Fall Fun...

Fall has "offically" arrived... Michael and Lilley-Kate spent Saturday afternoon raking up leaves in the backyard (the first of many "rakings" they will do)... we'd had a few days of damp, drizzly weather... translate... WET LEAVES... but that didn't stop Lilley-Kate from making her own pile to jump in!




Saturday was our first "sunny day" in a WEEK! A bit CHILLY... but SUNNY!!!

Today since Lilley-Kate didn't have school... we decided to try to beat the rain forecasted and headed out into the country to our (my) FAVORITE pumpkin patch... AAAAAAHHHHHH... pumpkins "gathered" by SIZE, SHAPE, COLOR... all in neat rows or stacked into BINS (You KNOW how HAPPY that makes me!!!!)

We made it there... CHILLY, MISTY, a bit BREEZY... and saw some pretty funny looking pumpkins...

We thought these "bumpy" gourds and pumpkins were hilarious!!!

I even cajolled Lilley-Kate to take her jacket off for a quick pic next to the scarecrow (it was CHILLY!!!)

We had to cut the visit a bit short... as the light drizzle turned into more... but we had a nice time....

Hope everyone had a nice weekend and Holiday!!!

Wordless Wednesday...

"SECRET" SAVER...

I (along with a couple of my "peeps") LOVE to save money... yes... I'm a "couponer"... I use them AND share them... whenever I make a shopping trip... I typically sit in the parking lot in my van before going in and go through my coupon organizer... plucking the coupons I intend to use... AND... any coupons I may have that are set to expire (within a couple days to a week) and then head into the store... as I am shopping (parusing the aisles) I tuck the "extra" coupons I have onto the shelves (or pull that plastic strip back enough so the coupon sticks straight up in front of the item) and become a "secret saver" (maybe "surprise saver" is a better term?)... I once stuck a BOGO coupon for womens razors on a shelf... and continued down the aisle... when I noticed a Mom and a teenage girl grab the coupon AND another pack of razors... they didn't know who left the coupon... but it sure made me feel good seeing someone get one of the coupons I was leaving... It doesn't take a lot of extra time... or effort (since I only clip coupons for products that I use)... and it makes me feel good knowing I MAY be helping someone else save a little "coin" during these hard times... I've even gotten friends of mine to start becoming "secret savers" too!!!


Every little bit helps...

Something to Think About...

Learning Something New...

The paints arrived today in the mail... I was so excited to try them out... I've been watching tutorials on YOUTUBE all week... Lilley-Kate was estatic!!!

5 On Friday...

WOOOOOOWEEEEEE... seems every time I turn around it's FRIDAY again... So here we go with my "5 On Friday"...




1. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the "layway" option... it's a DANG SHAME that MORE STORES don't offer this "service"...

2. Although I LOVE browsing other blogs... I am a bit baffled... how can "someone" post a SINGLE PICTURE with NO TEXT and get over 200 "hits"/comments???... and some of the comments don't relate in ANY WAY to the picture that is/was posted (I realize everyone interprets things DIFFERENTLY but still... )

3. I'm making it a goal that once the weather turns colder I am going to learn what I can of PHOTOSHOP... I believe it IS POSSIBLE to learn more than I know (which is how to load the pictures into PS and whiten teeth)... I'm determined... D E T E R M I N E D!!!!

4. Soon it will be CHILI and POT PIE season!!! Our "coldest" night so far has gotten down to 42*!!!

5. I don't understand... the kids have been in school LESS THAN A MONTH... WHAT could there be for parents to complain about ALREADY??? SERIOUSLY... I wish some people would just take a deep breath and step back...

Have a GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!! :o)

A Day of Rememberance... 9/11/01

It's really hard to believe that it has been 8 years already... time has gone on... as have we... as individuals... and a nation... only stopping momentarily to briefly remember that life-changing, nation-changing day in 2001...

I heard today referred to as "Remembrance Day"... on the news and radio... and it made me wonder... DO WE REALLY REMEMBER??? TRULY REMEMBER that day... and the events that unfolded???

I remember... I WANT to remember... everything about that day... the CLEAR CLEAR blue sky... the sun shining so bright... the FEELINGS... HORROR... FEAR... DISBELIEF... ANGER... and SADNESS... deep deep SADNESS... and the SILENCE... so STILL...

I want to remember the guy down the street who came outside and walked up and down our street playing Amazing Grace on his trumpet... while the neighborhood came out, gathering in their front yards to listen... and just be... together... I want to remember the FLAGS... that appeared everywhere... a sign of UNITY and STRENGTH against an "UNKNOWN"... and the way I felt... seeing those flags... STRONG... and PROUD... UNITED

But with the passage of time... Memories have faded... and FEELINGS have changed... for some individually and as a nation... but I WANT TO REMEMBER... and if I my memories start to fade... and my feelings start to change... I WANT TO BE REMINDED... it's just that important...

That I NEVER FORGET...

5 on Friday...

WOW... it's FRIDAY already??? Yep... so here it is... 5 on Friday

1. I think people would be surprised to know what runs through my mind sometimes...

2. I could eat PIZZA for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner 365 days a year...

3. I LOVE Summer... HOT... HUMID SUMMER... the HOTTER the BETTER (I thank my Southern upbringing for that!)

4. I hate to be cold...

5. I wish I knew THEN what I know NOW... it would've made things a LOT easier!

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!!!

DANG GOOD DIP!!!...

Wanna make the BEST DANG DIP for your next party??? Well... here ya' go... SUPER SIMPLE... and BELIEVE ME... once you make and take... it'll become a regular request!!! THREE (yes... only THREE... well... 4 if you like things on the SPICY SIDE) INGREDIENTS to YUMMINESS!!!


Ingredients Needed... 4 BLOCKS Philly Cream Cheese (gotta go "full fat" on this... it's a consistancy thing people... you won't be sorry!!!)... 1 lb. Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sausage (Regular... BUT... if you like SPICY then go with the HOT)... and 1 can ROTEL Tomatoes and Green Chilies... Again... like a bit of HEAT??? Then include the Crushed Red Pepper in the ingredient list!!!


OK... let's make some DANG GOOD DIP!!!


In a Large saucepan brown up the sausage, "chopping" it into small pieces as it browns... ***Add some crushed red pepper at this point if desired***... Drain (very well) the ROTEL and add to the sausage... heat through... reduce heat a bit... drop ONE BLOCK of room temp CREAM CHEESE in... stir to melt... adding additional blocks one at a time until all melted... STIR STIR STIR to mix well... SERVE HOT with corn chips (we like the kind shaped like little bowls)


DONE!!!


Just some "tips" to make this the BEST DANG DIP EVER... Drain the ROTEL WELL (you don't want to end up with PINK DIP (lesson learned!)... also... I have TRIED to "go cheap" on the Cream Cheese... DON'T (another lesson learned!)... my advice... if you want to "add some heat" do it while browning the sausage... once the cream cheese is added it's hard to get a good intensity over the cream cheese (lesson learned a third time!!!) And if you want the dip "less creamy? Just use 3 blocks of CC instead of 4 (it's a preference thing for some people but I always use 4)... Can be left out at room temp during the party (no worries) and reheats in the microwave GREAT!!!


I have been making (and taking and taking and taking) this dip to places for YEARS and it's ALWAYS a hit!!!


ENJOY!!! You're about to become the most "popular" guest at the party!!!

Wednesday WACKINESS...

Just some funny stories to make your WEDNESDAY a little "brighter"...


EMBARRASSING MEDICAL MOMENTS:

1. A man comes into the ER and yells, 'My wife's going to have her baby in the cab! I grabbed my stuff, rushed out to the cab, lifted the lady's dress, and began to take off her underwear. Suddenly, I noticed that there were several cabs -- and I was in the wrong one.. Submitted by Dr. Mark MacDonald, San Antonio , TX

2. At the beginning of my shift, I placed a stethoscope on an elderly and slightly deaf female patient's anterior chest wall. Big breaths, I instructed. Yes, they used to be, replied the patient. Submitted by Dr.. Richard Byrnes, Seattle , WA .

3. One day I had to be the bearer of bad news when I told a wife that her husband had died of a massive myocardial infarct. Not more than five minutes later, I heard her reporting to the rest of the family that he had died of a, 'massive internal fart.'Submitted by Dr. Susan Steinberg

4.. During a patient's two week follow-up appointment with his cardiologist, he informed me, his doctor, that he was having trouble with one of his medications. Which one, I asked? The patch, the nurse told me to put on a new one every six hours, and now I'm running out of places to put it! I had him quickly undress, and discovered what I hoped I wouldn't see. Yes, the man had over fifty patches on his body!Now, the instructions include removal of the old patch before applying a new one. Submitted by Dr. Rebecca St. Clair, Norfolk , VA.

5. While acquainting myself with a new elderly patient, I asked, How long have you been bedridden? After a look of complete confusion, she answered....Why, not for about twenty years -- when my husband was alive.' Submitted by Dr. Steven Swanson, Corvallis , OR

6. I was caring for a woman and asked, 'So, how's your breakfast this morning?It's very good, except for the Kentucky Jelly. I can't seem to get used to the taste,' the patient replied. I then asked to see the jelly, and the woman produced a foil packet labeled 'KY Jelly.' Submitted by Dr. Leonard Kransdorf, Detroit , MI

7. A nurse was on duty in the emergency room when a young woman with purple hair styled into a punk rocker mohawk, sporting a variety of tattoos, and wearing strange clothing, entered. It was quickly determined that the patient had acute appendicitis, so she was scheduled for immediate surgery. When she was completely disrobed on the operating table, the staff noticed that her pubic hair had been dyed green, and above it there was a tattoo that read, 'Keep off the grass.' Once the surgery was completed, the surgeon wrote a short note on the patient's dressing, which said, 'Sorry, had to mow the lawn.' Submitted by RN, no name.

AND FINALLY!!!...

8. As a new, young MD doing his residency in OB , I was quite embarrassed when performing female pelvic exams. To cover my embarrassment, I had unconsciously formed a habit of whistling softly.The middle-aged lady upon whom I was performing this exam suddenly burst out laughing and further embarrassing me. I looked up from my work and sheepishly said, I'm sorry. Was I tickling you? She replied, No doctor, but the song you were whistling was, 'I wish I was an Oscar Meyer Wiener.' Doctor wouldn't submit his name (Can't blame him!)

Happy WEDNESDAY EVERYONE!!!

Wanna Win Somethin'????...

WOW... here is a GIVEAWAY you don't want to let pass you by!!! It never ceases to AMAZE me how much TALENT there is in "blogland"!!!

Hurry over (or do that skippy thing if you are so inclined) to SKIP TO MY LOU and leave a comment (follow the entry instructions... super easy) for your chance to win a 12x12 print from her website www.redletterwords.com!!!

Deadline is September 6... so hurry on over!!! (And don't just enter for the giveaway... check out her blog and tutorials too!!! You won't be sorry!!!)

GOOD LUCK!!!

Back To School!!!

Today was the first day of school here... SECOND GRADE (how the heck did THAT happen so fast???)... Lilley-Kate was SO EXCITED to be going back to school... I think mostly because her classroom is located on the second floor... LOL... she was EXCITED and "rarin'" to go this morning... aaaaaaaahhhhhhh... UNIFORMS... LOVE THEM!!!





"Daddy" surprised her and met us at school this morning so he could walk her "only to the FRONT DOOR" (because according to Lilley-Kate "the big kid parents don't walk to the classrooms"... um... WHEN did you become a "big kid"???)...

Every year since Lilley-Kate started school we "surprise" her at pick-up with flowers and a balloon... I was glad that our local florist had a couple of "back to school" balloons this year!!! (Could it be possible the florist was tired of my griping about their BTS selection of balloons... or LACK of selection???)

Have a WONDERFUL year in SECOND GRADE Lilley-Kate!!! :o)

Easy Peasy...

We kinda did a "redecorating" of Lilley-Kate's room this Summer... Changed the WALL COLOR... from my FAVORITE Martha Stewart BUTTERCREAM to a FUN ART DECO PINK... went from a Cherry "theme"... to CANDY/Cabana STRIPE... (it was suppose to be SHABBY CHIC... but when Lk saw the stripes on a visit to "our" WALLIES I relented and changed direction)... I bought a few extra body pillowcases to do some "extras" with... ONE of them was a MEMORY BOARD for her room... She LOVES to have pictures in her room... so I thought this would be a FUN project...

I must say... seeing all the BEAUTIFUL Memory boards out in "blogland" that had been made was a bit intimidating... but I read (and reread... and REREAD again) a couple of tutorials and decided to plunge right in... and can I just say... "WHAT THE HECK WAS I AFRAID OF???!!!"... Not only was it SUPER EASY (thanks to some really good tutorials)... but I was able to "modify" my design (ok... I didn't have enough ribbon to do the criss crossy thing... so I used BIAS TAPE)... I have to admit... I LOVE THE RESULTS!!! I will DEFINITELY be making some more of these!!!

Most importantly... Lilley-Kate was THRILLED with it!!! :o)

Just a little "sidenote"... if you want to "know how" to make something ... just do a SEARCH for it... there are LOTS of GREAT TUTORIALS out there in blogland/on the web... I'll DEFINITELY be trying other things now!!!

5 On Friday...

WOW... it's FRIDAY already!!!



1. I've struggled this Summer... I'm HOPING Fall will be better


2. I'm EXCITED about the FALL TV line up... THANK GOODNESS for DVRs!!!


3. It never ceases to AMAZE me the TALENT that some people are "gifted" with... I wonder a lot... is it NATURAL talent... or something that was LEARNED??? Check out THIS girl and her TALENT.... AMAZING!


4. Lilley-Kate is VERY EXCITED about school starting on MONDAY... I'm excited for her... we worked over the Summer (daily "learning pages") and can now tell time on an ANALOG clock and she's got a good understanding of money...


5. I am ADDICTED to BOB'S OLDE TIME peppermint candy PURE SUGAR STICKS.... YUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMY!!!!


Hope everyone has a nice weekend!!!!

SUPER SUNDAY... (NIGHT)

We're winding down the weekend... starting the last week of Summer vacation... Last night I made ENCHILADAS for dinner (my sister's recipe) and they were YUMMY!!! Definitely will be making them again and putting my own "twist" on them!



Tonight is one of my FAVORITE TV nights!!!

BIG BROTHER
THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD aaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnd


MADMEN!!!!!!!

Hope everyone had a nice weekend!!!

FIVE... 5... CINCO... on FRIDAY...

Hi Everyone!!! It's THAT time... the "end of the week" (or do YOU consider SUNDAY the last day of the week???)... either way it's time for 5 on Friday!!!





1. Michael and Lilley-Kate went to the COUNTY FAIR this week... they had a GREAT TIME ("fairs" aren't MY cup o tea... so I stayed home and watched the TOP CHEF MASTERS marathon with our "shy child")... This is the second year Michael and Lilley-Kate have gone to the fair... and Lk was VERY EXCITED this year... she was tall enough to ride the SCRAMBLER!


2. We've had some FABULOUS thunder and lightning lately... and POURING rain... then 15 minutes later it's SUNNY... weird... of course this whole Summer has been weird weather wise!





3. I get REALLY SAD when I ride by a couple of the car dealers around town... the one's participating in the CASH FOR CLUNKERS scam (I mean PROGRAM)... one not far from us has a 2006 JEEP COMMANDER spraypainted ALL OVER and the front windshield smashed... I have to wonder... was that car REALLY a CLUNKER???

4. I think THIS SEASON of BIG BROTHER (11) has been the BEST YET!!! And the BIGGEST LOSER starts on September 15th!!!

5. Hard to belive next week is our "last week" of Summer vacation! School starts here the 31st... thinking of planning a couple of "fun" things to do... we'll see!

Have a nice weekend EVERYONE!!!

Tids and Bits on Tuesday...

Just a few random thoughts for today...

Watched the season premiere of MADMEN last night (ended up having to DVR it on Sunday)... let me just say FAAAAAAAAABULOUS!

Our $5 Bill "fast" is doing GREAT... I haven't "counted" the bills yet... but the can continues to fill... I couldn't remember EXACTLY what day we started it... so I'm going with August 1st

I would LOVE to go see "Julie and Julia"... I've heard WONDERFUL things about it... but with the going matinee price at $8... I'm thinking I'll wait until it comes out on DVD

I WISH I could be as MOTIVATED and TALENTED as one of my DEAR FRIENDS... she NEVER ceases to AMAZE me!

It has been oppressivley HOT and HUMID here... FINALLY... SUMMER... but not for long I'm sure!

I only SOLD 3 auctions this cycle... not GREAT... but I'll take it

We registered for DANCE... starting in September... Lilley-Kate only chose TAP this year... I was a BIT SAD... but she'll enjoy the class (and promised to return to BALLET next year)

LOTS to do to get our "shy child" ready to return to college in a couple weeks... thankfully he was too "lazy" to unpack most of his stuff when he came home at the beginning of the Summer... LOL

Michael is planning to take Lilley-Kate to the county fair tomorrow... we're forecasted for storms the next few days... so HOPEFULLY they will get to go!

Have ironing to do... want to (RE)organize my "catch-all" room... finish up some SEWING...

Hope EVERYONE has a GREAT TUESDAY!

All In The Family...

One of the things that Michael "passed on" to the kids is a LOVE of GOLF... which even after 20+ years of marriage I still don't "get"... anyway...


It has become an evening "ritual" this Summer that they have chipping and putting practice in the back yard... Michael sets up a little kiddie pool (it use to be ABBIE'S pool) out in the yard and they practice chipping the balls into the pool... Michael and our "shy child" hit it more times than not... Lilley-Kate has hit it 4 times this Summer (and done the "Tiger arm pump" each time)...


Soon the nightly ritual will end... as school and activities take up the evening hours... but it sure has been nice to be a spectator of growing relationships in the back yard...

5 On Friday...

My Friend JENN recently started a little diddy she calls "10 on Tuesday"... I thought it was a fun idea so I decided to start "5 on Friday" (I decided trying to come up with 10 interesting things all in one fell swoop would leave me sitting here all day... LOL...) So here we go.... the first FIVE ON FRIDAY...


1. I am old enough to remember life without UNLEADED GAS, MICROWAVES, REMOTE CONTROLLED TVs, ANSWERING MACHINES, CELLPHONES, DIGITAL CAMERAS, and COMPUTERS (and no... I'm not THAT OLD!)


2. I am old enough to remember life with ASSIGNED SEATS ON THE SCHOOLBUS, ASSIGNED SEATS IN CLASSES, CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS, HOME EC. CLASSES and AFTER SCHOOL DANCES (and again... I'm not THAT OLD!)


3. I am old enough to remember life without 24 HOUR NEWS CHANNELS, MTV, VH1, BET, FOOD NETWORK, NICKELODEON, LIFETIME and CABLE TV!


4. I am old enough to remember life with AFTER SCHOOL SPECIALS, SATURDAY MORNING (only) CARTOONS, THE WALTONS, HAPPY DAYS, DALLAS and WILD KINGDOM! (and I don't even walk with assistance yet!)


5. I am old enough to remember life without DRIVE THRU BANKING, ATMS, DEBIT CARDS, and FAST FOOD RESTURANTS TAKING CREDIT CARDS!

Like I said... I'm not THAT OLD... but sometimes I sure feel THAT OLD!


Have a nice weekend everyone!

For the LOVE of "MAXI"...

This is an actual letter from an Austin woman sent to American company Proctor and Gamble regarding their feminine Products. She really gets rolling after the first paragraph. It's PC Magazine's 2007 editors' choice for best web-mail-award-winning letter.


Dear Mr. Thatcher, I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the Leak-Guard Core or Dri-Weave Absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or Salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.


Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.' Isn't the human body amazing?


As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customer's monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women.


The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, Were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.'


Are you kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness, is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy' about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.


For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong',


Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending Bullshit. And that's a promise I will keep. Always. . ..


Best, Wendi Aarons
Austin , TX

Monday Musings...

Summer is winding down... the kiddies are starting back to school... our area returns back to classes on the 31st... Nick will leave next week to head back to college... it's been a VERY QUIET summer here... After spending 2 FABULOUS weeks visiting friends I found it really hard to "return to normal"... get back "in the groove"... find my "mojo"... but it's SLOWLY returning... SLOOOOOOWLY... LOL


We still don't know much about Michael's job situation... the fiscal year ends October 1st... so we'll know more then (my stomach still has that dreaded ACHE... but I'm trying REALLY HARD to stay POSITIVE)...


We've stopped spending $5 Bills... I had read an article (I THINK it was online) about a woman who saved $5 bills... every time she got one... she would put it in a jar... she saved over $2,300 in a year just not spending $5 bills... sounded easy enough... so that is what we are doing... so far we have $45 saved!


I'm going to start back listing on eBay this week... I'm probably a bit behind on the BTS listings... but I figure any little bit I can make will be a help in the longrun...


Our weather hasbeen really wierd this Summer... the flowers haven't done nearly as well as they have in past years... and we have noticed a lack of BEES and BUTTERFLIES in our area this Season... I'm thinking that is directly related to "ho hum" flowers...


I'm excited about the FALL TV LINE-UP!!!



I'm enjoying my "bleated" birthday present very much!!! Funny how a .50 cent box of Mac and Cheese tastes SO MUCH BETTER cooked in ALL CLAD... LOL


I've been reading some really great blogs this Summer... which I have thoroughly enjoyed!


Happy Monday everyone!
EDIT
My Monday got a PICK ME UP from a VERY DEAR FRIEND who rang me up... it was WONDERFUL to touch base and catch up! THANK YOU friend for brightening my day!!! :o)

Insecure...

In the 23+ years that Michael was in the military I never had the fear that he would someday come home and tell me that he nolonger had a job...

When he retired and quickly entered the "civilian" job force I learned to live with a "gnawing" ache in the pit of my stomach... knowing that "we" nolonger had the job security "we" had in the military...

Michael came home today not looking too good...

And my stomach started to hurt...

HAPPY ("Belated") ME!!!

My parents arrived this evening for our "shy child's" 21st birthday celebration...

They came bearing a "Belated" Birthday present(s) for ME!!!

OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOSH...

My Mother came in singing "Happy Birthday to You"...

My Dad came in singing "Happy "Inheritance" to you"... My Mother wasn't amused... LOL

It had been a "wish"... that turned into a "dream"... Michael was about as excited as I was... My Mom commented on his "enthusiasm"... Michael said he was VERY HAPPY that HE didn't have to BUY them for me... LOL... SILLY SILLY MAN... he doesn't realize these are considered my STARTER SET!

Thanks Mom and Dad... I will THOROUGHLY enjoy these!

Yea... we'll be visiting the "showroom"... as Michael found out on the website that we are about an HOUR away from Canonsburg!!!

Thought for Thursday...

That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest - Henry David Thoreau

Desperately Seeking ADVICE...

It seems that our BELOVED ABBIE'S world has fallen silent... according to the vets (yes... we DID seek a "second opinion") our sweet sweet lab has gone totally deaf... although there IS some dispute as to whether it is age related (she will be 12 this September) or diabetes related (she has been a diabetic going on 4 years now)... the diagnosis was the same from both vets... she now has to be monitored "eyes on" outside (she's wandered off a couple of times recently)... we have been careful not to "spook" her (we realized pretty quickly that we need to be in FRONT of her so she can SEE US) to get her moving... the 2nd vet DID give us a couple of simple hand signals we can teach her (as a form of communication) and she's a quick learner... but our LOVEABLE LAB has turned into a NERVOUS NELLIE... especially at night (outside)... SWEET SWEET ABBIE... getting old STINKS huh?


If anyone has any TIPS/HINTS/ADVICE that we can use to help us and ABBIE make things easier for her I sure would APPRECIATE it... I know she's "just a dog"... but... she's OUR DOG... and whatever we can do (within reason) to help her we will.


Thanks everyone!!!

Ready for a CHANGE...

A change of SCENERY that is... Lilley-Kate and I will be heading off tomorrow to visit DEAR FRIENDS (has it REALLY been 5 years since our last visit???)!!!

The guys will be staying behind... Michael will be working... and he and Nick have a "Project List" to work through too... and I'm SURE they'll fit PLENTY of golf in between projects!!!

I hope everyone is having a great Summer so far!!!

Thought...

One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats... Iris Murdoch

Let's DANCE!!!

Well... another recital under our belts... Lilley-Kate did a GREAT JOB! She stayed on her "mark" and kept a constant smile... ALL the kids did a wonderful job!




Her BALLET rountine "Someday My Prince Will Come" (Ashley Tisdale from HSM) was first... Lilley-Kate is second from the left in the front row)... right at the end of the routine she spotted my Mother in the front row... as soon as she came off stage she said to me "Mommy, I saw Grandma and she waved at me!"

Her TAP routine came second... "Ladies Choice" (Zac Efron in the movie HAIRSPRAY)... it was SUPER CUTE... It was a bit harder for Lilley-Kate to keep her eyes in the audience since she had spotted my Mother earlier... LOL

In between routines we kept the girls busy downstairs with costume changes, coloring, and snack... Lilley-Kate LOVED walking around and seein the other costumes and they had a monitor set up so we could watch the recital (and the chaperones could keep track of the routine line up) LIVE! (We ordered the DVD too... so we'll be able to watch it OVER and OVER!)

Our Dance Studio "splits the recital... the Younger Dancers "first"... then a 30 minute intermission and then the "older dancers"... the YDs are able to leave after the frist half (which is nice!) so we were out of the auditorium by 4:30pm

No dancing through the Summer (at least not in a studio setting)... although I DO wish they would offer "CAMPS" for the kids... but we'll be ready for registration in August!!!

GREAT JOB Lilley-Kate!!! YOU are our DANCING PRINCESS!!!

Molly... Monty... and Puffy

It seems we have been "overtaken" with little visitors... they have burrowed under our neighbors patio... there are several "holes" in the mulch... and it's been fun watching them scurry in and out... back and forth...

I have been waiting with camera at the ready to see if I could get a quick shot of ANY of them... Lilley-Kate has sat still (for 20 minutes yesterday evening) waiting... and waiting for them to peek out... as soon as she sees one they are IMMEDIATELY given a name...

This is MOLLY...


This is MONTY... (at first he was DELMONTY... LOL... but she shortened it to just MONTY)


And THIS is PUFFY... we caught "him" (I definitely think it's a "HE"... what GIRL would be caught with her cheeks crammed full of food like that in "public"???) spending quite a bit of time at our neighbors birdfeeder the other evening... making the evening birds that visit quite angry since "PUFFY" ate all the birdseed!!!

The neighbor mentioned filling the holes... I'm guessing they don't think Molly, Monty, and Puffy are quite as cute as WE think they are!!!

Lilley-Kate said to the neighbor "Well... tell the chipmunks my Dad said they can come live in our woodpile if you don't like them living at your house"... LOL...

Onward and Upward...

Yesterday was the LAST DAY of school... Our FIRST-GRADER is now a SECOND-GRADER (WHERE did the time go???)... The kids had a fun last day... a movie and popcorn... autographing yearbooks... visiting their second grade classes...

Lilley-Kate LOVED her teacher Mrs. Pfeiffer... next year will be her last year teaching (she will retire in 2010 with 35 years of teaching!!!)... We felt VERY FORTUNATE to have been in her class! (Funny little something... Mrs. Pfeiffer's DAUGHTER was Lilley-Kate's Pre-School teacher!)


Lilley-Kate is VERY EXCITED about SECOND-GRADE... her classroom will be UPSTAIRS next year (that's a "biggie" among the kids)... we'll work during the Summer on Reading Comprehension, Telling Time (on an ANALOG CLOCK) and MONEY...

Each class had a little "Award" Program before being dismissed... Lilley-Kate got the EXCELLENT WORK, ATTENDANCE and BEAUTIFUL HANDWRITING Awards...

Congrats Lilley-Kate for a GREAT year in FIRST GRADE!!! We are SO PROUD of you!!!

HOW Do I Learn???...

How do I learn to ACCEPT the fact that "The RULES" really DON'T apply to everyone???

How do I learn to be "ALRIGHT" with "Rule BREAKERS"???

How do I become "OK" with the idea that MOST PEOPLE subscribe to the attage "Rules ARE Made to be BROKEN"???

How... HOW... do you teach your child to FOLLOW THE RULES (which SHOULD be the RIGHT thing to do) when it seems that EVERYONE ELSE doesn't???

Carnival Fun...

The PTA in Lilley-Kate's school has an End of Year CARNIVAL for all the students... games... bouncy thingies (WHAT exactly are they called??? Not sure but the kids LOVED them!)... there were 16 "stations" to visit... Lilley-Kate and her classmates had a great day! Not sure if they were more excited about the carnival... or the DRESS DOWN (no uniform) day!


Lilley-Kate tried the "Strong Man Test"... she DID ring the bell once... LOL... that mallet was HEAVY (of course all the parents gave it a go when we were setting up the carnival)...

This had to be the kids FAVORITE station... one of 5 "bouncy thingies"... but the only one that had a GIANT SLIDE at the end...

A game of beanbag toss...

And more bouncy fun... (the teachers were SUPER SMART and only let 5 kids at a time into the bouncys)

What's a CARNIVAL without a temporary tattoo? Lilley-Kate picked a "Rock n Roll" Rose...

The weather was iffy all day... peeks of sun and periods of clouds... it DID sprinkle a bit but thankfully the kids were inside having PIZZA for lunch!!!

It was a fun day for the kids and a nice way to celebrate the end of a great school year!

Daddy's Girl...

Do What Works...

I have ALWAYS been a "List Maker"... in a way I find it oddly "soothing" to have a list... follow it... and be able to mark off "Things to Do" as "Done"...


We are geared up for full "RECITAL MODE" which starts FRIDAY... goes through the weekend... and every evening next week leading up to Recital Day on June 14th... soooooooo...

To calm my "manic mind" (I am frantic that I will forget a practice, prescribed dress for said practice, TIME... or God forbid LOCATION) I am currently using my kitchen cabinets as constant reminders... planning to remove the reminders as they are accomplished... (nothing "new"... I did this last year too and it kept us ON TIME and ON TASK for recital prep)

Hey... it may not be "pretty"... but it works... for me anyway!