Thursday, July 19, 2007
Safety City, USA
C finally learned to ride his bike last week, so we decided to take them to Safety City in Jackson on Sunday afternoon. By the time we got there, we had to wait through a down-pour (the first two pictures!) and then they could play. They had a lot of fun and got dirty too! (Look below...B got in the mud, of course!) We also saw the geese that live in the park...they were honking and flying all over the place in between storms. :) Was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon together as a family.
The end of T-Ball
Well, our last game (Tuesday night) was rained out! :( B was sad, but we still had a party at the house (with the grandparents) and I'm going to stick in some pics now of game shots. There is one of the whole team...so fun. B had some GREAT coaches this year.
Here is a video of B's last score for the team!
Here is a video of B's last score for the team!
Next up is Tae Kwon Do. B (and C) are SOOOO excited!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Last Game of the Season
Tonight is the last game of the season....we are supposed to have an awards ceremony of sorts after the game is over. Then we're coming back here to the house to eat supper and have cake and ice cream to celebrate with Brent. Grandma J is here and the other grandparents will be here as well. It will be a fun night. I have a short video clip on my camera of last night's game and lots of pictures (including and team pic) that I will post on here tomorrow. He has had so much fun this year playing T-ball and C has had fun playing with M! :) Till then!
False Fortune
Before she can blink, Hannah Dain of Dain and Daughters Law Firm finds herself maneuvering down an embankment to help the woman stuck in the car that just flew over the cliff and into the lake below. Fighting memories, fear and soreness, Hannah helps the woman out and hears three words before paramedics take her to the hospital: “….should have died.” Haunted by this, she then finds herself being named lead counsel for the plaintiff in a case being handled by her sister. But this case was to be quickly settled…Hannah was only supposed to close the deal. What has she gotten herself into this time? Quickly Hannah realizes nothing is safe: her apartment, her life, her family. Through the determination of a new sister, Hannah follows the evidence and discovers more about herself than she ever realized was there.
False Fortune is number 4 in the Pinnacle Peak Mystery series, and Twist Phelan does a great job of continuing the story. These stories must be read in order, however, because if they are not, there are definite pieces missing leaving the reader to feel as if the story is incomplete. Phelan’s descriptions of the land and the Indian reservation were absolutely on target and she definitely leaves room at the end for another book in this series.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Update on B
Well, we finally have some answers! :) On Wednesday morning, I got a call from the Dr's nurse telling me it was NOT meningitis (praise GOD!) and that it was a tick-borne illness that is not contagious as long as there is no fever.
T and I got talking about everything that's happened and can't remember a tick bite recently, and most tick fevers that I've read about happen within a week of the tick bite. But we remembered some tick bites back in May, and about a month ago B broke out in a rash on his arms and legs. We were told by a nurse at church that it was probably just contact dermatitis (which, from what I gather is what they call things when they don't know what it is!) and it went away. We also talked about the fact that the dr told us to keep the rashes/hives at bay in the future months, we would use Claritin or Singulair on B. WELL, we realized that for seasonal allerges, we did have him on Singulair at the time of the break out about a month ago...and wonder if he actually contracted the virus back then.... and that it flared up again now, but since B wasn't on his allergy meds (we got lazy!) it got really bad this time. So now we have even more incentive to be consistent with B's allergy meds! :)
I'm just so thankful that things are fine with B. He's been very cranky and cries at the least little thing right now, but he's like his momma in that respect.... LOL. But he's been up and playing and finally has his appetite back! We went out last night with a cousin of mine that was passing through town. B ate ALL of his own dinner and about 1/3 of mine! He just kept saying, "Mom, this is all so good, I'm just so hungry!" LOL I was happy he was eating....and figure the appetite will normalize in a few days.
Time to get ready for dinner....
T and I got talking about everything that's happened and can't remember a tick bite recently, and most tick fevers that I've read about happen within a week of the tick bite. But we remembered some tick bites back in May, and about a month ago B broke out in a rash on his arms and legs. We were told by a nurse at church that it was probably just contact dermatitis (which, from what I gather is what they call things when they don't know what it is!) and it went away. We also talked about the fact that the dr told us to keep the rashes/hives at bay in the future months, we would use Claritin or Singulair on B. WELL, we realized that for seasonal allerges, we did have him on Singulair at the time of the break out about a month ago...and wonder if he actually contracted the virus back then.... and that it flared up again now, but since B wasn't on his allergy meds (we got lazy!) it got really bad this time. So now we have even more incentive to be consistent with B's allergy meds! :)
I'm just so thankful that things are fine with B. He's been very cranky and cries at the least little thing right now, but he's like his momma in that respect.... LOL. But he's been up and playing and finally has his appetite back! We went out last night with a cousin of mine that was passing through town. B ate ALL of his own dinner and about 1/3 of mine! He just kept saying, "Mom, this is all so good, I'm just so hungry!" LOL I was happy he was eating....and figure the appetite will normalize in a few days.
Time to get ready for dinner....
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Eragon
EragonRated PG
My rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Here is the blurb on the movie from Plugged-In Online:
Based on Christopher Paolini's huge bestseller, begun when he was just 15 years old, the film version of Eragon tells a familiar fantasy story. The title character is a 17-year-old boy raised by his uncle in the small town of Carvahall in the kingdom of Alagaesia. When he stumbles upon a remarkable blue stone that turns out to be a dragon's egg—and its winged occupant suddenly hatches right in front of him—Eragon quickly realizes he and she (Saphira) share a telepathic connection.
Eragon seeks answers from a local storyteller and soon-to-be mentor named Brom. But before he can get very many of them, the two humans and their dragon pal must run for their lives when Galbatorix, the evil and wrongful king of the land, sends powerful and maggot-faced Ra'zacs to kill the newly discovered dragon rider.
On their journey to join forces with the Varden, one of the last remaining groups still resisting the king from its hidden mountain fortress, Brom trains Eragon in the history of the dragon riders, sword fighting, and the magical words of incantation from the ancient language of the elves. Then Eragon takes a detour to rescue Arya, a beautiful elf connected to him through his dreams and held captive by an evil sorcerer, or "shade," named Durza, a servant of Galbatorix. Before it's all over, there's a massive, underground battle between the Varden and the king's army of Urgals—and a final face-off between Eragon and Durza.*****
I watched this with the boys last night and was actually finding myself enjoying the movie! :) I was pleasantly surprised with the features and Saphira (the dragon) is really cute! (I know, I know...such a girly thing to say!) The boys espeically liked it and I figure it is one we will purchase in years to come. I don't remember any language that was offensive, although the content may be too much for some kids. We figure since the boys have watched (and loved) all the Star Wars movies, Eragon can't be too much worse for them! LOL
Mysterious Illness
While in Oklahoma for the Prugh wedding, B came down with a mysterious rash that at first we assumed was just a really bad case of chiggers. We soon realized that it wasn't chiggers at all. We gave him Benadryl and used hydrocortisone cream to relieve the itching, but it was only temporary. He was also complaining of a stiff neck, but we assumed that was due to the drive out there and how he slept. On Sunday morning, we began the long drive home (10 hours) and did our best to keep him comfortable. He threw up about 1/3 of the way home, and by the end of the second third of the journey was itching so bad we stripped him down and covered him with cortisone cream and put a 'daddy' shirt on him so that the waist of his underwear and pants wouldn't itch him.
These pics below are the first ones we have of the rash on Saturday.
After we got home Sunday night, I put him in the tub with Epsom salts and cool water, but he wasn't much better when he got out than when he got in. I had made the boys and myself some dinner and went to get him to come to the table when I looked at him and he was just covered from head to toe with welts and almost blister-like areas. We decided at this point to take him to the ER, knowing that our medicine wasn't working anymore and we'd all be miserable through the night if we didn't.
These pictures below are from when we first got home Sunday night...before they got all blistery.
The ER doc said we'd probably never know what causes the reaction, but mentioned that it might be worth having him allergy-tested to see what his allergies are. They gave him a shot of hydroxyzine (an anti-histamine) and within minutes B was asleep. We kept him medicated all night and through the next day (yesterday) with the meds they gave us for the itch. The itch went away and the spots went down some. But by evening that changed again.
Around supper time last night, I noticed that his hands were really red again. So I checked his temp and he had a fever of 101. So we watched him through the night again and just kept track of the fever and the hives. But we decided at that point to definitely take him to the family doc this morning.
However, before i could even call the dr's office, T called me to let me know that there have been several cases of meningitis reported in our town. Oy! Then B woke up and was so swollen and puffy in his hands and face that he looked odd. :( He also walked down the hallway crying saying his feet were hurting to walk. So is this joint pain? Not sure. So I called the dr's office and got him an appointment. They questioned us on all sorts of things and the doc said he suspects it's viral and probably tick-borne. He acted like it could be meningitis,
but didn't say for sure. He also ordered blood work and we're waiting for those results now. Hopefully we'll know for sure by this afternoon or evening. Doc did say that kids like this who get hives from viruses tend to break out several times over the course of months and that he expects B to be sick for another 1 to 2 weeks.
Around supper time last night, I noticed that his hands were really red again. So I checked his temp and he had a fever of 101. So we watched him through the night again and just kept track of the fever and the hives. But we decided at that point to definitely take him to the family doc this morning.
However, before i could even call the dr's office, T called me to let me know that there have been several cases of meningitis reported in our town. Oy! Then B woke up and was so swollen and puffy in his hands and face that he looked odd. :( He also walked down the hallway crying saying his feet were hurting to walk. So is this joint pain? Not sure. So I called the dr's office and got him an appointment. They questioned us on all sorts of things and the doc said he suspects it's viral and probably tick-borne. He acted like it could be meningitis,
but didn't say for sure. He also ordered blood work and we're waiting for those results now. Hopefully we'll know for sure by this afternoon or evening. Doc did say that kids like this who get hives from viruses tend to break out several times over the course of months and that he expects B to be sick for another 1 to 2 weeks.This morning at the dr's office...doesn't he look pitiful??
Friday, June 29, 2007
The White Cascade
by Gary Krist
ISBN: 978-0805077056
Long before cell phones, before airplanes, before cars were the common mode of transportation, even before Titanic, there was the great avalanche of 1910 in Wellington, WA. Gary Krist takes the reader on an incredible journey of the facts leading up to the avalanche: the weather involved, the men who made the decisions, and the passengers on the train. Each area is crucial to the ending of this tragic event in our American history. Krist is able to tell the story truthfully while being able to make it read like a storybook. The characters come to life on the page and the struggles and feelings they all dealt with are felt by the reader.
The weather had a great deal to do with the deaths of nearly 100 people that day, but certainly responsibility also falls on the superintendent of the Wellington area, James O’Neil. Although all court decisions deemed him free of any wrong-doing, it becomes very clear that O’Neil ignored the passengers on the train that was hovering over a 1,000 foot drop. Granted he was working to clear the tracks and never rested for days at a time, but he failed to meet the basic need of his charges: reassurance. However, it was very clear by the end of the lawsuits that the railroad had learned its lesson about building track on or around mountains. They found new ways to rebuild the track with less risk to passengers, and also built structures as a means for shelter for the trains during snow season.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. It’s not one that I would typically pick up and read but I’m glad I had the opportunity to learn about this point in history. Gary Krist pulled me in and held my attention the entire time. I especially enjoyed reading his personal notes from his research, which are included at the end of The White Cascade. Kudos to Gary Krist on a job well done!
The weather had a great deal to do with the deaths of nearly 100 people that day, but certainly responsibility also falls on the superintendent of the Wellington area, James O’Neil. Although all court decisions deemed him free of any wrong-doing, it becomes very clear that O’Neil ignored the passengers on the train that was hovering over a 1,000 foot drop. Granted he was working to clear the tracks and never rested for days at a time, but he failed to meet the basic need of his charges: reassurance. However, it was very clear by the end of the lawsuits that the railroad had learned its lesson about building track on or around mountains. They found new ways to rebuild the track with less risk to passengers, and also built structures as a means for shelter for the trains during snow season.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. It’s not one that I would typically pick up and read but I’m glad I had the opportunity to learn about this point in history. Gary Krist pulled me in and held my attention the entire time. I especially enjoyed reading his personal notes from his research, which are included at the end of The White Cascade. Kudos to Gary Krist on a job well done!
Bonkine
Last week, we were going across town for something and we drove past this field that had a bunch of tractors for sale. C starts shouting from the backseat, "OH, It's a bonkine....a bonkine....look, a bonkine! Dad just like we saw before...a bonkine!" We looked around and saw the tractors and realized what he was talking about: a COMBINE! But in his mind, it was pronounced bonkine. :)
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Remembered
Veronique Girard, a Paris native, has just buried her mother and now finds herself being out of a job and shipped to America. Scared, frustrated, and emotional, Veronique nevertheless goes on her way without argument or complaint. Her mother’s last request was for Veronique to go and search for her father, who had left them many years before. His last known address came from Willow Springs, Colorado and that was where Veronique was going to start her search. She didn’t expect to meet up with someone as handsome and equally frustrating as Jack Brennan. We remember Jack from his experience being a trail guide in Rekindled, and now Jack is back guiding Veronique through the many mining towns surrounding Willow Springs in search of her father. Along the way, we’re reacquainted with many members of Willow Springs whom we’ve known before: Reverend Carlson and his family, Miss Maudie, and of course, Larson and Kathryn Jennings. But will Veronique find her father? Is he still alive? What memories will be dredged up in her mind and also in Jack’s?
Tamera Alexander had me a bit skeptical at the start of this book. By starting in Paris and showing us immediately a character that we’ve never seen and who is so far removed from the other people in her previous books. However, she very quickly ties everything in and creates and wonderful story of love, memories, and passion. Many times we’re shown the natural passions of a man and woman and how they keep those impulses in check so as to honor one another and honor God. Remembered is an absolutely wonderful continuation of the Fountain Creek Chronicles.
Tamera Alexander had me a bit skeptical at the start of this book. By starting in Paris and showing us immediately a character that we’ve never seen and who is so far removed from the other people in her previous books. However, she very quickly ties everything in and creates and wonderful story of love, memories, and passion. Many times we’re shown the natural passions of a man and woman and how they keep those impulses in check so as to honor one another and honor God. Remembered is an absolutely wonderful continuation of the Fountain Creek Chronicles.
Facets
ISBN: 978-0446580274
Reviewed for Armchair Interviews
The St. George mining company is based on people. Helping them. Knowing them. Providing for them. Until the day that John St. George, son of founder Eugene St. George, takes over the company after Eugene’s death. His sister Pamela is now under his control, as he has legal guardianship of her, and she will have no say in any part of the company until she’s 25. Pamela has secretly been meeting with friend, Cutter Reid, who has helped her through many situations regarding John and also helped her become a woman in the truest sense of the word. What will John do when he finds out?
Journalist Hillary Cox is a longtime friend of the family, but also a longtime lover of John’s. When she finds out he’s engaged to be married, she’s furious and is determined to write a book about him that will expose who he really is. But Hillary finds out much more than she’s bargained for…many people have been hurt at the hand of John St. George. And he thinks he is invincible…untouchable. Who is going to prove him wrong? Hillary, with her book? Or Pamela and Cutter with their patience and scheming? And can Hillary deny John (and herself) the physical closeness they find when they are together?
Barbara Delinsky is a wonderful author who truly shows her talents in this novel from early in her career. John St. George as the villain does enough to make even the most ornery person dislike him and want to do him bodily harm! Filled with great passion and many sensual scenes, Facets is a book that will draw you in and make you keep reading to find out what will happen next. A true page-turner!
Journalist Hillary Cox is a longtime friend of the family, but also a longtime lover of John’s. When she finds out he’s engaged to be married, she’s furious and is determined to write a book about him that will expose who he really is. But Hillary finds out much more than she’s bargained for…many people have been hurt at the hand of John St. George. And he thinks he is invincible…untouchable. Who is going to prove him wrong? Hillary, with her book? Or Pamela and Cutter with their patience and scheming? And can Hillary deny John (and herself) the physical closeness they find when they are together?
Barbara Delinsky is a wonderful author who truly shows her talents in this novel from early in her career. John St. George as the villain does enough to make even the most ornery person dislike him and want to do him bodily harm! Filled with great passion and many sensual scenes, Facets is a book that will draw you in and make you keep reading to find out what will happen next. A true page-turner!
Catching up is hard to do!
Well, I haven't been on here much over the past week or two...so much has been going on and I've gotten lazy. ;( So, I am going to offer you a brief overview of our weeks of late.
Starting with last week....
We had 2 games last week that both went really well. B seems to be improving with every game and we keep seeing more and more that he's 'getting'. It's nice to see. I told T that he would most likely have it all down pat by the last game and then forget it for next year! LOL But that's okay.
C has been the big cheerleader on the sidelines and has found himself a little friend to play with during the games. The other night, T and I ended up being a maypole that they ran around the entire hour! :)
Last weekend, we finally got the house sprayed by the Bug Guy! :) So very happy about that....I'm sick of seeing spiders in my house!
Sunday, we were invited to lunch after services at the Veterans Home with one of our Veterans and his daughter. He's such a sweet man....I'm truly in awe of him. We found out he was in the navy when he served our country...T and I both thought he was army for some reason. -shrug- After lunch, they gave us a tour of the Veterans Home and it is really nice....our veterans are totally deserving! B and Mr. R played a game of Connect Four and B really REALLY enjoyed that. After we got home, we all crashed for a couple hours before returning back for services that night.
This week brought an evening of rest on Monday (whew) and then a game on Tuesday. B made us so proud....he caught a grounder while he was playing shortstop and ran to second base with the ball to get the player out! He was so proud of himself...kept giving up thumbs up after that! LOL
Tonights game was rained out (and we were supposed to be the ones with snacks!) and B is pretty bummed. I can't say I am though....we're tired and all need our rest. Besides, the garden has needed the rain!
This weekend, I have Friendship Sisters on Saturday and then nothing else for a few days. WOW! :) We will begin the prep for going to OK for the wedding, but that will be done starting Monday....I just can't think of it now! LOL
Starting with last week....
We had 2 games last week that both went really well. B seems to be improving with every game and we keep seeing more and more that he's 'getting'. It's nice to see. I told T that he would most likely have it all down pat by the last game and then forget it for next year! LOL But that's okay.
C has been the big cheerleader on the sidelines and has found himself a little friend to play with during the games. The other night, T and I ended up being a maypole that they ran around the entire hour! :)
Last weekend, we finally got the house sprayed by the Bug Guy! :) So very happy about that....I'm sick of seeing spiders in my house!
Sunday, we were invited to lunch after services at the Veterans Home with one of our Veterans and his daughter. He's such a sweet man....I'm truly in awe of him. We found out he was in the navy when he served our country...T and I both thought he was army for some reason. -shrug- After lunch, they gave us a tour of the Veterans Home and it is really nice....our veterans are totally deserving! B and Mr. R played a game of Connect Four and B really REALLY enjoyed that. After we got home, we all crashed for a couple hours before returning back for services that night.
This week brought an evening of rest on Monday (whew) and then a game on Tuesday. B made us so proud....he caught a grounder while he was playing shortstop and ran to second base with the ball to get the player out! He was so proud of himself...kept giving up thumbs up after that! LOL
Tonights game was rained out (and we were supposed to be the ones with snacks!) and B is pretty bummed. I can't say I am though....we're tired and all need our rest. Besides, the garden has needed the rain!
This weekend, I have Friendship Sisters on Saturday and then nothing else for a few days. WOW! :) We will begin the prep for going to OK for the wedding, but that will be done starting Monday....I just can't think of it now! LOL
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Update, Wednesday June 20
Well, I haven't posted in a while so I'm just going to give a quick update on what's been happening. Oy, what a few days it's been!
Last weekend, we set off for Salem on Friday evening and got half way there, about to meet up with mom and dad for the remainder of the trip, and the van starts acting weird. Again. So T and Dad decide to drive it around and after doing so, decide we shouldn't take it any further on the trip and we're going back home for the other car. So we get home, sleep, and get up the next morning and drive back to Salem. Well, this week, T drove it around to get it to do the weirdness again and then took it to the dealer to show it to them. Again. This time, they actually get to see what it's doing and they determine (after no computer diagnosing shows up) that it's the fuel pump. So we're scheduled to have the fuel pump changed this week. My only problem with that is that the last car we had the fuel pump go out on (the Lumina) it just DIED. All of a sudden, no warning. And from my understanding, that is what fuel pumps do. They just die. So, since this one has been acting up off and on for over a month, I'm not so convinced it's the fuel pump. But it's covered under the warranty so we'll let them change it and if it acts up again, they can go from there.
B had another T-ball game Monday night. He is doing very well in batting and running, but he needs to work on his fielding. He will stand in the position the coach tells him to and not run for the ball when it's close ot him. He will just watch it roll or bounce right past him! Sometimes it's funny...but it's also frustrating. He says he knows he can go get it, but chooses not to. I dunno.
The Bug Guy is coming this weekend (finally!). So we're going to finally be rid of most of these pesky spiders and critters that keep bugging us! I can't wait. So sick of getting bit....
So much laundry to do right now and no energy to do it. I need to get things cleaned up before the bug guy comes...so he can get to the walls and baseboards. Guess I better get going! LOL
Last weekend, we set off for Salem on Friday evening and got half way there, about to meet up with mom and dad for the remainder of the trip, and the van starts acting weird. Again. So T and Dad decide to drive it around and after doing so, decide we shouldn't take it any further on the trip and we're going back home for the other car. So we get home, sleep, and get up the next morning and drive back to Salem. Well, this week, T drove it around to get it to do the weirdness again and then took it to the dealer to show it to them. Again. This time, they actually get to see what it's doing and they determine (after no computer diagnosing shows up) that it's the fuel pump. So we're scheduled to have the fuel pump changed this week. My only problem with that is that the last car we had the fuel pump go out on (the Lumina) it just DIED. All of a sudden, no warning. And from my understanding, that is what fuel pumps do. They just die. So, since this one has been acting up off and on for over a month, I'm not so convinced it's the fuel pump. But it's covered under the warranty so we'll let them change it and if it acts up again, they can go from there.
B had another T-ball game Monday night. He is doing very well in batting and running, but he needs to work on his fielding. He will stand in the position the coach tells him to and not run for the ball when it's close ot him. He will just watch it roll or bounce right past him! Sometimes it's funny...but it's also frustrating. He says he knows he can go get it, but chooses not to. I dunno.
The Bug Guy is coming this weekend (finally!). So we're going to finally be rid of most of these pesky spiders and critters that keep bugging us! I can't wait. So sick of getting bit....
So much laundry to do right now and no energy to do it. I need to get things cleaned up before the bug guy comes...so he can get to the walls and baseboards. Guess I better get going! LOL
Friday, June 15, 2007
Kid's Day?
Last night I was talking with the boys when they layed down for bed and I was reminding them that Father's Day was this Sunday. They just looked at me and asked, "What's Father's Day?" hehe I reminded them of Mother's Day just a month ago when they had gotten me a butcher block for MD and my birthday. I said, "So now it will be Father's Day."
C pipes up and says, "So does that mean that next it will be Kid's Day?"
LOL You gotta love the way their brains work!
C pipes up and says, "So does that mean that next it will be Kid's Day?"
LOL You gotta love the way their brains work!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Million Dollar Dilemma
by Judy Baer
ISBN: 978-0373785483
What would you do if you suddenly found yourself with several million dollars? Would you spend it? Would you give it back? This is exactly the position Cassia has found herself in...and she has no idea what to do. Her neighbor, Adam Cavanaugh, who is a jounalist for human rights, befriends her and finds in Cassia a reprieve from his most recent assignment...the death of children in Burundi. He starts out writing about Cassia in hopes of using his proceeds to help the children, but doesn't feel right doing it behind her back--regardless of the reason. He also doesn't expect to fall in love with Cassia in the process.
Cassia, on the otehr hand is working on her own feelings: about the money, about the men in her life, about evertyhing. What should she do with any of it? She keeps trying to give it to God, but keeps taking it back away from Him! Then she finds out the truth about Adam and she just gets even more confused.
Suddenly it all comes into focus and Cassia realizes what she must do: with the money and with the men!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Reunion Weekend
We got in last night from our reunion in West Plains (my mom's side of the family) and it was quite a weekend. We were late getting started on Friday, so we didn't get down there until after 5, and had to eat lunch on the way...we just grabbed Hardees.
When we got to the hotel (Best Western) we discovered that the girl who took our reservations for us made them for NEXT weekend! And they were full with queen size beds. So we debated on going somewhere else, but T went to talk to the lady and said we'd take the rooms with king size beds, but since it was their mistake he didn't think we should have to pay the $10 per night for the roll-away bed. She called the manager and he agreed....we'd get it for free! :) Made me happy!
Well, we hadn't been there 30 minutes in the hotel, when B started throwing up. He had had a time in the car where he felt carsick, but was able to keep it down (which was a first for him) and we figured it was just the 'after' stuff of holding it all in. Well, about 30 minutes after that, he did it again. So we figured he had something.... We were supposed to eat dinner with my cousin and her family, so C and I went over there and T and B stayed at the hotel. C kept saying he didn't want to eat, but I figured he just wanted to play so I let him. Well, we went to WM after we left their house to get B some 7-up, and we hadn't got back to the hotel for 15 minutes when C started throwing up! OY!
So they continued to throw up most of the night.....B's last one was at 2 AM and C's last one was at 3:30....at which time, B was up saying he felt so much better and was ready to eat! LOL So we went back to bed and slept till 8, when Grandma took them for breakfast and let us rest a bit more.
Then when I got up, I started feeling really sick to my stomach and ended up with diarrhea (I know, TMI...sorry) all day and ended up sleeping most of the day. By lunch, we went to Quiznos, cuz I thought if I ate something maybe I would feel better....nope. The boys and I couldn't eat...so that was wasted money, since we didn't have anywhere to put the food in the hotel. Then that night we went to Ryan's to eat for supper (I had actually woke up from a nap feeling better) and discovered that they don't do just a soup and salad bar (cuz all I wanted was soup) so we had to pay full price for the buffet and only eat soup! :( Well, we were pretty much done in for by the evening, but went to my great-aunt's house to see the family for just a bit. We were all able to sleep the night through and I woke up the next morning HUNGRY! but still sorta queasy. We went to church with my cousin and visited with family after that, but left mid afternoon cuz we were so tired from it all, we just wanted to go home.
We're assuming that we just had a touch of food-poisoning from Hardess (gag) and all, but it was just a REALLY bad time to get sick! I am wondering though if I actually had an actual flu since mine has sorta continued until today. But I guess we'll never really know! It just seems that every time we go to West Plains we end up sick (one time, T got the flu, one time is was fevers, and now this!)...so we're wondering how often we want to make that trip?? LOL
Hope you all had a much better weeekend that we did! :)
When we got to the hotel (Best Western) we discovered that the girl who took our reservations for us made them for NEXT weekend! And they were full with queen size beds. So we debated on going somewhere else, but T went to talk to the lady and said we'd take the rooms with king size beds, but since it was their mistake he didn't think we should have to pay the $10 per night for the roll-away bed. She called the manager and he agreed....we'd get it for free! :) Made me happy!
Well, we hadn't been there 30 minutes in the hotel, when B started throwing up. He had had a time in the car where he felt carsick, but was able to keep it down (which was a first for him) and we figured it was just the 'after' stuff of holding it all in. Well, about 30 minutes after that, he did it again. So we figured he had something.... We were supposed to eat dinner with my cousin and her family, so C and I went over there and T and B stayed at the hotel. C kept saying he didn't want to eat, but I figured he just wanted to play so I let him. Well, we went to WM after we left their house to get B some 7-up, and we hadn't got back to the hotel for 15 minutes when C started throwing up! OY!
So they continued to throw up most of the night.....B's last one was at 2 AM and C's last one was at 3:30....at which time, B was up saying he felt so much better and was ready to eat! LOL So we went back to bed and slept till 8, when Grandma took them for breakfast and let us rest a bit more.
Then when I got up, I started feeling really sick to my stomach and ended up with diarrhea (I know, TMI...sorry) all day and ended up sleeping most of the day. By lunch, we went to Quiznos, cuz I thought if I ate something maybe I would feel better....nope. The boys and I couldn't eat...so that was wasted money, since we didn't have anywhere to put the food in the hotel. Then that night we went to Ryan's to eat for supper (I had actually woke up from a nap feeling better) and discovered that they don't do just a soup and salad bar (cuz all I wanted was soup) so we had to pay full price for the buffet and only eat soup! :( Well, we were pretty much done in for by the evening, but went to my great-aunt's house to see the family for just a bit. We were all able to sleep the night through and I woke up the next morning HUNGRY! but still sorta queasy. We went to church with my cousin and visited with family after that, but left mid afternoon cuz we were so tired from it all, we just wanted to go home.
We're assuming that we just had a touch of food-poisoning from Hardess (gag) and all, but it was just a REALLY bad time to get sick! I am wondering though if I actually had an actual flu since mine has sorta continued until today. But I guess we'll never really know! It just seems that every time we go to West Plains we end up sick (one time, T got the flu, one time is was fevers, and now this!)...so we're wondering how often we want to make that trip?? LOL
Hope you all had a much better weeekend that we did! :)
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
First Ball game
Well, we had the first T-Ball game last night and it was so much fun! B had a blast and I think the kids did too.... Well, the parents may have enjoyed the entertainment a bit more than the kids, but that is to be expected. A couple of the kids ran to third instead of first when they hit the ball, some of them spent their time digging in the dirt, and a couple were really on the ball (no pun intended) and played really well. B got to bat 2 times and made it to the base both times, but the second time it was the end of the inning, so he made it to the base and then had to come in and get his glove.
He was so excited to go and was wound up for about 2 hours after the game. We have another game Thursday night and he's already talking about it. So much fun! Will upload pics later.....
He was so excited to go and was wound up for about 2 hours after the game. We have another game Thursday night and he's already talking about it. So much fun! Will upload pics later.....
A Time to Dance
Abby and John Reynolds have decided to divorce and end their twenty-plus-year marriage. But just as they are getting ready to break the news to their children, their oldest daughter, Nicole, shares the news that she's getting married. After finding out this exciting news, Abby and John decide to wait until after the wedding to tell the kids, but that means 6 more months of arguing and fighting.
Abby thinks it's all John's fault, and anyone who has been married knows that NO fight is all one persons' fault. It takes two to argue. But John has tried to talk to Abby and explain things to her and she just won't listen, so he blames her. Will they ever figure out a way to talk it out? Will they ever find A Time to Dance again?
Abby thinks it's all John's fault, and anyone who has been married knows that NO fight is all one persons' fault. It takes two to argue. But John has tried to talk to Abby and explain things to her and she just won't listen, so he blames her. Will they ever figure out a way to talk it out? Will they ever find A Time to Dance again?
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Email Experiment
I recently sent out an email in order to conduct an email experiment for this summer. I asked all people that I sent the email to to send it on to their friends asking them to send an email to a specified address with their name and location. I want to be able to see where all an email goes when it gets forwarded in cyberspace. So far I have reached across the United States and into Canada! In less than 4 days! That is so awesome to me! I will continue keeping track of this for a few weeks and see how far it goes. I will report back here some of my findings and will also be emailing back the original 'friends' who have helped me with the results...so many want to know.
This was based on the email that was going around about a student whose teacher had them do this as an assignment...but that was proved by Snopes to be false/fake. So I wanted to see exactly what would happen if I actually did what the fake email said.
We shall see! If you're interested in helping, let me know!
This was based on the email that was going around about a student whose teacher had them do this as an assignment...but that was proved by Snopes to be false/fake. So I wanted to see exactly what would happen if I actually did what the fake email said.
We shall see! If you're interested in helping, let me know!
Company's A'Comin...
Well, tonight is the last practice for T-ball and the first game is next Tuesday. I can't wait to see an actual game with the kids playing. :) It will be so cute!
But for the weekend, we have company coming to watch B's practice and spend a couple days with us. The boys are so excited! They have been helping me clean house all day today begging me for a time when they will get here. I simply don't know an exact time. But it will be before supper.
Things are going well...we all seem to be staying healthy. Oops..did I just really say that? I normally jinx myself when I say that! LOL
Till later...
But for the weekend, we have company coming to watch B's practice and spend a couple days with us. The boys are so excited! They have been helping me clean house all day today begging me for a time when they will get here. I simply don't know an exact time. But it will be before supper.
Things are going well...we all seem to be staying healthy. Oops..did I just really say that? I normally jinx myself when I say that! LOL
Till later...
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
The Basement...
Well, yesterday being a holiday, we decided to work! LOL We spend the entire day in our basement cleaning and organizing. We discovered that we have WAY too much junk and have just been accumulating stuff for the last 10 years. A great majority of the things down there are going to be going to Goodwill in a short time. I can't wait! :)
I worried about having teh boys down there with us, cuz I knew we would be sorting through a bunch of old toys. I figured they would want to pull back out anything we put inthe 'give away' pile. And they did. But not too bad. I have to say, they did pretty good. I think we only ended up with about 5 little toys back upstairs that were designated for Goodwill. Howver, I don't htink they realize completely all the things we'll be getting rid of . But not to worry...when things get taken down there, they will not be a part of it! :)
We even found some things that we have no idea how they got down there.... One was a Brand New box of ice cream cones...unopened. !!!! I have NOT a clue as to how they got there, but there there were. We also found a TON of homeschooling art supplies, that, thankfully, I haven't re-bought cuz I didn't know their location. It's amazing what happens when things get clean! LOL
Now, we can see the basement floor! Now, we can find our exercise equipment! Now, we can possibly have school in the basement and be able to spread out a bit more! I am so excited!
I worried about having teh boys down there with us, cuz I knew we would be sorting through a bunch of old toys. I figured they would want to pull back out anything we put inthe 'give away' pile. And they did. But not too bad. I have to say, they did pretty good. I think we only ended up with about 5 little toys back upstairs that were designated for Goodwill. Howver, I don't htink they realize completely all the things we'll be getting rid of . But not to worry...when things get taken down there, they will not be a part of it! :)
We even found some things that we have no idea how they got down there.... One was a Brand New box of ice cream cones...unopened. !!!! I have NOT a clue as to how they got there, but there there were. We also found a TON of homeschooling art supplies, that, thankfully, I haven't re-bought cuz I didn't know their location. It's amazing what happens when things get clean! LOL
Now, we can see the basement floor! Now, we can find our exercise equipment! Now, we can possibly have school in the basement and be able to spread out a bit more! I am so excited!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Revealed
Revealed (Fountain Creek Chronicles, Book 2)
by Tamera Alexander
ISBN 978-0764201097
Annabelle McCutchens - formerly Annabelle Grayson, who worked in a brothel - is on her way with her new husband to Idaho territory, where a new farm awaits them. But Jonathan becomes ill a short way into the journey, and dies on the prairie. Annie returns home to receive help from Pastor Carlson in order to complete her trip. Little did she know, Jonathan's estranged brother, Matthew Taylor, would be the one to apply for the job. Matthew believe Annabelle hasn't truly changed and feels she's responsible for his brother's death. But over the course of their journey, he sees Annie for what she truly is: a loving and caring person with a good heart and someone who didn't choose her former way of life. By the time they reach Idaho, Matthew and Annabelle grow to love and depend on each other. But it has only happened after their true hearts have been Revealed.
I LOVED THIS BOOK! It was a great second to the first of Tamera's, Rekindled. She has beautifully wrapped the characters from the other book into this one, while at the same time allowing each book to stand on its own. Alexander is well on her way to having a great career writing Christian fiction...these books are wonderful. I can't wait to get to read the third in the set (due out next month....) Remembered.
Something That Lasts
Something That Lasts
James David Jordan
ISBN 159145428X
After Reverend David Parst is accused of infidelity, the man who accused him kills himself outside the church building. David's son, Jack, and wife Sarah, leave him and David is left to deal with the repercussions of his actions. Sarah remains calm and peaceful through it all, but jack gets bitter and can't bring himself to forgive his father. Years later, it's Jacks wife that helps bridge the gap that has spanned 3 generations to create Something That Lasts in the family.
An okay book.....
This Heavy Silence
This Heavy Silence
by Nicole Mazzarella
ISBN 1557254257
As a reclusive farmer, Dottie can't figure out why Zela (her oldest and dearest friend) has left Mattie in her care. Dottie is not motherly. Dottie is not friendly. Dottie is not open. Yet for some reason, Zela thought she was the right person. After Mattie comes of age, she leaves the farm declaring she doesn't want to become like Dottie. Slowly Dottie admits her wrongs and does what is best for Mattie - and what Zela would have wanted all along.
I really did NOT enjoy this book. :( It ended VERY abruptly and left many loose ends....and was somewhat hard to follow in the process. Not recommended.....
Levi's Will
Levi's Will
W. Dale Cramer
Bethany House Publishers
ISBN 0764229958
Will McGruder has been called home for his father's funeral. So with Riley - Will's oldest son - he returns home. But while they are there, the memories come flooding back...
After his sins have been exposed and he's been banned from his Amish church and family, Will Mullet runs away and changes his name to Will McGruder. Will joins the military and goes to fight overseas in order to serve his country, but memories from his past continue to follow him. Will marries and has children, and when he reaches the date when he can no longer be charged with fraud, he tells his wife of his true past. She then demands that he give up his military service. As their children grow, so does the distance between Will and Helen. Slowly, Will comes to terms with his past and receives forgiveness from his father and family. But most importantly Will reconciles with God and learns to let go of the pain and bitterness he's held onto for all these years.
A great read!!
Sanctuary
Sanctuary
by Beverly and David Lewis
ISBN 0764225103
Reviewed for Armchair Interviews
She has the perfect life: a beautiful house on the water, a loving husband, and her painting. And after spending years looking over her shoulder, Mellie thinks she’s finally safe. But then that perfect world is shattered when she’s out with a friend and spots “that face,” Mellie knows she has to run. Leaving her house and husband behind, Mellie finds herself in Amish country—at the home of Lela Deninger, a single, Amish woman with a room to rent. Mellie’s husband is truly lost without her and can’t figure out why she left. With the help of a close friend, he discovers that he is closer to the answer than he realizes. As Mellie waits with Lela for a phone call that will tell her what to do, she finds herself connecting with God in a way she never thought possible. Then when she finds out a depressing truth about her husband, Mellie realizes her true Sanctuary is in the Lord.
I truly enjoyed this book and read it with ease. Lewis has a wonderful way of drawing the reader in and holding their attention!
The author was born in the heart of Amish country—Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She didn’t start writing about that area until her children were in middle school,with her first book published in 1993.
New York Times bestseller Beverly Lewis is a very prolific writer. Once again she has taken her enthusiastic fans deep into the world of the Amish. Her adult fiction includes: Annie’s People series, Abram’s Daughters series, The Heritage of Lancaster County series The Postcard/The Crossroad series plus her youth fiction, The Cul-de-Sac Kids series, Girls Only (GO!) series, ages 8-13 and Holly’s Heart series and Summerhill Secrets series ages 11-14.
Armchair Interviews says: Beverly Lewis does it again.
A part of yesterday I forgot....
T reminded me last night when we went to bed about this part...
When we got to the dealership, they were asking what was wrong and getting our information. So T deferred to me since I was the one driving. So I proceed to tell what happened and give our home phone number as a contact. T says, "Better give you my cell as well since you'll need to call me to tell me what's wrong with it..." and he proceeds to rattle off his cell number. So, then the guy looks at him and says, "So are you her dad, then?" We just bust out laughing...and said, "no, husband." He apologized and we just told him we laughed cuz it's been about 6 years since we had that happen to us!
I told T last night that that was like the cherry on top of the sundae for my day....just finished the bad day off correctly.
LOL
When we got to the dealership, they were asking what was wrong and getting our information. So T deferred to me since I was the one driving. So I proceed to tell what happened and give our home phone number as a contact. T says, "Better give you my cell as well since you'll need to call me to tell me what's wrong with it..." and he proceeds to rattle off his cell number. So, then the guy looks at him and says, "So are you her dad, then?" We just bust out laughing...and said, "no, husband." He apologized and we just told him we laughed cuz it's been about 6 years since we had that happen to us!
I told T last night that that was like the cherry on top of the sundae for my day....just finished the bad day off correctly.
LOL
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Waaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!
Okay, that is me crying and whining about my horrible day! LOL On the way home from PE, we had JUST gotten on the interstate and my van just wouldn't speed up. I'm meaning....it wouldn't go above 40 MPH. !!!! So I pulled over rather than get hit on the interstate and by the time I got my phone out and called T, I had a light flashing at me. I looked it up in the manual and it informed me that meant something is wrong with the power train....which is most likely the transmission. AAAAAAHAHHAHAHAHAHH~ This is the SECOND van we've had this trouble with! Then as we were getting the boys transferred over to T's car (once he and the tow truck got there), T just got covered in TICKS! As we were driving to the dealership, I found one crawling in his HAIR! LOL Oh, gravy, what a day. I thank the Lord that we were all kept safe on the side of the highway, though. HE protected us. I was abit frustrated that 2 state patrols passed us right by and didn't even stop!!! What are they there for anyway??? Sorry, guess I'm still a bit miffed....
So, now we're eating a rushed dinner cuz we have T-ball practice tonight. And the boys and I are extremely cranky after being stuck in the van for an hour and a half while cars whizzed by us. Bless them, they did really well...they only complained for about half the time we wre in the van! LOL
And on top of it all, the Ford dealership here says they can't even touch it until the end of next week...that's how backed up that are! SO, we're down to one car for a while.... Thank goodness we paid the extra money to have the extended bumper to bumper warranty on the van...this will cover it! :)
So, anyone got any cheese to go with my whine??? :)
So, now we're eating a rushed dinner cuz we have T-ball practice tonight. And the boys and I are extremely cranky after being stuck in the van for an hour and a half while cars whizzed by us. Bless them, they did really well...they only complained for about half the time we wre in the van! LOL
And on top of it all, the Ford dealership here says they can't even touch it until the end of next week...that's how backed up that are! SO, we're down to one car for a while.... Thank goodness we paid the extra money to have the extended bumper to bumper warranty on the van...this will cover it! :)
So, anyone got any cheese to go with my whine??? :)
A New American Idol! Jordin Sparks!!!
I am SOO excited that Jordin won! :) A young (17-year-old) girl from a small town has gone big and done it well! Congratualtions to Jordin and her family! Read about Jordin. 
My only complaint about last night was that the show went over by about 10 minutes so my DVR did NOT get all of the show. I didn't even get to see Jordin win!!! I had to read it online. So agravating! 
Bad American Idol! Get your timing fixed!
Bad American Idol! Get your timing fixed!Monday, May 21, 2007
What a weekend!
Well, we got the garden planted and then some! On Saturday morning we got around after breakfast and worked outside for a while. I repotted all of my mosquito plants and repotted the geranium B gave me for Mother's Day. We also hung my ivy so it would quit creeping across the porch! LOL Then we planted the garden (6 tomatoe plants, several green beans, and lots of onions). Only 4 or the tomatoe plants ended up in the garden, the other two got planted in pots. We'll see how they do.
That evening I went to a wedding shower for a friend who's getting married on Memorial weekend. It was great fun and we all embarrassed her a little! :)
We also found out that an elder at the Salem congregation passed away on Friday. Terry is wanting to go to the funeral, so we'll see what we can work out.
Let's wait and see what happens the rest of the week....
That evening I went to a wedding shower for a friend who's getting married on Memorial weekend. It was great fun and we all embarrassed her a little! :)
We also found out that an elder at the Salem congregation passed away on Friday. Terry is wanting to go to the funeral, so we'll see what we can work out.
Let's wait and see what happens the rest of the week....
Monday, May 14, 2007
Happy Monday...
Having another blah day. :( We had a great (but busy) weekend in Salem. After playing at D's in her creek (while we got covered with ticks!) and then playing in her pool, we went to the wild game dinner at church. Yum! :)
On Sunday, we celebrated B's birthday with the family there and had a blast! Of course, he made out like a bandit getting presents, cards, and money!
I don't have much to say right now...I'm sorta in a funk. Not really wanting to talk with anyone.....
Guess I'll go clean some house.
On Sunday, we celebrated B's birthday with the family there and had a blast! Of course, he made out like a bandit getting presents, cards, and money!
I don't have much to say right now...I'm sorta in a funk. Not really wanting to talk with anyone.....
Guess I'll go clean some house.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Another day...
B has been very cranky and whiny the last couple of days. He just keeps having meltdowns and it really frustrates me. I'm in a funk too, as I am hormonal! (I know...TMI) But this morning, he was stepping on things and I had to keep telling him to stop. I finally had enough and kinda griped at him about being selfish and only doing what HE wanted to do and not thinking of others. He just started crying and said, "Why are you being so mean to me?" I finally got him to tell me why he was acting the way he was and he said he just didn't feel good and was tired. So we cuddled a bit and I explained to him that if he didn't feel good then he still didn't have any excuse to disobey the rules and act badly. I asked him where he didn't feel good and asked if he'd be willing to eat an early lunch and have a nap today. He actually said he would nap. Now, for him to say this, I KNOW he's not feeling well. Hmmm.....
I will be going to a stamping party tonight...can't wait. I always enjoy that sort of thing. I have much to do before then....more folding laundry, more schooling (reading on the couch since we're not feeling well), and straightening up.
That's it for today...will be doing a book review later and get it posted.
I will be going to a stamping party tonight...can't wait. I always enjoy that sort of thing. I have much to do before then....more folding laundry, more schooling (reading on the couch since we're not feeling well), and straightening up.
That's it for today...will be doing a book review later and get it posted.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Laughing Man
Turn up the volume and be patient. It looks dumb, but it absolutely hilarious! You will NOT be able to keep from laughing!
Norah's Ark
Norah's Ark
by Judy Baer
ISBN 978-0373785667
Amazon.com
I absolutely loved this book by Judy Baer. Norah has a special love for animals and humans alike...especially those in need of her assitance. So she has her own business, Norah's Ark, a petshop where she arranges the adoption of animals of all kinds. Working on a quiet street that leads to a lake, Norah loves her quiet neighborhood. Having friends is only a part of the charm offered by this quiet street. She also has wonderful places to shop.
Bentley, Norah's skittish dog, loves his human and intuitively knows her needs. But Officer Nick doesn't like Bentley so much...but Norah likes Nick. So what will Bentley do? How can he help his human get connected with this skittish cop?
A wonderful book on love, forgiveness, misunderstandings, and grace. Another great novel by Baer!
Okay....
That didn't work as well as I wanted it to. BUT! I have figuerd out how to add my WL and my Books I've Read list on here, so I'm happy.
Off to eat some breakfast and then go outside and paint C's desk for him. :) Maybe we'll do some school outside too.
Off to eat some breakfast and then go outside and paint C's desk for him. :) Maybe we'll do some school outside too.
Testing....
to see if this HTML code works. I found a way to get my PBS (Paperback Swap) Wish List here. Let's see if it works....
Thursday, May 03, 2007
School is going better
We have been having some trouble in the last few weeks with B not wanting to do school and compalining that he 'hates' math and such. We finally figured out that he wasn't happy with the type of math we were doing (black and white worksheets) AND that he wasn't happy with where he was positioned in the schoolroom (facing a wall, away from me). So, we rearranged, got rid of the desks and had them facing me at the computer desk. Things were still a bit rough for the first few days, but they got better rapidly.
Then last Saturday, we went to a school sale and found some desks for sale ($5 each!) and have them in place of the table we were using. It's amazing what that does! Now we just have to get the right chairs (one that does NOT swivel, please!) and we'll be all set for a while.
We'll be doing school all through the summer since we missed so much time last winter being sick. But I'm not going to be really rigid with it. We're just gonna work a little each day and take field trips when we want to. LOL
Then last Saturday, we went to a school sale and found some desks for sale ($5 each!) and have them in place of the table we were using. It's amazing what that does! Now we just have to get the right chairs (one that does NOT swivel, please!) and we'll be all set for a while.
We'll be doing school all through the summer since we missed so much time last winter being sick. But I'm not going to be really rigid with it. We're just gonna work a little each day and take field trips when we want to. LOL
Happy Feet
Happy Feet
Starring: Robin Williams, Nicole Kidman, and Elijah Wood
Amazon.com
After reading all of the reviews I could find, both good and bad, we finally had a chance to watch Happy Feet. We had originally said we wouldn't let the boys watch it at all, but then decided they could watch it after us, and only if we thought it was okay. I had heard so many negatives about the movie from Plugged In Online and really didn't want my boys watching that. They see these things on cartoon movies and think it's okay and that it's 'cute'. That is what the movie people WANT us to believe...they are trying to trick our children, and I will not let them trick mine. Plus, I had heard so many friends and relatives say how cute the movie was and encouraged me to let my children watch it. I didn't want to be bullied, though, and stood my ground. Many people thought I was being a prude in not allowing my children to watch it. Oh well.
We finally decided that we would watch it with the boys so that we could immediately address anything that came up. Well, let me just tell you: it was one of the stupidest movies I have ever seen. The dancing was cool, yes. But the music was TOO MUCH...sexual inuendos and sexual songs included. But there were just too many songs for our liking, and frankly for our boys' liking. C fell asleep half way through it. That's how bored he was! LOL
It teaches a good moral about acceptance and being nice to those who are different from us, but the "aliens are taking all our fish" got on my nerves after a while. I got sorta sick of the agenda that was being forced on us.
What I was really suprised about was that B was able to pick out the bad stuff for himself. He kept asking, "Is that bad?" "Oh, they shouldn't say that!" Or, "That wasn't nice." I was proud that he knew the difference.
All in all, it wasn't a BAD movie...just not one we want in our house. It was dumb and we don't want to subject ourselves to it again. If the boys watch it at someone's house, I have no problems with it. We just won't be watching it at ours anymore.
Starring: Robin Williams, Nicole Kidman, and Elijah Wood
Amazon.com
After reading all of the reviews I could find, both good and bad, we finally had a chance to watch Happy Feet. We had originally said we wouldn't let the boys watch it at all, but then decided they could watch it after us, and only if we thought it was okay. I had heard so many negatives about the movie from Plugged In Online and really didn't want my boys watching that. They see these things on cartoon movies and think it's okay and that it's 'cute'. That is what the movie people WANT us to believe...they are trying to trick our children, and I will not let them trick mine. Plus, I had heard so many friends and relatives say how cute the movie was and encouraged me to let my children watch it. I didn't want to be bullied, though, and stood my ground. Many people thought I was being a prude in not allowing my children to watch it. Oh well.
We finally decided that we would watch it with the boys so that we could immediately address anything that came up. Well, let me just tell you: it was one of the stupidest movies I have ever seen. The dancing was cool, yes. But the music was TOO MUCH...sexual inuendos and sexual songs included. But there were just too many songs for our liking, and frankly for our boys' liking. C fell asleep half way through it. That's how bored he was! LOL
It teaches a good moral about acceptance and being nice to those who are different from us, but the "aliens are taking all our fish" got on my nerves after a while. I got sorta sick of the agenda that was being forced on us.
What I was really suprised about was that B was able to pick out the bad stuff for himself. He kept asking, "Is that bad?" "Oh, they shouldn't say that!" Or, "That wasn't nice." I was proud that he knew the difference.
All in all, it wasn't a BAD movie...just not one we want in our house. It was dumb and we don't want to subject ourselves to it again. If the boys watch it at someone's house, I have no problems with it. We just won't be watching it at ours anymore.
The Dr. is in
Last week, one afternoon, I had the privilege of being a patient in my own house. B decided he would be a doctor and I would be the patient. He started out by tapping my knees with his hammer. Well, one of them wouldn't 'bounce'. So he told me I needed to lay down and he'd have to do surgery. He proceeded to tell me that I had a bubble that kept bouncing between my knee and my ankle. So he 'cut' my leg open and removed the bubble and then smoothed my skin back out to heal, with a rolling pin! LOL
Then my other leg wasn't 'bouncing' right and only my foot was twitching. So he determined that my 'apprentisement' was blocking something and had to be fixed. While he 'fixed' me, I was trying to figure out what an apprentisement was. I finally figured it out: My nephew had just (that week) had to have an emergency appendectomy and he was confusing that with the word advertisement. SO! I got that all worked out and I was healed.
But during the process, of course C wants to get involved. So B tells him he can be the nurse. While B was working on my legs, C worked on my head and arms. (Apparently, I was one messed up patient!) Well, B went looking for something, a tool of some sort to work on me with, and couldn't find it. He finally discovered that C had it...and said, "Those nurses! Always using us doctors' tools and trying to be like us!" LOL I just about cracked up!
Apparently they did a good job on me....I haven't had to be seen by the dr since that day! :)
Then my other leg wasn't 'bouncing' right and only my foot was twitching. So he determined that my 'apprentisement' was blocking something and had to be fixed. While he 'fixed' me, I was trying to figure out what an apprentisement was. I finally figured it out: My nephew had just (that week) had to have an emergency appendectomy and he was confusing that with the word advertisement. SO! I got that all worked out and I was healed.
But during the process, of course C wants to get involved. So B tells him he can be the nurse. While B was working on my legs, C worked on my head and arms. (Apparently, I was one messed up patient!) Well, B went looking for something, a tool of some sort to work on me with, and couldn't find it. He finally discovered that C had it...and said, "Those nurses! Always using us doctors' tools and trying to be like us!" LOL I just about cracked up!
Apparently they did a good job on me....I haven't had to be seen by the dr since that day! :)
When the Bluebonnets Come
When the Bluebonnets Come
by John Dwyer
ISBN: 978-0976822417
Amazon.com
Reviewed for Armchair Interviews
Katie Shanahan loves her daddy, Ethan. Ethan is the pastor of one of the many churches in Cotton Patch, Texas and is fighting the coming of a 'family entertainment complex'...also known as a gambling and horse-racing complex. Churches are burned and people are hurt. Money seems to be driving force.
Katie shows us the way events occurred from her point of view as an 8-year-old child. Sometimes her knowledge is firsthand, sometimes it is what she figures happened. But the end result is the same: her daddy isn't happy with the situation, the town, or the people, and he struggles to find peace through it all. Katie sees how all men fail and fall and make mistakes, and how the same men can make restitution for those mistakes. God is there for all of them and offers grace to repentant hearts. Ethan Shanahan included.
Hearts are softened by the one man who stood up to the rich men--and for what was right. Ethan never wavered, but was gentle in his argument against the new complex. Finally everyone involved sees the light and has a change of heart. In the end, Katie is still living on the family farm with her children, riding horses and showing them the bluebonnets of Texas.
I struggled with this book for several reasons. I find it hard to believe the view of a child seeing or knowing so many conversations. There was so much assumption on her part about what took place that it makes the truth of the story almost unbelievable. Also, it was hard to have a male author writing from the perspective of a little girl. However, the story itself was great.
One of the best things emphasized through the book was that Katie was homeschooled, which is just not seen in many fiction books these days. My favorite line in the book is something Katie said, "When I make it to the upper sanctuary, one of the first things I'm gonna ask God is why He only let me figure out so many things later when I could've used them earlier."
Armchair Interviews says: It is very clear that the point Dwyer makes here is to learn from life's lesson and accept God's grace.
by John Dwyer
ISBN: 978-0976822417
Amazon.com
Reviewed for Armchair Interviews
Katie Shanahan loves her daddy, Ethan. Ethan is the pastor of one of the many churches in Cotton Patch, Texas and is fighting the coming of a 'family entertainment complex'...also known as a gambling and horse-racing complex. Churches are burned and people are hurt. Money seems to be driving force.
Katie shows us the way events occurred from her point of view as an 8-year-old child. Sometimes her knowledge is firsthand, sometimes it is what she figures happened. But the end result is the same: her daddy isn't happy with the situation, the town, or the people, and he struggles to find peace through it all. Katie sees how all men fail and fall and make mistakes, and how the same men can make restitution for those mistakes. God is there for all of them and offers grace to repentant hearts. Ethan Shanahan included.
Hearts are softened by the one man who stood up to the rich men--and for what was right. Ethan never wavered, but was gentle in his argument against the new complex. Finally everyone involved sees the light and has a change of heart. In the end, Katie is still living on the family farm with her children, riding horses and showing them the bluebonnets of Texas.
I struggled with this book for several reasons. I find it hard to believe the view of a child seeing or knowing so many conversations. There was so much assumption on her part about what took place that it makes the truth of the story almost unbelievable. Also, it was hard to have a male author writing from the perspective of a little girl. However, the story itself was great.
One of the best things emphasized through the book was that Katie was homeschooled, which is just not seen in many fiction books these days. My favorite line in the book is something Katie said, "When I make it to the upper sanctuary, one of the first things I'm gonna ask God is why He only let me figure out so many things later when I could've used them earlier."
Armchair Interviews says: It is very clear that the point Dwyer makes here is to learn from life's lesson and accept God's grace.
Courage the Monkey
Courage the Monkey
by Mark Jordan
ISBN: 978-0971701373
Amazon.com
Reviewed for Armchair Interviews
On the very tip of a mountain lives Jonathan the spider monkey. As Jonathan eagerly awaits his special birthday (special because he will get to climb his first tree), he becomes very afraid when he sees how big his tree will be. All the monkeys made fun of him because he was the first monkey to ever be afraid of climbing a tree. Jonathan had a wonderful brother, David, who kept encouraging him, telling him he could do it. But still Jonathan was afraid. He began to seclude himself and not play with friends. He told himself that one day, he would climb a tree.
That one day came sooner than he wanted. While resting in the grass one day, Jonathan heard a cry for help. It was David. He had fallen and landed on a ledge of the mountain. Jonathan wanted to help his brother, but was scared. After mustering all of his strength, Jonathan was able to climb a nearby tree and save his brother! All the other spider monkey's cheered as they saw this. Soon after they renamed Jonathan "Courage" because of the courage he showed that day.
I loved this book! After reading it to my two boys, we discussed what courage was and how we can encourage each other to do things we're afraid of doing. They told me I had to keep this book forever so they could read it again and again!
Mark Jordan has done a wonderful job capturing with words and pictures a character trait that many parents want instilled in their children.
Armchair Interviews says: What a great message for children.
by Mark Jordan
ISBN: 978-0971701373
Amazon.com
Reviewed for Armchair Interviews
On the very tip of a mountain lives Jonathan the spider monkey. As Jonathan eagerly awaits his special birthday (special because he will get to climb his first tree), he becomes very afraid when he sees how big his tree will be. All the monkeys made fun of him because he was the first monkey to ever be afraid of climbing a tree. Jonathan had a wonderful brother, David, who kept encouraging him, telling him he could do it. But still Jonathan was afraid. He began to seclude himself and not play with friends. He told himself that one day, he would climb a tree.
That one day came sooner than he wanted. While resting in the grass one day, Jonathan heard a cry for help. It was David. He had fallen and landed on a ledge of the mountain. Jonathan wanted to help his brother, but was scared. After mustering all of his strength, Jonathan was able to climb a nearby tree and save his brother! All the other spider monkey's cheered as they saw this. Soon after they renamed Jonathan "Courage" because of the courage he showed that day.
I loved this book! After reading it to my two boys, we discussed what courage was and how we can encourage each other to do things we're afraid of doing. They told me I had to keep this book forever so they could read it again and again!
Mark Jordan has done a wonderful job capturing with words and pictures a character trait that many parents want instilled in their children.
Armchair Interviews says: What a great message for children.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Precious Memories
I fell in love all over again with my boys today. I pulled down a box of pictures, that need to be scrabooked, with the job of pulling out C's. (I have to start on his baby book...he's already 4 and we have nothing to show him on his birthday...and he ALWAYS asks!) Well, I started flying through pictures and found some of a vacation, some of another vacation, and some of family. Then I found the envelope that contained the boys. I put all of B's back and pulled out C's, knowing they would contain several shots of B as well.
I saw some of him as a baby. I saw some of him crawling. Then I found the pack that I had taken (as I did with B) at 6 months...in Black and White. I practically cried! They were so precious and there is so much more visibility with Black and White photo's. Then I moved on to the pack that had the delivery and hospital photos. I cried all over again remembering the emotions that were swirling through me that morning.
The boys walked in at that point and asked what I was looking at. So I invited them over by me and showed the all the photos and explained what was what and who was where in each one. It was so precious to hear their squeals of delight when they saw themselves as babies, or laughing when they saw themselves doing something silly (like eating birthday cake and having it ALL OVER!).
My boys are so precious to me. I may get mad at them and they may drive me crazy, but I love them dearly. Flipping through these pictures simply reminded me how much. I'm so thankful for the chance to put these memories in a permanant form and be able to look at them from time to time.
I saw some of him as a baby. I saw some of him crawling. Then I found the pack that I had taken (as I did with B) at 6 months...in Black and White. I practically cried! They were so precious and there is so much more visibility with Black and White photo's. Then I moved on to the pack that had the delivery and hospital photos. I cried all over again remembering the emotions that were swirling through me that morning.
The boys walked in at that point and asked what I was looking at. So I invited them over by me and showed the all the photos and explained what was what and who was where in each one. It was so precious to hear their squeals of delight when they saw themselves as babies, or laughing when they saw themselves doing something silly (like eating birthday cake and having it ALL OVER!).
My boys are so precious to me. I may get mad at them and they may drive me crazy, but I love them dearly. Flipping through these pictures simply reminded me how much. I'm so thankful for the chance to put these memories in a permanant form and be able to look at them from time to time.
All is well
We got C's blood work results and all levels are well within normal. We (of course) were particularly interested in the iron levels and he is on the high side of normal with that. So Praise GOD! :)
We just need to work on more sleep and a daily vitamin (which I confess, I haven't been diligent in giving them. I'm sure there are minerals and things they're not getting that they need....so now they will get them!)
Thanks for the thoughts!
We just need to work on more sleep and a daily vitamin (which I confess, I haven't been diligent in giving them. I'm sure there are minerals and things they're not getting that they need....so now they will get them!)
Thanks for the thoughts!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Use your own band-aids!
Oh my goodness.... :( What a bad and emotional day yesterday was. About 430, C comes to me asking me to take his band-aids off...they were annoying him. But I looked at them and could tell they were practically glued to the skin, so I told him we'd wait till after dinner to do them. Well, I hadn't counted on what happened during the evening and us not getting to eat until 8 PM. But that is what happened. We did some schoolroom rearranging and that took a couple hours...so eating dinner came late.
So after dinner, I go back to work on the schoolroom and Terry works on C's band aids. All I hear was screaming and crying from that room. :( Terry was using a wet rag to moisten the area and try to ease them off. But they were literally pulling his skin. After 45 minutes he finally got the first one off. Then he had to start the other arm, which seemed to be stuck worse. There was actually a welt on his skin from where the band aid had been. We used aloe vera gel to help get it all smushy, but that didn't work. I don't have any baby oil, and Terry didn't want to mess with butter or canola oil. So, we just kept working on C's arms. After about an hour and a half, we were able to just get them off. C was so exhausted from crying and exhausted from the day yesterday that he conked out soon after.
SO! Lesson learned: WE NEED TO TAKE OUR OWN BAND-AIDS FROM NOW ON! The ones I have just fall off in a couple hours. I just don't understand why they don't use a 'nicer' band-aid on kids. Plus, with C (who hates any type of picking-contact like trimming nails, hair cuts, etc) this just made his whole day that much worse. For most of us that would be a 1 or a 2, for C it is a 9 or 10. He is just ultra sensitive to that sort of thing.
But he hadn't been down long (maybe a couple hours) and he woke up last night in a night terror. It didn't last long, (we've learned how to help him through them) and I was able to get them back to bed.
We still haven't heard from the lab about the results. I hope we hear soon. I'm so impatient! LOL
So after dinner, I go back to work on the schoolroom and Terry works on C's band aids. All I hear was screaming and crying from that room. :( Terry was using a wet rag to moisten the area and try to ease them off. But they were literally pulling his skin. After 45 minutes he finally got the first one off. Then he had to start the other arm, which seemed to be stuck worse. There was actually a welt on his skin from where the band aid had been. We used aloe vera gel to help get it all smushy, but that didn't work. I don't have any baby oil, and Terry didn't want to mess with butter or canola oil. So, we just kept working on C's arms. After about an hour and a half, we were able to just get them off. C was so exhausted from crying and exhausted from the day yesterday that he conked out soon after.
SO! Lesson learned: WE NEED TO TAKE OUR OWN BAND-AIDS FROM NOW ON! The ones I have just fall off in a couple hours. I just don't understand why they don't use a 'nicer' band-aid on kids. Plus, with C (who hates any type of picking-contact like trimming nails, hair cuts, etc) this just made his whole day that much worse. For most of us that would be a 1 or a 2, for C it is a 9 or 10. He is just ultra sensitive to that sort of thing.
But he hadn't been down long (maybe a couple hours) and he woke up last night in a night terror. It didn't last long, (we've learned how to help him through them) and I was able to get them back to bed.
We still haven't heard from the lab about the results. I hope we hear soon. I'm so impatient! LOL
Monday, April 16, 2007
Blood work
Over the past few weeks, we've been noticing that C has been really tired all the time. He's been falling asleep in the early evening and just gets tired really easy. We have tried getting him more sleep and rest, but it still seems to be an issue. We thought maybe we'd have him tested again for anemia. I knew it would be an issue with him so we didn't tell him until this morning. What a tense morning! He fretted all morning about it, especially cuz I kept telling him to go drink water (to help hydrate his veins and make it easier). Well, we got there (terry was with us) and B and I waited in the waiting room. C and Terry went in to the lab area. As soon as they started, I could hear C screaming and crying. I was so upset. I tried to get in the door and they had it locked!!! So I waited by the door until he calmed down a bit and then knocked on the door. The tech that let me in told me the flow stopped and they'd have to go again on the other arm to get it all.
Well, before we had gotten there this morning, C told me he didn't want to lay down on their bed so I told him we'd see if he could sit up. Well, for the first part they did it sitting up. But for the second stick they were gonna have to have him lay down. His little face was so pitiful....he just cried the entire time we pushed him to a laying-down position on the bed. He screamed bloody-murder the moment they put the rubber tourniquet on his arm. And then screamed more when they actually stuck him. They were able to get the blood they needed, but by then I was crying too. C was practically hysterical and actually told the lady he didn't like her! LOL (I know, not nice, but can you blame him??)
After that, we went and ate lunch and C got to pick the place (Chinese, of course!). While there, I asked Terry if it bothered him as much as it did me? and he said, yes. He's just able to hide it better than me. I can handle the blood, the needle, and all that. I just can't handle the helpless feeling I get when I can't help my baby. I have to make him stay there and practically be tortured by those needles. I know it is for his own health and good, but it still breaks me every time we have to do this. :( I told Terry that if the results of these tests require more tests, I will ask them to give us a sedative or relaxer or something to help calm C's nerves before hand. There is no reason to have to put a child through that. (He's even a hard enough stick that the girls at Children's hospital in St. Louis had a hard time getting blood from him 2 years ago.)
Hopefully we'll get the results in a day or so. One of the tests had to be sent off, so it could take a couple days. I hate the waiting! :)
Well, before we had gotten there this morning, C told me he didn't want to lay down on their bed so I told him we'd see if he could sit up. Well, for the first part they did it sitting up. But for the second stick they were gonna have to have him lay down. His little face was so pitiful....he just cried the entire time we pushed him to a laying-down position on the bed. He screamed bloody-murder the moment they put the rubber tourniquet on his arm. And then screamed more when they actually stuck him. They were able to get the blood they needed, but by then I was crying too. C was practically hysterical and actually told the lady he didn't like her! LOL (I know, not nice, but can you blame him??)
After that, we went and ate lunch and C got to pick the place (Chinese, of course!). While there, I asked Terry if it bothered him as much as it did me? and he said, yes. He's just able to hide it better than me. I can handle the blood, the needle, and all that. I just can't handle the helpless feeling I get when I can't help my baby. I have to make him stay there and practically be tortured by those needles. I know it is for his own health and good, but it still breaks me every time we have to do this. :( I told Terry that if the results of these tests require more tests, I will ask them to give us a sedative or relaxer or something to help calm C's nerves before hand. There is no reason to have to put a child through that. (He's even a hard enough stick that the girls at Children's hospital in St. Louis had a hard time getting blood from him 2 years ago.)
Hopefully we'll get the results in a day or so. One of the tests had to be sent off, so it could take a couple days. I hate the waiting! :)
Monday, March 26, 2007
The Dark Room
The Dark Room by Minette Walters
Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-0-307-27709-1
Review for Armchair Interviews
4 Stars out of 5
Jinx Kingsley wakes up in a strange room only to be told that she’s been in a head-on collision (with a concrete pole, no less) and is now in a hospital. Apparently, they say, she tried to commit suicide. But Jinx doesn’t believe this. She doesn’t remember anything, but simply can’t make herself believe that she is the type to kill herself. Even though her best friend and her fiancé just ran off together is no reason to off herself. She was happy about it! Wasn’t she??
But then the police come to question her and she finds out that her two friends are now dead…and the police suspect her or someone in her family. How can Jinx clear her name when she can’t remember anything? All she knows is this sense of panic and fear. Who could have done this? Who would want to set her up? Can she figure it out before it’s too late? Dr. Alan Protheroe is at the clinic with Jinx and works to help her regain her memory. But in the process, an attempt is made on his life as well and he realizes just how serious this situation is. Can he protect Jinx? He knows she didn’t do it, but can he figure out who did? There has to be more to this than meets the eye.
Minette Walters does a great job of twisting the tale to keep the reader from figuring out the real killer.
Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-0-307-27709-1
Review for Armchair Interviews
4 Stars out of 5
Jinx Kingsley wakes up in a strange room only to be told that she’s been in a head-on collision (with a concrete pole, no less) and is now in a hospital. Apparently, they say, she tried to commit suicide. But Jinx doesn’t believe this. She doesn’t remember anything, but simply can’t make herself believe that she is the type to kill herself. Even though her best friend and her fiancé just ran off together is no reason to off herself. She was happy about it! Wasn’t she??
But then the police come to question her and she finds out that her two friends are now dead…and the police suspect her or someone in her family. How can Jinx clear her name when she can’t remember anything? All she knows is this sense of panic and fear. Who could have done this? Who would want to set her up? Can she figure it out before it’s too late? Dr. Alan Protheroe is at the clinic with Jinx and works to help her regain her memory. But in the process, an attempt is made on his life as well and he realizes just how serious this situation is. Can he protect Jinx? He knows she didn’t do it, but can he figure out who did? There has to be more to this than meets the eye.
Minette Walters does a great job of twisting the tale to keep the reader from figuring out the real killer.
Little Earthquakes
Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner
Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-1-4165-2863-0
Jennifer Weiner has done it again with another great novel! Four women are bonded together by their pregnancies and birthing experiences, and continue their friendship during the hard months after. Ayinde deals with a cheating husband while Kelly's husband lost his job and refuses to get another one. Becky has a mother-in-law that just won't quit and a husband who won't stand up to his mother. Through all of this, there is Lia. A woman from Hollywood who follows Becky around, Lia eventually learns to deal with the death of her 10-week old son, Caleb.
Can these women be true friends? Can they get through their problems? Follow them all as they discover their own indivual crises that present themselves as Little Earthquakes.
Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-1-4165-2863-0
Jennifer Weiner has done it again with another great novel! Four women are bonded together by their pregnancies and birthing experiences, and continue their friendship during the hard months after. Ayinde deals with a cheating husband while Kelly's husband lost his job and refuses to get another one. Becky has a mother-in-law that just won't quit and a husband who won't stand up to his mother. Through all of this, there is Lia. A woman from Hollywood who follows Becky around, Lia eventually learns to deal with the death of her 10-week old son, Caleb.
Can these women be true friends? Can they get through their problems? Follow them all as they discover their own indivual crises that present themselves as Little Earthquakes.
@ Home for the Holidays
@ Home for the Holidays
by Meredith Efken
Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-0-373-78570-4
Rosalyn finally gets her due in this second installment of an email-based book. Dulcie, Zelia, Jocelyn, Rosalyn, and Veronica all deal with family, husbands, the holidays, and much more. Their connection is an email group called SAHM I Am. A few of the ladies have a subgroup called Green Eggs and Ham where they go to vent about Rosalyn. But Rosalyn's life isn't all she makes it out to be...her house isn't always perfect and her children need therapy. What's so wrong with admitting the truth? Well, with Veronica's (her sister) help, she does. She is able to humble herself and ask for prayers.
A wonderful and easy read by Efken! :)
by Meredith Efken
Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-0-373-78570-4
Rosalyn finally gets her due in this second installment of an email-based book. Dulcie, Zelia, Jocelyn, Rosalyn, and Veronica all deal with family, husbands, the holidays, and much more. Their connection is an email group called SAHM I Am. A few of the ladies have a subgroup called Green Eggs and Ham where they go to vent about Rosalyn. But Rosalyn's life isn't all she makes it out to be...her house isn't always perfect and her children need therapy. What's so wrong with admitting the truth? Well, with Veronica's (her sister) help, she does. She is able to humble herself and ask for prayers.
A wonderful and easy read by Efken! :)
Friday, March 23, 2007
The White Cascade
The White Cascade by Gary Krist
Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-0805077056
Reviewed for Armchair Interviews
Rating 3 Stars out of 5
Long before cell phones, before airplanes, or before cars were the common mode of transportation, even before Titanic, there was the great avalanche of 1910 in Wellington, Washington.
Gary Krist takes you on an incredible historical journey of the facts leading up to the avalanche: the weather involved, the men who made the decisions, and the passengers on the train. Each area is crucial to the ending of this tragic event in our American history. Krist is able to tell the story truthfully while being able to make it read like a storybook. The characters come to life on the page and their struggles and feelings are felt by the reader.
The weather had a great deal to do with the deaths of nearly 100 people that day, but certainly responsibility also falls on the superintendent of the Wellington area, James O'Neil. Although all court decisions deemed him free of any wrongdoing, it becomes very clear that O'Neil ignored the passengers on the train that was hovering over a 1,000- foot drop. Granted he was working to clear the tracks and never rested for days at a time, but he failed to meet the basic need of his charges: reassurance.
However, it was very clear by the end of the lawsuits that the railroad had learned its lesson about building track on or around mountains. They found new ways to rebuild the track with less risk to passengers, and also built structures as a means for shelter for the trains during snow season.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. It's not one that I would typically pick up and read but I'm glad I had the opportunity to learn about this point in history. Gary Krist pulled me in and held my attention the entire time. I especially enjoyed reading his personal notes from his research, which are included at the end of The White Cascade.
Armchair Interviews says: Kudos to Gary Krist on a job well done!
Author's Web site: http://home.att.net/~gkrist
Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-0805077056
Reviewed for Armchair Interviews
Rating 3 Stars out of 5
Long before cell phones, before airplanes, or before cars were the common mode of transportation, even before Titanic, there was the great avalanche of 1910 in Wellington, Washington.
Gary Krist takes you on an incredible historical journey of the facts leading up to the avalanche: the weather involved, the men who made the decisions, and the passengers on the train. Each area is crucial to the ending of this tragic event in our American history. Krist is able to tell the story truthfully while being able to make it read like a storybook. The characters come to life on the page and their struggles and feelings are felt by the reader.
The weather had a great deal to do with the deaths of nearly 100 people that day, but certainly responsibility also falls on the superintendent of the Wellington area, James O'Neil. Although all court decisions deemed him free of any wrongdoing, it becomes very clear that O'Neil ignored the passengers on the train that was hovering over a 1,000- foot drop. Granted he was working to clear the tracks and never rested for days at a time, but he failed to meet the basic need of his charges: reassurance.
However, it was very clear by the end of the lawsuits that the railroad had learned its lesson about building track on or around mountains. They found new ways to rebuild the track with less risk to passengers, and also built structures as a means for shelter for the trains during snow season.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. It's not one that I would typically pick up and read but I'm glad I had the opportunity to learn about this point in history. Gary Krist pulled me in and held my attention the entire time. I especially enjoyed reading his personal notes from his research, which are included at the end of The White Cascade.
Armchair Interviews says: Kudos to Gary Krist on a job well done!
Author's Web site: http://home.att.net/~gkrist
WOW! It's spring!
Well, I have been stuck in the house for over a week now....10 days to be exact! I hadn't realized how long it had been since I'd been out of the house or had driven a car until today when I had to go get some medicine. We've had sickness here (from fevers to coughing and back) and we're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
But when I went out today...Oh, WOW! It is SPRING! The grass was so beautifully green, there were flowers everywhere and the dogwoods are in full bloom! The temperature was about 76 degrees, there was a gentle breeze, and the sun was shining. Absolutely beautiful!
It was so nice to be reminded of God's handiwork and to know that the world changes constantly, with or without me! ;)
Here's to spring, good weather, and playing outside!
But when I went out today...Oh, WOW! It is SPRING! The grass was so beautifully green, there were flowers everywhere and the dogwoods are in full bloom! The temperature was about 76 degrees, there was a gentle breeze, and the sun was shining. Absolutely beautiful!
It was so nice to be reminded of God's handiwork and to know that the world changes constantly, with or without me! ;)
Here's to spring, good weather, and playing outside!
Monday, March 05, 2007
How does Kellie Pickler use her money?
Some may have seen the American Idol show last week when Kellie Pickler made a guest appearance and sang her song. Ryan Seacrest asked her what she'd been spending her money on and she said, "Mostly shoes." Then the camera panned down to her shoes. WELL! It was clearly obvious that she spent her money on MORE than shoes....she had some sort of 'surgery' to enhance her physical appearance...if YKWIM.I made the mistake of commenting on this in front of my kids (we were all sitting around watching AI) and B asked "What did she spend her money on mom?" I hemmed and hawed for a second and said, "Well, just a surgery to make herself more pretty to some people." Terry said, "Your momma doesn't need that does she...she's got us, right?" And B replied, "Yeah she already had her 2 surgeries to get us!" He was speaking of my C-sections, but it works for me!
My Baby is growing up!
Friday night while eating, B bit his tongue. Well, I thought he did. He came to me crying and holding his mouth and since he bites his tonue all the time, I assumed that is what happened. Well....I calmed him down and told him to swallow his food so he wouldn't choke. Then I told him to sit up so I could look at his tongue. He said, "It wasn't my tongue."
When I asked him what it was, he kinda wiggled his mouth around and said, "This," and spits out a tooth! LOL
It was his first tooth and we didn't even know it was loose. He must have just bit down the right way (or wrong way!) and out it popped. He was a bit scared at first and then I told him about the tooth fairy bringing money for the tooth. That certainly brightened his evening!
But then he asked me, "Mom, is the tooth fairy really real, or do the Mom's and Dad's just do it?"
When I asked him what it was, he kinda wiggled his mouth around and said, "This," and spits out a tooth! LOL
It was his first tooth and we didn't even know it was loose. He must have just bit down the right way (or wrong way!) and out it popped. He was a bit scared at first and then I told him about the tooth fairy bringing money for the tooth. That certainly brightened his evening!
But then he asked me, "Mom, is the tooth fairy really real, or do the Mom's and Dad's just do it?"
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