Tracy Party of 4

Exhale...

2011-07-18T16:23:00.001-04:00

Paddy and I have been pulling this little vacation together for two years.

We will be leaving for Ireland this Friday. We are "winging" it. I have purchased two travel guide book. Risk Steve's 2011 Ireland, the traveler's BIBLE and then for cross referencing I grabbed a Fodor's guide as well.

We will land in Dublin on the 23rd at 0800 and grab our car. I will be driving on the wrong side of the road for 9 days. Some how I don't think this will be too difficult for me. Paddy in the better navigator, the Army has given the good doctor some very useful skills. We purchased a GPS card of navigation in Ireland for the times we just are too tired to look at the map.

Once we have left the airport will plan to hit a Boots for necessities I'm not pack to save weight in baggage.

Then we are off.

POSSIBLY to the Book of Kells and a tour of Trinity

PERHAPS a pint at the Guinness Brewery.

A time to sit in wonderment at New Grange.

This is just our time, so we are going to take the long way around Ireland.

Spend the day and night in the Aran Island on bikes.

And just be Irish.

More to come....

Minniesota Fams!

2011-07-18T15:21:00.001-04:00

We recently spent a long weekend with our Tracy Clan.

Katie, Ryan and Jaelyn traveled from NC for the festivities and it was great to see them all again.

We hope to be traveling for a special occasion soon to NC.

Ding DONG...do I hear wedding bells?

Ryan and Jaelyn have had a great year of Father daughter bonding and Ryan has really excelled at fatherhood! Jae is such a great girl. She's that same little curly-hair angel she has always been with a touch of sassy like she should be. We love you Jae. He's to a great year with Dad!!!! Keep up the great work Ya-ya!!!!

Emily & Jaelyn being silly. All weekend Emily was reminding Jaelyn that she was 6 SIX!!!!!!! months older. I wonder who she'll feel about that when she's 29? These two birdies are always so much fun to hang out with. They are really super chicks and did a fabulous job taking care of the youngers. They just doted on Shannon and Erin and Kiki. I never had to get anyone ready for bed or remind anyone to brush their teeth. These little Ladies did it ALL!!! The younger cousins really enjoyed their big cousin time...

Time and Kim have such a great family. I truly enjoyed all they offered to us while we were in their charge. Tim has grown up to be such a great Dad and husband. I am so proud of him, he has accomplished his goals so nicely and Kim has been a great support to him to make it happen. Matthew, Emily and Kira( Kiki) are such wonderful children. This is a family that adores each other and has such love and commitment for one another. THEY ARE AWESOME!!!!!!

( R-L) Matthew( 13), Jaelyn(11), Ashlynn(7 front) Emily(111/2), Jacob(9), Kiki(6), Erin & Shannon(6)

The Tracy Boys

Patrick, Mike, Ryan & Tim

The Patrick Tracy family

The Mike Tracy Family

Pam, Ashlynn, Jacob and Mike

Pretty little Ashlynn, she is so sweet!

Some goofy squirrly girlies

And the "olders" These three have a long history of kinship and they never miss a beat when they are together no matter the time that has passed. The next generation is growing into fine young lads and lassies and we are so proud of this great group of kids.

We so enjoyed our visit and hope to make them happen more often. Family is the best gift you can receive Treasure and cherish it!!!!!!!

Can You Stand It?

2011-06-17T21:14:00.000-04:00

My friendy Lain Harvey did THIS!!!!!!!

She is a natural talent and wanted to add the girlies to her portolio and test out her new soft box.

These BEAUTIFUL timeless portraits are the results!

So here's a little update on these squirrly-girlies.

MY how they have grown!!!!

Across the miles

2011-06-17T16:57:00.000-04:00

Great friends!

Army Wives!

There is nothing to compare making friends in the Army too. You hurry up and unpack your life from boxes to hurry up and live in a house before you have to hurry up and do it all over again in a year or two.

BUT....

You make friends with people for life. Army wives are a rare breed of ladies, it's not a lifestyle we choose. We don't marry a solider, we marry a soul mate who happens to be a solider. We make friends and leave them just as fast as we met them sometimes.

These two ladies in the picture with me are my friends. I don't know their history or their origins. I know their children, their worries, and strife. I know their successes and happiness and wonderment. I know that if I needed help they are the first I would go to. I know Lain drinks tea not coffee and loves wine. I know Melissa doesn't drink wine but will hang out with Lain and I and drink tea while we drink wine! Lain and I have been the rattle snake wrestlers of the house and the wildlife conservationists and Melissa will pass on that role.

We are all Mom's, we worry about Dad's being gone and fatigued about a stressful job in the Army. We celebrate birthdays with homemade card and cookies. When bake and deliver goodies to each other and check on one another after a big storm.

We look after each other.

This week Lain and Jon PCS'd to Ft Leavenworth KS. It's excited for Jon to progress in his role and I know he will be SMASHING BRILLIANT!!!!

BUT....

I lost Lain and Fox, part of my little 1320 Upton Rd family.

I remember when Fox couldn't walk and did he tripod crawl. He was the cutest gnome I have ever seen for Halloween! And he loved to snuggle his Sal! And teaching all the Army Brat in the house to stand in reverence at Retreat. Right hand over your heart ...salute the cannons! I will miss looking for Shannon and Erin and knowing they have snuck off to Miss Lain's house, or maybe they were captures by the Pirate Jon the Dread in the hallway!

Jon's 5AM cannon wake up calls!

Makeit,bakeit,sewit,growit!

Taking care of Jolly cat and finding her in her many hideouts in the house down stairs. And always forgetting to get the mail! At least Jolly didn't starve!!!!

It's been a wonderful year on Upton RD. Melissa and I will continue to live in the Army wife spirit and Lain you will always be with us. We have texting and phone calls and FB. I miss you!!!!! FLENDY!!!! Farararara ra ra ra ra!!!!

It's been an absolute pleasure to be your neighbor and to be your friend sweet lady!

Melissa!!! I'm happy we have sometime to kill together.

The drums will be off at 2000!

Simplify

2010-05-02T15:12:00.003-04:00

I love this web-site!!!!

My buddy Katie; a busy mom like me, introduced this site to me about a year ago. And it has changed my shopping and meal prep FOREVER!!!!!

For 15$$, every 90 days you get a menu for a weeks( printed weekly) worth of meals and your grocery list. There are many choices.

Meal plans for low fat, or low carb or "points" systems. Plans for family or just 2 ppl.

You may choose general grocery store, Wally- World etc.

Each recipe is very simple, Paddy is fabulous at making meals.

BEST PART!!!!!!!.....?

Print, Shop, Save money and eat yummy dindins with little to NO THOUGHT!!!!

Check it out!!!!!!!!!!!

e-MEALZ.COM

And remember....let me know what you think!!!!

Time Flies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-04-17T03:52:00.003-04:00

This really nice looking guy came home, safe and sound, with all his limbs, and faculties.

He was 2 weeks early. Imagine our surpise!!!!!

These two will not stop growing!!!!!!!!!

More to come...

Summer Fun on Lake Sneed

2009-07-17T12:42:00.003-04:00

Fun was had by ALL!!!!

Lake Tom Sneed

CPT Paddy of the USS Galway Girl

Formerly known as Stephenotis

Bathing Beauty

Sunshine Shannon

I have been a horrible blogger this summer. But with Paddy's pending deployment and being back to work I have been soaking up the family time.

When weekend schedules permit we head to the Lake for some family floating time. Erin is fearless and jumps right in as soon as her life vest is secure. I have taken to tethering her to the boat so she doesn't float away with the current. The first day of the boating season Erin asked me." Mommy, this makes me float right? I won't sink will I?" I assired her that the life vest would keep her afloat and that "NO you will not sink". With that she walked to the front of the boat, stood up on the seat and JUMPED right in!!!!! Shannon on the other hand, has decided that swimming in the lake is highly over-rated and hangs out on the back with feet fluttering in the water, or sunning herself on the back of the boat. She has found a bit of fortitude in hanging off the ladder and "swimming"

Lake Lawtonka is only miles from our home, but too many people come out on the same day, making it a bit dangerous for the wee ones. We found Lake Tom Sneed an hour up the road and on most weekends there are only a few boast joining us. Lake Sneed is larger and deeper, so we don't have to worry about hitting the bottom or running into a tree. With less boats there is little wake and the girlies , or should I say Erin can troll around on her rope.
So, now you know where we are this summer and what we've been up to on most weekend. Hope you and yours are having a great fun packed summer!!!

More to come...

WARNING!!!! GRAPHIC PHOTOS!!!!!!!!!!

2009-06-26T13:44:00.005-04:00

Before you being one of two things.
At the bottom of this post is a VERY graphic picture. It is NOT be be viewed by children or anyone who is squeamish. Consider yourself warned. I will expect NO COMPLAINTS for the public.
Secondly. I have considered writing about this subject for a very long time. I am still not sure if I have all the words to describe my feelings about this. I know it upsets me, and those that I love and so..........

"I support the troops, I don't support the war."

Take a moment to think about the ramifications of this statement.
Many people say it, many think it as well.
There is even a group of people in this country that WISH and HOPE that we fail in Afghanistan and Iraq. BUT!!!!! They say they support the men and women in uniform carrying out the orders of out Commander in Chief.

For sometime now it has been very upsetting to me that people feel this way and splice the war and the troops in it with such a statement. I remember when Ya-Ya went to Iraq the first time and people would day to me,
" I support people like your brother-in-law, but I don't support this war."
To this day I still DO NOT understand this statement.
The men and women that give up months of their lives to leave their families to help another group of people across the globe need 100% of your support. Not 50%.

Perhaps Americans not personally touched by this War can not fathom how WE, as their families feel about what they are doing far away from home.

Being a wife, of a man in the Army, A sister to a Man in the Marine Corps is something I am very proud of! It is close to may heart and will be forever.

Paddy and Ya-Ya believe in something bigger that all of us. they believe in Freedom. I know I know people say THIS ALL THE TIME!!! It's the latest catch phrase. BUT REALLY!!!
Have you ever been to a country that has no democracy? Have you ever thought about a life of utter chaos and hopelessness for your children?
The Mothers and Fathers in Iraq and Afghanistan do.

I asked Paddy a few weeks ago if he was scared to go to Afghanistan.
This is what he told me:

" I have come to believe that I am a good doctor. I am told this by my patients and my peers. I spent time in the Army learning to be a good solider, and learning how to care for my soldiers. I believe with all that I am that I am about to embark on the most important journey of my life. I am about to go to war to care for men and women that people say they support, but spit on the very core of what they are doing. I am going to help my fellow soldiers in a new capacity. I am there to care for them. I have spent a good many years of this war here at home listening to the hypocrisy of my fellow Americans rant and rave against the war and then hear them verbally slap the American solider in the face with hopes of failure in the middle east., and it sickens me.
I am not afraid to go to war and I am not afraid that I might not come back. Because what I will be doing is healing freedom."

My point is this. You can't support the American Troops and then say what you do about not supporting the
WAR ON TERROR
It goes together. To simplify it, it's like saying.
" I support education, but I don't support the men and women fighting illiteracy in the country."
Please stop and think about this, before you say it.

Would YOU REALLY tell this man and his family that you support him, but not the reason that he die!

Please read this article
click above
And this article
click above

Happy Father's Day!!!!!

2009-06-21T00:20:00.004-04:00

Dear Paddy,

I want to tell you what a great man you are.

When we were two you were a great husband. You gave me so much love, devotion and security. I have always felt safe and cared for. I remember the moment I fell in love with you.

I had to cancel a date because I was sick. Remember?... You came to my apartment with bags of groceries. You made me chicken soup and brought me cold medicine and a humidifier and socks. For the entire evening you cared for me, and I knew then that I loved you.

You asked me to be your wife and I was so honored that you promised to love, honor and cherish me all the days of your life.

And I loved you even more.

After we were married you joined the Army, to find a way to give me a nice stable life, hoping to attain your dream of becoming a doctor.

When we were trying to have a baby and I felt like I had failed you miserably you told me that I was enough. And I loved you all the more.

When you started medical school and you were so terribly worried that you would fail. I loved you even more for showing me your fragile, vulnerable side. You DID NOT fail. Not even close, you smoked medical school and I realized that you were so incredible intelligent and carried that without arrogance. And my heart swelled with pride and love for who you were becoming as a man.

When I saw you snuggled up with your new baby daughters that night in China I saw you completely.

A man, a husband, a solider and a father and I loved you completely.

I have watched you rise up in the face of adversity. I have watched you grow into the man I always wanted. Tender and gentle. Strong and ethical. An advocate for your fellow soldiers, doctors and your patients.

Still never loosing your ground as a man with a family. A man who loves his wife and daughters fiercely.

I am so blessed to stand beside you today, as your wife and the mother of your children and say to you

A Great Man

A Loving Husband

A Strong Solider

A Loving and Tender Father...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

I love you...

Kandahar

2009-06-06T01:16:00.004-04:00

This guy is headed for Kandahar in July for a year!!!!

Kandahar International Airport (more commonly known as Kandahar Airport) (IATA: KDH, ICAO: OAKN) is located 10 miles (16 kilometers) south-east of Kandahar City in Afghanistan. The airport was built by the United States in the 1960s, under the United States Agency for International Development program. It may have been intended to be used as a possible U.S. military base in case the United States and former USSR went to war. It was occupied by the Soviets in 1979, and was severely damaged during the Soviet war in Afghanistan in the 1980s. It received further damages again during the US raids in October 2001, when the Taliban government was being removed.

As of 2007, Kandahar Airport has been rebuilt and is used for both military and civilian flights.^[1] Since 2006 the airfield has been maintained by the Canadians, but there are also other NATO forces present. It is sometimes difficult to locate the airport from the sky during day-time because of lack of contrast with the ground and the usual dust or haze in the area. But during night time the runway is well lit up and can easily be spotted.

The airfield itself was built between 1956 and 1962 by American consultants, for a cost of USD 15 million. Bearing a great resemblance to typical U.S. architecture of the time, its original purpose was as a refueling stop for long-range piston engined aircraft traveling between the Middle East and Southeast Asia. However, with the advent of jet aircraft, such stops were no longer necessary, and the airport saw little use.^[2] Since the airport was designed as a military base, it is more likely that the United States intended to use it as such in case there was a show-down of war between the United States and former USSR. While the United States was busy building Kandahar Airport, the USSR was busy in the north building Kabul Airport.

Soviet era

During the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, the airfield was used intensively by the Soviet Air Forces, both as logistical facility for flying in troops and supplies and as a base for launching airstrikes against local Mujahideen groups^[3].

Fighting in the Kandahar area was particularly intense. However Kandahar airport was left relatively untouched and its main building was largely intact at the end of the war. The airstrip did suffer extensive damage that was subsequently repaired by the United Nations in in the mid 1990s to support humanitarian flights.

Taliban era

The airport was mostly used at this time for military and humanitarian purposes, hosting regular flights of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to and from Kabul, Jalalabad, Herat and Peshawar (Pakistan). Ariana airlines (the Afghan national carrier) also flew infrequent flights out of Kandahar to Pakistan and a few locations in Afghanistan (Herat, Kabul, Jalalabad).

The airport came into the public eye during the tense drama that was played out when terrorists, who hijacked and landed Indian Airlines Flight 814 on the airfield in December 1999, ordered the Indian Government to ensure the release and safe-passage of three alleged terrorists in return for letting the occupants of the passenger plane leave without harm. Although the exact nature of the deal that was struck between the Indian Government and the hijacking group is not known at this point, it did secure the release of the 3 prisoners who were being held in a prison in India.

Operation Enduring Freedom

The airport's main terminal in 2002.

US Marines landed at Kandahar in late 2001 and took over control of the airport. It was occupied and maintained by the Military of the United States since then. As part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy also has based a squadron of Harrier GR7A aircraft at Kandahar Airfield to provide close air support to coalition ground forces.^[4] The Royal Air Force also has based a detachment of C130 K and J model Hercules transport aircraft from 24, 30, 47 and 70 Squadrons and its attached Engineering detachment from 24/30 and 47/70 Engineering Squadrons RAF Lyneham. Eight F-16 close air support fighters of the Royal Netherlands Air Force were deployed to Kandahar Airfield to support the expanded NATO operation in southern Afghanistan in late 2006.

The government of Afghanistan has been slow in rebuilding the facility, the vast majority of it has been reclaimed from years of neglect and damage by Soviet and Taliban soldiers.

The interior gardens, pools, kitchen galley, restroom facility, and ticketing areas have been restored. With the transition of the U.S. passenger area terminal to the Afghans in 2005, the airport is currently used for civilian flights. It was used for the 2006 Hajj by Muslim pilgrims.

Thanks Wikipedia for your info posted on this blog. I will keep post on the happening of Paddy. I plan to set up a blog site for him. Leave me a comment suggesting a catchy blog title!!!!!!!!!!!

Remember.....

2009-05-24T16:16:00.001-04:00

THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!

Can you see what I see?

2009-05-23T16:21:00.003-04:00

PB&?

2009-05-21T16:00:00.004-04:00

So what's for lunch??

Don't be fooled by the cheese. This is NO plain cheese sandwich...

PB-Mayo-Mustard- Pickle AND cheese...
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

Settled-in

2009-05-11T09:13:00.003-04:00

Jay is UP!! We love Jay Steinke. He's a photographer from Duluth. His photo's are spectacular!!!
We love Duluth and the North woods, it's our "home". Being surrounded in by these lovely photos in our home away from the North woods keeps us grounded. it reminds us of our humble beginnings. Time spent hiking, walking a cameoing in the Lake and camping trips.

I am also having a "love/hate" relationship with this area, as you can see the shelves house the many toys and trinket of the squirrlies. I am thinking about stringing a nice fabric on thin wire to make "curtains" Any ideas would surely be helpful!!!!!

Our fireplace is adorned with our most recent family photo and will soon be replaced with a current one. I love the locations as it is a focal point in the room, BUT!!!!! I am thinking of purchasing a simple easel to lift the picture UP!!!..14ft ceilings dwarf this portrait...Do you agree?

This is built in and LOVE it!!!!. I have displayed our family photos and our travel treasures and trinkets. The ample storage has allowed me to use the space for DVD's and I have enough space to devote shelves for display only!!!! I am thinking of adding some lighting to the top side shelves.

So... our living space is completed except for a few touch up needs. I am going to post next week out french door with the HEINOUS!!!!!!!!!! curtains as show you a few ideas I have for updating and fashioning something for sleek and modern.

Paddy the Daddy

2009-05-08T12:07:00.004-04:00

Oh my sweet Paddy!

This picture was taken the night he became a Daddy! And what a Daddy he is!!!
Paddy, I love the way you look at your girlies with such love and devotion. I love the way you always take the time to snuggle aimlessly and so generously.
I love the way you teach them. How to colour in the lines. About Anatomy and Meteorology. Showing them the weather forecast on your weather station. I think it's amazing how much you know about entomology and share that love of bugs with the girlies.
There was nothing more satisfying than watching you fly a kite on the beach with them. And listening to them squeal with joy and fear while we chased crabs at night.
You are the sweetest Dad and it makes me love you all the more!

I love THIS Man!!!!!

2009-05-06T11:38:00.004-04:00

I don't think I have ever blogged about my Paddy. He's a wonderful man.

Paddy and I met when we were living in Duluth MN. I met Paddy the Summer of 1995. We worked together as CNA's at a group home for people with mental and physical challenges. He was attending University of MN @ Duluth for his undergrad with aspirations of attending Medical School this next fall. We started dating in September and my November we were engaged to be married. THIRTEEN years later and many ups and downs this man is still the guy for me.

Paddy has lived out his dream of being a doctor. Not many people set that goal at 12 years of age and actually pursue it and find success and fulfillment like he does. He has a passion for medicine that is inspiring. Each patient is treated with individual care and attention. He schedules everyone for 45 min appointments and addresses all the problems he can. he does his own follow up calls and gives them his time on the phone to address and issue or just to listen to that person who needs and ear. He is a fierce advocate for his patients and and staff.

He is my hero. He can fix anything or build anything. his tenacity is amazing and he is so so smart. he can read instructions one time and go from there. He re-built the entire engine of his car in high school. He comes and changes my flats in the rain and checks my oil and gases up my vehicle for me without me asking or reminding.

Paddy is the most tender heart I have ever known. He comes off hard, but is so soft and loving. He loves to cuddle with the girlies n the couch and play "claw". He reads stories and makes different voices for all the characters and adds rhyme and makes a story come to life with sing-songy-ness.

I love this man with every fiber of my being. he makes me feel soft and feminine, like a goddess. He cares for me with such love and devotion.

Paddy I love you!!!!! and I am so very happy that you are mine!!!

Faith Trust and Pixie Hair???

2009-04-27T12:17:00.003-04:00

This is Wren's new hair style!!!

I found her in her bedroom cutting herself a little mullet....not cool!

" I want to look like Tinker Belle Mommy!"

Well, now you do lovey...thanks to someone who KNOWS how to cut hair.

Why do scissors equal cut hair when you are small?

Fun on the Ranch

2009-04-21T19:49:00.000-04:00

GIDDY-YUP

Hi Cowboy!!!!

Love'n Tortelini

Double Alpaca Love

On our way to see the Minnesota Tracy's after a great visit with the Wisconsin Tracy's we stopped off to see my buddy Lisa on her ranch. The girlies got to help feed the newly weaned Alpaca Crias and give them some twin love. I discovered that my future Alpaca Farm will have some great ranch hands in the girlies. Lisa saddled up Mr Talent prior to our stop and the munchkins got to ride'em cowboy and surely enjoyed it!!! I think a longer visit to the ranch will be require this summer!!!!!

Catch-UP!!

2009-04-20T15:47:00.004-04:00

WOW!!!!!! Time flies when you are unpacking and settling in!!!
Currently I am unable to load pictures. I haven't a clue why, but as soon as I get it fixed up I will give you a little tour of our new pad!
The latest news...

Paddy will deploy in August.

Erin cut her hair and now has a little "boy" cut. She loves it and says she " looks like Tinkerbell"...picture coming soon I hope.

Shannon and Erin have made fast friends with the neighbor girlies and look forward to the school bus dropping her off everyday at 4;15. Little Miss R is 7 and not to cool to hang with 4 year olds. They have been riding bikes and scooters. They shared an Easter Egg hunt the day after Easter, courtesy Miss R's generosity to share her treasure.

Patrick has started his job of Chief of Medicine at RACH and loves loves loves it!!! His first and well accepted project of starting an infusion clinic is underway. It should hit the Appropriations Committee in DC for review in July.

I have been unpacking and settling us in. Our move was the smoothest we have experienced. Nothing broken and the load was delivered a day early! Our truck driver hung out with us for a week, waiting for another load. In that time he helped me unpack and arrange furniture, hang pictures and drapes. He was a FABULOUS guy and we made a great friend that week. We hope to hear from him whenever he comes through this area.

We had a great time with our Northern family. We spent two days with mike and Pam and kiddos in Wisconsin. It's is always a BLAST to hang with Pammy. She's my soul mate seesta!!! Then we went for a visit to see Kim and Tim. Kim had the coolest brownie pan EVER and I will post a blog on that when all is cooperative, BECAUSE!!!!! for my birthday she sent me one and I look forward to some supper yummy brownies with extra edges! Thanks Kimi!!!! There we picked up the boat and headed home. BUT...n0t before a much needed and well enjoyed visit with auntie Rose. She is always the high light visit of our trip North. I want to be Rose when I am 83!!!!

So now we are back in Lawton. We are so happy to be "home" I called it our home because this was our first home as a married couple and when we came back we slipped right into that calm simple life we so enjoyed. The girlies are all signed up for nastics and are one of three....YES THREE!!! sets of twins in their class. The poor little 7Th girlie is a singleton and she looks kind of lonely.

Thank you to all that have called and emailed your kind words of support to us in our great time of need. We feel so loved by those of you who have made daily effort to call with encouraging words....we wouldn't have been able to survive this without you and in this we have found our truest and most steadfast friends and family...MMMMMWHA!!!! a BIG KISS to you all and muchmuchmuch love your way.!!!!

Bucket

2009-03-12T22:47:00.001-04:00

ride an andalucian on the Spanish Coast and of course...

2009-03-09T12:53:00.002-04:00

" These are your taste buGs"

says Shannon.
" The taste buGs help you taste your food." says Erin

"Yay...and when you get bigger your little teeth fall out so the bigger teeth come in and you can chew more food and use your taste buGs" so saith Shannon.

THE END!

Fashion Bugs!

2009-03-07T10:23:00.002-05:00

I sent the girlies upstairs to dress themselves the other day. Mind you, all their clothing is paired up. So you can take one hanger out for an entire MATCHING outfit. Some how...this is what they came down in.

Erin told me..." Everything has dots"

Shannon told me," I liked Erin's pants better than mine"

Erin liked both socks and could " make up mind mind which set to wear, so I picked one of each"

Mommy says..." THANK GOD IT'S SATURDAY!!!!!!"

Pitt-Falls

2009-03-06T09:06:00.004-05:00

Boris and Natasha

Bullwinkle

I must admit that I am still waiting some miracle to drop out of the sky and mend our broken country. As the newbies in Washington settle into the west wing and the state of complacency settle deeper in to the American way of life President Obama must feel the weight of the Lincoln Memorial so well.
Earlier this week I was feeling bad for the guy. Thinking; " I bet he wishes he had never done this". Then I see this article this morning. I am livid! Our country is in the toilet and this is what the House is doing.....

WASHINGTON – First of all, no, Brad Pitt is not short. Yes, he's handsome enough to stand out in any crowd. And, sorry, Angie wasn't with him.
From the moment he stepped into the Capitol on Thursday, sunglassed and goateed, Pitt's star power transformed congressional business-as-usual in a way any lawmaker or new president might envy.
Pitt's superpowers are such that he and President Barack Obama pulled off an improbably secret meeting on the same topic earlier in the day, White House spokesman Thomas F. Vietor confirmed.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was not immune to his charms. Praising Pitt for his work to rebuild New Orleans' hurricane-ravaged 9th Ward, she even allowed that meeting him affords her "bragging rights to my children and my grandchildren — a real treat for me as well."
And during a closed meeting earlier, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid confided to Pitt that he was envious that his lieutenant, Majority Whip Dick Durbin, got to meet soccer star Mia Hamm a day earlier, according to one person who was present and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Well, Pitt replied, he'll bring along co-parent Angelina Jolie next time to help Reid make Durbin jealous, this person said.
Later, a Durbin aide sniffed: "Durbin's already met Angelina Jolie."
These officials demanded anonymity because the meeting was private and they did not want to be caught gossiping about a movie star.
The Power of Pitt drained entire congressional offices of their female employees and quite a few male aides as well, all of whom could be picked out by the way they suddenly appeared in the Senate's doorways and halls, nonchalantly cupping cell phones and cameras at their sides and hanging around waiting news crews.
Finally, around 1:30 p.m., Pitt, four aides and assorted security guards climbed out of a darkened SUV at the Capitol's north gate and strolled across the sun-dappled plaza.
As he approached the building, all nonchalance inside disappeared. Was he coming in the carriage entrance? No! He was coming through the North Door.
And so he did, entering through the famous Brumidi corridor, whose ornate and historic paintings he probably couldn't see through his sunglasses. Reporters, photographers and giggling staffers shuffled after him, up a flight of stairs and around a corner toward Reid's office. As Pitt entered the parlor, he took off his shades. An aide closed the door behind him.
Inside with Reid, Pitt made an earnest case for nationalizing his "Make It Right" campaign, in partnership with Congress, according to a second knowledgeable aide who spoke on condition that he not be named because the meeting was private.
Afterward, this official said, Reid and Pitt posed for pictures, the senator cracking, "How will people tell us apart?"
Outside the door, grinning Capitol Police officers put up ropes to keep the hordes out of the path Pitt was expected to take toward his next meeting, with Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., in a building across the street.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the Judiciary Committee chairman who has appeared as himself in several "Batman" movies and even had a speaking line in "The Dark Knight," stumbled across the crowd gathered outside Reid's door.
Told who was inside, Leahy issued a giddy, "Gosh!" and kept walking.
In the end, Pitt and his entourage slipped out a side door and took an elevator to the basement subway.
___
Associated Press writer Ann Sanner contributed to this report.

More tomorrow!!!

Buckets of Antiquity

2009-03-05T16:00:00.001-05:00

The ancient city of Petra was built from 800 BC to 100 AD by the Nabetean Arabs. In this era Petra was a fortress, carved out of craggy rocks in an area which was virtually inaccessible. In the first and second century, after the Romans took over, the city reached the peak of its fame.
When caravan routes were slowly displaced by shipping, the city's importance gradually dwindled; it fell into disuse and was lost to the world until 1812, when it was re-discovered by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Nowadays Petra is Jordan's number 1 tourist attraction, known as the "rose red city half as old as time".

NW Valleybrook Dr

2009-02-27T10:30:00.004-05:00

We have secured a house to rent for a year with the option to buy after Patrick returns from Iraq. It is lovely. Some think I am NUTZO!!! For renting site unseen...BUT! as you will see by the pictures I think we did just fine.
The house comes with a spacious 2000sqft. I finally have a living room that my sofa will fit in with a nice view of the TV, from the built-in custom entertainment center AND of the fire place. through the frenchies is a nice, medium sized covered patio, complete with ceiling fan.

A Dining room!!!

Eat-in kitchen with a breakfast bar...

Lovely WOOD cabinetry...

More to come...

O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A!!!!

2009-02-25T10:46:00.002-05:00

A little bathroom for little girlies...

A Mommy and Daddy sized bathroom, sorry I can't find the pictures of my whirlpool tub...

Whoops!!!

The back yard! The house sits on an over-sized corner lot...sorry Paddy, we can look into a riding mower...

The owners will be having a fence installed as soon as we are there to "supervise" the project!

I know some little ladies who will soon be "supervising" dear old darling Daddy on THIS...

As Promised...

2009-02-25T10:37:00.003-05:00

a bathroon for the squirrles

a bathroom for Mom and dad

Master BR

Back yard and patio. the owners will be fencing in the yard shortly after our arrival so someone can "supervise" the project. And then I know some little girlies who will be "supervising their Dad for this...

Where the Wind Comes Sweepin'

2009-02-19T01:33:00.005-05:00

As many of you know we are taking leave of Maryland. This has been a less than happy time for us and we have decide to move on to green pastures. Quite literally.

In the coming weeks we will be moving back to good old Ft Sill, Lawton Oklahoma. Home of Field Artillery, soon to be come the home of all Army artillery, thanks to BRAC. The Base Re-Aliment Commission will be moving all Artillery and Air Assault from Ft Bliss, El Paso TX.
By 2012 approximately 20,000 soldiers and families will be re-stationed here. Lawton is BOOMING!!!!

Lake Latonka will be a much needed oasis for many of us. We can slip our boat there for 100$ a quarter and enjoy the summer heat where is it cooler...by the lake.

Lake LaTonka is a man-made lake. Completed many years ago by the

Army Corps of Engineers. Prior to our departure back in 2000 the Ft Sill commission built and opened a beautiful family recreations area for military families, complete with water slide into the lake!!

The Wichita Mountains are a dying mountain range. It's highest peak is Mount Scott, the first picture presented on this post. There is a windy mountain road to the top and you can see for miles Oklahoma's prairie and plains.

We are looking forward to our move, and returning to a familiar area where the people are friendly to a fault and life is much simpler and kinder.

Buckets

2009-02-09T13:34:00.004-05:00

This trip is the one and only adventure I MUST execute before I leave this life. To travel to and sit with the Mountain Gorillas in Africa...

The Karisoke Research Center, a remote rainforest camp nestled in the Virunga Mountains in Ruhengeri province, Rwanda. This is the park conserved by Dian Fossey in 1967. She studied and formulated her research of the behavior and interaction of the Mountain Gorilla families located in the Virunga Mountain range.

She promoted outside tourism to make humanity aware of these precious creatures through the experience of being with them, living with them and watching them. What an AWESOME experience this would be!

I have a few stops in Africa, some you may have thought of and some you may not.

Share !!

Snow days

2009-02-07T11:31:00.002-05:00

It's snowing!!!!!!
MMMMMM YUM! I just ate a flake!!!

You have to roll it around on the ground...ALOT

UNTIL...

You get a SNOWMAN!!!!

Done forget the carrot !!!

Slings and Things

2009-01-27T18:00:00.004-05:00

My POOR little Klutz-O!!!!!

As many of you know Erin and Shannon are gymnastics freaks!!!

Last week they moved up to SUPER TOTS !!!

( really fun to say like"SUPA STAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!)

So the first full fledged week of being a Super Tot was not so great for Wren. She was climbing the rope and fell " funny" into the foam pit and was very upset. But slept fine through the night and complained very little of any discomfort. This morning she wouldn't put her arm over her head and I KNEW IT!!!!!!!

I snuck up on her and pulled her arm up over her head and she YELPED!!!

YIKES!!!!

After a trip to see her Pedi, she came home with a sling, an excuse from

" nastics" for SIX WEEKS!!!!!

and the newest Dora the Explora!

( said like you are from the Bronx...come ON try it, it's fun!!)

When she came through the door she said quiet matter-o-fact-ly...

" I broked it Mommy"

Let it Ring....ALL the way to the WHITE HOUSE!!!

2009-01-19T20:04:00.002-05:00

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.
As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.
Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.
I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."
And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!
But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!

Three Years Ago....

2009-01-09T16:37:00.003-05:00

Below is a video that we put together from an "offical" video from China, along with some pictures. Enjoy!

Buckets

2009-01-09T13:19:00.003-05:00

I have recently re-established an old friendship on Facebook. I enjoy going Fanny's blog. I was visiting today and was so excited to see that she had composed a Bucket List.

I have decided that it's good idea that I begin to think about all the places I want to see and the adventures I want to experience. I'd like to compile and complete my list by my FORTIETH!!!!! birthday, then I can start emptying or filling? my bucket with adventures!!! I thought perhaps we could all help each other out!
Once a month I will leave a bucket post and you all leave a comment, about your thoughts!

Maybe you have many buckets filled waiting for you to dive in...

maybe you have a little bucket list... with very impressionable adventures...

So, Let's get in there and take a BITE!!!! OUTTA LIFE!!!

MMMMMMMMM...GOOD!

2009-01-08T20:35:00.003-05:00

WHAT IS IT ABOUT LITTLE KIDDO'S AND POP??

Today I made myself a frost coke zero with lots of ice and some little bugs asked for some with much persuasion...so I folded.

Look at these faces...

Beaming eyes of joyous anticipation

A long drink of delectable brown sugary liquid

I think this child is feeling the sugar rush

More more more...YUM-O!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

2009-01-07T11:09:00.000-05:00

2008...

ended with a rousing game of Pretty Pretty Princess!

This is what a Princess's Daddy looks like...what a great Dad!!!

I love you Paddy

The Winner!!!

Having some Pumpkin Pie with your whipped cream!!

CHEERS!!!

2009

And ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Christmas Craziness!

2009-01-06T10:51:00.001-05:00

I am a little behind on this. So here we go. On Christmas night we stayed up and went to midnight mass! the girlies were soooo excited to wear their " BEAUUUUTIFUL dresses"!...and to stay up really late! when we got home they found that Santa had sent the elves ahead to clean the chimney and fireplace and they left some new jams and a little paddle/ball toy!

YAY!!! ELVES!

The girlies let us sleep until 8AM. We had been up and had some coffee and decided to start the day off this some Mannheim Steamrollers..." Ode to Joy" to rouse the little tike's to come down and see...

That Santa remembered to bring guitars and Wonder Pet Leotards with a CAPE!!!!...and Santa put candy canes all over the tree, which later in the day they "harvested: the haul!

Daddy and Shannon and Erin make some chocolate chip cookies on Christmas eve just for Santa and he sure did like them, he ate 4 out of the five left ...AND... drank all his milk for strong bones and teeth!

Then the frenzy of opening began. They were very excited to get these babies from Grandma Shirley!

THE END!!!!

Story Time...with Shannon

2009-01-05T14:09:00.002-05:00

One-a Pon-a Time...

We took a boooat to a place....
Where the wilthings( wild things) are...

Then a horsey came and it was orndange...

It EATS US UP!!!!

The End!

I get called to the bathroom alot...I am sure you can all about imagine. And on some days, I am there to do dirty work and on other days it's story time with Shan! Today was a great story, so I thought I would share!

ENJOY!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T17:00:00.001-05:00

A Trip to the Beach..

A stay in NYC ...

A Wedding in Texas...

A Fun New Toy...

A Trip to Paris...

This year found us Blessed with Health and good CHEER!

We hope that your 2008 was prosperous and found you with many blessings.

Patrick continues on with is fellowship. His second year has proved as busy as the first and leaves him looking forward to his last year of research and less time in the clinic and wards. He has enjoyed many respite trips and fun on his Harley.

I continue on at home with the girlies. Being their Mom has proved to be MY greatest accomplishment and Motherhood is more fascinating that I had anticipated and of course a bit more trying than I had thought. I am starting to get the nursing "bug" again and am looking to re-enter after the first of the year! I would enjoy going back to Hospice Nursing and do hope that I can find a place that is nurturing to the clientele and their families. it is such an intimate time to be involved in someone's life and I do hope to find such a place that honors and respects that.

Shannon and Erin continue to thrive. They attend Montessori school and are learning so much at such a rapid pace that I have to remind them occasionally that they are 4, not 14! They played soccer this past fall and it did not prove worthy with them, they requested to return to gymnastics and they love it as much this time around as last. We will just continue on with our little gymnasts.

We are so thankful for all that visited us this pasted year. It as a pleasure to have Katie and her girlies out for a week and we did stay very busy touring the sites of the District. And a wonderful trip to Baltimore to the Aquarium that all the little one enjoyed immensely!

Mike and Pam's visit was lovely and we had some hot hot hot weather they had to survive. They enjoyed Udvar- Hazy Air and Space, the Smithsonian and Mount Vernon.

A Surprise visit from Lisa and Rita was such a joy! Getting up to Gettysburg might not have happened if they had not had such an interest. A few showers did not damped our lovely day reviewing history. It's now on my " must-do" list for visitors.

Our trip to Paris in May was so wonderful. The weather was amazing! I recommend the first week in May to all! We saw all the sights and experienced so much in 8 days we were completely exhausted. This was our vacation from parenthood. Rodin's Garden was my favorite and I could spend an entire day relishing in his incredible Sculpture. I would love to return to Versailles. A day was not enough time to walk the gardens and take in the beauty. Due to renovations Marie Antoinette's village was not accessible and so perhaps we will have another trip in the future. Perhaps with a move to Germany to lessen the bill!

June found us in Texas for our dear Friend Kate's wedding. The girlies were her flower girls and they were spectacular little angels for Katie. We so enjoyed our time spent with Bob and Natalie and the girlies relished in the fawning from Oma and Opa.

July we brought home a Harley!! A Springer and we have had more fun on the darn bike than I had ever imagines. Trips to Atlantic City and Up through the Mountains on Skyline Drive in Maryland and Virgina have really given us some nice time alone outdoors. And much needed fresh air!

A week in Iowas to move my Mom to Ohio wa wet. I found myself trying to leave Iowa and telling God I would not retunr again should he deliever me from that state! it also did not help that I was a Cyclone Fan trapped in Hawkeye-Town! mom is all settled and enjoy a simple life with little worries. We will all miss Scranton. It's like leaving behind an old friend.

November did find us in Iowa. With family and lots of laughter! I returned home and found a family I have always missed. Thank you for letting me come back!

Also in July we took our annual trip to the Outer Banks of South Carolina to Hunting Island. I always wish we had longer to stay and really dread returning to civilization. The house in on a state park and the beach is private. Life is simply and good on the sand.

This will be our first family Christmas of Four. No travelers and no traveling. We do so enjoy our families and have found that visits outside the holidays are so much more fun and relaxing. We look forward to see those of you with plans for a visit in 2008!

We hope for good Fortune in the coming year for you and your families. The excitement of living so close to history and will attend the Inauguration with pleasure!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

We Love You!!!!!

2008-12-18T16:31:00.004-05:00

Jonesy & Katie...

Abby...

& Rose.

And ....you are in our thoughts and prayers that you may find a peace that passes understanding.

An Elf lurks in my house!!

2008-12-16T22:13:00.002-05:00

I needed to run to my car this evening and it was snowing/raining out and so I went to find my flip flops......

I could only find one.

So I went a hunting for my clogs and....found....ONE!!!

I went hunting for my other flip flop and my other CLOG!!!! you know what I found?

NONE...

ZIP...

NADA!!!!!

ZERO!!!!!

so...

I asked this ELF..

"Elf? Honey?"

"Yes, Mommy?"

" Where are Mommy's shoes Elfy-girl?"

"I not take them!!!"

A Suprise for Mary and Joseph

2008-12-14T12:20:00.002-05:00

Mary?.......

Yes Dear?

Do you see what I see?

TWINS!!!!

Jesus....(es)?

Katie, our Fairy Godmother sends the girlies a piece for their Nativity every year. Last year Shannon wanted to know why Mary only had one baby, " cuz Mommy you have two babies!"

So we picked up another Baby Jesus and now the girlies are very happy!

Leaping Leaves a Laughing!

2008-12-13T16:13:00.004-05:00

Daddy's BIG helpers had more fun than active helping. It was worth a few pictures and a post!!!

AND THE WINNER IS..............

2008-12-12T14:03:00.002-05:00

CONGRATS TO MELISSA!!!!!
my helpers drawing the winner

folding

the followers

the list!!!

So Melissa, email me, so I can get you in touch with Jennisa over at..... Once Upon a Blog

And we will be looking forward to your new style!!!

Fare Well Old Friend

2008-12-09T20:33:00.006-05:00

Good Night Sweet Prince. And Flights of Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest...

Enter and WIN!!!!!

2008-12-07T14:39:00.002-05:00

BASIC - $ 40 VALUE!!!
2 custom backgrounds
basic blogger minima template
custom header
custom signature
installation and help as needed
EXAMPLE
Leave your email address in the comments for a chance to WIN!!!!!!!
You can enter more than once!!
Drawing begins at MidnightEST tonight!!!! and
Ends MidnightEST on December 10th.
I will Announce the winner on the 12th at NOON EST

GOOD LUCK and thanks for all your hits!!!!!

FRUSTRATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-05T20:07:00.002-05:00

I need a little lift. Well, that's an understatement!!!!!!

As some of you know I have decided to re-enter the nursing field. I have applied for a few jobs and have heard wishy-washy feedback with promises to call and then they don't follow-up. All i want to do it go back to work and enjoy bedside nursing again. BUT.................................
Because I have not worked in a few years I am having a difficult time getting back in the game.
I thought I would never say this and it breaks my heart.....Maybe I shouldn't have stayed home with the girlies. If I had know it was so difficult to get nursing job I wouldn't have left work. I would have just tossed them into daycare like everyone else does.
I am so broken hearted about this. I am a good nurse. I take great care of my paitents, I have never had a complaint in my whole career. I feel like I have wasted these last 2 years. I wanted to invest my heart and soul into my children for as long as I could and now I am being punished for it.
THERE IS A NURSING BOYCOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me say this again....NOT a SHORTAGE!!!!! A BOYCOTT. Bad hours, ill treatment, HUGE responsibility have nurses working retail jobs and staying home with kids or going back to school to be nurse consultants because bedside nursing is HELL!!! You work short, and you work way past your hourly shift for little to nothing. But At the end of the day when you get in your car and go home you feel this exhaustion that is overwhelmingly satisfying because you know you helped people and taught people and earned trust and built rapport. It's something I miss.
Well enough ranting.....we are over 10,000 hits. So time for me to chat with my friendy about my drawing and get back with the details as soon as we have them ironed out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So Close!!!!!

2008-12-05T15:15:00.001-05:00

Looks like someone is going to get a new blog for Christmas.....Not long now and we can have that drawing....so keep them coming......10,000!!!!!

Long...but listen...this is NUTS!!!

2008-11-19T20:12:00.001-05:00

SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!

2008-11-19T06:08:00.002-05:00

THE ELECTION IS OVER. THE MAJORITY HAS SPOKEN!!

Bear with me and read..........................................................................................

The most important historical and legal document we have in this country is the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution gives us the requirements for a person to be elected for President. Those requirements are as follows.
The elect must be at least 35 years of age.
The elect must have been a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years.
The elect must be a natural born citizen.
Recently Philip J. Berg, a life-long Democrat, a former candidate for the Pennsylvania Governorship filed a suit against President Elect Obama, requiring Obama to present his original birth certificate. Obama refused, but instead stated that his birth certificate was posted on his web site. =2 0
Factcheck.org states that Obamaʼs birth certificate that he posted on his web site is legitimate, even though it had no seal upon it. Factcheck.org posted a birth certificate that had a seal, though it was unreadable.
Factcheck.org is owned by Annanburg of Chicago; an organization that President Elect Obama sat on the board of for several years, (sounds like a conflict of interest to me).
Every American should ask why President Elect Obama simply did not or would not produce the original birth certificate to the judge and end Philip Bergʼs lawsuit right then and there. Instead, President Obama had his lawyers move to dismiss the case, and it was indeed dismissed.
This is an issue because Barack Obamaʼs paternal grandmother has publicly stated that Barack Obama was born in Kenya Africa, and that she herself was in the delivery room.
President Elect Obamaʼs half sister Mia (sp?) has stated that her half brother was born at one hospital in Hawaii. President Elect Obama has stated that he was born at an entirely different hospital in Hawaii. Again if the truth was being told there would be no discrepancy here.
None of this really matters however, because even if Barack Obama was born in the U.S. he lost his citizenship. Barack Obamaʼs mother divorced his father. She remarried Lolo Sotoro from Indonesia. In his book, Obama states that his step father went back to Indonesia before he (Obama) did, but when he (Obama) arrived in Indonesia he immediately went to school. Barack Obama spent four years in the Indonesian school. What is significant about this fact is that at the time, Indonesia was at war, thus the only people who were allowed to attend school in Indonesia were citizens of Indonesia. So therefore his step father had to do one of two things. He either had to adopt him, or he had to acknowledge20him. Either of those two things wouldʼve allowed Barack Obama to attend school in Indonesia. On Phillip Bergʼs website he has the documentation of Barack Obamaʼs time at the Indonesian school The documentation says that his name was Barry Sotoro, that his nationality was Indonesian, and his religion was Islam. At that time Indonesia did not provide for dual citizenship, thus Barry/Barack was now a citizen of Indonesia. Thus when he returned to the United States, Mr. Obama shouldʼve gone through immigration. If he did, then he would be considered a NATURALIZED CITIZEN, even though he was born in the US (it is the law).
Again, no credentials were ever produced by Barack Obama.
On the flip side, when Senator McCain was questioned about his place of birth (he was born in Panama, as his father was stationed there while in the military) he immediately produced his birth certificate and his medical records and complied with every request for documentation that w as asked of him. President Elect Obama has not only refused to release his birth certificate but also his medical records, as well as his records from Occidental College, Columbia University and Harvard.
Why?
As stated the case was dismissed and Phillip Berg is appealing.

I received this from a friend, she obviously did not vote for our current PE. I Snopes alot of what I get in this forum. So this is what I found at Snopes.com www.snopes.com/politics/obama/birthcertificate,asp
Click it and read.

I just have to banter on.....

Stop the Madness People, it's time to accept the outcome...

When you are finished here please read the quotes from Karl Rove, in post titled " Time to Stand UP!"

And please Snopes your forwards before passing on.

2008-11-18T06:30:00.001-05:00

Holiday Mail for Heroes

From the front lines to the home front, the American Red Cross provides service members, their families and veterans with the care and assistance they need.
The Red Cross is partnering with Pitney Bowes this holiday season for the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign. For the second year in a row, we’re collecting holiday cards to distribute to American service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world. Pitney Bowes is generously donating technology, resources and postage to make this holiday card program possible.
Our goal is to collect and distribute one million holiday cards to spread holiday cheer and facilitate thanks to these brave individuals and families.
Please send cards to this address, following the guidelines listed below:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456

Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Addiction!

2008-11-17T13:19:00.003-05:00

I have not been blogging lately because I am completely addicted to FARMING!!!!!

Under much persistence from my SIL's I joined Facebook. It is a great way to keep in touch on a daily basis with everyone you would stay that close with. You can find friends from long ago and rekindle the old friendship flames. It really is fun.

BUT........ I have an unnatural need to go to my farm throughout the day and see if any crops are ready to harvest, or harvest my fruit trees. Rearrange my livestock. I am currently trying to make 50,000 dollars to buy a barn that will enable me to sell my livestock.

You can send gifts of crops or cattle, horses, goats and chickens to all your friends and get them addicted to their farm.

Go check it out and join Facebook!!!

BUT BEWARE!!!!!

Make a Difference!

2008-11-07T22:10:00.003-05:00

This is Sam, the 14 year old inventor!!!

This is Kate, my BFF!! and Sam's cousin.
Click below to vote for number 4
http://www.bkfk.com/Modules/Ideation/t2t_vote.aspx

Read the following please and then click on the above link for more information, a chance to vote and make a difference for a young environmentalist/inventor!!!
Support our future!!!
Change the World!!
My cousin Sammy has entered a contest where she can win some bucks and a laptop for her environmental idea.

She is neck and neck for first place and winner is determined by number of on line votes cast for each idea.

You can vote only once each day from each computer you have access to!

Time to Stand Up!!!

2008-11-07T06:29:00.005-05:00

Yes, I love Bill.

So last night, as I was soaking up the man of the hour on his fabulously BALANCED!!!....show, I had the pleasure of hearing Karl Rove, Fox Political Analyst and Bush Political Strategist say something that made an elusive problem a concrete and simply devastating reality to me and the country in which I reside.

Please take a moment to read the transcript below and to really think about ramifications of NOT supporting the President...........Thanks!

ROVE: Well, I think all Republicans didn't. I mean, you know, when the whole mortgage crisis blossomed up at the end of September. How many of our candidates were out there pointing fingers at Fannie and Freddie and explaining to the American people how this all happened?
O'REILLY: Nobody.
ROVE: You called it right. Mortgage con. This is what it was.
O'REILLY: It was. It was a mortgage con. And you know, I could never understand why McCain didn't understand that, but let's move ahead. As an American, you're an American, right?
ROVE: Yes.
O'REILLY: You're a Texan. And sometimes Texans…
ROVE: Well, and I'm a Norwegian American, too. So proud Norwegian American.
O'REILLY: All right. Are you worried about Obama? Are you worried about this man?
ROVE: Look, I think…
O'REILLY: Come on, tell me the truth as an American, not as a pundit, not as a…
ROVE: Let me tell you what I feel as an American. First, as an American, I love my country and I want my president to succeed.
O'REILLY: So you want him to succeed…
ROVE: I want him to succeed.
O'REILLY: ...even though he's in the other party.
ROVE: That's right. Look, I was there when a president came in whom a lot of people in this country said, we don't think he's president, we will never accept him as legitimate. And I saw how bad it was for the country.
O'REILLY: The Bush haters.
ROVE: The Bush haters. And so I don't want to be one of those. I want to be a person who says I want our new president-elect to succeed. When he takes that oath of office after January 20, it's the obligation of every American to give him a chance. And we agree with him when we think he's right. We hope he's open to persuasion if his mind is open and not made up. And when he's wrong, we do have an obligation to say with all due respect we disagree.
O'REILLY: Are you confident that he has the ability — because you know how difficult this job is. You know probably better than anyone except the guy who's in the job. Are you confident, 100 percent confident that Barack Obama can do this job?
ROVE: Yes. I know he's smart. I know he's got tremendous potential, but this job requires discipline and focus and…
O'REILLY: Oh, he's disciplined and focused.
ROVE: No, no, well, maybe. But you know, it requires a willingness to engage, to get your hands dirty in making policy. It requires you to do your homework. It requires you to be an activist. It requires you to have values that are…
O'REILLY: So you're not sure. What I'm hearing from you is you're not sure.
ROVE: Well, look, if I was sure that he had it, I might have voted for him, but I voted for John McCain.
O'REILLY: All right. So you still have questions about him.
ROVE: And look, but here's the point. Now he's got the job. And we got to — every American hope that he is and pray for and support him in being up for the job.
O'REILLY: OK. Well, the far-right ideologues aren't going to do that., and they're never going to do that. But I think most Americans will. However, I heard on the radio today a lot of fear, a lot of fear, because, look, I've been covering this guy now for a couple of years. I don't know who he is still after all this time. I know his press people, his people keep the press away. I know he's a very disciplined guy, but he doesn't engage very much. I don't know, maybe he did with you. I don't know who he is. I don't know what he's going to do. I mean, I do know, as I said in the "Talking Points Memo," there's an enormous amount of pressure on him from far-left kooks.
ROVE: Right. Look, there are a lot of people who — there's a pent-up demand for spending in the Democratic Congress. There's a pent-up demand for redistribution schemes. There's a pent-up demand for retribution. You're going to have a guy on later who would love for the new president-elect to come in and serve up indictments against everybody who served in the Bush administration.
O'REILLY: That's Kucinich.
ROVE: Kucinich.
O'REILLY: Right.
ROVE: So yes, but you're right. This is going to be a big test for him because when he comes in, I see what happens when a president comes in. You get pushed and pulled and prodded and drawn in so many different ways. And the question is do you have clarity about what you want to do?
In your "Talking Points Memo," you had a very insightful point. He's talked about change. I've got a piece about this tomorrow in The Wall Street Journal. For 21 months, we've heard the poetry of change. Now it's the rather prosaic phase of actually governing. And we do not know what that word change means.
O'REILLY: No, because he's going to be pulled to the left. And then he's got to govern, you know, to the center. And what's he going to do?
Now I'm going to ask you a very, very tough question. Does President Bush feel responsible for the disintegration of the Republican Party?
ROVE: Look, President Bush accepts responsibility for his actions, and he believes that he has done the right thing. Now, he's not the guy who took earmarks. He's not Duke Cunningham who sold his — sold for a, you know, a boat on the Potomac and antiques, earmarks in the defense budget. We — he's not the guy who says…
O'REILLY: Does he feel badly though?
ROVE: No. Look, he has worked hard to build the Republican Party. He went out in 2002 and did…
O'REILLY: But it's in shambles.
ROVE: Let me finish. In 2002, he did something that never was done before, and that — except for one time in American politics. And that is got his party to gain seats in the House and Senate in the first off-year election. When he won re-election, he deliberately went out and made certain that he worked hard to get additional Republicans. He's only the second president in the history of America to get re-elected and have his party gain seats in the House and the Senate.
O'REILLY: But it all went bad in the end.
ROVE: No, no, no. Look, look, first of all, remember this. Barack Obama got 1.5 percent more than George Bush got in 2004. He got 4 percent more than John Kerry got in '04. He got 2.5 percent more than Al Gore got in 2000. And sure, I would have loved to have had more Republicans. One, I would have loved for John McCain to win. And we lost. And we need to figure out why we did and build from there.
But let's not all just sort of immediately say, oh my God, it's a total disaster and we're in shambles. Let's be realistic about what the problems are, and how we get out of them, and take our time, and not pick a premature fight with the new president. The American people don't want us to say oh, we don't like you and we're against everything that you do. They want us to be a reasonable position, you know.
O'REILLY: The loyal opposition.
ROVE: The loyal opposition…
O'REILLY: There you go.
ROVE: ...based on conviction and principle.
O'REILLY: All right. Karl Rove, everybody. Thanks for coming in, Karl.
ROVE: You bet.
Content and Programming Copyright 2008 FOX News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Transcription Copyright 2008 ASC LLC (http://www.ascllc.net/), which takes sole responsibility for the accuracy of the transcription. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No license is granted to the user of this material except for the user's personal or internal use and, in such case, only one copy may be printed, nor shall user use any material for commercial purposes or in any fashion that may infringe upon FOX News Network, LLC'S and ASC LLC's copyrights or other proprietary rights or interests in the material. This is not a legal transcript for purposes of litigation.

Please feel free to leave your comments, BUT first, think about what was said above, especially Karl Rove's comments.

It's GOOD for AMERICA, to support the PRESIDENT

Halloween Happiness

2008-11-06T16:06:00.003-05:00

At school, Shannon made her own costume. She was a witch. Her dress is made froma garbage bag and her hat from constuction paper. she was quite proud to have made her enitre costume!!!

Erin's class followed their unit on insects. Erin picked a butterfly. Isn't she such a beeeaauuuuutiful butterfly!

Pigtail......I couldn't resist!

Charlotte &...........

Wilbur!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The girlies come up with this costume idea all on their own. and I must say it was really cute. they sang "Chin-up!" for their trick and did a little monologue that went something like this............................................................

Wilbur: " I don't want to die, I don't want to die!!!"

Charlotte: " Chin Up Wilbur.....you be bacon soon!!!!"

" Wilbur....You're SOOOOOOOME PIG!!!"

The End

it's ONLY a word.......

2008-11-06T00:20:00.003-05:00

Marriage can look like this...............................................

Or this...................................................................................

Or this....................................................................................................

Please note that all the couples are happy, attended by happy family and friends.

Last night, Prop 8 was voted in and a ban on same-Gender marriage was instituted, in the state of California. Please hear me out

We are not fighting over the legality of marriage. This my friends is not even what people are up in arms about. People are actually fighting over the use of a WORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, I heard it from the lips of my dearly loved and right-winged husband, " let them have a civil union, but NOT a MARRIAGE!" Isn't that what a civil union is, getting married.......? Last I check everyone who has a legal marriage HAS A CIVIL UNION, Blessed in a Church.

So, I must ask, WHY ON EARTH !!!!!, why do we have to actually vote on whether or not a person, or couple can use the word MARRIAGE, to describe their union?.

These are two people who want to commit to each other, they are not asking to marry a dog, or a cat or a CHILD!!!! They want to have a committed union, recognized by the state and federal government. They want to legally leave property to each other, and have all the liberties that come with a marriage and civil union.

We have really AND truly put the cart before the horse. Gay and Lesbian couples can adopt, but can NOT marry?

Let's really think about what a buncha pinhead there must be out there in the world that are so petty as to hoard a word.

PE OBAMA!!!!!!!!

2008-11-05T15:21:00.004-05:00

What a BEAUTIFUL....First Family!!!!

I wonder what they will name the new puppy...?

You win some and you lose some, but let us all remember..... whatever side you were on...HISTORY was made.

This moment is bigger than me....or you.....or Barack Obama.

TODAY........black...white...Muslim...Catholic...Christian.... it doesn't matter.

We are FINALLY a whole nation of represented citizens.

Willkommen Kaiserslautern

2008-11-01T23:58:00.006-04:00

Japanese Gardens

Fountain in Town center

City Hall

Winter time

Lake Gelterswoog

Isn't this a pretty place???!!! And..... we get to go live there! This is Kaiserslautern,Germany, located on the German and French border. Paddy found out there will be two openings at Landstuhl Regional Army Medical Complex in 2010. So, when he finishes up his fellowship we will be shipping off to Germany for a three year tour...a three year tour (a little Gilligan humor) at ***KMC

We are so excited!!
I will keep you posted as time flies by!!!

auf Wiedersehen!!!
*** Click on KMC for local history of the KMC

Their First Pony Ride

2008-10-29T14:31:00.002-04:00

YIPEEEE GIDEEYYY-YUP!!!!!

Just for Kim

2008-10-28T11:18:00.004-04:00

OOOOOOO Sparkling glitteries!!!

I love Organza bows!!!

A little petty-coat showing

Details GALORE!!!!

Sweet little holiday Dresses for the little girlies who make everyday a holiday!!

A few weeks ago I was went to Costco to pick up my essentials and low and behold!!!!!! I found these for 20 BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So here you go Kimi, check them out and see if you want some for your little bebops and let me know, I can run over there anytime and mail them out!!!!

A MUST Try!!!

2008-10-22T00:25:00.005-04:00

Makes me want to sing the " One day at a time" opening song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like this best, I always wanted to live in the time of Leave it to Beaver!!!!!

This is actually kinda scary, I look just like my sister Micki in 1972!!!!!

You have to go try this, it's hilaaaaariiiious!!!!!!!!!!! It a website called YearBookYourSelf.com

You have a good laugh!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet Roll !!

2008-10-13T08:12:00.000-04:00

Shannon was a dare devil,she could really pick-up some speed on these hills. Such a fearless little girlies!!!

Whenever one gets an idea it's like the other has the same idea at the same time. Patrick says they are two halves of the same soul.

On A Roll

2008-10-12T08:02:00.000-04:00

The sunny was so warm on your face and the breeze was so cool that the girlies felt frisky. Erin found a hill to roll down and she had such fun she had to repeat the rolling a few times. Shannon got in on the fun too!! You can see that tomorrow.

A Woman's work...

2008-10-11T09:20:00.002-04:00

A little help from Daddy will get this spaghetti stain out!!!
Thank GOAWD for Maytag and electricity!

" I will never spill ketchup on my shirt AGAIN!!!"
This is fun!!!!

I had to laugh at the girlies doing the laundry in an old-timey way. They had a lot of fun. I just kept thinking I wish my Nanny was around for these two. She still had an old washer that had a wringer on it and that's the only way she did laundry. I think she would have enjoyed letting the girlies help out!!!

Leaders of the Band

2008-10-10T09:02:00.000-04:00

" Do you know any Rockabilly young lady?"
"No, but I can sing Old MacDonald"

Here's Hippsy chick sing "EEEE--IIIII--EEEE--IIIII--OOOOOO"
Dancing Nancy's
"I'ma pickin' and youra grinin'"
" But if you lose the devil get's your soooooul!!!!!!!!!!!!"

My children have never been shy....I think that might be the understatement of the century. But they had to get involved in this fiddle playin', guitar pickin band and play a set. Thank goodness these fellers didn't have huge egos. They had a fun time playing with the girlies. And invited them to come on back for another session sometime.

Churning Butter

2008-10-09T08:53:00.000-04:00

To churn butter, place cream into a small jar and give it to a small child.
Shake, with one hand, as not to tire yourself to quickly.
Now! GET IT!!!....Shake it with everything you have, give it all you got!!
Make a funny face, it works better that way.....
That face was sooo undignified. I am NOT doing that!!!!!

Jimmy crack corn!!!

2008-10-08T08:37:00.000-04:00

Crackin corn is a big job for this little farm girl, but she did it with a bit of help from a big strong Daddy.
Wren wants to see it and do it, she was pretty impressed with this little contraption
Then you run over with your dixie cup a feed the chickens.
So they'll "lay" some "eggs" for you to put in your basket.
" UUUUUMMMMM....Mommy....these eggs are woo-en"

Down on the Farm

2008-10-07T08:25:00.001-04:00

" Wilbur....Mama...TWO WILBURS!!!!!!"
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!
The baby calf, was so sweet and the girlies got to experience the strong vacuum of a suckling!!!
Chickens.............................

These next few posts will be about our family fun this past Sunday. after Mass, we headed over to the Agricultural History Farm for a Fall Fest. It was AMAZING!!!!, It was a fabulous experience for the girlies. And Mom and Dad did enjoy the wonderful weather and fresh outdoors for the day.

Hippie-chicklette

2008-10-05T20:19:00.003-04:00

Shannon seems to like this look. Lately when I pull her hair back in a pony-tail she comes home from school with this..........She tells me she an..."awesome Hippsy". I have to admit, she's follows a beat I can not hear, but I adore that she does!!
Sorry Joe and Suz.....she's a Texas fan....HOOKEM HORNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello World!!!

2008-10-01T21:51:00.003-04:00

Today, I was having a chitty-chat with my buddy L from Wisconsin. She's my only cheese head friend, but she's a pseudo cheese head because she's from Minnesota, so it's not genetic, only geographic.
Anyway. L has an Alpaca Ranch, it gets cold in the mountains of Peru. So PITA peeps, don't fret your panties in a wad. Ok...so....
We are chatting away about our lives in isolation and she, telling me that she has a couple girlies about to give birth. Prissy in two weeks, and Rejoice is about to give birth any day now. The lst time she had a cria, cuz that's what they are called. The farrier was out shoeing houses, cuz that's what they do. The butthead was slow and wouldn't leave and so she missed the first ever birth on her ranch of a cria. She was feelin hostile about it.
So, today, after we got off the phone she went out to check and saw FEET!!!...WHOO HOO!!! and then about an hour later out he was. A sweet little boy. Isn't he about as delicious as they come, don't you want to put some ice cream on THAT!!!!!
Anyway...CONGRATS Y'ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh Yeah, I am really glad that he came AFTER our phone call......cuz I don't want to have hostility with L, she would win!!!
LOVE YOU BUNCHES!!!!

Gitchigumi

2008-09-30T23:47:00.004-04:00

Lately, I have had the call of my faithful Gitchigumi. It brings me to think of the word of a great man. On life and earth;

" Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over the rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.
I am haunted by waters." N.M.

OH NO!!!!! Not ME!!!

2008-09-29T14:09:00.002-04:00

I did not get out of the wrong side of the bed and curse my husband for making a mess and not cleaning it up. Nope Not ME, NOT ONCE!

I did not sit in the garage for an hour and stew and smoke about my house work!! I did not wish I still lived in Georgia where I was sooo happy, nope not once this AM.......HAHAHAHA!!!, but you all know me better.

I did not once today wish that I could find a bright spot about living here in the seventh level of hell. I did not cures my tiny house with no space.

I did not call RNC( that shitty phone company) for the millionth time today and beg them to fix my phone. I was not nice to the man who answered, it never once crossed my mind to be gooey sweet manipultive to him!!! in hopes to get my phone fixed.

I did not wish I was a happy person today and I did not wish I could change. NOPE NOT ONCE!!!!

and a BIG FAT HAHA to all that!!!

Maybe next Monday I can report that I was NOT AT ALL HAPPY!!!!

Cheerleading is for Sissies!!!

2008-09-29T07:23:00.001-04:00

She could go AALLLL The WAAAY!!!.......Go ST!!
" I can't see Mommy!!!!"............... Neither can T Jack!!!

Melissa and Doug...WE LOVE YOU!!

2008-09-27T08:06:00.002-04:00

All set up to finish September and right on in to October. Soccer is listed,m cleaning your room, even a day off from school and a Dr's apptmnt.
Accessories are stored on the back of the magnetic board. So you don't have to fish around for the next month.
We get to use it for a couple years. The detail is really great and the bright colours are very attractive.
Some tiles help remember dates that need to be recorded, very handy!!
Weird date combinations need through the year and years to come are provided for.
Shannon and Erin had a great day helping me organize our new calendar given to them by our friend Miss Milota at their birthday party!!! And I must day that I was grateful to received it too!! ...Thanks MEG!!!

I really enjoy Melissa and Doug wooden toys, and so do my girlies. I think they are becoming a time honoured tradition in the Tracy house. I am ceaselessly amazed at the versatility and longevity of the toys that I have purchased. They seem timeless as well. Toys I purchased for the girlies before they even arrived ares till some of their favorites to dig out on rainy days.
I own them a big hearty THANK YOU!!!! for the hours of fun and learning the girlies have had for the last 3.5 years with Melissa and Doug!!!

A secret hiding spot

2008-09-25T12:26:00.003-04:00

This used to be nothing special in the girlies playroom. just as plain old dormer, a built-in toy box with a broken lid. So, I got a bright idea. Paddy just loves it when I get these, because it will require a bit of his manly help.
A soft billowing sky that has twinkle lights for a starry night sky.
Fuzzy fabric in OOO-LALA pink yummy softness for a nice comfy bench.
Friendly ladybugs and dragonflies for a fun natrual background on a cushy soft back rest.
Wrapped in a soft cloud of white eyelet fabric to bring all your story-time dreams to life.

So....getting started. I apologize that I don't have pictures. We measures our dormer and purchesed MDF and extra thick foam and wrap batting to cut to size. Got out the staple gun and went to town.
Frist, get your seat cut and covered.
Then tack your fabric around the surrounding. I used velcro. Hang your lights and the sky. To get the billowing look I used upholstery tacks randomly placed. Then you lay down your covered seat and add the back.
Hang your curtains for a fun secret place feel!!!!

Your done. Any questions feel free!!

Hearding cats!!! A.K.A 4y/o Soccer

2008-09-23T12:13:00.002-04:00

Strrrrreeeeeeeeetch!!!!
Touch those toes and ........SMILE!!!
Kick.......Shanshan
SHOOT IT WREN!!!!!

Two weeks ago we start 4 y/o soccer. Whatta HOOT!!! It is so dadgum cute it's too much!!!
The coach it very very patient and sweet. The kids actually listen to him!!!
The girlies love soccer and want to "practice" all the time................
Watch out Mia Hamm!!!

Sleeping

2008-09-21T11:59:00.002-04:00

Upon going to bed lastnight after a movie this is what we discovered. Munchkins asleep on the landing. So we put them to bed!!! This is becoming a habit. This is actually the third time we have discovered them like this. I guess they feel safer or closer to us. As long as they don't roll down the steps we will be good for awhile.

Before---After!!!!

2008-09-16T06:36:00.002-04:00

Once upon a time in a land of sky blue water and white snow, lived a young man. He was " Prince Playboy" .............. Now....... he's "King Vitamin"!!!

A Good Time Was Had By ALL!!!

2008-09-15T10:20:00.002-04:00

8000+!!!!!

2008-09-07T11:21:00.006-04:00

WOW!!!! We are at 8000!!!!!!!!!! Let's keep hitting my blog and get my giveway makeover contest rolling!!!! ONLY 2,000 hits to GO!!!!!!!

I must say, I know I am a very small blog, but you would think a FREE Blog makeover would have picked up the action over here at TP4.

Remember, check out Jen's beautiful and original blog creations over at Once Upon A Blog

2nd Day of School

2008-09-03T16:56:00.004-04:00

My Darling left my camera in the car from our weekend trip north. So, I took " second day of school" pictures and will now, for the rest of my life
I will try to play off to the girlies that they are first day pictures.....they will never know and what they don't know won't hurt them ey??

They were very happy to get back to school. Seeing their teachers and friends after a "long long summer" according to Erin.

In Shannon's class they had apple cracker and milk for a snack. She was "only sad once" when Miss Sally and Miss Pari read a book about leaving Mommy and going to school. " then I missed you and wanted you Mommy, but I not cry." Shan was happy to see her Buddy Sanjana and the "other best friends" Madi was not at school, she is on vacation. They made gack...don't ask, but it was green, as evidenced by her hands and played on the swings at recess.
PHEEEEEW!!!!!!!!!! What a day!!!

Erin's class also had apple crackers and milk for a snack. Erin "did not cry when Miss Diane and Miss Monica read the leaving for school book and did not miss Mommy tooooo much, but missed boo-boo( blanket) alot!!"
You can see that I am slightly less important that boo-boo blanket.....
Erin's best friend Hedy did not return to school this year and Ren was pretty bummed out. BUT.....Penny did come back and AAAARYAAAA....Arya was there and that made Erin and Mr Arya very happy to see each other after a " long long summer" They played at the swings for recess and Brandon was " naughty to me" according to Erin and she told me "he ripped mine button off mine dress, BUT!! Arya said NONONO!!!!!" and Brandon went away" AAAHHH young love, chivalry, and drama of missing buttons torn by naughty boys...!!
All- in- all it was a great day and this morning they were rip- roaring -ready- to- go!!!
Let's hope we keep this momentum going for awhile.

Labor day

2008-09-02T01:15:00.003-04:00

This is where and how I spent my Labor Day weekend. Fun in the city and quiet nights in Connecticut with lovely friends

A Sinking Feeling

2008-08-26T00:32:00.004-04:00

Does this bath make me look fat??? Look at that potbelly!

Rub a dub dub behind the ears please...

Look at that skinny little hind leg!!!!!!!!!!!!! How funny....LOL....Cat look soooooo ridiculous wet,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bath time at our house is never boring. I liked to bath my cats once a month. Even though they clean themselves daily a good bath is always refreshing for everyone involved. I make sure that I clip nails a day or so before doing this, it cuts down on the severity of the scratching and the skin damage I may experience.
Maine Coons love water, so they don't freak out about bath time like other cats may. Of course I am not saying they love love love the bath, but they tolerate it more than most. As you can see they were rather excepting of their fate.

Look at this curly little tongue. How cute is that HUH????

Kitty catch-up and Misc.

2008-08-25T13:02:00.003-04:00

Love the cat bath time. There is nothing more mystical to me than watching a cat wash it's face. Paprika is doing a great job demonstrating the perfect textbook procedure for washing your little kitty face.

Cosmo......is a laze!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He eats...ALOT. Sleeps....ALOT. You will find him in the blanket basket 99.9% of the time, when he is not eating.

A squirrly photographer....

Here is Shannon Lebovitz.................

The girlies had requested some of their money from their piggy banks for MM's. I opened the banks to find they each had 75$$$$$$$$. HOLY BUCKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So they said they would like to have a camera and Aunti K had suggested that for their B-day coming up. So I let them buy their own. They thought it was pretty dagum cool to buy your own camera. So, next post will be from Whipper-snapper photography.

So to celebrate, we let them eat redi-whip...........from the can!!!

My... how they have grown!!

2008-08-19T00:38:00.004-04:00

19 months May 2006
2.5 years. First Christmas picture December 2006
4th of July 2007 Almost 3
Shannon June 2008 3.5
Erin June 2008 3.5

Where did those little munchkins go?????

I tell them everyday to drink their shrinking milk( thanks Beth), and not to grow up too fast. The girlies are so sweet and tell me, "I won't grow too fast Mommy!!!"

I am being all sappy and sentimental because in two weeks I will have 4 year olds.....and I really liked having three year olds and that year is gone already..........sniff sniff.....

Names have been changed to protect the pathetically undignified!!

2008-08-11T20:35:00.003-04:00

LOOK AT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My dear sweet friend did this to her poor pathetic little girl. Little Miss here had her alterations made. As if that's not depressing enough for a pooch dealing with surgically induced menopause her mother put a subway cup on her head!!!!!!!
Can you imagine dealing with hot flashes with a thermal cup around your neck????? Not to mention knowing that your face is smooshed and making it's way around the globe via the Internet. OH THE SHAME!!!!!!!!!!!
L............ go get that girl a pedicure!
B...........how could you let this happen????? And you need to let L eat more, the girl likes food!!!! She's Irish, we like potatoes................
Love you guys!!!!! XXOOXXOO

Edwin at the Birchmere

2008-08-10T01:34:00.003-04:00

FINALLY!!!! I made it to see Edwin. It was a great concert. It was acoustic, so Ed, Craig and Larry made sweet sweet music. At the end he played his ever famous "I'll Be".....I am sure this man hates this song by now, as many times as he has played it. For the encore he came back and did "Prayers to St Peter" and there was not a dry eye in the house.
Over all the night was mellow. He had great conversation with the crowd, the Birchmere is a small venue that allowed for close seating and Edwin was able to chat it up nicely with great stories about his songs.

Justin Trawick opened for Edwin McCain. He is a local guy, up and coming in the area. He was a folksy- blues sound and had great stories about his songs. It was just him and his Bassist Eugene. I grabbed a schedule and will see if we can see him again.

You can check out Edwin from the link, it's on the right hand bar of this blog. For information on Justin click here

JULIE!!!!! Come Back!!!!

2008-08-09T06:27:00.002-04:00

I have a blog friend.....yeah I know....technology huh???
Julie over at Handstand Mom .
Some fickle people have been giving her a hard time about blogging about her Chinese adoption. And so she's not bloggin!!! I miss you JULIE!!!!
I really wish that evil doer's would just keep their nasty, unwanted opinions to themselves, but some people really think other's care about their opinions. They use someone elses' platform to air them.
Someone needs to teach a class on how to not say what you think you want to say.
I believe it was Ben Franklin that said, " it's a wise person who knows what not to say at the right time." I like to live by that as best I can....
I hope others will learn to do that here on this platform. We share our life happenings, please be respectful.
JULIE!!!!!!!!!!! COME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fun at Auntie Onni's

2008-08-08T06:02:00.003-04:00

Last week the munchkins and I went to Virginia Beach, to visit our family. Onni, Ryan and JR, recently moved there, so we wanted to check the place out. The girlies ended up wanting to stay for more fun at the beach and so Onnion said....YAY!!!!!!
Onni is a great Aunite and since she lives and has always lived close to us, she has had the most oppurtunities to be with the girlies. She has taken them to the beach, the water park at Little Creek, the aquarium, and they have spent countless hours at the playground across the street.
With JR off making new friends, I think my babies have been fun for Onni to have around. Ryan has been working hard long hours and so I hope they have been great company.
I miss them and talk to them on the phone as much as I can eithout letting the girlies know how lonely I am without them. Crazy!!!!!! I love the peace and quiet and the time patrick and I hve but we keep saying..." I sure miss the girlies."
Lastnight we went for ice cream and wwe were setting there pouting about missing the girlies when

Worth investingating

2008-08-07T14:09:00.003-04:00

So, today I as doing some searches for craft ideas using sea shells. We had a bumper crop this year at Hunting Island. I have some in a bowl, out for ppl to play around with, but I wanted the girlies to make something using thier shells.

I found this fabulous website with a great idea for a seashell display and frame. I will let you know how it works out.........

Meet Cosmo and Paprika

2008-07-30T12:30:00.005-04:00

Why, you may be asking yourself; is Paddy doing a nose dive through the window??????

Well, peeps, that is our bathroom window. This weekend we brought home twins............boy and girl Maine Coon kittens. Cosmo and Paprika. Paprika, we found out likes to sit in drawers and is quite capable of opening the drawers herself. When she opened the drawer it inadvertently locked them into the bathroom, the position of the drawer to the door being perpendicular. So the only way to rescue them and us was for Paddy to go through the window.

And there they are all sweet and innocent.

There will be more to come........

And by the way......this was the second time that day they had done that!!!!

Only 3000 to GO!!!!!!!

2008-07-26T03:23:00.003-04:00

Keep the hits coming!!!!!!! We are getting closer to the BIG 10 GRAND!!!
then we'll spin the wheel and see who wins a FREE new look courtesy Once Upon a Blog!!!

Stinging

2008-07-25T13:38:00.002-04:00

Well, we went to meet Miss Paprika today, and we were rejected. The foster family felt that the girlies were too rough and well, that all I have to say about that. Perhaps what is best for our family to to purchase a purbred Maine Coon. And so we will look into that aspect.

Kitty Haven

2008-07-24T11:09:00.004-04:00

Now that we will be meeting the munchkin, I know that we have to be thinking of all the things she will need. I have been asking, via email, questions to Miss Kitty Saver. She was telling me how social and chirpy this little girlies is. I get all excited thinking about her, as she sounds alot like our Yogi. She's very chatty and loves to watch the birds and squirrels. After some searching I found this at Drs Foster and Smith, you can check them out at this link. I just really love the idea that my precious pumpfalump can enjoy the outdoors on her our veranda and be safe from nature. I think it's pretty smart how it seals, so your engery bill won't skyrocket, and it's a neat place for her to take a nap in the sushine, like her own little room.

I will take some pictures of her when we get her and the veranda together in the coming weeks.

Meet Paprika

2008-07-23T14:29:00.002-04:00

Well, Friday at 10A the girlies and I head to Fredrick to meet this little lovey. I think, those of you who knew Yogi will agree; that little Miss Paprika is an incarnation. We will be so please to get to bring this little puff-ball home.
I will keep you posted on the coming events.

Putty-tat

2008-07-22T16:34:00.002-04:00

We have decided to rescue a little Maine Coon kitten. I can't believe we are doing this, but here we go. We shall see if we are a 'fit" family. I swear this is harder than adopting the girlies.
It never ceases to amaze me at how difficut adopting a pet can be. For the love of PETE!!!!!! there are too many unwanted pets, stocked in shelters and foster homes and it takes an act of Congress to get one!! I am completely aware that people mistreat and abandon animals everyday. I commend the community that advocates for them and implores shelters not to euthanise. BUT COME ON PEOPLE!!!!!!! Let's make this a little easier. I am here to say that if it were not 800 dollars to purchase a Maine Coon kitten from a breeder I would be there rather than adopt and I am beginning to understand why people go to pet stores and breeders. IT IS MUCH EASIER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So..........(sigh) we will wait and hope and see and I will update you all in te coming days.

Lazy, Breezey, Ocean Days

2008-07-22T10:39:00.003-04:00

This is what our days were like at the beach. Up at dawn, having a quick breakfast and grabbing coffee and lazing on the beach until noonish and then lunch and naps, up for snacks and then more lazing on the beach, playing in the surf, building sand castles and then heading up for dindin. simple and pleasing. I live all year long for this week.

Mermaids

2008-07-21T10:26:00.002-04:00

" Daddy!!!! Make me a mermaid!!!"

Wildlife sightings

2008-07-20T03:44:00.003-04:00

Brown Pelican
South Carolina Loggerhead Turtle nest

Baby Loggerhead Turtle
Marsh land....YES!!!!.............gators live here!!!!

I had to snag this photo online, these little ninnies were never out picking around when I had my camera, but the rest are real. I did have a close encounter with a bobcat, and was too busy getting out of the way to snap a pic!!!!

Paradise

2008-07-19T15:30:00.004-04:00

We are back from Hunting Island. We had a wonderful, relaxing week, with beautiful weather. On the first morning the girlies had us up before
sunrise, so I was able to catch it in the beautiful first picture, unenhanced.
Enjoy, and more to come throughout the week!!!
We even saw a couple of mermaids!!!!!
So stay tuned!!