S2L Scrapbook Challenge: Dec. 28, 2008- Jan. 4, 2009!!!

Ever with your guy at a football game and notice his eyes wander over to the sidelines.......You know he's watching the cheerleaders. Well, in our case, it's okay because Anne's earned a spot on the danceline and it's one of the best in the state! She's having a ball! Now, some might say the danceline isn't a sport, but in Lakeville, there's no other team that practices the amount of time that the Lake-Liners do; 3 hours a day, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Even the football players are amazed and impressed. Of course, it has nothing to do with the fact that the girls can kick their legs over their heads or jump up in a Russian leap and land in the splits........

So, here's my SPORTS layout. To heck with the game, the real entertainment is behind the bench!

Scrapbook Challenge- December 14-21!!!

Anne and I have been to lots of weddings in the past few months.....this one, however, was last night!!! Drove through SIX inches of blowing snow to get there! Anne was the date of one of the groomsmen and there family was kind enough to ask me to stay with her during the wedding. They'd asked if I wanted to attend the reception, but I let Anne do that on her own. SHE HAD A BLAST! As she tells it, EVERYONE wanted to dance with her and talk to her and thought she was "hot"! Uh-oh! Don't tell Daddy. It was such a beautiful wedding. Even the snow was gorgeous, all big, fluffy flakes..........just lots of them.
It's not exactly blue, brown, pink and beige, but it's "anything"!!! I'm going with the anything part of the challenge this week. It does have blue and the bling is kind of "beige-y" and the "pink" is just more RED-ish-ish-ish. Whatever works.
Please check out my providers for this digi-layout:
double heart-PandabearDesigns
bling-unknown
blue stars bkgrd-BooLandDesigns
“celebrate”-LizardDauDesign
Thanks to all the wonderful designers who share their talents so I can play!!! Most of them are from right here in "blogspot" land.........

Scrapbook Challenge- December 7-14!!!

I am so very excited! This is the first layout challenge I've actually completed in a month! This one was way too easy. I love red and gold. I collect red and gold. This event was one of the best too. The pretty, pretty blonde is the younger sister of the beautiful brunette, both of whom babysat Anne and Lacy when they were young. Shannon and Anne have been bestest-buds ever since. "Shanny" went to college in AZ where she met Bren. She would take Anne to Twins games or cheer Anne on at her softball games when she was home. Breezy and Shanny were the reason Anne started playing softball. Bren is a great guy and also treats Anne very special. They got married in Hawaii last June, but that was way too much $$ so we joined the entire neighborhood etal. at a MAJOR bash in September in MN. I got the background papers from FLASHGRAPHICS (a fantastic digi-scrap group) and the ornaments (don't they just "look" Hawaiian?!?!?!) from vianne-creativedesigns (talk about creative!)

S2L Scrapbook Challenge! October 31- November 7!!!

Yeah, she knows she's cute and she knows how to use it! Our Bailey is 9 years old and full 'o p--- and vinegar. I even used a font called "Beagle" from MSWord. I've used seveal different designers to make this page. If you like it, please go check out their sites. Most of them are right here on blogger as well.
Designs by Vicki_Raining Cats & Dogs Collab
Water LO Project_ev_forest
ShabbyPrincess_SM_WoodBrad

S2L Scrapbook Challenge! October 24-31!

Hopefully, I did this right. I've just started digi-scrappin' and it's awesome, but I don't have all of the programs and knowledge yet. This was actually done as a powerpoint slide and then printed. Not bad for the first one. I feel like I should note the wonderful designers who helped with the freebie product, so thanks to the following.......
DAC_RachaelH_TrickorTreat-paper
Shannonfahrnbach_HappyHalloween-elements
cnash_daydreambonus_swirly2

Teaching

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. -- William Arthur Ward

That's a good one. It's been another several weeks and I'm trying not to get discouraged by this particular website. There are many things I like about this format. It's very easy to personalize this blog, but I've found no contacts at all and there's no EASY way to contact others and make friends. I have another blog on K102 and I've got lots of friends that I talk to regularly. I feel like I'm part of a community there. I feel like I'm alone here. So, maybe that's okay and I will use this as a diary since so few people will ever see it. We'll see.

Anyway, what's happened since July 18? Well, on the 19th we took off for Duluth for the day to watch the AirShow. We were a little concerned about the weather as we drove smack into a fog bank coming over the hill into Duluth, but we hung around the canal for a bit and then headed up to the airport and the SUN BROKE THROUGH!!!

Everything flew that day including the BLUE ANGELS!!! OMG! They were awesome.

Relay For Life was wonderful. The evening was gorgeous and Anne and I raised over $700 and the event is over $50,000 so far. Our event closes August 30, so we're still accepting donations. Then that Sunday, the 27th, we shipped Anne off to Just For Kix Dance Camp and we left for "parts unknown". Three days with no kids, no dog, just me and my buddy. No plans, no reservations, just drive. We ended up in Brainerd, Gull Lake, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Whitefish, and Pine River. Tuesday morning we woke up in a little cabin on a quiet lake with no one else around. It was so peaceful, nothing but the birds, insects, wind and frogs. We drove back to Mom's Tuesday night so I could be there Wednesday morning to take her, Curtis, Jen and Alex to the airport for ALASKA!! I am so jealous. I got home Wednesday afternoon after Fred had gone to work and the house was so quiet. I missed Anne so bad. She came home Wednesday night. She'd had a blast. We had a couple of days with basically nothing to do so we cleaned out her old room and moved her down into Lacy's old room. Then we moved the big bed from my office up to the new guestroom (Anne's old room) and moved the futon down to the office...............soooooooooooo much more room!

Tuesday August 5th, we had our 2nd Annual National Night Out party and it was GREAT! We have such a cool neighborhood. Jill offered her house, Denny made an 8-pound hamburger, and we had a blast. And so we're just about caught up, I guess. See ya in a month or so...school will have started by then so I'll have more to talk about I'm sure.

WHY I RELAY...............

In MEMORY of Craig and all of the others.......
Anne and I are at it again and on Friday July 25th we will be RELAYING with over 200 others at Lakeville South High School in the ACS Relay For Life in Lakeville.
It's a dusk to dawn event signifying the journey from darkness to light. We participate every year to join people around the world in celebrating those who have survived cancer, remembering the people we've lost, and supporting the lifesaving mission of the American Cancer Society. Relay For Life is symbolic of the cancer patient's battle with cancer. As the sun sets with the first couple of hours, it symbolizes the end of what was thought to be a healthy life. The overcoming darkness throughout the night represents how scary the disease can seem and those dedicated participants that choose to stay show that this is not a battle that is fought alone. Then, with the sunrise comes a new day for the cancer survivors with hope and energy to keep fighting the disease. The Society works hard every day to prevent cancer and save lives by supporting groundbreaking research, affecting public policies that protect us from cancer, and educating people on how to prevent or detect cancer early. The Society helps people with cancer in their own community. And our efforts at Relay For Life can help the American Cancer Society to keep working toward a cancer-free future.
Please consider making a donation to us or join our team. You are helping deliver the hope that future generations will not have to endure cancer threatening the lives of their friends and family. You have the power to fight back against a disease that affects millions.
Our goal again this year is $1000!!!!! If each person that reads this contributes JUST $10, we will have made our goal and so much more. For that $10, you may have a Luminaria made in memory or in honor of someone close to your heart. The Luminaria ceremony is held at dusk and includes a Silent Lap. It is quite a moving experience.

Craig's Cruisers Relay Team was formed in memory of my dad and Anne's "Gaga", Craig W. Letch. There have been great advances toward the cure for the brain cancer that took Craig. Your contribution could make that cure a reality. We want to invite you to show your support in the ongoing fight against cancer by joining us for this year's event. Please visit the website listed below for more information, including details on the inspirational Survivors' Lap and the moving Luminaria Ceremony. We hope to see you there! If you can't join us, will you please visit the site and make a donation to support our efforts? Either way, you will make a real difference in the lives of people facing cancer and in the lives of the people who love them. To request a Luminaria in honor or in memory of your loved one, please send me their name(s). Again, your contribution is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Very Sincerely,Carla and Anne Cooper
(if you'd rather send a check or decorate your own bag, please let me know, here, and I will privately send you my address)
URL to Craig's Cruisers, Carla's personal donation and ACS website: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TRC/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeMidwestDivision?pg=peditor&fr_id=7313&px=6031697

The God I Forgot About

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

It seems that God, again, just has to hit me over the head with a 2x4 to get my attention.

I had the most wonderful evening with my friend Cheryl on Friday. Where we normally see each other for dinner or lunch for about 2-3 hours every 3-4 months or so, we spent 6 HOURS at Houlihans on Friday night. The staff was fantastic and left us ALONE (we tip very well) unless we signaled that we needed sustenance or drink. (the drinks were non-alcoholic) We sat and talked and talked and talked and worked out the entire world's problems..........well at least most of ours. I UNLOADED about all of the crap with the OC (oldest child) and she gave me what I've needed most, affirmation that we're not the most horrible parents in the world and we have to spend this time looking out for Anne and not worry about our decisions.

So the God part of it is that He has put Cheryl in my life, He has been providing daily inspiration via loving my hubby, the internet, the phone, and even the horoscopes (yes, I read them but don't spend my life by them). But the greatest thing is that they have been telling us to slow down and evaluate and not worry and oh my gosh! it's spot on!!!! I believe that He puts various forms of information in front of us regularly to remind us that He's there and He'll use whatever will get our attention at this time. He's a marvelous God and He knows what we need.

Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

She just walked in the door like she still lives here and can come and go as she pleases. I bit my tongue being pleasant to her. "I just came to get my mail." Great. Thanks for that.

The bible verse was on my home page today when I opened it. It was just what I needed. Be strong for I will be with you. Lord, I need you with me. I need to start over and love her unconditionally and let it be. I will let You handle her and hope and pray that someday she will realize we tried to do what was best for all. Thank you Lord, for carrying me.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Yup, that sure says it. Well, Lacy left last Saturday and I've been between crying and screaming ever since. When I saw her empty room, I dissolved into tears. Then when I tried to contact her (by text, darn it!) to get some information for insurance, she was so rude and contemptuous! I alternate between worrying about her and wishing her good riddance. I can't help it. I love her so much and I despise the way she acts!

Anne wants to move down into Lacy's old room and I'm inclined to let her. Fred is beside himself and can't let her. He still believes there's some chance of getting through to Lacy and she'll magically change and want to come home and "play nice". It ain't gonna happen. Fred lives in this dreamworld where it's the 50's and he's Father Knows Best. That's what we used to look like when we were all together and father did know best. I miss those days.

The most important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative, and the second disastrous.- - Margaret Fontey

Keep on walkin’ with rocks in your shoes.....

Fancy meeting you here again so soon..... I really thought I'd be so busy that I'd only get back to journal once or twice a week. Well, that may be how it eventually works, but for now, I'm taking the time I do have available to add entries. Rocks In Your Shoes is a country song (which is where I'm spending most of my time lately) sung by Emily West that refers to staying on course even when life smacks you in the face and tries to knock you down, if not out. That's what I'm feeling like this minute.
The point right now is that we're seriously informing the OC (oldest child) that she needs to leave the house. We love her so much and we just can't figure out WHAT we've done wrong that she's become so selfish and rude and inconsiderate that she thinks she can live here and be that way. She's decided to blame us for everything wrong in her life and acts like she is going to hold it against us even while living here, rent-free, come-and-go-as-you-please. We've set down some "Rules for Getting Along Together" and she's basically chosen to pick and choose the ones she wants to follow or not. By seriously I'm mean that I've told the OC that she's "moving out" several times in the past 6 months due to the above infractions, but I never follow-through. I've let her get away with completely disregarding me, her dad and her sister AND calling me several very ugly names last week. With school coming to a close, I just wanted to relax a few days and then address it next week. I was going to ask her to leave, but last night Fred had had enough and, when she got home, he told her that she had one week. She began crying and ended up leaving to spend the night at the boyfriend's (he was at his graduation-all-night-party). Wonder what she told his mom about that?!? Before she left she actually had the gaul to ask her sister, "Do you have any idea why Dad is making me leave?" She didn't respond.
Gotta run....I'll return with updates after softball with the TA (teen-ager)....the one who stills likes us.......................
Rocks In Your Shoes by Emily West
So you had some bad luck, life sucks
Can’t do nothin’ right
You took some wrong turns,
Got burned way too many times
And so you fall back with all that
hurt that just don’t wanna heal
So then you do the why me,
This can’t be happenin’ again
Hey what’s the deal man
I can’t take much more of this
You put your time in
Payed your dues
Believe me I know how you feel


I guess you gotta make a choice
When it hits the fan
You can get a little down or get a little mad
When there’s stones in the road
only one thing to do
You gotta learn to walk with rocks in your shoes
Come on!


I heard some good lies from bad guys
Makin’ me their mark
They did a drive by bang, bang
Big hole in my heart
Needed a crash cart, CPR
Sister I was fadin’ fast
I had a poor me trophy
Kept it on a shelf
Did the too proud,
Too cool to ask for any help
But when I gave in prayin’
I only got what answered back
And He said,
I guess you gotta make a choice
When it hits the fan
You can get a little down or get a little mad
When there’s stones in the road only one thing to do
You gotta learn to walk with rocks in your shoes
Come on!
Bitter’s like a weed
If you let it grow
It’s gonna trip you up, yeah
Somewhere down the road
To get where you’re going
There’s only one thing to do
You gotta learn to walk with rocks in your shoes
You better learn to walk with rocks in your shoes
Come on!
Keep on walkin’ with rocks in your shoes

This song talks to me about continuing to love her and persevere through her anger and mine. And, I'd hope it spoke to her about taking responsibility for her own actions and decisions and discontinue blaming "everyone else". Not that she'll ever read this. I don't think she knows that I have a blog. Another great country song right now that completely applies is, Back When I Knew It All by Montgomery Gentry. Maybe I'll put that in tomorrow.

The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test.

In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.
That's right, school's out for summer! No more pencils, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks.................well, okay, I'm the teacher, so I can still give the dirty looks, just not to those particular students. I hope I've spent the year teachiing them things that will help them pass life's test.

It's actually been a tough year for me too. I had no idea what it would be like to raise children of my own. The line between teacher and parent has been very thin this year and it's been tough on all of us. Sometimes I contemplate giving up the teacher-parent thing and other times I want to give up the parent thing altogether! Really! So, this is "me" doin' a jig down the hallway on the way out the door to v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n! in the summertime!

I'm sure I'll see you along the way, but don't be surprised if it's a few miles in-between!

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow is exhilarating; there is no such thing as bad weather.

Okay, I'll try that. There's no such thing as bad weather, there's no such thing as bad weather, there's no such thing as bad weather, there's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home.....yeah, whatever. The weather in Minnesota right now is incredibly irritating. Summer has yet to arrive in any way, shape or form. It teases us with beautiful, warm, sunshiny days in the 70s and then snaps us back into dreary, rainy, cold. It's May 29th, for heaven's sake. Oh my! It's May 29th!! It's our 27th anniversary today. We celebrated with Fred's folks on Tuesday, so I guess we forgot about today. We've talked at least 5 times on the phone today and neither one of us said anything. Man, at 20 I didn't think I'd do anything for 27 straight years and the very next year I snagged Freddy. 27 years, two kids, two dogs, four moves, and at least 17 vehicles later and look at us..............we're still happy!! WooHoo!! Happy Anniversary, Babe, I love you more today than yesterday and not as much as tomorrow.

If you are losing your leisure, you may be losing your soul.

This is where I'm headed................................................ HAVE A WONDERFUL MEMORIAL DAY

And don't forget to take a minute (or more) to remember why we get to enjoy a three-day weekend every year at the end of May............

The music I live by

This is so cool. I was surfing some other's blogs last night and found this great mp3 that you can add to your blog, so there it is. At this point I've included some of the really inspirational songs I've collected over the last few years. The first one is from the movie Frequency, which I totally love. The song talks about waiting for "you to come back to me again" and circles "of life" and whatnot, but it always reminds me of my daddy and how much I miss him. The other songs are really neat pick-me-up pieces by various artists, but I've noticed how many of the songs are from the country genre. Country writers/singers sure know how to bring up your spirits..........of course, they also sing about broken hearts and cheatin' and drinkin' and prison..........

What we anticipate seldom occurs, what we least expected generally happens. --Benjamin Disraeli

So, I guess I've been expecting spring to arrive.........yes, I know it's May 15, but spring has been a long time coming to Minnesota this year and I'm tired of waiting. Today is beautiful, however. And this morning I participated, for the 6th time, in our high school's Mock Car Crash. One would think it would put a damper on the day, but it has the completely opposite effect one me. I get totally revved-up. This is such an absolutely vital message to get through to these kids and it thoroughly driven home by seeing some of "their own" involved in a terrible, terrible tragedy that could be prevented.
This photo is actually from the MCC last fall at another high school as I haven't seen today's photos yet. It's such a powerful experience. We stage it sometime during the week of prom. One of my "children" is a fatality as is one of the "prom-goers". My "hubby-of-the-day" gets "detained" for trying to attack the student "drunk-driver". I have to be extracated from our vehicle and one of the "critically-injured" students is taken away by helicopter.
Given the weather of late, we were all quite concerned about what conditions were going to be like this morning. Well, God takes care and it was gorgeous. The audience of junior and senior students were awestruck and hopefully moved into making better choices not just this weekend but for the rest of their lives. I feel honored and blessed to take part in this re-creation every spring.

Life is a handful of short stories, pretending to be a novel.

Man it's been a loooooooooooong time. I thought this would be such a great place to set my thoughts down "on paper", but life got in the way. Between Lacy being home and changing the household dynamic and Anne getting into more and more trouble, I don't know which way is up some days.
So it's almost 10pm on Saturday night...the night before Mother's Day. I'm sure my girls have purchased something.....that their grandfather gave the money for.....and they're certainly going to give it to me tomorrow at some point.....but neither one has asked or suggested that we "do" something tomorrow.....I'm going to visit MY mom tomorrow afternoon with Fred to bring her the potted geranium we get her EVERY year that she justs loves, AFTER we stop at his mom's to give her the potted fushia that we give her EVERY year that she adores.....
I'm trying to be okay with everything, but I'm just not right now. I wish I had someone to talk to..................

Long time, no see...

I don't have any fantastic tale to explain my absence. Oh well. I would have been pleased to say that I'd been whiling away the days in some sunny fantasy place, but no such luck.

What I was really doing began with the Scrapbook retreat the weekend of the 22nd. Got to St. Croix Falls on Friday night and for the first time in years, we didn't have inclemate weather! We've had everything from rain to ice storms so this was new. Jen, Shelle, Kathy and I celebrated "our" birthdays. We started that several years ago since it's usually right on my weekend and close to Shelle's and Kathy's, Jen just gets to join in!! She brought the most amazing cake from McCaffety's. It was a quad-layer, double chocolate number with the most decadent filling. Yummmmmm! Don't have a picture of it, but it was grand!
After that weekend, it's just been busy, busy, busy doing nothing, nothing, nothing...out of the ordinary anyway. Life seems to have jump-started in the last two weeks. It's absolutely crazy! But, unfotunately, nothing to tell about.

Ooooooh!

This was right outside my front door last FALL!!!! God is great!

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leafs a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

Baby it's cold outside!!

Okay, give us two beautiful, above freezing days, then sock us back with negative temperatures and you'd think we'd died and gone to h---! Here's where I WANT to be right now. But, since that ain't gonna happen, I guess I'll just snuggle down with a good book, a good glass of wine, a roaring fire and my hunny-bud. Oh yeah, I gotta work until 3. Dang it! Well, that's what's on tap for tonight. Now, you want to see cold in Minnesota, check out this guys website-photo-gallery. Wow! http://www.northernimages.com/ He is incredible! I get chills just looking at some of his work. He's got some amazing picture of Lake Superior and the North Shore throughout the year. Take a peek!
Stay Gold.

Well, that didn't last long. Okay, I got busy. I've got a cold coming on. And I've got a computer that's older than dirt, so the easiest place to blog is before and after work or durning breaks and I was pulled in three different directions there this week.

Fred and I had a wonderful Valentine's Day. He'd sent me a dozen roses on the 13th, which is much cooler. We made steak and salad for dinner and shared some really good wine. The girls are having a tougher time. Lacy's not sure that she'll stay with her current boyfriend and Anne doesn't have a boyfriend. Man, Valentine's Day sucks as a holiday. There's so much expected if you have a partner and it's soooo depressing if you don't.
I did have an absolutely wonderful experience when, this week the trade magazine came out and I was featured with a former student who contacted me last fall to thank me for "getting him through the toughest years of his life" during high school. How cool is that?!?! So, that's us at lunch a few weeks ago. What a sweetie. That'll take care of my ego for the rest of my life! I made a difference!! WooHoo!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

God's Wheel by Shel Silverstein

GOD says to me with a kind
of smile, "Hey how would you like
to be God awhile And steer the world?"
"Okay," says I, "I'll give it a try.

Where do I set?
How much do I get?
What time is lunch?
When can I quit?"

"Gimme back that wheel," says GOD.
"I don't think you're quite ready YET."

“Ability is what you're capable of doing.
Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it.”
Lou Holtz
That's all for today! :)

Things I want to do...Pictures I want to take

This may end up being kind of a "bucket list". No, I haven't seen the movie, but I like the idea. So, the plan is to edit this on a fairly regular basis to see how far I get and what ideas I get. I'm hoping that other people will see it and give me ideas as well. Here goes:

001 All 50 States
002 Build a snowman
003 Call someone I haven't talked to in more than five years
004 Dance in the rain
005 Do a charity walk/run
006 Finish College
007 Give a gift and expect nothing in return
008 Go all-out for Christmas….cookies, decorations, lights, windows, presents, traditions
009 Kiss in the rain
010 Learn how to ballroom dance
011 Learn one favorite song on the piano
012 Learn Tai Chi
013 Learn to change the oil on my car
014 Make a fantastic five-course dinner
015 Make a list of my 5 most annoying habits and work on them
016 Make a meal for someone who doesn't live at my house
017 Make a scrapbook about me
018 Make homemade salad dressing
019 Make pizza from scratch
020 Make something on a pottery wheel
021 Meet an old friend for coffee
022 Put together a large puzzle, glue it, frame it
023 Read by the fireplace
024 Re-Learn to speak a foreign language (french)
025 Sit in front of the fire on a snowy day
026 Soak in a zen bubble bath…candles, music, oils
027 Start and finish another painting
028 Stay outside for an entire day
029 Write a book
030 Write a letter now to my future grandkids
031 Write a letter to a friend
032 See the Northern Lights in Alaska
033 Visit Cooper's Landing
034 Grand Canyon sunrise/sunset
035 Skydive
036 Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
037 Spend at least three days at a dude ranch
038 Send a message in a bottle
039 Tour a vineyard and sample a good wine
040 Explore the routes of America's Underground Railroad
041 Hike part of the Appalachian Trail
042 Swim with the dolphins
043 Epcot/Disney/Cirque
044 Margaritaville
045 Key Largo
046 Hawaii
047 Shower in a waterfall
048 See a volcano
049 Go to a Luau
050 Mississippi Delta
051 Go to New Orleans for Mardi Gras
052 Sled down a massive hill
053 Canoe
054 Spend a night on an island in the BWCA
055 Sail a sailboat
056 Spend the night in a quaint bed-and-breakfast
057 Wake up to the sounds of the forest
058 Drive the Gunflint Trail
059 Mississippi Headwaters
060 Jump into a swimming hole
061 Rake a giant pile of leaves and jump in them!
062 Tell ghost stories around a campfire and make s'mores
063 Hang up a hammock…and USE IT!
064 Sleep under the stars
065 Take a sleigh ride
066 Eat at a fancy restaurant and order anything from the menu
067 Winter woods
068 Blindly pick a place on a map and visit it
069 Visit Minnesota "monuments" (World's Largest…)
070 Las Vegas Strip
071 Spend the night in a lighthouse
072 Fall in New England
073 Visit New York City at Christmas and go ice-skating
074 Visit Radio City Music Hall
075 Walk Broadway at night
076 Go to a Broadway show
077 Go dancing all night
078 Run through a sunflower field
079 Mount Rushmore
080 Badlands
081 Passion Play
082 Padre Island
083 Crystal Cathedral
084 Swim in the Great Salt Lake
085 Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC
086 Washington DC
087 Gettysburg
088 Grand Tetons
089 Redwoods
090 Old Faithful
091 Sequoias
092 Yellowstone
093 Drive a sports car/convertible with the top down and music blaring
094 Throw a surprise party
095 Wear a flower in my hair
096 Throw a HUGE party and invite EVERYONE
097 Climb a mountain
098 Go horseback riding on the beach
099 Drive Route 66
100 Mediate by a river's edge, on top of a mountain or by the ocean
101 Go all-out for an elegant cocktail party
102 Befriend someone who I didn't immediately like
103 Run a 5K
104 Walk through a field of daisies
105 Publish something
106 African safari
107 Visit the pyramids
108 Spend New Year's Eve in an exotic location
109 Canada
110 Quebec
111 Visit the Great Wall of China
112 Paris, Again
113 Louire valley castles
114 Tours, Again
115 Normandy
116 Cote d'Azur
117 Go to Greece
118 Go into and eat in an Authentic Irish Pub
119 Converse in Italian at a Tuscany market
120 Visit Rome
121 Ride a gondola in Venice
122 Go to the "boot heel"
123 Drink traditional tea in an outside café in London
124 Ride on the top of a double-decker bus in London
125 Baha
126 Mexico
127 See the sun rise on all 7 continents
128 Practice random acts of kindness
129 Forgive
130 Find a spiritual path
131 Make amends
132 Encourage my children
133 Accept myself
134 Find my passions and follow them

Got through yesterday and realized that my little girl is much smarter than I am. As we were driving home from school I asked how her day went and she replied that everything was cool and she'd pretty much forgotten about the incident the day before. I asked how she could just forget about it and she said, "Mom, I'm a black belt. We're trained in NON-violence. So, she hit me. It wasn't that bad, the pain is gone and she's the one that opened the door. If she ever tries it again, I'll kick her a**!" That's my GIRL!

Not much to say. Crazy at home with both girls living there again. Lacy tried one semester at St. Kates and did wonderful, but didn't feel like she fit in so she's home again and attending Inver Hills until next fall. She's already been accepted at St. Cloud and Mankato and has to decide where she wants to live.
Anne is a freshman in high school and likes school and her teachers, but hates the day-to-day drama!! No kidding?!?!?! She comes home yesterday in a BAD mood and won't tell us why. Later last night she mentions almost getting in a fight at school. I said, "What?!?!" And she proceeds to tell me that someone came up to her out of the crowds, punches her in the gut, and walks away! A bunch of her friends kept her from retailating and I said, "WHY?!" She was worried about being expelled to which her dad and I said, "We didn't spend all that money for you to earn your black belt so that you wouldn't use it when you needed to defend yourself!"
Well, the discussion went round-and-round about fighting versus suspension, etc. and that we would back her up no matter what if she didn't throw the first punch. And Fred is up at the high school right now "chatting" with the principal, dean, behavior liason, and police liason basically saying, "If you can't keep our daughter safe in the halls of your building, we have given her permission to defend herself, WITHOUT REPERCUSSION from any of you." And if they can't handle that, then we'll have to get some lawyers involved and see how they like that. Okay, I'm getting ahead of myself, but really. Are they nuts?! They have video in every hallway, personnel walking the various hallways and TEACHERS who are supposed to be monitering the halls during passing time and they can't keep one student from taking a cheap-shot at another?!
Okay, I gotta calm down. Fred will take care of it and everything will get back to half-a**-normal.
Gotta Go. Stay Gold!

I watched the Super Bowl yesterday and never got around to logging on. Oh well, some things are more important, like my man, Eli winnin' a ring!!!! Nothing against the Pats, and I would have loved to see a team go 19-0, but I had Eli as my quarterback all season in fantasy and I really wanted him to go all the way. (especially since he sucked so much of the year as MY quarterback) I won a crab dinner when they got into the Super Bowl. Yesterday I actually lost a breakfast at Cracker Barrel 'cuz Fred wanted Brady to lose and I allowed him to take the Giants. (ain't I a sweet gal???) I was really rooting for my guy the whole time anyway. What's a breakfast cost compared to a crab dinner and sweet Eli winning?!?!?!

Went to the Young Americans show at CMS today. I took Anne and her friend Marissa. I thought it was wonderful. They were only slightly bored. Teenagers. They recognized most of the songs, so I had to give them a little crap for that. They were singing along with some, so I had to give them a lot of crap for that! They like to think they're "oh-so-cool" (in fact I'm sure that's not even the word for it anymore) when in fact they're still little kids trying to grow up and be accepted. God, I love 'em.

Now I'm working downstairs, on the computer.....duh, making a cd of some of the inspirational songs I've collected. We all need some inspiration sometimes and there's some really good stuff out there. For Good, That's What Friends Are For, My Wish, I Will Remember You, Stand, Lean On Me, Life Is Good, I Hope You Dance, Mountains, Wind Beneath My Wings, Burn, Dare To Dream, Life Is A Highway, Wonderful World. I'm also very active in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life so I've spent a lot of time coordinating music for various laps through the night.

Anyway, it's good to listen to the words and reflect, so that's what I'm doing. Fred just got home from work, Lacy's off at work, Anne's with a friend, LIFE IS GOOD!!!

FOR GOOD

A really fantastic group called the Young Americans were at school today and had a boatload of the kids, who'd signed up in advance, learning some routines for a performance tomorrow. One of the songs that they played to is from Wicked. I first heard this song at the dance studio last year when it was picked for the Mother-Daughter piece. Many tears ensued. It's such a beautiful example of words that touch the soul. Think about your mom, best friend, brother, neighbor, receptionist, anyone who has "changed" you and made you a better person.

Wicked "For Good"
by Stephen Schwartz
Sung on the Wicked cast album by Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda)
ELPHABA
You're the only friend I've ever had.
GLINDA
And I've had so many friends. But only one-- that mattered.
(sings)
I'VE HEARD IT SAID
THAT PEOPLE COME INTO OUR LIVES FOR A REASON
BRINGING SOMETHING WE MUST LEARN
AND WE ARE LED
TO THOSE WHO HELP US MOST TO GROW
IF WE LET THEM
AND WE HELP THEM IN RETURN
WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF I BELIEVE THAT'S TRUE
BUT I KNOW I'M WHO I AM TODAY
BECAUSE I KNEW YOU...
LIKE A COMET PULLED FROM ORBIT
AS IT PASSES A SUN
LIKE A STREAM THAT MEETS A BOULDER
HALFWAY THROUGH THE WOOD
WHO CAN SAY IF I'VE BEEN CHANGED FOR THE BETTER?
BUT BECAUSE I KNEW YOU
I HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR GOOD …

ELPHABA
IT WELL MAY BE
THAT WE WILL NEVER MEET AGAIN
IN THIS LIFETIME
SO LET ME SAY BEFORE WE PART
SO MUCH OF ME
IS MADE OF WHAT I LEARNED FROM YOU
YOU'LL BE WITH ME
LIKE A HANDPRINT ON MY HEART
AND NOW WHATEVER WAY OUR STORIES END
I KNOW YOU HAVE RE-WRITTEN MINE
BY BEING MY FRIEND...
LIKE A SHIP BLOWN FROM ITS MOORING
BY A WIND OFF THE SEA
LIKE A SEED DROPPED BY A SKYBIRD
IN A DISTANT WOOD
WHO CAN SAY IF I'VE BEEN CHANGED FOR THE BETTER?
BUT BECAUSE I KNEW YOU...

GLINDA
BECAUSE I KNEW YOU...

BOTH
BECAUSE I KNEW YOU
I HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR GOOD...

ELPHABA
AND JUST TO CLEAR THE AIR
I ASK FORGIVENESS
FOR THE THINGS I'VE DONE YOU BLAME ME FOR

GLINDA
BUT THEN, I GUESS WE KNOW
THERE'S BLAME TO SHARE

BOTH
AND NONE OF IT SEEMS TO MATTER ANYMORE

[They sing simultaneously]

GLINDA
LIKE A COMET PULLED FROM
ORBIT/AS IT PASSES A SUN/
LIKE A STREAM THAT MEETS A
BOULDER/ HALF-WAY
THROUGH THE WOOD

ELPHABA
LIKE A SHIP BLOWN OFF ITS
MOORING/BY A WIND OFF THE
SEA/ LIKE A SEED DROPPED BY A
BIRD IN
THE WOOD

BOTH
WHO CAN SAY IF I'VE BEEN CHANGED FOR THE BETTER?
I DO BELIEVE I HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR THE BETTER

GLINDA
AND BECAUSE I KNEW YOU...

ELPHABA
BECAUSE I KNEW YOU...

BOTH
BECAUSE I KNEW YOU...
I HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR GOOD.

This is one of my favorite songs and one that I dedicated to Fred on his 50th birthday. It's by Gary Allen and helps me remember that we can't pick and choose our struggles or triumphs, but life IS a beautiful ride. We only get to ride once, so make the most of it!! Live! Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death! (from Auntie Mame, 1958)

Life ain't always beautiful
Sometimes it's just plain hard
Life can knock you down, it can break your heart

Life ain't always beautiful
You think you're on your way
And it's just a dead end road at the end of the day

But the struggle makes you stronger
And the changes make you wise
And happiness has it's own way of takin' it sweet time

[chorus]
No,life aint always beautiful
Tears will fall sometimes
Life aint always beautiful
But it's a beautiful ride

Life aint always beautiful
Some days I miss your smile
I get tired of walkin' all these lonely miles

And I wish for just one minute
I could see your pretty face
Guess I can dream, but life dont work that way

But the struggles makes me stronger
And the changes make me wise
And happiness has it's own way of takin' its sweet time

No, life aint always beautiful
But I know I'll be fine
Hey, life aint always beautiful
But its a beautiful ride
What a beautiful ride

2 days in a row!!

I'm here again. It's 42 below outside.........really it's only 15 below, but it feels like 42. Why do we live in this state? Because it's beautiful! I have several pictures I want to add to this site, once I figure out how. I've tried three times to download/upload a picture of my beautiful family. It seems to take forever and never get done. Maybe the file is too big or I'm doing it wrong. Whatever. I'll figure it out.
Okay, so I figured it out. Not all of it, but some of it. This is what I'm dreaming of right now. "The Lake" with the loons out in the distance, swimming and playing and calling out to each other. I'm in the hammock, just off the shore, reading a book, probably a good murder-mystery-romance, real juicy.
Anyway, I have some other gorgeous pictures of Minnesota in it's various forms; rainbows, orange leaves, cystalline lakes, and even SNOW and ICE! I'll try to navigate the entire website this weekend and see what comes of it.

This is strange!

This is all Aanenson's fault! I'd read about blogging to keep track of journaling for scrapbooking. Aanenson said she had a blog. Aanenson sent me her blog address. I read it and it had a "create a blog of your own" icon. Now, here we are!

I remember journaling from high school and college. I got a lot of enjoyment from it. I burned those journals once upon a time! :)

So, here I go, into the world of cyber-journaling, writing down my feelings, emotions, wishes, desires for all the world to see. Let's see where it takes us today..............