The true meaning of "Crackers"

First of all we had a wonderful Christmas! The kids enjoyed their presents, Dan was home ALL day, and we were able to spend Christmas Eve with good friends - all the ingredients for a great holiday. Also, we wanted to thank all of you that sent us holiday greetings the old-fashioned way! For the second year in a row I have missed getting a letter and card together in the mail in time for Christmas. Needless to say this will be one of my New Year's Resolutions.

Well, I should have written this post a long time ago, but I have had a hard time grasping the reality of it myself. Our neat, tidy, little family of four will become a wild party of five this spring. Yes, we can't believe it either. No, this was NOT planned. Yes, I have been very sick. No, we did not save a stitch of clothing or a particle of gear from our other kids. (We were done, remember?)

This past fall (while stripping lead paint and using toxic chemicals to remove paint), I thought I had the flu...at first. And then after a week or so of denial I confirmed my lurking suspicion! I am now a little over 17 weeks into the ORDEAL and am still coming to grips with it all. I have had several serious problems with my past pregnancies (big reason we stopped at 2) that will most likely recur this time around, but we are hoping for the best. So far I have only been plagued with lots of morning sickness and shock.

After weeks of letting it sink in, we finally told our kids and families before Christmas. The kids are VERY excited and have already nicknamed the baby "Crackers." As in, "Wouldn't Crackers look so cute in this outfit", or "Shouldn't we hang a stocking for Crackers?", or "When will Crackers be born?" (est. June 6 arrival) I must say it is appropriate considering that was all I could eat for some time. Carson has also informed several people that his mom has "Crackers" in her belly. I didn't bother to explain ; ) So now you all know the true meaning of "Crackers".

We are beginning to get excited about having a new little baby in our home and hope that all goes well over the next few months. I am sure I will need plenty of advice on gear, names, and easing the aches and pains, but I will save all of that for future posts when I am ready to deal with it. We are blessed to have this new little one and are grateful that you can't always plan your life.

More Random Information...Tagged

Back in May I was tagged, but here is some more random information about me by request of Jenn!



*I LOVE my mother-in-law (and the rest of my in-laws)! I know a lot of people get along with their in-laws, but we were meant to be! It has been so much fun to work with her and Julie in our business. His mom also lives a mile from my parents and they are in the same ward. It is fun that my family and Dan's family get along so well.

*I love to go camping. I don't like getting grimy, but I love being out in the fresh air and cooking yummy food outdoors. I love a cozy campfire.

*We have never owned a real kitchen table. When we were married we used one that Dan had from a great aunt. It had belonged in an RV and to this day that is the only table we have had...two of the chairs have completely fallen apart and the other two are disgraceful. Needless to say that is my holiday wish this year - a kitchen table of our own!

*I have eaten horse stomach, cow uterus, cow intestine, and raw beef bits. THIS WAS NOT INTENTIONAL!!!! I taught a group of Japanese Veterinary students that were going to be traveling to the US to visit a university here. After our three months of teaching they took me to a very nice restaurant. At this type of restaurant, you order a plate of raw meat and veggies and grill them over a stove in the center of your table. It is really fun, and Dan and I went often. We always ordered the chicken or the steak with veggies and white rice. Well, they did the ordering and ordered a traditional Japanese faire. Ahhhh! I must say I nibbled and swallowed with water a lot.

*I have flat feet. Yes, they are ugly.

*I have NO internal compass and NO sense of direction. It takes me forever to learn to navigate a new area. I am a real candidate for GPS.

*I have lots of friends named Jennifer....during high school I had 5 Jennifers on my dance team....my name was Jennifer Anderson and one of my best friend's name was Jennifer Andrus. Also, my senior year there was a freshman with my exact same name (including middle name) that I received detention and sluffing notices for on a regular basis before they figured out there were two of us. As we have moved I have made friends with lots of great Jennifers and some of my best friends are still Jennifers.

I must now TAG my in-laws....that means Melissa, Julie, and Christy! (Now you have something to write about Melis...)

Sister Sweet

Although the kids are at each other sometimes, lately I have been noticing all the sweet things they do for each other. Erika has been on my mind a lot lately.... Since her first library day in September, Erika gets to check out two books from the school library. Each Tuesday she has come home excited to see Carson because one of the two books she checks out is always for him. He never asked her to do it, she just thought he would like it. And he does!

While preparing to give the 13th Article of Faith in Primary at church, Erika volunteered to help him get ready. We have learned the 13th Article a couple of times, but Carson couldn't remember much of it to start with. Erika coached him carefully Sunday morning he was ready. When he stood up to recite it to the Primary he froze (Our primary is quite large and meets in the Chapel so it is a little intimidating up at the podium.) She jumped right up and went to his aid. As soon as she joined him he was able to overcome his fear and they got through it together.

She is so good to help him tie his shoes, hang up his coat, and reach all the things five year olds just can't quite reach. She shares most of her toys, her treats, and her books. Tonight, with seemingly endless patience, she coached him over and over on how to make the perfect snowflake. (They actually turned out really well!) What a great example to me. So next time her temper flares with him or they are at each other over some silly thing, I will try to remember how more often she is a sweet soft-hearted sister to him.

Someone call Social Services

I have to say I was a little worried all last week as Erika went off to school. I was worried I would be receiving a call from the nurse or her teacher saying we needed to have a little meeting. I guess I should tell you how it all began....

On Monday night Carson was chasing Erika all around the house and she was dodging and squealing. She just couldn't seem to get away. Finally, in desperation, she jumped over the back of the couch (a BIG no, no in our house) and slipped as she landed. Instead of catching herself with her hands she seemed to land directly on the right side of her face. Now, I only heard the squealing and the "THUD", she didn't even cry for a few minutes. As the shock wore off she shed a few tears and decided that Mom actually had a good reason for not wanting kids to jump over the couch. It really didn't look that bad - just barely swollen. We applied ice and she looked better by bedtime.

The next morning her eye looked swollen and a little discolored. (photo number 1) I told her to tell her teacher what happened if she asks, but not to make a big deal of it. Of course, when she comes home she tells me she told her teacher, who told the nurse, who gave her an ice pack and lots of sympathy. Day two it looked even worse, purple and puffy. The pictures don't really do it justice. (Sorry they are so poor - they are from my phone).




The real kicker in all of this isn't so much the black-eye... The problem is that it comes only two short weeks after she had her wrist taken out of a splint from a pretty bad sprain! (Received on a play-date at a friend's house while playing in the backyard.) In today's hyper-sensitive environment you never know when Social Services will show up for a little "visit". After a long talk about being extra-careful about getting hurt so mommy doesn't have to go to jail, we are hoping she will have a little better luck over the next few weeks.

Other than that we had a fabulous thanksgiving with friends and this past weekend Dan was home almost all weekend! We were able to get caught up on a few things and were also able to get up our Christmas tree! Carson was really excited to help get the lights and decorations on the tree. I feel a little spoiled at having him home so much and I'm not ready to send him back to the wolves!

A Day with Dad

This past weekend Dan took Carson on a "boys only" weekend to the Notre Dame - Duke game. They left at the crack of dawn on Saturday and came home Sunday morning, short but FUN. The weather was cold and although I had packed hats, gloves, and scarves, Carson was still cold. Dan bought him several hot chocolates to keep his blood pumping. Carson also informed me later that they were able to have nachos and hot dogs, too! (this spells little boy heaven!) They also enjoyed finally watching Notre Dame WIN a game. Erika was a good sport and she stayed home with mom and worked on a monumental (in size) report that is due this week. When I asked Carson what his favorite part was he replied..."ALL OF IT!!! And I didn't just like it, I LOVED it! But, I really liked eating Taco Bell with Dad...that was fun" Well, I had to tell Dan that we could have saved some money and he could have just driven him down the road to the drive-thru. I am so glad they had a little time together now that Dan is so busy all the time.

A Fable (by Lynne Anderson, retold by Me)

At midnight on November 13th a little four year old boy crept out of bed, tip-toed down the stairs, opened the front door of our house and ran down the dimly lit street never to be seen here again. We would miss that little four year old boy..... At about the same time, coming in the opposite direction down the street, ran a little five year old boy. He opened our front door, tip-toed up the stairs, and crawled into bed.... When we went in to wake our little boy up he was a little different...we couldn't tell what the difference was but it was there.

The End
(sniff, sniff)

Dad ALWAYS told this story to us as we grew up and I always thought it was so funny, until I had my own kids! Now it reminds me of how quickly a year can pass and what little time we really have with these little souls. So as I thought of my little four year old running away forever I get a little teary...thus the "sniff, sniff".

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Carson! Carson turned 5 yesterday and is very pleased with himself. He informed me he is much older because now he has to hold up ALL the fingers on his hand. He was also ready to throw away many of his old toys, "because they are for four-year-olds!".

Change is good!

For various reasons that include illness, too many activities, and serious technical difficulties I have been MIA... I have no apology, I think this is my pattern. I tend to do really well for a while and then fall off the wagon - this applies to all aspects of my life not just blogging. So just know that if I am attentive here then someone or something else is probably suffering! When I am a good Mom I am a horrible business partner....good friend - horrible Sunday School teacher...good business partner - horrible wife. Hmmmmmmm....well all I can say is that I'm a work in progress (or lack there of).

I have a new piece of equipment that just may save a little of my sanity and help me improve my record. I am now the proud owner of an iMac! This is going to be a little painful, but a lot of fun. As an avid PC user I am sure to go through a few growing pains as I learn new habits and ways to use my new "toy". I have to confess it will be like going from driving a stick shift to an automatic....I might try and hit the brake and the accelerator at the same time a few times, but eventually it all works out. This new system is really a special "gift". My laptop and I have had a very bad relationship for quite a few months now and it was really hampering my ability to do my Card Co. work. I was spending hours restarting my computer every 20 minutes - believe me I think I spent more time restarting than working. Anyway, my business buddies were tired of the same old excuses and convinced me it was time for an upgrade! For the type of work I do it will definitely be a plus! I am very thankful for technology that WORKS! I feel like I stepped out of a Pinto and into Lexus!

3 seconds of fame...

What an adventure today turned out to be. A friend had procured tickets to ABC's talk show The View and invited me to go with her and a few other gals. (thanks Lisa and Kristy) I am not easily star struck, but since I have lived here I thought it would be a fun thing to go and do and was thankful I could go with friends. (This is not a high priorty on Dan's list of "things to do in NYC) I was really not prepared for the day. We arrived a little late, and waited in our line. We were ushered in and given our seats. A little later, one of the production members came and asked us where we were from and if I would like to introduce one of the segments with a host! I said I would and when the time came I was quickly ushered out and stood with Whoopi Goldberg's arm around me as I frantically announced that Juliette Binoche was up next on The View! How crazy! We were so unprepared that we didn't bring our cameras and hadn't told anyone to Tivo this "Most Exciting Event".

I have to say that it was very interesting watching in person the "celebrities" that are so idolized in our society. They are very ordinary and quite human, not that I really expected them to be anything else. It was so much fun to watch and we even received a bunch of great goodies too! Anyway, it was a lot of fun and I highly recommend it for an interesting experience. Thanks everyone for helping make it a fun day!

A few "Deals" we're working on

I know I should post about our house again, but I can't bring myself to do it. I must admit that a while back I even stopped taking pictures because I can't stand it anymore. (The progress--or lack there of--on the house). I only have 1.5 rooms left to finish, but I can't seem to do it. I feel like I'm in the last mile or two of a marathon and I can't finish! Where is my power-gel? Ugh. All I know is that we really need to complete our inspection soon and who knows how it will all get done. I will make you a deal...I will try to post some more on the house later when I have a little more enthusiasm. So until then little glimpses are all I can provide.

Dan is now officially on another "Deal". Generally speaking he is working on 5+ at any given time anyway, but in addition to the regular stuff, this one has a more definite timeline. What does that mean? It means that the 8 hours a week we saw him before will now be cut to 4 including the time we spend at church. (Can you take a Sabbatical from Church?) This is supposed to go on for about four months... I have to tell you that my patience is wearing a little thin--as I assure you is his--with this job. This also means that I may do a little more complaining than is healthy on this blog. I will do my best to keep it to a minimum. We'll see.....

Tonight I made a great "deal" with Carson. For few months we have been growing out Carson's hair. He has great hair, thick with a little curl. I thought it would look so fun a little longer and tousled, right? Well with a shower and a good gel it was pretty good for a while, but lately the "big hair gene" has kicked in. This gene is evidenced in both of his grandfathers (who both have GREAT hair with the right haircut). Let's just say in the 70's my Dad had hair verging on a very bizarre afro and although I have no photographic evidence yet, I have seen grandpa Ed's hair get pretty "big" at times. In other words, Carson has really great hair, but he probably won't be able to wear it like a sexy soccer player, etc. So tonight we made a deal to cut his curls in favor of something a little more Cary Grant. Without shame I will say he is going to be one good-looking guy!



A nice "before" shot from his first day of school.




What did I tell you...he is so cute!

A little privacy is bliss...

After a year of living in a fishbowl I finally installed blinds in the dining room and our office "nook". I can't tell you how fabulous it feels!!!! I was almost used to having our neighbors wave at us as we wander around our house. It was one of the best things that has happened since we moved in. So the above pic is of our new wood blinds that grant me sweet isolation!

A Picture Tour of Dad's Visit...

We had some long awaited visitors last week! (If I missed an email or phone call I'm sorry!) Dad and Donna came and they wore us out--let me rephrase--Dad wore Donna, the kids, and I out. We went all over the city and hit most of the "tourist" sites. We ate FABULOUS food - Keen's Steakhouse is a must, but come hungry and bring $$$ make that $$$$. They were also here for the San Genermo Festival in Little Italy which was basically an Italian street fair--totally worth the trip into the city. We also walked Greenwich, CT and Mamaroneck Harbor. I overdid the pics this time to entice any and all visitors to come for a visit!



Dan must be forgiven his 5 o'clock shadow...he just came off a week (6 days in a row) in which he slept exactly 13 hours...we were lucky we got him out of bed to join us!











Erika and Carson each got a "treat" on Canal Street. A Sponge-Bob watch for Carson, fan for Erika.




The result of letting him wear Crocs for the day...yuck!

the trouble with dogs...

I had a FABULOUS week last week....my Dad was in town and we spent the week walking all over Manhattan and beyond! It was such fun! Near the end of the week I lost my NEW cell phone--yes, the one i waited a year for--suffering with a phone that didn't work till I got the new one. Well, after searching fruitlessly we decided to just go buy a new one so that I could survive. I found a Verizon store in the city and upon our arrival at Grand Central we headed off to find it.

After walking 12 or so blocks I found the store and approached the door, only to stare in wonder/horror at the sign on the door. It read:

SERVICE DOGS ONLY!

Well I didn't know what to do. I looked around for another entrance, but to my dismay there was no other entrance door to the store. (At this point there were several people waiting in line behind me to get into the store.) I was so baffled because I could see the people inside and couldn't figure out how they had gotten there. I turned to my Dad and he asked what was wrong...I pointed to the sign and he shrugged and replied, "So?"

"Well I can't find another entrance!" With the realization of what I had just said dawning on him he told me in a tone of voice you would use on a dumb animal, "It doesn't mean 'Dogs Only', just that no pet dogs are allowed." As the waves of humiliation crashed down (those waiting behind me laughed as they passed me on their way into the store) I realized what I had just done. I pulled the ULTIMATE dumb blonde moment! Well, I have no excuse for myself...

Thoughts on becoming a "Soccer Mom"

I have now reached "soccer mom" status... The kids both joined the Mam'k soccer league and our Saturdays will now consist of haning out at the soccer field with all the other doting parents. I must say I prefer this to Dan's usual fall Saturday schedule of College Football and ESPN Sports Center for 12 hours ;) Dad had at least as much fun as they did and they adored having him their. Carson LOVES the thought of being on a team. As you can tell from the pics it was 85 degrees and 85% humidity at 9:30am and he was HOT! That didn't stop him from running around and having a fabulous time. He was thrilled that he and Erika happened to both get green team colors--like Notre Dame. This is a first for both the kids and they were great. Erika is very fast...she has the speed...now she just needs to work on technique.






I have to admit something...although I am competitive myself (to a fault). I am not a competitive parent. I want them to win, do well, etc., but it is too much stress so I just hope they have fun. I was very worried that I would become the scary Mom on the sidelines screaming explitives and throwing things at coaches, parents, and kids! It was fun to watch and I did yell a few times (nice things), but overall quite tame. Sometimes I surprise myself. Not to say that the scary parents didn't show up...they were there! During Erika's game we had one Mom that freaked out and screamed at anyone who was close...including the girls! I really can't believe they are so serious. It was a little scary.

The kids each have a team sponsor...Erika's is a local diner. We told her if her team won we would have to eat at the diner in celebration. Carson immediately wanted to know what we would do if his team won. Unfortunately his team is sponsored by Toyota City (Car Dealership)...a new car maybe? I told him so as a joke and he firmly believes that we will buy a new car on the day his team wins. Don't I wish--I'm pretty sure we couldn't even get a discounted oil change!!!!!!

What happened to August?

Well, I will now offer a short explanation...

At the "last minute" we packed up and flew to Idaho for work. Which means my business partners and I (Dan's mom and sister) attempt to work while our kids (Erika age 9, twins Alli and Andrew age 5, Carson age 4, and Ty age 1) tear up grandma's house which is completely NOT childproof. This means what should take us an hour generally takes four because of all the potty breaks and time spent helping grandpa and grandma fix whatever the kids broke or attempted to destroy, etc. All in all, we still accomplished quite a bit.

I was hoping for a little time to visit a few people, but because of the afformentioned schedule (and the fact that the plane tickets were paid for out of our business) I didn't make it. (Please forgive me Lisa and Kim and Richard and Diane!) I was able to squeeze in a tooooo brief visit with my family on Saturday afternoon and Sunday! It was great to see my brother and his girls (i'll forgive Sally for not coming because i know she was saving it up for a trip out east instead--broad hint intended! Hugs Sally) And really fun to see my sister and her girls too. The kids LOVE the cousins. My Mom and Dee saved Erika and Carson by coming up when they could to rescue them and take them back to their own house (one mile away) to ride horses and play.

While we were gone Dan went to the opening Notre Dame game with his brother. I should require him to post this himself, but he may never get around to it so in short:

*met in Chicago and were going to drive to South Bend

*the car company took their reservation, but they didn't HOLD their reservation! (finally got a car)

*they arrive at the game after half-time.

*ND is crushed...pulverized by Georgia Tech...OUCH!!!

*Had a FABULOUS time with his brother anyway!

We are back safe and sound and trying to get it and keep it together!

Perks...

I know I have been MIA for a long while, i will not attempt to update...yet. Today Dan spent his afternoon watching Venus Williams and Justine Henin on center court 10 rows up (my jaw--and yours--drop). Yes, every once in a while they release him from his cage, i mean cubicle, and allow him time to stretch his legs and get some sun. We are getting closer and closer to the same color ;) I can't help but be just a little jealous!

E swimming

C swimming

Swimming

Well...another busy week...and this post is way overdue! We lucked-out when it comes to neighbors! The neighbors on all sides are wonderful, but our back neighbors are the best. They are a couple with grown children (our age). A few years ago they put in a beautiful in-ground swimming pool. Within hours of our moving in they had introduced themselves and with-in a month they had us over for dinner. Dave and Leslie are such great people. Well, at the start of the "swimming season" (May 15th) they had us over to show us how to open up the pool on our own and then gave us open access! Anytime... We have taken advantage of their generous offer (not often enough according to the kids) and here are a few videos taken on my camera phone.

Carson is crazy and loves to swim. He looks like a little dog because I haven't worked on form with him at all. Erika is no longer afraid of deep water and jumps in the deep end and swims all over. This is a huge accomplishment for her. She took lessons 2x's a week for over a year in Japan as well as lessons in Idaho and was petrified--until now!

a little apology

i am sorry about my disappearance...i have no excuse other than one that is alreay threadbare --- busy! Dan's Mom came out and we went to Valley Forge for a Convention. It was such fun to see Philly again...and my old shopping grounds! We ate at the Cheesecake Factory (no such luxuries in Idaho) but the rest of the time was spent at the show. We are still busy on the house, too. I promise I will post some more pictures soon. We finally have one room that has nothing left in it to fix!!!!!! Yeah! Unfortunately it is the smallest room in the house...oh, well one down, 8 to go....

Onward to Victory....

Do you know what these are??? Yes, Dan's wildest dreams have come true...he is now officially a Season Ticket holder for the University of Notre Dame's Football Team. He decided to throw his name in the "once in a lifetime" lottery for season tickets this year and low and behold...he won. Do we live anywhere close to South Bend? No. Did we attend the University of Notre Dame? No. Are we Catholic? No. Can we attend any of the games this year? (Or ever?) Maybe 1. Well if you saw the smile on his face when he held them you, like me, may think they might be worth it even if they don't get used by him! (I have been told they will pay for themselves....hmmmmm) Anyone for a little football in South Bend....

Excedrin, please...

Yuck...twice in the last week I have had WILD headaches that brought their own baggage full of other symptoms...nasea, sore muscles, and sound/light sensitivity. This wasn't your average take two--or four--motrin and call me in the morning headaches! They both seemed to linger and come and go for at least 48 hours...hmmmmm migraine maybe? After the first episode (on the day i was scheduled to have watch a friend's daughter--sorry laura/kate) I stepped up the water and worked on getting some rest, but to no avail...sunday morning i woke up with another one. Any thoughts guys????? My real complaint is that it made it very difficult to read the much anticpated "Harry Potter" book that arrived on Saturday morning ;) Seriously....any thoughts?

and the winner is....

Dan is .......

You Are 7 Up

Understated and subtle, people warm up to you slowly. But once they're hooked, they can't imagine going back to anyone else! Your best soda match: Diet Coke Stay away from: Mountain Dew

What Kind of Soda Are You?

Baaaaaa...

Ok, i am just one of the millions of sheep in the herd anxiously waiting for this book to arrive on my doorstep so I can discover what happens to Harry. I am a shameless Potter fan...it's not a guilty pleasure... it's great literature. So although tomorrow I have an all-day date with a paint brush, I will be haunting my front porch watching for that big brown truck to deliver my copy. I can assure you my eyes will not shut until I have read it cover-to-cover!

Really?

You Are 7 Up

Understated and subtle, people warm up to you slowly. But once they're hooked, they can't imagine going back to anyone else! Your best soda match: Diet Coke Stay away from: Mountain Dew

What Kind of Soda Are You?

One thing is sure...my best soda match IS Diet Coke!! Thanks julie...


I think I am schizophrenic....I took it three times and ended up as a mt. dew, dr. pepper and 7-up...hmmmmmmm

Blowing off a little steam...

This was the view of midtown (my Dear Spouse's residence 85% of the time) this evening. I received a call from my Dear Spouse informing me that he was OK and all was well--it wasn't a terrorist attack--a steam pipe had burst. I asked if they were going to be released early because of all the chaos and he replied (with almost longing in his voice), "No, it would have to be an actual terrorist attack for us to come home early." Too bad honey...

Classified Ad

Wanted: Remedy for the very contagious disease "Mischievious Behavior".
The strain most commonly found in our area is the willful breaking of rules and social norms. Symptoms may include (but are not limited to): the discovery of markers, the random tatooing of one's own body with found marker, the inability to remove any of said markings with normal household or bodily cleansers, the patient's complete inability to recall where the contraband marker came from or how the marker came to be tatooed all over the patient's own body. I have included several photos of some of the more common symptoms. Please comment with any remedies or advice. Any or all trades will be considered.

Happy July 6th!

Yes, July 6th, our day of celebration--or reckoning as the case may be! On July 6, 2006 we became house-owners for the first time! (Moment of silence) We will not mention the state of said "house" at the point of purchase. After a year here I can officially celebrate our move and declare myself a proud "home-owner" instead! Yes, I have found over the last year my heart has sprouted little roots of affection for this pile of lumber, sheetrock, and nails we purchased (note the lack of insulation). I don't think you can work this manically on something and not have at least a little affection for it. When you work this hard for something part of your soul or self is forever bound to it. Note I have yet to declare my LOVE for this place--we still have too much to do and to much to pay for for that. When I look back at what we started with I am amazed at how much we have accomplished with the help of many dear friends and family. No time to get too nostalgic, we still have a long way to go--our front porch still looks like a cold sore--or pimple that needs popping--on the front of the house and the backyard isn't really a "yard". Compared to what it was and it does look better....









We decided to have a "Happy Anniversary" BBQ and it was wonderful! Truly in the spirit of the occasion we had a piece of sheetrock over a laundry basket for our table, and picnicked under our beautiful Japanese Maple! Yeah!

coming up for air!

Well, it has been a busy summer--and we are just hangin' out. No trips planned just a summer of the same old stuff. I should say no "family" trips because I will be travelling all over this summer. I just returned from a quick 4 day trip to Ft. Lauderdale for a business. I met up with one of my best buddies, my mother-in-law! (I know "best buddy" and "mother-in-law" are rarely heard in the same breath, but I am pretty lucky!) It began the night before with a WILD storm that knocked out power around the area and wreeked havoc on air traffic! My 6 am flight was cancelled (I had to arrive that day to set up!) I was rescheduled for a later flight in 1st class--no complaints here--I got to sleep in a little and would get to travel non-stop in comfort! After saying my thank-yous and utilizing all the helping hands with kids and transportation arrangments I was off!

We had a pretty good show...lots of enthusiasm and quite a few wholesale contacts as well. While there we were lodged in a FABULOUS resort hotel on the beach--thanks to a dear friend. I swear, it was wonderful! I have travelled all over and stayed in four and five star hotels, but this was one of...if not the best hotel I have stayed in. Unfortunately theses business trips are just that--business! We were only there for a few hours in the late evening and for sleeping. The view was wonderful and the staff was more than gracious.



We did have one little snafu...our room flooded due to stormy weather and a leaky window (see red arrow). My clothes were directly under said window and suffered for it...they were soaked. No problem--within a minute of my call the entire staff (ok, not quite the entire staff) was at the room evaluating the situation and settling on what to do. The bellman wisked us away to another suite at top speed while the housekeepers turned down the beds in our new room and another staff member wrote us a pass for 2 facials at the Luxury Spa! Ahhhhhhhhh........ this is living!



Due to our LONG hours we were unable to visit the spa so they substituted 2 breakfasts in their fab restaraunt. They also dry-cleaned my clothing, including my pajamas! Yes, my pajamas...I still have them on the hanger...I mean really, who gets their pjs drycleaned!



After two VERY LONG days at the show, several taxi rides with bizare drivers, and a 3.5 mile walk to our hotel I had to end it with and enormous drink! Ahhh...just what I needed! (I know the pic is out of focus...batteries were on their last leg!)



All in all I feel like I am just coming up for air after a few weeks of chaos. I wish it was the end of such fevered activity, but time to catch another breath and duck because this is the summer schedule.

Lucky Ducks...

Well Lady luck has finally paid us a visit! As a matter of pure chance I happened upon a "free trampoline with safety enclosure" on craigslist last weekend and replied to it. As she later told me, I was the closest and sounded nice so we were chosen. We took it down and they even helped deliver it to our house--talk about nice! Anyway, we finally got it set up and the kids are in HEAVEN! Just in time for a summer of jumping!

A lot of Nothing

After falling into bed at 11, 12, dare I admit 1 o'clock in the morning, my DS often asks what I have done that day. It is then that the wheels in my head begin to crank and churn as my brain struggles to sum up my day, to no avail. It is then that I realize that my time is filled with a lot and yet Nothing. Each day is spent run, run, running, and yet when asked what I do all day? Hmmmmmm. Does he really want to hear about the meals fixed, errands run, laundry done, carpools driven, noses wiped, "owies" bandaged, kisses administered, spills cleaned up, snatches of "between" time spent working, play-dates arranged, flower-beds weeded, etc? Not really...I don't blame him so much of it just fits under the category of "Oh, Nothing...".

I don't feel bad about the way I occupy my day...I genuinely work hard, but I must admit my Nothing sometimes weighs me down and at times even seems trivial. Deep down I know my Nothing is priceless and sometimes I even have so much Nothing that it actually amounts to Something and then I share. So when he comes home tonight after a week in which he has been home exactly 17.5 hours (yes, that includes time spent sleeping) and he asks what I have been up to I will probably snuggle up to him and think about all the Nothing I have done and figure out which Somethings I should share....

The Perfect Storm

NASCAR Race at the Poconos...

Yankees Game at Home...

Construction on I-80...

The Puerto Rican Day Parade in Midtown...

Thunderstorms...

Dan working a 14 hour day...

Seemingly unrelated and yet....Isn't it funny how you watch things come and go, come and go, each thing moving in its own time and space...Every once in a while they all collide at the same point in time? You will see how 6 seemingly unrelated events turned a 165 mile, 3 hour trip to Danville, Pa to visit friends, into an almost 11 hour drive!

My dear friends from Idaho were on a little trip East to visit DC and decided to drive up to visit another dear friend living in Danville...We were all going to meet up at her house for a little catch-up and some lunch/dinner...Fun!

I piled the kids in the car...Dad had been called into work and would therefore be unable to make it and unable to help drive...undeterred we headed out. Beautiful day, happy children, friends ahead!

HALT!!!!!

We came to a complete stop heading toward the George Washington Bridge (GWB) less that 15 miles into our journey. Unfazed I tune the radio and listen for possible causes...Yes, that would do it...Puerto Rican Day Parade in Midtown... Oh well, it is NYC and these things do happen.

1 Hour later...

Yay! On our way again...with nothing but blue skies and open road ahead! We enter the Poconos Mountains on our way and pass a sign reading "Welcome NASCAR! Race Today!" Well it didn't seem to be hampering my drive and on we go...

We arrive only 1 hour late - not bad! We ate, the kids played, and we gabbed to our hearts content! Everything I hoped it would be, including much too short.

Around 6:30ish we head out hoping the trip home would be a little less busy (the parade was over hours ago!) Again we hit the open road...

HALT!!!

Another 1 hour wait...this time we were shuffled into a single file line for non-existent "construction" that was going on. (First hint at frustration...I mean it is a school day tomorrow)

Just as we picked up speed to a nice 40 mile an hour pace we hit dead on with a RAGING rain/thunderstorm. You know, the kind in which your windshield wipers are completely impotent! We were forced to stop on the freeway and wait for a break in the weather....finally we are able to creep along at a 20 mile an hour pace.

Traffic seemed to be building at an incredible speed...why? Well we were just entering the Poconos again and the rain cancelled the remainder of the race. There were now 100,000 crazy NASCAR fans exiting the raceway and entering I-80.

At this point my car is now running low on gas...normally a trip of this type would not require a fill-up...stop for a bathroom break and some much needed fuel.

Finally...a little movement on I-80. We were able to travel for about an hour at semi-normal freeway speeds when I again tuned the radio for the upcoming GWB update.

HALT!!!!!

Traffic was backed up an hour inbound...no wait on the outbound--of course. (VERY FRUSTRATED) Why so crazy? The parade, the Yankees game, the crazy NASCAR fans...who knows!!!!

At approximately 12am we arrive home and spill out of our care, exhausted, just before as Dan pulls up from a LONG day at work...

The question is...

Was it worth it? YES!!!



Does it get any better than this? (Only if Merr was there...)



Brie and Travis



The kids with their "mean" faces!



They had a fabulous time getting to know each other.