Thursday, December 18, 2008

Bryce and the Merry Christmas Sugar

This morning, Bryce dumped red and green sugar onto a stool in the kitchen. We have sprinkles of every color of the rainbow in the drawer, so how he happened to pick red and green--traditional Christmas colors--is beyond me.

After I told him he had chosen Christmas colors, he stood back to admire his work.




Then he peeked in the drawer to see if anything could be added. No, our child never wears pants, in case you were wondering.


Having decided that the red and the green were perfect all by themselves, Bryce was then free to taste his artistic creation.

And it was good.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Hot Sweaty Cello Players

Metallica, courtesy of some hot, sweaty cello players. Just watch. Trust me.





GelaSkins Inc.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Proof of My Existence

You know those "Coming-of-Age" movies involving young friends who have such a tight bond that it just makes you all heart-achey and gushy? They share good times, tragedy, life changes, and they remain close through it all? You know, like Stand by Me, and all those. Those are friends who are so deeply rooted in your heart that if they're no longer in your life, you have a little hollow spot inside where they should be.

Shortly after my dad died in 1982, my mom and I moved from our Woodbridge, Virginia home, which I had lived in for the first 13 years of my life, to a small rural community in central VA. I missed my friends, especially Laura. My father's death had a huge negative impact on me; I was numb and barely functional for many years. I saw Laura only once in the years that followed. During that visit, I learned that her father had died like my own. That made our bond even stronger. After high school, I joined the Air Force and served mainly overseas in Japan. I never stopped thinking of my old friends back in Woodbridge. Laura and I tried to reconnect here and there, but missed by months or miles.

Yesterday, I thought to search for Laura on Facebook. There she was, right there on my computer screen. My heart skipped a beat; I quickly sent a "friend request." An hour later, a chat window popped up. Technology is great, but nothing beats the sound of an old friend's voice. We talked for over an hour on the phone. We laughed, reminisced, and I cried. A little hollow spot in my heart had been refilled. I can't tell you how much it means to me to be in touch with Laura again. And Wendy, and Tina.... You were all such a big part of my life back then. I look forward to more laughs and more memories in the making!

And now I'll stop being a sentimental (or maybe just mental) dork and post some pix from "back in the day."


Me, Laura, Sonya, Wendy on our way to a school dance. I thought I was hot stuff! These girls were so fun! Sonya and I used to roller skate and sing that song, "I want you to want me...." Wendy always thought up the funniest stuff. One little tune she sang once when we were goofing off at her house was, "Needles and pines sticking in your spines." That was soooooooo hilarious back then. Okay, it still is! Laura and I always seemed to be having seances. We summoned the spirit of John Lennon just a week after he died and when we did, the candle we were chanting to blew out, the electricity went out, and the phone rang once...spooky! We all used to do "light as a feather, stiff as a board." I remember doing that at one of Wendy's slumber parties...it worked, but I have no idea why.


Laura and me in D.C.



Me holding Shane, Laura's parakeet.


Heather, Laura, Wendy, and me holding the 13th Commandment, which we thought was just hilarious! I remember Heather giggling at my dad's funeral. Heather, Laura, Wendy and I had gone into the chapel alone and were sitting in a pew. Heather started giggling. Laura and Wendy were trying to get her to stop and be respectful, but honestly, I was grateful for the laughter. I needed it!

Laura, thanks for letting me steal these pix off Facebook! Not that I asked first....

I love you girls!



GelaSkins Inc.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Starry Sky Shutter

It's so fun to goof off with digital cameras, isn't it?

These were taken with the shutter left open for 15 seconds ("Starry Sky" setting on my Lumix). The one below is the Christmas tree mixed with Allie.

This is what we do when we're bored. And now so are you! Bwaahahahahaha!




Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Dr. Faustman, I Love You! I Fall at Your Feet!

Forget my birthday! I declare today

Worship Dr. Faustman Day!


Phase 1 of her trial is underway to determine if the t.b. vaccine BCG can cure type 1 diabetes in humans and tests conducted so far has been successful!

Findings show that the human body can regenerate beta cells (the ones that produce insulin!) and that the T-lymphocyte cells which kill the beta cells can be safely destroyed!

A cure is on the way!

Allie will, within the next couple of years, be able to throw out all those needles and lancets and vials of insulin! I am confident in that!

http://www.massgeneral.org/diabetes/%5Claboratory_type1.htm

Dr. Faustman, you ROCK!

This is the best birthday present ever!





GelaSkins Inc.

Happy Birthday to Me!

I love birthdays! They are just so fun, even if we do nothing at all. I have no idea why I love b.days so much, but there ya go!

Look what my cute kids got me:

They know me too well! I'm the ultimate Hello Kitty freak. Heeeeeeeeey, I lived in Japan for two years...that's my excuse!





GelaSkins Inc.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Rare Video Footage of Todd (Hehehe)

Sorry these videos are so dark; we were hanging out in the light of the tree. It was such a fine family moment that Todd broke out in song. Enjoy these RARE videos!


The Dolphin Song:



The Sittin' on my Porch Song:


The Jailhouse Farm Song (When the Saints Remix)
Accompaniment by Zane B. (warning: Z was not warmed up :o)



~
GelaSkins Inc.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Happy Birthday, Allie!

Allie turned 15 today!

15!

She avoided my dozens of attempts to get a picture of her in her new silver pants and black ballet tutu, haha, but I got her holding my Japanese Black Black Gum!

I think Al had a good birthday. Last night, she chose The Cheesecake Factory for her birthday dinner. It was a fun night. Today we hung out together all day at home and Todd made cupcakes (I'm making an ice cream cake for her sleepover party next weekend).

I love you, Cheeky Cheese! Happy Birthday!

Big smooch from Mother Pony!






~
GelaSkins Inc.