Zack's New Bed

First here is some background information-

Last summer, I thought of an idea that would help make room for our baby (when ever that may be) and still accommodate my step-son so he doesn't feel like he’s being replaced. We would never replace him of course, but I want to *TRY* & erase those thoughts from his mother mind (she mentioned when my niece was born over 3 years ago that we can’t forget about Zack, ahh WTF!)

I came up with the idea that we add a sunroom onto the back of the house (where Zack's room is located) to make it a play room of sorts for the kids. I got my husband and FIL on board with this idea; we were making plans for the layout and just liking the idea of a little extra space too.

Then finances were brought up. We were trying to figure out how to afford the new room construction on top of new baby stuff. So, I went back to the drawing board to see how I can make this all work since we had a little extra time on our hands without being rushed to make a quick decision after the miscarriage.

Now back to a few weeks ago……..

My FIL brought up the notion that he wanted to look for a new mattress. It was ironic because the night before I had an idea that might work for the kid’s bedroom. I wanted to find some sort of bunk bed that had all of the essential furniture all-in-one unit. We went to all the local furniture stores pricing a mattress for him & this bunk bed of sorts for Zack.

Last Friday I decided to check-out in craigslist to check out what type of loft beds/all-in-one beds were posted. Jackpot! I found one last Friday for $400, I couldn't believe it! The cheapest I found in the stores was $680! So, I had chatted with the guy & we decided to go and look at the bed last Sunday.

I loved it the moment I walked in the room. I knew it was exactly what I was looking for, it was in great shape & the price was right! It was destiny!

I couldn't get a picture from ours since its so massive & I couldn't back up enough to take the picture in his room. This is almost exact, except the ladder is on the other side (where the skate board is located in this picture). It combines Zack’s bed, bookshelf (in the picture, its where the computer is, we have shelves for a bookshelf), dresser and even an extra bed in the event my niece ever sleeps over. I love it!

Now, I’m working on getting rid of all the extra furniture & for me to get pregnant again!

Kevin James is Hilarious

Saturday night, my husband, myself & two friends went to see Kevin James (from King of Queens) at Mohegan Sun Casino in CT. I didn't win the tickets this time, but it was still destined to be a fun night.

We arrived to the casino in enough time to find the arena and then our seats. So, we decided to do some gambling after the show.

The opening comedian was pretty funny. Forgive me, but I don't remember his name, but he was hilarious. He was definitely a great start to a good show. He was on for about a half hour.

Then Kevin James came out to perform. He was so funny. He talked about so many things (family, movies, tattoos, gambling). He was making fun of the people who need equipment to gamble (I thought it was an appropriate location). He mentioned he walked through the casino and saw a lady wearing a glove while at the slot machines. He said that if you need equipment to gamble, its time for a phone call. The whole place laughed.

There was so many things he said that was funny, but I can't remember the whole story so I can't repeat what he had said. But, , it was such a good time and I would definitely see him again if he came around here.

Also, I won $50 at the casino on a slot machine.....yeah!

My Little Helper

Saturday was a beautiful day (sorry to those who had rain) outside. The sun was out & shining brightly. What a wonderful day to do things outside.

My husband, me & my FIL were asked to watch my niece while her parents where busy with a family memorial. So, we had plans for that little girl! I had went out the week before to buy her own hat and garden gloves to help outside. Oh, they were so adorable I had to buy them even if she wasn't going to help while she did her own thing. I just had to get them. The garden gloves had Dora the Explorer on them and Disney Princess on the hat, both pink of course!

So, after she was dropped off in the morning, we all went out to breakfast & did some errands. While we were driving around, we were serenaded by my niece singing from the back seat. She got us all singing in the car & it was so much fun. We did a sing-a-long to twinkle twinkle, abc's & itsy bisty spider. It was so cute!

Then we returned home & headed to the back yard to spread mulch around my swing. My niece was a little confused about the gloves since it wasn't winter time, but she put them on & realized that they were to play in the dirt with. She helped me a little by "spreading" the mulch, but she would rather dig holes in the dirt next to my swing. Hey, what ever makes her happy!

After the mulch was spread, we sat on the swing and talked. Oh, I can't believe how grown up she is. She is almost 3 1/2 and she is such a big little girl. And recently she started calling me Auntie Amanda, but in her words "Auntie Mana". I love it! For the longest time I was only known as Auntie which made me happy, but I now love how she says my name.

Favorite 80's Music

Its Friday! I was having a flashback moment this morning while I was driving to work & started coming up with a list of my favorite songs from the 80's. Now, most of these I really didn't start to like until after the 80's, but hey, that's OK!

So, I thought it would be fun to share my list. These are some of the songs that I wouldn't change the channel while it was playing, for no reason. There are others that didn't make the list too, but they just slipped my mind for the time being.

My top 10 list is-

• Crazy For You - Madonna
• Push It - Salt-n-Pepa
• Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
• Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
• Take On Me - A-Ha
• Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Tears for Fears
• Cruel Summer - Bananarama
• Livin' On a Prayer - Bon Jovi
• Pour Some Sugar On Me - Def Leppard
• Brass Monkey - Beastie Boys

What's yours?

Have a lovely weekend!

Blank Screen

My mind has shut down right now from my busy day at work. My brain is tired from thinking about airport shuttles, Red Sox bus trips & NYC bus trips. Phew, I'm tired. So, I really haven't gotten a chance to think about what to write about today.

I was thinking of maybe talking about some updates on things that I wrote about in the past few weeks. So, here they are-

My parents are in their second week of quitting smoking. If you can imagine a line chart, my dad is the line that sky rockets up and my mom is the line that kind of hovers on the bottom of the chart kind of staying the same.

My mom is having a reaction to the medication. One of the side effects is upset stomach and she definitely has that feeling along with vomiting, so she isn't having as much success as she would have hoped. So, after she starts to feel better she is going to try the nicotine patches again.

My dad is doing awesome! He is slowly loosing the urge to smoke. He just has to keep himself busy, change his habits/routines and continue to leave his cigarette's in the car while at work to make an effort to retrieve them during the day. He leaves next week, Thursday, for his business trip & his goal to be done smoking by then. So, I hope he can achieve that or at least be very close!

I haven't gotten a chance to do the book exchange that I wrote about earlier this month. I really want to, but just haven't ordered my kit to set my books free in the world. Or even gotten a chance to scope out where books were left in my area. But, I will get to it and report about my experiences about the program soon.

Oh, I remembered to use my cloth shopping bag when I ran into the grocery store yesterday. Yeah! I forgot it when I ran into Walmart on Monday, but at least I'm one for one this week. Now, just to continue to remember the bag when I shop.

So, that's about it. Thanks for listening to my rambling on since I really didn't think of anything creative to write about since my mind is mush today.

Changed Visits

My husband received a phone call on Sunday (while we were shopping for golf equipment) from his son's mother. She wanted to change our visit in June (which was scheduled for Fathers Day weekend in MD) to Memorial Day weekend here in MA. There are pro's and con's for this change, but its just so frustrating. Every visit since he moved away, there are always changes that his mother does for every visit.

For example, the last time we had seen him, it was on the rotation that we travel to VA for the visit. So, after the holidays we contacted his mom to get the dates of the weekend of his spring vacation. It was agreed that we would visit from Friday 3/28 - Sunday 3/30. I booked our hotel, flights (the flight back home was scheduled for Monday 3/31 just because of the timing) and rental car to reflect those dates. Since there were flights involved, I wanted to get everything schedule as soon as possible.

So, about a month later (early-February) we get a phone call asking if we could change our arrival date & come down for Thursday 3/27 so she doesn't have to take another day off from work since it was his school vacation. So, we talked & we decided to be adjust and come down Thursday evening instead of Friday. All the transportation was adjusted (for an additional fee of course) so we can keep things civilized.

As we are in VA for the March visit, we find out we swapped everything around so she could continue to chop her vegetables at the diner she works at. She only works at the diner once a week (Fridays) from 5am-8am. So, we took extra time off from work (my husband doesn't get paid for time off except for a set two weeks in the summer, so he lost a days pay), paid extra money just so she can chop vegetables. I was so upset!

Anyways, since before the March visit, she has been trying to swap around the June visit. She has thrown many excuses at us, but we had caught her in a little fib for one reason & the other wasn't sticking since it was rediculous.

So, back to the phone call on Sunday. She said she will be in MA for memorial day weekend to visit a relative that relapsed with Cancer and if we can swap the visits. Now we are backed into a corner because how can we be insensitive to a sick relative. So my husband agreed. Urg!

My niece & Step-Son after apple picking Sept 07

I am happy that we get to see him sooner, we won't have to spend money to travel to MD (hotel & gas) and he gets to come to my cousins wedding with us. The bad thing is my husband won't see his son on Father's day and the time in between the next visit is even longer. We won't see my step-son until the end of July in VA.

Now for the May visit, we don't even know when we will get him yet. I'm sure that will change a ton of times before we actually sees him. Its always an adventure, but it's not always a fun one.

"Its not easy being green"

Such true words from a frog, Kermit the frog to be exact.

Thinking about today's significance & everyone trying to do their part to be "green" sometimes it isn't as easy as we would have hoped. Its hard to break people of their habits, their preconceptions and remind them who/what they are doing this all for, the future generations.

OK, so I'll elaborate a little. My FIL is very stubborn and gets into moods where he just doesn't care, does things his way and that is that. Oh, we have some deep & animated conversations at times about many topics and recycling is definitely one of them (I still love him anyway, even if he is a stubborn old man......don't worry, his kids call him an old man all the time).

One of the things I have to keep my eye on him about are the empty water bottles. I often see random ones thrown in the regular trash, even though their is a bag full of empties waiting to be recycled sitting on the other side of the kitchen.

So, I pick them out of the trash & walk maybe ten steps across the room & place them in the recycle bags. Then later on I remind him that he most likely walked right by the recycle bag to get to the trash to throw away the bottle. And then, the debate begins (as my husband silently leaves the room).

So, besides battling with my FIL about recycling, here is what I have done to be more green in the last year-

• Bought Fluorescent light bulbs to replace burnt out regular bulbs in my house
• Bought grocery bag/sacks to replace the plastic bags at the grocery store (now I just have to remember to bring them in with me while I shop)
• I bring magazines I've read to work for co-workers to read & then toss them in the recycle bin
• Recycle mail that could be tossed in the recycle bin (at work so I don't have to fight with my FIL)
• When I cook, keep can's out of the trash for recycling
• Bring clothes and unwanted household items to Good Will rather then throw things away to fill up the landfills
• Turn off lights, TV's and computers in rooms we are not occupying
• Walk to the ice cream stand at the end of my street rather then drive (which we did last Sunday and I got a Strawberry/Vanilla twist in a cone, y-u-m-m-y)
  

So, those are my basic contributions to help out mother earth. I hope to add to my list next year. Any suggestions for other simple solutions?

What a glorious weekend!

This weekend's weather was perfect! It was so beautiful. On Saturday the temperature was in the 80's with a nice breeze cooling you off if you happen to get a little warm standing in the sun. Those are the type of days I long for. Yesterday was a little cooler, in the 70's, but it was still a lovely day to be outside.

Since it was so nice, it was time to tackle some yard work. I didn't want to over do it, but I needed to start somewhere. So, this past weekend I focused on the backyard. I usually work on the front first, but my backyard swing was calling my name. I mean, I couldn't neglect it any longer. I couldn't wait to clean it up to get out there to catch up on some reading.

The first thing I had to do was remove all of these huge branches that broke off our trees from the snow this winter. My FIL thought it was a smart idea to throw them in the corner where my swing is located for the time being. Well, let me tell you it was a pain to pull them off of each other to an area where we can chainsaw them into pieces.

Here is a picture below of the piles of branches, but I should have taken a picture before since it really doesn't show the effect of huge branches. Oh, well.

Then, I had to do some racking & clean up of the mulch from last year. I had little piles to pick up, no problem.

Then, here is the almost final picture. I just have to lay down new mulch to finish it all up. That is a project for this weekend coming up. I will have a little helper next Saturday, so I'm sure she will like helping her auntie spread some mulch.

After supper last night, I was able to go and relax on my swing and read the Sunday paper. Oh, how I enjoyed myself last night just swinging away, reading the news and listening to the birds sing away. At least I wasn't the only one enjoying myself!

I also trimmed some of the those annoying yellow flower bushes that we have in our back corner that is in the back of our garden area. I wanted to get to it before the flowers really bloomed. Those branches take away a lot of the sun from our veggies and I didn't want it to happen again. So, I worked on that too along with the swing area. I can't wait to plant my garden.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for........

Ice Cream! I am so excited! We have a soft serve ice cream shop at the end of our street and it opened for the season yesterday. Oh, I was so happy!

The opening of "Mr Cone" means summer is around the corner. Also, it means I have easy access to many flavors of soft serve & hard ice cream. Its a summer time weakness of mine. I try to eat Ben & Jerry's during the cold months, but its just not the same. To me, ice cream means summer.

Also, my niece knows that ice cream is at the end of our street. The other day, while she was in the car with her Grandpy, they turned the corner to approach our street and she asked if they could get ice cream. Unfortunately, that was last Friday and they weren't open yet, but I'm sure the next time she will visit, we will be walking down the street for a yummy treat!

I should have snapped a picture yesterday with the huge lines, cars parked everywhere and the picnic tables jammed packed with others just as excited over the season opener as I am. I hope I can find the time this weekend to grab a cone with raspberry & vanilla twist. MMMMMM!

Soapbox Rant

Today, I am going to stand on my soapbox to rant & rave about a couple of things that are bothering me today. I appreciate you listening!

#1. Gas prices, what the frick! Doesn't the government realize how much the constant jump of prices day after day is hurting the common person with no relief in site (yeah I know, that was a stupid question). I bet the people who can actually do something about it are sitting high and mighty, most likely getting a cut out of the millions of dollar bonuses that the fuel companies are making.

I can't believe that the other day I came home from work and noticed the gas was $3.18. The next morning it was $3.25. What?!?!? I just slumped in my seat and drove right on by. So, in less then a 24hr period, this station adjusted their price by 7 cents.

Yesterday while we were on the way to Vball, my husband got gas at $3.27. A few hours later after Vball, the cost was now $3.33. What?!?! In 3 hours, the gas prices jumped by 6 cents. OMFG!

#2. This morning on my way in to work, the temp was 37 degrees. The high for today is predicted to be in the 70's. So with that in mind, it was still pretty cold this morning. I was bundled up in my winter coat and even my gloves (the steering wheel was cold) with the heater on. I mean, its only 5 degrees above freezing.

So, as I drove to work (before I saw the gas price sign) I noticed a girl in a car next to me with her windows down and wearing a tank top. Um, its 37 degrees out. Hello! A few months ago I'm sure she would have been bundled up!

Then I noticed the kids walking to school in shorts and short sleeve shirts. Then in a few weeks they will wonder why they had pneumonia, anyways........

I don't know why this bothered me today, but I understand that at some point it will reach 70 something, but at that moment this morning, it was freakin' cold. I just don't get some people and their ways of thinking sometimes!

So, that is my soapbox speech for today. Thanks for listening and I feel much better. What's on your mind today?

I'm So Proud!

I am so proud of my parents! They are in the process of quiting smoking. Mom & Dad had started this past weekend on the prescription (Chantix) that assists you with quiting. I am so happy for them!

They have been smoking since, forever. Since I was a little kid, I have been harassing them to quit and going on and on why they should.

Over time, each time would try to quit here and there, but the urge just became over whelming. My dad once said the toughest part was to let go of the routine that came with smoking. Its also tough when one would try to quit and the other wasn't ready. So, this time its a duel effort which will make it 100% better for the both of them.

They have a few friends who have tried the Chantix when it first came out. And now they are smoke free. These have been people who have been smoking since they were 15 years old and they are now in their 50's. I am so happy that their friends shared their positive stories with them for inspiration. If it wasn't for them, I don't think they would have taken a chance.

Of course there were insurance hurdles they had to deal with. Their insurance company would not pay for the prescription even after countless appeals. So, they took matters into their own hands and decided it was worth the cost out of pocket to be healthy.

My parents are in their first week of trying with a half a pill. I guess since they are just starting, they are allowed to still smoke, but over time that urge will go away when the dosage increases.

My dad has set a goal. He is going away for business in the beginning of May and he wants to be done smoking and off the pill before he leaves. What a goal to have!

Well, I hope it works for them in many ways! They will be healthier, richer (since the MA cigarette tax will increase again soon) and be better off in so many ways.

Maybe what got them to do it this time was the threat that they couldn't watch their grand kid (when ever that will be) if they were still smoking! Maybe I should have said that years ago - wink! wink!

Happy Tax Day!

I hope your taxes are already done, you have your refund back and spent! If you have to pay taxes this year, hopefully it wasn't a lot of green you had to shell out to the IRS. Either way, here are some creative deductions to think about for next year! I found these and other interesting facts on chiprowe.com

Breast Implants: A Detroit stripper named Chesty Morgan took the IRS to court after it refused to allow a $2088 deduction for her implants. The judge ruled in her favor, comparing the implants to special work clothes.

Beer: A tax court allowed a gas station owner in Oklahoma, to deduct the cost of the beer he put in a soda machine for customers to grab as they filled up.

Bribes: William Zack bribed a Ford employee to get contracts from the automaker. When the scheme collapsed, the IRS demanded taxes for unreported income of $310,000. Zack claimed that not all of the money had been income because he had merely been a "conduit" for the bribes taken from his company coffers and given to the Ford employee. An appeals court allowed him to exclude $90,286.

Concert Tickets: An attorney tried to deduct $60,000 for front-row concert tickets he bought from scalpers. He claimed that by getting front-row seats for clients, he gained exposure to rock groupies, roadies and musicians who might someday hire him as an attorney It's not clear what happened to the attorney, but he ended up as a case study in a training manual for IRS auditors.

Hookers: A former Treasury Department budget analyst deducted the cost of visiting brothels and hiring hookers as business expenses because he said he was researching a novel. A tax judge disallowed the hookers.

Lunch: Two Minnesota state troopers argued in tax court that they should be allowed to deduct the cost of lunch. A judge allowed it, but only because the officers had to eat lunch at a specific time and a specific restaurant. The ruling led to a widespread belief among cops that they can deduct $7.50 per day for lunch.

Payphones: Last year the IRS began cracking down on a scam in which entrepreneurs start a "business" by purchasing a pay phone that has volume controls, then claim a Disabled Access Credit of up to $5000.

Vacations: Many lawyers and doctors attend "continuing education" seminars held at golf resorts. The IRS says these seminars must improve professional skills and last a reasonable amount of time. To organizers, that means four hours a day over five days. The kicker — the seminars are all on videotape, so attendees can watch one each morning before tee time.

I'm a God Mother

OK, not the fairy god mother type with a magic wand and a puffy dress. But the type that watches over a child to guide her towards the right path.

Myself and my husband were chosen to be god parents to our niece. I was so excited and honored to have been asked to do this.

I'm going to be honest, I'm not a huge church person so I don't know how much of a christian path I will lead her down, but I will give her advise and help guide her through life in general. I guess that's the best I can do.

Pictured here is the lovely bunch right after my niece was baptized by the holy water. The priest was a riot and definitely made it an enjoyable experience. We were all worried that she would freak out when the water would touch her head since she really didn't know what was going on, but she did wonderfully! Its like she was a pro. After the father in the picture is my husband, my niece, my BIL, SIL and me.
My niece and her cousin were baptized at the same time, so it made things easier for the family since the mothers of the children are sisters. So, it was a two for one so to speak.

Both kids were wonderfully behaved. My niece kept turning around and whispering to us in the barely any words coming out of her mouth kid whisper. It was so funny! Then her cousin who is a little over a year old kept making funny faces at myself and my husband and of course we did the same back.

Here is my niece (right after the ceremony) who really wanted to play with the candle that her auntie was holding while in front of the group after the priest lit from the Easter candle. I gave in of course after I put it back in its box. She continued to play with it during picture time.

After the event, it was back to my SIL sisters house to gather with friends and family. It was a great time. I'm glad for everyone things went so smoothly.

Remember the Troops!

My cousin from W. VA and her husband were married 10/31/2007. Her and her husband have been together forever and finally got married last year to make things official. At the wedding, we found out that her husband would be going to Iraq in January 2008.

What! How can this be? They are just getting married and starting their life together as a man & wife and the government is taking him away for almost a year?!?! He is due to return in November 2008.

I know its tough on both of them and I can't imagine what my cousin is going through! She is being a trooper (no pun intended) with her husband being away. She is expanding her culinary expertise, learning how to sew (making a quilt might I add) and just learning more about herself.

So, with this in mind, please keep my cousins husband in your prayers, thoughts, blessings and well wishes for a safe return home to his bride. Thanks!

*Book Crossing*

You ask what is book crossing? Well, let me explain - the other day, I peeled off another day of my page-a-day calender and thought I would look into the suggestion of the book crossing entry. It actually looks pretty neat.

If you have ever been geo-caching*, its almost the same thing but with books. Its an international program where you register a book online, leave it in a public location (gym, coffee shop, airport, etc), then read and pass along if you would like. I signed up online and I might actually participate. It looks pretty neat! It also saves money on books too. The website is bookcrossing.com

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*OK, so you ask what geo-caching is-its a web based hide and go seek. You go online (geocaching.com), find a location you want to go find items, type in the coordinates on your handheld GPS, then go hiking and searching for a weather proof box filled with trinkets. When you find the box, take a trinket and replace it with something you have brought to place in the box (it could be from McDonalds happy meal toys to CD's).

That's a quick explanation, but its so much fun! We used to go geo-caching a few years ago and it was a blast. It gets you outside, usually in places you wouldn't think about hiking or going too, bonding time with family and stories to tell for years to come. Highly recommended!

It was so nice!

Yesterday, as I walked out of my office, I discovered how beautiful it was outside. I don't have a window in my office, so I don't know how it is outside unless my visitors inform me or my dad calls to let me know what its doing outside.

So, when I left work I was so excited to feel the warmth on my face. I still have my "winter" coat on, but I wasn't bundled up. I was so happy.

As I drove home, I had my windows open and embraced the warm air on my face. Living in NE, you never know when the cold blast from mother nature will return. So, I cherish every spring type day we have early in the season.

I hope it lasts until the weekend. But I heard there is rain in our forecast. I say, bring it on, as long as its not snow!

Texting

I love to text. That is how my husband and I talk during the work day. We used to call each other at lunch time and chat for a few minites and that would be it until we got home. Well, with the wonderful tecqnology of texting, we "talk" all day long. Its great! I don't have to wait any longer to tell him something, now I just pick up my phone and type. Its wonderful!

I also communicate with family and friends that way when I have something to say and vise versa.

But the only thing is, I don't know alot of the short cuts. Well, I came across this website (http://www.textingcodes.info) and watch out now. I am going to know all the lingo soon! Check it out and you will be in the know too!

But be careful! Don't text and drive!

Golf Scholorship Letter

How cute is this?!?! This is an essay my step-son Z wrote and typed for a golf scholarship for a summer camp. He won too! Phew! Even though in his mind it would be mommy's money paying for it, ultimately we would be contributing funds to the cause too!

So, this morning I receive a copy of his essay by email. I thought it was adorable and wanted to share.

Also, these photo's are from his first time being out with his dad learning about golf from 2005. How exciting!

Dear reader,

Hi my name is Z. I'm 10 years old. I love to golf.It is one of my favorite sports.How I learned to play golf was with my Daddy.

He said,"Let's go outside and play golf." I said ,"what's that?" He told me it's a sport that includes clubs.I like to play golf often.I PLAY ALL THE TIME IN THE YARD! I hope I can get a scholarship so my mommy won't have to use up all her money. if you would please apply.

your golfer,

Z!

What I do Monday - Friday

The blogs for work are up and running. Yeah! There are still tweeks that I want to work on, but they are up and ready to be checked out. I maintain the MHC Fleet blog, I co-maintain the MHC Parking blog and my supervisor maintains the MHC Public Safety blog. If you are interested in checking them out, they are listed on the side of my blog under my daily checked blogs listing labeled work blogs.

So, let me explain what I do Monday-Friday. I work in the Public Safety department for Mount Holyoke College. My "department" is under the PS Dept and I am the Fleet Coordinator for the Fleet Office. I maintain/schedule vehicles (sedans, vans and buses) for the the college community and so many other administrative duties but I don't want to bore you as I go on and on.

I also help out in the Parking Office when the parking coordinator leaves for the day since she works part-time. Actually, when I first took the job 7 years ago I was in charge of both and that was way too much to do for one person, so I was lucky they hired someone else to take over the parking portion. I count my blessings every day!

So, this is a brief explanation so you are not confused if you check out the blogs for work.

Its My Daddy's Birthday!

Happy Birthday Dad! Today is my dad's special day. He's not welcoming a new decade yet, that's next year, but its still a day to celebrate him. He even took the day off from work to kick back and relax.

My dad is the oldest, he has a brother who lives in MD. He is a babyboomer. There is so much to share about him, its hard to pick a spot and go. So, lets start from what I remember as the beginning.

My dad was in the airforce. He got to travel to exotic places and help out his country. That's how he met my mom. Good thing, huh?

He was a fireman in MD. We lived a few houses down from the firehouse. I don't remember him actually running down to the station, but I have heard the stories. He loves to talk about those days and you can see it in his eyes that he really enjoyed helping other people. Even to this day, he checks out the website for the firehouse and tells me all about what is happening in our old town of Beltsville. I think he missed the action, so he is now a certified EMT and on our towns disaster squad for any emergencies or events (like the semi annual air show in our town).

He was a telephone man in MD and is still in that field. We work on the same campus (even in the same building) and I get to see my dad everyday. Who gets to do that and enjoy it? I am told by a co-worker that she is jealous that I get to see my dad everyday and she doesn't. Well, I am blessed. When I am come into work, we usually chat for a few minutes or he stops by my office to occupy the "cumfy chair" for a little bit.

I am really lucky that we are close and able to talk about many things. He also helps me out alot at work too, you know, when my phone doesn't work. I know who to call and get immediate assistance. Its always nice to have an "in".

Dad & Grandpa

I could go on and on about my dad, but I don't want to take up your day. I just want to thank him for being such a great father, teacher and a listener. I am proud to call him dad and a friend. He has taught me so many things about life and values, he may not even realize. So, happy birthday dad and I can't wait to dig into that cake on Saturday!

6 Word Meme

My fav' SIL had this on her blog and I stole it from her (I'm sure she dosent' mind) and its to create a 6 words meme. You are suppost to link it to other blogs, but I don't know how to do that, so if you want to do one, feel free to use the rules listed below-

The Rules:
1) Write your own six word memoir;
2) Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like;
3) Link to the person that tagged you in your post, and to the original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere;
4) Tag at least five more blogs with links; and
5) Don’t forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!

All right, here we go:

Its baby making time, I think.

Ok, ok, its not something filled with wit or something magnificent, but its what's going on in my life right now, trying to time things so we can get preggers again!

100 Things About Me!

Thanks to Amy, who posted this a few days ago, it got me thinking about myself. So, lets see if I can fill 100 slots, talking about myself. I know this is going to take some time, so I have to put my thinking cap on! Here we go.......

1. I was born on June 23, 1979 in Silver Spring, MD
2. My parents names are Charlie and Lee
3. I'm an only child
4. My family moved to Springfield, MA when I was 6 years old from Beltsville, MD
5. Then my family moved to Holyoke, MA half way through my first grade
6. My first pets were a dog named Tasha, a cat named Morris and another cat named Tabitha (my parents already had them as pets when I was born)
7. My second dog was named Rowdy
8. I want a puppy
9. I was on the YMCA swim team when I was in 8th grade
10. I played Basketball & Softball all 4 years of HS
11. I played Football my Sophomore - Senior year in HS
12. I was the first girl to play Football at my High School
13. I have a Superbowl Jacket and Ring from when my HS Football team went and won
14. I played a year of Softball on the college level before the college cut it because of budget
15. I owned a motorcycle, Ninja 250 (it was yellow and purple)
16. I'm afraid of needles
17. I was beat up when I was 12 years old for being in the wrong place at the wrong time
18. I will have chronic back pain for the rest of my life
19. I am in pain everyday, but I don't let that slow me down
20. I play volleyball at a rec center every week during the winter months
21. I like bike riding during the warmer months
22. I am a Redskins fan since birth
23. I don't follow college sports
24. I wanted to go to college to be an athletic trainer
25. I haven't graduated from college
26. I have almost 70 credits sitting at Mount Holyoke Colleges registrars office
27. I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane (I sky dived)
28. I love chocolate
29. I am addicted to celebrity gossip
30. I can't wait to be a mom
31. My favorite color is purple
32. I went to Disney in FL for the first time when I was 21 years old
33. My favorite princess is Snow White
34. I dressed up as Snow White for Halloween when I was an adult
35. I still like Winnie the Pooh
36. I love to travel
37. I win a lot of radio contests
38. I love taking pictures
39. I've been the to Bahama's twice
40. I want to travel to each state in America
41. I've never been to Canada
42. I have a passport with one stamp in it
43. I like to solve problems (not math problems though)
44. I suck at math
45. I don't like beer
46. I love white wine
47. Pino Gregio is my favorite type of wine
48. I'm still trying to find my favorite maker of pino gregio wine
49. I have written letters to my grandpa in MD for the last 12 years
50. My grandpa is one of my BFF's
51. My parents are my hero's
52. I am always cold
53. I love to eat raw vegetables
54. I love to read (books, magazines & newspapers)
55. I sometimes don't understand my husband
56. I live with my husband, father-in-law and my husbands sister
57. I can't stand living with my husbands sister, she is self centered
58. I want to open a Bed & Breakfast some day
59. I wish I had time to bake more
60. I love seafood
61. I like steak too
62. I just discovered salt & vinegar chips, yummy
63. I would rather be outdoors during the warm months
64. I don't like Air Conditioning
65. I want to go back to Hawaii
66. I miss my Grandma Dorothy
67. I get migraine headaches
68. I wish I was taller
69. I like going apple picking in the Fall
70. I went for the first time apple picking with my step-son
71. I was afraid my step-son wouldn't except me into his fathers life
72. I used to have my belly-button pierced
73. I've had grey hair since I was 18 years old
74. Sometimes wish I had a sibiling
75. I love to read novels
76. I adore my niece
77. I want to exercise more
78. I wish I made more money
79. I am always early
80. I love to take pictures
81. I always need a new purse
82. I have a Tiffany's bracelet
83. My husband gave me all of my jewelry
84. I want to own my own home
85. I love to spend my money on other people
86. My pet peeve is people chewing on their gum loudly
87. I hate to shave my legs
88. I wish I could speak my mind at all times
89. I like my alone time (when I do get to be alone)
90. I like to watch movies (either on DVD or in the theater)
91. I hate April Fools day
92. I don't know much about make-up; I only where eye liner, mascara and lip gloss
93. I try to only buy things that are on sale
94. Christmas is my favorite holiday
95. I still enjoy my birthday
96. I have a huge extended family
97. I am going to be a god-mother this month
98. I believe in a higher power
99. I love to play bingo
100. I have deja-voo often

Phew, made-it through! That was harder then I thought!

Our March Visit

We have returned! We had a great visit with my step-son, Z, except for one itty, bitty thing.....my husband, J, and I came down with a pain in the ass sinus cold. Oh, how it sucked! Our cold came on quick and hard, so we felt miserable from Thursday afternoon and still feeling a little run down today. I didn't know how we would get through our weekend trying to be "normal", but we had to do it.

After we arrived in VA and Z was dropped off at our hotel, I found out he made a list of things for us to do. Great! Since all of my ideas would have involved traveling a little ways away or in loud locations, so my thoughts were what ever he thought of would be perfect and it was.

Z's list of things for us to do was-

• in morning have breakfast in lobby
  
• scott and ellies (ice cream parlor)
• brookside (par 3 golf course)
• driving range
• pizza den
• thunder valley (mini-golf)

So, there you have it. That was our list we had to complete and by golly, we did everything on that list. Including a few other things too. We went bowling, went to the park and shopping too. But it was very low key, but a great visit. Our next visit with him is in June over Fathers day weekend in MD. Its going to be a long couple of months not being able to see him!