We've had 4 1/2 inches of rain in the past 24 hours!!!! YIPPEE!!!!! Hope it continues!

I looked forward to Joe Biden's speech for 5 days and wouldn't ya know? I fell asleep. Thank goodness for TIVO! Got up at 4:30 AM and was able to see it - excellent. I was hoping he would come on stronger - you know - slash and burn Bush/Cheney/McPain. I was awake for Bill Clinton's and thought he did a magnificent job - but didn't expect any less from him inspite of what the pundits were saying. I think Biden's family was lovely - his old Mom is darling and sounds like she is full of spunk. I was terribly inpressed with Dennis Kucinich's speech - he is a little firebrand. I took a survey about political viewpoints several months ago and I came out to the left of Kucinich (no wonder I loved his speech). The older I get, the more liberal I get. Decriminalize MaryJane, etc., etc. No constitutional amendments regarding marriage, etc., etc. In fact, I have felt for 8 years that I wouldn't trust GWB to meddle with the constitution at all. Another good speech was Brian Schweitzer (Governor of Montana) - a most unprepossessing looking man, speaking simply in a folksy way, but oh, my, what powerful words. I heard both those speeches "live", replayed them both the following morning, and then played them again for Dad! And, of course, kudos to Hillary - she is one brave lady, gave a wonderful speech, and broke the glass ceiling. I hope she is offered something "big" like SofS, Supreme Court - but, on the other hand, with her credentials she could have a long and wonderful career in the Senate. She will certainly be an asset in the Senate to Obama getting things passed.

A funny moment from one of the debates - the candidates were asked to name one thing about the person on their left that they liked - Joe Biden turned to Dennis Kucinich on his left and said he liked his (Dennis') wife. If you have never seen her - she is about a foot taller than Dennis, long gorgeous red hair, and extremely pretty.

I am expecting a delivery from Move.On.org of 45 Obama buttons - place your order here folks and I'll mail them off to you. Have Obama/Biden bumper stickers and buttons coming also - but only 2 of each for my use.

It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to know that in my large extended family we only have 2 Republicans left. I think of my Dad often and wonder if he would still be a die-hard Republican. Even in Nixon's dark days he defended him (Nixon) but he died before Nixon resigned. My Mom always voted, in fact, she always worked at the polling place, but I can't recall her ever discussing politics. I always assumed she followed my Dad's lead and voted Republican, but I do recall that she had high praise for Harry Truman. And, ya know - Joe Biden kind of reminds me of HST. Blunt, honest, telling it like it is.

hey

Well I didn't watch the convention last night but I watched the night before, Michael was coming in giving be the info going on at the convention.
I did order my bumper sticker and I volunteered to help on election day!


I am still looking for employment...I applied at MDV..check in clerk, Mark found out a lot of people applied for the same position, keep your fingers crossed for me!

I am still waiting for the rain....I was out early this morning, feel like rain, I felt the sky squeeze out a drop! News said it was going to rain last night..nope..they were wrong.

I am supposed to be taking care of Christian's Red Tailed Shark...I almost forgot! He was still alive when I got there.

Bobby was supposed to pick up Jaida in Petersburg yesterday...but I havn't heard. A new woman was going to drive him there...he says she is not real pretty but she is very nice and she will also be babysitting Jaida too. I hope he calls me today.

Ok I am going to go over the want adds again.
luv
jane

good morning

Well, despite my plans to go to bed early last night, we stayed up late and watched Joe Biden. He was great - and his son's intro was very good.

We ordered pizza, and when the delivery guy left- I couldn't help myself and yelled out: "I hope you're registered to vote and will support Obama!" The guy turned around and in a heavy accent said that yes, and that he was a new citizen and made sure he got his citizenship and registered to vote so he could support Obama. "No more Bush, no more war," he said.

Scott and I both had tears in our eyes then, and later again when Joe Biden's mother was shown. And, in case mom didn't stay up to see the surprise after Biden's speech, I won't spoil it.

Ignore the negative ads and the editorial junk - read the platform and whenever possible, spread the word - the deadline to registration to vote is Oct. 6th - remind people and if each of us votes (for Obama) and get 5 more each to do the same.....we'll win. Don't listen to the media - they need it to seem like a tight race so that it will get viewers.

Oh, and here is yet another reason to vote Obama - in his own words: "I will close Guantanamo. I will restore habeas corpus. And we will end torture and rendition because you will have elected a president who has taught the Constitution and believes in the Constitution and will obey the Constitution of the United States of America."

Have a good day.

E.

Howdy out there. Well, it's been a rough two days again w/no computer. Friday am woke up and couldn't stay online to save my sole. Joey first he did a lot of chcking w/cox to see why i couldn't stay on and his computer was doing the same thing, cox was all ok...then he said it was my wireless card he install from the old puter-- said it was bad...spent 40 bucks getting a new one and installed last night only to keep having the same problem. So, he called cox again and spoke to Scott and the short of it is--the router is bad. Spent another 40bucks today and have a new router. So far, i've managed to stay online for about an hour - won my literati game after losing four -thanks to not being able to stay online. phewwwwww i'm done w/computers - can't they just invent something like a disk when you have a problem - and the disk runs and says --you've got a bad router, or you've got a virus...just like you've got mail. Then, those out there like me who are stupid about computers can fix it in a heart beat. I'm exhausted to say the least.

And, if that wasn't enough spending money -- poor Bruti --last night we all noticed how Bruti wasn't his usual self..running, jumping, playing tug of war --i took him to the emergency vet. Found out he had a reaction (sort of) to his vacination --he got his rabis shot on friday in his back leg only b/c he got two other shots. The vet said they put the shots in different places so they can keep track of then shots. Seems like the shot made his leg muscle swell - and the area must have been pretty painfull b/c he wouldn't do anything. He wouldn't even would lay right. And he cried a couple of times when one of us accidently touched that area. So the emergency vet gave him a shot of and antinflammatory medicine and gave us more stuff to take home and i will give it to him tonight and tomorrow night. The vet said if the swelling doesn't go away by tomorrow to bring him back to the vet. However, today we've all noticed he's almost back to his old self. That visit cost me over a hundred bucks..so, i'm done spending money.

Other that that--that's been my w/end. I"m tired b/c we didn't get home till 11pm .. however i'm very happy my puter is up and running.

back to playing..see ya..have a good week ...

Nancy - I can't claim McSame is original to me. I would really like to call him McPain, but as the name of Paine is dear to my heart I won't use it on that reptile - lol - in one of his ads he shows his profile and it looks reptilian to me! Hope he picks McNitt for VP - between the 2 of them they probably have 15 or 16 houses. And talk about your flip floppers - !!

Watched the Obama/Biden rally yesterday afternoon - God! I LOVE Joe Biden, and actully had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes when I watched him bound across the stage. Listened to the Sunday morning pundits today and they make it sound like it will be a very close election and that Obama will have a really tough time getting elected. Wish I could vote more than once. Wish Mrs. Biden would get a haircut and thought Mrs. Obama's dress was ugly! I am being petty.

I have polished off all the Kit-Kats and an now off to work on the Snickers!

good morning everyone!

Happy 41st to Scott!
Hello to Catherine and Eric....In PA- Michael said you guys were going to the Dodgers vs. Phillies game....we had the game on the tv lookin for you guys...Catherine if you had on a black T shirt I may have seen you!

The Rover is on the road...we cruised the strip last night, the East Coast surfing championship was this weekend, alot of actions...we didn't get out of the car. Marianne and James and Christian are going to Ocean City MD until friday..I hope you guys have a nice vacation.

Mom, I told ya I heard he would not announce vp until saturday.....and it was gonna be Biden! I vollunteered to work on election day!

Mark wants me to look up part info for the tiller...blogging while I was waiting for model number...

Hope everyone has a great Sunday!

okay already!

Here is the update from the north.

Today we went to a cool mexican restaurant for what Scott calls a "light snack."
It was so good, I ate too much and barfed on the way home.
Before that we went to see Brideshead Revisited in Arlington. They have rejuvenated the
village there so it is a plaza with fountains, and the theatre has been refurbished. The movie was fantabulous. Lots of Yorkshire scenes, lovely costumes, some steamy scenes and plenty of plot to discuss at our light snack.
We ate my famous chicken curry for late lunch/early dinner -- I got sidetracked by the Biden/Obama speeches so I nearly burned the whole pot....we salvaged it.
We painted and finished putting up the rest of the border in the guest room/my dressing room - but we didn't have enough border to do the whole room. Tomorrow I will go through clothes and organize so I have a great place to get dressed.
I played a ton of literati and watched lots of food tv and political stuff all morning.
last night we went to a neighborhood place for Italian food then went down to the river to see what was up-- strangely, in a place that has nothing, on the far side was a blinking light up Christmas tree. Weird.
We tried to go through from Rt. 3 to Rt. 17 on what we thought was a completed new road, but it doesn't go all the way through. We did get to see the beginnings of the slavery museum, which has a "Freedom Garden." Looked interesting.

Other stuff: New movie previews were good - a movie called "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is coming out and I want to see it. Another one, too, but as usual I forgot the whole preview immediately.

Tomorrow is Scott's birthday (41) but more importantly (j/k) it is the laaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssssttttt day of my summer vacay. ShitPissFuckMotherFucker. Work starts Monday morning at 8 with marathon meetings and fake "How was your summer?" questions and updates and a ton of bullshit. As you can see, I have had a nice break and am rejuvenated and ready to hit the classroom with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. Parents better not give me crap about the supply list. Buy the damn notebook and gluesticks and shut up. I bought a ton of them myself already. So, I will mourn the loss of the endless hours of loafing on the sofa with the laptop, my book and the court TV stuff. And the relaxing hours on the new porch and new sofa out there just listening to bugs and cats and dogs. And of course the pajama wearing days -

Funny thing Jamie said to me one day when he was here: It was nearly 4, and I stretched and said, "well, I think I'll take a shower and put on my jammies." He said, "But, you're in your jammies already!" Damn kids. Don't they know the difference between daytime and nightime jammies?

I"m back..........

Helloollloo---

I bought a cheapeee emachine hard drive, tower, box -what ever it's called. Only bought it b/c i'm desperate to be online again (was up till midnight last night getting it installed) and Jane said Marrianne has this brand and hasn't had any problems. So, Here i am.

Neither kid knows it yet - but i've taken a surprise day off tomorrow --i'm cracking the whip. NO one get's to sleep in. Both boys will be rolling around listening to this chief and her orders...
Got a few things to do too.. but no work. YEA!!!!

Mom, i love mcsame's name --think it's great. You should write and let him know he's been renamed mcsame--and he will probably be just as bad, if not worse, then the beany bushy man.

Not sure why Ellen doesn't post, on that same note, why doesn't Marrianne and Katie post??? Helloolloo girls--POST!!

Catherine - you have your hands full with school. Sounds like Eric won't see much of you for a while. I hope he can manage on his own.

ok, i'm off to play a game --yes!! haven't been able to play a game for quite a while on my puter.
hasta....

Catherine - just read your schedule and my head is spinning! Good grief, girl - there needs to be 2 of you! My advice is just to grit your teeth and plunge ahead - it will soon be over and you'll be able to look back on all you've accomplished with pride!

Grampa made his phone call - it was to some manufacturer about a problem with some piece of equipment. They didn't have an answer for him either.

I have been trying to teach Fritz some new tricks but not having much success. He is just so cute, I end up playing with him instead. He knows sit, but then flops to his tummy, rolls over, and paws the air - for a tummy rub, which he gets.

Another dry day here. It's getting so I don't even want to go outside everything looks so bad.

I am almost done with my book, so will spend the rest of the afternoon reading.

Hang in there Catherine!

Well, school starts today. 5 sixteen week courses and 1 eight week course. I can already tell my education class is going to be very time consuming. We have to do observation field work and sit in 40 hours and take notes and fill out worksheets and we have to sit in a school board meeting and also a teacher workshop and answer question about that. I thought I would be able to use my substitute hours as my field work, nope. They won't let me. So now I have to take off work to go sit in different classes and observe. My plan has always been to work my school schedule around my work so I don't have to take any days off, well this totally screws that up. But I figured I could sign up to go into a high school and they start before I have to be at work and then just take a few hours off here and a few hours off there until everything is added up. I'm looking forward to the end of this semester already and it's only day one.

One class I am looking forward to doing is my PE class, Pilates. It's an online class so we just use dvds and a book and do it ourselves. I've done yoga before and really liked it so hopefully I'll feel the same about this. I'm taking two geography courses, both online, and one of the professor set it up so we could finish early. All assignments, quizzes, and tests are posted and available when ready. In the other geography course I get to write a 10-15 page paper, not sure what about yet but it was in the syllabus. Not looking forward to that. The good thing is that I kept in touch with my old English professor and I'm sure she will be willing to help me with that.

I suppose I should get back to work, almost lunch time though. I hope everyone has a good day.

Love,
Catherine

How come I see Ellen on line all the time and she never posts anything here? Jane is frequently seen here and posts once in a while. Nancy just got her computer fixed last night so I expect to hear from her here soon.

Drats - I am so sick of waiting for Obama's big announcement. I check about once an hour - if it's not announced soon I just might vote for the other guy (not McSame)!

This morning my beautiful new television started acting weird - just like my old one did. Grrrrrr. We did buy the warranty - $124.99!! so I guess that is a good thing. Now I just have to figure out what to do. It's always something.

Now dad is hollering for me to get offline - needs to make a very IMPORTANT phone call - yeah, right, sure.

I'm procrastinating! I should be balancing the checkbook, housecleaning, working in garden, etc., etc. Really don't want to do finances - yuck! don't want to clean, too hot for gardening. Sandi and Fritz have been asleep I swear for going on 24 hours now, except for 2 trips outside and a fast dinner! Will probably get more lively this afternoon. Oh, yes, they raised their heads up this morning briefly to receive their milkbones from Dad.

We had a lovely weekend - too much food! Thanks to everyone for all you do! Hope Jamie is doing okay this week and looking forward to school.

Have been snooping on the internet to see what I can find out about Obama's VP pick. Mark Halperin at Time Magazine says he knows - it's Biden. Supposedly Obama will be sending those text messages/emails today that announcement is coming soon and announcement will take place Thursday or Friday. McSame will announce his choice the day after Democratic convention ends to steal away any boost Obama might get. Hah! Also a caller into C-SPAN claims to have picked up a big clue that McCain really did hear Obama's answers Saturday night. Why am I not surprised! Cheating repubs.

Still nothing on Raising Kaine about our local Obama headquarters - I will post something later if I ever get any ambition today.

Have a great day everyone!

Back at home!

Mark and I had a great time at mom and dad's,lots of great food too! Mark is off to work, Michael is too and I will be going over the want adds...boohoo!

Marianne isn't bringing Christian over till thursday...and friday, cause james's mother is going on a cruise.................................
I have been out watering this moring..everything is lookin good except the grass. Mom's hanging basket is doing real well and getting bigger.

Everyone have a great tuesday!
luv
jane

Surprise Surprise...here i am

GM ---------Jane was nice enough to allow me to use her computer while she is at Mom's. Thank you!!! I get a little slice of fun - play my games and other stuff online.

Sold the truck to car max - really got a crappy deal on it. I did not get one call while i had the for sale signs on it. And, Jane said no one answered the ad she put there on Craig's list ( thanks, Ellen ---i will keep this place in mind for the future). If i had known about Craig's list i think i would have put the truck on there sooner.

The weather is nice - Bruti is patiently awaiting me to take him outside---i have to be as quiet as a mouse - otherwise he will let me know to move it.

It's been rather quiet and dull w/out Jamie - no FIGHTS. However, i still have fights w/Joey.
Joey got his scedule and he is not pleased - he gets to go to school later then earlier. He's already demanded that i write a letter to switch his free block to the end of the day rather then the beginning. I may do it b/c it will mean Bruti isn't in his pen so long....9-noon. And, I don't have to worry about Joey getting up for school..cause it's done. Jamie won't have to leave till 9am. And, i got the letter from his school that he can't come to school until he has his vacination...so i have to call the school and get his shot list to them - cause he's good to go.

Other, than that --I hope all had a good time at MOM"s. I'm jealous cause everyone is there and i'm here. HOPE ELLEN is fine and feeling better too...

Toodles for now..playing my game...yeah!!

Hi everyone!

Mark and I will be leaving for Alden's pond as soon as Mark gets home from work, so I figure we will get there around 7 or 8 pm.
Adam left for fort drum...he thought he would be deployed as soon as he got there, but found out he has training in Oct. ....thats good cause he needs it. I don't think Jackie will send thankyou cards...cause she has not asked me for anyones address yet. Adam is turning 21 next month...he and Jackie...do quite a bit of drinking.

I didn't get the job at map...got a letter.....due to overwelming response to their add....there were alot of people....and I had a feeling when I left..oh well ...on with the job search.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend...I didn't know it was Scotts birthday!
I am bringing the pork shoulder!

Mark hurt his wrist at work...he fell ...also skinned his elbow, his wrist is swollen(and his hand)
he says he just sprained it, he has been wearing my wrist splint.

Nancy wants me to take a walk on the beach this morning...so I will be giving her a call when I am done blogging and see what time she wants to go...then I will pack...have beans and coffee and kitkats and twizzlers and snickers and skittles too.
luv ya
jane

Well, here it is Friday already - time flies when you're having fun! Ellen and Jamie are here, arriving yesterday afternoon. Right now both are sound asleep - Ellen in the guest bedroom and Jamie on the den sofa. Jamie hadn't seen the upstairs bedroom since we painted it and thought it looked pretty nice. Said he would be sleeping up there, but fell asleep in front of tv - I knew he would. Max is in bedroom with Ellen, and Fritzy is now curled up with Jamie!

Looking forward to seeing Catherine and Eric tonite - Bowzer, too. It will be pretty lively around here with 4 dogs! Fritz will do his best to rule the roost I'm sure, but his growl and bark are all there is to him.

Jane and Mark arrive tomorrow afternoon - Scott, too. We'll have a birthday party for Scott on Sunday - don't tell him.

The biggest news in town is the opening of the local Obama campaign headquarters! You can be sure I'll (we) will be attending.

Went to the dermatologist yesterday and he removed 2 things (?) from my face - nose and upper lip, so I look a mess. They're supposed to take 2 weeks to heal, was hoping it would be faster. Word to the wise - STAY OUT OF THE SUN!!

Looking forward to seeing you Catherine and Eric. drive carefully!

Gramma

Good Morning

Hello everyone.

I am looking forward to Farmville this weekend and I know Eric is too. We are leaving Friday after work.

Jane- if I don't get a chance to stop by and get my camera this week would you mind bringing it up to Grandma's when you come up? Thank you :)

I'm at work and I cleaned the entire warehouse the past couple days. We have this catalog room where we have a bunch of shelves with all the catalogs we order fixtures from and they are in no order what so ever so I decided my job today will be to sit in that room and get that all straightened up. That's going to be no fun at all but once it's done I'll be glad.

Well, I suppose getting started on that would be the best thing. I hope everybody has a good week and I'll see Ellen, Mark, Jane, Jamie, Grandma and Grandpa this weekend :)

love,
Catherine

hi

We went to DC yesterday. We saw the new Museum of Crime and Punishment. It is one of the expensive museums -not free like the Smithsonian. It was cool and Jamie liked it. Then we had lunch at a place called Pot Belly's and saw the National Building Museum (yawn). We trekked home and stopped at the fabulous Wegmans!!! Jamie took pics with his cell phone of the sushi bar and bakery. We ran into my principal there. Then, by the time we got home we were too tired to make any dinner and not really hungry, so we pulled out the bed and Jamie and I watched the Olympics. We saw Phelps win the gold! Scott went straight to sleep and is still there - 14 hours and going strong on the snoring.

No more weddings....but we could ponder a big welcome home for Michael and Zsuzsi when they return from Budapest???!!???

Today, we'll be lazy I suppose. No good movies playing even. Blah.

Hey to everyone reading

Well I have a job interview on tuesday...ugh! We are going to Aldens pond on saturday when Mark gets home...so we can bring the truck, Mark wants to get some fire wood ...and mom wants to see if Mark can fix the tiller. Adam and Jackie came home last night sometime after we went to bed....no phone calls from them letting us know if the would or would not be home for dinner....tonight I am fixing fried chicken...I don't think they will be getting any of it even if they are here- I saved them some pasta salad from the wedding....lol.

today I plan to see what I have to wear to the job interview that fits...ugh.
Everybody have a great weekend.
luv
jane

ok..quick blog...Jane's doing my hair now. My ^%%$#%&* computer is fried --i'm going thru literati withdrawls..had to play a game here at Jane's.


Ellen --i have to get married again..we have to have another big family gathering...lol

ok..later--have to go shower before i fry my hair too..

love ya..HI JAMIE

Guess everyone is recovered from the big event. I don't see how Jane and Mark accomplish all that they do - makes me worn out thinking about it! The food was great, especially potato salad and barbecue. The wedding cake was darling. Everyone was on their best behavior except for Denise - she also takes the prize for being the ugliest and rudest - lol. Hope Jackie and Adam live happily every after....

My poor yard is scorched and burned. Can't remember the last time we had rain. Lost some potted plants while we were gone, but I figured that would happen. Wal-Mart has New Zealand impatiens for $1.48 so will replace what I lost with those. Bought a new hanging planter and put in white wave petunias with pink New Zealand impatiens.

I wish I had brought Jane some of my redbud seedlings. The shady area where the ceremony took place is a perfect spot for a woodland garden - redbud trees (they grow fast), hostas, ferns, impatiens, coleus, etc. would be great there.

Sandi and Fritz slept all the way home and couldn't even be bothered to raise their heads for their dinners. They slept most of yesterday too, and had Monday's dinner for breakfast.

I had a horrible night last night - woke up about midnight in severe pain with the muscle pull in my leg, and managed to hobble out to the kitchen where I sat until it eased up somewhat and then made it as far as the couch where I watched a ton of programs that I had TiVo'd. Finally took 2 tylenol PM's about 3 a.m and managed to sleep until 6. I hope this leg business is not a regular occurence.

I think we will probably go up to Charlottesville on Friday. Dad is complaining about high cost of gas and that we shouldn't go, but he already agreed to the trip before we left Jane's or I never would have brought that stuff home with me.

Jane, I hope you are spending this week lounging in front of the t.v. or computer - you deserve a nice rest. And thanks again for all the hospitality.

Love
Mom

ok - here's my update

Wedding was perfect. The decorations, food and planning were impecable. A little drama - but that is what happens when family is together, I guess.

Fun playing with Christian and Jaida.

Have to go to this stupid conference - but Jamie is here and we're having fun. He made a model car yesterday by himself, then took it apart, reconfigured it into a different kind of car. I think there is a talent blooming there. Today we're making hemp jewelry. Right now he is sleeping. He makes little sounds like he is dreaming.

We went to Carl's for ice cream last night, a Fredericksburg tradition. We're also watching our spider, Charlotte, build her web each night and catch bugs in it.

Looking forward to watching the Olympic opening ceremonies and the games. Not much else going on - trying to decide what big field trips we'll take on Friday and Saturday. And then next week I am mostly free.

So, who is left that has to get married? Eric and Catherine - in the future - hopefully just a rehearsal dinner will have to be hosted. But, if a wedding needs to be done - we know how to do it. And to Denise: Kiss my fat ass!

-Ellen

bloggs anyone?????

Wedding is over!!! YEAH

Thank you everyone for all the help. I am sure glad everthing is over...and Jaida went back to Carolina with her mother. Now I am going to take a rest.

Thanks again
luv
jane