Monday's Magnet

 

In honor of North Carolina surviving Hurricane Irene, here is today's magnet selection. This was also a gift from Mike and Angie. Someday I'll go to North Carolina and see the beautiful beaches there. For now I'll just enjoy the magnet.

Brie's a Freshman

Today was Brie's first day of high school! I cannot believe it. My baby is in high school. I have a feeling the next 4 years are going to fly by. Brie was excited and I think a little nervous at the same time. I know she'll do great.Here she is looking out the door as she was telling other students to hurry up or they'd miss the bus. She knew I was giving her a ride. I'm nuts.And what would the first day of your freshman year be like without your best friend?? Chelsey spent the night with us so she and Brie could go to school together.Needless to say, these two are beyond crazy. Enjoy these next 4 years, girls. Have a great time. Before you know it you'll be done with this chapter of your life. Brie... I love you with all my heart. Do your best. Just like I've told Emile... the sky's the limit. Go for it!!

Hurricane Irene

This is Irene. Isn't she a beauty?!?! Here in our area we got hit by Irene overnight. We had some rain bands come through earlier in the afternoon, but the real brunt of the storm didn't arrive until around midnight. By 1:10am I was wide awake and listening to water pouring through the leak in my bedroom bay window... AGAIN! We patched the roof with sealant/tar, but obviously we didn't get the right spot. Grrrr. The wind was blowing so hard that the windows were rattling. The big tree out back was swaying around and some smaller twigs fell off. We also had water in the basement but it ran down the floor and out the drain.From the Carolina's all the way up to the eastern seaboard, Irene made her presence known. There was widespread damage and a couple dozen fatalities. With the extreme size of Irene, it's good that it wasn't any stronger (category 1 at land fall) than it was.I had to include this picture of Irene. It was taken from the International Space Station. Nature is truly amazing... both for it's destructive properties as well as it's beauty.

So long, Irene!!

Three Months and Counting

Here it is. Today is my third anniversary. What a difference 12 weeks has made. I'm feeling like I'm actually beginning to live again. I've done things in the last couple weeks that I haven't been able to do in years! I actually weigh less now than I have in over 13 years. How cool is that!??! The pictures aren't necessarily the best because my digital camera was stolen, however, I had Em take these a few minutes ago with her phone. It's very important for me to document my transition.I am feeling better than I can imagine. My A1C is 5.5. That means I'm no longer diabetic. My cholesterol levels are even better than they were before (at the high end of acceptable before surgery), and all my labs that Dr. Monk ordered came back just fine. I can walk a mile and a quarter in 21 minutes.. and I'm about ready to move up to a mile and a half. Once I'm down another 20 pounds or so, I'm going to start jogging a little. I'm not a big fan of running, however, I still want to do a little for the aerobic exercise. In a nut shell... I'm doing terrific! Stay tuned.

Daphne's Got A Boo-Boo!

I am not a happy camper today. On Tuesday we had a blast. We went to Pinchot State Park for a picnic with Tibbs and Tibbsette. It was a fantastic afternoon. Yesterday I decided to go to Codorus State Park (on a date) so we could hike some of the trails around the lake. That turned out to be a bad decision. The walk was just fine... it's truly a beautiful area. It's what I found when I got back to Daphne that ruined the day.If you look at the map from the bottom up, I was parked in the little trail head lot by the second bridge (about the middle of the map). You can see a small dot by the cove.As I came around the back of the car to grab my purse out of the back end (where I had put it under the cargo cover), I saw the back window was smashed out. I looked in and realized the cargo cover was snapped open and my purse was missing. I couldn't believe it! I've never had anything like this happen in my entire life. I immediately called the police. While I was waiting for them to arrive I called the bank and then my insurance agent. When the police officer finally arrived (about 40 minutes after I called) he apologized about how long it took for him to get to me. Turns out he had been on another "smash and grab" call for a vehicle parked in another lot at Codorus. It goes without saying that I picked the wrong day to go to Codorus. Bummer.After 6+ hours of phone calls and running around, I started getting new ID's, my driver's license, a new wallet, date book, etc. Today I was able to get the back window replaced. Fortunately I had a zero deductible for comprehensive coverage. Yay! That was a good piece of news. Now I just hope that nothing identity wise goes wrong with the items that were stolen. I did file reports with everyone I should have, so I'm hoping it all works out in the long run.

On a positive note, I did enjoy my date... even though it ended on a bit of a sour note. We will be seeing one another again. After an "eventful" get together, I can honestly say I hope we don't have any more like this one. What can I say???? Another life lesson learned.

Monday's Magnet

 

Virginia Beach is a beautiful place to go. Mike and Angie brought me this two years ago. We'll be going there next April for our BLT Reunion. That will be a lot of fun.

Kauffman Reunion 2011

It's that time of the year again. Family reunion time! I positively love the Kauffman Reunion. This year was the 27th year we've had one. As usual it was a blast! It was so much fun seeing everyone and sharing conversation, games, and yummy food. Here are the pictorial highlights from Saturday, August 20, 2011.And here's my annual picture with my baby brother, Corey. I sure look better than I did last year at this time.Can't wait for next years reunion.

Monday's Magnet

 

In honor of my neighbors, who are having a week of fun at the shore, I selected this magnet. Have a great time and we'll see you in a few days. No beach for us this year. Next year for sure.

Some People's Kids

Man.... some people should never have children. These people have no control over their children. They let their children do whatever they want. Shame on them! This is what I saw when I was at the grocery store last Saturday, the 6th of August.

SAY WHAT???

My bad! I cannot believe my eyes. It's my own lovely Emile and Brie... along with Em's sweetheart, Matt, racing through the store.Hello, Emile....

Hello, Brie....

Hello, Matt.... And there they go. I'm hanging my head in shame. I cannot believe my beautiful children would ever do anything like this. Poor, poor me.

HAIL TO THE COMMANDER AND CHIEF!

I do not like this Uncle Sam, I do not like the health care scam.
I do not like these dirty crooks, or how they lie and cook the books.
I do not like when Congress steals, I do not like their secret deals.
I do not like this Man, I do not like this 'YES WE CAN'.
I do not like this spending spree, I'm smart, I know that Nothing's Free.
I do not like their smug replies, when I complain about their lies.
I do not like this kind of hope. I do not like it. . . nope, nope, nope!

Enough said!

Monday's Magnet

In honor of Brie being at band camp with the MIGHTY West York Bulldog Marching Band for the first time (yes, she a freshman this year), I selected this magnet. Brie is not thrilled with me for making her stay in band, however, I know this is the right thing to do... AND Emile was in marching band all through high school. It makes a huge difference in their lives. Brie may not be able to see it right now, but some day she will. I love you, Brie.

Monday's Magnet

I selected this magnet in honor of my brother, Tony, and his son, Leo. Leo was baptized this past weekend. Yay, Leo. My niece, Lucinda, and her husband, Steve, as well as my nephew, R.B., and his wife, Amy, went out to San Diego to see Leo baptized. We're so proud of Leo and his decision to get baptized. We love you.