Dream Corner

I will always be the first to say that I suck at being a gardener or landscaper. As much as I enjoy beautiful outdoor spaces, I just don't have the mental attention span to create it myself. I'm too much of a perfectionist. I hesitate doing anything if I can't do it perfectly. Unfortunately that keeps me from doing lots of things. I don't know about plants and flowers, and if I don't have time to research it to get it just right...then I won't do it.

Somehow though I gave in to an inner voice this weekend while at Home Depot. (Yes, we always seem to be at F-ing Home Depot!)

For a long time I've wanted a fountain. Keith abandoned me with a cart full of stuff as usual while he went to grab something, so I wandered into the garden area where I saw this adorable fountain! For $129.00, you get a resin urn and a resin round base with stained glass decoration! Cool! I thought by the way the box kept saying, "Design" - that the catch would be it was just painted on in a stained-glass design... but no, there are real glass pieces at the bottom! FANCY! ha ha ha

Well, we couldn't just leave it at that. If nobody knows this already, my favorite Disney character is Thumper. I try as hard as I can to get my hands on anything with Thumper on it. So around Mother's Day I found a little Thumper garden statue at Wegman's supermarket!!!! I just couldn't pass it up.

Okay...let me make this story shorter.... after some playing around...what started as a fountain turned into what you see below....



Yes, those are real flowers in there!



My little Dream Corner! I did it! (With a lot of help from Keith and his gas-powered tiller and his ability to get the border stones to lay just right!) It's a silly little accomplishment, but I'm proud of my little backyard improvement. It combines many elements of my personality... old world charm, a little glass, and Thumper! Oh, and thanks to Keith for also drilling a hole in Thumper's butt to put the copper tube through. It still needs a little something, but for now, I love it!

Damn, It's Hot!!

We spent the day outside for Memorial Day. Keith was tiring away in the sun putting up our privacy fence. It was 98 degrees, and the kids were too hot to play. We haven't put the little pool up yet, so there was one less option! The water hose was occupied by the cement mixer... so how to cool off???

SPRAY BOTTLE!

Stormy...

With the weather being warmer, all the windows in the house have been open... which lets us find Stormy in her favorite place... window sills! Except, she didn't belong in this one! It's the window over the kitchen sink. Bad kitty! But how can you be mad at such a cute and soft little thing. Her fur is like velvet, and she's terribly sweet!

A little updating...

Hi everyone!

Thanks for stopping by lately and leaving the nice comments about the new kitties and well wishes for my broken butt.

Stormy and Caesar are proving to be quite a funny pair. When they aren't chasing each other around the house at 50 mph, they are cuddled up at the end of our bed looking out the bedroom window and cleaning each other. Yesterday Caesar caught a fly...smacked it down in the window sill, played with it a while, and then ate it. Ewwwwwwww! At least he got rid of the fly for us though. Stormy's adventure for this morning started with me hearing David screaming, "No, Kitty! Stop! I don't want you to do that!" Then I heard, "Mommy! The kitty is outside!!!" Apparently she was able to push the screen out of the window, but luckily got scared and jumped back into the house. That was crazy!

They are both very wonderful though, and we are enjoying their presence in the house.

As for my broken butt... I know some people told me it would take six to eight weeks, and my thoughts were, "Oh, great!" (Rolling my eyes. I kind of hoped though that this measurement was a general one, and I'd be better in a week. Nope! It's been two weeks now and a few days... though I have made some improvement, the most important function for me is still incredibly painful. Sitting. Now, the actual sitting is not so bad, but try to get up again -- forget it! If I sit, my butt is okay for about 15 minutes, but then starts burning. When I got to get up, it feels like someone is trying to rip the bone out of me completely. It's very frustrating. Getting out of the car takes a few minutes. I can't sit long in my desk chair. The only place I can really get work done is lying in bed, which is sometimes challenging. I'm hoping Week 3 will bring more improvement because I need to get back to work. Right now I'm catching up on jobs that I took, but once I'm caught up, I'm going to need new jobs. Hopefully I will be ready for it soon.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Miss ya!

Our family is growing!!!

Ahem! May I have your attention, please?

You know that feeling you get when something is missing in your life? I've had it for a while now. Watching the kids grow up, you think about when they were just little babies. It's amazing how fast the time flies... and now they are getting so big. I realized I want to take a chance again...

I told myself our family was complete, and not to try this again. The pain of losing is just too hard to bear... so you tell yourself you don't need to go down this road again. You want so much to open your heart up some more and share your love with a little creature... but the responsibility that comes with it is so daunting.

Well, it's time to try again. It's time to give it another shot one more time.

Yes.....


It's true....


Our family has expanded!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


WE ADOPTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Two great cats from the SPCA of York!!!

Please welcome to the Hilker Family.....


STORMY!


and CAESAR!!




And since they were cell mates, we knew they would get along together...

Here they are being lovey to each other!





It just hurt so much when I lost my last two cats...that I was scared to get any more... but I've been missing the pitter-patter of little paws for a long time. These two are just the sweetest cats too! So affectionate and mild mannered... except late at night when they go tearing through the house after each other!

Yep, that's right... look forward to nauseating cat pictures in the future!!

hahahahahaahahahahaha!

A symbol of warmth...

The rhodo-whozit is blooming again! That means summer fun is on it's way... if my butt ever heals!!!




HERE I COME, SUMMER!

Broken Butt -- For Real This Time!

It's been a while, but I thought I would blog a bit. I will put pictures up when I can of the new retaining wall in our yard and the kids with their new bikes...but I have a problem right now....

I BROKE MY BUTT!!!

No, not sciatica this time.... I FRACTURED MY TAILBONE!!!

Yep...I can't sit... can't drive... and it hurts to use the potty. I'm also now the BUTT of many jokes. Ouchie.

So what did I do to break it? I slipped on the grass and fell on my a*s. Right then and there, I realized something didn't feel right. So I'm broken for the moment. Please send "get well" vibes in my direction. I could really use them!

**hugs**

UBS: United Beaner Service... "What Can Brown Do For You?"

February 18th found Keith and I in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I had never been there before, so I was really excited...

Until I got there. But we'll get to that later!

First...................... We had a wonderful time at the House of Blues! Right on the boardwalk, the House of Blues sits within the Showboat Hotel and Casino.



Yeah...it looks pretty...but it was FREEZING!!!! If you came to a spot where there were no buildings, you felt like you were in March of the Penguins!!! Sheesh!
I might consider wanting to see the boardwalk again when the weather is warm. It bites in February!

Inside though was warm and toasty. We had great seats for one of my favorite comedians, CARLOS MENCIA! Now I have to admit, I did not know of him in his early days before his Comedy Central Show, Mind of Mencia, but I'm an enthusiastic fan now. He was so nice and friendly! He spent the time before and after the show to sign autographs, take pictures, and speak with his fans. Here I got a chance to speak with him myself. This was after the show because they didn't allow cameras in during the show...so I ran out, claimed my coat and camera, and ran back in to stand in the line to meet him. (I don't know what's up with my glasses, but man that glare makes me look evil!)



Many people might think he is rather harsh with the topics he speaks on. Sure, at first glance it may seem that way. You kind of have to be willing to accept that ethnic groups in America are just the way they are, and there's nothing wrong with pointing it out. For me, a lot of his work hits home and makes me think of riding in the car with my grandpa...the things he would say about the "Messcans", and how he made me feel proud to be who I am. It is a lesson that took me until recently to learn... and now watching or listening to Carlos Mencia's comedy, I feel like I have finally accepted my place in America. I'm a beaner, and I'm proud. Not familiar with Carlos? Check him out on Comedy Central, and at his website: www.carlosmencia.com

Now...as for Atlantic City...


What a sh*t hole! I was not impressed at all. The parking garages charged you to park, very few restaraunts were open past midnight, and there just wasn't all that much there to see. We visited Showboat, Caesar's, Bally's Wild West, and Borgata. The only one that was mildly impressive of that limited list was Borgata, but barely anything was open to eat! We ended up at Denny's near our hotel a mile away from the main scene. It was weird... you would have big hotel/casino, then a block of questionable buildings. It was like old hotels from Vegas were picked up and plunked down here in New Jersey. It seemed really out of place. I asked the parking attendant at Caesar's if she could recommend a good place to eat. I thought she said Mack Donough's, which sounded like it would be a reasonable place to go. She gave me directions, and I said, "What was the name of it again?" She looked at me a little puzzled like, "How could you have never heard of it?" She repeated, "Mack Donough's". We pulled out of the lot and carefully followed her directions... and there it was... to my dismay...MC DONALD's!! Now I know we did not come all the way out to Jersey just to eat at McDonald's!!!!! An hour later we were debating between Dunkin Donuts and Wawa (An east coast convenient store known for good sandwiches) when finally we saw Denny's. Salvation!

And then there was snow...

Okay... I'm really late at posting this one, but the weekend before Valentine's Day we had quite a snowfall. Winter has been mild this year, but suddenly....PLOP! Here is what our house looked like that Saturday. I didn't really capture any good shots of the kids, I'm afraid. I'm losing my touch!

My mom the celebrity!

My mom is very popular now because of the story I told you about below.

She went to the memorial services this weekend and has appeared in various news papers and television clips!

She called me today to see if I wanted her autograph.

The important thing is, John Chubb is now at rest with his parents. I wish I had more time to talk about it because it has been so exciting, but I have deadlines to meet.... that I am already late at meeting. Yipes!

Ciaio for now!

Amazing recovery!

This is short and sweet. When my mom was in high school, she was engaged to a man named John Chubb. He volunteered during Vietnam, but unfortunately his aircraft was shot down. He was listed as MIA.

Now... about 35 years later, his remains are returning home to Gardena! Here is the news article if you are interested: http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/2313956.html?page=1&c=y

My mom was so emotional to hear of this development. It's closure on a long-lost love story. What a post-Valentine's Day gift for her!

Chapter 31

On January 22nd, I began Chapter 31 of my life. It's funny because Chapter 30 went by so fast! It started out with a birthday party in California after a beautiful wedding of my friends. I was surrounded by lots of people I love. Keith closed the lawn mower shop in April, which was a little sad, but the best thing to do. We had a blast all summer at Sesame Place, splashing and playing in the sun, no runaway Samantha's this time either! In August I made a major career decision to work full time, which created a lot of chaos. In November we celebrated David's 5th birthday in California, surrounded by those same wonderful people, and I even got reunited with four wonderful people that I haven't seen since high school and have missed so much! In December and the beginning of January, I thought I might have a bad heart, and endured some painful tests, but all is clear and I'm quite healthy. (All that worrying I did for nothing!) The day before my birthday, I spent it with Ann and Kathy attending a bead meeting in Virginia and goofing around at a mall, making fun of expensive gadgets and thousand-dollar clothing that looked like something you could get at Wal-Mart. That was hilarious! On my birthday, I had a great day alone with Keith at the Rain Forest Cafe, ending with birthday cake at my in-laws' place with the kids.

And now here we are! A whole year of my life just sped right by me! Not that I didn't enjoy it, but I just can't believe it was so quick. Now this, a new year as a 31-year old... is starting to go by very quickly too! I am afraid to blink.

It's starting off with Keith not working right now. His back hurts him so bad. He is at physical therapy now, and I hope he gets relief soon. He has a lower thoracic intraspinous ligament strain, and the anti-inflammatories he has tried so far are not doing a thing for him. His chemistry is such that he doesn't always respond to medications. So they are trying to find just the right thing to do the trick. In the meantime, he's learning what it means to be a stay-at-home dad.

I'm looking forward to this new chapter. A rough start will hopefully turn out great in the end. There are many things to do, and a big milestone ahead... David will go to kindergarten in September! I have to remind myself to enjoy things more and stress out less. I want to spend more time with my friends too...both good old friends and brand new ones that I just discovered, even good old ones that I just discovered again!

Thanks for being a part of Chapter 31! Don't be a stranger! (That means you!) I promise to be less of a stranger too! Sorry!

"Dep-let Wednesday"

What are Dep-lets? They are little random things heard in a depo that made me giggle to myself...sometimes funny enough to get the attorneys snickering too.


Q. So you are Board certified in internal medicine. Are you certified in any other areas?
A. No.
Q. Did you pass your boards on the first attempt?
A. No.
Q. How many times did you take the boards before you passed?
A. Six times.
Q. Was there a particular area in which you had more difficulty that prevented you from passing the boards the first five times?
A. Not knowing the answers.


This one came from a rather witty doctor who gives a great deposition. It was a pleasure taking his testimony and getting a laugh or two.

SNOW!!!

YUM!



SNOW BEAR!



I WANNA GO INSIDE NOW!!

The naked tree... in more ways than one!

Sunday afternoon found me in Lancaster County at Frog Hollow Evergreens... where my lovely friend, Maryanne, of Torchsong Studio, lives, makes soap, makes beads, and grows beautiful Christmas trees. It was great to see the inside of her workshop, and she helped me find just the right tree.

Unfortunately, since I'm still trying to get depositions out the door that are a little crusty, I really could only get the tree into it's stand and find it a place in the corner. The kids have been driving me crazy to decorate it, but I just can't do it yet.


So Samantha decided to take matters into her own hands....and decorated the tree herself.......

WITH NAKED BARBIES!!!!!!!!






"O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas Tree.... You're full of naked Barbies! La la - la la , la la - la la, la la- la la, la la-la la"

I guess you could also caption this one, "And last year at Barbie's Christmas party, things got a little out of hand, and that's why we are staying home this year."



And Keith did a nice job putting up a little touch of Christmas. We've had just a dusting of snow...and it seems like winter is suddenly upon us.

Just.....tooooo.....much......pro....cras....ti....nation.....

Okay...I got distracted again and wandered off to la-la land... where I found this:

Touch My Belly

An art project blog... this goofy looking guy pleads with total strangers to touch his belly and let him take a picture of it. He looks positively bored in every picture, and most of them seem to be taken at parties, but his sarcasm and humor really pull the pictures together. Check it out if you have some spare time.

http://touchmybelly.blogspot.com/

Help! I suffer from DFS!!

Today I self-diagnosed myself with a serious condition called DFS.

DFS is a condition that, if left untreated, can result in.....
well, it can result in many more moments of me almost laughing out loud in the middle of a deposition. This is serious because the court reporter is supposed to draw very little attention to themselves...so a sudden outburst during testimony can really create an upset.

A DFS flare up can occur suddenly without warning and disappear just as quickly. When the afflicted realizes they have had an episode of DFS, the next physiological response is a sudden chuckle reflex that has to be quickly surpressed so as not to interrupt the deposition.

Sadly, I have not found any documentation of just how to treat or cure DFS.

So what is DFS? It stands for Drunken Finger Syndrome.

I found evidence of a DFS flare up in the current transcript I am working on. The phrase was supposed to be, "Portal to portal." To my dismay, a DFS episode caused me to write, "Portal to Fart al" See, it was someone's idea of a cruel joke to design steno theory such that the keys "T" and "P" are next to each other, and to make the "F" sound, you press down the T and P simultaneously. The other misfortune is that your left thumb is used for your two vowels A and O. So at times you may wish to write the words "part", "port", "fort", but your fingers get drunk and include the T or stroke "A" instead of "O"... making TPART, which is "Fart".

On the up side... the laughter you supress during a depo can be made up for at home in the editing process by cracking up when you find it again... that is... hopefully you find it again before it gets sent to the attorneys!!!!! he he he he

Happy Saturday!

Well, I survived the two expedite jobs and got them out within my goals! Now I'm trying to catch up the jobs that had to sit here and get crustier.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel... the glow of my torch...which sits here and stares at me...quietly begging me to please come and light it. I have new frit that I bought at BeadFest...untouched.... I have a cool new Zoozii press that I got from Maryanne in a trade.... untouched.... I have glass for a Round Robin project I need to make into beads... untouched... and I have some nice pinks and a few other lovely colors that I want to turn into lovely samples...untouched.....

Seven jobs remain on my 86 Board... all saying the same thing, "NO BEADS FOR YOU!"

Can you believe it's DECEMBER???????????????

What's happening today?

Two different attorneys, two different depositions.... both want the transcript TODAY!!! The big one was five hours long...I have 80 pages to go! (I've been planted in this seat since yesterday!) The smaller one was two hours long...and 77 pages to do! See you when my sanity returns! Wish me luck!

Black Friday Bits

My favorite bits of the day...

1. Being able to find all but one item in my morning bargain scavenger hunt! Usually I stay home and avoid the crazy Black Friday shoppers, but there a few deals I just couldn't let slip by.

2. When Samantha spontaneously fell off the bench seat at Friendly's during breakfast. She was crying from embarrassment, but man, that was hilarious!

3. Hearing the giggles and the phrase, "Let's do that again" from the kids after a thrilling ride up and down the escalator at Sears. Woo-hoo!

4. When Samantha underestimated the slipperiness of the floor at Sears and landed flat on her back after jumping up to greet Daddy. Again she was crying from embarrassment, but man, that was hilarious! Her back must be particularly attracted to the floor today...must be because she got up so early!

5. Keith hung up some Christmas lights outside this year. Kind of simple and limited in area, but very sparkly and happy... can't help but feel like a kid again.

6. Hasn't happened yet, but I can't wait to hear and see David's excitement when he gets home tonight and sees the Chritmas lights on.

Today's Favorites...

I thought it might be fun to start a kind of "Highlights of My Day" sort of thing. Here are my favorite moments or things of the day... What were yours???

1. An expert witness walked into the conference room with a huge shredded truck tire. The first thing I said was, "I hope I won't have to take home THAT exhibit!" He said, "Yeah, can you attach it to the transcript?" We both had a good laugh.

2. From the same depo this morning... what was supposed to be a 7 hour depo lasted only two and a half! YES!!!! Back on the road before holiday traffic!!

3. Had a sudden impulse on the drive home... Let's cut all this hair off!!! The wonderful stylist at the salon inside Wal-Mart did a wonderful job. I'm very happy with my new look... short and, can you believe it, STRAIGHT!!!!




4. The new "Turtle" Chex Mix... heaven in a bag!

5. When I walked into the living room to see Keith and David sitting side by side on the couch watching "Myth Busters". They looked so cute together.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I AM THANKFUL FOR ALL THE SWEET AND FANTASTIC PEOPLE I HAVE IN MY LIFE, THAT MEANS YOU! THANKS FOR BEING MY FRIEND!

Happy...

One thing I love about being a freelance court reporter is that if the attorneys don't feel like working the week of Thanksgiving, I get to stay home in my fuzzy slippers! Yay for Fuzzy Slipper Tuesday!

Sure, I still have work to do... six depositions to edit, to be exact... but at least I don't have to wear pantyhose or try to get my hair to cooperate!

I'm starting to catch up on my work!!! YAY!!!! Maybe I'll even get to make some beads in December!

It's a Small World After All...

Hugs for Pooh

Finding a favorite friend at Disneyland.

Hello!

I'm back...
I'm stuffed full of California food...
I'm swamped with work...

I'm not ready for the holidays.

Pictures will be posted soon!

"How do you mend....

A broken butt".... That's a BeeGee's song, isn't it?

"Tell me....
How do you mend a broken butt....
How do you keep your leg from going numb....
How do you stop, your butt from hurting...
So I can get stuff done...."

No? That isn't the way it goes? Could have fooled me!!!!

Leaving for California Tuesday at 6 a.m.
Still have 10 jobs on the 86 Board ... four of which were supposed to be done by tonight
No clothes packed
No carpets swept
No floors cleaned
Last minute laundry
Bill payments to organize, write out, and either send or click
A husband who needed to go to the ER last night for three hours with an eye ulceration
Two hour drive to Rockville, MD in morning for a depo that should hopefully only be two to three hours so I can get home and try to finish these chores....

and the most irritating pain while sitting!
Any other time, I'd be okay... I seem to really perform well at the end of a deadline....that last minute adrenaline that helps me kick into hyperdrive ....
but this sciatica is really kicking my butt.... literally! It's all I can focus on.

To those friends and family in LA.... see you soon!
To those in PA...see you when I return... especially my beady friends...I need some serious bead buddy therapy! Nothing but glass gossip and guacamole!

**hugs**

Busting my butt...literally!

As you know, I have been busting my butt lately, and it has really paid off.
Unfortunately... I think I have literally BUSTED MY BUTT!

I finally caved in and went to the urgent care today because today was totally unbearable sitting. I thought I was just dealing with a sciatic nerve issue, but it has gotten progressively more annoying. Luckily my deposition today at Johns Hopkins was only two hours because I was miserable the whole time. It really broke my ability to concentrate, and I was fighting really hard to stay focused on the testimony.

So I go to the urgent care and whine about the pain shooting down the back of my left leg when I sit. While sitting on the table, the physician's assistant that examined me tried extending my leg out and up, at which point I screamed out for mercy. "Yep, that's a positive sign for a herniated disk." CRAAAAPPP!!!! I do not like those words...herniated disk. It just sounds so yucky. I can just picture all the things that might come next in the course of treating such a thing. He even made me take some X-rays in a not-so-flatering gown. He didn't see any slipage, but there is some narrowing in my lower lumbar spine...like at L4-5 or even L5-S1. None of this of course means anything when you are just at the urgent care. It means, "Here is a script for Naprosyn, and follow up with your own doctor in a week."

I'm loving this Naprosyn! I can actually sit painlessly for the first time today. I busted something, I guess... and I just hope I can manage it without anything real serious because there is a lot of driving and sitting and driving in my future. I begged him to be wrong about the positive signs for herniation, but he wouldn't let me off the hook there. We'll see what happens.

Have a good weekend!

Happy Halloween!!!

THE GOOD....




THE BAD....



THE UGLY....


THE SERIOUSLY CONSTIPATED???



THE SUGAR COMA?????


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

More Davidisms... and a couple from Samantha too.

1. Pooms -- as in the "pulp" you find in orange juice.
2. Suction cups -- as in the "handcuffs" police use to restrain a suspect.
3. "Look, there goes Evil Evil on his motor-snycle!" -- since every biker must be Evel Knievel, right? Yes, he still calls them motor-snycles, no matter how often you correct him!


From Samantha:
At the top of her threatening little voice: "You want a piece of MEAT?!!!?!"
One time while I was shampooing her hair: "No! Take your filthy hands off of me!!!!"

Happy Halloween! Pictures to come soon!

Slow posting...but finally some pictures!

This is how slow I am... Presenting pictures from "A Day Out with Thomas the Train". We went to Strasburg Railroad for this very special event... like back in September! Here are some of my favorite pictures from that day out with Jen, Scott, and Paden:


David, Paden, and Sammie doing the "Shake your Booty" dance.


Pre-schoolers and chocolate ice cream.... great combo!


Jen shows off her butt, while Scott shows off his muscle. The rest of the kids are on there too, but all you can see is Jen's enormous butt! (ha! ha! She'll kill me for that one!)


From the inside of the caboose on our ride on Thomas!



Tada! And here is Thomas! Larger than life!


Tattoo Trio....


Thomas in action...


Me and my munchkins on the train to Paradise, PA


Scott, Jenn, and Paden... they make a cute family.
Scott was brave and got a tattoo put on his cheek.


"Hey, Paden! I have a present for you!"

Progress???

I have a magnetic dry-erase board hanging on my fridge now. I call it my "86 Board" like at restaraunts... you know, they keep an 86-Board to keep track of what dishes are no longer available. But since the only thing I'm cooking in my kitchen these days are transcripts, this is my version of the 86-Board. I have a first in - first out policy, unless an attorney requests an expedite. All of my outstanding jobs are listed, and as I finish one, I cross it off or erase it. This morning I crossed one off, but this afternoon, I put a new one back on! Sheesh! I have 11 pending jobs to finish!

I don't know if I'll ever have a clear board, but I'd like to at least get to a point where I have some breathing room so I can make beads, clean my house, chat with friends, stuff like that.

This morning I dowloaded Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" from Wal-Mart.com. You can buy MP3's for 88 cents. I started a new tradition. As soon as I e-mail a job off to my production manager, I quickly click open, "Another One Bites the Dust" and dance around the kitchen. I know it sounds kind of pathetic, but hey, it feels soooooo damn good to click and send a finished job away!

Take care, everybody!

(Sorry I don't have anything more exciting to write about. Oh, the fire alarm went off during my depo today. We sat there a few minutes deciding if we wanted to burn up and die or interrupt the doctor's testimony. We chose to burn up and die. As you can tell, we are okay. It was just a drill or something! Nobody else in the hospital seemed to be moving very quickly anyway! I was thinking though at the time...not about my safety, but how much of my equipment I could scoop into my arms at one time if I needed to flee quickly. )

Yes, I'm still here!

Just in case anyone was wondering.... I'm still here! **wave**!!! HI!

We are going to California November 8th... so I am keeping my nose to the grindstone for now. I am starting to get a little more adjusted now. The new workload is still kicking my butt, but I'm starting to kick it back! hahaha Hopefully soon I will be the one doing all the kicking, and it will just reply, "Yes, ma'am, where shall I file myself?"

One thing I must say though... I know I did the right thing.

Miss ya!

**hugs**

By the way... my sanity is still intact... and I owe it all to www.stuffonmycat.com . Man... nothing like a pointy bra on a pissed off looking cat to make you forget about the stress of deadlines!

York Fair Pictures....better late than never!

Here are some pictures taken at the York Fair on September 15th. It was Pre-School Pals day, so the kids got to ride until 4pm with armband privileges! David met these two cute girls and wouldn't leave their side. It was hilarious. You can see his sweeties below:


A Pile of Pals


Flying High!


This year's funhouse was painted in Spongebob theme.