Last Saturday, when taking our children’s friends down to Des Moines to meet with their parents, our Honda cracked a head gasket and the radiator blew up. Apparently we had an unknown antifreeze leak and the car couldn’t take it anymore! The huge blessings were:

I just thought I had a few years to get it…

So we found ourselves praying for God to give us a great car at a great price. Mr. Right used the weekend to scour the online ads for suggestions. All the sudden, he found a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan with only 26K miles on it and it was just slightly above our ideal price. Considering we saw others at our price with 80K miles on them, we figured it would be worthwhile to pay a little more for a virtually new car. Knowing that this was the answer to our prayers, I quit looking at any other ads. I figure that if I pray for it, I’d better believe He’s going to do it!

Monday we test drove it, asked a lot of questions and then decided that it was what God was giving us! It fit all of our “qualifications” and then some. (Mr. Right wanted one that wasn’t silver, gold or maroon because most of the vans on the road are one of those colors. Me? I wanted a running car with good gas mileage.) How awesome to not have to shop all week for a van!

So now, we have this beautiful van, ready to transport us and friends to amazing destinations… like hiking trails and camping spots!

Isn’t she a beauty?! It’s way more that what we thought or imagined God would give us! And you know what? I actually enjoy driving it. Who knew?

Wednesday was The Girl’s high school orientation meeting. Oh my lands. Where on earth has all the time gone?! How can she be in HS already? She’s super excited about being there, meeting and making new friends. I had such a memorable HS time; I’m hoping that she’ll have one just as memorable and fun in her own personal way. She’ll have to get involved to make that happen.

Thursday night, after running The Boy through his meet the teacher, Mr. Right and I had the opportunity to cheer for the Vikings in the stands. What a FUN time! It was exciting to see the players, even if Favre, Peterson and Allen never took the field. We cheered hard and well, so much so that we now know the Viking’s score song! Thank you, Google, for helping us in a time of need!

Since I already biffed on my “never owning a van” deal, it makes perfect sense to biff on another long-time holdout too. It appears that Direct TV is in my future as well. Sam’s Club caught Mr. Right as we passed electronics, but I continued on my shopping way. After getting what I needed, I went to rescue Mr. Right from the salesman’s clutches. I knew I was in trouble when The Boy came running up to me, saying “Dad has to see you right now!”

Mr. Right looked excited as he explained the deal to me. The salesman, trying to help out now and then, said, “There’s lots of cooking channels and home show channels and you get Showtime free for 6 mos!”

“That won’t work on me. I could care less about any of those shows,” I stonewalled.

“Well, you might be interested in the fact that you’ll get the NFL channel and every station that will play the games,” he said with a smile. (The Boy leaned over and “whispered”, “Dad told him that you like football.”

That traitor!

With Mr. Right looking hopeful and the kids talking about all the programs they enjoyed on the history channel and Discovery, I caved. So now we’ll have Direct TV, but I better not hear ONE BIT of complaining when I watch football! I’ve also given the “tv is not going to dictate or rule anyone in this house’s life” mantra too. I have a feeling that that will become a recorded message with one of the peeps in the house…

The State Fair is on our to-do list for today. I know it will be busy, but we’re excitied to taste and see what all the fuss is! We’ve some friends who are willing to show us the ropes this year; I know we could do it on our own, but it will be nice having someone experienced helping us to enjoy our first time. The Boy went to bed last night saying, “I’m SO excited that tomorrow’s Saturday! We get to eat junk food all day long!”

Ahhh, it’s good to see that he’s a boy after my own heart… and Mr. Right’s too. He wanted to show up their for breakfast.

What do you have planned this weekend? No matter what it is, have a fun and safe Labor day weekend! Catch you on the flip side!

This weather! Oh my lands, it’s been absolutely gorgeous here! Last weekend before we got back some very spoiled kids from Grandma’s (we had to remind them that no, chocolate is NOT viable source of nutrition!), Mr. Right and I went on a hike at Taylor Falls. It was beautiful and perfect for some great exercise and a picnic by the river.

This week, we’ve had a couple of visitors crammed into our little 2-bedroom apartment. Fortunately, they don’t mind being close with everyone! The best friends of our kids from Kansas is staying the week with us and so far, they’ve had a blast.

We hit the library on Monday to make sure that not every waking moment is video games or movies; I think this thought in particular has been a shock to one of our visitor’s system.

Tuesday we saw Nanny McPhee Returns. I was worried at the beginning of it as the key word seemed to be “poo”. However, it turned out nicely, but I liked the first one best.

Wednesday we were bagging food at Feed My Starving Children and having the best time working to help others. They all remarked that it was, by far, their favorite activity! Too bad I forgot my camera and phone. Would have loved to have a picture of them all having loads of fun while working to remind them that it’s all in the attitude when they have to work on something else that they don’t want to do… As an aside, we packed enough to feed 35 kids for the entire year. Woo hoo!

Thursday we introduced The Girl to a reason to never enter the ocean again as we scared the mess out of them with Jaws. Daa na. Daa na. Daa na… You know, I love how Speilberg did it. He built up the suspense without showing Jaws until after an hour into the movie. Brilliant is what I say! Classic. Pure classic. Speilberg’s a genius from the beginning…

Tonight we’ll relax with a game night and homemade pizza! I think Pictionary, Uno Attack and Apples to Apples will rule the night…

Tomorrow, it will be back to reality as we shuffle kids to the appropriate homes and start in on readying ourselves for school… and the State Fair, of course! I’ve heard so much about this event that it seemed sacriledge to miss it! I’ve gotten advance tickets and some ride tickets. Anyone know what would be a good number of tickets per kid for the rides? This being our first time, I’d like to at least have enough for them to ride 10-15 rides. Is it a ticket per ride or 3-4 per ride? Help a novice out here, would ya?

Eat your heart out, Macgyver!

If I could find the camera, I’d post pictures from The Girl’s birthday party. She decided to take her party guests and volunteer at Feed My Starving Children, packaging food for the hungry. The girls had a blast and the entire session made more than any other group all week – 22, 460 meals! That was enough food for 68 kids to eat ALL YEAR! Afterwards, we came home and by-passed the scheduled swim party (it rained) and switched to playing games. Later we ate spaghetti with homemade sauce (delish!), salad, mixed fruit and garlic bread. We wrapped it up later with The Girl’s request of strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. (I added fresh strawberries to the top and one girl said, “This tastes like strawberry cheesecake!” It did!)

All I’ve been doing is working (with the occasional golf sponsorship outing – all I have to do is sit by a tee with drink in hand and have the players make a Little Tyke putt. It was cute watching these 6 ft tall guys, play with a plastic red 2-foot putter, listening to the ones without children complain about the advantages of the the ones who did have children.) Other than that, work has been work. A lot of stuff on my plate, but it’s not been too bad.

The kids are at Grandmavon’s again. They’re in hog heaven! The Girl was able to help in the bookstore for the college kids to purchase their books. She was so excited about getting to do it! The Boy is being spoiled rotten yet again, but hopefully he’s learning that helping at Grandma’s place can be just as fun as computers! I know that they’ve been picking tomatoes in the garden. He loves that task because he can eat the fruits of his labor! I do miss them though… a lot!

It’s been divine having Mr. Right home! We even tried to do the drive-in, but yet again we were prevented from attending. I’m getting the feeling that God doesn’t want us there… Instead we’ve taken walks, gone to the pool, visited with his coworkers and have basically enjoyed ourselves. Tomorrow we’re either going to hit a state park for a hike or attend the Uptown Art Fair. We’ll see which we do.

Sorry that I’ve lost my get up and go. I just want to laze the summer away. Like the kids, I’m counting down the days of heat, but for different reasons. Whereas they are counting down the days til school starts, I’m counting down the days left of these fabulous temperatures and beckoning calls. Too soon, I’ll be hoping they’ll be back again… but in the mean time, I’ll think about the Mudslides in my blender and nighttime dips in the pool with my man! (and where I might have put the camera)

These days, I’m still in complete and utter awe at this person who brings great joy into our lives every day. She is such a tender and thoughtful person who teaches me daily that there are many reasons to smile, to love, to forgive and to have fun!

Happy 14th Birthday, The Girl!!!

He looked at me and said, “Let’s do it tonight. Since Mr. Right is out of town and you’re kids are gone, it would be a perfect night. Just go over to my house, knock on the door and tell my wife that I said you both would hit it off fabulously! She’ll get a kick out of it and I’ll be home in a bit to make you guys the drink. Seriously, she’ll love it and she’ll love you because you and she are a lot alike!”

Staring at him, I said, “Mark! I can’t just show up at your house! I’ve never met you wife and she’ll think me truly odd as an unannounced strange woman whose husband has sent her over to her house! I’m a planner. It has to be arranged a little bit at least!”

He whips out his phone, calls his wife and says (insert appropriate pauses where needed), “Hey Honey! Whatcha doing right now? Oh that sounds good. Do you have plans for tonight? Would you like some? My friend Shalee is going to stop by in a few minutes. I told her about my mojitos and she said they sounded fabulous and couldn’t wait to try one, so I thought why not tonight?! Oh is that tonight? Well, we could go eat dinner and then head over to the wine tasting after that. Sure. No. Don’t worry about the kitchen. She’s got kids so she’ll understand. Okay. Love you too.”

And with that, I was on my way. I arrived to find Nicole as open and willing as Mark indicated. We talked for a bit and my phone rang. Seeing that it was my mom, I asked Nicole if I could take it because, I’m ashamed to say, I hadn’t talked to her in forever and a day. She told me to take it because she had to make mashed potatoes for her son who just had his wisdom teeth pulled. So I talked to my mom and watched Nicole as she proceeded to try to make said potatoes. I have to admit. I was quite awed by her inability, especially when she pulled down a thin Betty Crocker cookbook to look up how to make them! What really made me laugh was watching her toss chunks of potatoes into boiling water and then jumping back to not get splattered.

As soon as I finished my talk with my mom, I smiled at her and said, “I’m taking over the making your mashed potatoes! You seem a little out of your depth here.”

Her face brightened and she replied, “Really? That would be awesome! I’ve only made mashed potatoes about 5 times in my whole life, so I can never remember what to do!”

“How is it that you’ve only made them so few times? There like a staple at our house. Cheap and easy.”

“Well, I’m a dietitian, so we have other kinds of potatoes. I’d rather us eat them in other forms than mashed.”

“Well, don’t watch or you’ll cringe. I’ll make them so that your son will love them, okay?”

“Well, it doesn’t hurt to have them once in a while. I’ll see how you Southern women make them….”

I proceeded to raid her fridge, asking if she had whipping cream, butter or anything else that I could use. She pulled out a can of whipped cream and said, “I’ve got this! But maybe that’s too sweet?”

Yeah. “No, I mean like cream that can be whipped. Heavy whipping cream.”

She stared at me, pointed to herself and said sheepishly, “Dietitian, remember? We don’t normally have that kind of stuff around here.”

Good. Night. Nurse! I must be a heart attack waiting to happen! “Oh yeah. How about sour cream? Do you have that?”

I found milk, sour cream, cheese, bacon and chives and proceeded to make a huge bowl of loaded mashed potatoes. By the time I was done, Mark was home, making the mojitos and asking why I was working in the kitchen.

“I’m learning first hand how Southern women cook. It’s been an experience, let me tell you!” Nicole grinned.

I had them taste the potatoes to make sure that they were good enough to serve to her son. “Mmmmm! These are heavenly! Mark, you’ve got to try these!”

Soon I was laughing and saying, “Is your son gonna get any of those or am I going to have to make more?”

She gave up the potatoes, we drank the world’s most delicious mojitos, we went to Jimmy John’s (for my first time) and then we went to the wine tasting. We laughed and talked and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

I plan on doing it again with Mr. Right along for the fun next time because as much as Nicole and I hit it off, I’m sure Mark and my man will do the same. They’re both computer wizards and have the same kind of laid back personality that are sure to fit each other well.

And I’ll show them what Southern women can do in a correctly stocked kitchen too!

Why never to ask favours from the designers

I have to tell you… I’ve been chuckling over this one ever since my friend Kelly sent it to me. And I’m not cruel. I have a cat… and a good sense of humor!

Story goes :

Shannon (the secretary) has lost her cat and has asked David (the graphic designer) to help with a lost poster. This is their email correspondence…
Read from top to bottom….

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster

Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.

This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan.

From:David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news.
Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster

yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
I never said I don’t like cats. Attached poster as requested.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
It’s a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don’t come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

<p>This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say Lost.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww

Dear Shannon,
I don’t have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend’s cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter. I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww

Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww

I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says “I haven’t seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?” you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Please just use the photo I gave you.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Fine. That will have to do.

Let me recap (once again – some day I’ll write regular posts):

Last week, The Boy went to Nebraska for a fun time with his cousin Ethan. He had an awesome time being a Jedi, an assistant cleaner (Ethan is a cleaning fanatic!) and a pal around the house. Needless to say, I’m sure they watched way more Spongebob and played more computer than necessary, but they had fun doing it!

The Girl went to Flaming Pines Youth Camp and LOVED it! She’s already said that she can’t wait to go next year, which is a saying that I’ve never heard her utter about any camp before now. She said that the only thing she would have different were the bugs because the absolutely devoured her. We’ll be on the hunt for a better bug spray for next year, but over all it was a win for us… and her.

Here’s the slideshow of the first day in the BWCAW, just north of Ely, MN. It was so gorgeous! You and Dad would love the scenery, even if it’s not next to an ocean! We walked headed out to walk the 14 mile trail around Angleworm Lake. We loved the trail walk, even if we faced obstacles like crossing an unexpected 15 ft water way (we found a fallen 15 ft tree and used it as a bridge of sorts – we were so proud of ourselves!) and finding our way when the path disappeared under our feet (we scaled a bunch of rocks and found it at the top!)

About 2 1/2 miles around it we stopped for lunch, eating by the lake as we soaked our feet in the water. So serene and peaceful. Breathtaking is how I would ultimately describe it. Mr. Right asked if I thought we had it in us to go the other 6 hours; I of course said yes! We started off and Mr. Right turned to me after topping a long hill climb, “I don’t think I can do this. Would you be sorely disappointed if we turn back?” I was, but thought it was better to go back than to wind up trying to carry his dead body to the car about 5 hours later.

Let me just say that when the 2 1/2 hours of return trip were over, I was thanking Mr. Right for his desire to turn back! I’m so out of shape that I was barely trudging my way to the car. I did however find the energy to jump for joy when it we found the end!

On the 4th of July, we had the best time with my blogging friend-turned real-life friend, Lori. We hit it off right away, enjoying each other’s company. Her entire family – husband, kids, in-laws – were wonderful! I loved them all and can’t wait to see them again!

They must have liked us well enough to let us return the next day. Mr. Right went fishing all day and had a blast! He caught his first fish, a 4 1/2 Walleye, the largest of the day. He was so proud of himself, even if he fully admits that it was beginner’s luck!

All in all we had the best time that weekend. We’re looking forward to making it an annual foray into the BWCAW, learning to pitch a tent and camp by then. What a fun time we’ll make of it, especially since there will be a bathroom nearby!

This week, everyone is gone to KS. Mr. Right has a training week in Overland Park and the Brock family offered to have the kids for a couple of weeks since their kids are really missing ours. I’m by my lonesome, but I plan on getting some reading done, watching some movies that just I want to see and laying by the pool as often as I can. I really hope to stir myself to some outdoor recreation too! It’s been absolutely beautiful outside.

I guess I had more to say than I thought! Hope all is well with you and that you’re keeping cool in that hot sun!

We’re proud, we have more money than any country needs, we send young men and women to war for now good reason other than selfish gain.

If only the truth were known.

1. We’re not proud.  We have pride in who we had been – subjects to an oppressive king – to who we have become over time – independent citizens allowed to make our own choices, whether good or bad.
2. The OECD calculated that in 2008 the US spent about 25 billion dollars in foreign aid, Germany spending the next largest amount at about 13 billion.

Net ODA in 2009 as US dollar amounts (millions)

Country	Aid amount by dollars
Source: OECD Development Statistics Online last accessed Sunday, April 18, 2010
United States	28,305
United Kingdom	13,179
France	12,746
Germany	12,297
Japan	8,556
Spain	6,786
Netherlands	6,675
Sweden	5,083
Norway	4,650
Canada	4,341
Italy	3,350
Denmark	2,922
Australia	2,912
Belgium	2,661
Switzerland	2,271
Finland	1,319
Austria	1,179
Ireland	1,077
Korea	910
Greece	618
Portugal	523
Luxembourg	423
New Zealand	337

And lastly, in war, sometimes the best come out in men and women.  It takes a staggering situation to allow that best to come out.

I thank God that I’m an American.  May we all in this country understand and appreciate what it meant to become and what it means to be “land of the free and home of the Brave.”

Happy 4th of July!  Let freedom ring…