Let's Dance

Hubby sent me the recital pictures that we took of Pumpkin, finally! 

The date is wrong on the photo by one month, they were taken on 6/17, the day of her dress rehearsal.

This first picture was from her ballet number, Celtic style music called 'Butterfly'!

Next, are two pictures from the jazz number which was performed to Little Richard singing ZipahDeeDoDah!

Last we have the hip hop number to Chris Brown's 'Run it'!

She didn't wear her knee brace on performance day, but it was good that she did at the rehearsal.

Sorry it took so long in getting them out to you all! 

Today, everything is officially over!  Last night was the end with the piano recital!  Our schedule is now wide open!  Yay!

Pixie should be here soon for her sleepover, and Fuzzy will go home with DogBoy for his sleepover!  They have all been warned... NO ALL NIGHTERS!   Otherwise, we end up with sick, cranky, unhappy kids, and that makes for unhappy parents, as we all know!

I did get a nap this afternoon, so I am rested and ready!  The cold medicine cleared up my head pretty good, too.  Thankfully!

Wish us luck!  LOL

be well,
Dawn

Tags: dance recital, sleepover

Piano Man (GIRL)

Last night, we had Pumpkin's piano recital.

Here it is on video... just click the start button... even if it says the image isn't ready.

The first song is Liszt' 'Hungarian Rhapsody'.  You may recognize it from Tom & Jerry cartoons.  The second song is 'Over the Waves'.

Pumpkin did great and we are so proud of her.  The piano in the recreation center is not that great, so the sound is so-so.  Next year the recital will be on a Steinway concert grand piano at our library.  It wasn't delivered in time for this years recital.

Yesterday was a busy day!  Our friend's Bob and Ilene needed someone to keep an eye on their kids for a while so they were here playing with mine!  A good time was had by all!

So much so that Fuzzy will be going to their house to sleepover tonight with their son, whom we will nickname DogBoy, as he loves them so.  Their daughter, Pixie, will be sleeping over here with Pumpkin Muffin!  Summer fun for all!

I woke up with a bit of a cold, thanks to Hammer.  LOL  He was miserable yesterday, and it really came to head in the afternoon.  He fell asleep for about two hours, but when he woke up, it was obvious that his cold was winning.  He missed the recital. :(

So, of course, anything the kids get, I get.  I am okay though.  I slept in late, and now I am just going to rest for the afternoon. 

My mom and the kids are doing the wash and doing some cleaning, so I may even lay down and nap later! 

Thank you again, for all your kinds words!  I hope you enjoy the piano!

be well,
Dawn

Tags: piano recital, colds, sleepovers, fun

Thankful Thursday

 Thankful Thursday is upon us again!

My blessings are as follows:

1.     YOU.  Yes, you.  YOU are reading my blog, you my J-Land pal leave me comments when I am blue and need to vent.  I thank you, humbly, from the bottom of my heart.

2.     Brit of Brits blog.  Thank you.  I have never had someone declare a day just for me... and so many of your readers came by to bid me well.  It was wonderful and really made my day! 

3.     ?.  There is someone that I can't name, but trusted me today with a confidance, truly a mark of our online friendship being as real as those face to face, I believe.  You know who you are, and thank you for trusting me enough to share more of yourself with me.  You have been a wonderful support to me, and I treasure our friendship.  I hope I give back as much as you give!

4.     LuAnne from LUANNE'S LIFE LIVING WITH LUPUS.  Lu, today, in email you gave me great advice.  THANK YOU.  Some of it, was on subjects that can be hard to discuss, and you just dove in there and helped me out with some great info and I am very thankful.  Wonderful insight on your part, by the way, and I appreciate it so much!

5.      Paul from Aurora Walking Vacation .  Today was Paul's 3rd Anniversary in the blogoshere.  I love his blog because he makes me think, and he points out absurdities in the world that I might not otherwise question.  He also shares about his life and I enjoy that too. 

Paul also wrote this entry that I had a part in inspiring... read it if you can....   Brother, can you spare a spoon? Paul's insight into how difficult life can be with a chronic illness took my breath away.  Thank you, too, dear friend.

be well,
Dawn

ps... I'll be back with more...

Tags: Thankful Thursday, blessings, j-land, friends

Time after Time

I am frustrated...  torn...  tired...

Slaying dragons is hard work...

Even when they exist only in your mind...

I revisit this time after time after time after time...

I cannot please everyone.

If I push myself to please the kids...

          ...then, I am tired later, and my husband is not pleased.

If I try to reserve myself for later in the day or evening...

          ...then, the kids are not pleased.

If I push myself to do housework...

          ...then, I am tired; neither are pleased.

If I don't push and my mom pushes herself too much...

          ...then, my dad is not pleased.

If I do too much myself, and I am hurting...

          ...then, my mom is really not pleased.

What about me?  What about what I want?  What pleases me?

If I can't make everyone happy...

          ...then, I am really not pleased.

<sigh>

The only beings that I know I can please EVEN if I am laying in bed a sore, fatigued, sorry mess, are Pumpkin, the black cat, and Libby, the dog.

<sigh>

be well,
Dawn

Tags: can't please everyone, coping, chronic illness, lupus, pain, fatigue, brain tumor, lupus, brain tumor

Some Like it Hot

Too damn hot!!!! UGH!

Honestly, I think the humidity is near 150%... it is just so disgusting.

I was up at 10 am this morning, barely had time to squeeze in two cups of coffee before getting Pumpkin to her piano lesson! 

Phew... it was tough, but I did it!  (drink the coffee that is... lol)

Then, to the bank.  I have discovered a secret.  At 11:05 am the bank is curiously EMPTY!  Too bad all the seniors seem to come out and play during lunch time with all the workers, or after work with all the workers!

What is up with that??  Do us all a favor... if you are retired, and up at the crack of dawn, like we know you are - GO TO THE BANK ON OFF HOURS. 

I guess this heat has me a bit cranky today!  LOL

After the bank, I went to the market and got some green seedless grapes, red seedless grapes, apples, a bowl of pre-cut mixed fruit salad and lemons.

Yes, I know I could cut up my own honeydew, cantaloupe, kiwi, pineapple and strawberries for a fraction of the cost, BUT it is easier on my hands this way.  And quicker. 

Next, to the gas station for a teensy bit of gas so I could make it to lunch and Borders.

Fuzzy helped me on all my errands and was wonderful company today!  And, he was good muscle too, carrying all the groceries, AND he did it with a smile. 

We ran home grabbed Hammer and ran back to pick up Pumpkin at her piano lesson.  Her teacher, Mrs. G, told me she is memorizing her new Bach piece very quickly and that her recital pieces sounds phenomenal.  Yay!  The recital is tomorrow.

The kids and I at at Burger King, chicken for them, cheeseburger for me.  Free refills with loads of ice, then off we went!

Borders!  Ahhh... the smell of knowledge!  As usual there were many new books out by my favorite authors, and only so much money to go around!  I got one book for myself, 'All Together Dead' by Charlaine Harris, a supernatural mystery.

Fuzzy got Star Wars Miniatures for his collection and role playing game, and a sci-fi war hero saves the world type book called 'Command and Conquer'.

Hammer read a Bionicle book while there and got one to go.  Also, I found 'A Crack in the Edge of the World' by Simon Winchester about the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, in the hard-cover bargain bin for $3, and we had almost ordered it last time we were there for $14 in soft-cover!  Talk about getting a lucky buy!

On the homeschooling front, I got a discounted copy of 'The Handy Biology Answer Book'.  I have others from the series, and never saw this one before, and was happy to add it to our home resources.  The series are titled like this 'The Handy _____ Answer Book'(s) and I highly recommend them.  We have physics, geology, science, physics, history and weather, just to name a few!  I often see them in Barnes & Noble and Borders in the clearance section for about $5!

Pumpkin got two chapter books, 'Joey Loses Control' and 'The Last Holiday Concert'.  Also, a gem of a find in the bargain section, a book of 83 best loved piano classics.  Some are within her grasp, and some she will have to work toward, but she was thrilled with the choices from the masters (so was I), and at $5, how could I not get it?

After we paid for our treasures, we hopped into the thousand degree truck, but we were armed and ready!  Our drinks from BK were still cool!  The ice had mostly melted, but they were still refreshing for all of us!

As soon as we got home, my dad took the boys to the barber for haircuts! 

And, now the shaved rugrats have returned... more later!

be well,
Dawn

Tags: Borders, books, seniors, errands, heat, humidity, coffee

One Thing Leads to Another

I have a lot going on in my head tonight and can't sleep...

To sleep, perchance to dream... Can't?  Then, meme!

This is called A-B Three's:

A - Available?:  for what? 
A - Age: 41 5 months and 5 days
A - Annoyance: Hubby leaving shoes out for me to trip over

B - Best Friends?: Kathy
B - Bar: Nickel's Alley was probably my favorite, back in the 80's
B - Birthday: November 22

C - Crush: I am a little old for these...
C - Car: SUV thank you
C - Cat: Yes, two, Pumpkin and Tina

D - Dead Pets Name: Pepper, Tiger and Cheetah (dog, then 2 cats)
D - Dad's Name: Dennis
D - Dog: Yes, Liberty, nicknamed Libby, the dopey, but loveable yellow lab

E - Easiest person to talk to: I have a lot of people who love me and who are easy to talk to, but I will say... Hubby
E - Eggs: Yummy, especially Eggs Benedict
E - Email: love it!

F - Favourite Colors: sage green, gold, burgundy, black, chocolate brown
F - Food: I had ravioli for dinner
F - Foreign Slang: Mi chuleta muy grande.  It is spanish for 'My big lambchop' a nickname for my Hubby

G - Gummy Bears or Worms:  bears, especially red
G - Good wine (or beer): Mondavi Woodbridge White Zinfandel is a fave
G - Good Time: We had a blast with Ilene and Bob in Wildwood!!!!

H - Hair Color: medium and dark blonde, but with help, lighter blonde
H - Height: 5'5"
H - Happy: Yes, thank you!

I - Ice Cream: Ben and Jerry's
I - Instrument: of destruction?  lol
I - Idol: Erma Bombeck, I would love to write a weekly column

J - Jewelry: Usually just my wedding ring and anniversary band, unless my hands are too swollen
J - Job: Mommy 
J - Joke: Here is a very cerebral one that Hammer wrote himself when 6 years old:

What did one tectonic plate say to the other tectonic plate?
Not my fault!!!

L - Longest Car Ride: to Ohio with my parents... right, Mom?
L - Laughing: I love to laugh and try to do so every day
L - Lastperson you spoke to on the phone: Hubby while I was wit the kids at the pool

M - Milk Flavor: if I have a choice then chocolate please
M - Mother's Name: Darlene
M - Movie Last Watched: 'The Prestige' with Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale and Scarlette Johannsen

N - Number of Siblings: biological none
N - Northern or Southern: Northern and a Jersey Girl
N - Name: Dawn

O - ONE WISH: My kids grow up to be strong, healthy, good, kind, happy adults. 
O - One Phobia: spiders
O - Ogle: yes sometimes...

P - Parents: I am blessed with the best!
P - Part of your appearance that you like best: eyes
P - Part of your Personality you like best: optimistic

Q - Quote: Carpe Diem, of course
Q - Question you want to ask but haven't: Why do we drive on the parkway and park on the driveway?
Q - Quick or Slow: Depends <waggling eyebrows>

R - Reason to smile: waking up to another day
R - Reality TV Show: right now 'So You Think You Can Dance'
R - Right or Left:  middle of the road

S - Season: Fall
S - Sex/gender: Yes, please, with my Hubby who is a male.
S - Store: Borders Books

T - Time you woke up: I was up several times, I rolled out of bed at 11ish
T - Time Now: 12:45 am
T - Time for bed: Yes, it is!

U - Unknown Fact about me: I have no idea, after all, it is 'unknown'
U - Unicorns: I love the Unicorn Tapestries, at The Cloisters
U - Under your bed: a wrapping paper organizer and dust bunnies, a whole colony

V - Vegetable you hate: broccoli
V - Vegetable you love: carrots
V - View on Politics: feh

W- Worst Habits: late night snacks (shut up, Cin, I have no vices!)
W- What do you want to be when you grow up?: I'll let you know...
W- Where are you traveling next?: Indiana

X - X-Rays: I should glow from all of them
X - X-tra Innings?: As long as the Yankees win
X - eXhibit for Art: I saw the special Mondrian show with Hubby at the Museum of Modern Art, in NYC, we were given comp passes.  It was great.

Y - Year you were born: 19freaking65
Y - Year it is now: 2007
Y - Yellow: lemons

Z - Zoo Animal: the condors at our local zoo - last time we were there the male was chasing the female around like a lunatic!  Even the zoo keeper said he never saw anything like it! It was a great rare treat to see two birds running around with 6 foot wings spread out...
Z - Zodiac: Scorpio
Z - ZZZZZ: Sounds like a good idea

I am going to try the sleep thing again. 

Nitey Nite!

be well,
Dawn

Tags: meme, can't sleep, insomnia, stuff on my mind...

Ruby Tuesday

Okay... how about another quick meme to top off the day!

Tuesday Twelve....

Word association:  I say _________ and you say _______ .

Compulsion : must drink the coffee
Spiritual : faith
Spray : n Wash (wow pathetic, I know)
Computer : J-Land!
Flounder : The Little Mermaid
Pursuit : Life, Liberty and the 'pursuit' of happiness
Fake : plastic, like a few bitchy moms around town
Mobile : phone
Twilight : romance
Ceremony : wedding
Ribbons : white roses, because I often save the ribbon with them when from Hubby for a special occasion
Mozart : Amadeus, then Ein Klein Nachtmusik which I played while preggers for the kids while they were in my womb

Okay, there ya have examples of how my crazy mind works!

My headache is gone, thankfully. 

be well,
Dawn

Tags: meme, tuesday, word association

Sledgehammer

I spent the day at the pool with the kids.  We even brought a spare!  I sat under an umbrella, but there were times when I had to go in the water, it was so hot, and of course, that was in the sun. 

I am paying for it now... I have a headache.

However, nothing can stop the Meme Princess!  You know what to do... play along if you so desire!

Three Names You Go By:
1.)   Dawn
2.)   Mom
3.)   Princess

Three Parts of Your Heritage:
1.)   American
2.)   German
3.)   Italian

Three Things That Scare You:
1.)   Something bad happening to my kids and family
2.)   An early frost in coffee fields of Columbia
3.)   Spiders

Three of Your Everyday Essentials:
1.)   Coffee
2.)   Coffee
3.)   Coffee
(oh c'mon... you knew I couldn't resist!)

Three Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1.)   Denim capri pants
2.)   Pink pastel v-neck tee
3.)   My hair in a ponytail, it is STILL 92 degrees here!

Three of Your Favorite Bands or Musical Artists:
1.)   BonJovi
2.)   Billy Joel
3.)   Springsteen
(there are so many more...)

Three of Your Favorite Songs:
1.)   You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC
2.)   I Love Rock n Roll - Joan Jett
3.)   I Want Candy - Bow Wow Wow
(thinking of summer songs right now...)

Three Physical Things from the Opposite Sex That Appeal to You:
1.)   Eyes
2.)   Hands
3.)   Height

Three of Your Favorite Hobbies:
1.)   Reading
2.)   Writing/blogging
3.)   Making beaded jewelry, which I need to get back to doing

Three Things You Want to do Really Badly Right Now:
1.)   Go to Borders and buy 'Lean Mean Thirteen' by Janet Evanovich
2.)   Eat an entire pint of Ben and Jerry's Brownie Batter Ice Cream (thank goodness there is none in the house...)
3.)   Float in my own pool, that I don't have... lol

Three Places You Want to Vacation:
1.)   England
2.)   Australia
3.)   Greece (and so many more...)

Three Things You Want to do Before You Die:
1.)   Go to the Louvre in Paris
2.)   Get published
3.)   See grandchildren, spoil them, and maybe even great grands!

Three Ways That You Are Stereotypically a Boy/Girl:
1.)   I hate spiders, and most insects... (although, snakes don't bother me... go figure)
2.)   I like 'nice' hotels, and don't do camping (although I could probably deal with a nice RV, it has electricity and toilets...)
3.)   I like spa pampering, massages, manicures, pedicures etc.  I don't get them very much at all... but I really like them!

Okie dokie... that was fun!  I hope you think so, too!

Try to stay cool in your neck of the woods!

be well,
Dawn

Tags: heat, headache, lupus, meme, coffee, kids

Bad Medicine

I just love this fairy!

I would like to ask for some positive energy and prayers to be sent our way again...

My dad went for his yearly CT scan for his lungs a few weeks ago.  He has some calcifications from asbestos exposure that need to be watched each year.  Last year they found a small cyst on his kidney.

Many people get these kidney cysts, in fact Hubby has two small ones, and 9 times out of 10, nothing happens with them.  Unfortunately, my dad's grew from last year until this year and he has to go for more tests.

Please, keep your fingers crossed that it is still nothing to worry about! 

Also on the medical front, Hubby went to see the gastro guy to get his colonoscopy scheduled.  That office is supposed to call tomorrow with the info.  Hubby really wants to get back to eating fruits and salads, so he wants this done quickly! 

Hubby is so aggravated by the diverticulosis happening to him at all, but hey, we don't get to pick and chose our lot in life!  Some things just happen.  He also messed up one of his toes playing basketball in bare feet with Fuzzy, and then made his bad shoulder sore throwing the kids around in the pool.

He is a bit cranky today, feeling the pain.  And, yet, he was calling me on being cranky earlier (when the kids left a mess of dessert plates and cards all over the table). 

Amazing how quickly he forgets that I am in pain all day every day.  <sigh>

Well, thanks for listening to my rambling!  I think I am going to do a meme a little later!

be well,
Dawn

Tags: prayers, positive thoughts, dad, kidney cyst, pain, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis

(Nothing gonna) Break My Stride

Didya miss me???  Well, I'm baaaaaaaaack!!!!

Busy, busy! 

Visiting the mine on Saturday was great!  Tiring but great!  Not a lot of walking but a lot of standing still in one place on a very hard surface!  Tough on my body, but I made it!

Mining in the area began as early as 1739, and it is the only natural zinc mine of its type and size in the world.  However, it is cheaper to mine elsewhere than NJ, so it was closed in 1986, bought by a geology enthusiast and historian, and opened as a museum in 1990. 

It also has something nowhere else in the world has - florescent minerals!  Very cool.  There is a room that you stand in it and they turn on low wave UV light and it is the Rainbow Cave.  In my pictures you will see examples of those rocks on display.  The pics wouldn't come out in the Cave itself though.

The mine has even been featured in a Travel Channel show.  Very interesting.  I took a lot of pics in the old dressing room for the miners.  You can see their lockers, clothing, and showers.  Hubby was wayyyy too tall to be aminer, as you can see he is standing in the shower!  I took pictures of lots of fossil specimens they had too.  Even a t-rex head!

I also took pictures inside the mine showing equipment, drills and shafts. 

Inside the Rainbow Cave everyone was able to chose a specimen of rock to keep that had the glowing minerals.  It is very rare to find the blue colored hydrozincite on the freebies.  Well, Pumpkin and my dad both got samples of it!  The mine guide said that if they put them on ebay they would sell for about $30 a piece!  Ours are staying in our rock collections.  My dad bought a handheld UV light for us to show them off!

After the mine and the McD's lunch on the way home, I took a nap, and rested my hip and back.  Hubby took the kids to the pool.  After dinner we rented the movie GhostRider with, Nick Cage, and it was really good!  We all loved it!

Sunday, Fuzzy and Hubby had to go to a Cub Scout ceremony for about an hour.  Fuzzy is a Den chief, and as a Boy Scout representative he has been working with a den of Webelo 1 Cub Scouts.  They had their ceremony and crossed over to Webelo 2's.  All the boys and leaders were excited to have Fuzzy there, and he handed them their awards and patches as they crossed over the bridge!  Afterward, they had a bbq, Hubby and Fuzzy mingled for a little while.  All the boys are looking forward to being Webelo 2's and all want to move up to Boy Scouts, too.

Once they arrived home we all went to the pool for a nice afternoon as a family.  Last night, my dad treated us for a dinner out.  It was a wonderful busy weekend and a great start to the summer vacation for the kids!

Today, we have been having a quiet, resting day at home.  Hubby needed the car to get to a doctor appointment.  He needs to set up having a colonoscopy because of the diverticulosis. 

So, that brings us to today!  Hooray!

be well,
Dawn

Tags: mine, scouts

Stray Cat Strut

More on this cute cat in a bit...

Here is a meme for my adoring fans!  LOL  Well, I am the meme princess and I have been lax in providing them! 

Please feel free to copy and paste into your journal, and let me know so I can come visit!

What were you doing 10 years ago? 

Hmmm, probably sleeping.  Exhausted after a day with my 4 month old baby, 2 year old, and 4 1/2 year old.  Hubby was probably giving Pumpkin Muffin her midnight bottle.

Five naughty snacks you enjoy: 

1.   Potato chips, especially kettle cooked
2.  Pretzels, the kind from the freezer that you do in the microwave
3.   Kettle cooked popcorn
4.   Cheese, any kind really
5.   Ice cream

Five songs you know all the words to:

1.   Time in a Bottle, Jim Croce (my wedding song)
2.   Over the Hills and Far Away, Led Zeppelin 
3.   Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen
4.   Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Billy Joel
5.   New York New York, Frank Sinatra

...and many more... I tried to choose some unique songs that would surprise people!

Five indulgent things you'd do if money were no object:
(Not Oprah $, so don't go too wild, and it has to be something you would use or be included with, no gifts)

1.    Add a second bathroom for Hubby & I with a jacuzzi for my sore joints (and finish rest of house projects)
2.   Get a second car, so Hubby & I don't have to share (that is a gift for me, so I am not caught without a car - which happens!)
3.   Buy a condo in Wildwood Crest that sleeps at least 12 (so lots offamily can come, too)
4.   Take an extended European vacation, all 7 of us
5.    Have a huge catered party for everyone in my family

Five bad habits:

1.   Snacking at night
2.   Obsessing about being late
3.   Asking Hubby to tell a story and then interrupting with details
4.   I have to have the clicker when watching tv
5.   Not always making my bed

Five things I like doing:

1.   Being a mom
2.   Being a wife
3.   Reading books
4.   Writing in my blog, and writing for my book, and just writing for me
5.   Going out to dinner with Hubby alone every once in a while

Five things I'd never wear again:

1.   Socks with individual toes
2.   Gaucho pants (remember those ladies?)
3.   Platform heels, spike heels, let's just call it 'dangerous footwear'
4.   Madonna mid-80's lacy look (don't ask) 
5.   A bikini, not even if I was that cute and thin!

Five of my favorite toys:

1.   I am on it right now, the computer/lap top!
2.   My Keurig B70 uber coffee machine with the individual k-cups, that feeds me fresh brewed, hot, nectar of the gods whenever I desire it...
3.   My digital camera
4.   My cell phone, which is my emergency camera if I forget the digital
5.   My GameBoy Advanced that I play Tetris and Vegas Games on

      

Back to the mention of the cat above...

Tina, the feral-ish kitty we adopted when Libby was a year old, has a new habit. 

She likes to sleep in Libby's crate.

And, that is nice when it looks like this...

...but sometimes it looks like THIS:

Oh yes!  The 95lb yellow lab DOG will not go into HER crate and disturb her fickle kitty cat sister! 

Thankfully, as soon as I head into my bedroom, Libby has a very comfy bed and blankie in there to lay on.  (Yes, the pics were from tonight!)

Tina will sometimes join Libby there, but not often because our older cat, Pumpkin, will chase Tina out of the bedroom if she sees her in there.  That is the one place that Pumpkin, being the eldest pet, at almost 12 years of age, will not share with another cat. 

Libby ignored Pumpkin's hissing, and Pumpkin never chased her because she is too afraid, although if she did, Libby would run!  As you can see, she cows to the other cat, no problem!  LOL

Time to hit the sack, we have an early day heading out to the zinc mine!

be well,
Dawn

ps... here is Pumpkin the elder cat... asleep on the bed, waiting for me!

Tags: meme, cats, dogs, pets

A Beautiful Day

Yay!  It's here!!! 

For those who asked, here in the Northeast, school starts usually the Wednesday after Labor Day in September, and continues through until mid June.  The actual ending date depends on your district, how many days you get off for winter break, snow days, etc.

Fuzzy had his awards ceremony this morning.  As I mentioned, Pumpkin's was yesterday.  Here are pictures:

First is Pumpkin, in the flowered skirt getting her Academic Achievment Award, for final averages 90% and above.  She also received 3rd place in the chess club junior division, and a certificate for participation in choir.

Next is Fuzzy receiving his academic award.

The pictures are blurry-ish.  Sorry.  Fuzzy is the one in the grey Rutgers shirt.  To the far right is his good buddy, Russ, wearing Borat.  @@

School was a half day, ending at 12:30pm.  Fuzzy and a friend headed to our town center, we townies call it 'uptown', to have pizza and hang out for a bit.  He and his buddy should be arriving back here very soon.

Pumpkin came home, changed quickly into her bathing suit, and headed out to her best friend Siobhan's house for the annual End of Year Pool Party!  Yay!

Hubby was home yesterday afternoon for Pumpkins ceremony and this morning for Fuzzy's, so he had to go run and visit a construction site this afternoon.

Exciting doings, I got my hair cut today!  Yay!  It is the same length just with some layers and better shaping.  I needed it.  It feels great!

On an annoying note, I have been increasingly having more and more problems with my eyes getting dry and my contact lenses.  That goes hand in hand with the RA/Lupus/Sjogren's Syndrome.  Ugh.  I have to mention that to the eye doc at my next check up in August. 

So, I am wearing my glasses for a while until the redness goes away and I can switch back to my contacts again. 

Tomorrow, we have a scout family trip to a mine in western NJ.  I decided to go because there is not that much walking.  I like exploring and learning, so this should be fun!

be well,
Dawn

Tags: last day of school, awards, academics, mine, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, sjogren's syndrome

Thankful Thursday

Whew!  Busy day today and tomorrow!

Today was Pumpkin's Awards Ceremony.  Fuzzy's is tomorrow am.  More on that tomorrow.

My Thankful Things...

1.     My kids.  They are smart, determined, hard workers that like school, excel in it, are well-liked by the teachers, and are kind and good friends to others.

2.     My Hubby.  The only guy I want to hate, love, or be silly with for the rest of my life.

3.     Coffee.  Ahhhhh... you know why.

4.     Summer vacation.  I love having no schedule with my kids, and nothing but time, because time, well, it goes too damn fast.

5.     Teachers.  I had a lot of wonderful teachers in my life who helped inspire me, and who helped me to realize for myself that you can keep learning for your entire life, and that reading brings you that knowledge.

I am happy that my kids have had some wonderful teachers, too.

I am barely getting this in before the clock ticks to Friday!

be well,
Dawn

 

Tags: Thankful Thursday, Living in Savannah2, summer, school, awards, learning

I'm So Excited

Oh, and Hammer wasn't smiling big due to braces... lol

Even though I don't like the Pointer Sisters...lol...

There are quite a few countdowns going on in my house!

First, the countdown until school is over.  Thankfully, one more full day tomorrow, and a 1/2 day Friday, and then... It's OVER.

Then, Hammers countdown to Transformers: The Movie, which is the Steven Speilberg/ILM collaboration of live-action and computer animated characters of the successful cartoon series.

July 4th, coming to a theater near you.

There was a even a prequel novel, that Hammer, myself and Hubby, have all read.

Big doings around here, as you can see.

But that isn't the BIGGEST countdown in the house...

This is the biggest, most exciting by far, because it involves the most family members, and there are actually 2 Harry Potter related countdowns.

First, on July 11, is the US premier of the movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, based on the 5th book in the series.  This is a much different time in Harry's life.  He is a teenager, and there is a lot of danger and action, as Voldemort (the personification of evil) is now in bodily form and out to get Harry.

Second, on July 21, is the final installment in the book series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  Dumbledore is gone, it appears Snape has turned to the 'dark' side, Hogwarts may close, Harry and Ginny have broken up, and there are 3 more pieces of Voldemort's soul that Harry must find in order to stop him forever.

I will probably buy the book at midnight again and read all night long! 

We will buy at least 2 books, so Hammer and my dad can read, also, then Fuzzy.  Pumpkin has read up to book 4, so she needs to get going!  LOL

Uh oh... the kids are back from the pool with Hubby... gotta bolt!

be well,
Dawn

 

Tags: Transformers, Harry Potter, school ending, countdowns

Start Me Up

I guess that certain things don't translate 'across the pond'.

Here is a query from Andy:

Comment from: acoward15
"1. What is Earth Science and Freshman Grammar? Where Freshman required to speak another language?
10. What is a fight song? We did a lot of fighting at school but we didn't sing about it.
12. Is Senior cut day something to do with self harming? Is it an Emo/Goth thing?

http://journals.aol.co.uk/acoward15/andy-the-bastard"

To clear this up, Earth Science was used as a name for the general science course that all freshmen were required to take.  Sophmores could move on to Biology, and then Junior to Chemistry, but they were not required, at that time. 

Grammar, was a specific part of the language arts program, not a separate language.  The rules of 'english' and what not!

The school 'fight song' or just 'school song' is a song about your school or mascot that you sing at sporting events for school pride. 

Senior 'cut' day, is not an emo/goth thing.  It refers to 'cutting class' or 'ditching school', in other words, staying home to goof off with your friends.

I hope that clears it up for my UK readers!  LOL

Today is Wednesday!  The kids only have one more full day of school and then a half day Friday!  Wooohoooo!  Then it is full time summer fun! 

I took a picture of Hammer today outside by himself.  I think I am going to blow it up to put in a frame.  He doesn't get school pictures taken since he is home with me.

Here is the picture:

A handsome young man, although, I am quite biased!  LOL

be well,
Dawn

 

 

Tags: uk, america, differences, fun, andythebastard, school ends soon

Every Breath You Take

With the kids school year almost at an end (Friday, yay), school has been on the mind, and I saw this meme about your Senior Year of high school, so I decided to give it a try. 

And, James Dean seemed to be a good graphic for that theme, too.

Ps...  Everyone who likes cats and funny things should go here: The Wildcat's Lair

Fill this out about your SENIOR year of high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be.

1. Name of your homeroom teacher.  Ms. Del Duca, she also taught Earth Science and freshman grammar.

2.What sports or clubs did you participate in? I did the school plays which were part of Drama Club and Yearbook.

The play my senior year was 'No No Nanette'.  The rest were 'Oliver', 'Bye Bye Birdie' and 'Guys and Dolls'.  I had small parts in each, nothing big, which pissed me off each year! LOL

3. What kind of car did you drive? I drove a 1970 Cutlass Supreme SS coupe that was gold, and had a great stereo.

4. It's Friday night, where were you? Roller skating at one of two rinks, or a movie, or a friends house hanging out.

5. Were you a party animal? No, but that isn't to say that I didn't party either.  Moderation, as they say, is the key!  LOL

6. Were you considered a flirt? Yes, I was.

7. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir. No, just the school play that year.

8. Were you a nerd? I was very good academically, but no, not a nerd.

9. Did you get suspended/expelled? No!

10. Can you sing the fight song?  I used to be able to do it, we all had to learn it freshman year.

11. Who was your favorite teacher? Mrs. Enger, my Trig/Pre-Calculus teacher.  I had her for all my math classes and she was the best.  And, I was her pet!  lol

12. Did you cut on Senior cut day?  Yes, doesn't everyone?

13. School mascot? The Paladin, a Knight or Champion of honor.

14. Did you go to Prom? Yes.

15. If you could go back and do it over, would you? Never in a million years!!!

16. What do you remember most about graduation? It was hot and looooongggg.

17. What did you do on senior cut day? I honestly do not remember!

18. Did you have a job your senior year?  Yes, I worked for Sears Credit Department since my junior year.

19. Where did you go most often for lunch? The school cafeteria, which was awesome.  No one was allowed of campus for lunch.

20. Have you gained weight since then? Oh hell yes!!!

21. What did you do after graduation? I went to college.

22. When did you graduate? 1983... sheesh... it doesn't seem that long ago, yet it is.  Yikes!

23. Who was your Senior prom date? Dave, my boyfriend at the time.  It was supposed to be my friend, Fred, but he had some personal issues at the time, and just couldn't do it.

24. Are you going / did you go to your 10 year reunion? No, I don't plan on going to any.  The reunion I would want to go to would be for the year Kathy graduated.  I hung out with all those guys!  LOL  But, honestly, I probably wouldn't even go to that.  Too much money to waste on revisiting the past, and I can do that in my mind whenever I want!  LOL

25. Was your prom held at the school or in a hall? Our prom was held at a hall in a country club.

                

Well, that was more than enough visiting high school for me!  LOL

I now officially feel older than dirt!

be well,
Dawn

Tags: meme, senior year, high school, 1983, holy crap I got old!

Imperial March

These cat pictures are for Cin's son, Lex, because he is into everything Star Wars right now. 

My kids, too, Lex.

And, this is just to show you how at 12 years old kids are still darn silly. 

be well,
Dawn
Tags: star wars, icanhascheezburger, lolcats, cats, silly kids

Love Bites

This reads:  I'm in your physics lab testing your string theory.  I love it!   Hammer totally cracked up.  So did I.  Physics is such a part of our family culture.  (If you are interested in String Theory and it being made easy to understand, read Brian Greene)

On to what's on my mind... love... marriage... bickering... stress...

Oh yeah, it has been a fun 2 months or so here in Dawn-land.

I've mentioned that Hubby has been stressed in the last year because of work situations.  He really needs to put time into getting the hell outta this place, but alas, life keeps happening to put that off.

So, take normal family stress and add the stress of issues with work, to the stress of a flaring sick wife, to the stress of flaring sick wife NOW getting a brain thingy... well, you can imagine. 

It's enough to make any man a little stressed out to the max.

Unfortunately, that meant Hubby being way overstressed, and had him dealing with it all in 'his' way, and me wanting him to be completely different in how he was dealing with me.

So, there was lots of quiet, separated by lots of bickering. 

Thankfully, whatever flare or exacerbation of my disease(s) has settled down.  I am not having the numbness, tingling and burning sensations.  I have not had episodes of weakness.  The fatigue has lessened.  I am not 'normal', or anywhere near where I 'used' to be, but 'better' is what I have right now, and I am very happy with it.

However, the stressful tension between Hubby and I is still there. 

Hubby has tried to 'make up for' and ease it, and so have I, usually at different times, and with varying results.  Jokingly, I emailed him not to worry, he was still my favorite person to hate, and I loved him, just haven't liked him very much lately.

<sigh>  I wish money and time could just allow us to take some time for ourselves.  We desperately need that at this point, but it just isn't going to happen.  The kids come first, bottom line, and all extra anything of late, has gone straight to them and their activities, as it should be.

Marriage is a complicated thing.  I have likened it to a roller coaster at times, much like life.  Ups, downs, and careening curves in between, and all of it usually happening to damn fast. 

Sometimes all you can do is hang on for dear life. 

And, know in your heart, it will all be fine.

So, yeah, as Def Leppard sings 'love bites, love bleeds', but time heals... when the love is real.

Just need a little 'Patience'.  Wow, that all came together nicely didn't it?  lol

be well,
Dawn

 

Tags: marriage, love, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, ms, brain tumor, stress

Patience

Yeah, patience... ugh.  Fuzzy tried that this morning.

I still owe 2 more pictures on my picture request meme.

Here are my slippers for Gaz.  Gaz claims that you can learn a lot about people from the slippers they wear.  I don't know what my pastel multi striped Dearfoams say about me...

but here they are for your perusal:

And, for Deb, a picture of me.  Let me just say, I hate pictures of me, but here it is anyhow.

Don't complain about the black and white... you are lucky it is on here at all... that was the only way I could stomach it.  My eyes are blue, my hair is blonde, I am very fair skinned, and have red cheeks from my lupus.  And, I am not fishing for compliments... so don't bother!  lol

And, from over at Cin's blog here is a quick questionnaire meme.

1. A mani/pedicure or mountain biking?  Totally a manicure and pedicure.  Any time...

2. A day at the beach or a day on the slopes?  A day at the pool would be preferred or a day in the lodge with hot cocoa!  LOL  I don't ski as I broke my foot the first time I went.  The beach is good, but I must have an umbrella, and a pool for swimming!

3. Dinner at a 5 star restaurant or homecooking at a diner?  I love diners, but here in NJ, I do that a lot, so I would choose the 5 star to maybe have something new and unusual!

4. Coffee and a good book at a coffee shop or a cold drink and a good book in the park?  Totally coffee and a book, but you all knew that, didn't you?  Two of my favorite things... reading and drinking coffee! 

I am on cup #2 this am of Green Mountain Hazelnut.... yum.

5. Musical theater a là Broadway or a movie in the theater?  Broadway.  I love live theater.  I love movies, too, but you asked to choose!  LOL

6. An evening at the opera or a rock concert?  I would totally enjoy the operal more at this age.  I have never seen La Boheme live, only on PBS.

7. Manilow or Metallica?  Neither?  Sorry!  Although, I admit, I know more Manilow than Metallica.  I just never liked Metallica at all.

Okay... that's enough for now... more later!

be well,
Dawn

 

Tags: photos, photo meme, meme, coffee