Vacation!

 

I am one hour away from heading out and down to Florida.  Everything has been done and I think the kids are packed.

See everyone in a week.

Have a fun and safe 4th of July!

Catching Up, Counting Down

Paul and I attended a ball game on the Saturday before Father's Day.  We drove up to Baltimore and spent the night at a hotel, walked to Camden Yards to see the Orioles play Arizona Diamondbacks.   Diamondbacks beat Orioles that day 8-4.  It was a good game, a couple of really outstanding plays for both teams.  The whole weekend was great and just the get away we needed.

While I was home at my mother's for Mother's Day, we had portraits taken... my mother, brother, sister and I (me?)... at any rate.. those came in to my mother's house last weekend.  Art was over at my mom's and called me so that we could figure out whose pictures were whose.  The portrait studio very kindly included a ton of extra pictures, but of different poses than what we had ordered and paid for (but those were in the envelope, too).  So over the phone (I had the original order sheet) Art and I sorted through the pictures.. made some educated guesses about what Susan paid for and divied up the pics. At one point, I did suggest to Art that he call Susan too and be sure that we had the pictures right.

Susan called me the next day ranting and raving about the pics.. she was convinced that Art had gone home with her pictures and that she's be getting the wrong sizes of portraits (she's in Colorado, mom and Art are in AZ.. and of course, Im in MD)... OMG... it was a rant worthy of a real life docudrama... LOL.  Seriously, she had me feeling so bad that I almost ordered another set of the pics to be delivered to her home.

Well.. pics showed up at her house on Friday, she called me and we went through the poses again.  Seems she did, in fact, get the poses in the sizes she wanted, plus a ton of extras.  She says .."I am so glad I wasn't too mean about this, since they turned out okay."  I had to say "OH??? were you nicer to Mom and Art than you were to me? Cuz I gotta tell you little sis.. that convo was harsh!"   and She said... "No, I guess I was mean to Mom too because she sent me a card of apology."  LMAO.. such a drama queen!

This week I am jumping through hoops.  We leave on Friday for WDW. I have to get the cat to the vet, Kim to the audiologist AND eye doctor, as well as pack clothes for 5 people (theydo help, but apparently I have the secret to making all the clothes fit in the least amount of bags). Plus all those errands one does before leaving home for an extended period.

Friday Kendra and I kicked around Walter Reed (hospital), getting an ultrasound and a KUB done before her surgery next month (7/10).  More on that when I know more.

Saturday we took off to the mall and movie watching.  We saw Fantastic Four:Silver Surfer.  LOVED IT!   It may not be everyone's cup of tea.. but I loved it.  and remember folks if you go.. its based on a COMIC BOOK.. not real life.. miracles happen all the time!  LOL

Okay.. off to do some more preliminary work.

 

Senior Year Meme (not an original thought in my head today)

From Russ this and that, courtesy of Dawn... This looked like a fun meme, so I had to do it.  :)

Fill this out about your SENIOR year of high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be.

1. Name of your homeroom teacher. I don't think we had homerooms.. I went to a "progressive" school.  Well.. if we had homeroom, I can't remember the teacher's name. EEK
2.What sports or clubs did you participate in? Senior Year it was yearbook, drillteam
3. What kind of car did you drive?   A 1979 red Nissan Truck with black interior and no air conditioning, but it was brand new!... did I mention I grew up in Phoenix, AZ?

4. It's Friday night, where were you? At the school game (according to season) and then the school dance.
5. Were you a party animal? Sadly, I was. But I never drove after drinking.
6. Were you considered a flirt? Yes, but I was taken, so I wasn't a dangerous flirt.
7. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Not my Senior year, but I had been in band my freshman year.
8. Were you a nerd? This was probably the one classification I never had... but my hot boyfriend was!

9. Did you get suspended/expelled? Not my Senior year. :)
10. Can you sing the fight song? Yes, and I can do the dance moves for it too.  Here's a bitof the words:

Ever onward Browne High School, strive with power and might: With our loyalty you'll rule, the Bruins will win tonight. From our goal we'll never stop, Brown and Orange you'll see.  When we're through we'll be on top... So cheer on for TGB!

Our Music Director, Mr. Washburn, wrote our song... :)
11. Who was your favorite teacher?  Mrs. Harthun, my french teacher.  She was awesome.
12. Did you cut on Senior cut day? Nope,

13. School mascot?  A bear... we were the Bruins
14. Did you go to Prom? Yeup, went with Paul (my husband)
15. If you could go back and do it over, would you?  Not sure.
16. What do you remember most about graduation?  My last name started with C, and Paul's started with S and my best friend's started with an R... I remember crouching at the end of my row and jumping up and hugging each of them as they returned to their seats.

17. What did you do on senior cut day?  Presumably I was in my classes, since i didn't go on ditch day.
18. Did you have a job your senior year?  Nope, I was the commander of our drill team, we competed all year long, I was determined to win first place that year... no time for a job.

19. Where did you go most often for lunch?  McDonald's.. I had a hamburger, fry, coke and cherry pie for under $2.00

20.Have you gained weight since then?  Yeup... tons of it.
21. What did you do after graduation?  Bryman School of Medical and Dental Careers (eye roll). 
22. When did you graduate?  1979
23. Who was your Senior prom date?  Paul

24. Are you going / did you go to your 10 year reunion?  Yes, I went to our 10 year in 1989.  It was fun, but I realized that the folks I like best I see everytime I'm in town and the rest I never cared for anyway.  It was the last one I attended.

25. Was your prom held at the school or in a hall? It was held at one of the hotels in town.  It was a very nice affair.

Heartbreak of a different kind

 

This is going to sound so weird.  I received a "save the date" card from my best friend's son and his fiancee for their wedding.  Now.. I've known that this would be coming sooner or later.  He's been dating this girl for over three years.

Still... there was a part of me that was hoping that Kyle and Kendra would re-"find" each other.  Kyle and Kendra have been friends since Kendra was a year old.  We spent several years together, sharing birthdays, and other events.  Although these two haven't really been together since they hit their teens.. I guess I just always hoped they would end up together.

During the time that we were living in Northern Va I would drive to Walter Reed using the Rock Creek parkway.  If memory serves, there is a great view of some of the buildings of Georgetown that way.  Kendra would see the tall towers and she thought it was a castle.  She would say (this was when she was about five yrs old) "When Kyle and I grow up and get married, we're going to live in that castle.  We are going to have 6 kids... one for each of us to hold".. and I'd ask "one for each of us?".. and she'd say.."one for Miss Leigh, one for Mr. Mark, one for Daddy, one for you, one for Kyle and one for me!"  LOL.. she had it all figured out.

I am so happy for Kyle and I know Hanna is a good person, but there is just a small part of me that wistfully wishes I didn't have to put away my dream.

Birthday, student drivers, schedules & Dizziness

Thank you Stacy for remembering my birthday. :)   So far it's been a banner year for nice things.   Besides the lovely e-card and mention from Stacy, I also got a audio greeting from Donny Osmond!  I know, I know.. but the thirteen year old in me is thrilled!

My sister called me this morning to wish me Happy Birthday, and I got flowers from my dear friend Lisa.  Paul left this morning on a teaser note, asking if I wanted my card today, or with the gift tomorrow (because of his schedule, we're celebrating tomorrow). I chose to wait for tomorrow.

I woke up feeling a bit of vertigo again today.  Never did go to the doctor last time (or the time before that) so I really don't know WHY I get it.  But it seems to clear up on it's own... guess one of these days I will have it checked.. I just don't know where on this busy planner I'm supposed to fit it in?  Maybe towards the end of July.

Kendra drove us to the driving school today.  The girls have classes through Friday and then they have their driving time with the instructor.  Kendra seems to have a pretty good handle on things.. but I will say it seems she is having a problem with regulating speed.  She's never actually speeding..but as soon as she hits the speed limit, she takes her foot off the gas and coasts.   I don't want to be making too many corrections on her right now.  I'm not so concerned about the speed anyway.. it's the situational awareness that I want her focusing on.  LMAO.. she did fine until it was time to turn into the driving school parking lot.  It's kind of a tight turn, but she was taking it rather wide.. and fast... I did yip out "Kendra!" at that point.  I know, I know.. not a lot of help, just yelling her name.. but she got the car back under her control pretty quick.

I think I may end up going the rest of the way gray during this driving process! Thank goodness for hair dye.

Our summer is pretty tightly scheduled.  Paul gets a break from TPS June 27-July 8.  During that period we are going as a family to Disney World.  We return in time for Kendra to have her surgery July 10.  Between now and then, I have to get Kim to her orthodontist, Mac to the dentist, Kendra needs a new U/S and KUB before the surgery.  Plus the driving that both girls need. 

Somewhere in there I want to consult with an ENT doctor about finally doing something with my deviated septum.  Apparently my snoring is getting worse.. and I know at least part of the reason is the fact that I can't breathe out of my left nostril at all. I'm hoping if I can get the consultation out of the way this summer, I can plan to have surgery in the early fall when the kids go back to school.

 

Driving School, New Recipes, and Walking

Kendra and Kim are currently in driving school.  It's a two week classroom course plus 6 driving hours with an instructor.  A requirement in our state.  Kendra already has her permit, but Kim must wait until Friday (june 16) when she is finally of the minimum age for permits.

(cue spooky mood music here) I can't believe that in the space of 6 months, our family will go from two drivers to four drivers. That's kind of scary.  No slow progress between the first kid getting her license and the second one getting hers.  

Being in Germany kept Kendra from being able to drive (minimum age 18 there).  <sigh>   Ah well... they do so much together, guess it's just logical that they would end up driving at the same time.

Today I tried a new recipe for chicken nuggets.  It was from a Cooking Light magazine.  It sucked.  BUT.. on the plus side everyone tried it ('cept the vegetarian).  It was a unanimous agreement that we never make that recipe again.  However, they are all willing to try another recipe if I find one that doesn't include corn flakes.

I have walked five miles so far today.  I did two this morning before everyone woke up (I love when summer comes and no one needs to be up with me).  And I did three miles while the girls were at driving school.  I think I'd like to get out this evening for another walk around the neighborhood.  Just a short relaxing walk.  I asked Kim if she'd like to walk with me.  She said "mmmm.. no, not really." 

 

I am SO past that age.

 Last night was graduation for the class ahead of Paul's here at the Test Pilot School. Our spouses' group asked for volunteers to offer babysitting to the graduating families. One of the dangling hooks that Erinn offered up (she coodinated this babysitting thing) was the idea of paying it forward.. by offering now, we could get similar service when our husbands graduate in 6 months time.

Now.. I don't need babysitting... my youngest is 14... really.. I don't need it.  I did not intend to volunteer.  But then I saw how few volunteers they had, and I found myself marking MAYBE , along with the quip "if you need me, use me."    I think that essentially became a target on my forehead.

Early this week, Erinn took me up on my offer and assigned me to one of the families that I did know.  Rebecca is a very nice woman that I have enjoyed a few conversations with.  I knew she didn't have babies... so I said "sure".  

Well.. what I had for the evening were three children, a 6, 5 and 2 year old. The 6 yr old girl had her ballet recital, so she left the house with the "ballet mom" around 6pm.  So... I just had the two.  They were really good kids.. so cute and really played well together. 

BUT... as the evening progressed and I had to make dinner, find pajamas etc. ... I discovered that every knob in that house was sticky!!!  OMG.. I've forgotten the "jam hand" stage of child rearing. LMAO.. I admit that initially I thought "my house was never STICKY!!"... but if I'm honest... it probably was.. its inevitable I think with toddlers.

UGH.. I kept having to wipe up my hands, knobs, countertops... Bless her heart! I'm sure she spends most of her day wiping things down... and it's still there.

I am soooo glad that my kids are long beyond that stage. 

I wish we knew the answer

This bit of information was taken from a story regarding the video that Al Quida has released claiming the soldiers taken are dead.

 

...Josh Devon, a senior analyst and cofounder of the SITE Institute, said that, in general, such insurgent videos had a mixed record on accuracy.

"Usually with hostages, they will show a video of the captives," Devon said. "They don't have that in this case."

He said the soldiers' military identification cards shown on the video appear genuine, but do not prove the soldiers were killed. But he added that the insurgent group would probably not release a video filled with boasts unless they were confident the soldiers were dead.

"They wouldn't want to have something they put out proven totally wrong," Devon said in a telephone interview. "They have to feel confident that they are not going to be exposed."

I wish we knew the truth.   A part of me feels that there is still hope and I will continue praying for a resolution in this matter.  But another part of me is sad, believing that Mr. Devon is probably correct that the people involved would not want to be found out as false.

OMG I own a graduate!

I am so very pleased to announce that our oldest daughter, the one that launched this chapter of our lives called "parenting", graduated on June 1 from high school.

It was one of the longest graduation ceremonies I have ever had to sit through.  Thankfully, I have three years before I have to sit through another one.

Kendra received recognition for her success in math over the last four years.  Unfortunately, her AP Biology grade kept her from winning more accolades than that. Still... we are very proud of her. 

As soon as I get the film developed (it's really starting to look like I need a digital camera)  I'll post some pics up.

Summer Meme

Visiting Russ this morning brought this summer meme to my attention.  Thanks Russsummertime memetime

Summer Survey!

Pool OR Jacuzzi : Jacuzzi

Ocean OR Pool : Ocean

Ice cream OR popsicles : Ice cream

Lemonade OR iced tea : In a perfect situation.. it's sun tea... but I'm discovering you can't make it everywhere.

Tennis shoes OR flip flops: tennis shoes, or swim shoes if I'm on a beach

Fans OR Air conditioning : Please, I grew up in the Arizona desert.. AC is a MUST!

Sprinklers OR slip n slide : I thought slip n slides looked pretty cool til I actually used one.  I had bruises from throwing myself onto the damn thing.

Water Balloon fight OR Water gun fight :  Water balloon fights were the rage in our neighborhood. And always... boys against the girls

Y O U R F A V O R I T E S U M M E R . . .

Drink : Dr. Pepper on ice

Food :  anything off a grill, and watermelon

Song : "Do it again" Beach Boys

Hang out :The pool

Camp: If I were going to camp, it would have to be somewhere in Northern Arizona. And you'd have to pay me.

Holiday :My Birthday (June 13).  This year we are going to a baseball game!

Vacation: It's a toss up between Virginia Beach and Panama City, FL

L A S T S U M M E R :

Where did you go : Pisa, Italy with my sister. I left the children and Paul at home.  I had a great time!

Who did you hang with? my sister

Did you do anything illegal :It wasn't intentional, but apparently I used a rental car without paying for it.

Did you go to a concert? Do school concerts count?

What was your best memory : Driving through the Tuscan countryside and realizing it IS just that beautiful.

T H I S  S U M M E R :

Where are you going : Disney World. This may be the last summer we do a family vacation with all of us, so Disney World just seemed the right place to go.

Name five things you're most looking forward to this summer :

1. Finishing our year of homeschooling at the end of June. 2. The Oriole-Diamondback game. 3. Disney World Vacation 4. Lots of time with the children. 5. August, because then we'll be past Kendra's surgery in July.

Operation Hero Miles

When Kendra was born back in 1988, we had to be airlifted to Walter Reed Medical Center for some much needed medical intervention.  We were stationed in Germany at the time of her birth, so there were some quick steps to take before we could come back to D.C. 

Upon arriving at Walter Reed, she was quickly set up in the NICU and Paul and I were dispatched to the Military Guest House.  We were able to stay there for a few days, but when it became apparent that Kendra would be at Walter Reed for longer than I expected, we were relocated to the local Ronald McDonald House.  This fabulous organization allows families to stay close to their children while the children are being treated at medical facilities away from their home towns.

Sometime in the late 90's, the military community began putting together a similar program for military families that have members receiving medical care at larger Military Medical Centers.  These houses are called Fisher House and are located through out the globe at each major military medical center.  These places allow families to stay at low or no cost while accompanying a member receiving medical care.

Now the Fisher houses have teamed up with a lot of airlines to implement a program called "Operation Hero Miles".   This program allows people to donate their frequent flyer miles to a pool that can be used by a family member to be at the bedside of their injured service member. Because injuries happen so quickly and the need to be there is so urgent, most families pay exorbitant (over $1000.00) prices for next day tickets. When you donate your frequent flyer miles, families can save money on their travel cost to be with the service member as he/she goes through medical treatments.

To find out more about the program and how you can be involved, please check out their website at http://www.heromiles.org/

To learn more about the Fisher house and how you can be involved, please check out their website at http://www.fisherhouse.org

It's one more way that we can help and support our military members.  Thanks!