Snippets of Life

Beginning a new chapter

2010-10-26T16:41:00.002-04:00

I have a feeling my life is about change; hopefully for the better. Granted I have seen it coming on the horizon but it's so close it's scary.
First, Patrick is knee deep in scholarship, academy and college applications. I am keeping my fingers crossed that something good comes through and that a waiver can be obtained for his ear. I keep looking at the cost of colleges, and wonder how parents are able to put their kids through college without ending up living out of their car.
Secondly, the Cincinnati airport (which happens to be in KY) is now open for lateral transfers, so yes, Mike submitted his paperwork. If it is approved he could be moving to Kentucky as soon as March.
I am excited to start building our house and moving myself but until things settle with Patrick and college, Mike and I will be living apart for a while.
I have a feeling if Mike moves then Ryan will follow soon after. He has always wanted to move and make a fresh start. Thank god he works for Target which is a great company that would allowing him to transfer his job and pay.

I hope to keep up with any developments as they happen.

New Journey

2009-04-20T11:53:00.003-04:00

I guess it was back in November when I realized I had to take better care of myself. Mainly weight wise. Was I big? Not really, but I knew I wasn't eating properly and I was tired and my clothes didn't seem to fit right.

So I secretively joined Weight Watcher. I had seen how well my mother did on the program. I told nobody, not even my hubby. The meetings were good and the program was someting I could dow ithout feeling deprived. After several weeks I did have some weight drop and I knew I could handle the change in my eating habits.

I finally told hubby after about 3 weeks of going to the meetings and he has been very supportive. So since Dec 1, 2008 until this post I am down 12 pounds. I feel great and I only have 4 more to go to hit my goal weight.

The photo below is of the WW momentum dude who hangs on my fridge to remind me to make good choices. Many of you have noticed a big difference and I can tell you I feel great and look forward to purging my closet and doing a little shopping.

Hey, if Aretha can....

2009-01-21T20:50:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year

2009-01-11T12:10:00.006-05:00

Once again I am going to try and post more often then I have in the past. Let's see how I do.

Happy New Year to everyone. We spent the evening with the neighbors AKA "The Funky Bunch". We went to dinner at Buca and ate a ton of food. We ended up at Marky Marks house to watch the ball drop. What a blast !!!!!! I hope everyone had a fun and safe New Year.

Graduation

2008-08-07T08:32:00.004-04:00

Graduation was held on June 11th at DAR COnstitution Hall in Washington DC. I can't believe that I graduated from the same venue 25 years earlier. I have to say I thought I was going to be more emotion at graduation. I did start to cry when they graduates started marching in and then again when Ryan's name was called. But for the most part the ceremony was long with over 400 names to read, several speeches and then the orchestra's playing. Ryan, congratulations. We love you and are so proud of you.

Tom's Run

2008-08-07T08:21:00.008-04:00

What a race.....Well not really a race. It's a 200 mile run from Cumberland Maryland to Rockville Maryland. The team runs 24 hours straight with each team member taking a different time. While someone was running another team member was biking along side. Both Mike and Ryan had a blast. I know Ryan's first 10 mile leg was at 3 in the morning and then again in the afternoo. Both Mike and ryan ran about 25 to 30 miles of the run plus ride the bike for aobut the same amount of miles. They are looking forward to next years run.

Memorial Day

2008-08-07T07:54:00.005-04:00

Patrick's cadet unit had the honor of marching in the Memorial Day Parade in Washington DC. It super hot outside and they had to wait around a while before it was their time to line up...but well worth it. Patrick is somewhere in the pack. But very impressed watching all of them march in sync.

Mom's wedding

2008-08-07T07:28:00.005-04:00

Mom and Richard got married on May 31st at a quaint little B&B. Congrats to the both of you.

My Senior

2008-03-05T18:37:00.003-05:00

It was so wonderful being able to design the senior page for the yearbook for Ryan. I still can't believe he is old enough to graduate and that he actually turned 18 on march 2nd. (click image to view larger)

Pimped my Cart

2008-02-14T16:40:00.006-05:00

This is the scrapbook case my hubby gave me for Christmas. I am headed this weekend to my first scrap/spa getaway. I can't wait. Since everyones case is going to look the same I decided to pimp mine up...at least a little.
I even designed the name card for the front. I will post pixs from the weekend when I return

Blue Angels and Cadets

2008-01-26T12:19:00.000-05:00

Patrick is the one sticking out of the engine giving the thumbs up.

P.O.L.A

2008-01-24T15:21:00.001-05:00

Petty Officer Leadership Academy. Our 14 year old son left the day after Christmas and reported to the Naval Academy for training. Patrick stayed on the boat below for the duration of his stay. The other photos are from the last day which was basically an informal graduation ceremony. Now all he has to do is take the Petty Officer test to receive his next rank in the Naval Sea Cadets

We are going fake...

2007-12-29T14:43:00.000-05:00

It had been a great tree when we first got it. However, it sucked up water like a sponge that I was filling up the base several times a day. Within a week when you passed by the tree you could hear the neeedles dropping. Christmas morning there were tons of needles all over all the packages. Christmas night the tree seemed to have a huge sign hovering over it that flashed "fire hazard, fire hazard". We ended up taking it down that night and just with the routine of taking off the ornaments the tree was bare and just a huge trunk of naked branches.
So, next year we are going fake...baby !!!! Just need to figure out where we are going to store it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

2007-12-24T13:26:00.000-05:00

Friends, Food and Fun

2007-12-24T13:15:00.001-05:00

It was a blast the other night. We all got together for an evening of food and drinks. It had been along time since our last outing. Aftwards several of us walked up to Target to get some of those last remaining gifts. Hey Kimberly, we are going to miss you once you move. But you will have to come back up every now and again for our dinners. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas !!!

Gimme Land lots a Land....

2007-09-20T12:12:00.000-04:00

We did it...We bought 5 acres in beautiful Kentucky...near Lexington to be more exact but even closer to Georgetown Ky..home of the Toyota plant. My friend Jason is still shocked that we have moved to his home town. (Cynthiana) It has beautiful rolling hills and farms on both sides of the property...one even has a cute red barn. I am excited to build a great house, however, Mike can't technically retire for 6 years.... but we are probably looking at more then 8 before we can build and move. He hopes that maybe he can then relocate to the Cinci Ohio airport (only an hour drive) The folowing are the photos the realtor took....In the last photo our property is under the big white 1 in the word Phase 1.

Shhhhh....

2007-09-02T15:36:00.000-04:00

Jason doesn't want anyone to know that it will be his birthday on Sept 6th.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's Start Over

2007-09-02T15:35:00.001-04:00

I am not making any promises....I am going to TRY and attempt to post more often.

Myspace

2007-01-26T07:07:00.000-05:00

My head is head high...even though my children, or should I say teenage boys are laughing at me.

I have a myspace!!!!! No, it isn't for the purpose of spying on my kids. They know that I check their myspace accounts from time to time. It is strickly for me and my friends who have accounts. Most of the friends on "my" myspace are Phi MU related. We talk so much via email we have found that myspace give us a chance to show photos and information about each of us.

Please feel free to check it out. www.myspace.com/lionhugs1852

New Toy

2006-12-06T16:51:00.000-05:00

Well, I hope to turn a new leaf and actually get myself in shape. First let me say when it comes to working out I very very lazy. Yes, I did belong to a gym and I found more excuses not to go. Plus I hate to sweat.

However, this weekend our new treadmill was delivered. It was more then I ever thougt a person should spend on one..but I do have to admit it is a great machine.

I actually have done power walking on it already and yes, I sweat my ass off too. Iam able to walk when nobody is around. I can watch TV, read, listen to Ipod etc... and just keep walking.

I do have a goal.... so we will see how it goes. I will try and post a photo of the machine t some point.

Wish me luck !!!

Forgive me....

2006-10-13T06:32:00.000-04:00

I have been a terrible blogger lately. (hand on my heart)
I pledge to....try my best to at least blog once if not twice a week. There have been any things going on that are worth a good post but many other things seem to get in the way of posting a small snippet about them.

Don't give up...check back every so often

Are you kidding me???

2006-08-19T09:33:00.000-04:00

Yes, I am ONLY counting down the day left till school starts...Then someone sends me this link

Christmas Countdown -

The Countdown Begins

2006-08-19T09:19:00.000-04:00

At least the countdown begins on my part...the days left till school begins again. My kids on the other hand claim they aren't ready to go back, but I know deep down they are looking forward to a new school year.

Now the process begins of cleaning and storing pool towels, beach chairs and shaking out sand from various items. However, sand is very much like christmas tree needles. You think you have cleaned it all up but several months later a clump will show up out of now where.

Water guns and water balloons are now being replaced with new notebooks, pencils and pens.

10 more days...But who's counting

MIA

2006-08-04T08:31:00.000-04:00

I am sending out and A.P.B. for my friend Jason.....

Description...

Tall, dark hair, good looking. Slight southern drawl. Loves the color red....

Jason, if you are reading this please check in before the volunteers start to gather to tack up missing posters.

Where are you!!!!!

Let the Sunshine

2006-06-28T16:27:00.000-04:00

Well it is about time...It is finally sunny today. The last few days have been awful. Pouring rain doesn't even describe the amount of rain we have had for the past few days.
It has been down right miserable. What have we done to make the weather God's so mad???

Our backyard turned into a small pond and the street a fast moving river.

Rain even caused the government to call liberal leave. You only hear that on snow days. Also, MSNBC has even been paying close attention toay to a dam at Lake Needwood that is being pushed to the limit and on the verge of being breeched.

I am just so thankful that the weather is back to normal. HHH Hazy, Hot and Humid...

Granted, I could do with out the humid...makes for bad hair days.

Here we go again

2006-06-14T22:25:00.000-04:00

Yes...we are once again debating breast feeding vs. bottle feeding.
It is just as bad as when we debate working moms vs. stay at home moms.
People, get over it already. There is no winner on either side. Why can't we just agree to disagree.
Oh yes, you shove statistics, bargraphs, and test groups in our faces to try and prove your point. But come on... how many women out there change their entire routine and lifestyle because of a govenment report aired on the 6'oclock news.

I believe the only ones who are brainwashed into believing all this hogwash is the newly pregnant first time mom who is paranoid over every detail of raising a healthy happy perfect child.

But all us moms with more then 1 child know that all the planning and safeguarding is tossed out the window once you have your second.

1 Ringy Dingy

2006-06-13T18:16:00.000-04:00

I am happy to say that after a week we finally have a working land line again. I did have the home calls forwarded to my cell phone....or at least I had thought so. People would either get a recording saying there was trouble on the line or just constant ringing. Well, after calling Verizon 3 days in a row, they finally got it right. Not that I received many calls from the land line.

Verizon also gave us one of those appointment windows....where you are assured they would show up early if you took a few seconds to run a short errand, or if you were good and waited the entire time, they would show up 2 secs. before the appointment time is suppose to end.
I am please to say my window was from 8-12 and they arrived about 9:15 and had it all up and running in about an hour.

And to prove it is working fine the first call I got was a telemarketer...Figures.

Behind the Wheel

2006-06-03T20:54:00.000-04:00

It finally happened.....Ryan drove for the first time today.

Ryan has been 16 for 3 month, but hasn't really had the desire to drive. We decided today to take him to the parking lot of his highschool and get him behind the wheel.
He went with Mike this morning and then I took him again in the evening.
I have to admit I was calmer then I thought I would be...I didn't have that white knuckle death grip on the door handle and I didn't feel the need to push the imaginary brake on the floor. (Even though we all know it helps the driver slow the car down)

I was very impressed with his driving ability the first time out. We figure we will take him every so often before he heads to drivers ed at the end of summer. Plus, he needs to spend time going over the drivers manual before he can take the test for his learners permit.

Notice the hand at the 10-2 position and eyes on the road....(small beads of sweat are on the brow.)

Written in Stone

2006-06-01T08:37:00.000-04:00

Of course where there is a little wet cement, who can resist the urge to write in it. So, when the cement had cured for a few hours I went out and carved in each of our initials... plus the year.

Driveway Pics

2006-06-01T08:25:00.000-04:00

One photo is what the city is doing to all the bottoms of our driveways on the street. The other photo is the cement truck pulling in to my driveway to lay the new cement.

Many questions from neighbors as to why did Igot a new drive....I have my story and I am sticking to it. Oh, like I am going to tell them I was able to get a new driveway for $500.00.....I think not.

My Driveway

2006-05-31T14:59:00.000-04:00

On my street they are ripping up the end of everyone's driveway and sidewalks..Yes, they started jack hammering yesterday and this morning starting at 7 AM. So, today they start mine. Now mind you my drive is cracked in the middle and sinking in one part. Hubby and I got an estimate about a year ago to have it replaced...WOW over $3000. Nope, thank you very much we will watch it sink till it swallows the truck.

So, I look today and think the crack has gotten bigger due to the jack hammer. So I call the city people..They come out and tell me NO WAY...(Hey it doesn't hurt to try).
The city guy was talking to the forman and they were telling me that the bottom part is going to be uneven when the new end part is put in and I will have a drainage problem....I was like heck no....You need to put it in so there is no problem....we go back and forth. The city guy tells me to ask these guy to give me a quote to replace the entire drive today. I look at him like he has 2 heads and told him hubby was out of the counrty so that isn't an option.
The 2 men start talking back and forth. Well, for $500 they are replacing the drive and the city is covering the rest...WHOOO HOOO.!!!! I figure I had them with the drainage problem.

I am watching them work on it now and taking photos that I will post later. I missed them ripping up the drive due to an errand I had to run. But it was cool to come home and see the progress.

I am doing my happy jig over the savings!!!!!!!!!!

So, you are thinking.... was the crack really bigger???? I'm not telling.

That time of Year

2006-05-29T19:31:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year again....The countdown to the days left of school. No more pencils no more books no more teacher's dirty looks!!!
When wet beach towels are hanging over the deck railing to dry. When you go into the kids bathroom and pick up the wet bathing suits from the floor. Remind your kids everytime that they need to hang up their suit so it doesn't mildew. Flip flops are kicked off in various areas of the hall. Water guns and pieces of water balloon can be found scattered along the yard.
Yep, it's that time of year again...it's summer and the pool is open...YEAH!!!!

Thursday Thirteen

2006-05-18T15:29:00.000-04:00

13 favorite song on my IPOD...

1. These are the Days, 10,000 maniacs

2. Linger, Cranberries

3. You're Beautiful, James Blunt

4. Get to Me, Train

5. Collide, Howie Day

6. Proud, M People

7. Better Days, Goo Goo Dolls

8. Bless the Broken Road, Rascal Flatts

9. Amazed, Lonestar

10. Photograph, Nickleback

11. You'll Think of Me, Keith Urban

12. If You Leave, OMD..Pretty in Pink

13. Sunday Mornings, Maroon 5

Something to Ponder

2006-05-18T15:20:00.000-04:00

Why is it when you are driving down the highway or really any road....there is that one shoe in the middle of the road or on the side. First of all, how did it get there? Why isn't there ever a pair of shoes?
If I am a passenger I sometimes can hang a foot out the window but never with a shoe on that could pop off.

Okay, so maybe the person stops on the side of the road and the shoe falls out the door when they open it.

If I am in a long car ride I usually do take off my shoes...but I will make a point see that both shoes are on the floor of the car if I have to stop that requires opening the door...

Well enough of my mindless rambling....

Want to play dress up...

2006-05-11T22:18:00.000-04:00

Does anyone want to help me dress up this blog???
I want to have a funky headline...new fonts and all that fun stuff that make everyones blog individual.
I am very intimidated with HTML.
So, if you know a site or book or willing to email back and forth to my hundresds of questions please let me know.

Thursday Thirteen

2006-05-11T20:38:00.000-04:00

Thirteen things I have thought about using for my 1st Thursday Thirteen list...

1. My family
2. Mothers Day
3. Kids
4. "Sisterhood"
5. Pet Peeves
6. Blogging
7. Photography
8. Things I want to do
9. Books
10. ebay
11. Daily routine
12. TV
13. Random words

Maybe I will pick one from the list to use for the next few Thursday's. Stay tuned.

In the PINK

2006-05-10T20:28:00.000-04:00

Yes, I must confess I got my new cell phone today and it is PINK.
You can laugh all you want but I like it. I might even go as far as downloading a fun ringtone.

WHY???

2006-05-09T20:45:00.000-04:00

No, David Blaine I didn't watch you try and hold your breath for some stupid reason but to get your name in a record book...Oh, and to have millions of people watching like it is just soooo amazing. I think it might be all the brain cells you have previously killed off from being buries alive, frozen in ice, standing on some pole for god only knows how long. You call yourself a magician and thats all find and dandy but these stunts don't say magician in my book.

Show me something truly amazing and I might change my mind. But I am not holding my breath...hahahaha

Blank Check

2006-05-08T17:18:00.000-04:00

Do you have a tree that grows money??? I have a feeling that most kids believe that their parents do.
I was taking baseball team photos yesterday. Each kid had a form and money all ready in their hot little hand. I would open each form to see if the child was getting the individual photo. You know the one...stand at the base and pretend you are ready to swing the bat....
One kid hands me the form and a signed blank check.

"Hey sweetie. Do you know which package your mom wants?" I said.

"No, but this is the one I want." (he points to the most expensive one on the list...cha ching !!!)

"Well, what does your mom usually get? The kid points to the basic package most purchase.

"Lets do this. I will take your photo and write out the check for this basic package. If your mom says yes to the other package, all she has to do is call the number on the form."

I am not holding my breath waiting for the phone to ring. There is just something about a 9 year old and a blank check floating around in their bag that boggles the mind.

Can you say shopping spree!!!

Pod Child

2006-05-07T11:22:00.000-04:00

My youngest must be part POD Child. I know from what I've just witnessed that he can't be mine.
Saturday mornings the kids are suppose to bring their laundry down and try to at least get the stuff into the dark and light piles. But when you have boys they seem to just dump the lot. Well, I was down in the laundry room when Patrick was sorting his clothing. Patrick is 13. I was watching him and noticed that he looked at each item and if it was inside out he would swtich it and also unroll each sock that was in a ball.
I asked him..."Did dad ask you to do your clothes like that?"
Nope, I just do it...because the dirt is on the outside and I want to make sure all the dirt comes off.
"Okay" I said.
I walk out of the room with the thought...Nope he can't be mine...but then he looks so much like me I guess he is.... Truly amazing. Still shaking my head at the disbelief.