Ready For November 5th & Other Stuff

I'm so sick of political ads, phone calls and junk mail, I could scream!!

I am, however, ready for debates. I'm not working the nights of any of the debates. I'm also not working election night.

We, as did most of the midwest, had a ton of rain last week. Our wonderful neighbors next door had about 6-7 inches of standing water in their backyard. Unfortunately for Vern and Betty, most of the yards around us drain into their backyard.

Their basement flooded last year. Since that time, they have finished the basement and put in a drainage system in the back. However, we were getting so much rain so quickly, it couldn't drain fast enough.

I had let the dogs out and saw Betty in the backyard and heard "sloshing". I asked her if there was water in the basement and she answered "not yet". Soon, Sean and I were outside, flashlight in hand seeing if there was anyway to help.

Vern snaked the drains and nothing happened. He then went the other direction and had some success. The third time, he snaked the original direction and broke loose what ever was in there. Suddenly, water was whooshing by. Thankfully, the rain has passed and things are drying up for them.

On Saturday, my super, fantastic, wonderful sister is giving me an early birthday present!! The kids are going to have their pictures taken by the same lady who did pictures of the boys a few weekends ago.

Amy and I were talking a few weeks back and I mentioned that the kids had not had their pictures taken together since 2004. We are going to the same park the boys went to. This will be the first time the kids have had some "fun" pictures taken. They've always had them taken at JC Penny or Olan Mills. I've always wanted the kids to have some outdoor pictures taken, now they will!!

Open For Business!!!

Yes, it's official. It's so hard to believe it, but it's true.

Here are a couple pictures of the sign painted on the building. I like how the kids are "presenting" the sign.

This date will have a whole new meaning for us.

Take A Moment...

It's hard to believe that it has been 7 years since September 11, 2001.

I remember my mom calling to tell me what had happened. I thought for sure that it was just a fluke thing. I was sitting on my bed holding Michael with the TV on when the second plane hit.

I remember calling Sean and trying to get a hold of my sister. I remember my dad answering his phone at work and no longer giving the location, just his last name. (he worked for the FAA)

I remember wanting so badly to rush to the school to pick Noelle up from kindergarten just to have her home with me, but thinking that it would be best for her day to be "normal".

I remember seeing all of the images on TV and my mind not being able to process it all.

Today, take a moment and forget which political party you are for or whether or not you support the war.

Today, take a moment of silence and say a prayer for all of those whose lives will never be the same.

Today, take a moment and notice things around you, because a moment is all it takes for things to change forever.

Within Our Reach

The fire marshall is supposed to be out at 9:00 Thursday. Hopefully things will go our way.

Our neighbor was able to project the name and number on the side of the building. I have not seen it yet, but Sean says you can see it really well from the street. The name is outlined and Eric, our neighbor, will outline the phone number today if it doesn't rain. I'll be taking a picture or two and get those posted.

As for me, well, if you know me at all, you know I'm slightly clumsy. As an added bonus, I bruise like a peach. If I think I might bump into something, you can pretty much guarantee that I'll have a bruise.

Anyway, I was leaving for work tonight, (Wednesday) and somehow I misstepped. My right ankle twisted, and the next thing I knew I was on the driveway. I banged up my left knee, jarred by back, neck and left shoulder and whacked my head. As luck would have it, as I'm laying in a heap on the driveway, Sean and Michael pull up.

A couple of band aids and Neosporin later, I was off to work. Thank heavens for Ibuprofen and Tylenol!

A Fast, Yet Fun Weekend

Michael had his soccer tournament this past weekend in Leavenworth at "Prison Break Field". They lost two and tied one.

I have to say, the officiating at the first two games left something to be desired. The second game Michael was tripped twice and the second time he went down pretty hard. No penalties were called either time. In all honesty, there were things that both teams got away with, but when it comes to Michael being hurt, they need to call it.

His team is really working well together. Michael has been practicing on this kind of "get the ball between your feet behind you and pass the ball" move. He did it successfully on Saturday and didn't even realize he did it. He was kind of upset because he has been working so hard on it. On the way to the game on Sunday, I told Michael he needs to be more aggressive and really fight for the ball. He did and played much better on Sunday.

A while back, I told you Noelle was trying out for show choir and the play. She did not make either one, but is doing make-up crew for the play. I'm so very proud of her. Noelle never gives up when it comes to trying out for things.

Sunday was our church picnic. We all wore our "C.A.R.S." shirts and we all had a good time. Noelle, Sean and I played volleyball, while Michael played in the sand and shot some hoops with some friends.

In more exciting news, the toilets, sinks, water fountain, doors and door knobs are all installed!!! The city was out to inspect the new part of the building and it passed pending inspection by the fire marshall, who of course, is out of the office. We will get a temporary permit and hopefully they will be in to inspect the shop side.

Our neighbor met Sean at the shop an started putting the name on the side of the building. We also got a start on the website this weekend. It's in the beginning stages. Someone we met through the Dave Ramsey class is helping us get it up and running in exchange for some work on a car.

Exciting News

The city approved the applications for the signs!!!!!!

One of our neighbors is going to paint the name and phone number on the outside. Of course it's raining and he can't do it today or more than likely tomorrow since the building needs to be nice and dry.

Mom and dad are in Minnesota and once they get back, dad will be out to help get the sign set.

Also, we have a working toilet now. We are so hoping the whole "two steps forward, three steps back" dance is over.

A Very Special Month

The month of September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.

As most people know, this is something very close to my heart. My gramma died in November 2001 from OC. I've said before that she is the person who inspired me to be a nurse. I spent many weekends when she was ill visiting her, wishing I could do more. The way I do more now is by helping take care of other people.

I wanted to include a few statistics regarding OC:

• Each year, approximately 20,000 American women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and about 15,000 women die of the disease. In 2008, it is estimated that 21,650 women in the United States will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 15,520 women will die from the disease.


• Approximately 75 percent of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage after the cancer has spread beyond the ovary.


• Approximately 174,236 women living in the United States have or have a history of ovarian cancer.


• Ovarian cancer has remained the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among U.S. women since 1999.
  

For more information, please visit the OC website.

Where Are You From?

I have a thing on our blog that tells me where people that read our blog are from. There have been people from all over the world who have read our it. The farthest I think has been India. There are some from different states who read it regularly.

I don't know who you are, but I'm glad you find us worth reading.