My Husband "Subvet" says that when our first son "Sonshine" was born the sun rose on our world, when our second son "Gator" was born the sun laughed and when our daughter "Sugars" was born all the flowers bloomed. That says it all.

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...
It's about learning how to dance in the rain."
Anonymous

Your mind is the garden, your
thoughts are the seeds, the harvest can either be flowers or weeds. — William
Wordsworth

Monday, June 30, 2008

Thesaurus Thursday, Answers, Winners, and Words

Just in case this is your first time by here on a Thesaurus Thursday, the "rules" of Thesaurus Thursday are as follows:

First and foremost, leave as many funny definitions for either word (or both) as you can think up in the comments!! The ones that make me laugh the hardest will be given the Silly Goose Award.

Last week's Silly Goose Winners are:

Jungle Mom said...
kaffeeklatsch, pronounced,'coffee clutch', Which is what you do each morning when gripping your first mug of coffee.

(can be seen each morning in Subvet's kitchen!)


Linda said..
kaon - Second cousin to Khan, a Romulan warrior who battled Captain Kirk in several Star Trek episodes!




Next, if you know (or think you know) the true definitions without looking them up then be sure and leave those in the comments too!! All definitions that are correct (or close enough for government work and Mighty Mom) will win the Smarty Pants Award!

Diane J knew kaffeeklatsch!



Official Definitions:
kaon - a meson with strangeness +1 and either positive or zero electric charge, or its antiparticle with strangeness -1 and either negative or zero electric charge. Symbol: K Also called K meson

Should anyone want to define that definition for me I'd sure appreciate it! :-)


kaffeeklatsch - a social gathering for informal conversation at which coffee is served.

In other words, any gathering at held at my house!



Now, our words for next week are.....
salmagundi

sain


Have fun now ya hear!!

Gee, Thanks

This came to me from Pinky



This lovely statue is called the "Arte y Pico" award which was created to be given to bloggers who inspire others with their creative energy and talents no matter whether it be in the form of writing, artwork, design, interesting material, or contributions to the blogger community. When a blogger receives this award it is considered a "special honor" and, once presented to you, it is to be passed on to at least 5 other bloggers who meet the criteria.



Well, there's a surprise!

I don't feel like I have any creative energy here lately but if you say so, I'll believe you! :-)

I'll have to ponder on who to give it too, when I have more time...HAHAHAHA

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Boy Talk




TINY TALK TUESDAY is once again upon us. Go see Mary at Not Before 7 to see more of this fun event.

One, Two, Three, Four......Eighteen, Nineteen, TWENTY-TEEN!!

(just cracks me up!)

(pointing to the crucifix on our wall)
It's Jesus up on the cross Mama! Jesus fell down and God put him up on the cross Mama!! Yeesss, he's on the cross Mama! It's the little Jesus on the cross there Mama. We'll go and see the BIG Jesus tomorrow later Mama!

(Yes, we'll go to church where there is a bigger crucifix tomorrow...)

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Oh Where, Oh Where, Oh Where is Shadow????

Sorry folks, I've been a bit busy between working days and chasing children during my off time.

We're going to move the computer out of Sugars' room so that should make it a little easier for both of us grown-ups to get online. :-)

Work is going very well. I'm going to skip T-T this week since I've already missed it. So you have another week to come up with silly definitions for kaon and kaffeeklatsch. Even if you've already put up a definition, feel free to put up several.

Till I'm able to post again, riddle me this:

Where is your favorite place to take pre-schoolers??

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Investing in the Future

For those of you who don't know, our 3 kids are all developmentally delayed. They are all late talkers and late walkers with some social deficits as well. (Think mild autism, or Asperger's Syndrome for those of you familiar with those terms.)


Because of these delays they are all in assorted therapies. The oldest, Sonshine take the prize of most therapy sessions a week with 2 45min Speech Therapy sessions, 2 45min Occupational Therapy sessions 1 45min Physical Therapy session and 1 30min Physical Therapy session each week.

Sonshine's main physical problem is an overall weakness, especially in his core muscle group that provides such things as balance and coordination.

He also has an odd gait (or way of walking) that looks uncoordinated and kinda duck footed from low muscle tone of his legs and feet.

Now, in addition to his therapy we try to "work" with him on picking up his feet when walking and going heel-toe instead of being flat footed.

He has developed to the point now that we needed to invest in some therapy equipment to help with his muscle tone and balance.

Fortunately, we're at a point where we can afford to do this.


Of course, picking out therapy equipment that the kids will actually want to work on is important. So we were very careful in what we chose.



Then, it also had to fit in our yard....




Well, it was a hard decision....




But we did the best that we could......................................




Here's what we came up with......................................................................................................................................................


















Fortunately, I must say that the boys have taken to the equipment well and are putting in about an hour's hard work each afternoon.


After which, (or during which) they cool off with a little bit of aquatherapy....






Should any of you know of a kid(s) under 10 who needs some bounce-house-therapy, just give me a call and we'll work out a time to come on over!










OH yes, it is a Wonderful Life!!

Friday, June 13, 2008

Show and Tell

Show and Tell

Several years ago Subvet joined the Submarine Veterans Association in Dallas. He'd been a member in Ct for many years. When I went with him to a function I noticed that most of the guys had on these vests with patches that told their boats. As Subvet's 50th B-day was coming up I went and asked the guy in charge of such things how much the vests were. Well folks, the vest was around $60-75 THEN you had to buy each patch. I mean to tell you I flipped!! So, for his 50th B-day I made Subvet a vest, he got to buy as many patches, pins as he wanted and I sewed them all on. Along with a few details of my own...(look close at the buttons...)[well, nevermind, you can't see the buttons....they have anchors on them]

Unfortunately we live a very long way from the nearest SVA so he doesn't wear the vest all that often, but it's there when he needs it. :-)


Thursday, June 12, 2008

Thesaurus Thursday, Answers, Winners, and Words

Just in case this is your first time by here on a Thesaurus Thursday, the "rules" of Thesaurus Thursday are as follows:

First and foremost, leave as many funny definitions for either word (or both) as you can think up in the comments!! The ones that make me laugh the hardest will be given the Silly Goose Award.

Last week's Silly Goose Winner is:

Linda - Muskeg - The knot on the side of a male muskrat's head that was given to him by a female muskrat when he made an improper move on her hoping she'd get a whiff of his muskellunge scent!

Cookie - Muskellunge- a leap made by a horny Muskrat.



Next, if you know (or think you know) the true definitions without looking them up then be sure and leave those in the comments too!! All definitions that are correct (or close enough for government work and Mighty Mom) will win the Smarty Pants Award!

MammyT knew muskeg and Diane J knew muskellunge



Official Definitions:
muskellunge - a large pike of the Great Lakes and Mississippi drainage.



muskeg - a bog of N North America, commonly having sphagnum mosses, sedge, and stunted black spruce and tamarack trees.







Now, our words for next week are.....
kaon

kaffeeklatsch


Have fun now ya hear!!

days

So, this morning I'm digging through my drawers and Subvet walks in just as I say "ut-oh"....

"ut-oh?" he says?

"Yes, ut-oh, I don't have any panties in my drawer."

"I think I just took some out of the dryer, would you like me to go get them for you?"

"Yes, please, as I'd rather not wander around the house without them...we do have 2 boys you know."

So I go on and get in the shower. A few minutes later the shower curtain is drawn back and there stands my husband, looking an awful lot like This:



Proclaiming
"Captain Underwear, To the Rescue!"

AAAAHHHHHHH, It's GOOD to be back on days with the rest of the family!!!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

mornings....

here are a couple of videos I took last week while home sick.

as to the first.....who do you think rules the roost around here??


as to the second....my children obviously don't have enough toys! (or, don't you want to be a cat in my house?)

And Gator-boy is playing on the floor too, you can hear him counting and chatting in the background...he just didn't make it in these shots.

:-)



Monday, June 9, 2008

Am I IT????

Folks, remember to scroll down to play Thesaurus Thursday. You have until Thursday to show your Smarts or Silliness on this week's words.


Somewhere in the way back of my sleep-deprived mind I seem to think that I've been tagged....once...or twice....or more.

I have one more week of nights and then I switch to days for a MONTH!! for orientation at my new job. Yeeehaaawwwww (yes, Pops, it's a Texas thing).


So, if you have tagged me and I haven't done the tag (or if you wanna tag me now) ...please REMIND me this week and I will get them done over the next month. I'll also open the floor again for any burning questions you want to ask.

BEFORE YOU ASK.

I will be dancing for Infantry Dad's son Matt who just returned home from Iraq as soon as I can clean off my memory card...it's currently out of space. Watch for it this week. While you're waiting, go on over and pat Matt on the back and tell him how much you appreciate him, as well as DaD's sacrifice.

Do Something Nice for the Troops....WE DID!!!

This comes from Cookie at The Cook Shack.


Well Sir...a few years ago, Cookie initially worked with a private security firm, and later with the TSA (Transportation Security Agency) at the Syracuse, Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, NY.

While working at the Airport, there were many occasions when myself and other TSA folks would have to process large numbers of fine Military women and men who were shipping out to either Iraq or Afghanistan, or some other duty stations around the world. It should be noted that Fort Drum, home of the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division is only about 70 miles up the road a piece. Also located very nearby is a United States Marine Corps Reserve Detachment, a Naval Reserve Training Center, a Navy Seabee detachment and (at the airbase itself), the New York Air National Guards 174th Fighter Wing, whose F-16 Fighters and crews have served in both the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars. From the above listings you can easily see that there is a heavy Military presence in our area.

On many occasions, myself and my Marine Corps League's Commandant, Loren Davies (who was a manager with the TSA), as well as an Iraq war vet named Leroy Bowen( US Army Reserve Retired, SFC), would observe many active Military personnel who had been dropped off at the Airport to catch their flights to whatever duty station they were bound for, sitting in the terminal for many long hours, sometimes overnight.

Although there are 3 small restaurants at the airport, they close up shop at about 8 or 9:00 PM, and do not re-open until 7:00 AM the next morning. It was during these long waits or delays, sometimes 14 hours or overnight, that it was glaringly obvious that, for these fine patriotic young men and women, there was no way for them to get a bottle of water, soda, or even a hot cup of "joe". There is also NO entertainment such as TV's to watch and occupy their time.

It should be noted that for these past several years (since Afghanistan), many good folks from the TSA, would have someone make a "coffee and donut run" to a Dunkin Donuts a couple of miles or so from the airport and at least bring back something for the troops. The Syracuse Police Department (my old Alma-mater) also has a large precinct office at the airport, and they would do their best to invite the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines into the precinct and share their coffee and donuts (you know cops and donuts) with these folks, often sending a man on a detail to get some hot sandwiches and coffee for them as well.

Watching these good folks sitting there all night, or long hours with nothing to eat, drink, or entertain them, Loren, Leroy kinda took a personal vow to get the USO into the airport to service these great folks. However, when we contacted the USO about getting a " Military Hospitality Center/Lounge" for these patriotic and dedicated Military personnel into the airport, for whatever reason, the USO refused and wouldn't address the problem at the Syracuse, Hancock International Airport. Most disappointing for us.

Just to be clear, The USO is a very fine organization and has helped many a lonely Sailor, Soldier or Marine over these many years, like myself back in the 60's, and they must have a good reason, probably financial, for their lack of participation in this project.

With the Seabee motto, "Can Do" in mind, Loren (Commandant Marine Corps League, Emerald City Detachment), Leroy (US Army Retired) and myself (Navy Seabee Veterans of America, Island X-19) set out to make this happen without the USO, and thus far, wonderful things have begun to happen thanks to material donations and assistance rendered from our respective organizations. A local VFW post has also expressed some strong interest in becoming involved with the project, and many, MANY, TSA personnel have selflessly offered to volunteer to man the Hospitality Room in their "off-duty" time. With the intercession and assistance of the Commissioner of Aviation, Anthony Mancuso, and the Honorable Mayor of Syracuse, NY, Matt Driscoll have very graciously given us a room (a $1.00 a year Lease), and a few parking spots for our volunteers at the airport terminal where we could begin to set up shop. Commissioner Mancuso has also had this room repainted and the carpet cleaned for us. It's a small room, but adequate for setting up a serving counter, refrigerator, coffee urn and microwave (all donated to us), and for storing whatever drinks and food stuffs such as water, soda, coffee, donuts and sandwiches that we can purchase or have donated.

Below is a picture of Commandant Loren Davies (on the left) with the President Jim English of the Lions Club of Chittenango, NY. BTW...for your own edification, Chittenango, NY is the birthplace of L.Frank Baum, the man who wrote "The Wizard of Oz".



Now Sir....over the past several days, Loren and myself have contacted many large local business, other Vets organizations/councils and The Oneida Indian Nation Casino, just to name few, for ANY assistance whatsoever that they might be willing to render, but have heard nothing as yet.

Now Amigo's and Amiga's, here is where I must make a request of yourselves. At present, to begin stocking up on our food and drink inventory, we desperately need monetary donations as soon as possible so that we may meet our projected Grand Opening date of July 3rd, which will probably be attended by the Mayor and Commissioner, as well as representatives of many Vet's organizations..

If any of y'all could find it possible to give us a donation, any donation at all...it would be greatly appreciated by Loren, Leroy and myself, as well as the fine, Active Duty/Reserve Military men and women who would benefit from this Military Hospitality Room.

If you have a blog, and cannot afford to make a donation at this time, an article on your blog-post, coupled with a link or "track-back" to this post would also be greatly appreciated so that we may get the word out to even more good patriotic folks who would want to show their support for Military folks that may be heading into "Harms Way", OR...if'n yur feelin especially magnanimous...Do Both!

To make your tax deductible donation by check, please make your check out to "The Marine Corps League", and please make an entry into the "memo" line in the lower left of your check, "Airport Project"....

and send your check to:

Loren Davies
Commandant
Emerald City Detachment #877
Marine Corps League
P.O. Box 393
Chittenango, New York 13037

If you have any questions at all, you may contact Loren Davies directly at either his personal phone at (315) 359-6149

OR

at his E-mail address usmc1970367@hotmail.com

My friends...thank you so very much for having taken the time to have read this lengthy post, and thanks for all you have done in the past for our nations Vets and Active Duty Military folks....

Cookie....

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Thesaurus Thursday, Answers, Winners, and Words

Don't Forget To Scroll Down For Newer Posts!

Just in case this is your first time by here on a Thesaurus Thursday, the "rules" of Thesaurus Thursday are as follows:

First and foremost, leave as many funny definitions for either word (or both) as you can think up in the comments!! The ones that make me laugh the hardest will be given the Silly Goose Award.

Last week's Silly Goose Winner is:


Stephanie - Jipijapa--some kind of funky, jiggly dance! (Of course, that describes any dance move I make, but let's don't go there.)
me too babe, me too...

Linda - Jongo - a drum made of of recycled toilets similar to a bongo (yeah, I know - this one was really crappy!).



Next, if you know (or think you know) the true definitions without looking them up then be sure and leave those in the comments too!! All definitions that are correct (or close enough for government work and Mighty Mom) will win the Smarty Pants Award!

One for the house. No one knew these.



Official Definitions:
Jipijapa - 1) a palm like plant of Central and South America 2) a Panama hat.

(and from The Columbia Encyclopedia)
(heepeehä´pä) (KEY) , city (1990 pop. 32,225), W Ecuador, on the equatorial lowlands. A few miles inland from the Pacific, Jipijapa is famous for the manufacture of high-grade Panama hats, made from the jipijapa plant. It is also the trade center for an agricultural region.


Jingo - a person who professes belligerent patriotism and favors an aggressive foreign policy. [from the phrase by Jingo in a political song supporting use of British forces against Russia in 1878].


I'm not sure....but I might be a jingo!

Now, our words for next week are.....
muskellunge

muskeg


Have fun now ya hear!!

Thursday, June 5, 2008

At Long Last

Well, I've been wanting to create a Glossary of Thesaurus Thursday words for awhile now and I finally sat and did it!

You'll find it over there on the sidebar. It currently has all the words from last year......geez, we've learned a lot of words!

Have fun going back over them and seeing how many you remember!! :-)

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Class in Session!



Ok people, listen up.

When you go to another's blog, you should keep in mind the opinions of the owner of that blog. If you desire to voice an opposing opinion be sure that you do so RESPECTFULLY.

Do Not, For Example:

Go to the blog of a parent of children with special needs and proceed to insult:

A) Children with special needs
B) Parents of children with special needs
C) The parenting style that you ASSUME "most" parents of children with special needs employ
D) The educators who are working hard to teach children with special needs how to function in our society as independent persons

and most importantly

E) Other commentors on that blog.


To do any (or in this case ALL) of these is considered Poor Blog Etiquette, and makes YOU look like a Spoiled Brat in need of strict discipline.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Anyone care to join in?

There's quite the Tinkle Contest going on at Subvet's over that teacher who humiliated the 5 year old boy with Asperger's Syndrome. Apparently one of his commentors thinks the teacher was right to do what she did...and more.

Just thought you'd like to know. If you feel so inclined, please leave a comment over there and make your voice heard!

Thanks folks,
Sarah