Eclecticity

Cake Anyone?

2011-08-14T01:29:00.001-04:00

S did this cake a while back for a friend of mine's baby shower. Awesome, isn't it? The boys got talent!

Why not to take a 3 yr old bra shopping

2011-08-14T01:23:00.001-04:00

Droids

2011-08-13T19:37:00.000-04:00

This was just too funny not to share.

If you really know me, you'll understand...

Drum Major

2011-08-05T20:36:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to share this photo of D at FJM Drum Major Camp with his marching band instructor, Mr. Z & his co-drum majors.

I am really, really proud of him! He wasn't suppose to get drum major. In fact, his director told the instructors NOT to help him during try outs cuz he was too afraid to lose a trumpet player. He got it in spite of that. To quote one of the judges, he "pooped gold" at the try outs!

It's gonna be an awesome marching season!!

What Drowning Looks Like

2010-07-22T12:06:00.001-04:00

This is important information to have this summer. Check the full article here.

Drowning doesn't look like flailing arms and legs and shouts for help. In fact, most people wouldn't even notice it was happening. Here are the true signs someone is in trouble in the water:

Head low in the water, mouth at water level
Head tilted back with open mouth
Hair over forehead or eyes
Eyes glassy, empty and unable to focus
Eyes closed
Hyperventilating or gasping
Not using legs
Body is vertical and upright
Trying to swim in a certain direction but not making progress
Trying to roll over on the back

I've always been afraid of drowning, or worse, one of my children drowning. Hopefully, this information will help someone out there!

Airsoft

2010-07-22T11:40:00.002-04:00

For the boys, this is the summer of airsoft!

The whole gang

The "Action" shots.

I think all but one are posed for. Can you guess which one?

Doesn't this look like some crazy Charle's Angels pix?

The Puppet Show

2010-07-22T11:24:00.000-04:00

Cora entertained me with a puppet show at the library.

N was a little too shy to participate

Cool Riders

2010-07-22T11:20:00.000-04:00

If only the video of this was working...

D & S rocking out at Red, White, & Boom

S & Little C playing it cool with their cousin at Red, White, & Boom

Total Awesomeness!

July 4th

2010-07-22T11:11:00.001-04:00

This is my favorite pix of the day
Taken by S

I was holding off on this post till I could show the pix I got of Daniel in the Independence Day parade, but the camera is MIA and I fear it is going to stay that way. Instead, I'll show you the pix of the Vietnam Moving Wall that was visiting W'ville at the time and the flag we sponsored in honor of our dads (Chris' and mine) military service.

Little C among the flags

The Columbus Zoo

2010-07-22T11:06:00.001-04:00

Some highlights of our trip to the Columbus Zoo

Little C, some random kid, & a giant koala

My tree huggin' son

S & his "special" friend

The boys!

Little C & a giant lizard

N, Little C, & Big C playing an African drum

Dr. B

2010-07-22T10:59:00.000-04:00

Dr. Beddoes...

Please report to surgery

Restless Summer

2010-07-22T10:51:00.000-04:00

Front walkway taken by N

It has been a restless summer this year. I was so looking forward to the season, the first in our new house, but I feel as if most of it has been wasted. Knowing this isn't entirely true, I still can't help feeling like everything I've done isn't unique to the season. For example, we have made great strides in education with the girls. Cora finished her first chapter book a few weeks ago and is almost done with a second; however, we could've accomplished this just about any time of year.

For me, summer usually means:

Camping at least once
Road trips
Pools
Long evening walks
Sleeping in
Gardening
Yard work

View of front yard tree from my new comfy spot

While I have done my fair share, and probably yours too, of sleeping in this summer, almost all the other stuff has been absent.

I have substituted long evening walks with reading on my new front porch (where my hubby arranged a simple, but nice little area for us to chill out together) and that has been fantastic.

We haven't gone camping and won't have any time to fit it in. This is disappointing since Chris' disabled veteran status enables us to camp for free at any Ohio state campgrounds.

We are planning a quick road trip next week, but it is so short it hardly counts in my book!

This is as close to a pool as we have gotten this summer

We have yet to even see a pool this summer :(

I planted tomatoes, but that is about all I have done. I guess I should cut myself a break on this one, being the first year in the new house, I have just barely decided where to put it next year.

Yard work. UGH! I have neither the time or the resources to do what I want to the place. I did finally complete a small project in the back yard last night, but hardly enough to satisfy me. I think I'll have to give this one up till next summer too.

The girls have less then a month before school starts and then D heads off to band camp. Hopefully I can make the best of the rest of this summer.

Feel free to leave me some low cost suggestions to yard maintenance, summer fun,

or other ideas that may come to your head.

Help Support Cornerstone Academy

2010-07-16T13:12:00.001-04:00

This is the school some of my children attend and where Chris is currently serving as vice president of the school board. Last year, they received an EXCELLENT rating, which is the highest possible ranking!

As parents, my wife and I have been very pleased with the progress our children have made there. Our oldest daughter entered the school in the 3rd grade, but could hardly read at a 1st grade level. By the end of that year, the excellent staff had her reading at grade level! They also took the initiative to uncover the learning disabilities we were unaware she had and they have ensured she has the help she needs ever since.

Please help support our school by voting for Cornerstone Academy Community in the Kohl's Cares campaign. As a newer charter school, it can be difficult to get the funding for your students. After seeing the difference in our lives so far, I can only imagine what they can do with more funding.

Thank you for your support!!

Florida (Final part... I think): Misc fun

2010-06-26T23:06:00.001-04:00

Here is some misc. fun we had on the trip:

The Looooooooooooong Car Ride there

N on the "shell" phone ~~ N, future rock star!

Air Hockey Rocks!

The Cowboy Hat - Chris' lone souvenir

(considering how much I spent at KSC, I couldn't tell him no)

Last morning there, I broke my toe! It still hurts!

And once again, Little C falls asleep on Debi's bed.

It truly was a tiring experience!

Florida (the Temple part): Salmon's Sealing

2010-06-26T22:42:00.000-04:00

Now for the whole reason we came to Florida, the sealing for the Salmon's family. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to witness this! If you haven't experience this, you haven't experienced life!

Here's the pix from after the sealing:

Everyone who came to the sealing

Family Photo time again ~~ One of me and my Sweatheart too!

N playing peek-a-boo ~~ Chris & D hanging out

Big C, not really as grumpy as she looks ~~ Little C chatting with friends

Eating before heading home

D & S and the Salmon boys ~~ Me & my best FL girlfriends, Abby & Debi!

The kids together outside the Orlando Temple.

Can't wait till they can all go inside together!

Florida (another part): The Pool

2010-06-26T22:13:00.002-04:00

As necessary as going to the beach is when going to Florida, the pool is equally important.

After we stayed Vero Beach we headed to Orlando and the temple sealing. We and the Salmons (who were getting sealed) stayed at the vacation home of some mutual friends (which sleeps 12 people! 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a pool).

Here are some of the highlights of our time in the pool:

S & friend try on the floaties

Little C takes a ride on an octopus

This is as close as N would come to the water...

He was content with going "Pew! Pew!" at everyone all day.

D mid-dive

We didn't see Big C much. She lives for the water!

Little C's favorite floatie...

Actually, it was everyones favorite floatie!

They played all night too!!

Florida (part... um, I forgot): Hurricane

2010-06-26T21:51:00.000-04:00

Though we actually experience 2 hurricanes while we lived in Florida years ago (Katrina & Wilma), we couldn't resist the urge to throw our children in this and watch the fun!!

Before the fun begins

At 32 mph

At 49 mph

At 58 mph

At 68 mph

At 78 mph ~ official hurricane winds

Florida (part 5): KSC

2010-06-26T21:38:00.000-04:00

We didn't go to Kennedy Space Center the day of the launch because it is restricted, but it was something we all really wanted to do. We did so much, but couldn't quite fit it all into one trip. We all agreed that the launch simulator was the best part of the day and highly recommend you brave the long (though fairly swift moving) line to try it! Here are some of the highlights:

The kids in Explorer bay ~~ Chris under Explorer heat shield

Me by sand sculpture of space flight ~~ N, Chris, S, & Little C on bus to Observation Gantry

S lamenting his bad sunburns ~~ Me and N looking out toward launch towers

Family photo time.

The launch tower is behind us though the camera washed it out.

(Daniel was so nervous he wouldn't go anywhere near the edge of the tower. Hee hee.)

Big C in the Apollo 8 control center ~~ Cora in the ISS museum

D & S in ISS museum ~~ N falls asleep in the stroller. LOL

D & S in front of Explorer ~~ N by astronaut suit

(N hasn't stopped talking about spaceships and astronauts since out trip!)

Florida (part 4): The Mall

2010-06-26T21:14:00.000-04:00

Messing around on the kiddie rides.

N takes Big C on a bus ride. He's a crazy driver!

Riding around, hanging out with friends.

"I'm on a horse."

Florida (part 3): The Many Faces of D

2010-06-26T18:51:00.000-04:00

Shopping while our beach wounds healed was fun. We went to some beach shops and a local children's bookstore, which proved to be much more fun then it sounds. Especially for D!

Florida (part 2): The Beach

2010-06-26T18:36:00.002-04:00

Of course, no vacation to Florida is complete without a visit to the beach. We were at Vero Beach most of the day after the launch. Poor S got blistering sunburns on his shoulders and Little C's thighs were pretty bad. Chris also got burned on his ankles, and thanks to his diabetes, didn't heal for weeks. We skipped the beach the next couple days to let everyone heal.

Run, N, Run! He didn't like the water AT ALL!

He stuck with the sand most of the day.

Of course, you couldn't keep Big C outta the water!

S & D were having a good time on the boogie boards.

Little C was our amphibian. In & out of the water all day. She was tired, but happy :)

Florida (part 1): The Shuttle Launch

2010-06-26T18:24:00.003-04:00

The most exciting thing that happened to us over the last few months is that we got an ACTUAL FAMILY VACATION!! Some good friends of ours were sealed in the Orlando temple there after 12 years of trying and it was something I was NOT going to miss!!

We took so many pix and video that I will have to break this up into several posts.

When I was planning the trip I was ecstatic... ECSTATIC!!!!!... to find out that there was a shuttle launch planned. It has always been a life long dream of mine to witness a launch and with the end of the program near, I figured I'd never get the chance. Well, not only did I get to see one, I got to see the
LAST NIGHT LAUNCH EVER! (Did I mention I was ecstatic?)

We stayed out first night in Melbourne (the closest city we could find a hotel room) and got up at 4 am to witness the launch of Discovery. We drove about an hour north to Titusville and walked around trying to get a good view. The police however, didn't agree with where many of us had chosen to stand and made everyone clear the street. Luckily we only had to step back a few feet to the curb and got a better view then before.

It was really great! It light up the night sky and took several minutes before you could hear it. I would love to have shown you the awesome video that we shot, but I was smart enough to DELETE IT!!!!!! UGH!!!!!!!

~ stupid ~ stupid ~ stupid ~ stupid ~ stupid ~ stupid ~ stupid ~ stupid ~ stupid ~

Instead, we got some pictures of the trail left behind that was pretty cool.
What letters do you see?

Lookie Me!

2010-06-26T17:54:00.000-04:00

I'm BLOGGING!!

Don't have a heart attack. It's only been 3 1/2 months. That's not THAT long.

Ok, maybe it is.

So... (looks around awkwardly)... I guess I should say something about what's been happening. Well, everything, and nothing. Busy, busy, busy, but nothing I think anyone would be terribly interested in.

So I'll try over the next few posts to fill you in on something...

Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid

2010-03-16T18:40:00.000-04:00

D got his driving permit...

HEAVEN HELP US ALL!

An Afternoon at Mickey D's

2010-02-23T13:22:00.002-05:00

Just a quick post to show off my cute kid. N was stuck in the car for a few hours the other day, so I made it up to him by taking him to McDonald's playland. He was too afraid to climb up into the top of the netting to go down the slide, so he kept trying to go up the slide itself. Didn't make it very far though.

Valentine's Day

2010-02-23T11:19:00.007-05:00

I have to say, this was probably one of the best Valentine's Day's in a very long time, if ever. Not that there was anything overly spectacular about it, but we had loads of fun. Chris was heading out of town on the actualy holiday, so we made up for it by celebrating for a couple of days beforehand.

Friday night, we went out to our usual karaoke hang out with some friends and had a blast slaughtering all the favorites from the 80's, 90's, & today. Then Saturday, I was privileged to take 5 wonderful people out on a date to a local ice cream shop!

N making the most obscene concoction of ice cream, gummy bears, M & M's and ice water I have ever seen.

Little C enjoying the coloring and waiting for her
"Make Your Own Snowman" Sundae.

Big C stunned from a surprise attack by my camera!
She also did a "Make Your Own" type of sundae, and of course, neither one of them finished it.

S inspecting N's insane concoction mentioned earlier.
Boys will be boys!

Chris coloring with Little C as we wait for his favorite ice cream treat. (Since we are both trying to lose weight, we only get one day a week to splurge on our favorite something.)

Where was D, you may ask? Quad stake youth dance with his sweetheart (we'll call her "A+" from here on cuz she makes the grade. She really is a sweetheart and we would like to keep her!) He doesn't get to see her often since she lives about an hour away from us.

D & A+

Hope all of you had a great Valentine's Day too!

Head Lice

2010-02-23T10:51:00.000-05:00

Little C and I suffered from a bout of head lice recently. MAN! That stuff is resilient! My head only had a few eggs in it, but poor Little C was plagued for days with the stuff.

Having never dealt with the stuff as an adult before, my friend, Amy, came to rescue me from my ignorance of the matter. We spent 3 days getting rid of it! We used the best shampoos on the market, and when they didn't work, we resorted to home remedies. At one point, we actually oiled Little C's head down with olive oil and wrapped it in plastic wrap for 13 hours! You'd think that 13 hours of suffocating the little buggers would have killed them off, but no! We still found 3 alive! Eventually, we got the job done.

Little C was so upset by the whole thing, but we made everything into a game and she seemed to take it in stride then. Here is a pic of her with her "Queen of Egypt Crown" as we nicknamed it to make her feel better.

She was so upset that she was going to miss days of school, but got lucky as we had several snow days that week. She was able to go back to school by Friday of that week.

200th Post

2010-02-23T10:39:00.001-05:00

My 200th post is as uneventful as my 100th was, but somehow I lack the energy to do more.

I feel I am justified though in the following analogy.

If this is what your brain is suppose to look like:

This is mine after an absent hubby and too many snow days with the kids:

Any questions?

Move over Brutus

2010-02-04T10:20:00.003-05:00

Right now, Buckeye Chuck is my favorite Buckeye animal!

Why?

Because unlike that Punks-a-somethin' Phil,
Buckeye Chuck says there will be an early spring this year.

Can I get a

HALLELUJAH!

Here's a link to the article in The Marion Star if you don't believe me
(or if ya just wanna check it out).

I Am the Messenger

2010-02-04T08:44:00.005-05:00

I have read so many books lately. I actually read one in less than 12 hours the other day. Ok, it was a YA book, but still give me some credit. (This should really be a testament to how dull my life has been, I actually have time to READ!) Here are my thoughts on some of them.

I really enjoyed Zusak's writing style in The Book Thief, so I decided to try out another of his novels that is supposed to be more light hearted and humorous. I Am the Messenger acheives this but if you're looking for something actually humorous and funny, this isn't the book to grab. I still enjoy Zusak's style. It's very conversational. He makes it seem so easy; easy to write and easy to read. And this book has a positive message to it. Unfortunately, I think his story falls too flat at the end. Still worth the read though.

My Antonia... well, let's just put it this way: It's literature. Ya know, classic, gotta-read-in-college kinda literature. Let me also add that I am a plot driven reader. I enjoy the challenges of the characters and how they overcome them. I like the thrill of the who-dunnit or the how-they-gonna-accomplish-that kinda thing. If you're like me, you may wanna skip this one (unless of course you actually have this as required reading or something). Cather is so wonderfully descriptive and her passion for the land and it's people are apparent, but I kept waiting for the plot to start... and it never really did (or only faintly at best). If you like classic, descriptive literature, you'll love it. If not, skip it.

Among the Hidden by Margaret Haddix.
Why am I reading a YA book, you may ask. I was impressed by this series long before I ever read this book. It is the series that FINALLY interested my pre-teen boys in books! D & S read them several years ago and couldn't stop talking about them. D has been in love with reading ever since. THANK YOU MARGARET PETERSON HADDIX!! And as an adult, I can see why they liked them so much. Keep in mind that the book is simple for the younger reader, but intriguing, and adventurous enough to keep even an adult interested. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

By the way, check out my writings at The Distracted Writer.

My Other Job

2010-02-04T08:13:00.003-05:00

Like I don't have enough of them, right?

Besides, mother, wife, teacher, etc, etc, etc, I have taken on the role of writer. At least I am trying to (remember Resolution #1?). I have been faithful at trying to take myself seriously in this capacity. So far, it's been fun! I've revisited and revised a few of my short stories I wrote years ago, started some new ones, and made real progress on my novel (though I still have a loooooooong way to go). However, I seem to have neglected blogging here a bit again. (By the way, this blog is not intended for anything but keeping up to date with my family and friends. If you are interested in my writings, check out The Distracted Writer.)

Mostly, it's because other than this (and Resolution #2, of course) I have been a pretty boring person. I think the winter will do that to a person. It's dull, gray, and boring. We haven't even had the yearly (traditional?) dumping of snow this year. What snow we've had has been given to us a little bit at a time. It melts occasionally, and then we get a little more. A rather boring cycle has occurred even in our weather patterns!

So I write, read, and workout in any free time I may get. And I take kids to and from school. And I go to work. Not much to write home about. LOL

The Other Julie Beddoes

2010-01-28T10:38:00.003-05:00

Have you ever Googled yourself?

Come on, admit it, you have.

We all have.

I took it a step further this last week and Googled myself for images of me and my family. It actually started with the kids, as I was a bit paranoid as to what could come up if I searched them. Then for the heck of it, I did myself, my hubby, and a few others.

Now, I don't think I have a very common name, but I know there was at least one other Julie Beddoes in the world. I hear she's a journalist and writer in Toronto, Canada. Well, apparently, she and I aren't the only ones.

Meet the other Julie Beddoes

See any resemblence?

Me neither...

Rose Clouds

2010-01-13T08:26:00.005-05:00

While on my way to drop the girls off at school this morning, I was very busy thinking of the condition of the roads I was travelling as well as the thoughts that the snow would most likely be melting quite a bit tomorrow. I was very absorbed in complaining in my head about the slosh and sludge that we'd be enduring when Cora drew my attention to the sky which was brilliant shades of pink and red.

"Mommy, doesn't that look like a sky full of roses!"

She was so excited about the beauty of it, while I had missed it all along. Nothing like a child to make you slow down and take notice of the world around you.

Snow Forts

2010-01-12T18:02:00.002-05:00

N helping the boys build snow forts in the backyard.

(this is him with one of the boys friends)

Now if I could just get him to shovel the driveway with them too!

Bubble Bath Time

2010-01-12T16:41:00.001-05:00

This picture was just too cute not to share!

Speaking of Darth Vader

2010-01-12T16:37:00.002-05:00

Airsoft is contagious as demonstrated by N who has caught the bug from his brothers.

New Year's Eve

2010-01-12T15:54:00.007-05:00

Had fun on New Year's Eve! We really wanted to have a party at our house this year like the big ones we used to have, but realized we don't know a whole lot of people since moving back to Ohio. So, we just invited some friends over and their kids to play Wii games and sit around chatting. It was a pretty good time.

The kids put on a little cheer for us and our new year.

The boys (big and little) enjoyed a mini-airsoft fight until a certain person (BRET THOMPSON) decided it would be funny to shoot me in the butt with one...

I promise you, NO ONE dares to do that again... I made an example of the perpetrator, so I have no more worries.

Darth Vader

2010-01-12T15:44:00.004-05:00

Ok, you know me (or maybe you don't) and my Star Wars fanaticism, but in our new house, we have this fireplace that reminds us of Darth Vader's helmet! Seriously, take a look:

So you can guess (or maybe you can't) what I call it when we light him up...

Yep! Lighting the funeral pryor! LOL

We light him up fairly often since he warms up the front half of our house really well and we have generous friends who have supplied us with lots of free wood. I was originally very nervous about N and Vader when we first bought the house, but luckily he leaves it alone. I think he can tell that it is dangerous.

Leaves

2010-01-12T15:36:00.006-05:00

Here are some more pix of the many, many, MANY leaves we have to look forward to each fall in our new house. Again, these are from a few months ago, but I have a lot of catching up to do on my blog posting!

I know that only N and Little C are in these pix, but none of the other kids were home that night. Sorry!

Open House

2010-01-12T15:29:00.004-05:00

Don't remember if I posted this or not so sorry if this is a duplicate.

A few months ago, we did an open house at my work (Kumon) and the kids got to have their face painted. They were pretty well done and were so cute. S was a bear, Little C chose to be a cheetah and Big C a butterfly.

Guitar Hero Strikes Again

2010-01-12T15:23:00.004-05:00

Caught N in D's room messing around with the guitar again... this time the electric one. So D took some time out to show his bro a thing or two. He's so nice :)

Hair Cut... Finally!

2010-01-12T15:18:00.004-05:00

Got it done finally! Her hair and mine were driving me crazy, so we finally got them cut. I wanted to give her some bangs, but she didn't want them so I let her do what she wanted. The lady screwed mine up though and cut my bangs way too short. Good thing they grow back quickly!

Resolution #1 in Effect

2010-01-06T12:11:00.002-05:00

It is 6 days into the new year, and I have kept at least 1 of my resolutions (still working on #2). I have been writing. Granted, not seriously, but it's something.

This was a challenge given to me by a friend who, obviously, wasn't expecting me to actually do it. He jokingly challenged me to write a haiku of all one syllable words on the fall of the USSR.

Well, I'm up for a challenge :)

Enjoy, but keep in mind that this is not a serious try at traditional Japanese poetry. Can anyone find the symbolism?

The Fall of the USSR

Built walls of tense fear,

Made by ice and gun, don’t stand;

Felled by cosh and blade.

Book Review

2010-01-05T17:33:00.004-05:00

I recently finished The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This was a surprisingly good book. I enjoyed the twist of the narration and the authors writing style. I am usually annoyed by being able to predict what happens in a book, but the author tells the story interesting enough that telling us what is going to happen in the story is part of the enjoyment of the book. I would recommend the book to anyone interested in historical fiction.

I did finally finish "My Life In France" by Julia Child for our book club. The book was interesting but it isn't something I would have picked up on my own and I'm not even sure if it would have keep my attention all the way through if I didn't have to meet with the group to discuss it. I know who Julia Child was but had no idea how she became a world renown chief. All I can say is, now I do. It is not a page turner, but if you like autobiographical books, cooking, or France, this book is for you.

Update #1

2010-01-05T11:12:00.014-05:00

Now, on to the updates...

For Thanksgiving, we went to my family's in Illiniois/Iowa/Wisconsin. Confused? Yeah, well they live in that tri-state area. Mom in Wisconsin, sister in Illinois, nearest actual city is in Iowa. Strangely enough, they are all about 3 miles away from each other (thank you Mississippi River).

Only spent a couple of days but got to do something I haven't done since I was 4 years old...

We went to the Fenelon Place Elevator (or what we locally call the 4th Street Elevator). It was much more nerve racking this time (I find the older I get, the more things scare the crap outta me!) but I don't feel too bad cuz the kids look pretty nervous too :)

Here's some pix:

Going Up

From the bottom, looking up

My neice and Little C on the ride up. We really squeeze us all into to do it in one trip.

D and Big C getting cozy

The View From The Top

S and N at the top with the Julian Dubuque Bridge and the Mississippi River behind them (it's Illinois on the other side of the bridge).

Little C up top with Dubuque and the Mississippi River behind her (it's Wisconsin in the background here).

Family photo op

Going Down

This was the scary part. Especially after we found out how it operates on a single cable pulley system... yeah, a single cable holding us all back from plunging to our deaths!

At the bottom, there are a bunch of cute and cozy shops to wander through. We went to the little candy shop at the very bottom of the elevator. (By the way... I cannot believe I'm posting this picture of myself! Don't be surprised if it disappears when I come to my senses!!)

New Year, New Start

2010-01-05T10:52:00.007-05:00

Ok, so I have decided to just start typing. Gotta begin somewhere, right?

Well, I will slowly catch up on all the stuff I have missed updating everyone on, but for now I am here. And I have been thinking a lot about my new year's resolutions. I know a lot of people think they are stupid cuz no one ever keeps them anyway, but in reality, new year's resolutions are goals, and I like goals. I have always been encouraged to set goals, and I have found that even if you don't reach a goal, trying is usually better then sitting around doing nothing.

You usually gain something from the journey, even if you never reach your destination.

My goals for this year, you ask...

I hesitate to mention them, only because I fear that putting them out there and not reaching them brings scorn and shame upon me. But on the other hand, in the end I may serve as "either a good example, or a horrible warning."

So here they are:

Lose a significant amount of weight - too vague? Well, I've tried to set a certain pound-age amount and have given up when it becomes apparent I'm not getting there. So a "significant amount" could be 20lbs or it could be 100lbs (hey, 20lbs is at least a dress size!). I realize that losing weight is a very cliche resolution, but I need it more than most people. I would really like to discover the underlying, subconscious reason behind my inability to lose weight and see if I can reverse a trend. Any suggestions??
Write - Specifically, I would like to get my novel written (the one that has been running around my head for 5+ years but won't manifest itself on paper). But if nothing else, I'm just gonna write... stuff. Yeah, just creative stuff. Maybe here, maybe just in a notebook on my end table, but I'm gonna write it.

So there you have it!

Now that I have shared mine, what are yours? Maybe in some way, we can help each other out.

It's been a while...

2009-10-30T16:15:00.004-04:00

I know it's been a while since I've posted.

WE'VE MOVED!

In fact, we are still moving. Tomorrow we will finally finish and not a moment too soon! At least when you move from state to state, you do it all at once and when you are done with the old house, your done, and don't have to keep going back. I feel like I'm mentally so far beyond it, I don't want to keep going back to the old place. But it is almost done. Yippee!

In the mean time, I am really enjoying the new place. I am really grateful for my hubby for being inspired when I didn't even want to look at this place. He's so smart :) But don't tell him I said that! LOL

One of the things I love the most is having a yard!! It is so nice to let N finally go outside to play and not have to chase him out of the road and stress all the time. I plan on doing some pix or video of the whole place soon, but for now, enjoy this video of D giving N a bike ride around the back yard.

Quality, bonding time between brothers! In fact, we have pretty much had non stop backyard football games since the day after we moved in. I think the yard is getting more use then the rest of the house. Of course, the nice weather is to blame for that. Too bad it won't last.

Happy Birthday Big C!!

2009-10-13T10:17:00.007-04:00

Today is Big C's 11th Birthday!

I can't believe she is so big now! I have a tendency to still see her as a little girl, but I know I have to stop doing that. She has grown up so much, and I am beginning to see the young woman she is becoming.

Saturday we celebrated with a family birthday party for her, her cousin, and aunt (who also had birthdays last week). She made out like a bandit and got over $100 in gift certificates to Wal-Mart! So, being the cool mom that I am, instead of going right to school today, we went shopping :) She got several stuffed animals and toys that she has been wanting and a few posters to hang on her wall. She really didn't want to go to school... of course... and tried like heck to convince me to let her come home and "pack her bedroom" for our move this week (interpretation: play with all the cool new stuff!). I guess I'm just not that cool of a mom.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

State Bound

2009-10-13T10:08:00.005-04:00

Saturday night was awesome for D and the South Marching Band! The Wildcats got 3 trophies at competition and also qualified for state! They received trophies for 1st in Class, Best Music, and Grand Champions. This is very significant since they have only been to state once before in the last 10 years. This is also the most trophies they have gotten at any competition in the last 20 years!

Here is a pix of them doing there thing. Can you tell which one is D? LOL

GOOD JOB WILDCATS!!

The Lost Symbol

2009-10-03T22:50:00.011-04:00

I have read quite a few (if not all) of Dan Brown's novels. I just finished his latest "The Lost Symbol." Unlike the last few novels, Brown depicts The Freemasons as a wise victim rather than evil incarnate like the Catholic Church, which was a nice change of pace. But while this book is readable, it was still predictable and lacked the luster of his previous works. I would consider this a good way to bide your time between "The Da Vinci Code" and whatever he does next. It's not hard to put down, but not hard to pick up either.

I am now reading something very surprising for me. "My Life In France" by Julia Child. Yes, me! The total non-cook (is that a word?) is reading a Julia Child book. I am reading it because someone actually gave me a copy and invited me to a book club. So what the heck! So far it's not too bad. I'll go into greater detail when I am finished.

The 10 Day Give

2009-10-03T21:13:00.005-04:00

I'm participating in the "10 Day Give" at Foyble.com. It makes me feel good to do an act of service for someone every day and read what other are doing to. It is amazing to see how little things really make a difference.

It's only Day 3, but so far our family has made dinner for several people, put money in expired parking meters, helped restore a pioneer cemetery, and help re-roof a house!

Check it out at Foyble.com. Join and participate, not just in the "10 Day Give" but to make a long term difference in your community (wherever you are).

Is Pepsi trying to tell us something?

2009-10-03T21:07:00.004-04:00

Just a quick thought while in the grocery store.

Maybe Pepsi is trying to politically align itself, or capitalize (pun intended) on Obama's presidency, or maybe no one has told them the election is over yet. Not sure which, but either way, I really hate this logo and find it seriously annoying.

Is it just me?

Taking the "Bus"

2009-10-03T20:55:00.010-04:00

Can you guess the image:

That would be Chris actually having to use and ice scraper

to get the frost off the "Bus"

(our 15 passenger van).

Frost + No Working Fan in Minivan =

Taking the "Bus" till the sun finally comes out and melts the windshield.

I hate cold weather!!

Foyble

2009-09-23T18:34:00.003-04:00

Ever wanted to do something good but didn't know what?

Ever wondered the effects of service that you've done?

I read about this in the W'ville paper. Totally awesome idea! I joined and want to encourage others. Check out the YouTube video, then go to the website: www.foyble.com.

A Little Change

2009-09-22T20:47:00.002-04:00

FYI: For the safety and well being of my children, and for my sense of security, I have decided to make a little change to my blog. I am going to try to be more "stealthy" in hiding my kids names and identities. So, you will notice that in future posts I have little nicknames picked out. Trust me, they won't be hard to figure out. I am also planning to methodically go back and change all previous posts over time.

So, bear with me as I make this transition. And if anyone sees a discrepancy in my postings, please feel free to bring it to my attention.

Thanks!

Swine Flu

2009-09-21T12:20:00.001-04:00

I think the swine flu epidemic is getting a little outta hand!

Ancient Egyptian Paragon

2009-09-21T08:51:00.005-04:00

Paragon Night for the girls school was this week. Both of their classes were studying Ancient Egypt the last 5 weeks so their presentations revolved around that. Little C's class sang about mammoths and Big C's "Walked Like An Egyptian." LOL

Big C and her cave drawing

Didn't know Little C could swim that well

Down on the Farm

2009-09-20T15:57:00.008-04:00

(Big C and one of the kitties)

Yesterday we went to see some old friends at their farm about an hour north of us. They have been working on this old farmhouse and land for... well, far longer then the 17 years I've known them. I haven't seen the place in the last 8 or 9 years so it was interesting to see.

(Little C getting ready to feed the chickens)

These two are experts on self sufficiency and self-reliance, so they have animals (chickens, cows... black angus, yummy), a generator house, a 220,000 gallon water storage system built underground, gardens, concrete "safe room" with 8" thick EMP proof walls, a shooting range, indoor movie theater (primitive but cool), and much more on their 84 acres.

(S chucking in some corn)

I wish I had got pix of it all but there was SO much to take in I simply forgot. I did remember to get pix of the kids feeding the chickens at least. It was funny cuz she bought these chickens thinking they would get 1 or 2 roosters and 18 or so hens and instead got just the opposite. When I asked her what she thought about it she just said, "Oh well, they'll all taste good on my dinner table!" LOL

(N's victory dance after tossing some corn to the chickens)

He won't be working at the car wash...yeah

2009-09-20T15:40:00.004-04:00

N has a love hate relationship with the car wash. If I even go near the end of town where the car wash I frequent is located, he begs me not to go there :(

Once he's there... well he still doesn't like it too much, but going often is such a necessity right now as we are still living in a construction zone on our street.

It is nice that this car wash does displays pretty pix of fish inside that he likes to look at. He also likes the concept of the car getting a "bath." Sometimes these aren't enough, so we just let him hide :)

Oh no! Not here again!

Are we gonna see the fishies?

Quick! Hide Me!

Sometimes a towel will do.

Is it over yet?

Toga, Toga

2009-09-16T21:57:00.002-04:00

I was trying to do some shopping yesterday with N and my friend Amy. We went to Lane Bryant to check out some stuff but I forgot to bring the stroller. I do not make a habit of going into stores without the boy being tied down to something, but figured it was ok since there were 2 of us to chase him if need be.

That was stupid

He ran and ran and ran everywhere. And the screamed at me to try on the clothes... and screamed and screamed until I put this cami on him. All the sales ladies thought it was hilarious and said it looked like a toga.

Needless to say, he is not going back there with me again!

First Football of 09

2009-09-16T21:31:00.006-04:00

Big C, S, Little C, & me after the game.

It's actually S's 3rd game, but it's the first (and maybe only) one that I've seen this year. I usually have to work on game nights (Thursdays), but it was Wednesday this week so and it was held under the lights at D's school.

They won 36-26!

Here are some highlights:

defensive tackle

offensive guard

staying warmed up at half time

after the game

Finally, the Birthday Party

2009-09-13T21:26:00.008-04:00

Finally had N (and my) birthday party today.

(Only 3 weeks late)

We didn't do a whole lot, but went to the park, had subs and sides for dinner, had a Diego style cake, then opened gifts. It was a nice afternoon and not too overwhelming like some parties can be.

N did much better opening presents then last year, as is usual for a 2 year old. I think he'll be able to tackle Christmas very well this year :)

We're in Contact... again

2009-09-12T18:50:00.004-04:00

So the last house didn't work out, but we are now in contract again on another one.

It's a bit smaller but only by about 200 sq ft (it looks smaller than it really is).

We close on October 16th. Hopefully, nothing will go wrong this time!

9/11 & football

2009-09-11T23:27:00.006-04:00

Football is a huge part of our lives each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday all late summer and fall. So, even though today was 9/11, the game must go on.

It was pretty cool that the W'ville South Marching Band (which D is a member) decided to dress it up a bit for the day. They would normally be in their summer shorts and polo uniforms, but instead, went all out in order to play the Star Spangled Banner and have a moment of silence for the 9/11 victims and their families.

Here is the video:

9/11

2009-09-11T23:17:00.005-04:00

I haven't made a large deal out of 9/11 in the past few years. Not that I haven't done something, I just haven't done a great deal of something(s).

This year is a bit different. With all the controversies and debates going on about health care and other issues, I feel the need more than ever to remember what happened and try to promote unity within the country. Divisiveness among us is what will ultimately kill this country. From within, not without.

W'ville got a piece of the WTC for a memorial being built to the firefighters and rescue workers here in town. It arrived today, and though I didn't get to go, I thought I'd pass on these pix. (I got them from here.)

People line the street at the steel beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center travels north on State Street to Westerville Fire Station 111 Friday, September 11.

Joe Monestere and daughter Caitlyn, 3, place flowers on a 9-11 memorial at a remembrance ceremony held Friday, Sept. 11, at Washington Township Fire Station 93 near Dublin. The memorial is topped with a structural beam from the World Trade Center.

Doris Sadler of New Albany takes a photo of her hand on the steal beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center Friday, September 11, during Westerville's 9/11 Memorial Obervance.

People at the Westerville 9/11 Memorial Observance Friday, September 11, took time to remember the people who lost their lives in the World Trade Center attacks. Westerville had a steal beam from the North Tower on display during the event.

Is it too late to vote for the white guy?

2009-09-08T22:18:00.002-04:00

This was too funny not to share!!

Enjoy!

Honestly...

2009-09-08T19:14:00.003-04:00

Ok, so I debated about whether or not to blog this, so don't be surprised if this post disappears after I change my mind.

I woke up Sunday morning with an intense desire not to go to church. I missed the week before so that is very common for me to get lazy the week after. So I figured if I went I would get the desire back. I did... somewhat.

As I was getting ready, I started to think about all the things I haven't been wanting to do lately. I have not done any blogging (at least not at the level I usually do), I haven't been taking great care of the house (thank heavens for my hubby and kids!), I haven't been interested in going back to the gym or eating right again, and I haven't any enthusiasm for projects that would normally get me excited. In addition, my FMS has been flaring up MAJORLY over the last few months.

And then it hit me... I'm depressed!

I was really surprised by this. Why? Because many years ago, I suffered from some pretty serious depression, and therefore, I figured if it returned I would feel like I did back then (or at least I would see it coming). I was wrong.

Now I am searching for answers. Not as to what caused it, but how to fix it. I have vowed to go back to the gym, but I keep making excuses because of the pain (I know better than this). I start projects that I can't quite finish because they seem too daunting once I get into them. I am trying to buy a house, but we keep running into problems (and the thought of moving scares me!). I really don't want meds again, but will if I can't fix it any other way.

Really, I am not looking for sympathy, or for people to come up and ask me how I'm doing at church or anything (so please don't). I just felt the need to vent and type it all out. Maybe it will make me feel better to just start doing something again. I don't know.

In the meantime, I am debating going to the gym tomorrow... I'll let you know what I decide.

Happy Birthday N

2009-08-25T20:18:00.004-04:00

2 Years Old!

Since school has either started, or is starting soon, for our family, celebrating N's birthday has not been a top priority. But thanks to our friend, Amy, N and others got to spend the afternoon having fun in their bounce house in the backyard.

He was really scared at first because one of the first things the girls did was inflate it, get on it, and then deflate it as they lay in it. This terrified him and it took us a good 20 to 30 minutes to convince him to try again. Eventually he was all over it like a pro.

Candidate Worth Watching

2009-08-24T12:08:00.005-04:00

Though he is a Republican (you know how I feel about political parties), he is right:

"People are sick of politicians from all parties.

They're lying to them."

I wish this guy the best of luck! I only wish that he was from Ohio!

(Click on the picture to go to WDN article)

Sum Daiz...

2009-08-19T11:16:00.001-04:00

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Spreading the Love

2009-08-16T21:49:00.004-04:00

Just some cute pix from yesterday's yard working session

Fertilizer anyone?

The Tower Incident

2009-08-16T21:41:00.003-04:00

After several months, N finally discovered the cans we have been keeping on the shelf in the kitchen, and he has taken this opportunity to take after his dad (constructing things).

The tower he built was taller than him!

Then it all came down... some of it on his poor little toes :(

Pardon Our Dust

2009-08-16T21:26:00.003-04:00

The road we live on is under construction... REALLY under construction.

In fact, there really isn't much of a road at all anymore. They have dug it completely out and are replacing the gutters and everything. It makes for some very interesting driving, not to mention that everything is covered in dust all the time!! I never thought it would be necessary to go out and dust my REAL flowers, but they, too, are covered in a fine mist of dust. UGH!

The 1st First Day of School

2009-08-16T19:47:00.005-04:00

Monday was our girls first day of school!

The boys haven't gone back yet, thus it was our 1st first day of school. They actually have a wonderful, new building this year and are finally out of modulars. Little C, who has never actually experienced school in an actual building, couldn't wrap her head around eating lunch in a cafeteria instead of at her desk. It was too funny to see her try to work that out in her head!

I am not very happy with our the bus situation this year though :(

Last year they got picked up at the end of our driveway at 7:30am. Now they get picked up at 6:35am down the road a block or so. If I do decide to get them up and walk them down the road, they have to be on the bus almost an hour and a half each morning!!!! All because we go to a charter school and the school district isn't happy about having their $$ sent somewhere else.

Well, if they could do the job right...

... ok, stepping down from the soap box.

Here are some pic from their first day:

We Are Finally In Contract

2009-08-02T21:41:00.008-04:00

After 7 loooooonng years, we are finally buying a house!!

I am very excited, but I have to say that I am still trying hard not to get my hopes up. We have tried sooooooo many times and soooooo many times it has fallen through. However, we haven't made it this far in a long time, so I am getting a little excited:)

Here are some pix from the sellers listing:

And my favorite feature - the jacuzzi tub!!

We are suppose to close on September 8th and take possession on September 12th. We'll take a week or two to paint (not that there will be much needed) and build some shelves in the garage and basement before we move in. We don't have a definite move in date yet, but I'll let you know when I know.

The First Fruits... again

2009-08-01T18:40:00.002-04:00

Yummy Yummy :)

Got our first ripe tomato and it was

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooddddddd!!!

The Uniform

2009-08-01T00:10:00.004-04:00

I was checking out D's MySpace page (cuz I'm the MOM!) and saw this poem he wrote. I thought it was pretty good and thought I'd pass it on. I had to clean up his punctuation and spellling a bit (the english major in me).

Backstory: He's been trying to decide whether to join the Marines or the Air Force. Of course he's only 15! but feels these decisions need to be made now. *sigh* FCOL he still has 6 years to decide!!

The Uniform

Its hard to make this choice you know,

Which one to wear.

Do i want the blue or the black,

the red or the white.

Its honor in both,

business to each other.

Dress for sucsess.

Look good for my mother.

They hold both pride but history different.

One old,one new.

One represents the ground the other the air.

Do i have enough time to prepare for this comitment

Or will it be the day of the line.

Both carry blood,sweat,and tears.

Both have been worn over the years.

The few the proud

Or the sky is the limit

And stay off the ground.

This choice is hard to make which will i take.

Though i might not know now, i still can't wait to wear

The Uniform.

Lack of Enthusiasm

2009-07-28T11:15:00.002-04:00

So I have been working, traveling, working, cleaning my house, and... did I mention working?

I have not been blogging, sleeping, or having much excitement in my life.

I have just been clouded by an utter lack of enthusiasm lately. Unfortunately, that really affected my trip to Vegas. Not that we didn't have fun, but it was much harder to do for some reason.

As school, and all it's activities, approaches, I know that really need to snap outta it. I am hoping that getting back into the swing of blogging will help with my mood.

So bear with me as I bore you to death with my life :)

Whatever You Say Drill Sergeant!

2009-07-05T22:04:00.005-04:00

Scout camp has come and gone and the boys had mixed feelings about it.

D had a good time, not a great time, but a good time. He usually enjoys any kind of camping or scouting activity.

S however was so miserable! On family night we had to practically kick him outta the car so we could leave. But it was 90 some degrees outside and they had more walking to do then any other troop (their campsite was farthest away).

Wednesday we went down to see them. They weren't prepared for the skit so D came up with this song he modified from a Marine Corp chant. I only got part of it recorded but here it is.

Kindergarten Graduation

2009-07-01T21:33:00.010-04:00

Little C with her self made graduation cap and certificate of completion for Kindergarten

A cute little song they sang for their graduation program:

New Hair

2009-07-01T17:12:00.003-04:00

I DID IT!

Something drastic!

Highlights! Color! Perm!

Whadya think??

While I'm on the poetry kick...

2009-06-30T14:42:00.005-04:00

... thought I would share this one that I also wrote in college. I had to write a childhood experience, and at this point in the class, I was getting very ready to be done. So I wrote this funny little poem about some of my childhood antics.

(My dad should enjoy this one, hope you will too.)

Pounce

I crawled on hands and knees
Down the hall and through the doorway.

I was stealth child
Sneaking into the bedroom.

I knew he was lying there,
I could hear him snore.

My approach was slow but swift.
Dust bunnies swirling about as I moved.

I peer above the bed
Viewing my prey

He sleeps still, soundly,
Not moving.

BOO!

I leap high and fast,
A panther pouncing.

Screaming, my father
Jerks awake!

I spend the day
In the solitude of my room...

(In my father's defense, he never really sent me to my room... at least not that I remember. But I had to end it somehow.)

Terraformation

2009-06-30T14:29:00.004-04:00

I wrote this poem in college, and for some reason, it has been going thru my head A LOT lately.

(This is probably because I am feeling rather fat and unattractive :P)

Hopefully, you can catch the symbolism and let me know what you think.

Terraformation

Within seconds
I go from the atmosphere
To the core.

I reach eastward to China
And westward to Siberia.

Take a spin around the equator,
Once or twice.

All in the effort to shrink the earth.

But the earth is unchanged.

I pollute the atmosphere
With chemicals
Hoping to conquer.

I starve it.

Remove its indigenous life
And flush its oceans
With toxins to deplete it.

All in the effort to shrivel it.

But the earth is unchanged.

Frustration prevails
In the quest for perfection.

Consuming thoughts of conquering.

Irritating orbits around other worlds
Reveal secrets of cosmic proportions
And torment me with thoughts
Of perfect heavenly bodies.

Asteroids, comets, meteors collide
But the earth is unchanged.

Holy Tomato Plants, Batman!!

2009-06-29T23:54:00.009-04:00

It's official...

I have thee biggest freaking tomato plants in the world...

Ok, maybe just the US...

Ok, maybe just Ohio...

Alright, maybe not, but definitely in Westerville! LOL

Trust me

I have no idea how I did this and I'm actually worried that because they are SO big, they will somehow not produce as much fruit as I wanted.

One theory for their size is that because I planted they were planted so close together if effected their size.

Another is because I planted them in only potting soil and used 1 plant food stick in the roots when I planted them.

I have NO idea!!

Anyone???

They have taken so much room I had to transplant a cauliflower plant, and one of the tomato plants to other places in the yard in order to ensure their survival.

Little C is standing a bit in front of them in this picture, but trust me, they are as tall as she is. My guess is at or near 4 FEET TALL!!

This just can't be normal?!?!

Shooting Stars

2009-06-16T20:57:00.007-04:00

We have 2 new Star Scouts as of tonight!

D & S both received their Star rankings tonight, 6 days before scout camp.

This is a big accomplishment for them both and we are really proud of them!

They are both shooting for 4 eagle required merit badges next week at camp and hope to have their Life ranking by December. The ultimate goal they have set is to get their Eagle Scout by this time next year.

Head, Shoulders, KNEES, & Toes

2009-06-16T20:49:00.005-04:00

This is my future member of Crossdressers Anonymous.

He decided to dress himself in my knee highs while I was making dinner.

It's a REALLY good thing Chris wasn't home!

The First Fruits

2009-06-16T16:05:00.003-04:00

Been extremely busy lately, so updates are sporadic. Yet, I had to post this great pix of the first fruits from our garden. Samuel found 3 tomatoes as he was watering today!

YUMMY YUMMY

Can't wait to partake!

The 7 Day Challenge

2009-06-12T09:59:00.008-04:00

I'm up for it!

Are you?

Click the logo below to check out the challenge & see if you're up for it.

New Digital Camera

2009-06-10T14:37:00.003-04:00

I really don't like my new Kodak digital camera. If I had a Canon, you would now be enjoying the sights and scenes of Cora's kindergarten graduation. Instead, you have to listen to me rant and rave about the camera while I'm looking for a .mov to .avi converter on the internet. Perferably a free one cuz the one I used before has expired and wants $30 to run again.

UGH!!

My recommendation:

BUY CANONS!

That's the brand name, not a large item for throwing projectiles... although that may make me feel better right now too :)

C~ ~~

2009-06-08T09:22:00.016-04:00

You may wonder why I hyphenated the title. You won't get it, but it is how she used to sing her name, back when she was first learning it, that comes to my mind today.

6 years and 1 evening ago, I headed to the hospital to have my little baby girl! Until this point, she was the only one that we had known for certain what sex she was.

(Of course, with Samuel we THOUGHT we knew! We were told he was a girl. In fact, the doctor said... and I quote..."I'd bet my paycheck on it!" Still waiting on that paycheck Dr. Tetris!)

Anyway, she was the easiest delivery ever! I should know since I've given birth to half the worlds population...

...ok, it just FEELS like it sometimes.

I didn't have any pain. That's right... zip, zero, nada, zilch. And she was quick enough that the doctor wasn't even at the hospital yet when it was time to push. My nurse actually told me not to move, breath too deeply, or sneeze or she'd be there before the doctor!

I felt so good that I had a constant stream of visitors thru my delivery room until the doctor arrived and we had to kick them all out around 2:49 am. It was like a party in there!

She was born at 2:50am, June 8th, 2003!!

She's been an easy child ever since...

I think the words of her Kindergarten teacher were: "She's perfect."

Yes, she is!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!!

Baby #6

2009-05-30T19:17:00.002-04:00

Not really... (but I had you thinking there for a minute didn't I? LOL)

Anyway, thought this was cute. Doesn't look a think like the other "real" kids though.

You can make your own here.

I hate teenagers...

2009-05-27T21:49:00.005-04:00

Thought the boys would be easy teens but I was SO TREMENDOUSLY WRONG!!

My day...

Drama, drama, drama...

...running, running, running...

...more drama, drama, drama...

...serving dinner to 200 people...

... more drama, drama, drama...

...put them all under house arrest...

...more drama, drama, drama...

...help with math homework project...

...drama, drama, EARPLUGS!

And these are the BOYS. I'm just plain scared to death of what the girls are gonna be like!!

( I'm afraid!)

My Little Garden

2009-05-26T21:56:00.004-04:00

I love to garden!

But last year we thought we were going to buy a house so I didn't start one. This year I was determined to do something, even though I have a severe lack of space for it. So, the flower bed on my back patio has been converted to a mini garden of sorts and I am so proud of it.

I have 3 kinds of tomato plants, turnips, cauliflower, and broccoli growing and thriving here.

Around the corner of the house I also have cucumber and squash growing. I am trying spinich, but so far they haven't done anything and I am getting worried. I also have basil growing on my kitchen window sill.

My front yard is for my flowers. I have wave petunias I bought from a school fundraiser and they are just starting to bloom! These impatients I got for Mother's Day and have since been moved to the front yard as well. I will take some pix of the flowers when they bloom more.

Memorial Day (part 4)

2009-05-26T21:41:00.004-04:00

Ok, last post about Memorial Day.

We finally got to know the people who live behind us. The kids have been hanging out with our kids, but we hadn't meet the parents till this weekend. I guess nice weather and cookouts bring people out to chat. They are all really cool and we are glad to finally get to know and like some of the people in the neighborhood.

Anyway, since we were all "partying" (and I use that term loosely) in our backyards, the kids got out an inflatable pool and a few of the tarps they doused in soap to make a slip n slide. The water was FREEZING, but they didn't seem to care too much (except for S, as you will see in a few of these shots. LOL).

By the way: Don't tell S I posted these pix of him cuz he will KILL me. Someone is a little self consious about his body image... but you didn't hear that from me. SSSSHHHH!

Memorial Day (part 3)

2009-05-26T21:34:00.003-04:00

We justified a major purchase this weekend as an emergency perparedness item. After all, how are we suppose to cook food in the event of a power outage without a decent grill? And how best to break in a new grill then steaks? And of course, if you are cooking stakes, the whole neighborhood is gonna be knockin' at your door (well, at least when they are Chris' steaks! THEE BEST!!).

Thank you, Honey!!

Memorial Day (part 2)

2009-05-26T21:19:00.005-04:00

Hi from Dawes Arboretum!

After spending a day in at WPAFB and the Air Force Museum, we were suppose to head to West Virginia to visit some of Chris' family there. Long story short, it didn't work out so well.

So, we spent Sunday visiting some local spots just east of us. There are some of the old Indian Mounds near there and a place called Dawes Arboretum.

I particulary love the Japanese Garden at Dawes. It is very Zen.

Memorial Day (part 1)

2009-05-26T18:34:00.006-04:00

We did something different for Memorial Day this year. We headed over to the National Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton on Saturday. Brought back a lot of memories for Chris & I (since Chris was enlisted and stationed at GFAFB when we got married).

Unfortunately, taking pix in huge, badly lit air plane hangers doesn't work very well and most of the photos turned out like crap. Here are some of the good ones:

Told you my kids were a little spacy...

I'm pretty sure that the seat belt laws apply to planes too...

The coolest motercycle EVER!!!

WARNING: Low Flying Planes (DUCK!)

Mormon Mommy Blog Giveaway

2009-05-18T21:22:00.002-04:00

Head over to Mormon Mommy Blogs "Motherload of a Stuff" giveaway,

even if you aren't a Mormon Mommy and enter to win a bunch of cool stuff.

http://mormonmommyblogs.blogspot.com/2009/05/may-giveaway-motherload-of-stuff.html

I'd offer you good luck, except I am secretly hoping you will lose so I can win. (hee hee)

A letter to my new best friend

2009-05-18T11:57:00.019-04:00

Dear Mrs. Mean Judgemental-Holier-Than-Thou and Downright B#$chy Neighbor,

I am writing to let you know that I understand that you don't want a family like mine in your neighborhood. After all, we rent, we have SO many kids, we run a business from our home, and we live in a duplex (not a REAL house). I know how much that upsets you and I really DO understand your attitude.... I don't AGREE with it, but I understand it.

It may be hard for you to see how I understand this, but if you would have bothered to take a few minutes of ANY day that you sit across the street and scowl at me and my family to introduce yourself and get to know us, you would know how I am and that I "get" it.

I mean, I get a lot of things. I get how sometimes a lawn is not always a priority because someone may have just given birth and just doesn't have the energy from all the sleepless nights to go plant flowers and manicure the lawn just so.

I get how sometimes kids get so nasty with their parents that the parents just YELL at them with the windows and doors open because they have SO INCREDIBLY HAD ENOUGH. I even get how a swear word can jump out on occasion during such a moment and how stupid it feels afterward, but, hey, we're all human.

I also get how sometimes people may come to a friend's house and leave a car parked on the street that can't move for a week, and how it really isn't necessary to call the police because it's going to be moved in just a few days. I also know that by simply asking the neighbor this, they can directly communicate this information instead of involving certain 3rd parties.

I also want to apologize to you for assuming that you could understand these things too. I guess I thought that since you didn't choose to live in Medallion Estates, but live among other people who seem to "get it," that you "get it" too. My apologies for my assumptions.

I promise you that from henceforth, I will do my best to...

NOT GIVE A CRAP WHAT YOU THINK...

...and continue to raise my kids, mow my lawn, and in general, live my life the way that suits me and my conscience.

However, I will NOT hold a grudge against you. In fact, I feel I owe you a thanks for putting many things in my life into perspective and realizing that I wasn't put on this Earth to please other people.

So, if you happen to decide you would like to "get it" too, I would love to sit down and chat with you sometime, whatever is within the limits of your comfort.

Hope you and your family are well. Have a nice day :)

Sincerely,

Julie Beddoes
Your New "I-Don't-Give-A-Crap-What-You-Think" Neighbor

My School, My Choice

2009-05-16T20:33:00.009-04:00

THE BACK STORY: Ohio's governor, Gov. Strickland, is planning on making some changes to the education system in Ohio. Overall, this is NOT a bad thing. In fact, I like many of the ideas that he has (and look Dad... he's a Democrat! :O) But because of pressure by the unions (of which I am NOT a fan) part of this plan is to cut a significant amount of funding to charter schools...

My girls go to a charter school. In fact, this charter school is responsible for taking Big C's ability to read from an early 1st grade level to a late 3rd grade level in ONE SCHOOL YEAR...

So needless to say, I'm not terribly thrilled that this plan will put the majority of Ohio's charter schools in serious jeopardy of closure.

This plan has already passed the Ohio House of Reps and is now in the Ohio Senate.

You know me... I couldn't sit by and do NOTHING. So the girls & I, my friend Amy & her girls, and several other mother's and kids at Cornerstone Academy joined the (link-->)MY SCHOOL, MY CHOICE rally in downtown Columbus on Wednesday.

Here are the highlights of my girls first political excursion:

The Walk to the Statehouse->

<--kids with signs

On the Statehouse Steps -->

Double chins for choice-->

<-Hangin' by the press