Sophia's Journey Continues!

Camp Rock's #1 Fan

2009-01-02T23:50:00.007-05:00

So sorry I've neglected the blog. I shot this little video tonight, and wanted to share it with you. Sophia is a HUGE Camp Rock fan. She can do the dances in the movie, and sing all the songs. She has numerous articles of Camp Rock clothing, Camp Rock dishes, even Camp Rock chapstick (thanks to Nicole!) Hope you know the songs, or this won't mean a thing to you. The lyrics are posted below; you might want to read them, to help you figure out what she's saying.

Did you notice the new, short haircut? She decided to cut her own hair. Chopped about 3 inches off each side of her face. I took her today to get it fixed, and this is the cut she ended up with. It's totally her, I love it short like that.

I have zero pictures of Christmas, shame on me. I just didn't get out my camera. I did shoot some video though, and might edit that soon and share a bit with you. Never got any Christmas cards out either, sorry about that.

All is well I can assure you; just BUSY. :)

This Is Me lyrics

I've always been the kind of girl, that hid my face

so afraid to tell the world, what I've got to say

But I have this dream, right inside of me

I'm gonna let it show, it's time

to let you know to let you know

(chorus)This is real, this is me, I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, now

gonna let the light shine on me

now I've found who I am, there's no way to hold it in

no more hiding who I wanna be, this is me

Sophie's School Picture

2008-11-29T13:21:00.002-05:00

Sophia, Pre-K 2008
Age 4

Your Sophie Fix

2008-11-19T20:18:00.003-05:00

Paige put in some piggies (pony tails?) and curled them tonight. Then she took this AWESOME picture of her. Oh, the attitude. This picture makes me smile. She's sporting her Hannah Montana shirt, necklace Paige made her almost a year ago (she's never taken it off), and her nails are painted with polka dots. She's a teenager in training!

I'm Baaaaaack, & Paige is in LOVE!

2008-11-15T17:46:00.007-05:00

Yup, I've got internet at home again, so I'll be updating the blog once more. The break was good, as I was spending too much time in blogland. I will be checking out some of my faves... can't wait to catch up.

So... about this love thing. Yup, Paige has it bad. Paige is going to be 15 in a few days. Wow the time has flown.

Let me introduce you to Leroy, Paige's love. Leroy is a 10 month old St Bernard puppy. He's 110 lbs of puppy. He's Paige's Birthday/Christmas present. He's housetrained, puppy clumsy and sweet. He likes to chase guinea hens (did you know we have 13 guinea fowl now?) and is enjoying all the loving he's getting from the kiddos.

Here he is, playing with Maggie. They would take turns crouching and pouncing. He likes to smack Maggie with his big paws, they're as big as my outstretched hand, with my fingers closed. He's going to be one big boy! He and Maggie are getting along very well. They're even sharing a big dog bowl, and Leroy is sharing his toys with Maggie.

Paige and Noah giving Leroy some loving...

Sophia & Ted's birthday

2008-10-05T21:04:00.004-04:00

Here's Sophia and Daddy, at one of our favorite restaurants, the Ninety Nine (it's a New England thing). Ted thinks Sophie looks like she just stepped off the Partridge Family bus. Sophie still loves her Daddy with all her heart; that hasn't changed a bit.

Sophia is going to pre-k at our local elementary school, 5 days a week in the afternoons. I drop her at school (and then go to work), and she comes home on the regular bus with her big brother Noah. She's just plain big, this girl. She loves pre-k. She gets off at her Nan & Papa's house (w/brother), and stays there till Ted gets out of work (usually just a couple hours).

Ted just turned 41 on Friday, and Sophia turns 4 on the 9th. She's having a 'Camp Rock' party, with mostly family, and a couple friends. She's 4 going on 14. She loves that movie, and sings all the songs. She does all the dances too - I'll have to get the video camera out and get her on video signing at the top of her lungs. It's too cute, if I do say so myself.

Okay, I've been away from blogland for awhile, but that's okay. Things have been busy, and the break has done me good - I was spending much too much time on the computer, getting caught up in everyone's lives. There are a few blogs I miss, and will get back to checking you out very soon, I promise. I do have to cut back, after all, I'm a working woman now! :)

Hope you are all well. Life is good up here in Maine.

p.s. the ground was white with frost this morning... brrrrr! Winter's coming!

I'm really okay...

2008-09-21T13:10:00.002-04:00

I'm alive and well! So sorry I haven't posted for such a long time. Lots going on.

- I started work, full-time.
- Ted & Noah flew to Miami to drive a truck back home.
- We started AWANA.
- Momma guinea hatched 10 baby keets, and 8 are still alive and kicking, in fact they're flying now.
- Sophia's in pre-k, Mon - Friday in the afternoons, she loves it. She rides the bus home with Noah every day, her pre-k is at the elementary school.
- Noah's in 3rd grade.
- Paige is only taking French 3 at the highschool, and is now 'homeschooling' (i.e. independent studies) at home.
- Life is crazy, but very good.

I will post pictures soon, I have been taking them, just don't have time right now to post.

Hope you're all well!

Update

2008-08-25T11:20:00.002-04:00

Okay, I've got you all curious, and I didn't mean to get you crazy like that! The big surprise isn't a pregnancy, adoption, or anything of the sort.

Every year Paige and I drive to NH, get a hotel for a couple nights, and do school shopping. It's a girl thing, and we really enjoy it.

This year, we headed south, but didn't go to NH like Paige thought we were going to do. Instead we drove to the Boston airport, and boarded a plane to Minnesota, to the Mall of America! Woo hoo! We're here, and having a blast. We're headed back to the mall shortly. I totally pulled it off, and she was confused and surprised.

I will post pictures upon my return, and give you the details. I just couldn't keep you guys thinking that it was BIG news, that wouldn't have been fair! It was a big surprise and secret to Paige, and to other people that thought we were just going to NH as usual.

p.s. Midwest airline rocks - they bake and serve warm chocolate chip cookies during the flight! Can you even believe that? Love it!

BIG SECRET

2008-08-23T12:27:00.000-04:00

I've been keeping a big secret from my family and friends. It's a good secret, really it is. I couldn't tell- I couldn't take a chance in the wrong person finding out.

I will reveal very soon, I promise!

Sophie's Ride

2008-08-19T20:29:00.003-04:00

I haven't had much time to post, but here's a cute picture of Sophia and 'Blue' in the back of the new Volvo wagon. It's red, and has the third, rear facing seat. Sophia and Noah only get to sit in it when it's necessary.

Saturday Paige and I take off for a few days for our annual NH shopping trip. I'm looking forward to it. She's a sophomore this year, hard to believe.

The kids start school September 2nd, and that's when I should be starting my new job. I've been busy getting ready for the new AWANA year (I'm the club secretary), and just getting stuff organized at home.

Oh, and I ditched the blackberry, and got a STRAWBERRY (see earlier post). (A red blackberry). It matches my Volvo 240 wagon. I'm a happy girl. :)

Busy, busy!

2008-08-14T08:53:00.001-04:00

First, thank you all for your kind words. It has been hard. I should mention that Noah and Sophia don't know that Diesel is dead, we didn't see the need to upset them. I wouldn't expect anyone that we know to say anything, but just in case - thought I'd mention it.

We've disconnected the home internet, so I'm typing this on the Blackberry. LOVE IT BTW. But, I can't seem to leave comments for people. Please know I'm still reading and following. If anyone has a Blackberry and has figured out how to leave comments, I'd love to know... Thanks!

So, a few things have been going on. Here's the summary:

Sold the Volvo.

Bought another Volvo, one year newer, less than 1/2 the miles, always been garaged and extremely well maintained. It's RED.

Sophia starts pre-K September 2nd. She'll be going 5 days a week in the afternoon, at the elementary school Noah goes to. I'll take her, and she'll ride the bus home with big brother.

Noah's going into 3rd grade- Paige is a Sophomore this year.

Paige and I are going for our yearly school shopping/girls weekend trip to NH next weekend. Sophia will stay home with DH and Noah this year.

I'm going back to work, when the kids start school. I got the job I wanted, and the hours are perfect. I'll have mornings with Sophia, drop her at school then head to work. The pay is good, and the benefits are amazing.

We're down to three adult guineas, and three babies (getting big!). Momma hen is sitting on 12 eggs this time, we'll see...

I'll post some cute pics soon, promise!

Get it right, newspeople... AKA How to pronounce Beijing

2008-08-08T16:00:00.002-04:00

Need a good cry?

2008-08-07T09:21:00.002-04:00

CLICK HERE.

Stephen Curtis Chapman's first tv interview after the death of his daughter.
Thank you Nicole for sending, I had missed it on TV yesterday morning.
(There's a short commercial before the video starts...)

A Relaxing Day...

2008-08-05T08:51:00.008-04:00

Today (okay, it was actually July 17th, when our friends from Alabama were still here) was a relaxing day. Ted, Harry and Noah went to Belgrade to visit our Diesel boy in captivity, and had a *sweet* picnic by a river (can you say MALE BONDING?). Nicole and I took the rest of the gang (minus Paige) into Hallowell for lunch, and then to the Christmas Tree Shop. (it's a New England thing). Go to NICOLE'S BLOG to see more cute pics and get more details.

Lunch at our favorite local Chinese restaurant.

Gracie gets silly with her fortune!

Nicole was so sweet to bring matching dresses for the girls. They were so cute!

Sophia didn't want any part of it, but Noah and Gracie had a blast on the water slide.

The water was ice cold - coming from deep within the well.

Harrison enjoyed getting his feet wet at the bottom of the slide.

What else did we do, Nicole? We went to Isamax for 'world famous' whoopie pies, right? (you may have seen them on Oprah's show) Oh, my memory... good thing I've got all these pictures to remember!

Each morning and evening we spent on the porch, swinging, talking and relaxing. Good times.

Porch Cuteness

2008-08-03T08:34:00.000-04:00

Day 2

2008-07-30T09:15:00.008-04:00

Today was a busy day. We started out at the ER for Harrison, then went to Shaw's for lobster. Next was the puffin cruise. After the puffin cruise we went to Pemaquid Point until it was dusk. Go to NICOLE'S BLOG to read more details, and see more pictures. She's much better at posting details than I am!

The view of the lighthouse from the rocks, Pemaquid Point, Maine

The girls watching the waves crashing against the rocks

Paige grabs the moon

Pemaquid Point, Maine. This is what was making Nicole a little nervous... Be careful guys!

"Ted, you want me to put my finger WHERE?"

When we got off the Puffin boat, Sophia was complaining about the 'fishy' smell. It is a working dock, where they unload the lobster boats, and it was pretty stinky. This is what Sophia does when she smells something stinky. She didn't remove her fingers from her nose until we left the area.

I love this picture. This was at Shaw's, and Sophia was sitting on her Daddy's lap. Gracie came over and gave him a hug, and Sophia grabbed him just a little tighter. I guess she didn't want Gracie to forget whose Daddy he was! :)

Blackberry and Strawberry

2008-07-29T15:41:00.002-04:00

Right now I'm sitting on my front porch, enjoying the beautiful, sunny, cool, breezy day. The pups are laying by my feet, and the porch swings are swaying in the breeze.

This is my first post from my new blackberry. I'm loving it.

Sophia is so cute, and said when she gets bigger she's getting a strawberry. That kid cracks me up!

Alabama to Maine... Day 1 & 2

2008-07-28T21:34:00.007-04:00

Okay, if you're anything like me, it's all about the pictures. I'll put those first, and then you can read the (boring) details! Go see NICOLE'S BLOG, she's got even better photos and comments from the trip. I picked a few different pictures that I liked also.

Isn't this boy so handsome???

It was hard to believe he wasn't feeling well with a fever, he was so good natured!

The girls in their matching dresses, holding hands walking back from the water to their Daddies.

Noah shows Gracie a hermit crab he found in the ocean

Bathtime!

We had been anxiously awaiting the day they would arrive. I cleaned parts of the house that hadn't been cleaned in awhile. I baked a cheesecake. I stocked the fridge with their favorite beverages. I was simmering a home-made spaghetti sauce when I got the call. It was DH. He was heading back from the Boston airport with Harry, Nicole, Gracie and Harrison. He broke down in the minivan in New Hampshire on the way home with them. They pushed it off the highway (wish I had a picture of that!) and he asked me to head south to rescue them. They were 1 1/2 hours away. I borrowed the in-law's minivan, (loaded with an alternator and tools) and headed south. I chuckled, as this was quite a way to welcome our guests.

Gracie is Sophia's friend from China. They lived in the same orphanage, and were born only days apart. I cannot even explain the bond we have with this family. We didn't know them before the adoption, but they feel so much like family to us. They're almost as crazy as we are I guess! ;)

After I arrived in NH, DH threw the new part on the minivan, and we were good to go. We made the rest of the trek home to Maine, and showed our guests to their fancy guest room. Okay, it's not a fancy guest room at all. We booted um... I mean Paige was willing to give up her room covered in Nick Jonas posters. We introduced them to Maggie (remember, Diesel went to the kennel). Harry did well not to engage in eye contact with Maggie (very important as she was trying, as if to say, 'come on, just give me a reason...') After a solid day, Harry earned Maggie's trust, and was able to pet her and make of her. Oh happy day.

That first night we sat on the porch and enjoyed just chatting. As I recall Nicole needed a blanket to cover up with, or was that the next morning? I guess her blood is thin from all that Alabama heat.

The next morning Ted was working, and we just took our time getting up and getting going. Harry played a few video games with Noah with the Wii, and we sat on the porch some more. It was so nice and relaxing not to have to rush out of the house to get somewhere.

When Ted got back, we headed to the Seadog Brewing Company in Brunswick, for lunch. It was a neat place, right on the river. They did have a beer sampler (even blueberry flavored!) but I don't think anyone enjoyed them. When all was said and done, the beer sampler was still full. The meal was good, and we headed to Bailey Island. It was nice and relaxing, and shopping at the gift shop was fun. I found out Harry is pretty particular about the rocks he collects, and the ones I found were never good enough for him. Nicole had fun finding sea glass. Turns out she could have just bought some in the gift shop, but finding it on your own is much more fun! We came back to the house for the spaghetti dinner that was supposed to be the previous night. We stuffed ourselves silly, and then sat on the porch to let it digest. Good times.

You should go see Nicole's blog CLICK HERE, she's also posting about their adventures here in Maine.

Extremely Cool

2008-07-27T21:13:00.003-04:00

Diesel Update - Lyme Disease

2008-07-25T11:16:00.010-04:00

EVENING UPDATE: Today he was wrestling with Maggie on the lawn, and even stole her toys away as usual. He's especially laid back though, and didn't even bark when a neighbor drove in and spoke with Ted. He just stood at the door (baby gate keeping him in) and wagged his tail. No barking, nothing. Tonight the vet said he's probably had it awhile (since spring would be his guess) since symptoms don't show that early.

Diesel left our home Saturday, July 12th. We paid $350 to have him kenneled with our dog trainer for a week. We had company coming, and DH made the decision he had to go. We placed ads in area newspapers, and the trainer was going to work with him that week and interview prospective new families to be sure they were the right fit.

Well, the trainer touched base with us during the week, and hadn't been able to get him out of his kennel (big kennel, not little bitty one). Diesel wouldn't let him near him. Oh great. Ted went out with our visiting friend Harry, (and Noah too), and visited with him, and let him out of the cage. Needless to say, he was over the moon excited to see Ted. They went for a long walk in the woods, and since Harry had never met him, they used him as a 'guinea pig' to see how Diesel would react to a stranger. He reacted just fine, and after their visit, he went back in the cage. Ted and I both felt sick about the whole thing. He went from sleeping on our bed and getting tons of love and attention, to being confined to a kennel, all alone. Outside, in the dark, he cried all night for nights. We got a call from a woman that was a possible candidate, and we were to meet her Saturday afternoon in town, to go out to meet him. She'd called back numerous times, very interested. We waited, and she never showed. There were no other calls that seemed promising. So, we went out to visit him, and with the expense of another $350 for the 2nd week, we brought him home. DH bought an extra sturdy kennel for here ($550), where he could go if company came, or such. I should also mention that the dog trainer told us he did nothing wrong, (yes, we told him everything) and is not overly aggressive, and that we should keep him, and just kennel him when company comes, just to be on the safe side.

So he's home, for now. Ted still says he has to go. The night he came home, he started limping. We figured since he wasn't very active that week, his muscles were lame, or he pulled a muscle getting in or out of the truck. We were wrong. The limp moved from the front leg, to the back leg. He went upstairs, and Ted had to carry him down the stairs in the morning. I blocked off the stairs, and slept downstairs with him for 3 nights. He cried out in pain during the nights, it was just terrible.

Diesel has lyme disease.

The interesting thing is that a friend of mine emailed me when she heard we were getting rid of him, and asked if I'd had him tested for lyme disease. What a strange question, I thought! Of course I hadn't (he hadn't had any symptoms). She explained that her boxer got it, and with it came aggression. Once he started treatment, he calmed down considerably. I still didn't connect the two, until Diesel got the other symptoms. I did some research on the internet, and sure enough, she was right. CLICK HERE. The behaviors that got Diesel into trouble, were within the past couple months. It is quite likely that the lyme disease is to blame for his change in behavior.

We've started him on the antibiotic (that he will need to be on for a whole month), and he is almost limp free, and is his happy, loving self again. He has his energy back.

Ted still says he needs to go. I don't agree, especially considering the lyme disease diagnosis.

I got a call from a guy that seems to be a good candidate. We'll work with the trainer and see if he in fact, is. Will he want a puppy with lyme disease? We'll just have to wait and see. I hope not.

Poor Diesel.

Friends Are Here...

2008-07-17T00:37:00.003-04:00

and we're having a blast. The weather has been beautiful here, and the girls are getting along great. So sad they can only stay a week! Tons more pics to come - this will just have to be a teaser for you! This was taken at Bailey Island, Maine.

What I'm up to...

2008-07-14T08:20:00.003-04:00

Puffin

Friends from Alabama are arriving today, to spend the week with us. They are dear friends we made on our trip to China. They've never been to Maine, so we'll be heading to the ocean, eating 'lob-stah', and going on a puffin cruise. I probably won't have time to check up on all my favorite blogs, or post. Check back next week to see all the fun we had this week!

This should take our minds off missing Diesel. Ted called to check on him last night (he's at the dog trainer's being kenneled, trained and then placed). He's not doing well at all. I feel sick to my stomach. We've got two weeks to place him, then the trainer is going back to Boston. He said we can leave him there (in an outside kennel, ALONE), and just go feed him every few days. What are we going to do if he isn't placed??? Diesel is so 'needy' and loves and needs to be made of and petted. He's alone in a kennel. This is so wrong. Maggie is moping around the house, and ate for the first time since Diesel left (Saturday morning) on Sunday night. We've been busy getting the house ready for company, and that has been helpful.

Here's to a new week with friends! :)

Goodbye my Friend.

2008-07-11T23:05:00.009-04:00

So big, but so gentle and cuddly sweet. I will miss you sitting on the floor in front of the couch, at Sophia's feet, with your head laying flat on the couch, watching her eat many a snack. I knew you wanted some, but you never took it.

When you did get something you shouldn't have in your mouth, I love how any of us could take it away from you (even Sophia) without a growl or a tug of war. You knew your place in this family, that's for sure.

Diesel. AKA Moose, Diesel Boy, My Big Handsome.

Oh my, how little and ADORABLE you were!

I'll miss you stealing bows off the tree at Christmas!

Maggie will miss her wrestling partner...

Ted will miss how you would wag your tail like crazy if he just LOOKED at you.

I will miss your lazy butt propped up on the couch.

I will NOT miss you chewing on my shoes...

Sophia will miss getting into mischief with you... (you sure smelled good that day!)

Sophia will miss your company out at the sandpile.
I will too - you were always watching over her.

So big and handsome!

I will miss you laying your big, warm neck over my feet on the end of the bed every night.

I will miss you following me downstairs every time I went down, no matter what.

I will miss sleeping so soundly when Ted was gone away, knowing you and Maggie made this the safest house in town.

I will miss your big head resting on the edge of the table, looking at the food.

You were so misunderstood. I'm so sorry Diesel.
We will miss you so much.
We love you.

Bailey Island, Maine

2008-07-07T14:50:00.008-04:00

I took the kids on a much needed get away Sunday to Bailey Island.
It was cooler down on the coast, overcast with mist and fog rolling in off the Atlantic.

Don'tcha just love Sophie's swimsuit? It's from LL Bean (Love their guarantee!) and it's so cute on her! It protects her from the sun so wonderfully (UPF 40). I just checked, and they marked them down 1/2 price! There are boys colors too.

The ocean water was COLD. It was probably only 70 degrees air temp, I couldn't dare guess what the water temp was. That didn't stop Noah from spending almost the whole time in the water, though! And of course, Sophia likes to do whatever her 'brudder' is doing...

The gang poses for a picture

And hams it up!

It was pretty foggy, you could hardly see the boats coming in while we were there.

Noah takes Sophia to find sea glass and shells

Look at this rock, Mom!

Cute Buns, or what?

Noah just loves the water!

Sophia digging in the sand/seaweed

Gracie, want to come play here with me? I'll share my toys...
How about NEXT WEEK?

Paige helps Sophie - that's Noah off to the right side of the picture

My beautiful girls

A fish in the water

I've Been Crazy Busy... Here's What I've Been Up To Lately:

2008-06-29T22:23:00.003-04:00

Cleaned house in preparation of leaving the family for the weekend

Flew to Ohio to photograph a friend's wedding

Made it a 'get away weekend for Mom!'

Got a much needed massage in Ohio!

Visited with a great friend while there

Had a quiet hotel room, where no one said, "Mom... Mom... Mom..."

Turbulence on the plane (on the flight home) spilled my soda all over my lap - soaked!

Flights canceled on the way home, I ended up a night in North Carolina for a night, which wasn't part of the plan!

All my clothes were in my checked luggage, which didn't help me at all!

Left my cell phone in my rental car - grrrr!

Came home and cleaned the house :)

Sophia started speech therapy (for articulation) twice a week

Noah is taking karate twice a week

Dentist appointment

Eye doctor appointment

Secret Shop at Lenscrafters got me $140 - towards an awesome pair of Prada glasses!

Kid's last day of school was the 19th

Noah is taking swim lessons

Sophia had her Pre-K screening, and passed with flying colors (except articulation, which she's in speech for)

Taking care of baby guinea keets

Editing wedding pictures

Mowing 3 acres of lawn every 4-5 days with a not so large riding mower

Got a dump truck full of sand dropped off for the kiddo's sand pile

Took the kids to Lowe's for wood crafts, pics to come

Trucking Paige to Starbucks and friend's houses for sleepovers

Don't forget cooking, cleaning etc.

See why I haven't had time to post? Phew! Trying to load pics for a few things, but camera needs charging.

Calgon, take me away!

Daddy & Daughter Dance

2008-06-19T01:00:00.002-04:00

So, Ted calls me on the cellphone tonight...

2008-06-12T21:28:00.004-04:00

and tells me to come outside with my camera. This is what I find:

Yes. She's REALLY driving the skid steer. This isn't a 'stop and make it look like she's running the controls' picture. I had to keep jumping out of her way so not to get run over! When driving forward she would say, "dumping the dirt..."

And backing up... Ted watches to make sure she's not going to hit anything.
She'd say, "Backing up, beep, beep, beep!"

Look at that grin when she stops and I make a big deal about her driving! Don't mind her 'dirt mustache'... she was playing in the dirt before moving it around with the skid steer!

Guinea Keets - OH MY!

2008-06-09T18:49:00.006-04:00

Ted brought these home last night.

No, that's not a mirror, that's his brother (or sister!)

Cute little things, aren't they?

If you remember, last year we got 7 guinea keets. They eat lots of ticks, and we have lots for them to eat around here. We live in the woods, and have lots of deer and wild turkeys running around, and they're loaded with ticks.

Well, over the past year, we've lost a few guineas. One got chased into the woods by Maggie, and never came back (it was a cold night). Another (or two) got eaten by a fox. The last one... well something got into the shed and got it, possibly even the dogs. :(

We've had a few adventures with our guineas. Like THIS ONE, when the fox chased them into a tree, and remember THIS ONE, when they wouldn't get off the roof in the snowstorm! Then recently they were PEEPING GUINEAS!

So, we've been down to three for awhile. We've named them Kevin, Nick & Joe, and if you have a teen or tween, you know those are the names of the Jonas Brothers. (Paige is their number one fan, you know.)

Well, 'Nick' has been sitting on 6 eggs for 3 + weeks now, and today for the first time Ted saw one baby keet in the pen with mom. Wow! I checked later, and there are now TWO KEETS! That may be it out of six eggs, we'll know in a few more days.

Here's Mom w/her two new keets. She was off her eggs when I went to check on her, but quickly got back on them. She was just walking to the eggs, and her keets were following right behind her. She got settled on the eggs, and the keets went right under her too, she'll keep them warm. We've got to keep the keets in the cage at between 80-90 degrees at all times or they could die. Mom's taking good care of these keets, I'm impressed! We're going to leave them with Mom, and let her continue to take care of them. We'll care for the other six in the cage inside the mudroom for now, and hope they'll all get along when we mix them together!

Earlier today Ted was putting some fresh shavings around her. We haven't been able to clean out the pen for three weeks, so we wouldn't upset the hen sitting on the eggs, (we didn't want her to get off them, and leave them). Well, Mama Hen was sitting on her eggs, and Ted got too close for her comfort. She hissed at him, and when he didn't move she bit him on the hand! He said it hurt, too! Good Mama, protecting her keets!

Oh Yeah, Be Jealous.

2008-06-05T22:34:00.005-04:00

Update: Got a stereo/cd/ipod ready stereo put in, and we've got some awesome tunes! It's all good now! :)

I got it. The car I wanted. A 1991 Volvo 240 Wagon, they just don't make 'em like this anymore! See THIS POST.

I thought I'd wanted a 1993 (the last year they made them), but after talking to our local Volvo 'guru', he said his customers were the happiest with the 88's - 91's.

Paige is horrified. But, she can hardly be seen riding with me through the tinted windows! Lucky for her! Sophia likes it, and whenever we go out to the parking lot from a store she says, "Mom, there's your VOLVO 240 WAGON!" Very cute. Noah's a bit undecided. It's a dark shade of blue, and I love the tinted windows.

This car came with a few bumper stickers, that I immediately removed. One was TREEHUGGER (no surprise there!), and MILK DRINKERS MAKE BETTER LOVERS. I was tempted to leave that one. Another was CAN'T FEED EM, DON'T BREED EM.

The biggest problem with the car? The radio doesn't work. I've tried for 3 days to get an after market stereo put in, but they either can't figure out how to get the current radio out (bracket on the back they don't know about), or they don't have the dash kit for it, or the installation guy didn't show up for work... Frustrating! I'll call tomorrow, and take it two towns away to the 'experts', who will charge about double as the other guys, but it will be DONE.

The mileage? 279,000. Yeah. It's just getting broken in, those Volvo's last forever! Ted's still looking for that 'perfect one' - that is a 5-speed manual, with low, low miles. He can keep looking, but...

I'm happy as a clam with this one. (Unlike a lobster, who feels pain when you cook it.)

You know you're envious of my sweet ride...

Boiling Lobster and PETA - WOW.

2008-06-03T17:09:00.005-04:00

The text below was just posted online, from our local newspaper (not the picture, I found that one myself).

How ridiculous is this:

"SKOWHEGAN, Maine — Hold the drawn butter, please.

A national animal rights group says it is cruel and unusual to boil and eat Maine lobster and they want to draw attention to the suffering of Maine’s trademark crustacean.

So, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have an idea for the century-old Somerset County Jail — turn it into a “lobster empathy center”.

The county jail is up for sale, as the sheriff, staff and inmates prepare for a move to a new, modern facility in East Madison this summer.

“No building would be more appropriate than a jail to set up an interactive display about how these intriguing animals suffer when they are trapped off the coast of Maine and housed in filthy grocery-store tanks before they are boiled alive,” Lindsay Rajt, manager of PETA Vegan Campaigns writes in a June 2 letter to the Somerset County commissioners."

Whacha Looking At?

2008-06-01T21:38:00.005-04:00

The other day I was sitting at my computer, in the office upstairs. (Hard to imagine, isn't it?)

I got the feeling that someone... someTHING was watching me.

Ugly things, aren't they?

They had flown up on the porch roof, and were watching me through the second story window. It was a rainy day, and maybe the fox had tried to get them, so they flew to safety.
No, it wasn't Diesel, he was inside with me. :)

Wondering where the third guinea fowl was? Sitting on 6 eggs in the shed! She's been sitting there for 20 days so far. They take 26-28 days to hatch, so hopefully she's sitting on the real deal, or everyone's going to be disappointed! I'll keep you posted!

Something I Enjoy...

2008-05-29T00:59:00.005-04:00

Hanging laundry.

We live up here in rural Maine, where the air is fresh. The temperatures have been 60's - 70's, with not much rain. Out behind the house, I have a clothesline. I really enjoy hanging the laundry on a good day. Oh sure, I could just throw them in the dryer, but I enjoy the process of picking each piece from the basket, and organizing it on the line to dry. I try to put matching socks together, and I always hang pants by the bottoms, so the waistband (which is the thickest part) will be free to blow in the breeze to dry. T-shirt must be hung by the bottom, or you'll get the pinch marks on the shoulders. I even hang my towels out, and they come back pretty soft.

Sophia puts on her stinky rubber boots (no socks, which is mostly why they're stinky) & plays on her sandpile while I hang, and the pups roam around and often wrestle with each other. On a good day I will hang and dry three large loads of laundry. (Today was a good day!)

The pups are protective, and hang close to Sophia at the sandpile.

Miss Maggie Moo Moo

Diesel Boy aka 'Moose'

Oh, and there is nothing that beats the fresh smell when I take them inside. (The laundry, not the pups!) I fold them as I take them off the line, right into the basket. It's all about time management.

Sophia picks me 'flowers' and is so excited to give them to me.

Oh, the stain on the towel in the top picture? Don't pretend you didn't notice... Diesel lifted his leg and peed on it. Yeah. I was one unhappy camper. He's the male pup, and he pees on everything it would seem. Mr. 'Mark my territory.' We raised the clothesline after that... I dare him to try that again!

Word Cloud

2008-05-26T12:27:00.002-04:00

I found this idea at Michelle's blog. It analyzes the words you use frequently on your blog. Click HERE to go get your own!

Absolutely Tragic.

2008-05-21T23:23:00.005-04:00

Stephen Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter from China was killed tonight. CLICK HERE to read. Thank you Daleea for the email. Please pray for this wonderful family.

Mother's Day Present & AI

2008-05-21T09:57:00.004-04:00

What a beautiful pencil box Sophia made for me for Mother's Day at Home Depot! She's so serious when she's building! Noah didn't go to this one - he was gone for the day with DH. I proudly display this pencil box on my desk, and can't help but smile when I look over at it. :)

Now, onto American Idol business. I think David is going to win. Oh, you want me to be more specific? Scroll down to see which David I'm talking about...

scroll

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you're almost there...

really...

That's just my hunch - my feeling. That's Sophia's choice. Either way I'm fine with it, and I didn't even vote. I haven't watched last night's show yet. They're both very good, and either is deserving. I simply think the tweens will go insane on the voting, and David Cook's fans are likely to be a bit older, and they won't be so hard core into the voting. They may really like him, but they don't vote at all.

I'm happy no matter what the outcome.

Did you vote?

Chair + Pillow + foot = X-Ray

2008-05-18T09:46:00.006-04:00

SEE UPDATE BELOW

PLUS

COMBINED WITH

EQUALS:

WHICH LED TO:

AND

Story to follow, heading to church. Got home at midnight last night from the ER. Dare to guess?

UPDATE: So here's the story. Noah went to a martial arts class Saturday. It was a free introductory thing. He loved it. We signed him up, to start on Tuesday, at least through the summer months. We go home. Noah wants to re-create some of the things he tried at class. At class, they put two chairs together (but pretty far apart!) and had big, padded mat things resting on the edges of both chairs. They had to kick from underneath, and send the padded mats flying. It was great fun at class, so it would be great fun at home, right?

Wrong. Noah used the throw pillows from the couch, and they are square. Maybe 18" square. If I had seen what he was up to, I would have warned him. He kicked. They went flying. Oh what fun. He did it again... and he hit his foot on the edge of the wooden chair. Ouch!

I check it out, and the two small toes were swelling. Sure they are, he smacked them pretty good! I waited... put some ice... and waited some more. About 8 hours later, he still couldn't put weight on the toes, and it hurt badly to touch above the toes, and the toes themselves. I didn't really think he broke them, but took him to the ER to get it checked out. After an x-ray, sure enough, he broke the toe next to the pinky toe. Not across, like I would have thought, but the other direction, from the nail down to the base of the toe (just on one part of the toe). The doctor said the break goes down into the growth plate. No cast for a broken toe, so he's got a 'boot' thingy to hold the toes tight and protect them, and crutches. I have to call the orthopedic doctor Monday to set up a follow up appointment. I guess he's his MOTHER'S BOY. You'd forgotten, hadn't you?

No martial arts for awhile...

Noah's Eye Exam & AI

2008-05-15T10:10:00.004-04:00

Noah had his routine eye exam recently.

Last year he got glasses, just for up close reading, and close computer work.

Like a lot of kids, once the novelty wore off, he lost interest in the glasses, and wasn't wearing them like he should have.

The doctor checks out his eye lids - up close!

Well, it was determined that Noah doesn't need glasses, reading or any other kind, at all! We're pretty happy about that! He did great at his appointment, even when they blew the burst of air into his eyes. You should have seen him jump when they did it though! Should have brought the video camera I guess!

------------------------

I realized, as I was watching American Idol last night, that I didn't do my usual AI post. I predicted Syesha would go home this week to my family at least (you'll just have to believe me!) I'm not sure who's going to take the final prize. I'm leaning towards David Cook, but if David Archuletta's teenage/pre-teen/eldery fans pick up those phones... it's anybody's game. They both are good singers, so I won't be upset either way. Sophie's rooting for David Archuletta though...

I Want One.

2008-05-12T21:25:00.004-04:00

1993 Volvo 240 Wagon

I don't care what color. Know where there's one for sale?

I had a baby blue 1991, quite a few years ago, and I LOVED it. I've had many vehicles, new, used, nice and not so nice. My Volvo 240 wagon was the ONLY car that I would walk up to and smile... and think to myself "I love my car."

Odd, isn't it? I don't know what it is about the 240 Wagon that draws me in.

They're boxy.

Some would even say ugly.

Paige is begging me not to get one. She thinks they are ugly. Noah says 'they're junk'. Oh no Son, they're a high quality, Swedish made car.

They're very safe, and last for hundreds of thousands of miles, when properly maintained.

They're a quality TANK.

I'm not a granola, or a liberal, but I love the Volvo 240 wagon.

The last year they made them was 1993, then they changed the style. I don't like the newer style. My Volvo wagon had heated front seats. Oh so nice in those cold, Maine winters!

So, anyone out there got a 1993 Volvo wagon (baby blue? I could dream...) for sale? Let me know. I'd prefer a stick shift, but hey, I'm not picky...

Check out the anonymous survey on the side... be honest, and you can choose more than one answer.

Mother's Day 2008

2008-05-10T22:05:00.005-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to the rest of you Mom's out there, too! ;)

Fun, Fun, Fun!

2008-05-07T20:47:00.003-04:00

I just found the neatest site! CLICK HERE to compete against others in little typing competitions. It tells you your wpm's, and awards '1st place' etc. WARNING: You can't play only once... it's addictive! I haven't had a timed typing test since high school!

Sophia Video - Who Will Go Home on American Idol

2008-05-06T22:08:00.003-04:00

Just Like my Brudder

2008-05-04T09:34:00.002-04:00

Sophia would fill her little bucket with dirt, then dump it in the wagon to help Noah.

Stops to pose for Mom

Filling the bucket and wagon

This is serious work!

Hard work, too!

Weird Wednesday & American Idol

2008-04-29T21:58:00.004-04:00

Here's my Weird Wednesday picture for your viewing pleasure. I think she was licking butter off her bread. Kinda weird if you ask me! ;) Come on... you know you've got a weird picture... do share with us! Click on 'Mister Linky' below and put in your info so we can check out your 'weirdness!'

American Idol? I just don't know anymore. I was way off last week. Carly should have been one of the final three. Did her tattoo-faced husband scare the voters off? Hard to say. The 'vote for the worst' website is voting for Brooke White, so I think she's safe this week (again). I think dread boy has quite a fan base, too. So, that leaves Syesha to go this week. I think she did very well, and if this contest were based on talent... it would be Brooke or dread boy going. His name is escaping me right now. I liked him at first (not enough to win the whole thing), but after more than a dozen songs... I've had enough. Brooke White, too. They just aren't as skilled as the rest. Sometimes I wish we could vote for who we want to GO HOME. Who would you vote for if we could do that???

Puppy Play

2008-04-27T00:02:00.002-04:00

They're not even fighting.

Maybe they're dancing...

Looks a little vicious, but I assure you it's not.

Kissing? Probably not.

Smack down! Diesel 1 - Maggie 0

This is daily play for the pups. Remember, they're brother and sister from the same litter. They just turned one, and they still have lots of puppy energy. They'll play rough like this for 10 minutes, then come inside and sleep for an hour.

Sophie the Sandwich Artist

2008-04-24T15:41:00.002-04:00

Weird Wednesday & American Idol

2008-04-22T22:09:00.004-04:00

Bye Bye Brooke! I think 'dread boy' did just as badly,
but the song he sang was familiar to most people, and it probably saved him.

Here's my 'Weird Wednesday' picture from our visit to the eye doctor the other day. It looks like her head is about to start spinning!

Come on, play along! You know all the pictures you take aren't perfect. You've got a dud in there somewhere... Post your 'weird Wednesday' picture on your blog, link back here, and then sign my Mr. Linky so we can all come and check out your weird stuff!

Did you know, and why didn't you tell ME???

2008-04-21T20:52:00.002-04:00

Okay, this picture has NOTHING to do with my post, but when I was looking for a funny picture that had to do with computer work, I came across it and just couldn't stop laughing. Thought you all might enjoy it too. Now back to business...

I recently learned a very easy way to shrink down pictures for blogger so they'll load a lot faster, and I can resize many pictures at a time, very quickly. (using Fotosizer) I have a 10+ mp camera, and it was taking forever to upload just one picture. I know there are many programs that will do it, but this one is FREE, and will VERY QUICKLY re-size one or a whole folder full of pictures.

I also learned how to upload MANY pictures at once to blogger, rather than hitting 'browse', loading one picture, clicking 'browse' again, and uploading another. (Firefox dragdrop upload) Again, this is FREE and quick.

Maybe you all know these tricks? If so, why didn't you tell ME???

If you don't know these tricks, I'd be happy to share with you. I don't want to bore you if you already know, or take all the time to type it out if you don't need the info.

If you have any other tricks up your sleeve, would you please share with the rest of us?

Leaving the Pups & the Eye Doctor

2008-04-21T10:30:00.004-04:00

Sophie gives Diesel some love

When we leave the pups, we give them a little treat, and tell them to stay. They're good pups, and we let them roam around free in the house when we're gone. Here's Sophia giving Maggie her treat. While the pups are 'fierce protectors' and are big, they are very gentle taking the treat from Sophia.

The pups have to sit for her, before they get the treat.

Sophia had her first eye doctor appointment. No concerns, but they recommend starting at age 3 children see an eye doctor. Here she's wearing some glasses they put on her to test to see if the image she was looking at would appear to lift off the page. She passed that test with flying colors.

Sophia did well at the eye doctor appointment. The doctor detected some far sightedness, but said the vision changes so quickly at this age, so she's just going to watch it.

Sophia does have a couple of gray spots on the white of one eye, (you only see it when she looks up and over a certain way with that eye) and the doctor said it is just a thin spot on the white, but if anything changes to let her know.

At the end of the appointment, Sophia collects the three stickers she is promised. Noah and Paige both have routine appointments later this week (school vacation week, yahoo!) so Sophia will enjoy going back and telling them how she already did all the same tests.

Saturday Fun

2008-04-18T23:11:00.005-04:00

Last Saturday, I took Noah & Sophia to Lowe's to do the craft. Ted usually takes them (when he can), but he was out of state. CLICK HERE to see what crafts are coming up. It's completely free to take your kids, they do it twice a month on Saturday. You don't need to sign up online, you just show up during the late morning hours. They say the project is for age 5 - 10 (or something like that), but Sophia does great at it (she's 3 1/2). Each kiddo gets an apron, a pair of goggles, and a nice patch that shows what craft they did. You collect the patches and sew them on the apron. That reminds me, I have two patches each to sew on before the next clinic on the 26th! This week they made ant houses (ants not included).

Sophia is such a serious carpenter!

Working hard, right alongside her brother.

Noah takes his work seriously too!

Adjusting the safety glasses

Sanding the ant house

The finished product!

All this fun, and for FREE! Pictures from their Home Depot craft (first Saturday of each month) coming up. I'm terribly behind on blogging!

Weird Wednesday & American Idol

2008-04-16T10:20:00.006-04:00

I took Sophia and Noah to Lowe's last Saturday, to make the Ant House.
I'll be posting the good pictures soon, but here are two 'weird ones'.

I think you should play along! Post your 'Weird Wednesday' photos, and link back here so we can all see how weird you and yours are!

AMERICAN IDOL

It's getting harder and harder to pick who I think is going home. I think it's Brooke White this week. She's so cute and sweet, but this week it was just nothing special.

Is it just me, or did anyone else think David Cook stunk last night? I liked the ending of his song, but the rest of it was hard to sit through! He is a good singer, but most of the song was so low and terrible!

Sophie's New Ride

2008-04-14T10:08:00.006-04:00

It looks like spring is really here, and it's only going to get warmer and drier. Last year Sophia was cruising around in her Cozy Coupe, but this year she's stepped up to a new ride. This trike (click HERE to get yours) is so cute, it folds up so we can throw it in the mini-van. I'm hoping to take the pups for a walk on our local walking trail, and Sophia can ride her bike. I'm pretty sure Noah will want to Heely, rather than ride his bike.

I love a bargain, I got Sophie's Radio Flyer trike for only $28 (new Target store special), and then I had a $5 off coupon to boot. I love a deal! Not pictured here is the snazzy new helmet she got, for riding on the rail trail.

Maggie - 0, Porcupine - 1

2008-04-11T10:53:00.008-04:00

Ted is out of town on a business trip. Last night I let the pups out for their final 'elimination'. (Speaking of elimination, can you believe Michael Johns went home???) Thankfully Maggie is the only one that got quilled, and there are only about a dozen. It is hard for me to hold her down and do it, so I've been plucking a couple at a time, and giving her a break. This morning there is only 1/2 a quill left. Phew!

In doing my research on the web about how to remove these pesky things, I learned a few things. This is from a medical/vet website.

Let's dispel a few myths:

The quills do not have to be cut or clipped to "let the air out". They are not under pressure from the hollow area within.
Porcupine quills do not have barbs at their ends, and only rarely will actually migrate through the dog's tissues.
They do not shoot or eject their quills but will swipe their tails swiftly and leave a bunch of needle like quills in whatever the tail happens to touch. When threatened tiny erector muscles in the skin will make the hundreds of quills over the back "stand up" in defense.

The points of the quills are extremely sharp and stiff and under the microscope actually appear as if they have scales or shingles, not barbs, that point backward. Once embedded into tissues they can be difficult to remove, especially the tiny ones that want to break before they are extracted.

Home Removal of Porky Quills:
If your dog only has a few quills and you are certain that there are none in the mouth or throat, you can remove quills at home fairly easily. The first thing to do is to get a pair of pliers, then something to cover the dog's eyes so it doesn't see those pliers approaching. Cover the dogs eyes with your hand if necessary, speak softly and don't act frantic or you will freak your dog out even worse! With the dog's eyes covered, bring the pliers up to a quill and grab the quill firmly and close to the skin. The dog will jerk backward and will separate himself from the quill. Sometimes you can grab more than one quill at a time, too. If the dog will be cooperative, coax it to accept your next attempt at removing more quills and eventually you may be able to remove a number of them. You may have to give the dog a break for a few minutes, too, between rounds of quill pulling.

I think the porcupine was under the back step. The pups were out there sniffing pretty hard this morning, and I saw a couple quills laying on the ground there. Any ideas about what I can throw under there (mothballs?) to keep a porcupine from making his home there?

Weird Wednesday & American Idol

2008-04-08T21:50:00.007-04:00

This is Sophia at the Home Depot this past Saturday. She had taken off her safety glasses and put them back on herself. Right down over her hair, and somehow she got her ears pulled forward. And then there's the gum... sugar free of course! This one makes me laugh!

My guess for American Idol this week?
I think Kristy-Lee did well this week. The country song (well done I might add!) saved her again. The girl's hanging on by a thread, though. I don't think Syesha has the fan base that many others have. It's getting so hard, they're all such good singers! I think David Cook stunk tonight (sorry Nicole!), but it doesn't matter, he won't be going home. He got a good dose of 'humble pie' from the judges this week. He's been a wee bit arrogant, don't you think? I really liked Jason Castro tonight, and David Archuleta.

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

2008-04-07T12:08:00.003-04:00

(Picture is pre-haircut)

We were riding in the minivan the other day, and Sophia was looking at a picture of a decked out Disney room.

"I want a Disney bed, Mom."

"Well, you'll need to talk to Daddy about that, he's the man to talk to."

"He's not a MAN, he's a BIG BOY!"

This week in a nutshell...

2008-04-06T16:05:00.004-04:00

I waited in line at midnight to snag a Wii.
I got one (there were only 10).
Noah barfed.
Paige cut her own hair.
Diesel chewed Paige's favorite pair of Converse sneakers.
Sophia has the high score for bowling.
Paige had softball tryouts every day this week!
Skybus went bankrupt, and I had a flight paid for for June.
The Jonas Brothers tickets for the Vermont concert arrived.
My shoulder, back, arm and neck muscles hurt from Wii'ing
I'm back on the diet wagon.

Weird Wednesday & American Idol

2008-04-02T14:04:00.005-04:00

Click on the picture to enlarge the weirdness...

Tonight's prediction?

Bye bye Ramiele...

I think dread-lock boy isn't far behind her... I'm liking the rocker's new haircut, looks much better than the carefully placed comb-over he's been sporting. He can really sing, but the hair was a distraction for me. It never moved, and I suspected it was covering a very high hairline.

Your AI thoughts?

Happy Birthday Pups!

2008-03-31T20:10:00.010-04:00

Today our pups turned one year old.

Diesel now...

Diesel then!

Diesel now. Gotta love him. When we're eating dinner, he most often will go lay down. He doesn't beg or drool for food, but sometimes he will walk up to the table and rest his giant, blocky head down, and look at the food. We NEVER feed either dog food from the table. He never tries to take any, he just looks. I guess he does it because he can.
Don't worry, if we were to have you over for dinner, we wouldn't let him do this!

Here is our Thailand houseguest (a teacher with AFS), Pornphen, with the pups. She wouldn't let them sleep on her bed while she was here, but this picture was taken her last day with us.

This is Diesel, back when we first got him. What a big baby!
Paige is holding him, over her shoulder. Could she pick him up like this now? No way! He weighs almost as much as she does!

Maggie now.

This was Maggie the first night we had her home. She looks so small compared to now!

Sophia drew a picture of me... and wrote 'Mom!'

2008-03-27T22:21:00.003-04:00

So, the other day I was sitting at my desk, working on my computer. Sophia was sitting on the floor by my desk, drawing. She asks, 'How do you make an 'm'?' I showed her on a piece of paper. A minute or two later, she holds up the picture you see above, and says, "look, I drew your picture and wrote Mom!" (Click on the picture to take a closer look!)

I was floored! I'd never showed her how to do that, I just wrote the 1st 'M' on a separate piece of paper! I've never worked with her on writing her letters. She's known her alphabet (to say aloud) since she was about 1 1/2 years, but we've never 'worked on' writing them, or recognizing them. This is all her. She watches 'Word World' and another show like that, so I guess she's picked up a few things!

I love her picture too - complete with eyebrows, ears & earrings. Sophia turned 3 in October, so she's almost 3 1/2. Yup, she's smart like her Momma! ;)

Weird Wednesday & American Idol

2008-03-25T21:42:00.005-04:00

Weird Wednesday is back. There hasn't been too much interest in it, and a couple weeks ago no one participated. But... last week I was scolded when I didn't do it. You win. You've bullied me back in.

This is Diesel. He'll be one at the end of the month (along w/his sister Maggie). Here he seems to be talking, but I'm just not sure what he's saying.

Any guesses?

And my American Idol pick to go home?
Blond girl saved herself this week with a patriotic song.... She'll be out next week!

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T09:35:00.001-04:00

Here's Sophie, with her Easter basket, ready to go to church. I didn't get pics of the other two, things were just too hectic around here this morning!

2008-03-23T07:56:00.001-04:00

Sophie gets a haircut!

2008-03-20T23:33:00.003-04:00

It's short and sassy, just like her!

Don't mind the stray hairs... she was busy playing with Play-Doh (while chomping gum as you might notice in the 2nd picture), and I didn't bother to fix them. She's wearing her new "Little Miss chatterbox" shirt I got at Macy's. Oh man, is that the perfect shirt for her!

American Idol & Jonas Brothers

2008-03-18T23:16:00.005-04:00

Paige loves the Jonas Brothers. Tonight is their concert, and Paige and her BFF cousin Carolyn couldn't be more excited. They've got pretty good seats on the floor. Paige adores Nick (the one on the right). They're nice boys. Their dad is/was a Pastor & they wear purity rings, so I approve.

Now for my guess on who's going home tonight on American Idol. This week is a tough one. I'll go with...

Agree or disagree? Personally I'd like to see the screaming, 3 pack a day smoking, scruffy witchy haired chick go home... but I don't think she will yet.

Yes, Paige voted 103 times tonight for

She's his biggest fan.

#2 Safest Place to Live

2008-03-17T09:52:00.001-04:00

No. 2: Maine

The Pine Tree state has been ranked in the top three each of the past 15 years. It has the lowest assault rate in the U.S.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 50
Burglary: 38
Murder: 45
Motor Vehicle Theft: 48
Rape: 40
Robbery: 44

(New Hampshire was number one) CLICK HERE to see where your state falls on the list.

Puppy Fun...

2008-03-16T17:13:00.002-04:00

So, today I let the pups outside. Remember, we live out in the country, on a private, dirt road. Maggie has to pee, so she jumps down off the porch, walks 20 feet or so, and squats to pee. She is a female dog you know...

Diesel follows right behind her.

Walks up beside her, lifts his leg (yes, he's the male) and PEES ALL OVER HER!

Grrrrr.... we knew Maggie was the smarter dog, but this just takes the cake!

They are confined to the mudroom (tile floor) until Ted gets home (working this afternoon) to bathe them.
They hate their baths.
Maybe I'll take pictures.
Maggie stinks.
Diesel is a jerk.
The end.

Retro Friday

2008-03-13T22:37:00.005-04:00

This was one of our wedding pictures. I just took this picture out of a frame, and had it sitting here behind my desk, so it was an easy one to grab and scan. Ted was 27, I was 24.

I just loved my dress, and still do. It was made of raw silk, and was very lightweight. At the reception, I had to throw my beautiful bouquet, because the flower shop didn't bring a little one (like they were supposed to!!!) for me to throw. My maid of honor wouldn't give hers up to throw. Hmmmph! :)

American Idol + sickness :(

2008-03-12T09:05:00.003-04:00

Okay, this is my guess for tonight. If it isn't the male striper/dancer, it will be Kristy Lee Cook. Her voice is wonderful, but I don't know if she can recover from the mess last night. There was just too much noise and chaos in turning that song country. Ewwww...

I know, David Archuleta forgot the words and all, but he's got such a huge fan base (Paige voted 103 times for him), he'll sail through. But - didn't we think the same thing about Chris Daughtry? Should be interesting...

~~~~~~~
On a personal note, Noah is sick. He started throwing up about 9pm last night, and did so just about on the 1/2 hour throughout the night, till morning. Gut wrenching stuff. Poor guy. I am wiped, as I was up with him, and tried to doze between clean ups. He's keeping down sips of water and ginger ale so far this morning. Little sips. Gotta get back to him.

Weird Wednesday

2008-03-11T21:49:00.004-04:00

Here Sophia helped Daddy lug the laundry up from the basement to the 2nd story...

Ted was cutting Noah's hair, and Noah was trying to blow upwards, to keep the hair off his face. Noah's haircut came out fine, I assure you! He wanted a short buzz cut, so Dad was the man for the job.

One Child Policy Continues

2008-03-10T15:20:00.003-04:00

CLICK HERE to read about it. I was certainly hoping for something different. Thanks to Heather for the link!

American Idol - Who's Going Home?

2008-03-06T10:39:00.005-05:00

Weird Wednesday

2008-03-05T00:14:00.002-05:00

No grass poking through here...

2008-03-04T11:58:00.005-05:00

This is the snowbank that sits right in front of our house, I took the picture yesterday afternoon. The front porch is just to the right of what you can see. There are many more snowbanks, all around the yard. I just about gasp when I see your blogs, and see greenery or the signs of spring poking through. It is a warm 51 degrees here today, and is raining, but the temps will drop tonight, and we're forecasted to get 1-3" of ice and sleet tonight, maybe more into tomorrow. It's looking like another snow day for the kiddos...

Goodbye my Friend... (sniff... sniff...)

2008-03-02T23:12:00.004-05:00

I'm ready to be a quitter.

Did you know I love chocolate? Yeah. Too much, in fact. Tonight is my final indulgence. The last bag of I will buy, well for quite awhile. You see, I was talking to my friend 'N'. She's not from around here, but will be paying us a visit in July. She mentioned she had a few pounds to lose, and I boldly asked how many. Turns out she wants to lose what I need to lose. Time is ticking, and July will be here soon enough. So... we're going to challenge each other to do it NOW. We're both going to do it.

Oh sure, she wanted to start March 1st, but I wanted my last weekend of delight, before I have to give up the goodies. I had my 'last supper' at the Olive Garden tonight with Paige. I am full of and even . I'm ready now.

We're trying to think of a prize for the one that loses the most, or a negative consequence for the one that doesn't. Something that will motivate us! We've thought of: the one that doesn't lose as much as the other, has to put their picture on the internet, dressed in a bikini. Um... that's a little bit scary I think! I'm a few (just a few) years older then my friend, and what if we both totally behave ourselves, and she's just able to lose more? What if it's out of my hands???? We've also considered the loser paying for the winner's massage or manicure when they come up. Any clever ideas out there?

So tonight at 11:59 PM I will eat my last Hershey Hug... I am done with you my sweet friend...

Gotta run, it's hard to unwrap those Hersey Hugs and type at the same time! Time's a ticking!!!

Retro Friday

2008-02-29T00:49:00.003-05:00

Paige and Ted, back in 1994.
Paige was 6 months old, and 20 lbs.
Ted was a just a babe at age 26.

American Idol - Who's Going Home?

2008-02-28T19:01:00.005-05:00

This is who I think will be going home tonight... do you agree? 47 minutes till showtime...

Weird Wednesday

2008-02-27T00:56:00.003-05:00

Silly Sophie!

I love the expression on her face, but the lighting was terrible. I was playing with the manual settings, and didn't get this one quite right.

Playing around with my XTI

2008-02-25T20:29:00.004-05:00

I've been playing around with my camera, trying to learn how to adjust the settings manually. F-stops, ISO ... it's a work in progress. I took some pictures today, and liked these two. Sophia's expression in the 2nd one just cracks me up!

The Not so Weird Pictures...

2008-02-23T23:52:00.005-05:00

I confess. I haven't been taking many pictures lately. So... I dug these out, I took them a couple weeks ago. I don't LOVE them, but they're pictures you haven't seen. I used the 'Weird' ones for 'Weird Wednesday' a week or maybe two ago now. I'm too tired to go back right now and look. These were the not so weird ones...

Retro Friday

2008-02-22T01:37:00.003-05:00

Paige, 9 years old

Weird Wednesday

2008-02-20T00:03:00.002-05:00

Ice Much?

2008-02-18T21:09:00.006-05:00

Here is Sophia, standing in the middle of the driveway. The other day we were going out for a walk, so I could take some pictures of the icy scenery. We quickly decided against walking, as everything was solid ice, and Sophia kept falling. I didn't want to fall and hurt my ankles again.

Noah wanted to try his new skateboard out on the solid surface.

Ice. Noah decided to come inside with us.

Notice anything different?

2008-02-18T15:39:00.004-05:00

I think you do... love it? Hate it? Do tell!

I'm getting comments that it's overlapping, but when I view it on my computer (like anyone would) it doesn't. Can you tell me how much it's overlapping, so I can adjust it? I want it to look nice! :) Thanks!

Ice Storm

2008-02-15T23:21:00.009-05:00

I took these pics around the house, and on our dirt road. I wanted to get more close up shots, but the road and driveway were total ice, and I didn't want to break my neck (okay, hurt my ankles) trying. I drove the minivan up and down the dirt road, and got out and snapped a few pics. The black & white is my favorite, but the others didn't look that good when I changed them to blank and white, so I left them color.

Thankfully we didn't lose power, it just flickered. Many people were without (some still are) for a day or two. The temps got above freezing today, and the trees no longer look like this, the ice has melted.

Retro Friday

2008-02-15T01:35:00.004-05:00

The year was somewhere around 1991. This was me, and our Newfoundland pup, Casey. He grew to be a whopping 200 lbs. He could stand on his hind legs and put his paws on Ted's shoulders (Ted is 6'4" tall). He thought he was a big lapdog. He was a gentle giant.

Now onto me: Those are some groovy jeans I was wearing, and the feathered hair... ooooh lala! Sneakers in the snow, with my pants tucked in? Why I don't look that cool now, I just don't know! Hey, that kind of rhymed... It's almost 2 AM, I must go to bed now...

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T00:46:00.003-05:00

NOT AGAIN... Snowday #8?

2008-02-13T11:16:00.005-05:00

Before you read, click on my Esnips Groovy Guy off the the side... he's not playing automatically, for some reason...

The kids have ANOTHER snow day today. I think this is number eight. We've been smacked hard lately with snow and other winter weather. Wish I had a vacation planned for Florida, or somewhere else warm and snow free. Next week is school vacation, and it probably won't snow at all. :)

That's us, in the 10 - 14" range

FROM SNOW TO ICE...
A MESSY MIDWEEK STORM

Heavy snow is only half of the story - snow changes to sleet, freezing rain and rain during the morning hours, first along the coast then spreading inland. The temperatures this morning are in the teens inland, that means the cold air will be tough to scour out. As warm air tries to invade on an easterly wind it will start to ride up and over that chilly air at the surface. This will lead to an icing event that may top the story of the heavy snow this morning. Several hours of sleet and freezing rain will accumulate to glaze ice on all surfaces where that cold air hangs on. This will mean power outages and dangerous driving conditions this afternoon.

This is what it looked like after the 1998 Ice Storm, that left us without power for close to two weeks.

Oil lamps, check.
Flashlights, check.
Woodstove is crackling
We're ready.

Bring it on.

Weird Wednesday

2008-02-13T01:46:00.004-05:00

What's weird about the 2nd picture, you ask? This is how Sophia fell asleep the other day, for her nap. I was at my computer (no really, don't look so surprised!) and she was quiet... I looked over my desk, onto the floor of the office, and there she was in the doorway. Maggie, Minnie & Sophia. Notice the unbuttoned jeans, maybe she undid them to be more comfortable? I knew better than to move her, and she woke and thought it was pretty funny she had fallen asleep with Maggie like that.

Chinese New Year Celebration

2008-02-11T23:22:00.000-05:00

Sophia in her silk outfit
We got this outfit in 2005 when we were in Guangzhou

Sophia makes a Chinese Lantern. She also made a Chinese Yo Yo, a Mask, stamped with a chop, and had her name written in Chinese characters. We bought videos and books, and watched 10 seconds of the dragon dance before we had to leave the theater, it was so dark, LOUD and scary for Sophia. We got there too late to see the music and dance show.

Daddy, Noah & Sophia taking a break from all the excitement
at the Chinese New Year Celebration.

Wondering why this picture is in black and white? The colors were so funky,
I didn't have the patience to fix it, so it was easier to turn it black and white.
Where's Paige? Home sleeping; we couldn't get her out of bed to attend the festivities! Pornphen was with us, but was off in another section of the building visiting friends from Thailand that were also attending the celebration.

Retro Friday

2008-02-08T01:30:00.001-05:00

This is me, just before entering kindergarten. I actually remember this picture being taken, I was scared! My mom had braided my very straight hair the day before, and had taken the braids out to make my hair wavy like this. See, my hair really is blonde! Over the years it has darkened, and now I have to get highlights to get my blonde back - not fair!

Weird Wednesday

2008-02-05T20:34:00.000-05:00

Washington DC, Seven Years After Bill Left Town!

2008-02-05T09:29:00.001-05:00

SUPERBOWL 2008

2008-02-03T22:47:00.000-05:00

Patriots lost.

Any other fans shocked and dismayed about how it all went down?

Mischief Update & AWESOME Safety locks!

2008-02-02T22:29:00.000-05:00

DH went to the local Lowe's and got these this morning. He's installed them on the bathroom cabinets, the drawers, and cabinet doors under the sink. We may go back and get more. They are AWESOME. To open the door or drawer, you have to touch the very strong magnet on just the right spot (which will take some getting used to!), and then you can easily open it.

Sophia can no longer get into the cabinets or drawers. If you're considering safety locks, these are a MUST HAVE. The other ones will slow them down for awhile, but then they quickly figure out hot to get in. We're keeping the magnet on top of the fridge, but shhhh.... don't tell Sophia!

p.s. She'll still get into her share of mischief, this afternoon WHILE DH WAS PUTTING THE LOCKS ON IN THE KITCHEN, she was putting stickers on the screen of the big screen tv in the living room. Yeah. That's how she rolls. Glad we got the stickers off before the big game tomorrow... although we ALL already know WHO WILL WIN, don't we???

Sophia+Mischief = new safety locks

2008-02-01T14:28:00.000-05:00

As you all know, I've got this cute 3 year old. Yeah. What does that have to do with safety locks, you ask? She's a mischief maker, that girl. Today she got into the cupboard underneath the sink. IT'S SAFETY LOCKED. She took mineral oil, dishwasher detergent and barkeeper's friend (an abrasive cleaning powder) and made a soupy mess all over the floor. Paige was there in the livingroom, and she didn't hear a thing. Then the dog threw up, on the living room carpet. I'm guessing the dog licked some of the soupy mess.

GRRRR!

So, Sophia has figured out the safety locks. Does anyone out there know of any really good, super tricky safety locks? Our cabinet doors do not have handles, so they'd need to be the kind that are hidden.

Please let me know ASAP???

Retro Friday

2008-01-31T22:26:00.000-05:00

Here's Noah, when he was 2 at Disneyworld, with his two favorite characters. Notice the scabs and bruises all over his face? That year we had driven our motorhome from Maine to Florida, and were staying in the Disney Campground for two weeks. We had just arrived in Florida, and we were stopped at a rest area on the highway to grab a bite to eat. Someone didn't lock the screen door on the motorhome, and he leaned on it, and fell out and hit the pavement ON HIS FACE. It was scary! He instantly had a big flat spot on his forehead. Poor guy! He ended up being just fine, but every picture that trip showed his banged up face!

It's all fun and games till somebody gets hurt...

2008-01-31T01:08:00.001-05:00

When DH was recovering from his hernia surgery, he was home and taking it easy. There was a lot of Shrek Monopoly going on! Sophia is the banker. She does very well keeping her money separate from the bank's money, and paying each player $2 as they pass go. Yeah, it makes perfect sense that she's the banker - she's a control freak! (like her Mama!)

Sophia likes to move her own piece, rolling the die, and counting the correct spaces. She reads her own 'chance' cards, and usually gets them right. Now don't think she's a genius just yet, she's memorizing them, and taking clues from the pictures on them.

"Oh Daddy... you're so silly..."

This is serious business!
Notice the button she's wearing, that's Noah's picture, from when he was playing basketball. She's his biggest fan, next to his Mama.

Sophia pays Pornphen for landing on her property. Pornphen (pronounced pon pen) is a teacher from Thailand, that is staying with us for a few months. She's here through AFS, and is teaching at Paige's school.

Pornphen is a wonderful fit for our family. We're really enjoying her stay.

p.s. No one got hurt, I just thought the title was catchy! ;)

Weird Wednesday

2008-01-30T09:37:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Sam for rubbing it in, that she beat me to my own gig! I totally spaced it last night! Enjoy your victory Sam, it won't happen again! ;)

Funny Story: Gas and Ducks

2008-01-28T13:54:00.000-05:00

So, the other day someone in the family (who agreed I could put this on the blog only if they remained nameless...) passed gas. It was a loud toot.

They looked at Sophia, who was sitting right there, and said: "What was that?"
Sophia shrugged.
To which the person replied, "It sounded like a duck!"
"Yeah, a duck in your BUNS!" Sophia quickly came back with.

Oh my... that's just plain funny. Out of the mouths of babes. And, for those of you that think that is gross, you MUST read below... you KNOW you do it too...

According to Dr. Michael D. Levitt, M.D., and John H. Bond, M.D., most of us pass somewhere between 200 and 2,000 ml of gas per day (average, about 600 ml) in roughly 13-14 passages. These emissions are composed of five gasses: nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen (H2), and methane (CH4). Nitrogen usually predominates, followed by variable concentrations of carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane, and very low levels of oxygen. Gas gets into our guts by air swallowing (which accounts for very little), production within the bowel and colon (which accounts for a lot), and diffusion from the blood. As far as those who study these things can figure out, most air that is swallowed comes out the way it went in: it is belched or "eructed," as the textbook informed me. Most of the nitrogen is accounted for by diffusion from blood to bowel; it may give flatus some of its bang but little of its bite.

Retro Friday - 1994ish?

2008-01-24T23:32:00.000-05:00

Oh yes, the spiral perm.. Paige was one'ish... I hate how I didn't write the dates on the back of my pictures. I guess I thought I'd always remember how old we were!

Sophia Goes to the Dentist

2008-01-23T23:43:00.000-05:00

This was Sophia's very first cleaning at the dentist. They are our family dentist, and recommended we bring her in at age three. I know some people take their children to a Pediatric Dentist, but I don't know of any around here.

I made the appointment for Sophia, for the same time Noah was to have his regular 6 months cleaning. Sophia has been with me when I've gotten my teeth cleaned, and with Noah, but I thought she might be nervous, or might have forgotten what it was all about. I wanted Noah to go first, so Sophia could see what they do, and then she'd be more comfortable. Well, she was so excited she wanted to go first, so I thought, 'why not?' Here she is, raring and ready to go!

She opened wide so the hygenist could look at her teeth...

She sat very still!

She was very patient, and was a perfect patient!

She let her polish her teeth...

and check them again...

Here she has the 'duck teeth', getting her flouride treatment.

Sucking out the extra flouride...

Proudly showing off her clean teeth! I'm so glad things went well at this appointment! She has a little cavity they want to take care of (oh no!) and will schedule her as soon as possible for that. That appointment won't be as fun, I'm sure!

Noah sits in the waiting room, listening to the Ipod, waiting for his turn.

Noah's a pro at the dentist, as he's been going for 5 years now!

Wordless Weird Wednesday

2008-01-22T21:42:00.000-05:00

I had to do some digging to find this one, Sophia was wearing her Snow White wig, and it was quite awhile ago!

Paige and her cousin are jumping off the swings, again, this one is pretty old, maybe 1-2 years ago?

Here Paige was messing with Sophia

Click here if you need more details! Please leave a comment, and the link under Mr. Linky so we can come visit your 'Weird Wednesday' photo too!