JRFH and PSIA

Friday was Jump Roper For Heart at ACA. They get to wear their field day/trip shirts for this event and whatever shorts they want. I also wore my "field day" shirt (I put it in quotations because the chances of me going to field day this year are about as good as me growing to 6 ft. tall tomorrow). But, I digress. Since I had the camera there, I asked Jackie to take a picture of all of us in our shirts. Here we are in my "habitat".
Now, you have all read about "Becky Hale" cookies on this blog, many times. Well, her cupcakes are on the border of being just as good. They are certainly just as pretty. She made these in honor of one of a teachers' birthday. Aren't they beautiful? Almost too pretty to eat...almost. Yes, that red thing on there is an m&m decorated like a ladybug. AMAZING!!!! Becky you outdid yourself on these.

Here's Sadie Jumping Rope for Heart.

And Madeline.

Today was PSIA. It stands for Private School something that starts with an "I" and something that starts with an "A". I think the "I" and "A" should stand for Intercranial Athletics.

Did you ever see the movie Searching for Bobby Fisher"? How the parents are all there during the chess matches and the kids are stressing, etc.? This was just as intense. The kids are all sitting around in their school groups getting that last minute studying in and all the parents are looking around, sizing up the competition (I am guessing that's what they were doing) and encouraging their children.

Sadie did Art Memory. That is where they memorize famous paintings (well, not so famous like Mona Lisa or anything, I had never heard of any of these paintings) and the artist. They are shown some of those paintings and they have to know the name and artist. Sadie placed 6th. I am very proud of her.

This was a surreal experience for me. I walked into a situation I knew NOTHING about which hasn't happened in probaby at least two years. Most of my activities in the past two years have been either ones I've done before or ones I've planned. I had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the planning, orgainizing, recruiting, teaching, signing in or anything else for PSIA. Frankly it was a little overwhelming.

I did judge two events. The first was storytelling for 1st graders. They are read a story and then they come to another room with judges (ME) and retell the story. They can make it their own or tell it like they heard it or a combination. As I sat there and listened to the various tellings of the same story, I thought "This is something Madeline should do". She would excel at that. I will encourage her next year to do it, but I won't force it.

The other event was Prose for 6th graders which is a little like the storytelling but they choose a book before today and put their spin on it. I'm not sure if they read it verbatim or if they can paraphrase but we heard some good stories. They are supposed to emote, etc. It was very interesting.

All in all, it's been a good week.

Spring Break at Nonnie's house

Hang on folks, it's gonna be a long one...

As you know, this week was our spring break so we went to see Nonnie in Shreveport. We had several reasons for going, not the least of which was just to get to spend time at Nonnie's house soaking in her radiance of love. OK, now that you're finished with your insulin shot...

When we got there, it was a trifecta of goodness. Not only were there Oreos there, but DOUBLE STUFFED Oreos! And, then, she handed me my very own key to her house. And, then, I opened my Christmas present from Auntie B. who had forgotten it at her house at Christmas time and look at it, it's an M&M's watch! How cute is that?


You know, the belated Christmas thing is quite all right. I still have the presents I made for my family in my scrapbooking stuff. There's a little hint for y'all (the family) - not the general reading public, I didn't make enough for everyone. Yeah, yeah, I know, I should have but heavens - I only have so much time...ANYWHO...maybe they'll get them before next Christmas, maybe not. My choir buddies didn't get their gifts until Lent had started. But, they still liked them!

After getting out of the van, the girls decided it was hot enough to play in the hose. So, play in the hose they did.

Then, we put together this awesome High School Musical puzzle. OK, the puzzle was actually awesome, not necessarily the subject.

One of the reasons we went (besides the aforementioned love radiation) was so Nonnie and Mads could shop for her first Communion dress. Here are the intrepid shoppers about to go off on their adventure.

This is the only preview you get. I sent Mom with the camera and she says she took pics of the "discarded" dresses, but I didn't see any. That's OK, Mom, y'all picked the best one anyway.

According to Mumsey, When they went to the store, the first dress Mads saw she said "that's the dress I want" and although Mom made her try on several more, the first dress was indeed the dress and that's the one they got.

After they got back, we went down to the park and fed the ducks...

...and took pictures...

...lots of pictures.

Another reason, well, we actually decided to do this after the trip was planned, was to take pictures of Mads in her Communion dress and the girls in their Easter dresses at the Norton Art Gallery.


Here is my sister, Pamela, in charge of the veil.

We were scouting out places to take pictures when we ran across...

Pamela had an unnatural fondness for him.

Aaron even came up to see his Mommy and his sisters!

You may be wondering why no pics of the girls in their finery. Well, it's been a long-standing tradition on this blog not to post Easter pics before Easter and certainly, I could not post a first Communion dress picture before the actual big day. You'll just have to tune in for those big reveals.

Today, on the way home, we stopped between Longview and Kilgore to see an old high-school friend that I'm now in touch with thanks to Facebook. We have other plans to get together but at least we saw each other a few minutes today. Thanks, Colleen, for taking time out of your day! I enjoyed it!

This is Colleen and I (her son Zack is only months older than Anna!). She runs (alot). I don't.

Hey, if you're not on Facebook, you should go on there and just check it out. I've gotten in contact with lots of people from my past. It's really a neat thing. http://www.facebook.com/

Spring Break day 1

First day of spring break and all is right with the world. The sun was out, the house was clean-ish and I slept in. Hmmmm, not a bad way to spend the Monday of spring break. One of the things I did do today was Sadie's hair. Yeah, the "Princess Leia" (or however you spell it) look is back . Yep, that's a bun on either side of her head. It's kinda cute but very hard to do.
A sure sign of spring about to be sprung is the popsicle guy having a swarm of kids around him. Proof positive...

And, for our evening meal, Madeline prepared a lovely dining experience for us in honor of our 12th anniversary which was yesterday. Here is the menu.

It reads "beautiful by Madely" and "Just desserts". Inside, you had the choice of several sandwiches, chips with dips, hugs, kisses, a variety of drinks and several desserts.

She took the orders, made the food and delivered it. She even had candles lit and music.

What a lovely way to end the first day of spring break '09. Thanks, Madeline, you really made the day special.

Looks like there's not many more posts before the 500th. Be looking for something especially something for that. No, I don't know what it will "especially" be...creative? moving? heartwarming? all of the above? who knows? I sure don't. I guess we'll just have to see.

Goodbye forever ol' Blue!

This Saturday, we took ol' Blue to her final resting place. A nice "car graveyard" where all good cars go and they are treated car-ly (car equivalent of humanely). This is ol' Blue's journey to the end...her last trip out of the 'hood.

Her last "head shot"...

Phillip saying "good-bye", not pushing her.

As it should be, she had a procession to her grave, Conrad drove her, Phillip behind him and I brought up the rear. We had our lights and flashers on, more as a warning than out of respect, since we were only going about 40 on the highway. I even got misty-eyed on the way over there. Once we reached her final resting spot, it appeared she may have thrown a rod, the equivalent of a heart attack for a human. It was just too much for her, I guess, being said "good-bye" to, leaving us all for the last time.

She served us well, these past 16 1/2 years. One "heart" (motor) transplant and that's about it for the major work done on her. Heaven knows she never had any cosmetic "surgery". May you come back as a solar powered car or something equally useful in your next life, ol' Blue. We'll miss you.

Canton

Yesterday, Conrad, the girls and I met a friend of mine that graduated from High School with me and her family in Canton for some catching up and shopping. I would have known her if I ran into her on the street. She hasn't really changed much. Well, her hair is shorter. San always had lllloooooonnnnngggg hair in HS. Although, I think before we graduated she got it cut for a pageant or something. Anyway, here is the whole gang, mine and hers. She's the one in the shades.

Her children are adorable, by the way. I'm kicking myself that I didn't take pictures of just them. Miss Josephine is beautiful and Tobin is all boy. Handsome but all boy. Hopefully we'll get together again and I'll take better pics.

San and I - quite obviously facing the sun - hence the squint.

San found herself.

This was my big purchase yesterday. $12, personalized just for me (with some bling, mind you). Pretty good deal, don't you think? Well, I really like it so there.

"Taking Chance"

You may be wondering why I have a picture of Kevin Bacon on the blog. Well, I took this picture just last night. Ok, not really, I've never met Kevin Bacon but I'm sure I am only separated from him by six degrees. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, google six degrees of separation - Kevin Bacon.)

Conrad had me Tivo a film last night that played on HBO. It's called Taking Chance. We watched it before going to bed. This is one of the most informative, moving, beautiful, simple and never-swaying-from-its-purpose movies I've seen in a long time.

I believe the purpose of the film was to show us what happens when one of our own falls in combat. It is non-political, doesn't say if the war is right or wrong, just shows us the respect our fallen service men and women are given on their way home. I am telling you now, you won't be able to watch it without a tissue. Well, you can watch it without one, but you'll wish you had one.

I am impressed the more I think about this film because of it's simplicity. Simply one man escorting another man to the simple town of his final resting place. Sound boring? IT. IS. NOT.

It is beautifully filmed, scenery, simple shots of people paying respect, grief, people dealing with it realistically. The way the officer deals with the unexpectedness of respect for someone he doesn't, nor anyone he comes in contact with on the way to the soldier's home, knows. It really is a wonderful tribute.

I encourage anyone, no matter their political view, view on war, religious preference or any other persuasion to view this film.

Taking Chance is worth the hour - hour and a half you will spend watching it. It's the least we can do for our fallen soldiers.

For more information, go to http://www.hbo.com/films/takingchance/

All sorts of stuff

As some of you may or may not know...ol' Blue died for the last time last Thursday. You know, the truck I've had since 1992? The truck that was my "statement of independence" when I became single again, "so I wouldn't have to rely on a man for anything". The truck that had a string of beads hanging from the rear view mirror since about the second summer I had it because Aaron made them for me (they're still there). The truck that drove me and my two cats to Wisconsin, lived through all that snow with just some sand in the back. The truck that got Conrad to work and back for many, many years after I couldn't drive it when I got pregnant with Sadie and couldn't fit behind the wheel anymore. Yeah, that truck. Last Thursday, I could hear Conrad coming from much further away (usually I could hear him when he rounded the corner) and poor ol' Blue...she just couldn't go any further. She just died of old age.

After much car lot searching, jumping through every financial hoop known to man and the finance company deciding they didn't want us to have two car payments (they wanted us to trade in the van or pay it off - yeah right) Conrad decided to purchase from an individual a truck that would "just get him to and from work until we could get the van paid off". Well, let me tell you, the man can shop. Meet the newest member of the Wangler Family...
It's a 2000 F-150, black with a white stripe at the bottom, back seat for the girls, with 4 doors (only two have handles) and it's. paid. for.!!!!! No extra car payment! It rides like a dream. Seems to be a really good truck and for a good price. I'm very happy for Conrad and he's happy to have something that doesn't announce his arrival five minutes before he gets somewhere. He brought it home Wed. night and Thursday I called him to see how his drive to work went. I said "you didn't even have to shift gears, did you". He said "That truck is so smart, it shifts its own gears!". Now we have two vehicles that will fit the whole family and how nice that is going to be. Indeed.

Now, onto other things...

The upside to the tree being cut down was the insurance. The insurance adjuster came out and after surveying the damage, decided we needed a new roof. Go figure. So, today, that's exactly what happened. We got a new roof. See...

The pictures don't really show off the blackness of the shingles.

Now, I'm not too partial to the black color of the roof. But, I am WAY partial to the newness of it and the no holes in it. The people putting it on are relatives of the guys who did the second cutting of the tree. Those guys are fast. They started around 9am and were done by 4 or 5 this afternoon. I was amazed.

The thing that took the longest (in my opinion, don't ask them) was getting up the nails that fall to the ground while all that roofing is going on. This was my magnet...

full of nails. This was theirs...

much bigger than mine. But, mine could get into smaller places, like in between all those huge logs still in our back yard from the tree. It was actually kind of fun running that thing through leaves and such and coming up with a huge magnet full of nails. Scary, too. No barefootin' it for us for awhile. Or else, tetanus shots all around.

Father/Daughter dance '09

Last week, ACA held the second annual Father/Daughter dance. My intention was to post the pictures the next day (considering I had gotten home very late - or very early depending on how you look at things). It was then that I discovered that my camera dock wasn't "talking" to my computer. Out of nowhere, the weren't speaking to each other. Today, I sat down, yet again, to see if I could fix the problem and I thought I would just see what happened when I pushed the "magic" button on the dock. Well, lo and behold, they've made up and are speaking to each other again. I would love to say my technical expertise had a hand in it but that would be lying. So, without further ado, The Father/Daughter dance blog.

The original plan for the Father/Daugter dance was that Madeline's escort was to be Uncle Paul. She asked if she could ask him and she did and he said "yes". However, as you remember, Mads came down with the flu. Our rule is that if you don't go to school, you don't get to do whatever is going on after school and unfortunately, her fever didn't break until the wee hours of Friday morning, so no school for her. So, it ended up being just Sadie and Conrad going. My heart was broken having to tell her she couldn't go but she took it well and understood. She also got to go with some friends to "The Main Event" the next night which was described to me as "Chuck E. Cheese on steroids". She came home with a soccer ball, a hoola-hoop and 3 watches. I think she had a good time and that, hopefully, made up for it.

Back to the dance...

Conrad and Sadie had to drop me off at Susan's house so I would have a ride to the dance. He was taking Sadie out to eat and I had to be there 45 min. before anyone showed up so, out of necessity, I rode with Susan. It is at her house these pictures were taken.








Sadie and Katelyn. BFFs (Best Friends Forever for those of you not "in the know").

The two of them "cutting a rug".

Video of them dancing.

It was really a lovely evening. Tunes were provided by Iphone and Ipod, DJing by me. The decorations were black, pink and silver/gray. I think everyone had a lovely time and I even saw some teary-eyed Dads there. I hope this tradition continues.

Mads tribute to MLKJ

Madeline had to write a "paper" on Martin Luther King, Jr. This is her finished product.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s name was Michael Luther King, Jr. when he was born. But he later had it changed to Martin Luther King. Jr. He was born January 15, 1929 at 501 Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia. His parents were Martin Luther King, Sr. and Alberta William King. He had one sister and one brother. His brother is dead now. Martin Luther King, Jr. died on April 4, 1968.

He started school at the age of 5 but because of the law, he had to stop going until he turned six. He was very good student. He ended up graduating from high school early, when he was 15 years old.

He liked: Reading books, singing, riding a bike, football and baseball.

Martin went to Morehouse College and earned his BA in Sociology. Then he went to Crozer Theological Seminary. He also went to Boston College and Harvard University and was awarded his Doctorate in 1955.

He was a civil rights leader. He made long, important speeches. The one I liked best talked about being important to America and the way you do that is to volunteer. He said:

If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness.
And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity to serve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.

Martin was shot standing on a balcony at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968. A jury thought that the government was behind the assassination of him.
His big accomplish means to me that I can treat my colored friends no different than anyone else. Everyone is the same, no matter what color their skin is.

My life has been affected by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., because we get a day off of school on the holiday of his birthday.

His accomplishments have affected the world because Barrack Obama is the President of the United States of America.

something different

I'm not sure if this link will work, but hopefully it will. This is a really cool video for music lovers, Star Wars enthusiasts or just plain enjoyment.

Enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/video/video.php?v=51089666314

Face

This is the face of the flu.

Yesterday, Mads came to the office telling me she ached all over and didn't feel good and felt like she was going to throw up. There were tours of the school scheduled (Jackie's job, but someone has to be in the office while she's giving the tour) and re-enrollment packets coming in right and left. Just not really a good day for me to be packing up and leaving. So I took her temp. (99.2) on our school thermometer - which I despise) and told her to get my blanket (that I keep up there for those cold days when the door opens 5000 times and the cold air comes whipping up under my desk, freezing my legs) and go lay down on the sick bed. It was finally decided that after the next tour, I would take her home.

Well, we left with Sadie in tow so I wouldn't have to go back up there, stopped and got Sadie, Conrad and me some lunch and back to the house. As soon as she got out of the van, she started puking. Conrad helped her into the house and told me that she felt really warm. I took her temp. again and it was 103.1. Ewwww, my baby is really sick! We put her in my bed and warned Sadie not to go in there.

Then, I asked Elaine if she would just drop Anna off since Mads was so sick, I hated to leave her there for any length of time, even if she was just sleeping. So, while we waited for Anna, I took Mads' temp. again, 104.2. Up to this point she has refused any medicine (I think in fear of it coming back up) so now I told her she had to take some motrin. So, in goes the motrin and about an hour later the fever was down to 101.1. Later in the evening, she had some crackers, gatorade, sprite and some soup. Everything is staying down now but she's still achy and has fever, 101.1.

So, it looks like we'll be home for another day. The rule for school is 24 hours fever-free before they can return. She needs to get well, she has the father-daughter dance to attend on Friday night.

So, everyone out there in bloggy-land, please pray for Mads. I know it will run it's course and all will be well, eventually. It's just so sad when Mads isn't her lively self.

Happy 8th Birthday, Mads!

Yep, this is Madeline. Mads, I like to call her. She is 8 today.

As usual, this is my "birthday" blog, so I'll let you know how Mads has grown this past year.

She loves her webkinz. "Nonnie" got her 3 for her birthday. Well, there was a buy-two-get-one-free special on at the Hallmark store and how can you pass that up? She picked the hedghog (cute as a button) the bulldog (the free one) and one other that I can't remember but it's pretty cute, too. If you don't know what webkinz are, they are stuffed animals that come with codes and you can put the codes in at "webkinz.com" and play with them online and you get points for doing things like jobs, etc. They can also play with their friends who might be online, too. She loves it and if she's on the computer, it's usually playing webkinz.

She also likes to read my blog. I think she is fulfilling my ideals of her. I see her reading the blogs about her and I notice her being more and more like the previous "birthday" blogs I've written about her.

The way she dresses is still "avant garde". The unusual is what she likes. Lots of colors, stripes, the wilder the better.

She's still a pleaser. Last night when we went to store I think she could sense I didn't really want to cook cupcakes for her to take to school today. Maybe my saying "I really don't want to cook cupcakes tonight" gave her a clue. She picked brownie bites instead. I love her for that. Yeah, I may be denying her real wants but, hey, let's face it, I'll have to make a cake this weekend so she'll get what she wants, eventually. She loves those brownie bites, anyway. I hope.

She's always coming up with funny things to say, too. One day we were leaving school and she told Sadie something that wasn't necessarily a lie but not really the truth and Sadie said "why did you say that?" Madeline says "look, I'm stressed out, OK?" We (Jackie and I) laughed at her even the next day about that one.

Jackie has fallen in love with Madeline. She keeps telling her she's going to be her momma because sometimes I'm not in the office when Madeline gets up there and Jackie tells her she's going to take her home and be her momma. At first, Madeline was a little taken aback, but now she's warmed up to it and loves Jackie, too. For Mads' birthday, Jackie made her a bag (well, bought the bag and embroidered on it) that says "Princess in training" and put her "M" on the other side. It's very cute.

She's still a snuggler. If she's had a bad day or isn't feeling 100% she wants to crawl up with me and snuggle. I don't think I'll ever get tired of that. Madeline snuggling is the best. She'll snuggle with her Nonnie when she's here, too.

My Madeline is growing up. I don't know where the time has gone. I can remember the day I had her like it was yesterday (or the few days ago when it was frigid cold out). It was a very cold day and she came fast. Maybe 2 hours from start to finish? She knew what to do when she got out, too. Literally crawled right up my tummy and found the food (if you know what I mean, and I think you do).

I can't wait to see what this year holds. I know she will take first communion this year so her spiritual growth is already taking place. She had her first "penance" or "confession". Didn't take her long, as she said "I only had two". Hmmmm, not to judge or anything but a little more examination of that conscience might be in order. But, that's between her and God.

All in all, she is still a great kid. Funny, bright, beautiful - inside and out - and special in many ways. Madeline, I look forward to this next year with you. I love you!

"P"

My bloggy friend and keeper of my precious child, Elaine, has given me a letter and I am supposed to tell my 10 favorite things that start with this letter. My letter is "P".

Hmmmm, "P". Letter "P", how do I love thee, let me count the ways...

Top 10 things that start with "P" that I like/love/enjoy...

1. My sister Pamela. She is the smartest person I know about alot of things. I am so proud of her. She's a great sister, a great Aunt (as in a wonderful one, not as in my children have children, therefore she is a great Aunt) a terrific daughter (at least that's what I hear) and a great friend. I love spending time with her and hope that we can take more trips together like we did this summer. If I could go on the Amazing Race and couldn't take Conrad, she'd be my next choice, hands down.

2. My "pistol-packing" Mumsey (I hope adjectives count!) What a woman! Now, I have to say that in this little tiny picture, I just glanced at it and she looks just like my Nonnie in it. I'm sure if you open it up big, she looks like her but I'm really OK with her looking like my Nonnie. My children love her like I loved my Nonnie and I know that is only one of the ways that she would measure success but even if it were the only one, she excels, with no question. She's got a Doctorate (I have a copy of her dissertation if you'd like some enlightening reading), two great daughters, two great sons-in-law, 5 wonderful grand-children, numerous grand cats and dogs and even a great-grand-dog. She is the kindest, most giving, non-cooking, loving, musically "p"roficient mother and I count myself lucky to have her.





And this picture would include my next entry...





3. Parties. I love going to them, throwing them making food for them. I get that from my Auntie "B", I'm sure. She's a party-puttin' on woman. She and I share a love of corn-dip, sauce piquante (I hope I spelled that right) and spinach dip among other yummy party foods. She and Pamela were the brains behind my Mumsey's birthday party and they did a fantabulous job.







4. People...namely my family. I've got the greatest husband, two fantastic sons and 3 beautiful girls. Who could ask for more (besides that lady with the 18 kids...no thank you!)?













5. Pretty pictures. One of the reasons I started this blog was to keep family and friends up-to-date with life in the Wangler family, complete with pictures. I really like this one, even though I didn't take it.

6. Plays. As in Broadway. Loved "Wicked". Would love to see it again on the real "Broadway". Along with "Mama Mia". Cats is closed so no Broadway on that one but I'd pretty much go see anything on Broadway. I love plays/musicals.


7. Pussycats. Especially Puss-in-Boots and Rosie. Rosie sleeps in the crook of my knees and I am most soundly sleeping when he is. Love my kitties.

8. Pillsbury products. Especially the cookie doughs and carmel rolls. However, the carmel rolls are becoming harder to find. I hope that's not a "p"ortent of things to come.

9. Pens. Yeah, I am somewhat of a pen-a-holic. Love to try new pens and these are two of my all-time favs. Both are made by "p"apermate (for real). The first are called "Liquid Expresso" medium point (of course). They're kind of expensive (OK, really expensive if you consider the pen world) so I don't actually have any right now. Haven't for a while but my sister (Pamela) has some and I covet them - yeah, I'm a sinner-I admit it, let's get on with life.

And then, of course, the traditional "p"apermate felt-tip (or "p"orous-tipped as they are called these days) pens - in all colors. The wilder the color the better, as far as I'm concerned. And, again, you have to do medium point. I find I'm a medium point person as opposed to a fine point. Gives me the heebie geebies, those fine-points do.

10. Puzzles. My favorites are sudoku and you know those Dell puzzle books you get at the grocery or drug store? I love those. I have several sudoku puzzles on my Iphone as well as other puzzles to do on there.

Which brings me to a bonus "p". My "p"hone. As in my Iphone. I have my calendar on there, my games, my phone numbers, my pictures, my music, everything. I would be very sad, indeed, if something were to happen to it.

So, my friends, those are my 10 (plus a bonus) favorite things that start with "P". I hope you enjoyed it.

Today, Conrad came to me and asked if I wanted to go see his Mom in a little while because George and Barbara (his brother and sister-in-law) were at the airport picking up Bud. Conrad has an Uncle Bud and I was excited because I thought I was going to finally meet Uncle Bud.

Meet Bud:

To get the full effect of Bud, you have to watch the video.

Yes, that's Bud snorting. How funny is this dog? He's just a big ol' bundle of slober, tongue and wrinkles.