"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."
Helen Keller
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Welcome to the Family!
How Does Your Garden Grow?
I started out the season with hopes of only "a few" potted plants. However, those plans quickly changed as I discovered that I wanted more and more and that I really enjoyed seeing the plants grow and flourish. Below are just a few of the gorgeous plants and their colors that are on our balcony right now.

Calibrichoa (might not be the correct spelling!) Chocolate Mint - quickly turning into a bush!

Not quite sure what this is, but it is pretty! Gerbera Daisy
Calibrichoa (might not be the correct spelling!) Chocolate Mint - quickly turning into a bush!
Not quite sure what this is, but it is pretty! Gerbera Daisy
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Jon & Kate Plus 8

I love this show. (Jeremy is not a big fan) If you haven't seen it yet, I would highly recommend it. (Monday nights on TLC)
The show is about Jon & Kate Gosselin, who have 2 sets of multiples, and their everyday life. First came the twins, Cara and Maddy, and then the sextuplets, Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Collin, Leah, and Joel.
Reader's Digest version of their story - they got married and wanted to have children. Kate found out that she had some baby-making problems, so they chose to attempt IUI. Success #1 - the twins. A year or so later they BOTH decided to try again for just "1 more". Adoption was out of the question, for various reasons, so they decided to go the IUI route again, and Success #2 - the sextuplets.
If you are going to look into the family, or show, on the internet consider this a warning. There a million people out there who either love the show or hate it and are not afraid to share their opinions (just like I am now!). I find it amazing that so many people offer up their little tidbits of advice (ahem - judgements) on Kate, Jon, their marriage, their parenting techniques, and their lifestyle.
My judgements - Jon & Kate seem to have a very strong marriage. They instill the teachings of the bible and God in their children and practice those teachings in their lives. (Though this is not often seen, due to editing, you can often catch glimpses of it. Plus, you can read all about it on their website http://www.sixgosselins.com/Home.html) They want the very best for their children. They get stressed out. They argue. They love each other. They love their children. They try to create some type of normalcy for their children because they know how difficult it is because their family is far from our society's idea of what a normal family is.
Kate's tummy-tuck. If someone offered to do it for me, after my stomach grew beyond my reach, darn right I would be standing in line to have it done.
Kate's OCD. Ummm, yeah.... She is a control-freak and even though I have no clue what it must be like, I would probably have the same attitude.
Her phobia of germs... so what? There is nothing wrong with a clean house. I do find myself thinking that she is taking some of the fun from her kids by not wanting them to get crazy-dirty, but I also understand that she doesn't want to battle 8 grass/mud/food, etc. stains at a time. Who in their right mind would? I can't ever remember my mother saying to go ahead and get all srunged up because she doesn't mind doing the laundry and stain-fighting.
Her snapping at Jon. If he has repeatedly said on the show that it doesn't bother him, that that is how they communicate, that he does the same thing, then why in the world does it bother so many people? I can honestly say, again, that I would probably do the same thing.
Their vacations. Come on people! You know that they are either free (for PR purposes) or extremely discounted. Why can't they go on vacation? Don't they deserve it too?
High-horse over.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Movie Review - Hot Fuzz

Synopsis: Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is the finest cop London has to offer, with an arrest record 400% higher than any other officer on the force. He’s so good, he makes everyone else look bad. As a result, Angel’s superiors send him to a place where his talents won’t be quite so embarrassing -- the sleepy and seemingly crime-free village of Sandford. Once there, he is partnered with the well-meaning but overeager police officer Danny Butterman (Nick Frost). However, as a series of grisly accidents rocks the village, Angel is convinced that Sandford is not what it seems. It's time for these small-town cops to break out some big-city justice. --© Rogue Pictures
Jeremy picked this movie for us last night. I was skeptic at first, but have to admit that it was funny. If you can get past the gory parts (only a few scenes, but definitely some blood splatter!) it is worth watching. YARP!!!
3.75 Stars! (out of 5)
Jeremy picked this movie for us last night. I was skeptic at first, but have to admit that it was funny. If you can get past the gory parts (only a few scenes, but definitely some blood splatter!) it is worth watching. YARP!!!
3.75 Stars! (out of 5)
Monday, June 9, 2008
Cats with Hats
My Mom's dearest friend is concerned with Mom's new amount of "free time" since she retired. With that in mind, Barb came across a wonderful website with instructions on how to make a cat hat. Emails started flying in the family about how this would be a great idea (sarcastically, of course). A few days later, I received an email from my father with pictures of Mom's latest endeavor. I must have deleted the pictures from my email, but I will get them again and post. I also managed to take 1, yes only 1, picture of Buddy in the hat that my Mother took the time to mail to us. She made a purple one for Zoe, a pink one for Abby and a green one for Buddy. I will somehow get pictures of all of them in their hats. It is only a matter of time....
http://www.wikihow.com/Crochet-a-Cat-Hat
http://www.wikihow.com/Crochet-a-Cat-Hat
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Goodbye my boys

Bettis with me and Max with Jeremy
Jeremy and I made the difficult decision to give the boys back to the rescue we originally rescued them from. There were several reasons why, but mostly due to his allergies. We were unable to give them the care that they needed since some of it I was unable to do myself.
When we took them to Julene on Sunday, she said that is was remarkable the progress that Bettis made in his behavior and how much they both grew. She did the normal mommy once-over and said that we took exceptional care of them.
We had a blast with them since we had them. They each had their own personalities. Bettis was very shy and Max was his protector. They knew when it was dinner time and would let us know that they were ready to eat by squeeking up a storm. If they heard the refrigerator door, no matter what time it was, they would start to squeek. If they wanted attention they would start to squeek. They squeeked a lot! I also enjoyed making them their beds. The favorite in the house, without question, was their Steelers bed.
We definitely miss them. There is a void in the apartment where they used to be. I could have sworn that I heard Max sqeek last night for his dinner, but then realized that it was a bird outside. Even though it was hard, we both know that this was the right decision to make.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Life without A/C
It's really only been a few days, but we are not happy. We have been spoiled. I believe that every dwelling should have a/c - no question about it. Just think of all of the medical benefits having it would bring. It would be easier to breathe, you would sweat less which means less acne, it would lower your core body temperature thus lowering your blood pressure... the bullshitter has come out now. Either way, I love air conditioning.
On Saturday, while Jeremy and I sat on the couch vegetating, I heard this horrible sound only to discover that it was our a/c unit. It sounded as if a chunk of metal and a mouse were in a battle because of the clanging and squealing we heard. We decided to shut her down for the weekend until we could call our property manager on Monday morning. Thankfully the heat cooperated a bit so we weren't totally miserable.
Yesterday I called our property manager and when Jeremy came home from work the a/c was jacked up (I guess it would be down?), blowing full force, and it still wasn't cold. I don't know how long it was on like that, but I really want to thank the maintenance man for doing that since he isn't the one paying the electric bill. I still haven't heard what is wrong or when it will be fixed. Last night was great though because Jeremy and I ate dinner outside on the patio and just enjoyed the flowers and the quiet.
On Saturday, while Jeremy and I sat on the couch vegetating, I heard this horrible sound only to discover that it was our a/c unit. It sounded as if a chunk of metal and a mouse were in a battle because of the clanging and squealing we heard. We decided to shut her down for the weekend until we could call our property manager on Monday morning. Thankfully the heat cooperated a bit so we weren't totally miserable.
Yesterday I called our property manager and when Jeremy came home from work the a/c was jacked up (I guess it would be down?), blowing full force, and it still wasn't cold. I don't know how long it was on like that, but I really want to thank the maintenance man for doing that since he isn't the one paying the electric bill. I still haven't heard what is wrong or when it will be fixed. Last night was great though because Jeremy and I ate dinner outside on the patio and just enjoyed the flowers and the quiet.
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