Congratulations to Tyler Lopez!

While reading the Roseville Press-Tribune last night, I came upon an article that filled me with immense pride:

School News & Notes

Woodcreek grad enters doctorate program

Roseville resident Tyler Steven Lopez has been accepted to attend the University of San Diego to pursue a jurisdoctor.

Lopez graduated from Woodcreek High School in 2002. In 2006, he graduated from UC San Diego with a major in management science and a minor in political science. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

Tyler is the son of Debbie and Fabian Lopez and brother to Ashlee, Kelsie and Larra.

I know Tyler's parents, we all went to high school together. Deb is an incredibly kind, warm-hearted, and fun loving person. She embraces life fully and is not afraid of a challenge.

I have always admired Deb and Fabian's parenting skills and their focus on allowing their children to grow into strong minded, highly productive, mature, responsible adults.

My hat is off to Deb and Fabian for raising GREAT children.

Congratulations to TYLER!
Along with feeling very proud of you, I have to admit, this article made me feel "OLD." I remember this child as a baby and dragging him with us to high school football games. I remember him in elementary school with our niece, Jessica. I remember him in junior high and graduating from high school. He has always been a special kid.

Lipstick in School

I had no idea what I was going to put on my blog today until I read this little gem in my hotmail.

Considering that last night was back to school night at the high school, I thought this was both funny and appropriate:

Lipstick in School

According to a news report, a certain private school in Washington was recently faced with a unique problem.

A number of 12-year-old girls were beginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick, they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints. Every night the maintenance man would remove them, and the next day the girls would put them back. Finally the principal decided that something had to be done.

She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the Custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night (you can just imagine the yawns from the little princesses). To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the mirrors, she asked the Maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required.

He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it. Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror.

There are teachers and then there are educators.

I would like to thank all of the WONDERFUL eduactors and mentors who have touched my daughter's life. People like Michelle Thompson who was Manda's pre-school teacher, Carrie and Lisa who are the dance directors who have had a positive impact; and to the Roseville City School and the Roseville Joint Union High School Districts:

You do make a difference, and you are appreciated!

Wednesday

stretching I wake from my cocoon
the night time darkness lingers outside my window
the air is cool, the grass is misty
with a sigh I close my eyes
roll back to my side
and slip back into my dreams
sudden alertness shatters my vision
woken by the sound of the alarm
the morning light will soon be seen
dreams are left behind
cat inquisitiveness causes the blinds move
the snoring ceases
the shower turns on and the scent of shampoo fills the air
the day has begun

Who says you can't have breakfast for dinner?

Last night Manda was working on homework, and I was cleaning up around the house, playing with the cat, and just doing those everyday, normal, boring routine things in life that have to be done. Russ was working and had no idea when he'd be home. (Par for the course!)

After I had picked Manda up from school we shared a small turkey sandwich from Togo's. So not my favorite place to eat any more. That would be Lenny's Sub Shop. However, Lenny's Sub Shop was too far away and we didn't really have enough time to drive over there and still get Amanda to dance on time. So, we settled for Togo's and satisfied our hunger.

By 7:30 neither of us was really hungry for a meal, having eaten a late lunch. So we decided on scrambled eggs for dinner. YUM!!!! I love scrambled eggs, their fluffy goodness just seems to be a comfort food that does not leave me feeling like I have eaten too much. We just had basic scrambled eggs: eggs, pepper and a bit of salt. It was just enough food to satisfy us.

Sometimes we'll add things into the egg mixture. Things like left overs or fresh veggies. Some of our favorite things to cook our scrambled eggs into are:

left over pizza or bread sticks
left over fried rice
left over broccoli and beef
left over orange chicken
ham, onions and cheese
tomatoes and avocado
fresh spinach
chicken and spinach and onions
hamburger
steak
cheese

Okay - now that I am hungry, I'll go eat my boring breakfast bar.

Four!

Four, Four, Four, Four.....AND MORE...

A. Four places that I go to over and over:
Work, online, dance, home (in no particular order)

B. Four people who email me (regularly):
Samantha, Deb, Jenn, Beautiful Redhead

C. Four of my favorite places to eat:
Lenny's Sub Shop, Olive Garden, Taco Bell, In & Out

D. Four places I would rather be right now.
on a date with my husband, walking in the rain,
swinging on a swing, Watching Manda tap

E. Four people I think will respond:
Samantha, my mom, Sharla, Jenn

F. Four TV shows you watch over and over...
Hell's Kitchen, NCIS, Flip this House, news

Here's what you are supposed to do...and please don't spoil the
fun. Copy and paste this into your email, delete my answers,
type in your answers and send it to a bunch of people, including me!

Monday, Monday ....

Weekends .... go so fast! And this one was no exception.

Friday night Russell was tired, hot and cranky from working long hours in the hot sun all week. He didn't feel like grocery shopping or cooking, and really wanted to have his favorite food of all time for dinner: pepperoni pizza with extra cheese and onions. (So not my favorite!) But, being the good wife that I try to be we went to Round Table in Granite Bay and had pizza and salad, sharing laughter and just relaxing. I have to say we did have a great time even if our pizza was just ok.

Russells pizza was fine, the crust was a little stiff, but it had a good flavor. Manda and I ordered a spinach and mushroom pizza, and ours was over-cooked and under sauced, with a stiff, bland crust. But we ate it. It was better as left overs last night in scrambled eggs.

Saturday was hot and lazy. We did laundry and hung around the house. Manda started her homework. We went to Olive Garden for their once a year Never Ending Pasta bowls and endless salad. Of course, Manda and I always manage to eat at least two bowls of their salad. It's always fresh, cold and crisp and Saturday was no exception.

After Olive Garden we let Manda drive from the Galleria in Roseville to Northgate Blvd and back home. It was a great freeway run for her, the longest yet and she did wonderful. She kept up with the flow of traffic and never showed signs of too much nervousness.

The we had to go school supply shopping:

Notebooks - 1, 3 and 5 subjects
Folders - at least one for each class
Binders - at least one for each class
loose leaf binder paper - 6 packs
7mm Mechanical pencils
tabbed dividers - 5 sets

UGH! That was not "easy" or cheap. It was a quick $75.00 and we still need to get graph paper.

Sunday was spent at the dance studio where Manda participated in the annual dance a thon.
This year only 4 girls participated. The girls danced until their bodies were craving both food, and rest.

Hope your weekend was good, now get to work!

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu .. If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different:

This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attacks, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple i t is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully, Ben Stein


(with thanks to Mary for sharing it with me)

the Ups and the downs

On a positive note:
Manda started school yesterday, she had a great first day and as expected with her class load, had about 2.5 hours of homework last night. She likes all her teachers and has quite a few really nice kids in her classes.

On a not so positive note:
One of her classes does have two students who have given her a really hard time in the past, but she is cautiously optimistic that the students in question have matured over time and will just leave her alone. That, or they won't consider her worthy of their time. Either way, she just doesn't want to be harassed by them and intends to mind her own business and avoid any contact with them.

On a positive note:
We watched the Woman's Olympic Diving last night. Talk about amazing atheletes! I don't know much about diving, but I know amazing dives when I see them. Last night watching the Olympians compete was a wonderful way to spend quality time with my family, while sitting on the floor with my mouth hanging open. Their strength and grace and focus as each competitor took a rotation on the board was speech depriving. I had tears in my eyes for the entire time we watched.

Of course part of that emotionalism is from watching the US's diving team caption, Laura Wilkensen complete her final 5 international competition dives. Her team was so wonderful giving her their full support and respect. Laura is what I consider to be a true competitor. She gave everything she had to give, was gracious, and seemed to be honestly supportive of the competition around her, even seeming to be pleased for the other divers who did better than she had last night. She may not have earn a medal last night, be she is golden in my eyes.

On a not so positive note:
I was so keyed up from the competition that my mind could not shut down last night. I just could not get to sleep no matter what I tried. So today, I am much more tired than I should be.


On a positive note:
Amanda continues to do well with her driving lessons and is enjoying driving to school in the mornings. We've decided that the bus loading and unloading area is still the best place to drop her off in the mornings, it's closer to her class room out in the back 40.

On not so positive notes:
There were abortion pro life protestors outside of Manda's school today. I believe everyone has the right to an opinion, and I have my own thoughts and opinions on abortion. (see my earlier blog on abortion) However, do the protestors really believe that the students arriving at 7:15 am are really even paying attention to life around them? I don't think so. For the most part the kids are probably trying to figure out where they are going to park; where their friends are; if they have all the stuff they need; what is for lunch; and where the best party will be this weekend.

And, there was a MAJOR accident at Douglas and Santa Clara Drive this morning. I don't know what happened, but there were at least 3 cars (most of them SUV's) involved and none of them looked like they would ever be driven again. My thoughts and prayers are with all involved.

Happy Friday. Be safe, and take a moment to tell those that you love how much you appreciate them.

Perspective

After being married 25 years, a man looked at his wife one day and said, "You know, 25 years ago we lived in a cheap apartment, drove a cheap car, had only a sofa bed and watched a 14" black and white television. But, every night I got to sleep with a hot 25-year old blonde."

"Now," he continued, "We have a nice house, a new car, a big flat-screen TV, but I have to sleep with a 50-year-old woman. It doesn't seem fair."

His wife was a reasonable woman.

She replied, "Well, why don't you go out and get yourself a hot 25-year-old blonde? Then I'll make sure you will once again live in a cheap apartment, drive a cheap car, have only a sofa bed and watch a 14" black and white television."

The man rethought his priorities.

(with thanks to Deb for sharing!)

It's official!

Today is the first day of school! Manda is a sophomore this year. As I quickly took a couple of traditional first day of school photos, I was hit with the emotional thought / reminder that this is the last year she will need me to take drive her to her first day of school. Yea, that made me a little misty.

Manda wore an adorable pink and grey outfit with a pair of really cute black and white slip on, open toed shoes. She looked confident and happy to be going back for her second year as a Viking. (hmmm... might have something to do with a Nordstom's purchase we made last night.)
And she was pleased that I let her drive to school this morning. She was thrilled to hear her name called out by her friends as she got out of her car. Some of her friends didn't know she has her permit. (Although how they could not know is beyond me.)

This semester she'll have Algebra II, AP European History, Honors English and Spanish II. Sounds like a pretty full load if you ask me. She'll also add in to the mix "Mock Trial" and Teens for Humanity as well as being a member of the "A Teens." If this doesn't sound like quite enough of a load for a 15 year old, then factor in the 4 - 6 year old All Star dance class she TA's, 3 Technique classes, and 2 Tap classes. Yup..... her plate is pretty full.

I think Manda will have an amazing year. She is pleased with her class schedule, and is thrilled that she will be able to participate in the extra curricular activities that she only dabbled in last year.

Welcome back to OHS class of 2011! Go Vikings!

Ugh! I am so confused!

Once in awhile a situation lands in my lap that I am not certain what to do with. I have one of those right now. One part of me just wants the issue resolved; but one part of me is afraid.

If the situation is resolved the way I believe it would be, then I stand to lose a very special person in my life. Not by my choice, but because that person would more than likely be influenced by others to make the choice to walk away.

If the situation goes unexpectedly, well ~ then I can expect silence. That I can't live with.

I am so torn!

Inky Fingers

I absolutely love scrapbooking and rubber stamping! It is a passion that fills my heart with quality "me" time but does not distract away from the important "things" in life ~~ my family.

The time I spend crafting is usually time that I also get to share with my friends, and we share not only our passion for our craft, but our lives. We have this great little group of woman who have been sharing our lives for almost a decade now. We've celebrated weddings, births, divorces, mourned deaths and cherished every moment that we share.

From my inky fingers to my heart, I cherish the moments we share with Stampin UP!

To find a demonstrator in your area visit: http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/default.asp

Ugh! the SLIME just gets even more SLIME-y

there is a line in a popular song that is being played frequently (sorry, I do not know either the name of the artist, or the name of the song) but basically the line reads:

your not really sorry, you are only sorry you got caught .....

I have to put Edwads into that category. If you make a "mistake" you do not continue to repeat the mistake over several months. Nor do you pay off the mistake to make it go away.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20080815/Edwards.Affair/

Harley Davidson

Russell had always wanted a Harley. Personally, I could have lived with out him ever owning one, let alone riding one on a regular basis. Don't get me wrong, I fully believe my wonderful hubby deserves to have a toy or two, but I am was not convinced it needed to be a Harley. He does already own one very well keep older bike that he does not even ride.

About four years ago Russell went to Auburn Harley and picked out a bike. He negotiated with the salesman, and convinced the guy not to sell the thing over-night while he went home and talked me into signing the financial paperwork which would make those lovely monthly payments a joint responsibility. I have to give him credit, Russ was very creative how he went about it. He told me he wanted to take me on a date, stop and have lunch and go for a drive towards Grass Valley.

I thought he was being so romantic! To spend a day with my husband, just relaxing and enjoying each other's company sounded like Heaven. Until we arrived at Auburn Harley "just to look" and the sales man greeted my husband by name. Hmmmm.... 'kay folks, I was not born yesterday. Russell showed me this beautiful black and chrome machine, and even offered to take me for a ride. (yea, like that was going to change my mind!) We went for a lovely ride, but ~ alas, my will for him not to own a Harley was stronger than his desire. At the time.

A little more than two years ago, Russell came up with a much better "plan of attack" to secure his dream of owning a Harley. Instead of purchasing a new Harley, he would adopt one that had been previously used. It was about 6 months old, and had been well maintained. When he first told me about it, I refused to even go look at it. (Major purchases require both of our signatures and approval in our household.) But, then he kept sending me phone pictures of it, and I had to admit it was rather appealing.

After only 48 hours of begging and pleading, and trying to get me to accept this black Special Edition Soft Tail I agreed to go and see it. I have to admit, within seconds of seeing it in person, stroking its sleekness and hearing its motor run, I was as hooked as my hubby on the thing.

So, after filling out all the appropriate paperwork, and making sure we were well equipped for ownership, we took Russell's black, special edition, 6 month old Harley Davidson home. I have to say, it is one of the best purchases we have ever made. And, I love to be able to tell our family, friends and co-workers that I finally gave in and bought Russ his Harley.

We've had it for almost 3 years now, and I love this Harley more than I thought possible. In fact, Russ, Manda and I adore the beast. Here is a picture of Russell's pride and joy:

Oh yeah, I guess I failed to mention that Harley is a black cat! We adopted him from the Placer County SPCA after Russell fell in love with him and had to bring him home. This is the only Harley Russ will ever own. Isn't he adorable?

under the covers giggle...

Now, now! Get your mind out of the gutter. This is a public blog, and anyone could read what I am posting if they wanted to.

Last night it was still really warm out when we headed off to bed and in the interest of trying to conserve energy and make the dollar stretch farther, I have the thermostat set at 81*. For those of you who really know me, you know that is about 15 - 20* higher than I really prefer it to be in my house. I like to be cool, not cold ~ but cool. So, anyway, as I was saying it was a warm night. I folded all the covers back and just lightly covered up with the sheet. Russ of course did the same.

Around 3:30 this morning, I rolled over, and being slightly chilly grabbed a bit more of the sheet than I had been in possession of. I snuggled into the sheet and started to drift back off to slumber land. WHOOOM! The sheet was ripped off me!

Russ loudly complained, "You have all the sheet! I want my share back." Mind you of the king sized sheet, I had less than 1/4 of the entire thing. But, trying to be a kind and courteous wife of almost 18 years, I gave him what little sheet I had and reached for one of the other covers which had been at the foot of the bed last night.

Hmmm.... no covers at the foot of the bed. I cracked the blinds a teeny bit so I could actually see the bed. All the folded back covers had fallen off of the bed, and the one remaining sheet, well ...
Russ was wrapped in it like a pig in a blanket, with the unused edge trailing off the bed and onto the floor on his side.

I guess we know who the true sheet thief was ~ Russell!

Where did Monday go? Is it really Tuesday already? This day in history ... 8/12

Wow! This week already has me confused. Where did Monday go?

Today is Tuesday, August 12.

Eighteen years ago today there were 2 very important events going on in my life:

1) my niece Jessica Lillian Cook was born
2) Russ and I were planning our September 15 wedding.

It's so funny to think that Jessica Lillian actually determined the date of our wedding. We became officially engaged in July of 1990 and I really wanted to get married as close to my father's birthday in August as possible, but ~ we did not want to chance one of two things happening:

a) that Jessica would not be born until the day of our wedding which would have been quite the conundrum because Randy was giving me away, and Mom and I would have wanted to be with Randy and Traci at the hospital. I can just imaging the phone calls I would have been making:

"Russ and I won't be getting married today, I will be at the hospital excitedly awaiting the birth of my niece."

b) that Jessica would have been born too close to our wedding date for Traci to be comfortable with attending the wedding and having a 100 plus people wanting to cuddle and snuggle the newbaby.

So - we picked a date that was safe and in the middle of September.

I had so much fun picking out Jessica's dress for the wedding: it was this totally adorable pale, pale icy blue with white accents. Too totally sweet!

One of my favorite wedding pictures is the one of me snuggling my girl close for a pre-wedding cuddle. I should have thought to scan the picture and send it over.

So anyway ~~~~ today is Jessica's 18th birthday!!!!
Happy Birthday Jessica!

I hope your present reached you in time, and I hope you loved it as much as I loved making it.

Jessica is into photography, so I customized 3 wooden 4 x 6 frames for her using the most amazing pieces of handmade scrapbook paper, ribbon that matched a dance costume of Jessica's, photos of Jessica and Manda, an old roll of film and modge podge.

The frames took me several weeks to get all the layers to dry completely and allow each layer to be the focus.

Jessica also writes amazing poetry and blogs, and I thought that maybe she might be able to frame one of her smaller works of the heart.

Happy 18th Birthday Jessica!

John Edwards is SLIME!

By PETE YOST, Associated Press Writer 9 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards on Friday admitted to an extramarital affair while his wife was battling cancer. He denied fathering the woman's daughter. Edwards told ABC News that he lied repeatedly about the affair with 42-year-old Rielle Hunter but said that he didn't love her.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080808/ap_on_el_pr/edwards_affair

What, so because he did not love the woman he had an affair with, it's okay?

That is like saying "I didn't inhale"

Come on people! This is morally wrong, period.

The story is false," he told reporters. "It's completely untrue, ridiculous." He professed his love for his wife, Elizabeth, who had an incurable form of cancer, saying, "I've been in love with the same woman for 30-plus years and as anybody who's been around us knows, she's an extraordinary human being, warm, loving, beautiful, sexy and as good a person as I have ever known. So the story's just false."

I hope that Edwards' wife divorces him, citing adultery.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,403447,00.html

Yes, I allowed it!

Yes, I allowed it to happen.

I allowed Amanda change her decision and be released from her commitment to the Dance Company. I have to admit this was a very emotional decision for me. Manda has been dancing on a dance Company since she was 9. Company is an all encompassing dance which is taken to competitions and performances as a production number. These numbers are 7 - 9 minutes long, have great music, lots of costume changes, props and sets, and require lots of hard work and dedication on the part of the Company members, instructors and directors, parents and family.

Amanda's dance company experiences have been wonderful. With the exception of the year from HELL! And, all of the dances (except for Singing in the Rain) have been so much fun to watch evolve into a polished production that takes the stage by storm.

With the exception of the one year in Hell, Manda has always danced for Carrie and Lisa whom she loves. Don't get me wrong, she liked Apryl from Perpetual Motion, but Apryl was a great teacher and a wonderful dancer. As a business owner, she was off beat and out of step. If if had not be for the wonderful and exceptionally talented Erin Goodrich, we would have abandoned that sinking ship almost from the moment it sprung a leak. But I digress.

Amanda has enjoyed being a part of a wonderful team of talented dancers in:

Welcome to the Jungle
(Carrie On Dance Company, Carrie's Studio of Dance)

Singing in the Rain
(the year from HELL!)
(the Motion Dancers, Perpetual Motion)

Moulin Rouge
Wipe Out
High School Home Coming
On the Radio
(The Company Dance AllStars, Cast and Company Dance Alliance)

Manda will still be proudly dancing for Cast and Company Dance Alliance, and she will still be on the Elite Tap Company under the direction of Lisa Clement (who is one awesome choreographer!)


Amanda is not closing the door on re-joining for the Company in the future she is just taking a break, adjusting to becoming more involved as a Viking at OHS, and enjoying the extra curricular activities which are an important part of being a teen. She wants to participate actively with Mock Trial, Teens for Humanity and the Juvenile Court program of Placer County.

In the mean time, you'll still be able to hear the tapping of her happy feet!

Migraine Misery

Ugh! Yesterday was one of those days that I would not want to live again if given the chance.

I suffer from migraines. I get them in all degrees from minor to the very severe. Usually I can pinpoint what triggers them, but once in a while one sneaks up and kicks me.

Luckily for me, I had Manda with me at work yesterday afternoon. I had woken with a trace of the horrible beast of a migraine trying to work its way to the surface, but I thought I would be able to conquer it. I was wrong, and finally had to just give in, have Manda drive me home and ice me. No, not take me out. Just ice my neck and shoulders. It really does help. Then I took a sudafed and an Excedrin migraine and slept for about an hour. Life became do-able after that.

Do-able but not migraine free. I can still feel it behind my eye --- just enough to remind me who is in control (and it is not me at the moment) I think the weather is getting ready to change, and I have PMS which most certainly does not help. But - I don't really think this one is weather induced. I have a bit of a head cold - so between the pressure from the head cold and this danged migraine.... I feel like my head resembles a balloon and with a simple, sharp flick of a pin it could just POP!

Oh well, there are worse things in life to deal with.

Happy Thursday

911 not for making complaints

I saw this article and had to absolutely chuckle over how one person felt it was appropriate to use 911:

http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=8791080

Tuesday Tickle

Courtesy of Jenn, this was in my email this morning, waiting to make me laugh. It was a nice start to my day, so I thought I would share it with. Thanks Jenn!


Pregnancy, Estrogen, and Women

PREGNANCY Q & A
Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word 'alimony' means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

'ESTROGEN ISSUES'
10 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE 'ESTROGEN ISSUES'

1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem.
2. You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.
3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.
4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.
5. You’re using your cellular phone to dial up every bumper sticker that says: 'How's my driving-call 1- 800-'.
6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.
7. Everyone seems to have just landed here from 'outer space.'
8. You feel like its 110* out, when its snowing
9. You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.
10. The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.


TOP TEN THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND

10. Cats' facial expressions.
9. The need for the same style of shoes in different colors.
8. Why bean sprouts aren't just weeds.
7. Fat clothes.
6. Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.
5. The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell.
4. Cutting your hair to make it grow.
3. Eyelash curlers.
2. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.

AND, the Number One thing only women understand:

1.. OTHER WOMEN!

Share this with five bright, funny women you know and make their day.

WE ALL NEED A SMILE!

'Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'

Disneyland

Maybe I am becoming old and jaded, but what is it about Disneyland that entices families to make yearly trips there? Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a great trip to see the most famous mouse on the planet, but I do not have to go yearly.

Before Amanda was in the third grade and we were treated to a wonderful trip to Disneyland and California Adventure by Drew and Jill, I had not been to the theme park since I was a teen in high school. I went with my Rainbow assembly as part of Grand Assembly, and that trip while fun; was no where near as memorable as the trip that my family was gifted with.

Every moment of that trip was fun and filled with laughter and wonderful family moments that are a very special part of our memories. I took enough photos to fill an entire scrapbook. And I still love to look at each photo and remember each moment. That trip was everything a family trip is supposed to be ~ wonderful!

Since the trip that Russ, Manda and I completely enjoyed as a family, I have been back several times. Manda is a dancer, and these trips are part of a dance experience weekend. I consider the trip to be a "working" trip and not "fun." Not at all. It's hurry up and wait, and watch the kids perform and not at all about enjoyment.

Russ hates these trips: 6 hour drive to Anaheim, the cost of the hotels and food, the tickets to the park, the fluster and bluster of making sure Manda is ready to perform (hair and makeup perfect) standing in line, walking to and from the hotel, waiting for the daily schedule of events to take place, hurrying up to hurry up and wait.

It's that time of the year where we need to decide on the trip ~ to go or not.....

I say, NOT!

How sick and twisted!

How sick and twisted does one have to be to behead someone?

I read this filled with horror for all the innocent people involved. May the deceased rest in peace, may his family remember him with loving thoughts and find comfort and peace in his memories. I hope the other passengers and driver on the bus find comfort and seek professional help to recover from this horrific trauma.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/08/01/canada.beheading/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

It's Friday!

I have absolutely no clue where yesterday went. It seemed to arrive in a fog all of its own, then the day was "gone."

Today dawned bright with a fresh breeze whispering through the air. The sun is shiny and not too hot. It seems like it will be a beautiful day.

I've got two loads of laundry done already, and I was still at my desk before 8:30 am. It is the first of the month and a payroll day, so that will make the day fly by.

Hope everyone has a breezy, easy, happiness filled day!