And what a year it was! This will be long. Feel free to skim!
11. Washington DC with my students
Another great trip probably highlighted by being thrown in the pool with my clothes on. Everyone should have this done once to them in their lifetime. It’s like right out of the movies. Speaking of movies I can’t forget to mention that we saw Ben Stiller filming Night at the Museum II. That was exciting. All the other typical DC stuff was great too like the Capitol, all the monuments, the Smithsonians, the Basilica visit, etc. I guess I should mention all that too.
10. 5 weddings!
*April – Chris & Jen
*August – Angie & Tim
*August – Jacob & Meagan
*September – Josh & Kristen
*October – Kristine & Scott
It was a record year for us as far as weddings go and how much fun did we have? Oh lots.
9. Austin's hospitalization in May.
Not a positive experience but definitely one worth mentioning. It was his only seizure so far and it sent us on a flurry of U of M trips for EEG's, MRI's and other testing. As it looks now it was just a fluke probably brought on by a fever. Let's hope that it's the only one he ever has. Thanks again to Julie and my Mom for being so helpful during that very stressful night and also my neighbors for boarding Tommy until my IL’s picked him up. The whole thing was made 100x worse as the paramedics put the IV and the immobility board thingy on his good arm making him super miserable.
8. Austin's preschool graduation.
He looked so darn cute up there singing his Mr. Golden Sun song in his royal blue cap and gown. He also got the nod to head to Kindergarten where he is doing well. He’s such a popular little stinker. We are still not sure on 1st grade, but there is a lot of year left. He is the shortest kid in his class and I'm sure he gets away with murder because he's so cute. I don't even want to go see him at lunch anymore because he always has to be silly for his friends and calls me Mommy Barbie or Mommy Toilet Paper to thunderous laughter. His humor kills me.
7. Rambler Gatherings
*January – A wild gathering in Indiana at Angie’s place with Deb along too was especially unforgettable.
*July – A tamer gathering with a doubtful but newly pregnant me in Illinois at Deb’s place. Deb bought me three Dollar Tree pregnancy tests and they all showed up positive. A baby is on the way for sure. Angie was there, and Heather made it from Pennsylvania. A bonus with this trip was that I got to meet fellow Turner’s Mom Kelly & her daughter Kenzee.
*August – Everyone gathered here without the kids in MI for Angie and Tim’s wedding. Jess & Heather came from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Deb from Illinois, and Michele from California. I witnessed my first 2 tattoos during this weekend gathering. There was a wild bachelorette party.
6. Disney Trip
Disney is always a great time with the family. This was our first trip without an extended member of our family since before Austin was born so Joe and I were a little worried we couldn’t handle it all on our own. It was actually one of the best; I was prego so I did lots of relaxing whilst the guys went on all the exciting rides. The boys were super well behaved and of course had the best time. I think the new Toy Story Mania was the biggest hit of the trip.
5. NYC
A very exciting and memorable trip. Unforgettable actually! Traveling with Lupe, Jill, & Amy was great and I would gladly go anywhere with them. They are the best. It was cool to see Amanda, Lauren, & Toni there too though we didn’t travel together.
*The cab accident
*Times Square
*The Plataforma Restaurant
*The Today Show ~ Al, Meredith, Anne, & Matt were great! Piers Morgan and Billy Ray Cyrus as guests were the icing on the cake. And for the record I still stand by the fact that I said HI JOE!!!
*The storm on the tour bus
*The Ferry
*The Rats & Puke
*Hairspray ~ Norm from Cheers was amazing as the mother.
*The Statue of Liberty including the ferry ride.
*Ground Zero
*Central Park
*Chinatown – Eeks
I’m sure there are many more events that I’m forgetting. It was a jam-packed couple days but full of great memories.
4. Chicks with Sticks ~ Shoot down down.
*I’ll always be grateful to Sheri V. for talking me into doing this. What a great time I had, I can’t wait to start up again hopefully in the late spring.
* The Hat Chicks defeat Ms. Conduct in our charity game that started the whole hockey snowball rolling.
*Goalie Jill – Her screaming when you are skating at her on a breakaway is not something that ever leaves your mind. We played together on the Hat Chicks but in the Bay County League we were prime rivals. She won the battle as I never was able to score on her. ;)
*Stats – 1 goal, 2 assists – Not bad. The goal was sweet! Now how many chances did I have??? A gabillion, I just need to learn to shoot.
*Lisa C. in her Vancouver “Halloween” jersey! The rink manager was so giddy when she stepped on that ice in her vintage 80’s garb. She looked great and I feel bad that I had to bail on her and Michelle A. thanks to my baby. I don’t feel too badly though and I don’t think they hold it against me.
*Coach Bill – What can I say the man rocks. Thankfully I still see him as he coaches Tommy. He swears more at the kids than he did with us.
3. Tommy's Sports – hockey in particular.
*Bamberger Insurance - January started off with a bang as his team won the Friendship tournament, the championship game we were down 5-1 in the 3rd came back to tie it and won in sudden death overtime. His team got 2nd place in a Traverse City tournament, Tommy was named MVP for one game. His team then won the League tournament in a double overtime sudden death win. We had some great times with this "family." They only lost 2 games all year. Tommy secured his place in hockey on defense. His coach was named Saginaw Coach of the Year.
*He won the fastest skater competition in the Saginaw Spirit Shoot Skate Score competition.
*Mid-Michigan Stars - His team won the Last Dance Tournament in May. We got to travel to Toronto for a tournament where his team was crushed but it was awesome to see Toronto and also the stop in Niagara Falls with the Andriot's was memorable.
*Bay County Blizzard - He kicked butt in tryouts and is now playing solid defense for the Big Blue! The team is doing well and continues to improve. We also love the families and the coaches.
*Baseball - We moved him up to Minor's and he did well. He loves catching. He also was asked to play on the Reese 8 & under tournament team. The team didn't fare too well but it made for some fun weekends and broke up the hockey train for a few.
2. My 30th birthday party!
What an awesome awesome awesome surprise!! I was so snowed. Having it in a Tiger suite with my best friends and family was an event that probably hits in the top 10 events lifetime for me. The Tiger’s also won that game, which was great since they lost more than they won last year. To Joe & my friends, you pulled off the most spectacular surprise in Dawn history. It’s so funny to look back in hindsight at how weird you were all acting the days leading up to it. I still can’t believe it didn’t get spoiled and that I had absolutely no clue. Am I really that gullible? Thanks everyone for making it happen!
*1*Drum Roll Please*1*
And the #1 event of 2008 I’m sure you’ve guessed it already is the conception of our March baby! Joe and I, as well as boys and rest of family are absolutely thrilled to add on to our family. And I should probably mention a bit frightened by the fact that it was so long ago when Austin was a baby and we are afraid we’ve forgotten just how tough it is to raise a child. A year ago, Joe and I both thought maybe our baby days were over. We didn’t think we could handle the pain of another loss and didn’t know if the risk was worth it. Thankfully, as with most things, time is a great healer and we took the plunge in May and were rewarded with a BFP already in July! Our fastest conception yet, we are getting good at this. So far so good with this pregnancy and we can’t wait to meet our little Lucky Charm in about 11 weeks. Won’t be long now!
Honorable Mention
*The dress from White House/Black Market
*K of C Bingo
*Kristine’s bachelorette party
*JoDa’s 11th anniversary
*Tommy’s boo boo
*8th grade graduation
*Austin’s silver tooth
*Sod Farm & Everett Construction Coed Softball
*The SE golf outing – last place Woot!
*Hockey Parties
*Austin started learn to skate
*Tommy as Angel Gabriel in the Christmas play, Austin sang well.
*Tommy’s 1st Reconciliation
*Thomas the Train Live with Austin
*Getting Autumn Rose’s stone
*Awesome holidays.
There you go the top 11 events in 2008 I wonder what 2009 has in store for us? 11, are you kidding? That was like 111.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
2008 Jib-Jab Review
I seriously have been waiting all month for this. I guess I can say I was a little disappointed though. It's okay but definitely not the hilarious hits of 2006 & 2007. Maybe it'll grow on me.
So do you Jib it? or Jab it?
So do you Jib it? or Jab it?
Sunday, December 21, 2008
My Date with Austin
Austin is fascinated with all trains but Thomas the Train in particular of course. So when I got an email from SVSU saying they were having a "premiere performance" of Thomas & Friends Live today I snatched up the best tickets I could. The show was great and Austin loved it. We were in the 5th row of the tiny 500 seat theater.
Of course he wasn't happy that it was just he and I going and even when we were leaving for the show today he was crying that he didn't want to go. I just don't get him sometimes. So I told him we'd try it and if he didn't like it we'd leave. Well not even half way into the first song he turns and says "I like this show" and I asked if he still wanted to leave and he say "no, we'll leave when it's done." I have to say too it was an excellent show, it was a musical. If any of you have Thomas fans in your home, I'd look and see if it's coming your way on it's 50 city tour in the next 6 months. I thought it was better than The Wiggles Live & Sesame Street Live, of course being in such a small venue probably helped.
You can read about it here if you are interested in the how's and why's of my tiny university getting the premiere of this big show.
Needless to say we've had our share of Thomas movies run through the DVD player since we've been home. I'm glad we did something special just for Austin even if he didn't want to do it at first. That's my contrary Mary!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Tommy's 1st Reconciliation
Fr. Bill, Mrs. Bremer, & TommyLast Wednesday Tommy made his 1st Reconciliation. He was nervous but of course did fine. He said he told Fr. Bill he wanted to work on his temper and consider other people's ideas and not be so demanding that his way is the only way. I know in his class his teacher does a good job of combing him down a bit when he gets too bossy or worked up over something not going his way, I'm glad he's working on it.
It was his first Sacrament since his scary Baptism. Joe and I chuckled before the service because Fr. Bill asked Tommy to go first and so we were sitting in the same front pew that we haven't sat in as a family since that Baptism. It was more like an exorcism the way he screamed through the entire thing. It felt like it lasted forever, the choir's trying to sing, Fr. Bill is trying to talk over the screaming, I'm trying not to cry. I can laugh now but at the time it was horrible. I remember turning around and looking at my Dad and he had this absolute look of terror in his eyes like a "what is wrong with that baby!!" It was pitiful, Tommy was 3 months old and inconsolable. I had lots of ladies come by after that mass though to console me thankfully. I don't know what it was with Tommy but we would go to church and he would just freak. And ask him these days and he'll tell you he wants to become a priest someday. Go figure.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Winter Wonderland
This little icon is on today's weather page of the weather underground. It surprised me as I've never seen it before. Our beautiful snow is turning to ice. Right now I look out my window and it's a beautiful snowfall, keep the ice & rain crap away! Give me a foot of snow!We had another snow day today. I can't remember another year having more than one December snow day. Keep this up and we will be in school until July! Not too good either with the Christmas program next Thursday and we've barely begun! Somehow though it'll all come together. The kids always come through.
In other news, I've just finished catching up on blogs. My was I behind. So many friends in need of prayers right now. I love December but sometimes I just think with it's major darkness that something is amiss. Strange to say I know. Anyways, Jessica and her little Logen are trekking through some very dark times right now and if you could please pray for them, she is practically begging people to pray for her and Logen. I met Jess years ago on the BBC CP board and they've recently taken away Logen's CP label and think he has some kind of very bad genetic disease. They are still in the diagnosing stage but it doesn't sound good at all. I know she needs all the support she can get.
Thanks everyone.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Zoinks! Help!
We have a critter in our house!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ahh!!!!!!
We can hear it in our bedroom in the ceiling. It's probably just a mouse but freaks me out just the same. And Joe did all this proactive work catching mice outside because we had corn in the field behind us again.
Ugh, reminds me of living at home. I'd hear them in the walls all the time and there was one time I woke up, exited my bedroom and had a dead one in a trap right in front of me. It must have not quite died and traveled about 6-8 feet from where the trap was before succumbing. I've lived here almost 8 years and we've only had one live mouse in the house and thankfully Joe & Tommy got it within an hour. I can still see/hear Tommy who was probably almost 4 at the time with a hockey stick going after him saying "we're berry hunters!"
Well Joe thinks he's gone now. I don't believe it! EEK! EEK! EEK!
Ahh!!!!!!
We can hear it in our bedroom in the ceiling. It's probably just a mouse but freaks me out just the same. And Joe did all this proactive work catching mice outside because we had corn in the field behind us again.
Ugh, reminds me of living at home. I'd hear them in the walls all the time and there was one time I woke up, exited my bedroom and had a dead one in a trap right in front of me. It must have not quite died and traveled about 6-8 feet from where the trap was before succumbing. I've lived here almost 8 years and we've only had one live mouse in the house and thankfully Joe & Tommy got it within an hour. I can still see/hear Tommy who was probably almost 4 at the time with a hockey stick going after him saying "we're berry hunters!"
Well Joe thinks he's gone now. I don't believe it! EEK! EEK! EEK!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Happy December!
My favorite time of the year! And this my friends is the best JibJab Christmas funny ever. Sorry to all of you that I've tortured with this before. Had to be done.
BTW, last year a few of my students made a Top 10 Reasons Why it's great to be in Mrs. P's class and #10 was "She shows us educational sites on the computer like the 12 farts of Christmas." Gotta love them!
Tommy is all sputtering over here, "do you think people are actually going to watch that with a big butt sticking out at them." ;) Austin loves it though. That's my boy.
BTW, last year a few of my students made a Top 10 Reasons Why it's great to be in Mrs. P's class and #10 was "She shows us educational sites on the computer like the 12 farts of Christmas." Gotta love them!
Tommy is all sputtering over here, "do you think people are actually going to watch that with a big butt sticking out at them." ;) Austin loves it though. That's my boy.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
I'm losing control!!!!
Okay, I say that tongue in cheek. I am suffering from severe prego brain and have done some dumb stuff. I've got Freddy Mercury singing "I'm Going Slightly Mad" in my head and I think I believe it. I'm forgetful, I do stupid things, I'm clumsy, it's horrible! I just have lots on my mind I guess. Here are a few of the doozies that are on my mind.
*I worked the Dow last night and our stand was off by $1000. Idiot me forgot to empty out one cash register...Duh.
*I left my closet door open today and Austin found one of his nice Christmas presents. Gosh was he excited. Tommy comes downstairs and says, "Mom, Austin saw the Thomas present in your closet, you left it right out in the open." Followed by a very gleeful Austin squeal, "Mommy guess what!!" you can ad lib the rest.
*I send Joe to the basement with other Christmas presents hoping to avert further disaster and almost send him down with one of his. Double Duh.
*The Great Migration has begun. Joe & I moved downstairs and the boys have moved to our big room upstairs. We still have work to do but it's a start. We'll all sleep in the new rooms tonight.
*I had the craziest dream last night and I swear every aspect of my life was involved from Tommy's hockey parents, to current and former coworkers, to my new baby. I could probably fill a whole page detailing this very vivid dream. It was a baby boy and I left him home alone for 5 hours and knew I had to get back to him but I just couldn't, something kept preventing me from getting there. I was afraid he was going to die of starvation, or if he didn't die I knew that he was going to be taken away from me by child protective services. It was freaky. I even commented at the Texan last night (Joe and I had a late 11:00 dinner date) that the food would probably give me crazy dreams. No more Texan so close to midnight.
*I have to go to Detroit tomorrow for 8:30 to fight my ticket. Throw in a monster storm and I pray it doesn't take more than 3 hours to get there. The forecast is calling for 5-8 inches. I imagine the boys will have a snow day. All I know is they better not cancel my court hearing if I make it down there!
*Today at church I had no focus, I kept thinking about the Christmas program, senior luncheon, next week's all school mass. I did more people watching today than participating. Ugh!
*My Astronomy final is a week away. I fear for my current B as I seem to have an attention deficit problem lately.
*I have an OB appt. tomorrow at 3:00 and I don't remember where I put my pee pee cup. ;) Haha, just kidding I know where it's at. Remembering to pee in it tomorrow morning might be another matter though.
At least I can laugh at all this. My humor shall deliver me or maybe at worst leave me divorced. ;) Speaking of humor, a little Thanksgiving goodness. My Mom is the only person nutty enough to put food coloring in her gravy and we've had some interesting gravy colors through the years. Austin was so freaked thinking about Grandma's blue gravy from last year. I heard about it 5 times that day before we got there. He came into my room that morning and I wake up to "I don't like Grandma's blue gravy!" So along with the blue which was requested by Tommy for the Bay County Blizzard, Grandma kept some normal gravy. It is hard to eat mashed potatoes and blue gravy. Blue anything should be blueberry flavored, it's a freaky mind over matter thing. Kind of like Green eggs & ham I suppose.
Almost time for bed, hopefully with some sweet dreams.
***UPDATED*** Well I survived my trek down to Detroit. The roads weren't too bad and I got there almost two hours early so I ate solo at Bob Evans. They had a herd of us, processed us like cattle, gave us two options, 1st - write it for double parking, no points, pay $155 fine, clean driving record...or wait forever and continue to fight it. It's a sham but I got out of the points which is what I guess I wanted. I came home and slept for almost 3 hours. I dreamed I missed my appt. and was just fuming at Joe for falling asleep. Too funny.
*I worked the Dow last night and our stand was off by $1000. Idiot me forgot to empty out one cash register...Duh.
*I left my closet door open today and Austin found one of his nice Christmas presents. Gosh was he excited. Tommy comes downstairs and says, "Mom, Austin saw the Thomas present in your closet, you left it right out in the open." Followed by a very gleeful Austin squeal, "Mommy guess what!!" you can ad lib the rest.
*I send Joe to the basement with other Christmas presents hoping to avert further disaster and almost send him down with one of his. Double Duh.
*The Great Migration has begun. Joe & I moved downstairs and the boys have moved to our big room upstairs. We still have work to do but it's a start. We'll all sleep in the new rooms tonight.
*I had the craziest dream last night and I swear every aspect of my life was involved from Tommy's hockey parents, to current and former coworkers, to my new baby. I could probably fill a whole page detailing this very vivid dream. It was a baby boy and I left him home alone for 5 hours and knew I had to get back to him but I just couldn't, something kept preventing me from getting there. I was afraid he was going to die of starvation, or if he didn't die I knew that he was going to be taken away from me by child protective services. It was freaky. I even commented at the Texan last night (Joe and I had a late 11:00 dinner date) that the food would probably give me crazy dreams. No more Texan so close to midnight.
*I have to go to Detroit tomorrow for 8:30 to fight my ticket. Throw in a monster storm and I pray it doesn't take more than 3 hours to get there. The forecast is calling for 5-8 inches. I imagine the boys will have a snow day. All I know is they better not cancel my court hearing if I make it down there!
*Today at church I had no focus, I kept thinking about the Christmas program, senior luncheon, next week's all school mass. I did more people watching today than participating. Ugh!
*My Astronomy final is a week away. I fear for my current B as I seem to have an attention deficit problem lately.
*I have an OB appt. tomorrow at 3:00 and I don't remember where I put my pee pee cup. ;) Haha, just kidding I know where it's at. Remembering to pee in it tomorrow morning might be another matter though.
At least I can laugh at all this. My humor shall deliver me or maybe at worst leave me divorced. ;) Speaking of humor, a little Thanksgiving goodness. My Mom is the only person nutty enough to put food coloring in her gravy and we've had some interesting gravy colors through the years. Austin was so freaked thinking about Grandma's blue gravy from last year. I heard about it 5 times that day before we got there. He came into my room that morning and I wake up to "I don't like Grandma's blue gravy!" So along with the blue which was requested by Tommy for the Bay County Blizzard, Grandma kept some normal gravy. It is hard to eat mashed potatoes and blue gravy. Blue anything should be blueberry flavored, it's a freaky mind over matter thing. Kind of like Green eggs & ham I suppose.
Almost time for bed, hopefully with some sweet dreams.
***UPDATED*** Well I survived my trek down to Detroit. The roads weren't too bad and I got there almost two hours early so I ate solo at Bob Evans. They had a herd of us, processed us like cattle, gave us two options, 1st - write it for double parking, no points, pay $155 fine, clean driving record...or wait forever and continue to fight it. It's a sham but I got out of the points which is what I guess I wanted. I came home and slept for almost 3 hours. I dreamed I missed my appt. and was just fuming at Joe for falling asleep. Too funny.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
To Facebook or not
Oh dear, like I need another internet craze to consume my free time. Joe took the Facebook plunge a while ago and has all of MY friends writing on his wall, following him, yada, yada, yada. I'm truly missing out aren't I?
Should I hold out? I do but I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything too spectacular. But sometimes I can't even keep up with everyone's blogs, emails, etc. How will I keep up with Facebook too?
Should I hold out? I do but I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything too spectacular. But sometimes I can't even keep up with everyone's blogs, emails, etc. How will I keep up with Facebook too?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Fireplace 1 ~ Tommy 0
Tommy ended his 5+ year ER drought by having his forehead cracked open Friday night. He wasn't playing the smartest. The goal was to run as fast as he could down the hall, jump on a laundry basket, then land on a pillow. Well the laundry basket shifted and he was too close to the fireplace and bang! Man that wound bled a lot. He was surprisingly not "too" freaked about it but was worried about having stitches until they said they'd put on some numbing gel first. They were debating between one stitch and the glue, the glue worked fabulously! He has no restrictions and even went to hockey yesterday where he had his team pictures. You can't really see it but his hair has this wild wave.
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As you can see the dude needs some bigger hockey pants. I don't know how he's gotten so tall. He also needs new school pants and jeans, busted out of his tennis shoes, and his winter coat and snow pants were too small as well. How does this lucky kid get a new wardrobe and I don't? hehe.
And what's with the toothless grin??? All four pictures were like that.?#$?
Happy Sunday everyone.
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As you can see the dude needs some bigger hockey pants. I don't know how he's gotten so tall. He also needs new school pants and jeans, busted out of his tennis shoes, and his winter coat and snow pants were too small as well. How does this lucky kid get a new wardrobe and I don't? hehe.
And what's with the toothless grin??? All four pictures were like that.?#$?
Happy Sunday everyone.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
1st November post!
Man am I slacking! Astronomy is kicking my butt. Hockey is in full swing. It's report card/conference season. Tommy's Reconciliation classes are happening. It's just been busy. Life is good though and cheaper with gas hovering around $2/gal. Yay! Both the boys had good report cards and their teachers are pleased. That makes for a very happy Mommy. Double Yay!
Here are a few pics that are way overdue from Austin's birthday & Halloween. Can you believe Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away?
My MIL trying to surprise the boys. They weren't fooled. ;)
Amy's classroom, a few of my students had some fun of their own during the assembly.
Myself, Amy, & Jill ~ Amy's costume rocked!
Tommy, Aunt Noni, and Austin ~ Austin was just the cutest penguin.
The cupcake cake ~ Austin is no longer afraid of fire.
Thanks for looking.
Here are a few pics that are way overdue from Austin's birthday & Halloween. Can you believe Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away?
My MIL trying to surprise the boys. They weren't fooled. ;)
Amy's classroom, a few of my students had some fun of their own during the assembly.
Myself, Amy, & Jill ~ Amy's costume rocked!
Tommy, Aunt Noni, and Austin ~ Austin was just the cutest penguin.
The cupcake cake ~ Austin is no longer afraid of fire.
Thanks for looking.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Hockey Schedule
For all my local readers who are interested in seeing a game.
Hopefully this link will work, some parts of the site you have to login. Let me know if it doesn't work.
Tommy's schedule.
Have a great Wednesday! Is it really mid-week already?
Hopefully this link will work, some parts of the site you have to login. Let me know if it doesn't work.
Tommy's schedule.
Have a great Wednesday! Is it really mid-week already?
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Happy Birthday Austin!
This picture was taken this summer! Such a fun-loving guy!
Here is the half-life pic. 2 1/2 and always smiling bright.
Darker times ~ This is Austin before they air-lifted him to Ann Arbor less than a day old. I don't have any other pics of him on the computer until he was 6 months old when we got our new digital camera. I don't know how that one is there but I definitely teared up when I found it while looking for pics last night. He is truly our miracle baby. I didn't know whether to post it as it's so rough. Hard to believe but we have even rougher pics of the poor little guy. He's definitely put us through a few scares but overall we are SO lucky that he is only mildly disabled and also that he even survived. Joe and I both thought he wasn't going to make it, and look at him now. Super FIVE!
My beautiful boy is 5!! And what a joy and amazing blessing he is!
Here is the half-life pic. 2 1/2 and always smiling bright.
Darker times ~ This is Austin before they air-lifted him to Ann Arbor less than a day old. I don't have any other pics of him on the computer until he was 6 months old when we got our new digital camera. I don't know how that one is there but I definitely teared up when I found it while looking for pics last night. He is truly our miracle baby. I didn't know whether to post it as it's so rough. Hard to believe but we have even rougher pics of the poor little guy. He's definitely put us through a few scares but overall we are SO lucky that he is only mildly disabled and also that he even survived. Joe and I both thought he wasn't going to make it, and look at him now. Super FIVE!
My beautiful boy is 5!! And what a joy and amazing blessing he is!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Hockey Tourney
Back in the saddle. The boys (and 1 girl) won big time last night killing the competition 11-2. Everyone on the team had a point; either an assist or a goal. Tommy had an assist. So it was a good team effort. We had our one girl get her first goal of the season at the end of the game (buzzer beater) I was cheering and then turn to see Austin "cartwheeling" down the bleachers before landing on his head at the bottom. We were only in the third row thankfully but amazingly he only cried for a little bit and didn't even have a bump or scratch. Whew. The Mom's were certainly worried about him, he is one beloved little boy.
This afternoon they played a Canadian team and they had some older kids. We held with them through the whole game and were tied 3-3 with less than 3 minutes to go when an awesome kid busted in 2 goals within like 10 seconds to put them ahead. They then iced the game with an empty net goal.
We are playing a team that is 2-0 in the tourney tomorrow morning so our run may be over. But hey we are happy to get the one win last night.
The hotel has free breakfast and free drinks in the early evening so that is where Joe is. I'm sure you're shocked. I just read his twitter about hockey tourney's being rough with all the drinks. Oh boo.
I just got done with the boys swimming and now they are playing the Wii. Our room has been as Tommy calls it "party central." The Wii has made him pretty popular and last night Joe taped the game and had that on so that also made our room a hot spot. Fun Fun.
We have one family here that has the stomach flu. Oh Lord please don't let us get it. Of course they are right across the hall from us. The boy didn't play yesterday but did play today, his Dad is sick now. Ick. At least let us get home to Reese before it strikes! Puking is the worst!
We are staying by the Detroit airport and you can see the airplanes taking off and landing. It's pretty neat and the boys enjoy watching them.
Well hard to believe but I guess I've rambled enough. I'll let you know how tomorrow's thrashing goes. ;) 8:00 game, yawn.
This afternoon they played a Canadian team and they had some older kids. We held with them through the whole game and were tied 3-3 with less than 3 minutes to go when an awesome kid busted in 2 goals within like 10 seconds to put them ahead. They then iced the game with an empty net goal.
We are playing a team that is 2-0 in the tourney tomorrow morning so our run may be over. But hey we are happy to get the one win last night.
The hotel has free breakfast and free drinks in the early evening so that is where Joe is. I'm sure you're shocked. I just read his twitter about hockey tourney's being rough with all the drinks. Oh boo.
I just got done with the boys swimming and now they are playing the Wii. Our room has been as Tommy calls it "party central." The Wii has made him pretty popular and last night Joe taped the game and had that on so that also made our room a hot spot. Fun Fun.
We have one family here that has the stomach flu. Oh Lord please don't let us get it. Of course they are right across the hall from us. The boy didn't play yesterday but did play today, his Dad is sick now. Ick. At least let us get home to Reese before it strikes! Puking is the worst!
We are staying by the Detroit airport and you can see the airplanes taking off and landing. It's pretty neat and the boys enjoy watching them.
Well hard to believe but I guess I've rambled enough. I'll let you know how tomorrow's thrashing goes. ;) 8:00 game, yawn.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Hockey & Language Arts!!
This weekend started the official league games for Tommy's team. He had 3 exhibition games where they went 1-1-1 so we're looking to be a middle of the road team. This weekend in their first official games they got trounced 8-0 in Detroit (by a Catholic group no less, Orchard Lake St. Mary's) and were victorious 6-3 against Flint. Tommy got a goal yesterday too. Yeah! It's been exciting. Remember last year how we waited until February for him to get a goal? Now he's had 2 in his first month of games and he's still playing defense.
Tommy's coach was my coach in the spring and I just adore the man. He has two grown sons, one who was drafted by the New Jersey Devils and he also coached one kid who grew up to win the Stanley Cup. The man is seriously impressive but is also the funniest dude you will ever meet. I also think it's a positive that the kids are being coached by someone without a child on the team.
When Tommy heads out of the locker room he isn't usually chattering about something that happened in the game, he's talking about what swear words Coach Bill said that day. He's learned about the "oh shit zone" and yesterday's phrase was "if you see the other teams ass you're going the wrong way." Of course when Tommy repeats this stuff he'll say "OS zone" and "A Word." I'm glad it hasn't slipped out for real yet. I shouldn't laugh at the language but I told Joe I'm cool as long as no F bombs are dropped.
This weekend we have our first tournament action in Southgate. You're always guaranteed a good time at a tournament even if your team does terrible.
In other news...
*We had an awesome wedding to go to this weekend. It was fun to watch the drunkies.
*I got an A on my paper in Astronomy. The class is very interesting but it's hard. I worked hard on that paper and it feels good to be rewarded with a good grade.
*Austin is still doing well in Kindergarten.
*I went to bed at 7:30 last night. Isn't that pathetic?
Hope all is well in your realm. I can't believe we are in the last half of October already!
***Edited to add*** One more thing about Tommy's coach. He told him his only homework was to work on his "goal celebration" before bedtime. Joe and I are trying to teach humility and Bill wants him to work on his celebrations. Aye Carumba! See why I love this guy?
Tommy's coach was my coach in the spring and I just adore the man. He has two grown sons, one who was drafted by the New Jersey Devils and he also coached one kid who grew up to win the Stanley Cup. The man is seriously impressive but is also the funniest dude you will ever meet. I also think it's a positive that the kids are being coached by someone without a child on the team.
When Tommy heads out of the locker room he isn't usually chattering about something that happened in the game, he's talking about what swear words Coach Bill said that day. He's learned about the "oh shit zone" and yesterday's phrase was "if you see the other teams ass you're going the wrong way." Of course when Tommy repeats this stuff he'll say "OS zone" and "A Word." I'm glad it hasn't slipped out for real yet. I shouldn't laugh at the language but I told Joe I'm cool as long as no F bombs are dropped.
This weekend we have our first tournament action in Southgate. You're always guaranteed a good time at a tournament even if your team does terrible.
In other news...
*We had an awesome wedding to go to this weekend. It was fun to watch the drunkies.
*I got an A on my paper in Astronomy. The class is very interesting but it's hard. I worked hard on that paper and it feels good to be rewarded with a good grade.
*Austin is still doing well in Kindergarten.
*I went to bed at 7:30 last night. Isn't that pathetic?
Hope all is well in your realm. I can't believe we are in the last half of October already!
***Edited to add*** One more thing about Tommy's coach. He told him his only homework was to work on his "goal celebration" before bedtime. Joe and I are trying to teach humility and Bill wants him to work on his celebrations. Aye Carumba! See why I love this guy?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Humor Me
The ladies on BBC were playing this. What was the #1 song on the day you were born? Go to this site to find out #1 Song Link
June 11, 1978 Mine was "Shadow Dancing" by Andy Gibb - Kind of a let down for me.
January 21, 1976 Joe's was "Theme from 'Mahogany' (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" by Diana Ross ~ Never heard this song.
February 4, 2001 Tommy's was "It Wasn't Me" by Shaggy featuring Ricardo "RikRok" Ducent ~ Lord do I remember this, driving in our Grand Am and Joe going over and over, "it wasn't me." Stupid song, poor Tommy.
October 26, 2003 Austin's was "Baby Boy" by Beyoncé featuring Sean Paul, now that is a decent one. At least the title fits.
So indulge me, what was the #1 song when you were born? And I promise not to laugh at the age unless as one lady said your song is the Star Spangled Banner or something. ;)
June 11, 1978 Mine was "Shadow Dancing" by Andy Gibb - Kind of a let down for me.
January 21, 1976 Joe's was "Theme from 'Mahogany' (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" by Diana Ross ~ Never heard this song.
February 4, 2001 Tommy's was "It Wasn't Me" by Shaggy featuring Ricardo "RikRok" Ducent ~ Lord do I remember this, driving in our Grand Am and Joe going over and over, "it wasn't me." Stupid song, poor Tommy.
October 26, 2003 Austin's was "Baby Boy" by Beyoncé featuring Sean Paul, now that is a decent one. At least the title fits.
So indulge me, what was the #1 song when you were born? And I promise not to laugh at the age unless as one lady said your song is the Star Spangled Banner or something. ;)
Friday, October 3, 2008
The Reese Homecoming Parade
We had the local parade tonight. Every year our school has a little float and I get to walk along and get some exercise. It's fun. Sunday is another parade, much longer long but we won't be able to make it. So I dodged that bullet. I was a little tired by the end and Austin had to pee about 1/2 way through it. Thankfully he made it and went behind the elementary school.
The boys had a great time waving their flags and throwing candy. Sometimes I think it's super dangerous for the crowds. Our kids throw some line drives at people. Someone is going to lose an eye from a sucker stick one day. ;)
Just another sign that fall is here. Another Homecoming come and gone. You know Joe and I kind of hit it off on Homecoming. At the dance after the football game I remember dancing with many guys during slow songs and finally after finishing a dance and the fast dances starting back up Joe approaches me and says something along the lines of, "you know you are the hardest person to get a dance with, next slow song will you dance with me?" And so I did and it was "November Rain" the longest song ever. I remember locking eyes with him. It was certainly magical. I know there had been a little flirting before that moment between us in the first month of school but that was when I really decided, I like Joe Papesh and I wanted him to be my boyfriend. And lucky for me he still is. 16 years together! Oy vey! Sorry if I already told you that story, I don't think I have though.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Defunked by the Simpsons
Hello all, it's been a rough couple days. I've just been in a funk it seems. In fact I've just been blobbing on the couch doing nothing and feeling blue for the past couple hours. But the Simpson's have raised my spirits.
It's the episode where Nelson and Lisa kind of start liking each other. (Nelson is the bully) Well I wasn't really watching but at some point Lisa asks Nelson to play her a song on the guitar. He ended up singing my all-time favorite teacher dissing songs.
Joy to the World
the teacher's dead.
We barbequed her head!
What happened to the body?
We flushed it down the potty
and round and round it goes.
I think I remember years ago my 3rd/4th graders singing this and it just cracked me up.
Life isn't so bad around here or anything but the economic crisis, impending election, my astronomy class, oh everything is just kind of taking a little toll on my psyche.
I know I'm emotionally tender and all right now, but it's just silly how one person can say something that just sets you over an emotional cliff. I think I need to stop talking politics or reading politics or listening to political talk, I need to stop watching the news, I need to stop reading the newspaper, and I need to stop reading BabyCenter.
So with that I am getting off the couch and going to play guitar hero with Tommy. Co-op career, maybe Santa will bring us a 2nd guitar so Tommy doesn't have to play the game with the Wii remote.
It's the episode where Nelson and Lisa kind of start liking each other. (Nelson is the bully) Well I wasn't really watching but at some point Lisa asks Nelson to play her a song on the guitar. He ended up singing my all-time favorite teacher dissing songs.
Joy to the World
the teacher's dead.
We barbequed her head!
What happened to the body?
We flushed it down the potty
and round and round it goes.
I think I remember years ago my 3rd/4th graders singing this and it just cracked me up.
Life isn't so bad around here or anything but the economic crisis, impending election, my astronomy class, oh everything is just kind of taking a little toll on my psyche.
I know I'm emotionally tender and all right now, but it's just silly how one person can say something that just sets you over an emotional cliff. I think I need to stop talking politics or reading politics or listening to political talk, I need to stop watching the news, I need to stop reading the newspaper, and I need to stop reading BabyCenter.
So with that I am getting off the couch and going to play guitar hero with Tommy. Co-op career, maybe Santa will bring us a 2nd guitar so Tommy doesn't have to play the game with the Wii remote.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Hi-yo Silver...Austin's teeth
So I think I blogged last summer about him needing to get 2 cavities filled and what a horrible ordeal it was. In March at his check-up he was fine. So imagine yesterday my shock and horror when at his check up they discovered numerous cavities. I stopped counting after he pointed out four and said the word "crown." My four year old - well he'll be five when his work is done, has to have a flipping crown on his one back tooth. And I don't know how this is even possible but he has a cavity between his two front teeth as well.
Many of the cavities they'll fill with tooth colored filling but the crown will be silver. The tooth fairy will get a nice silver tooth when he is 12.
It was awful, they make the parent's wait in the waiting room and I could just hear him screaming back there. Tommy was with me and he kept saying "shouldn't you go back there and make them stop whatever they are doing?" Uh, torture. It was crazy, I never recall hearing him scream like that. He got out and you could just see that he was "shell-shocked" he didn't say anything and I said "geez, what were they doing back there I could hear you?" and he started freaking. There were twin boys in the waiting room at this point and I could see the look of terror in their eyes' wondering what was in store for them. Thankfully he calmed down fairly quickly.
So I had to go back and meet with the dentist and I felt about 2 inches tall once I was done. He went on about how tough it was to do anything because Austin wasn't very cooperative and they want to sedate him next time. Fine, whatever. He then says, "he gives you that kind of trouble brushing his teeth at home right?" and this is terrible but I lied saying yes. He doesn't give me trouble, he just doesn't do a good job and apparently I don't either. I'm sure that the sugar drinks he has are a culprit so that is our next plan of attack, getting rid of those. But what can I say we love our pop and our kool-aid. I haven't had a cavity since I was a kid, Joe's had one his entire life and Tommy has none. How come Austin has the crappy teeth?
The dentist also mentioned seeing an injury on the x-rays of his front teeth. Just another thing to make me feel like crap. I don't know what happened, all I know is Aus falls a heck of lot easier than most kids.
Needless to say I felt pretty darn deflated after leaving. I had class last night so Joe met me in Saginaw and we had dinner. Joe's ready to find a new dentist because it was such a bad experience and he made me feel like a crumb but I don't think there are any other specialists in our area. And I'm sure part of it's me and my hypersensitivity right now. But emotions aside, Lord knows how much we'll pay this time for this out of network pediatric special dentist. But what do you do, our family dentist took one look at him last summer and said "he needs a ped's dentist." I guess if we have to see this "great" dentist I'd like to not feel like a bad Mom when leaving.
Ugh, thanks for letting me vent a bit!
Many of the cavities they'll fill with tooth colored filling but the crown will be silver. The tooth fairy will get a nice silver tooth when he is 12.
It was awful, they make the parent's wait in the waiting room and I could just hear him screaming back there. Tommy was with me and he kept saying "shouldn't you go back there and make them stop whatever they are doing?" Uh, torture. It was crazy, I never recall hearing him scream like that. He got out and you could just see that he was "shell-shocked" he didn't say anything and I said "geez, what were they doing back there I could hear you?" and he started freaking. There were twin boys in the waiting room at this point and I could see the look of terror in their eyes' wondering what was in store for them. Thankfully he calmed down fairly quickly.
So I had to go back and meet with the dentist and I felt about 2 inches tall once I was done. He went on about how tough it was to do anything because Austin wasn't very cooperative and they want to sedate him next time. Fine, whatever. He then says, "he gives you that kind of trouble brushing his teeth at home right?" and this is terrible but I lied saying yes. He doesn't give me trouble, he just doesn't do a good job and apparently I don't either. I'm sure that the sugar drinks he has are a culprit so that is our next plan of attack, getting rid of those. But what can I say we love our pop and our kool-aid. I haven't had a cavity since I was a kid, Joe's had one his entire life and Tommy has none. How come Austin has the crappy teeth?
The dentist also mentioned seeing an injury on the x-rays of his front teeth. Just another thing to make me feel like crap. I don't know what happened, all I know is Aus falls a heck of lot easier than most kids.
Needless to say I felt pretty darn deflated after leaving. I had class last night so Joe met me in Saginaw and we had dinner. Joe's ready to find a new dentist because it was such a bad experience and he made me feel like a crumb but I don't think there are any other specialists in our area. And I'm sure part of it's me and my hypersensitivity right now. But emotions aside, Lord knows how much we'll pay this time for this out of network pediatric special dentist. But what do you do, our family dentist took one look at him last summer and said "he needs a ped's dentist." I guess if we have to see this "great" dentist I'd like to not feel like a bad Mom when leaving.
Ugh, thanks for letting me vent a bit!
Friday, September 19, 2008
The writing's on the wall...
After much hype, not only have my beloved Tiger's not made the playoffs but after tonight's loss I guess they won't even be going 500. Eh, it happens. I stick with 'em. I bet a pop with a few of my students every year in our "Pepsi Crown 500" and this year I have to pay up, nothing new as I lost in all those other dismal Tiger years. I thought the students betting against me this year were crazy! But I guess you just never know.
There are still a couple shining points left for the season possibly though. Magglio is battling for a repeat performance as AL batting champ and Miguel Cabrera could possibly be the leader in HR's. There's still hope for some Tiger roar.
For me personally it was a great Tiger's year. I had the awesome surprise party for my 30th in April and then I went to two other games on my real birthday and anniversary. I finished the season 3-0 for attended Tiger games! Yeah! Austin is 4-0 lifetime. I am bringing him with me to all future games until that streak ends.
As crazy as the Tiger's make me, they are still my team and I'm hoping next year will be better. No fair-weathered Tiger fan here. However, I'd be a liar if I didn't say I'm all loving the Tampa Bay Ray's right now with all their hype! I hope they can somehow win it all. They are kind of like the 2006 Tiger's. No one ever expected them to do this well. And another great thing is the Yankee's are simply 2 games away from being eliminated from playoff action for the first time in over a decade. Oh cheers! I just need them to lose two more, or Tampa Bay, Minn. or Boston to win two more and they are out. Yeah! At least that dynasty has apparently crumbled (for at least one year).
Oh my beloved baseball. How will I survive until February when spring training begins again? :)
There are still a couple shining points left for the season possibly though. Magglio is battling for a repeat performance as AL batting champ and Miguel Cabrera could possibly be the leader in HR's. There's still hope for some Tiger roar.
For me personally it was a great Tiger's year. I had the awesome surprise party for my 30th in April and then I went to two other games on my real birthday and anniversary. I finished the season 3-0 for attended Tiger games! Yeah! Austin is 4-0 lifetime. I am bringing him with me to all future games until that streak ends.
As crazy as the Tiger's make me, they are still my team and I'm hoping next year will be better. No fair-weathered Tiger fan here. However, I'd be a liar if I didn't say I'm all loving the Tampa Bay Ray's right now with all their hype! I hope they can somehow win it all. They are kind of like the 2006 Tiger's. No one ever expected them to do this well. And another great thing is the Yankee's are simply 2 games away from being eliminated from playoff action for the first time in over a decade. Oh cheers! I just need them to lose two more, or Tampa Bay, Minn. or Boston to win two more and they are out. Yeah! At least that dynasty has apparently crumbled (for at least one year).
Oh my beloved baseball. How will I survive until February when spring training begins again? :)
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Retail Therapy
The constant rain is such a downer. Joe's ballgame was obviously canceled so we went to Genji's for lunch then hit the mall. We were good and only bought a few things but it felt GREAT to spend a little $$. Penney's was having a great sale! Do you ever wonder if stores just psych you out with sales? I never buy anything for the regular retail price anymore. Makes me wonder have they seasoned me with high regular prices and the sale prices are truly the regular prices? I don't know if I buy anything that is not on sale these days. I think it must be some very intelligent marketing scheme. As it was I don't think I saw anything not on sale and you also got an extra 15% off if you used your Penney's charge.
For those of you who don't know, Genji is a Japanese Steakhouse and you sit at tables of 8 and the chef cooks for you. We sat with this family that was a couple probably in their 50's, their 19 year old son, and his girlfriend. The couple was celebrating their 22nd wedding anniversary and she just seemed kind of "cold and stuffy" and I knew when they ended up seating us together that she was probably thinking along the lines of "oh great, we have to have our wonderful meal destroyed by this young family with two wild boys." But when we were leaving she said to me, you have two very well behaved boys at dinner. Made my day. The boys were in fact excellent by the way, I guess it helped that we were all starving after church.
Well I guess not too much else is happening. The boys are still doing well in school, they both seem to enjoy it. Austin did get in trouble on Friday. He was out of his chair at lunch playing duck duck goose. He apparently thinks he's the class clown. I told his teacher and she took him aside after lunch and he broke right down upset. I'm glad that he wants to please his teacher. Hopefully that is the last of his clowning around. There is a boy in Young 5's and he pulled the fire alarm 2 days in a row. At least Austin doesn't do that. Although in fairness, I guess one day 2 years ago Joe was picking up the boys from latchkey and they were coming in from outside and Tommy accidentally pulled it because he was jumping and hitting the wall. But still so far so good this year.
Will sign off. I hope everyone is staying dry.
For those of you who don't know, Genji is a Japanese Steakhouse and you sit at tables of 8 and the chef cooks for you. We sat with this family that was a couple probably in their 50's, their 19 year old son, and his girlfriend. The couple was celebrating their 22nd wedding anniversary and she just seemed kind of "cold and stuffy" and I knew when they ended up seating us together that she was probably thinking along the lines of "oh great, we have to have our wonderful meal destroyed by this young family with two wild boys." But when we were leaving she said to me, you have two very well behaved boys at dinner. Made my day. The boys were in fact excellent by the way, I guess it helped that we were all starving after church.
Well I guess not too much else is happening. The boys are still doing well in school, they both seem to enjoy it. Austin did get in trouble on Friday. He was out of his chair at lunch playing duck duck goose. He apparently thinks he's the class clown. I told his teacher and she took him aside after lunch and he broke right down upset. I'm glad that he wants to please his teacher. Hopefully that is the last of his clowning around. There is a boy in Young 5's and he pulled the fire alarm 2 days in a row. At least Austin doesn't do that. Although in fairness, I guess one day 2 years ago Joe was picking up the boys from latchkey and they were coming in from outside and Tommy accidentally pulled it because he was jumping and hitting the wall. But still so far so good this year.
Will sign off. I hope everyone is staying dry.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
School Fun
The boys survived their first week of school. I was nervous the last month with Austin because he just wasn't interested in Kindergarten at all. He finally got excited for school last Monday when we were packing his "book pack." He now calls it a book bag. ;) Oh, he's learning so quickly. He didn't give me any trouble taking him to school and you can see by the smiles he was ok. A Mom took pictures of the kids individually that morning in the class and Austin is sitting at his table writing and he looks scared out of his mind; he looked like he could explode into tears at any moment. I'll treasure that pic. I know he has cried a bit in class but not everyday and except for some whining Ms. Kristine says he's doing well. He's definitely interested in school though and doesn't give me any grief about going in the mornings. He comes home singing his number songs, practices his writing on a white board and will ask what letter a word starts with. So if you can't tell, I'm estactic that we've had such a great intro to Kindergarten!
Tommy is also doing well. I've been impressed with his handwriting and how it's improved seemingly. Although maybe I am just comparing his to Austin's?.? Tomorrow I have his first Sacraments meeting. He makes his 1st Reconciliation, Holy Communion, and Confirmation this year. Very big year for young Thomas.
My class is great! I have 15 firecrackers and so far so good. I haven't had any trouble getting to school in the mornings either. ;) Yay!
Hope all of you that have young one's back in school have made a smooth transition into the new year. Fun times!
Tommy is also doing well. I've been impressed with his handwriting and how it's improved seemingly. Although maybe I am just comparing his to Austin's?.? Tomorrow I have his first Sacraments meeting. He makes his 1st Reconciliation, Holy Communion, and Confirmation this year. Very big year for young Thomas.
My class is great! I have 15 firecrackers and so far so good. I haven't had any trouble getting to school in the mornings either. ;) Yay!
Hope all of you that have young one's back in school have made a smooth transition into the new year. Fun times!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
My Pregnancy Blog
Hi readers, so when I found out I was expecting I needed an outlet or I would have gone crazy all summer with my thoughts. So I have a private blog that I was writing on and only 2 other people knew about it, Joe and then Amy who figured out I was expecting right away.
I didn't think I'd keep it private or even keep it at all after announcing it to the World but Joe would rather I keep the finer details of the pregnancy more private. I don't want to scare any of my student readers with my emotional stories or belly shots or such and such in the future so I'll keep it private.
I know most of you readers as most of you comment so you're all welcome to come and read. Just send me an email which you can find in my profile and I will invite you. It's kind of religious themed too so that might scare a few of you away also, so don't feel like you have to read it either.
Have a great weekend. I've come down with a crummy cold. Ick.
I didn't think I'd keep it private or even keep it at all after announcing it to the World but Joe would rather I keep the finer details of the pregnancy more private. I don't want to scare any of my student readers with my emotional stories or belly shots or such and such in the future so I'll keep it private.
I know most of you readers as most of you comment so you're all welcome to come and read. Just send me an email which you can find in my profile and I will invite you. It's kind of religious themed too so that might scare a few of you away also, so don't feel like you have to read it either.
Have a great weekend. I've come down with a crummy cold. Ick.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Oopsie!
Posted the school work here. Apparently the week back to work took a lot out of me. ;)
Actually it's going very well. I hope to have a chance to update this weekend. TGIF!!
Actually it's going very well. I hope to have a chance to update this weekend. TGIF!!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Disney Magic
We are having a wonderful time and of course as usual the time is going by way too quickly. Sunday will be here before we know it and then Tuesday starts a new school year. 2nd grade for Tommy & Kindergarten for Austin.
The weather has been beautiful, we had a major rain on Monday evening which we missed most of thanks to having dinner. And we just got chased out of the pool for a storm so we are just vegging in our room. It looks like we sandwiched our trip perfectly between Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Gustav. I guess this place was just drenched last week. Cool for us!
Tommy has been the man and rode all the major rides including Rock n'Roller Coaster which is now his new fave and Tower of Terror today! Austin likes the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I can't imagine my Grandparents riding that, but they did back in the day. `My magical moment was being cast as an extra in the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular today. It pays to be a big ol' loudmouth jumping up and down like a crazy person. I was the first woman picked! Maybe I missed my calling, I should be in pictures. ;) hehe.
The crowds seem lighter this late in the summer and the heat and humidity though still there, just don't seem as intense as our other summer trips.
Thanks again to everyone for the congrats on our earlier thread. Joe is pumping me full of water so don't worry. ;) Plus, I find all the shady spots while they are off riding. I'm feeling great and seem to be gaining momentum as the week goes on. We haven't needed naps as we are coming home earlier in the evening than we have on other trips.
I'll go ahead and close with a few pics. It's hard to pick just a few. Love to all! See you soon!
The weather has been beautiful, we had a major rain on Monday evening which we missed most of thanks to having dinner. And we just got chased out of the pool for a storm so we are just vegging in our room. It looks like we sandwiched our trip perfectly between Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Gustav. I guess this place was just drenched last week. Cool for us!
Tommy has been the man and rode all the major rides including Rock n'Roller Coaster which is now his new fave and Tower of Terror today! Austin likes the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I can't imagine my Grandparents riding that, but they did back in the day. `My magical moment was being cast as an extra in the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular today. It pays to be a big ol' loudmouth jumping up and down like a crazy person. I was the first woman picked! Maybe I missed my calling, I should be in pictures. ;) hehe.
The crowds seem lighter this late in the summer and the heat and humidity though still there, just don't seem as intense as our other summer trips.
Thanks again to everyone for the congrats on our earlier thread. Joe is pumping me full of water so don't worry. ;) Plus, I find all the shady spots while they are off riding. I'm feeling great and seem to be gaining momentum as the week goes on. We haven't needed naps as we are coming home earlier in the evening than we have on other trips.
I'll go ahead and close with a few pics. It's hard to pick just a few. Love to all! See you soon!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Greetings from Walt Disney World
Airfare ~ $800
Hotel Room ~ $700
Park Hoppers ~ $800
Meal Plan ~ Free
Knowing there are 5 Papesh's in this picture ~ PRICELESS!!!!!
Our Lucky Charm is due March 20th, 2009!!!
Hotel Room ~ $700
Park Hoppers ~ $800
Meal Plan ~ Free
Knowing there are 5 Papesh's in this picture ~ PRICELESS!!!!!
Our Lucky Charm is due March 20th, 2009!!!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Catch Up Postie!
Seems I've been away hasn't it? Actually we've been around, just busy. Here is life in a nutshell. Each stanza is 25 words or less.
~Angie & Tim's wedding - Finally! Nice time. We also had my friends stay with us, we had four guests representing, NJ, IL, PA, and CA!
~I witnessed 2 tattoo's. It was interesting.
~Austin's MRI - went well. I get the results tomorrow. My Mom almost passed out in the recovery room though. It was kind of funny.
~Gabbie & Lupe's 50th birthday party and Damon's! Yummy!
~Softball party at the Wark's. More Yummy fun!
~Back to work this week. My classroom looks great and I'm pretty much ready for Florida guilt free.
~Meagan & Jacob's wedding - Absolutely beautiful, and we had a wonderful time. Dad & Scott were particularly entertaining that night too.
~Autumn Rose's marker was set in the cemetery. It is really nice. Joe has a picture on his blog of it.
~Enjoying the Olympics.
~Got a 30% off at Kohl's so we went crazy. Yeah!
~Chuck E Cheese - I wanted the salad bar and they had to wristband me. Are people really that cheap that they steal off a salad bar?
~Bowling party with the volleyball team. It was great to see the students again.
~Guitar Hero 3 quit working, a new disc is being shipped. Thank the lord! ;)
And there you have it! Life is good!
~Angie & Tim's wedding - Finally! Nice time. We also had my friends stay with us, we had four guests representing, NJ, IL, PA, and CA!
~I witnessed 2 tattoo's. It was interesting.
~Austin's MRI - went well. I get the results tomorrow. My Mom almost passed out in the recovery room though. It was kind of funny.
~Gabbie & Lupe's 50th birthday party and Damon's! Yummy!
~Softball party at the Wark's. More Yummy fun!
~Back to work this week. My classroom looks great and I'm pretty much ready for Florida guilt free.
~Meagan & Jacob's wedding - Absolutely beautiful, and we had a wonderful time. Dad & Scott were particularly entertaining that night too.
~Autumn Rose's marker was set in the cemetery. It is really nice. Joe has a picture on his blog of it.
~Enjoying the Olympics.
~Got a 30% off at Kohl's so we went crazy. Yeah!
~Chuck E Cheese - I wanted the salad bar and they had to wristband me. Are people really that cheap that they steal off a salad bar?
~Bowling party with the volleyball team. It was great to see the students again.
~Guitar Hero 3 quit working, a new disc is being shipped. Thank the lord! ;)
And there you have it! Life is good!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Hola!
Warning! You may get the following song stuck in your head for days and days! Spanish Mike is quite the internet craze but many of my friends have never heard of him so here I am posting this for ya'll.
My Mom will brag that she was teaching me Spanish when I was a toddler and that is why I am so smart. hehe. Sorry Mom, don't remember anything. I was impressed that she was able to understand this video; I didn't have a clue until I got the English subtitled version and realized it's absolutely hilarious.
This is also in honor of my bilingual boss Gabbie who hails from Argentina. She was very impressed yesterday with my increase in Spanish language and it's all thanks to this song!
Enjoy!
This version has the subtitles.
My Mom will brag that she was teaching me Spanish when I was a toddler and that is why I am so smart. hehe. Sorry Mom, don't remember anything. I was impressed that she was able to understand this video; I didn't have a clue until I got the English subtitled version and realized it's absolutely hilarious.
This is also in honor of my bilingual boss Gabbie who hails from Argentina. She was very impressed yesterday with my increase in Spanish language and it's all thanks to this song!
Enjoy!
This version has the subtitles.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
JoDa Adventures
Yesterday Joe and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. It seems like forever ago and we've experienced so much together, the good, the bad, the ugly. Thankfully the good far outweighs the bad and ugly thus far.
Our 12th married year together had a very interesting start.
Good - We went to the Tiger game with the family and they won!
Bad - The game was delayed an hour due to rain.
Ugly - I-75 was shut down in 2 different places and our MDOT didn't have proper detour signage and we ended up in the Detroit ghetto. Scary.
Interesting - We stopped in Flint for gas and it was 1:00am. Not the greatest area in MI. Well some biker guy comes up and asks if we have jumper cables and can we give him a jump. I'm always the compassionate one and chime in yeah definitely before the more "street smart" Joe could decline. My Dad, Joe's brother & Mother were there with us. It was quite crazy as the guy's starter wasn't working and so he had to take a wrench and try to start it and sparks were literally flying everywhere. He asked me to rev my engine a bit and after about 5 minutes Sparky got his motorcycle running.
Joe was just worried as it was 1:00am in a bad area, you don't know who this guy is he could have been some sort of crazy, plus he was worried about the electrical system in our van being destroyed by this man's decrepit motorcycle.
Once it was all over and we were safely on our way again we were happy we were able to help some stranger in need. It made for some interesting conversation for our last 1/2 hour of the trip. Joe and I went back and forth over was it right to help him or wrong, or simply crazy? Dad mentioned the story in the Bible of the good Samaritan and how no one would help and so I felt that helped my case. I have promised Joe not to do something like that when it's just the boys and I. I then also stated I would not be out driving after midnight by myself with the boys. Poor Joe such a worrier, but I love him. Can't help it.
Happy Anniversary Sweeters!
Our 12th married year together had a very interesting start.
Good - We went to the Tiger game with the family and they won!
Bad - The game was delayed an hour due to rain.
Ugly - I-75 was shut down in 2 different places and our MDOT didn't have proper detour signage and we ended up in the Detroit ghetto. Scary.
Interesting - We stopped in Flint for gas and it was 1:00am. Not the greatest area in MI. Well some biker guy comes up and asks if we have jumper cables and can we give him a jump. I'm always the compassionate one and chime in yeah definitely before the more "street smart" Joe could decline. My Dad, Joe's brother & Mother were there with us. It was quite crazy as the guy's starter wasn't working and so he had to take a wrench and try to start it and sparks were literally flying everywhere. He asked me to rev my engine a bit and after about 5 minutes Sparky got his motorcycle running.
Joe was just worried as it was 1:00am in a bad area, you don't know who this guy is he could have been some sort of crazy, plus he was worried about the electrical system in our van being destroyed by this man's decrepit motorcycle.
Once it was all over and we were safely on our way again we were happy we were able to help some stranger in need. It made for some interesting conversation for our last 1/2 hour of the trip. Joe and I went back and forth over was it right to help him or wrong, or simply crazy? Dad mentioned the story in the Bible of the good Samaritan and how no one would help and so I felt that helped my case. I have promised Joe not to do something like that when it's just the boys and I. I then also stated I would not be out driving after midnight by myself with the boys. Poor Joe such a worrier, but I love him. Can't help it.
Happy Anniversary Sweeters!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
On a lighter note
Or cooler note...hehe. Tommy had his hockey tryouts this week and we just got the email about 20 minutes ago. Tommy made the team!! He is very excited as are Joe & I.
He looked awesome out there this week so I was pretty sure he was going to make it, but until you see the official roster you never know. It's going to be a very good year (and an expensive one) and we are so proud of him. He worked so hard!
Helicopter Mommy
"A helicopter parent is a term for a person who pays extremely close attention to his or her child or children, particularly at educational institutions. They rush to prevent any harm or failure from befalling them or letting them learn from their own mistakes, sometimes even contrary to the children's wishes. They are so named because, like a helicopter, they hover closely overhead, rarely out of reach whether their children need them or not." ~ wikipedia
I'm always joking this is me. But seriously being a helicopter parent is not healthy for growing independent children. Austin obviously has this worse but Tommy isn't that much better off.
This summer I watch kids from our neighborhood biking all over the place, the little girl down the road comes down unsupervised in her Barbie car. Clans move along and I'm sure Tommy would have a blast joining them but I fear letting him off on his own. Plus Austin would be upset because I'd certainly make him stay home.
Just this summer I've finally let Austin play out in our yard by himself. Of course I open the window so I can hear the basketball bounce but as soon as I don't hear him for even a minute I go check on him. Sometimes I'll panic because he's gone, only to find him playing in the backyard or in the garage. Why am I so paranoid? I live in flipping Mayberry, nothing bad ever happens here. I have this irrational fear of that one strange time where the kids get snatched, or a big dog attacks, or they upset a bees nest. I know I'm strange. Our kids are the only ones in the neighborhood that are forced to wear bike helmets and Tommy can't ride unless I'm out there.
I always thought I would just hover over them for safety issues but now I'm starting to worry about school. Just for Austin, Tommy has never had an issue with school academically and he is one of the lucky ones who probably never will. But Austin, Austin, Austin. I'm highly questioning this move to Kindergarten. He's not excited about it at all and I fear he will be crying all day. Then again, he would probably cry going to school regardless after being home all summer. But he's just not seeming like he's a. mature enough for Kindergarten and b. smart enough and c. mobile enough. Let's expand on this.
a. Maturity - See the crying above. Also, behavior wise he'll copy others and he also tends to not listen. He does what he wants and sometimes just refuses to stop something even if knows the consequences. He's a whiner and tattle tale too. Not a good student combo.
b. Brains - Could he have some sort of mild learning disability? We work everyday on numbers and letters. The letters and sounds he does great individually. But ask him like what does pig start with and he'll say some odd letter and I'll even give him a "p" and "s" and he might say "s." Numbers are even worse. We've really been working for over a year and he can't count higher than 13 without getting jumbled. He recognizes "26" and "15" because they are my hockey numbers. Every morning he gets on the scale and is either 33 - 35 pounds and he won't know what the number is. Isn't that strange? And sometimes he just doesn't want to perform and won't do anything. I've noticed he has trouble patterning a huge skill.
c. motor skills - scissor work could be downright dangerous. His printing is not too bad but he holds his pencil wrong and doesn't write fluidly. i.e. he'll form his letters in unconventional ways. Then you've got the problem of getting him lunch, he can't change his shoes, or put on his coat. I'm putting him in a classroom where he'll surely dominate the teacher and how fair is that to the other kids?
I know you all are going to come in here and blast me for this but it's really how I feel. And don't get me wrong, I'm proud of Austin and am so happy with all he's accomplished. These fears seem almost silly compared to what I feared back in 2004. But you always strive for more and I just want him to do well. I think I've done a very good job realizing he's not Tommy, however am I doing Austin a disservice by pushing him so hard? And I do know there is nothing wrong with Austin repeating Kindergarten if necessary. But what if this is the longest year of his life and I set him up with a hatred of school? Once again that irrational paranoia gets me.
Oh what to do? I suppose for now I'll just keep hovering close by. ;)
I'm always joking this is me. But seriously being a helicopter parent is not healthy for growing independent children. Austin obviously has this worse but Tommy isn't that much better off.
This summer I watch kids from our neighborhood biking all over the place, the little girl down the road comes down unsupervised in her Barbie car. Clans move along and I'm sure Tommy would have a blast joining them but I fear letting him off on his own. Plus Austin would be upset because I'd certainly make him stay home.
Just this summer I've finally let Austin play out in our yard by himself. Of course I open the window so I can hear the basketball bounce but as soon as I don't hear him for even a minute I go check on him. Sometimes I'll panic because he's gone, only to find him playing in the backyard or in the garage. Why am I so paranoid? I live in flipping Mayberry, nothing bad ever happens here. I have this irrational fear of that one strange time where the kids get snatched, or a big dog attacks, or they upset a bees nest. I know I'm strange. Our kids are the only ones in the neighborhood that are forced to wear bike helmets and Tommy can't ride unless I'm out there.
I always thought I would just hover over them for safety issues but now I'm starting to worry about school. Just for Austin, Tommy has never had an issue with school academically and he is one of the lucky ones who probably never will. But Austin, Austin, Austin. I'm highly questioning this move to Kindergarten. He's not excited about it at all and I fear he will be crying all day. Then again, he would probably cry going to school regardless after being home all summer. But he's just not seeming like he's a. mature enough for Kindergarten and b. smart enough and c. mobile enough. Let's expand on this.
a. Maturity - See the crying above. Also, behavior wise he'll copy others and he also tends to not listen. He does what he wants and sometimes just refuses to stop something even if knows the consequences. He's a whiner and tattle tale too. Not a good student combo.
b. Brains - Could he have some sort of mild learning disability? We work everyday on numbers and letters. The letters and sounds he does great individually. But ask him like what does pig start with and he'll say some odd letter and I'll even give him a "p" and "s" and he might say "s." Numbers are even worse. We've really been working for over a year and he can't count higher than 13 without getting jumbled. He recognizes "26" and "15" because they are my hockey numbers. Every morning he gets on the scale and is either 33 - 35 pounds and he won't know what the number is. Isn't that strange? And sometimes he just doesn't want to perform and won't do anything. I've noticed he has trouble patterning a huge skill.
c. motor skills - scissor work could be downright dangerous. His printing is not too bad but he holds his pencil wrong and doesn't write fluidly. i.e. he'll form his letters in unconventional ways. Then you've got the problem of getting him lunch, he can't change his shoes, or put on his coat. I'm putting him in a classroom where he'll surely dominate the teacher and how fair is that to the other kids?
I know you all are going to come in here and blast me for this but it's really how I feel. And don't get me wrong, I'm proud of Austin and am so happy with all he's accomplished. These fears seem almost silly compared to what I feared back in 2004. But you always strive for more and I just want him to do well. I think I've done a very good job realizing he's not Tommy, however am I doing Austin a disservice by pushing him so hard? And I do know there is nothing wrong with Austin repeating Kindergarten if necessary. But what if this is the longest year of his life and I set him up with a hatred of school? Once again that irrational paranoia gets me.
Oh what to do? I suppose for now I'll just keep hovering close by. ;)
Monday, August 4, 2008
Fore!
The trees taunt you; the sand mocks you; the water calls your name...and
they say golf is a quiet game. ~ Bob Hope
Yep we hit the ball everywhere! We were hoping to resurrect our NYC group and play golf but poor Lupe hurt her knee and was out. So it was just the three of us in our fancy dancy scramble. Guys vs. Girls!
Here are a few of the finer points of the day.
Golf Shoes - I practically stole them from Meijers at $19.99 for Nike's. They weren't in the computer but the price tag said $19.99, no other shoes were found for under $40. Yeah! I can't golf, but I look good.
Jill's dream - I'm not going to steal her thunder, but hopefully she'll post soon so you can here about her "dream" the night before golfing.
Joe's practice - In the yard before 7:00am, Joe is already out hitting practice balls. The neighbors probably thought he had been drinking or something.
Vegas/Mulligan Hole - We are all up there blasting away with our #1 woods at this 148 yd hole and Lisa W (who is running the hole) says, "can I give you some advice, no one is using their woods on this hole." Amy then looks at her with her #3 wood and says "I am using an iron." The club is made of iron right? hehe.
The Prank - Only good the first time! On I think our 4th hole, I managed to unclasp Amy's golf bag from her cart. She took off and bang bang bang go all her clubs! Yup it was great. She then proceeded to get me with the same trick twice. ;) I then got her for a final time on our 17th hole.
Her Retaliation - At one point she parked her cart right behind mine and before I could get on it again she drove pushing my cart for quite a ways before it finally veered off on its own. So I had to run to get my cart. That was a good one.
1 great shot - On the $10,000 Hole in One hole. I actually got a hold of the ball and got my drive on the green! Woot!
Divots - I think we dug up more land than an excavation company.
Gas Gas Gas - Amy's golf cart kept "farting."
The Race - It was a race back to the clubhouse after the 18th hole and I think we maybe thought we were Indy racers or in bumper cars but that hoser Amy cut me off and nearly ran me into a ditch! Biatch!
It really was a great time. We easily got last place, possibly setting a record for the worst golf scramble ever. Next year we are hoping we can stay under 100. ;) Yup, that bad. We were 36 over par. Very easy winners of the toilet paper.
The guys didn't do too poorly and finised 8 over par and too won the TP case.
On our way back to Reese we drove by my Dad's as it's on the way and we flew in to visit because he was out mowing the lawn. It was a nice surprise and he was shocked at how good looking everyone is as he's used to seeing them all grubbed up and ready for softball. He probably didn't recognize Dennis as he didn't have any blood pouring off of him. ;)
The crew stayed at our house for a few because my neighbors had dropped off a giant bag of "belly flops" Jelly Bellies for us that were deformed. Amy & Jill were making all kinds of recipes. Mike killed our bathroom and all was right with the world.
An excellent day!
Jill using the ball washer.
Another great Amy drive!
Crazy Driver!
The hook! This got lots of productive use.
Gabbie takes time out from watching for hole in ones and tees off as our 4th golfer on hole 17.
So looking pro!
The happy TP winners!
The SE gang!
It's Jelly Belly time!
they say golf is a quiet game. ~ Bob Hope
Yep we hit the ball everywhere! We were hoping to resurrect our NYC group and play golf but poor Lupe hurt her knee and was out. So it was just the three of us in our fancy dancy scramble. Guys vs. Girls!
Here are a few of the finer points of the day.
Golf Shoes - I practically stole them from Meijers at $19.99 for Nike's. They weren't in the computer but the price tag said $19.99, no other shoes were found for under $40. Yeah! I can't golf, but I look good.
Jill's dream - I'm not going to steal her thunder, but hopefully she'll post soon so you can here about her "dream" the night before golfing.
Joe's practice - In the yard before 7:00am, Joe is already out hitting practice balls. The neighbors probably thought he had been drinking or something.
Vegas/Mulligan Hole - We are all up there blasting away with our #1 woods at this 148 yd hole and Lisa W (who is running the hole) says, "can I give you some advice, no one is using their woods on this hole." Amy then looks at her with her #3 wood and says "I am using an iron." The club is made of iron right? hehe.
The Prank - Only good the first time! On I think our 4th hole, I managed to unclasp Amy's golf bag from her cart. She took off and bang bang bang go all her clubs! Yup it was great. She then proceeded to get me with the same trick twice. ;) I then got her for a final time on our 17th hole.
Her Retaliation - At one point she parked her cart right behind mine and before I could get on it again she drove pushing my cart for quite a ways before it finally veered off on its own. So I had to run to get my cart. That was a good one.
1 great shot - On the $10,000 Hole in One hole. I actually got a hold of the ball and got my drive on the green! Woot!
Divots - I think we dug up more land than an excavation company.
Gas Gas Gas - Amy's golf cart kept "farting."
The Race - It was a race back to the clubhouse after the 18th hole and I think we maybe thought we were Indy racers or in bumper cars but that hoser Amy cut me off and nearly ran me into a ditch! Biatch!
It really was a great time. We easily got last place, possibly setting a record for the worst golf scramble ever. Next year we are hoping we can stay under 100. ;) Yup, that bad. We were 36 over par. Very easy winners of the toilet paper.
The guys didn't do too poorly and finised 8 over par and too won the TP case.
On our way back to Reese we drove by my Dad's as it's on the way and we flew in to visit because he was out mowing the lawn. It was a nice surprise and he was shocked at how good looking everyone is as he's used to seeing them all grubbed up and ready for softball. He probably didn't recognize Dennis as he didn't have any blood pouring off of him. ;)
The crew stayed at our house for a few because my neighbors had dropped off a giant bag of "belly flops" Jelly Bellies for us that were deformed. Amy & Jill were making all kinds of recipes. Mike killed our bathroom and all was right with the world.
An excellent day!
Jill using the ball washer.
Another great Amy drive!
Crazy Driver!
The hook! This got lots of productive use.
Gabbie takes time out from watching for hole in ones and tees off as our 4th golfer on hole 17.
So looking pro!
The happy TP winners!
The SE gang!
It's Jelly Belly time!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Now He Really Looks Like A Hockey Player!
His first top shelf tooth is gone! Maybe that will be good luck for his tryouts next week.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
B I N G O ! ! !
Last night the coworkers and I trudged out to the smoky Bingo Hall for our annual fun filled evening and supported our wonderful Knights of Columbus. Joe works these bingos sometimes and had told me all about this new pull-tab game called Bingo balls. Let's just say that he said "easy $150" and I way over spent and didn't even get a single ball pulled on my "balls" card. Cool thing with this game is that it's in addition to the regular game and you only have to get 3 matches and instead of yelling "Bingo" you yell "BALLS!!!" Yes, it's great and the men selling the "Bingo balls" I'm sure enjoyed the heckling, "hey sell me some of your balls." Yes we are crazy.
We're not really pro Bingo people and one lady was hooting "them group really be loud" in an annoyed kind of voice so we tried to tone it down but it's fun darn it.
The crowd is about 99% over 60 years old smoking crankpots and the other 1% weird men & us. ;) At one point for a $100 game I was one ball away forever from winning. Blasted G48! One weird man throughout the night would yell out loud whatever ball he wanted to be called and low and behold he finally yells BINGO on this $100 game that I was hoping to win. Turns out it was a bad Bingo, guess what ball he mistakingly had marked at some point? G48...hehe. Isn't that odd? Poor guy. Some other man during another game excitedly yells "BALLS!" in the middle of game where they weren't playing Bingo Balls. Then the poor Bingo caller a couple times forgot to put the balls on the tv screen and people were screaming. During the final jackpot game people play 60 cards instead of their regular 50 and then start hollering that they're calling too fast!!! Good lord I thought the place was going to riot! Gosh it was exciting!
It's amazing how serious people take this. The lucky charms, bingo paraphenalia, people playing dozens of cards and not even marking them, talking on their cell phones and knowing they've bingo'd. It's quite the site. Besides the terrible smoke it's really a great time and I could see how people could get hooked on it. And except for the Bingo Balls game, it's a fairly economical evening.
Lisa & Amy were the lucky winners this year both winning $25 each.
Here are a few terrible pics of us, the group pics were taken after the bingo was over. We had to make it look like we were marking madly with our bingo dobbers. Like my crazy hair and crooked glasses? And I don't know how Jill is the only one with demon eyes?? Nice. You should have seen that place clear out! I've never seen a crowd clearing like it! If you have not made it to a real bingo you have to go, it is quite the life experience.
We're not really pro Bingo people and one lady was hooting "them group really be loud" in an annoyed kind of voice so we tried to tone it down but it's fun darn it.
The crowd is about 99% over 60 years old smoking crankpots and the other 1% weird men & us. ;) At one point for a $100 game I was one ball away forever from winning. Blasted G48! One weird man throughout the night would yell out loud whatever ball he wanted to be called and low and behold he finally yells BINGO on this $100 game that I was hoping to win. Turns out it was a bad Bingo, guess what ball he mistakingly had marked at some point? G48...hehe. Isn't that odd? Poor guy. Some other man during another game excitedly yells "BALLS!" in the middle of game where they weren't playing Bingo Balls. Then the poor Bingo caller a couple times forgot to put the balls on the tv screen and people were screaming. During the final jackpot game people play 60 cards instead of their regular 50 and then start hollering that they're calling too fast!!! Good lord I thought the place was going to riot! Gosh it was exciting!
It's amazing how serious people take this. The lucky charms, bingo paraphenalia, people playing dozens of cards and not even marking them, talking on their cell phones and knowing they've bingo'd. It's quite the site. Besides the terrible smoke it's really a great time and I could see how people could get hooked on it. And except for the Bingo Balls game, it's a fairly economical evening.
Lisa & Amy were the lucky winners this year both winning $25 each.
Here are a few terrible pics of us, the group pics were taken after the bingo was over. We had to make it look like we were marking madly with our bingo dobbers. Like my crazy hair and crooked glasses? And I don't know how Jill is the only one with demon eyes?? Nice. You should have seen that place clear out! I've never seen a crowd clearing like it! If you have not made it to a real bingo you have to go, it is quite the life experience. 
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Rash News
Well the doc thinks it's connected to the viral infection he had last week. If he gets worse like his skin starts peeling or his joints get stiff I need to get him back in. Poor Aus, he's always been my sickly one. The rash is definitely getting worse and he seems to be scratching at it a bit.
He did have a strep test and that came back normal so I'm thankful for that. The doc also said I don't need to have him quarantined or anything so that is good. Thank goodness, Grandma is having us over for dinner and swimming this afternoon. Yay! Home cooking!
So we continue, staying the course.
He did have a strep test and that came back normal so I'm thankful for that. The doc also said I don't need to have him quarantined or anything so that is good. Thank goodness, Grandma is having us over for dinner and swimming this afternoon. Yay! Home cooking!
So we continue, staying the course.
Rash Help
Okay, all you freaky skin disease people. Any clue what this is? It's not bothering him, he's not itching. I noticed it yesterday before swimming it was light on his belly. Now it's spread on his face and extremities. It doesn't even look bad though, I'm not sure you'll be able to tell in the pictures. Should I call the doc? They have sick appt. on Saturdays or maybe Med Express. Or should I just stay the course?
It's a bunch of little red raised bumps but they're very concentrated. Thanks for the help.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Chinese Food Fight
Kind of sounds like a before and after category on Wheel of Fortune.
Today I dumped off the kids at school summer camp because I had a ton of running to do. I had stopped in to school to just take care of a few oddities and it was Austin's idea to stay and Tommy was game so I was free from them for the afternoon.
I decided to have lunch at my favorite little Chinese restaurant that is a borderline dive. I love the egg drop soup there and the one little Korean waitress just loves the boys so we frequent it often. Well she wasn't there today. A young probably college aged student with blonde hair that was dyed pink underneath her top layer was my waitress. She was taking great care of me and I was savoring my egg roll and egg drop soup. Soon the owner and her start arguing and the waitress was being really really loud!!! All about the girls hours were cut because they hired their daughter-in-law and she's a terrible worker and on and on and on.
I couldn't believe that they would just argue like that in front of the customers. After about 5 minutes they finally sat down on the other side of the room but I could still hear the waitress clearly spouting off the same things over and over. How she's been there 2 1/2 years and her feelings are really hurt and woe is her. I couldn't believe she was talking to the owner like that. I was waiting to hear her get fired.
My entree sat in the window forever while they argued. Finally another waitress got it for me and some poor soul sat on hold while they argued. They had hung up by the time the owner did pick up the phone.
I was just disappointed because I love that place, and the other waitress apologized that I had to witness that and just said they are all frustrated and that the owner can be really loud. I just saw a spoiled brat waitress who has no common sense. You just don't go off on your boss in public!
I did get an interesting fortune in my cookie though. It said I will help a dear friend in need. Wonder what that could be about? Let me know if any of you are in need of help or something.
So it was needless to say an interesting experience and I think I am afraid to go back soon. I was ready for the rice to go flying! And hours later I'm left wondering if they are still arguing as the waitress wasn't relenting at all by the time I left. SOY!
Today I dumped off the kids at school summer camp because I had a ton of running to do. I had stopped in to school to just take care of a few oddities and it was Austin's idea to stay and Tommy was game so I was free from them for the afternoon.
I decided to have lunch at my favorite little Chinese restaurant that is a borderline dive. I love the egg drop soup there and the one little Korean waitress just loves the boys so we frequent it often. Well she wasn't there today. A young probably college aged student with blonde hair that was dyed pink underneath her top layer was my waitress. She was taking great care of me and I was savoring my egg roll and egg drop soup. Soon the owner and her start arguing and the waitress was being really really loud!!! All about the girls hours were cut because they hired their daughter-in-law and she's a terrible worker and on and on and on.
I couldn't believe that they would just argue like that in front of the customers. After about 5 minutes they finally sat down on the other side of the room but I could still hear the waitress clearly spouting off the same things over and over. How she's been there 2 1/2 years and her feelings are really hurt and woe is her. I couldn't believe she was talking to the owner like that. I was waiting to hear her get fired.
My entree sat in the window forever while they argued. Finally another waitress got it for me and some poor soul sat on hold while they argued. They had hung up by the time the owner did pick up the phone.
I was just disappointed because I love that place, and the other waitress apologized that I had to witness that and just said they are all frustrated and that the owner can be really loud. I just saw a spoiled brat waitress who has no common sense. You just don't go off on your boss in public!
I did get an interesting fortune in my cookie though. It said I will help a dear friend in need. Wonder what that could be about? Let me know if any of you are in need of help or something.
So it was needless to say an interesting experience and I think I am afraid to go back soon. I was ready for the rice to go flying! And hours later I'm left wondering if they are still arguing as the waitress wasn't relenting at all by the time I left. SOY!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Happy Birthday to my blog!
That's right I've been blogging for exactly a year now. I looked back and said that I wouldn't be surprised if I was done in two weeks. But here I am going strong a whole year later. And I have to say I love it! I enjoy keeping in touch with people via blogger and have also enjoyed looking back throughout the year.
Thanks to all my regular readers and my occasional guests! I hope you've enjoyed the blog and I can continue to make it interesting, or at least try to make it interesting.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Who's the crappy blogger?
I swear July hit and I tuned out. Is it really July 18th already? This month is going by crazy fast. Insane since Joe will be in Maine for most of it. Only one more long stint and he will be done traveling for awhile.
This week he was home so it was the perfect time for me and the boys to give him his just desserts and deserted him for a Rambler weekend in Illinois. Debbie was so gracious to host our gathering. Angie and Heather and their children were there too. It was great to get together and the boys had a wonderful time. Debbie has a nice slide show on her blog. I worked on a collage last night and I finally gave up when it did NOT WORK after trying about 20 times! Thankfully we all get together again next month sans kiddos for Angie's wedding. If you are into music, head to her blog and help her decide on a wedding song for her and Tim. She's having a time.
Tuesday Debbie and I took the kids to the Heart of Illinois Fair and I finally got to meet Kelly and Kenzee my newest internet friend. We had a very nice time and Kelly is such a sweet gal. It's was great to spend the evening with her and Kenzee. We took the scenic route home thanks to Hermoine (our GPS) and jammed to Deb's lame-o tunes on her IPOD. It's amazing we have the same dorky taste in music! LOVED IT! So you want to know what's playing on my PC at this moment? Video Killed the Radio Star...Classic!
On the home front, Tommy finally finished his ball season with a tourney last weekend. They played well, taking 3rd. We're letting him have the rest of the month off and then it's tryouts for travel hockey. Before we know it, we'll be in the throes of school.
Austin has been sick the past two days with a fever. Ugh, fevers make me nervous! He's up and down with the Motrin/Tylenol. He has a viral throat infection and the doc was surprised he wasn't complaining more about pain. I guess it's supposed to be very uncomfortable. Please pray that no one else in the family gets it! He has been very tolerable, I think I would be a big baby. That's my Aus, the sickly one, my little trooper.
The Sod Farm has it's tourney this Sunday. Of course the family is double booked. We have missed so many games this year. 2 due to a hockey tourney, 1 due to baseball. Darn Tommy is putting a kink in things and Sunday is the same with his team hockey party. The Sodders finished 5-2 in the regular season. Apparently they don't miss Joe and I too bad! Maybe this will be the year we go all the way!!! We put the A$$ in Grass!
Well how was that for a catch up post? I'm now off to continue my jamming. We have 1436 tunes on the winamp. Currently Barry White - You Sexy Thing is playing. Maybe that could be Angie & Tim's wedding song. Hehe, or they could change the lyrics, "I believe in miracles, 10 long years, we're getting hitched." Oh Yeah!
Better go before I lose readers. Now playing, The Beatles ~ Come Together. Good stuff.
This week he was home so it was the perfect time for me and the boys to give him his just desserts and deserted him for a Rambler weekend in Illinois. Debbie was so gracious to host our gathering. Angie and Heather and their children were there too. It was great to get together and the boys had a wonderful time. Debbie has a nice slide show on her blog. I worked on a collage last night and I finally gave up when it did NOT WORK after trying about 20 times! Thankfully we all get together again next month sans kiddos for Angie's wedding. If you are into music, head to her blog and help her decide on a wedding song for her and Tim. She's having a time.
Tuesday Debbie and I took the kids to the Heart of Illinois Fair and I finally got to meet Kelly and Kenzee my newest internet friend. We had a very nice time and Kelly is such a sweet gal. It's was great to spend the evening with her and Kenzee. We took the scenic route home thanks to Hermoine (our GPS) and jammed to Deb's lame-o tunes on her IPOD. It's amazing we have the same dorky taste in music! LOVED IT! So you want to know what's playing on my PC at this moment? Video Killed the Radio Star...Classic!
On the home front, Tommy finally finished his ball season with a tourney last weekend. They played well, taking 3rd. We're letting him have the rest of the month off and then it's tryouts for travel hockey. Before we know it, we'll be in the throes of school.
Austin has been sick the past two days with a fever. Ugh, fevers make me nervous! He's up and down with the Motrin/Tylenol. He has a viral throat infection and the doc was surprised he wasn't complaining more about pain. I guess it's supposed to be very uncomfortable. Please pray that no one else in the family gets it! He has been very tolerable, I think I would be a big baby. That's my Aus, the sickly one, my little trooper.
The Sod Farm has it's tourney this Sunday. Of course the family is double booked. We have missed so many games this year. 2 due to a hockey tourney, 1 due to baseball. Darn Tommy is putting a kink in things and Sunday is the same with his team hockey party. The Sodders finished 5-2 in the regular season. Apparently they don't miss Joe and I too bad! Maybe this will be the year we go all the way!!! We put the A$$ in Grass!
Well how was that for a catch up post? I'm now off to continue my jamming. We have 1436 tunes on the winamp. Currently Barry White - You Sexy Thing is playing. Maybe that could be Angie & Tim's wedding song. Hehe, or they could change the lyrics, "I believe in miracles, 10 long years, we're getting hitched." Oh Yeah!
Better go before I lose readers. Now playing, The Beatles ~ Come Together. Good stuff.
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