Notes from a Tunaphile

We went to see Hot Tuna last night at the Keswick for their annual visit.  It's always fun to see what version of Hot Tuna will show up. (We forgot the camera last night so the pictures aren't from this concert)

Years ago it was just Jack and Jorma and a primarily accoustic show.  Since Barry Mitterhoff joined them around 2004 (or so), it's been Jack, Jorma and Barry. The shows have been largely 2 part - an acoustic set with the traditional blues that Hot Tuna loves and does so well and then a hotter, harder electric set.

This year the acoustic set was gone and it was all electric all night.  The band this year expanded to include Skoota Warner on drums and the fabulous G.E. Smith (from Saturday night live fame) on guitar.

I was never a huge fan of G. E. Smith - until last night.  Jorma Kaukonen is the consomate technician, but Mr. Smith added the soul to this concert - for sure.  He's another one of those guitarists that seems to have a direct connection from his heart to his fingers - the music flows sweet and pure.  (He teaches his distinctive style at Jorma's Fur Peace Ranch.)

It wouldn't be fair to say that G. E. Smith added ALL of the soul, though.  Jack Casady was his usual amazing self on that big, gold Epiphone bass and it was a treat to watch Skoota Warner add the rhythm and funk - and a great deal of visual entertainment!  Mr. Warner was obviously having a drum-o-rific time last night.  I think he must be the "smilingest" drummer I've ever seen. 

And then there's the ever-so-talented Barry Mitterhoff with his cast of mini-instruments.  The man can play anything - any style.  It's fun to watch Barry groove (in his white mesh sneakers with the blue metallic flair down the side) on instruments I can't even describe.

Jack and Jorma originally wanted to be known as "Hot Shit" but the record producer prevailed and their name became the less controversial "Hot Tuna".  If those of us who love and follow Hot Tuna are known as Tunaphiles, I hate to even think of what we'd have been if the first name had stuck.  Or... maybe it's obvious.  :)

This one was one to remember for all time. 

The Blindside

Oh yeah! FIVE - 5 - CINCO - 5 - CINQ - 5 - FÜNF - GO's! 

I can't imagine anyone but Sandra Bullock playing the part of Leigh Anne Tuohy.  FANTASTIC!  Kathy Bates was terrific as Miss Sue.  (but then I've always loved Kathy Bates)  Tim McGraw was okay... kind of blah... but okay as Sean Tuohy.  Quinton Aaron was a wonderful Michael Oher - a true gentle giant.  But the scene stealer was Jae Head as S.J. Tuohy!  I don't think they could have found anyone cuter.  It was just a great cast!

The story of Michael Oher is an amazing story - and stories with a happy ending are always the best ones for me.

Thanks to Richard, I read the book, which I think, made the movie even better.

I would recommend this one to everyone - men, women, kids - EVERYONE. 

Go!

In fact GO GO GO GO GO!

TODAY!

I may never eat again!

Breakfast was fun yesterday and there was certainly more than enough to eat.  We had:
Pancakes
Scrambled Eggs
Bacon
Sausage
Toast
English Muffins
Fruit Salad
Cranberry Nut Ring
Apple Cider
Orange Juice
Grapefruit Juice

I was SO full!   We went to Richard & Julie's for dinner.  I told Michael on the way over that I didn't know if I could eat a thing. I was still full from breakfast.  BUT, of course everything smelled wonderful and so I had a little turkey - a ltitle ham - had to have some mashed potatoes - then there was corn - and dinner rolls - and finally caramel apple pie for dessert.  TOO full!  But it was sooooooo good!

My father and  brother went to Richard & Julie's for dinner.  Jimmy LOVED Julie's green bean casserole.  I don't think that Jimmy gets many home-cooked meals and this one was fantastic!   He really seemed to enjoy it! 

Julie's Thanksgiving table was beautiful.  She even had butter shaped like a turkey. 

Kate was wound up and ran laps through the livingroom, dining room, kitchen and hallway.  I think she must have run a half mile.  Those little legs just kept pumping and pumping and every time she ran through the living room she was laughing.  Several times I thought she was headed for a diningroom table crash, but she managed to maneuver around it every time.  She looked adorable in her Thanksgiving shirt/dress that matched Julie's.  Richard didn't have one, but he looked good, too.  ;)

From Richard & Julie's, we went to Greg & Amy's to visit.  Greg made apple cobbler, so of COURSE we had to have some (with a little vanilla ice cream).

Greg & Amy's house is always full of family - lots of kids.  We didn't get there in time to see Amy's table, but it always looks wonderful. 

Greg invited us back for leftover dinner tonight, but I don't know if I'll eat anything today.  I'm still full from yesterday!  So much good food!  (and even better company)

The food is great, but the best part of Thanksgiving for me, is family.

One more year of memories - one more year to share in the lives of my children - one more year to be grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm grateful for so many things this year, but today I'm most grateful for my family - those who are here and those who are not (Chelsea).

Life has its problems and challenges, but through it all, I know that we have a faithful and loving God who has His hand on all of us.  Even when it doesn't feel like He's there - He's there. 

"He will cover you with his feathers,
 and under his wings you will find refuge;
 His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."
 ~ Psalm 91:4 ~

Father God, please keep my family safe under your wings.  Let them feel your love and know that you are their refuge.        In Your name - Amen

Tappin' it up

Although I'm not a fan of Mexican food, I am a fan of Kate's so when Richard and Julie invited me to go to dinner with them (or have a coke if nothing looked edible to me) at El Tapatio, I was in!
Our server was Oscar - obviously a favorite and another "Kate fan". 

"Hola, Kate" (Oscar ALMOST smiled)  "What would you like?"

When Kate looked up at Oscar to order, she and Oscar were strictly business.  Julie, Richard and I were grinning. I mean, really! How cool is it to watch a 2 year old order dinner at a Mexican restaurant?

"I'd like a quesadilla and rice, please. And apple juice."   (She knows her stuff.)

Oscar fed back "por favor" and the spanish for Apple Juice (manzana jugo?) to Kate.  I thought it was great that Oscar was trying to help expand Kate's Spanish vocabulary.  He obviously thinks her Spanish is as cute as we do.  :)

Kate was "throwing down" her quesadilla and looking across the table at Richard's dinner. He smiled in expectation.

Daddy, could I have some of your enchiwada?"   (Just close enough to enchilada to make me smile, big time.)

Daddy of course complied willingly.  As a matter of fact, I think he counts on sharing.  I'm not so sure he'd think it was as cute if anyone else wanted some of his enchiwada, but Kate can have just about anything she wants.  The man is putty!

ANYWAY... I had a great time!  I even found a salad that I liked.  The company was the draw, though.  I'm in any time Kate wants to "Tap it up".

Color me tired! (but happy)

Gregory, Alex and Matthew didn't have school this week and I took a couple of vacation days, sooooooo the kids came to visit me for the day today.

They beat me at "Go Fish".  They beat me at "War".  I guess as they get older, there will be more and more ways they can beat me.  :)

Remember the commercial that said.. "Give to Mikey. He'll eat anything."?   Well, today Matthew was Mikey.  We had donuts for breakfast.  When Alex and Gregory were full, they each gave Matthew the last half of the donuts they were eating.   No one asked Matthew.  It was just assumed that Matthew would eat the donuts - and Matthew DID! 

We went to lunch at Mazzella's for pizza.  Matthew and Alex each ate a half of a pizza.  Michael and Gregory and I split the other one.  Alex was in the mood for sausage on his pizza for a change, so we got a pizza with sausage on it.  Sausage and onions are my favorite toppings, so I was more than happy to comply.

Michael and I took the kids home at about 4:30 (I think).   They wanted us to see them play Rock Band with the Beatles.  It was sooooooo cool!   When they started, Gregory played guitar, Alex played drums and Matthew played bass.  I was amazed!  They were REALLY good!   Alex was extraordinary on the drums - playing on "hard" - scoring 95% - 99%.   Gregory did a super job on the guitar, too. Matthew was terrific on the bass.  He wanted to play guitar next, but I have to say - he moves like a bass player.

Gregory and Alex quit and Greg played guitar while Matthew played drums.  It was great to be able to watch them play.  Fun!

We had a terrific day!  Or at least, I did.  I'll sleep well tonight for sure!!

Amelia

Went to see "Amelia" today.  Hillary Swank was perfect!!!  I don't think there could possibly be a better Amelia!  Richard Gere was wonderful, too! 
Amelia Earhart had always been a sentence before (or maybe two).  I really didn't know much about her life - why she flew - what she was like.  So, this movie was not just entertainment.  It was also history.  An easy way to learn.  :)

The time flew.  When the movie was over, I had to look at my watch to check the time.  I couldn't believe it was over already.

My only complaint was the ending.  I know!  I know!  But, I hoped that this time it might end differently.  Maybe they'd have enough gas.  Maybe they'd find that island.  But nooooooooooo!

If it ended differently, I'd have given it 5 Go's!  I would have!  (Please!  It's a movie!!!!)

Quotes * October, 2009

October, 2009

"Forget what we're told
 Before we get too old
 Show me a garden
 That's bursting into life"
~Snow Patrol~ "Chasing Cars"

"The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. "
~Bryant Gumbel ~

"I was going to conquer the world,
 but got distracted by something sparkly..."
~ Kim Miles ~ (lampwork bead artist)

Thank you, Aunt Ginny!

Aunt Ginny died yesterday.  She was 83 on October 2nd.  She was the last living sibling of my mother - and always my favorite.

Ginny's persona was larger than life.  My kids remember vacations at Ginny's with Muz - swimming at the Summit - rowing Ginny in a rowboat - Coke and a Milky Way for breakfast. 

I remember the black patent leather tap shoes with the grossgrain bows that she sent me when I was at college. I wore them everywhere.  They made a great clackety-clack noise on the hardwood floors in those old buildings.  People either thought I was nuts or they wanted a pair. 

Trips to Gabes for bargains for Rich and the kids.  I bought Rich a grey wool pinstripe suit at Gabes for $35.  It fit him like it was custom made for him.  (My best bargain)

On the other side of the spectrum were the sweatpants with 3 legs.  Okay... so you had to be careful, but the deals were great! (NOT my best bargain!)

Scott remembers going to Ginny's and locking the keys in the car.  Ginny called AAA and had them unlock the door, but not before telling Scott to NOT say anything about whose car it was.

Ginny told me stories this past year - about my mother - about my grandfather.  Turns out he was not a drunk.  He was a gambler and gambled his family's life away.  I'm not sure if that was better or worse, but it's always nice to know the truth. 

Ginny told me that my mother adored her father (in spite of telling me that she hated him) and that she was without question - his favorite.

The last time I visited Ginny, I realized where I got my love of boxes, water color paintings, crystal candlesticks - and much more. She made an even bigger impact on my life than I had known before.

Ginny lived her life in service to her community and to God.  She knew where she was going after this life.  I know we'll meet again.

We'll miss you, Ginny - and we'll be gratefull for the part of you that lives in all of us. 

Invention of Lying

This movie made my day - maybe my week - or possibly my month.  Michael and I laughed out loud.

What a concept!  As Richard said, though - not only did everyone tell the truth.  They said it with zero tact.  Blunt truth - no sugar coating - nothing held back.  Was part of the deal that they couldn't hold anything back?  Pretty funny!  I think that if we lived that way, we'd kill each other by the end of the first week.  Or we'd live in a land of deeeeeep depression.  OR, we'd develop VERY thick skins! 

I though Ricky Gervais was hysterical!  There is a scene in a bar that is one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time. I laughed so hard, I thought I might fall out of my seat.  (okay... not quite, but I don't have to follow the rules in the movie)

You HAVE to go see this one!  REALLY!  GO!!!!

Happy Birthday, Crystal!

Happy birthday to Crystal! 

Crystal has brought me SO much joy since I've known her.  My only complaint about Crystal is that I don't get to see her nearly enough.  :)

Every time I have a manicure I think of Crystal.  My parents tried everything known to man to get me to quit biting my fingernails - nasty tasting stuff - socks on my hands - my dad even bought me a  manicure set with all kinds of buffers and filers that you had to plug in.  Nothing worked. 

But when Scott and Crystal got married, Crystal asked me to get "something done" with my fingernails for her wedding.  I had no idea what to do but she explained acrylics and that whole process to me and lo and behold, I had fingernails for Scott and Crystal's wedding.  And I loved them!   So now my fingernails are not long, but I have some - and they're pink today (thanks to Crystal).

Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday dear Crystalllllll!
Happy birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuu!

The Informant

Okay... so it wasn't "the best" but it WAS Matt Damon and I really liked it. I think I'd give it 3 Go's.  It was a little slow in parts (Michael fell asleep - shhhhh) but it was funny.  Matt Damon was great, I thought!   Would I watch it again?  (I watch the movies I like - over and over again) No... I don't think I would.  And maybe you can wait for this to come out in DVD, but why wait?  It's good - really!

Happy Birthday, Bryce!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, dear Bryce!
Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuu!

Bryce is 4 years old today!!! 

Happy Birthday, Bryce

Bryce's Birthday Party

No pictures,  BUT it was a GREAT party! 
Bryce wanted to "party like a rock star" and so... he did! 

The party was outside, for the most part.  Scott made a dance floor - under a canopy - complete with disco ball and electronic lights that flashed with the music. 

The party didn't really get started until the sun went down.  Scott had the music all choreographed - pre-dark music and after-dark music.  He did a FANTASTIC job!  Bryce started dancing when Scott first turned on the music and didn't stop (except to open presents) until the last note played. 

The later it got, the more kids danced.  They had SUCH a terrific time.  Scott & Crystal did their usual super-great job of putting on a party. 


What an incredible idea!  Way to go, Bryce!

Happy Birthday, Matthew!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, dear Matthew!
Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuu!

Matthew is 5 years old today!!! Watching Matthew is like watching Greg all over again. They are SO much alike! Matthew is a perpetual motion machine. He never stops.

Greg and Amy had the whole gang at their house for a cookout and cake and ice cream! It was a great day to sit out on the deck and watch all of the kids in the yard.

Matthew got lots of presents and was the perfect birthday host! He and Bryce had a great time playing with the new wrestling ring (and wrestlers). They both speak "wrestling" (which, personally, I don't get but then I AM old) - announcing wrestlers and matches like the pros. I guess it was cowboys and horses back in MY day. *sigh* Sounds like about a hundred years ago. It was almost that long ago.

That's the birthday boy in the middle!

What could be better than a wrestling ring???

He's growing up so fast - starting his first day of kindergarten in a few days. Gregory is going to junior high - Alex is back at Forwood - and Matthew starts kindergarten at Forwood. Greg and Amy's gang are all going to be in school this year. Life changes before your eyes!

More of our crew...

Bubble Girls!

Kate and her water bottles

I love this picture of Kate and Michael!

Bryce is the next one to have a birthday!

Scott and Bryce

Kate, Bryce, Alex and Mia's feet

Julie, Scott & Richard - around the table

Greg - taking a short break

Who is the man behind the tin foil?

You could take a vacation in this treehouse!

Matthew is going to have another birthday party next week with his friends from pre-school. If I can get some pictures, I'll put them up next week.

Till then...

Happy Birthday, Matthew!!!

Oh Atlanta ~ I hear you calling

Traveling to Atlanta to take Chelsea for Mission Year - I kept hearing the song "Atlanta" by Alison Krauss in my head, BUT was it in anyone's iPod? No! I have no idea how that happened, but it WILL be corrected!



ANYWAY... Chelsea is in Atlanta.


We left Delaware around 6:00 Wednesday night, stopped in Henderson, NC around midnight and then got up the next morning and arrived in Atlanta in time for a quick tour before we took Chelsea to meet her Mission Year group at 4:30.

While Chelsea and her group had a meeting, Michael and I found a terrific pizza place about 10 minutes away.

At 7:00 it was time to take the kids to their house. We were anxious to see where she lived - who she would be living with - what kind of neighbors she would have.

They're in a neighborhood called East Point, outside of Atlanta, in a house that's in a trailer park. The trailer park is mostly hispanic, so I'm sure Chelsea's Spanish will greatly improve this year! :)

The house was originally a disaster - floors caving in, etc. Chelsea's Mission Year group is affiliated with another group, sponsored by 88 Baptist churches. That group came in to prepare the house before the kids arrived.

They scrubbed and cleaned, replaced and repaired and with the help of the East Point community, the house was finally ready!

The kids arrived and filled the tiny living room with their luggage, and musical instruments - 3 guitars, a ukulele, and a keyboard (I think that's it). Oh and a harmonica (or 2) and a rhythm egg (can't forget the rhythm egg).


There are 2 bedrooms in the house. The 4 girls will sleep on bunkbeads (which they all had to build upon arrival) in one bedroom and the boys will sleep in the other bedroom.


Then off to find the kitchen. I'm sure they will all be able to make a meal out of almost nothing by the time their year is over.


And finally out on the porch to take a picture of the whole group before we left.

God bless Chelsea!Chelsea, Kim, Rachel, Joseph, Kelly and Andrew

I'm sure this will be a life-changing experience for Chelsea (and her new friends). We're so impressed with her courage - her heart - her faith. I know I've said that before, but being in East Point, looking at the challenge in front of them, the sacrifices they'll be making - knowing how busy they will be - how little time they'll have for themselves - we are in awe of their willingness and enthusiasm to live a year of service. Our thoughts and prayers will be with them daily.

After, saying good-by to Chelsea, we were on the road again - leaving a little after 8:00 pm - back to Delaware.

Chelsea's "Going Away" Dinner - Part 2

FIRST of all... I don't know if I said where Chelsea is going. Did I?

If I didn't... Chelsea is going to Atlanta for a year to work with Mission Year.

From their website:

• "Mission Year is a year long urban ministry program focused on Christian service and discipleship. We take teams of people, place them in an area of need, and help them to serve people and create community. We are committed to the command of Jesus to “love God and love people,” by placing the needs of our neighbors first and developing committed disciples of Christ with a heart for the poor."

I'm impressed with Chelsea's courage - her heart - her faith.
So... that's why we're having "going away" dinners - so that Chelsea can see all of her friends before she leaves for Atlanta.
Friday was fun! More of Chelsea's friends (and some repeats) - dinner at 6:30(ish) - meatballs, chips, soda, cake, ice cream - casual - fun.
After dinner - back to the livingroom with the guitars out. Ashley came for dinner and brought her mandolin...

And where you find Barak (yes, I spelled it right. The President obviously spells his name incorrectly) you will almost certainly find a guitar.


Stephanie played Chelsea's guitar while Chelsea accompanied on the ukulele. At least that's what it looks like here. In reality there was more "denial of talent" on Stef's part than there was playing, but as you can see, they had a good time.


We think Stephanie has more talent than she claims. I mean, after all... a "Ramone's" t-shirt? If that isn't inspiration well... let's just say it... um... IS inspiration. Rock on, Stephanie!


So... are we going to do this all over again when Chelsea comes home???
Sure! Why not?!?!?! :-)

Chelsea's "going away" dinner - Part 1

The plan for Thursday did NOT work out as expected. It turned out MUCH better than planned!

The plan was - Dinner for Chelsea on Friday - 5:15 (or so) - meatball sandwiches - easy. So... on Wednesday, Chelsea contacted her friends to come on Friday and I texted Richard and asked if he and Julie and Kate could come for dinner "tomorrow night". He replied... "sure". (or something similar)

On Thursday, Chelsea called home and asked if she could bring home some friends for dinner. The "Thursday plan" was hamburgers, baked beans, chips - pretty casual. We were glad to have Chelsea's friends, so of course we said "Yes!"

In the meantime, one of the breakers in the electric box went off and we couldn't get it back on. On that breaker was:
- one of the outlets in the den
- the pantry light in the kitchen
- one outlet in the computer room
- two outlets in the diningroom
- the diningroom light
- the garage door opener (we found out later)

I called Richard for the name of the electrician who's Greg's neighbor. During the conversation, he asked what I was doing and I told him that I was making meatballs for tomorrow night. "Tomrrow night????" he asked. "You texted me yesterday (Wednesday and said ... tomorrow" - which was now, today. I checked my text messages, thinking he must be confused. He was NOT confused. I invited them for Thursday instead of Friday.

I told Richard that Michael was running up and down the basement stairs - unplugging something and then going to the basement to see if the breaker would reset - then coming back up and doing it again and again. I told him that if we weren't in such a mess, I'd tell them to just come. But the electric was out - Chelsea was bringing home 3 or 4 people for dinner and I was a little unstrung. He said he had to hang up quickly and call Julie. She was probably on her way. We hung up and I texted Richard and Julie apologizing. I felt awful.

As soon as I sent that text, I was sorry. Why not have everyone? It's summer - not too dark at 5:30 - 6:00 and besides, if there's one thing we have, it's candles! A little electricity confusion was not going to stop us.

We had PLENTY of ground beef (I was making meatballs, after all)sooooo I called Richard back and asked him if they could come. He said he'd try to reach Julie AGAIN. Poor Julie. "Come - don't come - come" What a mess! Confusion DID reign - but only briefly!

Julie and Richard (and Kate) were great sports and agreed to come.


Chelsea's friends came home with her. It was fun night!


Kate was great, as usual - always busy - playing with her "baby" (the first doll baby I EVER bought in my life, by the way)...


Or some of the other toys...


I bought the cutest hat for Kate from a lady at the Farmer's Market who makes hats. The hat had to be big because of Kate's hair. She has such thick, curly, curly hair! The hats for kids her age are just too small.


I'm glad that Richard, Julie and Kate got to come and say "good-bye" to Chelsea before she leaves for Atlanta. She enjoys them so much - and the feeling is mutual.

Richard and Julie and Kate left at about 7:00 - bath night for Kate.


Chelsea's friends stayed later, laughing and talking in the livingroom. A good night, for Chelsea, I think (I hope).

The evening brought back lots of memories for me - from when Richard, Greg, and Scott were in high school - the house always full of kids - the refrigerator stocked and ready - lots of laughter - lots of noise - fun times.

Life is SO good!

The Time Traveler's Wife

Did you read the book? The movie is SOOOO close to the book! I was expecting to be disappointed (strange point of view for an optimist, I know), but the movie was F*A*N*T*A*S*T*I*C ! Definitely 5 Go's!

Chelsea and Michael and I went last night. Chelsea and I both read the book - Michael did not - and I think we all enjoyed it equally. There were things in the book that didn't make it to the movie that Chelsea and I would have liked to see in the movie.

We thought some things could have been more clear - like the age differences in Henry were pretty subtle, for the most part. We would have liked more library stuff in the beginning - that kind of thing, but I know they did have a time limit. If the movie had been 2 1/2 hours long, I'd be complaining about THAT! Anyway.. I don't want to say too much and ruin it for anyone. Just go.

In the end, we laughed - we cried, just like we were supposed to. I mean, isn't that the eventual movie litmus test? So good! Sooooo good!

Rachel McAdams (Chelsea's favorite actress) and Eric Bana were beyond terrific. (I'd love to be just half as nice as Claire was) It was easy to just... be there - to forget we were watching a movie.

Go see it!

(And don't forget your tissues!)

Julie & Julia (The Movie)

5 Go's for this one!!!!

Michael and I saw "Julie and Julia" on Tuesday. We loved it!!! Meryl Streep definitely deserves an award of some kind! She was F*A*N*T*A*S*T*I*C!!!

And how cool is it that it was a blogger (on Blogspot, no less) who wrote one of the books that was the basis for the movie (Julia Child wrote the other one)! BLOGGERS rule!

We laughed out loud, it was so funny! After watching this movie, I wish I could have known Julia Child. She appeared to be an incredibly bright and pleasant person.

I have a mental dinner list of people that I find interesting and would love to spend a couple of hours with - as if they'd come - or as if I cook. I added Julie Child to my list on Tuesday. I know she died in 2004, but since she wouldn't come anyway, what the heck! She's on the list. Can't come - won't come - same end result. It's all just details!

Sooooo go see it! NOW!

How to Rate a Movie

Let's begin with the premise that I really have NO discernment when it comes to movies. I like them all - some more than others, but it's rare that I don't find some redeeming quality in even the worst movie.

Sooooo for me to rate movies, it's just a matter of degrees of "GO!"

1. 5 Go's is the best! Get there! Quick! No excuses!
2. A 4 Go movie is really good! You can wait 'til next week, but no longer!
3. 3 Go's means that I really liked it - probably more than you will.
4. 2 Go's will give you a pleasant escapist afternoon. Beyond that - no promises.
5. 1 Go means that there were probably 2 of us in the theater, and the other person was sleeping. It can wait. (unless you're bored today - then go)
6. The dreaded Pfffffft! You won't see these very often. A Pfffffft! movie takes time and money that you'll never get back. Buy a book and sit in book store and read if you want to get "away". Don't waste your time on this one.

Clear? All right, then! Now we're on the same page!

Michael is 18????? Please!!

Not everyone gets TWO birthdays a year. Personally, that would not be a treat for me! One is pllllllllenty! BUT... Michael has been clean and sober for 18 years today! Truly a day to celebrate - well worth having a second birthday! You go, Michael!

Happy 18th Birthday to Michael!

Dinner and a goat

Note: That's dinner AND a goat - not dinner WITH a goat. (Just clarifying)

Dinner last night with Richard and Kate at Red Robin. I got the best hug EVER from Kate. She was content to just stay on my lap and let me hold her. Color me melted! So sweet! I wasn't sure she was going to get off of my lap to eat - which would have been fine for me, too! I would have held her as long as she would have let me.

By the time we left, she was out of the huggy mood. I was lucky to get a quick squeeze on her way to the car. She was semi-obsessed with carrying her booster seat to the car BY HERSELF, so she was a little distracted. She had to give up the booster seat to give me a hug, so she was more than a little distracted. Tenacious... that's it. That's Kate.

Julie stayed for a little while, but she was meeting friends for dinner, so she had to leave before our dinner came. I'm glad for the time that Julie has with her friends, but we do miss her when she's not there.

Julie and her parents went to the Brandywine Zoo (here in Wilmington) last Friday and Julie had the cutest picture of Kate "chillin' with a goat" as Julie titled the picture.


I mean... really... c'mon! Cute or what????

Life IS good!

Brave Little Boy

Poor little Matthew is in a cast. He fell down the stairs at home - from the living room to the family room. The house is a split-level, so there weren't a lot of stairs, but he landed on his wrist and elbow and he knew right away that something was very wrong.

Greg and Amy took him to A.I. duPont Hospital for Children (we are so fortunate to live so close to such a wonderful hospital) where they x-rayed him and put him a cast.


Quite a trauma for a little boy. (Matthew will be 5 this month and starts kindergarten in September.) Greg and Amy said that Matthew was a real trooper - soooo brave.


They took good care of him - hooked him up to an IV for pain meds, which could be traumatic, in itself if you were just 5. He looks so calm - sad, but calm. (Matthew has the most beautiful, expressive eyes.)

Home at last, resting in the recliner.

Michael and I met Amy, Greg, Gregory, Alex, and Matthew for dinner last night at Grotto's. This has been a tough couple of days for poor Matthew. He was so tired that he fell asleep in Amy's amrs before his dinner came.


Amy looked tired, too. I don't think there's anything worse than seeing your child hurt - no matter how young or old that child may be.

Matthew goes back to A.I. this week and they'll look again at x-rays and decide where to go from here. Depending on what they find, he could be in a half-cast for his wrist, or a whole cast from his wrist to his armpit. I'm praying that a half-cast will do it (or no cast, of course).

All prayers gratefully appreciated.