Life with the Griswolds

Lucky # 13!

2009-06-15T22:47:00.001-04:00

Woo Hoo - Lucky #13! E tried out as #13 for the HS Dance team tonight - and made the VARSITY team. She's been working hard, and wanting this so badly - I'm so glad all her hard work has paid off this year!

Vocal Recital - Hooray for Hollywood!

2009-06-07T22:33:00.000-04:00

These are some images from A's vocal recital - always a great tribute to Broadway - this year the focus was "Hollywood Musicals" - A sang lots of fun songs, including "Food, Glorius Food" from Oliver, "I want it NOW" from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, "Feed the Birds" from Mary Poppins, "Cruella DeVil" from 101 Dalmations, "Kids" from Bye, Bye Birdie, and an AMAZING rendition of "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" - so good that they are taking it to Access Broadway next year! (admire the Veruca Salt dress - I constructed it from a thrift store dress, lace, ribbon and buttons for about $10!)

Hope to have videos by the end of the summer!

Reflection - Mulan - Honors Night 2009

2009-06-05T17:25:00.002-04:00

Strange - I thought I had successfully posted this already - but it's not out here on my blog - so we'll try again!

A. was asked to sing "Reflection" at her Middle School Honors Night by her Drama teacher (who is also the Choir teacher). Congrats to A. also on all her academic awards, including All A's, and special recognition for outstanding work in all her subjects - wa hoo!

Kudos also to the district that has been actively fundraising for scholarship funds. Although A. didn't win one - they did a random drawing for three $500 scholarships last night - one per grade for all students with a 3.0 or higher GPA.

** UPDATE ** So, this was my 2nd of 4 attempts to upload the video. When I finally gave up and embedded the video - then attempts 3 & 4 both appeared. Grrr.... Anyway - since I didn't figure anyone needed a post with the same gist 3 times - I deleted all but this one.

Goodbye Daddy....

2009-05-31T12:10:00.000-04:00

I know it seems odd to take pictures at a burial, but I wanted to remember this day - just like other days I want to remember. It's not all about remembering the good days, and the great accomplishments. It's also about remembering the difficult times, and the sad days.

I wanted to post what my sister Margie wrote and read at the burial - it was so perfect, and so fitting:

Time

They say that time heals all wounds.

But I feel time is indifferent.

It progresses forward despite monumental changes.

We used to laugh at your response to,

“Did you miss me?”

Which was always,

“Were you gone?”

We may still laugh, but the stinging truth is

You are gone and we miss you deeply.

In the midst of new grief time does not appear to be our ally,

With every development and every event

There is an empty hole that only you could fill.

From the milestones of life: births, family holidays, graduations,

first communions, new homesteads, 70^th birthdays, etc.

to the every day happenings.

There is a persistent yearning to share life with you.

We are slowly adjusting to our new way of conversing with your spirit.

It is a hard transition from the physical interactions to the spiritual.

Ironically through patience and yes, time

you taught us the valuable lessons we needed to cope with your absence.

Prayer, faith, hope, compassion, family values, laughter and love.

At moments I want to resist the passage of time.

Selfishly I wish I could go back

To the time when you filled our world with delightful absurdities,

silliness and laughter.

To the times when you provoked our thinking and encouraged our faith.

To the moments when you held our hand, gave us long hugs

and traced the sign of the cross on our foreheads.

Time has gifted us with these precious memories of you.

Memories and characteristics that give us strength to move forward.

To take time to gift our families with these same treasures.

We remember you fondly and in time we will be with you again.

Margie Cron Martin

Congrats Bro!

2009-05-30T23:47:00.000-04:00

My BIL Brian's graduation from OCC's Nursing program!! We are so proud!!

Sister and Fam - New House

2009-05-30T12:04:00.000-04:00

As they await the arrival of baby #4, my sister and family just purchased a new house - across the field from their old house! Here's a pic of them on their new front porch on the day they closed. Moving will be a summer long project - the goal to be completely moved before the baby gets here!

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-05-27T23:36:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday Mom! I won't tell you her age, but I'll give you a hint. She wore her 10th Anniversary GLMM shirt with the 10 candles on it, and added a little "x7" note at the end!

My sister Jennie and I were able to take her out to lunch to Cracker Barrel!

And I baked her favorite - spice cake - in the camper oven... it's a little lopsided, but it still tasted great!

After a yummy dinner in my sister's trailer (it rained) we said goodnight to my nieces and nephew, and mom and I headed out to the movies, and saw "Angels and Demons". It was EXCELLENT. I highly recommend it.

I spent mom's whole birthday week out at the campground with her - we scrapped and visited, and just had a relaxing week together! Thanks to my hubby and kids, who held down the fort and let me go!

Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-25T13:18:00.000-04:00

Scenes from our Memorial Day Parade. Don't E and N look spiffy in their brand new white Drum Major uniforms? The new white jackets came in 2 weeks AFTER last season ended - so this was their first opportunity to wear them.

And oh, how I love the "featherhawks"!

Girls Weekend

2009-05-24T23:09:00.000-04:00

I love to scrap, I love to eat, I love to hang out with my girlfriends, and I love to spend time with my daughters... so this weekend was just about perfect! Only thing that would have made it perfecter (I know, not a real word) - would have been if A. had been able to come - but she had rehearsals and couldn't go away for the weekend.

The "grown-up" girls scrap space. This was a mother-daughter weekend - so most of the young girls scrapped as well. The teen girls did homework, and played on facebook, and took naps and watched movies.

My girl E - with her laptop - supposedly doing homework - probably on facebook!

S'mores for dessert!

An incredible array of food, all weekend long - YUM.

And a toast to girlfriends - pomegranate martini's courtesy of Amy!

I wish I had "smell-o-blog"

2009-05-15T22:53:00.002-04:00

Because, it's spring, and my front yard is in bloom, and it smells INCREDIBLE!!! My husband has been after me the past few years to cut down the wisteria. It no longer grows in a tree like it was originall trained - it takes over the yard with it's sprawling vines, and is generally a pain in the butt to the lawn mower.... but OH MY HEAVEN.... If you could smell it right now, you'd know why I lie down around it's trunk in protest whenever DH suggests "just cutting it down".

Here is the whole front yard in bloom... I love spring!

My lilacs! I think we overtrimmed them one year, and they don't bloom as well as they used to - but these are smelling great as well!

Said Wisteria.... Isn't it pretty? And it smells like grapes... like yummy purple grapes. Right when I walk out the front door. Mmmmmmmm..... I'm never letting that man cut it down! The Wisteria also attracts the giant bumble bees - you know, the ones that look like they could never fly? I just love seeing those big fat yellow bumblebees buzzing around and pollenating the Wisteria!

We had a mama Robin in residence here in our old, burned out gas lamp. She laid four eggs, and then four little chicks hatched, and squawked for food.... She finally kicked them out of the nest sometime last week. Makes me regret not taking more pictures throughout this whole process. Maybe next year - this old lamp seems to be a favorite spot for Robins.

"When the Apple Blossoms turn to Turnip Greens my little Peach"
Yep - there they are, my apple blossoms! Just love them in the spring (In the fall when all the little crabapples are all over the ground - don't 'love them so much!) But now it's spring, and they are in full bloom, and I love them!! (And they remind me of my Dad.)

Our Track Star - NOT.

2009-05-13T10:18:00.000-04:00

OK - so you know I love this kid... but as she so succinctly explained it after coming home from track one day this season. "Mom, I feel like Danny in Grease - the coach moves me to a new event every other week, trying to find what I'm good at!"

Well, she may not be great at track, and she may have had to take 3 weeks off right as the season got underway when she sprained her ankle, but she was dedicated, and she really enjoyed it - even if the best placement she ever got in any event was 2nd to last!! And, she plans to do it again next year.... and she's settled in on an event where she'll train all next season - throwing!

Here she is mid long-jump. She had great form here.... just not great distances! I didn't get any photos of her sprinting... the girl likes to run, but isn't that fast!

Throwing the Shot-Put... harder than it looks!

Discus.... she had decent beginner distances in this event - and even beat one girl from the opposing school at this meet!

Spider Proofing and Allergies....

2009-05-05T07:45:00.003-04:00

This fancy set up is to protect my Diet Coke from crawling critters. I often start a Diet Coke one evening, and finish it the next morning (yes, I'm not too fussy about temperature - and Diet Coke stays pretty fizzy for a day or so). Yesterday, I reach for the DC on my desk, take a big swig and AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH.... there is something in my mouth that is most definitely NOT Diet Coke. I didn't actually ingest the extra protein, but in my convulsions and exclamations, I don't have any idea where the poor dead critter ended up. From now on, I'll be protecting my DC from unwanted intruders!

In other news.... meet the Hero and the Villian! After being on a Penicillin based antibiotic in March for a Sinus Infection, and then a short while later, going back onto Penicillin for my Root Canal... lo and behold, a lovely, itchy rash bloomed on my chest. I did have the presence of mind to stop taking the penicillin - but it took me another 2 weeks to drag myself to the Dr. when the rash didn't disappear.... in steps the hero "Prednisone" who will hopefully rid me of the itch. Oh, and no more Penicillin - ever. Next time the reaction might not be so mild!

Adelaide's Lament - Guys and Dolls

2009-04-27T07:45:00.001-04:00

Adelaide's Lament has been very good to the Griswold girls! Last summer, it earned E. a Gold in the qualilfying round, and a Silver in the final round of National Showcase - on her Ice Skates. A.'s voice teacher heard which song she skated to - looked at A and said - "That would be a GREAT song for you at Access Broadway"! And so, here is A.'s Friday night performance at Access Broadway 2009. It earned her a Platinum Medal, and the 2nd place High Score Trophy! She competed for the first time in the Diva division (which means 4 or more years of voice training) and she competed in the 13-15 age category for the first time - making her one of the youngest in her group.

Annie Honeybun

2009-04-22T21:02:00.001-04:00

I've been chastised for lack of blog posts. Sorry! I kept thinking that I needed to catch up. I'm thinking I just need to restart. So, to kick off - here's Annie at her concert last night! The video is a bit choppy for some reason. ah well.

My sister is tired of the Paparazzi

2009-01-05T13:57:00.004-05:00

She sent me a note yesterday - "Post something new on your blog so I'm not the first thing you see".

I asked her if the fame and fortune was just too much to handle - to which she replied that the paparazzi were a huge invasion of her privacy.

I told her that she shouldn't have taken her Tuba on the radio if she couldn't handle the pressures of Fame, to which she said... "Well, you keep it up there much longer I will have to contact my agent and you will have to pay for the rights to have me on your blog! And I will have to charge you for my autograph."

So, there ya go Jennie. I put up another post! Somehow, I think this isn't exactly what she had in mind!

(More posts to come - took a blue million photos over the holidays!)

Holidays with Friends

2008-12-21T11:43:00.001-05:00

I hate to tell you how long it's been since I've been to an "all grown ups" party. It may have been back BK (before kids) and then, I don't think we were really grown ups! (I don't count work parties!) We had a blast at a party for band volunteers last night! The K's hosted, and their home was beautiful for the holidays. We visited and laughed and ate. I could go for more "grown up" parties like this one!

An Extra Day of Break!

2008-12-19T23:38:00.001-05:00

God blessed us with 8-10 inches of snow, and a snow day that means an extra day of break for the kids! We spent the whole day baking cookies and making chocolates! We had a few friends who were able to trudge through the snow to join us for the fun... but we decided not to try to venture out on the roads.... There's a LOT of snow out there!

Merry Tuba Christmas

2008-12-17T15:40:00.003-05:00

My sister is a star....

This morning she and Phil (I don't know Phil - but he's a fellow tubist) were on WHMI promoting an event that is taking place in Howell this weekend. My sister is an avid tubist, and a member of the Michigan 5th, a Civil War re-enactment band.

Here's the link to listen to their bit this morning:

http://whmi.com/files/mp3soundfiles/MerryTubaXmas121708.mp3

And I lifted the photo from their site of Jen and Phil in the studio!

Here's the promo bit from their website:

MERRY TUBA CHRISTMAS

Howell's 3rd annual "Merry Tuba Christmas" is coming up this Saturday at 1:30pm in the downtown amphitheater. Approximately 100 tubists from across the region will join together to carol passersby with holiday tunes "tuba-style". Phil Bertolini and Jennie Ross will be two of them and they joined us in the studio on Wednesday. Click Here to hear the Merry Tuba duet!

Skate with Santa

2008-12-14T11:24:00.001-05:00

The girls skated in the annual Holiday Exhibition at our arena, and then we all did open skate with Santa! E's friend N came, and she taught him the basics of ice dancing - he caught on pretty quickly!

Skate Fest 2008

2008-12-07T11:31:00.001-05:00

The girls had a great showing at our home club's annual competition this weekend! The great on-ice shots were taken by our friend, and figure skating judge - Don Korte! The girls medalled in all of their events, which was very exciting! E was especially surprised by her Gold in her Short Program. Surprisingly, between them, although they earned lots of medals -not a single bronze! We thought that an odd bit of trivia!

Me - November 30th

2008-12-01T10:39:00.002-05:00

In all the madness, I did remember to snap a photo of just myself at the Gingerbread Building - since it was ALSO November 30th, and the day to take my Once A Month Me photo.... I am almost done here with my year of photos. Just one more to take on December 31st, and then I guess I'll be scrapbooking all these photos - Cara? You started me on this crazy project - you gonna help me finish?

Gingerbread Houses

2008-12-01T10:24:00.004-05:00

A semi-annual tradition - on our way home from visiting in Ohio in the holiday season, we stop at Dobo's Delights to build Gingerbread Houses! It's loads of fun, and is really great for entertaining kids who range in age from 5-15... not to mention the grown-ups! I'm not sure what they like more, building the houses, or snacking on the building materials!!

Self Portraits over Turkey Weekend

2008-12-01T10:05:00.002-05:00

I got a little crazy with the camera at Gingerbread House building and snapped several self-portraits of me, J, E, A and my longtime friend S....

So, there you have it!

Family at Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T23:54:00.000-05:00

A is Thankful for...

2008-11-27T23:21:00.000-05:00

Olives... and she ate way more than one per finger!

BTW... don't her eyes look bluer than blue in her new contacts? And no, they are NOT colored!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T22:38:00.000-05:00

I've spent my morning baking Apple Pies! Heading to my parents in about an hour to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast - capped off with some homemade pie! If you are interested in my recipe - I posted it last November - here's the link.

So - I started this post this morning when the pies were in the oven - but then got distracted into the hustle and bustle of getting ready to go - and left it sitting here all day.

I wanted to do a list of what I am grateful for - so before the day is completely over - here goes my list:

- I'm thankful for this blog - I completely let the 1st anniversary of posting pass me by - it was the 16th of this month... I can't believe I've kept this fairly regularly updated for a year. I guess my experiment was successful!

- I'm thankful for my family - even when they are in my way in the kitchen when I'm baking pies! Actually, they were a big help in the pie department today!

- I'm thankful for J, my husband. I love him more today than I did 18 years ago when I said I Do.... and I wouldn't have thought that possible... because I was pretty well smitten back then!

- I'm thankful for E and A, my wonderful daughters, who make me laugh far more often than any other emotion - and I'm grateful that we have been able to remain close, even through these teenage years.

- I'm thankful for my parents, who we visited today. My dad's health issues loom larger and larger, but he is certainly an example of how to keep going, and how to approach even the worst times in life with a sense of humor. My mom -- I'm so thankful to have such a great relationship with her, and can only hope that E & A and I have as great a relationship throughout their adulthood.

- I'm thankful for John's parents, who we missed today! I'm so grateful to have "in-laws" that I truly love!

- I'm thankful for my huge family - who was pretty scattered this Thanksgiving - but whom we will see several times in the coming holiday season - I have the greatest siblings, and the cutest and smartest nieces and nephews ever!!

- I'm thankful for our home - our little ranch that was just supposed to be our "starter" home - which looks like it will be our "finisher" as well! It brought us into a community where we have made great friends, whom I am also very thankful for.. (Posse, you know who I mean!)

- I'm thankful for John's job, which is not dependent upon the auto industry - which is in such dire straights, and I pray for all those whose jobs are in jeopardy this year.

I could probably think of lots more - but it's late, and this hits the big ones.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Twilightopia

2008-11-21T02:53:00.004-05:00

When I should have been tucked in my bed... when E should have been tucked in her bed, because she still has an early morning at school tomorrow (well, I guess today at this point!), we were at the theater, along with every other teenaged girl in the metro area!!

That's right, we were at the midnight premier of Twilight... and we had no trouble staying awake, and I'd even say it was worth the $9.50 a ticket!

The film adaptation is very true to the book, and although some details are cut (how could they not!) the flow of the story is not affected. It's already set up for the sequel. Twilight fans will not be disappointed - I wasn't!

I do have to say, though, that the actor that plays Edward Cullen reminds me JUST ENOUGH of my nephew TIII that I had trouble mooning over Edward... but my daughter was able to set aside images of her cousin and see Edward for Edward!

In analyzing the 2am crowd post-movie - I would guess it was 80% teen girls, 5% moms, and 15% boys - most of whom I'm guessing were dragged there by girlfriends! While there was lots of giggling and carrying on during the trailers - once the movie started - the theater became hushed - and only erupted a couple of times during the movie - usually in appreciation for a kissing scene!

If you haven't read the books - I recommend you do - and then take yourself out to see the movie - you won't regret it!

MOP - MVP - Whatever you call it - a proud moment!!

2008-11-18T22:30:00.007-05:00

Tonight was the Fall Sports Banquet. (Well, they call it a banquet, but it's more of a snack and an awards ceremony!) Each of the Fall teams are recognized for their seasons, and each team selects a "Most Valuable Player" - or in the case of the Dance Teams - a "Most Outstanding Performer". We were so proud tonight when E was selected the "MVP" of the JV Dance Team for the Fall Football Season! Here she is showing off her medal! She was also recognized as a Student Athlete for having a GPA above 3.0 - this gains you a t-shirt (which I didn't take a photo of!).
Finally, a shot of the back of her Varsity Jacket (earned for Marching Band - but notice that there is a space on the bottom... hoping to fill that in with Dance eventually!) You can't really see it in the shot of the front - but she also has figure skates embroidered on her jacket!

My how time flies....

2008-11-18T21:40:00.002-05:00

How many of you remember this young skater? These are photos of E in her very first Ice Show, after she'd been skating about a year. I looked for photos of her first skating lesson - but was reminded that J took her to those early "Parent/Tot" classes, because he could skate, and at the time, I could not! He is not the family photographer - and I was not an OCD scrapbooker! So, this is the best I could come up with!

That sweet little tot, who marched around the ice grew up into this young lady, who just got her first job teaching Learn To Skate! This time, even though I couldn't be there - I did get my non-photographer husband to take the camera to get some photos ... I think he did a great job, and she didn't even know he was taking them until after they got home! (We're guessing the other parents probably thought he was the parent of a tot out there!!)

Her favorite quote from the youngest "Snowplow Sam" skating class that she taught first was "This ice is really slippery"! She had a great time, and will be a wonderful teacher to these kids!

I got my sticker.... how about you?

2008-11-04T12:31:00.004-05:00

Go on out and vote today! I republish here, an essay that was forwarded in an email to me a few weeks back - I do not know the source, and I was unable to bring over the photos successfully - but the message is still powerful. Wouldn't you know that this is the exact era of history my daughter has just been studying in her US History class?

WHY WOMEN SHOULD VOTE

This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago. Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote.

And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic'.

They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air.

They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.

Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote. For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.

When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/prisoners.pdf

So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because--why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?

Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels'. It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.

All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. Sometimes it was inconvenient.

My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. 'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 'What would those women think of the way I use, or don't use, my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'

HBO released the movie on video and DVD . I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a little shock therapy is in order.

It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy. The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'

Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know. We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party, remember to vote.

History is being made.

Halloween Party

2008-11-03T15:20:00.004-05:00

Both girls had a 1/2 day for Halloween, as it was the end of the card marking. E got the brilliant idea that we should host a party for she and A and their "closest" friends! I think in the end we had close to 20 HS and MS kids at the house all afternoon and evening... and while some might think I was crazy to agree to this... I can tell you that all the kids had a great time, and so did I! I was able to "infiltrate" the party, by posing as a photographer... and pretty soon I was laughing as hard as the kids. By the end of the night, I was thanking them all for letting me "play" with them.

I took over 300 photos - and then the photo scavengers added more to take me up to over 400 photos of this party! I just picked one representative photo of each activity to share with all of you!

Things got off to a slow start - we fed everyone pizza and salad for lunch, and then the HS kids all disappeared to the basement to watch a movie (yes, it was a bit cozy down there!) The MS kids decided to record a video (which will probably be making an appearance on A's youtube account sometime soon). They hosted the "Reekus and Smelly" talk show, and I'm not sure how, but they convinced several of the HS students to come up from the movie and be their "guests". I didn't take photos of this - but, I'm sure I'll be able to link the video in soon!

When the movie ended, I enlisted one of E's friends to motivate everyone to come upstairs and go outside (it was an absolutely GORGEOUS October day) and everyone played the "eat a donut off a string" game. Here's A, being fairly successful with her donut!

Then the MS kids kept things rolling by taking the galvanized tub and washing and filling it for apple bobbing. Once two of the HS guys carried the full tub into the backyard - it was bobbing time! It took E a few tries - but she finally got her apple!

The next activity was completely spontaneous. One of the guys was dressed as Darth Vader, and one of the gals (who just lives 2 doors down) thought that they ought to have toy light sabers - so off she went to "borrow" her brother's. Pretty soon the backyard was filled with 15 and 16 year old boys having highly choreographed, and acrobatic light saber battles! We all laughed ourselves silly!

Next up was the "Balloon Battle". Two teams - one orange and one black, battled to see who could keep from having their balloons popped! This took place on the circle in front of our house, and drew many of our neighbors out to watch - especially as the first trick-or-treaters were starting to arrive!

The whole gang poses for a photo, before once again dividing into two teams (Team Edward and Team Jacob.... we have a group a little obsessed with Twilight!) and heading out for the Trick-or-treat photo scavenger hunt! They all had a great time with this, as did the neighbors who dug up raisins and warned them "don't eat these", and posed for all sorts of pictures! My favorites are each teams photo that fulfilled the requirement "Take a photo at a house with scary decorations"! They each found different houses, and took great photos!

Team EdwardTeam Jacob

Me - October 31

2008-10-31T12:47:00.000-04:00

Here I am - at the party E planned for a group of about 15 high schoolers, and 4 middle schoolers. I was documenting the event, when E took the camera from me, and turned it on me! I said "Yay - I need a picture - it's the last day of the month". However, I see that I never actually curled my hair!! Oh well.

Halloween was a beautiful day! The kids all had a 1/2 day for the end of the card-marking - and E and A and the gang had a great time eating donuts on a string, bobbing for apples, having a balloon battle, having Light Saber Battles (this was just the guys), and winding up the night with a spirited Halloween Trick 0r Treat Photo Scavenger hunt, that the whole neighborhood had fun helping them complete! I'll post some of those photos next!

I am a ROCKIN' Halloween Mom

2008-10-24T16:57:00.004-04:00

I'm just sayin'....

I've spent since this past Sunday working on this year's Halloween masterpeice at the request of my youngest daughter - who has been in a Halloween appliance phase since 4th grade...

Here she is as a washing machine in Fourth Grade:
At the end of 4th grade, she was in a production of Pinnochio. She talked us into letting her keep the block costume with "I'll turn it into a halloween costume!" So, for 5th grade, she opted to be a microwave oven:
Sixth grade was rough - it was her older sister's first year of High School and Marching Band, and Halloween got here without much opportunity for us to create a new masterpiece - but that was OK - A just got out the microwave costume again!!

But - 2 years as a microwave was more than enough... Plus - she wanted to attend the Middle School Halloween Dance (Which starts in less than an hour - thus my push to get this finished today!), and she wanted a killer costume for the contest. SO... she commissioned me to create for her a toast in a toaster costume! I think it turned out really really cool!! If you look really closely - you'll see that the toaster is just the microwave, repurposed into a toaster!

Happy Halloween All!!

A Sings "Journey to the Past" from Anastasia

2008-10-23T10:29:00.002-04:00

A was asked to sing at the Choir concert last night... technically, she is not in choir, although she would love to be! Because both Band and Choir are full year electives, and the 7th grade schedule only allows 1.5 years of electives - she had to make a difficult choice! We encouraged her to stick with band, as there is nothing outside of school for her to do to keep that up - but we provide her with lots of singing opportunities outside of school!

Making a long story short - A has Drama for her .5 year elective (surprised? LOL) and the Choir teacher and the Drama teacher are one and the same. One day in class, A glanced at the piano and saw this song out, and remarked to the teacher "I worked on that song with my voice teacher last year!" Next thing you know, she's auditioning after school, and being asked to sing at last night's concert! (The theme of the concert was "Journeys")

If you are a grandparent or an aunt or uncle - I advise you to get your tissues ready now!!

Hairspray - Skating - 09 Ice Show Tryout

2008-10-22T22:56:00.002-04:00

I'm happy to report that with this tryout, A was awarded her first ever Cold Spot Solo! We are so proud of her!! E was unable to tryout in person, due to a Marching Band competition, so she submitted the video from last year's ice show tryout. She was once again awarded a Cold Spot Solo.

Long Progam - EGL Regionals 2009

2008-10-13T23:07:00.002-04:00

E and I have been in Midland this weekend, so she could skate at Regionals today. We were all happy with the performance she put out, but not as happy with the result. We didn't expect her to win - but we did expect to be up a couple of placements from where she finished. Final result - finished 10th - but She got a 2nd and a 7th place ordinal! (She calls the one that gave her 2nd the "crazy judge") - but the one that put her into 7th was more in line with what we observed in watching the flight - but ah well - this is figure skating! Sometimes you place higher than you expect, and sometimes lower! We still had a great time, and had a yummy Frankenmuth Chicken Dinner (Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner) on our way home!!

Meet Rosie...

2008-10-10T08:10:00.006-04:00

Affectionately named after the robot maid on the Jetsons, here's the newest member of my cleaning staff (cough, cough)!

Looking through the Costco catalog one night, I offhandedly mentioned to John that I thought that the Roomba was a great concept for cleaning challenged folks like myself that hate pulling out the vacuum.

Little did I know what sort of seed I had planted! I came home late the next evening, and while sitting and visiting with friends that had come back to watch some skating videos with us, I hear a very strange noise in the dining room... sure enough, my crazy husband had gone right out, and for no particular occasion, brought home Rosie!

I have become a HUGE fan of Rosie the Roomba - and my floors have NEVER been this consistently clean. She goes off every day at 11am and does the dining room and the kitchen. About twice a week, I red up the dog's toys and set her to work in the living room, and about once a week, we send her down the hall.

She fits under the couches - so even the dust bunnies have no refuge!! The first few times in the living room, I was astounded at the amount of pet hair, because Mo doesn't really seem to shed a lot (not like other dogs where fur comes off in your hand while you are petting them!). Clearly she was shedding a lot more than I thought!

I haven't been brave enough to let her loose in the girl's bedrooms... and bathrooms have too many nooks and crannys - but still - it's saving me MASSIVE time in vacuuming (oh, who am I kidding - I was TERRIBLE at regular vacuuming) - it's not saving me time - it's gifting me with a pet hair free (almost) environment!

Mo is even getting accustomed to her schedule (not that she'll stay in the same room with it!)

It's amazing how motivated everyone is to keep the rest of the house neat when the floors are clean!

Now... if only I could figure out how to get it to clean my bathrooms!!!

Me - September 30

2008-09-30T07:00:00.002-04:00

OK - Actually this was snapped 10/1. YES, I had my reminder buzz me about 20 times on 9/30 - but I didn't ever fix my hair after my shower.... and because apparently I'm not capable of sticking to the "Let's keep this real" portion of the assignment - I put off snapping a pic until 10/1 when I DID fix my hair. Anyway - note the sweater - It's officially getting a lot cooler around here! I need to study more on my SLR - I thought I had the settings such that with the ambient light from the front window, I'd get a clear shot. While the shot is acceptable - it's a bit grainy. Youngest daughter A agreed to stand on a chair and operate the camera for me.

Homecoming - the photo session...

2008-09-28T09:55:00.005-04:00

The final result - the primping paid off - aren't they all just beautiful?

Check them out with their handsome dates!!

I'm a tad bit partial to this one....
and doesn't this pic remind you of her Aunt Margie?

E and her date J sharing a laugh!

I had the hardest time convincing J he should smile and show his teeth!
(I've seen them, they are nice and straight - not sure why he wants to hide them!)

Didn't J do an awesome job in finding a shirt that matched E's dress?
They look fabulous together!

This is the fab five...

And this is all the gorgeous gals!!

The whole gang - guys and gals!

When one of your best friends just happens to be a boy - your date (and his) both have to excuse you while your mom's decide that they need a shot of the best buds together!!
I'm taking bets that when we get this shot next year - he'll be a lot taller than she is -
even in her 3 inch heels!!

The gang all huddles up to discuss the evenings plans...
I like this shot because you can see how cool the back of E's dress is!!

We couldn't resist - one of the moms laid down in the middle of the huddle to get this cool shot! Too bad I forgot to turn on the flash - so it's kind of hard to see all their faces!

Primping for Homecoming

2008-09-27T14:00:00.000-04:00

The weather was so beautiful for our homecoming, it resulted in a HUGE crowd at the game, and stellar sales at the Band Booster Concession stand - which I was in charge of! Consequently, there are no photos of the homecoming game... and I, being a very irresponsible scrapbooker, forgot to take my camera with me to the parade and pep rally.... whoops!

BUT... I did do a good job documenting on Saturday all of the beautification process!!

The 3 stooges get pedi's together early Sat am!

Pretty Feet!

Pedi's sometimes TICKLE!

On to mani's - too bad they don't have 3 mani stations in a row!

The nail dryer doesn't stop them from engaging in deep conversation!

Oops - I've been caught!

We have to do some pretty strange things to become beautiful! - 1st the mohawk!

I'm not sure WHAT you call this look - besides SCARY!

Starting to come together!!

Beautimous!

Cascades of Curls!!

Starlight Waltz - check

2008-09-26T21:21:00.002-04:00

One more pre-gold dance is checked off of E's list! She passed the third of four Pre-Gold dance tests today! One more to go, and she'll have only one level of dance left to complete! No photos though - I was too busy being the test chair!

Feels like this month has been all about E!

2008-09-24T08:59:00.002-04:00

Perhaps it's because A's transition to 7th grade has been easy and smooth, or because she opted not to audition for a show this fall, but this month all events in this household seem to revolve around A's sister E. Although, A was asked to sing a solo at the October Choir concert - so that's pretty exciting!!

Fall is always crazy around here because of Marching Band and JV Dance. It means we're going, going, going pretty much every week/weekend! It's also meant that when I'm home and at the computer - I'm usually trying to get something productive done - and thus, the blog has been a bit neglected!

And, although I've taken probably more photos this month than any other - I don't have most of them, because I acted as the assistant photographer at our Invitational, and I took them all on Lance's camera! But I'll send you some links!

Here are some links to some great shots of E taken by either me or Lance:

At the Game on 9/19:
E in an amazing toe touch during the JV Dance performance at pre-game!
http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/slideshow.jsp?auto=0&aid=768a5498cf3c441c8079&idx=26

E with Jake Jabootie - the dance team spirit monkey:
http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/slideshow.jsp?auto=0&aid=768a5498cf3c441c8079&idx=37

A is silly in the stands:
http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/slideshow.jsp?auto=0&aid=768a5498cf3c441c8079&idx=4

E conducts in her dance team uniform:
http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/slideshow.jsp?auto=0&aid=768a5498cf3c441c8079&idx=15
http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/slideshow.jsp?auto=0&aid=768a5498cf3c441c8079&idx=52

At Invitational...
E conducts the band:
http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/slideshow.jsp?auto=0&aid=768a5498cf3c63115faa&idx=84
http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/slideshow.jsp?auto=0&aid=768a5498cf3c63115faa&idx=86

E salutes:
http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/slideshow.jsp?auto=0&aid=768a5498cf3c63115faa&idx=89

E and N lead the band in review after their performance. N's plume fell off as he and Em switched places during the show - too difficult to reattach in the no time that they had!
http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/slideshow.jsp?auto=0&aid=768a5498cf3c63115faa&idx=197

Man Made Card

2008-09-04T21:34:00.001-04:00

Man Made Card

Angie Pederson had a link to this on her blog - I thought it was too funny not to share with all of you!

Adelaide's Lament - Guys and Dolls 2008

2008-09-04T10:13:00.001-04:00

Teen Light Silver Medalist Performance! For those of you who could only be with us in spirit in Minnesota!

I have been so bad!!!

2008-09-02T09:18:00.003-04:00

I have so much to blog - so I'm going to spend some time this morning posting, and uploading photos - but I'm going to backdate each of the posts - so that it kind of goes where it "happened"... so sorry to anyone who's been checking here since the 10th, wondering if we fell in! You may want to scroll back to catch up!

In a way we did - we fell into the last few weeks of summer - and with all the last minute stuff before school starting, and band camp, I didn't get anything posted.... mea culpa!

First Day of School

2008-09-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Where does the time go? E starts 10th grade, and A 7th today. I'm sure it will be a great year!

Cottage Sweet Cottage

2008-09-01T17:00:00.001-04:00

Every Labour Day we head SOUTH to the Cottage in Canada! (Thus spelling Labour with a "u") Here are some of the things we do when we are there!

At the cottage - cousins snuggle - made more sweet because this cousin lives in New York, and we don't get to see him as much as we'd like!

We play games... lots of game playing! Scrabble, Take 2, Dominoes, Phase 10, and Balderdash are all staples of Labour Day weekend at the cottage!

We visit the beach on Lake Erie! We headed straight out the front door of the cottage down to the shoreline get these shots to email in for the EGL Regioanls Program - but as long as we were down there, we did a bit of a photo shoot! It helps when the subject is so beautiful!

We celebrate birthdays! All the kids chipped in to get Poppo a brand new Purple Martin House. When taking down the old one - it literally slid right off the platform as the post was lowered to the ground! It was definitely time for a new one! A took one look at the new one and said "That's not a bird house... that's a bird MANSION!"

Me: Last Day of Summer!

2008-08-30T12:00:00.000-04:00

It's the last day of the month - and the last day of Summer Vacation! So what better place to have your monthly photo taken, than at the beach? Yep, this is me on the shore of Lake Erie - and this photo was ACTUALLY taken on the last day of the month - just like I'm supposed to do!

Football Season Begins!

2008-08-28T22:00:00.000-04:00

School hasn't started yet... but that doesn't mean we don't have football!

I spent the whole game working concessions - so I'm glad Lance snapped this pic that I can share with you!

Happy 3rd Birthday B!!

2008-08-23T22:00:00.000-04:00

My 3 year old nephew at his backyard BBQ birthday bash!

Band Camp

2008-08-23T15:00:00.000-04:00

How to sum up Band Camp? Well, for E, I'm sure it could be summed up in the sore limbs, sunburn, and cameraderie of her friends. For J, it meant eating hotdogs nearly every night, because I was up serving dinner to the band. For A, it was the week the braces went on - so she spent a lot of time with popsicles and the tv! For me, it was early mornings to fix breakfast, and evenings serving dinner to the band! It was a lot of fun - I did a lot more to help out this year than last year. We have a great group of boosters that were a lot of fun to spend time with and get to know better.

E and her partner Drum Major N, are splitting the show this year - marching half the show, and conducting half the show. The week of band camp was spent learning some intricate drill for the 1st half of the show - so E never made it up onto the podium during camp. She did have special conducting classes, and did spend time at sectionals conducting the different sections on her 2 peices. She also enjoyed playing her mellophone. She says that N is the "super drum major" and that now that she is starting to conduct her peices, she has big shoes to fill!

Here's some pics:

E on her mello during the camp final performance.

E with her mello.

The mellos reflected.

N conducts the camp show.

Tin Grin

2008-08-18T09:25:00.000-04:00

One out - the next one in! Just a little over a month after E got her braces off - on went A's! We've already seen huge movement in the eye teeth! I have to confess - I didn't get true "before and after" shots - I was working at Band Camp and J took her! So, the before shot is from a couple weeks before - and the after shot is on Thursday of Band Camp - she'd already had them on for almost 4 days! (But she didn't feel much like smiling the first three days - it was pretty painful for her at first!)

The goal is to have A in and out of these braces before she starts High School! The dentist seems to think we'll make it! Can you imagine her smile any more beautiful than it already is?

Waldenwoods

2008-08-17T09:21:00.004-04:00

We snuck in one last summer trip to WWoods! I didn't take many photos - but we celebrated my nephew Kyle's graduation from EMU, and we mourned the loss of J's Great Uncle J, and we celebrated my dad's 75th birthday!

Here's one of the few photos I did take over that weekend:

A, and my neice J, catching tiny minnows at the beach! We had a great time - Aunt J ran some errands and picked up the twins from camp while we hung out at the beach!

National Showcase - Day 3

2008-08-10T09:37:00.003-04:00

We came OH SO CLOSE to a repeat! You can't really complain about a silver medal in the final round - and J.J. who won the title did a great rendition of "Make Em Laugh" from Singing in the Rain!! This is quite a medals stand here - J.J. is the 2008 National Showcase Teen Light Champion, E.G. with the Silver is the 2007 National Showcase Teen Light Champion, O.D. with the Bronze is the 2008 National Showcase Teen Dramatic Champion, and K.C. is the 2007 National Showcase PreJuvenile Light Champion! And O.D. and K. C. are the 2008 Teen Duet Champs!! That's one powerhouse group of skaters!!!

K.C. and O.D. on their victory lap, after winning the Bronze in the Duet Parade of Champions!!

E, with new and old friends at the conclusion of the events! M was the Teen Extemp Champion this year, and of course J.J., and then E.F. who won the Bronze for PreJuv Dramatic!

E with her fabulous coach Lisa!!! Every one of Lisa's students is bringing home one or more National Showcase Medals in 2008!! We mean it when we say she is the world's greatest coach!!

For BRB Folks looking for other results:

Preliminary Light Final Round- E.H. - 2nd and M.A. 7th
Preliminary Dramatic Final Round - M.C. - 7th
Teen Light Final Round - E.G. - 2nd and K.C. 4th
Duet Parade of Champs - K.C. and O. -3rd

Final Medals Tally:

2 Gold
3 Silver (4 if you count our adopted E.H.)
5 Bronze (6 if you count E.H.)
3 Pewter
Total Medal Count - 13/15 if you count E.H.!!

It was another great year for BRB at National Showcase!

National Showcase Day 2

2008-08-09T00:09:00.003-04:00

M. & E. in the classic argument pose after their duet flight!

The duet medals stand... the judges didn't quite get our $10K idea. Bummer - but K. & O. took 1st, and new friends from Aspen, CO took 2nd... and M. & E. still get to take home Bronze Medals!

Extemporaneous Medals - for those who don't know - These gals all got locked in a room together for 45 minutes to listen to and choreograph a program to a 1 minute peice of music. In this case, it was Somewhere Over the Rainbow. E's goal was to finish 6th or higher - and she was over the moon to get the Bronze Medal, and TWO 1st place ordinals!! She really did a great job!

For BRB folks looking for other results:
Prelim Extemp: M. E. got the Pewter Medal (4th) and M. A. 8th, and E. H. 9th.
PreJuv Light B: E.F. 8th
Prelim Light B: M. C. 7th
Prelim Light C: M. A. got the Silver Medal (2nd); E. H. the Bronze (3rd) and M. E. 6th.

Skating in Final Rounds tomorrow:
M.A. and E.H. - Preliminary Light
M. C. - Preliminary Dramatic
E.G. and K.C. - Teen Light
K.C. with O. - Duet Parade of Champs

National Showcase - 1st Update

2008-08-07T23:51:00.007-04:00

I know that many of you are anxiously awaiting our updates from National Showcase! We drove 13 1/2 hours on Tuesday with 4 Teens in the van - singing Hairspray in 3-part harmony (talented kids!)

Wednesday was spent PRACTICING - between the six skaters from our club - plus the one we've adopted from our neighboring club - we had practice ice from 9am to 10pm! Then it was to bed to rest, and up again this morning for our first day of events!
My E, our "adopted" club member E.H., and M with the ice as a backdrop before the days events start.

The "Teen Dramatic" Group B Initial Round Awards Stand. The judges did not favor us in this flight - E & K finished 8th and 9th - out of 9. Total Bummer - but as you can see - they were great sports about it!

The "Teen Light" Group B Awards Stand. The judges LIKED US this time!!! E & K topped the medal stand this time around - 1st and 2nd! (We like this placement a LOT better!)

Our club's medal winners for today check out their medals! Our friend E.F. took 3rd in the Final Round of PreJuvenile Dramatic with her amazing Hula Hoop/Cirque deSoleil number!

Our fabulous coach and all her students gather on the medals stand at the end of Day 1! Lots more events to skate tomorrow - and we definitely have some skaters in the Final Rounds on Saturday now! Hooray!

Friends from our club gather for a happy photo!!

Enough with the Camera MOM!

2008-08-02T22:48:00.002-04:00

"Would you like to take a picture of my scratching my nose?"

Hmmm... do ya think that maybe the fact that I took about 180+ photos in about a 2 hour period tonight might have gotten a little under her skin? Having fun playing with the new camera and it's settings.... And I had great subjects tonight - we had an impromptu BBQ at my seester's house, and all the cousin's (except E who is at Dance Camp) were there! So I shot a blue million photos. Apparantly one too many of A!

Iolanthe - Gilbert & Sullivan

2008-08-02T00:03:00.004-04:00

They may have written their Operetta's over 100 years ago - but their humor has survived the test of time! Tonight was A's final performance after 3 weeks of Operetta Camp down at the Opera House. She was cast as Celia, one of the supporting roles. Although supporting - A's solo was the first of the show! How cool is that?

Celia, singing about life as a fairy.

The fairies Celia, Leila & Iolanthe make fun of the Peers.

I call the above photos "Giddy Fairies 1" and "Giddy Fairies 2". A is on the far right.

It wouldn't be Gilbert & Sullivan without a happy ending, and with everyone paired off! The above photos are from the finale song!

A Cast Photo

Goofy A, at the afterglow! No smiling photo - because the camera memory card filled up with this lovely photo!

Joy - I took all these with the Rebel on ISO 1600 with no flash. I think I'm keeping it! I'll call you - Don't cash the check until I make sure John has covered it!!! I still have lots to learn - and I think that with a little more know how - I can get even better photos than these... but I was a very happy photographer tonight!!

Me - July 30 (OK, August 1st)

2008-08-01T08:41:00.001-04:00

So, my computer reminded me ALL DAY on the 30th to go take my photo and blog it - but it was such a crazy day, with getting E ready for dance camp, and her National Showcase send-off - that I never had a chance to get the photo. But TODAY - I had time, before we left for A's performance, to go outside and play a little with the Rebel. I'm still learning a lot about this camera. I've been reading up on ISO's and Apertures and Shutter Speed and all that. But on a whim, I put the camera in the Portrait Mode for dummies - it did all those things I'd been reading about! I'm sure I can learn to tweak it more - but I was happy with this result.

July has just flown by - and August won't go any slower! Before I know it - the kids will be back in school!

We interrupt this blog for a brief commercial message...

2008-07-26T09:58:00.004-04:00

If you've ever clicked around on my blog - you may have followed a link over to "The Pioneer Woman" - an incredibly humorous blog writer, great cook, and awesome photographer. I have long admired some of the fun effects that she uses on her photos with something called "Photoshop Actions". She has a bunch of free one's available for download on her site.... only trouble is - I have Photoshop Elements, and sadly for me, her actions don't work on PSE, they only work on the full blown, and very EXPENSIVE Photoshop.

Fast forward to today - I got an email from my favorite digital scrapbooking store - Polka Dot Potato - (that's where I bought the kit that adorns this blog!) - and they have a whole set of Photoshop Actions for sale - and they work on PSE!!!

I couldn't help myself - I downloaded several, and have been playing - I thought I'd show the results, and perhaps tempt you to download and play with some actions yourself!

(What exactly is an "action" you ask? Well, if you ever used Macro's in a word processing document - it's pretty much that - it's a program that executes a series of commands automatically in Photoshop - sometimes it does the whole thing and is done - other actions pause and let you tweak things along the way.)

This one is my favorite - it's called midnight color - and this tiny size hardly does it justice - it makes a great photo into a stunning photo! Just love how it made her hair so rich! It also made the leaves in the background almost appear to be painted!

This one is called EZ Vignette. I actually applied this action to the photo twice - because I wanted it slightly darker than one application creates. I just love how it seems to add depth to the photo

This action is called Contra Soft. Again - hard to see in these little examples - but it softens out all the lines in my mom's face - and heightens the color a bit. This one is not my favorite - or maybe this isnt' the right photo for it - because I found that even though it soften the lines - the colors became harsher. I'll keep playing with this one.

Finally - this is Vivid Color. It's the first one I downloaded and used. The first picture I applied it to - I didn't like it - but this photo - which I already thought was great- I added the effect and WOW! (Isn't my goddaughter cute? And what the heck is all over her face?)

So - have some fun - download some actions and play with your photos!! And if at first you don't succeed - try the action on a different photo! I need to go play with that Contra Soft some more - I think I just haven't found the right photo for it yet!!

(Perhaps instead of commercial message, I should have called this a Public Service Announcement - because I didn't recieve anything for this promotion!)

Brand New Smile!

2008-07-10T16:51:00.004-04:00

We've been 15+ months without this smile!!! But now that the braces are off - doesn't she have a totally Anne Hathaway smile? She's absolutely giddy about having all that metal out of her mouth - but now she has retainers! (And yes, Mom - it's egyptian smelling salts all over again!) I'm sure the lisp and the saliva production will recede after wearing them a couple of weeks!

And here's another photo with the retainers in. I just love this pic!

PS: Morgan (and any of E's other friends that might read this) - don't tell your mutual friends - E wants it to be a surprise! :-D

Happy Birthday to ME!!

2008-07-08T23:00:00.004-04:00

That's right - it's been 30 days, and I caught up to J! The night before my birthday, J's parents came up and took us all out for my birthday dinner. We went to Benihana's - I just love a Japanese steakhouse, and watching them cook at my table. I forgot my camera - so the pics we snapped were on my cell phone! E took this cute one of us!

After dinner, J handed E the keys and told her to go pull up the car. A went with her, and as they pulled up in front of the restaurant to pick us up - this is what A was doing! Too funny!!!

A went home with Grandmom and Poppo, and will be heading to the cottage later this week for some "Camp Grandmom" time! E had dance practice, and I had a skating club board meeting - so it was a good thing that we went out the night BEFORE my bday! Although - thanks to my skating friends for celebrating my birthday with me! Christine baked brownies and stuck candles in them for me!! SO very cool!!

I also really enjoyed the e-cards, and the phone calls that came in from all over - Brighton, Grand Rapids, New York, Texas, Shelby Township, Hartland, Warren.... It was so nice to talk to everyone yesterday! And after talking to most of you- I know you are out there reading this... even though you never leave me a comment to let me know you are there!! :-D

Well, off to be 42. Here's hoping it's a good year! (Oh - and I'm counting this as my June 30 photo!)

Fabulous Fowl Fourths Forever

2008-07-07T17:21:00.003-04:00

Here are a few shots from our 27th annual family reunion this weekend in Howe, Indiana! We had a great time, and the next generation of cousins are making fast friendships!

I am so grateful that our family decided years ago, when I was still in high school, to have a family reunion each Fourth of July. I know my kids have connections to cousins that they might otherwise not have known without this annual event.

Because the kids love it so much - I'm sure that this annual event will continue for a LONG, LONG time.

Enjoy some of my fun shots of the next generation!

Photos I wish I'd gotten....

A and her cousins N, J and T sleeping out in the tent together, telling scary stories.

Wish I'd gotten video of the impromptu "sing inline" after turkey dinner.

E, driving MY cousins to the movies... too bad the movie theater turned out NOT to have the 9:40 showing that they advertised on July 4th!

A photo of me! End of the month - and no photos of me for the June 30 blog post! aack.

A photo of E the camp counselor, teaching and leading games to all the little kids.

A pic of K - because she's the ONLY one who can lead the "key game" properly!

She's Got her Permit!

2008-07-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

So, you might want to watch out for our Orange Mini-Van...
especially in the early mornings, on the way to the rink!

Bruin Lake

2008-06-30T12:00:00.002-04:00

We spent a fun filled weekend with our friends the K's camping! Despite the especially hungry mosquitos and the rain, we managed to have a great time! E and her friends M and S enjoyed the K's inflatable Kayak.... but they could only go out 2 at a time!

I didn't take photos of breakfast - but we learned to make a new camping breakfast treat! Omelette's in a Baggie!

It was so easy - we plan to do it again every camping trip!

Here's how it works....
Start by putting your biggest pot on the stove/campfire/etc. about 2/3 full of water - and set it to boiling.

Write everybody's name on a quart sized ziploc baggie and pass them out. Break 2 eggs into each baggie. Add a dash of milk, and salt and pepper to taste. Shake, shake, shake the baggie - until everything is mixed together, yolks are broken, etc.

Then the fun part... add whatever other stuff you like in omelettes! Diced ham, Green Pepper, Onion, Mushroom, and CHEESE were the accompaniments we chose (well, we PACKED the mushrooms - but forgot to put them out - but they would have been yummy!!)

Then - put the sealed baggie into the boiling water for about 10-12 minutes... and you get a perfect omelette! It's amazing!! My pot can do 4 omelettes at once.

Backyard Retreat

2008-06-25T16:19:00.002-04:00

Here's our backyard retreat! We've had a couple campfire nights... when the weather cooperates with us!
And here's the new patio set! We finally had dry and warm weather to have dinner out there last Sunday! Since then, it's rained almost every night. grrr.

Triathalon

2008-06-25T15:33:00.005-04:00

The following photos were taken Sunday morning... my lifelong friend/cousin/childhood next door neighbor/mutual godparents to each other's kids.... S participated in a triathalon with her brother B. We went to cheer them on at the transitions, and provide moral support and mental encouragement! I am so proud of both of them - I can't even imagine having the stamina to complete one portion of the triathalon - let alone all three! S did the "sprint" distance, and B the "olympic" distance. B is also a veteran of an Ironman.... those distances are KILLER. They both told us that our being there to cheer them helped them continue, finish, and get better times! It was totally worth the sunburn I got!!! These are photos of each of them in each portion of the race, and at (or after) the finish!

If any of you go to the GLMM - you'll recognize S from the registration desk!! Betcha never guessed she was a scrapbooker AND a triathlete!

Maumee State Park

2008-06-25T13:35:00.008-04:00

We camped for the first time at Maumee State Park in Ohio - we really liked the campground! The sites were very nice. Only thing that would have made it better would be water at the sites!
Although my whole family didn't camp for the weekend - we all convened on Saturday to wish my little sis J a happy 40th birthday! Here she is with her adorable kids! Don't you just love the great hat my seester M made for her to wear! We decorated as much as we could - given that the entire afternoon was a thunderstorm, and we spent it in the trailers - thank goodness we all have "rolling condos"!

We also had a special cake - Commercial plug - custom made by Cindy of "Dobo's Delights" in Picqua, Ohio! If you are in her area and you need a cake - check out her bakery in downtown Picqua!!

After a yummy dinner of assorted MEAT grilled by my BIL. (Hamburgs, Hot Dogs, Beer Brats, Chicken) and potluck sides - plus cake for dessert - E - the biggest kid - organized several games. First they all played freeze tag - and then she taught them all how to play "Red Rover"! Pretty soon it wasn't just the little kids playing "Red Rover"!!! Fun times!

Watch Out World.... Here she comes!!!

2008-06-20T13:43:00.002-04:00

This was it... the big day!!! The first official driving lesson! Oh, yeah - we've had some unofficial ones - back and forth to the Middle School parking lot - and around and around it (it's deserted - it's SUMMER!) But this was the first official time - with the official teacher, and the official "I'm learning how to drive" signs all over the car! E and her buddy and driving partner M didn't completely object to the fact that I was there, armed with a camera to commemorate this milestone - although I did stand across the parking lot and zoom in - to make it a little less mortifying for them!

Then, I got all sneaky - and I pulled around the building (they meet at a BK to switch drivers, etc.) and lay in wait - for my baby to come driving around the building. She didn't even know I took the photo!! She texted me after she was done, and M was behind the wheel... "I did it!!! I'm still alive!!" whew! If all goes as planned - she'll have her permit by the Fourth of July!!

Stop that... or I'll BLOG you!!!

2008-06-16T10:49:00.003-04:00

I have to make good on my threat - so here I am blogging the faces of A - all at dinner last night to celebrate the end of Dance Season. I just wanted a nice pic of her... was that so much to ask for? You see what I had to put up with before she finally agreed to smile for me!!

After the recital - we headed to Sam's Club, where we picked up a great Patio Furniture set that I eyed last week.... I'll post pics of it later - but while we were there, E & A schemed, and plotted, and convinced us if we all (the four of us) chipped in $40 we could get Rock Band. What a riot - took us going out to the internet to figure out how to get the mic to work (have to have a controller plugged in) but we played until 1am! Crazy fun!!! E's friend E came and played too - she's on drums. (I stink at drums - J ROCKS on the drums! I'm best at Bass.)

Dance Season is Finally Over!!!

2008-06-15T17:00:00.003-04:00

Now that A is no longer doing any sort of competition dance, recital weekend isn't quite the ordeal it used to be!!! She was only in 2 shows - only did each of her numbers once - and we didn't even go to one of them - because it was a number we'd already seen both at Access Broadway, and at the Vocal Recital. But Sunday, she was tapping, and we hadn't seen her tap at all this year (one disadvantage of no competitions!)

First, they reprised the "Life Upon the Wicked Stage" number - which was great - because it was the only one I didn't get any photos of at the vocal recital!

Then, it was time for tap!! A is so self-critical, I didn't know what to expect - but she and her class were fabulous! I don't know WHAT she was down on herself about! It was a cute number, with lots of complex tapping - I sure couldn't have kept up!!!

We've agreed - same type of schedule for dance again next year - it was just the right amount - and she does love to tap!!!

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-15T09:07:00.000-04:00

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there.... here are most of my favorite Dad's!!! J and his bro K are in back, and my Dad, and J's Dad are seated. We had a great Father's Day dinner here on Saturday night - featuring some very yummy Salmon prepared and grilled by J, and a spinach salad that my MIL helped me fix bacon dressing for, and spring asparagus - that E just loved... we'll be having that again!

It was a great evening of family and fun... We'll do it again sometime soon!!!

School's Out for Summer!!!

2008-06-12T12:00:00.003-04:00

School's Out For Summer!!!! (Sing along with me!)
School's Out For Ever!!!
(ok - not reallly forever - but it is out for the summer!!)

This is my new 7th grader - celebrating!!!! The new 10th grader was so busy with Marching Band, and Driver's Ed and Dance Team tryouts that I never got "school's out" photos of her. bummer.

Then and Now.... how much she's changed over the course of 6th grade!! Thanks Cara for the idea to take a Last Day photo!!! Too bad I couldn't nail down the older girl!!!

Catching Up

2008-06-12T11:16:00.003-04:00

Well... this is it - the last day of school!! The past couple of weeks have been filled with Awards ceremonies, final band concerts, and lots of studying!

Yesterday I accompanied A and the sixth grade to the Wave Pool - that was lots of fun - it was a great day for it! I lapped the lazy river four times!! The only downer was that I developed this terrible toothache yesterday - and the pain would come and go in waves - I couldn't predict what would set it off, or how long it would last. Finally, by the time we got home, it hurt so badly I was crying. John sent me off to the Dentist - who didn't find anything MAJOR. He filed down the painful tooth a bit to improve the bite, prescribed some antibiotics, and gave me license to take 800mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours. Well, the waves of pain are coming less frequently, and marginally less intensely. I hope that will do it - they took x-rays and didn't see anything wrong inside the tooth - so keep your fingers crossed.... because when the pain kicks in - the whole left side of my face hurts. argh.

E starts driver's ed in an hour! Her finals end at noon, and then at 12:30 she goes to her first class! s-c-a-r-y. School may be out for her, but she's just gearing up for a busy few days! Tomorrow, she has Driver's Ed - followed by Freshman Mini-Camp - followed by the first Dance Team tryout clinic. Saturday is the 2nd Freshman Mini-Camp - and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings are more clinics, and finally the try-out.

Both girls had a great 2nd semester - and took home several awards from their respective awards nights. We learned that until E is a Senior - we're going to duck out of the Awards night after she gets her awards... it's a LONG night otherwise - and it really is dedicated more to the Seniors. A HAD to duck out of her awards night early - she had her last Tap class before the recital!

No pics to post... I dragged the camera to the water park, and then never took it out, and we sat so stinkin' far back at the awards nights, that the pictures are terrible.... and I'm not sure E would ever forgive me if I showed up at Driver's Ed to take pictures!!! (But it would be funny, wouldn't it?)

Happy Belated Birthday

2008-06-07T21:17:00.002-04:00

Although I'm backdating this post - it's still belated. The girls insisted that I take a silly photo of J showing his age, just like i did of them on THEIR birthday's - and that I blog it. So begins the 30 day period when J is "officially" a year older than me (even though he's ALWAYS 30 days older than me - for THIS 30 days, the age number is different!!!)

The plan was to make cupcakes - but after getting the cake batter ready to go, I made the unfortunate discovery that I have used up what I thought was the lifetime supply of cupcake papers that my MIL gave me - oh, I dunno - 10 or 12 years ago!!!! Apparantly it was only a 10-12 year supply - not lifetime like I originally thought!!! So, instead I poured the batter into my covered cake pan, and sprinkled it up and decorated it. Tasted just as good as cupcakes!!

And here he is - blowing out his candles! Happy Birthday J!!! Here's to many, many more years of you being 30 days older than me!!!!

I Did It!!

2008-06-04T14:16:00.003-04:00

I customized my blog! Cara did her's and Tara's and Amy's MONTHS ago - but I was busy with GLMM - so all I did way back then was shopped and picked out my digital kit from Polka Dot Potato - I selected "If You're Happy" by Laura Ping of www.pingdesigns.com. It's been sitting on my computer ever since... nagging me to DO SOMETHING with it!

Today was the day. Not sure what inspired me - but I decided I was going to tackle it today! Once I got "into" it - it wasn't as hard as I imagined. Some knowledge of HTML is necessary - but with that, it was pretty easy to get the background images into place where I wanted them!

I hope you like it! Appropriately enough.... it makes me Happy!

Sing, Sing, Sing...

2008-06-03T19:04:00.002-04:00

This past weekend was the vocal recital. It is incredible how much talent there is in Mr. Keen's students! A did a fabulous job... above, she's dancing in the opening number.

Do you know how difficult it is to get good photos of your kid who is singing and dancing, when you can't use your flash? You take a blue million photos, and hope one turns out. But it's harder with your own kid - because you get nervous for them - and that doesn't help the camera shake AT ALL. Anyway - above A is performing in her class number - "I Won't Grow Up" from Peter Pan.

Finally - almost at the end of the show, A got her solo "You Can't Stop the Beat" from Hairspray! It's a difficult song, and she kept right up with it! No video as of yet... maybe later in the summer!

Me - May 31

2008-05-31T19:38:00.002-04:00

OK - I must confess... once again, I missed the deadline by a few days..... I just went into my basement and snapped this shot (it's 6/3!) BUT.... I was scrapping on May 31st; so I think it still counts! I did put a reminder into Outlook in ALL CAPS to come up on the last day of the month from here on out. You'd think after messing this up for several months now, I would have already done that. Nope. But it's done now... so hopefully we'll have no more late pics!!

You can see the layout I did Saturday (sort of - the lamp blocks it a bit) posted on my magnetic board - it's the lower layout. I'll be posting a better shot of it in about a week. Hoping to use to as an inspiration for a challenge over on the GLMM Community!

I got A's Ice Show album all caught up - now I'm working on E's. I really want to do the current challenge on the GLMM Board - but I can't think of what to do - I've racked my brain and reviewed my photos - and NOTHING is jumping out at me!!

Toodles... here's to a great month of June. E starts driver's ed... now THAT'S scary.

With friends like these....

2008-05-26T22:37:00.003-04:00

...who needs enemies? LOL

We went out for ice cream with N and his family - his mom was at work earlier today, and so we went out for a celebratory cone.... while we were gone, our houses were ATTACKED!
All in good fun, and we let the kids clean up....

I don't have a good shot of what we saw as we drove up the street - but we had been forewarned, because N's family beat us home... but here is what we discovered when we reached the front door!

And our front porch...

and the big tree out front....

Oops - they left the bag behind!

Even lil' sis got into the act helping clean up (cuz mom and dad weren't!)

And, when they were almost done... the culprits turned themselves in.... a giggling, giddy bunch!

Lots to report from this weekend.... but here's another "proud mama" moment!

2008-05-26T20:05:00.008-04:00

Pictured are Mr. Garvey, the Band Director, and the two new DRUM MAJORS!! E and her buddy N!!! We are SOOOOOOOO proud of both of them. The field of candidates was very strong, and E is so honored to have been selected.

Sorry that they are already out of uniform... but marching in the parade today in wool uniforms was HOT!!!

edit

As it turns out - because E & N play the same instrument - they marched side by side today and I DO have a pic of them in uniform.... looking all stern and drum major-like.

The whole year builds to this...

2008-05-14T21:35:00.004-04:00

Takes us a year - but then GLMM weekend arrives and is here and gone in a heartbeat. If you blink - you miss it! If you catch the "plague" from your daughters, and are sick, you save a lot of money, because you have no energy to shop.

Sorry to all the booths I missed because I was too miserable to shop! I did buy my first acrylic album. I can't wait to play with it (but I have to tie up all my loose GLMM ends first!)

I uploaded some awesome pics we took this weekend - first is a shot of my awesome team. I'm missing two members - Margie - who had already left, and Rachel, who unfortunately spent the weekend in the hospital, instead of at the GLMM. WE MISSED YOU! We're glad to hear you are on the mend!!

The next picture is Tara on her new "toy". This made the trips back and forth from one end of the building to the other much more bearable, and I'm sure saved T's tootsies! We all enjoyed the occasional spin - but HOLD ON - because when T hit's the gas - you are OUTTA HERE!!

The next photo is my attempt at an artistic rendering of the brownies I baked for Stacy Julian's birthday. Here's the story.... 45 minutes before I'm set to leave my house for the GLMM - the car is nearly packed, I have a few loose ends to pack up, etc. - I decide to check my computer one last time. I use this thing called "Google Reader" to keep up on the blogs I follow - and it shows me that Stacy has posted! Since she's on her way to DTW that night - I decide to take a quick peek and see if she mentions us and OMG - her post is all about it being her birthday! We had NO IDEA she was flying out to see us on her BIRTHDAY! So, I quick, call Cara and say "we need to get cupcakes or something" and Cara says "NO.... we need BROWNIES! They are her favorite" (and later we find out that she made a whole "Brownie Tracker" scrapbook documenting every brownie she ate in 2007 (darn, we won't be in that album!) Long story short - I have Ghiradelli Brownie Mix in the house -and I whip up a batch of brownies and toss it in the oven - pull out the still warm brownies and make my way to Novi! The brownies were yummy - Stacy was surprised - but best of all - we made Stacy's blog! How fun!!

The final picture is of Me and Tara and Cara finally digging into the Cookie Bouquet that Cara had made for us, depicting our "Scraplympics" girls from the GLMM! I'm eating Rolling Tote Racer, Tara's eating Photographer, and Cara's eating "Runner with Scissors". Those were some yummy cookies - and we enjoyed looking at them all weekend, and then dug in to eat them at the start of tear down. As usual - I was exhausted when the weekend finally came to a close - I wish I didn't have to work so hard and could spend more time just BEING with all my friends that come from all over (Arizona, Wisconsin, Ohio) to work for me for the weekend!

I read John Grisham's "The Appeal" on Monday - I'd been saving it! I also caught up on all my TiVoed shows! I hope to get back to regualar scrapping and blogging now that the GLMM is over for another year! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all of my family and friends who read this blog, who also come and work the GLMM... I truly appreciate your support for the weekend- It's amazing to me that you all love to come back year after year! I love you guys!!

Me, April.... and a new car!

2008-05-04T06:51:00.005-04:00

Here it is, finally! My new car! I actually took these photos a few days ago, but this is the first chance I've had to post them. It's funny to watch people's faces when you tell them you bought an orange car! But see, it's a pretty orange - not construction barrel orange!!

Admire the pretty brick sidewalk, leading up to our house - that was J's idea - we had it done last summer - and I really like it! Good idea J!

So, the day I ran outside dragging E with my camera to take these photo's was May 1. Remember that project to take a photo of ME on the last day of every month? Well, I missed it by one day again. But here's ME - and it COULD have been taken April 30 - because I did have the new car by then! I need to put a recurring appointment in my calendar so I remember to take my pic for this ME album!!

Have I mentioned I love my sunroof? Even with all this rain - I have found moments of dryness to open up and enjoy the sunroof!!!

This last photo is a zoom in from the previous photo, just to show you how my airbag injury is healing. It looks even better now than it did that day! Thank goodness for seatbelts and airbags that allowed E and I to walk away from an accident severe enough to total the van! I find that I'm driving completely differently - no longer taking for granted that the driver's around me will follow the rules of the road.

GLMM preparations continue around here - we stuff goody bags later today. This will probably be my last post until after the GLMM - unless I have another morning of insomnia and catch a few minutes like today!

Got my new van!

2008-04-30T21:31:00.002-04:00

And it's orange.

And dad gum it - I meant to take pictures of it today in the daylight - and I forgot.

It's pretty. I'm in love with a car. Took me forever to figure out how to set the presets on the upgraded radio (not the same one that was in the old van).... but am LOVING the Sirius radio. I can see how you could get hooked.

Personally, my fave is channel 77 "Broadway's Best". Go figure. I'm sure you are all SO surprised by that.

LOL

That's it for tonight. Didn't cook - Chinese takeout!

Whaddya think of an Orange Van?

2008-04-28T22:40:00.008-04:00

Got word this morning that my van is a Total Loss - and so I'm shopping for a new car now... going to test drive (not that I reallly need to test it!) another 08 Dodge Grand Caravan - but this time, I'm looking at ORANGE ones. :-) We'll see if I still like it after I see it in person tomorrow!

Made dinner again tonight - and so I've got another recipe to share - again out of the Kraft Food & Family magazine!

Farmhouse Chicken Dinner - and I discovered a new trick - instead of retyping the recipe here - I

can link to the recipe over on the Kraft website!! My photo was taken before I made the cheese sauce, and plated it over the rice. As usual, I had to make a few substitutions - I made white rice instead of brown, and I used the regular Philly Cream Cheese - because that's what I had in the house! OH - and I didn't have an onion - so I just sprinkled some dried minceed onions on top - and that added the onion flavor. One other note - smaller carrots would have cooked better in the time allotted. Mine were still very crunchy.

It was a big hit - even A liked it (although I didn't put the sauce on hers!) I will make this again sometime!

Finally, I want to congratulate our Goddaughter, B on her 1st Communion! We drove down to Ohio to be there! She made her 1st communion at the same church where I made mine 34 years ago! It was a fun, albiet short, trip - and it was good to see all our adopted family there!

Spring is springing everywhere - and I will be so disappointed if my Apple Tree and my Wisteria decide to bloom while I'm in Novi next week! It's going to be a great year for the Wisteria - I see lots and lots of bloom buds! If you've never smelled Wisteria - you should - smells like grapes - YUMMY! I love how my yard smells when everything blooms!

Posting may be very light over the next couple of weeks - the convention is in just 10 days!!

Building Stonehenge - This Man can Move Anything

2008-04-23T08:35:00.001-04:00

Every once in a while - my FIL sends me something really cool. This is one of those things! This guy is from Michigan too! Enjoy!

Mom - You're taking a picture of Dinner AGAIN???

2008-04-21T21:44:00.004-04:00

My family thinks I'm crazy, taking pictures of dinner again this week - but I have another recipe I wanted to share!! And I cooked again... so heck, I have to blog about it, right?

Tonight I made "Saucy Parmesan Chicken"

I pulled the recipe out of one of the Kraft Food & Fun magazines that they will send you for free if you sign up on their website. They plug all kinds of Kraft foods - but the recipes I've cut out and made from this magazine have all been very good! (To get your subscription - go to kraftfoods.com - and no, this is not a paid endorsement!)

So, here's how you make it:

4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (I buy full sized breasts from one of our local stores with great meat counters, and then I cut them up - 1 full sized breast (both halves) I can turn into four servings. I buy when it's on sale, cut it up and freeze it, and thaw it for when I need it!)

1/4 cup Kraft Light Zesty Italian Reduced Fat Dressing (OK I use exactly that- but any italian dressing would probably work!)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese (again mag and I both use Kraft - but other brands probably would work too!)

You put everything into a ziplock bag, coat all the breasts well, and lay flat in the fridge for 30 minutes (while you preheat your oven to 425 degrees)

When oven is heated - place chicken on a baking sheet (I line it with foil for easy clean up) and bake for 20 minutes.

That's it! Easy Schmeezy Japaneezy - and everyone likes it!

I made up a vegetable fried rice dish that I had in the freezer from Market Day, and I heated up a can of green beans, and chopped up a quick salad. Voila - dinner!!

PS: No word yet on the van - hopefully I'll know tomorrow if I need to start car shopping again - or if I need to look for a rental car while they fix.

I've had better mornings...

2008-04-19T10:32:00.004-04:00

It all started out well enough. I overslept a little, but got up and showered, and got E to the rink at about 7:19 (she's supposed to be on the ice at 7:15 - but ah well... Saturday mornings it's just hard to drag yourself out of bed early!)

Ice skating was uneventful - I fought with several vending machines before I finally got one to give me my Diet Coke.

We left the rink at about 8:30-8:40 - and started to head home, when I remembered - OOPS we were going to go up the north route - stop for a donut, and then head to the Dance Studio to buy recital tickets for A's recital in June. So, I turned around, and headed out of the rink the other direction.

I'm tooling along about a block from the rink, talking to E, when suddenly - a big tan van was right in front of me. I mean RIGHT in front of me. E says I screamed "OH MY GOD" - I just remember slamming the brakes and hoping I could stop.

Long story short - I had a flashing yellow, he had a flashing red - he ignored his flashing red. A very nice stranger stopped and waited for the police to tell them that for me. Another really nice stranger sat with E on the sidewalk and calmed her down, as I tried to retreive things from my van that is all smashed up - and I mean ALL SMASHED UP.

No major injuries - airbags deployed - somehow I scraped up my right forearm - so I was bleeding - but nothing so bad as to require medical attention. I'm starting to feel a bit stiff, and there is a small bruise from the seatbelt on my left shoulder - and even though I didn't feel the impact of the airbag - I know it impacted me, because there is a mark on my neck where my necklace sits - from it being jammed into me.

E has no visible marks from the accident - no bruises, no scrapes - her marks are all emotional - she was pretty shaken up. She thought that the airbag dust was smoke, and had a panic attack in the car - that's why I'm so grateful to the stranger who sat with her on the corner and helped her calm down.

Interestingly enough - the other driver was taken away in a squad car in handcuffs. The officer that came and talked to me was kind of circumspect, but implied that he wasn't under the influence, but rather had some issues with his license, and had made some poor decisions, and was coming with them. I imagine it will be in the police report.

The cop and I both think the van is totalled - J thinks we're wrong - we'll see after the insurance company makes their assessment. What a bummer - I've only had the van since September. Although E quipped "Well, mom, I guess now you'll get the A/C fixed!" It hasn't been working this past week with the warmer weather.

Anyway - we're off for an afternoon of theater fun with our friends - and E and A's friends M and C will be here all day to keep them company. So I suppose that will keep my mind off things for today at least.

Hey everyone out there - DRIVE SAFELY.

There's a better pic of the damage on Em's phone - but she's having trouble sending it to me - so the one I took on the tow truck will have to suffice.

EDIT: Here's the better pic from Emily's phone:

Loathing - Wicked

2008-04-17T22:23:00.001-04:00

For everyone who missed the LHS production - here's E and M's duet! M's mike isn't working - which is a bummer. This was opening night - J was able to go and video - I saw the tech run through before I had to leave town. This is much better - and I guess Friday night was the best of all - but unfortunately - no video of that night! Enjoy!

Dinner is a Hit!

2008-04-17T19:00:00.004-04:00

One happy child, about to partake of her favorite food! Notice, Stroganoff can be served on TOP of the noodles, or NEXT too the noodles. (Guess which way A eats it.... miss picky eater!)

And the savory seasoning and minced dried onion - PERFECT. Tasted great!!

I'm Cooking Dinner - for the 2nd Night in a Row!

2008-04-17T11:58:00.003-04:00

Now, for some of you, that might not be a reason to celebrate - but the last three weeks has just been a whirlwind of rehearsals (Ice Show, Musical, Access Broadway, Honors Band) performances, and traveling - and more than my not having time to cook (which has been the case) we haven't all been home at the same time to EAT in three weeks!

So, I'm celebrating the simple things - Last night I made sloppy joes (OK, I didn't say I was cooking GOURMET meals!!) and A tried them for the first time in years, and declared them "allright". She ate her whole joe - so they can't have been too bad!!

Since she went out of her comfort zone for me last night and tried something new - tonight I'm making her absolute favorite! Her Uncle Brian's "Beef Stroganoff". It's cooking away in the crock pot - and there it will cook until dinner time. By then, the house should just smell perfectly yummy!!

Here's the (really simple) recipe - courtesy of Uncle Brian

2 lbs stew beef - cubed
1 family size can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 can of Beef Broth
1 package of Lipton Onion Soup
(OK, Brian hates onions, and doesn't put this in when he makes it - but he told me that it might be a nice addition for a family that likes onions... and we do - so I put it in - only today - I'm out of lipton onion soup - so I just threw in some "Savory Seasoning" and some "Minced Onions" from the spice cupboard, and hope it works!!)

Cook all day in the crock pot on low

1/2 hour before serving - ladle out several ladles of the "juice" and whisk it together with a pint of Sour Cream and return to the pot for 30 minutes.

Serve over Egg Noodles.

I'll take another photo of the finished dish tonight!!

Me - March 30 - OOPS

2008-04-15T10:28:00.004-04:00

I don't know what made me think of it - today - on April 15 - but I just realized I never did the self-portrait on March 30!!! My trusty scrapping buddies either forgot too, or forgot to remind me!!

So, here's the photo taken on the closest day - it was taken on Friday, April 4th. The closest I can find to a photo of me on March 30. It's a good representation of what was going on at the time though - that's me in the locker room at the Ice Arena with fellow skaters Sue and Sarita - and former coach Laurie (who moved to the East Coast - but came back to see us!!)

The Trolley Song - 2008

2008-04-14T17:24:00.001-04:00

As many of you know - I skipped out early on this weekend's Mega Retreat in order to go and support my youngest daughter A. at her "Access Broadway" competition. She was in four events - 2 groups and 2 solos. We were so proud - 1 group and her vocal solo both took Platinum Medals (which means they scored 96 or better) and her other group and her monologue took High Golds (which means that they scored between 90-95). Here is her vocal solo. She was very hard on herself for the lyric mixup you will hear towards the end - but she was still fabulous! We look forward to next year!

Don't Cry for Me Argentina - Skating

2008-04-08T22:33:00.001-04:00

E's solo - again, we had the focus issue.

We're off this weekend for A's vocal competition - although E stays behind for her HS production (a revue - she's singing "Loathing" with her best friend)

Hope to have more videos to share then!

Hairspray - Figure Skating

2008-04-08T22:30:00.001-04:00

A's solo - You miss the hysterical contrast - she was the featured Soloist for "Hair" - celebrating all things WILD about hair - and she pops out - celebrating HAIRSPRAY! Sorry about some of the blurriness - I did not shoot these on a video camera - but on my regular camera on video mode - so the autofocus sometimes has trouble keeping up.

Magic To Do

2008-04-08T21:55:00.001-04:00

Wondering where I've been?

I've been in the Black Hole known as the ICE SHOW!!! Both Easter Week and last week were intensive with rehearsals, and when I wasn't at the rink, I was trying to knock things off my GLMM checklist - and so unfortunately, I ignored my blog a bit!! Sorry!

I hope you enjoy this video of my skating prowess - although the dad that I pressed into service to video missed my big jump!!

I'll post the girls' solo's as well!

Happy Easter

2008-03-23T10:23:00.006-04:00

Hope you all are having a blessed Easter!

The girls served the Easter Vigil Mass last night - Fr. John tried to light Annie on fire, and Annie worked harder than she ever has before because of the multiple calls to "Let Us Pray". Her book holding arms got tired!! Emily handled the many changes in routine with ease - and if she messed up - nobody knew! It was strange to be at an Easter Vigil Mass where I didn't listen to my dad sing the Exultant - but when the girls were scheduled for Easter Vigil - I told my parents we'd just have to miss it this year! Fr. John sang the Exultant, and he did a wonderful job. I told him afterwards that I was singing along in my head (can't help it after the many years at the piano helping my Dad nail down every note!)

Having always been "away" for Easter Vigil (at my parents church - or a couple of year's ago at my Brother In Law's confirmation) - this was our first Vigil at our home parish. I was surprised at how lightly attended it was - being used to attending churches that are pretty full for this mass. But those that were there were enthusiastic, and celebrated Jesus' ressurection with gusto! My only regret? They didn't close Mass with my favorite Easter Hymn - "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" - I just love singing all those alleluias!

Because we had a full day of ice show rehearsals - we didn't have a proper dinner before Vigil. So we all went to the 8pm mass with empty stomachs - so at 10:30pm, when mass ended - we were all pretty STARVED - so we headed for Big Boy for an Easter celebration meal!

After the girls hit the sack- the Bunny got to work...

Here are the girls this morning, enjoying their "Bunny Spoils"!

They haven't come up for air yet! (Oh, and please ignore the early 70's decorating in our basement - we haven't updated it since we moved in! And, ignore the laundry baskets... proof that they are the last thing on my priority list!!!)

The Easter Bunny must have been eavesdropping at the April retreat when everyone was talking about how much fun Guitar Hero has been for their families!!

I'm just hoping that the girls give John and I a turn eventually! I wanna be a ROCK STAR!!!

Long Awaited Talent Show Video - Somewhere Over the Rainbow

2008-03-19T10:18:00.001-04:00

A. performed in her Middle School Talent Show last week - and it's taken me a while to get the video edited and loaded for anxious grandparents, aunts and uncles who were not able to join us for the performance! ENJOY!

Star Struck - continued

2008-03-19T07:47:00.002-04:00

I've been a bad blogger of late - but I have lots of posts swimming in my mind - perhaps I'll get them all done in the next few days....

But, I just wanted to do a quick post with a link to Broadway.com - they put up a video clip of Sutton Foster's visit to the Troy High production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. You can see what a great production it was from the clips, and Sutton interviews the cast.

Holy Shmoly - Just had the "You Know What" Scared Outta Me

2008-03-11T23:57:00.005-04:00

Almost midnight - sitting on the couch at my laptop - J napping in the chair with his laptop on his lap, and I hear the back door to the porch rattle, and Mo alerts and starts growling.

I figure - "It's just the wind" - It does it all the time - catches the door, makes it rattle, freaks the dog out. So we tell Mo - "It's OK"

Quiet again... and then - I hear something ON THE BACK PORCH.

Mo barks
I shout "J - SOMEONE'S IN OUR BACK PORCH" (OK, I didn't shout J - I shouted his whole name)

J leaps out of his nap, springs to the back door, I flip on the light, and there was our masked intruder....

You got it - a big fat raccoon trying to get into our garbage can.

Our almost brand new concrete (little more than a year old) has cracked and heaved at the back door - so we can hardly open and close the door. I've been leaving it stuck open. Yesterday, my mom remarked that it was a good way to get mice.

Well Mom - we got something decidedly BIGGER than a mouse.

I should have known it couldn't be a person out there - the door doesn't open wide enough for a person to squeeze through - just dogs and racoons.

Anyway - J banged on the doorwall - scared the coon out of the porch and then went out and shut the door so he wouldn't re-enter.

Mo of course, ran away, until we had safely chased the intruder away - and then came back and made a big show of sniffing all around and protecting us.

We know better Mo - you are a SCAREDY-DOG!

Now if only my heartrate will return to normal!

Good Day Yesterday!

2008-03-09T12:32:00.003-04:00

All around, yesterday was a good day!

We opened GLMM registration - and for the first time since we began offering online registration - we did not have any major hardware/software issues... I took perhaps six telephone calls ALL DAY! (and 3 of them were from the same person that I was helping through registering for a second person!)

What a relief!

Things were going so well, that we went out last night to the Redford Theater to see our friend Lance Luce play the Barton Theater Organ! He played some concert stuff - then he accompanied two Buster Keaton short silent films, and we had a SING ALONG!

We had an absolute blast! I took my mom and sister along, and our friend's the K's were there too!

If you are in the area, and you are looking for a great night of family entertainment - I highly recommend the Redford Theater! It's a vintage moviehouse - built in 1928 - and it's fully restored. It's beautiful inside - and to catch one of the nights when they are using the theater organ is just not to be missed! My teen daughter and her girlfriends love to come too - so it appeals to all ages! Only one word of warning - it's not in the greatest of neighborhoods - so go EARLY so that you are sure to get a parking space inside the fenced lot. We parked on the street once, and it was a little scary!