End Blog

I'm done blogging for a while now. :-)

Had to Share

A Canadian friend began a fansite for Greg Prtichard and there were just a few of us at first, but we keep growing! Greg has been in to both post and chat and has written to many of us personally (me too!). We're at about 200 right now, but have had 10,000 different people visit as well as hundreds sign his guestbook.

Every now and again a "newbie" comes on the site and says "You can't be talking to Greg, and this isn't Greg posting in here!" Well, here's the proof of what an awesome sight we've set up from his local newspaper in Wales:

Britain's Got Talent singer's cult following
3:10pm Saturday 20th June 2009

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By Chris Wood »

HE may have only sung twice on talent show Britain’s Got Talent, but Gregg Pritchard has now amassed a worldwide cult following.

The Usk waiter didn’t even make the final, but that hasn’t stopped people from Brazil, the USA, Canada, Australia and Portugal gushing about him on a website dedicated to the operatic singer.

It was set up by a Canadian fan and has over 200 users from 47 countries. People post messages asking countertenor Mr Pritchard when he’s releasing a record or touring their country. He has even had offers of dates from single women and offers from people willing to help fund his career.

“Every day I click on and there are new topics,” said Mr Pritchard. “I think Suzanne Boyle made the show massive worldwide and people like me because I’m different. I offer a production, not just standing on stage singing.”

Mr Pritchard’s Britain’s Got Talent semi-final act was a rendition of classical song Barcelona, where he sang both the male and female parts and wore a huge cape that lifted as he sang.

Despite the adulation, Mr Pritchard, 24, is still working as a waiter at the Celtic Manor and worked 60 hours this week.

This also included bar work at the Millennium Stadium gigs of Take That - the Celtic Manor has a contract to provide waiting staff for large events there.

“I think all 70,000 people in there asked for my photo. My face was aching from smiling so much," he said.

Mr Pritchard lives at home with mum Debrah, 47 and brothers Leighton, 28 and Jack, 14.

The former Caerleon Comprehensive pupil has had interest from West End producers and Hollywood and hopes to go on a 30-date UK theatre tour with other performers later this year.

He has written over 200 ballads and wants to be a rock and pop performer, but has no record deal yet. Despite all the adulation, he only played his first gig last night at a charity event in Cardiff.

For more information, visit www.greggpritchard.com.

Messages on website: Little Rock, Arkansas, USA: Ever since I saw you on the audition, my heart melts with joy. Now I have to start my day watching your video.

Heidi, Australia: WIll I have to come and visit your restaurant in Wales to see you perform? Hope not. Would love to see you touring Australia in the not too distant future.

Paul, Lisbon, Portugal: You are amazing and have an incredible voice. You are so sweet, now you have a friend in Portugal.

click on to see the article: http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/4449021.Britian_s_Got_Talent_singer_s_cult_following/

catching up

I'm so glad it's summer vacation ... I so despise getting everyone up for school! I wish school went from 9-4 instead of 7:40-2:40. So, after school was out last week, I took the boys to Michigan's Adventure. That bungee thing even they didn't want to go on! What an insane ride! They had a great time on all of the other rides though and in the water park.

So there's been that, work, I wrote the new biography for the fan site for Greg Pritchard (odd, I have never been an actual, official "fan" of anyone or anything before now.), and the rest of the normal stuff like dentist, orthodontist, etc.

Some fairly big thunderstorms came through the area last night; we also have a chance of more today. I'm hoping not! There's already 5000 people without power and I don't feel like joining them!!

Greg's BGT Audition

For those interested in the original audition video. :-)

It's ok to be shocked, but no laughing allowed!

Ok, I've had this mental battle going on regarding whether or not to post something of Greg Pritchard. I haven't been captivated, mesmerized, absolutely awestruck by a voice in a long time ... there were a few when I was a kid that made me pause and I had to listen ... and I still do (Paul Rodgers, Patty LaBelle, Johnny Horton...). I mean these voices make me stop in my tracks and listen. I'm not even a musical person and do not generally "do" music much. When I do, I more often play with it (like my ipod I use when walking has "Walk This Way," "Walk Like a Man," "Walk Like an Egyptian," and so on). Certain voices however catch my attention in a big way, so even if I'm in a mall or completely ignoring what's going on around me, if I hear one of them I stop what I'm doing and focus on the voice.

Anyway, ever since I heard Greg Pritchard I am truly awestruck. There is something about his voice that I feel I can't NOT listen and hearing it makes me feel so centered. I joined a group of like-minded individuals and one of them put this together and posted it on YouTube. So, I'm sharing because this young man's voice and talent need to be shared.

Goodness, I'm Remiss!

I surely haven't done a good job keeping up here lately! We've busy trying to get the yard in order for spring and summer. We resurfaced the driveway, drained the pond, scrubbed all the stones down, refilled the pond, got fish to replace those that died this winter due to the severe weather, ordered snails to clean it, weeding, you all know the drill!!

I've also been putting in more hours at the hospital so my time at home is really needed just to keep up! Clay's middle school graduation is tonight (hear me sighing?). He doesn't want to go, I don't want to go. I don't get it - why are we glorifying finishing up middle school? I should hope going to school to 14 years old would be expected and high school anticipated. I just don't think we need to make such a big deal out of getting this far! A friend at work told me she actually got an invitation to a party for this ... maybe these kinds of things are why I sometimes have university students that EXPECT kudos for the smallest thing! OK, that's my rant for the day!

I have to admit, even though I'm not a television watcher (I can't even remember the last time I watched tv), when I saw a Susan Boyle link online, I watched. Then I clicked and watched another Britain's Got talent video and I was hooked! The last few weeks have been a blast ... I can hardly wait to get home from work or whatever so I can go to their website and watch whatever is new! I really got hooked on Greg Pritchard's voice. I'm kind of amazed at how many other people are, as well.

So, Britains Got Talent is over and now I can get back to my usual reading! Maybe I'll post a bit more regularly as well! ;-)

A "More Complete" Version

I posted this some time ago, but a friend just sent me a longer version of this amusing answering machine recording ... considering where I work, it makes me laugh every time I see it and I love these new additions!

Answering machine message at a Mental Hospital

"Hello, and welcome to the mental health hotline......"

If you are obsessive-compulsive, press 1 repeatedly.

If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2 for you.

If you have multiple personalities, press 3, 4, 5, and 6.

If you are paranoid, we know who you are and what you want. Stay on the line so we can trace your call.

If you are delusional, press 7 and your call will be transferred to the mother ship.

If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a small voice will tell you which number to press.

If you are a manic-depressive, it doesn't matter which number you press, no one will answer.

If you are dyslexic, press 9696969696969696.

If you have a nervous disorder, please fidget with the pound key until a representative comes on the line.

If you have amnesia, press 8 and state your name, address, telephone number, date of birth, social security number, and your mother's maiden name.

If you have post-traumatic stress disorder, s-l-o-w-l-y & c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y press 0 0 0.

If you have bipolar disorder, please leave a message after the beep or before the beep or after the beep. Please wait for the beep.

If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.

If you have low self-esteem, please hang up. All operators are too busy to talk to you.

If you are menopausal, hang up, turn on the fan, lay down & cry. You won't be crazy forever.

If you are blonde don't press any buttons, you'll just mess it up.

catching up

The past week has been somewhat busy; however I've spent a lot of time outside as well! Here's some catching up ... Clay's last band concert (I know it's a terrible picture), my presidential award that arrived last week (note the stamped signature and they didn't even put my name on it!), Shanty was cut, trimmed, and shaved for summer last Thursday, and the boys outside playing cards today, which was a beautiful spring day (and they thought Tiger with playing cards was hilarious)!

Something my Sister sent

On Mother's Day...

Invisible Mother......

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store.



Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'

Obviously, not.



No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.



I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated sum a cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going; she's going; she is gone!

One night, a group of us we re having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England ..



Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in.



I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself.



I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'



It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe .



I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:


'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:



No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.



These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.



They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.



The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place.



It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life.

It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.



The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'you're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building gr eat cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right.





And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Great Job, MOM!

Share this with all the Invisible Moms you know...I just did.





Hope this encourages you when the going gets tough as it sometimes does.

We never know what our finished products will turn out to be because of our perseverance.

Great New Site

I found this really cool website this week - it's www.swaptree.com You can trade stuff you have and don't want for stuff you want. Stuff you can trade include movies (DVD), books, video games, and music (CD). I listed all the DVD's we don't want (and can't sell to local movie store) over the last 3 days. Today I have a trade offer - I'm going to get "Ghostbusters 2" (a classic!) for this David Bowie music DVD we have. You can either print out a shipping label online and put it in your own mailbox or take it to mailing place and ship media rate (cheaper). So, for about $2.50 (usual shipping for a DVD), I can get rid of one I don't want and get a new one! (And this Ghostbusters one is listed as brand-new, still in wrapper).

Next week, I'm going to go through all my old books!

Happy Birthday, Clay!

Hard to believe Clay is 14! We had a great weekend; Clay wanted some friends over to celebrate his birthday, so he invited 3 (and he made 4) on Friday after school. It was a beautiful day and the boys ran around and played outside for quite a while. Then they enjoyed pizza and fresh fruit before heading out to see a movie (I think it was "17 Again"). When they got home, they played cards, watched tv, and finally went to sleep. They were all up bright and early the next morning and helped themselves to muffins, boiled eggs, and juice I had out for them. Then they played Euchre for a while and gradually left as their parents picked them up for various activities - a barmitzva, a baseball game, and a walk for the March of Dimes.

We scurried around picking up a bit to get ready for Aunt Sharon, Uncle John, and Mike's visit. Then we relaxed and enjoyed a rainy Saturday! On Sunday, Sharon, John, and Mike arrived. It was so good to see them; it's been too long. Sharon and John are some of our oldest "joint" or "couple" friends. I met Sharon while working at St. Luke's Hospital (she is one of the best nurses I've ever worked with ... ok, THE BEST!). So Sharon and John have been through our dating, engagement, first house, births of our children ... everything! Mike is one of their 4 children. Sharon and John are the boy's godparents, and have been "aunt" and "uncle" to them, as well as surrogate grandparents, babysitters, friends, and neighbors all rolled into one! (Oh - we bought our first house on the same block as theirs!)

So Sunday was just perfect, visiting, eating, celebrating Christmas and missed birthdays, as well as Clay's birthday. It was interesting that Harrison commented after they left that they are "really nice people." It was the first time he saw them as people beyond the roles they've filled in the boy's lives - I guess Harrison is growing up!

Mike is the absolute, hand down king of all things laundry. Mike knows all the makes and models of washing machines and dryers imaginable. He not only did all our regular laundry while they were here (several loads), but all the towels, and all the bedding (2 double beds, 1 queen, 1 king), including blankets. When the boys and I walked into the laundry room yesterday evening, Clay just stopped in his tracks and said "WOW." Imagine seeing every single item (including those pesky fitted sheets) not only perfectly clean, but without a single wrinkle, and all folded PERFECTLY. Every towel stacked up in perfect allignment. Every sheet set folded to exact size. Clay almost didn't want to make his bed because the sheets looked so perfect!

So on top of the fun and great company, I also got the gift of one day of perfect laundry! Kinda like it was my birthday!

The second picture is of Clay last week; he won the characature division and had it displayed at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center. It was funny because he just sketched his teacher in class, and the teacher submitted it. If you see the Batman drawing as well - that is what Clay really likes to do (superheros), and he does them better than the one there! No offense; that is a very good Batman sketch, but Clay does better. So it was kind of amusing to us that this 2 minute, goofy thing of his teacher won in the characature catagory!

So I've been riding that darn stationary bike. 6 miles today. I have a lot more energy and need to go a lot further than that, but I just can't force myself to stay on it any longer. Quite honestly, I have a hard time even getting my heart rate up to a decent level in that time (about 35 minutes). I use an up and down hill program, but I don't pedal like a madman because I have to distract myself, so I watch tv and then my legs slow down! I'm going to try to do 40 minutes tomorrow and keep increasing it. I ought to feel like I've done something when I get off and need to burn more to stay on track with the President's thing. On the upside, the foot is doing great. It aches by 6 or 7 every evening, but doing fine all day. Keeping the sticky tape stuff on for support really helps and I'm not even favoring it when I walk until late in the day. So, I have decided I can do 6 weeks for my foot and I am now in week 2. A third down!

Just Call Me Dr. Laura

Well! My final defense (dissertation) was today and I passed. I won't actually "graduate" (the ceremony and all) until December, WOW, what a milestone! One of my committee members confessed he has been teaching me this past semester in Florida (well, my work, not "me") ... which is a cool feeling, having spent many, many years teaching other people's work.

Soooooooo ... now I'm rather wound up, sure I won't sleep for several hours and thinking about all the stuff I've put off for years (clean my office, etc) because "I have more important things to do than clean house!" I'm gonna have to find a new excuse. ;-)

Easter

Well, after early church, we drove across the state (hey - great way to do Easter ... spend 4 or 5 hours driving!!) to visit Grandma and Grandpa. We went out for Easter dinner (lunch), which was really good. Then we went back to their house to exchange baskets, play Uno, and celebrate Clay's birthday. Quite sincerely, the driving wasn't too bad. I drove both ways and on the way there, all 3 guys just slept. It was sunny and beautiful and I enjoyed watching all the sherriffs hiding out along the highways (waiting to catch people speeding to church??). The way home was just as nice; we enjoyed the sunshine and enjoyed looking at places and changes along the back roads we drove.

I was surprised how much traffic there was on the way home; maybe people returning late from spring break. So there's a picture of Grandma and the boys out in the sunshine (although it was much colder there than at home ... never got out of the 40's). The boys were thrilled to receive anitque zippos from Grandpa in their baskets (they both collect them) and antique pocket watches.

I got a unique Easter basket ... smoked pork chops from Jack's! Those are my favorite type of pork and nothing can compare to Jack's Market. That is one thing I have missed sorely in GR ... FANTASTIC meats. I've tried just about everywhere anyone has recommended around here, but nothing comes even close to the quality and flavor (or price) of Jack's meats back in Saginaw. The smoked pork chops are about an inch thick, juicy, even if you cook them on the grill. The beef is always so tender you can cut it with a fork and amazingly flavorful ... and always at least $2 cheaper per pound than anything I've seen here. Even the roasts are more tender and flavorful. The chicken is also great there, as are homemade sausages of all types, lunch meats, etc. One thing our whole family loves is the round steak for making swiss steak because it has the bone in, which I can't find in GR. I always buy some extra bones to throw in as well, because we all love the marrow! I think I may have to make a run to Saginaw to go shopping at Jack's and stock up on meat!

Happy Easter!

Wishing everyone a joy filled Easter! I liked the above picture because it portrays the 3 Marys. ("John 19:25-27 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.") I believe Christ's intent was for these women to lead the church, but the men, being men of their times (and I guess just being men) stomped that out. Jesus was always supportive of women and children and asked for them when other men wanted to turn them away. I cannot believe his wish was for women to be disallowed from participating in his ministry, as some would have us believe.

By the way, did you know that "Jesus" is the Greek translation of his name? His name in his own language (Aramaic) was Yeshua ... which in English is Joshua. My kids ask me why people in Spanish name their kids "Jesus" (well more often, "Jesus Maria!") and I reply "Why do people here name their kids Joshua?"

Checking In

Been busy around here; nearing end of semester (3 more weeks!) so I have stacks of term papers and homework assignments and presentations to go over. I'm nearing the end of dissertation as well, so that's also taking up many extra hours. Upside is spring break and the boys seem to be just loving being home with no schedule ... eating, playing games, watching movies, playing pool, etc. when they feel like it! Also makes it a whole lot easier on me to not have to get them up and make breakfast in the morning. It's amazing how much easier morning is when all you have to do is YOU! OK, I guess I'm ready for summer vacation for my kids!

Half-Way

Well there they are! Three stars in the President's Physical Fitness Challenge and I'm halfway to my certificate. I think I should be able to make the next level by September (end).

I took some pictures when I walked on Friday - it was a beautiful day. I need to download them and if I remember, I'll post them! Amazing how nice it was Friday, then turned to yuck on Saturday and snowed on Sunday! Monday was just really cold and windy; I froze out walking. It was worse than winter when it's 20 degrees because the wind was so sharp. Today was another cruddy day with cool temps (in the 40's), lots of wind, and rain.

On the upside, there were some darling kittens at the Humane Society today. They were in an upper level cage and Clay was trying to pet them while I was in a side room with sibling cats, emptying their litter. Clay started urgently asking me to get over there and help him!! Well, with diseases being what they are, we wash up to the elbows after every contact, so I had to get the litter pan in the cat's room, make sure they stayed in while I closed the door, run to the sink, wash up well, zoomed over to Clay and guess what? He had one kitten contained, but another had climbed sort of over his shoulder and head and was hanging head-first off his neck, down his back! Grabbed that little lady and got her back in. One thing I'll say for the adult cats is they don't escape so much! There are a number of really nice, friendly, easy to handle young adult cats (1.5 to 2.5 years) there right now. I hope they're all adopted.

First Robin

I saw my first robin of the season out walking today - see it up there? Kind of in front of the top of the pine tree. Sorry for the fuzzy photo; all I had with me was my phone! So, it's the first robin I've seen this year. I'm sure others have seen some, but this was my first and it made me smile! I saw 3 more on the walk.

I also saw several ducks and geese today. Actually, the ducks were blocking the main drive at the Pine Rest main campus ... they tend to do that until they migrate in the fall! There's a duck pond that is well populated. I work in a buidling called Mulder Center (the campus is about 44 acres with many different buildings and residences). Mulder looks like it was built in the 50's or early 60's - it's inappropriate for Michigan. It's 2 conjoined squares with a couple of wings jutting out; each square is loaded with large windows (so yes, it's freezing in winter, hot in summer) on both the inside walls and outside walls and each square has a large courtyard in the center.

The courtyard near where I work has ducks that come every year to nest. When the duckings are ready to go in water and start feeding that way, the parents go a little crazy trying to fly them out (tough because they learn to swim before fly). So each year, the maintenance department has duck parade ... they herd a couple of duckings and pretty soon they're all following (sometimes as many as 20 or 25) and they lead them into the building, down through the halls, and out the front door so they can get to the pond.

Happy spring! :-)

Happy Birthday!

Well, it's my birthday once again. Actually, this was the best birthday I've had in many years (at least 10, probably more like 15 or 18). We did all the routine stuff (cleaned house, laundry, orthodontist appointment, dentist appointment, etc.), but the whole family went to dinner together, thanks to some wonderful friend's (thank you Kelly and Eric!) Christmas gift to us (dinner!). Then we went out to a movie (Knowing), which we all enjoyed greatly, and came home to open cards and gifts. The BEST gift, from all 3 of my men, was a "dog chaser." This is an electronic device that makes a sound dogs can't stand and makes them run away.

I LOVE this gift because I like to walk, but had all but stopped over the past couple of years, for several reasons, not the least of which was misbehaved dogs. There is something about ME that dogs don't like, even though I generally like animals (including dogs). I've been bitten, I've been chased, I've had a German Shepard break through it's electronic fence and drag it's owner down the street (really) coming after me. I have learned over the years to stay away from dogs I don't know and to respect them! I have a walk route in our neighborhood that is my "no dog" route - that is, I only pass by dogs I know and trust (a schnauzer, a labrodoodle, a mastiff, a german shepherd mix). I have my alternate route that includes a border collie (hey Rudie!), but ONLY if a particular house has their beige whatever (loud) dog inside. I also have a "no dog" route nearby, but it's really short.

I stopped walking in our local park this past year, which has a leash rule (in a township with a leash law), due to all the dogs running loose. I tried contacting the parks commission, as this park was funded in large part by a wildlife grant to help promote a wetlands habitat, and honestly, no wetlands birds are going to nest where dogs are chasing them. There is a dog park a couple of miles away - there is no reason to NOT leash a dog in this park (Rozelle) other than pure selfishness and disregard for both the habitat and other people. Even so, the parks commission did nothing.

Well, now I feel like I might be able actually walk where I feel like walking! We'll see how it works. It promises to not hurt the dogs, just make a sound they dislike and will actively try to get away from. If it seems like it's painful or if it doesn't work, I guess I'll be imprisoned back into my "no dog" zone. I find it very irritating that dogs have more freedom than I do!!

Anyway, a great birthday. Hopefully this bodes well for the coming year!

Welcome Spring!

Two stars, two weeks completed of the President's Physical Fitness Challenge!

I think it's really spring; Friday was the "official" first day of spring, but that usually means nothing to Michigan! However, looking ahead at the weather this week I saw the entire week will be around 50 with lows near freezing at night. That is DEFINITELY NOT winter weather! I'm so very happy to be nearing nice weather.

This weekend, I went to see "I Love You, Man" with some 16/17 year olds (they needed a parent present). I laughed so hard I was getting teary eyed a few times ... laughed hard A LOT. That movie definitely played to my sense of humor. The female lead was played by the daughter of Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton; I was impressed with her. Paul Rudd (as always) was just sweet, lovable, and hilarious. Andy Sanberg was also in the movie, playing the gay brother of Paul Rudd. A bonus was Jane Curtain as their mother.

I'm reading a book right now "Blood and Ice" that is unfolding in a totally unexpected manner. I'm a little freaked out by it - I LOVE thriller novels, but this is more scarey/creepy, which I don't do well!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Wishing everyone a fun St. Patrick's Day! I put the Reebok shoe there because the "wearing of the green" is an Irish-Catholic tradition (symbolizing Roman Catholocism), whereas the Protestants wear orange on St. Patrick's Day. That's also why the Irish flag has both an orange stripe and a green stripe (unity of the two faiths). Since I'm Protestant, I guess I should wear orange! The shamrock can be worn by anyone as St. Patrick introduced it when he was converting ... the shamrock has 3 leaves and he used to to symbolize the Holy Trinity.

So wear your orange and green and shamrocks and enjoy some corned beef and cabbage!

Well, here's my star for completing my first week of the President's Physical Fitness Challenge! I completed it with points to spare. Downside ... I'm still sick. :-( Upside, as I feel better, I'll get a more accurate idea of my "comfortable" level of exercise, in presidential points, so I can start planning my goals for the bronze medal (which I'd like to do this summer).

Beautiful, beautiful day today. I stumbled around this morning feeling horrible, once I was up a couple of hours and was breathing better, I ran a couple of errands with Clay. I got in a small walk this afternoon, went Target shopping with Harrison (the bulky stuff - paper towels, toilet paper, etc. - sales and coupons), corrected 70 pieces of homework, did a couple of loads of laundry, and generally felt like I was moving in slow motion! Can't wait to feel better; getting so little done makes me feel worse (unless I specifically PLAN to spend a day doing nothing!).

Since I've now lost my voice, I believe I'll be showing a movie tomorrow instead of lecturing. I'm quite sure the students won't mind! :-) So the day after tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day. I might be part Irish. Hard to know. My mom's family came straight from Germany (WWI), so I KNOW I'm 1/2 German. My dad's family is less sure of their heritage. They say my great-grandfather was an Irish Jew (??) who immigrated to Canada, lived with a Native woman and fathered 6 children with her, then left her (what a slug!) and moved to Jackson (what for, I can't imagine) where he met my great-grandmother, who was an English immigrant. So, my grandfather was half Irish/Jew and half English and married my grandmother who was Irish and English. So my dad would have been half English, half Irish ... and 1/4 Jewish?? I'm laughing. I honestly think they didn't have a clue! Anyway, that means I might be 1/4 Irish/Jew.

I saw this cool website where for $250 bucks you can get a DNA analysis to trace ancestry. Might be interesting. When I lived in Colombia, they said I looked Colombian (and everyone always spoke to me in Spanish). In Miami, I only get spoken to in Spanish - they say I look Cuban. In Mexico - Spanish - they say I look South American. In Spain - Spanish, South American. In Italy, Italina, they say I look Italian. In Greece, people speak to me in Greek and say I look Greek (??). In Germany, I'm approached in German, which makes sense because I am part German. So I'm thinking a DNA analysis might tell me I'm Italian by way of the Roman invasion of Ireland, therefore part Irish, German, and let's throw in some other miscellaneous European stuff (they moved around for hundreds of years!) - maybe I'll be part Greek, part Gypsy (that sounds fun), and let's toss in some Morroccan, just for fun. :-) I know Morrocco is in Africa, but it's very close to Europe, so there's been movement for many, many centuries. Really, though, it would be interesting.

Can It Be?

It's 50 degrees today! I'm wondering if spring might actually be here ... I'm still just so hesitant to think so. I think I better just enjoy it for the moment and plan on spring in the end of May!! I took the pictures above when I walked (slowly) today. Tiger on the porch, sunning herself is a "for sure" way to know it's above 50! I also have a few plants peeking out ... the last few years, we've had the same and even buds on shrubs and trees ... and then FREEZE and snow, killing it all. Wouldn't it be great if it just kept growing?

I'm still sick. This is one heck of a bug. I'm having so much trouble sleeping ... the congestion is horrible and it feels like fingernails scraping in my head, from my ears being so blocked. It's the worst when I lay down, plus with asthma, I have a really hard time breathing after a couple of hours. I keep getting up and wandering for at least an hour, coughing, feeling like I'm turning myself inside out, just to clear my lungs enough to try sleeping again. Inhalers aren't helping. Not to be morbid, but if I die any way other than by not being able to breathe, I'll be shocked! I can just see myself at some point getting pneumonia (for the umpteenth time) and slowly sufficating ... even if it's when I'm 102. I wish somebody would tell me something that would help when I get like this. It's a 50/50 shot - when I'm so congested, about 50% of the time I get pneumonia, just from getting crap in my lungs and not being able to cough it out. My regular doc and my allergist both say there's nothing else - just decongestants and inhalers. Decongestants barely touch it ... kind of like using a spoon to empty the ocean. I also use a humidifier/vaporizer, put Vicks in it. I don't know what else to do. So, I went outside to enjoy the weather and just walked really slowly because I'm so out of breath; I hate this. Feels good to bitch about it a little though!

On a positive note, Clay felt better today. He left the house, to go for a ride with Dad and a family friend - first time out of the house since last Sunday! Harrison still seems fine, which is AWESOME!

It's supposed to hit 60 on Tuesday. I am planning on feeling ok by then and planning to sit out on our patio, which is stone, so it soaks up the heat, to work. Sun will feel soooooooooo good!

sick!

Well, Clay has been home sick since Monday. Every time I think he's feeling a little better, he gets worse again. Today he had a 102 temperature. He walks a dog on Wednesdays; last night the lady that owns it asked him to walk it today - he was feeling better, so he said "great!" Of course, the 102 temp today - so his brother was going to do it for him. I came along because I needed to walk a little today (I'm getting sick, too), but not too stenuously - guess who wound up walking the dog? Anyway, it was nice to walk with Harrison and talk to him alone.

We're all so tired. Clay has the temp, Dad is just tired, tired, tired, I am congested beyond belief (hard to hear, I can't lay down because the drainage is so bad I can't breathe and need to cough), my chest hurts, my throat hurts, and Harrison just feels OK! I hope he doesn't get it.

I really can't miss work tomorrow either because I work at the hospital morning and afternoon and will teach during my lunchbreak at the university. Tough day to miss (2 jobs!). Also, I'd feel terribly if I missed tomorrow because we're so backed up with patients - we have 4 of us working neuropsych. Each can handle 1 patient a day unless we get a really high functioning person and finish early - then you can get someone else started (but not finished). So 2 people are on vacation this week and we have 6 patients that need to be seen tomorrow - obviously that isn't going to happen! So, it would just be worse if I didn't show up. Catching up next week is going to be a trick as well, because we already all have completely booked schedules next week ... plus the ones we're behind this week, plus whatever new inpatients need evaluation. The upside is that there's work to do, so our jobs are probably as secure as can be in this economy.

I don't know what to do with Clay. I almost called the pediatrician today - 4 days of missed school and still a 102 temp that only comes down to 101 with tylenol and motrin. The secretary at school said the kids that are out have all missed about a week and were SICK the whole time and running temps - so I'm thinking the pediatrician would say if he's still sick 5 days from now, then we'd do something.

I can hardly wait for the predicted sunny 40-degree day Saturday is supposed to be! I'm already planning a several mile walk. :-)

Day 2, Week 1 Fitness Challenge

It has been an absolutely lovely day! After work today, I stopped to walk and completed my fitness time for today. I took the picture you see - maybe a little green somewhere?? It's wet outside anyway!

Clay and I sat outside in the sun on beach towels (with coats on) - he read a book and I corrected papers. Then the boys and friend Alex played hockey in the driveway and 4 square. It was just refreshing to outside for a while.

So I'm hoping that our March that came in like a lamb doesn't go out like a lion - but I won't hold my breath! My birthday is the end of the month and in almost 50 years, I can only remember 3 that were decent (my mom swears the day I was born was nice, though). All the rest were gray, cold, snowing, sleeting, raining, freezing rain, freezing rain with sleet, rain turned to snow ... you get the picture! The only birthday party I ever had was when I turned 7. My dad took me out of the house because it was a surprise - it snowed so heavily while we were gone that I missed my own birthday party. We slid off the road (a narrow, crowned road) into a huge ditch. We landed sideways and had to crawl out the driver window. Somebody pulled us out and we finally made it home, just in time for parents to pick up their kids. I even missed the cake and all the games!

March sucks! I vote we remove March entirely! Go right from February to April. :-)

Cruddy Sunday

Well, another rainy, cold day. I really shouldn't complain, because I would rather have this than snow!!! Clay went to an Asian Cultural program at U of M with friends this weekend. I was glad he planned to stay overnight, because they got back at 3:30 am! Harrison went out with friends both Friday and Saturday evenings. Saturday was neat because his buddy turned 17 and wanted to go to an "R" rated movie sans parents - so they did! Kind of an interesting way to celebrate a 17th birthday. Ever notice how many movies are rated "R?" I think they throw in a cuss word or naked shot just to get the "R" rating - other than that, I often have a hard time distinguishing the difference from PG13. On the other hand, once in a while I see an "R" movie that is so violent and over-the-top that they should have an "OMG" rating! The movie they saw last night was like that - the boys said it was really a lot of gore and gratuitous violence (it was the new superhero movie).

I managed to walk both yesterday and today, in the rain and wind! Today marks my official first day of the President's Physical Fitness Challenge. I participated years ago, when I was pregnant with Harrison and far surpassed the fitness requirements at that time (and got a certificate). The program is different now, with levels. So, I signed up for the first level so I can get all the certificates eventually! Another plus is that you get awarded for years of participation. I'm fired up to do this again!! I selected weight lifting, walking, stationary bike, and aerobics for my activities. I am READY to go!!

Humor for Those of Us Working In Mental Health

This might make our lives a little easier at the Mental Health Hospital! Actually, I bet most of our patients would get a kick out of this!!


Hello. Welcome to the Psych Hotline

If you are obsessive-compulsive, please press 1 repeatedly.

If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2.

If you have multiple personalities, please press 3, 4, 5, and 6.

If you are paranoid-delusional, we know who you are and what you want. Just stay on the line so we can trace the call.

If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a little voice will tell you which number to press.

If you are manic-depressive, it doesn't matter which number you press. No one will answer.

If you are anxious, just start pressing numbers at random.

If you are phobic, don't press anything.

If you are anal retentive, please hold.

Catching Up

I realized it's been quite a few days since I posted! Been busy around here; I'm especially more occupied now that I'm back at Pine Rest. It's going well and I have to say, it's fun to be back in clinical work. If you all remember, Clay and I volunteer at the Human Society. The picture above is a darling kitty (in the midst of a meow!) from last week - she was gone this week, which is a great thing because she was adopted! She was sooooo sweet: a really friendly cat that loves to play.

Harrison and a friend went downtown to the winter sports fest at the BOB. I drove because I didn't like the idea of Harrison driving downtown in the dark with all the bars around there. Glad I drove, too, because it was rocking downtown - I wound up sitting in traffic! There wasn't any parking either - one would have had to park at least 6 or 7 blocks away. The arena had Disney on Ice, the convention center had Harley's, all the restaurants and bars looked jammed, Rosa Parks was full of (at least 40) ice-skaters, people all over walking - just a busy, busy downtown evening. It's really fantastic that we have such a lively downtown. So, I came around to get them and they weren't at the meeting spot yet - I drove around the block once and then noticed cabs lining up with flashers on outside the BOB ... so I wedged myself in the cab line and put on my flashers - hoping the cops wouldn't notice! The boys arrived in about 5 minutes or so and we were on our way.

Electronic Woes

Oh my gosh!! Our DVD player was dying ... making this high-pitched squeeling noise about 50% of the time a disc played. I ordered a new one over a week ago; it FINALLY arrived today (even though it was shipped last Tuesday morning). The boys and I spent 2.75 hours taking apart our home theater system ... taking out all the wires, labeling them for which machine, which hole, bundling and tying with twist ties for each maching until we finally made it down the stack to the DVD player! So ... we connected the new one, stacked and reconnected all the crap on top (video player, digital box, etc.) ... and tried it out. PURPLE. So, there's Adam Sandler with his lovely medium purple skin, dark purple hair, standing on the almost black-purple grass against the pink/lavender sky with pink clouds, smiling with his pink teeth. It was like a purple/pink/fuschia fest! So I called the manufacturer ... of course their "help" line was in India, so it was tough to understand the person ... spent about 45 minutes on the phone, yup our connections were all correct and after all that time he FINALLY answered my question (Is there a color adjustment since I can't find it in the instructions) - no color adjustment. He told me to MAIL it to the service center for repair!

So of course, I said "no way." I took the dang thing to the local store (of the online one where I purchased it) and returned it. I bought a new one (a Panasonic). It took Harrison and I just 20 minutes to connect this one and IT WORKS!! Better yet, no squeeling and it's not all shades of purple! What a waste of an afternoon. I wish we had started with this one!!

A Very Good & Educational Video

Tourette's Disease is a disorder near and dear to me; it's surprising how common it is, yet at the same time sooooooooooooooooooooo misunderstood. Tics can be anything from repetitive eye squinting to complex movements to vocalizations. I saw the video (ran across it by happenstance) on youtube and thought they did a really good job. Tourette's is caused by too many alleles (copies) of 2 dopamine receptor genes (DRD1 & DRD4).

Some well known people you probably never knew had or have Tourette's:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Dan Ackroyd, Jim Eisenreich (major league baseball), Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (NBA), Steve Wallace (NASCAR).

GR Symphony & The Eagles

We attended the GR Symphony Friday evening and had dinner with some wonderful friends. The Symphony was featuring "A Night with The Eagles" or something along those lines for a title! I have seen the symphony do other types of music, including playing music to a large screen showing cartoons - I expected them to play Eagles tunes. Actually, the three guys pictured above (well one looked very gender-challenged in person and I'm still not convinced it's a man) sang - did a concert and the Symphony played. They both were very, very good. The only problem for me was the deafening noise level. I would never have imagined the Symphony would crank the amps like that.

I am (and always have been) very sensitive to loud noise. I don't like it and it physically bothers me. I went to a concert as a teen and said I'd never do it again - it makes me feel like I'm going to die. Well, this was that loud. It was tough to sit there. I don't understand why concerts are loud. If you enjoy someone's company and conversation, don't you want to talk with them? I doubt you want them SCREAMING YELLING in your face. I want to listen to music I enjoy - NOT be ASSAULTED by it.

I know that for some time, scientists have connected loud noise (all loud noise, not just loud music) to increased risk of heart attack and increased blood pressure. Excessive exposure to loud noise also increases the risk of psychological disorders, especially depression. I have just been reading it can also cause heart arrhythmias and lung collapse. I couldn't find anything about how I feel - I get chest pains (but pulse OK), breathe with more difficulty, my head hurts enough to make me teary-eyed, body tension off the charts and this feeling - I don't know how to describe it - like I'm in serious danger of dying. I have to use self-hypnosis to talk myself down and stay calm when I'm around such horribly loud music or other noise. At the symphony I just focused at a point on the wall and concentrated on breathing slowly and chanted internally. Even though it lasted just 1.5 hours, it felt like 10 to me. Such a shame because really and truly the Symphony played beautifully and the singers were great - sounded just like the Eagles (when I could hear them/distinguish it from just loud loud nothing coming at me).

So someone please tell me why other people (other than me I mean!) like to be physically asaulted by music. I realize I'm more sensitive to it than others, but honestly - my question is do you like to be talked to or screamed at? Isn't music the same? Listen to it or assaulted by it?

On the upside, dinner was GREAT, walking downtown with friends was AWESOME, conversations were FANTASTIC and it was also fun to see everyone ice-skating at Rosa Parks Circle! Advice to the GR Symphony: turn down the amps.

Dentistry

Well! How irritating ... I chipped off a piece of an upper left incisor last Tuesday. No big deal; small chip. So, I was to go in on Wednesday to dentist, but they called and cancelled because the dentist was sick. So, I was rescheduled for Thursday, first in the am, then in the pm, then cancelled again. They don't see patients on Fridays. So, finally I went today and guess what? THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT!!!! How irritating. They put in a temporary filling (which fell out exactly 40 minutes after I left) and want me to come back next week on Wenesday. I pushed while there to get it done; I can't see any reason not to do it! They said they didn't have time because I only had a 20 minutes appointment - but they also called me at home and asked me to come early because they were ahead. So, I arrived 15 mintues early and I was GONE before my actual appointment time. I pointed out I was early and there was that extra time. They said it would take 45 to 50 mintues to fix.

Well, I have not got the best teeth in the world and I only have 6 teeth that don't have fillings - all my molars have multiple fillings. I have NEVER had a filling take that amount of time, not ever. I can't see how this tiny little chip off an incisor could take that much time! I think they could drill the &*%$ tooth out of my head in less than 10 mintues, because the tooth isn't very big!

Am I pissed enough? Well, I'll go back next week and see how long it takes. And I WILL point it out when I am out of there in less than 30 minutes.

As a person who has seen patients (not for dental work though!), I go out of my way to accomodate them. If they are there, why send them away and make them come back? Just get it done - I'm in the office anyway! I can't understand why anybody would turn away a client (business) and inconvenience them. There are plenty of dentists (or psychologists, or doctors, or whatevers) out there.

So I'm going back because they've done a good job on all of us up until now. In 9 years, this is the first time they've been weird. I'll give them the opportunity to redeem themselves, but I won't keep my opinion to myself!!

Just about all the cats had colds (upper respiratory) today at the Humane Society. Clay and I scrubbed our arms and hands like 15 times! Hope they all get better soon.

More on Lefties

I ran across this really interesting leftie article on yahoo today; first an excerpt:
"... every president since 1974 with the exception of Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush has been left-handed, as is Obama's former Republican opponent Sen. John McCain. Al Gore is too."

You may enjoy reading it! http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090129/sc_livescience/ancientleftiesthehistoryofobamashandedness

Bits and Pieces

K1's comments got me thinking .... I have a cross-stitch piece I started in 1992 and still haven't finished! Every now and then I pull it out, but I just can't get myself to focus on it. I think "craft" kinds of things have to really match one's personality. I like crocheting becaue I'm fast at it, plus I always have to think a little bit because I crochet backwards, kind of. I come from a family of lefties, even though I'm right-handed. There's several things I learned left-handed (like all "manly" things ... tools, etc. from my dad), including crocehting, which I learned from my left-handed aunt. So, she couldn't figure out how to show me right-handed, so I watched her and learned - except I didn't fully reverse what she was doing, so my patterns turn out flipped (front/back). I have other right-handers show me how to do it the "right" way since, but after years of doing my way, I just can't get the hang of it the "right" way! So, I'll continue doing it my way and refiguring patterns! I also use screwdrivers and hammers both left- and right-handed, knives left-handed (almost always), clean both handed (doesn't matter which hand I have a cloth, vaccum, spray bottle, whatever and I use them both at the same time to get done faster), and so on.

It was interesting when Harrison was born, it was obvious he was right-handed by the time he was 10 months. Clay on the other hand used both hands equally, for everything except eating, which he did left-handed consistently. He would actually color with both hands at the same time in pre-school! In kindergarten, he gradually went to handwriting only with his right hand (no pressure from teacher, who was a leftie). So now he writes with his right hand, but most other things he does naturally with his left: plays pool left-handed, shovels left-handed, cleans left-handed, tools left-handed ... however, he bats right-handed. About 7 - 10% of the population is left-handed, but it tends to be genetic, so some families will have much higher percentages. Two right-handed parents will produce around 9 per cent left-handed children, two left-handed parents around 26 per cent and one left and one right-handed parent around 19 per cent. (http://www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk/faq.html#percentage) Being ambidextrous (or in psych circles, cross-laterality)is very rare (probably less than 2%). Clay is left-footed; usually people are same footed as handed, but not always (a good way to tell is to notice which foot gets into the pants first or which foot you begin walking with).

It is interesting to note that even though left-handers are such a minority of the population, they comprise the majority of individuals with an IQ over 140. Another interesting tidbit is that the majority of people with an IQ over 130 are introverts (well, that shouldn't be surprising as introverts prefer reading to almost anything else in the world!).

So, I'm working on my eggplant colored sweater and now have about 9 inches of the back done. We'll see how I progress on this project!

I'm Finished!

I've been working on this afgan since the weekend after Thanksgiving; I was excited to finish it tonight! The yarn (homespun, prairie) matches our downstairs perfectly. It's a basketweave pattern (a little hard to make out in the photo) with a border around all 4 sides. This afgan is sooooo warm! Not only is the yarn very soft and warm, but the basketweave pattern creates pockets of warmth. I'm thinking a giant-sized one of these would make a perfect bed cover in the winter! Anyway, now I get to start on the sweater I've been wanting to make.

More Snow!

I think that's the story this winter ... snow, snow, snow, and more snow! We've got a winter storm going (again) ... the forecast had said for the last 48 hours we'd get 3 to 5 inches. However, the National Weather Service just changed it as a new cell is developing over Lake Michigan - so NOW we're going to get 7 to 12 with snow falling at rates of over an inch an hour all night. We called to have our driveway plowed tomorrow; we're all sore and tired of the shoveling!

The pictures are of Harry and one of his buddies hanging out tonight. Harry auditioned for a local agency (talent/modeling). They called him back a second time and offered him a 2-year contract. After reading the details of the contract, I'm very uncomfortable. I discussed the issues with Harry and he readily saw that this was probably not the best decision for him, so we're not going to do it. I suppose the only OK condition was that he couldn't cut his hair! He's so interested in going to film school; I'd love for him to have some experience in the industry before he applies ... but we have a few years. He's planning to stay in the area for his first year or two and then transfer to a film school. Perhaps something else will come up, or I suggested he make his own films (some of his stuff he does for film class at school is REALLY good) - short films - and post them on youtube. Andy Samborg (or some such spelling) got on SNL that way!

I saw a terrible accident on I-96 on my way to work Friday; with so much more snow, I hope everyone drives carefully if they must go out, and I wish everyone has a safe and warm weekend!

UNTIL 8:30 PM EST WED JANUARY 14

Use this link to enter a giveaway for a Valentino bag:

http://www.ideeli.com/in/invitation?invitation=vsmir4

More Snow and Lots of Cold!

Have I said I'm tired of winter?? Here are some photos this evening of our winter scene: the first is a twirly art thing (covered in snow), next our front steps (covered in ice that no amount of chipping or salt will remove), an evergreen (covered in snow) and the icicles hanging from our front porch - which, by the way, were knocked off (once again) earlier today.

So....we have an arctic blast on the way! It's supposed to go down to 2 degrees tomorrow with wind chills to -20. On top of that, 20 to 30 mph winds and 4-6 inches of snow with possible blizzrd conditions. Of course, school isn't cancelled! Really, I find it so irritating: why can't we just cancel school when we KNOW at the very LEAST it will be so cold? I think it's dangerous for kids to be waiting at bus stops and walking to and from in such cold weather. I also wonder if all the buses will even start. And if all that snow comes as well, more danger. I just don't understand why they can't call it by midnight! Come on Forest Hills Schools Superintendent - close school!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Other than that, the new semester is off to a great start; I have fantastic students (once again). Teaching brings me so much joy - it's hard to explain. Kind of like the contented, happy, energetic feeling I get when one of my kids does something cool, but it LASTS much longer!! I might be on a perpetual high if I taught full-time!! I just love it when I see the light bulb turn on for someone. I love it when I see an entire classroom of students engaged - actually paying attention, leaning forward, and even asking questions! I've really never found anything that "does it" for me quite like teaching does - ongoing, lasting, year after year.

For those of you who live here in Western Michigan, bundle up, stay warm, and don't go out if you don't have to! To everyone else, stay away from here and enjoy that you aren't here!!

The Last Day of Christmas

Well, today is the last day of the 12 days of Christmas; tomorrow, January 6, is Ephiphany, or the start of the church year. I'll unplug our outdoor lights tomorrow! I sure won't be taking them down - it's too cold! (Plus I think they're frozen on) We started doing a "12 Days of Christmas" with the boys when they were little - we actually start before Christmas (which officially is the first day) and end after - Christmas usually falls somewhere in the middle for us. We did it then because it was a way for the boys to get a small gift which helped them wait and distracted them a little, plus it's nice to not have the let down immediately after a Christmas celebration is done. We still get a few more surprises for several days after Christmas! This year, the boys got things like a 5 dollar bill, gamer points, a board game, pajama bottoms, a hat, etc. I can't say I'm sorry to see Christmas over; I enjoyed it but am ready to move on TO SPRING! Can't wait for some nice weather (in another 4 or 5 months!). At any rate, the stores have had their Valentine's Day stuff out for the last week and yesterday I saw St. Patrick's Day stuff. I wish they didn't get everything out so early (like Christmas stuff in August); I think it makes us all tired of the holidays before they get here!

Well, so far 2009 is OK!

I hope today was a good sign. First of all, I've been looking for the "right" purse for over a year. I found it today at T.J. Maxx. Second, one of my best friends in the world, Sharon, gave me a set of tongs years ago; one long and short. Well, at one of the numerous catered cocktail parties we've had over the past 8 years, a caterer walked off with them - I called, begged, pleaded - they said they searched their entire kitchen ... but the tongs were gone FOREVER. I lOVED those tongs. What was great was that they stayed closed all the way in the drawer and the mechanism worked by pressing in the end to pop them open - so while cooking and maybe holding something in my left hand, I could manage the tongs in my right by whacking them against my right hip and VOILA they'd pop open! I've purchased many tongs over the last few years, but none were like the origianl Sharon ones (she did find some similar ones that worked ok). Today, I found THE TONGS at T.J. Maxx (6 bucks). I couldn't believe it. I wanted to dance for joy in the store. I have searched high and low, across the internet, in foreign countries ... and found them today in T.J. Maxx. So, if today is an indication of how the year will be - I say YAHOO!!!

Has anyone read "Left Behind?" I'd love to discuss this book for a few minutes.

2009

For some reason, the last month or so, I can't see the pictures I upload until I post. All I have here is script - so I''ll tell what I posted, but it may be in the wrong order! A picture of the boys in front of the family tree (not the formal tree in the living room). I take a picture of them every Christmas and have the photos all together. The other photos were of the gifts Santa brought and the boys opening with morning hair!

The ice dam is gone, we got our heating coil plugged in, Clay's room is dry and he's trying to move his stuff back in. Beyond that, I've taken down all the decorations in the whole house but for the small family tree you see in the picture. Done with the syllabus and first homework assignment needed for class I'm teaching this semester. The only other thing I can say is THANK GOD IT'S 2009: has to be better than 2008!