Two weeks old

Isaiah turned two weeks old yesterday. Below are a couple of pictures I took of him yesterday. There is nothing sweeter, is there, than a sleeping baby. Now is the time when we all just are enthralled with these tiny, perfect beings. I know that I can sit and hold him or just sit and stare at him for time without time - totally wrapped in him. It has been that way with each of them.

awwwwwwwwwwwwwww

He is growing nicely, btw. Mama took him to the doctor Friday and he had gained 13 ounces - he is up to 6# 11 oz. now and gained an inch in length also. They don't stay little for long do they?

And, it is the Game that will not end - at least that is how Pete at Blog Madness describes it.

Once again, the entry about Timothy is in the running. And, as has happened several times already, I am matched up with someone for whose entry I have voted pretty consistently. That is just the name of the game, I guess. At any rate - you know the skinny by now - go over, if you would, and check out both entries, then vote for your favorite. I appreciate the support I have gotten through this entire contest. It has been fun and I have found several new reads. That makes it all worthwhile, I think.

What happens next? It is outlined in the Blog Madness link I gave above - 4 of the 8 in the current matchups/elimination rounds will go away after this round. The remaining 4 will be matched up with the 4 undefeated entries. So there are a couple of more rounds to go, yet.

I'd also like to thank those of you who have written with support about yesterday's entry. You all are keeping me accountable. And, that is a good thing.

Have a wonderful week, everyone.

Thank you

I am honored. When I left my keyboard at about 4:30 (AK time) I was behind in Blog Madness. Hubby and I chatted and had dinner. I snoozed a bit in my chair while he put together his new toy (an exercise cycle). And, then I came back to walk on the treadmill. 90 minutes of walking plus a 5 minute cool down and I had walked 3.38 miles.

I watched the end of a show with hubby and just now came back here - to find . . . that Timothy had won again. Thank you all for your votes. I am not sure when it starts, but there will be one more (just one) competition. My entry will come up against the Friendly Stranger's entry Deep Thoughts. I am sooooooooo toast.

It has been fun going through these elimination rounds. I keep facing blogs for which I have voted in previous rounds. The Friendly Stranger is one such. So, that sort of sucks.

At any rate - watch this • for news of the next round's start time. I know it is on the Blog Madness site somewhere, but just can't quite put my finger on it right now. I'll let you know when I do.

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We pause for a pictorial interlude and true confession time.

Confession is good for the soul - you have been reading that I have been working at losing some of this extra poundage. You've been very supportive and I appreciate it more than I can say. Although I started the 10000 Step program with little thought to losing weight, once it hit me that I was doing so, I got with that program, too.

I give you first, a photo of me taken in October, 2002. I had taken part in a Poetry Slam up in Anchorage and a friend took my photo. I'm holding a "Flat ____" cutout sent to me by a friend's daughter. Flat ______ attended the poetry slam with me.

Confession . . . 336 pounds. Oh my goodness! Gah!

Now, here I am one year later. I have trouble seeing the difference, but there is plenty of one. This is six weeks into the 10K Step Program. True confession time: 293 pounds. That is a loss of 43 pounds in one year - 11 pounds since the beginning of the 10K Step program. Hey, we're making progress here!

And, that brings us to a photo taken by the Ladybug for me today. Those jeans are numerically the same size as the pair in the first photo - but they are Lee (I'm sure there should be a TM there) jeans and they are not stretch jeans and they fit much differently than that first pair do now. (should have taken a comparison photo with them, huh?) True confession time: today's weight 274.5. Total loss since October, 2002 is standing at 61.5 pounds.

So, while I hate the thought of admitting what I weighed then - and even what I weigh now - I am (rightfully, I think) proud of what I have accomplished. That's the weight of two of my grandkids combined that has slipped off my bones now. There is still a pesky 100 pounds that need to begone from my bones and I am working at getting rid of those unwanted fat globules, also. Once I get down there, well, we will see.

I have a photo of me taken about 15 years ago when I weighed 150 pounds or so. I am not sure if I want to get down that low again. I was quite thin and some said I did not look well. I looked GOOD, mind you, just not well. (to them) So we will see. In the meantime I will just keep on clicking off those miles on the treadmill and look forward to spring and summer when I can get out onto the bike paths near here.

Carry on, friends.

Reprise/Timothy

Blog Madness is winding down. Just about 22 hours left to register your vote.

I thought I would reprise the entry that is in the running. I hope that you will read the other entry as well - and then vote for your favorite one.

I had a lovely and busy day - part of which was spent loving Timothy and his siblings. And, so I will bid you goodnight, leaving you with TAT's story:

Ladybug Birthday

29 years ago today I entered St. Ann's hospital in Columbus, Ohio to be induced with baby #2. Back in those days (all those long years ago) we did not know ahead of time what gender our baby would be. There were clues - heart rate for one - but those did not always mean a whole lot.

The doctor was going to be out of town and gave me one date which I declined as it was Lessa's fifth birthday. I told him that my children needed their own days and he agreed, if somewhat reluctantly, to wait for 9 days. I often wonder when she would have arrived if left to her own devices. But that is a moot point.

With my first baby I had been young, blissfully ignorant of even my own body, let alone what was going on with the child within it. With baby #2 I was five years older. I read all of the books, hubby and I took this new fangled course that was supposed to make laboring easier (lamaze) and dutifully had my go-to-the-hospital bag all packed and ready to go - complete with the prized lollypop.

It was that lollypop that saved my bacon, I'll tell ya. Pitocin labors are not much fun and my body and I apparently were not in much agreement about how to relax with the contractions - until I bent over the rail to pick up my bag and get my lollypop. Suddenly after 4 hours I was in transition and puffing like a pro.

Things went pretty quickly after that - hubby was allowed into the delivery room for this baby (the first one, sadly, found him confined to a stark waiting room) and was quite supportive through it all.

The Ladybug's entrance into our family completed our family. She did not supplant her sister's place, rather she joined the circle to make it a whole. Five years and nine days between them was at times a blessing and at others a curse. But both of my girls were and are joys to me always.

I love you both.

Happy Birthday, Ladybug. Thanks for sharing your cake tonight. I am still buzzing from the icing. But sometimes it is just gooooooood to be baaaaad.

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Elimination Round #7 continues. It should end (by my mental calculations) around midnight eastern time Saturday night. That is 8 p.m. Alaska time. Please go to the above link, check out both entries if you would, and then vote for your favorite. We are nearing the end of all of this. Should Timothy's story hold on one more time, there is one final matchup (I think just one - well, here - go read Pete's note for yourself.).

Win or lose, this is it. It's been fun. Thanks for playing.

Blog Madness

Elimination Round #7 begins at 8 p.m. Alaska time. That's just a little over 2 hours away. Please go to the above link, check out both entries if you would, and then vote for your favorite. We are nearing the end of all of this. Should Timothy's story hold on one more time, there is one final matchup. Otherwise, this is it. It's been fun.

Thanks to Pete and Manny for all of their hard work just so a few oddly assorted bloggers could shine for a few minutes. How cool are they? G'wan over and tell 'em so.

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back later, taters (to borrow Miz Kitty's saying)

feeling punk

nope - not me this time. Apparently just about every other member of the extended family is feeling punk, though. My hubby is included in that mix. He has gradually been feeling worse and worse over the past few days. Today every time he called me (and that was several times) his voice kept getting lower and lower. He almost has a bass now. Poor guy.

Calls this am from Lessa - first the boy and then the girl woke up feeling not the greatest so they stuck around home rather than go to school today. Their daddy was also a bit the worse for wear.

I did get to share lunch with the Ladybug and Kinzie Bug and Isaiah today. They came to visit me at work for a few minutes and then we went to lunch together. It is always an adventure with Kinzie.

I got to hold Isaiah for quite awhile also - and boy is my arm complaining tonight. You know what that means? He is gaining weight!!! Yahoo!!! And, his color is much improved also. Not quite as yellow as it was a few days ago.

Well, I had best get off here. Oh, one last thing. I just found out that Timothy's story has made it through another elimination round. The next elimination round begins midnight Wednesday/Thursday. I will post a link at that time. Thanks to all who voted. It will be fun to see what happens next.

Night all.

three little words

Three little words . . . will be said on next week's episode of Average Joe Hawaii. Three little words - You're outta here! Urm, no, not those three little words.

So - I know that I am probably the only one here tonight who watches this show. I have never watched Survivor . . . not much into these "reality" shows. But there is just something about pulling for the little guy, yaknow? I think a bit more - not that it matters a whit to her, btw - of Larissa than I did of the blonde before her. Now that she has gotten past the fake arm kiss, that is. I think she has a bit more going for her and seems not to be as shallow as Melana.

But, then there was that deserted beach scene that Fredo saw through the submarine periscope. He felt that she was shallow enough that he left the show. I must say, that after the buildup all week long, I figured Fredo was gonna kick some Scottsdale tail. I am a bit impressed that he did not make a scene. That shows that he has a lot more going for him than either she or pretty boy do.

Next week we see her on her final two hometown dates - one in the Florida Everglades and one in Boston, culminating with a visit to Fenway Park. 'twill be interesting the outcome, I'm thinking.

three little words - never before said by one of them - sure to lead to tears and maybe disappointment.

Ah well - that's (reality tv) life for ya.

Have been purusing Hilo sites

Have been purusing Hilo sites online - checking out prices for the things I'd like to do. Some of the guided tours look like great fun - they are a tad spendy, which is to be expected. I don't think we will be able to afford any guided tours like that, but that is not to say we won't be doing some of the same things. ;-))

This morning I was invited to sing with the worship team during services. It has been awhile since I have done that - I generally chime in with my alto from the back row. But it was nice to be invited - and nice to be up there mic in hand, praising the One who saved me.

A friend's son was so sweet after practice this morning. I had gone to the kitchen to get a cup of water when he and one of the pastor's boys came up. Are you going to sing, Mrs. W___? When I answered yes, he said "good - because you sounded good." Now, isn't that a nice young man? Yes, I told his Mama - I wanted her to know that her "fetching up" with her boy is working.

And, now I find myself nodding at the computer so I am going to close for this Sunday evening. Have a wonderful week, everyone

Saturday wrap up

Tonight we celebrated Miss Kinzie's third birthday - her actual day was Wednesday - with a family gathering. Below you see her taking care of the important stuff first - when asked what was in whatever she had opened she said simply "it's mine!" Little dickens.

After presents came cake time - mama made a My Little Pony cake and there was even a candle that played the birthday song. We joined in the third time through - many voices, many different pitches, many good wishes.

After cake - and after much hilarity with blowing party whistles (quietly - yeah right) it was time to take a few minutes, sit back and put our hair up in a new hair band:

That looks like a sugar high stare if I have ever seen one. ;-) And a good time was had by all.
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Well, the current elimination round of Blog Madness is over. And Timothy’s entry and my opponent’s entry ended in a tie. So once again I am at the mercy of the tiebreakers. And, that is okay.

I’d like to share a note I received from Kevin Donahue after our face-off. I had written to congratulate him on his win. It was difficult being up against him as I had voted for his entry in every one of his face-offs. So, he was a favorite of mine, even though I had never read him before Blog Madness.

Anyway, I received a very nice note with the following as the final paragraph: “Thanks, Barbara. Of the two of us, I would say that you are much more greatly blessed - you have Tim and I just have a blog.”

Now, you talk about someone who has his finger right on the button – there he is, folks.

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You might have noticed that my walking stats over there on the left have changed a bit. I have switched pedometers to one that measures distance as well as steps. While I am still counting steps for the 10000 Step Program, I am only counting mileage for the 500 Miles to Nowhere Challenge for a bit. I want to catch up to my step count with my mileage count. It was getting too far apart. So, for awhile I will convert the steps to miles at least until I reach my 20% mark and get my second duckie. Then it will be even again and I can begin to count steps AND mileage.

I have also added a button I made for RAINN the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. There is an 800 number listed in the button. And, clicking on it will take you to their website. The agency I work for gets calls from RAINN referrals quite often. It is good that they are available.

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Well, friends, I hope you have a wonderful Sunday. Good night.

My Favorite Year

Lessa and I were asked to help the local theatre group tonight - opening night of their new play "My Favorite Year" - selling tickets in the booth. We would be allowed to see the play for free - after monies were counted, etc. (we would miss the first 15 minutes or so). Free? Yup, we'll help.

It was a fun play - a musical - we have some pretty great talent locally. The group is trying to raise money to get their own place - a place to keep props and wardrobe - and maybe even hold small shows. (the high school theatre is quite expensive) Hopefully they were able to make some money tonight.

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This morning I accompanied Ladybug and Isaiah to meet his pediatrician. She had been out of town when he was born, so this was a first meeting. She pronounced him healthy and perfect in every way. But we already knew that.

And, then it was time to take him to meet the doctor with the knife. Ouch! Yes, it was the day for his circumcision. Poor little guy. We checked him in and then all went downstairs to have some lunch while waiting for the doctor.

They put us into one of the OB rooms and then came and took the little man away, closing the door behind them . . . the better for us not to hear his outrage. When they brought him back mama nursed his hurt away.

awwwwww, look, he's got a little milk mustache.

Poor little guy. He was not a happy camper when he came back to us. We waited for an hour - with the nurses checking him every 15 minutes or so to make sure he was doing well, not bleeding and all. He was uncomfortable whenever he wet his diaper and whimpered a bit, but otherwise did very well.

Mama called me later to let me know that the "umbilical cord has left the belly button." So, another step has been achieved.

oh - and check out how tiny his feet are:

That's right, folks, I am a smitten Nana. He is such a sweet little tyke. And, I have fallen for him. hard. Ahhhhhh.

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Last call . . . the clock is ticking . . .Blog Madness continues. Thank you, friends.

what's different?

Walked into the writers group meeting tonight and one of the others looked up - said "you got your hair cut! I like it." I thanked her and then she said - "did you color it, too?" No, I replied - this is all me. She continued trying to figure out what was different - and it came out that the difference is the weight I have lost.

I haven't been to the last two meetings, so it has been around a month since they all have seen me.

28 pounds is a lot of weight - I guess - and I am told my face shows it. ;-)) That's not the only part of me that is loose, tnough. LOL - no, I'm not going into detals. Of course, there is still this strange little 100 pound beastie that is clinging to my bones needlessly. Begone, 100 pound beastie - begone! (there, that ought to do the trick!) Heh.

Tomorrow I get to spend some time with the Ladybug and the little man himself. Yay. We are going to be making the doctor rounds - pediatrician and, if he is up to 6 pounds, the doctor who will be performing the circumcision. Ouch! Poor little man.

So - I had best get off here and get some rest - gotta be in good shape in order to take out the doctor that hurts my grandboy. ;-)) Yes, I'm kidding. (maybe not)

Have a wonderful Friday, everyone.

p.s. Blog Madness continues. Thank you, friends.

One more time

The countdown has begun. In just about three hours from now - 8 p.m. or so Alaska time - the 5th Elimination Round will begin. You can find my matchup by clicking right here.

As we come down to these last few rounds I am faced with this - I am being pitted against entries I have voted for in other rounds. They are good entries. And, I know it can be a tough decision for some.

My readership is not overly large. My numbers game in this silly little contest has not been the highest. And, that is totally okay with me. You see, this has been fun. I have maybe had a few more folks read my utterances - and, if they liked the story about Timothy, maybe they will - or have - come back for more. Maybe I will gain new friends through this.

I don't think I have gained any enemies. And, in the long and short of the day, that is a nice thing to be able to say.

So - if you have a few minutes to spare - go here and read the matchups and then vote - if you would - for your favorite.

You can only vote once - and that is as it should be (this ain't a presidential election, after all) - so, should you think the entries worth a second look, tell your friends and your readers where to find them. Maybe they might want to take a look and take a read and make a vote.

At the very least, this could be the last go-around that you hear about all this. I am in the final of the double elimination. If I go down this time, it is down and out. As I say, that is not necessarily a bad thing.

So - there ya go - an early entry - an earnest entry - and I am outta here. Thanks, my friends.

Birthdays upon birthdays

Today is daughter Lessa's birthday. My first born - the daughter of my youth. It felt like we grew up together. I had just turned 20 when she was born. Hubby and I had been married just less than a year. She came into the world a lusty, 8 plus pounder, with a wondrous set of lungs, and barely enough peach fuzz to be called hair - pure white.

She didn't walk until she was 13 months old, but was talking a blue streak way before then. That combination remains the same. ;-) One of my favorite photos of her was taken when she was about 3 years old. The photographer was struck by the contrast of her white hair - set high on her head in pony tails - against a black background. It is a striking photo.

I love you, my girl. May your next year bring you everything for which you could hope - and that much more.

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Wednesday is Miss Kinzie's third birthday. She is still the teensiest of little things, at under 30 pounds. She is having a bit of trouble adjusting to no longer being the baby in the family, although we remind her that she is still the baby girl in the family. Like her brother, Isaiah, Kinzie was in a bit of a rush to come into the world - she was born a bit early - and when she came out, she came out quickly. The midwife nearly missed catching her and somersaulted her onto mama's tummy. (much like Isaiah did Saturday)

Kinzie is our princess. She loves to dress in pretty dresses - or a silky nightgown will do in a pinch. She sways to music slowly and sings as she twirls. Anyone who walks in wearing a dress - or even a long top with a bit of flare to it - is deemed a princess and she is fascinated by that person.

She loves to be loved - to be hugged - but only on her terms - when she wants to be. If she is not ready to be held or caressed, well you had best not interfere with her activity at that moment.

Happy birthday, Princess Ladybug. Your Nani loves you.

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Kinzie was born on the midwife's birthday, so tomorrow is Peggy's birthday also. Happy birthday!!
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Well, Blog Madness Winners Round 4 is now over - and Timothy came out on the short end of the stick. But that is okay. At least it was only by 15 and not by the 40 or so my opponent's previous opponent suffered. ;-)

I am still not out of the game as it is a double elimination. I will be matched up in an elimination bout - not sure when that will be, so watch this spot • . I will let you know when and where. And, thank you all for your votes. Timothy and I appreciate you.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Happy Birthday!

Have you - and your friends - gone to read the entries for the Winners Round 4? yet? Selfishly, I would like your vote, but I'd ask that you read both entries and vote for your favorite if you would. Thanks.

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Today I had a day off - nope, not for Presidents' Day. Instead, our agency celebrated the birthday of:

Susan B. Anthony. You can find more information on her at Anthony Center for Women’s Leadership. The Susan B. Anthony House has a website, also. And, who knows? You just might learn something. I know that I did.
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Interestingly, my grandmother, my mom's mother, Grandma Ward/Timmons/Abbott, would have celebrated her birthday today. Due to how she was raised (by her grandparents on a farm in Kentucky) she would not have been a companion/contemporary of Ms. Anthony's. They talked completely different talk. But, you know, it might have been fun to have been a bug on a wall to hear the conversation between them. Grandma would have been in favor of suffrage, I'm sure, as she was politically active in her later years. But the slave issue would have rankled, and probably did.
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Our little man came home today with his mama. I babysat the siblings so that daddy could go over and pick them up. We made welcome home signs, and we played outside with the two remaining puppies, and we straightened our rooms and unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, swept the floor, and had lunch before watching Sesame Street. And, trust me, you haven't done the above chores completely if you have never done them with a 7 year old, 5 year old, and two days away from 3 year old. Whew!

Later, I came home and made up a special batch of Nana's infamous baked macaroni and chees for their dinner. My house still smells delicious from that.

Young Isaiah has now passed all of the meconium and is happily making breast milk poops. As those smell nicer than formula poops we don't mind nearly so much. All of the kiddles made over bubby and vied for mama's attention. Miss Kinzie is having the hardest time with this as her position of baby in the family has been usurped. She will come to accept it all, too.

But for now I must be off here - tomorrow I will be rejoining the land of the normal - no more wandering hospital halls for me. No more wondering whether we have a boy or girl - no more guessing games. Nope, back to work Moosie! Quit playing around. ;-)) Oh, and catch up on some of that missed sleep if you can.

Have a great Tuesday everyone.

football player? preacher? grandson!!

What's in a name?

Paw-Paw presents baby with his first football. They are remarkably similar in size wouldn't you say?

The verdict is in, the names have been discussed, and the winner has been chosen. Isaiah Thomas T_______. A big moniker for a bitty little man. Ladybug has been whispering the name Isaiah to the little guy all day long and swears that he smiles when he hears it. So, that was the first vote.

Mama and baby are doing well. He is a tad jaundiced looking - mostly due to the fact that it took nearly 36 hours for his first bm. That has been accomplished now and he is nursing well, so he should be fine as far as the bilirubin is concerned. Jenn will try to get him into the sunlight for a bit every day and that will help also. The doctor is not overly concerned. Many Alaskan babies develop some jaundice.

One more night in the hospital and then daddy will be picking them up in the morning while Nana stays with the siblings. They should be home and ready for a nap around noon.

Today was TAT's shopping day. He picked out a present for Mama and one for brother, too. So we took him for a short visit before taking him back home.

That's some true brotherly love going on there - I think TAT is getting used to the idea of having a brother instead of a sister this time. Wonder how long it will take him to get used to Isaiah as the name - he wanted to call him George.

Thank you, everyone for your kind thoughts and good wishes for the family. I am sharing them all with them. Have a wonderful week, everyone.

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Blogmadness Winners Bracket Round 4 is ongoing. Please read both entries and vote for your favorite. Timothy and I thank you. My opponent's third round victory was astonishing - over 40 votes separated him from his competition. Go and read both entries, vote - then pass it on, if you would. Thank you.

Good things come

in small packages. Make that "tee-niny" packages.

February 14, 2004, 11:32 a.m., Baby Boy T____. (Mama and Daddy are still discussing the name issue. He should be named before he comes home.)

Weight: 5 pounds, 14 ounces
Length: 18 3/4 inches

All boy!

After all of the back and forth at the hospital Thursday night - Friday morning, when I went to bed Friday night I just had a hunch. So, I laid out clothes in the bathroom so that I could grab them quickly without disturbing hubby too much. Carried the phone to the bedroom and put it right over my head so that I could grab it if it rang. Then went into a sound sleep.

Which was shattered at about 3:30 a.m. A beautifully calm and quiet voice: Mom, my water broke. There's no hurry. The baby sitter is on her way over. We'll meet you at the hospital. She was contracting steadily - about 5 minutes apart.

Outside - it was SNOWING and warm. The road to Soldotna, to the hospital was pretty slick so the traveling was slow going. But all arrived safely, including Tim's mom and Jenn's cousin. We trooped into the labor triage room, got Jenn settled on a monitor and the poking and prodding began. When it was confirmed that her water had indeed broken and that we were now there for the duration, we all trooped next door into one of the labor/delivery suites.

There was much giggling and downrightbelly-laughing, most of the time started by the contracting lady herself. Jenn, her cousin and I walked the hallways (yes, again) for several laps in between progress checks back at the OB ward.

It was finally determined that a pitocin drip would be needed and Jenn was then confined to the room. Still much hilarity - even at the height of some of the contractions.

Jenn is such a trooper. I have never before seen anyone who can make giving birth look so easy. She used slow, deep breaths through every contraction, only breaking for transition breathing at the very end, and even that was tempered every other time or so by the slow deep breathing. She is pretty stoic, and (like her mama) has a high tolerance for pain.

Baby boy was in a hurry to arrive when he finally made up his mind to do so. The head was delivered and the doctor said "don't push" - Jenn said she was sorry and the baby squirted right out. The doctor had him up and onto her belly so fast none of us knew the gender, even the doctor. The nurse had him comvered in a towel and was suctioning his mouth and Jenn was crying for him to start crying - we couldn't tell who we had as a new member of our family.

And, then, glorious sound of all glorious sounds . . . the first cry - and then and only then the towel was pulled back by Mama so we could see that we could welcome grand-boy #5 into our family.

Nana got to hold the little tyke while Mama took a shower and her bed was being remade. I whispered his name to him - we will see if Nana is correct later.

They will be staying in hospital at least until tomorrow, but likely through Monday. Little guy's blood sugar count was low - and he had some amniotic fluid in his lungs at first - so he is with mama, but under observation. His lungs had cleared by the time I left this evening, and his sugar level was right up where it belonged.

But he is soooooooooo tiny - I went to Fred Meyer to see if they had any premie clothes left - none. And, the smalls are sooooooo big. He will swim in clothes for awhile until he starts to put some meat on his bones. One of his visitors this evening, however, brought over some of her little boy's premie gowns and pajamas. So, he will be set after all.

Here is a picture of the entire bug family. How sweet is that?

There are LOTS of pictures, but this Nana is much too tired to put them all up tonight. I promise more tomorrow. Good night everyone, and thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.
>..<

p.s.
Blogmadness Winners Bracket Round 4 has begun. Please read both entries and vote for your favorite. Timothy and I thank you.

No turning back!

Update! 4:00am Saturday the 14th.

Happy Valentines day!

She just called - water has definitely broken, it's back to the hospital and she's checking in as we speak. Expect the good news in a couple of hours - tops. Once she goes, she goes quicklike!

Watch this space! *Grin*

~This update brought to you by the letter V, and L, and the number 3.
And Lessa, the impatient Auntie. heh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's a BOY!

I just received the call. About 15 minutes ago, at 11:35am, February 14th, the bug family was blessed with the long awaited appearance of a healthy baby (buglet) boy!

Momma and baby look good - that's all I know as of now, pictures and stories later on from Nana Moosie, I'm sure. *Grins* Thank you for all your well wishes! I know the bug family appreciates it!

~Lessa

the proud auntie who must now go and by a valentine baby gift and go oooh and ahhh and awww properly!

Tap, tap, tap

yes, we are still waiting. If you think this is hard on you, well, think of the Ladybug.

She has been nesting today - that is (for any who might not be familiar with the term - an unlikely few, I'm sure), she has been cleaning furiously - doing laundry - busy work. Anything (other than a crochet needle, Lessa!) to help make that water break. Yup.

I am getting ready to sign off here - pretty early for me - so that I will be fresh should I get an early wakeup call. The nap this afternoon helped, but I am wearing down fast. I know that Ladybug must be feeling the same.

Watched RADIO tonight. What a good movie!

Night all - watch this space for further announcements.

Baby Watch!

Watch right here - it's Baby Watch 2004!

We're hoping for a Friday the 13th baby.

Gramma will post a note and pictures as soon as the buglet has arrived and she's back home to do so.

Update: 9:30 am, Friday the 13th
Still no baby - contractions slowed down, she stopped dialating even after walking till about 4:30 this morning. So they will most likely send her home here shortly, and we'll let her get some rest before we start walking again.

Anyone have a cochet needle? Popping her water should work, right? *grin*

This update brought to you by the impatient Auntie....
~L

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
streeeeeeeetttttcccccccchhhhhh!

Hello, friends - I have just taken a very rare (for me) mid-day nap. Thanks to Lessa for keeping you up to date. Unfortunately, I brought the Ladybug back home at 11:00 this morning (Friday the 13th) as her labor had stalled. She is still contracting. They consider her still to be in labor.

But at 36 weeks her doctor is not comfortable with enhancing the process with stripping the membranes or adding pitocin to the mix.

So, keep her in your thoughts - we will probably be heading back over soon. (soon being a subjective term, you see. Could be today - tomorrow - next week) As Skatemom says below babies tend to come when they durned well feel like it - and apparently this little one is quite content where s/he is at the moment.

I'll write more later. Thanks to everyone for your notes. We all appreciate it.

Updates

Thought I would let you know how young Christopher is. He is home safe and sound now. Was released from the hospital yesterday and he and Mama flew home. In fact, they were in Wednesday evening Bible study tonight. He was bright and cheerful and Mama was beaming. Oh, how the praises rang out tonight.

Thank you all for your prayers. Mama Rachel asks me to pass on her thanks as well.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Weather update:
I understand that Alaska has the state of Hawaii to thank for this wonderfully warm spate of weather. Thank you Linky - thank you, Ali. We have had record breaking temps in the mid 40's the past three days. I, for one, am loving it.

Today at work, I broke away from sitting at my desk to go outside twice to chip at ice on our sidewalk. We have a metal roof and the snow and ice were just dripping like crazy. Of course, that runoff then freezes on the sidewalk overnight and it can be a dangerous situation. We put ice melt on, let it sit for a bit, then go out and scrape away what we can. Then it is more ice melt and scrape again. We try to keep kitty litter on it to give people a firm footing.

This is a dangerous time of the year to have a metal roof. The snow will often slide off unexpectedly and if you are standing under it at that time . . . well, it can hurt. A young man was killed at Portage (near Anchorage) a few weeks ago when a 650 pound slab of snow and ice fell on him. A 53 year old man was injured tonight in Anchorage when a slab the size of the hood of a car hit him. So, watch where you're walking, okay? I will, too.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Baby update -
nope, not yet. Ladybug is incommunicado tonight, hopes to be back online tomorrow. But, she is still preggers. She sees her doctor tomorrow and we will see what we will see then. Thank you all for your thoughts for her.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
stepping and weight . . .
Still stepping along - we are now 21 weeks into the 10,000 Step Program - and 6 weeks into Marn's 500 Miles to Nowhere challenge. So, what is going on and where are we at this point?

The 10,000 Step Program began Sept. 18, 2003. Since that time I have logged 1,117,337 steps. (WOW!!!) I have also lost over 25 pounds. From a purely sedentary lifestyle where the first 15 minutes on my treadmill nearly killed me - to tonight when I walkd 90 minutes on that selfsame treadmill. Woo-hoo!

Marn's 500 Miles to Nowhere Challenge began New Year's Day. I was looking for something to keep me committed (or, perhaps, HAVE me committed) once the 10K Step Program ended in May. I like the challenge of being held up to my word, you know? I have to keep two types of records, though, and that is sometimes fun. lol.

In the 6 weeks I have been taking part in the challenge I have logged 77.29 miles and 174,903 Steps. I am aiming for 700 miles and a million steps by Dec. 31st. There are now two 10% duckies over there on the left - one for mileage and one for steps.

Well, I think that is about it for the updates. Hope that your Thursday is a good one. I will be attending a meeting at 11:30 on homelessness in our area. A group is organizing to establish a "faith-based" shelter system. It is an interesting concept and we are watching it. We house women and children on an emergency basis - those who have been involved in domestic violence or sexual assault situations. But, there is a group of homeless in our small area who are outside of those boundaries. Sadly, this is a needed organizational effort.

Take care, friends.

Earth, Wind & Fire

well, okay, not really. Let's try Rain, Wind and Earthquake . . .

yup, that about covers it. Today it rained pretty much all day long - although we had some nice sunny breaks mid-day. The wind was steady - enough to make the trees bend, and some snap. And, yes, an earthquake . . . which I did not feel . . . because I was driving at the time. Drat! The last two shakers I have missed because I was driving. Sigh.

Had been talking with hubby on the cell - letting him know I was on my way to a meeting in Soldotna - also wanted to let him know how my annual review had gone.*

Hadn't hung up for even a minute when the phone rang. Did you feel it? Feel what? The shaker - musta been a 4 or better. Uh, no, honey, I'm driving. Oh, yeah - well it near rocked me offa da throne. Gee, thanks for sharing sweetie.

Hmmm - just went searching - and it looks like he was right - sort of. It was a magnitude 5.82. The map on that page is of the Kenai Peninsula of the southcentral region of Alaska. They don't have Kenai marked - we are right about here:

Looks to me like we had a busy seismic day today.

Just another day in paradise. ;-)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The director and I attended a luncheon meeting of a women's missionary group in Soldotna today. That was where I was heading when hubby called. She spoke on the agency and its different components and our mission and such. I was then asked to speak about various volunteer opportunities with the agency. We had a nice smallish group today. And, I know several of them, it turns out, so that made it easier.

Thursday I am attending another meeting in her stead. I'll simply be observing and taking notes. She will attend the next one and will be able to speak for the agency at that point.

And, so life progresses another day in small town Alaska. I trust that your Tuesday was a good one as well. Have a great Wednesday.

*this was the first review with the new director. She has told all of us that she does not give "3's" (number system 1, 2, 3 with 1 being subpar and 3 being fantabulous), so I was a bit nervous. However, I was surprised to be on the receiving end of several 2's a couple of 2+'s and several 3's. Woo-hoo for me.

Answers . . .

. . . to prayer:
Christopher is doing better today. They medivacced him to Anchorage last night - when he arrived and they performed a bronchioscopy (sp?), the apple that was in his lung in Kenai, was NOT in his lung in Anchorage. No, we don't know why. We just simply say Praise the Lord.

I understand that they will keep him tonight just to keep an eye on him - make sure his throat doesn't swell and close off his breathing. He is on steroids to help prevent that. He has begun to reach out to his mama, and that is a very good sign.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. You are a blessing to me.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . to blog madness. I won another matchup and could not be more surprised. Not sure when the next round starts, but my match will be #5. Just check out those votes he got this round!

I am just reminding myself that this is fun and not the end all, be all to my day. ;-)) Read the selections, if you will, and vote your heart.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . to when will she EVER get that mileage duckie.
Today!! Hurrah! And, over by a smidge, even. Duckie is proudly placed over there on the left. Took me a bit longer than I had hoped - missed a couple of days on the treadmill here and there. But, finally that hurdle is passed and I can move on toward the next one at 20% - 140 miles. The next step duckie will come first - at 200,000 steps - I'm pretty sure.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . to who blew up the boat.
Well, you didn't think I could end a Monday entry without a comment on Average Joe Hawaii, now, did you? Sorry to see you go, Michael. NOT!! Off with your snarky attitude. Off with your gleaming white smile. Off with your 6 pack.

Wait, what am I saying? Come back. Nah, I'm kidding. He needed to go. The other bad boy lucked out to stay another week.

Oh - and they have finally promoed the first average joe "loser", Adam Mesh, getting the girl. Looks like that will come up after this one is all over. Ladybug had already told me it was in the works. She sees a lot more daytime television than I do and had picked up on it from someone.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . . to what happened this date 40 years ago.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Imagine (if you will) a Hard Day's Night with four lovable mopheads from the motherland. All together now - scream, ladies. Tonight on our shoe . . . the Beat-les. Sigh!

Sis "got" Paul and I "got" Ringo.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And, that's our report for tonight - back to you, Chet.
Say goodnight, Gracie.

goodnight, gracie.

Faith in Action – Answered Prayer

Tonight I attended Sunday evening worship service as I do every week. Pastor was teaching from Romans 9:30-33.

Suddenly a young mother rushed in, tapped the woman ahead of me on the shoulder and they both ran out. There was a lot of noise and commotion from the nursery.

The woman ahead of me, an R.N., came back and asked a man to come to the nursery. One of the little ones was choking on an apple and not breathing. Two of our men – both trained – went back, another to the office to call 911, although my friend was already on the phone with the dispatcher and the bus was rolling toward us.

Pastor stopped teaching and we all started praying. His wife began sobbing so I went to sit with her – everyone was doing the same thing. Teens, littles, adults – congregating in small clusters, some crying, all praying.

The ambulance crew took the little guy off, one of the men drove the Grandma and Mama to the hospital. The Grandpa left to drive himself. Aunties gathered up the other children.

We continued to pray in our little groups. Pastor’s wife and I were holding onto each other – each comforting the other simply by being there. Soon, 2 of her 9 children were in our huddle and our attention turned to comforting them.

The phone rang – every head turned to the back of the room. “He’s breathing” was the announcement. “Praise God” was the resounding chorus from everyone.

It was not until then that I broke down. My prayer had been answered – what had happened 3 years ago and my grandbaby, Jacey had been on my heart the whole time while my daughter’s heartache was a palpable force as I prayed, “Lord, I cannot bear to see another tiny casket. Please, God, protect this little guy. Please, God, protect his mother’s heart.”

While we are still unsure of this little guy’s prognosis, we know that he is in God’s hands and we know His are the best hands in which to leave Him.

I praise the Lord that these three trained individuals were there tonight. I’ve had the training – and I could probably do it if need be. But – as I have trouble even with the mannequins, I would just rather not have to put it to a test. Our God knows that, too.

One friend asked me afterwards if I was okay and she said Jacey’s name. You’d be surprised how many people don’t – perhaps for fear of causing pain. I am thankful she felt okay to ask me.

Please pray for young Christopher and his family. Pray that there is no damage because of this.

And, know this – as was demonstrated tonight in an awesome way – our God is an awesome God – He reigns – and – He answers prayer.

UPDATE
9:42 p.m.

Two phone calls - one from the pastor's wife, the other from the R.N. They are medivaccing Christopher to Providence in Anchorage because of the apple still in his lung. They are better equipped there to handle such a thing than our little hospital here. Please keep this family in your prayers. Aspirations often lead to pneumonia, so that is a concern - as is the unanswered question about possible brain damage.

thank you, friends.

High Centered

One of the pitfalls of living in Alaska is also one of its beauties. SNOW.

I've posted photos here to show you how beautiful our area is in the snow - there is really nothing prettier than a sunny day - blue skies - soft fluffy white clouds - and minus temps - making the snow fairly sparkle like diamonds. It is very pretty. And, I appreciate the beauty in the scene.

But there are other days - other happenings - caused by snow - that can just set your teeth on edge. This evening was that day.

I was headed out to watch Miss Mairi's basketball game. Not really in a rush, I had plenty of time. Not sure where my mind was - but it apparently was NOT on getting out of my driveway.

You see, I know that I have to angle the car to the left when pulling out. It is the best way to get around the huge pile of snow that the city plows keep leaving at that corner of the driveway. My head knew better.

But I apparently was on autopilot and just backed the Saturn out and to the right - but didn't quite make it onto the road. Nope - and I couldn't rock forward or backward, either. In fact, my right rear tire was barely touching the ground.

I was high centered!!!

Nothing to do but grab the shovel and begin digging as best as I could. A call to hubby tells me that he won't be able to leave the color job he is printing for at least an hour. Daughter comes by - she offers to go find a friend to pull me out. He can't be found. I tell her to take the girl to her game and dad will be home in an hour or so. Meanwhile she goes by her sister's (Ladybug) house to find that SHE is also high centered.

I've heard of empathy before, but good grief! LOL

I dig and dig and beging to get pretty warm doing so. Must go inside to dry back out or I will freeze. While I am inside my neighbor who has a truck which could have gotten me out, starts her truck and leaves before I can get out to ask her for help. Sigh.

Dig some more - wait some more - do another load of laundry - fold and put away the dry clothes - and then, hubby is there with two friends and Lessa is back from the girl's game and the fun begins. Two tugs and the Saturn is on the road. Hubby says I did a good job getting as much snow out from under the car as I did. (yay, a compliment!) (I'll be complaining tomorrow about a sore shoulder and wrist from manhandling the shovel)

And, then it is (way past) time to take Miss Jessi to dinner and shopping. We usually do it on Sunday afternoon, but hubby has to finish that color job tomorrow. Jessi picks (surprise) McD's for dinner. She chatters nonstop until our ears begin to bleed. (okay, not really)

We spend an hour or so at the store - then stop for gas. All of the while she is chattering. Then she begins to sing a sort of humming non-melody. We know that by this time she is getting pretty tired, so we try to keep her awake by asking her questions. Suddenly there is no answer. Barely a mile from home she has given up the fight.

We call mama on the cell to let her know she needs to come and carry her into the house - the dome light comes on and so does the light in that little girl's eyes. She is wide awake now and walks into the house under her own steam.

ahhhhh to be four years old again. (four and a half!)

Oh - and I got my hair cut this morning. A sort of chin length bob, I guess. And, the sytlist gave me a neck massage while she was washing my hair. Oh, my! I gave her all day to stop that, I'll tell ya. It was bliss.

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone.

Wrapped

That's what I am - wrapped. Tightly wrapped around the tiniest finger of the tiniest grandgirl. How so, you might ask?

Well, it's like this: I woke up this morning and just reveled in having a lazy day off work. Was feeling a bit puny with this head cold/sinus/whatever thing that I've been battling over the past few days. So, waved bye to hubby and the two grandkiddles and settled down in front of the computer for a bit of a lazy time checking in on all of you.

Went by Lolo's and ooohed and ahhed over her nursery flower shots. I could use a bit of color right now - and so, it was loverly to share some of hers.

Then I dropped by to check on Cat's little one and did some more ooohing and ahhhing.

Glanced out of my window to see the Ladybug's van driving up, so logged off and met her and Miss Kinzie at the door. "you da princess!" , Kinzie tells me. I am dressed in nightgown and robe and she loves any "dress" type attire and calls whoever is wearing such a princess. That's my girl!

We chatted for awhile and Kinzie helped herself to Paw-Paw's stash of goodies. And, then the wrapping began.

"Nani go shopping with us."

Well, sweetie, Nani needs to get a shower first. "Okay, you take a shower." Mama says - it's okay if you don't want to - whereupon I laugh, turn on Sesame Street for Kinzie and dutifully head off to take a shower.

And, off we went - to the Boys and Girls Club to sign brother up for indoor soccer - then to Soldotna to Fred Meyer to look around (and buy stuff, of course) - then to McD's for lunch because that is what the Princess wanted. (the little one - by now I am in jeans which means I am no longer a princess - heh) - then to the bookstore to pick up mama's book and Nani just happened to find something cute for the little girl for her coming birthday. (I didn't get 30% off, though - oh, well)

Then it was time to head home - TAT would be getting off the school bus soon and the little miss proceeded to fall asleep in the car seat. It had been a busy morning. I loved every minute of it. Thanks, Ladybug.

Spent the better part of the afternoon rearranging our bedroom. It's not very big and we have a king sized bed - there are only two walls it works on. So, it was time to move it to the other wall. Phew! That is some hard work, I'll tell ya. I am unable to flip the mattress by myself - it has been a long time since I have seen that one commercial where the girl is trying to flip the mattress and ends up being pancaked by it. Yup, I am afraid that is what would happen to me if I tried to flip it by myself. But, I turned it head to toe and put clean sheets on it and that is good enough for now.

Found that the dust under the bed had dust of its own - lovely little critters multiplying down there. Vacuumed that all up.

When hubby got home from work, I made him go back to the room and check it out while it was still light outside and he was still pretty much awake. That way he wouldn't stumble or be surprised by anything tonight when he goes to bed. Men are so funny sometimes. He came back out and said huh- put it back the other way, huh? lol. Well, that's as good a response as any, I guess.

Have to tell you about one other thing that happened last night at the evaluation. When we signed up for the program in September we gave our shirt sizes and last night we received our program shirts. I just stuffed mine into my bag and didn't even look at it until today. Put it on to go shopping with Kinzie.

And, started to laugh. Walked out to show the Ladybug why I was laughing. You see, I asked for a 3X and it now fits me like a nightgown (yes, I'm a princess in it). It comes below my panty line. The sleeves are about 4 inches too long. And, I have LOTS of room for boobage I no longer have. It is just way too funny.

I guess that just shows that my mind was so not on weight loss when I joined the program. All I was thinking about was getting into shape. Duh!

It's just one of life's little surprises, I guess.

And, with that I am signing off for tonight. You all have a wonderful Saturday. I think I am going to tackle that pile of laundry in between a hair cut and a basketball game.

P.S.

Round 3 of Blog Madness is now under way. You can find my matchup here. The choices are getting more difficult and the pickings a bit slim. There are only 4 match-ups in each of the four categories now. Go - read - enjoy - vote. Thank you, thank you very much. ;-))

beeeg smiles

First off - it's Thursday - the only other night I really watch tv. And, yes, it is ER night. Can we all repeat Revenge is a dish best served cold.??? I knew we could. The Rocket would be rolling - if he could. LOL

Now - to my second report of the night. The results are in. Tonight was the evaluation for the 10000 Step Program. A night for the tell-tale weigh-in, and a chance to walk a couple of miles around the halls of the middle school afterwards.

There were also staions for stretching and pushups and flexibility. I did most of the stretches and know how to do the rest. Forget the pushups - my wrists can't take the stress of holding me up. heh. But, the flexibility portion. Whizzed that one.

You have to remove your shoes and then sit on the floor with your legs straight and feet flat against a box. Then you stretch your arms - without jerking (empahsis the hospital's) - across the top of the box alongside a ruler. They mark where your fingertips end and that tells you how flexible you are for your age. I measured 18.5 inches and was high on the scale for my age. Woo-hoo me. Now, somebody HELP the gal up offa da floor!

Walked a mile with an acquaintance from our business. She and I chatted the whole time and the 7 laps went in lickety-split fashion. We clocked the mile in 20 minutes exactly - hey, we're both 54 years old for heaven's sake! Then we checked our pulse and she was told she was average and I was below average. They told me to speed it up to get the heartrate up, but I just said, this is my speed limit for tonight.

And, I wasn't wrong, either. Another friend was there when the first friend and I finished. She was planning to walk, so I did another mile with her. Again, 20 minutes - again around the same pulse rate. So, I guess that was my speed limit.

What's that you ask . . . how was the weigh-in? Oh, that! Of course. Well, I was still a bit leery (ask the Ladybug, she's my witness), but I rose to the task and jumped up onto the scale with a smile. (yeah, right) and . . . . .

here it comes . . .

are ya ready ?

25.5 pounds!!! MIA - gone - kaput - WOO-HOO! It's official. They have it marked down on paper - AND in the computer. Ta-dah! And, on their scales, nonetheless. Wahoo.

okay, I'll stop now.

heh

walking through memories

No - not too nostalgic or anything. I have just been doing some clean up of one of my email addresses. Amazing how much clutter I can accumulate - even in email. I had messages from 01-01 in there! Of course, what takes the longest is re-reading all of them to see if they are still keepable or if they are definitely tossable. It'll take me a bit longer to go through all of them.

Somehow I have lost an hour tonight. I am not feeling very well - head cold, I guess. Lots of sneezing and stuff. But, still.

I thought it was just after 7 when I came back here to walk on the treadmill. And, I only walked for 90 minutes. So, that should put me at about 8:30 or a quarter to nine, right? Nope - it was 9:30!!!! when I went back to the living room. So, I have no clue where I lost an hour. It must have been later than I thought when I came back here. I know that it was only 90 minutes on the treadmill because it has a digital readout. Oh, well.

I'm getting closer to the first mileage duckie, too. Only about 10 miles to go. Maybe by Sunday if I can maintain 3 miles a night. We'll see.

Hey - run on over to see the Pregnant Girl Walking. She's not preggers anymore. Miss Julia has arrived safely and all are well. She's a cutie patootie, too.

Our own pregger, Ladybug is still preggers. She is aiming for Friday. That is her doctor's date for permissable labor. Baby just needs to stay where it is until then - and anytime after that, the doctor will let nature progress as it will.

Jenn has now missed my birthday and her dad's birthday. Coming up next is my Sister-Friend's on the 12th, Lessa's on the 17th, Kinzie's on the 18th, and Jenn's own on the 26th. Once we get into March (if we get into March) there are a number of family birthdays there also. But it would be nice for the little tyke to have his/her own birthday, no matter how close it might be to other people's. The doctor had wanted to induce me with Jenn on Lessa's birthday and I said no way - these babies needed their own days. And, me being the hormonal pregnant mama and all, I got my way. Heh.

Well, I am going to sneeze my way out of here for now. Have a wonderful Thursday.

Same Age

yup, I'm no longer the old(er) lady - hubby is now the SAME age as I am. Yay!

We celebrated by going to see granddaughter play basketball. And, then we all went to Subway for dinner and present opening. He got a card from Lessa and family. Ladybug finished putting patches on his denim motorcycle vest for me - my machine broke while I was doing it before Christmas. And I gave him a gift card to buy a set of Star Trek Next Generation dvds. He will wait until the one he is missing comes into stock and then he will pounce.

And a good time was had by all.

Miz Kitty's hubby also celebrated his birthday today. AND, the sports guy from Channel 2 news in Anchorage and his wife had their first baby today. (nearly 9 pounds of fuzzy headed boy)

The Neighbors columnist in this morning's paper gave hubby's name and birthday announcement so he received a number of phone calls and walk-in well wishers today. So, I think, all in all, he had a good birthday.

Oh, one other thing - he had to go to the DMV office to renew his driver's license . . . and there was NO ONE in line. They still made him pull a number and "wait his turn" though. lol

No treadmill tonight - instead, we watched Johnny English after dinner. Oh - and I was interviewed by my oldest grandson for a class project on the Olden Days.

He and I both laughed at some of the questions. He decided that maybe they were geared toward someone a bit older than I am. Sweet of him to notice.

Scratchy throat and clogged sinuses tonight, so I am going to get off here and head for bed - just as soon as I peek in a few of you.

'night.

Ouch!

Ouch - lesson learned - do NOT wipe off your screen with one hand while your other hand is still holding the mouse! Static electricity right through my index finger. Ouch!

Hey - it's Monday night and you all know what that means - the moose has been watching Average Joe Hawaii. Testosterone abounds. As does sincerity and openness. Who did not get a bit teary eyed when Brian opened up as he did on the yacht???? Hmmm? Wow - that was sincerity.

And, for ONCE Larissa didn't do the fake left arm over the back with hand extened hug. Maybe the producers talked to her about how fake it looked.

I will say this, so far I have more respect for Larissa than I did for Malana. I hope she continues to show integrity - but, hey - this is "reality" tv after all, isn't if?

And, Sean!!! He is gonna tear up some woman's heart, I'll tell ya. As he walked to the bus I looked at hubby and said, he has lost weight while he's been there - and hubby agreed. Then after the commercial they showed him working out at the gym back home and he has lost 75 pounds!!! Way to go, Sean. Hang tuff.

Hmmmm maybe he should join the Marn Posse and walk Nowhere with us?

And, in Blog Madness news - it looks like somehow I have won in the Winners Bracket Round 2. When I looked earlier today I was in a tie with the other entry. So I figured I was outta there. I think that Pete and Manny have a group of volunteer tie breakers, so maybe that is where that other vote came from - if so, thanks volunteer tie breakers! That's a nice vote of confidence.

There was also one entry which was withdrawn. I think that is a shame.

So - ouchies all around.

Remember now - do NOT wipe your monitor screen with one hand while holding onto your mouse with the other. OUCH!

night, all.

Blessings and Joys

Awhile back (too lazy tired to go and look for the link) I told you about my friend's kidney transplant. Today the local newspaper rand a very nice article about the family. Jim is doing well and looking so much better. Cheri is active and you wouldn't know she had just been through such a surgery. It is a blessing to all of us to see the love and sacrifice this family shares.

Today was Miss Kinzie's time to go shopping with Nani and Paw-Paw. She was a joy - chattered nearly non stop. I think she maybe has been taking lessons from her cousin Jessi. She decided that McD's was the lunch spot for the day and ate quite a bit of her lunch for once, too. Then it was off and running to the grocery store.

Shopping was done in quick fashion as the store was pretty empty - someone said something about some game on tv or something. (snort!)

Pink was the color choice for today. She was dressed in her pink dress (just like a Princess) and chose pink puddings and pink barrettes and an orange pony with a sparkly pink mane. Oh, and Barbie Princess snacks, too. (yes, in a pink box)

We had a good Bible study time at evening worship service. Our pastor is a very sincere and (sometimes) intense man. He loves his Lord and worries not a whit about telling others how his Lord can be their Lord as well.

Every morning Pastor walks about a 4 mile loop - and as he walks he prays for every member of our small body - and extended family members and loved ones of the body. I see him sometimes walking along the shoulders of the highway and it gives me a lift to know that my very own prayer warrior is out there.

Well, that is all from my end of the street for today. I trust your Sunday was a good one - that you were not too upset by the results of the game (I don't even know at this point who won, although I did see a pretty sweet turnaround just before leaving for evening service). And I hope that your week is a good one.

night all >..<