Remodeling?

We hadn't really intended to make an attic room with access over the circular stairway in the front entry. We may consider it now.

The cats woke Brent up at about 5:30 this morning and were acting weird. He went into the entry and discovered that the roof over our heads was no longer doing its job.

We had some problems with the roof leaking this spring and had some guys come repair it. They said they couldn't guarantee the repair would do the job. Guess they were wise in using the disclaimer. It looks like we need someone that can guarantee something this time.

Thanks Guys!

I am once again the band booster president at the high school. The other day, I was at the school fitting marching uniforms on more kids. Both Ben and Daniel came into the music suite for class. I called out to them to say "hi". Daniel called back and came to see what I was up to.

Ben just kept walking. Being the curious mom that I am, I went to him to find out how his day was going. No eye contact. Evasive answers.

"Daniel, could you see if you can talk to Ben and figure out what's up?" "He seems to be avoiding me."

"Okay, mom." "I will see what I can do."

A bit later I had to go to the administrative offices and walked through the commons area where there was a sea of kids sitting not so quietly eating lunch. Over the din of enthusiastic chatter I heard Daniel call out.

"I love you, Mom." "I love you too, Daniel."

"I love you, Mom." "Thanks Ben!" "I love you too."

Thanks guys! I guess we're okay.

Celebrate 9/11 With Service

I found this website today. This sounded like the perfect way to honor those that gave so much on this day. Along with the vast horror and tragedy of 9/11 there were hundreds of acts of service and courage. Let's honor those acts by following their example.

mygooddeed.org[image tag]

Sorry, I can't seem to get their nice logo to appear here.

Things Learned in New York

* Taxi strikes change the color of the streets from yellow to black.
* A park, regardless how small, is a cherished contrast to the concrete.
* Everyone expects to be paid regardless of what they may or may not do for you.
* You get what you pay for.
* The contrast between "have" and "have not" seems even larger in New York.
* You could spend your entire life in the city and still not see it all.
* If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere. (Thanks Bridget)

60%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Mingle² - Dating Site

Culture Clash?

We decided that it would be great fun to take the Rawlins' from Pennsylvania to the Western Idaho State Fair. They had a chance to sample fair food; feed the small animals right from their hands; and look at the exhibits of quilts, cookies, flowers, fine art, and photography. We capped off the trip to the fair with a taste of Idaho, the ice cream baked potato (a potato-shaped vanilla ice cream scoop, rolled in cocoa powder, sitting in chocolate sauce and a few Oreo crumbs, split down the middle, filled with whipped cream and sprinkled with a few nuts). But most importantly, we all had the chance to make some lasting memories. Thanks for visiting Idaho!

Alumni Report vs. Real Life

This is a game if you want to play along. First write a summary of your post high school life that you would send as an alumni report. You know, the super sugary sweet, not even close to real life list of bragging rights. This would be something you might read in a Christmas card. Then, write your next summary dark and much more, shall we say, 'down-to-earth'.

After leaving the friendly confines of "Old IF High" I fed my hunger for knowledge by spending 3 stimulating years at Ricks College followed by 2 invigorating years at BYU. The reward was a bachelors degree in nursing. After successfully passing the national board exams and becoming an RN, I launched into many years of providing care and nurture for those finding themselves under my watchful eye in intensive care. I married Brent, a childhood friend, nearly 23 years ago on a crisp, beautiful day in December. Brent finished his medical degree and we settled in Nampa, Idaho with our 4 wonderful kids that keep our home full of fun and excitement. I spend my free time doing whatever my heart desires.

After completing the drama-filled years of high school, I left for college where after the first day of classes, I realized we had reviewed everything I had learned in four years previously. My college career was filled with non-stop studying and not much else. The only break from studying came on the weekends when I worked night shifts to help make ends meet. Four days after getting married and moving into a moldy, musty, mushroom-growing apartment in Seattle, I started back to work on night shifts where I found myself trapped because I was "indispensable". My hospital "nightlife" and the grey sunshine that graces Seattle lent itself to my feeling like a troll. Brent finished his 14 post high school years of medical education and we left the big city to move to the back country of Idaho where the roads are littered with squished sugar beets and dead skunks. I am unemployed by choice so that I have time to be at my family's beck and call.