Recap: Enjoyment of 2009

The enjoyment I have found this week is in looking back on 2009. Here is a list of the good, the bad, the pretty and the ugly.

1. 2009 started off quiet. By March, my life was a whirlwind of doctors and medical terms because of my father's cancer.

2. Summer got underway with the kids and I was officially hired on at my company.

3. July brought our nephew's wedding and week in Alabama. We had a great time and a highlight was going to The Shed in Mississippi. If you ever get a chance to go...DO IT!

4. School started up in a flurry of band camp, football practices, high school and junior high. It was a big adjustment for all of us.

5. The fall saw a lot of football, Allie's first homecoming dance (which she looked beautiful), and news that my dad's cancer was gone!

6. Now we are at the end of the year. I pray that 2010 will bring more happiness, wealth and fun for my family and yours.

2009 was not a bad year, but a year for me to contemplate a lot of things, especially about my family. I will not predict anything, but am hopeful that the new year will bring us health, happiness and lots of adventures!

Wacky Palm Tree

I am going to end the year on a good note. I am going going to make some New Year's Resolutions that I think I will try and follow. 1) I will participate or create a week day post. 2) I will look at other's posts on a weekly/daily basis.

I need to come up with what I can or want to post about.

Monday - will be Menu Planning on Monday
Tuesday - will be What did you do over the weekend?
Wednesday - will be wacky things my family does.
Thursday - what are you thoroughly enjoying this week?
Friday - Friday Five List

So I hope I can keep it going through. So today I will talk about something wacky my family member has done.

My husband always gets me an unusual Christmas gift. This year it was a lighted palm tree. I totally love it! It is suppose to be for our deck that he talks about redoing, but I am keeping it in the living room for now. It is not what I asked for, but it is such a cool present. So when people ask me what I got for Christmas, I say...a lighted palm tree!

Positive Thoughts for Wednesday

I am deciding that even though they may be random, they are positive thoughts too.

1. Today is payday!

2. This may be my longest day of the week, but it is also a lot of fun!

3. I get to go pick up lunches for people today and later I get to pick up the car from the repair shop. Yay! I don't have to sit behind my desk all day.

4. My dad seems to be getting better. This is a wonderful thing.

5. Less than 4 months until Christmas!

Scary?

Do you like to be scared? Do you like to go to haunted trails, house, or caves? Well, our family does not. But this weekend, my daughter's BF had his bday party at Kings Island's Fearfest. She tried to tell him that she hates that stuff, but she went anyway because she did not want to bail on him. When we got there, there were creatures milling around, like in the movie Halloweentown (Disney). She was not thrilled. The rest of the kids headed out to a trail or train or something and she dug her heels in and stayed with me and BF's Mom (I helped drive kids to and from KI).

She watched a show with us and we walked around being screamed out by creatures and it really freaked her out. I tried not to make eye contact, but this kind of evening is just not what we ever do or what we enjoy. It upset BF some, but he was warned.

So the the next day, BF was with us and tried to talk to my daughter about this. Apparently his mother told him that daughter was very immature in her actions because she didn't go off with them and try to have fun. She also told him that she is too attached to me and that daughter needs to grow up and BF shouldn't hang out with her anymore because she stresses him out too much.

Well this has ticked me off. I have honestly tried to get daughter to go out and do things on her own. She hardly won't. Not everyone is into scary things. Maybe she is too attached to me, but I don't mind it. I love knowing what is going on with her and her friends and I love that she can talk to be about everything. I do agree that she stress about things and worries about things too much, though. I have tried to tell her that boyfriends and situations will work out, but it's hard for a 15-year-old to hear that. Daughter won't hardly go over to a friend's house unless she really gets to know them and she hasn't spent the night with anyone in a very long time. It really upsets me that this mom is a)trying to tell her kid who his friends should be and b) that she is kind of taking shots at my husband and my parenting skills. I have raised my daughter this best I can and I know she doesn't lie and she isn't deceitful. I know for a fact that this parent's kid has been lying about things to her for months, but I don't feel it is my place to interfere. I will not do that to him. But she isn't the person I thought she was.

Does anyone else have an opinion on this?

Friday Fave Fives

Here are my Friday Fave Fives for this week....

1) Tonight is Friday Night Lights!

2) My son's 7th grade football team won their first game!

3) I took my daughter and bought her first homecoming dress. She is so pretty in it.

4) I made terrible chili this week. My husband doctored it up and now it tastes awesome!

5) This week was the week of premieres for all my favorite shows! CSI's, Grey's Anatomy, Dancing With the Stars, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Criminal Minds...I am a junkie.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

1. I cried this AM because I found out Patrick Swayze died.
2. My boss is back from vacation.
3. Why does it seem that I have been in a depressed mood for the past 2 days?
4. My closest friend has the cutest BF.
5. For the second time this year, the remote in the conference room has gone missing. WTF?
6. If Helen Keller fellin the woods, would she make a sound?

Happy Birthday

Well, tomorrow is my Dad's birthday. He will be 67. It's a relief to say that. This as you know has been the hardest year I have ever seen him go through. There have been some hard years. Like when his Dad died. He went into such a funk for a long time over that. But who wouldn't?

This year has also seen some wonderful times. I know that's hard to believe but I try to see the good in almost everything. This year our church really has pulled together and made it easy for us to love them and feel loved. It has brought Dad and Mom some faithful and caring friends that proved themselves. I believe it brought my family closer too in many ways.

Dad, Allie and I got to go to Washington D.C. for a trip we will never forget. We just found out about his cancer and had not really coped with it and he had not started his treatments. We didn't even know what the rest of the year would bring, but we definitely made the most of that trip. Even though Dad and I didn't really talk about anything in particular or get too serious, it was a trip we had always wanted to take. Now he is talking about going back when Timm goes. Wouldn't that be great? Timm, Mike and Dad in D.C.. Timm is looking forward to that.

All my life, I have been Daddy's little girl. In fact, one of our exchange students said that we were "Xerox copies". We are so much alike in so many ways. My attitude is like his, my outlook on people and life are like his, and my sense of humor is like his. I am proud to be his daughter.

He has shown me what a father should be like and that has helped me all my life imagine what God, as a father, is like too. I think he has made it easy for me to accept that God is my father and that he loves me, all because Dad loves me. I love him too, and hope that he has many more birthdays to come!

Love/Hate Relationship

Today is the kids first day of school. The first day of school has always been a love/hate relationship for me. I love that the kids are getting back in a routine. 12 year old boy starts Junior High and was so excited he was up before I got him up. 15 year old girl wasn't quite as excited at first. The routine has changed because in the last two years it was usually just her and I up and at 'em until she left for the bus and then I got the boy up. Now they go together.

Things will be different after school too. First, both kids have either football or band. The 15 year old will have practice three times a week and the 12 year old will have it the same. Plus he will have Wednesday games.

I love the first day of school because the kids are excited about going back and meeting their teachers and seeing their friends.

I hate the first day of school because that means I have homework. You know, the paperwork that only a school can make you do year after year.

I love the first day of school because that means a pretty good routine will be established.

I hate the first day of school because that means summer is essentially over. The days are darkening sooner and the lazy days are behind us.

Friday Fave Fives

I stumbled on this from Stick It In the Fridge. So here are mine...

1. A story I heard from a friend. A 2-yr. old pushed the red emergency button in an elevator at Wright Patterson Air Force Base Museum the other day and they had to evacuate every person in the building. Too funny. Protect us from terrorists and the 2-year olds! The best part is that I personally know the kid and he is mischevious like that!

2. Tonight starts Monroe's Friday Night Lights! There is a scrimmage and I am pysched to go watch it! This weekend is all about football and band. Saturday, the boy will get to manage his first game as they scrimmage in the AM. Then Sunday evening, big gathering at the stadium for public to meet the high school team, as well as other fall sports teams, the band will get to perform their pre-game show as well as mini-camps and such. Should be a great time. I am all about the school support!

3. Today, my daughter will get a new phone. Daughter, her BFF and I will go later today and look.

4. This weekend we are buying all the school supplies we can. They start next Wednesday. So this is their last free Friday for a while.

5. The Bengals beat the Patriots last night! Ochocinco kicked the PAT? What the heck? Are they desperate for a kicker? Who cares, they won!


Here's a link to check out Stick it on the Fridge (http://pleasestickitinthefridge.blogspot.com/).

How AAA saved my life, well my pride.

Last night, I was sitting in the back of my new Ford Edge watching football practice, reading and talking with another parent. The day was dreary and darkening clouds were rolling by, threatening rain and grumbling with thunder. Flashes of lightening littered the sky, and the boys and coaches ran in to the locker rooms. After about five minutes, the boys still had not come back out, so I text my son.

ME: Whatcha doing?
HIM: Talk chalkin' over plays.
ME: Ok.

The rain started coming down in big, fat drops and the other parent jumped in their vehicle. I was sitting in the trunk area enjoying the weather. It started picking up and I decided I had better close the trunk so my legs don't get completely soaked. As I did that, I slowly lowered it and tried to stop it from just clicking shut. Nope. It latched. I pushed on the door and it stayed in place. Ok", I think. "How do I get this open without all these other parents realizing I am locked in the back of my car?" I look around and realize that I can not scoot over the top of the seats. I look to the left; nothing. I look to the right; nothing.

At this point, I text my daughter and my husband.

ME: I have locked myself in the back of the Edge. lol.

Then I see it. A small rectangle piece in the door that looks like it can come out. I try to pop it off with my fake thumbnails (because right now my thumbnails are they are the only long nails I have). They are too wide. I try a key (at least they are with me). Nope. So then I look at my keyring. On my very round and big keyring, I have a AAA card, you know like the little gas cards or other store cards you put on them. It is very thin. I put that against the rectangle and it pops right off. I put my fingers in very gently and feel around. "That is not the right place, oh, that piece goes down. Now if I push the door as I press on that piece..." A rush of relief went through me. I had unlocked the mystery, without any strangers noticing.

HER: Seriously?
ME: Yeah, but it's okay, I figured out how to open it up.

At this point her BFF called me and asked if I needed them to come and get me out. I just laughed and said, "No, I figured it out. But it is kinda funny, huh?" I am sure they were rolling their eyes at my antics.

It Has A Good Beat and Easy To Dance To....

I believe in monogomy. I have only been with one man my whole life, my husband. I am proud of that. But some of the songs today are preaching a different set of rules. One of those songs is by Pitbull called "Hotel Room". Have you heard this? The song is a hook-up song. The chorus states "Forget about your boyfriend and meet me at the hotel room, you can bring your girlfriends and meet me at the hotel room. [x2]
We at the hotel, motel, holiday inn." [x4]

I shamefully say I like the beat, but to hear my 12 year old sing this song was appalling. It is a good dance tune and there are no cussing in the song, but it basically lays it out there. I found out last night that on my 14 yo's myspace this is her song of choice. What? My 14 yo? No wonder kids today grow up too fast. Songs like this make it seem okay to ditch your girlfriend/boyfriend and have orgies. It doesn't make me feel old, but sad. Morals are thrown out the window and left on the street to rot. What do you do to fight this? Let them not listen to music? Did our parents feel this way about "Pour Some Sugar On Me?"

Gimme a S!

Tuesday is starting off slow. Yesterday, I couldn't get a word in edgewise. Today, I am begging to do something. The only major thing I have to do is get lunch for a large group and now...oh, the leader of the group wants me to stop and get these grown men and women ice cream sandwiches. Cool, huh? Oh goody, I even get one for myself (if there are any left over). What a guy! No lunch for you, but you go get them and oh, if there is any ice cream left...it's yours. I don't mind, really I don't.

Today my kids are running my husband and my friend ragged. The older kids have band practice this AM, then they come home, shower and dress, go get a couple of things at the dance shop, then take the older ones and the younger boy back to school for pictures. Then younger boy has football practice until 4:30 or 5. Then it will be done for them for the day. At least they will be busy.

What all that means is that we will eat supper at a normal time. We are use to eating supper around 6. But with football practice, it has been 8:30. So I usually haven't been eating. Late last week, my hon started going home from practice a half hour early and getting supper ready, so when the rest of us got there, we were able to eat about 15 minutes earlier. Once school starts, that will be easier to do because a) kids will be home before 5 unless there is a game and b) after Labor Day, my hours will be more normal.

So let's hear it for back to school and back to the routine! Love it!

I have been awarded...

Thanks to ladytruth and I hope more will catch on someday...





Here are the requirements for this award. In order to be considered for this award, your blog must be relatively new, I say with in the last 6 months. AND must evoke a response from me... Laughing out loud, Fit the bill for obnoxious, give me something useful in everyday life... You get the idea.

I will look to give this out with some sound research soon.

My hubby just came up with a good idea...in Ohio, when you get your car license plates renewed...you should get a discount for recycling the plates. It's ridiculous to pay $50+ for a little sticker!

What do you think?

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

What have I not been up to over the weekend? Well here it goes...

My first night of band camp, I was not the only one in the field and not waiting on others to pull a prank. I was no where near there.

I was not letting the fifteen year old get upset about silly things like leaving her father's gym shorts in the bathroom.

I was not picking 15 cucumbers, 10 green peppers and dozens of beans and tomatoes out of my garden.

I did not fall asleep during most of ARMY WIVES last night. Good thing for DVRs.

Help! I'm Complex!

Well, 9th grader made through her first 24 hours of band camp. I knew she would. I never had any doubt that once she got there she would be fine. She does say that I am wanted there. It's nice to be wanted. But why me? I am a mom, but I guess, like my Dad, I have a tendency to make things fun for others.

I have my other side too, like meeting someone face to face for the first time. I am not sure what to say, how they expect me to respond, what they think of how I look, or if they really even want to talk to me. I get nervous, especially if neither of us makes that first initial contact. Then I try and get out of the situation. I move away and then spend the rest of the time beating myself up because now I am thinking that the person may think I don't like them, that I was a snob or that I didn't even notice them. Actually, I was just nervous and wasn't sure what to say.

So life is full of complexities that we need to just take by the horns and get on with. Say hi to that new person that you want to make contact with. Go in with an attitude that it doesn't matter what everyone else thinks and just be yourself. Make life fun for everyone around you. You may just find that it really is a lot of fun.

Know your Child

Today I dropped my 9th grader off early for band camp. She is scared and tired and not quite sure she is ready for this. Last night she had one of her major mental breakdowns. As some background, the Auxillary girls spent the night before making their tassels and going TP-ing. That's another story.

The 9th grader apparently, being crafty as she is, made her tassels in record time. She was telling me how impressed the senior of the group was and that she now holds the record for how long it takes. I am sure we will be making lots of tassels as the years go by, so she will have to explain that to me later. But the girls stayed up way past her bed time and last night I saw the result of that. She is the type of person who doesn't like the unknown. She wants to know exactly what we are doing, when we are doing it, and and don't give her any of this "You'll love band camp. You will have such a great time!" She didn't care about that at 11 PM at night, with less than 7 hours of sleep. She didn't know what she wants but she was sure she doesn't want to go to band camp. She wants to stay home in the comfort of her bedroom and cry. I love being a mom, don't you?

Anyway, I went to find her schedule to help show her exactly what she was going to be doing when, and give her time to calm down. Dad wanted to help, but his words of encouragement were to say the least, not very encouraging to a 15-year old girl dealing with emotions and sleep depravation. Bless his heart, he tries.

When I get back, I find the 9th grader packing a few more things, and she tells me that when they are seniors, they will do this and this and this. I hugged her and said, "See you are already planning for the future." She smiled and said, "I know." The best part is that she will be with her best friend, and she can make stronger bonds with the other girls and boys.

This morning, I told her best friend, that she had a mental breakdown last night and he had to be extra nice to her this week. "I'm always nice to her," was his response. (I am rolling my eyes at this comment.) He's almost 15, what does he know? This morning I stood around and talked for a few minutes and the 9th grader finally told me I could leave. So I hug her, tell her and the best friend to be good and that I will see the tomorrow evening. Then I turn and walk to my vehicle. I know she is in good hands and I will be out there tomorrow evening, spending the night and probably chaperoning the 9th graders as the prank the seniors and the director. But, that will be for another time.

My 15 year old had a sleep over last night. She text me about 11:30 PM and told me that she was going to TP a house. Good grief! I know it's "harmless fun" but...

Anyway, this AM I asked her if they actually went and she confessed they did. SIGH. It was her friend's house and I know we will get paid back for this. So a little excitement will be happening soon. Good grief!

Blah in Receptland

A boring day as the receptionist. It rained hard all day and I stayed in the building. There was the occasional phone to be answered and some minimal mail to be delivered. The day was spiced with a few cuties that delivered things and the handy manny that is nice to talk too. All in all it is not a day to blog about. Maybe tomorrow!

I Shoulda Been A Farmer's Wife....

Wednesday I canned green beans. Isn't it amazing that just two plastic bags from Kroger full of string beans makes 8 quarts of beans I canned and still there is enough for supper tonight? I love canning. It is hard because I am working full time, but it is one of my favorite things to do.

Two weeks ago my Mom, Dad, #1 daughter, #1 son and I did 15 dozen ears of corn. That isn't that much when you realize that we usually do 30 dozen. I have a friend who always gives us great corn and we love it. We shuck it, use the turkey fryer to parboil it, and then plunge it in ice cold water in a cooler to cool the ears down. Then we take it out, cut and scrape it off the cob and bag it. We have fresh, frozen corn for months.

I am proud of the fact that of my farming grandparent's grandchildren (there were 9 in all) I am the only one that has kept canning alive. Some of my greatest memories are of us all gathering out at the farm and doing corn for 2 days. We kids would sneek some of the cut corn in our mouths, we would all shuck the ears and then we would go play by the pond or in the barn. We also would gather to dig up potatoes. I only remember doing that once or twice.

But the best thing was the sugar cane. My grandfather would grow it and my grandmother would "raise cane" because she always thought he grew too much. :) Any hoo, we would strip the cane of it's leaves, press it through and the juice would come out. Then we would cook the juice until it thickened and it made the best molasses ever. It happened in October and was the best time ever! I don't have enough land to raise cane, but my husband and I have a nice small garden where peppers, cukes, beans and 'maters rule. Now if only the weather would cooperate and dry out. I need the sun to poke it's hot head out from behind all these gray clouds and warm the earth and turn my 'maters. I have a lot of green ones, but they don't make for good juice and chili. We aren't a green 'mater family!

Farming is a noble and dying heritage. I love my heritage and love the little portion that I keep alive in gardening and canning and sharing with others.

TIT - Teen In Training

#1 Son came back from camp on Friday night. As a twelve year old, I was not worried that he would be homesick or be good, or even have fun. He has trouble (especially at school) keeping his mouth closed and his thoughts to himself. He has no problem telling people what he thinks, no matter the consequences. It's a gift and a curse.

Well, this year, he apparently was promoted. Being the oldest camper on his team, he was asked to step up to the challenge of helping as a "Teen faculty member". From what has been told to #1 Husband and I, #1 Son really did a great job. He helped lead his team, he talked with two boys who actually came forward and were to be baptized at their home church, he did an outstanding job! #1 Husband and I really proud of the job that he did. He was called to help and he met it head-on with no problem.

As a reward of being a "Teen", #1 Song got to stay up a little later a couple of nights. The best night was when all the faculty went out to the zip line and rode it at night. Now it gets pretty dark in the valley at Butler Springs. So going up into the woods, climbing up the stand and riding that little thin wire and harnesses at night would be a faith-builder. #1 Son said that all they had was a glow stick and you could see your objective, the circle at the other end. You push off and down you go, into the darkened night, not sure of where you are, what is below you, and wondering why you decided to do this crazy thing. Can't you just close your eyes and imagine gliding down at a very fast rate, the wind coming at you and then a sudden stop? It must be exhilarating!

#1 Son loved that he was called on to be a helper. I asked him if he now understood what it means to be a counsellor at camp. He said "I do and I am going back next year as a teen helper."

Maybe I will go with him next year. I want to see my children become courageous and faithful helpers, shining their light before God and men.

1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.

Laughing

Friday afternoon, I took Allie to the doctor for a physical for band. It was the usual physical. They weighed her, took her height, read her blood pressure. Then the doctor came in and asked his set of questions. He took the little hammer and started checking her knee reflexes. Her knees were not responding well and she was laughing. I told the doctor that my knees were the same. So he told her to put her hands together with palms facing each other, held up to her chest and elbows out. So she did that. He then checked her reflexes again. That satisfied him. Then he asked her to stand up and he checked her posture. He told her to turn around. Allie did a 360. The doctor rolled his eyes and said, "No, turn around." Then he stopped her when she was facing away from him. She laughed and said, "You said turn around." He told her to touch her toes. She bent down, touched the floor and stood back up. Doc said exasperated, "Slowly." So she went down again and he checked her spine as she stood up. By now I am just rolling with laughter. Next the doctor told her to squat down. She turned to him and said, "What does that mean?" He said squat down. So she tried to, but she ended up falling to her knees. By now this comedy was too funny for either of us to not be laughing. How the doctor was putting up with us is beyond me. He then asked her to squat and walk like a duck. Now can you see Allie doing that? She couldn't do it. So the doctor told me that he thinks she can't do that because of her knocked knees. She said, "I have a disability?" I told her, "Yeah, you do. A lot of them."

So later, when we were driving home, I asked her if she realized why the doctor made her put her hands together when he checked her reflexes. She said, "No, why?"

"Because he wanted you to concentrate on something other than your legs."

"He did? Oh, I thought he was checking my hands or arms. I thought it was scientific!" She said in wonderment. I laughed and told her, "Oh I am going to blog this!" So I did.

Some days it's an adventure to be with Allie. God gives us laughter because he loves that musical ringing in our voices.

15 and Counting

Today, my oldest daughter turned 15. Unfortunately I am here at work most of the day, as is her dad. Her best friend is on vacation and she as opted to spend the morning through lunch with a group from church that have all younger kids. They are going to a place called Bananas!. This place has a bunch of inflatables that the kids can jump, slide, run and do whatever they want to get some energy out. Oldest is happy going and playing with the 2 and 3 year olds. She is going to be a great preschool teacher and baby sitter someday.

Her favorite shows on television (right now) are So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With the Stars. She is beyond happy that tonight is SYTYCD's 100th episode and they are bringing back dances from the first 5 seasons. It is a FOX channel show, and if you love choreography and dance, you will really like this. Infact, I think I will get her tickets to go see the tour when it comes close to our area.

We usually make a special meal or take the kids out for their b-day. She has opted to wait to go out until this weekend when her brother comes back from camp. She is so thoughtful to want to include him. She could have decided to be selfish and we just do it now. I am going to get her some cheesecake so she can at least have a bday dessert.

Just so you don't think we are heartless parents, next weekend, we are planning a party for her. She wants to just sit around the fire pit with friends, listening to music or jumping on the trampoline, having snacks and smores. She is a simple girl with simple tastes. She is worried that her friends won't come. That is her biggest fear. Ahh to only have that simple worry.

Her favorite things are purses and shoes, and she has an Aunt who loves to spoil her with Vera Bradley. She loves any kind of shoes, especially Converse and heels. She is taller than me (which is not hard to be) and about as tall as her daddy. She is going into 9th grade and is on the drill team in the high school's marching band. That starts in full force next week.

Happy Birthday Darling. Hope your day is a good one!

I have been reading and researching blogs for the past year and finally decided to take the plunge. Yesterday I started with a devotional blog that I started in April. I started it because my wonderful father started chemo and radiation treatments for throat cancer. I wanted to keep our family and friends updated daily. This quickly turned into an 80+ member devotion and I have come to love. But I want to do something more. I don't know if I am in the right area, but I am going to start here and see what I can do. Whether I am interesting to anyone but myself is really not important because I like this outlet.

I am a wife of almost 19 years, a mom of a 15 year old girl and a 12 year old boyand mama to Josie Belle, our Chow-chow/Shepherd mix.. We love our city, school, and friends. We love hanging out in the backyard grilling, gardening, making smores and sitting around the fire pit. We love entertaining and enjoying life! I work as a receptionist full time.

I live in SW Ohio and today it is raining. This is a good thing, because that means we don't have to worry about watering the garden. I am excited about the garden because the beans are coming along wonderfully and I have already started getting cucumbers and various peppers coming in. Yummy! My mom, dad and I put up 15 dozen ears of corn for the winter (bought from a fabulous friend, Thanks Michael!) and will be doing more in a few weeks.

This week, my son is at church camp, having a wonderful time. At least, I think he is. He will come back on Friday and then daughter starts pre-band camp on Monday. She's on the drill team and learning the ropes of the flags and pom-poms. So life as a mother of a teenager and pre-teen goes on.

That is enough of an intro. I hope that someone out there will take an interest in my little corner of blogger.