Does Your Husband Listen?

I celebrated another birthday (5 days ago), have not hit 40 yet, there is always next year. I got an iPod shuffle, what a suprise! I guess my husband does hear me - once in awhile.

I have always mentioned I would like to have a mp3 player. It's cool, I cannot believe how small it is, just like advertised, a little bigger than a postage stamp.

So just keep on mentioning your wishes and maybe your husband will be paying attention!

Happy Holidays!!!

Billy & Jack

Our cats Billy & Jack are so funny. Their favorite past time is chasing bugs and watching the birds. What a life!!! Sure they do other things like eat, drink, visit the litter box, lay on their cat tree, lay on all the beds in the house, the bathtub, the bathroom sink. But their favorite is watching and chasing.

They sit at the deck door and watch the birds at the feeder. When birds fly on the deck, they are a magnet, to the window and watch and watch. And Watch... And then they talk to the birds, even thought the birds cannot hear them. The birds, are teasing them, they come closer and closer. In the mornings when there are birds, making all sorts if noise in the gutters, the boys are from window to window - anything to get a glimpse of the birds and watch.

Tonight, each cat is taking turns watching a moth that flew into the house. Bugs don't bother me, I get a kick out of the cats, MEOWING and their eyes just watching every movement. The moth is not moving, just hanging on the wall, but those cats are determined and when that moth gets closer to their level, they will be all over it. Trying to bat it down closer to them, so they can play.

Ah! The simple things in LIFE! Watching Bugs and Birds! The sweet life of Billy & Jack.

Where were you five years ago today?

I clearly remember being at home with Sarah who was just over a month old and Tyler was 2 years old. I turned on the tv after hearing all the reports on the radio, there was Peter Jennings reporting about highjacked planes flying into the Twin Towers. As I watched this horrific event on tv, I could not believe my what I was seeing and hearing. I have never been to NYC, but could only imagine what it was like to be on the streets. Seeing people walking through all that debri, just covered in white, gray and black, not knowing exactly what was happening to their city. Then to see the Twin Towers collasping, I just could not believe it, what was happening?

Then the reports indicate that a 3rd highkjacked plane was somewhere near Pittsburgh. And then the reports came in that Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, PA, Somerset county. When I heard this I was very shocked, concerned and upset. How could something like this happen in the United States of America? I grew up in a town about 2 hours away from the crash site and all sorts of thoughts went through my mind. I called my mom and can still hear her saying that she heard the airplane fly over the house.

Five years has past and to all those families that lost their loved ones, I salute your mother, father, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, boyfriend, girlfriend or that special person in your life who was aboard Flight 93 - who made a difference on Septemeber 11, 2001. And to all the rescuers your efforts are greatly appreciated by this mom.

I recently got the email that is being forwarded around Please Fly Our Flag. This email talks about how the country flew AMERICA FLAGS after 9/11 and slowly they went away. And asks for the AMERICAN FLAG to be flown on this day 9/11. I have flown a flag everyday since 9/11/2001, they may be small flags, but I still have AMERICAN FLAGS proudly in my yard. I also have flag displays in my windows and van. When the flag displays fade due the sun, I quickly replace them.

I want people to know that I am proud of the American Flag and proud to display it year round to salute those who have made the United States, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Random Thought

School started last week for 3 days. I putted around the house, did some of this and that. Mainly I just enjoyed myself. Now we will have an extra day this week (Labor Day), so it might sink a little more this week - that I can do what ever I want for 7 1/2 hours, times four days this week. And next week it will be 5 days. And when you add that time all up, you should have accomplished something.

My sister stopped by the other night and wanted to know what I have been doing, since I am home by myself. Told her I have been enjoying my time. I wandered last year what it would be like all by myself and now I get to soak it in, before I dig into projects and taking care of myself. Doing the BBM challenge, so if you want to join the challenge look at the link - it is not to late.

ENJOY LIFE!

T'was the day before school starts...

School starts tomorrow, school starts tomorrow, HIP - HIP - HURRAY.

Sarah asks everyday about school. She is very excited - because she is starting Kindergarten. She will be gone all day and so will her brother, Tyler. Tyler has been the informative big brother and telling her all sorts of stuff about kindergarten.

I have been asked if I will be sad and cry. My reply so far has been - My hands go up in the air and I say "YAHOO! Now maybe I get something done in my house". I don't even know what my reaction will be when I see Sarah (my baby) get on the bus. I was okay with Tyler getting on the bus, because I still had Sarah with me, but that was years ago - really only 2 years ago.

We all have been getting up earlier the fast few days, trying to get use to getting up early. Some days good, some not. It is a struggle for me as well as Tyler and Sarah. Me and Tyler really like to sleep late.

So today is the day that we get everything in order for that all important First Day. Getting clothes in order, making sure the backpacks are ready, packing lunches again - ugh... and as the days and weeks go on, we will get the system in order. Which paper and folders go back with which child. Separate calendars and activities - who has gym, art, music, library and so on.

I am sure all day I will be reflecting on the old days - when we could just stay home and relax and go at our own pace for the day. Man, has time flown by.

Football Season

To those of you who know me well and to those of you who don't. I am a huge football fan, yes there is a huge fan base in women who know football, the rules and plays. Some of us women are glued to football, football and more football.

I am a huge STEELERS fan, always have been and always will be, win or lose, they are my team. Growing up I did like the 49ers too, mainly because of Joe Montana - being from Western PA.

When I was employed bk (before kids) I ran an office pool and got into it big time, had several winning weeks and that was usually enough, always had to see the scores before I went to bed, to see if I had a winning pool. Back then Fantasy Football was just about that, Fantasy.

FAST FORWARD 8 years. This season, I was invited to join 2 different leagues. It was a big decision, go with the one at my hubby's office or join up with my cousin. I had all these fantasies in my head, yeah I could join 2, I could handle it. Well when reality set in (really it was a money thing, who gets my $50) - I decided that I would join up with my cousin.

I have PIGSKIN FEVER and can talk alot of trash, so beware Steagles, Ugly Mugs and all others in the Contenders league. I am looking forward to having alot of fun with Fantasy Football.

One week till draft day, who should I select in the 1st round, this is so exciting, I can hardly wait.

ENJOY LIFE!!!

Smile

OK, OK here is Sarah. She is smiling pretty for the camera. She lost her 2 bottom teeth a little over a month before her 5th Birthday. Like I said she is such the girly, girl. The tooth fairy did come for the first tooth. Sarah has not found the 2nd one, she put it in a small bag, but just cannot seem to find it in the room that is suppose to be her bedroom.

My Scout

OK, OK, I finally have posted a Tyler pix at Boy Scout Camp in Uniontown, PA. He went with his dad for 5 days. He had really great time, this was his first camping experience. He has moved up in the scouting world to Wolf Scout, which is for 2nd graders. I am really suprised how much he is into scouting. His pack does fun activities, so that keeps him into it, he also owns 2 knives (which he always misplaces) that he uses for carving, more like cutting up branches. Maybe he'll be a famous wood carver.