Perry was attempting to find the/a stud in the wall so he could hang the television up. The stud finder found all kinds of studs. After 6 holes in the wall he said, "I'm not going to drill another hole."
"Why don't you just knock on the wood and I'll tell you when it sounds different?" I replied.
He knocked across the wall.
I told him when to stop.
He drilled right into the stud.
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Lest you think this is normal.................
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We were driving the white suburban to two different residences to let them test drive it. After the first guy told us all the things wrong with it I told Perry I didn't think the other people would buy it so, "Why don't we leave the black one in the store parking lot and drive together. That way we can enjoy each other's company for the 30 minute drive north?"
We drove together.
They bought the suburban.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We try to balance living a full, safe life vs letting fear lead our lives or our kids' lives. So, when J wanted to play football this year, we agreed to let him. The football practices start Tuesday.
J will be having his broken arm reset under general anesthesia Tuesday.
Thank God I don't have to worry about J getting hurt playing football.
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I've been telling E for weeks that if he's not careful when he comes to a spinning, sliding, grinding halt on his bicycle that he is going to crash. His is an adult mountain bike not really made for that I tell him.
He now has chunks out of his hands and knee just so I could be right.
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There is a reason that there are doctors who are specialists.
Remember that.
We, apparently, need constant reminders.
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If you are going to fall and break a bone requiring a trip to the ER, please make sure to do so when you have lots of company over for dinner.
It totally saves the parents having to get a babysitter for the other kids.
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After we left to take J to the ER because his arm was at an angle bones just don't bend, Little Miss discussed with Carrie the relative functionality of a Ripstick.
"That thing is NOT safe. Well......unless you wear handcuffs."
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I'm helping coach S's soccer this year. She is so very excited to be playing after watching her brothers play for 5 years.
We were practicing changing sides and going the other direction like they will do at half time.
Two times I told the kids they were going the wrong way when they were not.
Sure glad I can be of assistance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I explained to J gently, "Honey. Seriously. You can't stay home for 6-8 weeks until your cast is off. It's not even "on" yet. We have games to go to. Co-ops to attend. Life to live. "
His reply, "I am getting a pink cast and staying home until it's off."
A sense of humor is important.
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Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
River Hopping
Every day we drive over a bridge that leads us out of our neighborhood. The river is as low as it gets for this time of year. Every day I look out from the passenger's side window and the rocks just look as if you can hop from rock to rock, landing on the other side. So, yesterday I told Perry that I wanted to take the kids and try it.
Since he didn't want to load up the two canoes, he reminded me that I wanted to hop from rock to rock at the river. Silly man. It looked so easy from the car. hahahahaha
We parked close to the river and climbed out of the suburban. We hiked down to the river telling each boy to find a buddy to stay with. At first, it was simple. We hopped from rock to rock, never getting our feet wet. The current wasn't very strong. It was a beautiful, sunny, but not too hot kind of day.
Then.......................we ran out of rocks. The boys, naturally, plunged ahead not caring if they got wet. Pretty soon they were up to their necks playing with the current. Perry was thinking this wasn't the best idea I've had, but I assured him the water wasn't really up to their necks, they were floating on purpose.
Little Miss likes adventures. She likes water. But, the other day she fell down the stairs and scraped her forehead very badly. We really didn't want water to get on her forehead so we needed to be careful. And, the rocks under the water were, of course, very slippery.
We hiked down a ways, trying to determine where it would be easiest to cross. Finally, Perry decided we should go back to where the rocks had become scarce and follow the pattern. He carried Little Miss and I carefully followed behind.
The boys had already reached the other side so we had them sit on the rocks (out of the water) so we didn't have to concern ourselves with their safety while we crossed. To my surprise the river was cool, not cold and it felt like we were in a hot tub, with the jets spraying on us, without the hot water.
Well, it felt that wonderful until I misjudged a step and hurt my foot really bad. But, I figured the cool water would numb it eventually and if I could put weight on it, it must not be broken, so we continued on.
We had a really good time. Once Little Miss and M's lips turned blue we decided we should head back and end our adventure. Next time we decided, we would bring life jackets. That way, Mom and Dad could relax a bit and everyone would be much more safe. There wasn't a time when the water was over any one's head, but you never know.
Once we arrived back at the suburban Perry and I laughed together because lo and behold..................all the life jackets were in the back of the suburban from when I took the kids to a different river a few days before.
Since he didn't want to load up the two canoes, he reminded me that I wanted to hop from rock to rock at the river. Silly man. It looked so easy from the car. hahahahaha
We parked close to the river and climbed out of the suburban. We hiked down to the river telling each boy to find a buddy to stay with. At first, it was simple. We hopped from rock to rock, never getting our feet wet. The current wasn't very strong. It was a beautiful, sunny, but not too hot kind of day.
Then.......................we ran out of rocks. The boys, naturally, plunged ahead not caring if they got wet. Pretty soon they were up to their necks playing with the current. Perry was thinking this wasn't the best idea I've had, but I assured him the water wasn't really up to their necks, they were floating on purpose.
Little Miss likes adventures. She likes water. But, the other day she fell down the stairs and scraped her forehead very badly. We really didn't want water to get on her forehead so we needed to be careful. And, the rocks under the water were, of course, very slippery.
We hiked down a ways, trying to determine where it would be easiest to cross. Finally, Perry decided we should go back to where the rocks had become scarce and follow the pattern. He carried Little Miss and I carefully followed behind.
The boys had already reached the other side so we had them sit on the rocks (out of the water) so we didn't have to concern ourselves with their safety while we crossed. To my surprise the river was cool, not cold and it felt like we were in a hot tub, with the jets spraying on us, without the hot water.
Well, it felt that wonderful until I misjudged a step and hurt my foot really bad. But, I figured the cool water would numb it eventually and if I could put weight on it, it must not be broken, so we continued on.
We had a really good time. Once Little Miss and M's lips turned blue we decided we should head back and end our adventure. Next time we decided, we would bring life jackets. That way, Mom and Dad could relax a bit and everyone would be much more safe. There wasn't a time when the water was over any one's head, but you never know.
Once we arrived back at the suburban Perry and I laughed together because lo and behold..................all the life jackets were in the back of the suburban from when I took the kids to a different river a few days before.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Great Mother
What must it be like to live through so much history? To have one's views challenged as life continues and times change?
To embrace life.
Live life.
To people, it's history. To a person living, it's just their life, I would imagine.
It was wonderful to hug and feel Great Mother. Her skin is so soft and silky. Her eyes so sharp. Her mind so sharp.
We arrived in the late afternoon. I was so tired and thankful when E dominated the conversation. Just soaking in the familiar, but not, surroundings. Pictures, knick-knacks I've seen since I was a child. Memories returning of times running through her house, sliding through a heater vent in the floor, running through the living room that overlooked Resurrection Bay, back up the stairs, back through the heater vent.
Remembering staying the night with Great Mother in a huge building, that was her "house". It was later bought by the city of Seward, I think. She would bathe me in these huge utility sinks, washing my hair so gently, drying it so that it didn't tangle. Brushing it out so carefully. I specifically remember the drying because my hair has always tangled easily due to the curls and I have tried to copy what I remember her doing when I now dry my own hair and Little Miss's hair.
Listening to my oldest son talk so eloquently of life. Amazed that we were there sitting in front of her, seeing her face. It seemed like it had been forever and just yesterday at the same time. To us, she looked the same even though it's been 10 years since we've seen her.
Watching M lay on her couch, completely comfortable in her presence. M has always been my "radar" for people. He was 100% comfortable, although was very concerned and asked, maybe not quietly enough, what was wrong with Great Mother's hands. "Feel them M, if you get the chance. They are sooooo soft." I replied. I need to ask him if he got the chance.
Little Miss traipsing up and down the stairs, blessing us with her presence and then, apparently, blessing Aunt and Uncle with her presence. She really enjoyed Aunt and Uncle.
She sat in Great Mother's lap telling her a story. Little Miss was concerned about hurting Great Mother so that didn't last long. That was my fault. I didn't know what to expect so had told the kids to be extra special careful and considerate. I might've gone a little overboard!!!
The second day, J dominated the conversation. He talked more than I've heard him talk to one person in a long time. Just telling stories of our life. I was surprised. He was just relaxed and as animated as can be, sitting in a chair a couple feet from Great Mother.
J-man came more into play this day also. He would wander in and out. Talking, saying nothing, just talking. Just enjoying family. Enjoying being in the presence of this woman he's heard so much about.
It was nice to see my Aunt. It's been awhile.
We then headed down to Seward and on our return to Anchorage the night before we left were very sick. That was unfortunate. I was able to see Great Mother once more while Perry took the sick kids to buy souvenirs and back to our campground. Many thanks to him while I also visited a girlfriend and laughed and laughed and stayed out quite late.
I talk to Great Mother often. I didn't have anything to tell her that she didn't already know. Just being in her presence and letting the kids get to know their Great Grandmother was heavenly. A dream come true for all of us.
To embrace life.
Live life.
To people, it's history. To a person living, it's just their life, I would imagine.
It was wonderful to hug and feel Great Mother. Her skin is so soft and silky. Her eyes so sharp. Her mind so sharp.
We arrived in the late afternoon. I was so tired and thankful when E dominated the conversation. Just soaking in the familiar, but not, surroundings. Pictures, knick-knacks I've seen since I was a child. Memories returning of times running through her house, sliding through a heater vent in the floor, running through the living room that overlooked Resurrection Bay, back up the stairs, back through the heater vent.
Remembering staying the night with Great Mother in a huge building, that was her "house". It was later bought by the city of Seward, I think. She would bathe me in these huge utility sinks, washing my hair so gently, drying it so that it didn't tangle. Brushing it out so carefully. I specifically remember the drying because my hair has always tangled easily due to the curls and I have tried to copy what I remember her doing when I now dry my own hair and Little Miss's hair.
Listening to my oldest son talk so eloquently of life. Amazed that we were there sitting in front of her, seeing her face. It seemed like it had been forever and just yesterday at the same time. To us, she looked the same even though it's been 10 years since we've seen her.
Watching M lay on her couch, completely comfortable in her presence. M has always been my "radar" for people. He was 100% comfortable, although was very concerned and asked, maybe not quietly enough, what was wrong with Great Mother's hands. "Feel them M, if you get the chance. They are sooooo soft." I replied. I need to ask him if he got the chance.
Little Miss traipsing up and down the stairs, blessing us with her presence and then, apparently, blessing Aunt and Uncle with her presence. She really enjoyed Aunt and Uncle.
She sat in Great Mother's lap telling her a story. Little Miss was concerned about hurting Great Mother so that didn't last long. That was my fault. I didn't know what to expect so had told the kids to be extra special careful and considerate. I might've gone a little overboard!!!
The second day, J dominated the conversation. He talked more than I've heard him talk to one person in a long time. Just telling stories of our life. I was surprised. He was just relaxed and as animated as can be, sitting in a chair a couple feet from Great Mother.
J-man came more into play this day also. He would wander in and out. Talking, saying nothing, just talking. Just enjoying family. Enjoying being in the presence of this woman he's heard so much about.
It was nice to see my Aunt. It's been awhile.
We then headed down to Seward and on our return to Anchorage the night before we left were very sick. That was unfortunate. I was able to see Great Mother once more while Perry took the sick kids to buy souvenirs and back to our campground. Many thanks to him while I also visited a girlfriend and laughed and laughed and stayed out quite late.
I talk to Great Mother often. I didn't have anything to tell her that she didn't already know. Just being in her presence and letting the kids get to know their Great Grandmother was heavenly. A dream come true for all of us.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Voice
J's voice is changing. Every day it is becoming more obvious. I first noticed it breaking about a month ago. When we were in AK it became obvious that we were getting closer. Today, his voice breaks/squeaks/cracks almost all the time. If he tries to yell or talk loud only some of the syllables come out.
I've talked about this time for years because J has had the highest pitch voice out of all of our kids. When he was young it was hard to understand him because his voice was so high.
Not anymore!!!!!
I've talked about this time for years because J has had the highest pitch voice out of all of our kids. When he was young it was hard to understand him because his voice was so high.
Not anymore!!!!!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Alyeska - Alaska
I am going to just tell stories about our trip instead of reenacting the whole trip since I figure I would get details out of order anyway.
August 1st was my birthday. We stopped in to say hi and bye to Great Mother since we were headed out of Anchorage that day.
I was finally able to answer a strange phone number that turned out to be my friend. My phone had issues while in AK. Sometimes it would work and sometimes it wouldn't. Perry's had even more issues than mine.
Anyway............after consulting with Merriah (who lives in Girdwood) we decided to take the tram up to the top and hike down. In hindsight - that wonderful thing - the reason my throat hurt is because I was sick. Perry was sick. The hike may not have been such a good idea after all.
We started down the path. It was fairly well-groomed and zig-zagged back and forth. When it was safe to do so I would let M and J-Man go down between the zigs and zags, waiting for us to reach them.
We met a really nice woman who was hiking up the mountain who informed them that, "Hey Dudes, if you fall you're going to roll all the way to the bottom and kill yourself." S and I were close enough to her that S, totally oblivious to what Lady said, told her it was my 40th birthday. Lady replied, "Well, I'm sure your mom would like her kids to stay alive on her birthday. Are you all hiking all the way down?"
It was all I could do to paste a fake smile on my face and wish her a nice hike. Really, really thankful she was going the opposite way of us. I mean, seriously, what a great thing to say to kids who clearly have their parents permission to be doing what they are doing. They were not in any more danger than the rest of us. I realize a lot of people use fear-based-parenting as I refer to it. I try not to. Unless, I need to. ;-) But, really, there is no way they would've rolled to the bottom. There were too many trees in the way.
I then explained to the boys that they were fine and could continue doing what they were doing. Reminding them to slide on all fours or their hineys if it felt too steep or to just turn around and crawl down.
We took a wrong turn and hikeda long ways a bit out of our way. It took forever us a bit longer than we anticipated to get down and meet up with my friends.
What a wonderful time we had reminiscing about the past and learning about each other's lives. We talked for hours while S slept and the boys alternately listened and played game systems. They were a bit tired from the long hike.
We left Girdwood around 8:30 p.m., stopping at Summit Lake to have a delicious blackened halibut dinner. We arrived at our campground around 11:30 p.m. Perry's goal was to have me at the ocean on my birthday because he knows how much I like it. He made it. Thanks honey. I know you didn't feel good but you made it a wonderful birthday for me.
August 1st was my birthday. We stopped in to say hi and bye to Great Mother since we were headed out of Anchorage that day.
I was finally able to answer a strange phone number that turned out to be my friend. My phone had issues while in AK. Sometimes it would work and sometimes it wouldn't. Perry's had even more issues than mine.
Anyway............after consulting with Merriah (who lives in Girdwood) we decided to take the tram up to the top and hike down. In hindsight - that wonderful thing - the reason my throat hurt is because I was sick. Perry was sick. The hike may not have been such a good idea after all.
We started down the path. It was fairly well-groomed and zig-zagged back and forth. When it was safe to do so I would let M and J-Man go down between the zigs and zags, waiting for us to reach them.
We met a really nice woman who was hiking up the mountain who informed them that, "Hey Dudes, if you fall you're going to roll all the way to the bottom and kill yourself." S and I were close enough to her that S, totally oblivious to what Lady said, told her it was my 40th birthday. Lady replied, "Well, I'm sure your mom would like her kids to stay alive on her birthday. Are you all hiking all the way down?"
It was all I could do to paste a fake smile on my face and wish her a nice hike. Really, really thankful she was going the opposite way of us. I mean, seriously, what a great thing to say to kids who clearly have their parents permission to be doing what they are doing. They were not in any more danger than the rest of us. I realize a lot of people use fear-based-parenting as I refer to it. I try not to. Unless, I need to. ;-) But, really, there is no way they would've rolled to the bottom. There were too many trees in the way.
I then explained to the boys that they were fine and could continue doing what they were doing. Reminding them to slide on all fours or their hineys if it felt too steep or to just turn around and crawl down.
We took a wrong turn and hiked
What a wonderful time we had reminiscing about the past and learning about each other's lives. We talked for hours while S slept and the boys alternately listened and played game systems. They were a bit tired from the long hike.
We left Girdwood around 8:30 p.m., stopping at Summit Lake to have a delicious blackened halibut dinner. We arrived at our campground around 11:30 p.m. Perry's goal was to have me at the ocean on my birthday because he knows how much I like it. He made it. Thanks honey. I know you didn't feel good but you made it a wonderful birthday for me.
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