Some day, when I actually get around to putting our blog into book form, I will definitely want this recorded. It's just too unbelievable.
We've had so many landlord/tenant issues, that I thought nothing would surprise me anymore.
But I was wrong.
A few weeks ago, our Notoriously Late Tenant sent in a late rent payment. No shock there.
It was a personal check. (Sidenote -- we told her if it bounced again, we wouldn't accept anymore.)
Rather than take the risk of depositing into my bank - - we planned to take it directly to hers. As I pulled in the parking lot and looked at the check, I realized she hadn't signed it.
Hmmmm...way to go Notoriously Late Tenant.
I contacted her and she immediately sent a new one.
When it arrived in the mail (another personal check -- although this one had a signature), I emailed and asked if there were funds in her account. She assured me it was ok to deposit as she had just gotten her tax refund.
We've lived.
And learned.
And really, we trust no one when it comes to rental properties (our Best Tenants Ever (you know who you are!) moved and it has never been the same.)
So, again, rather than deposit into our bank and risk the few days of delay, we went straight to her bank.
Imagine my shock (note the sarcasm) when the teller said her account was short -- by $5.82.
She couldn't cash my rent check because my Notoriously Late Tenant didn't have quite enough money in her account.
So, what did this savvy landlord do?
I made a deposit INTO her account.
Yep -- the teller looked at me like I was crazy at first. Then she said, "Wow -- that is really smart."
Thank you very much.
It cost me $5.82 - -but I got my $1118.75 rent check cashed.
I immediately emailed her to let her know that her account was short.
I have yet to recieve a "thank you."
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Frustration
For whatever reason, I can't get blogger to recognize some of the pictures I have stored in i-photo. (Pictures from Kenzie's birthday last week, the pinewood derby, our anniversary get-away.)
Can anyone explain this to me?
Can anyone explain this to me?
Friday, March 26, 2010
A harsh reality
Kenzie fell out of bed around 1:30am. As I walked her down the hall and back to bed, I looked out the window. Noticing what could only be described as a white, cold substance covering the entire ground, I thought, "my eyes must be really blurry."
And then I remembered.
Thank.YOU. Mother.Nature.
And then I remembered.
Thank.YOU. Mother.Nature.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
A Request: For a Social Studies Project
Brynnley's kindergarten class is learning about the World and United States through a project which will be ongoing until the end of the school year. As part of that project - the school is asking for friends and family members from out of state to send a postcard -- addressed to Brynnley by way of the school -- so that, as a class, they can map where all of the postcards come from.
If you are willing to help - we would greatly appreciate it. Please send the postcard to this address:
BRYNNLEY KERR
Mrs. Jenning's Class
N.R. Education Center
5490 Mills Creek Lane
North Ridgeville, OH 44039
Thanks in advance for your help!
If you are willing to help - we would greatly appreciate it. Please send the postcard to this address:
BRYNNLEY KERR
Mrs. Jenning's Class
N.R. Education Center
5490 Mills Creek Lane
North Ridgeville, OH 44039
Thanks in advance for your help!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Reflections on an exhausting week (A.K.A. WAY too long to actually read)
I wanted to run today.
Early home movies of my chubby 3 or 4 year old self attempting to race across the backyard (without really getting anywhere) provide ample evidence however, that I wasn’t destined to be a Paula Radcliffe or Usain Bolt. (My dad has been known to say that not only did I take the bottles from the other babies in the nursery, but I took their chins as well.)
I’ve learned to love running*. (I use the term loosely. I tell my kids I’m “going for a run” because I want to set a good example. For what it’s worth, what I do is more like a slow saunter. For simplicity in typing, however, and for the visual it creates, I’m going to use the word “run,” rather than, “Big Bird Shuffle” as might be the more accurate description of what I do.)
I’ve learned to love running because it gives me a chance to think. Some people think in the shower, but as some devoted readers might recall—my showers aren’t long enough for any major thinking.
And so it was today - -with i-pod blasting, “Life Is Beautiful,” gorgeous blue skies, bright sunshine and temps in the 50’s that I set out.
Life is beautiful
but it's complicated, we barely make it
we don't need to understand
there are miracles, miracles
yeah, life is beautiful
our hearts
they beat and break
when you run away from harm
will you run back into my arms?
like you did when you were young
will you come back to me?
i will hold you tightly
when the hurting kicks in
life is beautiful
but it's complicated, we barely make it
we don't need to understand
there are miracles, miracles
stand.. where you are
we let all these moments
pass us by
it's amazing where i'm standing
there's a lot that we can give
this is ours just for the moment
there's a lot that we can give
it's amazing where i'm standing
there's a lot that we can give
this is ours just for the moment
there's a lot that we can give
I needed to reflect on this most exhausting week.
A significant portion of the week is a blur – which I blame on my self-diagnosed (and then dr. diagnosed) sinus infection.
I remember dragging 6 out of 7 of us to both sessions of Stake Conference last weekend. We went to the open house. And to my presidency meeting. And I remember crawling back into bed every chance I got – armed with a cold compress, ear plugs, eye patch to block any and all light, and instructions to “only get me if the house is burning down.”
I remember – oh how I remember – the constant head-throbbing, never-ending feeling of a bat being bashed into my head and eyes. (Ok – so that hasn’t ever really happened – but I think I experienced a good simulation last week.)
If it wasn’t a bat ramming my brain, it was a sharp-point – something akin to a screwdriver or an ice-pick – poking and prodding and pulsating all day and night.
I remember Greg’s suggestion (a nice way perhaps of saying, “get out of bed and do something,”) that, “maybe you should go see someone? It’s not normal to have a headache this bad for four days straight.”
The dr. gave me an IV pumped full of pain meds with the assurance, “You should start to feel better soon—and much better within an hour.”
Such false hope. Temporary, but very short-lived relief was all that was to be mine. Within a few hours, the construction zone inside my head, complete with pounding jack-hammers, was back at it in full-force.
I think I was first in line at the pharmacy the next morning. (Those of you who are anti-medicine…no comments, please.)
In case I haven’t been descriptive enough - -suffice it to say that I had a headache from H E double toothpicks.
And that only compounded what was already scheduled to be an insane week.
As is often the case, life takes twists and turns beyond our wildest predictions. Sometimes those events are good. Often they are not.
As I stepped one foot in front of the other, I sadly thought back to how Greg’s busy week had gotten so much busier – due to the untimely death of another friend and Cleveland Heights police officer. Thirty-year-old Officer Tom Patton collapsed and died after chasing a suspect Saturday night. He left behind an infant daughter, a fiancee’ and untold numbers of grieving family members and friends.
Greg represented Shaker’s Honor Guard Tuesday and Wednesday at the viewings, before attending the funeral on Thursday.
For the second time in three years, he missed Addysen in the school talent show.
And then, Officer James Kerstetter of the Elyria Police Department was shot and killed while responding to a call. The funeral services for this husband and father of three will be held Saturday.
As I walked briskly, I thought of these events. Today was Greg’s first real day home in about two weeks and I was enjoying the fresh air and time alone – despite my somber thoughts.
Sometimes, we all just need to get away, if only for a few minutes.
My reflections brought me to Thursday – our 15th anniversary. Wow. What a ride it’s been – especially these last couple of years. I don’t remember most of our anniversaries. I guess that means that all too often, we grab frozen pizza and say, “maybe next year we’ll do something to celebrate.”
As I watched a robin digging for a worm, and marveled at the guy wearing shorts and a t-shirt pushing his toddler in a stroller, I thought about our 4th anniversary – dinner at Rusty’s up Cedar Mountain. Addysen was less than a month old. I quickly concluded that a “romantic” dinner out with a baby is not really that “romantic.”
By our 5th – we were living in OH and expecting Baby #2. Greg was in the police academy. We celebrated by grabbing nachos and virgin daquiri’s at Chi Chi’s and by opening the envelope the ultrasound tech had given me the week before. It said, “Congradulations, It’s a BOY!” (Her spelling, not mine.)
For our 6th, Greg gave me a vase that he had specially made with my favorite colors. After that, it gets a little blurry. I spent our 11th doing 7 miles on the elliptical in hopes of bringing on labor. It didn’t work and Kenzie was born two days later.
Fast-forward to #15 where Greg left at 5am, attended a friend’s funeral, in addition to work and a meeting. He got home at 11pm. I spent the evening celebrating Relief Society with the great ladies of our ward.
“It Feels Like Home,” came on my i-pod and I realized that for the first time in a week – I was completely headache free.
I really wanted to run.
But I didn’t want to do anything that might bring back that horrendous headache.
So, for the first two miles, I let my fear hold me back.
(Well, that and my extremely full bladder.)
After a quick detour home, I set out again. I’m sure I am vitamin D deficient after all these years living in Cleveland. I needed the sunshine on so many levels.
“Hey Soul Sister,” came on and I couldn’t help but pick up my pace a bit. The weather was just too perfect. I thought about everything that was still scheduled for the weekend: the pinewood derby, work, Kenzie’s birthday, our anniversary get-away– so much to do, yet I just wasn’t ready to get on with the rest of my day.
And then, “Awake and Alive,” started blasting in my ears. Our spinning instructor calls it the ‘angry’ song, but as I started paying attention to the words, I decided, “what the heck? I’m going to run.”
I’m awake I’m alive
Now I know what I believe inside
Now it’s my time
I’ll do what I want cause this is my life
Right here, right now
I’ll stand my ground and never back down
I know what I believe inside
I’m awake and I’m alive
It’s quite possibly clear only to me – but there is a definite method to my madness when it comes to the order of songs on my workout playlists.
And for a few brief moments -- in the middle of an exhausting and at times overwhelming week-- I was born to run.
Early home movies of my chubby 3 or 4 year old self attempting to race across the backyard (without really getting anywhere) provide ample evidence however, that I wasn’t destined to be a Paula Radcliffe or Usain Bolt. (My dad has been known to say that not only did I take the bottles from the other babies in the nursery, but I took their chins as well.)
I’ve learned to love running*. (I use the term loosely. I tell my kids I’m “going for a run” because I want to set a good example. For what it’s worth, what I do is more like a slow saunter. For simplicity in typing, however, and for the visual it creates, I’m going to use the word “run,” rather than, “Big Bird Shuffle” as might be the more accurate description of what I do.)
I’ve learned to love running because it gives me a chance to think. Some people think in the shower, but as some devoted readers might recall—my showers aren’t long enough for any major thinking.
And so it was today - -with i-pod blasting, “Life Is Beautiful,” gorgeous blue skies, bright sunshine and temps in the 50’s that I set out.
Life is beautiful
but it's complicated, we barely make it
we don't need to understand
there are miracles, miracles
yeah, life is beautiful
our hearts
they beat and break
when you run away from harm
will you run back into my arms?
like you did when you were young
will you come back to me?
i will hold you tightly
when the hurting kicks in
life is beautiful
but it's complicated, we barely make it
we don't need to understand
there are miracles, miracles
stand.. where you are
we let all these moments
pass us by
it's amazing where i'm standing
there's a lot that we can give
this is ours just for the moment
there's a lot that we can give
it's amazing where i'm standing
there's a lot that we can give
this is ours just for the moment
there's a lot that we can give
I needed to reflect on this most exhausting week.
A significant portion of the week is a blur – which I blame on my self-diagnosed (and then dr. diagnosed) sinus infection.
I remember dragging 6 out of 7 of us to both sessions of Stake Conference last weekend. We went to the open house. And to my presidency meeting. And I remember crawling back into bed every chance I got – armed with a cold compress, ear plugs, eye patch to block any and all light, and instructions to “only get me if the house is burning down.”
I remember – oh how I remember – the constant head-throbbing, never-ending feeling of a bat being bashed into my head and eyes. (Ok – so that hasn’t ever really happened – but I think I experienced a good simulation last week.)
If it wasn’t a bat ramming my brain, it was a sharp-point – something akin to a screwdriver or an ice-pick – poking and prodding and pulsating all day and night.
I remember Greg’s suggestion (a nice way perhaps of saying, “get out of bed and do something,”) that, “maybe you should go see someone? It’s not normal to have a headache this bad for four days straight.”
The dr. gave me an IV pumped full of pain meds with the assurance, “You should start to feel better soon—and much better within an hour.”
Such false hope. Temporary, but very short-lived relief was all that was to be mine. Within a few hours, the construction zone inside my head, complete with pounding jack-hammers, was back at it in full-force.
I think I was first in line at the pharmacy the next morning. (Those of you who are anti-medicine…no comments, please.)
In case I haven’t been descriptive enough - -suffice it to say that I had a headache from H E double toothpicks.
And that only compounded what was already scheduled to be an insane week.
As is often the case, life takes twists and turns beyond our wildest predictions. Sometimes those events are good. Often they are not.
As I stepped one foot in front of the other, I sadly thought back to how Greg’s busy week had gotten so much busier – due to the untimely death of another friend and Cleveland Heights police officer. Thirty-year-old Officer Tom Patton collapsed and died after chasing a suspect Saturday night. He left behind an infant daughter, a fiancee’ and untold numbers of grieving family members and friends.
Greg represented Shaker’s Honor Guard Tuesday and Wednesday at the viewings, before attending the funeral on Thursday.
For the second time in three years, he missed Addysen in the school talent show.
And then, Officer James Kerstetter of the Elyria Police Department was shot and killed while responding to a call. The funeral services for this husband and father of three will be held Saturday.
As I walked briskly, I thought of these events. Today was Greg’s first real day home in about two weeks and I was enjoying the fresh air and time alone – despite my somber thoughts.
Sometimes, we all just need to get away, if only for a few minutes.
My reflections brought me to Thursday – our 15th anniversary. Wow. What a ride it’s been – especially these last couple of years. I don’t remember most of our anniversaries. I guess that means that all too often, we grab frozen pizza and say, “maybe next year we’ll do something to celebrate.”
As I watched a robin digging for a worm, and marveled at the guy wearing shorts and a t-shirt pushing his toddler in a stroller, I thought about our 4th anniversary – dinner at Rusty’s up Cedar Mountain. Addysen was less than a month old. I quickly concluded that a “romantic” dinner out with a baby is not really that “romantic.”
By our 5th – we were living in OH and expecting Baby #2. Greg was in the police academy. We celebrated by grabbing nachos and virgin daquiri’s at Chi Chi’s and by opening the envelope the ultrasound tech had given me the week before. It said, “Congradulations, It’s a BOY!” (Her spelling, not mine.)
For our 6th, Greg gave me a vase that he had specially made with my favorite colors. After that, it gets a little blurry. I spent our 11th doing 7 miles on the elliptical in hopes of bringing on labor. It didn’t work and Kenzie was born two days later.
Fast-forward to #15 where Greg left at 5am, attended a friend’s funeral, in addition to work and a meeting. He got home at 11pm. I spent the evening celebrating Relief Society with the great ladies of our ward.
“It Feels Like Home,” came on my i-pod and I realized that for the first time in a week – I was completely headache free.
I really wanted to run.
But I didn’t want to do anything that might bring back that horrendous headache.
So, for the first two miles, I let my fear hold me back.
(Well, that and my extremely full bladder.)
After a quick detour home, I set out again. I’m sure I am vitamin D deficient after all these years living in Cleveland. I needed the sunshine on so many levels.
“Hey Soul Sister,” came on and I couldn’t help but pick up my pace a bit. The weather was just too perfect. I thought about everything that was still scheduled for the weekend: the pinewood derby, work, Kenzie’s birthday, our anniversary get-away– so much to do, yet I just wasn’t ready to get on with the rest of my day.
And then, “Awake and Alive,” started blasting in my ears. Our spinning instructor calls it the ‘angry’ song, but as I started paying attention to the words, I decided, “what the heck? I’m going to run.”
I’m awake I’m alive
Now I know what I believe inside
Now it’s my time
I’ll do what I want cause this is my life
Right here, right now
I’ll stand my ground and never back down
I know what I believe inside
I’m awake and I’m alive
It’s quite possibly clear only to me – but there is a definite method to my madness when it comes to the order of songs on my workout playlists.
And for a few brief moments -- in the middle of an exhausting and at times overwhelming week-- I was born to run.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Unless we're blood relatives, this won't make any sense
Actually, even if we are related by blood, this post likely won't make sense. But, for the sake of my posterity, I had to post this series of family emails that circulated this week:
From Linc:
'I arrested this dude from Omaha, Nebraska yesterday and so I hit him up about our old 'O-town' and he brought me some horrifying news....
Peoni Park closed down and has since been turned into a supermarket!!
Let me take this moment to offer my sincerest condolences to my elder siblings who can recall with great fondness and simple recollection the fun, joy, and exhilaration that Peoni Park offered to all who passed through her large black gates.
While Season and I are far too young to have ever partaken in the passion of sweet Peoni's Park, our hearts go out to those of you who knew her well....
As such, I will offer this suggestion: Being as how this Wednesday is national prayer day, may you all take a quiet moment throughout the day, garb yourselves in your favorite "The Smiths, The Kinks, or INXS" band t-shirt, put on either Oingo Boingo's 'Just another day' or Madonna's 'Gonna dress you up in my love' song from your cassette tapes (yes Josh, we all know you still have all of the above mentioned items), let the back portion of your hair grow long if you're a guy or comb your bangs up high if you're a girl and somberly reflect on the memories that sweet, innocent Peoni so effortlessly gave to all her patrons indiscriminately.
In closing, may the spirit of Peoni abide in each of your hearts forever and ever. Just remember, if you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it probably ran out of money.
Humbly yours,
Lincoln 'The Great Dane' Purcell
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
From Season:
Although I have no recollection of Peony Park and had to google it in order to find out what it is/was, I do as well send my condolences. I think I can relate because I felt a similar grief over the closure of Wet N Wild.
From Tacie:
How much must my poor heart take in one day? First the news bout Peony Park...AND then to be dealt the double whammy of NO WET-N-WILD either? We must truly be in the last days. Obviously, I had no idea about the closure of either of these historical places. (In fact, where is the preservation society when you really need them?) Wow..I'm at such a loss. I can only imagine the conversation you must have had, Linc, with your detainee:
"Dude -- you know better than to deal crack. What were you thinking?"
"So -- what's up with most well-known places in Omaha? Places like good 'ole Peony Park?"
"That's 10- life for you man. I would have tried to work you a deal if you hadn't been the bearer of such sad, bad news."
Shiish -- I'm taking my sinus infection and going back to bed. This day just got worse.
May you all have the support you desperately need during these perilous times.
Love,
Tacie
PS - I feel a great desire to hear the Kinks belt out, "Summer's Gone."
From Linc:
Its almost uncanny how close to verbatim you nailed my conversation with Mr. Nebraska. The only difference was the 10 to life. California is so gay and liberal that he'll be lucky if he gets 6 months for possession of meth. Great job Democrats!! Keep up the good work, Polosi.
From Linc:
'I arrested this dude from Omaha, Nebraska yesterday and so I hit him up about our old 'O-town' and he brought me some horrifying news....
Peoni Park closed down and has since been turned into a supermarket!!
Let me take this moment to offer my sincerest condolences to my elder siblings who can recall with great fondness and simple recollection the fun, joy, and exhilaration that Peoni Park offered to all who passed through her large black gates.
While Season and I are far too young to have ever partaken in the passion of sweet Peoni's Park, our hearts go out to those of you who knew her well....
As such, I will offer this suggestion: Being as how this Wednesday is national prayer day, may you all take a quiet moment throughout the day, garb yourselves in your favorite "The Smiths, The Kinks, or INXS" band t-shirt, put on either Oingo Boingo's 'Just another day' or Madonna's 'Gonna dress you up in my love' song from your cassette tapes (yes Josh, we all know you still have all of the above mentioned items), let the back portion of your hair grow long if you're a guy or comb your bangs up high if you're a girl and somberly reflect on the memories that sweet, innocent Peoni so effortlessly gave to all her patrons indiscriminately.
In closing, may the spirit of Peoni abide in each of your hearts forever and ever. Just remember, if you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it probably ran out of money.
Humbly yours,
Lincoln 'The Great Dane' Purcell
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
From Season:
Although I have no recollection of Peony Park and had to google it in order to find out what it is/was, I do as well send my condolences. I think I can relate because I felt a similar grief over the closure of Wet N Wild.
I'm glad that as a family we can all pull together and get through this.
Lovingly,
SeasonFrom Tacie:
How much must my poor heart take in one day? First the news bout Peony Park...AND then to be dealt the double whammy of NO WET-N-WILD either? We must truly be in the last days. Obviously, I had no idea about the closure of either of these historical places. (In fact, where is the preservation society when you really need them?) Wow..I'm at such a loss. I can only imagine the conversation you must have had, Linc, with your detainee:
"Dude -- you know better than to deal crack. What were you thinking?"
"So -- what's up with most well-known places in Omaha? Places like good 'ole Peony Park?"
"That's 10- life for you man. I would have tried to work you a deal if you hadn't been the bearer of such sad, bad news."
Shiish -- I'm taking my sinus infection and going back to bed. This day just got worse.
May you all have the support you desperately need during these perilous times.
Love,
Tacie
PS - I feel a great desire to hear the Kinks belt out, "Summer's Gone."
From Linc:
Its almost uncanny how close to verbatim you nailed my conversation with Mr. Nebraska. The only difference was the 10 to life. California is so gay and liberal that he'll be lucky if he gets 6 months for possession of meth. Great job Democrats!! Keep up the good work, Polosi.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
From Josh:
That is funny. I'm laughing hard. Peioni park was great. I'm torn
apart!
Sent from my iPhone
From Linc:
Okay, at Josh's request, I respectfully submit that we include Soft Cell's cover of 'Tainted Love' and Wham!'s 'Careless Whisper' to the list of acceptable grieving songs for dear Peoni as well as Wet N Wild. I figured I would open it up to the group to discuss amongst yourselves
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
From Mitzi:
I'm not sure I can bring myself to wear green tomorrow.... It just seems to lively of a color when I'm in such mourning.
But we as a family can pull through... We made it through MJ's untimely death - we can make it through this.
Mitzi Carlson
Sent from my iPhone
From Josh:
I'm way to torn to share right now!
Sent from my iPhone
From Season:
Wham and "grieving" are practically synonymous. So I vote yes.
From Mom: (A.K.A. "Oh Wise One")
My Dear Sweet Children,
I know that you all have been supremely grieving today and I have sought for a way to give you comfort and solace. Alas, words fail me! I can only imagine the emotional devastation you have sustained with Linc's horrifying news! With the destruction of your childhood anchors--such as Peony Park and Wet n'Wild--you have every right to be deeply forlorn and extremely agitated. I actually was aware of these two closures, but I so hoped that you would never have to learn this sorrowful truth. I hoped to protect you from this cruel information. As I have pondered your sadness today, I have thought how tremendously bereft I would be if I learned that my beloved Tautphaus Park--the fantasy playground of my girlhood-- was no more. Happily, I can report to you that it is still alive, and indeed, thriving in Idaho Falls. So I submit to you that if you find yourselves in need of some childhood innocence bolstering, cling to that thought: Not all dreams are so viciously destroyed! TAUTPHAUS PARK LIVES!!!! And I will only pray that someday we may all unite there to view the majestic bears, the lone zebra, and the ever red-bottomed monkeys who call Tautphaus Park "HOME." May this quest soothe your troubled souls and console your aching hearts. I remain your dear, devoted,
MOTHER
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
From Tacie:
Oh, how I have needed the words of comfort and strength that our dear mother -- our stalwart -- shared. Thank you -- from the bottom of my (laughing) heart. (Is that even possible?) I agree with Season that Wham and "grieving" definitely go hand it hand. I do firmly believe that the lead singer of Wham - -who's name has escaped my mind at the moment -- spends a good deal of time grieving -- for his actions...among other things. As we ponder the passing of our childhood dreams -- let us take a moment to blast, "WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO GO!" Perhaps this is all just a nightmare that will end? If not, perhaps, as mother said, we can all reunite at the beloved Tautphaus Park (who in the world came up with that spelling? Mother, please enlighten as I am sure you know the history??). But for now, may the leprachauns bring you luck and peace -- even if we aren't Irish.
From Josh:
That is funny, This has been a good thing to see today. I needed this today.
From Linc:
If I may be so bold as to occupy a saying coined by our elder brother and our parent's first born, "I am as jealous as a spider" when it comes to our mother's strength, determination, and perspective with relation to the death of these two familial icons. If only I could muster a fraction of her courage to address these issues head on how different my life could be but alas, I digress.
I think that Mitzi has truly hit the nail on the head. As she so expertly pointed out- we Purcell's are survivors. We pulled through the King of Pop's expiration (some of us better than others as noted by Josh's all to frequent, late night, tearful phone calls to my voicemail begging and pleading for one final 'He--he!' Or 'Sha-mon girl' as only Michael Jackson could do) but nonetheless, we have survived.
In addition, I appreciate, as I'm sure you all do, Season's wisdom in not being fooled by the all too deceptive exclamation point that George Michael so purposefully placed at the end of WHAM! Generally speaking, the exclamation point denotes some form of excitement or glee, yet Season was not blinded by this poor attempt at grammatical trickery. She recognized without hesitation that the exclamation point at the end of WHAM! is merely a facade, much like Mr Michael's attempts at heterosexuality. As such, I commend Season on her intuition and her sound logic and reason. Bravo, young lass, bravo! ( <----- You'll kindly note the appropriate use of the exclamation point). I must conclude by agreeing with all of you that although, at times, the weight of these seemingly unbearable sorrows feels as though they are too heavy to tarry on, I have found solace and comfort in this simple written communication and have noticed that it has helped with the lightening of the load and helped me to see the path before me with greater clarity. So thank you to all who have participated and may the weeks ahead bring you greater happiness than those previous. I will part with some words of encouragement from Billie Idol cerca 1985; "Its a... nice day to..... START AGAAAAAAIIIIN!" (<--- again, the appropriate use of the exclamation point). Affectionately yours, The Great Dane
PS- Mom, I had to look up every 3rd word in your e-mail. You're like a walking dictionary.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Has Spring sprung?
Do these girls have electric personalities, or what??
Yesterday, we enjoyed a St. Patty's day picnic on the trampoline. There was a just a little bit of static going on.
Friday I'll be over you
Tuesday night was the annual Wilcox Elementary Talent Show. And, as she has for the past 3 years, Addysen participated with some of her friends. Their hours of practice (often without all 5 of them as schedules were difficult to coordinate) paid off because to this mom (and how many other people's opinions really count?), they were by far one of the best acts.
Thanks to Addysen's primary teacher to her Activity Day leader for coming to endure -- oops, I mean enjoy -- 22 elementary school talent show acts.
I'll post the video later - if I can figure out how to do it.
Just because I never posted them...
The older kids all participated in the CAVS Read to Achieve program. So, a few weeks ago, we went to a game. It was lots of fun -- despite the fact that the CAVS led by 45 at one point and Lebron sat out the entire 4th quarter. Thanks to Connie for watching the littlest girls so the rest of us could go.
Monday, March 8, 2010
We're not quite there yet
Admittedly, today was a beautiful day.
But, it IS still March in Cleveland.
AND...although perhaps not entirely accurate, the thermometer on my computer only registered 46 degrees as the high. (Rumor has it that around town-- the bank registered 52.)
So, while warm and sunny -- imagine my surprise when I came out of the office to discover EVERY.SINGLE.WINDOW. in the family room was OPEN as wide as it could possibly be.
Granted, Greg works for a utility company and we're saving money on our gas bill. However -- I see no need to try to heat the backyard.
As if that weren't enough...
The kids spent a good portion of the day playing outside on the trampoline. Good. Exercise and fresh air. Always good.
In shorts and t-shirts? It's not that warm yet.
True, they have to take their shoes off when the jump. I'm ok with that.
But I put my foot down when I saw them wandering in the front yard - amidst the snow piles -in their bare feet.
Is it a wonder they came inside asking for hot chocolate?
Give me a break.
But, it IS still March in Cleveland.
AND...although perhaps not entirely accurate, the thermometer on my computer only registered 46 degrees as the high. (Rumor has it that around town-- the bank registered 52.)
So, while warm and sunny -- imagine my surprise when I came out of the office to discover EVERY.SINGLE.WINDOW. in the family room was OPEN as wide as it could possibly be.
Granted, Greg works for a utility company and we're saving money on our gas bill. However -- I see no need to try to heat the backyard.
As if that weren't enough...
The kids spent a good portion of the day playing outside on the trampoline. Good. Exercise and fresh air. Always good.
In shorts and t-shirts? It's not that warm yet.
True, they have to take their shoes off when the jump. I'm ok with that.
But I put my foot down when I saw them wandering in the front yard - amidst the snow piles -in their bare feet.
Is it a wonder they came inside asking for hot chocolate?
Give me a break.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Blue & Gold
Addysen's actual birthday was spent at the church -- decorating for and participating in the Blue and Gold Banquet. Cannon earned his Bear, 3 arrow points and his religious knot. He was so excited and commented several times, "I don't know why, but I feel really good about getting these awards during the Blue and Gold."
Thankfully, the weather cooperated long enough to get through the evening without rescheduling...and the kids still got their snow day the next day, on Friday. (Sorry, no pictures of that.)
*Just a sidenote-- we didn't have time for Addysen's cake when she got home from school. It was late when we got home from the church and the kids had homework to finish. I was quickly trying to get them all to bed. About 9:45 -- Addysen was the only one up and I said, "Addysen, do you want me to light your candles and sing to you?" So...that is what we did. I sang a solo of "Happy Birthday" and we ate the cake on Friday.
You just do what you've got to do sometimes.
Addysen's Birthday
Before we get too far into March, I figured I should post a picture of Addysen's 11th birthday last Thursday. The entire week was insane -- and we knew it was going to be. So, in anticipation of all the upcoming activities -- and given that Greg was scheduled to work every night -- we celebrated early with a trip to the mall.The mall?
Yes, although not a "party year," Addysen eagerly anticipated her 11th birthday for years...it marked "the year" that she would be allowed to get her ears pierced. She picked out some cute little diamond studs and barely even flinched when the earrings went in.
Upon finishing, I told her she could pick out a couple of pairs of earrings. Her response as we wandered to the "pierced" section of Claire's?
"I've always wanted to be able to look in this section."
Earrings, combined with some new jeans (since everything else seems to have become floods), made for a Happy Birthday on Saturday -- 5 days before the actual day.
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