NO "OUTDOORSY" VACATIONS FOR ME!!!

Last week I told you that Chase was going to Boy Scout Camp.


He did.


I asked him how he liked it.


Two words.


"It sucked."


Now Chase, I am sure you had fun with the guys.


"Yes."


I am sure you had fun in the woods.


"No."


I am sure it was fabulous not to have me nagging you every day.


"Yes."


I am sure you enjoyed sleeping in a tent under the stars.


"No."


What was your favorite part of the experience?


"The part where I got to come home three times for baseball practice.

I got to play ball.

I got a good, hot meal.

I got a shower.

I had air conditioning."



"Well, there must have been something that was fun or exciting... what was that?"


Silence.


The best part of this conversation was that I realized Chase will not be asking to go camping in the woods for our vacation.


That makes me a happy mama!!!

I LOST COUNT!!!

I saw this on Rebecca and Kristy's blogs.
I would link them, but they went all private on me.
Thanks for letting me "steal" this idea girls.
Too much fun!!!
I highlighted the things I have done.


1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper.
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Swam with wild dolphins.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a tarantula.
10. Said “I love you” and meant it.
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files...(I alphabetize eveything!!!)
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day--before I had kids!
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don’t
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name...(when I got married)
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train( in Amsterdam)
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book(...I wish! )
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one...(does miniature golf count?)
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz( I learned to waltz in college...not sure I still know how)
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator (on the Eiffel Tower at that!)
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hotel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course(required in the 8th grade...not sure why)
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter


I think that was 84.
Wow.
I am boring!
I must get out more.
If you want to do this...go ahead.
Copy and paste this list.
Highlight the things you have done.
Then let me know, so I can read yours.
I hope you are more adventurous than I am.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!

Over the last few months, I have received several blog awards.

You may have seen them on my sidebar.

I haven't mentioned them.

I haven't shared them.

I have been an award hoarder.

Guilty.

I have been waiting for just the right time to present these most coveted awards.

I have also been trying to decide who to share them with.

You are all so deserving.

I have made my final decision so without further ado, here they are. (in no particular order)

First, I received this award from Kristen, at Loving Our Simple Life.

I love Kristen and her simple life.

We have so much in common.

How I wish we lived in the same neighborhood .

Or even the same state.

We could share recipes and books and a glass of cold lemonade.

She is the best mama to her two beautiful children.

She makes me want to start over again.

Sometimes.

Thanks Kristen!

I would like to pass this award on to the following girls.

Melissa, at Motherhood for Dummies.

I just learned her name.

I have been calling her MFD for so long.

Anyone that posts daily about everything from creative dating, to baby products, to delicious recipes, to how to sew baby shoes ROCKS in my book.

Duchess, at The Adventure's of Four Ed's.

Duchess currently resides in NC.

We have a lot in common.

I have enjoyed reading about her family and getting to know more about her.

I even discovered she knows an old boyfriend of mine.

Small world.

She is trying to tackle the life of a SAHM, and sell her home while her hubby is living in another state. Ugh...the life of a single parent is no fun.

Even if it is temporary.

Don't you think she ROCKS?

Me too.

Grammy, of Grammy's News.

When Grammy first commented on my blog I was a little taken back.

I didn't know Grammy's blogged.

She does.

And she does it well.

She has a wonderful sense of humor.

She is a mother, a grandmother, and a retired high school Home Economics Teacher.

Any woman who can raise beautiful children, put up with High School kids, take time to spend with each grandchild, cook, sew, blog, and find time to comment on my silly little posts...Rocks for sure!!!

Chelsea, of PB&J in a Bowl.

She is just hilarious!

They don't come much funnier.

She writes these short, concise little posts that will leave you wanting more.

She is a mommy to a four year old with a huge personality, works a couple of jobs, and finds time to blog.

This woman rocks!

Leah, of Shady Willow Lane.

I know Leah in real life.

She is an amazing mother, wife, and daughter.

She has three of the most adorable boys.

Yesterday she wrote that she asked her boys to linger longer at the lunch table so they could "chat".

They are all under the age of 6.

Isn't she the best mama?

She is also a great friend.

She comments a lot on my fluff and makes me feel like a star.

She rocks!

The next award was also given to me by the lovely Kristen, at Loving Our Simple Life.

I was so honored.

She loves *my* little blog to pieces.

I blush.

I love hers too.

i would like to present this award to the following girls.

amanda, at lifelong playdate.

she is an amazing mommy to beans.

she makes me wish i had a blog or kept a journal when my kiddos were younger.

i love her style.

i am writing this in all lower case letters because she would like it that way.

i started reading her because kristen said to.

i am so glad i listened.

i love her blog to pieces!

Stephanie, at A little Bit of Sugar and a Whole Lotta Spice.

She is a fabulous mommy to one little princess.

She has a unique writing style.

She is juggling being a wife and mother with several jobs.

One of them being a writer.

She. is. good.

One day I want to visit Stephanie in Texas and go swimming in her breath-taking pool.

I love her blog to pieces!

Jamie, at Choosing My Own.

Jamie is my California friend.

She is a mommy to twins. (nuff said)

Her little boy is named Chase.

I love that name. *wink*

She always has the nicest comments.

She makes me laugh.

She takes amazing photos.

I love her blog to pieces!

Bree, at A Little Man named Lincoln.

She is a former NC girl.

She is a mom to a precious little boy.

I first met her at McMommy's 30Th birthday bash.

She had the hawtest shoes.

I have been a reader ever since.

She. is. hysterical.

I love reading her stories.

Whether they are about her little boy, her sleep disorder, or the way she wants to be buried.

She is one funny chick.

I love her blog to pieces!

McMommy, at The Mcmommy Chronicles.

I know she already has this award.

I didn't have one she didn't have. Miss Popular.

I had to give her an award.

She is my BFF after all.

What can I say about this hilarious, creative, mother of two that cracks me up every. single. day.

There are no words.

I just want her to know that I love her blog to pieces!!!

Speaking of McMommy.

I got her BFF award.

Me and McMommy.

We are like this. *Picture my fingers held up tightly together.

Thanks McMommy!

This really is one of my favorite awards.

Why?

Because she is one of my favorite bloggers.

I wasn't even sure I could share this one.

McMommy said I could.

So I shall.

I will give my BFF award to Kristen at Loving Our Simple Life.

She already has this award too.

She already has a few BFF's.

She needs one more.

ME!

Though we have never "met" in real life, I feel like I have known her forever.

I love checking in on her simple little life.

I get all excited when my reader shows she has a new post.

I have even chatted with her online.

That was exciting.

Not as exciting as yesterday.

When my phone rang and guess who was on the other end?

KRISTEN!!!

It was the best.

Yes, she is just as sweet as she seems on her blog.

Sweeter!!!

I am still pinching myself.

We share a love for the beach, and our families.

We both have labs.

We love Nicholas Sparks books and are a tad bit obsessive compulsive about cleaning and organizing.

A tad.

We love Vera Bradley bags too.

We both married our High School Sweetheart.

We married guys whose names are one syllable and begin with the letter "C".

Chad and Chet.

If she would just add one more boy to her family our families would mirror one another.

Get busy already!

Seriously, friends don't come any more "real" than Kristen.

She keeps it simple.

She is the best.

I can now call her my BFF!!!

Finally, I got this award from Jamie at Choosing Our Own.

I will take my cue from Jamie and share this award with all of you.

You, my blog friends.

If you have commented on my last few posts or if I have commented on yours...take it.

Enjoy it.

Share it.

That concludes this addition of Wendi's Blog Awards.

Congratulations to all the winners!!!

A MANSION, AN APARTMENT, A SHACK, OR A HOUSE?

Sometimes we just need to revisit our childhood.

Sometimes we just need to be silly.

Sometimes we just need to forget that we are thirty something and have responsibilities.

Sometimes we just need to have fun.

Today I did just that.

I was visiting her blog.

She shared how she found this game.

Do you remember playing the game MASH when you were a little girl?

Me too.

Now you can play it on your computer.

Go ahead.

Play.

You know you want to.

I did.

Take a look.

Here are my results.

I married Chad.
(I really did)

We moved to a mansion in the mountains.
(Ha. Not even close. Try a four bedroom ranch in eastern NC)

We had 7 children.
(no. 3.)

We drive a green BMW.
(only on occasion, otherwise... I drive a white Yukon XL)

I will spend my days as a doctor.
(not really. I only play one on this blog.)

What were YOUR results?

Did you live in a mansion, an apartment, a shack, or a house?

I want to go share this with Claire, but she has already taken over my computer, and my friends.

Do I really need to share my games too?

*I know what you are thinking.
I have way too much time on my hands.
You could not be more wrong.
It is called procrastination.
Ten loads of laundry are calling my name.

I HAVE CREATED A MONSTER!

My nine-going-on-thirty year old daughter asked me a few weeks ago if she could have a blog.

I laughed.

Heartily.

Because that is not. going. to. happen.

Until of course she *IS* thirty.

Then I will think about it.

I mean what would she write about?

That band of "nekkid" brothers?

What she ate for breakfast?

What teacher gives the most homework?

Sound exciting?

I thought so.

I would like to play it "safe" and not go there.

This weekend she has asked me 517 times if she could have her own email address.

I told her 516 times, "no".

On the 517 time, I caved.

I gave in.

Mostly to stop the harassment.

And to keep her mind off the whole blog thing.

I think I actually mumbled, "Fine" in my in-and-out-of-sleep-almost-napping state.

She ran with it.

She had a Gmail account set up in minutes.

She had a sidebar with contacts.

She had invited her friends to CHAT.

She had pictures of her friends by their contact information.

I was impressed with her ability to navigate the computer.

I was also a little scared.

This morning when I got up, Claire was already on the computer.

I walked into the room to check on her.

She was giggling.

I looked at the computer screen.

I looked again.

Claire was having an online chat with MY girlfriend.

What?

How did this happen?

When I asked her about it she replied,
"Oh, this is the second friend of yours I have chatted with this morning."

Pardon?

Come again?

Apparently if your green light is "ON" ....you are fair game.

Let this be a warning.

If you and I have corresponded via Gmail there is a huge possibility that you are on Claire's contact list.

If your green light is on, you may get an invitation to chat.

From Claire.

Please try to keep your conversations to a minimum.

This is really cutting into my "Blogging" time.

I am now reconsidering the whole "I-need-a-blog" thing.

At least I could make it private.

And not have to share my friends.

ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER CAMP!!!

A huge thanks for all of your sweet emails, comments, and phone calls.

Yes, I. am. alive.

Barely.

After getting Chase home, unpacked, and all the laundry done...I started again.

The packing for Boy Scout camp commenced.

Packing for a week at Boy Scout camp is much harder than packing for a week at Basketball camp.

I threw in gym shorts and t-shirts to go to DUKE.

I packed everything but the kitchen sink to go to Boy Scout Camp.

He will not be in a cool dorm room.

He will be living in a tent.

With no air conditioning.

Sleeping on the ground with all the other...

Bugs.

And snakes.

If there is one thing I am not, it is...Outdoorsy.

I do not enjoy being at one with nature.

I am kind of in love with my indoor plumbing, running water, electricity, comfortable bed and air conditioning.

Thankyouverymuch.

He enjoys the outdoors.

Which is a good thing.

Because he is going to be with the outdoors a lot this week.

* If I haven't already lost all my 3.5 readers... I promise that tomorrow's post will NOT be about any type of camp. Stay tuned!

AN ANSWER AND A WINNER!!!

I know the suspense is killing you.

You have been waiting with bated breath for the answer to

"Where in the world is Chase?"

There can only be one answer.

There can only be one winner.

Chase was at Basketball Camp in Durham , NC.

The Home of the Blue Devils.

DUKE!!!

(I am not sure why he chose to wear RED today. He has 500 Duke shirts. Why Red?)

Jamie at Choosing My Own was the first to answer correctly.

She is the winner.

She will receive one of these.

A Duke tennis visor.

I tried to increase the value of your prize by getting it signed, but .....well ...

It. did. not. happen.

It's the thought that counts, right?

Jennifer, Lauren, Emily, and Brittany guessed correctly too.

(Brittany...you are his cousin... you knew...you cheated...I am calling you on it!)

Sorry girls, Jamie was first.

Four of you guessed UNC.

Great answer.

THAT university is found in North Carolina.

Just not on THIS blog!

One of you guessed ECU.

Another great guess.

That would have made a closer commute.

By my calculations it would have saved me roughly $2, 432 on gas this week.

Two of you guessed both UNC and DUKE.

Nice try.

Are you always that decisive?

Because we would get along great in real life.

I am a fence rider too.

There were two of you that just blew me away with your guesses.

Rachel and Motherhood for Dummies.

(Why do I not know your name MFD? Do you have one?)

Rachel guessed UCLA.

Motherhood for Dummies guessed BYU.

What?

Huh?

North Carolina is on the EAST coast.

UCLA is on the WEST coast.

BYU is close to the WEST coast.

I was freaked out over my 12 year old going to camp a few hours away.

My freak would have really been on if my child was in another state.

No one wants to see that.

It would not be pretty.

I digress.

Chase had a wonderful time.

The best of his life he says.

He had a heaping bag of laundry for me when I arrived this morning.

I can't complain though.

I expected to walk into his dorm room and start picking up, and packing his things.

I was greeted by a suitcase, a duffel bag , a bag of dirties, and a pillow.

The sheets had been stripped off the bed.

Dirty clothes were amazingly put in the laundry bag.

The drawers were already emptied.

His clothes were in the suitcase.

He had done it all.

Without my help.

I did not have to do a thing.

Well, except tote the blasted luggage, and laundry bag, and pillow down three flights of stairs and across two streets, and two parking lots.

That was to be expected.

ME being the Mom and all.

This growing up thing.

It might not be so bad.

MOMMY CAMP

I have a little something to tell you.
Come closer.
I have been sans children today.
Well, almost all day.
Chase is still at Basketball camp.
Cole stayed with my parents for a couple of days.
I came home Monday morning with one child.
Claire.
She is at cooking camp most of the day.
I am at Mommy camp.
I am on a mission.
To unearth my home.
I am pulling out.
Throwing away.
Cleaning up.
Tossing.
Scrubbing.
Organizing.
Everything I can get my hands on.
I am taking full advantage of the free time.
Wait... free time?
What was I thinking?
I should have grabbed a book, gone to the pool, and relaxed.
Nope.
Couldn't do it.
Must. Clean.
I will return tomorrow with the answer to "Where in the world is Chase?" ....and a winner!!!


I thought I scheduled this to post yesterday while I was "unearthing".
I didn't.
This was yesterday's post.
Guess what that means?
You will find out today where Chase was.
I just brought everyone home.
Safe and sound.
I must start on the smelly laundry before me.
And get him to baseball practice at 6:30.
Then... I will be able to let you know who the winner is.
I promise!

WHERE IS HE?

You may have noticed I was a slack blogger last week.

You may have noticed I have not posted since Friday.

There is a reason.

I was busily preparing to send Chase to Basketball camp.

I took him to camp on Saturday.

I dropped him off.

With 630 other campers.

At a university.

Where he will sleep in a dorm.

Where he will be responsible to get up, get dressed, brush his teeth, get to the dining hall, get to his classes and games on time, manage his spending money, play fair, and get himself to bed all while learning his way around the large campus.

Without me!

I have been a little traumatized.

Just a little.

He has stayed overnight with friends.

He has been to Scout camp.

He just got back from 3 days at the beach.

BUT...

There were adults.

That I knew.

That would look out for him.

And remind him to shower.

And brush his teeth.

And change his underwear.

This. is. different.

I did *happen* to stop by the campus last night.

I saw him play on the outside courts.

I know. I know.

He never knew I was there.

Until he finished.

He didn't say much to me.

I knew he was having a great time.

Apparently he knew how to survive without me.

His clothes had been changed since Saturday.

That was reassuring.

I have learned that he is growing up and becoming more responsible.

I am not liking the growing up.

I am loving the becoming more responsible.

I am excited he is having an incredible week.

He is being taught by the coach and players he obsesses over admires the most.

So... you may be wondering.... Where in the world is Chase?

Have you been a reader long?

Do you know the university where he is attending basketball camp?

Leave me a comment with your answer or guess.

If you know us in "real-life",

and you KNOW where Chase is, don't say.

You are still welcome to leave a comment.

Comments are ALWAYS welcome.

I need all the comment love and prayers I can get until Chase returns home.

Until then...guess away.

There may be a small prize.

* the picture above is the only one I could find of him at camp that did not give away his location.

Good luck!

AND THE WINNER IS...ME!!!

You will not believe my luck!

I received not one, but two letters in my inbox today from European lotteries.

How did this happen?

I don't remember playing any European lotto.

I haven't even been to Europe in the last 20 years.

But they found ME!

I am the winner.

A big one at that.

The first letter says that I have won 1,000000.00 GBP, pound sterling.

I have no idea what a 1, followed by 6 zero's is.

They only used one comma.

But hey, that is a lot of zero's...it must be a lot of money.

I also have no idea what GBP, pound sterling is either.

It could mean Great Britain Pounds.

That would be great.

It could also be Ground Black Pepper.

Um...not. so . great.

It has the name of the Barrister on it.

That makes it official.

I am going to think positive.

Here is the first letter.

What do you think?


Dear Winner,
You won the sum of £1,000000.00 GBP, Pounds sterling from the ballot lottery international program, Promotion; you are here by advised to get back to us,to claim your prize. Contact our claims agent for validation:

Barrister Kel Moye.
Email:kelmoyeclaims@live.com
Tel :+( 44) 70457 09556

1. Full name:
2. Home Address:
3. Age:
4. Sex:
5. Phone Number:
6. Country of Residence:
7. Occupation:

Mrs. Susan Thompson.


I like how Mrs. Thompson signed her name and put a period after it.

Nice touch.

The second letter I received was from the Europe Awards.

This letter was equally exciting.

I am already planning what I am going to buy with all my winnings.

This was a satellite software email lottery.

I use email a lot.

It was only a matter of time before they found me.

Find me they did.

I won ONE MILLION EURO.

They used all CAPS.

That means they are serious.

This letter was even signed by the President.

Very official.

Read on.


EUROPE AWARDS.

Dear Winner,
This is to inform you of the release of the Europe Awards.
You have just won yourself the sum of (ONE MILLION EURO)in the satellite software email lottery conducted by Europe Awards, In which e-mail addresses are picked randomly by software powered by the Internet.
All participants were selected through a computer ballot system draw from Microsoft users from over 20,000.00 companies and 3,000,000.00 individual email addresses and names from all over the world.
You have just won yourself the sum of ONE MILLION EURO in the satellite software email lottery.
CONTACT NAME:JOHN RYCE
CITY/ COUNTRY: LONDON,
EMAIL:jryceeurosdrawing@live.com
TELEPHONE:+4470 3194 2847
+4470 1112 1986
BATCH NO: LEUL/27189098000/234567/7654
REF. NO: LEUL/12298998999/654321//7654
NB: PLEASE SEE THAT YOU QUOTE YOUR REF AND BATCH NUMBERS IN YOUR Correspondence TO YOUR CLAIMS AGENT.

President.
Mr Hiroshema Nikon


I have just emailed Barrister Kel Moye and President Hiroshema Nikon.

I have let them know of my excitement.

I gave them all the information they needed.

Like mailing address, phone number, sex, and occupation.

I also included ALL other pertinent information like my social security number, my banks routing number, my checking and savings account numbers, my blood type and a copy of my will.

The little security symbol was on the screen, so I am sure I had a safe connection.

You have to be careful who you give all this information to.

I am sure Barrister Moye and President Nikon are trustworthy individuals.

You just don't get titles like that for nothing.

I gave them my children's social security numbers too.

I wanted some of the money to be put in their names so they will be well taken care of.

A mama has to look after her babies.

I must go now.

I have an appointment with a Realtor.

She found me a fabulous Oceanfront lot in Arizona.

I want to be the first to bid on it.

BIG BERTHA RIDES AGAIN!!!

What do you do when your first born son graduates from the 5th grade?

A. Cry.

B. Wonder where the time went.

C. Take the family boating and tubing?

D. all of the above.

The correct answer is D.

All of the above.

My husband pulled Big Bertha out of the closet last night.

Not a good idea before bed.

The kids were all excited about the possibilty of taking her out.

Chase was way more excited about Big Bertha than he was about graduating.

Way. more.

Claire was so excited she wore her swimsuit under her clothes to school.

No. I did not ask her to do that.

No. I did not know she did that.

When I discovered the swimsuit during the commencement exercises, I asked Claire why she had it on.

She said she wanted to be prepared and she did not know how much time we would have to change.

Whatever.

We had about 2 hours.

Apparently that was not long enough.

On the way to New Bern, I looked out the back window and noticed Bertha was not as firm as she was when we left the house.

She was losing air.

Slowly.

Chad assured me that Bertha would be fine for the afternoon.

I was not so confident.

Chad ignored me.

We arrived at the landing.

The sun was blistering.

The humidity was unbearable.

We loaded the boat with kids, snacks, drinks, sunscreen and Bertha.

The day was perfect.



The kids had a blast on and in the water.


Bertha lived.



She lost a little more air, but she survived.

At one point Cole, who is four, said, " Daddy , I want to ride Berfa by myself."

To which Chad replied, "Sure, it will be fun!"

To which I replied, "Over my dead body!"

Chad stepped over my lifeless body and placed Cole into the tube.

Doesn't he look terrified?

Alone.

Thirty feet away from me.

In a slow leaking tube named Big Bertha.

I sat on the back of the boat.

My eyes fixed on Cole.

Ready to dive in if he came out of Bertha.

I was trying not to scream.

Cole was screaming with delight.

He could not stop smiling.

My heart could not stop racing.

The ride came to a stop.

Finally.



I was most grateful to have Cole back on the boat with me.

He wanted to do it again.

PHOTO STORY FRIDAY

It was a hot, humid Saturday morning.

It was Chase's first t-ball game.

He was 5.

He had on a new pair of cleats.

He carried with him a brand new glove.

It was not broken in yet.

It still had that new leather smell.

He was excited.

We were excited.

The game began.

Chase was in left field.

In more ways than one.

Several balls popped up in his direction.

He made no attempt to catch them.

He would run after them.

He would laugh.

He would make silly faces.

He just wasn't into it.

Sometime in the middle of the game, I felt someone tug at my shirt.

I looked down.

It was Chase.

He was standing with a bouquet of "weeds" he had just picked .

In left field.

For me.

It was a sweet gesture.

I tried to be excited.

But...we were in the middle of a game.

He had just walked off the field.

Poor Chase.

He. did. not . have. a. clue.

Fast forward seven years.

Last night.

It was a hot, humid, almost unbearable evening.

Chase had on a pair of eight week old Nike cleats.

Men's size 10.

They were already well worn and scuffed.

Traces of red clay dirt were present before he ever stepped on the field.

He carried with him a large bat bag.

It housed bats and his catchers equipment.

He was excited about the game.

We were excited about the game.

We love to watch his games.

His Nana, Uncle, Aunt and cousins were there.

He came to play.

He did an excellent job behind the plate.

With each game he seems more determined to stop every ball.

No matter what.

He was having a great game.

Yet, nothing prepared us for what happened next.

Chase was up at bat.

I watched my first born get into his "stance".

I hardly recognized him.

He looked taller and older.

He looked like a more mature player.

He was.

The pitch was released.

It was an inside corner change up.

That is what Chase told me later.

Chase's bat made a powerful contact with the ball.

The crack of the bat was loud.

The crowd jumped to their feet.

I heard a familiar voice in the stands.

His Dad's.

"It's outta here. It's gone!"

And it was.

A line drive through center field.

Up and over the fence.

It took a moment to sink in.

My son had just hit a ball out of the park!

His first home run!

I am sure my cheers were the loudest.

I am sure my smile was the biggest.

No, Chase had a bigger one.

As he rounded third base, his teammates and coaches met him at home plate.

High fives were exchanged.

It was then I felt the tears trickling down my face.

Not because he had hit a home run.

That was great.

It was because he had done something bigger.

In an instant, he had changed the way HE saw himself.

His confidence will be forever changed.

He had hit the ball harder and longer than he thought possible.

He had just received acceptance from teammates that he sometimes felt inferior to.

He would not go home and question his skills as a player.

He would not go home and wonder if he did his best.

Or played hard enough.

He would KNOW he did.

I knew that he felt good about himself.

That was better than any home run.

* the picture above...that is THE home run ball!



Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

ANOTHER OPEN LETTER!

I am really liking these "open letters".

It helps me get things off my chest.

Without losing my cool.

Or throwing a temper tantrum.

That... or I am just full of it.

It makes me feel better anyway.

I felt oh-so-much-better after writing to the dude on second base.

Try it.

You'll like it.

You may even feel 10 pounds lighter.

I said *feel* so don't get too excited.

Today I really needed to write an open letter.

Because I have no idea how to send it otherwise.

**********


Dear Mr. My- mother- never- taught- me- to -say- thank- you,

Hi. It is me. The short girl that was in front of you in the check-out line at the grocery store this morning. That's right, the friendly, bubbly, thoughtful girl with a small child. I was loading my groceries onto the conveyor belt when I noticed you behind me. I took one look at my cart over-flowing with enough groceries to feed a small country. Then I looked at yours. One 12 pack of Coke and a loaf of bread. I knew it would take a while to ring up $315.27 worth of groceries. I knew your two items would not. I offered for you to go ahead of me. I am nice like that. You looked surprised. I waited for a smile, a nod, a thank you. Nothing. You just moved passed me, my cart, and my child who was already beginning the whine-at-the-checkout-because-he wanted-candy-routine. You paid for your groceries. You left. No nod. No smile. No words of thanks.
Well, you are welcome Mr. My- mother- never- taught -me- to- say- thank -you! I hope you don't choke on your COKE SANDWICH!

Sincerely,

The lady you forgot to thank



Thanks for indulging me... I *feel* about 10 pounds lighter now!

Wordless Wednesday

School is out in 4 days!

This is what we will be doing more of.

I can't wait!

A "TICK"LISH TALE

Apparently there is a big problem with ticks these days.

I have received several emails reminding me of the dangers associated with them.

After receiving this last one, I decided to let you all know.

Consider yourself warned!

If someone comes to your front door saying they are checking for ticks due to the warm weather and asks you to take all your clothes off and turn around with your arms up...

DO NOT DO IT!!

THIS IS A SCAM!!

They only want to see you "nekkid".

I just wish I knew this yesterday.

I feel so stupid.

SHE LIKES MY URINAL!!!

Let me preface this post by saying that I have a truly remarkable mother-in-law.

I love her for many reasons.

One of which is her ability to murder improperly use words.

She does so frequently.

She is 80 years old.

She has no idea how to turn on a computer or how to read my blog.

Let's keep it that way, shall we?

If you know my MIL, do not feel the need to share this post with her...m'kay?

My MIL is known as Nana to my children.

I refer fondly to her choice of words as "Nanaisms".


One day not too long ago, Nana was visiting our home. We were chatting in the family room.

I can not remember our exact conversation , but in the middle of it she said,
" I just love the urinal you have by the front door!"


My what?

My who?

Did someone move the toilet outside and not warn me?


I am sure my face looked perplexed as I asked her to repeat what she had just said,
"Excuse me, what do you like by the front door?"

Without missing a beat, she answered, "Your urinal!"

I jumped up and ran to the front door.

I stepped outside to view this lovely potty she spoke of.

"Oh , yes my beautiful urinal, the one that houses my green fern!"

I usually just call it an urn.