Disappearing Entry

A few of Mike's creations:  Chestnut goblet, aged red oak burl bowl,  cherry goblet. 

Ok, something totally funky happened to my last entry.  What I assume was some sort of  glitch ended up making my entry look like this.... 

<P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#ff0000 size=2>Some of Mike's wood-turned creations....</FONT></P>
<P><IMG src="http://www.millan.net/anims/giffar/bms2.gif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <IMG src="http://www.millan.net/anims/giffar/bms2.gif"></P>
<P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>Truly going banana's here, *<EM>utter*ly</EM> insane.&nbsp; But in a good way, I like it when life gets too busy to think about what's happening. You just live in the moment.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>Spencer has been gone all week with his music school/band to perform and tour in&nbsp;Franken

After waiting for 2 days for the glitch to fix itself, I give up....

It was a great entry, really it was.... but I guess you'll just have to take my word for it.  The entry was one of my longer ones, but I don't have the energy or desire to rewrite what was lost.... :::sigh:::   

I'll recap the highlights....

Spencer just returned from a 6 day trip to Frankenmuth Michigan with his band.  While there they performed 4 times and took in the local sights.  They also visited Cedar Point in Ohio and had a blast on the rollercoasters.  

Spencer had only been gone 3 days, when two of his three fish died.  Apparently the filter clogged and I realized it too late.   

They are very BIG fish, couldn't give them their proper burial at sea...:::flush::: So they are currently in a plastic bag in the freezer.

I was irritated that he never called me while away on his trip, but he did call me when he couldn't find us at the airport.  :::sigh of relief::: He DOES need me after all, lol...

Spencer is leaving on Friday to spend the next 10 days with his father.  They'll be going to NY, Six Flags and then up north to the Canadian Border....

While he's away, I'm nervous I might accidently finish off his surviving fish.  *Hang in there Oscar! 

The toddlers are keeping me hopping.  Sammi still won't poop in the potty, frustrated being stalled at this milestone.  I realize she'll go when she's ready, but Mom IS ready, lol.   Mikey has decided that his yellow bike helmet with little puppies on it is a fashion accessory.  Wears it with his pj's, with his bathing suit, even when going to bed.  He wore it to the grocery store the other day.  Got a few stares from other people, but Mikey was a happy camper. 

We spent last weekend at the Old Home Days Arts & Crafts Show.... Mike took up woodturning 8 months ago and quickly learned he had talent.  I've been encouraging him to try to sell his creations, so he decided to give it a go.

Mike and some of  his woodturning's will be featured in the Woodworking Design magazine soon.  This magazine is sold at a local Wal-Marts near you.  But don't bother looking for a copy, I'm sure Mike will buy every copy he can...lol... 

 Mike was discouraged the first 2 days at the fair. 

 Rain, LOTS of rain....but Sunday the weather was great and  the crowds appeared.  He ended up making $460.00.

The best part of the show wasn't the money, it was the connections....

He landed a large amount of aged walnut wood from an old gent who gave it to him for almost nothing.  Mike has decided to surprise him with a bowl soon....

One of the largest wood working companies in the area approached Mike while at the fair.  He was invited to open a booth at their grand opening and give demonstrations.  He also asked if Mike has ever taught.  Update:  Mike spoke to him last night and he will be teaching beginner bowl/goblet turning at the store in the near future.  

A gallery co-op has asked him to display his work in their gallery....he's considering the offer...

And the one that has Mike most excited is....a producer from Access TV spoke to Mike about an upcoming special he is putting together about arts in New England.  He asked Mike if he would consider being featured.  Of course Mike said "yes" so the producer said he'd be in touch.... 

Mike has dreamed about making this hobby of his a full-time job.  Who knows what the future holds?  One should never give up on a dream....

  

My Confession....

Sammi at 3 days old and me, with 9 months of NO haircolor....

The truth is out...

I found my first white/gray hair at age 13.  I was so excited because I thought I was turning blonde, ahhhhhh the innocence of youth.  I have been turning prematurely gray since I was in my mid-20's.  And now at age 42, I would venture to guess that if I stopped coloring, I would be close to 100% gray.  Why is it that men are considered "distinguished" when turning gray, but women are considered old hags or looking like their grandma?  It's just not fair, but then life isn't fair.... I'm over it.

Or maybe I'm not...

Which is why I feel compelled to color my hair a more youthful shade of brown.  I don't make it to the hairdressers as often as I should; with 2 toddlers and a busy teen my needs often come last.  Occasionally I resort to coloring myself at home, but the results are sometimes scary.  The last time I screwed up, (last month), I managed to turn my hair an intense copper color.  ~~Trust me, it wasn't good... lol...

Another reason why I put off going to the hairdressers is because I have psoriasis.  WebMD with AOL Health - Psoriasis Takes Toll on Mind as Well as Skin.  I started developing psoriasis after high-school and have sought treatment from many.  There is no cure for psoriasis and so I must deal with the flare-ups and be thankful for the remissions.  In the past, several Dr's have told me to be happy that it is primarily in my scalp.  I have lots of hair that hides this condition.  Unfortunately in the past ten years, the psoriasis has started showing on my face.  Admittedly, it's harder to deal with, I'm very self conscious when having a flare up. It's difficult because society puts such high regard on a person's appearance.  Also, although psoriasis is not a rare condition, people are still mis-informed.  Psoriasis is not contagious, it is an inherited disorder.  Yup, inherited this from my dad.  Got his gene for psoriasis and ugly feet.  Thanks Dad....  : )  Gotta take the good with the bad....

So there I am, up there in that picture sharing my secret with the world.  Funny story about that picture is that I did attempt to get my hair colored when I was 8 months pregnant with Sammi. I didn't want gray hair in pictures when she was born.  I wanted Sammi to look back at the pictures and marvel at how beautiful and youthful her mother was....   So, I took my hugely pregnant-but-still-vain self to the hairdressers.  As I sat in the hairdressers chair, I suddenly felt woozey.  I wasn't concerned because I had felt this way before, but never passed out.  When the hairdresser said, "tilt you head this way"  I passed out cold.  When I woke up I was surrounded by all the hairdresser's, my husband and the EMT's.  To make a long story short, I was carted off to the hospital with half a haircut and no hair color. What a sight!  The next day I returned to the now terrorized hairdresser who finished my haircut, but told me to return after the baby was born for the color. 

My pictures with Sammi when she was a newborn are everything I didn't want them to be.  I'm tired and gray looking.  Some may even say I look like her Grandma.  But now, looking at these precious pics.... I wouldn't change a thing.

Ok, so maybe I do wish I had brown hair in the picture.  :::sigh:::

But the truth is out.  Saturday I went to the hairdressers.... Two hours later and :::gasp::: $75.00 poorer, I am happily a brunette again.  Yes, the truth is out, but for the next six weeks I will happily live a lie. 

Nose And Finger Prints....

Picture of my curly haired son, Mikey.... Shirley Temple didn't have anything on him...

It's been raining here for the past 3 days, yesterday the temperature barely made it out of the 60's.  Where, oh, where has summer gone?

Having a bit of cabin fever.... There are nose and finger prints all over the windows from little one's hoping to go out to play.  We did go out to splash in the puddles, but it did little to diminish the pent up energy these two toddler's possess.  Truth be known, they are driving me CRAZY! lol... :::breathe 2, 3, 4...::: Lately they've been having territorial mine-mine-mine fights.  "It's mine" "Nooooooooo it's mine!"  Today they even argued about who's Mommy I am.  "She's my Mommy" "Nooooooooo, she's my Mommy."  And I can't help but think..."I want my Mommy...."    Having my parents close by is the one thing I miss, since moving away almost 4 years ago.   Ok, it's only an hour away, but still.... just not the same.

I hear tomorrow the sun will be out and I'm ready . Return of Summer, part 2, I hope.  :::Patiently waiting with Windex in hand to wipe those finger and nose prints off the windows:::.

Update:  The sun did come out, yahoooooooooooo!  Cleaning the windows and then it's off to the beach to explore.  Now where did I put that sunblock?       

You've Come A Long Way Baby

Sammi turned three on July 11th.....  We celebrated her birthday Saturday with my sister Dianne's ( http://journals.aol.com/frogg232/DiannesFreeTime--Whatsthat/ ) little boy, Nathan, who turned one on July 8th.   We had a pool party/BBQ at Di's house, a good time was had by all.  Sammi was soooo excited a few days before her birthday .  My little mini Martha Stewart had definite plans for her party.  She wanted a pinata, birthday hats, balloons, chose her birthday outfit and picked out her Dora The Explorer cake.  On the hour drive to Dianne's house she happily chirped "Happy birthday to me...."  That is, until she fell asleep.  

Everything went perfectly.   Gotta love those kind of days....  We left on time to go to Dianne's, the toddler's were both in a good mood at the same time, the weather was beautiful, the car accident (that we always seem to get stuck behind when going somewhere important) was on the other side of the highway.   We grilled hotdogs, burgers, sausages and steak.  There was also a taco salad and spaghetti salad (:::clearing throat::: ahem, need the recipe Dianne).  The kids swam in the pool and the pink elephant pinata put up a good fight.  After the kids snapped the mop handle trying to break it open, one of the older boys got out his aluminum baseball bat.  Four swings later and the elephant finally broke open, the kids quickly gathered the candy that spilled to the ground.....  

I was surprised to see Sammi's reaction when the cakes were brought out.  I thought I'd see a smile from ear to ear, but instead her expression became very serious and contemplative.  When it was time to blow out the candles, she still sat there in a daze.... Depressed at turning 3?  lol...  At that moment, I would have loved to know what was going on inside her head. 

Three, can't believe my baby girl is three....  I know there will come a time when I'll look back & miss these days; but for now I'm amazed at the person she is becoming.  I remember  the helpless infant I brought home three years ago and now I watch my rambunctious, mischievous, loving, "I'll do it myself" Ms. Independence trying to figure out this world she lives in.   I do wish she'd leave the world alone for awhile longer and figure out how to poop in the potty first.... lol...

AOL Music: Fantasia: 'Summertime'

Happy Birthday Sammi-girl....

                               ....I love you higher than the sky.... 

Sleep

Sleep.

No one around here is getting alot of it lately.   Sammi (who'll be 3 this weekend) has decided that she's afraid of her room.  Afraid might be too mild a word, terrified is more like it.  I've noticed for the past few weeks that she's had increased anxiety when going to bed at night.  I think it started after the first bad thunderstorm this summer.  Sammi is not buying the "angels are bowling in heaven" idea.  :::shrug::: Hey, it worked when my Mom told me that when I was a small child....

Tonight at 9:30pm after our usual routine, we told her it was time for bed.  She immediately began crying, "Noooooooooooooo" and was clinging to my leg.  When I removed her from my leg and carried her toward her room, she grabbed onto the door frame.  When I pryed her fingers off the door frame, they latched onto the refrigerator.  When I finally got her to the bedroom, I had to physically pry her off my neck.  While trying to put her in the bed she became hysterical, screaming that she was afraid.  Mike and I both tried to calm her and ask what she was afraid of.  "Fireworks" was all she could say between sobs.  But she LOVED the fireworks on the 4th of July, guess she forgot.  Maybe it was the firecrackers that went off the other night shortly after the toddlers went to bed.  We found out later that it was Spencer and a few friends who set them off.... He came home and asked if we heard them a few hours later.  Hear them?  I told him I was surprised he didn't hear Sammi & Mikey.  As soon as they went off, we instantly heard the toddler's panic-stricken screams and the patter of feet running across the kitchen. 

Tonight was the worst night yet.  Because Sammi becomes so upset, Mikey can't help himself but to sympathize by joining in on the chaos. Two hysterical children screaming.... Honestly, I wonder what our new tenants thought of the commotion down here tonight.  I truly wouldn't be shocked if child services appeared on my doorstep tomorrow.  Better clean the house early tomorrow morning, one never knows.  After a solid hour  of this madness, I decided to try to calm them by reading them a few stories.  So I sat on the floor and began reading.  "Once upon a time...."  Calmness was returning, smiles replaced sad red splotched, tear stained faces.  Just when I thought, "Yes, this is going to work"  BOOM.... the lights went out.  Mother nature, you sure do have a cruel sense of humor sometimes.... 

A thunderstorm rolled in and hysterics began again.....We brought them both out in the livingroom and held them while the vivid lightning storm raged around us.  Mikey fell asleep during the storm from exhaustion, one down, one to go....  At midnight Sammi was still awake, we decided to bring her to bed with us. Just as she started drifting off to sleep at 1am.... BOOM, the thunderstorm returned with a vengeance.  At least this time she didn't scream, she put her pillow over her head to hide.  When the storm finally passed about a half hour later, Mike removed the pillow.  Shhhh...she's asleep.  Poor Sammi, her hair was matted down from sweating and even in slumber, I see the dark circles forming under her eyes. 

As we gently started to carry her to bed, she woke up....screaming, kicking her legs.  I finally had to bring her out to the livingroom so Mike could get some sleep.  Although we have two couches she refused to sleep by herself. "I neeeeeeeeed you Mommy".... ::::sigh:::: I don't know what we are going to do. 

Sleep.

No one around here is getting alot of it lately.         

Don't Let Our Angelic Faces Fool You

We just locked Mommy in the bathroom.....

Wait! .....Did we do that yesterday or today?? 

 

  

 

Having To Say Good-bye To A Furry Friend

Here is a picture of Hoppy in happier days....  

Days never go quite as planned, do they?.....  

Yesterday I had a ton of errands to run and a few details to follow-up on for Mike's birthday surprise.  I made reservations to bring him on a casino cruise out of Gloucester.  In the middle of my errands, I looked in on my bunny, Hoppy. I immediately noticed that he looked ill.  He had a few strange looking poops in his cage & he didn't hop up to say "hello".   I was surprised because he looked fine the night before.... My first thought was, "arghhhhhhhhh, I don't have time for this..."  I still didn't think it was anything too serious, thought maybe he was just having a "bad hare day." lol, ok sorry for the pun, but I couldn't help it.  I decided to give the vet a call....  

Our regular vet said he needed to be seen immediately by a vet who specialized in exotics.  A few hours later, with the kids packed up in the van,  we arrived at the clinic.  It was only then that I realized how sick Hoppy was.  For some reason he developed diarrhea.  She said it could be his diet, bacteria, stress, or eating something he shouldn't have.  I thought let's give that lil guy some immodium and get him home.  She told me this condition is very dangerous to rabbits & can kill them.  She gave him some fluids, gave him some antibiotics (in case it was caused by bacteria), and she gave me some special food 'Critical Care' to feed him by syringe at least 3 times a day. Unfortunately, Hoppy didn't respond well to the treatments and I could see he was slipping away.  I had a heavy heart when we left at 5:30pm for the casino cruise.  

We ended up having a good time on the casino cruise.  It was $20.00 per person to board, the price included an all you can eat buffet & entertainment.  We won and lost our money many times in a few hours. (Hmmmm, I should say MY money, lol.  I gave Mike fun money to gamble with as part of his present)  It was a perfect night for a cruise.  The air was warm, the sea was calm and there was a full moon.  The ship pulled back into port at 11:30pm....  

When we came home I went to get Hoppy to attempt to feed him again.  But Hoppy was lying in his cage dead.  My poor Hoppy, just shy of 1 years old, went to the happy carrot patch in the sky.....   I will miss that little creature.  I will miss him begging for toast or cheerio's every morning, I will miss the way he always hopped up to us to say "hello" whenever we walked near. He loved to be held and scratched behind the ears.   He was the most gentle, laid back bunny I've ever known.   Around midnight last night under a full moon, we buried Hoppy.  I pulled one of my baby carrots from the garden and put it in with him....    

This morning the toddler's got up before me.  They went into the kitchen and poured the entire box of Kelloggs "Mud & Bugs" cereal into 2 dirty plates and were eating popsicles for breakfast.  The first thing 22 month old Mikey asked me was "Ere Hoppy?"  and then Sammi chimed in, "Where is Hoppy Mom?  Is he at the Drs?"  Still being in my sleep induced fog and trying to take in the mess they made, I said "Yes, he's at the Drs" but then I stopped...   I have some explaining to do, they still need to say good-bye to their furry little friend too.....