I'm IT

Tag, You're It!
I have been tagged by Sunflower Hill!



I'm sure there are many more than six but here are six Quarkey Things about ME - thanks to Sunflower Hill for the meme.

1.) I love to make up conversations for babies and pets - based on their facial expressions.

2.) I can not use a computer and utilize that finger pad mouse. I have to have the hand grabbing one.

3.) I very rarely buy store bought baked goods. If we are going to eat them...I'll make them myself.

4.) I love reality TV shows. I watch A LOT of them.

5.) I hate voicemail. Leaving it and getting it. Most times, I just call the person back without listening.

6) I might not wear make up all the time, but always wear lipstick.



Here are the rules:1.) Post the rules on your blog...2.) Write 6 random things about yourself...3.) Tag 6 people...4.) Please pass it along for fun!Okay, so I tag...1. Worn out Woman 2. NYC Mom 3. Sleepless in Wisconsin 4. Communique by Ivanhoe 5. Vica Voice 6. YOU!

FREE Night at the Theater

For those of you that know me well, FREE is my middle name. In other words, if it is FREE, I'm there!

So I want to share with you a little secret I have. Tickets go on sale FOR FREE OCTOBER 1st across the country. 100 theaters across the country open their doors and offer tickets to their plays!

Check it out at http://www.freenightoftheater.net/ I sure hope it is in your area.

We went last year and enjoyed The Quilt Maker.

Nancy Drew

I've come to the conclusion, the best movies for me are usually a PG or PG-13 movie rating. Last night, I watched Nancy Drew, another good trailer is here. I will not give you the imb link because it gives the whole story away.

This movie is action packed and makes you wonder "who did it". It also made me feel like running out and solving a mystery. If you loved the books growing up, you should definately see this movie. I sure hope they make another one! Bravo!

Photo Hunt Theme #129

is View. This is the view from our hotel room last February at the Kalahari Waterpark. (don't you just love the music?) Good thing they have the largest indoor water park.

You can't take the City out of the Girl

Tonight I drove 4 of the Boy Scouts to Camp Erin for their Camporee outing. Almost 50 scouts are attending this fabulous event. On our way out, we saw three of these and we road along side one of these. Now in my neck of the woods, we only drive city limits, 25-30 mph tops. You usually stop and let them cross, as they can do a lot of damage to your car. One of my passengers was a life scout, since we were on a two lane highway, he told me to step on it, and I did. It passed behind us.. (whew)

Part of my responsibility was to drive INTO the campsite. I followed the scout master, almost hitting a tree on a sharp turn. We had a bit of a wait to figure out camp assignments and the boys started to unload and set up camp. It was fun to watch, and I could kick myself for not bringing my camera.

It got dark really fast and I asked my passengers to unload their items so I could leave. Well, I got lost. That's right = no GPS and NO cell phone service. I couldn't even call for help if I wanted to. So after 1/2 an hour of wandering around gravel road and almost finding myself in a pond and camp sites 18 & 19, I FINALLY hit pavement. The best part of that adventure was seeing one of these hopping along the road. I knew the pavement would take me to the parking lot. As I'm driving around, I saw the volleyball court and the parking lot, but could not find a way TO GET TO IT! I almost drove across it, but my poor baby - well, I just couldn't risk hurting her any more.

After skidding to a stop - I almost ended up on gravel road again. A quick reverse and I FINALLY hit the parking lot. I just wanted to kiss the ground. So much for it looking like fun to camp out.

20 minutes later, I was back to civilization and cell phone service. My husband had a campfire waiting in our back yard, when I got home, and we sat outside and chatted for a bit!

Next year, I'm asking for a map AND bringing my camera or maybe I should have them hike in?

Now back to my cherry Koolaid and Vodka. I say that, backwards as I can barely taste the koolaid!

Nature

One thing I love about where we live is that I am still so close to nature - even though I am still in the city.

Last week, there was a deer on my block. Yesterday, my dog flushed out a rabbit from my garden and then he and the cat double teamed it and were stalking together. (no rabbit was hurt in that situation)

Today, I was standing on my back deck and a little squirrel came around the side of my house. He stood up with a nut in his mouth and stared at me. Made my morning.

We regularly see coyotes, raccoons, foxes, possums, hawks, wood peckers, even cute red squirrels and chip monks.

How close are you to nature? Who lives in your neighborhood?

Note to Homeroom Teacher

I bet you in a million years this teacher will never get an email like this from another parent during his career.

Hi Mr. Homeroom Teacher,

I hope you are having an enjoyable weekend with your new baby girl! A million congrats to you and your wife!

I just wanted to inform you on The Scouts's trip to the ER this weekend. He is doing well and no serious injuries did occur, but he - mean we, had an eventful day nonetheless. The Scout is go kart racing, as you know. Saturday is practice and Sunday is race day. During practice time, everyone is on the track. Everyone, meaning all classes and different kart styles/speeds and ages. The Scout was in a group of 5 - many older kids and they were all being respectful and obeying the rules. The group of five was coming into a turn. Robert has an X on the back of his kart (see photo. That means no one is allowed to pass him on a turn, only on a straight away. A 6th driver came up, he was driving not so respectful most of the day. He tried to pass everyone (all 5) on the turn. His kart hit the grass and he spun into The Scout. Once he hit The Scout, he straightened out and quite frankly, left the track. He must of been from another kart club, because no one has a record of his car and two of the Board Members, that witnessed the accident, didn't know this kid either. Anyhow, The Scout ejected from the Kart (a very rare occurance to eject) and hit some of the bean bag cushions.

He got up and tried to take off his helmet. At that point, all the EMT's went running and were yelling at him not to do that, had him get back down and started to assess him. This club, has very strict and caring emergency procedures. 911 was called, an ambulance appeared, and Robert got his first ride in an ambulance, strapped to a flat board and put in a neck brace. Quite honestly, it is standard procedure. He was checked out in the ER, X-Ray ed and released.

He will be out of gym class for a week. We will see how he is on Monday - but right now he is taking 650 MG of Tylenol, every four to six hours. His shoulder is probably going to be bruised and we had to ice it and he has a sling. His right thigh is probably going to be pretty bruised as well. Over all, he is happy, confident and ready to race again. His last words to my husband, as the shut the ambulance door is "Don't Call Mom". I thought that was kinda funny. I just thought I would offer an explanation to you - in case you had a little trouble following the story in class. I've also told him not to mention the Hit and Run portion of the story and just to say someone hit him - which is obviously true. I'm sure he will be eating up all the attention Monday. I'm sure he will be a little stiff and sore too.

The Scouts Mom

Wew, what a scare and I walked to my car at the mall, got on the freeway and drove 40 miles in all of 45 minutes. Move over people, Mother Bear was on her way!

Photo Hunt #128 is......

ROAD .... as in neglected ROAD. Those pot holes took 4 months to get filled. and that icy road.. never - sat like that for 3 weeks, even after numerous calls from neighbors to our Village. OH, and the newspaper boxes... two plus years! Believe it or not, our tax range is $4,000 - $56,000 per house. This is no slummy neighborhood - but the way they respond to repairs around here, you would think they would.

Silent Wars

There are some things that my husband and I argue about regularly; BUT we never say anything.

For instance, we constantly fight about the heat or the a/c levels. I always get the "last word" in, as I am a night owl and always put the heat down or a/c up after he goes to bed. We never say a word about the topic, we just play around with the buttons on each other.

Another thing are lights. He leaves them on and I am always turning them off. Especially the downstairs hall light when he is in the family room. He gets the last word in, by turning the light on from the downstairs and leaving it on AND going to bed.

Our other big arguments consist of election signs. I am now only allowed one. I am a BIG follower of politics - especially local politics. Last presidential election, I had four (4) signs in our yard, OK maybe 5. I really pushed my husband over the edge one day - adding a 6th sign. He came home from work and found another sign on how to find local sex offenders in your community. Needless to say, it went on the parkway and I was told I was allowed only one sign per election. I win, by sticking them on my neighbors yard. She lets me.

September 9th, we had a primary for State Assembly. My candidate won; however, she still has to win the November election against the other party. I left her sign up in the yard, and this weekend my husband took it out of the yard and put it on the parkway for garbage pick up. I guess I won, 'cause the garbage men didn't pick it up and I stuck it in the front yard again. Last night, he came home and stuck it on the parkway again, and told me that he should be paid $15 per day, per sign for advertising. Those are the only words spoken on the topic, since those four years ago. So I guess I lost that one.

Do you have any silent wars with your significant others?

Wordless Wednesday

FIRE, FIRE

A lot of the interesting things we do, are with the scouts.
Can you imagine the horror if this was a real fire?
5 minutes after the fire started, the flames were put out. This was "faster" than if they had actually been called to the fire. Response time would have been an additional two minutes.
This demo showed how good sprinkler systems work.

Practice makes perfect.
Do you know what to do?
More photos from Saturday's event here.
See what we did and consider joining scouting. Life skills are invaluable lessons for parents and boys to learn.

The Mother of all Excuses

Yesterday I vacuumed, and when I went to my son's room there are clothes on the floor. You know what that means right? HE has to vacuum. So I told him to do it while I was at Parent Night at school.

SOOO I come home and find the vacuum in the exact same spot I left it.

When I asked this morning, why it wasn't done. Ya wanta know what I was told? I was having quality time with dad and we were bonding. (Words out of my very own mouth) YIKES!

Does he know how to play them or what?

The White Envelope

If your child goes to school with my son, you may receive a "White Envelope" from me. I send it in the mail, and I just sent out my fourth - 1st of this year. I wish I would have started this sooner. It always seems the behaviour stops after I send one. I will be keeping a copy for my files for future reference and it might go something just like this.

Dear Parent,

I hope your summer went well. I know ours sure did. Being out of our elementary school is sure a blessing and we were ready to move on from some of the behaviours we encountered.

That being said, today in gym class they had to change clothes and what I'm hearing is your child was making fun of My Scout wearing "speedos". I would like to clarify that he had a brief on - Sonoma brand and he wears boxer briefs as well. NOT that my scouts underwear is any concern to your child. I am also curious as to why this is even necessary at the middle school level. I know you will address this immediately, as if this would continue on a regular basis, it may classify as sexual harassment.

In addition, your child is back to making rap songs about my scout - stating he is weird and retarded. I know you will address this immediately.

In closing, I've enclosed a copy of the district Harassment Policy 411.2/511.1. It may not be followed at our elementary school, but I expect it to be followed at our middle school. Parent, we have been off to a great start here at the middle school and I will see to it, that it will continue. I know you will do your best to see it does too. This behaviour is totally inappropriate.

Warm regards,

my name
date
time

cc: personal file and assistant principal
enclosure - Harassment policy.

NO, you do not want to get a white envelope from me - not this year. READY, AIM, FIRE.
______________________________

Prohibited harassment may include, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Verbal harassment, including epithets, kidding, derogatory comments, slurs or ethnic jokes;
2. Physical harassment, including patting, pinching, or intentional brushing against another's body;
3. Physical interference with movement, activities or work;
4. Visual harassment, including derogatory cartoons, drawings or posters; and
5. Demands for sexual favors, whether or not accompanied by implied or overt promises of preferential treatment or threats.

Gone, but not forgotton - I just don't want to relive

I'll never forget that day. I was driving to daycare and could tell from the radio something wasn't right. I returned home and turned on the TV. Moments later, the 2nd tower was hit. I called my husband and I remember saying through tears, "HOW DARE SOMEONE DO THAT TO US". I spent most of the day crying, probably mourning. I was in absolute shock and didn't know what to do. I remember thinking, what if I had done XYX on that day - I could be trapped or dead - if I still lived there. How would I get in contact with my family while walking home? My baby would have been so far away from me (I lived in the suburbs)

Since that time, I have flown once. ONCE in 7 years and I have no desire to do it again. Me the jet setter, who flew every month or more while pregnant.

I'll never forget the silence the days after. I will never forget. I've never been the same since, and can only imagine the people that live in New York or lost loved ones - no we will never forget. But I don't want to relive. It is so hard, so sad and to much. I shut off the radio on the way to school this morning and came home and walked the dog and the TV is still going - almost an hour later.

And while we are reliving, I hope each and everyone of you remembers the soldiers that have died, fighting for a country they do not even know.

Many more have died.

Wordless Wednesday

Little Scout is last - yellow helmet. First heat - spun out, 2nd heat - crashed, Third heat - almost got sick; didn't race (has a cold and home two days from school now).

Always next time.

Ruby Tuesday

Never leave without your camera

or you'll never get the opportunity for a great shot!

Photo Hunt

This week's photo hunt theme is strings..... Mine is "Silly String"

WACKY AND WILD Wordless WEDNESDAY - NOT

Wow, a whole week since I've posted a blog... I'm exhausted to be honest with you. I've been sick since last Thursday with a bad cold and haven't slept much all weekend because of it. We still managed to have a party on Sunday and do the traditional doggie dip on Monday. Monday, we met my dad's ship - he was off for a whole week on the Dennis Sullivan. It was action packed for sure and this week was the first week of school. Guess what - I forgot AGAIN to take a photo. (sigh) well I hope you enjoy the others.