14 years ago today, I was:

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!!!

Yesterday at work, our IT guy, Mark, came up to help one of our employees with a computer problem. When he was finished, he and I (who have always had a great rapport) were talking about this and that. Somehow we got on our favorite drinks and how we make them. He was describing a raspberry mojito that sounded out of this world and I said, “You’ve got to make me one of those some time!”

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!

Or otherwise titled:

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.

Okay, so blogging hasn’t been a priority for me. I know you’re wondering what’s going on with us, especially since I’m not so swell at being on the phone either… I know. I know. I’m the bad kid. That’s what happens when you raise an independent youngest child!

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!

You know, you’d think that the way newscasters and political advocates talk, America must be an awful place.

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…