all the pillows arranged just right only to remember 5 thousand things you want to do tomorrow and you really want to write them down so you'll remember but there is no way you are messing up a perfect pillow / blanket arrangement.

I also hate it when I'm in the car and I think of all these things I need to get done at work but writing and driving really don't go well together.

Or, when I'm running on the track at the gym and I think of all these things I'd really like to write down on my grocery list. It must be the monotony that makes me think of making lists because running doesn't make me hungry. In fact it does just the opposite. If I run in the evening I typically skip dinner.

I really hate it when I'm swimming laps in the pool and I think of all these books I'd like to read and would really like to jot them down. It's a wonder I haven't drowned yet because the peaceful water makes me think about reading. And reading makes me sleepy.

But the most annoying is when you get home, get out the note pad and find a pen that works and you can't remember a darned thing to write down.

2010-12-27T12:03:00.002-05:00

It's good to have goals. For the New Year mine include keeping up with my poor blog a bit more regularly and placing in the top 3 for my age group in the Warrior Dash John and I are doing in June.

The Warrior Dash is in Logan, OH (I think) and is a 2.91 mile race with 13 obstacles from hell or so they say on their website. Some of the obstacles include, barbed wire, fire, tires and a dark tunnel.

I literally can't wait until June! I am just so excited for several reasons:
1) It just sounds cool.
2) You get a beer at the finish.
3) You get a fuzzy warrior helmet.
4) And if you place in the top 3 in your age group you get a metal warrior helmet and if your name is Kate Dickey you get a real live warrior from Rob!

This is going to need some strategy... I figure most of the participants are young, in their 20's or so which gives me a boost. (Ok, so that's not much in the way of strategy but it's all I've got.)

And, some training, ugh, which includes swimming laps.

I have always been a runner and have always said I didn't get swimmers but... I have to say, after a few swims I think I get it. Swimming is kind of like running: relaxing, peaceful, a great work out and you feel really good afterward.

So far I have done laps twice. My first time out, 2 weeks ago, for half a mile and last week for one length short of 3/4 of a mile. (Don't ask...)

I have to say I am feeling a bit warriorish!

Summer in the Suburbs

2010-08-08T11:04:00.003-05:00

Wow, it's been so long I almost forgot how to sign in here...lol.

I am spending my Sunday morning in my favorite way, out on the deck under the shade of our Eastern Redbud tree with a cup of coffee, my lap top, my journal and a book. (I'm about to start "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo".) The weather is perfect. The sun is out but there is a slight breeze in the shade. Samantha has her BFF, Tara over to play and I can hear them as they come into the kitchen to get more "things" to use for their playdoh Iron Chef show they are putting on for the stuffed animals. The sound of their chatter makes me smile. The sound of the neighbor's dog barking does not.

I grew up in the country. Our house was in the woods where even if there weren't trees you still wouldn't have been able to see any other houses. It was awesome to be able to build forts in the woods and catch tadpoles in the creek but I always knew when I grew up I wanted to live in a suburban neighborhood. I like being able to yell "hey there" over the fence to the neighbors and I like being able to sit on the front porch and watch people walk by. I enjoy having neighbors close by even if they are stupid ones with a stupid barking dog. They keep things interesting.

Summer Fun

2010-06-22T12:09:00.002-05:00

Wow, I am so addicted to facebook that I have neglected this poor blog terribly!

Remember when we were kids and the days were unbearably long and it seemed like that special day, whatever it was, would never come? It's not like that for kids today. On the last day of school Samantha almost cried as she said: "this year went by too fast. I am not ready for 5th grade to be over". And, her Birthday snuck up on her and she felt she hadn't had enough time to properly plan.

This past weekend Samantha turned 12! She had two friends over, Tara and Chelsea. They had pizza out on the deck, opened presents, had cake, danced to music in the back yard and made smores over the fire pit. She really had an amazing time; but for her parents it was a bit sad... We weren't allowed to participate! I tried dancing with them and was told to stop. Even when I sat on the deck and they were all the way out in the yard I received evil looks. When we could John and I stole glances out in the back yard and loved what we saw. Samantha is no longer a little girl. She has, virtually overnight, turned into a beautiful young lady.

I love love love you Samantha!

Journaling

2010-03-02T11:27:00.002-05:00

I have always kept journals and I love reading back through them. This past weekend I read back through 2005 and found some pretty funny stuff...

There was an email from my friend Kelly's son, Sean. He would have been 3 or 4 at the time and he told me his dog wanted to lick my toes.

And there was an entry about how my mother went to a realtor's office for something and there was no one at the receptionist's desk. She waited a while and still no one was anywhere to be found. There was a wall calendar hanging above the chairs where she was waiting. She liked the calendar so she removed it from the wall and left.

It really is the little moments and stories that when we look back give us the greatest pleasure. I am still laughing picturing my mom stealing the calendar. The toe licking thing though is just gross but Sean is still awfully cute.

February

2010-02-27T11:23:00.003-05:00

January is the month for New Year's Resolutions but I never seem to get around to it until February. It's like I need the first month or two of the new year to re-group and get it together. So, 2010... I am ready for you now!

In 2010 I resolve to:

1. Not cuss like a pirate any more... I find myself telling Samantha how saying bad words sends a negative message about the person who says them and I remember my mother saying that swearing shows a lack of creativity. So, I resolve to think of better words to use. (Although, I reserve the right to call any idiot I so choose an ass monkey.)

2. Not say anything in private that I wouldn't say to the whole world... This one kind of reminds me of the old saying: If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all.

3. Be less judgemental... I have no idea what it is like to walk in someone elses shoes and false judgements can hurt others. Judging others is a complete waste of time. So, I resolve to walk down my own path, to allow you to walk down your path and to just let others be themselves.

4. Listen more & listen better... How often do our minds wander when someone else is speaking? And, how often are we planning what we are going to say next instead of focusing on what the other person is saying? Really listening makes us feel good therefore I resolve to get off my own agenda and listen more.

5. Live happily ever after now...

Theodore Roosevelt

2010-02-11T15:03:00.001-05:00

Samantha had just finished her power point project on Theodore Roosevelt and John was showing her how to save it onto a memory stick. One of my favorite things is watching these simple, everyday moments.

There are vikings in those woods...

2010-01-12T12:20:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite memories is our family visit to Lily Fest a few years ago. Lily Fest is this amazing arts festival in the Hocking Hills. The property is beautiful, set in a clearing in the woods and has one amazing garden after another. The drive is a bit treacherous up and down many hills on curvy, narrow roads but totally worth it.

A few years ago when my parents came to visit I suggested we go to Lily Fest. Mom was a bit leery because she thought it would be a crappy craft fest. She was pleasantly surprised that it was a lovely fine arts festival! Dad bought a copper sculpture to mount above the gate on the bridge at their house that leads from the road back to the house and Mom got a life sized fairy for her garden.

After we looked around we sat on a quilt in the grass to listen to dulcimer music and have a picnic. While we were having our chicken salad sandwiches with the crusts cut off when I said to Dad, "there are vikings in those woods."

"What?"

"There are vikings in those woods" I said a bit louder because Dad is hard of listening. (He hears fine when he wants to...)

"Vikings? There aren't any vikings in the woods, you don't know what you are talking about."

I told him to come with me. We left Mom and Samantha on the quilt and walked along the winding trail through the woods. Dad bitched the whole time about how I had no idea where I was going when suddenly, around a bend, there they were: VIKINGS!

Dad's face lit up like a kid at Christmas. The Vikings, about 6 of them, had a tepee (not really sure why a tepee... maybe they pillaged it from the Indians?) a cauldron over a fire, tents and various areas with games and crafts set up.

After we were done chatting with the vikings and purchasing some crafts we went back to Mom and Samantha. Dad sits down and says to Mom, "There are vikings in those woods!"

Backyard Sheds

2010-01-07T13:56:00.002-05:00

Recently we had a storage shed built in our backyard. It is just adorable, matches our house and made our garage even tidier than it was.

Well, last night I discovered the down side to a backyard shed... when you need something that had previously been in the attached garage you now have to tread through the snow in the back yard.

I suppose it was funny but not at the time. It was around 8pm and we were watching TV when we heard one of the smoke detectors beep that it's battery was low. It took a bit to figure out which detector it was coming from, living room or bed room. We have cathedral ceilings in our bedroom and even standing on a chair didn't quite reach.

So, we had to go out to the shed to get the ladder. Yuck, snow in my boots! There were icicles on the shed door that made it hard to open and it was cold... whine and complain. John tried to throw a snowball at me but I quickly pointed out that the person who stayed in the warm house had no right to throw a snowball at the person who went out in the cold to the shed. Then I poked him with one of the icicles I'd carried back in.

John changed the battery in the detector with our last 9 volt battery. About 5 minutes later the darn thing started beeping again! I offered ear plugs but it wasn't much help so John went to the store for more batteries and he changed them in all the detectors.

The ladder is still in the house... anyone want to come over an take it back out to the shed?

Happy First Monday of 2010

2010-01-04T12:54:00.002-05:00

Here I am at my desk at work taking a little lunch break.

You all know I love Mondays but you know what I love even more?

A New Year!

It's like one huge giant Monday all wrapped up like with a big red bow like the perfect present!

Almost Christmas

2009-12-22T12:17:00.003-05:00

We have a wee bit of snow. It's kind of a light dusting and hasn't turned to slushy mush yet so it still looks pretty.

Every year I try to do something different for Advent. This year I got Samantha a chocolate a day calendar. She especially loves that they first chocolate had a squirrel imprinted on it! She honestly still thinks that there is a chance she will get a real live pet squirrel from Santa.

My Dad is going nuts with the new Kittinger table. He won't let Mom put anything on it. I asked if we will have to hold our plates in our laps when we eat on it. She did not find that one bit amusing.

Mom hasn't been able to walk Pepper like she had because Dad tried to kill her with some sort of portable heater that he got for the living room. Their living room is 900 square feet and all windows so it gets really cold in there along with the fact that they keep the thermostat set at 64 frickin degrees. So, the heater leaked some sort of noxious fumes that messed with Mom's already messed up breathing. She said that every day at noon Pepper walks herself down to the creek taking the same route they usually take and periodically looking over her shoulder for my Mom. What a crazy dog.

And, while we are on the subject of my mother, she lost her John Denver & The Muppet's Christmas album for her record player. I can't imagine what she might have done with it and she said she has looked everywhere. So, I thought I'd go on eBay to see if I could find one.. Well, who knew that would be such an expensive item... $25 for a 35 year old record with singing puppets... OY!

2009-12-09T11:40:00.002-05:00

We recently joined our local rec center and went for the first time yesterday. It was so much fun except that John couldn't go because he had a migraine. Samantha and I swam in the pool and just had the best time exploring all the things to do there. Next we totally want to try climbing the rock wall! There was no one in the pool but us so we were able to be totally silly. Samantha slid down the little kids frog slide and I attempted diving off the diving board. Sadly Samantha looked much cuter on the slide than I did diving!

Yesterday was my Daddy's 78th Birthday. We gave him some new books and Mom gave him his watch back. I guess that's how you would describe it. In 1953 he bought an Omega watch in Sweden that Mom recently found not working in a box of stuff. So, she took it to be repaired for his Birthday and he loved it!

Lately I have noticed a disturbing trend: the older my parents get the more "stuff" they are clearing out of their house. They have lived in the same house in the country for the past 47 or so years so it is packed with stuff and probably needs cleaned out but I can't help finding it a bit sad. Mom calls frequently and asks if I want this or that and says she will put my name on it. I am an only child so I get it all and I am sure when I go through things in the future and find my name on them I will wonder what was I thinking. And, every time we go home to visit we get loaded up with so much stuff, most of it junk. We cleaned our storage area in the basement and I couldn't remember why I had brought back half of the things I found: a deer antler, a rock, a broken necklace, a jar of sand... Oy!

October 2009

2009-11-02T10:48:00.002-05:00

Wow, I can't believe it is almost the end of the year! Fall is flying by just as fast as the summer months did.

I had the swine flu in October which was awful. I was sick for a week and then so exhausted for another whole week that I couldn't do anything. It's amazing all the little things you do that you don't even realize until you spend two weeks not doing them! But, I am all better now and am faithfully taking my Airborne so I won't get sick again this year.

Samantha started band. She is playing the flute. I am amazed at how musically inclined she is. She has quite an ear and really hears the music. She does well at hearing something and then playing it back. I was never good at that at all. My mother had me play piano, clarinet, flute and the oboe but my ear was horrible. I did fine but never enjoyed it as much as I could have. Samantha looks so cute carrying her flute case off to school.

For Halloween Samantha decided she wanted to be a squirrel. I got some brown fur and sewed her a tail, a little vest and some ears. She had fun trick-or-treating with her friend Avery. Avery went as a cow girl. At one point Samantha said her tail was getting heavy so Avery walked along side her in her little pink coy girl hat holding Samantha's squirrel tail. It was so sweet. They looked like they should be an illustration in a children's book.

John is so happy! Samantha finally agreed to go shooting. John bought her a pink rifle. She did really well. (Better than I do!) I love that she now has an activity to share with her daddy.

We had parent teacher conferences in October and Samantha is doing well in all of her classes. She really loves school, especially math. Every Wednesday at Skyline she and Tara sit in a booth together and work on their math page for the accelerated match program. I love that!

I Love Fall!

2009-09-27T17:08:00.003-05:00

I love fall... the changing leaves... the cooler weather... the falling leaves... high school football games... fires in our fire pit wrapped up in a blanket... apple cider... picking apples... collecting leaves and pressing them between waxed paper... corn mazes... hay... pumpkins... Indian Corn... making chili... making Halloween costumes... baking apple pies... the smell in the air: leaves, bonfires, crisp and cool... decorating and the pretty colors... Definitely my favorite season!

Cranky Day

2009-09-22T20:40:00.003-05:00

I am having a totally cranky day today. I don't have them very often so when I do it's like everything anyone says or does pisses me off. At work I end up yelling at Ellen because she is right there next to me and at home I end up yelling at John and Samantha because they are right there as well.

One of the things pissing me off is that on Saturday we signed Samantha up for band and purchased her flute. The sales rep at the school told us we couldn't bring Samantha's flute home until band stars in two weeks. I was really mad because I wanted to play her flute. Plus other sales reps let their people take their instruments home so because we got this specific rep we were told no. I know, I know... this is the dumbest thing in the whole world to be mad at but I am still mad none the less...

Then there are the people in the pine trees... Several residents have contacted John and myself to see if the HOA can help them with an issue they are having with people hiding in the pine trees across the road from them, shining laser lights and running through their yard at night. This is pissing me off because it has been going on for over a year and we have just found out about it. The pissing me off part is these people have been dealing with it for so long and it has them scared about their safety and by the time they have come to us they are at their most frustrated. Stupid tree people. John and I found a little camp they have in the pine trees. Why would someone want to hang out in s grove of pine trees and shine laser lights in peoples windows at 4am for over a year. What is wrong with people.

But, tomorrow is another day and this too shall pass...

My 14th Wedding Anniversary...

2009-09-16T12:27:00.001-05:00

...and the beautiful roses that greeted me when I got to work this morning!

Obama's Speech to Students...

2009-09-04T12:35:00.002-05:00

I swore when I started this Blog that I wouldn't get all into political issues or the like but I can't resist this one...

When I first heard about the speech I had a few thoughts... including: wow, this has a socialist feel to it and this is something you'd see overseas and not in the USA... all along I have thought that we will soon be the USSR and that there is something scary about our President... I get the feeling that he sees things as "his way or the highway" and that freaks me out...

I don't have a problem with Samantha hearing many different views on things because eveyone is entitled to their opinion... she should learn all sorts of points of view so she can form her own... and as parents John and I discuss what she learns with her...

I don't have a problem with a president giving a speech to school children on education, Republican or Democrat, but I do have a big problem with this President giving a speech to school children on education...

Here is an article I liked below...

Obama speech to students draws conservative ire
By LIBBY QUAID and LINDA STEWART BALL (AP) – 19 hours ago
DALLAS — President Barack Obama's back-to-school address next week was supposed to be a feel-good story for an administration battered over its health care agenda. Now Republican critics are calling it an effort to foist a political agenda on children, creating yet another confrontation with the White House.
Obama plans to speak directly to students Tuesday about the need to work hard and stay in school. His address will be shown live on the White House Web site and on C-SPAN at noon EDT, a time when classrooms across the country will be able to tune in.
Schools don't have to show it. But districts across the country have been inundated with phone calls from parents and are struggling to address the controversy that broke out after Education Secretary Arne Duncan sent a letter to principals urging schools to watch.
Districts in states including Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Virginia, Wisconsin have decided not to show the speech to students. Others are still thinking it over or are letting parents have their kids opt out.
Some conservatives, driven by radio pundits and bloggers, are urging schools and parents to boycott the address. They say Obama is using the opportunity to promote a political agenda and is overstepping the boundaries of federal involvement in schools.
"As far as I am concerned, this is not civics education — it gives the appearance of creating a cult of personality," said Oklahoma state Sen. Steve Russell. "This is something you'd expect to see in North Korea or in Saddam Hussein's Iraq."
Arizona state schools superintendent Tom Horne, a Republican, said lesson plans for teachers created by Obama's Education Department "call for a worshipful rather than critical approach."
The White House plans to release the speech online Monday so parents can read it. He will deliver the speech at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Va.
"I think it's really unfortunate that politics has been brought into this," White House deputy policy director Heather Higginbottom said in an interview with The Associated Press.
"It's simply a plea to students to really take their learning seriously. Find out what they're good at. Set goals. And take the school year seriously."
She noted that President George H.W. Bush made a similar address to schools in 1991. Like Obama, Bush drew criticism, with Democrats accusing the Republican president of making the event into a campaign commercial.
Critics are particularly upset about lesson plans the administration created to accompany the speech. The lesson plans, available online, originally recommended having students "write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president."
The White House revised the plans Wednesday to say students could "write letters to themselves about how they can achieve their short-term and long-term education goals."
"That was inartfully worded, and we corrected it," Higginbottom said.
In the Dallas suburb of Plano, Texas, the 54,000-student school district is not showing the 15- to 20-minute address but will make the video available later.
PTA council president Cara Mendelsohn said Obama is "cutting out the parent" by speaking to kids during school hours.
"Why can't a parent be watching this with their kid in the evening?" Mendelsohn said. "Because that's what makes a powerful statement, when a parent is sitting there saying, 'This is what I dream for you. This is what I want you to achieve.'"
Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican, said in an interview with the AP that he's "certainly not going to advise anybody not to send their kids to school that day."
"Hearing the president speak is always a memorable moment," he said.
But he also said he understood where the criticism was coming from.
"Nobody seems to know what he's going to be talking about," Perry said. "Why didn't he spend more time talking to the local districts and superintendents, at least give them a heads-up about it?"
Several other Texas districts have decided not to show the speech, although the district in Houston is leaving the decision up to individual school principals. In suburban Houston, the Cypress-Fairbanks district planned to show the address and has had its social studies teachers assemble a curriculum and activities for students.
"If someone objected, we would not force them to listen to the speech," spokeswoman Kelli Durham said.
In Wisconsin, the Green Bay school district decided not to show the speech live and to let teachers decide individually whether to show it later.
In Florida, GOP chairman Jim Greer released a statement that he was "absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology."
Despite his rhetoric, two of the larger Florida districts, Miami-Dade and Hillsborough, plan to have classes watch the speech. Students whose parents object will not have to watch.
"We're extending the same courtesy to the president as we do with any elected official that wants to enter our schools," said Linda Cobbe, a Hillsborough schools spokeswoman. Cobbe said the district, which includes Tampa, has gotten calls from upset parents but said officials don't think the White House is trying to force politics on kids.
The Minnesota Association of School Administrators is recommending against disrupting the first day of school to show the speech, but Minnesota's biggest teachers' union is urging schools to show it.
Quincy, Ill., schools decided Thursday not to show the speech. Superintendent Lonny Lemon said phone calls "hit like a load of bricks" on Wednesday.
One Idaho school superintendent, Murray Dalgleish of Council, urged people not to rush to judgment.
"Is the president dictating to these kids? I don't think so," Dalgleish said. "He's trying to get out the same message we're trying to get out, which is, `You are in charge of your education.'"
Libby Quaid reported from Washington. Associated Press Writers April Castro, Monica Rhor, Zinie Chen Sampson, Christine Armario, Jessie Bonner, Scott Bauer, Tim Talley, Martiga Lohn, Tammy Webber and Alan Zagier contributed to this report.

2009-09-04T11:45:00.003-05:00

Wow, can you believe it is September already. I have been so involved tending my farm in Farmville on Face Book that I have neglected my blog and all my Blog Friends... So very sorry...

This summer was so fast but really great. John and I planned our Homeowners' Association Block Party and it exceeded our expectations! There were about 400 people there which was awesome... We had food: hot dogs and hamburgers, games for the kids, a bounce house for the kids, face painting, fire trucks, police cars, McGruff the Crime Dog and a Corn Hole Tournament with trophies... It was a huge amount of work planning and executing everything but I love doing that sort of thing. I would love to be a party planner or something like that but the whole working weekends and evenings when people have events is really not appealing at all... I am thrilled to have met so many awesome people in our neighborhood since we've been on the HOA Board and we are already planning for next summer.

Samantha is loving 5th grade. I can't believe how big she is... grown up, not size wise... We couldn't ask for a better kid! This year Samantha has 3 teachers as opposed to last year where she only had 2... All three seem to be a good fit for her. And, I have to say, I love love love our schools... every year we have been so blessed to have really amazing teachers and really good kids in each of Samantha's classes... She has never had any "bad" kids in her classes... the worst a kid gets in trouble for is talking in class... that's great...

I will try very hard to write more... I do so enjoy it...

First Week of School

2009-08-28T21:13:00.002-05:00

Samantha successfully completed her first week of 5th grade and she seems to be loving it... for this I am truly thankful. She brought home an assignment this week where she was to tell her teacher all about herself through answering a series of questions... they were great questions like what kinds of things does she like and dislike. It was awesome because I learned a bit about my kid! I knew she liked a quiet atmosphere but I didn't know she is happiest reading in her room... She also wrote that her role model is her dad and that her worst habit is that she picks at pencil erasers! And, she wants to be a famous artist one day and that compared to other families hers is really cool. How did I get so blessed with the best kid ever!

End of Summer

2009-08-26T18:15:00.002-05:00

Wow, the summer has really flown by. I can't believe Samantha went back to school today! She started the 5th grade! Doesn't it seem the older we get the faster time flies. It was just yesterday that she was finishing up the 4th grade and we were getting ready for summer and just yesterday that she was a tiny baby pooping in her kiddie pool!

Whitehall Old Lady Beat Down at Walmart...

2009-08-14T13:43:00.003-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r9rUtktxHk

Ok, I feel it is time that I weigh in on the video that's been circulating regarding an incident at Walmart in Whitehall, Ohio.

Everyone knows my husband is a police officer and most of you know that Officer Scott, the officer in the video, is a friend of ours... So, I have something to say regarding the incident....

We live in an ever increasing busy world where things move at lightening speed. We receive texts while at dinner with friends and we get news updates at the same time more updates stream across the bottom of the screen. Sometimes it's mind boggling and hard to keep up with. But this lightening fast pace is nothing new for police officers. They have dealt with split second decision making long before we knew about Twitter... heck, they've dealt with it since before we even had email.

When an officer is dispatched to a call they are given very basic and often severely limited information about the situation to which they are responding. Upon arrival they have literally seconds to make a decision on what to do... that's "one one thousand"... there, do you have everything all figured out? In those seconds they have to determine how to handle a situation in order to protect everyone involved, the victims, innocent bystanders, the "bad guy" and lastly themselves. And often these decisions are made under conditions most of us couldn't concentrate in.

So, there you are, at Walmart where there is a woman with a knife saying she is going to cut someone and she's surrounded by witnesses all yelling at you. What would you do? "one one thousand, two one thousand"... There, do you know everything there is to know about the situation? Do you know what led up to this moment? Do you know who the old lady is? Do you know who all the bystanders are? Do you know how many people are involved? Do you know if anyone is injured? Do you know if she's already cut someone? Do you know if someone is trying to harm her? Do you know what's going to happen next?

Police officers receive ongoing training throughout their careers. This training is to enable them to make the best decision possible for everyone involved in a matter of seconds, well before any of us "regular folk" would have even gotten out of the car. And they are trained to make these decisions under tremendous stress. They are trained to consider every possible outcome while we would still be getting our seat belts off and they are trained to act right then and there... no time to reconsider.

Yes, this was an old lady. But, did you know if she'd already cut someone? Did you know where she came from? Did you know if she actually intended on cutting anyone? Did you know if she intended on cutting anyone in particular? Did you know if any of these bystanders yelling were trying to hurt her? Did you know if she was hurt? Did you know if she had mental issues? Did you know if she was alone? (Remember, you have a matter of seconds to figure it all out...)

Officer Scott reacted in an appropriate manner. She said: "Put the knife down". She repeated this several times and the old lady did not comply. Do you know why the old lady didn't comply? No. Does the officer have time to sit down and analyse why? No. The officer's job is to protect and serve all... all those bystanders who are screaming at her as well as the old lady with the knife.

Officer Scott did what she was trained to do: disarm the subject with little or no injury to all those involved... Police officers are trained on how to disarm a subject in the quickest and safest way possible. The "move" Officer Scott used to keep everyone safe was amazing... It was perfect in my opinion. And once she had gotten the knife away from the old lady and was waiting for additional officers to respond she still had to protect all involved. She stayed right there with the old lady attempting to calm her down all while keeping bystanders back at an appropriate distance. Quite a fete in my opinion as Officer Scott was kneeling down in a vulnerable position to anyone intending harm. Did you know who all those bystanders were? Did you know what their intentions were as they ran up upon the old lady?

Did Officer Scott pull up on the situation an think: cool, great opportunity to beat up an old lady... um, no. She did think about all those people standing around watching and how she didn't want them to get hurt. And, she thought about how she didn't want the old lady to hurt herself.

Had the old lady cut one of those bystanders the reaction from the public toward the police, I feel, would have been much the same. People would have been outraged at how the police handled the situation.

Had Officer Scott been cut and injured by the old lady I believe no one would have ever known about the incident.

Fun on the Fourth of July

2009-07-24T11:33:00.002-05:00

Here is Samantha is the SWAT camper John drove in the 4th of July parade... Samantha watched TV in the back while we waited for the parade to start...

Me being corny as usual...

And, John and Samantha walking around before the parade started...

Harley Girl...

2009-07-24T11:31:00.001-05:00

... Ok, not really but I liked pretending. This is actually Tammi's new bike.

New Camera

2009-07-24T11:30:00.000-05:00

I love the new camera Samantha gave me for Mother's Day!

Dogs on the Fourth of July

2009-07-24T11:28:00.001-05:00

We saw these lovely ladies as we drove by in the Fourth of July parade... I thought they were just great... I want to be like that when I'm old!

Time Flies...

2009-07-21T08:20:00.002-05:00

The summer is really flying by... The weather has been quite nice, not too hot so we are spending lots of time outside... We have enjoyed the new fire pit John made several times and are almost out of firewood... Samantha had a lot of fun when John's dad was here... She loves walking his cats on leashes... Now she is looking forward to visiting my parents in Eden and seeing the flying squirrel...

Enjoying Summer...

2009-07-07T10:06:00.003-05:00

The Fourth of July was really fun. John drove the SWAT vehicle in the parade and Samantha and I rode with him. I love a parade, especially when I'm in it waving to people. Then we watched fireworks with Kelly and her family. There were some sprinkles but not enough to deter us. We just constructed a tent out of blankets in between our cars. It was quite a sight but totally fun.

I have been trying to sit outside on the front porch and read in the evenings and watch the world go by. It is so relaxing and totally what summer is all about. I wish I could have those nights all year long! The other evening while I was on the porch I put on the lotion from the hotel in Indy and it reminded me of our stay there, walking along the canal in the evening and watching Samantha swim in the pool. It's just a little bottle so when it's gone I'm going to have to go online and buy a bigger one. I noticed that the Westin has a web site where you can buy that kind of stuff. Don't you just love how certain smells remind you of special memories.

This week John's dad is in town. He and Lita have their RV at the fairgrounds again for the car show this weekend. This year he brought a 1961 Willys station wagon. It is just adorable.

Yesterday we went to the Zoo and finally got to see the baby elephant who was born at the end of April. The last several times we went there was over an hour wait to see him but yesterday there was no wait at all. He is so cute! He followed his mother around and get treats from one of the keepers.

After the Zoo we went downtown to Mongolian BBQ... yummy! I love it when John's dad is in town because it feels like we are on vacation too. (Plus, everyone know about my fascination with RV parks...)

My Favorite Holiday

2009-07-02T09:19:00.002-05:00

The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday! I love parades and I love festivals, cookouts and fireworks... and it's almost here. This year the police department where John works got a new SWAT RV and John's going to drive it in the parade and guess who gets to ride with him: me & Samantha! And, this is the first year that John will not be working 2ND shift and will get to watch the fireworks with us. I love the fourth of July!

My baby is 11 years old...

2009-06-22T10:38:00.002-05:00

Samantha turned 11 on Friday! John's mom threw a lovely surprise party for her with her friend Joyce and the 2 other kids she watches... Samantha had a nice time with that and I think she was truly surprised... And, I was touched, it was such a nice thing to do... Then John's nephew Ryan came over with a card for Samantha from his family... again I was truly touched...

We let Samantha pick where she wanted to have dinner and she chose CiCi's Pizza Buffet... then when we got home she got to open her presents... Her main present was a new & bigger bike which she loved...

On Saturday poor Samantha had to work before her party... first thing in the morning we went out by the bridge in our neighborhood to install the kiosk the homeowners association purchased to keep the portion of the community who doesn't have Internet informed... We hired a guy who lives in the neighborhood & does construction to install it and we helped a bit... Samantha helped me go to the creek to get a couple buckets of water to pour in the post holes with the Quickrete...

After that we went to our neighborhoods community clean up day where poor Samantha had to work some more picking up trash around our ponds and at the entrances to our neighborhood... When we decided to trim tree branches at the entrance she asked if she could go home... lol...

Trimming the tree was quite an adventure... there were bugs all over the branches that we loaded into the back of my Element... they didn't bother me at first but after a while I felt like they were crawling all over me... And then when I went to pull out onto the main road all the branches fell out of the back of the Element into the street! Thankfully everyone was very patient while we got them cleaned up...

Finally it was time for Samantha's Birthday Party! She was so excited for Tara to come over and spend the night... Kelly and Tim hung out with us and we had a cook out... And then later in the evening the girls watched their 80's movies... They absolutely loved "Sixteen Candles"... I told the girls how when the movie first came out my best friend Carolyn and I had gone again and again to the hairdressers to get our hair cut just like Molly Ringwald in that movie and how disappointed we'd been each time that we looked nothing like her... My precious little angel says: "Well, your hair looks like hers now Mommy..." It took me 25 frickin years but I finally got the Molly Rinwald in "Sixteen Candles" hair cut!

Indianapolis Mini Vacation... Pictures in no particular order...

2009-06-21T11:40:00.011-05:00

This was at the Children's Museum in the Chihuly exhibit... They had this cool bench that moved around in a circle so you could lie back and look up at the Chihuly glass in the ceiling... It was so beautiful... Chihuly is one of my favorite artists...

I can't tell if John's eyes are closed because he was taking a nap or just because he blinked...

Samantha at the Children's Museum digging for dinosaur bones...

I always love the doll house exhibit at the Children's Museum and this visit it was one of Samantha's favorites as well...

Samantha was also very interested in Anne Frank... They had a video about her life and Samantha asked a lot of questions... I thought about getting her the Diary of Anne Frank but John and I decided to wait a few more years...

This picture was amazing... It was tiny pictures of the Holocaust made into Anne Frank's face...

John and Samantha playing checkers... For a while there I thought Samantha was going to win but she didn't...

The Indianapolis War Memorial...

Our hotel... We had fun finding our room from the outside... It was on the right side, the third floor down and fourth room over...

Samantha brought her hamster, Twitchy and got her Boston Terrier at the hotel gift shop... She named him Westin...

Samantha tucked into her cloud bed... I believe the Westin calls them heavenly beds and they truly are... I want one of those beds...

Wow, John and his dad look exactly alike!

Me, Cheryl, Jazmyn and Samantha...

This is the bridge from Madison, IN to Kentucky... Back when I first met John we went to visit his Grandma... She asked if I wanted to go to Kentucky and I said sure... Well, John, it turned out, is terrified of bridges like this one... When Grandma realized this she made him drive over it again and again all the while sitting there in the passenger seat laughing... It was great...

The Jefferson Proving Ground is where Grandma's family lived until the government took the land... They kept the family home and used it as officer's quarters...

This is the bridge between the Bear Creek Cemetery and Grandma's family farm... The farm is where John's dad grew up...

Covered bridge we saw on our drive through the Indiana countryside...

The one room school house across from the Proving Ground where Grandma went to elementary school...

I know some find it morbid and odd but we love looking around really old cemeteries...

This is the out house at the Bear Creek Cemetery where John's Grandma and Grandpa are buried... I have used this out house on several occasions and it is similar to the one at the cemetery across from the Proving Ground where I was so traumatized that I forgot to take a picture... I got locked accidentally in the out house! I had to go really bad and my options were the bushes or this really old and really creepy out house... I was hesitant to use the out house because it was totally full of cobwebs but I didn't want to use the bushes either because there was a creepy caretaker mowing the lawn... Finally I decided on the out house and when I was done the wooden latch on the outside had slipped down over the door locking me in there with all the cob webs and icky out house stuff! I could see though the crack in the door that John and his dad were all the way on the other side of the cemetery looking at a grave... I couldn't see Samantha but I yelled for her... When she stopped laughing she let me out... Oh, it was so icky!

Older portion of Bear Creek Cemetery...

John's Grandparents' grave...

We all thought this was an interesting picture above the toilet in the bathroom of our hotel room...

When Ellen and her family went to the beach they took foot pictures so I wanted to take foot pictures too... We were walking around downtown Indy and for some strange reason my Birkenstock were giving me blisters... they've never done that before...

Most of you know Samantha has an obsession with squirrels...

You all will surly recognize this view...

One of my favorite spots in Indianapolis is the canal...

Samantha found some ducks...

More canal...

Samantha and I were thrilled to find Starbucks coffee in our hotel room!

View of the Court House from our hotel room window...

The trip home!

More Chihuly at the Children's Museum...

Dinosaur dome at the Children's Museum...

Another favorite part of the Children's Museum...

The Chihuly sculpture... Note the bottom portion... it is what you looked up at on the circle lounger thing...

Me and Samantha at the Indiana War Memorial Museum...

The lobby of our hotel where Samantha and John would wait for me... They are so impatient!

Samantha in her Aeropostale necklace... She doesn't look like a baby anymore...

Except when she's sleeping, then she still looks like a baby...

You never ever see me in a bathing suit let alone in the water... and if you do get me in the water I never put my face in but this time I did! I showed Samantha how to do summersaults under the water...

Samantha's first shopping trip to Aeropostale... She got a necklace, bracelet and a tee shirt... She said she has always wanted a peace sign necklace...

Here we are outside the Native American Museum...

We left on Monday but on friday Samantha was all packed... I love how she packed her vintage suitcase that I had decorated for her...

And she left this note that John and I thought was adorable...

Weigelia

2009-06-21T11:38:00.000-05:00

Every year I love our garden more and more...

New Patio Furniture

2009-06-21T11:31:00.002-05:00

I thought lay away at K-Mart was a good idea when I saw the commercial on TV but it turned out to be more trouble than it was worth... We thought it would be nice to have the store keep it until we had stained the deck and then bring it home... So, you have to make payments every 2 weeks which was a pain because the K-Mart store is icky and full of really dumb people... Plus it smell funny (the store not the patio furniture)... Then we picked it up and when we got home we discovered that they'd given us the wrong set... the style was correct but we got a side table, 2 chairs and a big table instead of the big table and 5 chairs... It was a hassle loading it back in the car and going back to K-Mart where the nicest but oh my goodness was he slow guy helped us... then we got home and discovered that the table was minus it's hardware so we had to go back again... but now that it's all up it is perfect and we can sit on the deck and laugh about the really nice guy who moved at a snails pace...

Our Peonies This Year...

2009-06-21T11:27:00.000-05:00

Samantha's Mosaic...

2009-06-21T11:26:00.000-05:00

Franklin Park Conservatory

2009-06-21T10:37:00.003-05:00

Almost 11!

2009-06-09T11:48:00.002-05:00

The bunnies: Buttercup, Daffodil and Petunia are still in the backyard. It was so tempting to reach out and grab Petunia last night, she was so close and sitting so still. Yes, we can tell them apart. Buttercup has a white streak on her forehead, Daffodil is darker and Petunia is lighter. I want to pick them up and snuggle them but we are concerned that the mother will take offense. We are hoping that they will get used to us checking up on them every evening and stay in the yard. they are so adorable that I would almost be ok with them eating my plants!

Samantha is turning 11 in 9 days! Last night I was sitting on her bed while she tried on her new shorts. I noticed her brown clogs and slipped them on. They fit perfectly! OMG! We are entering dangerous territory here. The brown clogs are now in my closet because Samantha said I could borrow them!

Baby Bunnies

2009-06-08T09:29:00.002-05:00

We have 3 adorable baby bunnies in our back yard. On Saturday evening we were enjoying family time out on the deck. We had hamburgers on the grill and after we ate John and I relaxed and chatted while Samantha played on her swings. I absolutely love times like these and try to presently imprint them in my mind to recall on those dark and cold February days when summer seems a long way off.

Samantha saw a baby bunny from one of her swings and we went to investigate the little guy. Oh so tiny, furry and cute... and we named her Buttercup!

A little while later I asked Samantha where Buttercup was. She said she was sitting there in the garden watching her. I said I was too... we have 2 baby bunnies! We named the second one Daffodil.

Then Petunia, the third appeared. We had to make sure we could see all three at once as conformation that there really were three. Their nest is under one of our Weigelia bushes and I'd love to see them all snuggled in there.

We had a wonderful time watching them and then checking on them the rest of the weekend. I'm glad they have a beautiful and safe yard to grow up in.

Misc. Updates (since I haven't posted in forever!)

2009-06-01T11:29:00.002-05:00

I got a new camera for Mother's Day! It is just like Samantha's so she taught me how to use it. (I feel old...) There are a bunch of pictures that I need to post but I just haven't gotten around to it... Lately I've been quite busy playing Path Words on Face Book and John and I were just elected President and Vice President of our Home Owners Association.

We are really enjoying the HOA. It is a lot of work currently because we are just learning the ropes and figuring things out. And, we have met so many interesting people so far.

Samantha only has 4 more days of 4the grade left! And, only 19 more days until her 11th birthday! I can't believe my baby is turning 11! She said she wants a puppy for her birthday... she's getting a new bike instead.

Over the weekend we went an saw Peter Pan at the Great Southern Theater. I used to stay at the Great Southern when I was at Ohio Wesleyan and it was parents weekend but I'd never been to the theater. It was really beautiful. I think Samantha really appreciated the architecture as well. and the play was cute.

Over Memorial Day weekend we went to the Franklin Park Conservatory. I got some great butterfly pictures that I will post soon. Every year they have butterflies among the gardens in one area. They are really neat... I love it when there aren't too many people in there and it's really quiet... it is so relaxing watching the butterflies fluttering around. My mom had taken Samantha there when she came to visit and it was cute to hear Samantha point out the things they had seen together. It made me smile listening to her recall their outing.

Naked

2009-05-14T10:41:00.002-05:00

This morning Samantha was sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast when I came out, naked, and said: "I think I'll go to work like this so everyone will notice my hair... I am having a really good hair day." Samantha just rolled her eyes.

So, someone has been swiping the McCain bumper sticker off my Element and it's pissing me off. I've replaced it twice now and this time am coating it with pepper spray. That will teach whomever to mess with the little blonde's Element and political views!

Anyway, when we were leaving for school I sprayed the sticker and got some of the pepper spray on my hand. I washed it off and then told Samantha that I hoped I had gotten it all. She told me I probably should take a shower... "oh, but that would mess up your good hair day." The kid cracks me up.

Finished Mosaics

2009-05-09T14:21:00.002-05:00

This is the mosaic I made for Mom for Mother's Day... She loves Sunflowers...

Here is Samantha's Peace Sign...

And Samanth's Robot...

Crazy Bird!

2009-05-09T14:17:00.003-05:00

On Friday John took these pictures of this little guy who was at our window from 1pm until 8:30pm. He kept flying into the glass and climbing up the screen.

On Saturday he was back again around 6:30am when I woke up! And he was there again Sunday and this morning too. Poor little guy. It is annoying g to have him banging into the window as well as the fact that I feel bad for him. I wouldn't be surprised if we find him dead out there. He's got to have a headache or beak-ache!

I figure there is some sort of old wives tale that says something horrible about what's to come when a bird repeatedly bangs itself into your window. I wasn't sure I wanted to know but halfway through the day I couldn't resist googling odd bird behavior and here's what I found:

Q. I have birds repeatedly banging into my window. Why are they doing this? Will they hurt themselves?
A. In the early spring, male birds are trying to establish territories for nesting sites. Their behavior results in attacking other male birds that are invading the territory. When a male bird flies into a window, it is trying to attack another male bird, which actually is a reflection of itself. A bird may knock itself out by this repeated window attack; therefore, cutting down on the reflection on the window will prevent these window attacks and injury to the bird. Placing a sheer cloth or crinkled plastic wrap in select places on the inside of the window will help cut down on window reflections.

Samantha's First Art Show

2009-04-19T22:50:00.002-05:00

Here is Samantha's picture from her very first art show! I am so proud of her!

Community Clean Up Day

2009-04-18T22:13:00.000-05:00

Today was our neighborhood clean up day that I organized. I must say, I do love organizing things. Anyway, the weather was perfect! There were 8 of us. We cleaned up along the road in front of our neighborhood, along the creek and back by the playground and ponds. We saw this guy swimming around one of the ponds and couldn't resist taking a picture of him. He was so beautiful gliding across the pond and it made us all realize how worthwhile what we were doing is. He deserves a clean pond to swim in. At one end of the pond a neighbor came out to say hello with her 2 dogs and her cat. She said her cat, Scarlet, is more like a dog. It was hysterical to watch this grey cat trot on down to the pond, sit down and watch the swan. We are going to get one of those "adopt a highway" signs once we have completed 3 clean up projects. I can't wait until the next one in June.

Mosaics

2009-04-15T11:01:00.002-05:00

Last night Samantha and I went to our very first mosaics class with Susie. It was amazing. I am making a sunflower for my mom for mother's day and can't wait to finish it next week. Samantha is making a peace sign. the studio was beautiful and the instructor, Beth's work is fabulous. The very large piece on the wall in the background of the pictures is a tree she did that is so beautiful. It is 4' x 4' with the prettiest shades of pinks, blues and greens. I just loved all the jars with the many colored tiles. they were like jars of candy all lined up on their shelves. Cutting the tiles was the only not so fun part. Half way through I realized i was bleeding from putting my hands down in the tiny glass shards. Susie told me that's normal though. Susie is making a beautiful blue star of David. She specializes in Jewish themed pieces. More pictures to come!

Facing my fear!

2009-04-13T18:20:00.001-05:00

Yup, that's me holding a BIRD! It's creepy little bird feet were on my hand and everything. It was really gross not to mention terrifying but I survived.

Earth Day Projects

2009-04-09T09:34:00.002-05:00

My friend Kelly gave me her library card # so I can pick up her reserves when I go to the library. She always has books on reserve because she loves to read, has 3 kids and is a pre-school teacher. Anyway, the other day I picked up a book for her entitled: "Every Day is Earth Day". It has the cutest children's projects for Earth Day that I thought I would share with you.

My favorite is the Seedling Necklace: It is a small plastic jar on a string with seeds that germinate in a wet cotton ball inside the jar. You can wear the necklace and watch your seedlings sprout and then plant them in a flower pot.

And, I also liked the Paperweight Rock: Paint & decorate a rock... simple but fun. They suggested using it outside in the summer to keep the pages of a book or coloring pages from blowing away.

How cute...

School Supplies

2009-04-09T08:08:00.002-05:00

I really do have the best kid in the whole world! Yesterday she asked if we could go by Wal Mart so she could get some new school supplies. She went on to say that she would pay for them with her own money. I told her that she didn't need to spend her own money on them but she said she didn't mind. Finally I had to insist that she would not be paying for school supplies with her own money. What a sweet kid. I can't believe she is almost 11 years old. Everyday I am amazed at what a great person she is becoming.

Samantha's Art Class

2009-03-27T10:41:00.001-05:00

Samantha's art class was featured in our local paper... I'm so proud of my baby!

(and that's me in the background reading a book!)

2009-03-25T09:55:00.007-05:00

Golly... It's been a while since I've written anything here... Now that I've discovered Face Book I have been ignoring my blog world. Have you ever noticed that when you discover something new it has the tendency to totally consume you.

Special Flip Flops and Twilight...

2009-03-09T08:24:00.002-05:00

Do you ever say a really common word so many times that it starts to sound funny to you? Ok, say the word special 20 times... it sounds funny doesn't it!

It has been so warm here that Samantha wore flip flops to school on Friday with capri pants! I went running on Thursday and just about died because I am so out of shape. I was only able to go two miles. My mind wanted to go further but my stupid 40 year old body said no.

Several of the girls in Samantha's class are reading "Twilight" so she had me get it for her. I decided to read it while Samantha finished a Molly Moon book and I am totally addicted! It was an awesome book and I can't wait to start the second one.

2009-03-02T11:30:00.002-05:00

I plan travel for the company I work for... I make all the arrangements and put together itineraries for the technical and sales reps... I thought this email was the best and just had to share it here:

A Washington, DC airport ticket agent offers some examples of 'why' our country is in trouble!

1. I had a New Hampshire Congresswoman ask for an aisle seat so that her hair wouldn't get messed up by being near the window. (On an airplane!)

2. I got a call from a candidate's staffer, who wanted to go to Cape town.I started to explain the length of the flight and the passport information, and then she interrupted me with, ''I'm not trying to make you look stupid, but Cape town is in Massachusetts.''
Without trying to make her look stupid, I calmly explained, ''Cape Cod is in Massachusetts, Cape town is in Africa ''Her response -- click.

3. A senior Vermont Congressman called, furious about a Florida package we did. I asked what was wrong with the vacation in Orlando ... He said he was expecting an ocean-view room. I tried to explain that's not possible, since Orlando is in the middle of the state.He replied, 'don't lie to me, I looked on the map and Florida is a very thin state!'' (OMG)

4. I got a call from a lawmaker's wife who asked, ''Is it possible to see England from Canada ?'' I said, ''No.''She said, ''But they look so close on the map.'' (OMG, again!)

5. An aide for a cabinet member once called and asked if he could rent a car in Dallas.I pulled up the reservation and noticed he had only a 1-hour layover in Dallas.When I asked him why he wanted to rent a car, he said, ''I heard Dallas was a big airport, and we will need a car to drive between gates to save time.'' (Aghhhh)

6. An Illinois Congresswoman called last week. She needed to know how it was possible that her flight from Detroit left at 8:30 a.m., and got to Chicago at 8:33 a.m.I explained that Michigan was an hour ahead of Illinois , but she couldn't understand the concept of time zones.Finally, I told her the plane went fast, and she bought that.

7. A New York lawmaker called and asked, ''Do airlines put your physical description on your bag so they know whose luggage belongs to whom?'' I said, 'No, why do you ask?'She replied, ''Well, when I checked in with the airline, they put a tag on my luggage that said(FAT), and I'm overweight. I think that's very rude!''After putting her on hold for a minute, while I looked into it. (I was dying laughing). I came back and explained the city code for Fresno , Ca.is (FAT - Fresno Air Terminal), and the airline was just putting a destination tag on her luggage.

8. A Senator's aide called to inquire about a trip package to Hawaii. After going over all the cost info, she asked, ''Would it be cheaper to fly to California and then take the train To Hawaii?''

9. I just got off the phone with a freshman Congressman who asked,''how do I know which plane to get on?'' I asked him what exactly he meant, to which he replied, ''I was told my flight number is 823, but none of these planes have numbers on them.''

10. A lady Senator called and said, ''I need to fly to Pepsi-Cola,Florida ... Do I have to get on one of those little computer planes?''I asked if she meant fly to Pensacola, FL on a commuter plane.She said, ''Yeah, whatever, smarty!''

11. A senior Senator called and had a question about the document she needed in order to fly to China . After a lengthy discussion about passports,I reminded him that he needed a visa. 'Oh, no I don't. I've been to China many times and never had to have one of those.'' I double-checked and sure enough, his stay required a visa. When I told him this he said, ''Look, I've been to China four times. and every time they have accepted my American Express!''

12. A New Mexico Congress woman called to make reservations, ''I want to go from Chicago to Rhino, New York .''I was at a loss for words.Finally, I said, ''Are you sure that's the name of the town?'''Yes, what flights do you have?'' replied the lady.After some searching, I came back with, ''I'm sorry, ma'am, I've looked up every airport code in the country and can't find a rhino anywhere."''The lady retorted, ''Oh, don't be silly! Everyone knows where it is. Check your map!''So I scoured a map of the state of New York and finally offered, ''you don't mean Buffalo, do you?''The reply? ''Whatever! I knew it was a big animal.''

Look what John gave me for Valentine's Day!

2009-02-25T08:20:00.003-05:00

Samantha and Tara

2009-02-25T08:19:00.005-05:00

Valentine's Day

2009-02-25T08:19:00.004-05:00

This is the HUGE Valentine's Day card Samantha made for John and me....

New Haircut

2009-02-25T08:17:00.002-05:00

Samantha said she wanted to get her hair cut short. We went yesterday after school and it was a surprise for John. She picked the style out and everything. It was so much fun watching her!

My Child Doesn't Wear Socks In February!

2009-02-25T08:16:00.001-05:00

I Love Lists and All About Samantha

2009-02-18T11:26:00.003-05:00

And so does Samantha. Her latest list is a pig list. It is a list (in order) of how she loves her pig:
1. Bacon
2. Pork Chops
3. Ham

Samantha also is Student of the Month at her school! She was so excited to come home and tell John and me as well as to get her certificate from the principal today.

Windy Weather and Wheel of Fortune...

2009-02-12T10:46:00.002-05:00

Samantha is obsessed with "Wheel of Fortune"! It's kind of cute how she runs to the TV to watch her program each night like a little old lady. The other night she went running in to John's den to tell him that the cable box had locked up right in the middle of the good part of her show. John tried so hard not to laugh at her.

We had a wind storm last night. Lots of blowing and gusts that made a lot of noise and freaked Samantha out. This morning I found our neighbor's trash can blown over in our yard with bologna in our bushes. Yuck! And, she's not the type to clean it up either...

Dads and conferences...

2009-02-06T12:14:00.003-05:00

We had Samantha's parent teacher conference last night and it went really well. I love Samantha's teachers. She has been so lucky each year to have such amazing teachers.

While we waited to be called in for our conference we chatted about my dad or BaBa as Samantha calls him. His name is Bob and when Samantha was a baby she heard my mom call loudly and always twice to him so much that she said : ba ba as one of her first words... so, we have always called him BaBa. Anyway, she asked me why BaBa always pokes her, pinches her, grabs her with bbq tongs and picks her up by the seat of her pants. I told her she had no idea! I told her all about the things BaBa used to do to me when I was little:

My 2 front teeth had just come in. Mom went out to do errands and when she came home I was crying. She got me out of my crib and saw that my 2 front teeth were gone. She asked Dad about it and he said I had gotten out of my crib, he put me back in but I hadn't stopped crying... and no, he hadn't noticed that my teeth were gone.
When he was putting an exercises bike together for Mom he told me to stick my finger in the spinning front wheel and I did.
Once when he was changing a light bulb he told me to put my finger in the socket and I did.
There were many many very well packed snowballs.
He would hide in dark rooms and grab me when I'd walk by.
He tried to tip over a port a potty I was in when we were skiing.
When I went to college we had these Opus penguins with our names on them on our dorm room doors and Dad drew a widow's peak on the forehead of my penguin. (I cried & Mom yelled at him.)
When I got married he told John that I had a no return policy so he was stuck with me.
When we danced at my wedding he tried to pull the pearls off the back of my dress while the photographer was taking our picture.
When I was in pre-school I was a clown for Halloween. We have all these happy pictures of me in my clown costume with my big orange balloon. Then there are the pictures where I am crying with no balloon. Mom asked him why he popped it and he said he wanted to see what I would do... duh.
I used to slide down the stairs on my butt and one time Dad let me sit on his lap and we slid down the stairs. Then he sat on my lap and slid down the stairs.

This is only the list I could think of while were were sitting outside Samantha's classroom. I'm sure there are many other things! I called Dad on my way to work this morning and reminded him of all my memories. We had a good laugh.

A ham continuation...

2009-02-05T09:40:00.002-05:00

So, yesterday on the way to school Samantha said: "Some people have pigs as pets. They say pigs are really clean. I don't know about that but if I had a pig I would cook it in a pot like that woman did in Fatal Attraction to the bunny. Then I'd eat it and lick all the ham off it's bones like a big ham lollipop."

It's February Already!

2009-02-02T12:19:00.002-05:00

The weather here is wild. We had a winter storm with lots of ice an snow last week. Samantha had 4 snow days last week! All of our trees are covered with a coating of ice. I know it is so bad for the poor trees but it sure does look beautiful when they sparkle in the sun. Yesterday we had our front door open and the sun shining in really warmed things up. John was out trying to clear out the sewer drain by the road for all the melting ice to run off and not back up in our yard. Samantha built a snowman and I sat in the doorway and watched them.

I actually watched part of the Super Bowl! I think the only reason might have been because Ryan was over. But, I did see the Steeler's guy do that really cool thing where he ran really far with the ball... farther than anyone ever has in the Super Bowl. Huh...

One of my favorite things is sitting in the car with Samantha in the mornings before school. We talk about the silliest things! Today Samantha went on and on about her love for bacon. She said, "I feel bad that they slaughter them but I sure do love those pigs!"

2009-01-15T15:25:00.002-05:00

Samantha had a snow day today and she came to work with me. I was so proud of her for keeping busy and quiet for so long because I was really busy today. Lynn had some files that she needed help organizing so here is Samantha helping.

Last night was Samantha's first art class at Wagnall's. She really loved it and I am so proud of how well she did. My baby drew this monkey! I sat and read last night while she had class and every now and then I'd look over to see what she was doing. I really enjoyed watching her interact with Teresa, her instructor. She is great and I think Samantha really took to her. Tara's older brother is in the art class to and it was cute to watch them sit right next to each other and not say a word.

2009-01-14T11:13:00.000-05:00

OH MY GOSH!!! I STILL CAN NOT DOWNLOAD PICTURES!!! I HATE BLOGGER RIGHT NOW!!!

2009-01-14T10:40:00.002-05:00

Samantha starts art lessons today and she is very excited. We went out and purchased all her supplies that she carefully placed in her "art bag" and then this morning she insisted on taking the bag to school. She was so cute that I couldn't say no. I think she wanted to show them to her friends.

It is snowing here... a lot... except it never stays on the ground. I'm not sure which is worse: cold with lots of snow or cold with no snow and just grey slush. And of course I am having coat issues... I have this full length down coat which is the warmest thing ever but everyone laughs at it because it makes me look very puffy... then there is the comfortable fleece which is not warm at all... I have been wearing my latest thrift store coat: a vintage fur... beaver... it is very warm but it's not big enough to wear a sweater under... (You know John just loves asking everyone if they want to pet his wife's beaver...) And then there is my other vintage coat: long black with a mink collar but it is quite heavy... Anyway, I guess I am just thankful that I have a coat...

So, I thought I would fill you all in on the latest stupid thing I did: John and I are doing this block watch thing and we've been working with this police officer who sets these things up... Well, I'd seen him about 4 times or so but always in his uniform and police hat... so when he showed up at our door in his regular clothes with no hat I had no idea who he was... but I opened the door and held it open for him to come on in... He could tell I had no idea who he was and he asked why on earth did I open the door... um, he had a package, duh... He and John of course think I'm nuts but I totally am sticking behind my logic: guy with a package at your door... you want the package, right!

2009-01-06T13:57:00.002-05:00

I have been trying to load pictures for several days now and I'm not sure what the problem is... but they won't load! AARGGHH!

We went to Wild Lights at the Zoo during the warm spell we had here in Ohio and I have a picture of Samantha in just a tee shirt in the middle of winter that I want to post.

We had freezing rain this morning and now, this afternoon it is just dark and grey.

Cha Cha Cha Chia

2008-12-31T11:06:00.002-05:00

Samantha got a Chia Pet, the Garfield one. She is so cute in how she takes such good care of it. She lovingly talks to it and waters it everyday. So, last night I was in her bathroom and was about to use the sink when I saw something sticking out of the drain... when Samantha had set up her Chia Pet she had washed her hands and some of the seed mix germinated and is growing out of the sink!

Oh no...

2008-12-29T10:32:00.002-05:00

So, I received an email form a friend of mine that she had just joined Facebook. I had overheard several of the girls at work talking about it so I thought: why not give it a try. It was really easy to sign up. You enter in your email and it pulls up your address book so that you can check people you want to notify that you have signed up. I checked a few names, like 4 or 5 names and then down at the bottom there is this button that says CONFIRM ALL. I pushed this button only to realize that it has just sent a notice about my joining Facebook to EVERYONE in my address book. Let me clarify that a bit... that is EVERYONE I HAVE EVER SENT AN EMAIL TO: my daughter's teaches going back to kindergarten, the police officer who is doing our block watch, everyone in our neighborhood I have corresponded with for the block watch, my dad's secretary, my father-in-law and on and on... I can't even imagine who else it was sent to that I have not thought of! I have not brought myself to go through my aol address book because I know I will cry. On a less embarrassing note though I have found lots of people whom I had lost touch with so I guess it's not all bad.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-26T16:31:00.002-05:00

This was one of my nativity sets when I was little... the last time I was home my mom sent it back for Samantha... I really enjoyed seeing her play with it...

We didn't put up a whole lot of decorations this year but I had to get this cute little police officer Santa out...

Susie gave me this plate and wonderful decorated Santa cookie for Christmas... I was happy to share them with Samantha and am so glad her letter to Santa came out in the photo... That would be Samantha's letter, not Susie's letter... Susie's letter would be to Hanukkah Harry, not Santa...

Here is my precious stirring the custard to make creme brulee! She also made that giant salad in the background with chicken, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries and feta cheese... She has taken a real interest in cooking lately...

A Christmas Story By Samantha

2008-12-21T18:29:00.002-05:00

Chapter one

Once there were two friends. There names were Samantha (but she went by Sam) and there was her best friend in the whole wide world Tara. Their favorite thing to do was play video games. Their favorite game was Journey Across the North Pole.

One day Tara said: “I wish we could go to the North Pole.”
“Maybe we can” said Sam.
“Yeah right, how are we going to get there?” said Tara.
“I know how we can get there” said Sam.
“How?” said Tara.
“We could ride on bacon” said Sam. Bacon was Sam’s favorite food.
“How are we going to ride on bacon? You would eat before we even get on it” said Tara.
“You have a good point” said Sam.
“I know we could drive” said Tara.
“Ok we are too young to drive” said Sam.
“Well your mom could drive us” said Tara.
“She is on a business trip” said Sam.
“Ok well how about your dad” said Tara.
“He is out of town” said Sam.
“What about your parents?” asked Sam.
“They went to Hawaii” said Tara.
“Ok well, wait a second I can order a pizza and maybe the pizza guy can drive us” said Sam.
“We don’t even know the pizza guy” said Tara.
“You’re right” said Sam leaving the living room and going into the kitchen.
“Where are you going Sam” asked Tara?
“I am going to get a snack” said Sam.
“What are you getting? Please tell me you are not eating my leftover ham” said Tara.
“I was planning to” said Sam.
“Well don’t. But you can have the leftover bacon” said Tara.
“Thank you” said Sam.
“Ok, so how are we going to get to the North Pole” asked Tara?
“This is bacon is so good” said Sam.
“Where you listening to a word I just said” asked Tara?
“No I was to busy stuffing my face with bacon” said Sam with her mouth full of bacon.
“Well listen this time” said Tara.
“Ok” said Sam.
“Ok, how are we going to get to the North Pole?” repeated Tara.
“Well I do not know lets go outside and see if any thing catches our eyes” said Sam
“Ok” said Tara “we can go outside for a little bit.”
When they got outside: “SNOW” screamed Sam!
“Sam I thought we were out here to think” said Tara.
“Oh just have some fun. it’s the first snow of the year” said Sam.
“I know where there is snow ever day of the year” said Tara.
“Where” asked Sam?
“The place that we are tiring to think of how to get to” said Tara.
“And that would be?” asked Sam.
“THE NORTH POLE” screamed Tara! She said that so loud it was like the whole neighborhood could hear her.
“Well lets’ go inside and look on the internet” said Sam.
“What help is the internet going to do?” asked Tara.
“Well I don’t know” said Sam.
“Lets go and see what help it might do” said Sam. “But first lets go get ham.”
“Why?” asked Tara.
“Because I am hungry” said Sam.
“Ok. We can get ham” said Tara.

Chapter two

After Sam and Tara were done eating their ham they went inside and got on the internet.
“Ok what should we type in?” asked Sam. She was the one typing.
“I think we should type in vehicles” said Tara.
“If we type in vehicles a bunch of cars will pop up” said Sam.
“That’s true” said Tara.
“Maybe we should type in bikes” said Sam.
“Ok that’s good. I mean bikes are perfect” said Tara.
“Ok lets type in bikes: b-i-k-e-s” said Sam.
“Ok lets see… oh look there are two bikes that come together and they are made from recycled things” said Tara.
“Yeah but look how much they cost” said Sam.
“How much do they cost?” asked Tara.
“$450.00” said Sam.
“Oh my gosh!” said Tara.
“Ok lets go find this guy and try to get him to lower the price” said Sam.
“What is his name and where dose he live?” asked Tara.
“His name is Bob and he lives in apartment 3 room A6 and the apartment is on third street” said Sam.
“Ok how are we going to get there?” asked Tara.
“Um well we could walk” said Sam.
“Ok lets go” said Tara.
When they got there they rang the guys doorbell. He answered and said “hello”.
“Is your name Bob?” asked Sam.
“Yes, what do you want?” Bob asked.
“You know those bikes you are selling” said Sam.
“Yeah you want them?” asked Bob.
“Well yeah but we can’t afford them and we were hoping that you could lower the price” said Sam.
“For how much?” asked Bob.
“How about $200.00” said Sam.
“Ok. Here you go” said Bob.
“Thanks” said Sam.
Then Sam and Tara left the apartment and went back home. “Well that was easy” said Tara.
“You did not even talk” said Sam.
“I was scared of him” said Tara.
“Yeah right” said Sam.

Chapter three

Now that Sam and Tara have bikes they are going to start heading for the North Pole.
“Ok before we leave we should call our parents and tell them that we are going to the North Pole” said Tara.
“Oh we don’t have to” said Sam.
“But what if they get home we are gone. They will get worried and call the police and say that their kids are missing and then the police will come and won’t be able to find us. Then we would come back and they would say where were you two and we will say we were at the North Pole and we will be in big trouble” said Tara.
“Calm down we will call them ok” said Sam.
“Ok” said Tara.
So Sam called her mom and dad and Tara called her mom and dad.
“Ok my mom and dad said I could go to the North Pole” said Sam.
“Mine did to” said Tara.
“Yeah! We are going to the North Pole” said Sam and Tara.
“First we should pack some food” said Tara.
“Ok you do that and I will pack some cloths and stuff to keep us warm” said Sam.
“And I will pack some things for us to do” said Tara.
“And I will pack my ipod and mini moveable television” said Sam.
“Ok you do that” said Tara.
“Oh and can you pack ham?” asked Sam.
“Yes” said Tara.
“Thank you” said Sam.
“Ok I am done packing” said Tara.
“Me too” said Sam “lets go”.
Sam and Tara went outside and got on there new bikes and headed off to the North Pole.
“This is going to be so fun” said Sam.
“I know” said Tara.
“Are we almost there?” asked Sam.
“We just started like an hour ago” said Tara.
“But it feels like we have been riding for days” said Sam.
“Stop your complaining Sam” said Tara.
“Why?” asked Sam.
“Because I don’t want to here it all the way there and besides this was your idea” said Tara.
“No, it was your idea” said Sam.
“No it was, oh wait, it was my idea sorry Sam” said Tara.

Chapter Four

Sam and Tara finally made it to the North Pole.
“We made it” said Tara and Sam.
“Hello” said a voice.
“Who was that?” asked Sam.
“I don’t know” said Tara.
“Um hello… who is there?” said Sam.
“I am Caesar” said the voice.
“Will you come with us and help us survive in the cold? We are just visitors” said Tara.
“I will. That is my job, I am a rescue dog” said Caesar.
“A dog?” said Sam.
“Yes… see?” said Caesar.
“You are so cute” said Sam and Tara.
“Thank you” said Caesar “and I will come with on your journey”.
“Caesar I have a question” said Sam.
“Yes?” said Caesar
“How many visitors do you say you have a year?” asked Sam.
“I would say maybe 10” said Caesar.
“And do you always help them?” asked Tara.
“Only if they want my help” said Caesar.
“So why are you guys here?” asked Caesar.
“Oh we just wanted to come we thought it will be fun” said Sam.
“Well it is. You never know what crazy thing will happen here” said Caesar, “especially on the Christmas week”.
“Yeah that’s just like at home” said Sam.
“Where are you guy’s parents?” asked Caesar.
“On trips” said Sam and Tara.
“What made you want to come here?” asked Caesar.
“Our video game” said Tara.
“What is the video game called?” asked Caesar.
“It is called Journey Across the North Pole” said Sam.
“Interesting” said Caesar.
“When did you come here and how long have you been here?” asked Tara.
“Oh I came not to long ago and I was probably here for a year” said Caesar.
“What is it like where you guys live?” asked Caesar.
“Well it is a long way from here and it is warm in the summer and cold in the winter” said Sam.
“What continent, country, and state do you live in?” asked Caesar.
“We live in North America, we live in the USA and we live in Ohio” said Tara and Sam.
“Interesting” said Caesar. Sam and Tara were starting to think interesting was Caesar’s favorite word.
“So how about I show you around” said Caesar?
“Ok” said Sam and Tara.

Chapter five

When Caesar, Sam, and Tara were walking they heard a voice it said “hello there”.
“Who said that” said Sam.
“It’s me Fred the penguin” said the penguin.
“Oh hi, we are new here and we were just walking and talking with Caesar the rescue dog. He is helping us on our journey” said Tara.
“Cool while you are on your journey would you guys and Caesar like to stay with me in my igloo home?” asked Fred the penguin.
“Sure” said Sam, Caesar, and Tara.
So they got all unpacked in Fred the penguin’s guest bedroom and then they went in is living room and had a snack and told him why they wanted to come to the North Pole and how they got the bikes from that guy and where they live and how they meet Caesar and they told him that there parents were on trips and out of town and they told him about their video game and how it gave them the idea to come to the North Pole. After they were done with story they all went to bed and dreamed of what they were going to do tomorrow excepted for Sam she was dreaming of ham.

Chapter Six

In the morning Sam woke up to the smell of bacon. “What is that sweet smell?” Sam asked. She was the last one to wake up.
“It’s turkey bacon” said Fred the penguin.
“Can I have some?” asked Sam.
“Of course. You need your breakfast” said Fred the penguin.
“This is so good” said Sam with her mouth full of turkey bacon.
“So what do you guys want to do today?” asked Tara.
“How about Fred and I show you two around” said Caesar.
“Ok” said Tara.
“But can we have ham first” said Sam.
“You just had breakfast” said Tara to Samantha.
“She loves ham and bacon” said Tara to Caesar and Fred the penguin.
When Sam was done eating her ham they went outside and Caesar and Fred the penguin showed them around.
“If you go through those woods you will end up at Santa’s work shop” said Fred the penguin.
“Cool, lets go” said Sam.
“Wait I want to see the rest of the North Pole” said Tara.
“Ok” said Sam. “After we are done can we go see Santa?” she asked.
“How about before we go home we can go see Santa ok?” said Tara.
“Ok” said Sam.
When they were done with the tour they went back to Fred the penguin’s home and had dinner. They had fish and Sam had fish and ham.

Chapter Seven

In the middle of the night Sam went in the kitchen to get some ham. When she went in the kitchen she saw Fred the penguin sitting on the couch crying.
“Why are you crying?” asked Sam.
“I don’t want to talk about” said Fred the penguin.
“Come on” said Sam.
“NOOO” screamed Fred the penguin.
“Ok” said Sam. “Chill.”
When Fred the penguin screamed it was so loud it woke everyone up.
“What was that scream?” asked Tara.
“Oh nothing” said Sam.
“Why are you crying?” asked Caesar.
“I don’t want to talk about it” said Fred the penguin.
“Come on” said Caesar.
“Caesar” said Sam.
“What?” said Caesar.
“Why did you say that?” said Sam.
“I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT” screamed Fred the penguin at the top of his lungs!
“Ok let’s not bother Fred the penguin today” said Tara.
“Let’s go outside” said Tara.
“Let’s have snowball fights” said Caesar.
“First can we have ham?” said Sam.
“Sure” said Tara and Caesar.
After they were done eating ham they went outside and had a snowball fight. When they came back inside Fred the penguin was not crying any more so he made them dinner. They had French onion soup with crackers and fish and asparagus and apple slices and French fries and of course just for Sam they had ham! It was like a feast.

Chapter Eight

The next day Tara, Sam, Caesar, and Fred the penguin all went and took a walk around the ice pond. Then they went ice fishing and they had lunch. They had ham sandwiches.
“These were good” said Sam.
“Why were you crying yesterday?” asked Tara.
“Well I was watching the news and there was a fire. I was looking very closely and I saw that it was an apartment. It was the apartment that my mom lives in. Then I got scared so I turned off the television and started to cry” said Fred the penguin.
“Oh I am sorry” said Caesar, Sam, and Tara.
“That’s ok” said Fred the penguin.
“So how about we go outside and build snow forts” said Sam.
“Ok” said Tara.
“Are you coming Fred the penguin?” asked Sam.
“No” said Fred the penguin.
“Ok I hope you come out soon” said Caesar.
“I really feel bad for Fred the penguin” said Tara.
“I do too” said Sam.
“I know we should make him dinner” said Caesar.
“Yeah let’s go” said Sam and Tara.
They went inside and made Fred the penguin a big feast and they had fun eating it with him too.

Chapter Nine

It was Sam and Tara’s time to say good-bye to Caesar and Fred the penguin.
“It was nice spending time with you guys” said Tara and Sam.
“We’ve got to get home for Christmas Eve. We will miss you” said Sam and Tara.
“Well see you guys later” said Caesar and Fred the penguin.
“Let’s go and see Santa” said Sam.
“Ok” said Tara.
So, Sam and Tara went through the woods and ended up at Santa’s work shop.
“Let’s go inside” said Sam.
“Ok” said Tara .
So they went inside and said “Hello Santa are you here?”
“Ho ho ho. Hello. How are you two? Is it Samantha and Tara?” said Santa.
“Yes but I go by Sam” said Sam.
“Well what are you two doing here?” asked Santa.
“Well we just wanted to see what the North Pole is like” said Sam and Tara.
“Are you two heading back home?” asked Santa.
“Yes” said Sam and Tara.
“Well would you like me to give you a ride? I was just about to start going around to start dropping off presents” said Santa.
“Sure” said Sam and Tara.
So, Santa took Sam and Tara home.

Chapter Ten

On Christmas day Sam and Tara went down and opened presents and there was a special present from Caesar, Fred the penguin, and Santa. It was a photo of them! They put it in a special spot and they told there moms and dads about there trip and how they are going there every year and Santa is going to give them a ride home. At the end of the day Tara and Sam said “this is the best Christmas ever!”

THE END

Oh my... I had another thumb incident...

2008-12-21T11:58:00.002-05:00

Yup... I was using super glue while making Christmas presents and glued the darn tube of glue to my thumb! John was in the other room and I yelled for him but the glue set by the time he got to me... Isn't it odd how the ribbon I was tying to glue had to be held in place to set for several minutes but it only took seconds for the tube to stick tight to my skin!

John read on line how to unstick stuck skin... we soaked my thumb in nail polish remover and John used a pencil to try and pry my skin from the tube... OUCH!!!!

More soaking in nail polish remover and waiting....

Then we washed it in warm soapy water... then back to the nail polish remover...

And after about 45 minutes we had victory! I have me thumb back!

Samantha told me I really should be more careful when I use super glue next time...

Clyde

2008-12-03T16:39:00.001-05:00

Samantha has had this marionette puppet hanging in her room for years... Last weekend she asked if we would get him down for her... His name is Clyde... So, last weekend Clyde went everywhere with us... and when it was raining he wore his raincoat (from one of Samantha's dolls)... Samantha and I went to a Christmas play at the Children's Theater and Clyde came too... and when John took Samantha to a gun show with him Clyde went along as well... Gun shows are quite a site to begin with but to see Samantha walking along talking to Clyde and making him trot along was quite a site!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T16:37:00.001-05:00

2008-11-28T16:27:00.000-05:00

Samantha helped me bake the bread for Thanksgiving dinner... She did a really good job kneading the dough...

This is what I found in the kitchen this morning...

2008-11-24T19:01:00.000-05:00

Misc. and such...

2008-11-24T12:58:00.002-05:00

So, on Saturday I turned 40... wow! I can't believe I am 40... I'm not sure what 40 is supposed to feel like but I can say I don't feel 40... On Saturday I talked to my mom and she re-told the story of when I was born: She said she got the call that I was bout to be born when my dad was out of town. So, my mom flew from Buffalo and my dad flew from Illinois to Kansas. They did not arrive on the day I was born but I think it was the next day maybe. They met with the lawyer and then went before the judge to finalize my adoption. Then to get home they chartered a plane to Kansas City and then flew first class home from there so I was spoiled right from the beginning!

I think we all love hearing stories from "when we were little"... I know I do and Samantha is starting to ask for me to tell her a story from when she was a baby... The stories always warm my heart and make me smile...

At our house we have been watching The Amazing Race... Well, in my mind I imagine that my dad and I are doing the race together... that would be so cool! I think we could do pretty well, probably not win but I think we could have made it so far... Last night Samantha and I totally thought Dan and Andrew would whine about carrying the bags of flour but they didn't, wow! We think / know that they will go home next week... We like all of the pairs that are left so we really don't care who wins...

I am reading this really good book: "The Heretic's Daughter" by Kathleen Kent. It is about the Salem Witch Trials. That sure was an interesting period in history but I sure would not have wanted to live there back then!

I checked out the best video ever from the library: The complete Fawlty Towers collection with John Cleese... That man doesn't even have to do anything to be funny! Fawlty Towers has to be the best TV series of all times and is just so gosh darn funny! I laugh so hard at it that my sides hurt...

For my birthday my family gave me some wonderful gifts: my parent gave me the money to purchase a really good skillet... I am so excited! And, John and Samantha gave me a whole plethora of goodies including: a gnome book that I had enjoyed as a child at Camp Blue Heron... At camp on rainy days we would sit inside that lodge and read about gnomes... they gave me a 2009 Get Fuzzy page a day calendar as they have for the last 6 or 7 years, it's always my favorite gift! They gave me the DVD of "What Lies Beneath", one of my favorite movies. I thought it was also one of Samantha's favorites but she can't remember watching it with me. I also got a gift card to Starbucks and some lip gloss and bubble bath. My friend Ellen gave me the most beautiful spa style bath robe that is just so warm and snugly. It was a great Birthday!

Tea and Cookies

2008-11-17T16:35:00.002-05:00

After book club Kelly and I stopped in the little thrift store in town where I found the cutest little tea cups and saucers for Samantha... they have these sweet little yellow frogs on the handles and the saucers are little yellow lily pads... Samantha had a tea party with Amber, Dandelion and Maggie... She made play doh cookies which are the little pink things...

Yeah Snow!

2008-11-17T16:15:00.002-05:00

It snowed today... and we put the bird seed bell out on the deck... no birds came this morning though... hopefully they will find their treat soon...

Here is our deck with the dusting of snow... isn't it pretty... we love snow...

Samantha tried to catch snowflakes with her tongue...

Samantha thought it was really early to get snow... and it got me to thinking about when I was little... we always had snow by Thanksgiving...

Which is the real Tacey?

2008-11-16T16:25:00.002-05:00

For Halloween at Skyline Kelly dressed up like Tacey... with a long pony tail... Kelly was dressing up as Princess Leah for trick or treat and she'd gotten these long fake pony tails that she was going to use for her buns... so, we were at her house and she clipped the pony tail on and said: "hey, I look like Tacey now!" And she wore her hair like that to Skyline...

I just love that little girl...

2008-11-15T16:40:00.002-05:00

I woke up and realized that Samantha had a ton of homework and I imagined that she was probably in her room playing and not doing the homework like she'd promised me she would do first thing in the morning... So, I opened her bedroom door and this is what I found... she had all her papers arranged and there she was doing her homework... she looked up and said: "I'm almost done!"

2008-11-07T13:05:00.000-05:00

Dear Samantha:

I am sorry you are sick again today. I don't like it when my little monkey doesn't feel well. I almost forgot to call you off school today but I remembered in the nick of time.... when I called Jill said she was just getting ready to enter the un-excused absences! You would not have like an un-excused absence would you!

Today while I was perusing my favorite blogs saw that my friend over at The Chic Life had posted about an article on gratitude... you know, being grateful and thankful for things in you life... and it gave me an idea: we need to keep a family gratitude journal! Let's talk about it at dinner tonight... I hope you are feeling better because we are having chicken fajitas... yum yum!

Love,
Mom

2008-11-05T12:54:00.002-05:00

I usually drink coffee, 2 or 3 cups, in the morning but today is one of those days where I just feel like having more, right smack in the middle of the afternoon... Nothing particular is going on... I guess I'm just thirsty...

The weather here in Central Ohio has been glorious! Last weekend and this week the temperature has been in the 70's and we are loving it... And, the leaves are really changing... the road that leads out of our neighborhood is lined with maple trees and burning bushes all of which are this amazing, brilliant red... It is seriously the prettiest red I have ever seen... Then as we sit at the end of the street and wait to turn onto the busy main road we can see wonderful yellows and oranges up against the dark green of the spruce trees at the farm across the way... Usually I despise pulling out onto the main road but this fall it has been nice being able to gaze upon such beauty...

We went and voted yesterday... this is always a family activity... and this year I brought a book, a puzzle book, my journal, cookies, peanut butter crackers, leftover Halloween candy and water in anticipation of a huge long line... Samantha brought her homework, 2 books, her Nintendo DS and a teddy bear... And, I don't think John brought anything... We walked over to avoid a mess in the parking lot and boy were we shocked... there was absolutely no line whatsoever! Woo Hoo... that was easy! I'm glad it's all over... all that political stuff was messing with my shows!

2008-11-05T12:33:00.001-05:00

Samantha:

This was your horoscope for today... I liked it... you do have a lot of charm! As far as performing at a party, maybe you could sing us a song at dinner...

Gemini
May 21 - June 21
You have a lot of charm and tremendous social skills, dear Gemini. This is an unbeatable combination, and is especially strengthened with the current astral energy. Be sure to go the extra mile today, even if you are not in the mood to do so. Someone in a position of power and authority may ask you to join him for dinner, or perhaps you'll be invited to 'perform' at a party. These are ideal opportunities to showcase your talents, so embrace them rather than shy away from them.

Love,
Mom

Election Day

2008-11-04T13:15:00.000-05:00

I sent this email to my baby girl this morning...

Dear Samantha:

This morning in the car we talked about "having a voice" and how you can "make a difference" even if you are not old enough to vote yet. I think you have an amazing voice and that you have a wonderful way of thinking about things. I think you know that your father and I want you to have your own opinion. Of course we would like for you to share our opinion on most things but we know it is best for you to have your own opinions and you do have your own opinions. As you get older I love hearing you express yourself and how more articulate and thoughtful you grow each year.

Today someone I know was talking to their child on the phone and that person called their child an ass hole. OMG! I want you to know that no matter how mad I get at you I would never even think that you were an ass hole ever, no matter what you did!

And, I am sorry that I was snappish last night... my head hurt and I was tired. I know, that is no excuse for snapping at you but I wanted you to know I am sorry and that it was me, not you. Plus, once I start sometimes I just can't help myself and I keep on snapping... pretty crazy huh!

Love,
Mom

A Fall Day at the Zoo

2008-10-21T15:31:00.003-05:00

Bats

2008-10-21T15:25:00.002-05:00

We absolutely love bats in our family! Samantha and my dad are members of the International Bat Conservancy and Samantha is going as a bat for Halloween this year.
We love to visit the bats at the zoo! Aren't they amazing...

Pigeon roost

2008-10-20T14:10:00.004-05:00

Every year we can't wait to go to Pigeon Roost... It is a wonderful family farm that has pumpkins, a corn maze, chickens, goats, a play area, a tree house, swings and a camel!

John went with us and played photographer... this airplane swing thing was new this year... you are never too old to play on swings!

We had a wonderful time and had a picnic at Pickerington Ponds on the way home while we watched the sun set... It was so nice to spend quality family time together...

Apple Butter Day

2008-10-11T18:06:00.002-05:00

After John got home from work and while Samantha was still at her play date at Ann's house John and I went to Apple Butter Day in Groveport. The weather was perfect, sunny and warm and we really enjoyed seeing all the changing colors of fall. There is nothing like a small town festival in Fall!
And, it was nice to spend time with just John. We hardly ever do anything without Samantha because we don't want to, we just really enjoy being with her... but... every now and then it is sort of nice just to be by ourselves. I told John about how Samantha had incessantly chattered all day and how it had about driven me batty... but... no matter how annoying she is I am always thankful for having her there with me. I make an effort to never take her for granted and to never let my feelings of annoyance outweigh my feelings of gratefulness at being blessed with such a perfect gift.
Oh... and there were antique tractors and bean soup at the senior center...

Cute thing Samantha did in school:

2008-10-11T17:41:00.000-05:00

2008-10-11T15:42:00.003-05:00

I am home alone and I don't like being home all by myself. Although I should be happy to be by myself after the day I spent with Samantha... First there was this morning... We sleep in on Saturdays when John is working but today Samantha woke me up early to tell me about the tooth she had just lost... and she did not stop talking until it was time for book club.
John said that she had woken him up at 4am when she lost her tooth to tell him all about it. So, she tells me all about her tooth... how it was hanging there and how she had to yank it out and how it had gushed blood and how she had used my wash cloth to make the gushing blood stop and how she had then put the wash cloth in the laundry and then how the tooth still had blood on it... and how she couldn't get back to sleep so she turned on the TV and watched "Total Drama Island" and how it was an episode she hadn't seen... (What followed was an in depth detailing of the entire episode that was longer than the actual episode itself...) Then she went on to tell me how she'd fallen back to sleep and had a bad dream... and how Marissa the cat was in the dream and she was really fat... and I was in the dream... and John was in the dream but she can't really remember what the dream was about other than the fact that it was scary and therefore bad... Then finally it was time to leave for book club but Samantha's chatter didn't stop there... In the car I heard about how she has 4 Littlest Pet Shop butterflies and one is green with pink wings and the other one is blue and so on and so forth... and what set they came with... and where she got each set...
Finally we got to the library where this month's book club was being held. I led the discussion about, "Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery" by Deborah and James Howe. We talked about what a mystery is and the difference between reality and fantasy. Then I had the girls: Samantha, Tara and Ann, write a short story. It had to be a mystery and it had to have an element of fantasy: talking pets. While they worked on their stories I talked to Ann's mom, Sally and we found tons of books to check out. Libraries are very dangerous places for me! Then there was a bit of a tantrum (thrown by Samantha) over when everyone would go to the rest room to wash their hands and when they would read their stories. But all's well that ends well and Samantha decided to loose her bad attitude and behave like a ten year old. After book club Samantha and Tara were invited over to Ann's house for a play date which brings us to why I am home all alone...
I showed Sally my burnt thumb. Sally's a physical therapist as well as the mom we all go to for medical advice for the kids... When she saw it she said she wanted to clean it with some sort of scrub brush and medicine... yeah, right... um, NO THANK YOU!

OMG!!!

2008-10-09T16:49:00.002-05:00

I know it's a bad picture but I was taking it with one hand... and I was in pain. You know those frozen vegetables that you steam in the bag in the microwave... well, they are hot! Very hot! That shiny spot in the picture is a burn about the size of a quarter on my thumb. It oozed all night and is really gross.

Three Little Old Ladies

2008-10-09T16:46:00.002-05:00

Samantha had Tara over on Monday and I taught her how to crochet. John took this picture of the three of us sitting on the couch working on our projects... he said we looked like we were in an old folks home.

Our yard decorated for Halloween

2008-10-09T16:41:00.002-05:00

Last Sunday I went to a Pampered Chef party that Gretchen had and when I came home John and Samantha had decorated... I love it, they did such a nice job. I especially like the graves where our trees used to be!

Allergies...

2008-10-09T16:35:00.002-05:00

Samantha's allergies have been acting up this fall and she really doesn't like the medicine she has to take. I wish she would learn to swallow pills, it would be so much easier. My friend Sally said she taught her kids to swallow pills using tiny M&Ms. I thought it was a great idea but Samantha did not... she said she knew why I wanted her to learn to swallow M&Ms and that she knew it would lead to swallowing pills and NO THANK YOU... I told her that was fine, that she would stick to icky medicine instead of an easy pill... and she drew this picture... called the medicine cycle... first she cries, then takes the icky medicine and it goes into her tummy and next it comes out of her tummy and into the toilet.

25 years!

2008-10-09T16:30:00.002-05:00

John's sister, Linda just celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary. Her husband planned the most beautiful vow renewal ceremony as a surprise for her. Here we all are at the church.

Our house without the trees!

2008-10-08T16:23:00.001-05:00

Apple Picking

2008-10-06T17:49:00.000-05:00

2008-10-06T13:07:00.003-05:00

It is finally fall! The weather is perfect: cool in the mornings and warmer in the afternoons... and the air has that wonderful smell of leaves, apples and burning wood.

This past weekend we tackled a huge tree removal project. John and I have been contemplating removing the 2 pear trees in our front yard. One of them has some sort of funk and is slowly dying and they completely block the front of the house. We hate to cut down trees but we finally decided it would be for the best and we will plant another one in the back yard to make up for it.

John bought a cute little chain saw:14" chain and it's electric... so, Friday afternoon we cut the trees down! John used the chain saw to cut down the big branches and then I used the clippers to cut the branches up and stuff them into a zillion lawn & leaf bags... hey, we live in the suburbs... we use little play chain saws and stuff whole trees into lawn & leaf bags! John cut up the larger branches and the trunks to use next summer in our fire pit in the back yard. I think those 2 trees supplied us with enough wood to have fires until we are 112.

For the larger branches John tied a rope around the branch which I pulled on while he climbed the ladder with the chain saw being careful not to trip himself on the chain saw's cord. It went well except for one branch where the chain saw got stuck, the branch began to fall the wrong way toward our neighbor's house and I couldn't hold the rope. Samantha had to run across the street to get our neighbor, Skip.

Boy were we sore on Saturday morning! We thought we could get the stumps out ourselves but um... no, we couldn't... the roots were huge! So we called our neighbor, John, the professional tree guy. He laughed at us! He laughed at our tiny little chain saw and out wimpy rope and all out lawn & leaf bags. Then he really laughed at the trench we dug around the trees and the axe we used to try and cut out the roots. He used this big machine that chopped the roots up into oblivion, it was really neat and quite fast. He is a life saver!

It looks really odd to not see those trees out there in the front yard but wow, you can see our house! It looks really nice. We do still have one tree up by the house in the front yard so we do feel good about that. I will post the pictures soon... they are still on my camera.

My little crafter

2008-09-24T16:59:00.001-05:00

Samantha came to me several evenings ago and asked if I would teach her to crochet. Sh picked it up really quickly and has been crocheting every evening since then after she is done reading. I am so glad she enjoys it. This weekend we are going over to Tacey's house. Kelly and I are going to make earring s with Tacey... she's going to teach us how... and I am going to get some nice yarn for Samantha and Tara and teach them how to make a scarf. Samantha really has the single stitch down but I need to work with her on how to keep the rows all the same length. I love that she enjoys what I enjoy: reading and crocheting...