Power - or Lack Thereof

At 11:45 p.m. last night the power went out (again) at my house. This time it was due to some terrific winds, I'm sure. I woke up just as the power went out - possibly because it was also thundering and lightening at the time. The house was all closed up because the temp had been up to 97 yesterday and I had the a/c on when I went to bed. Of course that went off when the power went out.

I got up, took a stroll around the living room and kitchen, watched as some police cars went by the house and then went around and opened all the windows. The temperature had dropped at least 20 degrees and there was a lovely breeze. I thought I'd log on and see what was happening but ~ duh ~ realized that even wireless won't work if the router doesn't have power!

I finally fell back asleep and woke up around 6:30. I had found a D battery for my clock radio and could listen to that. I still had no power; therefore, no coffee, no hot shower, no blow dryer, and most of all ~ no car to go to work. If I lose power, the garage door won't open and since I cannot get into the garage EXCEPT through the main car door, I'm screwed. So, I called work (using my 1980s vintage rotary trim-line phone), said I'd be late and went about doing what I could without electricity.

I folded clothes, knitted, sorted a dresser drawer, knitted, started sorting knitting needles, and knitted. I called the electric company and they had a recording that the outage affected 5 towns and they expected the power to be back on around 10:00 a.m. At 10:05 I began to hear click, click, hmmmmmmm, click. The hamsters had been fed and the power was surging again. The first thing I did was open the garage door - just in case the power went out again. At least then I could get the car out and go to work. After resetting all the clocks and making sure that everything that was supposed to have power and be working was, I took my shower and got ready to go to work.

I got in about 11:15 - only after stopping to get a Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla Iced Coffee.

This is the 5th time in about 2 weeks that I've lost power at the house. Don't know what caused the others, but this one was a doozy! I was hoping it wouldn't last too, too long; I didn't want to lose the food in the fridge. On the one hand I was hoping it didn't stay off too long so I wouldn't lose the food; on the other hand, I was getting a lot of piddly stuff done around the house and was on a roll. Oh well.

But, all seems well; the power is back on ~ at least it was when I left the house about 3 hours ago; and everything seems to be working fine.

KYHD!

Shennie

Start the Car

It's back ~ the IKEA commercial. Donut ~ I know you're moonlighting in that commercial. I have seen it at least a dozen time and I laugh each time. It is you!

For those of you who haven't seen it, go to:

http://tvads.wordpress.com/2007/12/31/ikea-start-the-car/

Shennie

Care Package to the Troops, Part II

Check out this url:

http://www.telegram.com/article/200 80527/NEWS/873165981/1101

KYHD

Love,
A.S.

There and Back Again... A Soldier's Tale

Well, the re-enlistment went well and got to see some cool piece of history, as well as hang out on a FOB that doesnt require me to carry my weapon around everywhere (lucky punks). But it was nice. Got to hang out with one of our HUMINT (human intelligence) translators for the day and play some table tennis, some pool, wanted to play darts. And got a major tease from the MWR personnel cuz the FOB we were at is run by State Department personnel, so State Department personnel are allowed to consume alcohol while deployed. So that sucked seeing all that alcohol and couldnt have a sip. Its like that old sailor saying. Water Everywhere but not a Drop to Drink. One question I have is who ordered the CH-47 model industrial strength blowdryer... Talk about some heat. For those wondering, a CH-47 is the nomenclature for a Chinook. and standing behind one with engines on is like having a 20' tall blowdryer blowing on your entire body (this plus the fact that it was still like 96 degrees at 2215.) So it kind of sucked. Had to stand there because they screwed up which flight it was. Was originally announced as Marne Express. But then they were like oh crap, its the AMR flight. But they had room to allow everyone to get on. So then they had to have everyone stand there with the chinook exhaust blowing on us while they read off the manifest roster. And once on, we lifted off only to do a roundabout to pick up yet another contractor. Was funny to see the rear crew-chief hop off and simulate a running motion to the contractor (course the flight scheduler thought he meant her, but when she started approaching, he waved her off, pointed at the contractor and again simulated the running gesture. Once all that was said and done, we were on our way back. It took all of like 10 minutes to get back and once there we downloaded off the chinook, signed back into the FOB, and went to our Battalion to sign back in there. Once that was done, we had a moment to relax and look at some of the pics from the day. Was funny to see the height difference between my old Platoon Leader/XO and myself. It was like A.S. and myself. But I left Battalion and headed straight to my room, downloaded all my gear, cleared off my bed and crashed for the rest of the night. But it was a nice trip, but it was good to be back in my bed.

Oh, I did get both the Autographed pictures and the Care Package. The pics were great, and that care package. Some of the food I still might be eating towards the end of the deployment...

Happy Birthday and Farewell Katie (and Chelsey)

Happy Birthday a couple of days early to Katie and Farewell to Chelsey and Katie. Katie will be 21 on Monday (boy, my kids are getting OLD!)and Chelsey leaves for Colorado tomorrow, with Katie close on her heels(hopefully by the end of the week!) Katie is staying around here hoping for her tax refund and stimulus check, neither of which has arrived yet. She needs the money for he trip, so we are hoping "the check is in the mail."

The pool is just about ready....I think we will be able to swim this afternoon. All the numbers, pH, chlorine, etc are all good, but the water is still a little cloudy. They just opened it Thursday afternoon so it is looking very good for 48 hours out, but with the rain last night, the water is not as clear as I like it for guests so we will let them decide if they want to swim.

For her birthday meal, Katie requested Chicken Parmesan, pesto, coleslaw, & greek salad. For dessert we are having angel food cake with fresh strawberries and/or cheesecake.

Sure wish you were here, Bud...Hope your trip back from Baghdad was uneventful.
Thanks again for your service to your country. We think of you and pray for you and your buddies everyday. Everyone from the office sends their best to you along with their thoughts and prayers.

Stay safe and keep in touch.

Love you & KYHD!
the mom

I, David, do solemnly swear...

Thats right people. I have formally and ceremonially re-enlisted in the United States Army. Six more years (5 once i get state-side again). The Re-enlistment ceremony went well. Flew out this morning on a Blackhawk and got to sit in the down-wash seat (trust me, its the 'best seat' to have...lol... if you like rotor downwash (rush of air kicked down from the spinning of the rotary blades. Enough to make your uniform flap like crazy, and blow sunglasses right off your face if not careful. And good luck keeping your eyes open.

But going to the ruins of Babylon was quite the experience. It was the first (and probably last time, least for awhile) that i got to leave a military installation in a military convoy. weapons loaded, body armor, the works. But the area is very pro-america, (when Muqtada Al Sadr isnt ordering his militia to attack)... Got to see and be in the Palace of Nebe-chad-nezzer , as well as the Palace of Hammurabi. (Even got to see the holy palm tree that Saddam took one bite from the fruit). It was certainly warm, even at 1030 in the morning, especially when wearing IBA( Body armor), Kevlar (Helmet), and carrying around a SAW (my weapon) loaded with a full 200-count drum of ammunition.

Now planning was definitely jacked up. First, everyone knew I was trying to get the Green Zone, but the Battalion and Brigade weren't keen on the idea. And then even with plenty of notice, they couldn't arrange for one of my best friends to make it out for my ceremony (though having my old Platoon Leader was nice. She definitely understands UAVs better than most senior Officers. Plus my Battalion Commander and best friend since Ft Stewart was there, so it was definitely worth the trip. Well, I am going to go lay down for a little bit before heading back home later tonight

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!

Happy Memorial Day to all those who have served and to those currently serving! We appreciate all you do. Also, many thanks to the families and friends of those who serve. Having been there and done that, I really understand and appreciate the sacrifices they make daily so that their loved ones can serve.

Last night I watched the Memorial Day Concert from Washington D.C.. I was proud to be able to cheer for 4 branches of the military as their songs were played: Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard. In the past when I have been asked if I came from a mlitary family, I said no because that usually means did someone in your family retire from the military. I will no longer answer no because I come from a long line of veterans, though none made it a career. I am proud of each and every one of my family who served and are currently serving and I know I am not alone when I say HOO-RAH!!

We have no big plans for today. It looks like it is going to be stormy most of the day...as it was yesterday and all last night.

So....to DA - many thanks for your service and your sacrifice. We love you and miss you. Same goes to all your battle buddies and their families.

Love you & KYHD!
the mom

Just a quick update....

I spoke with one of the gals this morning at church who is instrumental in the Packages for Troops campaign; her last count of boxes shipped out was just shy of 400 ~ but they still had a couple more to go.

We'll be meeting soon to plan the October event.

Happy Memorial Day to all our troops ~ past, present & future.

Good luck at your swearing in, Scoots! Bless you and your buddies.

Any packages arrive yet?

Love you and KYHD!

A.S.

Care Package to the Troops

DA,

Your package was put together with the ones that were finished on Saturday. I'm sure none of them were processed by the P.O. until Monday of this week (5/19/08). Would you please let me know when you get it and what you got? I didn't prepare it so I have no idea what was in it. The return address on it will say Lisa Braccio but I put Hi Scoots in the address part.

I'll find out on Sunday what the final count for packages was. When I left we had completed 284 boxes but there were still lots waiting to be taped, labeled and stamped.

Hope you're well. I went to the Red Sox/Kansas City game Monday night at Fenway and saw Jon Lester pitch his no-hitter!!!!!!! What a thrill.

Love you and KYHD,
Shennie

Armed Forces Weekend

I'll fill in more details tomorrow, but today was pack up day for Care Packages to the Troops. There's a gal here in town that's been doing this since 2004. Today there were 2 tents and dozens of workers sorting and packing and labeling and filling in customs forms. I did that. I'm on a quest to figure out a more efficient way to fill them in without getting writers' cramp! My knitsters and I completed 126 Pocket Prayer Shawls that will go to the troops for whom we have real names. Many of the packages go to folks on anysoldier.com; however, we have many names of people to whom someone locally has a connection - like you, Scoots. There's a package with your name on it. Please, please, if you know of anyone who doesn't get the mail, phone calls, attention that you do who could use a little encouragement, let me know. Don't be shy about it. You can email me.

The packages contain amazing things from Twizzlers to crossword books to shaving cream to letters from local 4th graders. Please let me know when you get yours. It will say that it's from Lisa Braccio but down under your address I wrote, "Hi, Scoots!".

The Blue Star Mothers are going to do a mailing in July. I'll be working on that as well.

I was going to come home and contact some of the TV stations in Boston but 2 things stopped me: 1) my computer couldn't talk to the Internet; and 2) Teddy Kennedy was taken to the hospital so EVERY station within a 100 mile radius is camped out at Mass General Hospital. Gee, I didn't get that much attention when I was admitted to MGH!!!!!!

As you can see my computer is working again after 1 long call to Verizon and a long call to India (aka Dell). We finally did a restore as a last resort. THAT worked.

Well, attitude adjustment hour is 11 minutes old so I'll close now and go back to working on more Pocket Prayer Shawls and laundry. I lead such an exciting life!!! Aren't you jealous?

So, from all of us here in Southborough, MA, to all of you over there for us

THANK YOU!

Love,
Shennie

Happy Armed Forces Day!

My heartfelt THANKS to ALL our brave men and women serving our country today and always!

Sue

What is this bright light??

Hey - Just wanted to let you guys know there is a big investigation going on in southwest IL to determine the origin of this very bright yellow light in the sky! Some "Ancients" say it is the sun, but is has been so long since it shined here, we just are not sure...will let you know as soon as I can what it is!!

Actually, it is the sun and it is sooooo good to see it again! I think we are actually supposed to have 4-5 days of sun! How awesome is that?

Hey bud...it was great to talk to you last night! You sounded good. I was a little surprised at the caller ID, but even more surprised when I answered and it was you! (he called using the military phone service so the caller ID said Scott AFB!)

I wish I had my pictures from Wednesday evening so I could post some. I will get my memory card from Jess this weekend and get some posted for you. Wednesday night was THE BEST! Gov. Huckabee and LeVar were personable, friendly, receptive, and great speakers. We have received several phone calls and emails from people who attended saying that it was the best forum of this kind they had ever been to. How about the timing??? ABC News and Yahoo have information on Vit D and breast cancer within 48 hours of the forum?? Also, channel 5 in St Louis did a health piece on Vit D and breast cancer research last night. This could not have been timed more perfectly. I just wish we could take the credit for the timing!! God does work in mysterious ways!

Well...going to have breakfast with the dad so ttfn.

Stay safe and KYHD!

Love you lots,
the mom

PPS

First of all ~ Happy Mother's Day to the Mom and Happy Mother-to-Be Day to the Big Sis!

Keep your eyes out, Scoots, for several things. My friend, Carol, in Ct ~ and old, old friend from Silver Lake, has added your name and address to a cookie brigade. So, if you get some cookies some day ~ not from Illinois, you'll know where they've come from. Next, while working on the PPS's (Pocket Prayer Shawls) up here in Massachusetts and with all the emails flying back and forth, I got an email from the woman who is President of the Blue Star Mothers here in Massachusetts. She was writing to thank me for my efforts. She was even interviewed by one of the reporters from one of the TV stations in Boston and it supposed to air this morning for Mother's Day. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to tape a program. I asked her if I could be a Blue Star Aunt and she's making me an associate member of the Blue Star Mothers. How awesome!

Anyway, I've had all my knitsters plying their needles and yarn and, thus far, we have well over 100 PPS's made. We dedicated them this morning at church. We've got them in all colors and shapes and (small) sizes. Most have a cross sewn on them but several have a Star of David. Each is in its own little baggie with a card stating where and why it was made and that it was dedicated in our church. I gave one to a family whose son is in the USAF stationed in Pensacola. Another one went to a mom and dad whose daughter is being commissioned in the USA Corp of Engineers at the end of the month. After the service I had 2 people come up to me and each ask for one because they have someone in their family who is in the service as well. AND, I have one just for you that I will mail later on this week. It's small, it's personal and meant to either be carried in a pocket or put somewhere close. It's meant to let you know that you are thought about a lot and loved even more.

We're still collecting them; next weekend there will be an all out packing effort to send Care Packages to our Troops overseas. I don't think we'll have enough to put one in each package that we send, but we'll be able to send quite a few. I don't even know where the packages are sent, except that the woman who does this each year has been doing it for quite a while.

{Just an aside ~ I'm still getting used to 21st C technology. I've got the golf match on (yes, I'm Grandpa's daughter) and I was fussing that I should have waited to start this message until after the match was over cuz I was sitting at my desk in the dining room. Then, DUH, I've got a laptop and wireless! So, now I'm sitting in the living room with the laptop on my lap (how novel) and I've got the golf match on the TV.}

Back to the PPS's ~ The Blue Star Mothers will be doing a mailing in July and I've promised them as many as we can make, so ~ amongst all my other projects ~ I'll be making these for quite a while.

So, after a bunch of paragraphs and a lot of words and a promise here and there, suffice it to say that we love you, miss you and are praying for you and all your buddies.

Not much else exciting here in Massachusetts. Talking to the Mom so I'll close.

KYHD!

Love you ~

Shennie

Thank You!

To DA & Chelsey - Thank you so much for the beautiful flowers! They are gorgeous. They came while I was at work this morning, but our neighbor kept them safe and sound until I got home. What a nice surprise. As a mother and mother-in-law I am blessed with great kids who picked equally awesome husbands and wife!

Thank you again for everything!

Love you lots,
the mom

Re-Enlistment

Ok, so I managed to sign my soul over to the Army once, and that was ok. Now I've really done it. And voluntarily (NO GUN TO THE HEAD, new development eh? lol) So anywho, around the end of the month, I will be heading up North to be re-sworn into the United States Army for an additional 6 years... Wait!? Did I say 6? Damn, thats like more than a quarter of my life I will be giving (9 years in all. and thats almost a third. ) And I have 2 options, have my XO (executive officer: kind of like a vice commander) swear me in. Or have the AMC (The Mom and the Dad know what THAT IS) 4 Star swear me in. (and that would be at the Al Faw Palace (which i've been to before, but wouldnt mind revisiting especially since it would be on the exact day that i left for basic 3 years ago (damn, 3 years. Needs to wake up or something... That cant be right).

So, Chelsey (The Wife), when can ya post pics of the house (before we move in pics). I want to know what the house looks like:)

Well, anywho I am tired and hungry and want sleep then eat. So everyone have a great day!

Hey Bud! How's it goin'?

I just wanted to say hi! It's been a while and I have a few minutes while supper is heating up...just soup and sandwich tonite.

It sounds like Chelsey and Katie found a place in Colorado Springs, near Ft Carson I guess. Now they are on their way to Phoenix to pick up the kitties and then head back to IL. Then the fun of packing begins...I sure DO NOT miss those days! But Colorado Springs is beautiful and I look forward to visiting many times while you are stationed there. When Katie called yesterday she said she was looking @ Cheyenne Mountain. She was excited of course from seeing it on Stargate SG1 and Atlantis. You can see it from the highway if you know what you are looking for. She said they had also gone by the AF Academy and Pike's Peak. It will be fun to see all the sights and reconnect with several AF friends in that area.

We hope that you are well and keeping busy. We are looking forward to the May 14th Healthcare Forum. It should be an exciting and educational night.

Do you need anything? What would you like me to send your way? Just let me know and I will get a box or two out to you. I have Tuesdays off now so that is my shopping/errand day. There is a new WalMart in Belleville, across from SWIC, that I like going to now. I still will NOT go to the O'Fallon one. Just give me some ideas of what you need, want, could use, etc....

Stay safe and keep in touch.
Love you lots,
the mom

Height ~ Or Lack Thereof

I was going to post this on my blog, but figured that DA would get the biggest kick out of it. However, if I hear one snicker from any of you, I will punch you in the knees!

After church this morning, I went grocery shopping. I was just about done (not a huge list) and I decided to go find some of those disposable aluminum pans. Well, I finally found them ~ hanging ABOVE the top shelf in aisle 5!

Now, just to refresh your memory, I am only 5' tall - on a good day (unless you measure me when I first get up and them I'm over 6' ~ check with the Doc). I have trouble reaching the second box back on the top shelf in the grocery store.

So, where do they put some items - ABOVE the top shelf. When I stood on my tippy-tippy toes, I could touch the bottom of the pans in their rack. But, in order to get them out of the rack, you had to push them up about 3 inches over the lip. Not in my wildest dreams. Even if you goosed me, I couldn't have reached them! And, wouldn't you know it, as busy as the store was, there wasn't another soul in that same aisle. Oh well. Another sale lost.

Smarten up, Stop & Shop. Not everyone is Wilt "the Stilts" Chamberlain!

Shennie

Heads Up, DA

I enjoyed your last post - what I could understand. Like I said, you gotta start supplying subtitles!

Just to let you know I put a package in the snail mail the other day. It is not exciting or thrilling, but I was wandering thru Walmart the other day and thought you might be able to use these ~ especially with the "warmer" weather setting in.

Back to work. Well, sorta. It's almost time to go home so I need to clean up stuff and get ready to leave.

Hope you're doing well. I'd like to say "Stay cool!", but that would be a waste of typing time!

So, be well and KYHD!

Love you,

Shennie

Welcome, Chris Long

FYI - The Rams drafted Chris Long, as in the son of Howie Long! I have got to get to a Rams game this season. How cool would it be to see Howie Long in person. Mind you I was never a Raiders fan (in fact, I hated them - they played dirty, etc.), but every team has some awesome players and Howie long was one of them. In addition, he is a nice guy - articulate, funny, and gorgeous!! Even at his age!! I am soooooo excited. This is almost as good as getting to meet Gov Huckabee and LeVar Burton!!
I can hardly wait for football season to start!!

BTW - Jess, I will need every Sunday off starting in Sept and going through to the Superbowl!! jk...but it would be nice!!

Hugs and kisses & KYHD,
the Mom

Hey! Back at you!

Hey bud - good to hear from you. I knew you were OK 'cuz you had talked with Chelsey, but it is still good to hear from you on the blog or by phone.

We just finished lunch and the girls, Katie and Chelsey, have gone to Ace Hardware to pick up a new table and chairs for the new deck. They have been doin' stuff around the house, etc to earn money for the trip to Colorado. They were excited to do this 'cuz I let them take my car - the Santa Fe. I think that they will be able to fit the table and chairs in the back with the back seats down...we'll see.

Sorry to hear about losing one of your "birds". Even better to hear that it was not "pilot error"!! Was it one of yours? as in one from Ft Stewart?? Congratulations on learning to be a Flight Commander. It is generally true that the higher up you go the more papers you get to push around!! Hopefully, you will still get to "fly". Will you??

We are starting to get excited about the Health Care Forum we are sponsoring on 14 May with Mike Huckabee and LeVar Burton. Dad talked with Gov Huckabee by phone for about 30 minutes last Wednesday afternoon. This coming Wednesday he'll chat with LeVar Burton. We'll take lots of pictures so be watching for them after the 14th.

Hope all is well and try to stay cool...Things are greening up here from all the rain we had this spring. The red bud trees are beautiful this year. All the flowering trees have been, really.

Again, it was great to hear from you! We love you lots...please keep in touch.
Thanks to you and all your buddies for the jobs you do. Safe travels to Baghdad for your re-enlistment ceremony.

Hugs and kisses & KYHD,
the Mom

hey everyone

I know a lot of you have been concerned since i havent been on lately or posting much. But be rest assured that i am doing ok. I havent been able to be on much mainly cuz of the switch from my 1200-0001 shift to 2100-0900. So adjusting to developing a new sleep pattern, when to eat and shower and whatnot. But anywho, things are going good. I was off flight status for a little bit as Chelsey and Jessica are aware of. But as of today I am back on flight status after 'investigators' determined that it was a software failure that led to a hardware malfunction that caused the UAV to make an "unscheduled" landing in a local Sheik's field. And let me tell ya, what a landing it was! Our unit and FSR (Civilian Field Service Representatives) both are very disappointed in the Warrant officer that led the investigation. He had no understand whatsoever in UAV operations/abilities/limitations or anything remotely close. He pretty much said that it was one of our guys' fault that it crashed even before hearing any of the evidence (in which case that individual filed a formal complaint against the WO for not being able to be an impartial/unbiased investigator. It was only through the hard work of our FSR, maintainers and working with the UAS commander that the true cause was found.

Other than that mishap, things have been going good at Launch/Recovery Site (LRS for now). I am being trained up as a mission commander there, which let me tell ya is much more involved that a Forward Site (F/S) MC. The LRS MC has much more paperwork and forms and spreadsheets to fill out and complete than most supply clerks. On top of that, he has to work with the different Brigade S2 ISR personnel (ISR: Information Surveillance Report) as well as Division G2 (Civilian contractor who works with G3 on scheduling flights and working to de-conflict AV frequencies.

I know some of you are wondering how the weather has been around here and there is only one way to put it: Warm. You are probably thinking that I am crazy for saying that 108 F is warm, but seeing as how that is what it will be at night when during the day its between 125 and 145 F, then ya its warm. (even cool with a 37 degree temp drop. But for now, I will continue to sweat and blame iraq and Allah and whoever I can for being in a place that no human being should reside in, more less fight a war. I will say it does suck when I wake up at 1700 for chow and its still over 100 F outside and when I go to work at 2030, its 95 F.

Well, its currently (0950) and its 97 F, and its supposed to hit 105 today, and 105 tomorrow (but tonight will be a nice cool 78 F). Well I need to go shower cuz I am sweaty and sticky and blah... I love you guys!

Ditto on the Mom's Sentiments...

Where in the world are you? Haven't heard much from that side of the globe lately.

Won't fill up this page ~ go to my blog and check out my notes from the past week. I've been on a rip! If I worked for National Geographic, I'd be raking in the dough.

Hope all is well. Spring has arrived in New England - had an ice cream cone (DQ) for lunch yesterday. It's not the Sundae School, but it'll do.

KYHD!

Love,

Shennie

Hello!

DA - Since we have not gotten a visit from 2 uniformed Army officers (one being a chaplain), I assume you are still alive! It sure would be nice to hear from you. Just a blog would be nice!!
We are all fine here. Chelsey is recovering nicely, though she is still sore. Katie has been helping her during her recovery. I went back to work this morning - I took Monday & Tuesday off to be with Chelsey, etc.(see chelseyanddavid.com for details). Jennie is well - past most of the morning sickness, but now the exhaustion has set in. Ben got my TV and DVR set up Sunday evening, so I have my own space now downstairs in the back room - computer, TV, DVR, VCR & DVD player, couch, & loveseat. It is great! Jess and Craig are working on finishing their basement with help, of course. How are you??????????????????????

I hear your shift has changed so that affects when you can get on line, call, etc.. but something in the form of communication would sure be nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guess that is about it for now. Must finish making dinner: spaghetti, meat sauce, bread and salad.(and wine....lots of wine!)

Love you lots & KYHD,
the mom

Quake and Wake!

That's what we did @ 04:36 today! It was really something. I was already awake and heard the quake before actually feeling it. At first noise, I thought the cats were fighting...they can sound like 2 horses runnng through the house. I quickly realized it was not them and thought perhaps a train was passing through. When the "quaking" began I realized it was not a train. The whole house shook for about 10-15 seconds (it seemed much longer!), then it subsided. The whole scenario from start to end was about 45 seconds. Just as we were all starting to feel comfortable, it happened again. At 10:15, the practice started to rock and roll! It was quite a powerful aftershock. It is the wierdest feeling to have a house or large building shake all around you!! Luckily there was very minimal damage in the area. The first report of damage was from Louisville...no worries, though, Rick and Jan slept right through it!
A section of Kingshighway in St Louis was closed for a few hours for inspection but it has since reopened. There have been some reports of crack in basements, but so far nothing major. We are very lucky...see Jess & Chelsey's blogs for details of magnitude, etc....
So, bud - how ya doin? I saw you briefly on camera while you were chatting with Chelsey earlier this week, but you guys quit before I could say HI! She said that your shift has changed. I wondered why you had not been online much when I would check. Hope you are well and hangin' in there. It would be nice to talk to you either on the phone or online!

Take care of yourself and keep in touch.
Love you lots & KYHD!!
Mom

Springtime In New England

What a beautiful day it is today. Wish I were working outside or just outside in the sun. As I was driving around campus today to go get some lunch, all the coeds were lying in the sun and all the boys were running off the road staring at them!

We deserve this weather. It's been a long time coming. It's not that we had such a miserable winter here in Massachusetts. We had some snow and some cold weather, but nothing out of the ordinary; after all, it is New England. Granted, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine got hammered in some places. Some had almost 100" of snow. It just seems like it's been dragging on and on. We'd get a warm day and then it would get cold and rainy for several days. Time for some warmth and sun.

We are finally seeing some buds on the trees and some are even beginning to blossom. I did stop over at some friends' house yesterday and their side door garden was abloom with daffodils. What is that poem I learned in high school?

I wander'd lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Thank you, William Wordsworth!

Unfortunately they say that this warm weather is not going to last very long, altho' I think I did hear that the rain and miserable stuff that we were supposed to get on Monday may not happen. That would be good. The Boston Marathon is Monday and that kind of weather can surely ruin a good run! Not that I would know anything about that. It's also the day for Phil's memorial service. It would be nice if we had some sun for that.

But, a three day weekend is always great. Personally, I think the work week should be Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday, and Thursday morning. Then from Thursday afternoon to the following Tuesday at noon would be the weekend! How does that sound?

Monday is also Sheila's 65th birthday. Her email is winterwoman1@optonline.net. Wish the old lady a happy birthday, folks.

Not much other news from here. Glad the earthquake wasn't all that bad. But, I'm sure it got everyone's attention.

Hope all is well for you, Scoots. Is it starting to get REALLY warm over there? Time for another care package ~ any special requests?

Love you and KYHD!

Shennie

Earthquake

So did anyone else wake up at 4:35 this morning to the trembling and shaking of an Illinois earthquake? I believe we're affected by the New Madrid fault, so anyone know if it was just our area, or the whole south-midwest area?

How's it goin'?

Hey bud - How's it going? You haven't been online in a while. At least not when I check late in the afternoon/early evening here.

We are all doing well. Ben and Jennie were here most of Sunday as Ben tried to get our internet to work. After several hours (and 3 calls to Charter), he decided that it had to be the cable modem. Charter was here bright and early Tues AM to replace it. So far...so good! On Sat Jennie and I went to the Maternity and Parenting Fair at Memorial Hosp. It was interesting and just the right amount of "stuff"....not overwhelming.

Rick and Jan were here visiting Jess and Craig so Jennie and I stopped by to say hi when we got back from Belleville. It was good to see them.

Today I got some used furniture for the second family room downstairs. At least that is what I am calling it for now. I have put a TV in there with the couch and love seat. That room will eventually be the "kiddie" playroom. For now, I will use it as a second family room and my computer room. At some point in the not too distant future I hope to have digital cable (hint, hint...Jess and Craig!), and a DVD/VHS player hooked up to the TV.

Today at the new Ace Hardware store here in town I found a patio set for the new deck. It is very similar to Jess and Craig's set that she got from Jan and Rick for her college graduation. It is just the right size since this deck is smaller than the back deck. Now I have to figure out how to get it home. I don't think it comes in boxes. It might fit in my car with the back seats down. I'll check tomorrow when I get off from work.

I guess that is about it for now. Shennie will be out here this weekend, if American Airlines is still flying! Yesterday and today they cancelled all their flights on their MD 80's....safety issues!

Hope all is well with you.

Love you lots and KYHD!!
the Mom

You're going to be an uncle...

I know that Chelsey already told you, but I wanted to say it too! So, I'm seven weeks along (today) and my due date is Nov. 18.

So far things are going well, although, like Mom said I'm getting nausea most mornings. And I'm breaking out. It's like I'm freaking 16. Not cool. But I guess having a little one to have and to hold in a few months makes it all worth it.

Anyway, go check my blog to keep up on how the baby is coming along (I've posted a neat little ticker to keep track of little "Cruiser"). If you want, I can post it here, too, but it's up to you.

Love ya! KYHD!

Thought of you!

DA - I thought of you yesterday morning when KEZK played Abbott & Costello's "Who's On First" dialogue. Yesterday was opening day for the St Louis Cardinals and this radio station plays it each year on opening day. I remember how you liked the Three Stooges, Abbott & Costello, and Red Skelton. Even though I have heard that dialogue many, many times, it still cracks me up. Unfortunately, the game was rained out so they are playing tonight. I think we are going to have to start building an ark here if we get much more rain. The ground is saturated and we are about 6" above normal for rainfall already this year. EVERYTHING is greening up. Forsythia and daffodils are out and we will probably have to mow the lawn this weekend IF it doesn't rain.

Hope all is well with you. I have really enjoyed chatting online and getting to see you with the web cams. I know that is "old" stuff to you, but I am still working my way into the 21st century for technology!

Dad's nurse is having a girl. They found out last night when they had an ultrasound done. She is very excited since they already have 2 boys. She is due in August, so we'll keep you posted.

Jennie seems to be fine when I talk with her. I guess she is having some nausea in the mornings so saltines have become a staple in her diet. She has her first appt with OB/GYN on 15 April when she will be about 9 weeks. We'll also keep you posted on her progress. Ben is scoping out video cameras, but we still have some time before we need one.

That's about it for now. Talk to you soon.
Love you lots and KYHD!!

the Mom

Website

Well, David and I jumped on the bandwagon and have decided we want our own webpage too. So, voila. www.chelseyanddavid.com. It took me HOURS to figure this thing out, but I made progress and am using the same software that Jessie uses (because I adore her blog). So check it out and link to us and hopefully we'll keep in touch with people ever more.

Friday Night Was Fun Too!

When I got home there were two calls from the mom asking me to call cuz they were logged on and chatting with DA. I'm pretty good with a computer, but I was trying to get Yahoo Messenger set up in fast forward, I felt like I was all thumbs! Luckily I had Donut on the phone helping me. My biggest problem was the sensitivity of the keypad mouse. I kept accidentally moving everything to the background when I'd hit the mouse at the wrong time. Finally, I got everyone's webcam window, chat window and conference window all up in front. We had some good laughs and thanx for welcoming me to the 21st century, Scoots. Now, can you come here and help me with my iPod?

You look good - a little tired but I know it was the middle of the night for you.

Well, breakfast calls and so does a day full of projects and errands. I've got a mess to clean up in the garage. I had taken some garbage out the other day to get ready to go to the dump (excuse me, in Southboro we don't have a dump, we have a transfer station) but I forgot to close the garage door that night! Le's just say, the local vermin had a buffet! Tonight is the roast beef dinner at church ~ it's always a good time.

Great to "talk" to you last night; can't wait to do it again soon.

Love you and KYHD!
/Shennie

Wednesday night was the best!!

OK - so Wednesday evening I'm sitting in the family room watching the news and Chelsey calls me. She says that DA is online so I should get to my computer. (I've never chatted online before!) So I head upstairs to the kitchen, start up the laptop, sign in to Yahoo Messenger and then she walks me through getting onto my webcam and then VOILE' there is DA in Iraq at the internet cafe and I can see him and he can see me sitting in my kitchen thousands of miles apart! It was AWESOME. We chatted for about 15 minutes and then his time ran out, but he was able to get back on about 20 minutes later and we chatted for about an hour. While we were online, I called J&C and J&B. Neither of them had their webcams set up, but Jess got online and chatted with DA for a while. He even got to see the Dad and KL. I was SOOOOOO excited. My typing was horendous because I was trying to watch him and type at the same time...this from someone who cannot walk and chew gum at the same time!! He didn't seem to care, though.

Shennie - does your laptop have a webcam?? If so, I will let you know when we are chatting with DA next so you can get on. You need to have Yahoo messenger. I think he usually gets on about 5-6pm CDT. It is 0 dark early in Iraq, but it is when he has just gotten off work.

Technology is great - especially when you know how to use it! Thanks heavens for my kids and their techno savvy spouses!

Oh - he did say he should have internet in his room soon, like in the next week or so, so then WE will be able to contact him insted of having to wait for him to contact us.

Anyway - it was GREAT to see him and "talk" to him. I hope we can do it again soon.

Love you & KYHD,

the Mom

Happy Easter a Little Late!

I'm up bright and early today - it's opening day for the Red Sox! Of course, they're opening in Tokyo, Japan. They may be playing at a normal hour in Tokyo, but the first pitch was thrown out at 6:05 a.m. EDT. So, I decided to get up, throw in a load of laundry, do a little knitting, catch up on my blogging, and pay a couple bills - all in that order!

Easter was a nice day - though the weather was very chilly. At least the sun was out. I went to the early service at church (9:00 a.m.) so that I could get on the road to Conn. I had been invited to Cathy and Scott's for dinner. It was fun. The ride down wasn't bad and the directions were very easy. It was actually on the way to Silver Lake.

I was the first to arrive and was greeted by Scott and Norman - their long-haired dachshund. Bailey, their tailless cat, was in hiding somewhere - fine by me. Bruce arrived next bringing his world famous recipe - shrimp cocktail! Sheila, Dennis and Lisa finally showed up and the food began to appear from all corners. As usual, there was way too much food, but it was all good: ham, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green bean casserole, carrot puff, rolls, grilled asparagus, pickles, olives. This was after the shrimp and cheese and crackers. Then, Cathy had been up early and produced two bunny rabbit cakes - carrot cakes decorated with cream cheese frosting and coconut all on a bed of green coconut surrounded by small chocolate rabbits and jelly beans.

I left exactly at 4 and thought I'd be home before 6 - that was until I hit the Mass Pike at 84! It was all backed up. Why, you ask? Because there was an accident on the OTHER side of the road several miles up and everyone on my side had to slow down and check to see what was happening on the other side of the highway. Let's erect high barriers between sides of the road so this type of thing can't happen.

Anyway, we had a great time. Ate way too much.

More later on - it's a busy week. Tomorrow, Barbara Morgan is visiting my Challenger Center (JJ is very jealous), so we're busy getting ready for that. I'm busy knitting - working on a wedding present and then have to start on the first of MANY blankets for my great niece or nephew.

Hope you're staying safe. Is the weather warming up?

KYHD - Love you,
Shennie

What Everyone Needs to Read

Remember the book "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus"? Well, here's a prime example offered by an English professor at Southern Methodist University:

In-class Assignment for Wednesday:

Today we will experiment with a new form called the tandem story. The process is simple. Each person will pair off with the person sitting to his other immediate right. One of you will then write the first paragraph of a short story. The partner will read the first paragraph and then add another paragraph to the story. The first person will then add a third paragraph, and so on back and forth. Remember to re-read what has been written each time in order to keep the story coherent. The story is over when both agree a conclusion has been reached. The following was actually turned in by two of my English students, Rebecca [last name deleted] and Gary [last name deleted.] "

At first, Laurie couldn't decide which kind of tea she wanted. The chamomile, which used to be her favorite for lazy evenings at home, now reminded her too much of Carl, who once said, in happier times, that he liked chamomile. But she felt she must now, at all costs, keep her mind off Carl. His possessiveness was suffocating, and if she thought about him too much her asthma started acting up again. So chamomile was out of the question.

Meanwhile, Advance Sergeant Carl Harris, leader of the attack squadron now in orbit over Skylon 4, had more important things to think about than the neuroses of an air-headed asthmatic bimbo named Laurie with whom he had spent one sweaty night over a year ago. "A.S. Harris to Geostation 17," he said into his transgalactic communicator. "Polar orbit established. No sign of resistance so far..." But before he could sign off, a bluish particle beam flashed out of nowhere and blasted a hole through his ship's cargo bay. The jolt from the direct hit sent him flying out of his seat and across the cockpit.

He bumped his head and died almost immediately, but not before he felt one last pang of regret for psychically brutalizing the one woman who had ever had feelings for him. Soon afterwards, Earth stopped its pointless hostilities towards the peaceful farmers of Skylon 4. "Congress Passes Law Permanently Abolishing War and Space Travel," Laurie read in her newspaper one morning. The news simultaneously excited her and bored her. She stared out the window, dreaming of her youth -- when the days had passed unhurriedly and carefree with no newspapers to read, no television to distract her from her sense of innocent wonder at all the beautiful things around her. "Why must one lose one's innocence to become a woman?" she pondered wistfully.

Little did she know, but she had less than 10 seconds to live. Thousands of miles above the city, the Au'udrian mothership launched the first of its lithium fusion missiles. The dim-witted wimpy peaceniks who pushed the Unilateral Aerospace Disarmament Treaty through Congress had left Earth a defenseless target for the hostile alien empires who were determined to destroy the human race. Within two hours after the passage of the treaty the Anu'udrian ships were on course for Earth, carrying enough firepower to pulverize the entire planet. With no one to stop them, they swiftly initiated their diabolical plan. The lithium fusion missile entered the atmosphere unimpeded. The President, in his top-secret mobile submarine headquarters on the ocean floor off the coast of Guam, felt the inconceivably massive explosion which vaporized Laurie and 85 million other Americans. The President slammed his fist on the conference table. "We can't allow this! I'm going to veto that treaty! Let's blow'em out of the sky!"

This is absurd. I refuse to continue this mockery of literature. My writing partner is a violent, chauvinistic, semi-literate adolescent.

Yeah? Well, you're a self-centered tedious neurotic whose attempts at writing are the literary equivalent of Valium.

Asshole.

Bitch.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from southwest IL! Jess, Craig, Dad & I went to church this morning - 8:30 service. It was great! I really enjoyed going - unfortunately it had been a while.
On our way out from church we ran into Martha & Patrick with little Owen. It was my first time seeing him - what a cutie!! I can't believe he is 6 months old already!
Once we got home, I started in on dinner. We are having ham, homemade macaroni & cheese, sweet potato and apple casserole, coleslaw and squash with onion and tomato. For dessert we are having angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream. There will be 8+ for dinner so I am certain there will be leftovers. Not a problem for me! Leftovers means I don't have to cook for a couple of nights!!

Hope all is well with you. Any Easter decorations? Maybe something like they did at Christmas in the DFAC??

If you can, give us a call on the home phone so we can all talk to you!

Love you lots & KYHD!!

the Mom

Easter Sunday

DA - If the call center is open, how about calling us Sunday evening after 1900 hrs our time?? I know that is kind of late for you, but we will all be here for Easter dinner. J&B will be in St Louis for the afternoon, but are planning on arriving here about 1900.

It will be GREAT when you get internet in your CHU. Let us know ASAP when that happens.

Congratulations on passing your PT test. Good news is always welcome!!

All the work we had done on the house is almost complete. Just some odds and ends to finish up. The only "big" thing left is a light for the new deck. I decided that it would be good to be able to see when I am grilling out and since I grill all year a light would be nice in the fall and winter when it gets dark earlier.

Guess that's about it for now....it was good to hear from you!!

Love you lots...KYHD

the Mom

PT Test and Lifestyle

Hey everyone. I have some great news today

For one, River City has been officially lifted (though they have yet to re-open the Call Center. Two, I passed my PT test this morning with flying colors (61 Pushups, 62, 14:25 2-mile). I also have been smoke-free for 72 hours. And finally. I am just waiting to hear back from my retention counselor that I have been accepted to PCS to Ft Carson in April of 09. Oh, and I kind of qualified expert on my M249 Squad Automatic Weapon today. So, as you can see I've had a pretty busy and productive day today. I wish I could call with this info, but I guess this works just as well!

I got your Easter Package today, Shennie, though I do not know when I will enjoy it since I am trying to slim down and bulk up at the same time. (Right now I am 72.5" tall, and 176lbs. and at 26 yrs old, that puts me at a mere 6% body fat(with a 30 waist and 16" neck). But my workout is going well still and I hope people will notice when I see you guys again! Well time is about up here so better finish this off and finish deleting the 600+ emails left in my inbox!!!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is the second anniversary of the kidney transplant! It's hard to believe that it's been two years. I'm still in great condition and so is Aunt Sher, so it must have been a good decision, huh?

Glad to hear that you're doing well. I am SUPER happy that you are quitting smoking!! That's AWESOME!!!!!!! Good luck on your PT test. It would be fun to come and visit you guys out in Colorado. I loved Colorado when I went there 10 years ago to visit Matt and his family.

Keep up all the good work that you and your fellow soldiers are doing! Love you and KYHD!

My PT Test

Hey Dave, I, too, am training for a PT test.

Actually, I'm training for a 5K. I started last week by running 2 miles on Wed, 2 miles on Friday, and 4 miles on Sunday (2 miles in the morning and 2 in the afternoon). I trained yesterday and did another 1.5 miles.

I'm following a program called "couch to 5k" and in 9 weeks, I should be able to run 5k in 30 minutes.

We'll see!

It's great hearing from you via the blog! Keep up the good work! A friend of mine emailed me the other day asking how you were! We're all thinking about ya!

Love ya!

Package on the way!!

DA - I got a package mailed out to you today (Thursday), but I forgot to put the movie in it!! SORRY. However, Chelsey says that she has to send a box out to you...something about some boots.....I will give the movie to her to include in her box.

Well - the american justice system is alove and well in southwest IL. I completed my jury duty yesterday. Without going into detail - let's just say that it was no Perry Mason courtroom!! It was a serious trial and I do believe that justice was served. I hope that it is a while before I have to do it again. This one was not fun.

BTW - we got a new recliner/loveseat for the family room. We will still keep the individual recliners here, but the dad and I still enjoy sitting next to one another (even after 33 years of marriage and 4 kids!) to watch TV so we went out and bought a dual recliner. I also got some new valances for the living room, but I have to wait for my decorator's (Jessica's) OK to put them up!!

It was good to see your post. Keep up the good work in giving up smoking and training for your PT test! I know you can do it. Colorado Springs is beautiful....though a little farther away than Ft Campbell! We have lots of friends out there so be prepared for us to visit frequently!!

Love you lots...KYHD!

the Mom
P.S. Many thanks to you and all your buddies for a job well done and for servng your country!!

Alive

Hey everyone!

I guess it has been awhile since I last posted. But yes, I am still alive and still helping to catch the bad guys, one at a time. Things have been going good here. Things certainly have picked up, yet tapered off at the same time. Weird huh? Working out at the gym has had its ups and downs. I am in better shape than I ever have yet my run time suffered on my PT test.

I do have some good news though. The only thing stopping me at this point from getting Fort Carson, CO is my PT Test. Once I pass it entirely, I am eligible for re-enlistment for Carson! So I have been working hard on my run, and once I have been smoke-free for 2 weeks, I will retake the PT test, and get the damn thing over with!! Shennie, I have received your Valentines Day package, but havent received the Easter one yet. There was apparently a mail issue at the mail hub here in IRAQ, but it seems to have been worked out.

Anywho, its late and I am exhausted and have to get up in 8 hours for my 2-mile run. So I am outie but I will KMHD and try to be on more since I should be getting internet in my CHU soon...

~David

Sunday Morning, Part II

I just got home from church - Palm Sunday, you know. After almost getting our eyes poked out by over-enthusiastic kiddies waving palms, it was decided to send them off to Sunday School. I wish the weather would pretend that it's Easter ~ it's been cold and raw here this week. Even tho' they say it's been in the 40s, it's been raw.

I went to a craft fair with a friend yesterday ~ bought a couple things. One was a heart - painted in red, white, and blue ~ and Army green ~ that says "Proud of Our Army". It's now hanging in my kitchen window! Later we were looking for a place to have lunch and found a new restaurant in a new shopping center. It's called Ted's Montana Grill. Now, you may have them out in the midwest, but this is the first one in our area. It's sorta along the lines of a Ruby Tuesdays, Applebees, etc. but they specialize in steaks and hamburgers. Their steaks and/or hamburgers are either made of beef or bison. Hmmmmmmmm. Carol and I decided to share a hamburger platter and we got their C.O.B. ~ cheddar, onion and beef (or bison); we opted for the bison. It's a little different ~ a little "zippier". Not bad though. Probably an acquired taste. I can't say it was bad, but a little more tangier than beef. The one nice feature about the restaurant is that it is "green" ~ "tablecloths" are oil cloth covered with brown wrapping paper; cloth (reusable) napkins; cardboard/biodegradable straws; everything is made fresh on the premises; they have no microwaves (OH _ BTW - Do you have a microwave in your trailer?); none of the food comes frozen. It was quite interesting. The decor is simple. ...and they had the best pickles!!!!! ...you know - the kind that almost taste like a cucumber - with just a little zip to them. Oh - and a huge bison's head hanging over the bar!

Then I went to the grocery store there and got butter because I had to make a double batch of shortbread last night to take to a reception at church this afternoon. Everyone at church likes my shortbread and it is so easy to make. Maybe I can get some made to send to you. Do you like it?

I agree with the mom ~ how 'bout doing some posting on the blog? I'd love to hear what you're up to. Good luck on quitting smoking. It took me a long time and it finally came down to being unconscious for the first 4 days ~ after that, the cravings diminish!

Dishes to do and time to clean out the stuff at the back of the fridge! Then, off to church to help with the reception; the choir is doing a requiem. YUK! Too much work for such ugly and depressing results. I'll knit downstairs.

Have you received either of my packages? ..Valentine's? ...Easter?

KYHD and love you ~

/Shennie

Good Morning

Well, it is Sunday morning and I am sitting here having coffee, reading the paper, and just taking it easy until I have to get ready for work.

DA - I just wanted to let you know I got the SG movie you requested. I will get a package out to you sometime this week. I have jury duty, so I am not sure what my schedule will be, but I WILL get it out to you. This could be interesting....Ben also got summoned for jury duty.I have done it in the past; actually got to sit on a jury. I think that all citizens should have to participate in the process once. But twice.......???

It was nice to talk with you on Friday. Hope you are feeling better...not quite as sore. Good luck with your next PT test & quitting smoking!!

Guess that's about it for now....

How about some news from you on the blog?? Maybe a picture or two??

Love you lots and KYHD!!

the Mom

Lefty is Famous!

FYI: Lefty is famous. My donor story with Aunt Sher is being featured on Illinois' Donor Registry website. Go check it out: Donor Diary

Dave: Glad you're back safely! Sorry that it's been a while since I posted or sent anything, but I'll be better about it. I promise. KYHD and we love you!

Dinner's Ready!

It is 6:00 (1800 hours) and dinner is just about ready. The Shepherd's Pie is ready to go in the oven. The dressing is made for the coleslaw and the pan is ready for the crescent rolls. I'm having a glass of wine and waiting for all the guests to arrive. If they don't hurry, I may have to have another glass of wine!! Oh, the cake is baked and frosted: marble cake with rainbow chip frosting. Happy Birthday (a few days late),Chelsey. Wish DA could be here. We will be thinking of you, Bud.

Last night I watched a Extreme Makeover Home Edition. It was the one that first aired last Sunday just before Oprah's Big Give. Anyway, they built the dream house for a family from Virginia who's dad is in the Army National Guard and serving in Iraq. He is also a Civil War buff, so they also built him a special "home" for his Civil War memorabilia. The show was awesome! Needless to say I sat there with tears in my eyes the whole time! Luckily, I was home alone!!

Everyone just arrived! Talk to you later.

Love you & KYHD.

the Mom

Rain, rain, go away....

It is pouring here! We had rain overnight last night and then it tapered off this morning. When I left the house around 10:30 to run errands it wasn't doing anything ~ just cloudy. By 12:30 when I was going to Carol's house to pick her and Kathy up to go shopping it was starting to rain ~ not hard, but raining still. It had really started when I stopped to get gas. Then we started down 495 to go to the Wrentham Outlets and it was RAINING! By the time we got to the outlet it was pouring. A couple of times while we were in a store it POURED ~ you could hear it pounding it on the roof of the building. However, the place was still packed. The plaza is just that ~ a plaza ~ not an indoor mall so we did get a little wet going form building to building. But, at least I won't have to shovel this stuff tomorrow morning. I bought a few things - mostly stuff for the kitchen ~ but it was interesting. I had never been there though I passed it every time I went to see Grandma & Grandpa on the Cape. But I knew it was large and spread out and just couldn't bring myself to schlep around there ~ prior to my surgery. Even post surgery it was a chore. I'm going to have to go back a couple more times (at least) to get the full sense of the place. Donut would be in seventh heaven! We could drop her off on a Monday and go back on Friday and still get an argument from her about leaving.

On Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) they opened the stores at midnight to get a jump on things. I heard on the radio that they traffic was backed up onto route 495 at 3:00 a.m. waiting to get into this place that morning. Insanity!

Anyhoo, one of the errands I ran this morning was to deliver a package to the post office from the Easter Bunny! That should arrive about 10 days after the last one I sent.

Hope you're staying drier than we are.

Love you and KYHD!

Shennie

Package

Just checking to see if the package arrived yet. Not a lot new here in New England - just a lot of rain and they're saying more for tomorrow night. I'll be doing laps in my cellar!

Talked to the Kitten last night - it was fun. She was shopping with the wife. When they got back to the mom's house I got to say hi to the mom and the donor. They were on their way to a concert.

Well, I'm off this afternoon - YEA. Except that part of the time I'll be at the doc's - just a yearly check up. How exciting. Next week I have to go to Lahey for a checkup with the kidney doc. I just know he's counting the hours until I arrive!

Hope all is well across the pond. More later.

KYHD!

Shennie

Winter is back!

Well - surprise, the weatherman got it wrong again! We were supposed to get 5-8 inches of snow between last night and tonight. Got up this morning and it was still sleeting - NO SNOW. Then they were saying the snow would start between 8 & 9 am........still NO SNOW! Radio DJ says, "snow is coming".......noontime - still NO SNOW. Finally, around 1pm it starts. YEAH!! I guess we probably got about 5 inches max here, but south county (St Louis) and St Louis city got about 10 inches. It is great snow for snowman building and throwing snowballs!! I would love this everyday....some people think I'm crazy, but nice, clean white snow looks alot better than brown grass, brown trees, dirty brown snow, etc. Right?? I think it is supposed to be cold until early next week when they are predicting temps in the 50's. Enjoy the snow and cold while you can- before you know it you'll be wishing for much cooler temperatures!!

Looks like we will be having Chelsey's birthday dinner this Sat. She has already put in her cake order. I am waiting for her dinner order. For those not familiar with our birthday dinners, each year each of our 4 children got to pick what they wanted for dinner on their birthday and what kind of cake/dessert they wanted. I would make this and we would have a family dinner and open birthday gifts after that. It is one of our family "customs" now and one that brings us all together at least 7 time a year now with 3 spouses added to our family! This way everybody gets their own special day with dinner, dessert and gifts. Until her death in 2005, their Grandma C would always call and sing Happy Birthday to them also.

Maybe DA can call Sat while we are all together so we can all say Hi!!

Until then, stay safe, thank your buddies for serving their country from all of us, and KYHD!!

Lots of love,
the Mom

Spring for a day!!

Well - if you were not in Illinois yesterday, you missed our Spring!! Today it is cold and wet and they are predicting 5-8 inches of snow sometime between tonight and noon tomorrow. This morning it was just wet, but as I was leaving the office (about 3:00 ~ 1500hrs) it was turning to sleet. Tonight it is supposed to change to snow - go figure.

Not only this, but then I learn that Daylight Savings Time starts this weekend! YUK!! It is still winter!!!!! It's not even Easter yet!! They'll probably be putting the Christmas decorations out in the stores again next week!! Time sure flys when the government gets involved!!

BTW, DA - I recharged your calling card today...no problem. Not sure what happened yesterday when I tried to do it.

Hope Chelsey had a safe trip to and back from Colorado. I am hoping to have her and the rest of the fam over sometime this week for her birthday dinner. Will have to co-ordinate with all now that everyone is back from their travels.

Guess that's about it for now.

Stay safe and KYHD!!
Love you lots,
the Mom

Is it spring??

Today it is absolutely beautiful here! The sun has been shining and the temperature is close to 80! I have all the sliding glass doors open and there is a nice breeze blowing through the house. I love days like this when they are not expected! I love opening up the house when it has been closed up for sooooo long. Yesterday was nice but only in the 50's. I'm sure this weather will be short lived. It seems to me that I heard something about the high tomorrow being in the low 40's with freezing rain possible.

Katie and I have been running errands and keeping track of Jet and Cooper. We stopped by to check on them both today. We had Coop outside for about half an hour and he was loving it! I was tempted to let Jet out, but didn't!!

I am also trying to get caught up on laundry! I still have not completely unpacked from the cruise. I guess I will work on that on Tuesday - my day off from my other job!!

Well - J, B, J, C, K, B & L (b's friend) are back from their cruise. I'm sure they had a great time and did not want to get off the ship! I'm trying to get another cruise planned, but the dad is not co-operating! As you know - I will cruise anywhere or better yet...NOWHERE!, but he is much pickier and wants to go some pace we have never been. I guess I'll have to look at different cruise lines - maybe they go places we have not been to already.

I guess that's about it for now. Laundry is calling!!

Hope you are well, DA. I will be adding minutes to your calling card tomorrow. I tried to add some yesterday, but was unsuccessful.

Love you. Stay safe and KYHD!!

the Mom

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Package

Just a quick note before the phones start ringing and I get side tracked again today.

I stopped at the post office on my way to work yesterday morning after visiting my local vampire. There is another package on its way to you, DA. Think of it as a belated Valentine's Day treat. Any requests for the next one?

We got snow yesterday afternoon. HUGE, wet flakes. They didn't amount to much and it did rain a little afterwards, but the slush we had froze and even though the temp was 40 at my kitchen window this morning, the front stoop was a little slick. I salted it before I left, so hopefully it will melt and dry up before I get home tonight. I AM GETTING VERY TIRED OF THIS WEATHER. I want spring. One of the gals at the office brought in tulips yesterday - a definite harbinger of spring (or as they say here in Massachusetts, hahbingah of spring!)

Hope the gang is having a good time on their cruise. I talked to the mom the other night and she sounded tired. They were just relaxing.

How does it feel to be back with your unit?

Be well and KYHD. Watch for your new package.

Love you ~

Shennie

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Actually, I should be diligent about getting stuff done around here, but I'm taking it slow. I did do up a HUGE sink full of dishes and also tried a new brownie recipe. I'll let you know in my next post how they turned out. They've got maraschino cherries in them along with some of the juice.

I also hate this time between football season and baseball season - or vice versa. There's nothing good to watch on TV on Sunday afternoons. UCONN played yesterday and they didn't even cover that up here. Even the grapefruit league is better than NASCAR or skateboarding! Spare me. And, how many times can you watch Tiger win with out yawning? zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

The same Irish washer woman who stood up the mom also stood up the aunt, so I've got to go down and do a load. I also need to pick up a little - the cleaning woman is coming tomorrow. Maria is good, but I need to find some surfaces for her to clean!

I've also been pulling together the stuff to do my taxes - and grandpa's. I've started taking them to an accountant - life is way too short for me to figure them out.

Well, I shoveled 8" of snow from my front stoop and sidewalk yesterday morning. ENOUGH, ALREADY! Most of the snow was gone - just a couple of small mounds in parking lots and now it's everywhere again. It was a little slick on the stoop this morning. A lot of stuff melted yesterday but then froze overnight. They're saying more yuk Tuesday night into Wednesday. However, the storm may change to rain down here in southern New England - now that's a good thing.

Glad to hear that you're back safe and sound. I'll do my best to get to the post office this week to get a box off to you. I have a couple errands I need to do during my lunch hours, so I'll get there one day!

Be well and KYHD!

Glad you made it back safely!

DA - Good to hear from you safely back to Iraq and it was also good to talk with you Wed evening. You sounded tired, but then it was 0230 hours where you were calling from!!

Well - JJ, B, JS, C, B, & K made it safely to Ft Lauderdale yesterday. They flew out just in time. We woke up to 2-3 inches of snow this AM on top of the snow,sleet, & ice from Thursday and Friday! Have already heard from them that it is sunny and warm and a great day for sailing in FL!!

J&B's cat, Jet, has already hissed, meowed and rubbed up against my legs as if I were her best friend. All in the same day! She is soooooo messed up!! Matt has been taking care of Coop this weekend. On Tuesday he (Coop, not Matt!) gets to go to Doggie Day Camp!! Can you believe it?? He passed his "interview" with flying colors!! I guess he didn't pee on the interviewer's leg!!

Well - mounds of laundry await in the laundry room.....I guess the Irish washer woman couldn't make it out in this weather!



Love you and KYHD!!



the Mom

Safe

Hey everyone, just wanted to assure everyone that I made it back to my FOB safely (not exactly in a timely matter, but it was nice spending a few days in Baghdad). I must say that compared to my FOB, my little visit to baghdad makes me wish I was stationed there! They definitely have it made for the luxury style living. They have virtually every convenience at their disposal (and they know it too!!) So maybe if and when I deploy next I can get one of the camps located in Baghdad.

Anywho, I am hunger and havent anything to really all day except some of the Peanut Butter Blossoms that Chelsey sent me (YUM!!)

Safe Trip

Was surprised to see a Blog from you so soon. How long was your Layover in Germany? From Germany you go to where? No, I am not doing Typos; I found out from a Friend that in the German Language, all the Nouns are capitalized. Makes for some interesting typing. Back to normal...

It was great talking to you the other afternoon. I hope you made it to the Arch. How was the view once you got there? Better you than me. I get dizzy on a step stool.

You were right on Sunday - we had rain all day yesterday here in Massachusetts. Any more and I would have been able to do laps in my cellar. Speaking of cellar - I went down there Sunday to do a load of laundry after talking to you and on my way back to the stairs to come up, I spotted a dead mouse! EEEEKK! After fretting about it for a couple hours I decided that I was going to have to face dealing with it, so I mustered up my courage and grabbed the dustpan and brush. After I finished exchanging loads between the washer and dryer, I scooped the carcass into the dustpan and carried it to the bathroom window (it was the closest without a screen) and tossed it outside. As of yesterday it was still in the backyard; I was hoping some larger critter would find it a delectable midnight snack! Yet another reason I don't have a cat.

I'm back to work today - YUK! My next life I'm going to be born rich instead of beautiful. I did not want to come in this morning. It wasn't that I hated to get up (tho' that wasn't all that pleasant), but I just don't like work interrupting my life.

I hope the rest of your trip back to the base is safe and uneventful. Those are always the best kind. I'll try to get the care package I've been saving ready to be shipped by the weekend. It needs some rearranging and some padding. Think of it as a belated Valentine's Day present.

Vaya con Dios! KYHD!

Shennie

Germany

well who would have thunk that I would be back in germany on my way back to the sandbox huh? Oh and I am writing from a net cafe computer that has all kinds of weird keys so instead of a qwwerty keyboard, its a qwertzuiopü keyboard. lol. Some of the new kezs are and AltGr, a Strg key, the z and y key are reversedand its has öäµß€ keys...Weird huh?? anywho, I am going to get back to talking with Chelsey... Love zou guzs... (thats german for Love you guys... lol)

A Big Thank You

As most of you know, I recently returned from a 10-day cruise with the mom, the dad, and a friend. I had to fly to Miami to get on board the ship. A rather normal occurrence, wouldn't you say? Yes, except...

Several weeks ago, amongst all the emails that I have received, I opened and read one about gratitude to our soldiers. It shows folks in an airport making a very simple gesture to our uniformed friends that expresses our gratitude to them without creating a huge scene. It shows people placing their right hand over their heart and then pulling it away from their chest, palm up, until it is even with their waist. It is a simple, yet sincere, way of saying thank you. See http://www.gratitudecampaign.org

So, when I was in the Boston airport heading to my gate to catch a flight to Atlanta where I would change and fly on to Miami, I saw a fellow in complete desert camo getup heading my way. He was young and alone. I simply made the gratitude gesture with a smile. He nodded, smiled and went on his way.

It brought tears to my eyes. I silently wept tears as I walked to my departing gate. As it was, he was on my flight, yet we never made eye contact again. I am sure he was on his way to Ft. Stewart - where my nephew was stationed before being shipped to Iraq.

If I was able to make one soldier a little happier by a simple, quiet gesture, then it couldn't get any better. I just hope that someone will do the same thing for our soldier when he is alone in an airport.

Thank you, Scoots!

Shennie

SOON!!!!

Tracking Progress

Hey, Scoots,

How 'bout tracking your progress coming home - sorta like watching Santa make his way around the world?

Where are you now? How are your flights?

We missed you on Sunday but know that you were thinking about us and Grandma as much as we were thinking about you and Grandma.

Hope you make it home before the mom and dad leave for Florida. Just 2 days, 20 hours, and 29 minutes until we sail! ...but who's counting? BTW - in case you didn't realize it, I'm going with them. Is the Caribbean ready for this? ...the Carew sisters loose together!

Safe travels.

Love,

Shennie

Good news

Dave,

Just wanted you to know that Ben and I are now officially trying to get pregnant, so hopefully you'll be an uncle around the time that you come home.

I haven't sent anything since before Christmas, so I guess I should do that.... sorry. I'll try and send something out before February.

Love ya! KYHD

Jennie

Hey

Hey everyone, I know a few of you havent heard from me in awhile, but I am doing ok. Things are going good here (definitely had some interesting yet very vague things happen over the last couple weeks (vague meaning i know, but only a few were told so the rest cant know through here. lol)

I will say that I definitely miss getting mail on an almost daily basis. I still have yet to receive your package, Shennie. Hopefully it will get here soon. I know Chelsey mailed one out to me recently, and that Jennie & Ben might possibly have one as well.

This new workout schedule I am doing certainly is kicking my @$$, especially the biceps of death machine. But the hard work is starting to show through, slowly but surely.

Anywho I dont have much time but will try to be on more and eventually get my trip to iraq up through christmas posted.

18 and ZERO

See everyone in Arizona. But, I'll be on board ship - look for me at the sports bar!

Go teams!

Oh, who to root for today?

I'm going with New England and the Giants!

Hubs is finishing up getting ready and then we're hitting up the grocery store. This menu planning has worked out great for me. It's so nice to come home and not spend an hour deciding what we'll have for dinner and then realizing we don't have what we need to make whatever it was we decided on.

My house is getting and staying clean 15 minutes at a time. I set a timer and then walk around picking things up. When the timer goes off, thats it! I can't clean anymore. It's amazing what you can accomplish in 15 minutes! I reorganized the upstairs linen closet and started a load of laundry.

Usually Hubs does the laundry, but I was feeling generous today :)

After football, I'll be heading to the Home Depot and picking up paint. Rob is painting my parents kitchen, living room, dining room, entrance, and hallway tomorrow.

Then, when they head off for their cruise (in less than 2 weeks), I'll spend the week cleaning their house! And by clean, I mean really cleaning their house. They'll come home to new closets, a new storage room, and new living spaces :) I LOVE doing this stuff. And, I think my BFF, Martha, is going to help me too. She loves purging like I do.

David- haven't heard from you in a while. Hope things are going well. I still have a package sitting here that needs to get mailed. I'll try and get that out this week

Chelsey- haven't heard from you either. You're more than welcome to come over for dinner. Just pick a night that we're making something you'll like and let me know!

Time to root on the Patriots!

New England Patriots Fever, Part II

It's Sunday morning and I'm being lazy! I decided to pass on church this morning and, instead, did the Sunday crossword puzzle in the Boston Globe. Did pretty well. I've got a couple errands to run in a little while but will be back in time for the AFL playoff game between The New England Patriots and the San Diego Chargers. I'm glad I'm going to be watching it from the comfort of my warm house ~ they're predicting windchills of 0 degrees at Gillette Stadium this afternoon. There aren't enough gloves and socks and scarves and parkas for that temperature. Hopefully it will freeze the Chargers in their tracks. Even if it doesn't, we'll beat the pants off them. We'll be 18 and zero after today. DA - hope you folks get to watch the game - even if it is the middle of the night.

As far as the later game goes - I have no real preference. I guess maybe since Daddy was a Green Bay Packers fan I'd have to root for them. But, I'm getting a little sick of Brett Favre. Whatever, may the best team win!

I went to Ct. yesterday and we did our "Christmas". It was good to see Sheila and Dennis and Nick (oh, yeah, Keith was there too). Dennis looked good and said that he felt good. We went out for lunch and that was fun. You should've seen the sandwiches that Sheila and Nick had - chicken salad with walnuts and dried cranberries and chicken and other stuff. They were huge - they each took half home for supper last night. I was good and had baked Boston schrod (which is layman's terms means any white fish they happened to catch that day).

The new car did well on the highway and didn't use as much gas as the old one. But, HELLO, if I hadn't bought gas up here before I went to CT, I surely wouldn't have bought it down there. I would have pushed my car to the border before I paid those prices!

Well, time to get going. Breakfast is just about ready and them I'm off to run my errands. Scoots, hope all is well over there. You haven't posted lately - how 'bout a hello! Tell those buddies of yours that if they know what's good for them, they'll cheer for the Patriots! Extra rations if the Pats win today!

Love you and KYHD!

Shennie

Maybe some snow would have helped!!

OK - so the Giants won. That's OK. They'll get their a**es kicked in Green Bay next weekend. Now mind you, I don't mind the Giants UNLESS they beat the Cowboys!! Sorry - but Eli is no match for Brett so GOOD LUCK!!

Well - 18 days and counting until we sail!! I can HARDLY wait. This trip is going to be awesome and well deserved AND I will be coming home to a new kitchen and house. Jessica is hiring a dumpster while we are gone! Will there be anything left to come home to?? If not we will just move in with her the the hubs!! How about that for motivation??

DA - everyone at the office says Hello and stay safe!!

Hope Chelsey had a good first day of classes today!

Gotta run and finish dinner!!
Love ya, the Mom

More Snow!

Well, they predicted 7 - 12 inches and we got about 7 or 8 here in Southboro. Fortunately, they closed the college so I didn't have to go in. It's a good thing because the guy that plows my driveway didn't get here until about 3 p.m. and did a half-a**ed job. The kid made one pass with the plow and called it good. He left a good 4 feet in front of the garage door unplowed and unshoveled and didn't do the path to the stoop or the stoop. He better get back here before 7:30 tomorrow morning! The owner of the company lives down the street from me and I know his mom - she sits behind me in church every Sunday. She's very nice and so is her son - just not the most ambitious. The kids that work for him aren't gonna set any records either, but... I can't shovel that's for sure. If this happens on or about 1/30 - I'll be calling him every 5 minutes!

It's a VERY heavy, wet snow. It's beautiful but is doing some major damage to trees and electrical lines. I probably shouldn't write anything/say anything, but so far we've had no problems.

I spent a good part of the day transferring files from my old desktop to this laptop. I'm giving Lisa my desktop for her apartment so that she can at least come into the 20th century. You'll probably hear her scream all the way over in Iraq, DA, I put a Red Sox wallpaper on the desktop today. (She is an AVID NYY fan!) Now I just have to unassemble it and get it into my car. I'm going to Ct on Sat - hopefully someone will take it out of the car when I get down there. I have presents to wrap before then, too. I think I have all the presents. Lisa's having a good time with one of hers - I adopted a harbor seal at the New England Aquarium in her name. She's named him (tho' we have no idea whether it's a boy or a girl) Bruce Hayden Winters. Nick didn't get top billing, but he's willing to live with this order. Bruce thinks it's great. Sheila and Dennis now have a grand-dog, a grand-cat, and a grand-seal. Do you think some day they'll get a granddaughter or grandson?

Well, I've done some dishes and some sorting of paperwork for my taxes and Grandpa's. I hate doing taxes. Every year I vow to be organized and have everything together before New Year's Eve; hopefully this year I'll be able to do it. You can tell Grandma didn't pass that accounting/ organizing gene on to me!

Well, QVC just delivered some summer clothes for my cruise - summer shorts with 8" of snow on my doorstep. What's wrong with that picture?

Did you get the package I sent last week? It's all munchies - no beef jerky or twizzlers. Let me know if you have a craving for anything else?

Hope all is ok over there? Did you get to see "W" while he was visiting?

Love you and KYHD!

Love,
Shennie

The Mom and the Dallas Cowboys

Like I always said, one more proof that she was adopted!

At least we agree on Jessica Simpson and the Redskins!

GO NY! ...and it's NOT VERY OFTEN that you'll hear or see me say THAT!

Shennie

GO COWBOYS!!!!

Though raised in New England, I have ALWAYS been and will be a Dallas Cowboys fan!! So GO COWBOYS. This afternoon this raises a family issue - the dad is a NY Giants fan. Consequently, he will NOT be sitting next to me during the game as I tend to get very excited and scream and hit when the COWBOYS do well - which is usually every play!! BTW - Tony Romo can do much better than Jessica Simpson!! I hope the dumb blonde gets lost on her way to Texas Stadium!!

DA - Do you guys get to see any games over there?? I sure hope so!!

Love ya - enjoy the goodies heading your way!!

the Mom

New England Patriots Fever

Go PATS!!!!!

See my blog for more on this!

Spice Rack

Ok, I think many people have pointed out the fact that the Mom's pantry needed to be cleaned out because there were things in there that had been there as long as they'd been in the house. So she did, and it's wonderfully organized now. But since I seem to be on a roll with weird things, I had to tell everyone that when we were searching through the cabinets for vanilla extract last night we found an albeutural inhaler, prescribed to the Mom (she doesn't know why) from, brace yourselves, 1995. Time to clean out the cupboards too, methinks. Ok, well I thought that was amusing.

I Remembered!

Hooray ~ I remembered to go to the post office this morning and mail your package before I came to work. Unfortunately, they had a temp at the counter and she wasn't as nice about sending stuff overseas to the military as the other guy ~ he usually charges me about 1/2 price because it's going to a soldier. Oh well - you're worth the $8.95! Even tho' the customs forms says clothes and games it's really food - but I don't like to put that on the form.

Actually I made 2 stops on my way to work this morning. I wrote myself a BIG NOTE last night so that I'd remember to mail your package and to go to the Town Hall and fill out my absentee ballot for Tsunami Tuesday. I figure, if you don't vote then don't complain ~ and I want to be able to complain. (I know that's a huge surprise to everyone and completely out of character for me, but just in case.) So after filling out several different forms and signing my life away, I did cast my ballot in the February 5th presidential primary in Massachusetts. I'm not saying for whom ~ just that the doc wouldn't be happy!

So, DA, what are you up to? How's the weather?

Back to work - be well and KYHD!

Love,
Shennie

January 8, 1950

I would like to thank everyone for ordering such a great day for my birthday. The weather was beautiful. It got up to almost 60 here in Massachusetts. I even left a couple windows here at the house open when I left for work so that I could get some good fresh air into this place.

I just got a phone call from my best friend in high school. It was SO good to talk to Sally. Isn't it amazing? We haven't seen each other in years, yet we chatted like we had just had lunch together the other day. I have known Sally for 45 years - but neither of us is that old. We had a bet a couple years ago when the New England Patriots played the Philadelphia Eagles for the Super Bowl ~ guess who won!!!!!!!! She still owed me a buck!

I also got a call from my dear friends Phil and Elaine and then my niece, my donor, my god-daughter. Again, we can chat for hours. I so wish we lived closer.

I got email cards from Sunshine, Susie, Puff, and Ellen. I got phone calls from Kathy, Elaine, Lisa, Nick, and Susie - tho' Susie's call was to tell me that they have the cabin adjoining mine for the cruise. Good ~ they get free appetizers and a butler to serve them. I can deal with that! Better out of their budget than mine!

Hope all is well overseas, Scoots. I do have a package for you that I keep forgetting to mail - it's in the back seat of my car and I remember it only when I get home and look at it. Hopefully I can remember it tomorrow and take it to the post office.

Hope all is well where you are. Do you need warm items? Hats? Scarves? Mittens? whatever? I'm on a knitting frenzy. Did Chelsey tell you about her shawl?

Time to make supper. I'm treating myself to steak and salad for my dinner tonight. Medium rare ~ thank you.

Love you lots ~ KYHD!

Shennie

C Squared

Well I haven't written anything in a while. Everyone else usually covers anything I could contribute, and nothing else interesting is going on. Tonight was different, however. My friend Caroline and I went to see Enchanted, which was hysterical, and afterwards we went to Coldstone, because it was about 70 here today (yes, I'm rubbing it in all you out-of-townies) and we wanted ice cream to celebrate. We were sitting outside eating when we looked across the parking lot and saw a car with, "Your sexy," written on the back. Caroline and I both being nerds, we had to fix this obvious grammatical error. I hope they appreciate it.

Noise,noise, and more noise!!

The roofers are here and have been since 0730! I never knew people on the roof could be sooooo noisy! They could take a lesson from Santa!!

BTW, DA - we are having a new roof and siding put on the house. Also, a sliding glass door from the eating area in the kitchen to new deck on the east side of the house behind the garage. See what happens when you go away for a while!! We had been thinking about it for a while and decided that now was the time to do it. We are not changing the color of the house so it probably will not look much different, but we will never have to paint again and the roof is a "35 year" roof so WE will never have to roof again. In 35 years I'll be 90 and if I am still living in this house it will be a miracle and some one else can pay for another roof!!

Last night J&B and J&C came over to help us move stuff around in the garage. Since there is a huge dunpster in the driveway we really had to keep an eye on Jessica - she was in a "pitching" mood....when you weren't watching she "pitched" your stuff into to dumpster!! They also took stuff that was theirs anyway. We had to move things so they can remove the door on the side of the garage that we NEVER use when they put the siding on.
Dad and I are hoping that come spring we will be able to put both cars in the garage! Wouldn't that be novel - actually using the garage as a garage instead of a storage room!

Not much else going on. Dad, Shennie, Jenny W, and I leave on our cruise in 27 days!! Can hardly wait! I'm not sure I remember how to act on vacation!

Love you lots and KYHD!!

the Mom

New Laptop

Ok, I am really becoming the person I said I'd never be! They tried to deliver my new laptop to my house yesterday; but, it has to be signed for and I wasn't there. So, after calling DHL and then DELL (because Dell has to change the delivery address not me or DHL) and talking to two different towns in India, it was finally agreed that they would credit me $60 toward the purchase of my new laptop if I drove to DHL and picked it up. Guess what - it didn't cost me $60 to drive to Shrewsbury this morning, so I got another $60 off the price of my new laptop. Thanx to Ben and Dell and the computer gods, I got a grand total of $227 and change off my laptop. The guys here at the office were excited about my new toy so we got it all installed and ready. I even found out that my new ipod can be an external drive for the laptop. I am getting way too geeky for my own good. Look out DA and Ben! I'm just hoping that when I get it home it'll work just as well. The campus here is wireless, so it was easy. I'll let you know.

Hope everyone has a good weekend. Say a prayer for Dennis - he starts his chemo on Thursday. No radiation - I guess that's a good thing.

Happy weekend!

Shennie

Happy 2008!

I guess it is official all over the world now! DA wished me Happy New Year yesterday because it WAS 2008 where he is! It was great to talk to him - he sounded good, though tired after working his shift. It had been a good shift with some excitement - I'll let him tell you all about it when he blogs!!!

Went to Jennie & Ben's last night for New Year's Eve chili, Kareoke (sp?), and some Wii bowling and other exciting happenings. Jessica is soooo cute when she drinks!! I was the designated driver so am probably the only one (other than Bob) who is feeling just fine this morning!!

Hope to get the tree down today and maybe go see Charlie Wilson's War. We saw National Treasure on Saturday - very good!! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys action/adventure movies.

We also got to visit with Craig's parents and sister last weekend. It was great to see them. It just doesn't seem possible that his sister will be graduating from college this spring! Starting to feel old yet, Craigster???

It is very cold and blustery here today. The wind is really kicking up the leaves that we never got picked up since the lawn tractor was not working properly! Maybe this cold north wind can blow them all down into the creek. That would be awesome!!

Well - for those who made New Year's resolutions - good luck! I gave up on that years ago!!

Count down to our cruise.....30 days to FL and 31 to cruising!!

Happy New Year!!

Love you and KYHD,
the Mom