New Outfits, a Loose Tooth and Picture Day

Picture day is today at Jack and Kitty's school and I have lost control; if I ever actually had any!! To back track, Alison's picture day was last week and I had nothing to assist her with. We bought her outfit in Texas and she saved it for the "special" day and even chose her pose and background color without any input from me - so there. J&K on the other hand have been a little more needy. We went shopping on the weekend for a new top or two and then had to sit down and choose everything from underwear to shoes and socks for the photo. Then the big decision of background and pose - oh my goodness - the deliberations. Didn't it used to be easier?! I remember coming in off the playground and sitting down for my photo and just being told to sit still and smile and then hearing, "next, please." There were no choices, of course, junior high and high school a completely different ball of wax - I primped!!

Now along with all of the foofing this morning, there was cologne before 8 a.m. - Jackson was very concerned with his fragrance and thought he should smell nice in his photo, probably for the sake of the facial expressions of those near him should he stink! And Miss Kitty has had a loose tooth all weekend that she wouldn't allow any one to pull. All of sudden with picture day approaching, last night she decided it must go. So, she twisted it around and around on that last dangly root until out it popped! The tooth fairy note was written ( It said, "I love you, Mom!") and off to bed for her full course of shut eye.

As I shooed them out of the car this morning, Kitty was proclaiming this to be the best picture day ever! I sure hope so :-)

I have VOTED

What an amazing feeling to know that my vote will be counted and my support shown in the Presidential election of 2008. I continue to consider it a great privilege to vote in the United States of America and take my part in the political process. One should never doubt for a moment that their vote will not or does not make a difference. I am urging my readers that if you have an opportunity to vote early, please do so. I fully believe that the lines will be long on Tuesday, November 4th and I do not want you to have an excuse to walk away! With that being said, bring a book, because if the lines are long - you should stand in them anyway!! Be proud, be strong, go to the polls and VOTE - you can make a difference...

I can see clearly now - well, Alison can :-)

After three early morning visits during the month of September, Alison is now officially a contact lens wearer!!! She made the comment on what a BIG year this has already been for her with her ears getting pierced and all and she isn't even 12 yet :-) I took a few photos of the process during this next yet very important stage in my beautiful daughter's life. I love you honey!





Congratulations!!!!!!

Happy Fall Y'all

Today is officially the first day of Fall 2008. There is not a better place in the world to be than Saskatchewan during this time of year. I have a picture perfect backdrop outside my kitchen window as I watch the colors change from day to day and the geese begin their journey south. Driving home for the past few days, I have noticed a truck parked at the beginning of our country road selling potatoes. This truck has been bringing a smile to my face and a sense of peace to my soul. Again, no where but Saskatchewan can I imagine this as a reality in my daily world. Embrace this change of season for all the glory and wonder it may offer you!!!

Community Fun Day - one week ago!!

Hey, hey what do you say...the gang's all here! We had such a fun time a week ago Saturday out at the Silverwood Heights Community Fun Day. We ate a burger, had a drink, watched the kids dance in the street and just hang out with all their friends. The evening culminated in a fireworks show with popcorn and a mug of coffee with a splash of Bailey's - yum!!!

Elton John Recap

A little musical treat for y'all - Elton John - LIVE




Elton John was amazing! What an incredible pianist and all around talented man :-) He definitely rocked the house. It was a one man show with no opening act and he kept full control for 2 1/2 hours!! "Rocket Man" lasted 25 minutes... Dennis and I had a lovely evening and really enjoyed ourselves. I know I have said it before, but it is really nice to live in Saskatchewan and have so many great friends and generous colleagues who allow us to attend some of the hottest events in Saskatoon. We are blessed!!!


The true piano man


He was such a ham!!



Great shot, eh?!

Aaahhh - Dennis and I before the show :-)

Off to Elton John...

We had an amazingly wonderful weekend filled with family and friends - just the way we like it :-) I have pictures to post from our Community Fun Day and I am hoping to get off a few snaps of Sir Elton tonight too. I have a busy 6 day work week ahead of me as well as a magazine collection and draw to do, but I promise to do my best to get a couple of posts in by Sunday night at the latest and I am really striving for sooner; promise!!! Hugs and kisses to all I know and love...chow for now

Never Forget

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when
You heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
With a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
Held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
Peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
Is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
Breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
Tried to understand his words and as she realized
He wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
Woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
Knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
Believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
Ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
Heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
With every prayer. I was with the crew as they
Were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
Believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
Faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
Every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
For the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
Smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... This way... Take
My hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
May not know why, but I do. However, if you were
There in that explosive moment in time, would you have
Reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
For you. But someday your journey will end. And I
Will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
Be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God

Hidden Treasures

Yesterday, while on my walk down Memory Lane, I knew I had the picture of Ron, Dennis and I in a frame upstairs in our room. So before retrieving the photo album, I went upstairs to get that one particular picture to scan into the computer. Much to my surprise, I found two others tucked behind. Both were from the same year - 1995, but evoked two entirely different memories - one great and one not so great. The first one -

It is the first summer that Dennis and I were married and in Destin with the kids. Chris is 20 and Linsey not yet 15. How awesome that we have all been able to go back as a family and bring the next generation to our beloved BEACH! Love this pic :-)

Okay now for the 2nd one -

Here is Dennis in paintball gear for a team building exercise in Moscow. Guess who wanted to tag along and "play"? Super bad idea. This was Halloween eve and it was a beautiful afternoon. I learned quickly that I was not cut out for combat. I was put on a team opposing Dennis and all of my teammates were Russian. In the heat of the battle, I stood up from behind a barrel and everyone was yelling at me - in Russian - and I was like " what?" I didn't understand anyone. I was pelted with more paintballs than you could shake a stick at and in spite of my protective gear I had paint in my mouth, my hair, everywhere! I cried like a baby and was so embarrassed. Of course, being the boss' wife the guys were unsure if they should steer clear of me or comfort me. The game resumed and I licked my wounds, but I never asked to join a "team building" exercise again. Well, maybe there was that trip to Bangkok...

Anyway, my challenge is for those of you who are picture fanatics like me - pick up a couple of frames sitting around your house and check to see if you have stored any "Hidden Treasures" behind the current photograph!!

Happy Hunting!

Happy Birthday Ron!!!!!

This afternoon, while drinking a cup of tea (in honor of Ron!) I traveled back in time to 13 years ago today... And what happened thirteen years ago today, well, Kay and Ron came to visit Dennis and I in Moscow, Russia. We were so lucky to have them come and see us all over the world!! I went through my photos and picked out a few highlights for all to enjoy, so please do :-)


Kay and Ron at the Bolshoi Ballet - don't they look awesome?!



I love this one - definitely my favorite!



Our guide Felix, whom we enjoyed greatly. This was on our way to the site of the battle of Borodino.


Are we pretty or what?!


Ron and I at St. Basil's on his birthday



Happy Birthday to you, Ron!!!



Ron was a ruble millionaire for roughly $100 US bucks


To my dearest Ron, I want to wish you the happiest of happy birthdays. May your day be filled with love and laughter and may you be surrounded by family and friends :-) Wish we could be there to give you a big birthday squeeze!!

Overwhelmed!

I feel compelled to write even though it is way past my bedtime on a work night... I came home this evening after attending a meeting for Alison's PTA and had the great fortune to have a wonderful husband who had taped the RNC for me tonight. I went upstairs, kissed my kids and then settled on the couch ready to take it all in.

First off, Guliani was amazing. Loved him!!! I thought he had some great points and a really superb delivery. Nothing, however, could have prepared me for Sarah Palin. She rocked da house!!! I cried, I laughed, I cheered and I was so proud to be an American. I have waited a lot of months throughout this campaign for someone to point out the obvious about Obama - thank goodness McCain found a woman to do the job! She makes us PTA moms look good :-)

A few pundits were saying well, it was a good speech, but wait until she has to speak from the heart or the cuff. Let me tell you no one could have delivered that speech if they didn't feel it in their heart and to the very core of their belief. If I were Joe Biden not only would I get "the VP thing in writing" , I would be working something fierce on my delivery before I had to stand up and debate her in October!

I do not want to turn my blog into a political forum, however, with that being said I do have a passion for politics... I have been so charged up lately and totally consumed by the conventions! But, my PTA business ( I'm running a magazine campaign - do you think that may one day qualify me to be President?!) will be keeping me busy for the next month, so how about I check back in on this subject after the Vice Presidential debates and we'll go from there :-) Thanks for listening y'all. God Bless and God Bless America!

PS I promise pictures in my next post!!