SeaSaw MaMa by [another] Seashore

Somewhere Down the Road (State Route 60, in this case)

2010-03-31T22:10:00.007-04:00

I had a most amazing thing happen two days ago: I met my most-adored celebrity ever!

That is AMY GRANT standing right next to me - can you believe it?!?

I am not normally socially adept, and I proved it very well when I walked up to her when it was my turn, shaking like I was about to perform. I babbled something about being a huge fan and her singing right to me and she said something along the lines of, "So I'm singing your story?" and I said something totally moronic like "I think so". I don't know. I can't remember. I'm still shaking when I think about it. She was very gracious, and very socially adept. :)

It occurs to me that one of the reasons I love her music is because she is singing HER story and sharing it with everyone, but also putting feelings that many of us have experienced out there in song so that we can express what we feel through her music. She is honest and open and goes through many of the same things we do. She's just really good at putting those good and bad things to catchy, lovely, sometimes haunting tunes. I love her for it. I used to want to sing like her (ok, that would still be nice), but now I just want to live like her. To have faith through struggles, to be able to feel the whole spectrum of emotions, to give time and resources to make the world a better place. To be a person who can sing "El Shaddai" and "Come Into My World" one right after the other and to be ok with that one-in-the-same person. To love and be loved in return. To have a passion for music. To be able to put some of my emotions in song. I could go on, but hopefully you get the gist.

I find I'm having trouble getting the words just right. I'm not a songwriter. I'm not a wordsmith. I just have a lot of feelings tied to this one experience of meeting Amy. The good, the bad, the ugly. Me trying to decipher them feels like trying to analyze poetry. I don't even think Amy wrote a song that describes it. The extreme euphoria and the little letdown when the 10 seconds with her were over. The agony over my stupid words - whatever I said to her, the thrill of hearing the new music as soon as I got in the car, the odd self-worth issues it has brought up to me since then ("I wondered who the pretty one in the picture was, but I just couldn't place her")...

I think I am making too much of all of it. And yet...

It's a fact. It's how I'm wired. I think too much.

For now, though, I'm just going to go put on some headphones and listen. 'Cuz she's still got some pipes and some cool things to say. If you get a chance, check out this or any other AG album (click on my blog title for a link)!

God Bless Us, Every One!

2009-12-24T10:45:00.003-05:00

I wrote this in 1999 during a fairly rough time in my life. It was for a project for my church (at the time - shout-out to CoS in Coopersville) called "Millennium Meditations". I thought it was worth sharing again this year.

"Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her king! Let every heart prepare Him room - and heaven and nature sing..." And from Luke 2:14: "...Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God."

Ever since I was six years old and saw "A Christmas Carol" on stage for the first time, I have had a special affinity for the story. Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and all the other interesting characters have always struck a special chord with me. It doesn't matter whether I read (or watch) the story in July or December, when I hear Scrooge exclaim "The next man to say 'Merry Christmas' should be boiled in his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart!", I am hating the old curmudgeon and cheering on Nephew Fred and Bob Cratchit. When the Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge his long-lost love, I get tears in my eyes. When the Ghost of Christmases Yet to Come shows him his own grave (and in the musical version, people dancing on it!), I'm frightened. When he wakes in the morning with a changed heart, I'm almost as jubilant as he is! Well, almost...but not quite.

You see, I wonder why it takes such drastic measures to make him "see the light", and I wonder if that's what it will take to make me see it, too. This season, will I be as generous as the "new Scrooge" with my time and money? Will I be helping those less fortunate this holiday season? Will I even be able to remain civil in the stores as I fight my way through the throngs of shoppers, or am I still stuck with the old Scrooge, cursing the crowds and the exorbitant prices? Will I be as reluctant to give my family or even myself a day off to celebrate?

But hey, I can always hope that I will learn from him (and not firsthand). If Ebenezer Scrooge can change, anyone can, right?!? I'm hoping that some part of "I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year" will stick this year!

There is always - no matter what time of year, but especially during the holidays - an investment to be made in humankind, and you'll never lose that, regardless of the state of the stockmarket or economy. I heard something interesting (meant as a joke) the other day, "Yes, Jesus saved, but maybe he should have invested." He DID invest. In you and me! With his Life. We are his nest egg. Imagine that. Now, if we invest that truth and love into others, we're earning interest! Time, Care, Mercy, Money...these are the investments that always return great dividends.

My favorite part of Dickens' story is when Scrooge invests his money into Christmas dinner and presents for the Cratchits, his time into sharing their celebration (and his nephew's, too!), and his heart into their lives - especially Tiny Tim's. This is when Scrooge finds out that such a simple investment saved more than the Cratchits - it also saved him!

Prayer: Lord, please help me to not be a scrooge - grumpy, stingy, miserly, bitter, lonely person. Bless me that I might be a blessing to others. Help me to keep my cool during this hectic season, and to always invest my "wealth" in humankind so that your investment continues to gain interest in more and more lives. Amen.

Fourth of July

2009-08-09T21:20:00.000-04:00

Conversation with a 2 1/2 year old

2009-07-14T19:08:00.002-04:00

PREAMBLE
Sophia has been potty training for quite some time, with varied success. We have a little potty, and when we went on "vacation" last month, I bought a seat that fits on a big potty.

CONVERSATION
Sophie: Hafta go potty Mommy!
Mommy: Ok, babe! (sets Sophie on big potty with Tinkerbell seat) There you go! Let me know when you're finished.
Sophie: Mommy, LOOK! I pooped!
Mommy: (runs to bathroom. Sees Sophie standing on the floor between potties)
Sophie: Look Mom! I pooped on BOTH potties!
Mommy: (secretly shaking head and wondering where this alien spawn came from) Why yes! I see that! Why did you poop on both potties?
Sophie: Because I'm a BIG DIRL!

No argument there, I guess. At least I didn't have to clean up a diaper...

Rock the Space

2009-06-09T23:11:00.001-04:00

The Missy Project

2009-06-07T01:39:00.006-04:00

EVERYONE should read this book.

Come to your own conclusions, but the thought process is what really matters. Have you ordered your copy yet? Even from the library. Do it. Now.
www.theshackbook.com

And when you're done reading it, let me know. We'll have conversations about it. No promises that I'll say what you think I will, but I look forward to the exchange.
~Katy

There's no place like home

2009-05-05T23:32:00.002-04:00

...if only I knew where that was.

Florida is great. Sun shines all the time, and occasionally we even get a nice rain (like we did today) that quenches the parched earth and then moves quickly out. Friendly people. Cute little lizards. Disney. But it doesn't quite feel like home yet.

Michigan is okay, too. Nice cloudy days for when you're tired of all the sun. Friends. Family. Lake Michigan. Apples and cherries. Snow (in April!). But it doesn't quite feel like home anymore.

So, if I put on my flashy red pumps and click my heels together, I wonder where the wizard will take me?

Searching for a song

2009-04-14T23:40:00.002-04:00

I have a song stuck in my head. Seriously. S-T-U-C-K.
I hear it several times a month.
And yet, I haven't heard it FOR REAL since I was a little girl.

I have been searching through Google and other search engines for years, on and off, in hopes that someday I'd strike gold. Unfortunately, I only remember about half of the chorus, so that sort of hinders my search.

These are the words I remember and have been searching on:
[You're] halfway up your rainbow girl by now
Way too high to find your way back down
Girl I'm gonna miss ya but I wouldn't go with ya
No no...

But tonight I found some hope! Apparently my dad and I are not the only two people on earth who remember this song!!
This site: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Oldies-2943/f_4401444.htm shows that a few other people recall, as does this one: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Discuss:Who_wrote_or_recorded_a_60's_song_'red_green_yellow_and_blue'
and this one: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Oldies-2943/searching-song-title-artist-1.htm (although this is just kind of "cheater" because it appears to be from the same expert as #1...)

And from these sites and searches...I FOUND IT ON eBAY!!!!
But Boo Hoo, I have no record player on which to play this 45. As Chip says, it would probably be easier for me to find a record player than find this album again. So I'm waiting patiently...kind of. Any of you three readers out there know where I might be able to listen to this treasure? Or do you have any good lyrics stories yourself? If some song's bugging you - even if you only know a few words - Google is amazing!

Time for Bed by Mem Fox, paraphrased by Sophia

2009-04-09T00:18:00.007-04:00

Sophie likes bedtime stories. Most nights she even insists on sleeping with her board books instead of her soft stuffed animals (or at least in addition to). I'm just enjoying the fact that she's started reading to me. Here's her newest favorite:

The book :
It’s time for bed, little mouse, little mouse,
Darkness is falling all over the house.
Sophie’s recitation:
"Time a bed, little mouse, little mouse.
The house is falling all over the place.

Book:
It’s time for bed, little goose, little goose,
The stars are out and on the loose.
Sophie:
Time a bed, little goose, little goose.
Little goo-oose! LITTLE GOO-OOSE! Where is you, little goose?!?

Book:
It’s time for bed, little cat, little cat,
So snuggle in tight, that’s right, like that.
Sophie:
Time a bed little cat, little cat –
All snuggly!

Book:
It's time for bed, little calf, little calf,
What happened today that made you laugh?
Sophie:
Time a bed, little calf, little calf,
You make me laugh! (laughter ensues)

Book:
It’s time for bed, little fish, little fish,
So hold your breath and make a wish.
Sophie:
Night-night fishy!
Hold your breaf, make a wish!

Book:
It’s time for bed, little sheep, little sheep,
The whole wide world is going to sleep.
Sophie:
Time a bed little sheep, little sheep,
Whole world is sleepin’

Book:
It’s time to sleep, little bird, little bird,
So close your eyes, not another word.
Sophie:
Hey birdy! No more words!

Book:
It’s time to sleep, little bee, little bee,
Yes, I love you and you love me.
Sophie:
Time a sleep little bee, little bee,
I love me and you love me!

Book:
It’s time to sleep, little snake, little snake,
Good gracious me, you’re still awake!
Sophie:
Hey snake!
Oh my GOOness! Still awake?!?

Book:
It’s time to sleep, little pup, little pup,
If you don’t sleep soon the sun will be up!
Sophie:
You sleep soon little puff,
The sun be up!

Book:
It’s time to sleep, little deer, little deer,
The very last kiss is almost here.
Sophie:
(she usually skips this page because she knows the end is near, but she DOES NOT like it when I try to kiss her here! Tonight she said “go away leave Sophie ‘lone! Sleep by self!”)

Book:
The stars on high are shining bright—
Sweet dreams my darling, sleep well…good night!
Sophie:
Sweet dreams, darlin’!
‘a night!
DEEEE End!"

I've tried a couple of times to get this on video, but so far she hasn't "cooperated" with that yet. It's really much funnier watching her get excited at all the pages...

Remembering to be grateful

2009-02-15T01:18:00.003-05:00

I haven't written a lot lately because I haven't been thinking many deep thoughts that should be published for anyone to view. I still don't have much by way of smart or funny to say, but while I'm feeling it, I'm going to make sure it's written down for posterity.

I am very grateful that we moved to Florida. The sunshine does wonders.
I am so very grateful for Angie. It's great to have a friend here, and one who knows me from back when I liked me, and yet was crazy enough that not many others did. It's like that saying "We'll always be friends because you know too many of my secrets" or whatever. She knows I'm a weirdo and still seems to not mind my company! Thanks, Ang! ;-)
I am grateful for Facebook. I hope I don't annoy too many people, but it's so nice to be able to keep in contact with so many people in one place. Not to stalk or anything, but just to be able to say that you still care about them and wonder how they're doing. And to show that stupid thoughts from high school can be overcome and we can really forgive those old things...well, most of them. And to remember that so many people had/have a part in your life.
Sometimes, when you move so far away, your world becomes very small and you become very insignificant. You feel like you don't matter. And when someone requests to be your friend, it just makes the day a little brighter. And you feel like maybe you aren't such a piece of crap, after all (or at least you weren't once upon a time). And when someone accepts your request back, well, that's nice, too. I've actually been blocked a couple of times. I know. I admit it. But oh well. At least 185 people didn't hate me enough to say "no".
I am grateful to my new co-working friends. It stinks that some of them have already left my life, but it's nice to know that I have gotten to know these wonderful people and that they try to include me in things and are happy to see me. I hope we can keep in touch, even after we part ways, if we have to part ways.
I am grateful to everyone who comes to visit. We miss you all, and it means a lot to be able to see a familiar face.
I am grateful that my kids still want to be with me after I kicked them out of the grocery store.
I am grateful today to just be. And that's not always the case, so I thought I better write it down.
Thanks God, for letting me be.

Come visit us for the Festivities!!!

2009-01-17T21:57:00.000-05:00

http://www.flstrawberryfestival.com/

miscellaneous Sean stuff

2009-01-15T16:50:00.008-05:00

Sean has been home sick all week, and since I am privileged enough to be able to work from home, I have spent a lot of time with him. He has said some pretty amusing things this week:

"I always thought a stakeout was where you cooked steak!"

Using Mr Potatohead in various movie characters (Disney has toys such as "Luke Frywalker" and "Tater of the Lost Ark): Mashter Kenobi (although he didn't find as much humor as I did in his original "Masher Vader"...ok, I'm sorry I have a warped mind!); in the Clone Wars Anakin's Padawan calls him Sky Guy - We like "Fry Guy".

We went to Target today to get Dad's prescriptions, and there happens to be a Starbucks there. I had a gift card, so I bought him a "Kid's Cocoa". He loved it. Really, it's very good cocoa (he wanted me to test it to make sure it wasn't too hot). About an hour or so after we got home, he said, out of the blue, "Whenever I get an urge for a warm beverage, I'm going to go to Starbucks for their kid's cocoa. It is delicious!". I just thought it was funny...

He just has a way with words that makes me smile. I wish I had my computer with me all the time so I could capture his funny-ness.

My son, the comedian

2008-12-22T08:10:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, we "tried out" a new church. It was a really fun experience for me, other than the Sophia-nursery fiasco that happens anytime we go to any church.
There was lots of singing. Lots of music. So it was my kind of worship.
Well, the message was about finding joy in Jesus, instead of in the world (or something along those lines...I was kinda preoccupied with the beeper in my hands just wondering when they would have enough of Sophie's screaming and call me back to get her...). The pastor told a story about HW Longfellow which I'm going to have to look up, and another story that was familiar to me, thanks to those of you who forward me emails.
It's the story of a little girl who buys her brother a miracle for $1.11. Here's a link to just one of the many sites that share it (I'm sure they all have just a little different spin): http://www.thereturnofjesusbyjacob.com/the111miracle.html
Anyway, it's a sweet, true story of how Dr. Carlton Armstrong gave this family a miracle to save their son/brother for $1.11.
Sean, ever the curious type (and skeptical this year, too), asked me when we got home, "Can you really buy a miracle for one dollar and 11 cents?" I said to him that it's really about what Jesus can do with any amount of money (or even none) to bring about miracles in people's lives. "
To which he says, "But you can buy Miracle Whip, right?"

My Grown Up (but selfish) Christmas List

2008-12-16T04:31:00.003-05:00

My list isn't quite as good as Amy (Grant)'s. But here's what I wish:

*No more lay-offs until after the holidays. Please. I don't think I can bear to see another friend leave right now.
*My kids have fun with the presents they will get
*My family and friends stay healthy in the next year
*No more drama in the Wibert clan (hahaha. That IS half the fun, I suppose)
*We have enough to share with others in the next year
*The economy will at least flatten instead of continuing its nose-dive
*I will stop worrying about it since I can't do anything, anyway
*Chip gets a more regular schedule soon
*People will come visit us (but give us warning so we can clean up the dump)
*Resolutions will come to outstanding issues, and be made to fix others
*To spend more time with others
*To sleep more regularly. More often, maybe, would be nice, too

A Whole New World

2008-11-17T21:07:00.004-05:00

I had an experience yesterday that I can't stop thinking about. I honsetly am not sure WHAT to think of it, though.
I've lived a lot of years to have never had that kind of experience until now, and I'm just not sure how to feel about it.
Awed. Inspired. Scared. Really scared. Comforted. Angry (at myself). Shamed. Hopeful. Evangelical about thinking everyone should have the same experience at least once.
Suddenly my mind started going elsewhere with these thoughts, so I better get to the explanation...
So here's what happened. My darling daughter is addicted to swings. My handsome son loves to dress up in various costumes and play outside as a cowboy, robber, alien, superhero, pirate, or some combination of all of those. We thought it would be nice to go to one of the nice city parks instead of the decaying family park in the apartment complex. Sean got all dressed up in his costume, which today was some sort of cowboy bank robber business man, and off we went.
On a side note, I wish I had taken a picture so you could chuckle with me...cowboy hat, button-down maroon shirt, clip-on tie with bright orange/red/yellow flames, nice pants, and cowboy boots, with my backgammon game box as a briefcase.
We drove to our favorite park and found it filled up with softball games. Who knew that softball season in FL began in November...and was played on Sundays?!? We decided we should try a different park that might be less populated.
I had seen a park not far from our house that had lots of swings, so we headed that way. We drove past a soccer field filled with only hispanic players and on to the area of the park with the swings, that also happened to be the area with the basketball courts, where every player and onlooker was black. On a whole city block, we were the only white people around. And the other races were not "mixing".
I don't feel that I am prejudiced. The only neighbors that Sean and Sophie play with are black, and we love them. I just haven't had much exposure to being the minority. Ever. Growing up in small po-dunk town Michigan didn't afford me that opportunity. When minority races were around, it was always a mix of people/races/cultures. In Florida, there are apparently areas where it's not cool to mix. At least on their leisure time. Neighborhoods seem to be segregated. Sad, yet true.
Anyway, we get out of the car. We go to the playground (we did make Sean leave his toy gun behind in the car). I think it was kind of to prove to ourselves that we weren't scared and did belong, but I wonder how it looked to the others. We really didn't belong. I'm not sure we are welcome. I am now TOTALLY apprehensive. I am about the whitest person you'll ever meet, so obviously, we kinda stood out a little.
There were some children already playing on the equipment. And the first thing out of their little blessed mouths? "Wanna play?" "What's your name?" God bless the children. They don't care. They just want to meet new people and have some fun while their parents play their games.
We had a great time. Still I was nervous. Not because I was scared of others, but because I was scared of how they would perceive me. Was I stepping into their territory? Was it not good for us to walk in acting like we had every right to?
And here these children, Theresa, Lily, TayTay, Tayshara, KeKe, and Jevion just had the best time. Oh, and of course Sean and Sophie. It really was a nice park for kids! Chip pushed the merry-go-round, I pushed the swings - then we switched places. It was fun. The slides and the train were in there somewhere, too, but didn't require as much supervision!
I just wonder. If we all took the time to be the only one somewhere - the only white person, the only female, the only male, the only thirty-something, the only...whatever - would we feel as flippant about being the "majority"? Would we feel how it is in someone else's shoes and be more empathetic? I don't know. I don't know if I'll even repeat the experience (doesn't matter who you are, I'm not fond of my kids hearing those words or smelling those smells or seeing those, uhm, activities). And I'm kinda mad at myself even as I say that. But I just hope I keep the experience in my heart and realize that to many, I'm still the enemy. Maybe if I took more time to see life from other points of view, people would be more interested in mine...

President Elect

2008-11-04T23:42:00.002-05:00

Well, I'm happy for my friend Michael. I'm happy for the history that was made tonight in America. But I'm still not sure it's the right person for the job. I guess I have no choice but to give him a chance now.
I'm fairly certain that none of them really know the answers, so the fly-by-seat-of-our-pants legistlation that's been happening for the past 50 years will continue. And none of those old things will get fixed. And we'll go back to having silverbacked dollars (hahaha). And that everyone who says you should vote with your head and not your heart didn't follow their own advice. Because we all vote with our heart.
The feeling part of our brain will 99% of the time override our other parts. We don't think first. We feel first. So even if we think second, it's still probably not what we're gonna do. I don't care if he's for more taxes - he's a Republican. I don't care if he's GOOD friends with terrorists - he's NOT a Republican.
6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other.
I applaud those who were brave enough to stick with their opinions and vote for "not the Big 2". I seriously had a moment in the booth when I had to move my pen back from voting for Alan Keyes. Perhaps they'll put him up to the Rep committee again in 2012 (or 2009 when they start campaigning) and I'll be able to vote for someone I believe in rather than just voting to cancel out someone else's vote. :-)
But at least we made a decision tonight.
The Nuge in '12. That's my vote. If we start campaigning today, maybe we can gather enough votes. With me?

Miscellanaeous

2008-10-19T21:11:00.002-04:00

*I guess it's a good thing that my son's teacher loves him so much and thanked us for moving to FL so she could have the priviledge of having him in her class this year, but I would like to know...where is this awesome kid she talks about?!? Don't get me wrong, if he acts up, I'm glad it's at home, but really. Where is the consistency? Obviously I'm doing something wrong. SuperNanny, please help...

*Why am I falling apart at the young age I consider myself to be? I rode around Epcot and Hollywood Studios in a wheelchair because my foot hurt so bad, then my tooth ached so bad that it's still swollen a week later, and tonight at the bounce playground I jammed my knee. And my foot started acting up again. Gee Whiz!

*Why am I so NOT interested in sports? The Tampa Bay Rays (who ironically play in St. Pete) and the Bucs were both playing home games tonight and I should be excited, but really, who cares? In the grand scheme of things, what does this mean for my life? Is it just that we all need some sort of diversion? I guess I choose Sudoku and Facebook and Blogging, and sometimes Webkinz, instead.

*Why are sleeping kids just the most adorable, heart-melting things to look at ever?

*Why can't we all just get along? I actually have an answer to this one, but it's not so much an answer as just fact. It's still a question of why we weren't made to get along...

*Why do I feel like stockpiling goods? I think I maybe should not have read Alas, Babylon, even though I highly recommend it. That, and economic crisis and election that is not going to make anyone happy.

*Why am I both sad and excited that there's finally a chill in the Floridian air? Ah, fall. It's really here. But I did love the 90 degree days for the most part. But it's also nice to know that my electric bill will be at least half what it was last month. But no apple orchards and hay rides for me (although I did see a "Pumplin Patch" in town at the church we sometimes attend). But I hear that navel oranges are almost in season...the comparisons could go on forever, but just one more good thing...it will be nice to dig out the long-sleeved shirts and have a "new" wardrobe to wear to work without having to spend a cent!

Amy Grant Concert

2008-10-19T10:13:00.001-04:00

Preamble

2008-10-11T00:24:00.003-04:00

Now, I know there is seldom one lone reason why bad things happen to good countries, and there is plenty of blame to go a lot of places for our current state of economy (like doubling, tripling, quadrupling the min payments on credit cards, acquiring more debt than a country or a family can possibly repay, NAFTA, terrorism, dependence on foreign oil, [insert your gripe here], etc), but here's a new twist on things I hadn't heard.
It's at least good to hear another reason WHY, no matter who's to "blame". If we know what happened, we can quit blaming and fix the problem, right? BUT, perhaps someone who has already tried to fix it (a couple of times, and proactively, before it became a crisis) might be worth listening to, especially since he's more moderate than a bunch of us die-hard REPUBLICANS (did I just say a dirty word?!?) really feel comfortable with. Maybe there is something to this. Maybe it's something we should all research a bit more carefully (and even GOOGLE isn't always the best source, as the video suggests, but, hey, when actual media outlets that we've heard of besides FOX are reporting bad things about Democrats, it must be true, right? :-) ). Maybe we should all be more INDEPENDENT and not make snap decisions based on party affiliation.

And without further amble...here's the link, since I couldn't get it to embed correctly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0Dy1jAXnIw

Christmas Card Update...

2008-09-27T22:45:00.002-04:00

So...I had good intentions to send out Christmas cards last year, but I didn't get around to it. Life intervened a time or two around that time of year. After the first of the year, I was at a Hallmark store and found "Happy New Year 2008" cards on sale for 75% off and thought that would be a good way to redeem myself and send some out. They only had 1 pack, but I bought it, thinking I'd be at another Hallmark soon and get more. Well, I never found more, and then we were dealing with 4 months of negotiations with everyone and my brother (well at least conversations with him), and time got away from me. Then we moved, and I thought I would send them out as a funny as "Christmas in July" cards and an update with our address and everything, but I never seemed to have the time. I realized my good deal was about to go to waste, so a few weeks ago, I finally picked 18 people/families to send them to (sorry if you weren't one of them - I either didn't have your address or I keep in touch with you more often...or you're one of the 6 families who I just mailed to since I ran out of ink and stamps for that many and had to wait until payday) and got them out as "Happy New SCHOOL Year 2008" cards. :-) Aren't I clever?
Anyway, here's what I said. If you got a card, please skim through again - I've updated a few things (in purple); if you didn't get a card, I still love you and wanted you to know this stuff, too!

I mean – Happy New SCHOOL Year 2008. :-)

Ok, so I’m a little late with my 2007 Christmas cards…let’s just say I had a bit on my mind last Christmas. I apologize. Please don’t take us off your address list for this year’s cards (but maybe update the address…)!

So most of you now know that we are officially “The Florida Wiberts”. This week we even filled out our voter registration paperwork and finalized our car insurance info. Next we tackle license plates! Other than trying to cram 2,800 square feet of junk into a 1,200 square foot apartment, we are settling in nicely and enjoying it here. We and Goodwill have become good friends. We made daily donations for a while! The palm trees have a relaxing effect every day (at least it hasn’t worn off yet), the swimming is wonderful, and the hurricanes have skirted around us – so far – so we’re happy!

Changing my job location has had its challenging moments, being away from anyone who knows “what I do”, but I HOPE I’ve also proven adaptability, and I’m getting pretty good at phone, email, and instant messaging conversations. We also get some chances to “watch” each others’ computers with a thing called NetMeeting, so that’s helpful, too. I miss my friends, but it’s nice to know that I didn’t have to really “leave” them. The office I'm in is going through some changes and we'll be consolidating to one floor soon. I get an office - with a door and a window! (to the inner office) - that I will share with a very nice co-worker, and I am excited about the coming year and opportunities I may have to show my worth.

Chip was employed less than 2 weeks after we moved here, and it’s nice that he is finding his way at “The Happiest Place on Earth” (Disney). We all like the benefits, of course, and you can reap some of them too, if you come visit us – call for details!!, but it’s nice to see Chip feel like a valued employee again. It’s tough work - a lot to remember and it’s different for Chip to sit at a desk all day, and for 10 hours at a time, at that! – but he really does seem to enjoy it. I think once the schedule bids come up and he gets something a bit more family-friendly, he will feel more comfortable.

Sean is really enjoying his new school. There are only about 15 kids in his 2nd grade class at Walden Lake Elementary, so he’s getting more teacher attention, and also getting to know his classmates a bit better. He even was just named "Student of the Month" in his class for September for always being respectful and doing his best work and was told "how lucky" the class was to have him move to Florida, so we felt very proud of him. Sad to say we didn't get a bumper sticker, though. His new school is really great. They do some neat stuff there, even though the fundraisers from there and daycare are already in full force (I’ll try not to beg too often – promise!). Boy Scouts have an open house in a couple of weeks, so he’ll start that back up, too (started Sept 22 - the transfer was smooth and it's going to be fun...except Dad misses the first couple of camping trips). It’s even on Dad’s night off, so that’s great! We’ll have to work on planning to get the homework done a bit differently, though! Luckily, they send it home on Fridays so we can get a head start (I don’t know about you, but I think I turned out “fairly smart” without having homework until 5th grade. I think it’s getting to be a bit much!). Sean is enjoying anything about SPACE right now (we hope to visit Kennedy Space Center soon), and loves playing with his new friends KJ, Tyrus, Ty, Desiree, Kayla, and sometimes Dillan, Matteo, Austin, and Megan (when they aren’t fighting).

Sophie’s doing well, too. She’s not too fond of daycare when we drop her off or pick her up, but during the day she does fairly well, even though she doesn’t always nap well. She actually naps every day with one of the ladies, and the good news is - she babysits after hours!!!Considering she was never in that kind of setting before, and that we’ve had to move them to a second facility (the first one wouldn’t take part-time kids unless we paid full-time price!), I think she’s doing ok. There seems to be a lot of adult attention, and several kids her age, so she’s learning to adapt. Her big thing now is writing and drawing. On anything and everything. I was tired of cleaning walls, so I got out Sean’s easel the other day and that’s been about the only thing she’s played with since, but she likes her “babies” and her Fisher Price Little People and Dollhouse (that I was finally able to un-earth from her toy pile the other day when I was looking for more Goodwill and Lisa donations!). She has discovered the joy of board books, too, so we visit the library fairly often for new stories. She usually falls asleep best if she uses one as a pillow, too. Don’t ask me why. I think it could be reading by osmosis. She is working on potty training herself (no kidding! - I think she has some examples at daycare) and is singing her ABC's very well, which I hope to post on my YouTube account soon.

We're looking forward to Birthday Week around here next week. Sean and Sophie don't know it, but we're taking them to Disney World and staying for a couple of days. Trying to make up for the guilt for not having anyone we know around here to celebrate with, I guess.

We're going to the special "Mickey's Halloween Party" where the kids get to dress up and the park is open late and there is trick-or-treating, so I hope they have a great time. I think Chip and I are going to buy their costumes this week while they're in daycare before we go so that it's all ready and a total surprise when we get there in the evening.

So…while we miss all of you terribly, we really are doing well here. Glad to have money to pay the bills and to have had great luck with the area we found to live and to be hanging in there. We are still just a phone call, email, or webcam/Skype chat away, so feel free to check in on us when you have a moment. I try to be good about posting stuff at www.katywibert.blogspot.com & www.thefloridawiberts.shutterfly.com, too – including videos. Please drop in there sometime and say hi (I really enjoy posting the pics and videos for you all to see), especially if the moments you have to catch up with us occur at, say, 4 am.

Much love ~ Chip, Katy, Sean, and Sophia, a.k.a. “The Florida Wiberts”

A new experience

2008-09-11T22:48:00.004-04:00

There are lots of things in life I've never experienced, and really have no desire to do so.

Things like car accidents and house fires and getting shot and terrorist attacks are things that I'm happy to be in the dark about. But I still worry about them. I think the fact that it could be ANY of us at any time was pointed out to me all too well today.

I must admit I got a bit obsessed with 9-11. The way everyone in those towers or in those planes or in the Pentagon were cared for, prayed for, mourned...it was very special. The horror stories and the photos and the videos were horrific and still bring very strong emotions. I'm touched by the heroism and the horror. Even though I had no ties to any of those people, I have dreams - really - that I experience some of those moments.

So, even though the ACTUAL experience had virtually no physical effects on my life (other than the interruption of a normal work day), the process of scurrying down the stairwell at work today with the alarms blaring gave me an emotional surge that immediately brought that day 7 years ago to mind...and even if it weren't 9/11, I'm sure I would have still thought those thoughts, but the fact that it WAS 9/11 just gave me the creeps.

The real event was that in my 4-story building the elevator motor either overheated or caught fire (I'm sure I'll know more tomorrow) and we were evacuated for 2 hours.

Before we evacuated, we didn't notice any smells and most people thought it was a drill or some crazy person pulling a prank (even more creepy to think about on 9/11). But once the emergency vehicles arrived and the road was closed off and the hoses were uncoiled, we all started believing there might really be a problem.

Luckily it was around lunch time and the alarms went off early enough so that everyone was safe. But I hear there was smoke billowing throughout the building, and it smelled quite bad when we were allowed back in.

Who knows what tomorrow holds?

Today, I'm thinking of the families who were affected by 9/11, the people who jumped - thinking that was preferrable to burning up, those who survived and feel guilty, those who have the horrible smells, the sights, the sounds burned into paths in their brains, those who fought courageously but lost the battle, those who still fight courageously...and I'm feeling grateful to all of them. For what they have taught me.

And I'm feeling very thankful that today was no worse than smoke damage. And I'm hoping for "normalcy" tomorrow.

Train De-railed

2008-09-08T21:43:00.003-04:00

Well, I was putting Sophia to bed and got a great idea for something to post, but that train of thought quickly de-railed when I got on the computer and decided to change my blog layout.
So...maybe it will come back to me tomorrow!

Fiction is powerful

2008-09-02T00:03:00.003-04:00

I like reading books. I read a lot of them. Sometimes too many. I don't always remember every detail of every book I read because I have too much in real life to think about (unlike Chip, who can still keep all the Stephen King plotlines separate and repeat in detail), but I enjoy a good read.
A few years ago, an aunt got me "hooked" on Christian fiction by Karen Kingsbury (http://www.karenkingsbury.com/). She writes about tough topics (read: tear-jerking) a lot of the time, but it's good to have an excuse other than my pitiful life, right? :-)
Anyway, there's been a few series of her books dedicated to one family - the Baxters. I'm halfway through the "last" series. So...if any of you are behind me in reading, this post is about "Summer: Baxter family drama, Sunrise series #2". Read no further. Spoiler ahead. For the rest of you, I just finished writing this letter to the author:

I don't think I can even find the words I want to in order to thank you for Summer. I lost two babies to miscarriage in 1998, and it began a long process for me of healing through helping others who were hurting from similar losses. Through that process I have heard countless stories of the preciousness of life, but the one closest to my heart next to my own is the story of my aunt who gave birth to her precious baby girl, Kristy, over 25 years ago. Kristy with anencephaly. Kristy who changed many people's lives, through her very presence, and through the ministry of my aunt's story. (side note...Carol and Mimi and Diana and Pat and Cindy and Angie and Nicole and Renee and Missy and Kelly, and so many others whose stories touched me, along with those who wish to remain anonymous...all of you were in my thoughts and prayers during the reading of this book, too)
To be honest, when Ashley (the character in the book) started out praying for a miracle after her diagnosis, I was pretty annoyed. I know God is bigger than all of our problems, but I didn't want her miracle to happen. I wanted the pain. I wanted it so others could know that there was more to the pain. That complete joy of her few hours with Sarah. I also wanted it because I wanted people to know that you CAN live through something like that and come out with faith still in tact. That you CAN ask God the questions Ashley asked in the cemetary. That the miracles do happen, but not always in the way we want them to. Of course, it would be wonderful if parents could pray and the miracles you expect would happen, but when God has other plans for that baby than our earthly expectations, it's nice to know that it was all still a part of his wonderful (and scary!) plan for our lives. My faith journey wasn't as easy as Ashley's, but it's a different faith. Not a Santa-Claus faith anymore. And ten years later, although I still miss my babies and hurt that I haven't met them on earth, I feel blessed to have met the people I did and to know their stories and to have done my best to give others a place and a time to heal and remember and honor their babies.
I thank you for letting characters so close to your heart, and to your readers, go through something like this to help show that every life matters to God. A person's a person, no matter how small - we had that Dr. Seuss quote that was in your book on our "Walk to Remember" program every year. 2 cells, 8 cells, 4,000 cells. No matter how small.
Very powerful thing, fiction. I thank you for using it for good and the glory of God.

So I don't often spout my views on life because I'm not big on conflict, but I'm VERY VERY passionate about the fact that abortion kills life. I know. I didn't use my "right" and yet the life was still torn from me. I heard heartbeats. I saw toes and fingers. I felt LIFE. (see September 2007 posts for a picture)

A mother (A woman who conceives, gives birth to, or raises and nurtures a child is the definition I prefer http://www.thefreedictionary.com/mother, but you can find more that are politcally correct and sure to incite riot in those of us who "merely miscarried" if you search on your own) is a vessel, not someone with the RIGHT to destroy a baby for convenience - even if it is to spare the pain of having to deal with something - anything - that will be hard to deal with emotionally. I know you will all say, "what about in the case of medical necessity?" My answer - choose life whenever possible. I've heard that there aren't many truly medically necessary occasions, but I wouldn't want to be the one to choose between my child and my life. Most mothers I know would gladly give up their own life so that their child may live. If both are in danger, wouldn't a C-section be more prudent? I'd like to know more about the stats of the actual cases before I would say that an abortion is the only option and reason enough to make it legal and create all kinds of loopholes.
Killing a baby in the womb is not a RIGHT anyone has. It's not right for a boyfriend to stab his pregnant girlfriend and kill the baby. Why should it be ok for the girlfriend to choose that on her own? Who's rights are we protecting? A privilege, maybe. The privilege to kill without feeling entirely guilty because it's not illegal. Yeah, I suppose it's a privilege. But then maybe we could also have the privilege on the books of not having to obey the speed limit on the highway when you're late or in a hurry because it's more convenient. If the argument, "Whatever is best for you is the right decision" works for you...please consider other times that advice could be given and see if you would have the same answer: "It was best for me to drive home drunk because I didn't have a way to get back to my car the next day". "It felt best to me to go 50 in that school zone because I was late for a really important meeting (sorry about hitting your kid)." It was in my best interest to kill that guy - he was hurting my friend." (a side note...isn't it interesting that "Earl had to die" was pulled from radio play, but "Gunpowder and Lead" and it's clear 'pre-meditation' is played at least a few times a day?!? They're fun songs to listen to, but do they really inspire those kinds of actions and renegade justice? Who knows...I prefer to remain cautious and just listen to them in the privacy of my own home. I don't think Chip has anything to worry about...*smile). "It was really in my best interest to take Meth - I needed it to make it through the day." I could go on, but you're probably already not reading because you're mad at me.
Well, once every 10 years, I should probably make my opinion known. At least in this non-invasive forum that most people I know stopped reading long ago, anyway (thanks for being faithful Lana! Hope I didn't just make you a former reader!!).
Giving women the right to take lives out of their womb totally removes the right for me to grieve for, and love, and cherish my babies and to praise God for their brief existance, and for my friends to do the same. And I refuse to give THAT right away!

tortillas and convenience stores

2008-08-28T22:18:00.003-04:00

Kids say some pretty funny things. Over the last few days, I've had the pleasure of hearing a couple of good ones from my kids.

From Sean:
In these parts, there are a lot of "combo" stores with Shell gasoline and Circle K stores. I mean alot. Like I can think of 4 just in my town (2 are right across the street from each other for convenient entry/exit!) and I drive past a couple more on my way to work.
This one is just around the corner from our house...and around the other corner is daycare! (the price was down to $3.49 by the time I picked the kids up from daycare the day I snapped this picture - yay!)

So the other night, we're driving home from Tampa (yay Angie's housewarming party!) and I tell Sean I need to stop for gas.
He says, "Let's stop at that Shellcle K". I almost missed the exit I was laughing so hard! Very clever, that one.

From Sophie:
Sophia's getting pretty good at saying words and phrases and repeating new words as you say them to her. She was in the kitchen "helping" me make dinner tonight and I asked her if she wanted a tortilla. She said, "Sophia!"

I didn't cook her up for dinner, but she didn't seem to mind the tortilla chips instead...

One Year Ago...

2008-08-26T23:59:00.003-04:00

Mom and Fred were just about to leave and go back to New York (or maybe they had just left?!?), we were still in Michigan, and I was 2 days away from starting a new job. Yay! Even though I wasn't TECHNICALLY hired in to the company for a couple more months, I can't believe a whole year has passed. It's been eventful, to say the least. A fun adventure at its best... Here are a couple of pics from this time last year:

she stole his toast.
Crazy woman driver!
Well...not much has changed here!
Sean's first day of first grade. Sadly, I have no first day of second grade pics. :(
The girls. Aren't they adorable?!?

Lakeland, FL Start! Heart Walk 2008

2008-08-26T00:02:00.002-04:00

For my loved ones, past, present, and future, I am walking in the 2008 Heart Walk in Lakeland, FL. You can click on the links below to donate online ($25 minimum, unfortunately), or you can mail me a check if you'd like. Contact me by sending a comment if you have any questions.
The thermometer shows the goals of the whole Lakeland Start! Heart Walk. My personal goal is $250, and I'm 10% of the way there so far. :-)
If you're in my area and want to walk with me (I guess that means you, Angie, unless I have some unknown visitors who enjoy my little site), let me know. It will be fun to have someone besides the kiddies to walk with.

Click Here to Donate

Banana Pudding

2008-08-17T22:54:00.002-04:00

Katy has been reminded in Technicolor, THX sound, why her diet consists of chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and misc food that requires no preparation.

This was my Facebook "status update" yesterday.

Honestly, all I wanted to do was make this yummy-sounding recipe for Banana Pudding that a co-worker brought to a potluck. I didn't even get to be at the potluck (I was in South Bend), but I heard rave reviews, and apparently in the "south", that's something to not take lightly. Well, all of my family likes bananas (Jes, you weren't here, so you don't count!), and it sounded good, so while Chip was at work and Sean was outside playing, I figured I could knock it out quick without too much fuss.

I was wrong.

First, the recipe requires whipped topping. No problem. I had that! Thawed. Oh, now that's another story. So, I took it out of the freezer and took Sophie down to the park to swing for a few minutes while it thawed (didn't figure it would take too long in 80+ degrees). 35 minutes later, back upstairs to the pudding.

I started mixing the pudding, and I hear blood-curdling screams. Ok. Not blood-curdling. But potentially pudding-curdling. 20 minutes later, after cleaning up a VERY dirty, but not-so-injured, "Buzz Lightyear", everyone's hungry for dinner. I get out the hot dogs, but there's only 1 left. The kiddos fight over it. Sophie wins, but only because I offer Sean a "quesadilla" (cheese burrito, really. Too lazy for 2 layers).

That done, hands washed, I commence to cutting the bananas. Sophie's at my feet (when she's not opening the oven and standing on the door to try to reach things) screaming for a whole one - a 1/2 one just won't do, but I didn't have enough to give her a whole one. Should have skimped on the recipe to appease, I see in hindsight. Too late now - they're already cut up, and that just isn't the shape of banana she was interested in.

Finally, I get all the parts mixed together, and it ends up like this:

Very tasty. Rich. Creamy. Kinda like gramma's ice cream dessert, honestly, only with bananas. And there are cookies instead of Ritz, so no slight salt flavor that would have helped cut down the sweetness a bit. Really, really good. But...I won't attempt anything like it again soon, at least not while Chip is at work. The taste is not worth the pain in the rear it was to make, even though it's really easy.

Back to nuggets, hot dogs, cheese burritos, ice cream, pre-baked cookies, and the like...after I eat another helping of the pudding. ;-)

Sophie steals the show...and my camera

2008-08-16T09:18:00.000-04:00

About me again.

2008-08-08T22:41:00.002-04:00

The cheater's way to post a quick blog...copy and paste these email thingys!

1. What is your occupation right now? Data Manager
2. What color are your socks right now? foot-colored because I'm not wearing any
3.What are you listening to right now? fan, air conditioning, and Sean's bed creaking 4.What was the last thing that you ate? Fruit Chiller cup (peach) that I shared with Sophie 5. Can you drive a stick shift? Does it have to be WELL? Then No.
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Dad W.
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Very Much!
8. How old are you today?
33 and 5/6ths (I figured it out with Sean a couple of weeks ago; reducing fractions and all. Math can be FUN!)
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? Olympic Events
10. What is your favorite drink? Sweet tea or water
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? a time or two
12. Favorite food? Almond thingy that we make at Christmas time or gooey orange rolls that are perfectly done
13. What is the last movie you watched? Peter Pan
14. Favorite day of the year? the day I didn't have to do any housework
15. How do you vent anger? vent? you're supposed to vent?
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? I dunno...the piano? (Mom, Sophie would definitely go with your answer of water)
17. What is your favorite season? Seasons of change (for the better)
18. Cherries or Blueberries? blueberries
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? yep, cuz I rarely bug em with stuff like this (wink wink)
22. Living arrangements? 3-bedroom, 2-bath, 1,200 sq ft apartment with 4 people and 1,800 sq ft of crap!
23. When was the last time you cried? tonight
24. What is on the floor of your closet? a little of everything; see #22
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to Angie. Sorry, Jes, but you weren't born yet when I met her!
26. What did you do last night dishes, laundry, library, ate at Grandpa Johnson's Yummy BBQ (yummy my edit), read my "new" book, Facebook a little
27. What are you most afraid of failure; ruining my children's lives
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers CHEESEburgers.
29. Favorite dog breed? Stuffed and cuddly
30. Favorite day of the week? same as #14
31. How many states have you lived in? If you count all my time in NY, 4.
32. Diamonds or pearls? Pearls surrounded by diamonds
33. What is your favorite flower? I'm partial to lillies and orchids

The smell remembers when...

2008-08-07T22:06:00.003-04:00

"I was standin' at the counter

I was waitin' for the change

When I heard that old familiar music start..."

I like Trisha Yearwood a lot. I love this song. Very true. But I've found that smells often do the same thing for me.

On my travels a week or so ago, I sat next to someone who was wearing the same cologne as someone I knew on Mackinac Island. Just a friend with whom I shared my woes (they were woes back then), but I smelled him first, and when I turned to look at who was sitting by me, I was shocked that it wasn't the Mackinac guy stowing his carry-on. Crazy.

Chip told me at our first stop in FL when we moved, "Do you smell that? That's the smell I always associate with FL...the slight mustiness, but 'soft' smell. I love it." Sorry, Chip, I'm sure I paraphrased, but since you don't read this anyway, I'm sure you won't care. :-)

Baby powder reminds me of Sean's baths. He was BIG into powder. Maybe Sophie is getting there - she's been liking it with diaper changes during this terrible bout with diaper rash - but she likes the "girly" cucumber melon scent.

The smell of a smokey (inside of a) car still reminds me of riding to/from the theatre with Fred. On a total tangent to this, tonight I was at the library looking up a book to place on hold and I saw an audio tape recorded at Brilliance Studio in Grand Haven and I immediately had tears in my eyes because I could see me in that studio watching Fred read a part for a book. Can't remember which one - I need to ask, just so I can get it and listen to him reading. What a voice.

Back to smells...the good ones...

somehow the smell of the first snow always reminds me of childhood snows. I'm sure that's a combo of many senses, though.

The smell of apple pie always puts me in my grandma's kitchen.

The smell of playdough always reminds me of my childhood kitchen table...oh, wait. I still play playdough on the same table, and until recently, in the same house, in the same SPOT.

The smell of COTY dusting powder reminds me of my Grandma Smith.

The smell of White Rain coconut (me) and Aussie shampoo (Angie) reminds me of my Mackinac days, too.

And I don't know what it is - I think Estee Lauder Sunflower perfume or something like that - always conjures the image of Jen Day in my mind. You too, Ang?

There are a couple of other smells that remind me of Mackinac, too, and yes, I smile, but no, I'm not sharing ;-), but for those of you with impressionable teens (coughCarolcough), DON'T let them go work up there!

Airplanes don't always bring out the best in me...

2008-07-31T22:06:00.003-04:00

I can't really say I HATE flying. Being in the air is cool. Amazing, even. It's just that I am terrified of all of the worst-case scenarios. The horror stories that we've all heard. The firey crashes. The falling into the ocean. The crashes that result in cannibalism. The hijackings...
Every time I get on a plane (and that was 6 times in the past 2 weeks), I have these conversations with myself. Luckily not out loud, but I bet my seatmates could read it in my face.

They go something like this:
"What's that sound? That can't be good!!" or "We have been waiting on the tarmac for 45 minutes. This CANNOT be good!!" or "Are we supposed to be descending so quickly?!?" and then I will rationalize with myself. "It's the safest way to travel. If you die, at least it will be with a bang (I chuckle at myself a little here). Millions of people do this everyday and they are FINE." and then I say, "but there are always exceptions. It has happened in the past. What makes you so special that it won't happen this time?" and back to me "The pilot doesn't want to die, either. He or she knows how to fly this thing (even though it seems physically impossible) and they want to get where you are going just as badly as you do" and on and on it goes. Sometimes the argument can last for the whole flight. Luckily I don't make myself physically ill over it (at least not badly enough to use the "special" bags!), but it bothers me that I feel this way.

I think my dad would call me a realist. Thinking through all the possibilities. To be honest, I think about crashing in a car most of the times I'm in one, too. Always wondering if today is the day. Some might call me cautious. These thoughts help me to be a better driver, and a more alert passenger (yes, I'm the idiot next to you actually paying attention to the safety demo/video and reading the "safety card located in your seat pocket"), but they also give me ulcers. I just call me afraid.

So last week, when I flew to a training course on "Customer Care", I really related when the speaker (JoAnna Brandi, see website link on the right of this page) talked about catastrophizers. That's what I am. I don't feel like a pessimist for most things. But I always do see the worst possible outcome in situations. I don't necessarily feel like that outcome would be personal and BECAUSE OF me, but I always think about the what-ifs. Forgive me, JoAnna, if this isn't exactly in the correct context, but here's something she said that changed my travel immediately, effectively, and really, just amazingly. She said to stop thinking about the worst case. Who knew it could be that easy, right? haha! But she also talked about visualizing the end. Seeing yourself off the ground and in the air smoothly, or landing perfectly. She wasn't talking about travel, but I immediately thought "fooey. It won't work for flying. I can't CONTROL the outcome, so how will visualizing make me handle the situation better?". See yourself SUCCESSFUL and you will have a better chance of success. I'd heard it before, but how could it work if you weren't the one taking the action to create success?
You know what? I decided to try it. Instead of visualizing me being in control of the flight, though, I visualized me being in control of my EMOTIONS. I thought about enjoying the flight, the pilot truly caring about my safety, and about the things I do like about flying. I want to be profound, but the truth is, it just worked. My stomach was not in knots at all, I was able to talk to the very interesting person beside me, but most of all, I was able to stop dwelling on me and the fear and the what-ifs, and just look out the window. For almost the entire flight from South Bend to Atlanta. And it was amazing. The first time I was able to contemplate how brave the Wright Brothers were. How brave every pilot is. How wonderful it is to be able to see so much of the earth out one tiny window. How amazing the road system in Indiana is. I mean, really. How did they make such perfectly square road systems without the benefit of overhead views? And then I went on tangents thinking about pioneers and how they knew where they were going without roads and only crude maps, and their bravery...and how each of those tiny houses had a story, and each person in them could be hurting (you know the statistics - 1 in 3 have this disease, 1 in 4 have this...). It just totally took the focus off of me.
And I was at peace. And awe. In an airplane. For the first time ever.
I think there's a lesson here about my life on the ground, too. Did you catch it? I hope so! Pass it on...

Epcot: Spaceship Earth

2008-07-30T19:55:00.003-04:00

I thought it would be nice to ride inside the Geosphere just because I was hot and needed a break, but it turned out to be interesting, and a lot of fun. It was Sean's favorite of all three Disney parks we've been to by FAR, and we had fun with the last part. You get to answer some questions and "create your own future", and then when you get off the ride, you can email postcards of it. Here are just a few of the ones we created this weekend:

My First YouTube

2008-07-25T21:23:00.002-04:00

SO...if this works, I think I'll do this more often!!!

Oh, and for the curious, yes, that WAS Sean pummeling her in the face with the ball. But she did look sufficiently disgusted with him, didn't she?!? Luckily, it wasn't a medicine ball!

What do Amy Grant, Doritos, and and Tide have in common?

2008-07-23T00:20:00.005-04:00

Do you know the answer?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!? Keep reading...

Ok. I know we moved to FL, where it's hotter and you sweat more and get clothes wetter. But I am doing at least 2 loads of laundry a day. If I let it go for a couple of days, it's a 7-load marathon.
I know I did a lot of laundry before, but what is up with this?!? Here are my hypotheses:
1) We swim, thus using more towels that take up space.
but we also hang them up and re-use them. So I don't really think that's it, entirely
2) Sophie is desiring more independence and spills all the time all over herself (and sometimes others).
This one is a bit more believable. She does like to feed herself and we are now sans bibs -nowhere to store them. So this could be part of our problem. But her clothes are smaller than everyone else's, so it shouldn't be that much more (although today, she did end up with 2 outfit changes and 1 shirt change...so definitely credible!).
3) Our washing machine is small.
I'm going to go with this one. Listen, apartment owners. Just because it's an apartment doesn't mean you have to skimp on the washload requirements. I happen to know that a large-capacity washer would maybe possibly fit in the tiny space you call a laundry "room". Or at least don't tease me - get one of those fancy stackable types that would fit in one side of the closet, and let me use the other side as a pantry, since I have barely any food storage space once I put my dishes in your skimpy cabinets!
I know I'm a bit spoiled. We bought our washer in Cville shortly after we moved in 2004, and when we were at Best Buy pricing them, the salesguy told us it would fit all of our bedding from our king-size bed in one load. Mind you, I didn't stuff it like that (but Chip did - a time or twenty!), but it was very nice-sized.
I'm lamenting its loss.
But the good news is that just two or three weeks after moving in, we got a new dryer. The one that was here first looked to be about 20 or so years old, and it would turn off randomly, leaving our clothes wet, and we'd have to start the whole thing over again because it wouldn't pick up where it left off. That, and there were big gaping holes in the lint trap. Probably not very safe in an apartment building. The new one works perfectly, even on "energy-efficient" setting it dries things nicely. That's probably because the load size that fits in the washer is only 1/2 or 3/4 of the dryer capacity and we're wasting the energy in the wash loads. Another great side benefit...the new one had the ability to change the way the door opened, so now I don't have to be a contortionist to get the clothes from the washer into the dryer. Thank you, Chip! That was an excellent idea!
Truly, I should not complain. At least we only have to go to the laundromat (answer to the title - Baby, Baby video and Doritos commercial filmed in one, most of them smell like Tide, if you're lucky!) once in a while, when we want to wash the mattress pad that won't fit in the washer. Imagine if I had all this laundry and had to GO SOMEWHERE ELSE to do it! No thank you! I don't get enough done around here as it is!

Mamma Mia!

2008-07-21T00:01:00.002-04:00

I had a wonderful time tonight. I got to go for Girl's Night Out and got to see a movie! It was my first in a theatre since Sean's third birthday, when we saw the Incredibles. Just FYI, he will be SEVEN in October. ;-) Actually, now that I think about it, maybe we did go to another Disney movie when I was pregnant with Sophie. Can't remember. At any rate, it's been a while.

We saw Mamma Mia!
http://www.mammamiamovie.com/main.html
It's a musical "based on" ABBA songs that I fondly remember from my growing up years.

Ok. I know a lot of people who have no use for a musical. But I happen to love them. And even though I love musicals that have music written just for them and sing those songs all the time, I have to say, it was AMAZING how they used ABBA songs in such a fluid way. It never seemed awkward. It was truly just people "bursting" into song because life just gave them something they had to express through music. It's how life should be lived! It was funny, sweet, sappy, touching, energetic, and just really a fun time.
I think all of the cast sang their own songs, and I was amazed (why should I have been?) at how well-acted it was. I definitely felt their emotions (stop laughing at me, Angie!), and I loved that even though they sang on key, they didn't choose the people with the most glorious voices. It made it more fun and believable.
I don't know. It was just such a good time. I will be first in line once the DVD comes out, and hope to get out and see it in the theater again (yes, I'm willing to shell out the $9.50 it costs to see a movie down here!!!). Maybe I'll go by myself so I can sit in the back and laugh and cry without being embarrassed. But if you want to watch it with me, I'll be happy to invite you along. And mom, if you bring your cell phone when you go, just call me and leave it on speaker so I can listen. HAHA.
Really, it was a good time. The best I've had in quite some time. You MIGHT attribute that to the fact that I was sans family, and perhaps you are correct, but I wager that any of my musical friends will agree that Mamma Mia is the reason for my current euphoria.
Looking for the stage show to come to town so Angie and I can go again...

When you say nothing at all...

2008-07-19T22:51:00.004-04:00

I have been taught that it's really better, if you don't have anything good to say, to not say anything.
I just wanted to let you know why I haven't written here in a while...

2008-06-16T19:54:00.002-04:00

Just to clarify...

2008-06-14T12:29:00.002-04:00

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers in my life...just to clarify, I wasn't putting the following cards in any specific order. :-) Please consider yourselves all loved equally...in different ways!
...and you can expect a card in the mail, too, but poor planning and forgetfulness has made us late in getting them out to you. Sorry.
But we still love you!

My Daddy Rocks - Chip Father's Day

2008-06-14T12:27:00.002-04:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Happy Father's Day Freddy

2008-06-14T11:56:00.002-04:00

Make a Smilebox free ecard

Happy Father's Day Grampa Beach!

2008-06-14T11:47:00.002-04:00

Make a Smilebox free ecard

Happy Father's Day Grampa Chuck!

2008-06-14T11:34:00.002-04:00

Make a Smilebox free ecard

Things I learned my first day of work

2008-06-03T22:14:00.004-04:00

My first day at the new office, I had quite a few revelations I thought I would share with everyone:

1. I'm not the only one who talks to herself.

2. Getting "punk'd" by co-workers from the "old" office is very funny - but only to you.
(all of my things were marked with garage sale stickers, and I can tell you, they were hoping for bargains! My Franklin Planner for 25 cents?!? I think the Ramen noodles were 10 cents - not much of a bargain there, though. The most they were willing to pay was $10, and I think that was for the instructions to assemble my monitor - or maybe it was the network cable we all seemed to fight over!). Yeah. The new people didn't get it. Guess I won't be punking them while they're on vacation.

3. The code to the women's bathroom is...well, I can't tell you or you'll walk in on me, but seriously, there is a security code!

4. Security badges are really worth something here. You can get into the office building without it sometimes, but not into our suite. This would include the trip back from aforementioned bathroom. This, coupled with the fact that it's a small office without many people (hence not a real flow of people in and out to help you get back in), is a good reason to find a place to keep the badge attached to you!

5. The security code for the breakroom has the exact same digits as the women's bathroom code, but in a different order. Luckily I don't take breaks (haha), so I have conveniently forgotten the order.

6. Don't wander around the basement of a bank building (we share our offices with a large bank) alone, without a security badge. You might cause undue alarm when you get near the vaults. Fortunately, I didn't stick around long enough to make anyone worry (that I know of - yet). But hey, I was only looking for the breakroom that they told me had a big screen TV in it. Perhaps this would be the reason for above security code for entry. And, as an FYI, the security BADGE alone doesn't cut it. You have to have the code.

7. No matter how much stuff you packed for the move, you still left something behind. And hey, it could be in GR or in NY, no one knows. But it could just be the most important paper you were hoping to have with you. Like passwords to websites for researching. That weren't yours. And you have to suck it up and contact an executive so that he or she knows you've been slacking off on their project-baby.

8. Faxing is not as simple as I always thought it was. Here are the instructions:

If dialing locally:
dial 9, then the area code (Verizon makes us do this), then proceed as below beginning with step 4.

If dialing long distance:
dial 9
dial 1
dial the phone number with area code first
press pause 4 times
enter employee ID#
press SEND*

*SEND is not a button that actually appears on the machine, but I assumed they meant start.
Other than that, these are the exact instructions I followed in order to get my new W-4 sent to payroll. Easy as pie!

So that's it. The lessons learned. I wish they were as funny to you as they were to me.

Here are a couple of pics of my new digs, though. The second one is a little blurry because I was snapping them while I was on a conference call and I thought I was on mute, but as I pressed the button and heard the loud "quack" sound effect, I realized I wasn't [on mute], so I tried to move the phone away from my headset. :-)

Oh! And RIGHT after I took these pictures, a kind person brought me a monitor riser, so I no longer have the lovely phone book holding up my laptop.

I kinda like how I've interspersed my personal life with my work life, but you can see everything so well through my windows that I'll probably be asked to move them to the other wall. Who knows? It's a very nice place, though. Lots of nice people with soothing Southern accents to listen to. Makes me crave sweet tea and Chick Fil A all day, but I love listening!

Well, y'all, that's enough for today. See ya later, Alligators (but hopefully not too soon, gators. I hear they're prevelant around these parts).

Catch up Photos

2008-05-30T22:53:00.003-04:00

So before I post on all the major changes in life, I thought I would share some photos from the past month or so.

Here's Sophie in the dress Gramma made. This was the "happy" photo.

Here she is after the novelty of Mom wanting to take her picture wore off...Sean's last Pack meeting with Pack 3004 earned him 3 new belt loops, his Tiger Cub badge, and a special photo with the leaders. He was acknowledged in front of everyone that he was moving and would be greatly missed.
Sean and Sophie on the Tiger at the Syracuse zoo. Who knew they give Tiger rides?!? :-)

An impromptu moment of fun at the zoo. Sophie and Sean loved the pretend munching of ears. Smiles that were rare on this trip were greatly appreciated and made the day much more enjoyable for everyone.

Easter Finery

2008-03-27T20:34:00.003-04:00

Miscellaneous

2008-03-27T20:14:00.002-04:00

Sean and Sophie playing with Sean's new "Christmas" present - a Chihuahua webkinz named "Sidney". Thanks, Nana! He loves it and is addicted!

Sean and Sophie giving goodnight hugs and kisses to Gramma from the hotel room in Chicago (I had to go there for training for work a couple of weeks ago)

And here are Sean and Sophie enjoying the DuPage County Children's Museum. They had a wonderful time and played lots and lots there.

Blue and Gold

2008-03-08T09:19:00.005-05:00

Sean's pack meeting for Cub Scouts February was the Blue and Gold banquet where they celebrate most of the "Tigers" receiving their Bobcat badges (the first one you get before earning anything else - Sean got his in October). They celebrated with the theme of "Chinese New Year", with the dragon parade and everything. It was a grand time. Sean earned 4 belt loops this time (actually 6, but the leader forgot one and we forgot to turn in the paperwork for the other), and he was very proud. Here are some pics of the evening.

Sean's the last one in this picture (on the right). He's waving his sparkly thing and I think he's also shaking his noise (not money) maker.

Sean made and wore a cat mask.

After the parade and dinner, a man came in and showed the scouts some Tae Kwon Do moves. They all seemed to have a great time (see below). Sean was laughing and yet still paying attention and learning, and I got a little excited that it might be something fun we could do together until he walked back to the table and told us it was the most boring time ever. So much for that...for now.

After all of that, the awards ceremony took place. Here's Sean earning his belt loops.

Sophie got into the spirit by stealing Sean's hat while he was wearing the cat mask. She enjoyed being a Tiger cub for the night.

The squeaky boot gets the laugh

2008-03-02T23:28:00.003-05:00

The other night we came in from playing outside and Sophie really did not want to come back in. She had taken off her mittens and played in the snow, though (she wanted a better grip on it so she could eat it better), and I didn't want her hands to freeze.

She started walking in a huff so I wouldn't be able to get off her boots, and they started making loud squeaking noises on the linoleum. These pics are showing how fascinating and humorous she thought that was. She giggled and giggled and giggled.

She made lap after lap back and forth and as long as those shoes kept squeaking (and it was quite a while...did I mention it was also drizzling outside?!?), she kept at it.
The good news was by the end, she was happy to be inside and didn't put up any more fuss with getting ready for bed.
How FUN!

Shout outs

2008-02-26T23:15:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to give a shout-out (that's "say HI" for all you fogies) to the couple of "new" people who have begun reading my blog. I know from reading the blogs of others that you can get carried away on the thoughts of others, so I appreciate the time all of you spend here. A lot of times it's easier to write my feelings than to say them-like if they get spoken they might be true, but if I write them, they're still ghosts of my mind. Sometimes I like my feelings to be that way. But sometimes, I really appreciate when people read what I write and say, "Hey, that's cool!" or "you're kinda funny" or "yeah, that really sucks", and I should say that out loud. It's nice to have the feeling and remembrance that people care. So often, I don't even get time to think until too late to call people, and if I do have time earlier, it's usually LOUD around here. I'm glad to know that even though I don't pick up the phone and call, some people are still listening. And I appreciate all of you. And, I will admit (but again, probably not aloud in the presence of others - some things should stay ghost-like...ha ha...gotta love family!), I love you, too.

Fort Harrison

2008-02-26T22:55:00.005-05:00

I just want to get this off my chest first...why can't I see a bunch of the pictures I posted? They were here the other day when I posted them - I know, I looked!
Anyway, I'll check in a day or so and if they're still not there, I will try to fix them. In the meantime, here are a bunch more.
Did I mention it's been snowy here? :-)
Well, there's never been enough snow at once that lingers long enough for Sean to have a snow fort...until this year.

This is the view from the front entrance (the first hole dug)

Sean is in the lookout hole (the moonroof?!?) - he's not touching the ground inside, by the way. I think he's standing on Dad or something - Chip is hanging out the back entrance (no jokes, please), and the Nerf gun guards the front entrance you saw above. Funny story about that gun. I just about broke my nose on it when I tried to help dig some of the snow out. That was the end of Mom's helpful attitude. But it does seem to keep out the neighbors!
The smile I so rarely see anymore. I'm glad he's so excited by the fort. He and Dad spend scads of time out there (and I'm glad I don't have to...much, anyway)

Hardly Iwo Gima, but Sean insisted on having the flag on top, so people would know it was friendly fire, I imagine

I guess if the gun fails, the car's snow scraper will do the trick at close range. I hope it's back in the car now, in case we get dumped on with white stuff while we're out and about.

Ending on a high note

2008-02-21T23:53:00.004-05:00

Three months since Fred has been gone. Doesn't seem possible. I keep a picture of him and Mom as my desktop background at work, so looking at it makes it seem more unreal, but comforting. He's making a subtle face that he always made, and it helps me remember some of the other funny (quirky) things about him.

Like his bathroom song.

his pride in his ..."wind"...

how he liked to sing songs (especially inventively re-worded versions) while he was puttering in the kitchen.

how he looked when he ate licorice.

how he would yell at the Jeopardy contestants.

his laugh - especially on of the last times I remember...laughing at the Colon saying Happy Thanksgiving on JibJab (I wouldn't recommend the faint of heart go online searching for it, but it was definitely Fred's kind of funny).

Just stuff like that.

And I still miss him a lot.

But I feel better when remembering those things. And when driving past the Civic Theatre...

Christmas photos

2008-02-21T23:38:00.003-05:00

Yes, they're almost as late as my Christmas CARDS. Which, honest to goodness, I still have intentions of mailing. Someday. I kept hoping to have more solid news to put in them. Oh well. So maybe I'll send them in July as a festive something different...
Here are the pics:

after the Santa, before the chaos
is she biting it or opening it?!?
Grampa with the 2 babies.
Testing out the new thumb war ring...it appears that Gramps has the upper hand (pun intended)
Sophie and Gramma Marcia in NY. I don't have the opening presents pics...I think we used Gramma's camera. But we had fun there, too. Miss her. Maybe we'll get to go back for Easter.

Making up for lost time

2008-02-21T23:18:00.003-05:00

When I came into the bedroom tonight, I was just going to go straight to bed. It was only 9:30, but I'd been reading "Great Expectations" for about a 1/2 hour, and - don't get me wrong, it's a great book - it was making me sleepy. But then I remembered I had started an email to my aunt and I needed to quickly finish it. Now I feel like I should make up for lost time on here and get some pictures posted (while I'm playing around on Facebook with all my "new" old friends!).
So, here are some more fun pics. Hope you enjoy!

Phone call from Grandma M:
I think he's reading her a book?!?

Sophie looks very impressed.
Now she's more interested.

Gramma - when are you going to talk to ME?!?
Unfortunately Gramma knows all to well that she has to do all of the talking in THAT conversation. Sophie will babble on and on until you give her a phone. Then she just likes to listen. And of late, shrug her shoulders.

Story Time

2008-02-21T23:11:00.005-05:00

Sean loves reading to his sister, and she loves turning the pages!

It's the Counting Kisses book and she's kissing the page. Isn't that sweet?!?

Has it really been that long?

2008-02-21T22:46:00.003-05:00

Wow, I see it's been nigh on a month since I've last posted. Well, that means in only a couple more weeks we should know whether or not the house deal went through (wow, and people thought I was a procrastinator!!!).

Life is still busy here. But the real news is all of this SNOW. It's all we're talking about around here, practically. It's been a record season, with over 90" or something close to that already, and we still have a good month of potential snowfall. It somehow has lost its luster as something wonderful to play in over the years...I guess the snow shoveling and driving (admittedly mostly RIDING this year) I have to do in it now...

But at least my kids are enjoying it!:

You can only see the small piles here. On either side of the driveway, they're over my 5'5" head!

I swear that is not a snowball!!! It was snowing so much, a fortuitous flake landed right on the lens!
(note the pileup of snow on top of the car that was clean just the day before when Sean and dad went bowling)

Biting the gift horse...

2008-01-27T17:48:00.000-05:00

The joy of Michigan winters (at the ski/tubing resort). Sean didn't like tubing, but he enjoyed the snowbank in the parking lot. Sophie likes the outdoors, but she wasn't prepared to be out for long.

Sophie at Chuck-E-Cheese, and Sean with SpongeBob. Just some pics of "fun" we've had recently.

Now onto the story...

We have an offer on the house, and it's even half-decent. Yeah!!!! Oh no!!!!!
We've accepted the offer, and now it's just up to the bank. They want to give us 30 days from the date of closing to get out. So...assuming the bank is smart and accepts the offer soon (because what else do we have to give them?!?), we will be looking at moving before the end of March. Which puts us in a quandry. Where should we even LOOK for a place to live? Our current city would be a smart choice for now to keep Sean in the same school for the last couple of months, but there aren't a whole lot of choices - especially choices that don't make us sign a year-long lease. The nearby Big City would be nice if we wanted to rent a house, since there are several options; however, to move so close and yet make Sean go to a different school seems cruel and silly.
Florida could possibly be an option, but with as many job prospects there as here (read: none), it seems like an awfully big jump and a lot to ask of my employer, even though they seem open to the idea of people moving around and keeping their jobs. Plus we know nothing about housing down there. What if we can't afford anything [decent] on what I make? There's the big question. And I guess it fits, no matter where we look.
Mom says we can go there, and NY seems like not a bad option (free rent and such), but again the issues of the school and my work. Plus she doesn't have any emotional strength to help us deal with any of our problems, and actually seems to be trying to create some discord (sorry, Mom, but it's true) and will not be very supportive. I love her, and I even want to be there, but I don't know of it would be best for our family.
And I'm tired of making the wrong choices. There are so many options and none of them seem terrible, how am I to know which one will be best?
And I don't really want to leave this house, this neighborhood. I know that's selfish. But this house has been a comfort lately, and I don't especially want to leave. Or pack. Or have to make another decision.
But I will. And y'all can tell me "I told you so" later.

Missing you, Fred

2008-01-15T00:36:00.000-05:00

This started out as an email response to a friend. I decided it got too deep and sounded too depressing to send, but it's so much of how I've been feeling, I decided I should share it somewhere (why not share the depression?)

Fred's death threw us all for a loop; even though he was sick, it was so crazy to happen when it did. I see God's hand in the timing in so many ways, but I'm really pretty mad at God about it, too. We kinda thought for a while that we might end up living out there with them, and I feel cheated that I didn't get more time with him. I'm learning to accept it, but it's just...weird. And I feel like there aren't a whole lot of people I can talk about him to. I don't want to depress my mom more, Chip's already majorly depressed by the rest of our sad life, and talking to my dad about missing my stepdad is just too weird. It's depressing that I don't have more options of who to talk to, but I pretty much alienated everyone who cared about us years ago on accident. But there aren't many people who knew him well, and even though I didn't get to spend a lot of time with him the past few years, I feel the time we did spend together was quality time - even if it was just watching TV in the same room together. He was a great conversationalist. I say that about his son all the time: "David can talk to anyone" "David knows all the right questions to ask and he appears genuinely interested in the answers".... and it wasn't until after Fred died that I realized he was the same way - if you were talking about something he had an interest in, too.
He could tell great stories. He would laugh at his own stories and his own jokes, and get that cute half-smile.
Some of his quirks were things I probably shouldn't put in print, but he was lovable, and funny, and dare I say, a smartass? I'm fairly certain that's one of the main reasons he and Chip got along so well. :)
Fred was a good teacher, and even though he seldom came right out and said it, I think he enjoyed teaching me some things about photography and Photoshop. I think he enjoyed when I played his daughter in "The Music Man" at Civic (Zaneeta to his Mayor Shinn). Once he was watching a tv show and Patty Loveless was singing. He said something to the effect of, "You can sing that song better" and I don't think I'd ever been more complimented. He's quite the critic, as most who knew him would tell you, so it felt good for him to say it, knowing he didn't have any obligation to do so (not that I don't appreciate familial compliments). I liked being his photog sidekick and helping him at photo shoots that one year. He probably never knew that I needed that gig for my life to get back on track as much as he needed extra arms and someone to move around the reflector.
I don't remember him crying often, or really ever, but I remember him tearing up when we hugged goodbye the day they left for NY. I hugged him hard, and after a few seconds he backed off, blinking hard, and said "it's not forever!".
And now it is.
And it sucks.
I'll get used to it, because I have to, but not tonight.

Boo!

2008-01-14T23:45:00.000-05:00

These pictures are from my cell phone, so the quality could be better (haha), but I couldn't resist sharing them anyway. We (well, mostly just me) call her "Boo", as in the cute kid from Monsters Inc. With these pigtails in, and her constant chatter, she just fits the part well.

The pics above are from Gramma's new house in NY. We miss being there.

This (above) was yesterday. Sophie got this outfit for Christmas. She had only worn it once, and it's already a "belly" shirt. Oh well, it looks cute on babies. :)
She wasn't too happy with her hair at first - she likes to play with it - so she had a bit of a fit, but she eventually learned to live with it.

I think this is from our Chicago trip in December. Looks like the hotel room. Too bad Sophie isn't really happy and is really out of focus - Sean actually looks good and happy and isn't hamming it up too badly.

Catching up

2008-01-07T20:50:00.000-05:00

So...for those of you who still check here periodically, I still exist. It's been a crazy-busy month. We put up the tree, I started a new job (same place, mostly same work, more hours), we all went to Chicago for my training, we had family photos taken (http://www.krolphotography.com/, group photos, Wibert family), got a tiny bit of Christmas shopping done, had a bunch of Christmas parties, went to NY, took down the tree...and that doesn't sound very exciting at all when I write it, but I am totally whipped.

I work a lot now. In fact, I should be working now, but I could no longer resist sharing some photos.

Sean's getting harder to capture...at least his front side. He's discovered how to get a "Full Moon" shot. Yep. That's my son. If you visit the photography site above, you'll see he even hammed it up for Elizabeth's camera. Cute, huh?

Sophie's hair is getting long enough to put in pigtails, or as one lady in NY said, "What cute palm trees!", and that really is a more apt description...see?

And here are some pictures of our new and comfy friends with the kids:

With the cousins (that's the best shot we could get with Sophia!)

Some of our new NY friends: Mary and Sophie; Joe and Sophie

And the New Year's Eve crew, Andy, Dan, Marge, Mom; Jes and Sophie having a tea party with the new toys

And unfortunately, that's all I have time for. Sophie's been crying for the past 10 minutes while I tried to get this much done, so it's time to get her to bed.

Until next time (which hopefully won't be as long as last time)...

The best hug

2007-11-29T23:11:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to post this before it became a distant memory. The following is the reason I can cope on the days my kids are driving me batty!
One day last week we were at Mom's house and I was cleaning up after a day of unpacking. As we were unpacking, Mom was placing things she wanted on Fred's remembrance table into a basket. Somehow one thing - a letter - got taken out of the basket (I wonder how, Sophie!), and I picked it up off the floor, and, being the ever-curious one, I opened it. It was a letter from me to Fred. The background of the letter is that when I found out Mom and Fred would be moving to NY, I just felt that I needed to let Fred know that he was important to me and that I loved him. I was glad he never tried to take the place of my Dad, whom I dearly love, but was grateful for the parental presence that he provided in my life, among many other things. I don't think I sent it to him until they had moved (chicken!), but I did indeed send it.
So when I read it that night, I got a little teary.
(Incidentally, but I don't think coincidentally, Fred had found that letter just a week before he died and read it again. No joke. Again the hand of God!)
Sean was in the room and asked me what I was reading. I told him it was a letter that I wrote to Grandpa Fred. He asked me to read it to him, and I told him that I couldn't read it to him just then because it made me sad, but that it said that I loved Grandpa and that he was special to me. Sean came over to me and gave me a BIG hug and said, "That's from Grampa Freddy."
He melts my heart.
Love you, buddy!

Hello, Goodbye

2007-11-27T23:34:00.000-05:00

My mom is a pastor in New York state. She received a call to a new church (which means they offered her a job) and planned the move (3 1/2 hours away) for the week between Thanksgiving and Advent. We spent the past 2 Thanksgivings with my Mom in NY so I thought we should probably stick around here, but it was just sticking in my mind that we should go so I could say goodbye to everyone at the "old" church that had become the closest thing to a church family to me over the past 4 years, and maybe we could help Mom and Fred move and have an early Thanksgiving dinner and still get home for the other family obligations around here. I just felt I needed to say goodbye, and maybe say a quick hello to the new folks, who seemed very excited to have my Mom accept the position. I was able to get the time off work, and Sean out of school, so we hurriedly packed and left on the Friday before Thanksgiving.

Unfortunately I said more goodbyes than I wanted to last week. My stepdad, Fred, who had been battling lung cancer courageously, unexpectedly passed away on November 21.

Self portrait circa early 1990s...

Fred and Sophie at Easter time this year. I'm glad he got to meet her. They had an affinity for one another that was very endearing.

Fred's headshot for his acting career. Circa late 1980's.

We got to spend some quality time with him this trip, and perhaps in another post I'll go into detail, but he was in great spirits and very excited about the move. Moving would be a three-day process (packing boxes on day 1, loading truck and driving to new house on day 2, unloading at new house on day 3). The movers did most everything, but Mom was pretty busy tying up loose ends so Fred was around more. Fred's the kind of guy who WILL talk on the phone, but it's so much more fun to be around him because of the interesting topics of conversation that pop up. Just a few days before we made the trip, I called him because I was excited that one of his favorite local restaurant chains opened a new restaurant in our tiny town. I told him I was looking forward to eating there with him next time he came to town. But I digress. We had lots of fun with Fred those days, but while he was getting ready for his day on Wednesday morning, he had some breathing trouble that turned out to be a heart attack that took him so much more suddenly than the cancer were we expecting to suck the life out of him. I'm very glad it was quicker and more painless, but I'm in shock that it happened so much sooner than expected. He didn't act sick, and he didn't look sick to me...at least as sick as that first few months after his diagnosis two years ago.
I've done a lot of reminiscing over the past few days, and a lot of crying. But I really want to honor him tonight, and just let the memories wash over and comfort me, and to say again, "I'm thankful for you, Freddy. Love ya!"
Hope you're raising hell in heaven! :)

The one before the real one

2007-11-27T23:30:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to say "I'm back." It's been so long since I've posted, the two of you who read my blog (haha) have probably given up on me, but I'll try to be good again, now that the computers and internet all seem to be working again.
Hope to be here more often!

Welcome to November

2007-11-04T11:34:00.000-05:00

October was a busy month for us...as it usually is...but I apologize for not keeping better up to date on here. SO many technical issues had me frustrated, and I had extra work this month that needed to get done (and it MOSTLY is now), and we're packing and getting more ready for getting out of the house, and Chip's been interviewing a lot, and Sean had lots of Cub Scout activities (two times selling popcorn at the grocery store, a campout, 5 meetings, and earning rollerskating and math belt loops and Bobcat badge) , and Sophie got 2 of her 1-year molars...on top of 4 birthdays to acknowledge (plus several others...Danielle, Bret, Brenda to name a few...we SHOULD have acknowledged)...and Halloween!

So, we truly ARE the October family. We hardly even noticed fall sneaking in because of the great temperatures, and now it feels like winter already! Where did the time go?

I don't have pics on this computer, so I'll try to post again soon on another computer by tonight, after yet another birthday celebration. Despite the busy-ness, I did manage to take my camera along to several of the events. :)

October happenings...so far

2007-10-13T22:46:00.000-04:00

i wanted to post a picasa album, but i'm on my work computer and don't think i should probably download it here, so i hope you enjoy the pictures the "regular" way. First, Sean's B-day:

Then, Sophie's B-day(actually, both of the kids' parties took place at the same time. The joy of birthdays 2 days apart):

pictures worth 1,000 words

2007-10-13T16:42:00.001-04:00

Please stand by...

2007-10-10T00:03:00.001-04:00

Reasons for not posting/posting pictures, number 28 (Sean's new favorite answer to questions - has he been talking to you, Trev?):
We got the desktop back up and running and it's quite nice, but I haven't gotten around to downloading my few pictures on it yet, and Chip hasn't run a recovery on the old hard drive for any old pics I could post. Also, once we got the computer back up and running, our internet decided to "crap" out on us...let me tell you a little story...
Saturday we go to Best Buy and get an awesome hard drive. Luckily there was a nice sale, so Happy Birthday To Us (and all I was hoping for was Amy Grant's new cd and biography), we get a "750 Glorious Gigabytes" (it actually says that on the box) hard drive. Chip gets home and installs it and our lovely friend Michael helps out. Things are going well, and we rejoice. Except for the fact that 3 of our 6 goldfish die. That's sad. I flush them, but sense that the other 3 aren't long for this world.
Sunday morning dawns and 2 more fish are dead. I leave them in the tank because one of them is "Goldie", the fish that Sean won at the school carnival that started the whole fish thing. The internet starts acting up - stick with me, these things really ARE related - but it works long enough for me to pay my cable bill online. Ironic, huh? Sean wants to bury the goldfish in the back yard. But...I'm squeamish and don't want to mess with any of the fish until the last one dies.
A few hours later, the last fish is dead. We turn off the TV and say we'll bury the fish after we eat supper (now that I'm telling it, that seems mean, but there were Steaks on the grill you see...we couldn't interfere with THAT). After a yummy meal, Chip kindly puts the remaining dead fish in a box and grabs the shovel and out we go for a lovely burial. Sean loves digging, and since we'll be putting in an egress window (that's a window so that you can have legal living space in the basement with an accessible exit in case of emergency) soon, Chip decides to let him dig over by the window. Sean's not very strong for that kind of shovel, so I have Chip demonstrate how to jump on the shovel to make it go in the ground. Sean likes that. We go inside.
Chip and Sean go play a video game and I turn on the TV, but there is no cable. I'm so upset! I spend 45 minutes on the phone to $(*%@#) Charter and am very upset that they can't come out to look at the problem until Tuesday. After all, besides all the fun I have online, Chip is looking for a JOB, and it's about the only way nowadays! I go to bed livid.
In the morning, I say to Chip, "I just don't understand how we turn off the TV to eat and when we come back we have no signal - especially since they were just here a week ago to supposedly fix everything!" Chip says, "You know what I wonder...how far did they bury that cable when they re-wired it last May (you can see why I'm a bit frustrated with Charter - we've been fighting this since last March!!)?" I say I have no idea, but knowing Charter it probably wasn't very deep. So...out he goes. And sure enough, right where Chip had shown his skills with the shovel, there was our cable line severed in two.
Poop.
Well, at least we figured it out before Charter came out and charged us $75. But it's still not working right. We can see TV at least, and the desktop has Internet access, but the laptops are essentially useless. Unless you want to play Zoo Tycoon. Or do actual work (yuck). No can do writing blogs while Sophie's sleeping on me and I'm watching Dancing with the Stars or LA Ink. No can do checking email while Sophie naps and I'm watching Ugly Betty or Big Shots.
Oh well. At least this computer works. Now if we could only find our Microsoft Office disks...

Is it contagious?

2007-10-07T00:24:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, I was talking with my sister-in-law about the unfortunate loss of all her pictures from an external hard drive. I was saying how rough that would be to lose so many memories and thinking I was glad my stuff was backed up.

I think it was two days later when our computer started acting up. We thought it was a cable issue (which it was, at first), but then because the internet wasn't working, we tried to fix some other things and the whole computer went kaput. Blamm-o. No more hard drive.

That's when I realized that I only had my pictures backed up to early July, and I didn't have ANY of my documents backed up. I think I have a copy of my resume on another computer (or at least in my email somewhere from when I sent it to myself), but other than that, everything's gone. No recipes (and sadly, although I never used them, I had quite a collection), no records of bills paid, no password reminder files, no fun games, none of my video files that I spent days recording from old video tapes...

Today we bought a new, really BIG hard drive. That is, lots of storage space, and now that the computer's back up and running, it's going very fast. Of course, that might change once we find all the discs for the stuff we want to re-install. But even though it's the same old screen, same keyboard, same card reader, same mouse, it FEELS inherently different. And traitorous. I don't trust that my things will be safe on here anymore. I may be glad I recently bought some DVD-RWs, as I'm sure I'll be backing up "My Documents" much more often than I had been doing.

But, since it works for now, here are a few pics from recent days. Enjoy!

Here is Sean in his Cub Scout uniform.

He's had a few additions since this picture,

but this was the first time he wore the hat and shirt. Sophie and Dad at Muskegon's Walk to Remember. More about that some other day...but isn't this just a precious picture?

Here are Sean and Sophie enjoying the personal cakes Gramma Christie made for them. Sean's is a hill with a couple of dirt bikes riding on the path, and Sophie's is a butterfly. They made messes of them in quite a hurry, much to their delight, and much to the chagrin of some others!

We had the opportunity to shop for the kids' presents without the kids last Saturday night, and after they were asleep, I brought Sophie's inside. I forgot to put it away when I went to bed, so first thing Sunday morning when Sophia woke up and I took her out in the living room to change her diaper, she pointed to the box and said, "Dis?"...."'Dis?" (that means, "what's this?"). I said, "No, Sophie, that's your birthday present - you're not supposed to see it yet!" To which she responded by pointing at it again and saying, "'Dat?" ("what's that?"). I laughed very much! Needless to say, she got her present a couple days earlier than I had intended. The good news is that she likes it very much!Here's Sean enjoying his "Cars" cupcake. Not very good quality photo, but I have more I'm saving for another post. I'll try not to keep you waiting too long for that one!

I'm still around

2007-10-02T22:26:00.000-04:00

Hey, I'm still here, but we haven't had internet access for a week. We're sorta back up and running, but I'm using my laptop from work, and I have no way to download (technically upload) photos from my camera...so no photos.
Life here is the same. I'm still working hard. Chip's still working hard to find a job.
Sean had a birthday yesterday, and it was "my worst ever", according to him.
He's a cub scout and tonight was his 3rd meeting. He's already almost done with the requirements to get a Bobcat badge, and next will be his Tiger Cub patch and then elective beads. He's working towards everything now...and would you like to buy some popcorn from him?!? They are so nice to let you know that you don't have to buy the popcorn - you can just make a donation.
Sophie's birthday is tomorrow, and at least she can only say "hot" and "up", so she won't tell me it's her worst ever.
That's about it for now. Hopefully I'll find either my card reader or my camera's USB cord soon so I can show pics of the birthdays...

Brotherly Love

2007-09-21T00:20:00.000-04:00

Haven't been to Philly lately, but I have been thinking a lot about my brother. Don't know why. Probably because it's been a while since we've seen each other (since he's seen anyone but Kesia *smile*). Probably because I've been hanging out with my dad and doing family history stuff. Probably because I've been reading Trev's blog (The Next Thing, see link to the left)...

Anyway, my thoughts of him led me on a trip down memory lane through my photo box. Yep. I still have one of those. At least it's not a shoebox!

So I just thought I would share some of the memories with you. Not that I really have any TRUE memory of these events, but the photos are very familiar to me!

This is Christmas 1976. The first in the "new" house which I live in now...for at least a little bit longer. (and yes, Tena, the spelunkers seem to be visible in this shot! So typical, eh?)

This is in Holland MI at "Tulip Time". I'm guessing this was prior to the photo above...we look so young!

I'm not sure of the occasion, but I swear to you I was just asking my dad less than a week ago if he remembered this Safari toy set, and now I have a picture to prove WE really had this! Or maybe it was Trev's and I just played with it against his wishes...who knows? I just know I played with it a lot in our tire sandbox out back!

(footnote: please ignore the fact that I'm in my underwear. PS - Thanks, Mom (or Dad)!!)

Here we are in Storybook Gardens in 1977. We are supposed to be Goldilocks. I think Trevor was whispering to me that the bear was going to get me or something. But this appears to be before his lovingly vindictive years, so maybe he was reassuring me that the bears were fake.

Here we are going over Niagara Falls! No barrel or anything! Weren't we BRAVE?!? Trevor appears to have started his love for surfing earlier than I had remembered, and I my fear of the water! This was on our big trip to NY to visit my dad's uncle LeRoy. We went with my mom and dad, my aunt and uncle, who, perhaps weren't even married yet?, and the two of us in...oh, what was that car?...I think it was a Datsun. Yes, that's it. A tiny Datsun. And I do have a few sketchy actual memories of this trip - heat rash and chiclet gum from a gumball machine at the clothing store where my aunt worked. YUM!

I hope you enjoyed the memories. Perhaps I will get some more of these pics scanned and post them later on. Until next time...

9 years ago today...

2007-09-18T08:42:00.000-04:00

9 years ago today, my whole life changed. I guess it started the day before, really, when I went to the doctor for my 13 week checkup and they couldn't find a heartbeat for my precious baby (above is the xray they took to confirm the worst. She's there in the middle. No more life in her).

But today...September 18...today was the day my baby was ripped from my womb with the instruments of torture that most pro-choice advocates have never had the pleasure of actually encountering. It wasn't the pain of those that hurt the most, though - they gave me drugs for that. No, the real pain came from the resulting emptiness.

Not just in my womb, but in my heart.

I remember so many details about that day. Isn't that funny? I can't remember many of the joyous days since, but this day, I remember the sights, the sounds, the words, the expressions, the ache, the pain, the sadness.

I haven't done too much dwelling on this in the last few years. For some reason, it's really getting to me this year.

I want to write about all the good things that have come because of my experience - and many things have, surprisingly - but today all I feel is the grief, the empty arms, the heavy burden. Maybe I can write about the good things tomorrow.

Precious Rachael Elizabeth, Mommy loves you. I look forward to hugging you in heaven.

Berets, Keys, Remotes, and Prodigals

2007-09-16T11:57:00.001-04:00

Every year in France there's a beret throwing contest. That's a hat, for those of you who aren't in the know. The object is to see who can throw the beret the farthest. So, it's that time. People have come from all over Europe to watch the event. The crowd is screaming in anticipation- they all are rooting for their favorite beret-thrower. Suddenly, a hush comes over the crowd as the first beret thrower steps onto the field. He warms up a bit - pretend throws, arm circles, that kind of thing. He winds up; he throws. The beret fetchers run out to the place where the beret lands with their measuring sticks. It's about 200 yards. Wow! That's quite a ways for a felt hat! The beret fetchers walk back and give the beret to the next guy (this is a very special beret - it's not like they have these on every street corner). This guy looks confident. I bet he makes it farther than the last one. Sure enough, after a few warm-ups of his own, he tosses it 220 yards. Amazing! The beret fetchers run the beret back this time (the French are an impatient bunch). But then out comes the third guy. He's a big guy, so it's possible his throw could be the best. He doesn't even warm up. That's a bad sign. But off the beret sails. Into the wild blue yonder. Sails effortlessly...we watch in slow motion as it goes 200 yards, 220, then...wait! What?!? Where did it go?! He threw it so far...he lost it!

I guess it loses a little in the writing, but this was my favorite joke when I was a kid. I laughed so hard. I mean, he lost it! Are you kidding? Hilarious! And yet so sad...he lost it. It was the special beret that was only used once a year in the contest, and he LOST it!

At church today we heard about the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. If these are important to the shepherd and the woman, respectively, and they go to what some would call extreme measures to find their lost items, just imagine how important the lost people are to God and how hard he "searches" for them.

I'm quite familiar with loss. Aside from the babies that were never born here on earth, I'm prone to losing things. Most would argue that of all things I've lost, it's my mind they miss the most. Haha. But seriously, every day it seems I'm looking for something that I haven't seen in a few days. You would think some organization would help, but my attempts at organization tend to just make compacted piles of junk to look through.

I'm sure some of the lesson we are to learn from the Bible is in working your best to not lose things - to organize things and to teach people so as to prevent loss in the first place. But let's concentrate on what we do when things are beyond help and they go "missing."

Three years ago, we bought a used car. We had to drive separately to pick it up so we could drop off the trade-in. The next day, my keys were nowhere to be found. I know I used them to drive us home, but I hadn't seen them since. I searched for days. Chip even helped. To no avail. I had new keys made and decided it would be ok to not have the others, even though I had some irreplaceable keys on them (so I don't scare people, I won't say how many of their house keys were on the ring!).

Two years ago, I was working. My cousin babysat Sean for me while Chip and I were at work. Somehow in the course of one of those days, she and Sean were playing while watching TV and lost the remote control. This was a special remote control that we got when we signed up for cable, and it was $50 to replace it. Well, we couldn't find the remote anywhere! We looked high and low, moved furniture, and ransacked the whole house for it, but that remote was gone. Figuring it got thrown out with the trash, we ended up buying a cheap universal remote that luckily worked with our cable system.

The point is, I mourned these losses. Just about every time I used my new keys or my new remote, I thought about the missing ones and wondered where they could be and how I could possibly have lost them so easily.

I'm sure you have some stories like that...things just go missing and there's no finding them.
My replacements, while useful, didn't seem good enough. The features weren't as good or as easy, and I couldn't get into some places...and my cute pig key chain was gone!

Since you probably think my sense of humor is terrible, let me redeem myself with another story.

My friend wanted to ask his girlfriend to marry him, but he wanted it to be memorable. He booked a cruise for the two of them across the Atlantic, a trip she'd always wanted to take, and then they would spend some time in Europe. Once on the boat, he worked out a plan with the kitchen staff to put the engagement ring in the lobster one night at dinner. It was her favorite meal, and he thought it would be a perfect surprise!
The night finally arrived, and they got all dolled up for the "captain's meal." He told his girlfriend how beautiful she looked in her red dress (I'm sure he also graced her with a low whistle - do I read too many romance novels?), and escorted her to dinner. He had butterflies in his stomach knowing that this would be a real moment of truth. He thought she loved him, but would she take the plunge? Would she agree to marry him? And if not, it was a smallish ship...what would they do then? She already knew so many of his flaws...
But there were no flaws with the dinner. The champagne was wonderful, the Hors d' oeuvres, exquisite (gosh, I had to spell check that one - I like calling them horsie doovers better!). The salad had just the right amount of dressing, and no yucky cukes. Now, though, it was about time for the lobster course, and he was sweating and shaking during the conversation. His girl even asked if he might be getting a bit seasick or something! The waiter arrived just then with the lobster. It looked so yummyand perfect! He waited while she cracked open the lobster...and then fainted. Because the ring wasn't there. But there was still something...could it be? Yes, it truly was! The beret the guy lost!

Oh, in my youth it was a grand thing that I had such a strong bladder or I would have wet myself I laughed so hard at that! My sense of humor is definitely warped, and I know I probably didn't redeem myself, but I couldn't help it.

I do have a point, though.

About a year or so ago, I was looking for, well, I can't remember what now, I think maybe some jewelry or some money, and I looked in an old basket. I saw something shiny and pulled it out - and it was the key ring I had lost! I laughed and laughed, thinking of the beret joke, and then I celebrated the return of my keys! I think I'm still dancing over those!

Last weekend, I couldn't find my camera. Did I mention I lose things a lot? I wanted to take some pics to post on my blog because Sophie was being adorable. I knew it was home because Chip had used it to show someone some pictures a couple of days before (when the house had been clean). But I just wasn't having any luck! In a moment of weakness, I offered Sean a dollar if he found it. He was ecstatic - woohoo! a whole dollar! So he started looking and I sat down for a minute. I could feel him messing around near the back of my chair (recliner). In just a couple minutes, he said, "Well, Mom, I found something, but it wasn't a camera!" and held up his prize. I turned around, sure I would see some kind of crumb of food - perhaps popcorn - and burst out laughing! For in his small little hand was the remote control we had searched so diligently for almost two years ago! I laughed and laughed...and gave him TWO dollars for that find!

Oh yes, and about an hour later, I found the camera. Luckily I didn't have to wait years for that to re-surface!

How much do we rejoice when the inconsequential things we "need" so badly in our earthly lives are found?

I dance. I laugh. I sing. I jump around. I party!

And yet, so much more rejoicing happens in heaven when God's missing sheep are found. When we give up on ever touching a lost soul, God keeps searching. All resources are used. We may not see the behind-the-scenes efforts that take place, the angels sent for a purpose, the love lavished. But one day, when it's least expected, when you're looking for something else, perhaps... the soul finds his or her way HOME! What a feast awaits! A party! Invite everyone to celebrate, and maybe they'll be found, too.

You could be one of the behind-the-scenes efforts for someone God loves. Are you open to taking the time for a search-and-rescue mission? Have you given up? Or do you have more pressing things to search for, like a remote?...

That's what I got out of today's message, even though it quite possibly wasn't even the direction the paster took - sometimes it doesn't matter if you're listening, as long as you get some meaning out of it.
Right, Mom?

Baby Steps

2007-09-12T22:23:00.000-04:00

Earlier tonight, we all went for a walk. Well, except Sean. He drove his Hummer!

Sophia even walked! She didn't want to stay in her stroller!

Dad was a big help with her wish to walk, since she's just a hair shy of being able to do it on her own...for more than 3-4 steps anyway.

Am I adorable or what?!?

This was sort of an action shot, as she was trying to walk to me as I was taking the photo.
This was Sophie having a fit because Dad picked her up to put her in the stroller for the return walk. She was not having any of the stroller, and she screamed and screamed. Dad and Sean got to continue their walk to the gas station for a slushie, so I walked back by myself. Luckily about halfway home, after alternating between having her help me push the stroller, carrying her screaming squirming self, and letting her scream IN the stroller, I remembered the cracker sticks that I had packed and she quieted right down! I think she was even close to sleeping by the time I finally made it home with her. After I got her in jammies, she settled right down and was out!

She's not really enjoying the fact that I'm back at work, I don't think. Her naps are rather sporadic, and she's into screaming much more lately. But it's nice to come home and see her face light up and her reach for me for a great big hug! Sean even likes to see me when I get home...for about 3 seconds!

Here's a picture of HIM on tonight's outing. In my defense, the walk was to the playground, so he did actually exercise!

Hoping for a dreamless sleep

2007-09-12T22:13:00.000-04:00

Have you ever had a dream that was so real that it affected your day, maybe your week, maybe even your year? Last night I had that dream. I don't know for how long it will affect me, but I know it was real enough to really spook me.
I wish I knew what brought it on. I dreamed about an evil person in my life who came back and haunted me as a ghost. Odd enough, this person claimed to be haunted for years by a ghost. I really hope I am not a new generation to be haunted. In the name of Jesus, get thee behind me! Seriously. I thought you had no power over me. Is it an odd fascination/horror for the unexplainable that has me dreaming this? I don't know. Perhaps it was just a bit of undigested beef, a bit of mustard, or an underdone potato. I did eat at Culver's the night before. Hmmm...
Anyway, I just thought I would get that down. I mean, it was in color and everything. And I haven't seen The Sixth Sense in years! Why last night? Why was the person just staring at me? At least there was no gore.
Where was I? Freaky. I think I'll turn on the lights a minute. There. That's better. But I still think it's better to go on to a new topic. Let me make a new post. Don't want to tarnish pictures here.
Here's to sweet dreams tonight!

soul sisters

2007-09-09T16:04:00.000-04:00

Sophia & Jes

Even though they are only technically cousins,

Sophie and Jes are sisters of the soul!

They have lots of fun together,

and we are glad she lives so nearby so she can visit often.

Too bad she doesn't get to come here for school this year...

Kids and Kittens

2007-09-09T15:59:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure why kids and kittens think this is so much fun, but I do know that I need to keep the bathroom door closed from now on!

Week in Review

2007-09-08T13:14:00.001-04:00

It's been a busy week. Here's an update:

I started a new job a week ago. It's part time, but every day, and I'm doing a lot of online training at home, too. I'm working a lot in Excel and I feel like I'll be pretty proficient in that program before long (the temp agency thought that I did well in the initial testing - 84 or something like that - and I knew so much less then!), but it's a lot of work doing the tutorials and looking for ways for the new learning to fit into what we do there.
It's a neat job. I've never really been in "corporate America" before. I'm right in the heart of the city and have to worry about parking, and the company is one of the top ten accounting/consulting firms in the country with offices all over. It's cool, but I feel a bit like a fish out of the tank. Glug, glug. Everyone I've met is nice, but I'm really glad I'm getting along with and getting to know the two gals I work with/for most. They are great!

Chip passed his test on Thursday, so now he's officially a "Certified Project Manager" and hopefully someone around here will hire him because I don't REALLY want to go so far away from family, and I really like my job and all my co-workers...but if I have to go, I guess Tampa's not too bad, and not much more than an hour away from the happiest place on earth (which I could use a bit of right about now!).

Sophie's taking more and more steps on her own (but she likes to dive into us better than walking to us), and she's taking after me more and more each day, which of course you know is not a good thing! :) She is very LOUD. I'm going to have to start wearing earplugs if I don't want damage!!
Her chatter makes people laugh, though. It's so adorable. She says many of the same sounds over and over again, so we know she's trying to tell us something. Maybe one day I'll figure out how to post a video here so you can hear her, too.
Besides her volume, her hair also seems to be from my side of the family. It is growing longer and is still fine, so it sticks up in all directions a lot of the time.

Sean started first grade this week. Tuesday was good; every day after that he asked us to call him in sick! Friday he even had specifics - "My head's hot!". "Yes, Sean, it's 90 humid degrees. Of course your head's hot. Get out from under the covers and get dressed. In your shorts." He's a real card. We're working on the bedtime and hoping that's the issue. Of course, they're also reviewing the alphabet, and numbers up 'til 10, both of which he's known since he was 3, so boredom is quite possibly an issue. He said his Tuesday Spanish class was "stupid" because he just listened and then drew a picture of his house (he didn't even laugh when I said No - you drew a picture of your CASA!). Gym on Wednesday was boring because he only got to do "rubberband warmups" and didn't get to do anything fun. He liked music class on Thursday and says he has a silly teacher who tucked the banjo back into "bed" when he put it in the case, and talked to it and said it could come back out soon. He must have had a special class on Friday, too, but I don't remember what it was. I'll have to ask and keep you posted. "Oh, it was art", he says. "It was stupid. Actually, it was fun. It was fun stupid. It was fupid." His exact words. "We just drew lines with black paint. Zigzag, curvy, strait, and diagonal." "The teacher said we had to carry our pictures by the corners to the drying table, because it was by a fan and if we didn't hold the corners, it would fly into our faces and get black lines on our face."

We've also had grandmas on both sides go to the hospital this week. One is home and doing better. Gram "Kraaker", however, just seems to keep getting weaker and weaker. If it's not one thing, it's something else. Her visits are getting more and more frequent, and sadly, it seems she may have lost her fighting spirit. I think we'll see if she's up to visitors sometime this weekend.

My First Grader

2007-09-04T23:27:00.000-04:00

Sean began his first day of 1st Grade on a good note...we got lost. Well, we technically knew where WE were, but we couldn't find his teacher. I guess they think that after Kindergarten, parents automatically know where their kids are supposed to go. We walked in with such confidence that the ten or so "helpers" didn't even bother to ask us why we were wandering around inside while all the other kids were outside. We're just goofy. But at least we finally found his teacher's line, and we got to get a picture of him in front of his room while we were looking for everyone!
He says he's not a first grader anymore - he's a pre-second grader. Isn't that great?! One day in class and he figures he knows it all.
Oh, and in case you wonder, the lovely flame-covered item in the photos is Sean's test divider. Since the kids sit at tables, they need a way to have privacy when taking tests. Sean picked out his own fabric to cover it (and boy was that an ordeal...he wanted one of each fabric (especially fond of ones with skeletons, and the flaming skeletons especially - I told him the girls at the table would be too scared to take tests with that cover) and then he wanted me to buy fabric for a blanket...maybe next time). Of course, he had some help from dad, but I think it's pretty cool.
The highlights, according to Sean:
*He didn't get to eat his pudding because they wouldn't let him have a spork since he didn't pay for hot lunch (never fear, he ate it for an after-school snack!).
*Math was easy - 1+1, 2+2, and 3+3
*Taylor (one of his female tablemates) called him "a turd" (I really wish I had been there to hear why, but I'm laughing anyway...)
*The fire truck on the playground was "cautioned off" because too many kids were getting stung by bees
*He made a calendar
*The teacher kept getting Hannah and Anna confused (poor teacher!)

That's about all I know about it - he was too busy playing to find out much more. He seemed to be having a great time, and I'm excited to hear more each day.

P.S.

2007-09-04T00:44:00.000-04:00

The post below where I finally figured out the picture thing features photos taken on August 24, 2007 at our "local" Children's Museum (which, for the record, we love a WHOLE TON more than the Mid-Hudson in Poughkeepsie - no offense). Sean and Mom got to enjoy special time together (and Jessica came along, too) while Dad and Gramma Marcia took Sophia to the library.
Sean had great fun, and I enjoyed getting to spend all my energy on him.

Picasa unwrapped?!?

2007-09-04T00:30:00.000-04:00

Is this my early birthday present? Did I finally figure this thing out?
It took me a bit of rearranging and things, but I think I've finally gotten the hang of "embedding a slide show" into this blog. I hope you enjoy!

NOT My Friend Flickr

2007-09-01T00:53:00.000-04:00

This is even worse than picasa, because the "code" I'm supposed to copy is full of HTML errors, and I am definitely WAAAAAY out of my league trying to fix it! But, the link may possibly still take you to the pics I wanted you to see if you feel like clicking on it. I am way too tired to deal with this any more tonight (today) and I hear Sophie crying, anyway.

*original post*
I trying it out! I hope it works, but I'm still looking for something better. I need to check out "CompassPointe" again (see link on top left of my blog) to see if I can find out how she does it!
In the meantime, enjoy Sophie and her first "stand on my own" moments from a month or so ago. She was standing long enough to clap, even. Now, of course, she is standing a lot (she likes to do "look ma, no hands" to us), and she's even taking a step or two a day. I'm too tired to work on this anymore, but hopefully I'll be back later today.

www.flickr.com

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2007-09-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

So here's another option with "regular" Picasa photo software. I'm still working on the web album, but this is kinda fun, too. Click on the photo to enlarge and see all the frivolity at the fun center in (or near) Kinderhook, NY.
Here's my description of each photo, left to right, top to bottom:
Sean checking the lie of his ball, Dad and kids, the Water Tag sign (it was too warm for Laser Tag, but I believe Sean will agree that we had plenty of fun shooting water instead of laser beams!), Dad with Sophie eating our golf balls, Sean enjoying tag with me, Sophie still enjoying the golf balls, go-kart riding (he got to ride a double one with Dad, too), everyone except me, Sophie eating the golf club, more fun water shots, Dad golfing (does he get a handicap for holding the baby?), and then for some reason, the top row again. What fun. I'll figure this out SOMEday!

Gram "Kracker"

2007-08-30T20:14:00.000-04:00

I was working on the web albums thing again (still having difficulties with Picasa, thinking about Flikkr or something else soon if I can't debug!), and I found these wonderful pics that Grandpa W took...

I'm not sure if Gram "Kracker" (great-grandma to Sean and Sophie) would appreciate these photos being available for anyone to see, but I think they are very special! Gram isn't doing so well these days, so it's nice to see these pics from this summer when she was feeling better. She had a wonderful time with all the grandkids, and they had fun with her, too. Eyes lit up when they saw each other across the room. Truly wonderful.

Speaking of truly wonderful, look at this sibling moment.
She's got a big stick and she's not even beating him with it!

A Toast for Sophia

2007-08-27T23:42:00.000-04:00

I thought I would try out Picasa for web albums, and I found this cool feature (even though my niece and sister-in-law tried to show me this a few months ago, I'm just slow!). So, this was fun. I might try again. But next time I try, I hope to not get a message that I can't connect with Picasa web albums. I have seen them on other blogs and they look cool, and that way I can post more pictures. I know they're small, but maybe you can click on the picture and it will enlarge?
The story is that I decided to have eggs with ham and cheese one night for supper, and I burned the toast (read: made it to Fred's liking instead of mine because I didn't check the settings first!). I left the toast on my plate when I was done because I was chatting with Mom, and before I knew it, Little Beggar was chowing away! She loved it! And she also started that adorable "squeeze-the-eyes-shut" smile. I hope you enjoy.

The Pictures Promised

2007-08-27T23:14:00.000-04:00

I guess I should explain since the older posts are below this one, but I've tried several times to post some fun pictures from our last week and a half. I've been having technical difficulties, but finally have the pics at the same time I remembered to post! I'll try to describe them along the way. I think I'll make some new posts for some of the subjects, but I guess if I did that, you already know because you've read those posts first!

First of all, Sean got an H2 for his third birtday, and it kept having shifter problems. The first time it happened, it was under warranty, so it got fixed for free. This time, no such luck, so it stayed in the garage unused for almost a year. BUT, my ever-resourceful husband found a cheap shifter replacement part online, so he's back up and running. The first pic shows that he must have forgotten how to steer! Oops! :)
He's such a nice brother that he even let Sophia have a turn at the wheel...and look how well that went.

Oh, well, like mother, like daughter, I guess...almost. Sorry Keeley, no broken collarbone - this was all in fun!

Stretching it

2007-08-27T16:04:00.000-04:00

Yeah, so, I mentioned in the last post that I moved my pictures over to this computer, but it was more of a half-truth. I moved my pictures to a thumb drive (travel drive, USB drive, whatever they're called nowadays), and fully intended to move them over here once I arrived at the cottage. Unfortunately, Mom and Fred took off in the van shortly after we got here (and they ate gramma's food) to visit her brother and sister-in-law. It was just a few minutes after that when I realized I left my purse in said van. With my thumb drive. And my phones. Yes, plural. And my camera. So...I feel rather naked, actually, even though my clothes are securely on (but my pants are a little loose, if you must know - and that's a good thing!). And I thought they would be back quite soon, and yet it's been a few hours now. Almost three. And still no sign of them. I'm glad they are having a good visit, but I hope they get back soon. I need to call the temp agency. Actually, I think I'll take a break and call them on grandma's land line (people still have those these days?). I was hoping they'd get back before I finished this and I could add some really neat pictures, but I guess I'll just post again later. If I get a chance.

Try, try again

2007-08-27T14:22:00.000-04:00

I've been trying for several days to get on and post, but for some reason I can't get signed in on my computer. I finally got the brilliant idea to log on on the laptop and I can write, so here I am! I even remembered to move my pictures over here! The good thing about all of this is that I can type while I'm relaxing on the deck at gramma's cottage (see July blog, "my last attempt to get in Jul;y news"). Sean is out on the raft with his cousins and second cousin, and Sophie is playing with her cousins on the deck. They like "Little People" and tht are loose.e new motorcycle Sean picked out for Austin.
We have lots of fun news:
*Sophie has tooth 3 and 4 (I count tooth 4 even though it disappears some days).
*Sean is still hanging on to loose tooth #2 (he refuses to eat solid foods anymore!), and has a couple more that are loose.
*We take Sean to his 1st grade open house this Wednesday.
*Sophie took 3 steps on her own Saturday (and I had Gramma Marcia and "Grumpy Freddy" as witnesses!). Now she just does this arms-out-and-dive move because she knows we want her to take steps.
*Sophie is an expert at drinking from straws and sippy cups. She is starting to wear 18 month size clothes, and she just got a HUGE delivery of outgrown clothes from her cousin Eileen, so we are very excited. We did a lot of "shopping" through the bags, and were even able to give some to cousin Aubrey, too, since she's such a little peanut and wears the same or smaller size as Sophie. AND there were a couple of duplicate outfits (don't ask me how) so they can dress up like twins. That will REALLY confuse people! st
*Sophie's getting really good at climbing stairs, and is very curious about getting back down. I usually just take her arms and let her walk down with me, but she seems to really want to go down head-first on her knees! Good thing we don't have any steps at home...at least that she can reach since the baby gate is up. :)
*Chip is taking his PMI test next week Thursday. He's studying hard, and now that it's only a week away, that's about ALL he's doing. I think he may take some time off this weekend to enjoy the holiday, but other than that, we're trying to stay out of his hair.
*I THINK I start a job this week. It's through a temp agency and they haven't gotten back to me on details, but I'm fairly certain things will work out. Otherwise, I've applied for a few other jobs that I would like, too. As long as Chip can find work in this area.

Sean exists, too

2007-08-20T01:53:00.000-04:00

I know you probably think I exclude him on purpose, but he's just not easy to catch up with to take a picture, and the things he's learning aren't as easily photographable. He is, however, lots of fun to be around (when he isn't sure the sky is falling!).

He's getting better and better at reading. He wants a dog now after reading the Shiloh series. He's doing lots of math now. We have fun with it, but it's exciting to see him WANT to learn (even if he doesn't want to do the homework packet his Kindergarten teacher gave him that would get him an invite to a pizza party).

His second loose tooth is almost out - hangin' on by only a thread - and he says he's got another one or two loose ones. From what I see, they aren't very loose yet, but he refuses to eat anything "hard" or crunchy because he's scared of losing them all at once. He hasn't had a visit from the tooth fairy because he doesn't want to have to give up his tooth until he can show his first grade class!

Since I don't get many good pics of just him, I thought I would share this one. It looks so "come hither", doesn't it (don't get any ideas, you sick internet weirdos), but it was really a sort of disgusted look because Jessica asked him to stop and pose for a picture!

Motorin'

2007-08-20T01:43:00.000-04:00

When Sean was learning to walk, we bought him this toy walker thing, and he used it all the time! We camped a lot at Duke Creek Campground that year and he could be seen "motorin'" it all around the paths there. I think that's one of the reasons he was walking at 10 1/2 months (not too early, but definitely earlier than his sister!). A couple of years ago when I was sure we would be "only child" parents, I sold the walker at a garage sale. I think it went for 2 or 3 dollars.
Last week we had the "huge garage sales" in honor of our town's summer festival and I found the same - and I could almost bet the EXACT SAME - walker at a house a few doors down. So now for 2 bucks, Sophie is having the same great time with her new skill! She's getting better everyday - these pictures show you how much fun she's having.

(wow, a motion shot!)

Oh, and P.S., today her third tooth appeared. It's on the top, her left center. So I guess I forgive her grumpiness of late.

Scavengers

2007-08-16T15:51:00.001-04:00

Sophie and her little friend C* started a fun game when he was visiting the other night. I opened the tube of toddler "sweet potato puffs" and Sophie grabbed a big handful and dumped it on the floor. Then C* would bend down and eat it off the floor like a dog (thanks to Sean, who taught him that cool trick). They were so adorable...I'm just sorry I didn't get my camera out until they were almost bored with their game.
But they're still adorable pictures, anyway, right? I think they'd make a cute couple someday...but I'm a sucker for the dimples!

Scavenger yet again. Sean stopped guarding his lunch just long enough for Sophie to get at it. I guess no more eating off of trays for a while...but she REALLY enjoyed the Mac and Cheese. Oddly enough, she wasn't much interested in the Chocolate Chip muffin. But for the record, she did drink his water out of that straw, too.
Too funny!

So-Fe phone home

2007-08-16T15:43:00.000-04:00

Sophie loves the phones, and, while she won't talk to anyone on them, she picks one up (or whatever other object is nearby) whenever anyone says "Hello".

This one (below) is Sean calling and waiting for her to pick up. TeeHee.

I just hope she grows out of this before her teen years (again, one can dream...).

Tooth-less grin

2007-08-16T15:38:00.000-04:00

Yeah, no toothy grin for Sean right now. His first one came out on August 2 (sorry, I forgot to post about it earlier), and now the top right one is well on its way out. He keeps telling me "it's halfway out"...so I guess that means any day now it will come out.

These aren't very good views of the actual tooth, but they're the only other ones I have from that night. I'm sure Sean wanted you to see his tonsils, anyway!

Feeling Boxed in

2007-08-16T14:28:00.000-04:00

Doesn't Sean look sad? Well, mad is probably a better word. I think it was because Sophie was touching his box. But then again, before he thrust out his hand, I know he was stuffed in there pretty tight, so he was probably worried she was going to knock him over. But as you can see below, he quickly got over it, and they both had a little fun.

Maybe someday he'll be Houdini. That really was an awfully small box for him to fit into...and he got out by himself, too. Of course, I had to knock him on his side first, but still...

Ted E Bear on Parade

2007-08-09T10:45:00.000-04:00

Summerfest fun...Sean decided to skip the last day of "boring VBS" (sorry Mom...) so he could enter his bears in the parade. I thought up the bathtub idea when I couldn't sleep Tuesday night. He didn't win the "best decorated wagon" but we think he deserved it - we were even blowing bubbles to complete the effect! Oh well, maybe next year...

Oh, oh, O-R-E-O

2007-08-09T10:38:00.001-04:00

Yeah, I'm not the world's best mom when it comes to nutrition, but my babies LOVE me!

Puff the Magic Dragon

2007-08-07T00:27:00.000-04:00

(AKA: The best life lessons are learned through song)
(I even did a project on that for school once!)
So, before I begin, let me ask the few of you who read this...why is it that all my profound thoughts come when I'm wasting time playing Freecell or Bubblez? It's true! And then I usually forget them right away, but tonight, you can have the pleasure of viewing what I think is profound...or at least true and meaningful.
Puff the Magic Dragon used to be (and I guess still is) one of my favorite songs. We would sing it in the car all the time when I was little. I'm sure my mother didn't know she was poisoning me with stories about marajuana (have you heard the rumors, too?). I have a hunch she would start singing it just because she knew it would make me cry at the end. Oh, how I would bawl when Jackie grew up and quit visiting. You'll laugh, but I'm crying even now as I think about it. I don't think I ever even heard the final words in that verse. I was just so sad the poor dragon had lost his friend.
Tonight as I was playing bubblez, I just started humming the song to myself, and it hit me. That's one of the things I truly miss about being young. I was thrown in with all these people on a daily basis at school and just made lots of friends by default. Some were because of common interests, and some were unexpected, and some were just for fun...and some were because they were my brother's friends. I swore those friendships would last forever, and that I'd make even more relationships as I grew. When you're together so much, it's easy to be friends. It's easy to keep in touch. It's easy to give gifts (string, sealing wax....fancy stuff like that!). I'm not placing blame, but it's just not easy once you enter the real world. The time you have together is so stilted. I always enjoy getting together with friends, but I feel weird. I'm not good at starting conversations. I really truly am interested in my friends' lives, but I don't know what questions to ask (David, my step-brother, is a whiz at that, and I truly admire that gift!), and I feel like my life is just so plain, and, while not uneventful, at least not something I'm proud of (except the kiddies, most of the time...unless they're acting up in public). Sharing problems feels more like whining to me (and sometimes I really am whining), and I would really rather hear about how their lives are going.
So I feel like Puff. My Jackie Papers have found other lives and I've ceased my fearless roar...sadly slipped into my cave of daily drudgery...
I guess I should probably spend the time I'm spending on the Blog writing to friends. But like I said the other day, does anybody care? Will anyone correspond back? Have the painted wings and giant rings made way for other toys? Or are my friends just as confused about growing up as I am? Maybe they've come back to look for me, but I'm too far back in my cave. Yeah, I don't know. If you do, please let me know. And if you're my friend and reading this, know that I love you and miss you. And if you feel like frolicking (hmmm...as I grow older everything gets a double meaning...but, well, you know what I mean), contact me sometime!

(ok, that's about as profound as I get. Plato I am not!)

Just for fun

2007-08-06T17:27:00.000-04:00

I thought I would just post some pictures of us having fun this summer, since the heat is affecting my ability to think. Yeah, it's either the heat or the (happy) scream-chatting of Sophie or the begging of Sean or the musing of Chip all competing for my attention at once.
Here are the pics!
beach fun!
Sean has recently "discovered" coloring and has fun with it, but mostly when we travel. The tatoo was his idea (see neck), and I believe it was a skull on fire with a wrench coming out of it. Of course, it washed off. He wanted to look like Daddy. Daddy's doesn't wash off, though...(sorry, I don't have pics of his leg on my computer)

Fun at Gramma's (her pool - I think these pictures were taken the FIRST time we filled it up!! Long story; and cherry picking at Fix's. We picked 18 pounds in about 15 minutes. That's a lot of cherries. BUT I got to make 3 batches of cherry pudding cake - YUM!):

Sophie loves pulling tissues out of the box! I wish I could put them back in, because it could keep her occupied for hours!

Friends

2007-08-03T15:56:00.000-04:00

Today when I went to the mailbox, I found a large manila envelope with a return address I didn't recognize. I peeled off the USPS-mandated sticker that they placed over the sender's name (how rude!), and I did a little dance of joy!

Here's the thing: when I was in college in 1992 and 1993 (and a little of 94), I met some wonderful friends. Most of them weren't music majors, like me, but we all shared a passion for singing in the choir and somehow we became fast friends. Over the next couple years, the circle expanded, and while I was out of the loop after leaving to get married and move to TN even more people were added to the circle. Actually, it's kinda more like a flow-chart. This person was in the group, and that same person's roommate joined us, and then the roommate's friend...well, you get the picture.

Sadly, I lost touch with most of them, but I had one faithful friend in this circle who wrote to me even when I forgot to write back (or just felt like I didn't have anything to say, I will now admit). Then a few years back, someone in the group (probably the above-mentioned friend) thought it would be fun to have a little overnight get-together to reacquaint ourselves and just have some time away, and we've been getting together ever since.

But, back to the envelope. This year, for various reasons, the get-together didn't happen. We're all busy and new babies are keeping us on our toes (hahaha...Cheri, better get married soon - it's your turn!), and things just didn't work out. One of the gals thought up the neat idea to fill out a questionnaire so we could still get to know each other a little and feel connected, even though we weren't physically together. The envelope was filled with the answers, and I was glad to see that most everyone participated. I had a good time reading the responses.

It also reminded me that even though we all have struggles, we all have a God who loves us and cares for us. I know I need to remember that more often. I have a tendency to want friends too badly and "scare" them away (my take on things), but I need to remember that there is ONE who will always listen. And with the book another friend gave me, I'm learning that God will even talk back! So, even though life here stinks right now, perhaps my renewed friendships will bring me more comfort when I practice the advice I dole out with every email : "Trouble is a part of your life, and if you don't share it, you don't give the person who loves you a chance to love you enough. Dinah Shore"

I some of my reticence to share is because I don't want people to worry. I'm sure there's some pride issues, too. But a lot of it is that I'm pretty sure that most people (the ones who don't read this...that's why I don't mind saying so) truly don't care. I've come to the conclusion that really, we aren't very important to most people we know. We're too much trouble, and if people don't ask about us, then they don't have to do anything about our problems. Not that we're asking for anything other than a listening ear, mind you. And then begins a vicious cycle of us not getting in touch with people because we don't want to have to talk to them about our lives (really, are we just more gossip fodder, or do you really care?), and we don't want to hear about their "problems" (the air conditioner in my new Jeep is still not fixed even though it works kind of and it's under warranty so I don't have to pay...). And I have to remind myself that I need to be the kind of person that I want others to be to me. It's just hard to do that. Anyone want to keep me accountable for that?

Home Alone

2007-08-02T11:59:00.000-04:00

I sure wish I had a picture of me looking like that movie, because it's definitely how I feel! Chip was gone all last week, and he left again last night for his last two days of class. I certainly don't relish the idea of being home alone, even though it's only for a couple of days. I feel for everyone out there who is a single parent or has a traveling spouse. It's no fun!

I never got to finish the end-of-July update, and I already forgot if I had a specific place I was going with that train of thought, but it DEFINITELY left the station! So, here are some fun pictures from lately, and if I don't say the same things I was going to say about them before, well, at least you get to see them, right? And maybe I'll even come up with something even more clever! One can dream...
Sophie just stopping by to `say "hi`"~`
On our way for ice cream. Well, not really. We went for a long walk and then came back and had ice cream here, so I was counting it. Sophie standing on her own and clapping. Not a common occurance, but she's getting better.
From our quick jaunt to OH to drop off Danielle to stay with Mom in NY for a few weeks. We saw Jimmy Buffet's bus at our hotel, too, but my pictures didn't turn out.

Sean swimming at said hotel. I guess he gives it good marks!

Well, gotta go. Sophie's screaming at me now for taking too long. More to come...

My last minute attempt to get in all the July news

2007-07-31T18:36:00.001-04:00

So I've been slacking off here, as I mentioned in my last blog. I have a TON of pics to show you...so hopefully if time keeps permitting, I'll get to them in the next couple of days. I'll do my best...

THE COTTAGE

My grandparents own some property on a lake in the newr-north country and it's simply BLISSFUL to hang out there on warm summer days. This past weekend we managed our second trip there. Lisa and the kids, Chip, and Grandma are in this pic. You can tell they all love it!

Sophie learned "Reach for the sky" (A la Buzz Lightyear) from her brother recently, and this is her showing off her skills.

Grandma has the three youngest great-grandkids...quite a motley crew!

As promised...Sophie in her new bathing suit. I thought this picture was taken at the lake, but now that I see the hose, I know it was out back of our house by our pool. Nevertheless, isn't it ADORABLE?

SeaSaw MaMa by [another] Seashore

Somewhere Down the Road (State Route 60, in this case)

God Bless Us, Every One!

Fourth of July

Conversation with a 2 1/2 year old

Rock the Space

The Missy Project

There's no place like home

Searching for a song

Time for Bed by Mem Fox, paraphrased by Sophia

Remembering to be grateful

Come visit us for the Festivities!!!

miscellaneous Sean stuff

My son, the comedian

My Grown Up (but selfish) Christmas List

A Whole New World

President Elect

Miscellanaeous

Amy Grant Concert

Preamble

Christmas Card Update...

A new experience

Train De-railed

Fiction is powerful

tortillas and convenience stores

One Year Ago...

Lakeland, FL Start! Heart Walk 2008

Banana Pudding

More YouTube Videos...

Sophie steals the show...and my camera

About me again.

The smell remembers when...

Airplanes don't always bring out the best in me...

Epcot: Spaceship Earth

My First YouTube

What do Amy Grant, Doritos, and and Tide have in common?

Mamma Mia!

When you say nothing at all...

Just to clarify...

My Daddy Rocks - Chip Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Freddy

Happy Father's Day Grampa Beach!

Happy Father's Day Grampa Chuck!

Things I learned my first day of work

Catch up Photos

Easter Finery

Miscellaneous

Blue and Gold

The squeaky boot gets the laugh

Shout outs

Fort Harrison

Ending on a high note

Christmas photos

Making up for lost time

Story Time

Has it really been that long?

Biting the gift horse...

Missing you, Fred

Boo!

Catching up

The best hug

Hello, Goodbye

The one before the real one

Welcome to November

October happenings...so far

pictures worth 1,000 words

Please stand by...

Is it contagious?

I'm still around

Brotherly Love

9 years ago today...

Berets, Keys, Remotes, and Prodigals

Baby Steps

Hoping for a dreamless sleep

soul sisters

Kids and Kittens

Week in Review

My First Grader

P.S.

Picasa unwrapped?!?