Christmas 2008

Another Christmas season done and memories made. It seems that we prepare for weeks, months even - and it's done in a matter of hours. The wrapping paper dots the floor, Christmas goodies eaten, the wine bottle(s) empty, and the guests have left for home. The build up is exciting and the winding down is bittersweet.

T and I had a most enjoyable holiday (sort of).

Christmas Eve was spent at my sister Peg's house - as has been tradition since I was 10-years (?) old. Her daughters Joan (with Matt in tow) and Karen were both there this year, which was wonderful. We had a delicious meal that was beautifully prepared, and of course, my personal favorite - wine! We managed to inilate 3 bottles again this year.

After opening presents, Matt and Joan suggested that we play their Wii Fit. Now, I've never done video games in my life - I'm just not a fan of them. But, not wishing to be a spoil sport on Christmas Eve, I made the trek to the back room and commenced to play Wii Fit. First on tap? Yoga. Yep...the Yoga instructor was going to do Yoga via video. Now, I want to set the record straight here. I'm a damn good Yoga instructor (if I do say so myself!) and I know my stuff, but get me on a video game and try to do tree pose on a little 2x2ft platform - AFTER drinking several glasses of wine...well, let's just say it wasn't pretty! And, the half-moon pose is NOTHING like I teach in class! Needless to say, we quickly moved on to bowling.

Let me say something about bowling....I'm not good at it! Several years ago, while Director of the local Special Olympics Area 9, I was required to be at all of the sports practices, even bowling. I'd never bowled at all, and was heckled by several of the athletes that I should try it. Not wanting to look like a spoil sport then either, I relented and put on those funny little shoes and made my way up to the line and swiftly threw the ball......behind me! I brought down the house...."Ms. Sherry can't bowl, Ms. Sherry can't bowl!" was heard across the lanes with much laughter and glee! I haven't improved any judging by my Wii-bowling scores.

We moved on to Wii-racing Mario something. I took on my nephew Matt. Big mistake. His hobby and relaxation is video games. What WAS I thinking. Must have been the wine! At one point, he said, "Sherry....you are going the wrong way!" After much coaching by a patient Matt, I was able to turn the car around and ran right in to the pilons. Definitely a lesson here - don't drink and drive...even if it is in video games!!

The night came to a close though and it was time to go home and put an end to a wonderful evening.

The next day however, Christmas, was not such a bright one. Yours truely woke up sick with the flu - and NO, it was NOT the bottle flu. Ok, at first I thought it was too - but it was wayyyyyyyy worse than the bottle flu. So much so, that I cancelled going to my brother-in-law's for Christmas dinner, and so did T as he was feeling it to. Between the two of us, we kept the bathroom busy and the couch occupied. Neither one of us felt worth a hoot until around 6pm. T now has a horrible chest cold and I have a sore stomach from wretching violently.


It's alright though. We had a good time on Christmas Eve with my sister and her family. I talked to both of my brothers on Christmas Day and wished them a Merry Christmas.

Sometimes that's the way life goes - nothing you can do about it, just laugh it off, mark it down in the memory book, and look forward to the next time.

Music in my head...

I have a song in my head and I can't get rid of it! I keep hearing it, humming it, singing it, and it won't go away! I'm held captive by a song! What is it you inquire? "Start Me Up" by the Stones. Not the most soothing of songs to have playing in my head! ~LOL~

Which leads me to a question: If you had to have a song playing in your head - quietly in the background - for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
Would you choose an instrumental, jazz, rock, classical, vocal?

I've given it some thought and I think that I would choose an instrumental. I don't believe that I'd want to hear words or voices in my head (any more than I hear now! Hahahaha!). Seriously, that was a joke...I do NOT hear voices in my head! :-)

I definitely think it would be an instrumental. Perhaps a by Jim Brickman or George Winston who I admire for their expertise at the ivory keys.

Five days....

until Christmas and it is storming outside! Geeez! How am I supposed to get the rest of my shopping done? It's my own fault for procrastinating I guess. Those who know me know that I do my best work under pressure! (Some say that I pull it out of my a** quite well!) ~L~

Truthfully, I do not have all that much to get; a few things for my mother-in-law, and a house gift for my brother-in-law Bill and his wife. I don't buy for my side of the family anymore - although Peggy (my sister) will get a nice bottle of wine for our Christmas Eve dinner.

That takes me back to a memory of Christmas of five or six years ago.

My brother was living and working in Germany at the time. He came home at Christmas with bottles of a German wine that can be served warm or cold. He brought Peg and me each a bottle for Christmas Eve. Now, Peg already had a bottle of wine opened, so we drank that as we were preparing dinner. We then, of course, HAD to open a bottle of the wine Terry had brought us. We tried it both warm and cold and decided that cold was better.

It wasn't long and the guys were in the kitchen wondering when dinner would be served, which got the response of "when it is ready". Duh! ~S~

Peg and I were having sooooo much fun cooking that we finished off the second bottle and started on the third bottle. Life was good. We got on the phone and called my brother in Bismarck and wished him and his family a Merry Christmas..and I'm pretty sure we called someone else (though I can't remember it now any more than I could then!).

We laughed, we joked, we cooked, we drank..... life was good!

We put the meal on the table at 6:30. I sat down next to my husband and proclaimed, "I'm toast!" (laughing) I was hammered.

Wine goes to my head anyways, but sharing 3 bottles of wine (some of which was warmed) with my sister pretty much ensured that I was going to have a very MERRY Christmas! Oh lordy, I have to wipe the tears from my eyes even now.

Memories. Thank God for them!

Well, since I'm not going to make it in to town today, I guess I'm left with the option of playing Domestic Diva!

Have a warm, safe weekend everyone. I'll check back in later.

I am fortunate...

Today seemed to go on forever. I am so backlogged at work it isn't even funny. I am encouraged with that, however, as it surely means job security! (Fingers crossed!) ~L~ Seriously, the State would have to be in dire straights before they riffed anyone from our facility - hopefully.

This day and age, one can never be too sure though. I try not to let the doom and gloom of the economy affect my psyche - after all, I AM a "glass 1/2 full" type of lady. But, I admit that it is hard to ignore the stories of hardship that hit the news every day.

So...for as long as my day was, I'm thankful for it. I have a job to go to that puts food on the table, pays the bills and the little "extras" that come up. There are many who are not as fortunate.

I'm thankful that I am healthy, fit and able to work - there are many who wish they could.

My heart goes out to those that are experiencing difficulties this time of year - either with job, money, health or family issues. I say a prayer for them that they'll find comfort, work, shelter, food (anything that will help their world become a brighter place, if even for a moment).

Then I take a moment of gratitude for all the good and wonderful things in my life and say a prayer of "Thank You" to Him.

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

You've GOT to be kidding me!!!!

-18 degrees for a high??? Wind chills in the -45 range?? Lows tonight expected to be -25 (without the wind chills factored in)?? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!

Well, as you can see, my efforts to dig myself out didn't work real well. I got up, pulled on the layers of clothing and made the trek out to the garage to start the snow blower. Didn't go so well. Don't know why I thought I could start it when T has problems with it himself. So, I thought to myself, "well, if I can get the garage door open, I'll just grab the shovel and shovel the snowbank out in front of the door so I can drive out." Yeaaaaaahhh, right!

I couldn't get the garage door open. It was frozen shut. I tried to pry it open but no matter how much I think I may resemble Superwoman, it wasn't moving!

So, then I thought....well, let's walk out to the driveway and see just how much snow there is anyway. (Insert snort here). Hello! I think all of the snow in the county ended up in my driveway.

I went back in to the house, called Vickie and said, "I'm not going to make it this morning." She was great about it and said that she didn't think that I'd be able to make it and not to worry if I don't make it in at all.

So, I'm sitting here - at 9:30am - waiting for T to come over from the main ranch - hopefully with a tractor/blade because honestly, the snow blower won't move the snow too fast.

I'm dressed and ready to head in to work whenever I can get out, although truthfully I don't think I'll make it today. (Sorry co-workers).

Stay warm everyone!

Yes, it's officially a blizzard!

Goodness gracious! As the wind comes howling through plains, it brings with it cold Arctic air and snow! They predicted this one dead on and they were right for a change!

It's 10:46 am and I'm looking out my window to the north and cannot see the garage (that is my visibility gage). When I cannot see that garage to the north, I make the migration to the south windows and look for the 1st line of trees in our yard. Nope, cannot see them either. It's official - we're in a blizzard! ~L~

Last night around 8:00pm, T bundled up and made the trip over to the main farm to stay with the cattle. Noooooooo, he isn't literally staying WITH the cattle, but in the main house. He and his brother do this during storms to make sure that everything goes OK; water fountains stay unfrozen, cattle stay in the feedlot (they tend to want to break out and travel with the wind in the storms - silly cows!) and that they are fed (cattle lose a lot of weight during storms and cold weather so its good idea when running a feedlot to keep them fat and happy!).

Of course, getting the machinery to run in helacious weather conditions such as this is always a treat! T called this morning and said that things are a mess over there. I don't envy them at all.

Me? I'm doing just peachy! I'm warm, I'm comfy and all is well on the home front (knock on wood!). I drank 1 Mike's Lemonade last night (the extent of my "wee-hour party for one"!) and fell fast asleep around 12:30am.

I have a bunch of things I want to get done today (mostly yoga things) but I think that I'm going to be a bum later and watch a movie. Hey, how often do we get snow days anymore???! ~L~

Tomorrow is supposed to be cold as hell....highs in the -10 degree range with windchill factors in the -30 area. Tell me again why I live in the frozen tundra??? Sheeeesh! Anywho, I'll get things ready for work and hope to heck that I can get the snow blower started and shovel myself out tomorrow morning. I'm supposed to be to work by 7am, but that will depend largely on weather conditions and snow removal. Will I be dressed in my work finery? Not on your life - not with those temperatures predicted! Triple layers and jeans will do just fine! ~L~

Will write more later (maybe...if'n I don't take a nap or watch a movie!)

Blizzard Prep....

Heating fuel in the tank................................................check

Gasoline in the snowblower..............................................check

Animals fed and taken care of...........................................check

Essentials (Tpaper, ketchup, milk, bread, sodapop, pretzels, peanutbutter, CHOCOLATE,).............................................................check

Good book to read ......................................................check

Feel good movie to watch (if taking break from good book)...............check

Warm fuzzy slippers.....................................................check

Electric blanket........................................................check

Projects to do in case of boredome (Christmas Cards)....................check

Jammin tunes and plenty of Mike's Lemonade for wee hour blizzard party (OK, it may only be a party of ONE, but that's beside the point,I'm prepared!!).....check


Hangs on cuz it's gonna be a bumpy ride but dangit, I'll be comfy!!!


Y'all stay home where it is warm and safe now, y'hear??!

Venom...

... and I don't mean the type from a poisonous snake. This is the human type of venom - and it wasn't pretty.

My paths have crossed with this individual on more than one occassion and each time I walk away with a sense of remorse. He/she carries a grudge - a chip on their shoulder that has turned in to be a boulder. It's all about them, the wrongs done to them, and how the world is out to get them. They do not speak good of others, and they do not trust a soul.

I can feel the hatred oozing from them the minute I get within 5 feet of them.

They hate the world and they want you to hate the world with them.

How sad.

I don't pretend to know what kind of life this person has led, nor do I know of the injustices done to them that have made them feel such hatred toward the world. I do know that I limit my contact with this person whenever possible, as I never feel good after the encounter.

I do understand the right to be independent and to look out for oneself. I, too, have learned that if you don't look out for yourself, no one is going to do it for you.

But I've also learned that the human race is pretty amazing and there are some wonderful people in the world. Good, loving people who will drop everything they are doing to help you through the rough times.

There is a commercial on TV right now featuring the beautiful Jane Seymore (Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman) that states, "You must have an open heart in order to give and receive love."

It's sad to say but I think this person has had so much hurt in their life that they are incapable of opening their heart. Their wounds are too deep.

The "zen" in me wants to connect with them somehow and help them to realize that life is beautiful and not to waste a moment of it being hateful and vengeful.

I can only pray that the light touches their soul and heals their wounds, and they find a way to open their heart once more.

Calgon

..take me away!

Better yet - just give me a bottle of wine, some jammin tunes, and leave me alone to readjust my attitude! (Ha!).

And you all have a nice day now, ya hear?! :-)

Why is it....

...that we need reasons to get together and visit, catch up, laugh, cry, or just feel companionship? I went to Buck's funeral today - a touching and sad event, with a lot of tears, remembrance, and a few chuckles at his "antics" throughout the years.

I sat with co-workers of mine who work in different departments and later, went to the fellowship lunchon and again, sat with them and talked. We were a group of people who used to frequent "staff debriefings" or, in other words, "happy hour" after work and let our hair down. I heard a few people (co-workers and also Buck's family members) make the remark today, "it seems like we only get together for funerals and weddings" or "it's been so long since we have had a chance to sit down and catch up."

I know from first hand experience that life can be busy, hectic, and just plain irrational at times. However, I've come to the realization that I'd rather sit down and visit with friends/family while I'm alive than to have them remember me when I'm dead, know what I mean?

I used to be known as the "social coordinator" of the facility - trying to set up those "staff debriefings" - but relinquished the task when it became too difficult to pick a night when "everyone" could make it, myself included. I'm thinking that perhaps it's time to put that title back on my chest and start shooting out emails or "word of mouth" about those beloved staff debriefings once more. I enjoy hearing what my coworkers are doing in their lives outside of work, or even taking a moment to say "geeez, I had the day from hell!"

And while I'm at it, I'm going to call my sisters this afternoon and say "hi, what are you doing?" After all, we're not getting any younger. I had a rude awakening last week while giving my family history - realizing that four of my five siblings are in their 60's. Our parents died in their 70's. I don't want to wake up one day and say "I should have spent more time/talked to them more."

There shouldn't have to be a reason.....

Saddened Once More

Sadness

It is with sadness that I write this post. Another of my friends has succumbed to his illness and passed on to a better life. “Buck” was a former co-worker of mine. He passed away Tuesday at the age of 50 – his 51st would have been this coming Saturday – which now is the day of his funeral.

Buck and his wife Chris have had many battles to overcome in their lives – many of them would have made even those with the strongest of wills crumble. Buck’s health started to decline due to an incident at work from which he never really fully recovered. Heart issues, diabetes, PTSD, and other issues took their toll on him.

I remember Buck for his humor and quick wit. Although I didn’t always agree with him on certain issues, I knew him to be a loving father and husband.

Donna (close friend and co-worker) and I took a meal over to Chris, Alaina, and Otto and visited for a while. Chris is heartbroken as she just lost her best friend and husband. She’s trying to be strong, as she always has been, but I told her, “it is alright to take the “S” (for Superwoman) off your chest now, and give yourself time to grieve.”

Once more, my heart goes out to the family, and my prayers and thoughts will be with them always.

To Buck, my Buckaroo, your spirit lives on in my memories. I hope that now you can finally find the peace that you’ve been looking for.

All good things must come to an end....

Yes folks, this is the last day of my vacation (insert heavy sigh here!). Though I was on vacation, my days were jam packed with things. My "to do" list didn't get very much crossed off it, but that is alright. I just need to remember to look at it every week and try to accomplish something from the list every weekend. I'll feel like I'm making progress and my house will be all the better for it.

I served at coffee fellowship this morning, which is always nice. I find myself chatting up a storm with whomever is working the kitchen with me. Normally we're rushing around at 10:30 trying to wash dishes and put things away to make the 10:45 service, but today was a small crowd; most of them had left by 10:00 am and we had pretty much everything cleaned up at 10:10.

I hit the market after Church for some essentials and came home to do some laundry and get things ready for my first day back to work tomorrow. It is my early week also, which really bites! I know that I'll have tons of email to answer and paperwork stacked high to process. I already have a plan of attack formulated in my mind! The bright spot is that I'll teach yoga this week. Friday is my 1/2 day AND the facility employee Christmas party (party one!).

I just received some bad news on the family home front. My older brother just called a few minutes ago to tell me that my nephew Brad is getting a divorce and will have full custody of Hayden (thank the Lord!). He and Paula tried to make things work but her addictions were too much to overcome. There comes a time when you have to say "enough is enough" - especially now that little Hayden is in the picture. I feel bad for Brad but I'm glad that he has made the decision that he has made - for both him and Hayden. I give him my love, support, and prayers.

I'm so stuffed......

Still.....after almost 24 hours, I feel as stuffed as the turkey was yesterday! Good heavens! I tried to contain myself, I really did.....but it was all so good! My stuffing was delicious and moist, the potatoes were whipped to perfection, and the turkey was moist and tender. About 3:00pm I had this moment of euphoria (maybe it was a turkey coma or the coffee and Kahlua I was sipping on at the time), where I just had a warm fuzzy feeling of "life is good."

Anyway, I stepped on the scale this morning and decided I won't eat for another month (yeah, like I can stay away from food that long!). It wasn't too bad and could have been worse - but I seriously need to jump on the treadmill bandwagon SOON! ~L~

What is on the agenda today? Gonna do some yoga, clean up a last few items from yesterday, get ready to go in to town this afternoon to see my niece Karen and then take my mother-in-law to the Holiday Razzle-Dazzle parade!

The last days of my vacation are going too fast! (pouts).

Today......

I'm sitting here looking out my office window and smiling at the beautiful sun peaking through the tree branches. Morning is such a quiet, calm time of the day. A time to set the intention for the day, perhaps say a prayer for those on our minds and in our hearts, or to adopt a moment of gratitude for everything good and wonderful in our lives.

All too often we get caught up in the rush of starting the day that we forget what a precious gift a new day is. Think of it as a canvas on which we can paint the beauty of a single day in our life.

Today is a day that we cannot live again - no do overs. It can either be a good day or a bad day - only your attitude determines which it will be.

Paint life - your day - on the canvas.

Clutter

Yes, I just completed my 90 minute yoga practice, sitting here blogging about it (See other blog) and drinking a cup of coffee (1/2 caff), I'm wondering what is going on in the working world today. NOT! (hahahaha). Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I am so enjoying my time off today. I had a fabulous yoga practice and now I'm ready to tackle a project on my "to do" list. I have to be in town for an appointment at 3:30pm today, so the project won't be anything major - perhaps straightening up my office.

It is amazing how cluttered this room can get. I almost hate walking in here when it is so cluttered. I have to find a better way of managing it. I find myself strapped for time and will walk in to the office, lay a piece of paper down and say, "I'll deal with it when I get time." Two weeks (hmmm, maybe months?) later, I have these piles of paper sitting on the desk, chair, and spare bed - that I swear grow faster than the national debt!@ Sheeesh!

I've decided that I need to get a system down. Now, isn't THAT original! ~LOL~

I just need to figure out what it is going to be. A stack for yoga papers? A separate stack for T's papers and one for me, and yet another stack for "do this later" (which is what gets me in trouble to begin with).

I heard the other day that the average American gets 41 lbs of junk mail a year. Wow! No doubt about that one....I sweat that I'm looking at all of that and more!

So, this is my grand plan. I'm going to clean the office today and organize everything in to "stacks". ~L~ (Wait a minute, I already HAVE stacks!)

Then I'm going to a store to buy those little organizer thingies and label them - then proceed to put my stacks of stuff in to the organizer thingies. Hey! At least my stacks will look neat and tidy and everything will be in one place. It's a start, right? (Work with me here people!!) ~S~


I better get to it if I want to accomplish this before 2:00 this afternoon (I need time to beautify before my appointment at 3:30!) ~hahahaha~


Later!! :-)

Vacation Mode!

Oh yeah......it's vacation time for little ol' me! Wooooooooo Hoooooooo! Do I have anything planned? Am I going anywhere special? Nope and Nope! Well, I do have some things that I need to get done, like cleaning and bookwork. Oh, and getting ready to cook Thanksgiving dinner, but other than that...nadda! Not even teaching yoga this week. How sweet it is!

The bad thing is - the growing list of things that I want to get done in the next few days will probably not get done. I'm going to try and not sweat it. Anything accomplished will be one less thing to worry about later on.

I had already decided that I'm not going to do deep-down, crevice, nook-and cranny cleaning this fall. I'm going to leave that all for my spring vacation. Hmmm, do you see a pattern developing here? ~hahaha~ I rarely go anywhere on vacations; it's spent at home tending to things that don't get done during the work week or on weekends. I imagine that I'll find time to read a book or maybe watch a movie, do some yoga, etc... but most of all, I'll enjoy just being home and putsing around at my leisure.

Remembering Vic

By now, everyone has heard that Vic passed away on Saturday night aroung 6:51 pm. He was home with his wife Sharon and his mother, and went quietly in his sleep. Sharon called me to let me know of his death and quietly added, "the last time he opened his eyes was for you." I'm so glad that I was able to spend time with him earlier that day. It doesn't make the sadness go away, but it does dull the ache a little bit.

I spent some time with Sharon on Sunday, helping her to clean and get the hospital bed and oxygen equipment ready to go back to Hospice. We talked quite a bit about Vic's life and how they lived their life together. They truly had a great relationship.

Vic will be laid to rest on Wednesday. He'll be honored by former co-workers and friends as special pallbearers and the JRCC Honor Guard. A fitting salute to such great man.

Life

I visited Vic and Sharon today. I cried. Sharon had told me a few days ago that Vic was going down hill fast, but I didn't comprehend what she was saying until I saw with my own eyes today. The change is so drastic frome my last visit with them lat week.

He is non-responsive now. I got real close to him and whispered, "hey ornery, it's me, Sherry...I've come to give you a little grief." He did open his eyes - briefly - and made an attempt to squeeze my hand, but that is all. It is so sad to see a good friend go through this pain and suffering. I said a prayer for him this morning and asked the good Lord to "ease his suffering and bring him home."

Sharon is a the epitome of a rock. She has been by Vic's side - non wavering. She held me while I cried, it should have been the other way around.

Words, at a time like this, are just words. We all mean well, but it doesn't ease the pain and helplessness of having to watch a loved one die. I've asked Sharon to call if she needs anything, but she quietly looked at "pops" and said, "I have everything I need right now."

Life - it truly is something to be lived and treasured.

What does it mean...

when you are driving down a city street, in the dark, and as you pass each street light, it goes dark??

Do I have a guardian angel telling me something?

Do I have that much positive energy that the electricity flowing from me interrupts the power flow around me?

That happened to me this morning while driving in to work. One by one the street lights went dark as I passed by. I didn't think much of it until I hit the 3rd one and it too went dark. As I exited town, the lights were coming back on, one by one.

Spooky.....

Someone, somewhere, was trying to tell me something I think.

Hellooooooooooooooo

I'm back! Reality bites after spending and awesome weekend absorbing knowledge and wisdom from a master yoga trainer. Alhough my body is tired and sore, my mind is energized and ready to instruct. Too bad I have to wait until tomorrow night!

I'm working on catching up on laundry, dishes, and house cleaning. Leaving hubster in the house alone for 3-days isn't such a good idea - even though he did his best to keep things neat and tidy.

It's good to be home though - housework aside.

Will write more later on, but need to go fold towels and sweep the floor.


Later folks!

I Salute Thee.....

Today is not just another holiday with a day off from work. Today is a salute to our nation's veterans, the men and women who have fought for this great country of ours. Those that fought to keep our nation free and enjoy the personal freedoms we have.

If you haven't thanked a Veteran for their service, please do so today. Let them know how much we appreciate the sacrifice they made for us.

Know what sucks???

When your furnace takes a dump and it's single digit temperatures outside!

NOT a fun way to start the day for sure. All started on Saturday when T kept accusing me of turning down the furnace cause it was 68 in the house. Now, I know I have been getting hot flashes, but seriously, I never turned down the thermostat.

Woke up on Sunday morning and it 60 in the house. No WAY was I taking the blame for that one! Yeppers, the furnace took a nose dive.

We are lucky enough to have a good friend who comes over and services the furnaces/air conditioners at the three houses. He came over yesterday - in the middle of deer hunting (what a guy!) - and confirmed our worst suspicions.

The good thing is we have a little electric heater that throws off a lot of heat, plus he brought one of his over for us to use.

The bad news is the parts for the furnace won't be available until next week. Yikes!

I guess it could always be worse though - like -20 degrees outside with a 40 mph wind.

Needless to say, I wasn't running around the house in my skivvies this morning! Ha!

Another National Holiday

Although it is not shown on the calendar, there is another national holiday observed in the north land: Deer Hunting Opener!

Yep - Friday, at precisely noon, all the men folk (and some women too) took to the country roads, dressed in their orange finery, holding their well cleaned and oiled guns in search of the elusive buck or doe for which they have license to shoot. With itchy fingers poised and ready to pull the trigger as they walk through stubble and pasture lands, eyes focused in on anything that moves, they wait with baited breath for "the one" to put their tag on.

Schools (some of them) in the area actually close on this day. Preparations start two days ahead of time: gas (check), sandwiches and snacks(check), gun cleaned and oiled (check), orange clothing (check), license (check), binoculars and two-way radios (check), beer (ummm, better get some more! check).

I live on a fairly well traveled road. However, at precisely 6:45am this morning it turned in to an interstate. I counted no less than 7 trucks (fully loaded with men in orange) traveling north, their loud mufflers proclaiming their intent to roust out the deer. Now, I ask you....what is the point of stealthily sneaking up on a deer when you drive a truck with loud mufflers?

I got to thinking that if I were an enterprising woman, I should get myself a little stand at the end of my driveway and sell hot coffee and Carmel rolls in the morning. Then at noon, set out sign that says "brats, chips and pop $2.50". I think I could make some money out of this national holiday that lasts for three weekends! (note to self, check in to this for next year!)

And please....that "one that got away" was because you couldn't shoot straight! But, if it makes you feel better to say that your gun got jammed, I understand...I'll play along with you.

I've grown up with hunting all of my life. Not only does it provide good eating, but it also helps to control the deer population, for which I am eternally grateful if it keeps one of those pesky things from jumping out at me at night or early morning.

I don't condone senseless "trophy hunting" - please, if you're going to shoot for the pure thrill of getting the trophy set of antlers to mount, at least be considerate and donate the meat to a family in need. You'll still get your trophy and a needy family will be appreciative of the meat filling their freezer.

Come Monday morning, the stories around the water cooler will be filled with exaggerations and half truths about the hunting weekend. Some will have filled their tags, while others will go to bed at night dreaming of the elusive buck that escaped only to be the target of the chase the upcoming weekend.

Good luck hunters. Use your head and be smart in the hunt, but most importantly, be SAFE!

Today......

I know we are all busy - we have work, children to cart back and forth to school activities, yoga classes to attend, etc. We can all make excuses....but today is one day that is most important and today there should be no excuses.

I do not care who you vote for.....just vote. Exercise your right as an American to go to the polls and help select the leadership of this country and this state.


Your vote DOES count and it IS important to this great country of ours.

So please, no excuses today.......VOTE.

Daylight Saving Time....

Don't know about you folks, but I don't like this time change! It's dark at 6:00pm! An extra hour of sleep? Yeah right, I woke up on schedule with that blasted internal alarm clock of mine - at 4:30 this morning (normally 5:30am)! Now THAT sucked!

I know, I know, we go through this every year and we get used to it, but for this first day, let me rant and rave, ok? Ok ~L~

Well, as promised, I said that I'd write more when I had time. I spent the majority of the day outside because it was absolutely gorgeous out! I'm taking advantage of it before all of the crud hits us later this week (according to the news reports).

The last few weeks have been hectic, crazy busy for me. Our hearts are heavy with the loss of our friend and neighbor, Ron. T was pallbearer for his good friend and it hit him especially hard. We spent a considerable amount of time with Ron's family on Thursday and Friday night, the prayer service on Sunday, and the funeral on Monday. The prayer service was touching as people stood up and shared their stories of Ron. Earlier on this blog I wrote of attending Ron's 59th birthday party and how they had a video of "Ron, this is your Life" showing during his birthday party. The same video was played during his prayer service and it was especially touching. I'm glad I got the chance to view it with Ron when he was alive. The funeral was hard - as was the interment. They played "taps" and had a five-gun salute. I'll never get used to hearing that.

Saturday was my family reunion at The Bunker. Goodness did we have fun. With all of the food we had, we could have fed a small starving nation! Lordy! I KNOW I gained all of 4lbs! We had chili, knephla, bean & ham, and vegetable soup (along with all of the fixings!) The "grazing table" was outstanding this year - of course, it is every year. We had so much food, but darn! it sure was good!!! We were missing Dennis (SD), Glenn and Randy this year, but we had some guests. Karen brought her roommates Amy and Suzie!. They are such lovely young ladies and they were a hit with everyone. Amy was cute, she wouldn't shake hands with anyone when introduced, she just wrapped them in a hug! ~L~ Rock on Amy! Suzie is a sweetie too. I hear that she's a marathon runner and does quite well at it. She even ran around our fair city the morning of the reunion. Hopefully they'll be able to make it next year. My hubster said, "sure is nice to meet someone when you feel you've known them all of your life." He was especially pleased with the group hug from Karen, Amy, and Suzie at the end of the day. Where WAS my camera! ~L~

General consensus in the family is to hold the reunion at same place, same time of year, and same type of food! Rock on! (It's already planned! ~L~)

I was supposed to go to a yoga certification that very same weekend, but it was cancelled. As much as I yammered about them cancelling yet another of my certifications, I've learned that everything happens for a reason. Had I been gone attending my certification, I wouldn't have been here for Ron's family, for T, and for my family reunion. Lesson learned - take everything in stride, because there generally is a reason why things happen the way that the do.

I have another good friend who is dying of cancer. Vic has been told that they are stopping chemo and giving morphine for pain maintenance now. They've found another tumor in his brain and liver. He was told to plan for end of life around Thanksgiving. I spoke with Sharon on Friday and she said that Vic's plan is to make it through to Christmas. He's ornery enough that he'll stick to his plans. Vic, Sharon, if you are reading this...know that I love you guys and would do anything for you.

Well, it's supper time here and I need to get the taters out of the oven before they burn to a crisp. Of course, when food is burnt around here, it generally means that supper IS ready! ~LOL~

More later this week.

PS: For those I owe an email to - and you know who you are - be watching for something this week. ~L~ Really! No foolin! ~S~

I'm here.....

Well - it's been a whirlwind week and a half, chock full of activities, emotional ups and downs, and everything in between.

I'm surviving, but I'm realizing that life kind of takes you by surprise and makes you sit up and take notice once in a while. The death of our good friend and neighbor - Ron - hit us hard. T took it especially hard as he grew up with Ron they were great hunting buddies. Although he had been battling cancer for the last year, it didn't make saying goodbye any easier.

Will write more later when I have more time as there is much more to write about. My life - as I know it - is CRAZY! ~LOL~

A better place

I learned of the passing of our friend and neighbor, Ron. Please, say a prayer for strength for his wife and sons during this difficult times.

Sounds familiar

This sounds quite familiar. Going to the vet with Boris is a traumatic experience. God forbid I should have to give him medicine! (shudders at the thought) Reading this made me howl with laughter. I'm particularly fond of #11! Enjoy!

HOW TO GIVE A CAT A PILL -- THEN A DOG

1. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a
baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and
gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat
opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm
and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws
tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with
right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call
spouse from garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear
paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with
one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and
rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make
note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered
figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just
visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth
open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink 1 beer to take
taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet
with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Open another beer.
Place cat in cupboard, and close door onto neck, to leave head showing.
Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic
band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges.
Drink beer. Fetch bottle of scotch. Pour shot, drink. Apply cold compress to
cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey
compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw Tee shirt away
and fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Call fire department to retrieve the damn cat from across the road.
Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid
cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.

13. Tie the little bastard's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and
bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy-duty pruning gloves from
shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Be rough
about it. Hold head vertically and pour 2 pints of water down throat
to wash pill down.

14. Consume remainder of scotch. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency
room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill
remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15. Arrange for SPCA to collect mutant cat from hell and call local pet shop
to see if they have any hamsters.


How To Give A Dog A Pill:

1. Wrap pill in bacon.

2. Toss it in the air.

Silent Treatment

A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, 'Please wake me at 5:00 AM.' He left it where he knew she would find it. The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, 'It is 5:00 AM. Wake up.' Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.

A lovely weekend

Hey folks. You might guess, that it is once more a Sunday afternoon adn I'm catching up on things around the house. I am kind of lazy today but trying to get the essentials done so that I don't get caught with my shorts down on Monday morning. (now isn't THAT a visual you wanted to go to! Ha!)

I caught up on some yoga bookwork (finally!), did a little laundry, sent out an email to my yoga students regarding the November schedule (and specials - go to Better Life Through Yoga to check out the information), started supper (baked chicken, smashed tators, vegetables with cheese sauce - YUM!), and am now thinking about packing my yoga bag for my wellness Yoga Basics class at a corp. here in town.

So, what have I been doing you ask? Well, hubster and I met up with some friends and went the bull-o-rama in town! Peeps - you really MUST check this out next year! It's a lot of fun (well, not if you're the poor schmuck who gets his face full of dirt as he's tossed head-over-tea kettle in to the dirt from a 1800 lb bull). I mean, MAN! these guys deserve a metal - or a trip to the funny farm to have their head examined. Now, some of them are older adrenaline junkie freaks who SHOULD know better - but then there are these cute lil cowboy kids (I swear, I have shoes older than some of them!) that DON'T know any better. Here they are, tied on to the back of this 1800lb slab of muscled meat that can't wait to git rid of the pesty human sittin on his back. They have one goal and one goal only - pain! YIKES! We had a good time though and I said a few thank you's to the c'boys who managed to hang on the whole 8 seconds without gettin hurt. They put on a good show and we had a good time. Laurie, if you're lookin at this, I just NOW got the circulation back in my leg (from you grabin on to it so tight!) ~L~

Yesterday was to a friends house to help her do some stuff for her entertaining next week (daughter is getting confirmed). I couldn't stay long, but managed to help her with a few things before I had to go.

From there, home to do my own house shoveling - errr, I mean...Cleaning! Yeah, I hate it too. Much more fun to clean someone elses than to do my own.

My family had a momentous occassion last night in that my sister Judy and her husband celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Their children (five boys and spouses) surprised them with a get together at this quaint little place called "Friends." They were surprised as all get out. All of his brothers, and all of our family were there to share the night with them. It was good fun! My sister cried and hugged me so tight. She's such a wonderful soul (and godmother to me) and I said, "Oh my Judy, don't cry...you is s'posed to be happy." She said, "I am, my whole family is here to share our happiness." Isn't that sweet?

Well, guess I'd better go get my Yoga bag packed and my clothing selected for tomorrow. It's my long/short week ~L~ (Long days, short week with me being off on Friday!) so I like to be as prepared as possible for Mondays cuz Mondays really suck bigtime when you are caught with your shorts down! (Theres that visual again!) ~LOL~

Words of Wisdom:
That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest. - Henry David Thoreau:

Saddened

Was anyone else saddened by the exit of Abby Lockheart on ER last night? I was. I cried. I'm a soft touch, I know, but I cried.

I'm going to miss ER.

Powerful Stuff...

Those who read my blog know that I have a nephew who is mentally disabled. He's 28 and making a life on his own. He works at Wal-Mart, has a gal-pal, and loves to be part of the "Jimmies" teams by handing out water to the athletes. He's a Special Olympics Hall of Fame Athlete, Man of the Year, and all around athlete in his own right.

I found this story on the net and it made me cry. Blaine has so many wonderful people supporting him - not only family, but friends who take an interest in what he is doing, and how he is doing. Matt, who is helping him train for the World Games (Idaho) in February, Jeremy who plays football with Blaine and treats him like a regular guy, the coaches and college athletes that have taken him under their wing. They all have helped Blaine on his journey through life. To see the huge smile he gets when he runs across friends and people who ask him, "How are you doing Blaine" or "Good to see you Blaine" makes me get a lump in my throat. They don't see "the disability", the see the man and his heart. They see Blaine.

This story is heart touching - but the quote at the end is especially true.

***************************************************************************
All The Way Shay!
Author Unknown


At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: ‘When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?’

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. ‘I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.’

Then he told the following story:

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys were playing baseball. Shay asked, ‘Do you think they’ll let me play?’ Shay’s father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

Shay’s father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, ‘We’re losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we’ll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.’

Shay struggled over to the team’s bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt . His father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father’s joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay’s team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay’s team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn’t even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay’s life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman’s head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, ‘Shay, run to first! Run to first!’ Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, ‘Run to second, run to second!’ Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher’s intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman’s head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, ‘Shay, Shay, Shay, all the way Shay!’

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, ‘Run to third, Shay, run to third!’

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, ‘Shay, run home! Run home!’ Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

‘That day’, said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, ‘the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world’.

Young Shay would never forget what it felt like to be a hero that day.

Neither would the other boys.

"The decency of any society can be measured by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens."

Some days you got it....

Ever had one of those days when everything clicks in your brain? I mean, everything comes so fast you literally think you are Einstein?? Then, there are days when things are foggy and the brain feels bogged down in quicksand. Today is one of those days. I forgot where the keys to the truck were - couldn't find them anywhere. I spent 5 minutes looking for them only to discover that they were in the truck - where they always are!

Get to work and forget the password to my computer. Yep - had to make the dreaded phone call to the IT department to get it reset. Then, once I reset it and think of a new one, what do I do? Forget it, log in with the ORIGINAL password (that I forget 5 minutes before) and had to call the IT department yet again to have him reset my NEW password for me. I'm getting to know Josh intimately! (Ha!)

Yep, some days I have it, and some days I don't. Hmmmmm....Sounds like a "Mounds" candybar commercial, doesn't it? ~L~

I take nothing for granted. I now have only good days or great days.
Lance Armstrong

Good to Get Away!

Hey folks!

Sorry I haven't been posting for a while - life is getting a little hectic around here lately.

Hubster "T" decided to spring a last minute trip to "the cities" on me this last weekend. It was a whirlwind trip - leaving Saturday morning and returning late Sunday night. We had a great time though - as we were at an artifacts show at which he gave a "demonstration" on his flint knapping abilities. It's always good to see familiar faces at these things, and I've now deemed them "show friend" (as that's the only time I get to see them). A huge shout out to Tom and Greg for all of their efforts in putting together a archeology show of this caliber. We brought some of our Native American artifacts to show, and it is always nice to walk around and see some of the other collections present.

I had to be at a conference yesterday at 7:30 - which means I had to leave the facility with the state car at 6:00 am. I didn't arrive back in town until 6Pm and by the time I picked up a few things at the store and made my way home, it was 7pm. Up again this morning at 5am to start the grind all over again. Goodness am I tired. BUT, the bright spot is tonight is yoga night and that always perks me up when I can see my classes and feed off of their energy! :-)

Not much else to report - my brain is so foggy I couldn't remember if there was!

I'll write more later!

Namaste'

There's a reason he's "The Man"

What can I say, my nephew Blaine IS "The Man." I just had the most enjoyable time with him. I was in town for an appointment (think yet another hairstyle) and had some time afterwards, so called Blaine to see if he wanted to have coffee with me.

I didn't need to ask twice as, in Blaine's words, "I'm always up for food." (Like, THAT is the understatement of the century!)

I picked him up and we went to this quaint little coffee house on main street and sat ourselves down. Of course, we just HAD to share a piece of carrot cake (Yum) even though it isn't on either of our diets (love it when that happens!).

Now, with Blaine you never know exactly what kind of conversation you're going to get. Some days its all fun, some days its rant/rave about work, or the standings of the college football team (or whatever sport he is doing at the time).

Today though, we entered in to the realm of politics. Now, I don't talk politics alot because I feel my personal views are just that, personal, but I wanted to see what Blaine had to say on the subject. He actually brought it up and asked me, "Who do you think is going to be elected?"

For someone who is supposed to have a mental disability, he was surprisingly on target. When I aired my views on the whole presidential election and said that I was "still undecided" even after the presidential debate, he shook his head and said, "I know who I'm voting for" and proceeded to tell me who and gave the reasons why. Now, one might think that he was imitating what he has heard, but when I pressed him on some issues, and tried to trip him up, he was firm in his decision and again proceeded to tell me his views. I was proud of him. He made me smile.

Of course, other topics included the use of the green space at the middle school, the quiet zone downtown, and everything in between. There were some jabs in there about my age -but I managed to get in a few about his also (he turns 30 in two years!). Like anyone, the prospect of turning older doesn't thrill him! ~L~ But, we both decided that since we're still "young at heart", we're ok with the fact that the calendar says that we're not.

As I've said before in this blog, I could be having the worst day ever, and see or talk with him and just know that whatever is bothering me really isn't an issue. I see him going through life, making his way the best that he knows how,(with a mental disability I might add), and he's doing just fine. So whatever has got my undies in a wad just really isn't so significant anymore whenever I think of him.

That is the reason, my dear peoples, why Blaine IS "The Man."

Black Box

This thing is addicting! (Points to the "Black Box" on the Right side of the screen).

I've found some pretty hilarious blogs out there with this little widget.

I'm going to copy from one blog I found via "the box", and ask that if you've found my blog via the box to please leave me a message and let me know what choices you made to find me.

(Thinks this blogging thing is so cool!)

Take two Valium and return in two weeks....

Yeah right! Have YOU ever tried to get my cat Boris in to a pet carrier?? My morning started out with a huge dose of anxiety - it was Vet day! I tried to convince T one last time to stay and help me get Boris in to the carrier, but my macho husband shook his head and said (and I quote) "nope - I like my skin on my body thank you".

Boris, of course, must have "vet radar" going on cuz the little minx couldn't be found anywhere. I enticed him with food though and managed to corral him in the bathroom. I retrieved a large blanket and made nice with putty-tat...smiling and cooing and petting him while he ate - then I ambushed him by throwing the blanket over his head and rushing out to the entry way where the pet carrier was hiding in wait. Have you ever seen that Garfield comic strip where Jon is standing with his hands around Garfield and Garfield has all four paws imbedded in Jon's face? Yeah, that was me and Boris this morning. This cat had a growl that would have put Cimba's (The Lion King) to shame! By the grace of God, I dislodged him from my body and managed to shove him in to the carrior while keeping my skin affixed to my body! It wasn't pretty folks!

I get to the Vet and Dr. Dawn asked "how is Boris today?" only to be met with a growl from inside the cage. She was trying to decide if she should get the "bad cat" gloves and manhandle the little monster out of the cage. It was touch and go for a while but he came out on his own. Routine exam found that he's 13.8 lbs, has a healthy ticker and wasn't really liking being handled. That was the easy part, he needed three shots today - one of which needs to be repeated in two weeks. That is when Dr. Dawn humorously said, "take two Valium and bring him back in two weeks." Uh-huh...I'll just do that.

The only bright spot to this visit was that my little lost dog - Bella - was there! Oh my gosh! She is soooooo lovable and cute! She was officially adopted by Dr. Deb and family on September 16th, 2008. The kids have named her "Monster" which does NOT fit the sweet disposition she has. The ladies at the Vet said that Dr. Deb brings her to the clinic every day; she has a special basket that she sits in and everyone plays with her and gives her special attention all day long.

They said that when Bella was taken to the groomers, the groomer recognized her. Turns out that she was even in the vet clinic database, but all attempts to reach the owners (through records at the groomers and the vet clinics)failed. All phone numbers had been disconnected.

I felt the tug at the heartstrings once more; she should have been my dog. BUT, I know that she is with a happy, loving family and gets lots of attention. Knowing that she is at the vet clinic daily, I can always stop up there to see her.



Isn't she a little cutie?? so, to all the blog stalkers out there - this little one is off the market. She's found a good home.

Boris isn't talking to me. I walk in to a room, he runs away. I call his name, he turns his back to me and sits down. I think that Valium idea is a good one.

She won't rub me the wrong way....

I just had the most pleasurable experience. I had the day off today - which, in of itself is pleasure enough - totally pampered myself with a 2-hr massage Ms. Jenn! That woman has fabulous hands. I went in with a headache, bordering on a migraine, and proceeded to lose myself to her magic touch and her witty humor.

I tell you what, this lady has been known to have me in stitches on the table. Last summer she was telling me about a bachlorette party she went to and how this limo of guys pulled up - all with east coast accents (think Tony Soprano). Oh my god! I thought I was gonna die! I was laughing so hard I had water runnin from my eyes and damn near had to jump bareassed off the table and head for the bathroom. It was that bad...errr...good!

She's quite an intelligent young lady who is married to this tall drink of water named Jack. He's from the east coast and came to our fair state to be with his lady love. Now, according to Jen, his father is a Victor Newman (think Young and the Restless) lookalike with a Tony Soprano accent. She does this impression of him that just kills me. I'd give my eye teeth to meet this man!

Jen is a wonderful lady raising two children and making her way in life. As much as I love her massages, I enjoy talking with her about her views on life, religion, spirituality, marriage and raising kids.

Today we were taking about whether our lives are all mapped out with this predestined outcome for us or whether it's all about lifes choices. I believe, as Jenn does, that it's about choices. I told Jenn that I've made some pretty awesome choices, some pretty lousy ones, and some "what WAS I thinking choices." It amazes me the path that I'm on right now. It certainly isn't the one that I would have predicted for myself 30 years ago. But hey! That is what makes life interesting.

Do you see the "black box" to the right of this post? It's all about choices. You click on the box and keep making choices till it tells you of a mystery blogger whose choices match your own. You can then visit this mystery blogger.

It's pretty cool. Give it a try and see what kind of blogs you run into. I've already found a few new ones that have me in stitches.

And as for Jenn - if you are reading this....a big THUMBS UP to you! I always leave your home feeling like a limp noodle and always with a huge smile on my face and lots of sunshine in my heart!

Thank you!!!

It's all good!

What a wonderful day I had yesterday (Sunday)!

The day started out with my mother-in-law canceling out on our brunch plans due to illness. She is so sweet. She said, “I’ve been looking forward to this all week and wouldn’t you know it! I don’t feel so good.”

We were going to go to attend the St. Mary’s Catholic Church breakfast. They always have a turkey dinner (with all the trimmings) this time of year, but decided to change the menu this year and go for breakfast. I had also invited my nephew Blaine to go along with us. Not long after I got off the phone with my mother-in-law, my sister Peggy called and asked if I was still going to the breakfast. It all worked out! I picked up Blaine and Peggy and away we went.

The food was awesome and the company was spectacular. We saw my sister Judy and her husband Duane; they are leaving today on a three-week trip to the East Coast. My sister Pat and brother-in-law Gil were in attendance along with their granddaughters Abby and Emily. We even stopped over at their house and made out like bandits! Peggy and Blaine received venison sausage and I received two quarts of beet pickles, a quart of apple butter, and two bags of tomatoes! YumMMMM!!!

Blaine has this little competition going between me and Peggy to see who can take him out for “food” the most. Now, Peggy was three up on me before this last week. I took him out for supper on Monday night. Peggy took him out for supper on Tuesday, I took him out for pizza on Wednesday – Peggy got him for lunch on Friday. I bought his breakfast on Sunday and she made him supper on Sunday night. When my brother-in-law Gilbert asked who was winning the competition between me and Peggy – I pointed to Blaine and said, “He is!” ~LOL~ What a guy!!

I’m so lucky to have Blaine in my life. I don’t have children of my own so having Blaine fills a void. I remember babysitting Blaine when I was 18 and he was less than two months old; cuddling with him laying against my chest, or just holding his hand in mine. Now, its phone calls from him to let me know how his day went at work, or to vent about a friend or co-worker that drives him crazy. Of simply a call to say that he and Auntie Peggy “have one up on me.” I can’t ever have a bad day when Blaine is around. He is the sunshine in my world. I couldn’t be more proud of him than if he were my own son. In more ways than one, he is the son I never had. I commend my brother Terry, and Marna, for doing a wonderful job of raising a fine young man. I thank you for sharing your son with me.

After doing a few errands in town and getting ready to leave town, my good friend Becky called my phone and wanted to know if I’d like to see a matinee with her. Well….yeah!! The prospect of going home and doing bookwork just didn’t appeal to me. We saw the movie “The Women”. The cast was spectacular with Meg Ryan, Jada Pinkett Smith, Annette Benning, Debra Messing, Bette Midler, Carrie Fischer, Eva Mendes. The movie was good but not the best I’ve seen. It was a great way to spend the Sunday afternoon though. Plus, I got to spend time with Becky. She’s such a sweet person with a big heart. She’s going through a bit of stress right now. I told her….toss it all up to God, he’ll take care of everything.

A good day, all in all; a perfect way to end the weekend.

Sometimes I don't think quick enough!

OK, like I really have to learn to engage my brain a little faster- it would save me a whole lot of stress and agony.

Like - when someone calls you up on the phone and says, "what are you doing tomorrow night"? If I were thinking fast enough, I'd say something witty and important like "taking the wax off of my kitchen floor." But did I? Nooooooooo! My dim-witted response was, "nothing.....why?" Well now, didn't THAT just open up the door! "Well, if you're not doing anything, how would you like to...."!

Get my point? No way of backing out now. I'm stuck. I gotta fess up and do the chore when I could have been sitting on easy street with my feet up eating a chocolate bon-bon. (NOT that I actually eat chocolate bon-bon's - I just wanted to see it in print! (hehehehe)

Of course, now that I've posted it for all of the world to see - folks will be much more clever now and will trick me by not really coming out and asking...they'll sneak in the back way and get me to trip myself up! ~LOL~

Yep - I MUST learn to engage the brain faster before putting mouth in gear! ~LOL~

Kind of makes you think....

This was emailed to me recently and it made me smile. For those that know me, you know that I've gone through quite a life transformation in the past ten years. I was happy - but not. It's hard to explain really. I guess it all boiled down to the fact that I wasn't happy with me. I set about making some changes -boy, did I!

We're all in charge of our own density...errr...destiny! (Never could get that word right). This story kind of drives the point home. Enjoy!
*******************************************************************************

Last Respects
Author Unknown


One day not too long ago the employees of a large company in St. Louis, Missouri returned from their lunch break and were greeted with a sign on the front door. The sign said: "Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym."

At first everyone was sad to hear that one of their colleagues had died, but after a while they started getting curious about who this person might be.

The excitement grew as the employees arrived at the gym to pay their last respects. Everyone wondered: "Who is this person who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he's no longer here!"

One by one the employees got closer to the coffin and when they looked inside it they suddenly became speechless. They stood over the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul.

There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see himself. There was also a sign next to the mirror that said: "There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: it is YOU.

You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success. You are the only person who can help yourself.

Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when your company changes. Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realize that you are the only one responsible for your life.

"The most important relationship you can have, is the one you have with yourself."

What a Wonderful Birthday!!

I had the most wonderful day today – on this, my birth date! The day started out with my husband setting out a card at 5:00am (by the coffee pot so I wouldn’t miss it!). It was a cute card and made me smile, especially since he and Boris (our cat) both signed it!

Then on to work where the ladies made low-fat brownies (we’re all trying to lose weight) in honor of my day. My siblings started calling me one by one to wish me a happy birthday. It’s always so funny how we do this because none of us are organized enough to send birthday cards! ~LOL~ I received birthday greetings from truly special friends here at work and those from afar that warmed my heart.

My yoga class was great! I told them that we were going to celebrate my birthday by doing some fun things during class. We focused on a ½ hour of vinyasa flow, and then settled in to learn some breathing techniques to help calm our spirits and focus our thoughts. All of this followed up by 15 minutes of guided relaxation – after which they all sang “Happy Birthday” to me! How special!!! I had the biggest smile on my face; I was truly touched.

On the drive home, I called my nephew Blaine. He had called earlier but didn’t leave a message so I wanted to make sure that he was alright. He serenaded me by singing Happy Birthday as well. I tell you, I almost started to cry.

I am truly a very fortunate woman to have such wonderful brothers, sisters, and friends – all of whom made my birthday one to be treasured and remembered!

Thank you to everyone.

Happy Birthday Brother!!

I'm sending a "Happy Birthday" shout out to my brother, Terry! It's his birthday today - he's...ummm....7 years older than me! ~LOL~

I called to wish him a "great day" today and ended up getting a supper invitation out of the deal! It's not often that we get to celebrate our birthdays together (mine is tomorrow) - so of course, I accepted!

So, I hope that your day is going well Terry! We'll catch up over a few brews and supper tonight with your family!

Love ya tons!

Your lil sister!

I need a nap!

Gracious Sakes!!! I don't know if it's the prospect of turning another year older, the coolness of the fall air, my hectic schedule, or all of the aforementioned, but I'm in serious need of a nap!

I don't like to take naps because they disrupt my sleep schedule in the evening and I don't want to become dependent on them to get me through the day. So rather than taking a nap, I'm catching up on some bookwork, updating contacts in my email, and listening to football on the TV.

Speaking of football - how about the Bison yesterday....trouncing all over the CCSU Blue Devils??! Rock on ND!! Now, I wouldn't want to gloat or anything, but seems to me the "farm boys" took it upon themselves to spank the east coast pansies! I personally didn't attend NDSU, but my two nieces and nephew Matt did - so I'm gloating on their behalf! ~L~

What else is going on? My sister Peg took me and T out for supper last night to Grizzley's and we had a fantastic time! It had been far too long since we've gone out together like that (hopefully it won't be as long between next time)!

Went to Church this morning and it was great to "fill my cup" with the good Word from Him. I sat beside Janet, one of my yoga students, and we had a very nice conversation and got to know one another a little better. Turns out her husband passed away last October from a battle with cancer. In mentioning that my sister also lost her husband a little over a year ago, we discovered that she and her husband were members of the dance club that Peg and Earl belonged to. Small world...no...small town! I cannot escape my sister's shadow! ~LOL~ (Just kidding Peg!!) Everyone is like...."YOU'RE Peg's sister????". I've never been much in the public eye - until I started teaching yoga - and now people are putting two and two together that the town's social butterfly (that would be you Peg) is my sister.

Folks, let me tell you - it's an extreme honor to be known as Peg B.'s little sister!!!

I saw this today while surfing the internet and thought I would share it with you -

The Seven Wonders of the World
Author Unknown


Junior high school students in Chicago were
studying the Seven Wonders of the World. At
the end of the lesson, the students were asked
to list what they considered to be the Seven
Wonders of the World. Though there was some
disagreement, the following received the
most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. The Taj Mahal in India
3. The Grand Canyon in Arizona
4. The Panama Canal
5. The Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:

1. to touch...
2. to taste...
3. to see...
4. to hear... (She hesitated a little, and then added...)
5. to feel...
6. to laugh...
7. and to love.

The room was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop.

May this story serve as a gentle reminder to all of us that the things we overlook as simple and ordinary are often the most wonderful - and we don't have to travel anywhere special to experience them.

Enjoy your gifts!

Mama Mia!

Hey folks! Hope everyone is enjoying your long holiday weekend! As you know, I spent all of Saturday cleaning and getting a jump start on fall household projects. I'm trying to keep the momentum going today by tackling my office. Not fun! I'm behind in bookwork and filing, dusting and such. Which is why I'm taking a break! ~LOL~ Hey, it works for me!

I had a fabulous day yesterday. I took my mother-in-law out for lunch yesterday. At her request, we went to a pizza/chicken establishment because she was hungry for "mashed potatoes." When I stepped up to pay, this spry 98-lb. 87 year old (turning 88 October 16th) muscled me out of the way and said, "no way - you bought last time and you aren't gonna fight with a old woman on a Sunday are you?" That promptly put me in my place and garnered a few laughs from the surrounding people.

Afterwards we went to check on my sister's house and water her flowers (she was out of town all week visiting her daughters), then took a little drive around town and looked at all the beautiful houses along the scenic route up to The Fort.

I took Ella home and found some time for a little shopping before going to an afternoon 2:00pm matinee of Mama Mia (only to discover that it didn't start until 4:00pm). Oh well, I'm pretty industrious so I grabbed a book and hung out at the local coffee shop. What a great place. College is back in session so there were a lot of young people around. This one young man picked up the guitar and started singing and playing. What a voice - and the songs he sang were so meaningful and heartfelt. He really had the attention of the patrons. I engaged him in conversation afterwards and he said that he's here from Florida and really missing his family right now (he's a freshman) and just trying to pass some time. He seemed really grounded and focused on his career (Business Major) and when asked why he picked "here" to go to college he replied with "I've heard great things about the north country and the people here. Besides, I wanted to play football and it was easier to get a scholarship to play here than in Florida." Welcome to the area Patrick!

I called a friend to join me at the coffee house and the movie, but she was busy, so I enjoyed my time listening to Patrick until the time came to leave for the movie. This was definitely a "chick" flick...and I loved every minute of it. I'm a huge ABBA fan and had to refrain from belting out the lyrics when they were singing. (I noticed that I wasn't the only one either!!) If you want a flashback to the 70's and a lighthearted movie to take your mind off of things, this is a good one to see!

Now - I see that no one is doing my cleaning for me so I better get back at it. After that, it's bookwork, bookwork, bookwork!!!!! Yeah!

Housework

I hate it! OK - I like when it's all finished and I can look around and see the fruits of my labor....BUT....getting it to that point is a real pain in the ...hmmm...rump! :-)

I took a look at my schedule for the next month and figured that I should get a jump start on my fall cleaning whilst I had three days off in a row.

So far I have three rooms torn apart and none of them are totally clean! Grrrrrr!

It's that procrastinating perfectionist in me. If I could just learn to do a room a week (or even month) and take my time, it wouldn't be so stressful. Nope, not for me. I wait until I'm under the gun - then I go with both guns blazing and exhaust myself! Hmmm, definitely a character flaw! ~L~

Oh well - at least I'm cleaning and doing something. Goes back to my favorite saying - which applies to anything in life really: Diet, exercise, housecleaning, cooking, "Something is better than nothing!" ~LOL~

Have a great day folks! Enjoy the weekend!

Namaste!

Congratulations Karen!!!

My niece Karen just defended her thesis at KU and, I'm proud to say that she is now the proud owner of a Masters degree in....hmmm...I believe it's Medicinal Chemistry. Rock on Karen!

Note to Karen: I know that the last few months have been busy, stressful and frustrating, but all of your hard work has paid off and now you are on your way to that Ph.D!! Yeah! I'm so proud of you!!!! We're going to celebrate the next time you come home. Love you tons!

A Birthday Party

We are supposed to go to a birthday party for someone who has cancer and was told that the last round of chemo "didn't do any goo". This is awkward for me. I'm not sure how to handle it. I guess...celebrate....life! Better to smile, laugh and celebrate life, than to mourn death.

Dog Update

Hello folks - here is the latest news on little Bella.

Dr. Deb called this morning to tell me that she has taken Bella home to foster for a few days. The little dog seems to be doing well but having issues with it's digestive/elimination system. She is getting twice daily medications to help with that. Although she is experiencing some loose/bloody stools, Dr. Deb feels that she'll be fine in a few days.

Bella also apparently seems to be well trained - in that she sits, speaks, shakes and rolls over on command. She also is house-broken - she won't mess in her kennel. Dr. Deb says that she is also great with kids and cats....pretty much a perfect dog (which she says is almost unheard of!) ~L~

We also have received news from the local dog catcher (city) that she had reports of a dog roaming loose for three weks on (or around) the highway between town and the oil tanks west of town. I'm thinking that maybe the dog got loose at one of the rest areas? There have no reports of anyone looking for a dog of this type however. Who knows. I'm just thankful that it was destiny that our paths crossed and I was able to help the cute little dog out. Here is a picture of Bella that I took when I went to say "goodbye" to her.



Isn't she a cutie? They clipped her hair and given her two baths and brushed her so that her coat was clean and not so scruffy looking as it was when I brought her in.

I won't be able to take little Bella. I could tell the Dr. Deb is quite smitten with her and she even said that she was going to try and talk Dr. Greg in to letting her stay with them. Good luck Deb! I feel that Bella needs to go to a loving family - and what better than two Dr.'s and their three adorable kids! However, if she loses the argument - little Bella should be at the Humane Society within a week or two.

I'm a little sad that I can't keep her and shed a few tears this morning after I hung up the phone, but I know that this is the right thing for Bella.

Maybe I can ask for visitation rights?! :-)

Dog Update

Hey followers of my dog rescue experience....here is an update.

Buddy is now "Bella" as "he" turns out to be a "she"! Dr. Deb says that she is a 4-yr. old miniature sheltie-cross (with what, I'm not sure). The x-rays revealed that she has no broken bones anywhere, but does have some issues with bruising in the shoulder area. She has been scavenging for food apparently and will be given medicine to clean out her digestive tract. Other than that, the Vet says she is doing well and is very well tempered; she hasn't barked hardly at all since being brought in and she likes to cuddle.

If anyone wants to adopt her, she'll be at the Humane Society sometime within the next week or two. I'm going to take a picture of her and post it here on the blog - so be on the lookout.

She's a sweetie and needs to go to a loving home!!

My heart was touched this morning.

I had my heart touched this morning by a little dog that was wondering around the farm community the last few days. I saw it last night on my way home - and it ducked in to my brother-in-law's farm. It bothered me - who would let a little dog like that roam the countryside? I saw it this morning just south of my place. I kept on driving - but my heart got the best of me. I had seen him twice - he was still in my area; it was an omen. I was supposed to help this little dog.

I called work and said, "I'll be late" and explained why, then turned around to go home to get some food. The dog was in my yard but ran away as soon as I stopped the vehicle. I went in to the house to get some food and the pet carrier then went searching for it. I found it just across the road from the neighbors to the north of me. I was able to walk up to it and throw it some food - but it growled at me. I walked closer and kept talking to it and was able to start petting it. My neighbor Tony drove up and asked if I needed help. He helped me get the pet carrier from my truck. The little dog was a little wary of us as we walked back up to it, but with little effort, I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and he walked right in to the pet carrier.

I thanked Tony for his help - and drove off with my little dog Buddy. Now what? I called the Humane Society but they didn't answer their phone, so I took him to the Vet and Dr. Deb said, "sure bring him in and we'll see what we can do." When he came out of the carrier he just warmed right up to Dr. Deb and kept looking at me with those beautiful brown eyes. He's so cute! He is injured in the ribs and shoulder area, he's favoring his right-rear leg. I told Deb, whatever the cost (within reason, of course) let's get him checked over and fixed up and see if we can get the Humane Society to take him and get him adopted out. He's a middle aged Sheltie-cross dog that obviously was someones pet that either got away from them or they dropped him off. I hope that he's not hurt too badly. Maybe I can talk the hubster in to keeping him however, with the hours that I keep teaching Yoga, taking care of a dog would be hard. I know this and accept it. Whatever happens, I'm glad that I had a bleeding heart this morning and stopped to rescue the dog. (soft tears)

Vet Update: Buddy ate some food and is jumping around in the kennel like he wants to play. They are going to Rabies vaccinate him then take him to x-ray to see what is broken and needs to be fixed. They called the Humane Society and they said that small dogs are adoptable so they should be able to take him. Dr. Deb said that he’ll need to be fostered for a while and she knows the spot – her and her three kids. Yeah!!!! The only thing better would be if I could keep him. I’m SO glad I stopped this morning!!

A New Man in My Life

Yes folks - I have a new man in my life. He has the softest skin, the prettiest blue eyes and he smells absolutely Divine! Who is he? you ask?

My new man is my great nephew Hayden Thomas! He was born July 8, 2008 to my nephew Brad and his wife Paula. And oh, let me tell you he's is adorable! Here, see for yourself!


Yesterday my sister Peg and I traveled to the Capitol City to meet our new great nephew Hayden. He was such a little gentleman - he never cried once! He was being passed around from woman to woman and he never even let out a screech. Brad said he had a talk with his little man in the morning and said, "hey look - you better get some sleep while you can - those women will be all over you in a few hours!" ~chuckle~ We were too!

I'm so happy for Brad and Paula - they are obviously over the moon for their little guy! He's gonna be the best dressed lil fella too - man did he make a haul yesterday! ~L~ We shower our own with love, but the gifts are nice too!

I might also mention that Peg and I met up with my elder sister Pat and her daughter Lori & the little girls Abby and Emily. We had lunch and it was a pleasure and an honor to spend time with them - the girls are so well behaved.

Lisa Marie (Brad's sister, my niece)did a great job with the shower and I need to complement her on her beautiful house/home that she has for her, Mark, and the boys Brennan and Bracksten.

A wonderful day I had with family once more! That's what it is all about folks - family!!!

Welcome to the world little guy - great things are in your future, I can tell.

Take A Stand and Don't Go!

Tomorrow is the release of the movie "Tropic Thunder" starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black. This movie is offensive and hurtful promoting the idea that a "retard" is funny. The R-word is derogatory hate speech that demeans the more than 3% of people around the world who have intellectual disabilities. "Tropic Thunder" use and abuse the R-word, encouraging behavior that continues to demean a portion of our population who already face challenges.

There is a nationwide movement and we must work together and Encourage people NOT to see or support the film. SOI is even going so far as encouraging US programs to organize friendly protests outside movie theatres.

We need you to make a personal and professional commitment –
* Do not go to the movie
* Email or talk to at least three of your friends, workers, etc and share this information
* Forward the website information below.

The www.r-word.org website is live. Take a minute to check out! And then send it out.

If you are interested in taking a more active role, it needs to be coordinated with SOND as part of the nationwide effort so please call the program headquarters immediately. Nationwide ARC and the American Association of People with Disabilities are involved with protesting the movie. Posters are available with slogans such as "Call me by my name, not by my label....... Ban the movie, ban the word".......

Speak out - it wasn't funny when Hollywood humiliated African Americans for a generation. It's never funny when good and decent human beings are humiliated. Ask your friends, your educators, your religious leaders to help spread the word.

A Note From Me:

I'd like to expand on this by stating that my nephew Blaine has an intellectual disability and is also involved with Special Olympics. My whole family has worked hard to instill in him good values and self worth and to realize that he is a good human being and no-one should be telling him otherwise. He's been labeled his whole life as "slow" or "retard" or "one of those people" - but he's persevered and shown people that he is far more than a label. Anyone who knows him at all knows him to be good, kind, loving, and capable of living on his own and making a living. He is no different that you or me, he just wants to be happy.

In a show of support for my nephew, I also ask that you think about how you would feel if you had a son, daughter, niece or nephew that was being mocked by the senseless use of a word to label them. It may be funny to others - but when it touches close to home, it wounds the heart.

We support Special Olympics by raising money through Tip-A-Cop and Polar Plunge - let's support the athletes by standing with them in their fight and right not to be labeled.

She's One in a Million!

Every once in a while, the fates smile upon you and send you someone to touch your heart and your life. I have a several such people in my life and I am truly blessed to know them.

One such person is my friend Donna. Her warmth and her beautiful spirit create sunshine in the world. She cares deeply for those in her life; her empathy for others going through pain or a rough time is such an enduring quality that makes her special. Her smile and easy going demeanor make it a joy to be around her. No one is safe from her particular brand of ribbing! Trust me on this one!

The ability to laugh at one self is tough for some people – but not Donna. She just shakes her head, laughs and says, “hey, that’s just who I am.” Donna and I have this unique friendship where we can finish each other’s sentences; and as twisted as her logic and thought patterns are in any given conversation – I understand her! (No small feat let me tell you!) (Hmmmmm, what does that say for me, I wonder?)! (Hahahaha)

Donna, please know that you are truly a treasured friend and I thank goodness that I have you in my life! We need to get together more often and I think we made the pact last night: once every month, after Yoga – me, you, the Fort, and some beers! Rock on Crouton!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Dad,

Though you are no longer of this earth, your spirit surrounds me - especially on days that are hard for me. I always feel your presence, your love, your encouragement to go forward...to live and to experience.

Thank you for always being with me - in my heart, in my memories, and in my life.




I love you Dad!

Sherry Lee

Happy Anniversary Matt and Joan!

Hard to imagine that three years ago today we were sweating in the church trying to get you laced in to that dress without breaking the lacing! ~L~ I didn't even want to think about what we would do if that happened. Your mom would have had my head!

Here is a picture of me with my beautiful Joan.




The day was beautiful but no more beautiful than the bride! You've come a long way Joan and I'm so proud of you and Matt. You've really made a beautiful life together. He's grounded and easy going, while you are driven and slightly high-strung (He's the ying - to your yang!) :-0)

I'm sorry to hear that he's in Wisconsin at a Language camp. As you said earlier, it's a terrific opportunity for him and since his school (he's a teacher) is paying for it, it was a no-brainer for him to go. At least you celebrated before he left town. (Whisper) Make sure you celebrate when he comes home too! ;-)

Quote for the Day: Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. - Mother Teresa