Merry Christmas!

We wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! This week has brought us unexpected challenges, but it helped to remind us what this season is about, family, friends and an inner peace that is so important. So take some time out to reflect and enjoy the silence of the season.

From our home to yours Merry Christmas!

Baptism Times Two

This weekend Abby and Chloe were baptized and we had the privilege to serve as Godparents. They looked lovely in their stunning white dresses Grandma Dawn made (yes I did type that) MADE. We had a great time.

Next up...time to deck the halls and I have Christmas cards to write. I can't wait for vacation to start on Friday!

Never Again!

It is tradition. I go shopping with my Mom on Black Friday. We go early (7 a.m.) and are done by 11. Well, Mom is out of town visiting Karen, Joe and the twins so I was on my own. I slept in. Till 9. So I didn't get to JC Penny's until 10. First it took me circling the parking lot and then negotiating way too many people to look for gifts. And then the down escalator broke. I didn't even go into the mall because I think I was becoming claustrophobic and I had to get outside. On to the next shopping center. Wow. Too many people and crazy drivers. I made it through 3 more stores and I went home. I was successful in many ways but exhausted. I called Mom to tell her I would never do that again. Now I'm off to shop the saner way...the Internet!

I'm still alive

I know. I have been neglecting my blogging duties. I just don't have much to say. I've been keeping busy, with weddings, visiting the twin nieces, a new position on an important committee at church that will take up more and more time, work and of course family and friends. I'm a little more reflective lately. Unsure where I am supposed to be going in life. Nothing seems to be turning out as I thought. Unsure. I don't feel this is the place to air my woes or inner most thoughts and feelings. Just observations and thoughts on occurrences I want to share.

Anyways. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. I know I am blessed and have a lot to be thankful for.

Happy Election Day

Please take the time to get out and vote on Tuesday. This is a right that people do not have around the world and this is something here in the U.S. that we beg and plead people to do so. This is the right our forefathers and mothers died for from the beginning when they risked all to gain independence from England to those who fought and died in wars around our planet. And yet we squander that right and it takes a charismatic man to get people to get off their butts to vote. I'm so disappointed when I hear people who are voting for only that reason. I hope these brand new voters understand how special this actually is and that they continue to vote through their lives. Because when you disengage and stop caring it becomes easier for those to take away those rights. As Thomas Jefferson said "We have counted the cost of this contest, and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery." - Declaration of Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms (July 6, 1775)

I'm off my soapbox now.

Happy Halloween!

I do have to say I really like Halloween. It's one of the few days that is just a meant as childhood fun. Kids get to dress-up and there's candy. Very simple.

Right now there are a nice bunch of kids out front of my door. Unfortunately it looks like we will run out of candy and my hubby is berating me for being "ill-prepared." See last year we had leftovers, Friday night brings them out I guess.

Who knew?

Anyways my ghouls and gobblins, have a great night.

Seeing Double

Sister Karen sent this photo of Chloe (left) and Abby (right) during a quiet moment one morning this past week. Seeing this cracks me up because I found out last week that Karen and Joe have given sides of the bassinett to each girl. And the girls go in the same side each night. One of the nights I put Abby down for the night and Karen was suprised to find her there later. It's amazing, they have grown since we were there. So quickly.

Babies Time 2

Last week hubby and I spent a great 8.5 days with my sister Karen, bro-in-law Joe and their daughters Abby and Chloe. Mini slide show is above, click on it to see larger photos. I found at the end of the week I hadn't taken many photos because I was spending the week living in the moment it seemed. Well, that's code for lots of hugs, rocking, feeding, burping and changing diapers. We were saying that my Mom was going through babies withdrawal. I can see where you can have that problem. You get used to holding someone in your arms, smelling baby and humming lullabies. A nice week.

Why Am I Watching? I Can't Turn Away!

Earlier today it was all about Rays baseball. And then on to USF football and now, I can't believe I am saying this - I'm watching the vice presidential debate. I know, it's silly. But I keep imagining that there is a train wreck about to happen. Two of the most unfit politicians that could sit next in line to the president are duking it out live. You know there are You Tube clips in the making, along with the Daily Show and every other media outlet out there. And who really cares? It's two people debating what their running mates would do. Not what they will do because, really, what does the VP really do?

Side note - where does Palin get that accent? Is that people sound like in Alaska? I've never been there, but to me she sounds like she is from Wisconsin or some place around there.

But still, I can't look away. I want to, I want to turn it back to football...darn it, she said "darn right" again. It's sucking me in!

You Know When It's Time to Clean....

This is a photo of my sister's TV. Last Sunday Dad saw how dusty it was and he couldn't help but write on it. Yes Laura, I did say this photo would show up some where. :-)

Scenes From My Early Birthday Celebration

A birds-eye view of my cake

My sister obviously believe you go big (the candle) or you go home

Like my new bowling shoes??

Happy Almost Birthday to Me.

Tomorrow is my 34th birthday. Because the big day falls when others couldn't celebrate we did it early. Off we went to dinner with Dad, hubby and sister Laura and bro-in-law. And then we went off to the sister's pad for gifts, cake and bubbly

Before I save, I have to make a correction. I've been told that my Dad does not want to be called Gramps but prefers Grandpa. So I'm going to go back and switch it out from an earlier post. Wonder what he would think of Grampie or Grandpappie?

More Cow Bell!

Rays Celebrate Making the Playoffs


Greg and Laura cuddle up during the game


Greg, Laura and Laszlo celebrate the Rays win!

So Laszlo, sister Laura and bro-in-law Greg and 36,000+ of our closest Tampa Bay residents had the privilege of watching the Tampa Bay Rays (by the way, they play in St. Petersburg ESPN) clinch a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history. As the guy in front of kept yelling, "Sept. 20, 2008, we are here watching history!"

We had a great day and I think I officially have a cow bell injury. If you don't know why a cow bell injury, fans of teams the Rays will be playing in the Trop., it is what you will be hearing a lot of soon.

Go Rays! and 9=8! (9 players, playing 9 innings can = 8 playoff berths)

An Office Romance

Since there was nothing to watch on TV this summer we decided to rent TV shows and see if there was anything that was worth watching via DVD. I heard that The Office was pretty funny so we thought we'd give it a try. What could we lose? Most episodes are 20 minutes without commercials and if we didn't like it, we could just send it back. Now we've watched 4 seasons-worth and are excited for the new season to start next week. I think I might start watching TV only via DVD. No commercials, specials features including deleted scenes (which on The Office is as funny as the show) and other fun stuff. Screw regular TV. Except The Office and Heroes - the rest can bite me.

Oh Baby

Dad, Mom and Abby


Dad and Abby

These two photos were stuck in cyberspace for some reason until today. So I thought I'd share. The newest news is that Abby's sister Chloe came home for the first time today. Keep Chloe in your prayers as she is still suffering from bradys (heart rate dips) so she came with a heart monitor. Doctors say this will be something she will most likely outgrow this and we pray this is right.

Niece Update

Proud Grandma and Grandpa and Abby


Chloe in a Close-up

Late last week Abby was released from the hospital as she had grown to about 5.5 pounds. So immediately Grandma and Gramps made plans to visit. Grandma is staying in Jacksonville to help Mommy and Daddy out as they adjust to parenthood and with Chole still in the hospital, Abby would need someone to babysit while the new parents visited her sister.

Chloe is doing well and getting close to 5 pounds. She still is still having a few slowdowns of her heart but she is getting better every day. Soon she will join her sister at home.

A Tale of a TV Stand

So we received a new TV a few months back. Unfortunately it didn't fit in the TV stand we currently have. So we had to find something to put the TV stand on. We went everywhere. Target, Best Buy, three or four furniture stores and everywhere in between. Nothing but overly expensive, poorly constructed pressed wood chip. And when we thought we would just go to Target and buy something cheap to hold us over for a few years, we couldn't even do that. They were constantly out of the only one that we liked or it was damaged. We got so mad, we just left.

Next thing I know I am searching the web and the next thing you know we are ordering a nice piece of furniture for a great price, no tax and free shipping. I mean I am great ordering all kinds of things from the web. But a piece of furniture that I couldn't touch? I surprised myself and I was surprised that it is great. Laszlo was mentioning how really cool the Internet can be. That it brought us together with a furniture company in California and a short time later, it's in your house. Awesome.

You Should NEVER Bet Me

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Ok, this is the last one, I promise. But last night, my brother-in-law Greg said there would be NO way to get his noggin into a jib-jab cartoon, he claimed it is too big. Well, as you can see, Greg on the left, fit just fine, along with bro-in-law Joe and my hubby Laszlo. Greg, I think you just wanted a cartoon with you in it and that's OK and your wish has been granted.

By Popular Demand

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Word got around that I made a JibJab cartoon of my sister Laura, to help cheer her up since the Olympics have ended. If you don't know, she is an Olympics nut, I expect her to have a countdown clock on her blog showing how long till the Winter Olympics 2 years from now. So everyone enjoy, and Laura, the Olympics will be here again before you know it. In the mean time, get some sleep.

Too Much Time on My Hands

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Ok, I couldn't help myself Mom and Dad. Computers are way too much fun.

Politics - The Fun Way

I was reminded why I love the Daily Show so much when I caught a repeat of last nights show this afternoon. This video about Barack Obama is one of the funniest things I've seen in a while. I can't wait till next week and the Republican Convention. Stuff like this makes the upcoming election tolerable.

On a side note, I watched Sarah Palin introduced as McCain's running mate. I'm confused but at the same time intrigued. I mean, I am happy that a women is on a ticket. Confused that he chose someone with so little experience and from such a small population center. I wonder if some of the die-hard Hillary supporters will now want to vote for the ticket with the women. Either McCain is really brilliant, or he just made a terrible mistake.

They Line Up and Take Aim?

Opening the National Hurricane Center's web site can give one pause. There are storms and potential storms all over the place. Every time I look, it seems like there's another. First Gustav, then Hanna and the three other systems that could very well become Ike, Josephine and/or Kyle. Makes me not want to look any more.

Right now thinking about Gustav leaves a pit in my stomach. Where ever this storm goes, destruction will follow and I only wish something miraculous would happen and it would disapate. I only hope everyone on the Gulf Coast takes this seriously. Whew, storm season and can't end soon enough.

Introducing..

Abby

Chloe

Our newest members of the family: Abigail and Chloe. They were born Monday in the early evening. Mom and Dad braved T.S. Faye and an evening and morning of power outages to see the new additions. Both are doing well and just need to gain some weight before they can go home. I'm sure we'll get up there sooner than later, just need to make sure that we don't overwhelm the new parents since there will be a parade of guests.

Jumping for Gold??

Watching the Olympics every now and then I find a sport that I had no idea was in the Olympics or why it's there. My sister talked about race walking (most people might think of this as exercise). And then there's now BMX (are the Olympics taking items from the X-games now?). Finally, Olympic trampolining.

Is this sport really for gymnists that couldn't tumble on the ground? How is this an Olympic sport? What's next? Olympic kick-ball? Olympic skipping? When does the maddness stop?

Welcome Babies

So my sister beat me to the punch in announcing the births of my two nieces yesterday evening. All the particulars are over on the World According to the K_C's blog.

But I wanted to congratulate my baby sister Karen and her husband Joe as they welcomed Abigail and Chloe yesterday in the 5 p.m. hour in Jacksonville. Both are in good shape, as my sister said "they just need to fatten up so we can take them home." We don't have any pictures yet, but we hope to have them towards the end of the week as Joe has been living at the hospital with Karen and the babies.

Congrats - love Aunt Sarah and Uncle Laszlo - the favorite aunt and uncle.

Storm Watching Makes Me Almost Ill

Tropical Storm Faye is out there churning just south of Cuba now and the forecasters are telling us that it may be setting its sights on the West coast of Florida. You think that you would get used to it, but you don't. The nerves from not knowing what is going to happen. And I kind of think it is worse that I have to be at work because you are leaving your home and love ones behind. And hoping that you come home to an intact place.

So its on to make those preparations that in case Faye decides to pay us a call, we'll be ready as we can. But I do keep hoping it will sputter and fall apart - but I doubt that will happen.

Noteable

There's something about little note cards. I have the hardest time not buying them, especially when they are on sale. Like today in Hallmark. There they were, boxes of cute note cards, all 75% off! Thank you cards, cards with little champagne flutes, lacy cards, modern ones and little pastel ones. I only bought one box, but I did have the hardest time saying no to more. And it's not that I don't have other note cards, I have boxes of them.

My little addiction. Note cards.

Dog Days of Summer

Whew, it's hot out there! Well, and wet. In Central Florida we've had our share of rain in the past few week.s It rains in the morning, the afternoon and in the evenings, heck even over night. I can't complain. We went through summers where the rain was sparse. In Florida it is supposed to rain in the summer.

Downside? Weeds. I can't pull them fast enough. They are growing in hyper speed. And the grass, whew, it's ready to be cut five days after it was cut last.

But that's OK. I'm happy to see the water pour from the sky. I'm one who likes to open the blinds and sit on the couch and watch the rain. Something fascinating about it.

Snotty, Scratchy and Tired

I felt pretty good by the end of the work day. I had accomplished a lot. I spent most of the day updating a web site. Not hard, just lots of clicking an typing.

But as the night has wore on, I think I am getting a cold. My nose is running (and I think we are out of tissues!) I have a scratchy throat and I am pooped.

Sucks.

I have lots of stuff I want to write about here - but my brain is having trouble putting together simple thoughts. So I give up, I'm off to find a glass of OJ and then sink into bed.

Night.

Tea for Two and Two for Tea..

This past weekend the family spent in Jacksonville celebrating Karen and Joe's twins by throwing a shower. Chef-sister Laura and I decided to do the girliest thing we could think of, throw an afternoon tea. The tea was complete with tea sandwiches and cookies, a minature tea set on a lemon cake and flowers everywhere. We had a great time. Karen even received a piggy bank with a tiara and tutu from her mother-in-law (a hit of the party).

Then Sunday we spent helping them organize the nursery, putting away a tidlewave of clothing, blankets, bibs, booties and other baby-related items.

Laura and I gave them a Flip Mino so they can take videos of the twins and share with family and friends. Or Karen can start vlogging (creating video blog entries) on her blog Twin Envy. Or

Joe can become a new star on YouTube. Many possibilities.

So I'm kinda tired. And I have a pile of laundry and a dirty house that should be cleaned. I'll get to it one of these days, just not today.

Another Weekend Ends

Weekends go by way too fast.

One day you are walking out of the office feeling great - a weekend is upon you. The next, you are working hard on your yard and watching a movie in the evening.

The next it's Sunday, you're at church, eating dinner with your parents and enjoying some fantastic homemade lemon/lime Cello and now it's 9:30 at night.

Wow. It's like a whirlwind. At least it's a short week with the holiday parked at the end.

Sigh - time goes way too fast.

Playing Catchup

Thought I'd play a little catch-up here. We've had a busy pair of weeks. We had the very cute and pregnant sister and brother-in-law in town for Father's Day. Below is a picture of the two dad's cracking up at a golf story. There's always something funny that comes out of their golfing excursions.
Then it was off to Jacksonville to attend Karen's first baby shower. Below is the Classic Pooh stuffed animal I gave her. He is soooo soft and cuddly. I would formally like to apologize to my family because I was high on estrogen from that wonderful time of the month and I was off the chart annoying - I'm annoyed at myself at how much so I was. Sorry.

By the end, we were a bunch of tired people. Laszlo took the time before we set off for home to take a nap. That char in their living room does kinda just suck you in.


Then it was back to work.

I had the cool chance to do some media training this week. It's hard. I give all the props to people who are comfortable in front of the camera. I realize my brain and mouth don't always work together. And that I really need a hair cut!

Anyways. Now it's on to working on pulling off Karen's second shower. I've never brought a party to another city. But, it should be fun. We are having a tea party - Tea for Two. Something so girlie about a tea party, it takes you back to being a little girl. I'm psyched.

Miscellaneous Catching Ups

I have a little catching up to do. Last week was kinda crazy - not the kind of short week you'd expect after a long holiday weekend. The two photos above are some of the leftovers from that weekend. First Karen and Joe, we spend a lovely evening doing the most primitive and simple thing, burning things in a fire pit while drinking beer (well - all but Karen). Why Joe's not smiling more, I don't know.

Then Monday we went hiking at the Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area on I do believe the last nice weather day Florida will get. Today it was 96 in Tampa, tied the heat record for this date.

But back to the past two weeks. On Wednesday morning my colleagues and I found out that our boss had "resigned" the night before. So we were thrust into the whys, what the *&^@? and what's next? And the next week and some we have been going through the grief process. Started off with shock and then it was back and forth with acceptance and anger. And by the time I get home, I just don't want to look at my computer.

BUT then my little sister is showing me up. She started a blog now, Twin Envy, where she is starting to chronicle this new chapter of her life, being pregnant and what her life will be once the twins come. She's blogged I think three or four times this week! But, in all fairness, she really has much more to talk about than I. My days are really all very similar and I can't imagine anyone wanting to read about my life on most days.

So anyways. I am happy the weekend is here. Relaxing sounds really nice. Now, off to find a cold beverage of the alcoholic variety.

Fort Caroline..Bum Bum Bum..And Other Ramblings

Happy Memorial Day weekend from Jacksonville. We want to thank all the men and women serving our country here and abroad. We are able to enjoy this weekend and freedom because of you and those who have come before you.

Today Karen was working so we thought we would spend the day seeing some sites where a woman pregnant with twins might not want to walk around. So we started out at Kathryn Abbey Hanna park. Where we took a few minutes to look at the Atlantic and step in some sand before we took to the "wellness" trail. Well, we weren't sure we were ever going to find out way out. We walked and walked and walked some more. We started to think we were going in circles. But we finally found our way out.

Then down the road we went to Ft. Caroline (bum bum bum), which is interesting. It is a "good guess" of what it might have been. No one really knows. Laszlo found himself in a recreation of a hut the native Americans lived in and then Joe and Laszlo were looking out over the water.

Overall a good day so far. It's always good to be able to get away, even if it's only a few hours away.

Now, I'm thinking a cold beer would hit the spot...mmmm Beer!

Karen Update

Here's the most recent picture I have of sister Karen's expanding belly. We are visiting them over the upcoming weekend so we'll have more after this.

A Photo Backlog

Random photos from the past 2 weeks.

Two Sunday's ago the family spent the day at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. From the picture above, bro-in-laws Joe and Greg, Hubby, sister Karen (can you see the beginnings of her twins baby bump?) and Mom.
Here's Joe playing a video game that had him sitting in a race car - he was the only one who could fit and he barely did at that.

One of the many race cars on the track on the streets of St. Pete.

The historic Columbia Restaurant last night. My Aunt Anne and Uncle Ted, parents and sister Laura and Greg all had the please to have a meal at the Ybor City landmark. mmmmmm! We even got a tour of the place by our waiter. The kitchen is huuggee!

Millennium Park - Part Deux

So we decided to head out to a park today. Nice weather, good company. Sister Laura and Bro-in-law Greg came along this time. We thought we would take them to Millennium Park in Seminole since it is by there apartment and they had never been there. We had lots of fun. As you can see above my hubby found a coconut - on the banks of the inter coastal waterway. He thought it would be cool if he peeled it (as he is doing above) and crack the sucker open. He did. Unfortunately my battery on the camera went dead so I couldn't catch the outcome - an open coconut that was bad - tasting that is. But he had a lot of fun doing it. We figured it was good to know that if we were stuck on a desert island Laszlo could get into a coconut as long as he had his keys on him.

This is a picture of Laura and Greg. Yes, Greg has an Aerobee on his. He thought we might play with it at the park. He got tired of carrying it so he started wearing it. Could he be starting a trend?

This was very sad. Millennium Park had these really cool sculptures along its boardwalk. I had taken a picture of this one about this time last year. Unfortunately some jerks decided it was up to them to destroy them. This one they broke the head off and almost all of her fingers. Another was completely shattered. It was sickening.

This was some really cool trees on the nature trail we took. It looked like there was a fire in the area. Fires are common in Florida. We have a fierce dry season. I thought they were very sculptural. It was the trail that we couldn't figure out which way to go on. We were hoping we'd come out eventually. We did and made it to my parents for a lovely dinner.

My sister has requested we ride on the Pinellas Trail as our next park visit. I'm in for that. I have to get my husband to make a path to the bikes as they are behind all kinds of stuff in the garage.

Laura, Greg and Laszlo - It's on - Like Donkey Kong!!