Happy Birthday Mom- I love you!

You're an amazing woman who has done so much to inspire me. I cherish my memories of you and I miss you every minute. Thanks for being my mom and for being such an incredible woman,

I love you-

Lainy

PS- You've got to let me know how the chocolate covered baklava is! It looked sinful :)

Pumpkin patch!

So, we went down to Fortuna to the pumpkin patch and corn maze at River Bar Farms earlier today and, as always, had a blast! We went with our friends, the Kabers, and we raced them through the corn maze- of course we totally dominated! (Competitive much?) And we picked out a bunch of squash for cooking and the kids and I each picked out a pumpkin. We wrapped our adventure with lunch at Shamus T. Bones in Carlotta- YUM!

Stroke, stroke....

As some of you know, Jon has been up in Oregon wrapping up some loose ends on another merchant mariners credential, I *think* it was for his AB....but don't quote me on that! At any rate, this class was for the Lifeboatman qualification.

So, this morning, Jon called me this morning to tell me that he passed his test and that he was getting ready to go take his practical. I have to admit I had no idea there was a practical involved...so I had to ask. It seems that they put eight guys into a life boat; give 6 of them oars, one is the coxswain (hence the title of the post), and I'm assuming that the other one is on the tiller but don't quote me on that. So, the practical grades the coxswains ability on being able to guide his oarsmen through different tasks like being able to get away from the dock, pick up a man over board and the such. It sounded pretty interesting, but to be honest it sounded like something that I couldn't imagine anybody getting tested on! Who knew?

I'm sure that by the last time I talked to him tonight he was really tired of me singing/saying in my best Billy Squire voice "stoke, stroke". And of course I had to ask if they gave him a drum to beat on. It's a good thing he puts up with me!

Regardless of the kind of surprising practical exam- which he passed with flying colors by the way- Congratulations Jon! I'm proud of you.

Stroke!

Update: Nope, it isn't

It's Strep....with a side of scarlet fever! I knew this wasn't right! Ha, mommy vindication.

So, the poor guy is on antibiotics and is officially not going to school or soccer tomorrow, and I'm not going to let him play in the game on Saturday, either...I think the rest time will be appreciated.

Thanks for all the well-wishes. He's doing pretty well, just not doing much. Lots of movie watching and napping.

Is it?

David is sick again, going on day three of a bad sore throat, head ache, fever and upset stomach. Poor guy. So, I'm home with him and Kathryn is at school; I'm trying to keep them as far away from each other as humanly possible. I'm not sure what it is that has latched on to him but obviously the mind automatically goes to the flu....

Hopefully he gets over it soon.

Update: It's Wednesday night and the poor kid is still fighting a fever between 101 and 102 even with motrin and tylenol on board. He's got a "horrible" headache, which has me worried more than anything else- if only the damned pediatrician would just call me back! Ack!

At this point no school or soccer tomorrow...and I'll be shocked if he is up and around by Friday!

Booya!

Whoot whoot! Got that danged mid-term grade back and patting myself on the back for my 98%! Please pardon me while I step away from the computer to do some happy dancing!

(Thank you...you may now return to your regularly scheduled programming!)

Attack of the mini-van driving soccer mom!

If only I'd known I'd someday succumb to this overdone cliche of suburban life, I would have kept the subaru! Okay, not really. But, it is kind of interesting having the kids both involved in soccer this fall. It makes the family schedule a complete nightmare, but hey! it gives us something to do! (As my dad would say, "it keeps you out of trouble.")

David's team is smoking hot, they absolutely wipe the field with their opponents and have even been the subject of an email to coaches about working with their team to not run up the score! (Somedays being a coach has it's perks! LOL)

Kathryn's team is my team and well let's just say that on most days the goals they score are in the correct net. We have the stereotypical little-kid soccer personas represented; the flower picker, the crier (that would be Kathryn), the kid who won't leave her clothes on, the kid who lays in the goal, the kid who swings from the goal, the kid who can't control their zeal for the game and will kick the ball in whatever direction she is facing at the moment- but she does it with style! But, it's a great little gang of girls and we have a ton of fun. So, I guess that's all that matters. (please, tell me that's all that matters!)

So...without further commentary from me, here are the soccer playing Placido children! Ta Da!

An Open Letter to my Future Daughter in Law

Dear Daughter in Law-

Welcome to the family we are all so happy to have you join us. I particularly am thrilled to know that my dear son remembered to zip his zipper often enough to actually attract a mate.

There are a few things I would like to apologize for right off the bat. (I am a firm believer in preemptive strikes when necessary). First, I considered having David sitting backwards on the potty at about ten, just until he quit missing so much, but decided that would be awkward at school. Aiming at cheerios was also dismissed as a viable option...although you may want to consider that. I've never really figured out how a child who can knock the petals off a rose bush at a good 5 feet can't manage to hit a pretty good sized target and manages more times then not to hit the seat, and on really off days, hit the bathtub as well.

Second, make sure that you shop regularly for socks. He wears his outside without shoes, I have no explanation. But, grass and mud are usually wiped off really well with one good lap over the wool rug in the living room.

Third, do you like a top sheet? Well, I hope not. They usually end up covering the dog. But, don't worry, if he ever makes the bed, I'm sure he'll remember to pick it up off the dog's bed to put back onto his.

And finally, no there's nothing wrong with him, we asked the doctor when he was 10, I guess some people just really do need to spend that much time in the bathroom.

Sincerely, (tag you're it)

-Elaine

Why?

Did I feel the urge to make Jon a pan of oatmeal butterscotch bars?! It's like TORTURE! I've already eaten two and I'm so weak! I may not be able to keep myself away from the any longer! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

If I could eat them all before the family gets home, maybe they'll never know!

He needs to go to Rainier tomorrow WITH the damed evil butterscotch bars just to save me from them!

Home Sweet Home!

In April we bought a house in Rainier, Oregon. We love it and can't wait to make it our permanent home. It's a 99 year old (updated) farmhouse, on 10 acres, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and just everything I've ever dreamed of. Here's a few shots to get you acquainted.

Uh....gee that's kind of embarrassing!

So...it's been awhile. I'm a busy person. I forgot my password. My dog ate my homework. I was on vacation.

You get the general idea, right? It's been awhile, okay a LONG while, and I have absolutely NO good excuse. So, shoot me. Then get over and read along and see what kind of craziness we've gotten into now!

Oh, and I've missed you, too.