Next season on Dancing with the Stars

Gotta love Amy Snively

New Poll

Since I have no clue who is going to get my vote yet, let me know what who is going to get yours. Look to the right for the new poll.

Soccer Saturday

Oh, yeah, baby!!! 5 - 3 and with only five players to boot; two were not there so we had no subs. I am so proud of them. Middle scored one of those five points for her team and allowed one shot in at goal for the other team. She stopped two or three others, so not too bad.
Youngest went with me; we froze our tushies off and gracious, was she ever impatient and needy. Glad I had snacks with me and a few books - that seem to stave off some of the whining for part of the time.

Sarah Palin opens SNL

McCain, Palin, Obama & Biden

I don't know if I have ever been in an area where more Presidential/Vice-Presidential candidates have come to campaign. Palin was here in Lancaster yesterday prior to her SNL appearance. With only a few weeks left in the campaign, I wonder how many more visits we will be receive.



Driving through Lancaster, I am amazed by the number of Obama signs that are in yards. Actually, I am amazed by the amount of campaigning overall. This area, as I have been told, has always been a Republican strong hold to the extent that any Democrat should not even try to run for a board seat or office. Since we had just moved to Lancaster County just prior to the 2004 Presidential election, and I was still in overwhelm mode from the move and being a permanent SAHM, I can honestly say I did not pay much attention to the last election.

I am amazed by how many of our friends and acquaintances have been to at least one rally, if not more. Are the residents here more politically aware and active, or is it who is running for office?

Who will Lancaster County vote for President? I have no inkling - I haven't even made up my mind yet. In twenty-one years of voting, I don't think I have ever felt an election that is more vital and important to this nation. I want to make the right choice.

J believes he has made his decision - he announced during dinner on Wednesday who he was going to vote for. I am just glad he is voting - it sets a great example for the kids - especially the Oldest. Oldest and Middle seem to have their candidate chosen too. Now it is time for Mom to jump on the bandwagon and pick the most qualified candidate to lead this country and get us back to where we need to be.

Sarah Palin on SNL's Weekend Update

This is freakin' hilarious!

My friend, Susan, just sent this to me in an email.

Next time he pisses you off, just Superglue his flip flops to the floor.

The hearing aid is gone

Luckily this post is about returning the loaner hearing aid to the audiologist out at CHoP, not Youngest taking it apart, again, and hiding the pieces, again. (Youngest was diagnosed with a mild conductive hearing loss last winter.) There is no telling how long she has had it or if the loss will change. After talking extensively with the audiologist, Nadia, last week, the hearing aid is going to be tabled for a little while. We plan on continuing to monitor Youngest here at home and school and make some decisions next summer unless we see a decline before then. We want to make sure we have our ducks in a row before kindergarden.

It is amazing how much those little buggers cost. We have to apply for a special Pennsylvania insurance program that covers some or most of the cost since most health insurance policies don't cover aids. My dad just got two new ones this summer - each about $5000.

by violentstarr

The IU will conduct a few more screenings with Youngest to see what, if any, services they can supply. So far Youngest has been doing great at home and at preschool. I have talked with her teacher at length, and she feels Youngest is doing really well and the hearing loss doesn't seem to impacting her socially or academically. I am grateful for that.

Poll time

No, not the kind you dance on. Sheesh! Get your mind out of the gutter it's much too early for that. Now check out the side bar over there and leave me an answer.

Our new family hangout

The Conestoga Wagon
We have lived on Lancaster County for a little over four years now. We have lived near this restaurant for a little over four years now and never tried it. I took Middle and Youngest on Saturday night to give it a whirl. J was busy at his school chaperoning the Homecoming Dance. (There is a story there, but I will save it for another post. It's a good one too!) Oldest went to her Homecoming Dance at her high school.

What made me finally try out this new hangout? About two weeks ago J went with some of the other administrators from his school and gave me his review. He decided that it was a good family place, decent food, good prices, the oh, so important kid friendly, and about 7 minutes from our house.

The Conestoga Wagon is a place that I passed many times when I took Oldest for her riding lessons down in Conestoga, but I never gave it much thought. That's too bad; we could have been eating there for the last four years. So now we know. So now we will be there often cause their corn fritters are a dish I could eat all by themselves. I am sure the calorie and fat count aren't on the healthy side, but this Southern girl gobbled them up in no time flat. Yummy!!

A funny for our economic times

I found these posted on a message board I frequent.

To add a bit of humor to the current situation…



CEO --Chief Embezzlement Officer.

CFO-- Corporate Fraud Officer.

BULL MARKET -- A random market movement causing an investor to mistake himself for a financial genius.

BEAR MARKET -- A 6 to 18 month period when the kids get no allowance, the wife gets no jewelry, and the husband gets no sex.

VALUE INVESTING -- The art of buying low and selling lower.

P/E RATIO -- The percentage of investors wetting their pants as the market keeps crashing.

BROKER -- What my broker has made me.

STANDARD & POOR -- Your life in a nutshell.

STOCK ANALYST -- Idiot who just downgraded your stock.

STOCK SPLIT -- When your ex-wife and her lawyer split your assets equally between themselves.

FINANCIAL PLANNER -- A guy whose phone has been disconnected.

MARKET CORRECTION -- The day after you buy stocks.

CASH FLOW-- The movement your money makes as it disappears down the toilet.

YAHOO -- What you yell after selling it to some poor sucker for $240 per share.

WINDOWS -- What you jump out of when you're the sucker who bought Yahoo @ $240 per share.

INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR -- Past year investor who's now locked up in a nuthouse.

PROFIT -- An archaic word no longer in use.

Soccer Saturday - a little late

She shoots, she scores! The Firebolts won 3 - 1. The girls did a phenomenal job of playing together - they kept the defense tight and the keeper was on the ball. Middle was so ecstatic that she ran down the field and hugged her teammates. Too funny - she didn't want any of the knuckle bumping stuff.

Oldest - Her first Homecoming Dance

and I have not a single photo! :-O She got ready at a friend's house. The mom is suppose to email me some photos, but none have come thru yet.

It is official....

I am raising giants. Middle and Youngest went to the peds. yesterday for their yearly check-ups. Middle child is 7 and is slowing down a little - she is 92% for height @ 52.5 inches and in the 75% for weight @ 56 lbs. My stringbean. Youngest is holding strong at 102@ for height @ 46 inches and in the 98% for weight @ 56 lbs.
Yep, they weight the exact same, and they are 2.5 years apart. My goodness! Both of them will be taller than me by next year at this rate. Oldest passed me about two years ago @ 5'7 or 5'8. She gives me her hand me downs! I guess I will have to resign myself to being the shortest member of the family. Move over, Granny, there is a new Queen of Short, and you're looking at her. :-)

Youngest turned 5

My baby turned 5 last week. I find this so difficult to believe because that means I am five years older (40, here I come), it means I haven't been a classroom teacher for five years, it means that we have been in Pennsylvania for more than four years, it means my baby will never remember living in Virginia Beach.

Youngest had some major issues with turning five. She liked the number four. She thought that turning five meant that she automatically went to kindergarden, and she doesn't want to leave Mrs. B's class. She doesn't want to be the youngest - she says she wants to be before Middle and Oldest. HA! Don't know how to change that since Middle is 2.5 years older and Oldest is 9.5 years older.

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweetheart!!! Just embrace five - just as Mama will try to embrace 4-0 this winter. (UGH....)

Construction Trucks @ 6:30 AM????

6:30 freakin' AM the stupid trucks are out there moving dirt. Um, HELLO?! Do you know how to tell time - nothing is suppose to move until 7 AM. Gawd! Now I lost 35 minutes of precious sleep 'cause you are ignorant.

ETA: The construction trucks will be outside of my house for the next four months since a new house is being constructed. Lovely, just lovely.

Country driving on a Tuesday

So this is what I looked at during my drive from Middle's school to Youngest's school. Ah, life in the country. I just glad they didn't fall off the dang truck. But then again, I could have taken them home to feed the cow that Youngest wants.

West Lampeter Fair

We had a fantastic time as usual. Kids got out of school early. Middle and Youngest had field trips with their respective classes to the fair. We went as a family on Wednesday night. Watched the dog show 'cause the horse show wasn't until Friday night. We even watched the Cow Show. This is when trouble started....

When your kid asks for a cow and wants to keep it in the garage, maybe ya been there too long. Yep, Youngest wants a cow and not just any cow. She wants a steer. She wants to get a 1500+ lbs steer and keep it at home. She thinks Charlie will play with it. I don't think she gets that the little ole cow she wants could drop kick Charlie into next week at the blink of an eye.

Sadly there are no photos of said cow as I chose not to take my camera this year and instead just enjoy the time with the kids. Maybe next year.

I will just leave ya with an image...this is on the Christmas list for Middle and Youngest (and we live on .25 acres!!) Crack me up! But then again, it looks like it would be some kind of fun. :-)

Soccer Saturday

Cheatin' Chicken Soup

I caught Youngest's cold (big surprise there) and have been miserable all week. I detest being sick. C.A.N.N.O.T. stand to be sick. I don't have the energy to do anything, but I have been craving Chicken Soup. No energy = no motivation = no cooking so I cheated. It hit the spot, but I am still sick. I hate being sick!












PS - That is premade chicken stock, precut carrot shreds, tiny ABC noodles (they cook super fast in the broth), and precut Perdue chicken slices. See - told ya I cheated. Now I am off to blow my nose for the 415th time today.

What does a Four Year Old + Head Cold = ??

"I'm not gonna make it." According to Youngest, this is the worst ever. Had to work hard to stiffle a laugh.

Soccer Saturday

Knuckle bump with Coach Daddy.




Middle had a fabulous day at soccer. Lots of team spirit and going after the ball.

Remembering 7 years ago...

I am changing my name

Just call me Mr. Lopez because that's the guy that stole my identity. I hope he had fun (NOT) because he is now in federal prison waiting to be deported. What a P.I.T.A!!!!! Now I am having so much fun with the Justice Department, the Immigration and Customs Service, the Social Security Administration, and the IRS. Oh, joy!

Pink

love, love, love this new song.

Water, water, everywhere

and coming out of my garage ceiling. (insert scream) After water invaded the basement this weekend courtesty of Hurricane Hanna, I now have water coming from the roof line above the garage. What a P.I.T.A!! Sorry, (insert scream), had to do that again.

Youngest goes back to preschool tomorrow

and I am just so excited to get her back to school. I think she has been lonesome by herself the past two weeks. She can be serious and contemplative one minute



and absolutely wacked out the next



Yeah...she definitely needs some serious playtime, but then where will I get my laughs from?

Dinner tonight was yummy!

Since we all know that I just haven't gotten around to hiring that personal chef I've been needing, I had to come up with dinner, again. Mexican seemed to sound good, so beef enchiladas it was. Everyone ate them except for middle - she didn't like the them. The irony of that since she eats everything else including brussel sprouts. She decided she would rather have the left-over steak. The child loves her red meat.

The best part of this dish is I made so many there are leftovers for tomorrow. Left-overs, what a beautiful thing!

Oh, I need to make some Mexican White Dip. We love this stuff and the worst part of living in Amish Country is no one in this blessed area seems to know what we are asking for when we go to one of the Mexican restaurants. Of course, if ya need a smorgasbord, then this is your place.

Here's the recipe:

Mexican White Dip (creative name, huh?)

1 cup Miracle Whip
1/2 cup milk
1/2 T chopped garlic (or 1/4 tsp of garlic powder)
1 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 1/2 tsp oregano
2 T sour cream

Mix all of the ingredients together. Chill for atleast 3 hours. Mix well again so the flavors meld. Serve with tortilla chips or on top of your favorite mexican inspired dish. Enjoy!

Photo session with a 4 year old

I needed one, just one, photo to take preschool. After 3 days of trying, this is what I got...unfortunately this one isn't the poser that middle child is as presented in the evidence below...

My Oldest Daughter, the 80's Queen

We are having an 80's flashback girl's night. Thank goodness, I still have my jean jacket and Swatch watch. Now, where did I put my legwarmers and my Madonna bracelets?

Happy Birthday, Honey

Happy Birthday!
Love,
me

The blue screen of death...

I saw it and am heartbroken. This is not the way I wanted the relationship to end. Now to tell the children in the morning. Oh, the sadness that will envelop the house; it won't be pretty. Thank God, Dell is on speed dial these days.

Never get tired of this movie

sigh...

Happy Luber Day

at least it is according to Middle Child. I don't know if this is a result of her "listening ears" in class or her lovely pronunciations due to the current arrangement of her front teeth. Either way, "Happy Luber Day!"

So let's play catch up...

or maybe not? The last five weeks or so are a blur, and I am not sure why. I don't think anything monumental occured. I think it was just the activity of three kids and summer.

July:
* I took Oldest out to Melissa's salon for haircuts. We had a good time - even though we could not find a place to eat dinner afterwards. California Kitchen was packed, Chili's had no room in the parking lot either, King of Prussia mall is overwhelming so we wound up at Ruby Tuesday's. Not what I had envisioned, but it was good and it was about Oldest and I spending time together - not about the food.

* I enrolled Youngest at a new preschool for the coming year. They deal with the IU and that is good since the hearing aid will be in place. I am hoping she will find more friends living close by for more playtime. The big plus is it is only 2 minutes from the house - so much less driving and so much less gas.

August:
* I took the kids back to Virginia Beach to visit my parents. We had a blast. I think each day had a great highlight

1. We (Mom, the girls & I)went to Sandbridge for the day; I realized how much I truly miss living 7 minutes from the ocean - I have to find a way to get closer to the water. Living among the cornfields isn't working for me.



2. We (Mom, Dad, the girls & I) went to Doumar's for lunch. Oh, yum!!! I have loved this place since I was a little girl when Grammy took me. It has limeade that is to die for and BBQ with extra slaw that is scrumptious. We found out while we were there that Guy Fieri from Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins & Dives came to do a story on them. I remembered to watch it once I got back to lovely PA.
After Doumar's, Mom & I took the girls to the Virginia Zoo. We went quite a few times when we lived in VB and now try to go when we go back to visit. Love the zoo. Oh, the girls love the $$$ Pop-Pop gave them for webkinz. The best part of that day for them.






3. Dad, Middle, Youngest & I went shopping at Target. Luckily Dad did not give in and purchase anymore toys for them.

4. Mom took the girls back to school shopping. They came home with new outfits and shoes. Trying out the new yogurt place, The Skinny Dip was a great way to end our shopping excursion.

5. We went out to dinner for Mexican - yummy - and went swimming at my godmother's house.

* Oldest and I took a ride out to Hershey to go to the scrapbook store so that I could get supplies for the family history album I am going to do for Dad. We stopped at Red Robin for a quick bite. Again it was nice to have a little one on one time with my oldest since I don't get to do that as often. She is so busy.

* Aunt Melissa came out to visit and gave both Middle and Youngest a great back to school haircut. Thank you, Melissa. XO!

* Oldest had volleyball try-outs for high school. Nope, didn't make it this year. She is OK with that. She will still be there supporting her friends.

* Oldest went to the Paramore concert in Philly with Melissa then got to stay the night at Mel's.

* Ash picked up her schedule for high school! How the hell did that happen? I just dropped her off in kindergarden. I am sooo not ready for a high schooler. We took a tour of the school and scoped out her classes. She felt pretty ready for the first day.

* Abs had Open House at her new school. WOW!!! The $$ that went into building that school really shows. It is beautiful. Everything is so new and clean and colorful. We are very excited about her teacher, Mrs. M. I think she will be a perfect match for Abs.

* Aud got her hearing aid. A very emotional day for her. Abs did such a nice job of trying to sooth her. Not much worked though except for the promise of the new Webkinz goldfish. We found "Bubbles" after the appointment. It seemed to keep Aud calm for a little while.

* We went to the pool a few other times - but the weathter has been so mild which makes the spring fed pool even chillier.



* We hosted the neighborhood picnic. I think everyone had a fantastic time especially my husband. ;-) The food was fantastic, but the company was even better. We have plans to do neighborhood movie night next.

* Finally school started this past week. Structure is back in our lives. So is homework.

Coming up next...the first day of school

The new banner

is a photo I took last Spring during Middle's trip to County Park. I love the way it the photo came out - I haven't photoshopped anything 'cause I am still learning the dang program.

I am a month behind....

Sorry - life has been in the way. Everyone is well, school is back in session (DH is at a football game right now as Admin on Duty.) I worked some yesterday and today, but not as much as I should have. I blew off work for three hours because of this:

Pioneer Woman's Black Heels to Tractor Wheels

I am hooked on this story and cannot wait for more.

Need to update the entire month of August. I think I will work on that tomorrow after some house chores.

Night!
a

I think I am gonna have a fight on my hands...

with the damn health insurance company about Middle's pneumonia. This is not what I want to deal with, but I have not choice. Many phone calls will probably need to be made - oh, the joy. I am very thankful for the health insurance; I just wish the company would read the doctors' notes and realize that this was not an option or a fun vacation activity. This was my daughter's health.

The retreat afterglow...

So much fun was had at CPR. Loved meeting new people. Loved taking the scenic tour of Harrisburg and Port Matilda with Patti. Loved all the little chipmunks. Thanks Misty for all of your hard work!!!


ahhhhh.

For Sharon

Here are some photos as promised...








We are getting some pages done. Sausan is working on jewelery, Christine is working on Christmas cards. Misty and Trisha just made a food run. :-) Wishblades and Cricuts are running. Diana is teaching braiding (in memory of Donna.)

We're here and having a blast...

We are having a fantastic time - the Institute is gorgeous. The building were all designed by the owner and are very large log cabins/lodges. There are some wonderful walking trails, and places to relax and reflect. Cute little chipmunks abound.

I am trying to get organized with the digital scrapping and finish watching the tutorials.

Patti is working away on her Disney album,, Trisha is working on her Tech album, and I need to make the rounds to check on the others.

No tvs in the rooms so that was a shocker last night - it was extremely quiet. Very odd from my usual M.O.

More later with pictures.

Momma's getting a break

Middle is on the mend. Hallelujah!!! She is eating and sleeping regularly; the cough is disappearing. The antibiotics are all finished. My girl's sassy tude is back - what a relief. She is looking forward to some major fun time this weekend to make up for the last two weeks.

After two full weeks of non-stop nursing to get Middle well, I am taking a short break. I am leaving in 5 hours for a weekend of fun at CPR. I cannot wait!!! Patti and I are driving up to Port Matilda to stay at the St. Joseph's Institute with a group of other fantastic ladies. (Julia ~ it isn't too late. Pack a bag!) Update with photos coming later! ;-)

a.

We are home, finally...

Made the trip in 5.5 hours with two stops. Not bad. Middle and Youngest are asleep in Middle's room - Middle facing one way, Youngest facing the other. They wanted to sleep together again. All of the clothing, toys, suitcases, etc... are put away. House is clean. Our wonderful neighbors cut our grass and brought over groceries. The dog is home and already put himself to bed. I am physically, mentally, and emotionally drained and am going to bed.

This week has got to be better. :-)

Gotta post some lighter news....

Just cause this has been a not so great week.

Oldest - got to go to the beach with Amanda today. She picked a lot of seashells and just relaxed. Now she is home busy painting her nails black. :-) What a teenager!

Youngest - spent the day in her pjs enjoying all of her grandparents' attention. They even got her a Happy Meal from McDs. Now she is watching a movie on the little portable DVD player that Dad owns. What a great day for a four year old.

Maybe tomorrow there will be even more great highlights. Need a good night's rest first.

Another day, another ER visit...

Yes, that is how my day was spent again - back in the CHKD ER. Middle spiked a fever of 102 last night. I called our peds. back in Lancaster and was told to take her in. Since this was at 9:15 PM last night, and I was told the ER was very busy when I called CHKD, I made the executive decision not to go then. I just knew we would be there for hours in the middle of the night and did not want to chance Middle picking up even more germs.

After an extremely restless night for me, we went back to the ER about 9:45 this morning. Thank goodness I waited just a few hours as the ER was clear and Dr. C was on duty again. Middle had two more xrays which showed more white than gray/black on the lung than the radiologist felt should be there at this point (in other words - there was not enough air in her lung and too much gunk.) The radiologist wanted a CT scan run. I knew what the thought was - a mass or tumor - but that was never spoken aloud until after the test was completed.

Middle got her first IV; she did pretty well. Some tears and apprehension, but after the week she has had, that was totally expected. She got a new infusion of Rocephin since the IV was already in. The CT went fine - she had contrast with it and no reaction to it. Then we just waited for the results. PTL that the results were no to any mass or tumor and yes to just a very bad case of pneumonia. We were given the all clear to leave (and eventually to drive back home to PA.)

Middle and I were starving. She had eaten two bites of french toast this morning; I never ate due to my nerves. Pokemon is the toy of choice @ BK, and it was also Middle's choice of meals. Not mine, but whatever. She deserved to eat whatever she wanted at this point. She ate a little bit of the burger and a few onion rings. Now she is relaxing on the couch and coughing, coughing, coughing.

J was able to change his flight thru Southwest and will return to Norfolk instead of Baltimore tomorrow night. The dog continues to reside at the kennel (poor guy) and hopefully the cats are not tearing the house apart. Thank goodness our neighbor has checked on them everyday.

My plan is for us to go back to PA on Sunday morning. The dog can be picked up Sunday between 4 & 6 which should not be an issue. I guess that is it for now.

The good part of the visit...

Friday:
Our drive down was fast and uneventful. We left our house at 1:45 PM and made it to Mom and Dad's by 7:00ish. That was the fastest we have ever made the trip. I think it really helped that we did not make the usual stop at Chick-Fil-A for an hour. We only stopped by Wawa for a few food items and drinks. The kids were fantastic and watched movies or listened to the iPod. Had a little dinner after arriving and then set up the bedrooms for the kids.

Saturday:
The girls spent the morning in the IT center (otherwise known as the dining room.) We went to MacArthur Center for a little family time. Dad could get his walk in and the rest of us got out of the house. Mom wound up doing a little shopping at Ann Taylor and J. Jill. I found her a great jean skirt and cute shirt and was totally thrilled when she bought them. Middle and Youngest got new Webkinz - a Chihuahua for Middle and a Bulldog for Youngest. They loved them. Oldest and J hit up the Apple store.
Saturday night we cooked out since we didn't get to on July 4th. Dinner was great and easy clean-up.













Sunday:
Since we spent most of the day at the Urgent Care and the ER, dinner was great. Neither J or I had any lunch and nothing at the ER so we were famished. Mom had ordered an entire turkey, dressing and gravy from the club since we couldn't go there to eat. Eric and T came up and brought Ben for us to meet. He is a cutie. Dinner was soooo good. Thanksgiving in July.

Monday:
Ash spent the day hanging out with Amanda and Sam. They went to see Hancock at the movies and then hung out for a while. Ash then spent the night at Amanda's which was fantastic cause it gave her a break out of the sick house. Audrey hung out with J and Pop-Pop since I had to take Abs back to CHKD for a check-up. Abs got a new Webkinz (again) since we promised her with all of the tests and shots she got from her ER visit. The great part was that the Webkinz of the Month was free with the purchase of Abs horse so Aud got a new one too - a Cheeky Monkey.

Tuesday:
Ash spent the day with Amanda hanging out and watching movies. J took Audrey to the Virginia Aquarium (that name sounds so unfamiliar as it was always the Virginia Marine and Science Museum.) They had a blast and even took a boat ride in the inlet. That made me nervous as another storm was rolling thru. J said he also rode by the old house and neighborhood. Our old house is 8 years old now; apparently the landscaping has really grown and looks great. We ate turkey dinner again - always good.

Wednesday:
J. left this morning to go to Nashville. Mom was great and took him to the airport so I didn't have to get up early since I had been up half of the night again with Abs. Aunt T came up with Ben again and spent the day with us. She made the girls spaghetti for lunch and Abs ate some - which was fantastic. Mom was able to come home early since Dad went into work for a while. Aud performed another piano concerto for everyone. Ash went to the mall with Sam and then over to his house to hang out. Eric came over, so we all had dinner together. We cooked out again which was another quick easy meal. YUM!