7/16/2002

Ok - I fixed the gallery link. NOW, you are able to check out my pictures!
Just got back from the butcher shop - Bruno's. God - I love that place. Next time, I am going to buy some steaks... they look SO good. YUMMY!
Can anyone get to my photo gallery? Does the link work?

7/15/2002

Paul is watching a show on HBO with Ray Liotta and John Leguizamo. It's about a pyromaniac - Point of Origin. I am totally freaked out - I can't imagine how a person is able to do such a thing to another living thing.
I have been shredding more papers. Ugh. I swear, I have to get more organized!
I have been working in the house all day.. Oy.. am I tired!
I am uploading some really nice shots from yesterday's party and the fair. Check them out here!
Ok, ok, I'll jump on the bandwagon...here's my blogchalk Google! DayPop! This is my blogchalk: English, United States, New Jersey, Manahawkin, Kate, Female, 31-35!
C'mon people.... just $25 more dollars will bring Erin to her minimun amount so she can walk! Donate til it hurts... then donate some more!
I am so stinkin' tired! Miss Olivia woke up no less than 5 times last night... between 330am and 445am. I didn't get to bed until 2am! Poor kid, I have NO idea why she was up so much ::sigh:: but she seems pretty perky this morning. ::yawn:: At least someone does!
Been playing with my template. Whaddya think? Be honest - but gentle!

7/14/2002

We had a GREAT day today. I have a bunch of pictures that I need to upload (from Friday and today). We visited my Dad and StepMom today. We all had a great time. It was nice to see my niece again. I gave them a copy of the girls portrait (the one from the fair). I didn't have time to get it framed but they will be dropping it off at a shop near them to have it professionally framed (it's 13x17) and I will pay for it. We left around 645 and made it home by 730pm. Bath, meds, books and bed. 9pm - turned on the Robin William special on HBO. I laughed my ASS off. In fact, I laughed so hard that I had an asthma attack. His description/re-enactment of a colonoscopy exam was priceless. A narrative of a "Viagra Moment" caused me to cry from laughing so hard. So now - the special is over. My hands are all jittery from my asthma inhaler. Nothing like a few shots of albuterol to make a person all shaky! Wheee! I need to work on the photographs.. will try to update later!

7/13/2002

HOLY crap! It seems like forever since I have updated! ::sobbing:: Can ya'll forgive me? The past couple days have been extremely busy. I took the girls to the Ocean County Fair yesterday. It was gorgeous but hot. We saw a bunch of animals (4-H shows), a comedian/magician that totally enthralled Moira! I had the girls profile drawn by a man who used all pencils and chalk. The likeness was very eerie - he really caught them dead on, even down to a small dimple in Moira's left cheek. Beautiful - I can't wait to frame it and hang it up ASAP! Our bedroom is still an ongoing project. So far, the 2 bureaus are finished. They look fabulous. The 3rd dresser still needs to be primed and painted. So far, the room is REALLY coming together nicely, even though we don't get too much time to work on it when the kidlets are around! We also put up some wood shelves and we also are going to hang a small drop leaf desktop. It drops down when not in use and it will certainly come in handy OUR next project is the living room and hallway. We are going to rip up the carpet (YAY!) and replace it with the Pergo Presto, which is just snap together.. no glue. I have a trip planned to IKEA and l will be getting some small lamps and some decorative storage for the bedroom (to go on the shelves). Oh yeah, and meeting Dara too! ::grin:: Paul and I went through our 4 drawer file cabinet and we shredded 3 garbage bags FULL of old papers, pay stubs, etc.. I hate filing!!! Well - I have a busy day for tomorrow. Moira and Paul are going to church in the morning and have to run a couple errands. We are going to my Dad and Step-Mom's house tomorrow for a combination birthday and anniversary lunch/dinner thingie! It will be fun - I get to see my niece, whom I haven't seen since May. Ta-ta for now!

7/11/2002

I think Colin shops at my Shop Rite! Read this GREAT supermarket rant!
Well, we never made it to the fair today. But, we can go tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be just as beautiful tomorrow too. Hooray! I was outside most of the day with the girls. I puttered around the yard, cleaning the flower boxes, running the sprinkler, washing, hanging on the line, and folding a mountain of laundry. Or, as Allison says, "mount laundry" Teehee! So, I am pooped. My knobs arrived today and they look FABULOUS! ::grin:: What can I say, I have great knobs!
I am CONNECTED! Woohoo! I have to say, cable modems ROCK! My father in law is coming down in a little while to pick up his power washer we borrowed a couple weeks ago. It's 70 degrees! Gorgeous clear skies.. white puffy clouds. I love this type of weather. I am going to take the girls to the Ocean County Fair today, if things work out around here. I'll catch up more later! Ta-ta!

7/10/2002

(link snagged from Heather)

Which Willy Wonka character are you?
I am the most annoying of all Wonka characters. I am so greedy, snobby; basically just a stuck-up rich bitch. Everyone hates me! I am Veruca Salt. You most often are found saying "I want it now!" My fate: I fall down the educated eggdicator, where I am possibly "sizzled like sausage".
I got my cable modem! YAY! Now - normally, I would set it up right away. Except, I can't. The cable outlet/jack it behind our mammoth sized entertainment center. It is impossible for me to move. So - I have to wait until tonight to test it out. If I have waited 3 years, I suppose another 4 hours won't kill me. I hope!
Michael Jackson and the race card, as mentioned by kd. My comments? MJ is a freak. Plain and simple. He is a walking example of a child star experiment gone completely wrong. He is just so disturbing looking. The simple fact that he chose to do this to himself is just frightening. I found this, with 3 pictures, from ChuckJerry. Check it out and bring your barf bag.
Speaking of pregnant - Zannie, what the heck is going on with you and lil Brucie??
A friend of mine was in a car accident yesterday.She is pregnant and due in 3 weeks. Thank God she is ok and of course the baby is ok too. She rear-ended someone. The police officer was right behind her when she did it.
Happy Birthday Dad! I love you!

7/09/2002

YAY! I am going to meet Dara on 7/24 at IKEA. What could be more fun than an evening of good friends, dining together and shopping? Not too much more!
WOO! We just signed up for digital Internet with Comcast! Hooray! I'll be connected by tomorrow!
I HATE AOL! Arrrgghh!
I need to get a stinkin' cable modem. It's taking me forever to shop! Arrgghhh!
While Moira is in VBS, we will be heading to the Depot to check out paint samples. I think I am painting my living room red!
YAY! My knobs are on the way! They should be delivered tomorrow!
Finally, a chance to sit down and write. Moira loved all her stuff, especially the Pixter ::grin:: I will probably pick up some of the game cartridges off eBay. (*SPEAKING of eBay, have you guys heard that eBay is buying PayPal? Hmmm.. what a way to corner the market!) Mom and Dan came down to visit yesterday. Mom went swimming with the girls. They had a blast! Moira also has Vacation Bible School this week. 6pm-8pm. She loves it. Gee - life is good! The pastor of the church was looking for people to help with the website (as I had posted earlier this week, the church site is a mess). I tinkered with it, just set up some basics (links, etc) and sent it to him. He really liked it. So, I will be helping with that too. He is pretty fluent in database work (Access and Visual Basic) and can write his own ASP pages! I am impressed!

7/08/2002

I just finished baking a birthday cake for Moira. She will be six years old today ::sniffle:: I can remember SO much about the day she was born. By the time she arrived, I was so exhausted. My labor started around 730am and I finally had her via C-section at 7:10pm. She was 7 lbs 15oz and 19 inches long. Happy Birthday to my wonderful, beautiful daughter. I am so proud of you and I love you very much.

7/07/2002

Anyone have a good link for bedding and bedspreads? I know of Domestications. Any other good ones?

7/06/2002

More painting being done here. The bedroom walls have been completed. Now, we are doing the sills and door. I ordered these clear glass pulls (30 of them) for our newly painted dressers. 1 was a brownish-orange wood color and the other 2 were a beige color with flowers stenciled on them (ick). Hey - I can't complain about the furniture.. they are all good pieces.. just ugly. Now, they are painted a lovely clean white!
Susan, I hope things are ok in your neck of the woods. I have been reading about all the flooding in San Antonio. Oy!
I am such a geek - I am a State Quarter junkie. If anyone would like to save me some state quarters, I would buy them from you.
Beautiful day! Wooooooooooo!
Oh.. one more thing! Good thoughts and wishes to Zannie.. she will be having her baby VERY soon!
:::Yawn::: Going to bed.. Mom is coming over in the morning (wait, it's ALREADY morning! LOL!) around 10-ish to swim. Paul had to fix a couple parts on the pump today. He is SO handy! My Dad and Step-Mom were down today. My SM went swimming with the girls. They were in heaven! It was really cute. They finally got out and we had a nice lunch. They left around 2-ish. Then, Paul and I took the girls back into the pool for about another hour. We ended up grilling some chicken for dinner. The girls had a great time, playing in the sandbox, on the swings, chasing fireflies... it was a lot of fun! They stayed outside a little too late and by the time they got cleaned up and ready for bed, it was 930pm. Hey - it's summer. They did crash big time though! No noise from either one of them. Well - I will chat more on the morrow! Ciao!
I want blogrolling but they aren't accepting any new accounts as of yet.::whining:: But I waaaaaaaaaant it. Heee!

7/05/2002

Woooo!!! I broke 10,000 hits! ::sniffle:: You love me! You really love me! ::bowing::

7/04/2002

It seems that Moira is now addicted to Junkyard Wars - she loves the show! She is just like her dad.
Jason! Where are you? When will you be back?
it's 11:49am and 93 degrees. Of course Paul is mowing the yard. Idiot.
A Happy and Safe 4th of July to everyone. Don't blow off any body parts!

7/03/2002

Some pictures of the munchkins... So cute!
Olivia and her Daisies
Talk to the hand!
Mmmm! Cake mix!
Forgot to mention that I qualify for extended unemployment benefits. 3 more months! YAY!
Ohhhhhhhhh! You MUST check this out. If you like to organize, this link is for you. (link snagged from Rachel!)
Hey - I found Allan on Google. Check this out. He's mentioned towards the end. Zannie is due like ANY moment. Poor kid - it is SO stinkin hot. It sucks being pregnant in the summer!
tooo hot...ugh... 92 degrees according to the Weather Channel) HEAT INDEX REACHING TO 95 TO 100 THIS AFTERNOON AND AGAIN THURSDAY AFTERNOON ACK!
I have to go to WalMart today. UGH! I need to get cat food, apple juice and dishwasher detergent. Shelley went to the store last night but didn't get me ANYTHING! ::grin:: I am glad to hear that her friend is doing well.

7/02/2002

Crazy busy day today. Up early, did banking and headed up to Mom's place. I did a bunch of errands for her. The girls and I didn't get back home until 445pm. My poor plants looked like hell. I had to water the hell outta them. The pool was actually very very warm. We didn't even go swimming tonight. I wanted to hustle the kidlets into bed on time tonight (which I sorta did!) I might be helping to work on my church's webpage. It's really pretty bad ::gulp:: Should I say that? LOL!

7/01/2002

Moira had a friend over today. The girls had a lot of fun.. BBQ, pool, make-up kits, dress up clothes... I wanna be 6 again!
I found a local butcher shop (Brunos) that sells Boars Head deli products. They also have a childrens boutique and a detailing shop as well. Inside the butcher shop, they were advertising a "Luca Brasi" cheesecake. Teehee! My step-Mom would LOVE this place. Very old school type shop. I bet there are a few places like this up in Brooklyn. The woman who runs the shop, Marie, was really very nice and helped us out. She shared a few slices of the meats and they were VERY good. I think I will be shopping here about once a week! I only spent $20.19!

6/30/2002

Oh! Totally forgot to mention that Paul and I got new cell phones, Motorola V120c, and a new cellular service. We had Cingular but it really sucked. We went with Verizon Family Share. At least we will be saving a couple of bucks a month.
Good evening! I hope everyone had a good weekend. We got a lot of work done around the house. Paul washes and cleaned both cars, practically detailing them. They look gorgeous! He powerwashed the house and it looks SO much nicer. I can't believe it. The pool got up to 90 degrees again this weekend! Ahhh! Talk about heaven! Moira was at a baseball game last night. When my sis in law brought Moira home, at 1130pm, she was totally wired. Full of sugar and adreneline. Oy.Today I just did some cleaning and took the kids back into the pool. They had so much fun. I got a slight sunburn - just barely pink. I am already getting a nice tan. I don't want to get all brown and full of skin cancer (which also runs in my family). So - I will have to be careful... Mom was discharged from the hospital today. Thank you again for all the kind emails, comments and cards! Shelley - got your card the other day! I was going to buy THAT one for YOU! LOL!

6/29/2002

I weeded out a few old blog links and would like to add a few more. Any suggestions?

6/28/2002

ok - I was a little excited when I wrote the previous post. My final exam grade was 96 but my grade for the class is 89. Still - woohoo!
89 baby! WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!
STILL waiting!! ACK!
Oh man - I *just* finished my final. I had to access Jeff's (instructor) computer, get a file and adjust the default website in IIS on my computer. That was the hardest part for me ::sigh:: I think I did it right. It came up under my localhost as well as the default for IE. I am waiting for my grade now ::biting fingernails::
My thoughts are going to Zannie and Allan. He was one of the WorldCom employees that was laid off today. Top officials at WorldCom were subpoenaed today.
Man - my afternoon just flew by ::WHOOSH:: The kids played with PlayDoh (DOH!) for an hour. My carpet was a mess afterwards... messier than usual! Now, I made an inpromptu fort with a sheet and 2 chairs. They are thrilled. I am SuperMom! LOL!
Susan got the keys to her new place! YAY! Happy painting ::snicker::
I visited my Mom last night. I brought Moira with me. Mom needed a few things from the house so we stopped there first. We got to the hospital around 7-ish. I bought Moira a late dinner and we ate with Mom, in her room. Mom will be in the hospital through the weekend. I can't go up to see her today because I have my final. Tomorrow, Tim will be down and he will go there for a while. I will probably come up on Sunday and help her out with some things at that time. She is pretty beat. The pneumonia is really kicking the crap out of her. She isn't getting much sleep but who the hell can really sleep in the hospital anyway? My Dad, when he was in for the triple bypass, had a helluva time. He is a super light sleeper to begin with so he was pretty happy to get home. Wish me luck on my final! I typed up more of my notes last night. I can use my notes tonight so I am trying to get everything typed up and filed in my notebook. AND - just in case, backed up on a floppy disk. After this class, I am FREE! No more school! Moira is pretty excited about that. She likes it when I am home. Tomorrow, Moira is going to a Blue Claws (minor league baseball) game tomorrow night with my sis in law and her boyfriend. What a life this kid has! Certainly a better social schedule than I.

6/27/2002

picked this up from Jason Heard Wed. mornings at 6:40 AM on Newsradio 970 WFLA-Tampa. Visit Tedd Webb online at, http://www.teddwebb.com . I was watching TV last night and saw the promotion of the BET Movie Awards. BET stands for Black Entertainment Television. I thought for a moment, man have we built a distance between ourselves. We are really into hyphenating ourselves. Imagine the horror of someone starting the WET. The White Entertainment Network? What if they sponsored the WET Movie Awards, and only white people would be eligible to win? I can hear the out cry now. Why then is it OK and acceptable for the BET Movie Awards. We are all one people. Right now we have one common enemy, one common goal. Why do we insist on dividing ourselves into little categories. African American, Hispanic-American, Italian-American, hey folks we are "Americans"! It's time we took a long look at the situation, instead of creating more distant between ourselves, let's close ranks. Let us show the world we are "one country, indivisible, with freedom and justice for all". WE could spend the rest of our lives hyphenating ourselves into little corners, and that is exactly what our enemies would want. Union philosophy, fingers gripped together form one strong hand, individually they can be broken. This 4th of July, be proud to fly the flag, be proud to sing our hymns of praise and glory. This country has earned the respect from the rest of the world, let's make sure the locals give theirs.
Moira and I are going to visit Mom tonight. I talked to her earlier and it looks like she will be in for the weekend and possibly discharged on Monday. She sounds a little better today although still a little weak.

6/26/2002

Has anyone seen the Sears commercial with the guy who walks into his kitchen, opens the fridge and pulls out the carton of milk? He sneaks a quick glance at his wife, who has her back to him while reading the paper at the kitchen table, then quickly chugs the milk. A moment later, he spews out a mouthful of milk and leans over the kitchen sink, gagging. His wife, who hasn't turned around at all, calmly states "Oh, by the way, the refrigerator is broken." The man responds by gagging again, still leaning over the sink. Heehee.
Damn - 78 on the quiz.. crap. There goes my average. I will kick ass on the final to make up for it. I got killed on the bianary translation ::sigh:: and a couple definitions too. I got out of class early and stopped at Toys R Us to pick up stuff for Moira's birthday (July 8th). I found such cool stuff for her! She has been wanting Matchbox cars so I got her some of those plus a carrying case for them. I saw Pixter, which is like a PDA that you can draw with, write stories, play games, etc. I had to get that and a carry case. Of course, there are also several plug in cartridges for it (ranging from $10-$20 dollars each). I also got Perfection, new reels for her Viewmaster, a new LeapPad book with cartridge, a lava lamp, a loom set (for making a potholder), and a couple books. While in line, Tim called. Mom is doing much better. She is still on oxygen and the steroids but has also been using a nebulizer, which seems to be helping. I am going up to see her tomorrow. Thank you all SO much for your kind emails and comments! :::::smooches:::::
Blogging from class. I just finished a quiz. I got stuck on a couple terms like FQDN. I don't remember that one from class. I am sure I would have written that one down. Crap. But - my quiz average is about 85%. Not bad. Could be better but I am not uphappy. My Mom is still in the hospital. Tim is with her now. I don't know what other medications she is on right now. I spoke to her earlier and she sounded a little better. Her doctors are thinking she might be coming home by this weekend. YAY! I have posted some flyers around my town, hoping to get some responses from other people who have food allergies. I want to set up some kind of support group so people can get accurate information regarding food allergies. I don't really want it to be a pity party type of group - more like a network of information. I think this will become my new mission. Yes - it does seem like I am really going all out. Yes - I have some family members who just don't get it and think that Paul and I are just being "overprotective" and we are "overreacting" to Olivia's allergies. Sure, yeah.. ok. How's about you drink some arsenic and see how that affects you. I don't want to POISON my child. PEANUTS, EGGS, MILK, FISH =POISON to Olivia's immune system. So yeah - call me anal. I am quite concerned about this. It *is* life threatening to my child. I *will* do everything in my power to make sure she gets a fair shot and is not just catagorized as "special needs" (which is a HUGE fear of mine). Personally, I think she is an extremely bright child. She can say her ABC's, counts to 25, knows her name (first and last) and can spell them, knows her address, phone number and knows that milk and peanuts can make her sick. Ok ok.. so I am bragging a bit ::grin:: It's my blog.. I can brag! And Moira, well, again, brilliant! Counts to 100 (by way of 1's, 5's and 10's), can read on a 2nd grade level, writes very well, loves science and worms, and changes all the levels on her computer games to the highest settings. She's a goofball! LOL! Well - looks like break time is over.. will try to blog more later!
Happy 1 year (and 1 day) blog day (bloggerversary?)to Rich!
Ok ok - I will join in with everyone else (link via Colin) Kate is: Kate is the proverbial ''one woman Rockband '', once seen, never forgotten. Kate is continuing to work steadily on a new album Kate is the oppressively heavy, rust-encrusted anchor to which that airship is cruelly tethered Kate is what's called a transsexual person Kate Is Awarded a Position With the Cathedral of St. AugustineKensington School for the Blind Kate is also featured on SSP Records CD Christmases to Come Kate is looking to pass the ball while Azzi is guarding her Kate is also a truly striking woman, and one of the most beautiful women on the planet Kate is a founding partner of Gregory Consulting Limited Kate is a multi document editor Kate is all manufactured in rural America with great attention to detail Kate is on Fire Kate is listed as guest for "The Real Deal" convention Kate is finally born!!! Kate is reportedly (April 26) in early negotiations to star with Johnny Depp in Never Land Kate is your source for the renaissance clothing and accessories (garb) you need to enhance your experience Kate is a UK Web Woman Kate is a woman of strength with a great deal of integrity and her music reflects her conviction. She's also a babe. Kate is interested in the area of Usability Engineering (UE) Kate is the rock of the Division Kate Is Great Kate is now working on her own original novel Kate is her helpful alter-ego Hmmm - I like about 1/2 of these!
K.A.T.E.: Kinetic Android Trained for Exploration Kinetic Android Trained for Exploration link via Jason
Just set up a playdate for Moira on Monday. Another lil stinker added to the house for a few hours! At least they can go in the pool. Speaking of pools, the solar cover is WONDERFUL. The pool must have been 90 degrees. Just like a bath. Ahhhhhhhhh!
I contacted this morning by a producer from 48 Hours regarding an upcoming show about severe food allergies. It will probably be airing sometime in September. I don't know if we will be on it or not. She asked me a lot of questions, including asking about our decision to homeschool Olivia due to the severity of her allergies. I know of one family who has already been chosen. I think it will be a most informative show and you can damn well bet I will be taping it!
I DID get a reply from the email I sent to the editor other day. Here it is: Thank you for your feedback. The author's comment relating to food allergies was inappropriate. Her comment was not intended to be malicious but was instead included because of her real concern for those with food allergies. Instead of suggesting the exclusion of those with food allergies, the column could have suggested parents make note of the ingredients in the potluck item they contribute in case those with food allergies need that information. Recognizing that food allergies are a great concern to many, we'd like to write an article on the subject. If contacted, would you be willing to be a source for the article? Sincerely, Todd P*** WOO! Go me! Go me!
Good-bye Google Challenge. You will be missed ::sniffle::
WHY am I still awake?? ACK!

6/25/2002

Mom has pneumonia. Tim will be taking a 1/2 day tomorrow so he can go to the hospital. ***UPDATE*** Heard from Tim - Mom is on steriods for the swelling in her lungs and is still on antibiotics.
I snagged this link (the $20.00 bill theory) from Jason. Either way, it's awfully interesting.
I didn't lay down... but I got 2 loads of laundry done. And the dishes. Off to conquer the bathroom!
Hi! I am so tired. I don't think I can handle nights like this for much longer. I got home by 1015am. Chatted with Paul for a few minutes before he left for work. Olivia work up with a temperature of 103.1 - Motrin time. Poor kid. I am pretty sure we got my Mom sick, again. I feel so guilty about this - dammit. The kids are stuck with me today and I am so sleepy. I don't want to do anything. If I manage to perk up, I might take them in the pool. I did talk to Mom and she is ok. Still feeling crappy and most likely in the hospital for a couple days. I am starting to babble.. I gotta go lay down..
::yawn:: Yes.. I am blogging at 336am. I just got back from the hospital. My Mom has been feeling sick the past few days (coughing, fever today). Her doctor wanted her to go to the ER tonight. She calls me at 545-ish to tell me she this. By 9pm, Dan, her companion, had gone home. So, I drove up and stayed with her in the ER until 240am, when a bed was finally available. She has xrays done - nothing visible. On her CAT scan, it showed 2 masses in her left lung. There is a possibility of pneumonia. Her fever is up and down. I will know more tomorrow. After she was taken up to the room, I left the ER and headed back to Mom's place so I could pack her bag (toiletries, etc). I spoke to Paul and we decided that I would just sleep at Mom's tonight.. er.. this morning and come home LATER this morning. I am off to bed.. g'night.. I will update later..

6/24/2002

Hmm - looks like I can email the LINK to the photo album. Weird..
Michael very kindly pointed out a potential problem on my blog. Thank you SO much - I do owe you one! If anyone commented on the last post, sorry. I deleted it. I will repost the link to my Ofoto pictures shortly.
Princess #1 is still languishing in bed while Princess #2 is eating toast and watching DragonTales. Does anyone else find a few of the voices on DragonTales extemely annoying? Like Elmo annoying? ::sigh:: The kids love the show and there are a lot of positive messages through it but the voices drive me crazy! UGH! I have to do some banking, pay some bills.. always fun. I need to go furniture shopping. I am buying a new entertainment unit. I want one with doors so it can hide the TV and all the stuff that goes along with it. DVD, VHS, CD player and cd's, etc.. Plus, I am also putting it in a corner so I have to measure the units I look at to make sure they will fit! THEN - I get to take the girls food shopping. Always an adventure!

6/23/2002

Another busy day today. The girls spent the day outside.. swimming, sandbox, playing ball. It was very nice. Moira is swimming pretty good. Olivia has figured out how to float, with her swimmies. The solar cover has made a slight difference in the temperature of the pool. Even Paul was in the pool today with the girls. He has been very busy painting our old bureas. They look great! Finally - we will have furniture that is all the same color and looks like a set! I have to buy glass pulls - 28 of them! UGH! I think they are about $4-$5 EACH! I have to to a search and see if I can find an online source that might be a BIT cheaper! Well - I am pooped. I will write more tomorrow.. G'night!

6/22/2002

HOME at LAST! Lordy I am so tired! I was up late last night (145am) and woke up this morning around 745am. I had to finish getting the baby shower stuff done (finish up pasta salad, make dip, etc), get Moira ready for the beach and get stuff to bring to my Mom's home. We met Tim (my brother) at Mom's. I install the car seat in his Jeep, give him strict instructions to put sunscreen on Moira every 40 minutes (she is SO fair) and not to spoil the shit out of her for the day. Well - at least he put sunscreen on her.. She got so spoiled today! LOL! After leaving Mom's place, I drove down to my inlaws house in Toms River. Luckily, I didn't get stuck in any traffic and I got there around 1215pm. My other 2 sis in laws were already there as well as my inlaws. They decorated the place nicely and had TONS of food. The pregnant sis in law knew about the party and managed to get there right on time! ::smile:: She got so much stuff. A lot of boy clothes. My niece ( preggo sis in law's 1st child) was just out of her mind today. The poor kid. Ate all kinds of junk. But - we all survived and had a very nice time. Paul spent the day with Olivia and they had a lot of fun too. It was Olivia day! They went for a walk, went swimming, played with sidewalk chalk, played in the backyard.. the works! The kids conked out by 830pm. Paul is exhausted and I am pretty pooped myself! I might blog more later.. but, if I don't.. I hope everyone is having a GREAT weekend!

6/21/2002

I have a baby shower to go to tomorrow for my sis in law. She is due August 1st. She already has a 1.5 yr old at home. Now - there will be 2 babies under 2 years old when Colin Michael is born... Ai yi yi..
Bahahahaha...talk about a cruel irony.. this poor sap never had a chance! (link via Shelley)
I wonder if I will even get a response from the email I sent earlier. Probably not. Idiots.
Brrrr! Pool is COLD! The girls and I drove over to the pool place and picked up a solar cover - $50.00 ::sigh:: This pool is getting expensive. I vacuumed the pool and got all the crap off the bottom. As I was skimming, however, I did managed to find a wasps nest. It was under the top edge of the pool. I must have startled them when I was banging the edge of the skimmer against the top of the pool. A couple of the little bastards stung me but luckily not the kids. So - I got the Wasp and Hornet spray and soaked the nest. Haha - you little bastards! You are DEAD! ::muhahahaha::
I think today will be POOL DAY! The water is finally warm enough. I think I need to get a solar cover. My neighbor got one and she said her pool was 90 degrees! HEAVEN!
"This summer, I'm counting on potlucks to help me maintain my connections with others.The plan is to make it easy to regularly see friends. So, I've set up a basic structure: meet twice a month, always at the same time and place. We're going to a park as long as the weather holds out. I've also invited almost everyone I know who has children without severe food allergies. I'm hoping that a large number of families in the “pool” will result in having enough people at any given time, without everyone feeling they need to be there every time." The excerpt above is from this article and it made me SO freaking angry. I have to deal with morons like this ALL the time. My reply to the editor via email: Dear Editor: I just finished reading your "Daily Bread" article by Tree Brown Hayes. I am very upset at the author's statement: "I've also invited almost everyone I know who has children without severe food allergies. I'm hoping that a large number of families in the “pool” will result in having enough people at any given time, without everyone feeling they need to be there every time." Why does the author blatantly state against inviting children with severe food allergies? What if the children were in a wheelchair or suffered from cystic fibrosis? Certainly no less a medical condition than a fatal allergy. What about people allergic to bee stings? Should they also be omitted from the "opportunities to socialize with people I care deeply about?" What if some of the people the author claims to "care(s) so deeply about" have children or other family members with food allergies? If the author decided not to include people with brown skin, would this article have even been published? Does the author even know people with food allergies? It certainly is a rather odd statement to just toss in the article. My child and husband have life threatening food allergies and we participate in plenty of family outings, including a family reunion that took place several states away. The phrase "Be prepared" clearly comes to mind. Safety is key. It is a shame to think that children with food allergies should be excluded because of lack of accommodation. All children, whether they have food allergies or not, should be supervised properly, especially in a park, no matter if food is present or not. These children need to be part of normal activities -- not excluded or ostracized because of their allergies. Sincerely, Kate
We had a GREAT time in Pt Pleasant last night. Olivia freaked out when we were walking by the ocean. She started screaming at the top of her lungs, in my ear, that the ocean "was gonna get me!" ::eyeroll:: Poor kid. So -Olivia and I sat on the beach, watching Paul and Moira get their toes wet. It was very cute indeed. The kids LOVED the rides. I took Moira on the Tilt a Whirl (hehe) and made it spin. She was screaming and laughing. I took a bunch of pictures but I need to edit them. So, I will post them up later.
Happy Birthday Erin!

6/20/2002

All packed ::phew:: Ya know, sometimes I wish I was able to not worry about the food allergy situation. I am worried about tonight. The boardwalk will be a walking food allergy nightmare. No ice cream (dairy), no candy (dairy and nut contamination) no fries (fried in peanut oil), no dinner at the stands (HUGE contamination issues).. oy.. I feel so overwhelemed some days. But, we are all packed and ready to go. I am armed with wipes, Epi-Pens and Benedryl (Paul and Olivia), cell phone and insurance cards. Now - it's time for fun! ::grin::
Well - the kidlets and I will be meeting Paul at McD's for an early dinner. Then, we will be going to the boardwalk in Pt. Pleasant. The kids are so excited! I will be bringing the camera and snapping lots of pics! I gotta go pack the diaper bag!
Captain James T. Kirk's command chair and platform from the U.S.S. Enterprise is up for auction on Ebay June 27, and the bidding has started at $80,000. Captain Kirk
About Terry Barton - "She's very reliable," Work said. "She is a girl that goes out of her way to help others. She always has been that way and would do just about anything for anybody." Yeah - right. Good job Ranger Rick. She's a freaking nutcase. Who in the wide wide world of sports goes into a forrest, during a drought no less, to burn a fucking letter? She is being held without bail, faces up to 65 years and she is looking at a a million dollar fine. For burning a letter. Moron. I feel sorry for her 2 daughters.
Hey guys - Good thoughts for Shelley and her friend who is very ill. Thanks.
Has anyone ever ordered from Omaha Steaks? They look so darn delicious - but Paul gets all weird about the idea of me ordering from them. Feh.