MUST HAVE COFFEE!

My Bunn Pour-Omatic was unplugged and I started the brew cycle not realizing the water in the reservoir was cold.  I now have a pot full of cold vaguely flavored black water.  I can't pour the water back into the coffee maker, and to reuse the grounds would produce a weak pot of coffee.  Needless to say I'm extremely irritated right now.  And the girls are already fussing with each other.  Its not even 7am, I have NO coffee, I am NOT happy at this point in my life!  I'm just going to dump another scoop of grounds in it.  Its the waiting for the water to heat in the reservoir thats getting to me right now.  I'm not a patient waiter when it comes to my coffee.  Thats why I bought the Bunn... the water is always ready!  Stupid coffee pot!  I need my coffee NOW!

Rocky has been driving me absolutely crazy since yesterday... she's been following me around the house in that huge mask and singing opera songs.  I think I'll give her peanut butter and crackers for breakfast just to shut her up for a second and give my ears a break.  Actually she has a beautiful voice but she dilerately distorts her voice to be annoying to her sister.  It works very well.  I'm considering packing her in her brother's suitcase when he leaves for basic next month.

My husband is going shopping today.  For trucks.  BIG trucks!  My requirements are simple... its got to have 4 doors so the kids don't have to climb over the front seat... leaving snow or mud on MY seat for me to discover after I sit down... Its got to be room so they don't touch each other, and its got to be pretty!  Having a Hemi helps I guess, but as long as the engine gets me from here to there and back again... and I don't have to worry about it then I don't really care.  It just sounds good to say 'It has a HEMI'.  My dream truck, the blue one I saw on my birthday... that had a HEMI.  And of course it has to be a 4x4.  With all the hunting we do out there in the hills we need to be able to drive up the side of a canyon or ravine without the fear of getting stuck.  Big Red was awesome about that.  Waaaaaaahhhh!  I want my Big Red!

Ahhhh, coffee is ready.  I love my Bunn-omatic!  Life is good again!

THE HALLOWEEN MASK, or Rocky before her bath.

Now do you see what I have to live with? This is Rocky doing the hula, and then reading my favorite book on Shakespeare's Insults.   My kids love to Trick- Or- Treat at Halloween but in Colorado we need to find costumes that fit over snowsuits or other warm clothing.  This is her choice for this year.  Of course, with our luck we won't be able to find the mask come October 31st.

Halloween is a big thing in our family... not because we're pagan (we are not), but because we LOVE to dress up!  After our first freezing experience here with Trick-or-Treating in the snow, we've always had a huge urn of hot apple cider for the kids and parents who come knocking on All Hallows Eve.  This has become an expected tradition and kids we only see once a year come running to our house for the steamy beverage, often forgetting to collect the candy as well.  We are also known as a safe house for potty breaks, emergency phone calls, and a quick warm up (we've started setting up a firepit and heater since 2000).  And one year, I kid you not, when we offered a mother a cup of coffee, she asked for a beer in jest... and I gave her one!  Needless to say our house has NEVER been TP'd on Halloween.

(IF YOU WANT TO ENTER A PUMPKIN IN THE PUMPKIN HALLOWEEN AOL-JLAND PARTY YOU CAN GO TO THIS SITE...
PumpkinCarvingCornerJ-LANDSTYLE)

 

Aghhhhh! KIDS!

My daughter made some Tang orange drink in a pitcher yesterday, so when I opened the frige this morning and saw the pitcher in there I was very happy!  Nice cold, refreshing Tang, breakfast of the astronauts!  I grabbed the pitcher and hauled it out.  Wait a minute... somethings not right!  The stinking pitcher was EMPTY!  Now who would empty out the pitcher and then put it back in the frige... EMPTY!  I'd say they were lazy, but it would have taken more effort to put the pitcher back into the frige than to just set it on the counter!  And get this... the carton of milk was left on the table.... FULL!  Thats it, I'm home schooling!  These kids are learning nothing at school!

No... wait.... kids at home 24/7.... Scary!  Thats it, no more Tang or milk for them! Dear Lord, grant me patience... one down, four to go.  One down, four to go!  I wonder if the army is looking for some mini-recruits... Yes, I know 10, 13, 15 and 17 are a bit young, but they're potty trained (sort of, we're still working on the flushing).  Oh heck, maybe I'll just enlist myself.  I'm sure Uncle Sam could use an over-weight middle-aged recruit who can't run without taking a potty break every 50 yards, and America will sleep in peace knowing that I'm guarding the frontlines tonight! 

Think I'll just dump a box of Calgon into the hottub instead.

HOMEWORK HO-HUMS and pinch patterns.

Becca is working on her homework.  'Whats that?' I ask... 'Mitosis' she says.  'Oh my gosh, put it down and wash your hands!' I yell... 'I think I read somewhere on AOL that it was contagious and incureable!'

'No no no' all the kids laugh,  'Thats what you call it when cells divide!'

Well, look what happened when they split the atom!  Oh no, I'll have none of that mitosis stuff going on in my house.  Especially now that its clean!

I feel so sorry for my kids because I am so useless to them when it comes to doing homework.  I can cook, I can sew, I can hunt, I make things with my hands.  I can spin a great yarn, but when it comes to math and science I'm a total goon.

Today was such a wonderfully lazy day, nothing to do.  Well, I guess I could have done the laundry, but what fun would that be?  I just lazed around, eatting left over sushi and tirimisu (note to self: next time don't eat fish and tirimisu together).  I soaked in the hot tub in the middle of the afternoon, had a Japanese tea party with Rocky, with tea and imitation crablegs.  (I made certain she did not eat enough to make her sick by morning). 

I used the kids bathroom today.  As usual their toilet paper was not on the holder.  In fact, there wasn't even a tube in the roll, just paper... a limp collapsed pile of toilet paper minus the inner cardboard tube.  How do they do that?  Why do they do that?  I'm sure it took longer to wiggle that tube out of the roll than it would have taken to put the roll in the holder.  Ay yay yay!

My son sent me a link to a story on AOL news about some kid who got arrested for clogging a toilet after his friend got stopped by police for underage drinking.AOL News - Student Charged for Clogging Toilet  They charged him criminal mischief.  I'll have to remember that the next time one of my little lumber jacks drops a log in the toilet and plugs it up.  I'll just threaten to call the police if they don't clear the clog up themselves.  I have them believing that there is a way to identify the creator of these by-products, I told them its like finger printing... only different!  Everyone has their own unique pinch pattern. 

HOW 'BOUT THEM BRONCOS!

Sunday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs was awesome!  (hmmmm, is that right?  the plural of Chief is Chiefs... or is it Chieves?  That doesn't look right... Chieves... looks like something that belongs on a baked potato with sour cream... oh well, what ever!)  34 to 24, not bad for their opening game.  The officials sucked though, with a capital S U C K E D !  Must be altitude sickness or maybe too much of that Colorado Rocky Mountain Spring Water.... its cold brewed you know... and comes in two proofs... 3.2 and 6.0!  So any how, there were a few bad calls, all against the Broncos of course.  But thats okay because they were in rare form.  Quentin Griffin was all over the field, looking like a little kid in his daddy's uniform.  Bet nobody calls him 'kid' to his face after Sunday's game.  There was a little incident that ended with a penalty against my beloved Broncos... a little thing they called 'group demonstration' after a touchdown.  Nuh uh!  They weren't demonstrating at all!  First of all, trust me... it wasn't dancing!  I've seen dancing before and that was NOWHERE near anything that might even remotely resemble dancing.  They were just... adjusting.  Yeah, thats the word... they were adjusting their cups!  They just all happened to do it at the same time, kind of a syncronized group cup adjusting.  Nothing wrong with that!  Pah!  Too-wie to the officials!  (chucking another beer bottle at the tv).

And speaking of cups, have you ever seen a modern lacrosse stick?  Have you ever noticed that they look like cups with a handle?  Really!  I was in Galyan's sports store last night after my fantastic sushi dinner... and saw one.  I wasn't sure what it was at first... I figured it was a cup on a handle... maybe some new fangled way for women to keep control of their men.  Hmmmmm, I just might have to get one!

SWORN IN....

Gabe was sworn in today.  He will be a Something-or-other Delta in the Army, basically what that means is that they will be training him for war.  My heart is soooo confused.  It hurts and yet it is proud.  He is to report to Fort Whats-it on October 13.  The other kids haven't mentioned who gets his room which has been a major topic these past few weeks.  Now they're discussing how they want to save cake for him, and do this and do that with him and for him before he leaves.  I love my kids.  They drive me crazy, but I just love them because they have such beautiful little caring hearts .... when they're not fussing and fighting with each other.

THE FAR SIDE OF THE HILL

First and foremost I want to thank everyone who sent birthday wishes my way.  I was feeling so good from them that I didn't have time to be depressed about getting old.  I still had to work, but my husband picked me up afterwards and took me straight to dinner at the Sushi restaurant.  Oh My Gosh!  I pigged out!  I started out with oysters... fried, not raw (Steve slurped his down raw... ewwwww!), then I had 4 different types of sashimi (raw fish) and 4 different types of sushi, all with raw fish or shrimp.  Sounds gross perhaps but it was magnificent!  I sipped green tea with my meal, it was perfect!

The kids were waiting with a surprise of their own.  They had cleaned the house while we were out to dinner!  The table was cleared off, and oh my goodness, the dishes were done!  Art showed me his dishpan hands, proof that he was the one responsible.  But there was more, with the help of their dad they had purchased a Japanese tea set for me.  It was absolutely exquisite!  I've wanted one ever since I was a little girl and finally I have one.  And Steve had sneaked a cake in for me, my favorite... Tirimisu.  We didn't have any birthday candles so the kids stuck a 12 inch Christmas taper in it.  I made a wish... for the gorgeous blue Dodge Ram pick-up that Steve and I had looked at on our way home.  Its got a Hemi!

Did I once say that Starbucks was foofy and wasn't real coffee?  I take that back (sorry Bigred).  Starbucks now makes a coffee liqueur and I swear its better than Kahlua, its not as sweet and thick.  What a wonderful new way to enjoy my old favorite.

BIRTHDAY WITH THE KIDS

I stink!  I smell like lobster.  My husband bought me lobster for dinner.  And lobster cakes, and crab cakes, and scallop cakes.  And WINE!  The kids had lobster too... and lobster cakes, and crab cakes and scallop cakes... but I didn't share my wine.  This was my family birthday dinner.  Steve is taking me out to dinner tomorrow for my birthday, but with it being a school night the kids won't be able to go, so we celebrated tonight.  It was nice, and smelly.  It helps that the Broncos are winning as well!

Gabe is in Denver.  Tomorrow he goes through the Army physical.  He's not the fastest kid, nor the strongest, but he's charming and he's got street smarts.  I hope thats good enough because he really wants this to happen.  He's such a good kid, and he just wants to be able to provide for his unborn child, and secure a future... I pray he can get through this because he has never wanted anything more in his life. 

Rocky has decided that she doesn't want to go to school any more.  I won't let her drop out though, 5th grade is kind of early for that.  Besides, she wants to win the school talent show and she has to be enrolled in school to do that.  She wants to dance... funk!  Some how I never thought of dancing 'funk' as being a talent.

Art is still trying to recover from his biking accident.  I got a call on Friday from the high school saying that he had been in a biking accident on the way to school and could I bring him some asprin to help with the pain.  I showed up and he was covered with bandages.  Two days later I've instructed him to keep the bandages off in favor of fresh air, but he is covered with scabs and bruises.  I hurt just looking at him.  But he's a tough little guy.  I've offered to buy him training wheels for his bike.  He may take me up on the offer if he has another bad wreck like this.  Art is such a cool kid, I've not yet met a kid with a sence of humor like his.  I refer to Rocky as Mini Me because she is my daughter and so much like me... but Art (named after King Arthur... my childhood hero) is so much more like me than anyone else I know.  How scary is that?  (check it out JerseyGirl, no mention of pee/ poop/ farts/ or burps!)

JUST SATURDAY STUFF

We started the day out watching TV, and the memorial coverage for the September 11th attacks.  We might have been in Church, the kids were so quiet and attentive.  Until the moment of silence.  As the bell tolled for those missing, there was a differnt toll in my house.  My daughter apologized for the taquitos.  I was glad we weren't in church because it was bad!

Next on the agenda... taking a peek under the hoods of the two trucks.  After staring at the jigsaw puzzle that is technically called the engine I came to terms with reality.  We need a new truck.  I grudgingly accompanied my husband to the bank to apply for a loan.  This time around he wants a vehicle with a warranty so if it breaks we can drive it to the shop and say 'fix it'.  I guess we'll find out on Monday if we qualify or not.

Gabe picked up his bus tickets to go to Denver for his initial physical.  The Army will wine and dine him tonight, and if all goes well he will be sworn in tomorrow.  He's getting so excited.  For the first time in his life he has a plan that is falling into place and he's liking the feeling.  I'm still very nervous, but I'm excited for him.  I don't think he'll have problems dealing with the drill sgts. so much as I think he'll have issues with keeping his room in order.  I predict BIG issues there.

The 3 middle children accompanied my husband and I to the Fallen Firefighters Memorial.  I couldn't believe the length of the list of those killed on September 11th, it literally moved me to tears and I stood there infront of that wall crying for strangers I did not know except in my heart.  Do they know I wondered how much they are loved and missed, not just by their own families but by the nation as a whole?  And not just them, but all who gave their lives on that day.

Rocky was with a friend so she didn't go with us.  She called me when we were in Sams, asking if I would bring some of her toys over because they were getting bored.  I offered to bring her home early if that was the case and she agreed to be ready.  By the time I got to the house to drop off the groceries she had called back and left a message.  She had 'reconsidered' her decision to come home early and in fact wanted to stay later!  Not a problem!

We finished the day with a steak and potato dinner.  My brother called and I had an awesome time talking with him.  We traded hunting stories and recipes.  He's a wonderful cook!  And he hasn't lost his sence of humor, he was tossing me one liners throughout the conversation.  I had to move up stairs because I was laughing so loud and the family was trying to watch tv.  I didn't get to spend enough time with him during the family reunion.  I think I need to go back to Hawaii... this time for an extended stay!  I'm so glad my family is still close after all these years.

FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS' MEMORIAL

We are so far away from the events of September 11th and yet so touched as Americans.  The International Fallen Firefighters Memorial is in Colorado Springs so we paid our respect to all those brave men and women who gave their lives on that tragic day in 2001.

SO MUCH LIKE ME ITS SCARY!

I think I had an argument with an Oompa Loompa, but I'm not sure.  I think I won the argument, but I'm not too sure of that either.  Rocky left finally and grudgingly went to bed but I am still stressed out.  Its not like she was talking back, it was just a lot of 'but Mom's.  Drives me nuts!  As of tonight I'm changing my name to Dad.  They never whine 'but Dad!'.  NEVER!

Rocky has 3 tests tomorrow and doesn't want to go to school in the morning.  She is in the 5th grade.  How hard can 5th grade tests be?  Okay, forget I asked that... I've seen her math and I have trouble with some of the problems myself... Anyhow, so here's this little microscopic version of myself asking me "How much seafood does a person have to eat to get sick by morning?", and "Can't you call in to work tomorrow and tell them that I'm sick so you have to stay home?" 
"But you're not sick Rocky." I pointed out.
"I will be after I eat all that seafood" she insists.

 

TRUCK TROUBLES, YOGA AND SISTERS

The clutch went out on the little pick-up so we're back down to 1 vehicle again.  My husband had to drive in reverse back home this morning and woke me up to take him in to work.  Didn't even have time to brush my teeth.  I probably woke that poor gate guard up at the post gate when he inspected our ID cards and I wished him a 'good morning'.  It was funny how quickly he stepped back.

Its all Steve's fault, he started talking about selling all the cars and trucks and getting new ones.  I'll bet they heard and now they're just acting up to spite him.  I guess he'll be talking to the bank now about a loan.  Just no mini-van, thats all I have to say.... NO MINI-VAN!  I still say Big Red is revivable, she just needs a little TLC.  Unfortunately with work and school Steve no longer has the time to work on repairs the way he used to.  Plus we're already into the 2nd week of his hunting season and he hasn't been able to go out yet.  This is not a typical year at all.

Rocky has taught me this yoga exercise that helps to bring both sides of the brain together to work as one, making you smarter.  Here's how it goes.  Cross your hands and clasp, thumbs down.  (Do what?) Twist them around and up to your chin. (easier said than done, especially if you have extra padding on the undersides of your arms) Touch your tongue to the top of your mouth, pushing against the back of your teeth. (If you wear dentures make sure you have glued them securely into place before attempting this part) Breath only through your nose. (okay, now its getting complicated!) Release.  (Phew!  Okay, that release part was easy, I can do releases) Bring one leg up behind you and grasp with hand.  (I don't like where this is going)  Stretch other arm out to the side and balance on one foot for ten seconds. (If I let go of the chair I'm going to fall!) Repeat on other side.  (I'm actually right handed, which makes it near impossible for me to balance on my right foot) This strengthens your brain and allows you touse a larger portion of both sides thus making you smarter.  (You know what, I think a more clearer exercise to show how smart I am would be to just skip this exercise.... I hear a glass of red wine makes your brain sharper not to mention being good for the heart... sounds good to me!)

My big sister has asked for the link to my journal so I have to be good incase she comes and checks it out.  She is the opposite of me.  She doesn't collect dust bunnies, she irradicates them.  And she is prissy.  Now I don't mean that in a bad way, she's just all fancy and foofy, and all organized.  Organization confuses me.  I know I frustrated her when she and her kids stayed with us in between moves.  We're so different, but I'd like to think we're close.  I'm peanut butter (the crunchy, nutty kind) to her jelly (all sweet and smooth).  I'm coffee, she's tea.  I'm beer, she's soda.  I'm jeans, she's dresses.  She goes to church regularily and prays... on many occasions for me!  Even on the computer we're different.  We both love photography, but she takes pictures of places and things.  I take pictures of people.  She has a photo website featuring some of her pictures (some are really truely awesome).  I have a journal that features daily bodily functions.  We're just a year apart, but so very different.  But she's the salt to my pepper!  I think thats why we get along so well. 

Hey Sis!  Love you!

Hawaii 2003

This is me and my 4 younger children at the Hale Koa Hotel in Hawaii in June of 2003.  As I've mentioned before, my clevage isn't as deep as it used to be but its definitely getting longer! 

 

 

 

(yes, I am standing on my tippie toes to give the illusion of being much taller than my children.  That trick no longer works.) 

WHY AM I NOT RICH?

I have to work today... we have home office company and management wants it to look like we have enough people to run the store right.  We don't, which is why they are making me come in on my day off.  They figure since they gave me an extra day off due to the holiday, I could work my regular scheduled day off.  That bites!

So anyhow, I've been with this company for almost 6 years.  Why am I not rich?  I should be rich.  I own stock... kind of.  Actually I own stock off and on, I sell them when I'm REALLY broke.  I don't even know where my money is going to.  I don't have a lot of stuff, and I only have 2 bills besides groceries and gas.  Of course groceries is a huge chunk of my paycheck.  Dang it, why do we have to eat?  That smoothie diet is starting to sound really good.  The kids like them, I might actually get them to drink them instead of their 3 square meals a day.  Quick math (notice... no algebra, triginometry or calculus): 7 family members, 3 meals a day, 7 days a week.... 7x3x7 = 147 a week, or 294 every two weeks... at $1 a pop.... holy mackerel... thats $294 every 2 weeks on that strawberry snot.... just about what I spend on groceries anyhow.  She-ette!  I can't afford to be rich!

Didn't get much sleep last night.  First of all I found out why they put handles on mattresses J  We sleep with the fan blowing on the bed, and later on Dickidoo started flatulating in his sleep.  Unfortunately I was downwind, so I turned to face the wall.  Well, the room isn't that big so when the toxic breeze hit the wall, it blew right back into my face.  I think it was that Flat Tire beer he was drinking, man it was rank!  Gonna have to feed him something sweet for the next couple of days just to flush his septic tank out cos I can't go through another night like last night.  Either that or I'm gonna get one of them Glade Plug-ins and plug it in!

Got time to grab one more pot of coffee then I'm off to earn my minimum wage.  This really sucks, you know?  Just say no.... I've got to remember that the next time they ask... just sayNO!

When it rains, it floods!

Big Red is comatose but thats okay because we have a little Toyota pickup and the Bonneville, right?  WRONG!  We took the two vehicles to our friend's property down south in a cactus patch and wouldn't you know, we 'bout killed both of those things too!  The truck got a flat and the Bonneville blew its thermostat or something like that.  At any rate we are now a one vehicle family.... man, that sucks!  My husband keeps hinting about a new truck, maybe a crewcab or Suburban... but it just makes me sick... I want Big Red!  I don't care what he drives, I just want my truck back.  She's so pretty and shiney, I've got 4 white feathers decorating her, 2 on the rear window and one on each of the front quarter panel.... nothing fancy, but real classy.  You'd pick her out in a crowded parking lot and say... thats a classy truck... yep.  Thats my Big Red!

Work sucked today also.  Labor Day huh?  Well, no doubt I labored today!  Its nice to finally be home.  Of course there are two vehicles lying around like bodies in the morgue... Depressing!  I'm glad my husband is somewhat proficient when it comes to auto mechanics.  He didn't always use to be, but I've long since forgiven him for the Mustang.  And hopefully all of the kids will follow in his footsteps.  Its handy now with so many things going wrong with the trucks and car.  When it rains it pours, or in my case... it floods!  But the best part is... at least we have one working vehicle, right?  And with the right parts and a good meal Steve might even get the Bonneville back on the road tonight.  I'm not going to nag about Big Red, she needs major surgery and I want him to get it right.  Can't bear the thought of pulling the plug on her now, not after all we've been through.

Oh my GOSH!  This is pathetic!  Guys are supposed to whine over their trucks, not women!  I should be happy to trade it in for a nice mini van or zippy sedan.  Goodness knows I do believe I could get anything I asked for... except for Big Red.  Oh man, I don't want to lose her.  Where's the Truck Fairy Godmother?  I've been good, I haven't gotten a speeding ticket in 4 months... please oh please oh please.... One more chance, and I promise, I 'll check her oil every 4 months, and I make sure she has lots of water, I'll wash her at least once a month, I'll feed her mid-grade, I won't run her in over-drive ... Just let me keep her.  She really is a wonderful truck.

PHOTO JOURNAL

THROUGH THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER: A photo journal.  Okay, before you all start moaning and groaning about me taking up precious Blogsville Virtual Real Estate, let me just add that this is a photo journal, almost no writing, and I promise.... no pictures of... well, you know... 'stuff'.  (although I do have a short video I shot while out hunting of the different shapes and sizes from a variety of wild life).

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE WORLD STOPPED TURNING

"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" by Alan Jackson

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry
Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below
Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I had just returned from dropping my kids off at school and was surprised to see my husband's car back in the driveway.  I skipped up the stairs and inquired 'Whats up?', then noticed that he was staring at the TV.  'There's been two plane crashes... he said.  'The World Trade Center towers... it's bad Jo.' he said without looking at me.  I suddenly comprehended what I was seeing on the screen.... a familiar NY landmark... with unfamiliar smoke pouring from the sides.  A new view came on and suddenly I was seeing a plane deliberately fly into one of the towers.  I sank to my knees, tears immediately blinding me.  Two planes, two towers and all those people.  And it would get worse. My husband and I sat in silence as we stared in total disbelief at the horror unfolding before us.  I called my sister when the Pentagon was hit.  She was in Hawaii, her husband was a pilot for the Army.  It was still early there, I whispered the news into her sleepy ear... we were being attacked. 

When the towers collapsed, so did I.  I cried non stop for I knew that not everyone had gotten out and it was too much for me to bear.  I don't remember when my husband finally went back to work.  I do remember that at some point he silently went into the garage and returned with our American flag that we display on Federal holidays.... and he stood it by the mailbox. 

When I went to pick the kids up from the school I looked to the sky.  It was beautiful and clear, barely a cloud to be seen.  And not one single plane in sight.  Not even a vapor trail.  Nothing.  Even the birds seemed to be grounded.  When the school bell rang, all the children ran out into the school yard, laughing innocently, so carefree.  And that was when my sorrow turned to anger.  I knew at that moment that I would support ANYTHING that was done to ensure the freedom and safety for my children and all the other children in their own homeland.

Gatorspictures:  wow. great emotion here, dorn. i was at work (the one person in a 'one person office' at the time, so i couldn't leave). i had internet and radio, and when internet stopped due to intense traffic, i only had radio. it was one of the most sorrowfelt days i knew. all those people...all their families...

BeckieRamos:  Amen! So true. That song is so beautiful and sad.
I was working when it happened, we listened to it on the radio at work, we cried and worried about all of the people and their families. I wanted to leave work so bad and just pick up my children at school and hold them close to me. But, I stayed at work and did my job. I was so happy to see my kids that afternoon and we talked about what happened and prayed. I too support pur country in what we have to do to ensure our safety.
My prayers and blessings still go out to  the families, Beckie

Kimbellina:  THANK YOU FOR A BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE. I WAS SITTING AT HOME WATCHING TELEVISION WITH MY LEG PROPPED UP DUE TO A BLOOD CLOT. I WATCHED EVERY SINGLE PART OF THIS UNFOLD AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS SOME KIND OF A SICK JOKE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY BROTHER WHEN I REALIZED WE WERE REALLY BEING ATTACKED. ALTHOUGH MY BROTHER SERVED IN NAM AND IS OLDER, HE WAS READY TO GO FIGHT AT THAT VERY MINUTE. I DONT THINK I HAVE EVER BEEN THAT SCARED FOR US ALL. BUT, I HAD TO HAVE FAITH IN OUR COUNTRY.
KIM.

Cneinhorn:  My Husband was at sea when this happened.....I was just about to take my Little One to the zoo when I glanced at the TV and saw what was going on......I didn't leave the house for the rest of the day.....I have friends who worked up there and saw it happen.......we could see smoke from here......I too remember how silent the skies were......I remember wanting to go back to Switzerland.....but couldn't get out of the country........when my Husband came home two weeks later, he had no idea of the impact this had........he hadn't seen any of it while at sea........I support the US President and his continued efforts to fight terrorism.

   
Aiibrat:  i was at work when it happened.  everyone was in shock.  a tv was brought in.  it was so surreal & sort of still is right now.  i shed a bit of tears but i think i was mostly in a daze.  

Sdoscher:  It is a very great song and a good tribute to those that fell that awful day. I'm in Florida my two oldest work right in Manhattan, my daughter had clients in the WTC so I was totally terrified. I knew the buildings well, I was in them when they were under construction & then my ex had on office in Tower 1 on the 32nd fl. We really have to watch out for one another..I'm sick to death of these murderers of innocence.........Sandi

Spurgins:  Just trying to remember that day's events makes cry. Getting ready for work, it was 9-10 am. My X came over to my apartment-can't remember why now. I was fussing with my curling iron & putting on make-up. "Haven't you got the TV on?" he asked. "No, I never watch TV, you know that." I growled. Hate mornings! "You should be watching it now, something really bad is happening here!" I just ignored him. He asked were the remote was...I got aggrevated and flipped on the TV. "He stood in awe in front of the screen. "You need to come and see this, Sharon, it is terrible, what happened!" he said to me. "Let me alone so I can get ready for work damn it, I don't want to watch TV." I growled. "A plane has crashed into a building and people have been killed." he said. I was thinking, yeah, right...ok a plane hit a house. Well, I finally went into the living room and watched it for a few minutes. I really don't know what I said after that. I went to work...don't remember leaving the house, or driving to work-all. I was thinking of the woman I worked with saying her daughter lived by Twin Towers. "OMG, how can you work?" I asked. She seemed to not be worried. "Oh she will be alright" she replied. "If she needs something, she'll call, that's the only time she calls." All I could think of is MY DAUGHTER...THANK GOD she was here with me. Drove home in shock.Don't remember at all what I did that night. Next morning I woke up crying. Wanted to call My MOM, but I couldn't, she had just passed away.  I called in work, quit my job-spent all day crying. It was a day that I will always REMEMBER. That's where I was & what I was doing the DAY THE WORLD STOPPED TURNING. For weeks I was sat in front on my TV crying, so hurt for the people that had lost their lives and the families left here to grieve for them. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY MEN AND WOMAN.
Sharon

Rgossett:  Thank you...I have been watching reruns of a show called Third Watch and they had their show regarding 911, made me realize it was coming up on the anniversary.  On that day I had gotten off work from my paper route, sent my family off to work and school, and was taking my morning nap before I had to go back and pick up more papers for the afternoon route.  My husband called me and told me to watch the TV, which I had on.  The first thing I thought of when I saw the plane was that I thought it was a only a little plane and I thought how the heck did he get so lost?  Then when I realized it was a jet I thought how are those fireman going to put out that fire so high up, and how are those people going to get out?  I wanted to go to the schools and bring my children home.  I called my son at college and told him to be careful, I knew how these things brought copy cat crazies.  Then the newspaper I worked for had us go back to the stores and deliver wrap arounds for the paper with the latest news coverage.  It was so weird to see it in print...I will never forget that day or the horror...Roseg

Dvlwitgrneyes:  I was in my preschool classroom with my chidlren and the bus driver camein to tell me that an airplane hit one of the towers. I turned the radio on low to hear but yet not loud enough to alarm the children. I remember standing there with my hand over my mouth just listening in shock, yet managing to hold myself together for the children.
Cheryl

Sprite:  Yeah..i was on the bus that morning listening to Howard Stern and they were watching it on tv and reporting to us listeners what was going on..i was so afraid and worried for my parents cuz they work/worked in manhattan. I say worked cuz my mom is now at a different location, shes in brooklyn now but my dad is still in manhattan..i dont know what type of footage u have seen but it was really really awful to watch people jumping off buildings KNOWING death would be waiting for them at the bottom and then people crying, screaming and running trying to get away from the black HUUUUGE clouds of smoke, now THAT was scary. My parents had a heck of a time trying to get out of there..everything was sooo crazy..my father works on a pretty high floor and he had to actually walk down alllll those stairs..he was limping by the time that day was over..and not to mention people having to walk over the bridge to get out..so many people walking together just to get to safety..it was nuts. In october my father,grandfather,my brother and I all went to ground zero..it was so weird..i dont think manhattan has ever been that quite..the stores right across the street from the towers..my god..EVERYTHING was covered in thick brown debris and everyone had scribbled little prayers in it with their fingers..one store was actually OPEN..i mean not for people to go in and buy things but i mean the doors were open..u couldnt even SEE the clothes..they were just caked in that stuff..i just stood there staring and not being able to believe what i was seeing, i think i actually took a picture but i dont know how to get it on here :( Wow..i just realized im wearing a twin tower shirt..pretty creepy.. :/

Blessed1:  I HAD JUS KISSED MY HUSBAN GOOD BYE  AND DROVE THE KIDS TO SCHOOL
 WITH COFFEE IN HAND THE RAIDO ON TO THE NEWS I HEAR THE  WORDS THAT STOP MY DAY  AS I LISTEN ICLOSTED MY EYES AND PRAYED
 MY BABBIES  ASKING ME WHY DID WE STOP WERE LATE FOR SCHOOL 
I COULD SAY NOTHING AT ALL .  MY HEART BEAT IN MY EARS 
I THOUGHT OF THINGS I DID NOT SAY  TO LOVED ONES , FRIENDS ,FAMILY  WAS  THIS THE END . THIS WAS NOT GODS PLANS FOR THIS WORLD  I CRIED FOR THE PEOPLE I DID NOT KNOW THE FAMILYS IWOULD NEVER SEE  A THE WORLD  THAT NEED A TOUCH FROM GOD.

POOR BIG RED

Big Red is the name I have for my pick-up truck.  I love my truck, and she is sick.  Don't know what happened on the way back from Denver but she just isn't herself anymore.  There was a puddle of radiator fluid underneath her on the driveway the next day.  I've blown something, and the thermostat is probably fried.  I had all of my guys working on her, changing sparkplugs, changing oil, adding fluid.  I paced in the background like a nervous next of kin... She's running, but barely.  My husband asked if I wanted a new truck... I mean a NEW truck.  No, I want my Big Red!

9 more days until my birthday (hint, hint!  Virtual gifts may be sent to me at dornbrau@aol.com).  As you may recall I've already gotten my present... the Corona parrot.. but I still get the dinner on the town.  Normally my husband takes me to the Macaroni Grill, which is our favorite restaurant (I'm partial to the lobster ravioli with asparagus), but this time I've selected Ai Sushi Restaurant.  They do that fancy schmancy tabletop cooking right there in front of you... that is of course IF you order your fish cooked.  I love raw fish, or sashimi and plan on really pigging out on it.  The difference between Chinese food and Japanese food is that Chinese food fills you up quickly but then you get hungry later on.  With Japanese food, they serve you teenie tiny portions that don't fill you up, but cost so much that you can afford more and you are still hungry when you leave.  The bad thing about knowing how to prepare your own Japanese food is that you can cook as much as you want, eat as much as you want, you never get full so you just KEEP ON eatting, and you get fat like me!  Oh well, at least its fat from healthy food!  On a related note, it was pointed out that if I drink my Corona with a lime, I am getting vitamins from the citrus, and there for my beer is healthy as well.  (Thanks Jerseygirl).  So you see, if you do your research it is possible to eat and drink healthy and still enjoy yourself!  Now, if you'll excuse me I'm off to enjoy a nice high-carb, low fat elk steak dinner at a friend's place, with maybe one or two Vitamin C enriched beers.

BRONCO'S VS CARDINALS (pre-season)

I put in a bid for a pair of Bronco preseason tickets earlier this week and found out yesterday at lunch time that I had won.  From that moment on everything had the potential of ruining my day.  For starters when I bid for the tickets I was under the impression that it was on Friday night... not Thurdays.  That would mean my husband wouldn't be able to go with me since he was in school.  But I had an even better date in mind... Rocky!  She was my 'Mini-Me' and was a teeny little die-hard Bronco Fan. 

Without any advanced notice I wasn't able to get any money off of Steve so we headed up north with just $40 in our pockets.  I tried to get off early but ended up only clocking out 15 minutes sooner than scheduled.  That was okay though because I was able to fill up the tank in that time.  The ride up there was fun.  Rocky was sooooo excited, she was waving her Bronco foam hand to all of the truck drivers we passed.  She nagged and back-seat drove the entire way, she wanted to make sure there would be no delays from police stops (gee, thanks kid!).  We had traffic getting out of town, and then hit more just inside of Denver.  The trip ended up taking 2 hours.

Parking was another trip in itself.  Stadium parking at Invesco Stadium is by permit only, so we had to find our own parking in the nearby neighborhoods of Denver.  And those crooks were charging $30 to park in the closer parking lots of establishments like schools, churches, offices... unbelieveable.  Parking in the residential areas were all by neighborhood permit only.  I wanted to cry.  We came all this way and couldn't find a place to park.  We were getting farther and farther away from the safety of the stadium.  Unwilling to walk the 2+ miles in a strange city at night with my 10 year old daughter I decided to pay the $30 to park closer to the field... Only to realize that I no longer knew the way back!

Fortunately the stadium is tall and well lit.  My instinct set me in the right direction and we were back in the safety of its proximity.  I came across a traffic police directing the luck few permit holders into their lot and I asked him where I could go to park without getting a ticket.  And that sweetheart pointed me in the direction of a lot, which to my relief only charged $10!

We finally made it in to the stadium with 4 minutes into the 2nd quarter only to find someone occupying our seats.  The young men look at us and ask if they were in our seats.  Yeah... I laughed.  Did we want them to move?  I couldn't believe them!  Yeah!  Bye!  I said incredulously.  The guys left and we finally got to sit down.  Our seats were really good seats, right on the 20 yard line, which was perfect for a little girl who had never seen a life pro football game before.

I think I had more fun watching little Rocky enjoying the game.  The Bronco's were down 20 to 0 in favor of the Arizona Cardinals... until WE showed up.  The team started playing better in the 2nd half and Rocky got to witness 3 touchdowns, and she just went ballistic, jumping up and down with her silly big orange Bronco foam finger.  The Bronco's lost, but it was a great game.  And a little girl's dream came true... (almost... she still wants to meet a team member).  I think watching Rocky enjoy the game was the best part of the night to me.  And her being the only kid in our section I know her antics were amusing more than just me.

On a down note... my truck did not like the drive back home.  I noticed something going wrong about halfway home, but decided to just keep driving.  Just outside of town the water temperature was up and the check engine light started to come on intermittently. When I finally pulled into our driveway close to 1am the engine was making some scary noises.  Be we made it safely home.  My husband had waited up and let me tell you... it was nice to see his face.  Naturally he had all kinds of 'could-a, should-a, would-as', as far as the truck was concerned, and no doubt I'll hear more about it today.  But at that moment it I was just happy to be safe at home where I could transfer the problem over to him.

FREEDOM ISN'T FREE

I see that saying all over the place, on cars, online, in magazines. My question is.... why not?  Why isn't freedom free?  We all know that personal and national freedom comes at a great price, often costing lives.  As a nation we have come to terms with the cost and while we don't like paying it, we do to insure these freedoms.

But what about other freedoms?  When Art was younger he grabbed a pack of pudding cups because they had 'free' written all over them.  What the package really said was 'fat free' and 'sugar free', but the pudding was actually more expensive than the same brand that included sugar and fat.  You pay more for getting less... interesting concept.  Haven't they ever heard of the term 'you get what you pay for'?  You'd think if they're taking things AWAY, they'd charge LESS!  Its so hard to eat healthy these days because healthy food is so much more expensive.  You have to be rich to afford a healthy lifestyle, and the unhealthy lifestyle is so easy to fall into because of its afforability.  Remember when it was cheaper to eat at home than to eat out?  Not any more!  I can feed the entire family at McDonalds for less than it costs to prepare a simple meal at home.  Soda pop is now cheaper than juice, when once upon a time we HAD to drink juice because we couldn't afford to drink soda.  Wow!  Milk costs more per gallon than gas.  I give up.  No more strawberry snot for me.  Pour on the carbs baby!  Give me the fat!  Shovel in the sugar!  And watch my bank balance grow!  (hehehehehe, not really, that'll NEVER happen!)