My Daybook

On My Mind...A family friend fell off a ladder yesterday and is in Hartford Hospital ICU with two hematomas of his brain as well as a fractured neck (thankfully he is not paralyzed). However, the swelling in his brain is not going down and if it doesn't by Wed, they will have to operate which puts him at risk for losing the function of his left side and/or his speech. He also does not recognize his wife (my mom's friend Sue) or his son or know who he is, where he is, etc. It's all very scary and I'm hoping you will all keep in in your thoughts and prayers.

Outside My Window...it is dark and it is raining and very windy.

What We're Reading...I'm having a hard time getting into Confessions of An Ugly Stepsister and also started The Grapes of Wrath. In addition to the picture books we read with Tucker, we also read Horrid Henry and the Soccer Fiend. Tucker really enjoyed The Day the Stones Walked and a re-read of Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs (only seemed appropriate after seeing the movie yesterday!) He also enjoyed The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane which his teacher read to the class (I'm guessing he must have if he told me I need to read it!).

What We're Listening to...I finished listening to True Colors and am halfway through The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

What we're Watching...oh my, so much going on! Amazing Race started last night and that is our favorite reality show! Just finished watching Dancing with the Stars (I'm liking Kellie and the one with Derek). Other shows we're tuning into are: So You Think You Can Dance and Survivor. Tucker's still liking iCarly.

I am hoping...to sleep well tonight.

Quotable Quote...Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them ~ John Shirley

A Funny Thing...Michael bought new blinds for the bedroom this week and since Tucker always has to report on everything that happens when I'm not home, he announced to me :"Daddy bought two new blonds for the bedroom!"

In the Kitchen...yummy roast last night, leftovers tonight, BLTs tomorrow, chicken pot pie, and who knows what else the rest of the week.

Around the House...as usual, laundry to be folded...the rest is pretty neat, actually!

Coming Up this Week...school pictures tomorrow...Soccer practice tomorrow night...a home visit Thurs...soccer pictures Fri night...soccer game Sat (my mom's coming to it)...a birthday party for Tucker's friend Javen Sat afternoon...Cub Scout camp-out Sat night...celebrating my m-i-l and niece's birthdays on Sunday.

A Picture Thought...I didn't take many pictures this week other than for my photo blog.

Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week is the only national celebration of the freedom to read. It was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. More than a thousand books have been challenged since 1982. The challenges have occurred in every state and in hundreds of communities. Click here to see a map of book bans and challenges in the US from 2007 to 2009. People challenge books that they say are too sexual or too violent. They object to profanity and slang, and protest against offensive portrayals of racial or religious groups--or positive portrayals of homosexuals. Their targets range from books that explore the latest problems to classic and beloved works of American literature.

This year, it is being celebrated September 26-October 3. In honor of Banned Books Week, I am reading Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (which I supposedly read junior year of high school) and listening to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

Check out This Baby's Moves!

I saw this first on Facebook and had to watch it a couple of times, it's so funny!

Baby Dances To Beyonce @ Yahoo! Video

Thursday Thirteen-Fall

It is my favorite season of the year-I love Fall! Here are 13 of my favotrite things:

1. Colorful leaves
2. Scarecrows
3. Jack o'lanterns
4. Corn fields
5. Corn mazes
6. Raking leaves
7. Picking apples
8. Pumpkin patches
9. Acorns
10. Mums
11. Thanksgiving
12. Gourds
13. Temps in 60s and 70s
(I couldn't find an image!)

To participate, click here.

My Daybook

For today...Monday, September 21, 2009

On My Mind...how really tired I am. Going to bed after Dancing with the Stars

Outside My Window...it is dark. It was a perfect Fall day today.

What We're Reading...I finished Lucky One by Nicholas sparks and really liked it! Now I'm reading Confessions of An Ugly Stepsister by Gregory McGuire (the author of Wicked). I've decide not to list the books Tucker is reading because I have it in my sidebar. I will say that he enjoyed the Teachers from the Black Lagoon books this week.

What We're Listening to...I finished The Lady Elizabeth (and need to finish writing the poem!) I'm now listening to True Colors by Kristen Hannah.

What We're Watching...Forgot that Dancing With The Stars started tonight and am watching it right now! Loved Survivor last week-that Russell is my least favorite; I did manage to miss the end so I'm not sure who was voted off! Also liking Glee, and looking forward to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition starting this Sunday not last Sunday. Tucker's been into iCarly lately (me, too!LOL) and of course, the usual Mythbusters and Dirty Jobs!

I am hoping...there really is a Santa Claus! Seriously I have not bought any gifts at all and I'm usually done by this time of the year!

Quotable Quote...Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower-Albert Camus

A Funny Thing...whenever we go shopping on Sunday and we get to the beer section (which can't be sold in CT), Tucker says "no beer for Daddy this week" really loudly! (you also have to know it's because Michael is a manager at a liquor store and Tucker has made this association!)

In The Kitchen...hamsteaks, tacos, BLTs (didn't get around to either last week), pizza on Friday.

Around the House...could use some attention...laundry waiting to be folded.

Coming Up this Week...soccer practice Tues and Thurs nights...a home visit...soccer game Sat...corn maze on sun (we didn't make it yesterday)

Some Picture Thoughts

Check this out!

These are friends of mine from high school (I actually dated the drummer twice!) In high school, they were known as DoubleTake and now they are WishFace. Lee (the one on the left) posted this link on Facebook and thought I would share it with all of you! I was a major groupie of theirs back in the day!

A Tribute to Guiding Light

I was never a fan of General Hospital; I was very much a Guiding Light girl. Today is the final episode of Guiding Light. In honor of this, I thought it would be fun to share a little history...

Guiding Light (known as The Guiding Light prior to 1975, or simply GL) is an Emmy award winning American television program credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as being the longest-running soap opera in production and the longest running drama in television and radio history. It is also the longest running broadcast program of any kind (72 years), across both radio and then television mediums, in history, being first broadcast five days after President Franklin D Roosevelt's second inauguration. It aired on radio from January 25, 1937 to June 29, 1956 and debuted on CBS Television on June 30, 1952.

The Guiding Light was created by soap writer Irna Phillips, and began as an NBC Radio serial on January 25, 1937. In 1947 the show moved to CBS radio,[4] before starting on television on June 30, 1952, on CBS television. The show's title refers to a lamp in the study of Reverend Dr. John Ruthledge, a major character when The Guiding Light debuted in 1937, that family and residents could see as a sign for them to find help when needed. Dr. John Ruthledge was based on the personality of Warren Moyer, a resident of Stouffville, Ontario, Canada.

As of 2009, Guiding Light is in its 72nd and final chapter in the season on CBS, as the network announced on April 1, 2009 that the series was being canceled due to low ratings. The show taped its final scenes on August 11, 2009, and it is scheduled to air its final episode on CBS on September 18, 2009.

source: wikipedia

Thursday Thirteen-Guiding Light

I have to admit I was never a General Hospital fan; I was very much a Guiding Light fan and watched every day after school in high school and even now, years later, I can still turn it on and follow it! In honor of my favorite soap opera going off the air tomorrow, I have compiled thirteen of my favorite characters and/or story lines.

1. The Philip/Beth/Rick/Mindy storyline culminated by their trip to New York City
2. Beth and Lujack
3. Nola and Quint
4. Rick and Roxie
5. Vanessa and Billy
6. The mysterious girl in the picture (who turned out to be Annabelle's mother)
7. Harley and Mallet
8. Buzz and Nadine
9. The annual Bauer Barbecue
10. Frank and Eleni
11. Blake and Ross
12. Annie Dutton
and of course,
13. Reva and Josh

To participate, click here.

My Daybook

On My Mind...when I just came down here, the first thing that came up on the computer was that Patrick Swayze died. I am so saddened to hear that...pancreatic cancer is one of the worst cancers and he really fought a long time...rest in peace, Patrick.
Outside My Window...it's dark and it was a little warmer today. It's been feeling like Fall around here lately and I love it!

What we're Reading...finished The Time Traveler's Wife and am now reading Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks. With Tucker, we read Mercy Watson princess in disguise, Two Bobbies, Henry and Mudge The Tumbling Trip, The Dog Who Called The Signals, and Henry and Mudge The Tall Tree.

What we're Listening to...Two more discs to go on Lady Elizabeth (still working on the poem!)

What we're Watching...with all the new shows starting, I've decided to add this. Always love So You Think You Can Dance and can't wait for Survivor and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to start this week. Tucker and I are still watching Jon & Kate but it's just not the same.

I am hoping...to get back into gear and keep up on my daily photo blog!

Quotable Quote...in honor of Patrick Swayze, I've got to go with Nobody puts Baby in the corner.

A Funny Thing...when I picked Tucker up from William's Saturday night, he wanted William to stay over and it didn't make sense because it was 8:00 at night and I knew they would just come home and go to bed. So on the way home, I told Tucker I didn't like being put on the spot like that. This led him to mutter "what spot? There was no spot involved, I just wanted William to sleep over". Two additional comments: we got home at 8:15 and Tucker was asleep in his bed by 8:40 and William is coming over this weekend.

In The Kitchen...tacos, BLTs, beef stroganoff, and spaghetti and meatballs.

Around the House...laundry waiting to be folded...actually pretty neat right now.

Coming Up This Week...Michael's on vacation the rest of the week...soccer practice tomorrow night...a home visit...open house at Tucker's school Thurs night...dinner and Christmas Tree Shop with my friends Betty and Charlotte Fri night...Yale Art Museum with my friend Joan on Sat...Tucker has a soccer game Sat...William's coming over Sat and sleeping over...maybe a corn maze on sun...Michael's going to the U2 concert with Jeff Sun night.

Some picture thoughts....more from the soccer game (I guess I didn't take a lot of pictures last week!

I've been awarded!

Thank you to Tiffany from Hillside Hollow for bestowing this kind award on me!

Here are the rules for the award:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

I'm not sure how interesting these will be but here are 7 things about me:
1. I started dancing when I was 5 and quit when I was 35. I did tap all those years but have also done jazz, ballet, and modern.
2. The first concert I ever went to was Conway Twitty when I was 9.
3. The first concert I went to in high school was The Beach Boys.
4. I choked on a candy when I was 4 and my babysitter reached in my throat and took it out.
5. I have never broken a bone.
6. I got glasses when I was 10 and bifocals when I was 12.
7. I was 27 when I went to Walt Disney World for the first time.

Amongst the many great blogs to choose from, I am passing this reward on to the following:

1. Jennifer at Snapshot, a fellow CT mom who is one of the moms who runs 5 Minutes for Books. I love her stories and honesty regarding her kids, and life in general and enjoy reading her book reviews, too!

2. Heather at Cool Zebras. the mom of 3 busy kids, she always has funny stories to share.

3. Rachael at Always Wanted Four. A mom of 4 kids (one of whom is adopted from Russia). I love how they've integrated the Russian culture into their family.

4. Ann Marie at Capicola. A friend of my friend Julie, Ann Marie is an incredible writer; I am so glad she's come back to blogging!

5. Deb at Mom of 3 Girls. Because I have a boy, I sometimes feel like I'm missing out on girly-stuff and then I read her stories and breathe a sigh of relief! (just kidding). Her girls are adorable and I love her honesty!

6. Mari at My Little Corner of the World. Mari is a wonderful lady who I have come to know through blogging. Someday if I ever make it to Michigan, I would love to meet her!

7. AllyJo at AllyJo's Erudition. Though she doesn't blog as often as she used to, I love to read her blog for her refreshing outlook on life!

Whew! That was harder than I thought it would be!

First Soccer Game of the Season

Today was Tucker's first soccer game and he had a blast! Here the team warms up with a little dribbling...


Tucker was starting the game as goalie (he was really looking forward to it!) Here his Coach gives him a few pointers)

Tucker's got the ball and he's off and running (he scored a goal and came thisclose to scoring two others!)

Right in the thick of things, leading the charge (he's #4)


Getting ready to go in as a sub for a teammate, standing his his coach and the coach's son


Trying to get the ball away from the goal, playing a little defense

Tucker's team ended up winning 7-1!

We Will Never Forget...

In memory of those who lost their lives on this day 8 years ago...

My Daybook

For Today...Monday, September 7, 2009, Labor Day

Outside My Window...the sun is out and it feels like a beautiful Fall day (though it's technically not Fall yet!)

On My Mind...thinking about the busy week ahead, with soccer practices, Cub Scouts, and a game!

What We're Reading...finished Lucky by Alice Sebold and I have started The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Neffeneggar; it was a little confusing at first but now, I'm moving right along (I think...)!! with Tucker, we finished Mercy Goes For A Ride and also read Mercy Watson Fights Crime, Can I Bring My Pterodactyl to School, Ms. Johnson? by Lois G. Grambling, What is the Full Moon Full of? by Shulasmith Levey Oppenheim. Tonight we'll start Mercy Watson Princess In Disguise.

What We're Listening To...Still listening to The Lady Elizabeth and will be doing my poetic review for the Take a Chance Challenge on it (I've written the haiku and the limerick and am working on the poem.)

I am hoping...not to get crazy with the hectic week we have coming up!

Quotable Quote...A strange thing is memory, and hope; one looks backward, and the other forward; one is of today, the other of tomorrow. Memory is history recorded in our brain, memory is a painter, it paints pictures of the past and of the day...Grandma Moses (it's her birthday today!)

A Funny Thing...on the way to soccer practice last week, Tucker told me that we should live next to the soccer fields because then he could put himself in a catapult and launch himself onto the field!

In the kitchen...omelettes for lunch, ham steaks for dinner, not sure the rest of the week, we'll be on the run a lot!

Around the house...laundry waiting to be folded and more to be washed...thanks to the demo crew of Tucker and Willima, a messy living room and Tucker's room is not so pretty either.

Coming up this week...back to work tomorrow after a four-day weekend...soccer practice Tues and Thurs nights...Cub Scout pack meeting Wed night...Tucker's first soccer game of the season on Sat...scrapbooking with my mom on Sun.

Some Picture Thoughts...From soccer practice this week

The Origins of Labor Day

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September (September 7 in 2009).

The holiday originated in Canada out of labor disputes ("Nine-Hour Movement") first in Hamilton, then in Toronto, Canada in the 1870s, which resulted in a Trade Union Act which legalized and protected union activity in 1872 in Canada. The parades held in support of the Nine-Hour Movement and the printers' strike led to an annual celebration in Canada. In 1882, American labor leader Peter J. McGuire witnessed one of these labor festivals in Toronto. Inspired from Canadian events in Toronto, he returned to New York and organized the first American "labor day" on September 5 of the same year.

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City.[1] In the aftermath of the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the US military and US Marshals during the 1894 Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with Labor as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.[2] Cleveland was also concerned that aligning a US labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair.[3] All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday.
1882

The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations," followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parades. Speeches or political demonstrations are more low-key than May 1 Labour Day celebrations in most countries, although events held by labor organizations often feature political themes and appearances by candidates for office, especially in election years. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess. Similarly, some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school. However, start dates for schools vary widely, beginning as early as July 24 in urban districts such as Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles. In addition, Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. The NCAA usually plays their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day.

source: wikipedia.com

Life in Review through Books

Among the many blogs I saw this on, one place was Becky's Book Review

Using only books you have read this year (2009), cleverly answer these questions. Try not to repeat a book title. It’s a lot harder than you think!

Describe Yourself: The Constant Princess (Philippa Gregory)

How do you feel: Lucky (Alice Sebold)

Describe where you currently live: Rainbow Valley (L.M. Montgomery)

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: The Beach House (Jane Green)

Your favorite form of transportation: Bridge to Terabithia (Katherine Paterson)

Your best friend is: The Other Queen (Philippa Gregory)

You and your friends are: The Wives of Henry VIII (LOL- Antonia Fraser)

What’s the weather like: Magic Hour (Kristin Hannah)

Favorite time of day: The Almost Moon (Alice Sebold)

What is life to you: Multiple Blessings (Kate and Jon Gosselin)

Your fear: The Little Giant of Aberdeen County (Tiffany Baker)

What is the best advice you have to give: Love is Eternal (Irving Stone)

Thought for the Day: Always Looking Up (Michael J. Fox)

How I would like to die: Above the Thunder (Renee Manfredi)

My soul’s present condition: Home Safe (Elizabeth Berg)

Thursday Thirteen-Summer Wrap-up

With Labor Day approaching (and with it, the "un-official" end of summer), I thought I would make a list of the things we actually did (compared to my "plans"!!)

1. Saw Fireworks on the 4th of July
2. Cook-outs with hot dogs and smores
3. Went to Old Sturbridge Village
4. Went to the beach
5. Used the Slip and Slide
6. Went to Lake Compounce
7. Went to NYC in August
8. Went to the Dinosaur Splashpad
9. Went to Fort Trumbull
10. Spent time in my mom's pool
11. Went to Roger Williams Zoo
12. Read (Tucker completed 3 different summer reading challenges!)
13. Relaxed (believe it or not, we did!)

To participate, click here.