Fun Things

My Friend Kendra had this on her blog...you're supposed to Star the things you've done...and add more!

What a fun reminder of all the things life has to offer!

1. Started your own blog *
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band * (school band counts I think)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity*
7. Been to Disneyworld *
8. Climbed a mountain *
9. Held a praying mantis*
10. Sang a solo*
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris *
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch* (tho not well!)
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables*
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France*
20. Slept on an overnight train*
21. Had a pillow fight *
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill *
24. Built a snow fort *
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping *
27. Run a marathon (1/2 a star)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (1/2 a star, been there, but skipped the gondola.)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset *
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise*
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community*
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied*
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David*
41. Sung karaoke *
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt*
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight *
46. Been transported in an ambulance *
47. Had your portrait painted - drawn I think that counts!
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person*
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris*
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling*
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud *
54. Gone to a drive-in theater*
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business*
58. Taken a martial arts class*
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching *
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma *
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check *
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (book!) *
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial *
71. Eaten Caviar*
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square *
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired/laid off from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London*
77. Broken a bone *
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican*
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper *
85. Read the entire Bible*
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox *
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous *
92. Joined a book club*
93. Lost a loved one *
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person*
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit*
98. Owned a cell phone *
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person *
101. Learned to play an instrument *
102. Kissed the Blarney Stone
103. Ridden a camel
104. Served in the military
105. Swam in a bayou
106. Helped with harvest *
107. Been arrested
108. Had more than one boyfriend/girlfriend at a time *
109. Owns too many shoes
110. Been pulled over for speeding *
111. Been in a car accident *
112. Touched a real glacier
113. Camped in Norway
114. Swam in the Iceland natural pools (heated by hot springs)
115. Been inside a cave
116. Drove a combine
117. Rode a horse *
118. Had a child puke/pee on you *
119. held a baby pig
120. helped deliver a baby animal
121. Climbed to the top of the world's longest suspension bridge*

My poor, poor dog.

But it's SO fun to take funny pictures of him in a Santa hat...and it's way to cold to go outside tonight! hee.

More photos of Oggy's Christmas on his blog at www.oggysbloggy.blogspot.com

A baby needing our prayers

Friend Katie brought this to my attention. This is a friend of hers and a heart breaking situation. This little guy is in critical condition today. Please keep he and his family in prayer today.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/townsendhale

Ahhh...Christmas Time Again!

Wow! It's hard to believe it was over a year ago that we got our house decorated for Christmas, and welcomed my growing-up friend Karissa and her baby Elizabeth to our house! Elizabeth LOVED Oggy...who had had the fear of God instilled in him about the baby and curled up in submission everytime she headed for him! But even though he knew to be careful, they still ended up scooting together!

She giggled and he just let her crawl on him! Too cute! We had such fun having them visit. I'm so disappointed about the fact that we won't see them this Christmas. One of the bummers of being grown up and spread around the country is that some of your best friends don't get to particpate in little things...like Christmas decorations!

While talking on the phone with Karissa the other night, she said she wanted to see pictures of how the house is decorated this year! So, here you go!

The village was a nightmare to get wired up, but we love how it looks when it's finished!

Oggy seemd to want to pose in each of the photos! I guess he wanted to say hi!

We just had this printed.
This was our tree compromise. I wanted real and white lights, which I got (in a Charlie Brown-esque sort of way...)
Michael got a full-size fake one with colored lights. Hmmm....

And, of course, the hallway!

We are excited to have everyone here at Christmas, but I kind of wish we were just a smidgen closer to Minnesota! :)

Coming Right Along...

Well, Mr. Remodel-It...

and his dad...

are at it again today! We got a floor yesterday...

And today, backer board!

We went to Home Depot for approximately 5 hours to pick up all the stuff...but it's really starting to take shape! Hopefully by the end of the day, all the studs (except the one pictured below--haha) will be out of sight!I'm just not quite sure what will happen if I need to reach the sink in the night!

A Child After My Own Heart!

The other night, Michael had plans for a night out with his guy friends. I had nothing going on and Kevin and Jen needed to do some Christmas shopping, so it was the perfect night for a sleep-over at Auntie Sarah and Uncle Michael's house!

Sweet Nicholas is 4 and SUCH a good natured kid! We had tossed around the idea of going to a movie (b/c Auntie is itching to see Madagascar 2!). However, when Nicholas arrived, he told me, "Auntie Sarah, I don't want to go to the movie. I want us to make cupcakes!" So it was decided right then and there! An evening together baking! How fun.

Nicholas is getting really good at pouring ingredients into measuring cups, operating the mixer, filling the cups, but, most importantly, he is an excellenent sampler.He noted the buttercream frosting tasted better once we made it green! After the blue and green cupcakes were frosted...

...Oggy and Nicholas ran around the living room approximately 486 times.

Apparently the exercise burned off the sugar and soon they both passed out!Michael was still gone when Nicholas fell asleep. The next morning, Nicholas came tearing into our room to tell me, "Auntie Sarah!!! Michael is home now!! I saw his coat!!!" They were soon up and at 'em, playing Wii and having a ball!

We love you, Nicholas! And we're so glad you like to come play at our house!!

Since Summer Flowers Are SUCH a Long Way Away

I thought this was a good Friday Foto.

This news geek is sooooooo bored now that the elections are over! :(

I feel like it's overtime of the closest football game in history.

A game in which the outcome would determine the future of the sport...

Wow. Well, I'm sitting watching the election returns come in with M. It's the culmination of an exciting day...and exciting election...and of course a crucial time in our lives.

The thoughts are tumbling and I want to remember them.

I'm not sure if it's the players involved in this election, the fact that it's the first I've experienced but not covered since the career change or if it's just my love of news and politics, but it's been so interesting...so thought-provoking...so tough. I've thought...prayed...hemmed and hawed because it feels as though this is such an important election. More so than I can really express with words.

This morning, I woke up at 5:30am and pretty much lept out of bed to turn on the TV. The last few weeks have been filled with debate and punditry and I love it! Hearing what a variety of people think and choosing for myself.

Anyway, I woke up so early to watch and am still feeling that same anticipation! The day at work was pure torture knowing that a in a few hours we would know. Finally know!!!

There is a feeling of anticipatory excitement in the air everywhere...the voting lines (long, long voting lines) where parents were animatedly chatting with the kids they brought to observe...the elderly election workers were recognizing and cheering for the new, first time voters...where the old man patted an 18-ish guy on the shoulder and told him to remember how important it is to vote...how it's such an important responsibility.
(which of course, brought tears to my eyes thinking of my grandfathers...all they saw and fought for so we can have the privilege to vote)

That same feeling was in the air at work...where people proudly displayed their "I voted" stickers, talked about the lines and how they too can't wait to hear the results. And about how Tim Russert would have been positively gleeful at the excitement of this race!!

A feeling that history is happening. Whether it's the first black man elected to the presidency or first woman elected VP. History. Progress. So exciting. A feel like I've not experienced progress like this in my lifetime. Wow.

So, as I watch the results of Ohio, Virgina and Pennsylvania roll in, I'm saying a quiet prayer of thanks...for a true democracy, a society that little girls and minorities can dream of being president and the assurance, of course, that none of this is a surprise to our Lord, who continues to be in control.

And I'm loving the anticipation.

Happy Belated Halloween!!

Well, Halloween came and went and was such fun! We picked out the pumpkins....

carved 'em up...

and welcomed some of our very favorite trick-or-treaters!!

In what's come to be a bit of a tradition, my dear friend Blommy Mogger brings her kids over post-trick-or-treat so they can play with the dog and hang out while we visit with she and her hubs.

She is such a gem and I so love she and her family. We been through some interesting times and I'm glad the Lord brought her into my life!! Love you, K!

The next day, this little guy came over to visit! He is one of M's best friend's baby and we love watching him grow!

And discover Oggy!

Happy (belated) Halloween!!

Wow. That's all I can say. Wow.

Check this out.

www.mycharmingkids.net

Prayers, please

It looks like sweet little Aiden Cox is experiencing some health problems. Nothing too serious, but I know it must be tough on his mom and dad. I know they appreciate your thoughts and prayers! Thanks!

Fun Friday Foto

Dog? Or Rabbit? You decide (I give up).

Why I Heart Kansas: Part II

Roses in October. Ahh...

and Dahlias.

Could fall be any more beautiful?

California Cutie!!

Drew and Kim Cox welcomed their first baby yesterday!! Little Aiden Jonathan was born at 4:48 in the afternoon! He is a little cutie and mom and dad are, of course, thrilled!

Details are available on their blog!

I'm not sure who's going to be a bigger soccer fan...Isla or Aiden...could be touch and go! hee!

Congrats, Kim and Drew! Can't wait to meet and cuddle little Aiden!

Hooray for the Marathon Runners!

This past weekend, Stephanie and Erik both completed their first Marathons!!! Congratulations, you two!

Erik ran the Ashland, WI marathon on Saturday.

Steph did the Chicago on Sunday.

Very admirable feat! Congrats!

Help! Please! (the clock is ticking...)

Well, I have a BIG problem. I don't know who to vote for. And election day is coming quickly!

Please, any insight is appreciated.

It's not a lack of interest...I'm following closely! But rather a lack of clarity.

I figured I could at least lay out the things I do know. Which aren't a lot.

Here is what I do know: (kinda wordy--sorry)

1. I am a Christian, a professed follower of Jesus Christ. I strive to live my life in a Christ-like manner and feel my faith should dictate my actions.

2. I am generally pretty socially conservative. But with cavets.
a. I am pro-life and personally opposed to abortion. I think it is a sad thing and not something I could bring myself to do. I think as a country we should strive to reduce the number of abortions performed. I do not believe Roe v. Wade should be overturned as I believe there need to be laws establishing legal abortion and the limits on it. I do believe partial term abortion should be illegal.

b. I am STRONGLY in favor of gay rights and believe NOTHING about a person’s sexuality should prohibit his or her civil rights. Neither should their race, religion, gender, etc, etc, etc. People are people and it’s time we stopped freaking out about differences.

3. Though I work hard and value my income, money is less important than people. For example, if someone asked me this rhetorical question (let's say you're given the opportunity to donate some money to a desperate family who would use it to feed their children, but were only able to do so if you donated the same amount of money to someone you knew would use it to buy crack. Would you do it?) my answer would be yes.

a. That said, I do not believe “programs” are necessarily a good thing. I’ve worked for governmental agencies, and holy wasted money, batman. But they’re not inherently bad, either.

4. Why we went into Iraq is a moot point, we’re they’re. We need to scale back because:
a. We are creating a shortage of troops if something else were to require our troops.
b. Too many lives are being lost for the goal of what? I’ve sat with two different families shortly after they lost a loved one in Iraq and it was life-changing. I think we need a better justification for losing the most valuable part of a society: those willing to serve their country.

But how? No clue. There are experts (I hope) to figure that out.

5. I have had BAD experiences with unions. They originally served a very important role and were a strong force for good in our nation’s labor history. I get that. But I feel like they are corrupt and no longer serving the good of nation as a whole.
a. i.e. I was FORCED to be part of a union (and pay union dues), a union that specifically did nothing when myself and other employees were in a physically dangerous situation in our workplace. In addition, the dues I paid went toward supporting a political candidate I did not support. I could go on but will only add this. Michigan’s automakers are losing biz hand over fist. Unions have negotiated salaries and pensions so high that janitors are making 60k +. I think that makes it hard to run an viable business.


Ok, so those are the “I knows”…but there are just a few and none that lead in a specific political direction. Sigh…

I make a bad democrat (too socially conservative, too opposed to govm’t programs) and a bad republican (not overly concerned about taxes, think we need to get out of Iraq)

Thoughts?

Fun Friday Foto

Of my Favorite girls!

A Sweet Read

On what's kind of shaping up to be a crappy week!

http://www.weboflove.org/060309cabride

Who Knew?

Ever have those "apparently the entire world knew this and I didn't...so glad I'm the last" moments? I have them a lot!! For example, we have a computer, but no printer. We upgraded M's computer about a year ago, and when Dell sent it back, it didn't have the big spot where you hook up a printer.

"oh no!!!" we thought. How are we ever going to get a printer without sending this back to the company and being without a computer for a few weeks?

Fast forward to yesterday. We go to Best Buy to start looking for printers. I suddenly thought, "hey, maybe they make printers that hook to your computer through the USB port...like the mouse does."

But I doubted it, so hesitated to ask. Finally, I gird up and ask the salesman if, and I know this sounds silly...but do they, uh, happen, to uh, carry printers that connect to the computer through a USB port instead of the big, standard hook up thing that, we don't have on our computer, long story, but we thought that, before sending the computer back, we should just check and I know it's a long shot, but just check to see if any of the printers hook up through USB..."

And on, and on. And he let me finish before gently telling me that, yes, indeed that is the standard for hooking up printers and has been for quite some time.

Uff. I felt like I had just asked where they had the lastest VCR's.

Funny is funny...

Seriously, I'm not trying to pick on Grandma DJ's "Second Most Favorite Sarah," but funny is funny...not matter how you slice it!

Ummm....

Watch CBS Videos Online

This almost made me want to quit eating ice cream

You wouldn't believe me if I told you, so you'll just have to read this for yourself.

http://www.wnbc.com/news/17539627/detail.html

Politics: Part II

Okay, I still haven't finished my post on politics, but came across this one and thought it good food for thought. I would have posted the original link, but the language is way offensive...

Much of the original post is completely opposite of my view of "don't rip people apart...focus on the issues," but still has some good points.

One final caveat...I have NO party affiliation, don't know who I will vote for and am trying to be as informed and true to my values as possible (again, the really-well thought out post is coming!!) But I love, love, love politics and thought this to be very thought-provoking.

So, here it is. It's from http://www.dooce.com/ (her daughter, 4, is Leta)

...Any time I engage with one of my conservative friends or family members, or sometimes the conservative commenters on this website, it usually devolves into them screaming about WELFARE! and TAXES! and THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING MY MONEY AND GIVING IT TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T WORK! And what they don't understand is that this is not the issue at all. What I and many of my more liberal friends want is to HELP people, not give them a free ride, but also not to ignore those who would benefit from us tossing them a life jacket.
Case in point: Because Leta was diagnosed with plagiocephaly when she was two months old, she cannot qualify for private insurance until she is thirteen years old. So the only insurance we can get her is high-risk insurance that costs us upwards of $300 a month. Just for her alone. And even then that insurance won't cover anything until she has reached a $3000 deductible. I am fortunate enough to have grown up in a white, middle class family who could afford to send me to college, as did my husband, and we have enough work experience to run a business that makes it so that we can afford this insurance for our daughter. We don't have to make the choice between buying food or insuring our daughter. We are really f**king lucky.

But what about the family who cannot afford that insurance for their child? The family who can barely make rent, and if they stretch the budget they can eat three meals a day all week, let's hope nothing bad happens to their kids because then they're screwed. Kids, go hug your father, he's off to one of his three jobs, none of which provide him insurance. And it's not because he's lazy or unwilling to work, it's that his family couldn't afford to send him to college, or he came from a family that didn't know they should encourage him to go to college because they were busy trying to survive. If giving up more of my paycheck could help get this family adequate healthcare, then PLEASE. TAKE MY F**KING MONEY.

I get the feeling that people around the world are looking at this election as a gauge to see if America is finally ready to wake up and realize that we are not the only country on this planet. They are waiting to see if we are going to put yet another fundamentalist loon in charge of public and foreign policy, someone who doesn't think that global warming is in any way caused by humans, so screw the rest of you who live here on this planet, we need that cup of oil with breakfast in the morning...


Ok, Sarah again. Yes, I know that's harsh...
Here is the line I want to focus on: "If giving up more of my paycheck could help get this family adequate healthcare, then PLEASE. TAKE MY F**KING MONEY"

So, how do we not be so concerned about money, but more concerned with helping "the least of these". Afterall, we can't take much with us! :) But that said, I don't necessarily believe grabbing more tax money and pumping it into gov. programs will indeed get that family adequate healthcare.

So, that's my search for political enlightenment today!
:)

Politics: Part I

I'm planning an articulate, thought-provoking post on politics. I've drafted it in word and I'm getting ready to post it. But it's not ready yet....mainly because I keep arguing with myself. But part of what I was going to post is covered very eloquently by a co-worker here.

She and I were discussing yesterday our deep desire to have our country recognize, in a non-partisan way, how very admirable all four people in this race (McCain, Obama, Palin and Biden) are...and then focus on the issues so important to our country.

We can think an individual is very accomplished, even admirable, but not agree with his or her policies.

Ok. Quitting for now. But will do the political post soon...as soon as I can agree with myself on what I want to say! :)

The Wedding (Part I of many): Cousin Erik

Well, I have decided this blog is sort of my journal...a way to remember things. I can reflect, record, relive. I think I can even pay someone to put it into book form so when the internet 10.0 comes along and everything we've created becomes unreadable, I’ll still have it. Photos and all.

(which means this blah…blah…blah…may be of no interest to you. That’s OK. I won’t be offended. :)

Since the wedding was 4 and half months ago, and I still haven’t written about it, I figured I had better start. Since the weekend was SO filled with events, friends, family, food, hugs, stories, tears, tornadoes, flowers and a prayer chair, I figured I had to break it into manageable slices. Pick an element, write about what I remember (if you’re bothering to read this and remember something related to the topic, add it in the comments. We all know my memory is not so good sometimes! Haha!)

So…I decided to start with my lovely usher-cousin, Erik.

Why start here? Well, no good reason. Just that I just threw Cindy McCain at him on facebook, so he was on my mind.

(Erik is on the right...our friend Mark on the left)

Here’s a bit of history. Erik is the oldest "coussin"on my dad’s side, and ever since I can remember, he’s been one of my most favorite people in the whole world. As kids (hey, mom? Remember those pics I asked you to scan and send? Those will go here!) we tortured our younger siblings, plotted out “bases” in pine trees and played hours of monopoly. As a teenager, there wasn’t much cooler than my cousin in college. Yep, on occasion, I got to go to Concordia and hang out with him! Woo hoo!

As adults, I’ve come to know Erik as not only a person I admire, but as a friend. His sense of humor is drier than the Mojave in a drought, but he can be every bit as goofy as me. He understands what is important in life, but doesn’t take himself too seriously. He is true to himself and has an incredible devotion to his family…making the rest of my Grandma G’s grandkids look like a bunch of slackers! Haha.

I knew I wanted him to be a part of my wedding day simply because he is someone I adore and admire. In the hectic craziness of the day leading up to the wedding, Erik and I ended up getting several hours alone…mainly to go pick up the dress from the lady who forgot to alter it. That’s another post.

But, dear Erik relieved my mom and Steph of the sweetness and light I’m sure I was by that point, and we set out to pick up his tux, get my dress (which he learned to bustle properly at 432 different points on the train) and a much-needed jolt of caffine and sugar.

(it was sort of like Sodoku with tulle and lace)

That day, in the insanity of entertaining people from 16 states, I was able to grab some solace with my timeless friend.

The friend who has made me laugh from the bottom of my toes since I was a little girl in the front yard of our Montrose house (uh, mom? Pics?) continues to make me grin just thinking of him.

Thanks, Erik, for being such a great part of the day!

Love,

The Queen Bee

(I have no idea why he calls me that!)

buzz...buzz...