JOYFUL MOMENTS

I just needed to make a list today of all the joy I have watched or had happen in the last couple of days

1) Watching as Colton & Kaeli held hands and sang silly songs together (JELLO and Veggie Tales) as they walked back to the car from Kaeli's performance today

2) Watching as Preston straddled the wagon stuffed with kiddos and stuff and roll it DOWN the hill on the sidewalk during our walk back today

3) Listening as Preston and the big girls bantered back and forth with each other

4) Watching Ky put away 3 HUGE pancakes, mac & cheese, bacon, 6oz milkshake, milk for dinner and then say "Mom, I need something to eat" when we got home and watch him eat a whole banana and some water - sheesh! He will be good to go for a few days after this...

5) Receiving an "I love you" card from Kaeli just because

6) Having Kaeli get pineapple opened for me after I woke horribly sick this morning and after peppermint "tea" and Pepcid AC still werent working....uuuggghhh - remind me it is NOT a good idea to give in to emotional eating...no matter what

7) Having torrential rain up until 1/2 hour before the parade today, having gorgeous weather for the parade and to walk in, having torrential rain start again 5 min after we arrived at performance building, and continue until about 5 min before we needed to leave again....sheesh

8) Watching Preston and the girls in the Keizer Iris Festival Parade today and getting great picts

9) Watching and listening to little people scream and point as they watched horses, cars, etc in the parade

10) Feeling a very warm fuzzy "aaawww" moment when we were getting our check tonight at dinner to find out that someone had left money anonymously for our family because Preston was there in his uniform and they wanted to say "thank you" to him for serving....

11) Listening and watching Kels sing and dance "ring around the rosies" by herself in the kitchen

12) Listening and laughing as Kels sang her ABC's and "F is for FakeBelieve" with the boys in the car while watching one of our fave movies (THANX Uncle T!)

13) Being totally blown away as Kels said her ABC's with the boys while watching same movie

14) Seeing sunbeams streaming through dark storm clouds on the drive home

15) Helping Kaeli get on her CATS costume for her performance today - she was AWESOME!

16) Watching Ceana's reaction to a new food - I asked her to try calamari without telling her what it was first. She did fine and mentioned that it tasted kind of like fish and when preston responded "it should taste like squid" she threw her hands over her mouth and literally bolted to the bathroom.....I havent laughed that hard in a long time....after that I got lots of "how could you do that to me" glares from her....it was pretty funny

17) Listening to Ceana play in her Spring band concert (she ROCKED!) and then enjoying taking picts of her and Ana and capturing their closeness and laughter after the concert. Thanx girls for letting me share that time - picts are AWESOME!

18) Watching Kels eating a mozzarella stick for the first time and laughing as she tried to bite it and the cheese stretched from her mouth across the table as she pulled her hand away

19) Feeling like I accomplished something good by working off stress and steam at the pool

20) Knowing that everyone enjoyed their dinner out tonight as most of the kids sat with that "I cant believe I ate the whole thing" look on their faces

21) Eating a free hot dog lunch while sitting on the ground and tailgate of the Beast (I was very good and didnt eat one)

22) I know there are others - my brain is just on the fritz after a 12 hr non-stop fun day...will add more soon

Triathlon FB Conversations

Triathlon FB Conversations....this stuff has just made me laugh out loud...so I thought I would keep a running journal of some interactions with the other sisters...(Apr/May 2010)

*"Over hill, over dale....poor Dale" - I just love that line from one of our Peanuts movies...poor little Re-run is destined to sit on the back of his mom's bike while she crashes and swerves and, you get the idea....that was totally me last night...BUT - Elizabeth and I DID IT!!! Woot for us! It was a slow start, but we rocked (and wobbled, and swerved, and ran stop signs...) hahaha. Actually, for a first run in the wind and rain, we didnt do bad at all. We got our 45 minutes in and we finished the job! I am feeling it now though...oh my, I didnt realize I had muscles in all those different places...LOL. We are off to a great start - thanx again Elizabeth for being my training buddy - you are the BEST!

*Must....learn....to....ride....aaaahhhh! Watch out for that tree, the gutter, that car, the curb, the garbage can....aaaaahhhh! The wheel is connected to the gear, sprocket, whats-it, huh? Pedal, steer, pay attention, oh, and ya, it might be a good idea to learn to STOP - I think my brain is going to explode.....and my backside is going to be VERY sore...

*I got some unexpected training in today - I chased a cow...literally....remind me to share the story next time we chat....(running commentary below)
Commentary 1 - hmmmm Ox in the mire sort of...or Cow on the loose....same thing......You will have to fill us in....
Commentary 2 - HOLY COW.....HAHAHAHAHAH
Commentary 3 - ...that was utterly funny on your part....
Commentary 4 (after I explained my cow story) - That is one of the best stories I have read on FB...my favorite part was visualizing you chasing a cow around (I bet you did not have a smiley face on) with a 2x4 and then a rubber hose.....Rory....how is it that we have been in the same ward all these years and I did not realize you were such a cow hater!!!!! Rory, you are the best! Good luck with your bike ride tomorrow....
Commentary 5 - The bike thing could be very scary....Preston spent a good 1/2 hr with me tonight trying to teach me to ride...it was NOT a pretty sight. I will be lucky to stay alive long enough to compete in Sept...uuuhhhhgggg!
Commentary 6 - We left the bike in 1st gear, so at least your demise won't be due to speeding. Commentary 7 - I'm not a cow hater - I LOVE cows.....well done, with a yummy marinade sauce....heaped with lettuce and tomato and a side of fries....with special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun....oh, wait, I am allergic to cheese and bread now...rats...how about falling to pieces and drowned in BBQ sauce with biscuits or corn bread? Oh yeah!

*You know how we all keep hearing about Big Foot.... but nobody REALLY believes he is real????? I'm starting to wonder if....(inserrt sister's name here) is his sister!!! I've heard all about her, there have even been sightings, but alas I have yet to capture her in my sights!(running commentary below)
Commentary 1 - BTW, the swim this a.m. was great! It was awsome to meet Rory (clearly not a big foot realtive) and practice the whole face-in-the-water thing!
Commentary 2 - ...hmmm isn't Big Foot kind of stinky too....hmmmmmm I must dispel these thoughts you have of me that I big, hairy, stinky, and running/walking/biking/swimming naked through the Northwest woods...
Commentary 3 - you must be a VERY distant cousin... that is, if you really exsist!!! LOL! Oh, and I know you're not run'n in you're b-day suit.... we already established you wear your fancy pants swirt!!!
Commentary 4 - I got to meet (sister #1) tonight!!! I am in love!!!!!! You are such a cute heart....And I love your enthusiasm and you have not even done a triathlon yet....I am excited you are doing the shirts. I will take an X-small cause no doubt that's what I will be wearing come. Sept. It was such an awsome meeting
Commentary 5 - (sister #2) is REAL!!! I just knew I was gonna luv her....I was right! And YES, I would love, love, love to go on "tour" with ya! We could go to each of the wards an tell 'em that if a 55 yr old lady and a over-weight chica-a-dee with heart problems can do this thing.... so can they!!! ...and I saw her face.....now I'm a believer...
Commentary 6 - Uh....a 55 year old who is also a chubblious babe(your forgot that part)....with white hair...Hey and my daughter lives in Pasadena...I am...The little old lady from Pasadena...sort of... Ok so what should we call our group while we are on tour the Tri-ettes... Tri-hohos Tri-Ho Tri-Ho, it's off to work we go..... Tri-fecta Tri-angle Tri-round Tri-saying that to my face sweetie...I'll send Rory after ya with a 2x4...Ok (sister #1) now you give it a tri.... : )

Maybe I DON'T Want To Be A Country Girl....

I was all excited to do a post about all the fun animals we have been asked to help care for in the last couple of months (WAY cute picts to come soon)...thinking it really would be wonderful to live in the country and have all of those animals ourselves....I was thinking that until this afternoon....

Two of our home teaching families own livestock. Occasionally we are asked to help care for animals if our friends need to be out of town. This weekend we were asked to help care for cattle and chickens. Everything has been fine, until this evening when I went up to care for all the animals.

I had checked on the chickens, and the cats (way cute picts coming of the barn kittens) and then went to get the hay for the cattle. As I was getting the hay into the feedbox I looked over and there was a COW standing in the back yard - OUTSIDE of the pasture. I just stood there and said to myself "you have got to be kidding me, how in the world did she get out?"

It was a cow on the loose....the closer I got to try to direct it towards the pasture gate...the faster she bolted in the WRONG direction. I chased the dumb thing around the house twice (with a 2x4 in my hand) and it bolted towards the road instead towards the open gates. I finally, verbally, begged to Heavenly Father to help (I was alone, with no cell signal) to tell the dumb cow where she needed to go. I chased her to the road again and flung the front pasture gate wide open and shooed her around the yard (with a piece of rubber hose in my hand this time) and she finally headed, calmly, towards the open gate and then through it and into the pasture.

I got the gate closed and locked and then spent another chunk of time walking the perimeter fences (while trying to avoid fresh cow you-know-what) to see where she had even gotten out. Oh, forgot to add that while I was doing the perimeter check I was again verbally thanking Heavenly Father for answering my prayers immediately (we had a going theme today in sacrament meeting about prayer)...How do you think this story would go over in sacrament meeting? Will have to remember to share it next fast sunday? hahaha

When I felt safe that everything was secure, I started counting heads so I could confirm #'s when I called and talked to Bro Meade...I just knew when I called that he would tell me that there was supposed to be one less and that I had herded someone else's cow into the wrong pasture....actually it WAS one of his cows and I still really have no clue where she got out, she possibly squeezed between some wide barbed wire, sounds like she has pulled this stunt before....
I was exhausted and covered in hay and yuck by the time I was done....and I confirmed with Bro Meade that I am NOT a country girl....thankfully he laughed with me....dumb cow....

A tale of two cities

Friday the final two demobilization ceremonies were held for troops from the 41st BCT. Each ceremony honored approximately 80 Soldiers, and each followed the same basic script. That was where the similarities ended.

The morning ceremony was held in an armory in Tigard, a suburb of Portland Metro. They may have been there, but I don't remember seeing any Welcome Home signs or balloons or other outward displays of appreciation. There were no event signs on the streets or long lines of "Patriot Rider" motorcyclists with US flags. When the announcement was made that the buses had arrived at the armory (somewhat late), I didn't see a SINGLE person get up out of their seats to go outside to watch and welcome and cheer. The 300-or-so participants were certainly happy to have their family members home, and we were happy to be part of the ceremony. Reactions to the speeches were polite, restrained. It was very good to see SFC McIntosh and his family, neighbors and friends we got to know before our ward split. The loudest applause came when the Democratic governor was introduced to give his speech. A search of the Oregon Public Broadcasting news website shows 6 separate stories detailing the latest lottery numbers, but nothing regarding the final demobilization of Oregon troops. In fact, the only story in the Oregon section over the weekend that appears to mention the military was an announcement that the Air Force will allow a large-scale wind farm to be built in Oregon.

Fast-forward to the afternoon ceremony in rural southern Oregon city of Roseburg. We were limited to only 6 band members because there were not any more seats available on the Army air transportation. We flew with the a 1-star general and several other high-ranking officers. The plane briefly landed in Salem to take on additional officers headed to the demob. While being transported to the high school we saw rows of yellow balloons and flags decorating even the back entrance where nobody would have seen them but the high school students. A huge flag was hung between the extended ladders of local fire district trucks. Our small band group was moved several times while trying to find any available space on the arena floor that would meet with the Fire Marshall's approval and meet emergency egress requirements of the expected crowd.

The arena was nearly filled to capacity as the 75 Soldiers paraded into and around the floor, and our attempts to play marches were drowned out by the continuous cheers of the crowd. There were so many "Patriot Riders" with their flags in the arena that they filled the end of the gymnasium and took up standing positions in the bleachers. THIS time, the longest and loudest applause came at the beginning of the ceremony when the announcer read the line we had heard at each ceremony: "Thank you for supporting your local heroes." The standing ovation would have continued if the announcer hadn't interrupted to ask everyone to please take their seats.



The only parts of the ceremony that I would term "subdued" were the moment of silence for the two fallen Soldiers, and the introduction of the Governor. (OK maybe "subdued" doesn't accurately describe the applause he received, except when compared to what he heard from the Portland-area group that morning.) The official party was comprised of more dignitaries than at any other ... thankfully they didn't all give a speech. When being driven back to the airport, the local radio station was playing contemporary patriotic country music like "I'm Proud to be an American" and "American Soldier."

I'm glad that there are still places in our state that continue to support the military and their local Soldiers the way we saw in Bend, Roseburg and Medford.

Welcome Home, 41st BCT.

Warding off the evils of viruses...

I'm the only one (other than my dad, who never gets sick) who is not sick! YaY!

MINI UPDATE

Well, today has been just about as berzerk as yesterday...it is now past dinner time....and nothing to show for the day coming and going..

We finally got a call back from our kiddos' dr office with the bacterial strep results still being negative, but the viral strep results way beyond positive....yep, just our luck, we got the rare viral strain instead....loverly....

Soo...that means we were prob contagious days ago, and will be contagious as long as kiddos are running fevers and breaking out with any symptoms....we will need to not be around people as much as possible for the next 7-10 days probably. Shouldnt be too hard, considering we do school and everything at home, mostly. Next week looks pretty quiet as far as activity level for the kids, and hopefully we can keep rest of kiddos from getting it too...keep your fingers crossed.

Today was also adventurous for me. I always get a personal phone call from the Red Cross staff AND our ward blood drive rep. The last couple of times have been successful, so I was hoping things would be ok too. After the 90 min check in and set up, the best guy on the floor took a stab at me - literally. He got the needle in, except he MISSED the vein. While I squeezed a soft ball to death and curled my feet up into my shoes, he dug around until he finally hit it (can you say OW!!!!) Then it literally took me 5 minutes to fill the pouch and give them all the vials they needed. I have never been finished that fast before. It was kind of crazy, but someone must be in need of it more than me. The only way that I can have this much success is if Heavenly Father knows someone is waiting for it....and I am happy to give it. When I was done I sat and chatted with a fellow ward member, and our stake patriarch, while we nibbled some snacks and juice. All, in all, it really was a positive experience again this time. Maybe making up for lost time, for all those times they had to turn me away, or turned me into a pin cushion. It is good to be able to serve others in some small way.

Today was supposed to be full of adventure and fun, instead we had to cancel the fun and replace it with hanging out here at home with little and big people not feeling well, and just mostly scratching the day's efforts...there is always tomorrow, I guess, and the weekend to see what we can get caught up. I think the closer we get to summer break, the more we are all looking forward to it. For now, we just take a day at a time and do the best we can.

A TRYING DAY

Today has been one challenge after another...but also with one blessing after another.

1) The Beast's "engine in distress" light went on again late yesterday - took it in again this morning. They ended up keeping it for several hours. Found out the repair would cost $700+ - OUCH. Found out repair isnt critical to life or limb of the beast - and does NOT need to be done now, or maybe ever unless we really want to or unless we see a steep decline in gas mileage.....WHEW...Not knowing if we would have the car back in time, I ended up having to cancel Colton's OT appt in Philomath....threw a definate wrench into our plans....Had the blessing of having my kind, sweet, wonderful friend be willing to help chauffeur me back up to the car repair shop to pick up the beast so I could get ceana picked up from music class on time. Thank you C, I really dont know how I will ever re-pay your daily kindnesses and and never-ending help! Love ya tons!!!

2) Computer programs still missing from my laptop - not able to get work or schoolwork done again today - gggrrrr - With help of a patient husband, over the phone, I was able to re-install said programs, so hopefully tomorrow much needed projects will be able to be completed...sigh....Thank you, love, for always being so patient with me.

3) Kaeli woke with migraine and VERY sore throat again today. I was checking her temp - which was normal - only to have Kels fuss at me that she needed a "turn" too. I humored her, except the joke was on me when I went to read it to her and SHE had a fever! What? The more Kaeli and I chatted and I checked her, the more concerned I got about her listlessness, and pain. I went ahead and made a call to the dr office - confirming that they for sure wanted me to take the girls down to be checked....aaauuugghhhh! I quick called Colton's OT specialist and found out his slot was still open and we could still come. I also quick called Preston who agreed to meet me at the dr office and take colton to OT while I stayed with the girls...Thank you, my love, for being so willing to help, even at the last chaotic minute...

4) Looks very likely that both Kaeli and Kels have strep throat. Every symptom and indication is a whopping yes. Dumb quick culture said no...will have to wait for confirmation phone call from our cute little nurse tomorrow early AM. If it comes back negative too, it will confirm a more rare virus that acts and looks like strep (like we had last year) and we will know either way for meds for the girls, or having to let everyone know we have yuck we might have passed on in the last few days without knowing....So thankful for a wonderfully, sweet pediatrician who we can trust completely. Thankful to know that he is on call this weekend in case we do have strep and rest of kiddos get it too....(side note since I got pulled away while trying to get this written, Colton has started with a slight temperature and a scratchy looking rash on his upper torso - another symptom of strep - lovely....) We know that our dr will call in meds for whoever needs them and we wont have to run down to his office again....so wonderful that he cares about our family so much.

5) Was able to get chinese and kiddo food take out for dinner....just couldnt even think about food after how the rest of the day has gone....

6) Was able to head off our cute friend who had come for the kids' piano lessons before we shared our germs....

7) Get to enjoy the last little bit of sunshine for the day...the most sun we have seen all day....crazy rain every other 5 minutes was kind of fun today too...silly thing to think of as fun, but it just makes you shake your head as you stare out the window watching the weather literally change every minute or two...or walk outside, barely missing the torrential downpour....(lucky us, huh, Christy?)

8) Having the blessing of kind, wonderful, generous neighbors. Our neighbors across the street are wonderfully sweet, amazingly talented people who are willing to share their time, talents and thoughtful gifts with us. We were given a surprise gift today of a HUGE bulletin board just because our neighbor knew it would be perfect to show off the kids' art/school work. Her children are all grown now, and far away...and I think she and her husband are very much enjoying having all the neighborhood children around to enjoy. They are becoming good friends and we are lucky to have such good neighbors in a nice area here on our street and around us.

9) Have had very difficult time with sleep since I had to turn in my loaner CPAP and have been waiting for the new one to arrive from being on backorder. Sleep and REM cycles have been so intense I have been waking often because I have drown or died or something very intense has happened. It has made it very hard for me to help the kids or even be able to get through the most basic of house jobs or driving or anything. Today, just as we were heading out the door, I got a surprise phone call from the medical equipment office. My new CPAP and all the needed extra parts arrived today - way ahead of schedule (we were told it would be 2 weeks, minimum) I was ecstatic and so was the respiratory therapist who had been through all the stress with us. Even the office receptionist knew all the struggle we have been through, and she is also a mom, so she understood very well the strain that a sleep deprived mom puts on the family and home. I cant wait to get it all set up tonight - I am hoping I can remember all the instructions....

I am sure there are more things I can write about, things my brain would process if I was more coherent...but for now, I am going to try to get some real sleep tonight now that little people have finally crashed....I am truly grateful for many blessings that have been given today.

100 Things About Me- 15 Years Old

1. It really bugs me when someone spells something wrong, and if I don’t know how to spell a word, I go and look it up right then and there.
2. Blackberry jam is my favorite.
3. I love long walks on the beach.
4. Horses are my favorite animal, and always have been, ever since I can remember.
5. My favorite temple is the Salt Lake City, Utah temple.
6. My dad ROCKS (yes, he hacked my post and changed this one).
7. I like peanut butter and raisin sandwiches.
8. I don’t like pumpkin pie.
9. I want to go to OSU for college (Oregon State University).
10. I want to be a vet.
11. I like to drive.
12. I don’t like it when people get into fights.
13. My favorite saying is “spoons are overrated”, because I don’t like to use spoons, I prefer forks.
14. I like real wheat bread, not the fluffy stuff.
15. I play the French horn and the piano.
16. I want to learn how to play tennis.
17. I want to learn how to waltz.
18. I have a fear of heights, and looking over the edges of things (that includes walking over bridges and looking over banisters).
19. I have never been skiing.
20. My favorite high school sports are football and basketball.
21. My favorite team is the Beavers, of course.
22. I like the idea of growing up and living in this world, even with all of its trials (actually that’s the part I want to experience).
23. I love camping.
24. Fire is mesmerizing to me, I could sit and stare at it for a very long time.
25. I am OCD about the different colors in playing boxes; they all have to be in their own space, they can’t be mixed.
26. I love board games.
27. Picnics are wonderful.
28. I collect stickers.
29. I love to bake.
30. I don’t really know how to cook (yes, baking and cooking are different things).
31. I like to do yard work.
32. I get really hyper with my friends.
33. My favorite flavor is grape.
34. My favorite candy is 100 Grand.
35. I like caramel in chocolate, but not by itself.
36. I learned how to cross stitch and scrollsaw.
37. My favorite movie is Phantom of the Opera.
38. I sing in concert choir at the high school.
39. My favorite children’s book is “Toestomper and the Caterpillars”.
40. I don’t like to write, I like to read more.
41. I like writing research papers.
42. I like historical fiction and fantasy books.
43. I love dragons.
44. My favorite shape is a trapeziod and I have no idea why.
45. My favorite song is “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts.
46. My favorite genre of music is country
47. My favorite actor is Gene Kelly.
48. I prefer dancing with someone rather than just by myself in a group.
49. I love getting mail.
50. I am not grossed out with animals (body, sicknesses, etc.) but I don’t like human anatomy at all (blood, puke (haha), etc.).
51. I hate sirens, they freak me out.
52. I have fainted at least twice, once at Crater Lake, and once at the doctor’s office.
53. I like hosting parties at our house.
54. I am more computer savvy than my mom.
55. I think Kenya is a cool name for a girl.
56. I have only come to love big rollercoasters this last summer, although some still freak me out (which is good).
57. I hate first aid training.
58. I like scrapbooking- not the online kind.
59. To me, the idea of forever is almost scary.
60. I like reading during rainstorms.
61. I love thunder and lightning and when the power goes out.
62. I would rather be too cold than too hot.
63. I love walking barefoot.
64. I look good in black, and in blue.
65. I love the smell of campfires.
66. I love the smell of horses.
67. I like BBQs a lot, and my favorite meat is chicken, or hot dogs, burnt by the BBQ.
68. I don’t like seafood.
69. I can’t step on sidewalk cracks, and I always count how many steps are in a cement block.
70. I sleep on my stomach, buried in blankets, with my head between two pillows.
71. I need dark and quiet to sleep.
72. My favorite Disney movie is BOLT.
73. I love splashing in puddles
74. My favorite theme music (other than my favorite movie) is Lord of the Rings.
75. My favorite number of the alphabet is purple.
76. Rubbing a cotton ball between my fingers gives me shivers (the same feeling you get when you hear nails on a chalkboard).
77. I love swimming.
78. My favorite household chores are sweeping and vacuuming.
79. I am very good at hula-hooping.
80. I like to jump rope.
81. I (we) own a dog who gives me hugs!
82. I don’t like leaving messages.
83. I sing second soprano at school and church choir.
84. I like Owl City.
85. Without lists I would die.
86. I like typing in green.
87. I am short, and proud of it, because every tall person needs a short buddy.
88. I don’t like missing seminary.
89. I like to play cat’s cradle and marbles.
90. I love Bryan Adams.
91. I love the little things in the world that are simple.
92. I like the way everyone smells different (yeah, that might sound weird, but it’s true).
93. My favorite smell is vanilla.
94. I don’t like going to the dentist.
95. I like singing harmonies to the songs on the radio.
96. I like to give hugs.
97. I love the smell of spring rain.
98. My favorite number is 0 or 10.
99. I collect crab shells when I go to the beach.
100. I love the beach.

By Happy Sammich

100 THINGS

A friend of mine did a fun thing on her post. After her 100th post on her blog, she made a list of 100 things about herself. We have posted WAY more than 100, but I thought it was a fun idea and would put something new here since I havent been able to update all our fun adventures yet. So here it is....just random.

1) I love being a wife and mom

2) I like chocolate soy milk on my cereal (Crispix cereal is best!)

3) I have the most patient, forgiving, loving husband that ever walked the Earth

4) I have now re-developed intolerances for anything with dairy or yeast. May be life-long...it has been a huge change in my life

5) I have the 2 bestest friends in the whole entire world, who stick by me through thick or thin, when I am grumpy or happy, and always offer smiles, hugs, and never failing friendship every minute of every day. Thanx to M & C, I don't know what I would ever do without you!

6) I love watching sunrises and sunsets, esp at the coast

7) I need "white" noise to help me sleep (ocean waves, fan, fireplace, etc)

8) I now have to use a CPAP to allow me to sleep safely

9) I have the bestest massage therapist/health specialist in the world. She knows me so well and we have been through so much together. Thanx tons W for all you do for me, you are appreciated and loved more than words can ever say!

10) I love photography and enjoy (and sometimes lament) that there is always something else to learn or do better.

11) I am seriously considering training for and participating in my first triathlon - yikes!

12) I love to swim, it is relaxing and great exercise

13) I dont love planting a garden, but I love eating all the yummy fresh veggies at harvest time

14) I can live the rest of my life happily without eating brussel sprouts, crunchy peanut butter, or creamed corn ever again

15) I love to take naps when I can squeeze them in

16) I have run a 1/2 marathon, and once was enough experience for a lifetime

17) I enjoy teaching my daughter's sunday school class - it is an awesome group of kids!

18) I am not very good at riding a bike

19) I am allergic to lint - esp in kleenex!

20) I get the hiccups for hours at a time

21) I sneeze like the big bad wolf - I huff and puff and usually blow down anyone in my near vicinity...I also usually sneeze several times in a row (10+)

22) I like listening to my children laugh and play together

23) I love Georgia Mud Fudge Blizzards (at least they used to be my fave)

24) I love taking photos of every day things that most people don't even notice (dew drops, bees on flowers, the woodgrain in a tree stump, little bugs, etc)

25) I love to cook & bake (thanx Aunt M, I miss you!)

26) I did not inherit the "green thumb" that runs in the women of my family - I have a "black" thumb which is why all our live plants are in the yard, instead of in the house

27) My favorite color is purple

28) I have known and loved my husband for 23 years

29) I hate snakes. I cant even talk about them or look at a picture of them without feeling like I am going to throw up...

30) I am the bug/spider killer at our house

31) I am irrationally afraid of bridges over water (go figure, esp with my husband being a bridge designer/structural engineer)

32) I dont like wearing shoes, and only put them on when absolutely necessary

33) I spend most days in sweats or PJ's

34) I am not very good at making crafty things (scrapbooks, painting, cards, etc)

35) I love to do all my scrapbooking/journaling online and with digital programs

36) I love foreign foods, and will usually try just about anything once

37) I try really hard to remember to say thanx to others, for things big and small

38) I get my own personal phone calls from the Red Cross, or ward blood drive reps because of my universal blood type

39) I hate needles, esp the big monster ones they use when I give blood

40) I am allergic/have a high sensitivity to TONS of medicines

41) I have gone through 11 different surgeries in my life so far

42) I will usually delegate washing dishes and folding laundry - they are my least fave house chores because they are never caught up/finished

43) I have never broken a bone or had any cavities

44) The stones on my wedding ring match the number of kiddos we have

45) My favorite flowers are Tiger Lilies, Lilacs and Gladiolas

46) I love reading. My favorite genre is historical fiction and anything about dragons

47) If I could be anyone in the world, I would be Samatha Stevens from Bewitched - having her powers would make life totally awesome

48) I do not usually enjoy watching or paying any attention to sports.

49) I do not have a "techy" brain - software programs drive me batty, and I have just barely learned to use text messaging....will be a slow road to learning about all those newfangled gadgets out there

50) I do not know how to sew - I can manage to repair a loose button, but that is about it

51) I love soaking in a hot bath with peppermint and orange oils

52) I have attempted to learn to play the piano 3 times...sigh, maybe some day

53) I love pancakes, esp drenched in syrup

54) Log Cabin or Mrs Butterworth's syrups are the BEST

55) I love spice cake with lots of yummy white frosting

56) I am a perpetual worrier, something I am working on every day

57) I have scars in unusual places, and unusal stories about how I got them

58) I get terrified speaking in front of people

59) I think I am a terrible singer

60) I usually write things with colored pens

61) I journal kid things on our monthly calendar

62) I am the oldest child in my family

63) I love potatoes in any way, shape or form (esp love homemade hashbrowns & jojos)

64) I do not like looking at myself in a mirror

56) I do not like to fly in airplanes

57) I am a home-body, and I dont esp like to travel too far from home

58) I dont like camping

59) I love spending time at the coast, just playing or walking on the beach

60) I have never been a waitress or worked in a fast food restaurant, but have done just about every other kind of odd job here and there

61) In a previous "life" I taught school for 8 years, off and on, including owning and running my own preschool

62) I have had gray hair since I was a teenager (family genes)

63) I love the smell of lilacs, freshly baked bread, campfire smoke, and freshly washed children (esp kels' hair)

64) I collect nativities, and have several from around the world

65) I love anything Celtic, but esp music.

66) I like my meat WELL DONE, not even with the slightest pink

67) I spent a lot of my high school years writing poetry and creative stories

68) I sit in my chair with my left leg tucked underneath me

69) I have a favorite spot that I always sit in when I am on the couch in our TV room

70) I still bite my nails

71) When I am nervous I twist my wedding ring

72) I have flannel sheets on our bed year round, and sleep with extra quilts

73) I love eating corn on the cob & fried zuchinni cold, right out of the fridge

74) I eat green beans cold, right out of the can

75) If I didnt color my hair, it would be completely white

76) I like hosting parties, but I am always afraid no one will come

77) I often repeat myself when I talk

78) When I get extra anxious, worried or scared, my hand itches like it is on fire

79) My favorite number is 2

80) My most favorite random saying is "purple hippopotamus"

81) My favorite music in the world in Pachabel's Cannon in D

82) My favorite song is "The Prayer" by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli - it still makes me cry no matter how many times I hear it

83) I can quote a line out of a movie from just about any word I hear or say

84) I am not a "dump & pour" kind of cook, but I can make just about anything if I have a recipe

85) I love making & eating omelets, esp stuffed full of yummy things

86) I can't tolerate touching cotton balls or any fabric that has a similar texture

87) I took violin lessons when I was younger

88) My favorite candy is peanut M&M's, or 100 Grand Candy Bars (at least they used to be)

89) I dont like marshmallows

90) When I used to eat choc, it had to have something in it (caramel, nuts, etc), dont like just plain chocolate

91) I love flavored hot chocolate (gingerbread, raspberry, etc)

92) I love to listen to the frogs and bugs chirping at night

93) I dont usually like surprises, I am a "have to have a plan" kind of person

94) I had to take my driving test 2x

95) I legally changed my name in 2003

96) I am famous for being able to go anywhere, even far away from home, and still run into someone I know (a friend used to tease me that she could never take me anywhere...LOL)

97) I am afraid of heights

98) Sometimes when I dream at night, I can fly, be an olympic ice skater, and sing like a pro

99) I am a very symmetrical person - I am a picture straightener, have to have everything balanced when I am looking at things. Abstract or uneven drives me crazy

100) I dont wear lipstick, ever, it is just yuck

Demob #5

Today we were flown down to Medford for the last demobilization ceremony of the week. (There may still be one or two more next week.) This city went ALL OUT for their troops; as we drove by the armory the place was PACKED, even several hours before the official ceremony. We drove the couple of miles down the PARADE ROUTE they had laid out to the high school football stadium where the ceremony was held. At first I was a bit disappointed that we weren't marching in the parade with the troops, but I think it worked out OK as they asked us to play "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" as the companies paraded into and around the stadium in front of their friends and families. Very cool. I'm not sure the ceremony was performed exactly as it's spelled out in the regulations, but still it was very cool.

We were joined by a bagpipe and drum band (Army Reserve I think) so we traded off during the prelude and post-ceremony music. At every ceremony a lone bagpiper played "Amazing Grace" during the minute of "silence" to remember the two soldiers who were killed in action, so it was a special touch to have 12 pipers and 6 drummers for this ceremony.

Weather was great (ie no rain). Other than the snafu on our meals, things went off without a hitch! Success for the troops!

This particular ceremony was absolutely MOBBED by press folks, so I'm guessing there will be plenty of links to be shared.

KTVL (with a brief shot of the band)
KRDV
Southern Oregon NBC which notes the ceremony SHOULD have been even larger, but thanks to that ash cloud about half of the Soldiers will have yet another ceremony next week.
Photos from the local paper