the carnival.

so friday was the 2nd annual ccls carnival.
it was fun.
the weather was sketchy.
but it turned out perfect.
we got there.
we realized the carnies were the same.
we started at the games.
they were cute.
faces painted.
pizza eaten.
then the rides.
anne wanted to ride the swings.
the kind that were on a pole and then when the motor started...they flew waaaaay out.
i said it was okay.
she headed to the ride with her friend.
adam said, 'where did anne go?'
me-oh. with friend a. to the swings.
adam-NO WAY!
me-just stop.  she's fine.
adam-NO WAY! he marches to the swings tells the man, not to start the swings, and walks to her.
he pulls her off the swings.
she is NOT HAPPY.
at all.
i'm only slightly emabararssed.
i did some quick disaster cleanup.
explained that we only ride rides that leave the ground at six flags.
quick thinking on my part.
she said okay.
we went on.
kate won a pig.  anne won a stuffed fish.  they each got some kind of weird fake hair clip thing.
it was great.
like i said, not nearly as humerous as last year. (in case you have never heard it....ha!)
but, still just a bit of ride drama.
OH! i nearly forgot.
all 4 of us rode this weird spinny car thing.
all of the sudden we notice the ride is slowing.
the lights went off.  all the rides were stopping, making a weird movie type sound that sounded like reeerrrrwhhhherrrrreeeeerrrrrr....
i got slightly nervous.
THE GENERATOR WENT OUT!
holy moly (err...not what i was thinking.)
all the carnies scrambled and started pumping on a smoke stack like thing.
it was up and running in no time. (gulp.)
we got off the ride.
and went back to the games.
a good time had by all.

night view. ;)

can't stand herself she is soooo excited

fun on the merry go round

the sliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide.

hero carnie...from last year! :)

september 11.

 click on the arrow on the picture to see the video

i always think that each year will be easier.
i won't think about it on the day.
i won't watch tv that day.
and relive the images.
but then, i think, SARA LOUISE how selfish.
the families that are hurting can't turn their backs.
the nation is in this together.
so once again, today, we reflect.
it's been 10 years. i can't believe that.
i remember it like it was 10 days ago.
possibly because it is so permanently etched into our minds.
10 years later,
my prayer is still the same...
may God continue to Bless the United States of America.
~chat soon.

another try...

remember THIS STORY from last year?
tonight was the carnival for ccls.
it wasn't nearly as dramatic as last year.
nearly is the key word.
the generator went out when we were ALL on a ride. 
adam took anne off some of those flying swing things before it started.
she only cried a little.
the hero carni was there from last year.
we all lived.
blew a lot of cash.
and went home giggling about the fun.
pictures to come.
~chat soon!

smile.

how can you  not?

at the MAGIC HOUSE this summer! :)

these boots were made for WALKIN'!

and we are giving diabetes the BOOT! :)
(the motto for our team this year...or at least the current motto)
the time is short.  it's less then a month till the walk.
we have quite a few walkers again this year.
we are needing to pull out the stops to make some moolah!
last year was enormous in the fundraising aspect.
this year, may not be so huge.
but it's a okay. 
every penny counts!
think about supporting our team.
we would be forever grateful!
*thank you to all that have signed up to walk with us...*

last years team.  we went from 4 people in 09 to 30+ in 10! 

thought for today.

Children Learn What They Live

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, the learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honestly, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world in a nice place in which to live.
*Dorthy Law Nolte

I think this poem is amazing and should be issued to every new parent in the hospital.
Why I JUST found it, I don't know.
I am going to print it out and put it somewhere that I can read it ALL.THE.TIME.
Seriously, it's a no brain er. 

Print it out, hang it up, read it.  Let it remind you everyday!  

~chat soon

just stating the facts...folks.

so yesterday, i had to go to the doctor.
i have a bum shoulder.
it's an old injury.  it has flared up this summer.
i religiously saw my chiropractor, and it hasn't gotten better.
it was suggested i see an orthopedic doctor.
i filled out all the paperwork. 
checked all the appropriate boxes. 
showed up early.
all was good.
i was examined.
it was determined that my shoulder is 'frozen'.
okay.
i was expecting that.
it isn't moving.
it in fact, is acting as if, it is frozen!
the doctor said.  you are 34?!
i say, um,  yes.
he says. and you're.....drumroll.....diabetic?!
i say, yes.
he says. well, this is a common ailment in MIDDLE AGED WOMEN
and diabetics.
now, i could stomach the middle aged women part.
kind of.
but the diabetic part, i went into orbit.
all kinds of thoughts entered my brain.
after asking a.lo.t. of questions, it turns out that diabetics are prone to frozen shoulder.
but 'regular' people can get it too.
it hit below the belt.
i have not had anything associated with diabetes tagged on me.
except beastly large newborns.  and i am just getting over that wound.
the point of this post.
i think no matter the case, the world needs to be respectful.
respectful to say.  'prone to'. instead of 'caused by'.
respectful to make a person feel less of the cause, and more of a well...i don't know, but that I CAUSED THIS type of feeling.
i made myself known, in a respectful, classy kind of way.
but i'm pretty sure he understood what i was saying.
i have done some research.
figured out that....
20% of people with frozen shoulders are diabetic.
5% aren't.
I'm wondering about the other 75%....are they elephants???
anyway, it is an unknown type of thing.
common in middle aged woman. sometimes in diabetics....sometimes caused by a trauma.
lots of unknowns.
just face the facts....be respectful.
no matter what you do.
just do it.
respect. it's a nice thing.
and in closing....since apparently i am currently suffering from a diabetic side effect, consider donating to my cause....jdrf walk for the cure! 
while this deal is just a shoulder, other diabetics are suffering from a lot more!
thank you.
and good night!

~chat soon.
psssst....if you are wanting to walk. GO SIGN UP!  i know a few of you said you would 'sign up' DOITDOITDOIT!