Pass The Trojans.....

I haven't abandoned you, oh journal.  I've been out of commission and actually things here might get worse before they get better.  Apparently we have managed to download a trojan virus. Three of us use this computer, but Mike is positive he didn't download it, Spencer (being a true teen) swears it couldn't be him and I truly don't think I've done anything, hmmm....maybe it was the dog.  Yeah, that's it!  And we've always thought that all she did when we left the house was lay on the furniture.  We've tried using our Norton Antivirus to repair this bothersome situation, but for some reason we are unable to repair, delete or quarantine this bugger.   Mike plans on calling Norton tonight to see what can be done.  If they can't help us I guess we will have to bring it somewhere to see if they can figure out our dilemma.  

So if I'm gone for awhile, no fear I'll be back just as soon as my computer is feeling better...  :::cough, cough, wheeze:::

On a good note, the weather here has been gorgeous.  Spring has arrived in New England and I couldn't be happier.  Grass is turning green, the trees are beginning to bud, and the birds are back in full force singing their little hearts out.  I worked out in the yard yesterday (have the callouses on my hands to prove it) but it felt wonderful.  I raked up leaves that we never got to before the snow fell, prepared some flower beds and actually put down some wildflower seeds.  Hopefully the hungry ants waking from their winter slumber won't march off with them.  Last night we went to Dairy Queen to get ice-cream and I even had to slap a mosquito, lol.   Yup, Spring has arrived.  Thank you God!    Mike finally finished putting up the toddlers play/swing set....and none too soon.  Sammi just destroyed a pole lamp in our livingroom a few days ago.  It seems that she thought the swinging arm on the lamp was a good place to hang from.  The lightbulb now points towards the floor.... So it's off to Walmarts to buy a new lamp and some sand for their sandbox.  

Well, going out to enjoy the sunshine and :::popping a few penicillin tabs into the hard drive::: Hey, it can't hurt to try.    : )

Two Years Ago Today....

Two years ago today Mike and I were married....

AOL Music: Josh Groban: 'You Raise Me Up'  <!~click here to listen while reading 

It already seems like a lifetime ago, but I mean that in a good way because I couldn't imagine myself being anyplace else.  I feel truly blessed to have found a man who loves me for me.  I am free to be happy, sad, angry, silly, bitchy and he won't ridicule me.  When I speak my mind, he'll listen even if he doesn't agree.  I can tell him my darkest secrets, my hopes, my fantasies, my deepest fears and he doesn't laugh at me.  When I cry because I am touched by a song, a movie, or watching our children grow up....he silently takes my hand.  Of course life isn't perfect, there are times that we take each other for granted or argue.  But those moments are what make us human.  

Mike, I love you.  And if it's possible, I love you more today than the day we married 2 years ago.  My heart never ceases to swell with love when I watch how incredible of a dad you are.  When I look in your eyes, I see your soul.  I know you are the person I want to grow old with, you are my forever love.... (Please remember that even when I'm too tired to show you, lol)

Yes, I am blessed....    

                               .....Happy 2nd Anniversary honey

PS....Thank you for the beautiful flowers.  Hmmm, maybe next time you could warn me so I don't answer the door in my pj's? lol.... 

Sweet Sounds Of My Wee Ones...

Ok, trying to make sure that my success with linking an audio here in my journal wasn't a fluke..... Happily, my toddler's were more than happy to help by talking into the microphone.  Actually Sammi (2 yrs old) wanted to hold it as she sang, and Mikey (1 yrs old) wanted to eat it....

Take 2....

Presenting  Sammi & Mikey....

                                     ....My babies, take a bow : )

Click here to listen to the toddlers 

The picture up above was taken last weekend morning. Compliments of Mike.  He loves taking candid shots when one least expects it.   YES, I'm still in my pj's and didn't comb my hair... but who cares, the kids look cute : ) 

  

Yes, My Son Plays The Accordian....

Ok...Thanks to my computer geek friend Freee : P  I, an electronically challenged individual, learned how to get Spencers music wav. here.  Thanks for your patience Freee... xo  For some reason it sounds a bit distorted/funky; but I consider it a success just being able to link it.  Accordian Blues: Click here to listen...

Spencer began playing the accordian in Kindergarten.  He could play/read music before he could read the written word.  I never intended to start him in music lessons so young, but I felt he needed a boost in self-esteem.  You see, because of frequent ear infections that caused scarring, at the age of three Spencer was diagnosed as moderately hearing impaired with speech/language delays.  Most people could not understand him, including me, unless I knew what the topic was.  Sometimes he would become so frustrated trying to communicate, that he would flop down on the floor crying, "You don't hear me...."  One day Spencer came home from preschool in tears.  When I asked him what was the matter, he told me "a kid said 'ga ga goo goo' to me."  I almost cried while comforting him and decided that he needed something more.  Something more than just the speech therapy he was receiving.  So I decided to sign him up for piano lessons, Spencer had other ideas.... 

We walked in to sign him up for piano lessons & Spence walked out with a little blue accordian instead.  He instantly took to the accordian and often would fall asleep with it strapped to his chest.  After only playing for a few months, he would bring it into Kindergarten to perform for the other kids.  As he progressed in his speech therapy and music, he bloomed into a child who wanted to participate in life instead of just observe on the sidelines.  By the end of first grade (age 7) it was no longer apparent that he was speech delayed.  That was also the year he won his first trophy competing with his accordian.  He played the "Too Fat Polka."

Fast Forward to last weekend:  Spencer is still playing his accordian.  For the past 10 years we have gone to the Marriott in Newton for a weekend of competitions and performing festivals.  Over 3,000 students and their families from all over the east coast attend this weekend.  This year Spencer won 3rd place in his standard category and 1st in the pop category.  He's especially proud of that one, because it's his fourth year in a row winning 1st in that category.  He is involved with a progressive music studio that encourages kids to not only learn to play an instrument, but perform.  The band he's currently in has toured/performed in Ireland, San Diego, Disney World (6 times), last year they went to Quebec Canada and this year it's off to Little Bavaria in Frankenmuth, Michigan.  

I always worried that as he got older the accordian wouldn't be cool.  Maybe a reason to tease?  But that's never been the case.  He's popular because of his ability to play.  Maybe it helps that he's also a 6' 200lb athlete? lol   He got a standing ovation the last time he performed at the school, kids throw money in his case.  His friends who play the electric guitar & drums come over and jam.  And probably most important when you're 16 yrs old?   The girls just love a musician....    

::::Ok, brag over..... passing out the puke bags, lol::::

When it rains, it pours....

It seems that Mother Nature has decided to play an April fools joke.  This is day two of torrential downpours & it's not supposed to stop until tomorrow night.  Normally I wouldn't complain about rain; if I don't have to shovel or scrape it off my car, it's all good.   However these rains have been relentless & because of the sheer volume everything is beginning to flood.  The ground has not thawed yet, so the rain has no where to go.  On the upside, we currently have lake-side property, hmmm...wonder if our taxes will go up?  Unfortunately the newly formed lake that surrounds our house has decided it wants to come in, so our basement is filling up.  We have a sump pump going, but it's having a hard time keeping up.  I need to do laundry tonight (we are going away this week-end) but I'm afraid to use the dryer.  It's sitting in a few inches of water.  Guess it's off to the laundry mat for me tonight, but I refuse to go until AFTER Survivor.

Oh, and did I mention that our NEW roof is leaking?  It's more like a mini Niagra falls in our back hallway.  I've been keeping my eye out for the Maid of the Mist boat.  Thinking we may need to hitch a ride before the night is over.  The water is coming down the 2nd floor stairs and there is a steady stream of nasty brown water coming from the ceiling.  The water is now creeping under our back door and into the house.  I have Bounty papertowels jammed under the door in a lame attempt to keep the water out.  Hey, Bounty *the quicker picker-upper* isn't quite cutting it, lol.  We contacted the roofers at noon & they said they would be here today or tomorrow morning.  Well, it's 5:30pm & no roofers.  This can't be good. ::sigh::  Looking for the silver lining in this very dark & wet cloud.  Well, we did need to have the back hall painted.   Ok, going to find my galoshes and paddles.  It's gonna be a long night here.