Whew!
Wow..we JUST got our power back after loosing it at 6 this morning. You never realize just exactly what you use power for, until you have to pee in the dark! Riles managed to play by herself until about 1ish and then we loaded up and went to visit Grandma in town..she had power! So much for roasting a chicken for supper.
This weekend has gone by super fast. Almost time to start figuring outfits for the week out for the kiddos..Friday night I went out with some wonderfully fun women to celebrate Fickel's birthday (some of you might know her as Husker from CKMB)..had a great dinner and lost some money at the casinos! Wonderful tho, to be out with women who love having a good time. Thanks ladies!
Yesterday we went to Chris' friend Robert's memorial service. It was hard watching his father and girls' grief. Of course, my attention was diverted a bit, because the man sitting next to Chris started having multiple seizures! I was sitting behind Chris ,because he was a honorary pallbear..Robert was cremated...and next to my SIL Michelle (who thank god is a nurse :) Let me tell you..it was kind of freaky..good thing the funeral home owner is also on the volunteer Rescue team! Today, we lost power, so Riles and I read, played games, went to grandma's..etc. I am tired!
Have a great week..
whimp

Happy Birthday Fickel!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Fickel, Happy Birthday to you...i got you a six pack (hee hee..so i already had two..i know you don't mind sharing!)

I just wanted you to know you are an amazing friend and woman. Your spirit in which you live, inspires me. You are such a great person and friend. I hope our friendship grows even stronger.

whimp

(I always joked with him about this pic, I couldn't tell who was the turkey).

Remembering Dan...

As many of you have heard, Chris' best friend (Robert) died Friday night. At this time, what it looks like, it was a heart attack. How sad..he was only 36. He leaves behind twin girls who are 8.

This has been an emotional roller coaster for me. I don't know how to help my husband with his grief, and brings back the pain of losing my best friend 14 years ago.

His name was Dan (hmmm..wonder who my son is named after...). He was a wonderful soul. (My Chris reminds me alot of Dan. Quiet, respectful, willing to help anyone who needs it.)

I met Dan when I was 13, and visiting my brother in Milford, KS. (My brother was stationed at Fort Riley). Dan was 15 when we met. I loved Milford. Everything about it. It is so small it only had 2 bars and a gas station. However, it had an enormous lake. Dan and I would take a shortcut, and be able to walk along the rocks around the lake. This walk would take us to many private beaches, where we had A LOT of evening BBQ's, and would lead us to an old tree where teenagers before us, had tied an old rope to a branch, and we could swing out and land in the water. We would sit on the rocks or beaches and talk for hours. He was truly my best friend. We wrote each other, not a lot of letters, but enough I have a shoe box full. I haven't looked at them in years. Until Saturday. Saturday brought back the pain, and memories, and the questions..I wonder what he would be doing now. Would we still be friends? What would he think of my children? Where would he live? I know what he would look like.. I remember his lake green eyes, his lopsided smile, his gentle touch, his funny little lisp, and his wavy brown hair.. He was an amazing friend. Sadly, he was taken from me in 1993. He worked at a construction site, and was killed in an accident. I will always feel guilty about when it happened. June 25, 1993. I was to have gone to Milford and spent a week with him at his parents house, and then he was going to bring me home on Friday and spend the next week with me and be in my senior pictures. I didn't have the money to go, and wouldn't let him pay for it. He was killed on the Friday he would have taken off to bring me home. I loved him. I miss him. He is eternally young. God Bless you Robert and Dan...wherever you may be.

whimp

Please say a prayer today....
Last night, Chris' best friend died. We are unsure of the circumstances surrounding his death. Please include this man's father in your prayers. In the last 3 years he has buried a daughter, a wife, and now his son. Please pray.
On another note, how do I help my husband through this? I know what it is like to lose a best friend( two actually) I know how I felt, but how do I help him? Chris is so angry about this..how do I help?
Hug your family today, I am hugging mine.
wendy

I have been tagged....5 quirky things about me....
1. I eat goldfish crackers, hot tamales, and mini marshmallows together (think trail mix). Yummo!
2. I have to unplug all the appliances that do not need to be plugged in before I leave my house(can we say OCD?)
3. I sleep with socks on...(well except..)
4. Absolutely NOONE can eat or drink from my utensils (plate, bowl, cup, etc)..including my hubby and children. Yucko!
5. I only get 4 pages done at an overnight crop..HAHA!!

I tag..Karen and Jen. Happy blogging!
whimp

WELCOME HOME SNATCH (er...ZACH!!)

I just want to give a warm welcome home to my brother's weird, wacky, and wonderful friend..snatcheriah..uh...i mean Zach. Welcome home zach! We worried about you, and I am so glad to hear you made it home safe and sound. On behalf of my family, I want to salute you (and all other military personnel) on the job you do for our country. Thank you for fighting for us. job well done.
Welcome home, buddy, welcome home.
whimp

I make a difference....

What Teachers Make......
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point he said to another guest;"You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?" Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...) "Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an iPod, Game Cube or movie rental... You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.) I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math. I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity. I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe. I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the United States of America. Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life. (Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)"Then, when people, like you, try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"
Just got this in an email from a fellow teacher. I guess I never thought of my self this way. But we do. We make a difference everyday. Sometimes we are the ONLY safe place a student has. Sometimes we are the ONLY ones who make them feel good about themselves, sometimes we are the ONLY people who will help THEM make a difference in their lives. You know what? It is all worth it. I know I am blessed as a teacher when Ihave been gone for a day (or two) and when those wonderful faces walk through my door in the morning and say, "Miss Wendy! You're back! I missed you!" Yes..I am blessed.
whimp