Friday

Head on over and see what everyone has been up to this week!

Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Hockey Tournament and Zachary's surgery are all done!

Now I can move on with Christmas.

~

Zachary hung up our Christmas lights.

This weekend I am decorating the inside of our home.

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Hubby doesn't know it yet, but he is getting a tree this weekend.  We always get a live tree.  Hubby always gets one too tall and ends up cutting part of the tree off.  

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Have I mentioned how much I love my guy?!?!

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We finally got our first estimate for our siding, gutter, garage door and light repairs that happened during Hurricane Sandy.   I'm waiting for a few more before we make a final decision.

I don't mind waiting, there are so many other people who need repairs more urgently than I.

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Zachary is back to school.

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Nothing exciting happened this week.

Wait… I take that back...

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During Wednesday night hockey game Brandon scored a top shelf goal from the blue line.  

If you don't get hockey lingo… just trust me… that's a good thing!

**That's right! I'm a proud Mama!**

~

Have a good weekend!

Outpatient Surgery for Zachary

Zachary had an operation on Black Friday.  He was born with a deviated septum.  The doctor thinks when Zachary was born his nose broke in the birth canal.  The wall between his nasal passages was displaced, which caused nose bleeds, snoring and allergies.

When he was 10 years old Todd and I took him to an Otolaryngologist, who recommended that we wait until Zachary was older and stopped the majority of his growing.   I am glad we did wait.  A 10 year old boy would not understand nor know how to react to so much pain this surgery caused.

Prior to surgery the nurse came in and asked all kinds of questions. Zachary is quiet and answers her very softly.  I can tell he is nervous.  I am worried for him, but try to be strong and not let him see how twisted up my stomach is.

Zachary has never done well around needles or blood. So when the nurse put in his IV in, I thought he was going to pass out.  He looked white as a ghost.  He told me he was hot and light headed.

I explained to him that it was his anxiety making him feel like that. Told him to relax and it would pass.

By the time the nurse came back and gave him his 'hat' he was feeling better.

~

They wheeled him out and I felt lost.

I know it's only a minor operation.

Logically I knew he'd be okay.

He is my baby.

I wanted to cry.

I didn't.

I went to the waiting room… and waited.

~

Two hours later I was able to see him.

He was so HIGH!

It was a funny sight to see.

The nurses who were attending him couldn't stop laughing.

You would have thought Zach won the lottery when the nurse handed him a soda and jello!

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By the time we got home the pain medication wore off.

Zachary has been down for the count for 6 days. 

He has been sleeping on a recliner because he cannot lay flat.

He has watched all the seasons of "King of Queens" and "The Big Bang Theory".

 He may go back to school tomorrow.  It all depends how he feels when he wakes up.  

~

The worst is over and every day he gets a better.

I am just glad to see him smile again.

Thanksgiving Hockey Tournament

THEY WON!

THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT 2012 CHAMPS!

MIDGET U16A

Thanksgiving weekend is always a busy one for us.  Since 2007 Brandon has participated in a Thanksgiving Tournament.  ~ That means a lot of hockey crammed into weekend! ~ This is the first year that the tournament wasn't on home ice.  We had to travel to Hatfield, PA - which isn't too bad. It was a little over an hour away.  ~ The boys are at an age where the testosterone is flaring.  There was a lot of smack talk and even one fight.  ~ I am proud that my son keeps his temper in check. I am not naive enough to think he isn't running his mouth with smart @** comments.

I wish you could experience the thrill of the game, the smell of the ice and hearing the "Ooooh and Ahhhs'" from the crowd. 

 I wish I could explain that I do not condone violence and yet I get a giddy seeing the hits and checks of the game.   

I wish you knew the pride I feel while watching my son make a good play (and yep, even the bad ones).

 

I wish you could have seen the smile on my son's face as they placed the 1st place medal around his neck.

Congratulations Baby!

Happy Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for; family, friends, good health, a happy home... I am reminded with our economy and Hurricane Sandy, how many people are struggling right now to provide for their families, let alone a traditional Thanksgiving feast that is apart of the holiday. If you know of a charity or shelter, such as the Salvation Army or Red Cross, please take the time to help out or donate items. 

As I said, I have so much to be thankful for and one thing I am grateful for are my amazing blogging friends. Each and every one of you has touched me and given a true gift of friendship in many different ways! Thank you!Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Ever melt a pair of jumper cables?

I know what you are thinking.

What? How can you melt jumper cables??

Oh my friends, I assure you it can be done!

Let me tell you a story…..

For the last few months we have been teaching our son, Zachary to drive an automatic car. 

However, the car he will be driving is manual.

Todd thought it would be a good idea to take Zachary to a parking lot with the intention of teaching him how to drive a stick shift.

Zachary's car has been sitting, not being used since the beginning of the summer.  So when it would not start today, Todd didn't think anything of it and he asked the neighbor for a jump.

Todd and Zachary went on their merry way.

Upon Zachary's first try, he stalls the car.  If you don't know about stick shift, stalling it is not uncommon, especially while learning how to drive it.

Problem though ~ the car would not re-start.

The guys called me to come "jump" the car, thinking the battery had died. Again.

We had no luck.  So Todd and I drove to Pepboys to purchase a new battery.

$100.00 and 40 minutes later…..

Todd showed Zachary how to install a new battery.

AND

we tried to start the car.

No luck!

Considering we are not mechanics, we thought "maybe we should try to jump the car again". 

Not our finest moment.

This time both cars spark when Todd puts the jumper cables on the clamps.

Then both cars begin to smoke and catch on fire!

Apparently if you do not match the positive and negatives, this is what a car will do.

HE FRIED THE JUMPER CABLES! 

I'M NOT SURE HOW THEY CAN MELT…

BUT THEY DID!

We called in the calvary.

Our friend found a fuse that was loose and Viola!

**Car started like a charm**

I think Zachary learned a valuable lesson and will never mix up the + and - signs while jumping a car.

Tribute to Poppop on Veterans Day

In 1923

American troops left Germany after WWI.

Ottowa Senators swept Edm Eskimos to win the Stanley Cup.

Attorney General says it is legal for women to wear trousers anywhere. 

Lou Gehrig hits the first of his 493 home runs.

Disney company was founded.

My grandfather was born.

Frank Edward (on the left) was the eldest of 9 children.

In 1942

German U-boats begin harassing the US East Coast.

Japanese sub fires on oil refinery in California.

2 black players: Jackie Robinson & Nate Moreland requests tryouts with White Sox.

Toronto Maple leafs beat the Detroit Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup.

Gasoline rationed in the East Coast.

Anne Frank begins her diary.

My grandparents were married.

February 3, 1943

Shoe rationing begins.

Germany surrenders in Stalingrad.

Joe DeMaggio enlists.

The day my grandfather left for duty

December 22, 1945

Rationing of auto tires end.

Microwave oven patented.

Congress officially recognizes The Pledge of Allegiance.

My grandfather returns home after proudly serving in the Navy during WWII in the Solomon Island.

My grandparents had two daughters: Nancy and Shirley.

In addition to 5 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren at the time of his passing.

My grandfather was a self-employed carpenter his whole life, and also worked last at a hospital in the maintenance department for 23 years until his retirement in 1988.

April 16, 2008

Bill Gates retires from Microsoft to focus on charity work.

Michael Phelps wins 8 Gold Medals.

My grandfather passed away.

and was laid to rest at St. Vincent UCC

where he served at as a deacon, elder and consistory member.

The postlude at his funeral was "Anchors Aweigh".

I am proud of my grandfather for not only serving his country, but for all the good he spread throughout his life. He believed in people. He never smoked or took a drink. He believed in discipline and hard work, that if stick to something long enough it will pay off.  

He was my father figure.  There was no safer place than in his lap.  He would tell me to put onions in my socks to ward off illness.  His eyes were bright blue, always showing kindness.  He carried a hammer wherever he went and was always tinkered with something to keep himself busy.

Poppop may be gone, but he is still in my heart.  

Chanticleer Gardens

Located in the Main Line of Pennsylvania.

Photo Credit: Todd Miller

During the early 20th century upper class society would move to the country to beat the heat from Philadelphia, PA.  This ruin is a picture of a former summer home to the Rosengarten family.  This wealthy pharmaceutical family sold their business to Merck and Company in the 1920's.  

The estate has beautiful gardens and is open to the public to enjoy.

Hurricane Sandy

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This week I've been getting quotes and estimates for the siding damage to my home during Hurricane Sandy.

My neighbors shutter was taken off by the wind and hurled into the side of our house.  It's amazing what a hole in the siding it caused.  Just by a vinyl shutter!

Minor damage was from other debris. 

Our damage is nothing compared to what the majority of east coast residence are going through.

My Blogger Friend Hilary from Feeling Beachie has been evacuated from her home. She is staying with her husband's brother, but he suffered flood damage too.

Please keep my friends and other hurricane victims in your prayers.

My Hero

Who is my Hero?  That's an easy one.

My husband is my hero. 

He is my saving grace everyday.  We knew each other for quite a few years before we began dating.  Prior to dating, I was in a dark place and he was the light that showed me I could be loved.  To have someone in my life who loves me so much inspires me to want to be a better person.  I am truly blessed.

I admire:
How quickly he can change a negative attribute into a positive.
The right choices he makes are consistently and without a fleeting thought of the wrong choices as an option.
How he is tenderly moved by the suffering of another.
How his sympathy turns into empathy.
He is a great teacher not only in a classroom, but also to our sons and even myself.
How he shows the way by example to our children with patience, kindness and love.
And most of all his unwavering love for me.
And so much more.

Birthday Girl

Wahoo!!!

Todd's parents brought me a cake.

My favorite ~ Chocolate AND Purple!

***

My husband gave me my present a day early. Here is the note he left explaining why.

My present was a new Nikon Camera!

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Kathy from West Family Adventures did a shout out on her blog about my bday. 

How cool was that!

You are the sweetest Kathy!

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My BFF and her family took me and two of my boys out to dinner.

They were forced happy to celebrate their Mommy's birthday.

***

Instead of listing all my presents, I decided to do a video clip.

Be patient with me, it's the first time I've ever done this.

It seems to take awhile to load, so I am crossing my fingers that it works. :-D

I had a wonderful birthday.  Thank you to those who made it that great!  And -WOW- thank you to the number of FB Bday wishes posted. I am lucky to be surrounded by so much love!