In My Life

What's happening Lately?

2010-04-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

Never a dull moment at the Johnston house. Weird that almost all our conversations lately revolve around really grown up stuff. Use to be barbies--now it is College visits and Sorority options....time is really flying this year.

Dylan will graduate

Sydney is applying early for college and planning trips abroad

Abbey is kicking culinary butt & landed an internship at a 4-star restaurant for the summer.

Kate is ending her grade school years and getting ready for a wicked soccer season!

And me? I'm so excited to go to Ness/Dighton this June to visit old friends! Weird to think that my mom lives in Dighton now and not Ness! Old Settlers will not be the same without being at 321 N. Penn Street and having everyone stop by. How did we all get to be 40 somethings?????

Hello there

2009-10-31T10:59:00.000-07:00

Wow! I took 2009 off and it was weird today to notice that I still had the blog up and hadn't deleted it. I've been having so much fun on facebook lately that I hadn't thought about this blog much.

2008-12-29T16:02:00.000-08:00

On Turning Forty

The problem with getting older is not so much the getting older part, it's the awareness of it. I wish I didn't deep down think of it as being one day closer to my expiration date.

I've only been married once and have 4 healthy, beautiful children. I've seen many divorces amongst friends & family and I've seen others struggle to have children and some that have lost a spouse or a child. This may be the biggest blessing in my life.

But, I have to admit I lost the last half of my 20's and most of my 30's with a deer-in-the-headlights, spit-up soaked, where-did-my-IQ-go look about me! I also lost a parent and close touch with friends that I should have made more an effort to stay connected with.

I'm thankful that I will no longer wake up in the middle of the night to change diapers or take someone to go potty. My vocabulary no longer consists of ridiculous sentences like, "We don't go pee-pee in the tub," and I haven't had to talk baby talk or spell out curse words in quite some time.

My kids are older now and I am enjoying seeing them "coming into their own". I do not hover but you can bet they know what I expect of them. I am proud of them and I don't or won't feel bad about the things I maybe bypassed or gave up to give them all my attention. I can impress my kids with my vast knowledge of the songs on their rock band video game. I can score a perfect score on several songs by the Clash, Kiss & even some Red Hot Chili Peppers. So, at least I'm not an "un-cool mom." Plus, when the last one leaves for college I'll just be getting ready to hit the big "50" not too old to do some of those things on my "bucket list".

In my forties, I'd like to look forward to becoming a bit more like the 20 year old me (but wiser), not only as someone's wife or mother, sister or daughter or friend, but as the woman I've become somewhere along the way. I'm not sure that I know her all that well. I've given up feeling bad that I didn't ever return to the pre-baby Junior sizes. Or, that I should have had a more exciting life. Even if I have no great new accomplishment to show for the next ten years, I'm simply hoping that the "ride" will be enjoyable and that I can say in the end that I had no regrets!

I celebrated my 21st b-day with a wild party with friends from high school and college. I danced on the table to Cheap Trick music. Salt, Liquor, Lime…ouch that morning after was BRUTAL. I am much too mature for that now. Someone pass me that bottle of Pinot Noir and let's get this party started.

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ~ "WOO HOO, what a ride!"

2008-11-29T13:00:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Cross Country--Abbey

2008-11-06T20:14:00.000-08:00

Tonight at the Cross Country Banquet Abbey, my Freshman, was surprised to find out that she received her "numbers" for qualifying in enough meets this year. She is now excited to get a letter jacket to put her 2012 numbers on.

The coach had a great powerpoint slide and there were 2 shots of Abbey (above)
5-6 miles every practice. I'm so proud of her, I know that I couldn't do it!!!

I was a varsity tennis player back in my day :) I'm the blond on top of the van. Isn't it weird, how your child can look NOTHING like you at all? I do see myself in her "attitude" she is quite the debater,social butterfly & teacher's often say she is a bit too talkative.
---My mother cursed me when I was 16 that someday I'd have a daughter just like me and then I'd know....." I'll have to tell her that "now I get it!"

Great New Ad Idea

2008-11-03T17:56:00.000-08:00

Kevin Costner Speech

2008-10-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

Kevin Costner spoke today at the University of Northern Colorado. I really think he did a nice job.

Vote, I can't say how strongly I wish every one would care enough to do it.

link

Voted Today

2008-10-21T19:27:00.000-07:00

I voted by advanced ballot today. Mail in voting is the BEST way. No lines, no rush, just me in my p.j's taking my time.

On Nov. 4th you'll find me working a poll site from 6 AM to 7 PM. It will be a long day!

This is the most important election I think we have had in a long time. It is important that everyone's vote count!

9 Phrases Men should learn the meaning of

2008-10-21T19:20:00.000-07:00

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bring on a 'whatever').

(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying F-- YOU!

(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Homecoming 2008

2008-10-07T17:21:00.000-07:00

The daughters are looking so grown up these days. Sydney is the pink (this was my Soph. dress for prom, she shortened it & took off the shoulder ruffle). Anyone see pretty in pink? She is creative like that.

Abbey was going for classy black.

Did You Know???

2008-10-03T14:12:00.000-07:00

Link on the words Did You Know??? above for a video.

Education has got to become a priority with our government. I know people are all for the government staying out of healthcare and education but other countries are really pulling ahead of us...in lots of areas.

The next 20 years are going to be very interesting! The world is changing fast.

Nice Quote, Brad Pitt

2008-09-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

I really like this quote from Brad Pitt this week. It doesn't necessarily have to just apply to Proposition 8 in California to overturn the gay marriage amendment. I think it applies to all sorts of things and I for one believe this every day....Brad just says it better (and looks darn good saying it I might add!)

"Because no one has the right to deny another their life, even though they disagree with it, because everyone has the right to live the life they so desire if it doesn't harm another and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for equality and against Proposition 8,"

"Recall Message"

2008-09-15T18:15:00.000-07:00

We have a fantastic staff in my building. I love them, smart, funny, witty and today was no exception.

I am the self-appointed "building morale builder". And I have a secret collection of clipart, similes for all occasions and when necessary naughty jokes to cheer up whoever needs it.

Today, I pulled out the Maxine comic below and sent it to a teacher that bless her heart- does lunch duty at a middle school! Tweens...they are naughty at lunch, naughty and then usually fast to deny any wrong doing. She also has a great sense of humor. So I sent her this comic with "open when alone" "delete after reading or clipart with self-implode" so the kids don't see it. Anyway, she gets it...comes into the office to thank me for the much needed funny.

But, then someone else in the office wanted to see it so I forward it to her from my sent box. She then forwarded it to someone else in the office. About 10 min. later she says she never got it. Weird, so the gal looks in her sent folder and says I sent it to you Jane L. Doe........the other gal looks over her cubicle and says I don't have an L. in my email. SHIT!!!! The one who forwarded it looks at me with fear....OMG......who did I send it too?

Okay, what's running through my mind is any number of Administrators or Department Heads opening my little Maxine.

I leap around my cubicle yelling "recall it" recall it" of course she has no clue about the recall feature in Microsoft Outlook. I take hold of her mouse and recall it and double-check to see who this person is and lucky for us it was a substitute that doesn't sit in front of her email because in her in box popped up "Recall Successful"

Just another fun filled day in the school system :)

2008-09-07T16:48:00.000-07:00

6:45 PM on a Sunday Night.

68 degrees on the patio.

Great view and a nice bottle of Snoqualmie Merlot (Fantastic Washington State Vineyard).

Sports, Sports & more Sports

2008-09-06T18:23:00.001-07:00

Shawnee Mission West Cross Country meet today at JCCC hosted by St. Thomas Aquinas. Man those meets are early. We had to get up at 6 a.m. to get her there on time. They are also very hard to watch! Her JV team placed 1st!!!

Then we hurried to drive to Leavenworth to watch the youngest play soccer. It rained the whole time (this picture is from last weeks game) We were so cold, wet and we lost 2-1 so it was a long day.

On the way home we cheered up because our beloved KSU Wilcats are kicking the crap out of Montana : )

And last night our Shawnee Mission Vikings beat Lawrence Free State in Football. Sweet!!!

Tomorrow, we get up and do more soccer!

Thoughts....

2008-09-03T21:32:00.000-07:00

At the age of 10 I passed out flags & pins for a candidate during a county parade. In college, I took classes in Political Campaigns, Rhetoric & Persuasion and Public Administration. I just like the whole process. My dad always said that if you didn't take the time to pay attention to your town, state & the world around you had no business criticizing the people who were out there trying.

I worked on Jill Docking's failed campaign for US Senate and gained a lot of experience & saw a bit of the "dark side" of campaigning. I've also worked on several successful campaigns for a US Representative in Kansas. I have helped with "Rock the Vote" campaigns for high school students, I enjoy that type of thing. I want people to care, to pay attention and to VOTE.

I enjoy researching the people who are brave enough to actually run. I could never do it. I'll be the fact-checker or the polling person and even sit in on focus groups but I could never put myself out there like a real candidate does.

I like to be inspired, I like good speeches, I love debates.

I think John McCain has been a great Senator and I would have voted for him if he had run 4 years ago instead of Bush. I liked him because he challenged the rest of his party more than others. He is totally qualified to be President. But, the last 4 years he has reigned in that maverick attitude and fallen in line with The Bush Administration. I get why, he needed too...he needs their backing/funding/support. But, it made me like him less. I feel like the last 4 years have been a disaster!!! And I love my pin that says "Is Bush Gone yet?".

I want someone who can rebuild our crumbling credibility in the World, I want someone who I think will place highly qualified people in positions of power (Brownie & Ashcroft....Bush was such an idiot). I want better health care and "No Child Left Behind" was a huge disaster that will take years to fix.

I like Joe Biden alot. I respect his experience and think he will add good things to his ticket. I think that Sarah Palin is a risky choice for McCain. I did my research and two things bother me. 1. The ethics charge with her brother-in-law, YIKES...maybe the final finding will rule in her favor but it is a red flag for me. 2. Her goal for a long time was to be a sportscaster. I think she just kind of fell into the Mayor's race and it sounds like she did a good job but the V.P. spot is a big deal. McCain is old.....if he goes I'm not sure she has the educational background and experience with "the lower 48" as she called us when she campaigned for Governor.

I'll keep listening and I will vote because I have 4 kids myself and this election is going to effect their lives in a big way as they head off to college & the workplace in the next few years.

Soccer Slide Show

2008-08-30T17:42:00.000-07:00

Kate's team moved up to a premiere league and last weekend was the first game. I threw together a quick slideshow because I'm bored waiting for dinner to be ready!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Running Mate

2008-08-30T07:28:00.001-07:00

Wow, McCain's pick has me completely surprised. I don't care if she is a woman or not, I'd never decide a vote on just that. But, she was a small town mayor and just a few years of Governor experience.

I get that she brings him some much needed help with the more conservative voters but here is my concern.....

McCain IS OLD.......and she isn't qualified to take over as the President. I see some very bad Moose Burger jokes on late night tv. And I wonder how her husband, a commercial fisherman, is going to like the belt traffic and Washington Business.

2008-08-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

Lot's of my friends have already turned the big 40 this year and I'm close behind them. Where does the time go? More importantly, where did all the muscle tone go??

I found the perfect piece of flair to celebrate this momentus year. My co-workers, will like this one :)

Why Some Women Stay Single

2008-08-21T15:05:00.001-07:00

This was just what I needed to get through the day today. So funny, enjoy it.

Why Women Stay Single | Funny Jokes at JibJab

Back to School

2008-08-16T06:58:00.000-07:00

My motto every August is this:

I have 3 high school and 1 grade school kid to get ready for school in my own house. That alone requires hours of work. But I'm an assistant to a Principal, so I have a staff of 50 and 500 students to deal with from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

The school just bought all new copiers that are state of the art! Scan to network folder/scan to email/ color/ staple/ fax etc... which is making the staff members turn back into tantrum throwing 2 year olds (not all, most are great but there are a few that I do hide when I hear them coming).

Did I mention 3 days before school starts we added a new section/teacher due to enrollment overflow. So that required 3 teachers to move or combine rooms and free up 1 new room. Did I mention we had just had the phones digitally programmed to display the correct name & link the right voicemail boxes and that we had the entire building resigned with teachers names attached to the side of the cement wall with the strongest fucking adhesive known to man!

School starts Monday and I'm working Sunday. Shit!

The office staff has 1 person in charge of registration, 1 receptionist, 1 bookkeeper and ME (trying to hold it all together). The staff needs Valium piped into the drinking water!!!

2008-08-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

With the heat index today it is 105 degrees!!! OMG.....we are melting.

2008-07-25T16:26:00.000-07:00

We now have 2 high school girls living in our house, they both left for the pool (wearing bikinis) talking about boys. My poor husband, he may not survive it.

I think he thought they would stay in pigtails and say "Daddy" forever. Poor guy, we're sending him off to a Royals Baseball game so he can forget all about it.

The Pickens Plan

2008-07-25T16:15:00.000-07:00

I encourage everyone to check out this website The Pickens Plan

Blogher Obama Interview

2008-07-19T13:39:00.001-07:00

Obama Interview at Blogher 2008

Sting Ray Swim Team!

2008-07-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

My daughter Katey joined a swim team this summer and has just had a fantastic time!
Check out some of this weeks swim meet photos.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2008-07-09T19:39:00.001-07:00

I am a MOMocrat on Facebook. They had a nice story on Barack Obama's younger sister.

Plastic Beer?

2008-07-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm from western Kansas and Coors Light is like a food staple.

My husband and I love to try different microbrews. Boulevard Pale Ale is a favorite and every Christmas we get The Nutcraker Ale. Samuel Adams also has so cool flavors Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat
is my favorite (but my husband says Cherry isn't a beer flavor....malt snob!)

Anyway, back to my topic of Coors. Have you seen their new plastic beer bottle? I've drank plenty of Octoberfest beer in a plastic cup but I can't handle this plastic bottle. It just feels weird. It is lighter and you can squeeze it...it just feels wrong! I also swear the beer gets hotter faster, but the packaging says "insulating plastic bottle".

I'm totally bummed about this bottle, so tonight I brought a six pack of Corona and some limes to the cookout......Coors are you listening....you're losing me man.

I think I will email them with my thoughts. I'll let you know if they take the time to care or not.

Cheers!!!

Mike Birbiglia is a funny Guy!

2008-06-20T17:34:00.000-07:00

Happy B-day!

2008-06-20T05:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Abbey! The big #14

Sunday Mornings.

2008-06-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

Most Sunday mornings I made a big cup of coffee, grabbed the paper and listened to Tim Russert on "Meet the Press". Sunday mornings just won't be the same, he was an incredibly smart journalist.

I am a debater by personality. I love nothing more than to sit with friends or family (however that can get dangerous!) and talk about current events, politics even the latest plot line on Lost. I think Tim Russert was one of the best and he will certainly be missed.

This morning they had a very fitting farewell to him on Meet the Press. If you missed it check it out here

Today is Father's Day and I feel terribly sorry for Tim Russerts family. He leaves behind a dad and son.

Father's Day is always a sad day for me because I lost my dad over 10 years ago. I was a Daddy's Girl and I miss him. He had me late in life and I was the last chance for a son in a second marriage. He never missed a single thing I did, from watching my school plays to my tennis meets. It is a hard thing, losing a parent. You always feel a tiny bit sad even when something good happens because it makes you remember there is one person "missing" in the sharing.

Happy Father's Day

Could she be the next V.P?

2008-06-10T20:00:00.000-07:00

Kathleen Sebelius is a fantastic governor. It is tough to be a Democratic Governor of a very RED state! But, she is tough and gets the job done. But she can be tough without coming across like a bitch, I think people respect that.

She is fairly moderate and I've met her and listened to her speak several times and she is great in person. She really listens when she is at a forum and if she doesn't agree she says, "I can see you point" but... and then she usually smiles and the amazing thing is the person she just disagreed with usually goes away feeling okay because she listened!

I'd love to see her be Obama's running mate!!! I know it may be a long shot but I'd love to see an Obama/Sebelius ticket.

Link here to yahoo buzz article.

Something Wicked This Way Comes

2008-06-10T19:23:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid I loved to watch the summer storms come rolling in. I lived in Western Kansas and you could see the storm coming from miles away. When you are 10 its just exciting to watch, I was rarely scared.

As an adult I feel differently about them.... I feel the dread. "Will the basement flood?" "Will the games be cancelled?" And the worst of all is when one of your kids are out somewhere and they aren't answering their cell phones!!!

Kansas has had so many storms in the past month, I'm ready for some nice summer weather. But, it will probably go from stormy to 100 degrees!

Idol Winner

2008-05-23T17:39:00.000-07:00

I was so surprised! David Cook was my favorite and I'm so glad he won. Can't wait to see what kind of album he puts out.

With the judges comments I really thought that David Archuleta would win. Glad he didn't. He has a good voice but he needs some dance lessons and some personality.

Every time the judges gave him a compliment and he gushed "Oh, my gosh" I just wanted vomit!

Shrimp Recipe

2008-05-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

Great Shrimp Recipe

Summer weather always makes me crave shrimp. I got an incredible deal on some good shrimp at Sams Club and found this recipe online. SO GOOD.

Have You Heard Jacob Dylan?

2008-05-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

I always like to check out famous sons/daughters. I like Billy Joel's daughter Alexa's music.

Years ago I had a Wallflower's album, with Jakob Dylan as the lead singer, but over the past few years I had forgotten what a good singer Bob Dylan's son is.

Check him out. His not bad on the eyes either : )

Jakob Dylan

I've missed Indy!

2008-05-17T13:13:00.001-07:00

Oh how I love Indiana Jones. I can't wait to see it. Karen Allen was my favorite of his leading ladies, what spunk! That seen in the first movie when she drinks all the guys under the table and then punches Indy in the face, wow. She is my hero.

2008-04-28T16:07:00.001-07:00

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Interactive Disney

2008-04-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

Disney does such a great job at staying on top of the cutting edge. My kids loved Club Penquin and I think that that the new Pixie Hollow will be a huge hit with the older girls.

http://www.fastcompany.tv/video/disneys-virtual-worlds-raising-kids-social-networks

In My Life

2008-04-18T16:09:00.001-07:00

I love this song! Great song writing. I'm using it to make a slideshow for a friends farewell reception. I'm having fun editing some photos to the music.

This is also the song that inspired the title of this blog.

Memory Keeper's Daughter

2008-04-13T10:33:00.000-07:00

Lifetime Network made a tv movie of "The Memory Keepers Daughter". I loved that book and although they did change a few things in the movie it was still really good.

Lifetime will be playing it all month, if you were a fan of the movie, check it out.

Link to Lifetime site

In the MotherHood

2008-04-04T16:50:00.001-07:00

Funny Movie Lines

2008-03-22T18:24:00.000-07:00

There are certain movies or TV shows that I will re watch just to hear some of these lines. Great for shaking off a shitty day!

The Wedding Date: Kat's cousin TJ says, "Darling, why spend anymore time on that horse's ass when Mr. Tie-Me-Up-Tie-Me-Down is standing right over there? "

I love to watch Sex in the City re-runs. I did a quiz on which character are you most like and I was shocked to see I came up as a Miranda. I know before the hub & the 4 kids I was a Charlotte. But I watched this episode today and it is clear that I am now closer to Miranda.

Charlotte: I just know no matter how good I feel about myself, if I see Christy Turlington, I just wanna give up.
Miranda: Well I just want to tie her down and force feed her lard, but that's the difference between you and me.

Four Weddings & a Funeral: “I always just hoped that, that I'd meet some nice friendly girl, like the look of her, hope the look of me didn't make her physically sick, then pop the question and... um... settle down and be happy. It worked for my parents. Well, apart from the divorce and all that!”

What is your favorite movie line or quote?

Movie Binge

2008-03-20T06:09:00.001-07:00

Okay, the weather has more than sucked for the last month. One day it would be almost 60 and the next day it would be 20 with rain/sleet or snow. Spring has been hiding but I think she is finally on her way. Today is suppose to be almost 60 here and we plan to go out and stay out all day!!! It is after all, SPRING BREAK.

To pass time during the writers strike (God I missed all my favorite shows) and the crappy weather I have become a netflix movie junkie. Here are the movies I consumed during the last 60 days.

Rendition: Loved it. I am so against some of our countries policies since 9-11.

I Could Never Be Your Woman: Michelle Pfeiffer never looked better and Paul Rudd is so funny in this. I have a soft spot for him because he is from our town and he is the type of star who still comes home and visits and donates to his old high school. We are building a new auditorium and he donated towards it and his name was spray painted backstage on a previous visit. The movie wasn't great but the acting was.

Into the Wild: In the end I just thought he was a dumb ass for NOT BEING PREPARED. My husband said this is only a chick point of view.

Gone Baby Gone: Really liked it. Made you think at the end!

The Kingdom: Really liked it!

The Martian Child: Love John Cusack and this was a sweet movie.

Michael Clayton: Loved it. Good movie!!! George, sigh.

Becoming Jane: I am a Jane Austin fan and my daughter is just starting to love her books too so we watched this together and Pride & Prejudice for the (3rd time)

Once: If you haven't heard of this movie, check it out. It was really good. Low budget, never heard of the stars but the hub and I loved it. Then they won the oscar for best song and I was so happy for them!!!

I also read like a maniac this winter! Here's to Spring.....may she get her sorry butt in gear and give me some SUNSHINE!

Ellen is SO funny!

2008-03-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

High Gas Prices

2008-03-10T20:41:00.000-07:00

Jon Stewart always gives me a life. I am so tired of the high gas!

On Political Experience

2008-03-09T11:14:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking lately on how much weight I should place on "experience" in making you electable in politics.

I found this post, and I think it says alot. Food for thought anyway.

Does Experience Matter?

Party in your stomach

2008-03-05T16:25:00.000-08:00

Party for your stomach is a very funny video! I have several college memories that apply (the tequila sneaking in his friends especially).

I remember distinctively when I learned "Beer Before Liqueur, Never Been Sicker" as in the next day, my roommates says "Who Threw Up on the porch?" You drank Rum after the keg was empty?...........you idiot!!! Learn the rhyme.

Then of course, at a TEK Barn Party I learned "Salt, liquor, Lime"
Funny, I can never remember the rest of that night?

Anyway, enjoy this video.

Cheers.

2008-03-03T16:50:00.001-08:00

Any mom or parent can relate and laugh at this video

Great Mocha Shortbread Recipe

2008-02-27T16:42:00.000-08:00

These are so good!

Mocha Shortbread Cookies Ingredients

1 ts Nescafe Classic instant 3/4 c Butter; softened
1 ts Boiling water 1 c All-purpose flour
1 pk (12-oz) Nestle Toll House 1/3 ts Salt

Instructions for Mocha Shortbread Cookies
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. In cup, dissolve Nescafe Classic instant coffee in boiling water; set aside. Melt over hot (not boiling) water, 1 cup Nestle Toll House semi-sweet chocolate morsels; stir until smooth. Remove from heat; set aside. In large bowl, combine butter, confectioners sugar and coffee; beat until smooth. Gradually blend in flour and salt. Stir in melted morsels. Roll dough between two pieces of waxed paper to 3/16-inch thickness. Remove top sheet; cut out cookies using 2-1/2 inch cookie cutter. Remove from waxed paper and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 250 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks. Melt over hot (not boiling) water, remaining 1 cup Nestle Toll House semi-sweet chocolate morsels; stir until smooth. Spread slightly rounded teaspoonful of melted chocolate on flat side of cookie; top with second cookie. Repeat with remaining cookies. Chill until set. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving. Makes about 1-1/2 dozen 2-1/2 inch cookies.

2008-02-26T16:17:00.000-08:00

I love this video, maybe it's just the cute British accent. I love his little expression when he realizes Charlie isn't going to let go. I'm also amazed at big brother's restraint. My son would have tossed his sister on the floor!

2 a.m. Phone call

2008-02-18T07:23:00.000-08:00

I'm sure that I'm not the only one who bolts straight up when you hear the phone ring at 2 a.m. and think "Oh crap, who died?!?" Well, recently my phone rang at 2 a.m. and my husband answered it.

hub: Hello
caller: Hey, can I speak to Jodie
hub: And who are you? (the hub said he could hear music & laughing)
caller: This is Kenny, HER BOYFRIEND. Has she never mentioned me to you?
Hub: I think it is time for all 14 year old boys should be in bed. Click

I ask what the call was about and he tells me apparently I have a middle school admirer.

Okay, I do work in a school AND have a middle and high school daughter but, what happened to calling and asking if your refrigerator is running? Seriously, my husband has a sense of humor but it is NOT cool to pick someone out of the directory and tell their spouse that you are their boyfriend. YIKES~

My husband looked at me weird ALL WEEKEND!!!

My Night at the Caucus

2008-02-16T09:25:00.001-08:00

I meant to blog this last week and just got busy. I helped at a Kansas Caucus site and the site normally has about 250 voters, we had over 2000 turn up at our site in the freezing rain. I helped several people fill out change of party paperwork but I have to share this conversation I had with the spunkiest old gal I have meet in ages.
Me: Can I help you?
SOG(spunky old gal): I can't read my drivers lic. number for this form.
Me: I'd be glad to help, are you changing parties tonight?
SOG: You bet your bottom!
ME: Well, now you are going to have to tell me the story!
SOG: My husband was a Republican, so I was a Republican. He passed away last year and I have been "paying attention". My daughter is a teacher and they have ruined education with No Child Left Behind. My grandson is in the Military, and we have become the Bully's and I don't like that. She pauses, "My husband was a bully".
She winked at me and said, "I don't miss him" and I sure as heck won't miss George W.

Then she laughed like she was Mrs. Claus!!!

Jane Austin Anyone?

2008-02-14T16:54:00.000-08:00

I am a huge Jane Austin book fan and am really enjoying Masterpiece Theatre's series

I had never read North Hanger Abbey and it was really good, this week it will be Pride and Prejudice (the version with Colin Firth). I love him as Mr. Darcy : )

My oldest daughter and I love to watch these movies and my husband & son run screaming "CHICK FLICK" let's go find another t.v. with ESPN!!!

Why Men Hate Valentine's Day

2008-02-13T17:11:00.000-08:00

Someone emailed me this yesterday and I didn't think much of it until today. Flower.com made a delivery to my office today and I looked at my co-worker and said, "I wonder who got those, I hate her!" I was just joking as a nearly 40 married forever does when the single gals get roses. My co-worker delivered the flowers and when she got back she said, "You'll never believe what she said!" The pretty, single gal looked at the package and said, "IT ISN'T THE RIGHT DAY!" and she was NOT happy. How much of a PRINCESS complex does this girl have that she wasn't excited? My co-worker and I laughed and said this is a perfect example of why this gal is STILL SINGLE. Then I re-read this email and I really liked it.

Poor guy!

Are you a woman living with a man suffering from AVD (Anti-Valentine Day-itis)? He hates Valentine's Day and refuses to have anything to do with it. And, no matter how hard you try to make him see things your way, he won't change. Well, don't fret. You're not alone.

Women everywhere live with men suffering from AVD. It's a common disease that is triggered in men after they enter a long-term relationship and get comfortable. The original cause is not clear, but it's rumored to have something to do with an excess of cheese, sports and deep psychological fears.

Below are a few of these fears. They are common reasons why your man may not like Valentine's Day. If' he's in touch with his feelings and is not too afraid to tell you, he'll give you one of them as way to let you know that you're not getting anything on Valentine's Day. If he's a little closed with his emotions, he'll keep it to himself. However, his true feelings fall somewhere within this list. Read it and find out what's really going on with him.

1. He's afraid to walk into a mall.

2. The perfume girl at Macy's intimidates him.

3. The last time he bought a woman a gift, she turned it into a pretty cozy.

4. The sight of cupid makes him feel uncomfortable about their sexuality.

5. It requires thought to buy a gift.

6. Valentine's Day forces him to face his deepest fears - his emotions.

7. Last year, you cried for two hours after receiving his Valentine's Day gift.

8. The thought of eating another one of those cheap chocolates makes him queasy.

9. His mother never celebrated Valentine's Day.

10. Jesus never talks about Valentine's Day in the bible.

11. He's broke and only has enough money for necessities like a new boat.

12. He bought you a great Christmas gift and this should last you for the next twelve months.

13. No action packed, violent movies - that you'll watch with him - can be associated with Valentine's Day.

14. Valentine's Day doesn't involve cars.

15. None of his friends acknowledge the day.

16. He thinks it's too commercialized unlike other national events such as the Super Bowl.

17. It usually doesn't involve pizza or beer.

18. He has to buy a gift.

19. He has to buy a gift.

20. He has to buy a gift.

Now that you've read this list, understand that there is no cure for AVD. Female scientists everywhere have been working on remedies, but nothing seems to work for more than a year. The best way to cure this disease is through self help.

On Valentine's Day, instead of waiting for him to buy you something. Take his wallet. Grab a credit card or a few dollars and get something for yourself. It'll help you live comfortably with his disease and not hold unto any hard feelings

Who to Vote For?

2008-01-10T14:06:00.000-08:00

I found a really good survey. Fill it out and it will show you which candidate shares your views and then it tells you also what you disagree on. I found it helpful, I've been undecided for awhile.

Link to survey

2008-01-04T16:25:00.000-08:00

Do you know a Half-Asser? Do you live with someone with complete lack of any type of follow through?

From the looks of our house since Christmas, someone living under this roof is surely afflicted with this disorder!

I did a quick walk through today:

Toilet paper is setting on top of the rod....to lazy I guess to actually load it.
The laundry I did two days ago are still in the washer and the last load I put in the dryer is still a tiny bit damp. Do you think if they all eventually run out of underwear they will go look there?

I loaded the dishwasher before bed last night and today I noticed that the dishwasher is half empty but the sink is completely full of new dishes.

Maybe I should go on some sort of wife/mom strike. It is going to be a long weekend of cracking the whip, which stinks because the weather here is fantastic this week. Feels spring-like.

2007-12-31T16:39:00.000-08:00

The Spiderwick Chronicles were one of my kids favorite series. Nickelodeon Studios is release the movie this February. The have a top notch website for them film.

We have done some very creative book reports on these books, they just inspire the imagination. We are huge Harry Potter Fans and these books are so much easier to read and not quite as dark. Perfect for the younger readers.

I can't wait to see it!

The Year in Review

2007-12-15T17:07:00.000-08:00

Favorite Things of 2007

Favorite Moment: I can never narrow this down to just one.
When my new boss said, "What did I ever do without you?"
Many touching moments with my children.

Favorite Music: I loved Emerson Harts solo album, Daughtry and Foo Fighters.

Favorite Movies: I really liked the Bourne Ultimatum, Knocked Up was funny and early in the year I saw the Illusionist and loved it. Cartoon: Ratatouille.

Most Fun: Taking my son on a quick trip to Chicago! So much fun.

Favorite Tv:: Still love Grey's Anatomy, CSI (original), Pushing Daisies, October Road. Daily Show & The Soup.

Favorite Books: I loved the last Harry Potter! I thought A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction was funny. I liked The 13th Tale. I reread The Golden Compass because it was so good and so well awarded when it came out in the 1990's but after all the crazy religous rants about banning the movie I thought I'd better read it again, NOPE I still love it. Darn, apparently I may have damaged my soul. Please, I can't stand book burnings and movie banners. My motto is watch it or not, read it our not, but shut the h*ll up and let other people enjoy what they like.

Favorite Blogs I don't have as much time this year but I still try and read Finding Blanche, Dooce and This Just In at least once a week.

Pop Culture I think Suri Cruise is the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.

Britney Spears shaving her head....I mean seriously.....wtf!!! And now her little sis is preggers. OMG...Lynn Spears, kiss the motherhood book GOODBYE.

The writers strike has lasted so much longer than I thought it would. I miss my late night shows : (

2007 was a pretty good year! I'm hoping that 2008 will be Great.

Happy New Year!

December

2007-12-15T16:59:00.001-08:00

I can't believe that it is December already! I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday season.

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T15:59:00.000-07:00

Peace, Love & Candy!
Happy Halloween

2007-10-17T17:44:00.000-07:00

My son made the nightly news. And NOT in the way a mother wants their son too!
Teen Swept Into Water

I mean OMG!!! I get a call at work saying, "Mom, Dylan fell into the water on the way home from school today." I talk to him on the phone for a few minutes and he says he is fine but his backpack, all his books, notebooks, $90 scientific calcuator are toast. So, I naturally RAG ON HIM for the damage.

Then I get home and talk to the neighbor who ran for blocks trying to help pull him from the water and then I have a follow up call from the EMT that was on the scene. Then, my dear son causally mentions that the police also responded. He was carried for a block down the fast moving cement water way and then went about 1/2 block through a tunnel under the street and shot out in the creek near our house.

I no longer care about replacing the school supplies and tennis shoe that he lost!

Makes you thankful!!!

Travel to and From Chicago for under $30!

2007-10-16T15:09:00.000-07:00

There is a company called Mega Bus
You can travel from Kansas to St. Louis & Chicago. From Chicago you can go to many cities in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin etc.. If you are patient and can get online to order tickets 40 days in advance you can get a ticket for $1, I kid you not.

I bought tickets for myself and my son from KC to Chicago and back for $30 (total not per person). The bus was nice and new and had DVD players to entertain.

We departed KC at 8 PM and arrived in Chicago at 6:30 AM and spent one whole day just travelling around on the CTA $5 unlimited day pass and had a blast. We departed Chicago at Midnight and returned home at 10 a.m. the next morning (we slept the whole way home so it was great!).

I worried about what type of clientele the bus would have but we had 6 KU and MU students from KC travelling to a wedding in Chicago. It was like listening in on a wild sorority slumber party, my 16 year old son was enjoying it. We also had a group of about 6 French foreign exchange student that got on in St. Louis and then we had a menagerie of ethnic diversity but everyone was very well behaved and respectful. Actually the KU girls were the wildest on the bus, I found this very funny as I thought back!

Our favorite activities were the Hancock Observatory and the Shedd Aqarium.

Navy Pier was lots of fun too, rode the Ferris Wheel and took a harbor cruise. They had great fireworks set to Alice Cooper's
"Feed My Frankenstein" and "Phantom of the Opera".

Can't beat that.

I can't wait to the rest of my film developed.

New Music

2007-09-23T15:03:00.000-07:00

My husband and I have always liked an Irish band called Tonic and the lead singer, Emerson Hart, has a new solo album that I really like. He is a really talented songwriter. Check him out Emerson Hart

The song "If Your Gonna Leave" is my favorite.

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-09-15T12:28:00.001-07:00

1408

2007-06-28T21:24:00.001-07:00

I saw this movie this week and I really liked it. It really builds and totally gives you the shivers. I am a huge John Cusack fan and he is really good in this part.

Not your typical horror movie!

Graduation

2007-05-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

As I watched graduation this year and they started to play the class chosen song,
"Time of Your Life, by Green Day" I thought back to my own.

Our song that long ago Sunday in 1987 was "Time to Remember, by Billy Joel". I remember all those words still.

This is the time to remember
Cause it will not last forever
These are the days
To hold on to
Cause we won't
Although we want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
I know we've got to move somehow
But I don't want to lose you know

Sometimes it's so easy
To let a day
Slip on by
Without even seeing each other at all
But this is the time you'll turn back and so will I
And those will be the days you can never recall

And so we embrace again
Behind the dunes
This beach is cold
On winter afternoons
But holding you close is like holding the summer sun
I'm warm from the memory of days to come

This is the time to remember
Cause it will not last forever
These are the days
To hold on to
But we won't
Although we'll want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
You've given me the best of you
But now I need the rest of you

Seems like so long ago: all those Friday night football games, the dates, the heartbreaks. Graduation, weddings, babies, jobs and soon the big 40! I'm not sure I'm ready!

Teamwork

2007-05-20T20:28:00.000-07:00

The Gators end the season 7-1!

My youngest has played with this team since pre-k and are now in 3rd grade. This was taken this weekend after a great 1-0 win over an older 4th grade team. We were hot, we were tired and we were happy!

Good Times!

Happy 14!

2007-05-06T14:49:00.000-07:00

My daughter has turned 14! I wonder if her father and I will be able to survive the next 4 years of drama, boys, high school, drama, proms, drama, did I mention we are worried about the DRAMA. Yikes and know she wants to learn to drive!

I tell myself not to worry, she's an honor roll student with great friends. But, look at her! She looks so grown up, and before I know it she will be!

Love this photo!

2007-05-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

My mother gave me a box of photos of my dad that she had in storage.

He past away over 10 years ago after a long illness. I love this photo. I hadn't seen these before. This was taken at the Zebra Club in post WWII Japan. My dad was stationed there for several years in Yokohma. He worked in the officers club.
Love the smile, he looks so young. But, I guess he was according to the date stamp on the back he was only 19 years old.

I'd love to have been able to go through this box with him, to hear the stories behind them.

It's May already?

2007-05-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

I can not believe it is May already. The last couple of months have just flown by.

I started a new job, change is always hard! I don't like being the "new person" I am the type of person who just dives head first into whatever I'm doing. It has taken a few weeks to feel like I can start to relax. The new job was a good fit and the timing was good.

The kids are counting the days till summer break. Only a few weeks left!

Long gone, the disney posters.

2007-03-04T10:12:00.000-08:00

I miss the days when the bedroom walls were decorated with disney & butterflys. The oldest two girls in our house are in middle school and expressing there own style.
No cute boy band pictures (they are lame,they say) But rock bands cover the walls and original art work from my daughter.

I remember when I put up a Kiss poster in my bedroom, my mother about had a fit! I like to think I am much cooler than she was.

Winter

2007-02-19T08:37:00.000-08:00

I had to look twice when I drove by this local fountain. It is so cool, it is hard to see in the photo but it is this light almost fluorescent blue. Water is still bubbling out of the top.

You'd think that would be hiking up some business or the cities water bill! Most fountains are turned off in the winter.

Cool picture though.

Something to Think About

2007-02-05T15:50:00.000-08:00

I debated today about if someone can be President without a lot of "experience". Okay, Cheney and Rumsfeld had PLENTY of experience and they have helped Bush (an experienced Govenor) totally screw this country up!

A president needs to inspire and to have good judgement. I think that Obama has proven himself on those counts. I think this blog sums up why I am liking him the more I listen. Blog was by Adam Hanft.

You don't need me to tell you that Senator Obama is a compelling political figure. He is a rock star. But his rock star status is completely at odds with the quiet depth and thoughtfulness that he emanates. When asked a question, he would actually reflect for a moment and answer it directly and frontally, rather than shift into campaign response mode and morph the question into a platform for a parade of platitudes. He was multiple-level refreshing.

What we've re-learned in the last six years -- in the most brutally direct way possible - is the importance of intellectual curiosity, the ability to synthesize, and a high level of bubble immunity in a president. I believe that Obama is in full and dramatic possession of these attributes. And while there are those who maintain that he isn't experienced enough, I would argue that these qualities will not grow deeper after another four years in the Senate. Listening to Obama, I was reminded of the comment that Oliver Wendell Holmes made after meeting Franklin Roosevelt; he said that FDR had a first class temperament and second-class intellect. Obama has both.

This is the first time in fifty odd years that there hasn't been a sitting president of vice-present running for office. The wide-open nature of this race gives it an anything-can-happen quality, a spirit of shared possibility and invention that is creating a genuine national movement on behalf of Obama's candidacy.

One of the subjects Obama talked about was about his vision of a transformative change in the American political landscape. Normally, that would make my skin crawl. But when he talked about this, about moving beyond what has become a resistant structure of calcified grudges and frozen positions, he didn't sound like a politician or business guru spouting New Age claptrap. When he said that one of the statistics that gives him the most gratification is that he has a 55% approval rating among Evangelicals in Illinois, you begin to believe that transformation isn't an abused term but a real possibility.

Despite the comparisons, though, Obama didn't sound like Bobby Kennedy, who had been breathing presidential air his entire life, and who, in the 1968 campaign, would often frame the issues on both a visceral and a metaphysical level. He didn't have Kennedy's coiled, keyed-up, on-the-emotional-edge intensity that frightened as many people as it attracted.

Obama is a decent, brilliant guy who through a series of political accidents now has a clear path to the presidency ahead of him, and is thinking profoundly about what this moment can mean. His meteoric rise makes him, indisputably, a creation of the media. He knows this. But as mediagenic as he is, you never feel that he is cheap enough to cultivate the camera's love of him. He is aware that history is close to being made, but rightly, he doesn't challenge us to step forward and make history with him. Modest, that's a good old Victorian word that came to mind on Saturday.

We are a culture that's shown its willingness to vote for American Idol contestants, to throw videos up on YouTube, to contribute its photos to Flickr, to blog incessantly. This is a kinetic emotional energy waiting to attach itself to a presidential candidate, and as much as the experts are projecting a powerful grass-roots explosion for Obama, I believe that there isn't anyone who won't be absolutely blown away by the tectonic nature of the response.

I am writing this post on a flight from New York to Dallas, and it turns out that my colleague who is sitting next to me went to high school in Hawaii with Obama, knew him very well, and has stayed in touch over the years. He was the only black guy in the school, she reminisced, and he walked around with his Afro and his philosophy books and everyone loved him. "He is so good," she said to me. "What you think he is, is what he is. I'm just worried about what this campaign will do to him."

And that's the question. The hope is that he will do more to the campaign, than the campaign will do to him. We'll see if that's too audacious.

New Music & Book Finds

2007-01-27T19:37:00.000-08:00

I love to find new authors and new music groups and my favorite new find in music
is Augustana You may have heard their sound Boston it has had some radio time this year.

I also loved the book The Thirteenth Tale, I was hooked after I read the first few pages while sitting in the Barnes & Noble coffee shop. It was the author, Diane Setterfields first novel, so I was even more impressed.
Below is a review:

From Our Booksellers

It's not often that I would even dare to compare a book to Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, but The Thirteenth Tale is one that I will. This book is absolutely wonderful. It's a classic gothic tale, with ghosts and a grand house, good and evil and a secret that will have you guessing until the very end. --Sessalee Hensley

The Race is On

2007-01-20T08:24:00.000-08:00

Every day someone new is throwing their hat into the 2008 Presidential Election.
I'm sure it is going to be very interesting.

I'm watching these two myself

http://www.barackobama.com

http://blog.johnedwards.com

Winter Break

2006-12-02T18:47:00.000-08:00

I find that I still love to read all my favorite blogs and comment there but that I dread having to write my own. It was fun before the shock of the creep that had "thoughts" about my posts that had photos of my daughters. It just hasn't been the same since then.

So, I think that I will just keep my user name & just enjoy the rest of you fine writers thru short comments on your posts.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

The Phone Call

2006-11-27T14:51:00.000-08:00

It is a very quiet post Thanksgiving Day and we are all watching a movie. The phone rings...

My husband: "Hello"
Caller: In funny fake French Accent. "May I speak to the fair Sydney?"
My husband: "And who is this?"
Caller: Tell her she is my Amore! click
My husband turns to my daughter and says, you're grounded until you turn 18.
My daughter: WHAT.....Who was it.....What did they say???

He recounts the phone call and we all die laughing. And of corse my daughter has NO IDEA who the caller might have been.

The boy was smart enough to block the caller id to "private".

First Kiss

2006-11-21T15:58:00.000-08:00

The topic today at work (while we were trying EXTRA hard NOT to work)I mean what was the point it was the day before Thanksgiving Break started and everyone was watching for the bell to ring. Anyway the topic was First Kiss/First Love.

I hadn't thought of that moment for a really long time. It was fun to hear everyones, if we had been talking over happy hour the stories would have been better!

Let's see. His name was Allen. He was a senior in a really small town about 30 miles from mine and I had known him for a few years. He was quite cute, a rancher's son (boots, horses & 4H). I studied up all the areas that he competed in and of course watched them all. He was very nice and although I was sure he was just humoring the silly little Freshman that was following him around he really seemed to like my company. He ask me to ride the Ferris Wheel with him and causally slipped the arm around and gave me a kiss at the top. It was just getting dark & the fair lights were on, I almost passed out. Lucky for me he was the type that would walk you to your door and call your dad "Sir". He dated me that whole year. He'd write me a letter once a week and the greeting was always "Hey, Sweets!" isn't that cute? We went to the movies alot (I went to his Prom at the end of that year and I remember asking "Why in the world did you EVER ask me out?" He said, "All the other girls just flirted & teased me and you were always so sweet & polite, offering to help me or asking me serious questions." I guess you just grew on me :)

Such a good year, one of the best of my life!

Take Me Home Please!

2006-11-10T07:51:00.000-08:00

Petfinders.com anywhere in the U.S. The best place to find a new addition to the family. If you or someone you know needs a special gift, maybe for Christmas? Please check it out.

My kids and I go once a month to play with the dogs up for adoption and help them get set up to show them. We used pet finder to find our Andy the kids like to talk about how they "saved" him, but he has given us more laughs, kisses & love then we ever thought possible.

Here are a few of the KC area Johnston family pics! Check them out or look for ones near you.

Bullseye is a spanielmix

Jesse a Scottish Terrier

Labrador Retriever,Golden Retriever Target

Weeken Fun

2006-10-29T12:49:00.000-08:00

Sydney finally let me take her picture.

Sydney the "dark fairy"

We had soccer games, 2 slumber party invites and a Halloween party ALL happening on Saturday.

Sunday we took time out to have some fun raking a big leaf pile & hanging out. It was gorgeous outside today!

What a busy weekend.

Now, if I could just get my middle child to take her hair out of the ponytail once in awhile!

It's COMING!

2006-10-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

OMG! How can this be possible? Link here

Now, divide that by number of paydays.

Good Day for a Picture

2006-10-23T17:58:00.000-07:00

This Just In Inspired me to get my camera out and take Kate out for some pictures.

We had a good time!

Don't Forget to Vote!

2006-10-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

Novermber 7th is coming! Make sure you vote for what direction you want your city, county and country to take. From voting for parks & recreation to voting in a new senator for your state. The stakes have never been higher!

I love that I can mail my vote in from my house and not worry about all the traffic and lines on election day!

I voted this morning :)

Thursday Thirteen

2006-10-18T18:33:00.000-07:00

Thirteen things I watched on t.v. this week.

1. Lost (it is so confusing this season!)
2. Grey's Anatomy (very steamy)
3. The Daily Show (I love Jon Stewart)
4. Studio 30 on the Sunset Strip
5. NBC Evening News
6. Men in Trees (very cute)
7. Gilmore Girls (have watched every season)
8. CSI (I have to tape due to MUST SEE GREY's ANATOMY)
9. Heroes (REALLY good)
10. Desperate Housewives
11. Brothers & Sisters
12. 15 min of Today before I leave for work each morning.
13. KC Chiefs Football (even though it was an ASS-Kicking by the Steelers)

300 million Americans!

2006-10-17T08:16:00.000-07:00

The nation's population officially hit 300 million at 7:46 a.m. EDT Tuesday, when the Census Bureau's population clock rolled over to the big number.

The Bush Administration held no party or took time for a photo-op like President Johnson did in 1967 when we hit the 200 million mark.

According to the census bureau there is a death every 13 seconds, a birth every 7 seconds and every 13 seconds there is a new immigrant.

I think it would have been nice to have something positive celebrated about this, instead I hear a lot of complaining about illegal immigration again.

Happy 300 millionth American, to somebody …..somewhere, Welcome!
Whoever you are, I hope that you make the most of all this country has to offer.

Man is Dogs bestfriend or Vice Versa?

2006-10-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

My husband looks so serious here! But, I was between the TV & him at the time and what else FOOTBALL was on! Dangerous place to be.

Andy (the dog) loves the weekends when his people are home to love him!

To Read, Is a Wonderful Thing

2006-10-10T18:17:00.000-07:00

This picture is of my daughter, she is in 3rd grade. She loves to read, all my kids do. Books can open up whole new worlds of imagination to a child and it just makes me so sad to know that some kids don't get that nurturing time with their parents that reading together came bring.

A boy saw this picture on my screen saver in my office (I work in a school). He ask who it was, and I said it was my daughter and then I said how much she loves to read.
He just looked from me to the picture and then he said, "Too bad she doesn't have an Xbox." I told him we had a Playstation but that we still like books just as much. He just laughed and said that was "crazy-talk". I ask if he read books with his mom and he said "No" but I play X-box with my mamma's boyfriend". I ask what his favorite game was and he said, "Grand Theft Auto".

I couldn't believe it.....he is 6 years old.....and he thinks books are stupid.
I wanted to run right out and buy him some Disney & Dr. Seuss.....he is 6 years old

But how can can a book about Peter Pan or the great rhyme of Sam I Am compare to shooting at the police, buying drugs and picking up a hooker?

As I watched the evening news and it was filled with drive by shooting reports, I had a sudden fear that in 10 more years this could very well be that 6 year olds fate.

That night I started a new book with my daughter. We are reading the Spiderwick Chronicles and she reads a page and then I read a page. We are going to finish the book and then donate it to my daughter's classroom.

Maybe someone will check it out from the classroom library and decide that books can be as good an adventure as video games. I hope so.

Demon Nuts from Hell

2006-10-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

Picture this: Lovely fall day and a group of parents sit in lawn chairs watching their kids practice soccer. Suddenly, a woman (me, I'm sad to say) jumps out of her chair! She is bent over gasping & making horrendous chocking sounds.

Another parent jumps in to try the Heimlich on her because she is sure that she is choking to death! As the good Samaritan is feeling me up, I frantically slap at her to stop. When I finally can speak I hold up a bag of Dan-D-Pak wasabi cashews & then gulps down my entire water bottle & with tears running down my face I say "Holy Shit!, those are hot". Okay, all the men & most of the woman break in to hysterical laughing and the coach has run to the side to make sure we are alright. One very straight laced parent looks at me with disdain because I have just shouted "Holy Shit" during youth league soccer. I think she needs to have more sex & less church but that could be a whole other post :)

I love Wasabi dipping sauce so I foolishly thought I could open the bag and throw an entire handful of the nuts in my mouth. I felt like the hair in my nose melted along with my esophagus & then my stomach lining. One parent says, "you know the other main ingredient in the sauce is honey!"(she was still laughing so hard she now had tears in her eyes too)

When I can focus my vision enough to read the label I see that is basically straight Wasabi powder & cashews.

After the others stop laughing they begin to offer suggestions like: water won't work to cool down your mouth (I figured that out right away) but yogurt, milk, or ice cream will work. Okay, where the hell am I going to find some of that on the soccer field???? Thanks for the tip!

Then my daughter runs over and says "Hey, where is my extra water bottle?" Everyone starts laughing again! One kind soul gave my daughter an extra bottle that they had brought. My daughter walks back on the field, glancing back over her shoulder periodically to see why everyone is still laughing.

I can hardly wait to attend soccer this week. I will bring a magazine and NO snacks & do my very best NOT to shout out any profanities.

Kansas State 31, Oklahoma St. 27

2006-10-08T17:58:00.000-07:00

I am not a huge sports fanatic but I live with one!

But, I must admit even I was jumping up and down this weekend when Freshman quarterback Josh Freeman ran for a 21-yard touchdown with 1:11 left to help Kansas State rally for a 31-27 victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday. I was even more impressed the coach had the balls to bench some seniors with bad attitude and poor performances in the past weeks. Of course, if they had lost.....he'd be in deep shit.

And the KC Chiefs won on Sunday.

And we had one tie & one loss in the family for soccer games Saturday.

And now, I realize that Monday is tomorrow and it is totally going to kick my ass!!!

Saturday Nights...Not the same

2006-10-04T20:41:00.000-07:00

"Jane, you ignorant slut!" Find a sound bite for it here.

I have loved to watch SNL since I had to sneak out of bed to watch it as a 13 year old. I was really spying on my older sisters, isn't that the best place to discover cool new things. Anyway,

My favorite skits were the satirical news updates from SNL and the humorous banter between Weekend Update anchors Jane Curtin & Dan Aykroyd were the best. I loved the old news teams.

Sadly, SNL is not as good these days. What is your favorite quote from SNL? I have bolded mine below :)

Catch phrases/memorable quotes
"I'm Gumby Damn it" Eddie Murphy
"Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead. But his condition is stable."
Chevy Chase on Weekend Update
"But nooooooo!"
John Belushi
"My name is Nooney. Look at my lips. Nooooooney!"
Fred Armison
"Jane, you ignorant slut"
Dan Aykroyd on Weekend Update in response to Jane Curtain's editorial.
"We are two wild and crazy guys!"
Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd as the Festrunk Brothers
"I'm Chevy Chase, and you're not"
Chevy Chase on Weekend Update
"My father always used to say, it's always something. If it's not one thing, it's another"
Gilda Radner
"Never mind."
Gilda Radner as Emily Litella, SNL News correspondant
"You Look Mahvelous!"
Billy Crystal as Fernando
"Yeah, that's the ticket!"
Jon Lovitz as Tommy Flanagan, Pathological Liar
"Isn't That Special?"
Dana Carvey as Church Lady
"Ve are goink to pump (clap) you up!"
Kevin Nealon and Dana Carvey as Hans and Franz
"I'm all verklempt ... (sniff) ... talk amongst yourselves .. I'll give you a topic ...."
Mike Myers as Linda Richman
"I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!"
Al Franken as Stuart Smalley
"Excellent!"
Dana Carvey and Mike Myers, Waynes World
"...Not!"
Dana Carvey and Mike Myers, Waynes World
"We're not worthy!"
Dana Carvey and Mike Myers, Waynes World
"Da Bears!"
Chris Farley, Mike Myers, George Wendt, and Robert Smigel; Bill Swerski's Superfans
"And I live...in a van...down by the river!"
Chris Farley as Matt Foley, Motivational Speaker
"Buh-bye"
David Spade
"You guessed it Â Frank Stallone"
Norm MacDonald on Weekend Update
"...which just goes to prove my theory Â Germans love David Hasselhoff!"
Norm MacDonald on Weekend Update
"Simmah Down Nah!!!"
Cheri Oteri as Nadine
"Well, guess what?! I got a fever! And the only prescription...is more cowbell!"
Christopher Walken, Blue Oyster Cult sketch
"I Love it-Love it-Love it"
Molly Shannon, Helen Madden, Joyologist
"Super Star!"
Molly Shannon, Mary Katherine Gallagher
"Strategery"
Will Ferrell as George W. Bush
ÂThat show was delightful. No, no, it was brilliant. No no no, no, there is no word to describe its perfection, so IÂm forced to make one up, and IÂm going to do so right now: scrumtrilescent.Â
Will Ferrell as James Lipton
"Lockbox"
Darrell Hammond as Al Gore
"Baseball been berry, berry good to me."
Garret Morris as Chico Escuela
"It's the number one killer of domestic cats!"
Rachel Dratch as Debbie Downer (talking about feline AIDS)
"You can't have-a de Mango!"
Chris Kattan as Mango
"That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!"
Colin Quinn on Weekend Update

Howling with the Wolves

2006-09-28T09:25:00.000-07:00

My seventh grade daughter left yesterday for the
International Wolf Center in Superior National Forest in Ely, Minnesota, gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. They will stay in cabins inside the park and they have signed up for various workshops like "Howling with the Wolves" and "Wolves and the Wetlands".

The older my kids get the more independent they become and when she was ask to go on this trip our first instinct was to say no. But, we reconsidered thinking we have known the family taking her since Kindergarten and Abbey is really interested in ecology and environmental sciences; hard to deny her the opportunity.

She didn’t want any help from me to pack. “Mom, I can do it.” Even the night before when I said, can I help? “MOM, I’m DONE!” I offered to take the day off to be there when she was picked up, “MOM, I’m fine!”

The day she left she called me twice; sounding very nervous. I ask her if she wanted me to run home and see her off and she quietly said, “No, they will be here any minute (pause) “so bye, I love you Mom”. Okay, my heart did a little flip because those are words you don’t hear as much when they get older. As I hung up the phone I pictured her at age 3 going off to her first day of preschool. I barely even got a good-bye from her as she flew into the classroom in the cutest little flower dress & matching hat. But, when I picked her up that day she came flying out of that same classroom and into my arms, “I love you Mommy” she said.

I can’t wait for her to get back and tell me all about her adventure!

Can You Do It?

2006-09-27T13:52:00.000-07:00

This drove me crazy all day! I can't do it no matter how hard I concentrate.

Draw a clockwise circle on the floor with your right foot (while sitting).
Draw a number 6 in the air with your right hand at the same time as you are circling your foot.

Your foot will stop or reverse directions. SO WEIRD!
Needless to say I didn't get much paperwork done today

Strange Happy Place

2006-09-25T20:37:00.000-07:00

I'm sure we all have more than one "Happy Place". While driving in the car the other day we were switching the radio station around and ACDC Back In Black came on. When the song ended my 13 year old daughter said, "Geesh Mom you kind of zoned out" I guess I completely stopped talking and was drumming on the stick shift of the car and even bobbing my head around a little. TOTALLY unconsciously! My son called out from the back sit, "Mom's happy place is old acid rock!" Who knew?

However, when we got home I saw my son looking for the song on-line and I asked if he was trying to embarrass me and he said, "No, it's a cool song and I think I'd like it on my mp3. Maybe I'm not the dowdy suburban mom I thought I was after all.

Rock on....

Where Do You Hail From?

2006-09-19T16:18:00.000-07:00

I am lucky that both sides of my family have great genealogy records. If your family hasn't done it yet there has never been a better time. The technology to help you today is just amazing compared to way we did ours years ago.

I thought telling you about mine might be fun.

My mothers maiden name was Clouston. It has been traced back to 1024. Our family were descendants of King Malcolm II of Scotland and King Magnus the Good of Norway. They had grandchildren that married. The name Clouston comes from the tradition back then to take your surname from your HOME. Cloustath was the original spelling. The family lived in the Orkney Islands. There is still a tunship in Stromness Scotland called Clouston.

This side of my family came to America in 1818 to West Virginia, near Cameron. They founded a township. We have pictures of the Clouston Methodist Church and General Store.

It is so cool to have copies of gravestone rubbings and sketches of family crests from stain glass windows in Scotland.

My family moved to Ness County, Kansas in 1879 on covered wagons. This was 18 years after Kansas had been admitted to the Union. They were ranchers, horse breeders and my favorite ancestor is Wiley Clouston who was the sheriff from 1887 to 1892. Kind of cool that my ancestor was a cowboy sheriff. Hey, Wyatt Earp & Bat Masterson were in Dodge City which was 60 miles from Ness.

I also have traced my grandmothers side (Last name Doty) to the original Mayflower Voyage!

My dads family (DeShazo) back to the 1200's in Luzanne, Switzerland and the Doubs River Valley in France. They came to settle in Virginia, Alabama and then to homestead in Oklahoma during the Great Land Rush.

I'd love to hear some of "Where you all hail from!"

This picture is the "Skyscrapper of the Plains" it has been beautifully restored and last year my nephew had prom in the ballroom!

Autumn is Coming

2006-09-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

Autumn is my favorite season and next week it will officially be here. I love the smell of fireplaces burning and I can't wait for the beautiful fall folige that we have here in the Mid West. Our town is just beautiful this time of year. I'm looking forward to hayrack rides, fall festivals and leaf pile jumping.

Weird that yesterday it was 90 degrees and my daughter and I both got sunburns at her soccer game. This morning it is 65 and the windows are all open.

I'm going to spend the day unpacking the fall clothes, I am still afraid to put away all the summer stuff since I have been applying sunburn cream to the top of my ears all day.

Instead of grilling hamburgers outside I will whip up a big batch of chili (dusting of the crock pot from it's summer vacation in the cupboard).

I would know that it is Autumn even if the weather hadn't suddenly jumped 20 degrees in 48 hours. The males in the house are in full football mode! Sigh

You've Come Along Way Baby!

2006-09-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

I love this post from the sneeze. Check out the old Battleship Game box. www.thesneeze.com/ The man and his heir get to play the game; while the little woman and her wife in training get to do the dishes.

That would so NOT fly today!

Five Years Ago Today

2006-09-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

Really, it's hard to believe it's been 5 years since this awful day changed the world. In some ways, it seems like yesterday. In other ways, it seems like a long time ago.

I remember that morning five years ago. I worked as an office manager for a large church and I heard the news report on the radio as I dropped my older children off at school. When I walked in the office I ask the custodian to please bring the television cart in and we hooked up the cable and watched the entire thing unfold, pretty much in silence. Not long after the second tower fell. I turned to the minister and said, "People are going to start coming in". By noon that day we had many people praying in the sanctuary and we were planning a service for that evening. I think ever church had a service that night.

I remember being afraid for my children's future. Would this become a regular occurrence in America? We have been very lucky that nothing of this magnitude has taken place since.

I'm hoping our luck holds and I am making sure I raise my children to be tolerant of others religions and beliefs because I have to believe that if everyone could learn not to judge and not to hate that the world will be a much better place.

Fall TV

2006-09-09T08:10:00.000-07:00

I hate it when my favorite shows change nights! I mean damn, why wasn't I consulted? When you have 6 people in your house (even if you have 4 televisions) it is always a fight for what gets watched.

We have set down every Thursday night for the past 5 years and watched CSI. If we were out, we set our VCR to watch it later. But, this year they have moved my Sunday night favorite Grey's Anatomy to the same time! I am the only one in the family that watched it but I loved it; McDreamy is incredibly steamy!!! I'll have to tape it.

I discovered over the summer that Netflix had pilots of new upcoming shows for rent, this was great! We rented several and now we already know what we liked. Timothy Hutton's Kidnapped was really good. I also kind of liked Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. The older kids are wanting to watch NBC's new show Heroes.

What is everyone else planning to fight over the remote for???
I'm probably going to have to break down and get TiVo.

Tolerance Anyone?

2006-09-08T16:05:00.000-07:00

I received an email forward from someone recently that said "Boycott Muslim Holiday Stamp". A Muslim-themed stamp was chosen to reflect the religious diversity in America. The Postal Service issues 35 to 40 new stamps a year chosen from among 50,000 recommendations and drawings submitted annually.

The email I received was just full of intolerance. It basically said that the stamp was promoting terrorists and dishonoring our soldiers in Iraq. Then it had the most stupid sentence. "Let's remember that these people don't even believe in Jesus or Christmas!!!" Okay, DUH! First, it is a Muslim holiday so yes they don't believe in Jesus or Christmas and second, aren't we suppose to be a nation of immigrants of all faiths & nations. So, I think as long as the U.S. postage department makes Holiday Christmas stamps we should also have Hanukkah, EID, Kwanza etc.... because EVERYONE that is a U.S. citizen should be able to buy a stamp that reflects their heritage.

I am so tired of hearing that we should all hate and that everyone in one ethnic group should be persecuted for the acts of others that share that heritage.

Okay, I'm off my soap box! I'll post something more fun tomorrow!

If you don't know what Eid is:
Eid ul-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى) occurs on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijja. It is one of two Eid festivals that Muslims celebrate. Eid ul-Adha is celebrated by Muslims worldwide as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son(Ishmael) for (Allah)God. Others celebrate Eid-ul Adha as it marks the end of the Pilgrimage or Hajj for the millions of Muslims who make the trip to Mecca each year. Like Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha also begins with a short prayer followed by a khutba. In Mecca, the Khutba is delivered from Mount Arafat.