Thursday, December 31, 2009

NYE 2009

So glad this year is over, hopefully 2010 will be much better!
This afternoon we took the girls downtown for some ice skating in an open air rink. They had a blast!





We even got a preview of the ball drop for tonight. Caught them doing some pratice runs.


I wish all the best for you my friends in this upcoming year.
My resolution to be a better blogger.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas 2009!

From our family to yours...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!




Tuesday, December 22, 2009

He won a car!

See that man there on the right? That is my Uncle Al. Him and my Aunt are two of the most loving, wonderful people on Earth. Today was a day that I will never forget. Today he won a new car!


Here he is waiting for his turn in line waiting to see if he had the lucky key.


At this point he knew that the car was his. The previous six people had tried and failed. I was off to the side jumping up and down in place with a smile a mile wide plastered on my face.

And of course he hd to try his key as well for the television crew that was there.

Ok now for the backstory.
Every year for the past 31 years they have been big supporters of the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive. A local car dealership around the corner from their house became a drop off point a couple of years ago. So that is where they have been taking their donations. When they dropped off the toys this year they were told to fill out an entry blank for a chace to win a car. So he did never in his wildest dreams did he think that he'd be one of the seven lucky people chosen to try their luck. Well he was the seventh person drawn.

I of course had to go down to the dealership to show my support for him. The ordr that their names were drawn was the ordr that they'd choose their key and try to start the car. So being the last one drawn Uncle Al had no choice in what key, he got the one nobody wanted. Good thing too!

I am still over the moon about them winning. It couldn't of happened to nicer people. They are the type that would give a stranger on the street the shirt off thier back. Karma is a real thing, I truely believe this and am so happy that karma has been so wonderful to them.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Damn these commericals

It just frosts my cookies seeing some of these commericals for places like Popeye's, and Sonic on television. We don't have them in my area and I love them. It is like a cruel taunt. I can only hope that they are trying to get thier name known in our area because they are planning on coming here. Chilis did that years back, you'd see their ads and there was none in the area then one day while driving you'd see the sign "Future home of Chilis" or something along those lines. Here is to wishful thinking.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Another week down

Another week of school down. I still am not used to getting up at or brfore the ass crack of dawn. Don't think I ever will be.

I am so proud of Madeline she hd her first test of the year and got a 100% on it. Speaking of grades I want to kow when an 86% became a C. I was shocked at the grading scale used in her school a 74% is an F. WTF??!! I don't agree with that at all and think it puts unneeded pressure on these young kids.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

That didn't take long

Okay so no call from the teacher but Lilly told me that she and Owen kissed again. Ugh my girl likes boys and she is only 5! Is that too young for an all girl boarding school? Ah puppy love. Now if this was someone else's kid I'd so be loving it, thinking it was so cute and sweet. I try to drill BOOKS NOT BOYS into my daughter's minds. Think the little one needs to hear it some more. It will become our daily mantra.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Back to school - Close call

Woo hoo long weekend is over and the kids went back to school today. My husband set the alarm wrong for me this morning so we really overslept. He set it for 6:55 am we are outside for the bus around 7:05 but I made it work. We made it out to the bus stop in time. I never knew that I could move so fast. I could of taken my time and drove her into school now that I think about it but after a rough night I just wasn't thinking.

I went back to bed for a bit after got Lilly on the bus. That was great since I had such a horrible night's sleep if I got 3 hours I'd say that was a lot. Got some house work done, it is amazing how fast I can get stuff done when there are no kids around.

Lilly told me today at school that she kissed Owen on the cheek. Oy vey it is starting already, and that she really really really loves school. It is so much fun!
(Boy do I hope she keeps that attitude). Madeline on the other hand is not so happy with the fact that the homework has started already. I make her do it before she can play outside which she doesn't like too much. The weather here now is real nice, we really didn't have much of a summer, and she wants to enjoy it. Can't blame her but school comes first.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

My baby starts kindergarten.

Here Lilly is at the bus stop all excited to be starting school. She is so thrilled to be taking the bus.

Bye baby! Have fun at school, I hope you like it.


Yes, yes okay I admit it. I was a crazy mommy who once the bus picked her up ran to my car to race to the school to get a shot of her getting off the bus as well. And ran inside the school to get ahead of her to get a shot of her heading down to her classroom for the first time. Since I was there I figured what the hell and took a few shots of her in the classroom as well. why not? I was already there.




She is so excited be be going to school and that two of her friends from pre k, Jenna and Owen, whomb Lilly has a crush on are in her class. He was her first kiss this summer at swim lessons. I am so expecting a phone call from her teacher one of these days about the two of them.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Movin' on up to the 3rd grade


Wow September already where did the time go? Today Madeline started the 3rd grade and what a transition it is. New school new routine. I am not plaed with her catching the bus a few minutes after 7:00 am. I think it is way to early for the kids that age to be going to school. Last year she started at 9:00 am. This year she starts before the middle school kids. She is so not a morning person and waking her up at 6 something is so not fun. And I don't like having to get up that early either to be truthful.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Been a bad bad girl

I feel so awful for not keeping up with posting this summer but have been real busy. Anyways last night was preview night at the fair, of course we went and again I won ribbons for my photographs. 3rd place for my flower and an honorable mention for my black and white. I swear everytime I enter a flower into this competition I win. I just didn't get any of the real good food last night, oh well always can get some on my next visit. Summer basically sucked here. It was rainy and cold for most of it. And now that the girls are on the verge of heading back to school we are getting the weather we should have right along.

We went on a family vacation to Orlando in early July and had a blast. It was so hard to leave 90 + degree weather and come home to no lie here 60's. Told ya the summer sucked.

Oh yeah, Lilly had her first kiss this summer. Owen a little boy from her pre-k class and his twin brother Aaron also took swim lessons at the same pool we did but they were in the class before us. During the break inbetween classes he kissed her and she has been on cloud 9 ever since. It turns out that both her and Owen will be in the same kindergarten class as well. Their poor teacher, I can picture the phone calls now.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

15 years ago...wow am I getting old

15 years ago today my high school graduation ceremony was held. I cannot believe that it has really been that long. Now if that don't make you feel old I don't know what does.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

No more teachers, no more books

Well today was the last day of school and I am shocked at just how much it affected me. Madeline will no longer be attending this school, moving on up to the district's other elementary school. Lillian graduated from pre K. She will be gone all day next year as she starts kindergarten. Both kids gone all day long, now that will be a huge change for me. My babies are growing up.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

making a list...checking it twice

Gonna take a trip to someplace nice.

I am in full pre packing mode now. Making lists of what we'll need, digging out the suitcases. Yes I know that I have time but I am one of those people who likes to be all packed a week before hand, no last minute packing frenzies here. I already got most of the items on hand, thank you Sam's Club.

I also got to think of something to get the girls teachers for their end of the year gifts. June 23 cannot come soon enough if you ask me. No more fighting to get the girls to bed early. Now that it is light out at their bed time they just don't want to go to bed. Can't blame them I was the same way.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Oh Oh Uh Oh Oh, Oh Oh Uh Oh, the right stuff

Yesterday was a blast, the girls dance recital in the early afternoon where they both did an awesome job, (see the previous posting for the youtube videos). People were coming up to me during intermission & after the recital telling me how well the girls did, How impressed they were with Madeline's ballet number, how well Lilly did for her first time. I am so very proud of them.

Then yesterday evening I went to the NKOTB concert with my friend Janet. Thanks to some drunk chicks that were sitting behind us trying to steal our seats when we got up to get a drink spilling beer on Janet and their piss poor attitude afterwards we got upgraded for the first row in the 300 far right section to 8th row center aisle seats!

Check out some pics if you are interested.
New Kids on the Block pics

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Recital rehersal videos

It is one of my favorite dancing days! The rehersal where I can take video and pics! Of course I had to share them with all of my family, friends, and the cyber world. 2009 is sure to be a year to remember with Lillian's first recital ever and Madeline's debut into the world of ballet. (She loves ballet.) I hope that you all enjoy these as much as I did. I cannot wait until the recital tomorrow. Lilly has already told us that she expects flowers afterwards, we can't disappoint her.

Lillian's debut in the dancing world.


Madeline's debut as a ballerina. I am so proudof her I think she did a amazing job.


Madeline's jazz number.


Madeline's tap number. Please excuse the technical diffculity at the end of the song.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

It is party time

We had Lillian's 5th birtyday party this afternoon at the Rat's Place aka Chuck E Cheese's. Everyone had a blast and she got such wonderful gifts. Lots of summer clothes which she was totally thrilled about. Yes my 5 year old is a clothes horse and a shoe fanatic. People didn't believe me when I told them that she wanted clothes for her birthday, not many kids do. I can't believe that we spent four and half hours there. Even more surprised that we didn't have to buy extra tokens.

And a surprise hit of a gift was this...

Yes that is a box of Special K breakfast cereal. Lilly loves it and I told y sister as a "joke" she should buy a box and wrap it up for her. Well she did and Lilly loved it as you can see. She gave a squeal of glee and hugged the box. My silly Lilly.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Date Night

Ed And I went out to the movies last night, we seen Angels & Demons. Right from the very start I had to roll my eyes. I hate when they bastardize a great book into a crappy movie! I sat there shaking my head through out 95% of the movie. Now don't get me wrong it wasn't a bad movie at all kept me entertained and all. They 2 hrs and 20 minutes flew by. But having read the book prior to seeing the film adaption, well you know how that usually goes. Some changes really did piss me off though and I am still brooding about them today. I'd tell people to wait for the video on this one. (Did I just say video?...Woah am I dating myself, lol I meant dvd.)

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Name that tune

Ok I am coming clean, I love musical theatre. My love is rubbing off on Madeline it seems. Yesterday was listening to some music on youtube and Madeline came running in and said, "hey this is I Dreamed a Dream from Le Mis" I could of burst right there. I was like "okay smarty pants, what show is this one from" I typed in For Good from Wicked and she got it. It went on and on like that. She didn't get one wrong. Even shows that I didn't think knew she got correct. She may not have known the title of some of the shows but she knew what it was about and could tell me that. I have a new buddy to go to shows with. This is going to become Mommy and Maddie time I can see it in. I am going to take her to a show a year.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Smiles all around

Well Lillian's 5th birthday is Monday, (wow where did time go?) So anyways I decided to make cookies for her class treat. These cookies always taste better a couple of days later so I made them this morning. She has dance class Monday too so I made sure to have enough for that class also. She my not be so happy that I finished decorating them while she was in school. I hope that her class likes them. They better it was total hell making them. I hate turning on the oven in the warmer, humid weather.

Unfortunately one did not make it, but fear not he is no longer in any pain. It was a quick and easy death I promise you.

See...

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Tip toe through the tulips



Well okay no tulpis here so how about tip toe through the azaleas, rhododendron, bougainvillea, and petunias. Oh there is a blue berry and rose bush back there too. On Monday my sister and I worked hard in my backyard making this little patch of paradise. I cannot wait for it to fill out and hope that the curse of the black thumb doesn't rear it's ugly head.

The crowning jewel of my garden has yet to be placed though. My sister had my girls make a stepping stone with their hand prints, "diamonds of all colors" and the year. It is drying now and I cannot wait to add it right in the center of the petunias.

We are thinking about attacking other sections of my yard to turn into more gardens. I'd love to do a veggie one but there are just too many critters around for that I think. There is a family of bunnies that live under my neighbors garage which is right behind where I would be doing this. I bet they'd love it if I did.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

oh the dental drama of the past couple days

Two days ago I get a call from the school nurse. Madeline accidently threw away her retainer and was so very upset. The nurse told me that the lunch ladies looked in the garbage cans in the lunchroom and didn't find anything. (I don't believe that though), and that I was free to look in the dumpster behind the school for it. When I went there to look I was shocked to find no bags and all the trash just thrown into the dumpster. Can you say ew? So needless to say I didn't feel like sifting through half calf crap so I just ordered a new one. Madeline was scheduled for an appointment today, when I called them Monday they wanted me to still bring her in just to check on the progress. I was shocked when the dentist said that he thought tht a new mold should be made for the new retainer since her teeth straightened out so much already. I was shocked when I seen the orignal cast and her teeth now. WOW what a difference.

Yesteday Lillian had some oral surgery she had 2 cracked molars removed. She did amazingly well I was told by the Doctor and his assistant. She is on antibotics and he gave her some tylenol with codeine for the pain. I only gave that to her once she tells me that it doesn't hurt at all. My little trooper. She was so tired after that my little sweetie. Now all I need to get spacers put in her mouth. It never ends.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Tick tock

What time is it? It is almost recital time! The girls costumes came in this week! SQUEE! How adaorable they look! I also wrote the copy the copy for the ad for the dance program. I had way too much fun doing that. I kind of like it, all the othe moms did too. I tried to incorperate the songs they are dancing to into them. I have until next week to change it.

The songs:
Lillian ~ Fly To Your Heart by Selena Gomez from the Tinkerbell movie.
Madeline ~ What Time Is It ~ High School Musical, Best of Both Worlds ~ Hannah Montana and Waltz of the Flowers from the Nutcracker ballet.

Lillian you flew into our hearts on the day you were born. Congrats on your 1st recital Stinkerbell, We love you!

Madeline congrats on your 3rd recital. No matter what it is, whether you are waltzing through the flowers or rocking out the show we'll always love you!

And to end all the suspense here are the girls in their costumes...



Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day

Ok so we really celebrated yesterday and I am totally cool with that. Ed and Madeline took me to see A Chorus Line. Lillian stayed with my mom. What a great show! I was so happy to have Madeline go with us. She was whispering to me through out the show, "mom I can do that". When we got home she had to dance for me and of course do a bunch of kick line kicks. She was so cute.

I also took my mom an my aunt out last night to the casino, gave them each some money to play with. We had a great time. I really love them both so very much. My aunt is very much like another mom to me, for awhile my mom lived in another state and she became a surrogate mother for me and grandma to my girls. I'm so very lucky that she is such a big part of my life. My girls adore her too. Her grandson couldn't ask for a more perfect grandma. No grandma in the world could love their grandchild as much as she loves hers. He's one lucky little guy.

I got to sleep in this morning which was great. I woke up aroung 10:30. I didn't have to lift a finger all day, no cooking, no cleaning. It really was the perfect day.

Friday, May 8, 2009

They just couldn't wait

My girls that is. In school they made me Mother's Day prsents and they just couldn't wait until Sunday to give them to me. While in the car waiting for Madeline dismissal, Lillian ripped open her gift and proudly handed me a Pre-K cookbook. I kind of figured that I was getting a coobook when a few weeks ago we were asked to send in a favorite family recipe. But what I didn't expect on was the kids version of one of their favorite recipes.

In an on line group that I am part of we did a recipe swap and had to make and post our thoughts on it. One of the ones I got were for these Orange Cookies that Lillian loved. So for her recipe she wrote...

Mommy takes one orange, opens it up, and mixes it with cookie dough in a batter bowl. She makes them into circles and puts them in the oven. She puts them on the stove to cool down. She lets my sister and me try it. It tastes like sugary orange.

They also had to write about something they like to do with mom. Lillian said, "I love to go to Tops with my mom. We go there to buy chicken. When we go home she cooks the chicken, and we eat it."

Madeline was all upset that Lillian got to give me her gift early so I had to ope hers too. I got some pretty handmade stationary with envelopes, a chore choser where I pick a flower out of a pot and she has to do the chore printed on it. A pretty Mother sign,a beautiful card with her picture on it.

I love it all, these homemade gifts are my favorite.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

What a PITA

PITA or Pain in the ass! I went to the open house tonight and was happy to find several ladies in my position. Some even older than me! The only downside was that because have been out of school so long none of my previous credits are transferable so I'd be starting out as a freshmen again. ARGH!!! Really don't want to do that. I get home and give hubby the 411 and he starts talking about the aircraft school down in Florida again moving down there after he gets his buy out money in October. So I don't want to enroll only have to drop out. I wish he'd make up his mind. There is really no reason to stay here after the shit his work pulled.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Feeling too old

I am getting a bit nervous about the open house at the college tomorrow. I am terrified that I am going to be the oldest one there. Silly I know and it really shouldn't bother me but it does. Ed tells me that there will be a lot of "older" meaning not just out of high school kids there with the way the economy is and all the lay offs in our area. I just hope that I see at least one other over 30 person there. I cannot believe that I am feeling this nervous, it has been a real long time since I had butterflies like this. Wish me luck!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

I think I may have it

Next week Wednesday I am going to an open house at a local college. I am going to inquire about their dental assistant program. Yeah, I am shocked that I was able to narrow it down to a field of study too. The more I think of this the more excited and nervous I am getting. If I do go back to school this is going to be such a HUGE change for me. Going back to school after all these years is kind of a scary idea. I'll be the weird old lady in the class. In a way I think that my age is my biggest fear when it comes to going back. I'll be 13-14 years older than most of the "freshman". I mean I could be old enough to be one of their mothers. (Hey some kids have babies at age 14 right?)

I hope that I am doing the right thing. With the state of the economy right now I really have no other choice except to re-enter the work force. Plus it will help take some of the burden off of my husband. I really don't want to go back into reception work or retail, even if my one retail management job was my favorite job to date. And in this field I can find a job anywhere I may move to. I mean I don't see there not being a job opening in this field ever. As long as people have teeth they will need to go see a dentist right? I have to look at the cost of the schooling as an investment. If only it were that easy for me to do so.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

I'm a convert

While running some errands this afternoon I passed a Super Wal*Mart, so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone ad stop there to do my grocery shopping as well as picking up some seeds and some gardening supplies. The girls have been begging me for a long time now to start a garden. I was shocked at how much cheaper their prices were. I had to save at least $25 easy. I think it is worth the drive. I mean it really isn't that far away and if I hop on the thruway. I think I will be going there from now on.

As for the garden well we or shall I say Lillian picked out 2 strawberry plants, a blueberry bush, a red pepper plant, watermelon seeds, and a wildflower seed mix that is supposed to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The two of us spent some nice quality time together this afternoon planting them. (My mom took Madeline out while we were gone to the Rat Place). I really hope that they grow well, that would save me tons of money in the long run. Lillian is a fruit fanatic, I cannot keep it in the house, and if you've been to the store lately you know how expensive it has become.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

What to do?

Ever get to that point in your life where you just need a chamge? I think I amther now. Next fall Lillian will be starting full day school and I will be re-entering the work force. But what to do? I don't really want to go back to my old job. I was thinking about maybe going back to school but even then have no clue as to what to do? Do I go into graphic ats? Use my love of cooking and enroll in a culinary arts program? If I do that I wonder if I'd still have a love for cooking and baking if I had to do it every day as a job. I tossed the idea of becoming a nurse around in my head. I think that I wouldn't mind being an onocology nurse, with a focus on administeing chemotherapy. One of my favorite jobs was working in a hotel, so maybe hotel management? See my problem? I have no idea in what direction to go. I have been a stay at home mom for song long now that I think that I lost part of who I used to be somewhere along the way.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Eggscellent

What fun the girls had coloring and decorating Easter Eggs. Now the big question is who is going to eat them? LOL



Monday, April 6, 2009

Just started my team!

Light the Night Walk Donation page

Yes I am starting early this year. The other day I got the notification for early sign up for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk. Ed and I had so much fun doing this last year that we are doing it again. Only this time I started a team and am hoping to get family and friends to join us this year.

Again I ask you that if you can spare a couple bucks to please donate to this cause. The anniversary of Ed's diagnosis is right around the corner and thankfully he is in remission. We'd like to help them find a cure to these blood cancers. Every penny helps.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Hats off to Iowa!

Iowa's Supreme Court legalized gay marriage Friday in a unanimous and emphatic decision that makes Iowa the third state and first in the nation's heartland to allow same-sex couples to wed.

Reading this in the headlines that popped up when I logged on really warmed my heart!
THANK YOU IOWA! The rest of America needs to take notice and follow suit. My views on the people in the "heartland" have radically changed today.

I just cannot understand why in this day and age people are so fearful of homosexuls, and why they are so bothered by the idea of two people in love wanting to be married and entitled to the same benefits as straight couples.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Been awhile

Wow I hadn't realized it has been so long since I last poated. A lot of life just getting in the way here. But nothing much happening in those days. So nothing really excting to report. Madeline got her retainer yesterday morning. Thankfully she is having no problems with it, and was rather excited about getting it. I think by her dentist letting her pick out the color of it was the main reason. She chose a hot pink color that glows in the dark. It is pretty neat I must admit.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Aww mom why did you do that?!!

Well things didn't go according to my plans regarding the fruit Roll Ups. I thought that they be delivered in a plain brown or white package and my kids would be clueless as to what was in the box. I was wrong. The brightly decorated box clearly let them know what was inside. so after begging and begging for one I relented and let them each have one.



"Awwww...mom why did you do that?!!" were the first words out of Madeline's mouth. "ugh you are in your dico clothes". While Lilly on the other hand just giggled at what she seen, and happily ate it up.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Long, long day.

I am so glad it is over and everyone is asleep.

The girls went to the dentist today. Mads have 2 teeth pulled we have to go back on Friday to start the retainer work.

Lilly didn't fare so well she needed an extraction too only tooth crumbled and the dentist couldn't get all the pieces out since there was hardly anything to grasp onto. And because it was the upper tooth he said that there was really nothing above the area but bone so even though she was numbed she could still feeling some of the digging. So that means now we have to take her to an oral surgeon so she can be sedated. So now we need to scrounge up money for this.

The girls were so wiped out after their appointments that they actually took naps, their appointment started at 3:00 pm so that meant they stayed up later. Ed & I didn't have the heart to keep them awake after what they went through.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

One of the joys of being a parent

is the kicks we can get out of embarassing the kids. I was the lucky winner of a box of personalized Fruit Roll Ups from Jody's blog Make a Joyful Noise...Even if it hurts Momma's ears! during this last round of the Bloggy Carnival giveaways and I decided to make these for my girls. Won't they get a happy surprise when they open their lunch boxes at school and see a Fruit Roll Up inside. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when they open that Fruit Roll Up and see this...



Yes that is us from the night of the World's Largest Disco in our disco duds. The horror of horrors to our fashion concious second grader. This is going to be sweet.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Lookie Lookie!

After a painstaking search of the web I managed to find all the costumes. Do you have any idea of how many sites pop up when you google children's dance costumes?Holy Cow! So without further ado here they are! Squee!



Clockwise from top right

Madeline (tap) What Time Is It?
Madeline (jazz) Best of Both Worlds.
Madeline (ballet) Waltz of the Flowers
Lillian (tap) Fly To Your Heart

Monday, February 9, 2009

What time is it?

Its costume time, I'm so excited.
What time is it? Its song leaning time. I want to shout it out.

Yes today I got a treat at the girls dance class this evening.

We learned what songs the girls will be dancing to and got to see their costumes for the recital. I have to wait until Wednesday to learn Madeline's ballet info. Argg that wait is going to be a painful one.

I have only managed to find Madeline's tap and jazz costumes on line so far. Still searchng for Lilly's costume. There are way too many Tinkerbell costumes out there.

So yes Lillian's class will be wearing a Tinkerbell costume and will be dancing to: Fly To Your Heart by Selena Gomez

Madeline's tap number is What Time Is It? from High School Musical 2.
Her jazz number is The Best Of Both Worlds by Hannah Montana.

I'll post the pictures and ballet info Wednesday night. And there is a bonus here, she could actually wear the yap costume again. It is so cute and if I seen this at Target I'd most likely pick it up for her. She might even get away with wearing the jazz one again minus the jacket.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Please help support St Jude Hospital!

Please click the Donate button above and to the right on the top of my page here. To help save the lives of children battling cancer and other catastrophic diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family’s inability to pay. St. Jude also provides travel, food and housing for the patient and a family member. None of this would be possible if not for the generosity of caring friends like you.

Thank you!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Thank you Salma Hayek, Kathie Lee, Hoda

and the rest of the Today Show crew!

While watching the Today Show with Kathie Lee & Hoda this mornning the lovely Salma Hayek was on discussing the need for vaccinations in the poorer countires and how Pampers will donate one vaccine per pack of diapers that is purchased. Fantastic reason as to why to buy Pampers. They have always been my favorite brand as it is. Anyways they went on to announce that they were giving away 5 Pampers Prize Packages on their facebook page to the first 5 people who post the following 1 pack = 1 vaccine (see blow for actual facebook posting)

Sara Haines (NBC Universal) wrote
at 10:20am
The lovely Salma Hayek wants to give away *5* of these packs (diapers, wipes, and onesies) to the 1st *5* people to post the following:

1 pack = 1 vaccine

Well I was the VERY FIRST person to respond so I am one of the winners. This will help out my sister so very much. I am so excited. I actually started screaming when Sara messaged me on facebook.

What a great start to the day!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

What a feeling.

Wow is all that I can say! Like I posted earlier I signed up with Curves. I am happy to report that I have lost 4 pounds so far and have really noticed a boost to my energy level. I have started to eat breakfast everyday. No more one meal a day for me any more. I think the eating more each day has been the hardest part of it all. I am just not used to eating more than one meal a day. I know that is the worst thing you can do but I am just not hungry. I really, really am loving Curves, and I am not one who likes to work out. I finally found a workout program that I am happy with, one that I know I can keep up with, one I actually like doing. I am happy.

Friday, January 30, 2009

It is over and the Starbucks gc goes to...

Yes it is that time, the Bloggy Carnival has ended and it is time for me to announce the winner.

I want to thank you all for dropping by and dropping me a little note here. This time around I had 287 entries, I guess that a Starbucks giveaway really brings you in. I have never gotten so many entries on any of my previous giveaways here. Many thanks to those of you that browsed my other blogs and left comments, became followers. It really made my day. I hope to see you again in this blogsphere.

Okay I said my piece and I've kept you waiting long enough...

Oh great & powerful random number generator I ask of you to choose for us a winner...


Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

153 Timestamp: 2009-01-30 22:15:43 UTC


So after counting and counting of posts I finally came across my winning entry...

So AudreyO it looks like you are the lucky winner of a Starbucks gift card

AudreyO said...
I should be in the kitchen too but instead I'm here on my comptuer LOL

January 27, 2009 10:26 PM

If I have not heard from Audrey by Sunday night I will redraw another winner Monday morning.

Thanks again to all for entereing and congrats Audrey

******Audrey has responded and her prize will be mailed tomorrow*******

Thursday, January 29, 2009

My Star

Madeline was named her class' Star Student of the Month!
She was awarded a special pin and called up on stage infront of the entire school.
I am so very proud of her. In October she was named The Beary Special Person of the week. It is awesome to know that she is really being a good girl at school.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Feeling the burn

I joined up with Curves recently and have been real good about going. Yes I know that it hasn't been that long. But I really have been making an effort to go daily. If I don't go I will work out on Wii fit or do some boxing downstairs.

I just didn't go on Sunday (they are closed) or Monday this week. Ed is on 1st and it is dancing day for the girls, so I did some boxing down stairs in the time Lilly was in pre school. I went yesterday and I am going tonight when hubby gets home from work. This afternoon I think it is finally catching up with me. I can feel some pain in my legs, I really feel it when I am getting up or sitting down. This is a new year and I made a promise to myself to get in better shape and I am not dropping the ball on it this time.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

It really frosts my cookies!

Mads is in the 2nd grade choir for school, that means one day a week she needs to be at school an hour earlier for pratice. The choir director can be a real pain in the butt about it too. "Be on time, you need to be here, attendence is MANDITORY...blah blah blah" well today she was late again. So it is freezing over here today and there is a line of cards all the way from the drop off circle, down the long driveway almost to the street and no teacher. 5 minutes later no teacher, 10 minutes no teacher. Grrr I had to get home to get my younger one ready so I asked one of my friends if she could keep Mads until the teacher finally showed up. I wonder when that was.

It just pisses me off how she stresses that we be on time when this is the 3rd time that she has been late.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Bloggy Giveaway Time $10 gc to Starbucks

Yes it is that time of year again,(yippie). This time around I am offering up a $10 gift card to Starbucks Coffee. Feel free to drop by anyone of my blogs to look around. The links are to the right. And at athe close of the contest I will use the random number generator to pick the lucky winner. Good luck!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

No more daddy day care for us

I am livid, pissed beyond belief right now. I really am starting to believe that I cannot trust my husband with our daughters for more than a few minutes. Last night my local mommies group had their Secert Santa party last night and I was so excited to be going. I really did have a wonderful time. I got the most awesome presents form my secert Santa,(thanks Donna). A pair of Muk Luks that I nearly squealed over. I really wanted a pair, a recipe binder, a dry erase board with matching magnets and a gift basket from Bath & Body works in one of my favorite scents Eucalyptus which aids in stress releif and oh boy am I ever stressed.

Flash forward to this morning where I am greeted by my babies, only to find that they have given themselves haircuts. Lillian basically has no bangs left, Mads cut part of her side so it is not that noticable. But Lilly OMG. Then my husband does not understand why I am mad at him for this happening. Um hello!! You were supposed to be watching them. This is the fourth time that I have left them alone with him for an extended period of time. Why in the hell would anyone leave a four year old alone with scissors, even if they were saftey scissors? "I didn't know that they could cut hair." he said. "My ass" was my reply to him.

I feel like I could stroke out at any moment. I really think that I cannot trust him alone with our girls, that or he is letting it happen in a passive agressive manner because I now have friends to go out with.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

I Should Tell You that I was Over the Moon that I went Out Tonight

(well last night)

Saturday January 17th, 8:00 pm eastern standard time.

I like so many others packed Shea's downtown to see RENT. Not only was I seeing one of my favorite shows I was seeing it starring two of the cast's orignal members, and they also reprised their roles in the movie version. Yes I sat there with tears in my eyes as I watched Marc, (Anthony Rapp) and Roger, (Adam Pascal) perform on stage right infront of me. Never in my woldest dreams did I think that I'd ever expierence that. But I am so very happy that I did.

The audience was electric, and yes I mooed. How could you not? I wish that I could go to the show again tonight.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

This bites

I took the girls to the dentist today, turns out Madeline needs some dental work done. It will take four appointments to do all of this. A filling needs to be fixed, she needs a tooth pulled since her adult tooth is growing behind the baby one, she has a cross bite and will need a device similar to a retainer, (I forget what it is called) to push her tooth forward. This should prevent her from needing braces in the future.

Lilly had two bad teeth, Both in the same postion on opposite sides that need to be pulled and spacers put in. The funny thing is the rest of her teeth are "textbook perfect" her dentist said. Just those two are messed up for some reason.

I am so happy that Ed's company didn't mess with their dental insurance like they did with our medical. Our out of pocket for this will be about $150

The office also had that sonic care tooth brush with interchangable heads on sale for $50 so I picked that up. I had always wanted one but would not pay the $100 bucks for it, and with Mads new hardware in her mouth it would be better for her to brush with that.

One funny thing that happened though is that as the doctor was talking with Lilly, he told her that he had the same birthday as her. Lilly looks at him funny and says in a no nonsense voice, "you're not four". Her doctor laughed and said "well I wasn't born in the same year". I thought that was a pretty clever of her to say.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

I gotta get out of this place

I honest to goodness cannot take it anymore! I am at the point where I am getting physically ill by the weather. My body is aching, I have a chill that I cannot loose even with a sweat suit on and covered with a blanket. Right now even the local news says that it is "painfully cold out there and it is going to get even colder tomorrow."

I am worried about those poor children that have to walk to school in sub zero temps tomorrow morning. It was 2 with a windchill of -8 or -10 at the bus stop this morning (depending on what channel you were watching). The high forecast for tomrrow is 4. The following is straight off one of our local tv stations weather page

Outlook
Bone chilling cold will continue for the next two days. The coldest air will move in tonight and for Thursday with negative readings throughout the early and late hours and wind chills in the dangerous range -15 to -20 around the region.

I am telling you this if it is -15 to -20 tomorrow morning I just might keep the girls home from school. It is cold in their classrooms, besides they both have dentist appointments and my oldest would be pulled out of school early anyway to go to it.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

The case against homework

I was so happy I seen this segment on the Today Show this morning. I have been saying this exact same thing for a couple of years now. My 4 year old pre schooler goes to school for two and a half hours a day Monday- Friday and each day she comes home with homework. And I am not talking about color this picture and pratice writing the letter of the day kind of things. We're talking writing in sentences, drawing pictures and answering questions, (parents write down the answers) of what happened in the story that the parents have to read to them daily, math. I am shocked and even appalled at the amount of homework that my 2nd grader brings home. Everyday there is math, reading, spelling, reading comprhension, a daily book to read, then either social studies or science. They are getting burned out already, my older one is starting to hate school. Not good when she is just really starting out in her education.

Here is the article that was the basis for the Today Show segment.

Kids overworked? Join the less-homework revolution
Fed-up parents are changing the way schools think — and you can, too

By Nancy Kalish
Parenting magazine

I used to be extremely pro-homework. In fact, I once wrote an article for this very magazine telling readers how to get kids to stop whining and knuckle down to work. Back then, I could afford to be smug: My second-grader was happily zooming through her ten minutes a night.

But a few years later, Allison started coming home with four hours of homework each night, and everything changed. Now there was not only whining but also begging, yelling, and crying — sometimes from both of us. The worst part: hearing my previously enthusiastic learner repeatedly swear how much she hated school.

I'd always assumed homework was essential. But when I finally looked into the research about it, I was floored to find there's little to support homework — especially in vast quantities. While not every child gets too much, many kids are now overloaded as early as kindergarten. I was appalled (I even cowrote a book about it, "The Case Against Homework"), so you can bet that this time around, you won't be getting any "how to be a good homework cop" tips from me.

I used to be extremely pro-homework. In fact, I once wrote an article for this very magazine telling readers how to get kids to stop whining and knuckle down to work. Back then, I could afford to be smug: My second-grader was happily zooming through her ten minutes a night.

But a few years later, Allison started coming home with four hours of homework each night, and everything changed. Now there was not only whining but also begging, yelling, and crying — sometimes from both of us. The worst part: hearing my previously enthusiastic learner repeatedly swear how much she hated school.

I'd always assumed homework was essential. But when I finally looked into the research about it, I was floored to find there's little to support homework — especially in vast quantities. While not every child gets too much, many kids are now overloaded as early as kindergarten. I was appalled (I even cowrote a book about it, "The Case Against Homework"), so you can bet that this time around, you won't be getting any "how to be a good homework cop" tips from me.

I used to be extremely pro-homework. In fact, I once wrote an article for this very magazine telling readers how to get kids to stop whining and knuckle down to work. Back then, I could afford to be smug: My second-grader was happily zooming through her ten minutes a night.

But a few years later, Allison started coming home with four hours of homework each night, and everything changed. Now there was not only whining but also begging, yelling, and crying — sometimes from both of us. The worst part: hearing my previously enthusiastic learner repeatedly swear how much she hated school.

I'd always assumed homework was essential. But when I finally looked into the research about it, I was floored to find there's little to support homework — especially in vast quantities. While not every child gets too much, many kids are now overloaded as early as kindergarten. I was appalled (I even cowrote a book about it, "The Case Against Homework"), so you can bet that this time around, you won't be getting any "how to be a good homework cop" tips from me.

Instead, I'm here to call you to action. You can change things for your child — even for the whole school. There are more and more frustrated parents and wised-up schools around the country, so why should your child keep suffering through hours of work? A less-homework revolution is brewing, and you can join it.

Taking back family time
Like me, Christine Hendricks, a mother of three in Glenrock, WY, had always believed in homework. Then her daughter, Maddie, entered elementary school. "By the fourth grade, she had so much, there was no time for after-school activities, playing, or simply enjoying our evenings together. We were always stressed, and I knew many other families were also miserable."

Hendricks decided things had to change — and she had a unique advantage: She's the principal of Glenrock's Grant Elementary School. Together with her teachers, she looked into the research and found what I did: Homework's not what it's cracked up to be. "We decided to do an experiment and eliminate most homework," she says. The one exception: occasional studying for a test.

"This is only our second year without it, but there have been no backslides in the classroom or in test scores," says Hendricks. "Parents say their kids enjoy reading again because there's no pressure.

In fact, there have been no negative effects whatsoever. And there's much less stress at our house, too." We're not all in a position to fast-track a solution as Hendricks did, but we still have power.

In Toronto, Frank Bruni decided to do something when a pediatrician told him that his 13-year-old son should exercise more. Says Bruni, "I thought to myself, 'And when would he do that?' " So Bruni organized other parents and lobbied the Toronto School District to hold public meetings, presenting the research behind homework. The result is a new policy that affects more than 300,000 kids, limiting homework to reading in elementary school, eliminating holiday homework, and stating the value of family time. Canada's education minister now wants all the country's school boards to make sure students aren't being overloaded. "It's so gratifying to know that this year, Toronto's kids are going to have a life," says Bruni. "It shows you just how much parents can do when they try."

Why it's worth a fight
Homework is such an established part of education, it's hard to believe it's not all that beneficial, especially in large quantities. But the truth is, a recent Duke University review of numerous studies found almost no correlation between homework and long-term achievement in elementary school, and only a moderate correlation in middle school.

"More is not better," says Harris Cooper, Ph.D., a professor of psychology and neuroscience who conducted the review. In fact, according to guidelines endorsed by the National Education Association, teachers should assign no more than ten minutes per grade level per night (that's ten minutes total for a first-grader, 30 minutes for a third-grader).

Pile on more and it can backfire.

"Most kids are simply developmentally unable to sit and learn for longer," says Cooper. Remember: Many have already been glued to their desks for seven hours, especially at schools that have cut gym, recess, art, and music to cram in more instructional time. If you add on two hours of homework each night, these children are working a 45-hour week. Some argue that we need to toughen kids up for high school, college, and the workforce.

But there are other ways to teach responsibility, such as the chores that parents often have to let slide because of studying. Too much homework also means that kids miss out on active playtime, essential for learning social skills, proper brain development, and warding off childhood obesity.

All this work doesn't even make educational sense. "It's counterintuitive, but more practice or the wrong kind of practice doesn't necessarily make perfect," says Kylene Beers, president of the National Council of Teachers of English and author of "When Kids Can't Read, What Teachers Can Do." For example, children are able to memorize long lists of spelling words — but many will misspell them the following week.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Running on empty or Oh what a night

At 2 am this morning 30 minutes after I went to bed, after a truely miserable day. I felt like crap all day and was sick. My husband accidently broke the glass top to my stove. (That totally made me want to cry). I was awakened to the pathetic calls of Lilly calling me. She said that she her tummy hurts. Well you can guess what happened next. The first puke fest of 2009. Fun night. Nothing like those 3 am baths and laundry washings. But on the bright side we had the new floor in so no scrubbing puke out of the carpet.

She is feeling better now still not at 100% but she is no longer just laying on my couch like a rag doll. She's managed to keep some liquids down too for which I am very thankful. Madeline was just in a miserable mood, last night and all day today. I kept her home from school as well. I think that tonight it will be her that is the sick one. Ed is coming down with a cold as well. I hope the sickies leave my house soon.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

I hate New York

I really do, the more time I have to dwell on the situation that affects my family and the families of many of my friends the more my blood boils. I am of course talking about health insurance issues. You see in NY, your employer doesnt have to offer anything and many companies are dropping their coverage to the bare bottom of the barrel or just dropping it all together. I am so ready to pick up and move far far away and never look back at this place.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

It is that time of year again

Yes, it's that magical time of year again when the Darwin Awards are bestowed, honoring the least evolved among us.


Here are the glorious top 10 winners:



1. When his 38-caliber revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a hold-up in Long Beach, California, would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked. And now, the honorable mentions:


2. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat-cutting machine and, after a little shopping around, submitted a claim to his insurance company. The company expecting negligence sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and h e also lost a finger. The chef's claim was approved.


3. A man who shoveled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find a woman had taken the space. Understandably, he shot her.


4. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.


5. An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.
6. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer ... $15. [If someone points a gun at you and gives you money, is a crime committed?]


7. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he'd just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So he lifted the cinder block and heaved it over his head at the window. The cinder block bounced back and hit the would-be thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was made of Plexiglass. The whole event was caught on videotape.


8. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and drove back to the store. The thief was t hen taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, 'Yes, officer, that's her. That's the lady I stole the purse from.'


9. The Ann Arbor News crime column reported that a man walked into a Burger King in Ypsilanti, Michigan, at 5 A.M., flashed a gun, and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked away. [*A 5-STAR STUPIDITY AWARD WINNER]


10. When a man attempted to siphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street, he got much more than he bargained for. Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motor home near spilled sewage. A police spokesman said that the man admitted to trying to steal gasoline and plugged his siphon hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges saying that it was the best laugh he'd ever had.

It is that time of year again

Yes, it's that magical time of year again when the Darwin Awards are bestowed, honoring the least evolved among us.


Here are the glorious top 10 winners:



1. When his 38-caliber revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a hold-up in Long Beach, California, would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked. And now, the honorable mentions:


2. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat-cutting machine and, after a little shopping around, submitted a claim to his insurance company. The company expecting negligence sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and h e also lost a finger. The chef's claim was approved.


3. A man who shoveled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find a woman had taken the space. Understandably, he shot her.


4. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.


5. An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.
6. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer ... $15. [If someone points a gun at you and gives you money, is a crime committed?]


7. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he'd just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So he lifted the cinder block and heaved it over his head at the window. The cinder block bounced back and hit the would-be thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was made of Plexiglass. The whole event was caught on videotape.


8. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and drove back to the store. The thief was t hen taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, 'Yes, officer, that's her. That's the lady I stole the purse from.'


9. The Ann Arbor News crime column reported that a man walked into a Burger King in Ypsilanti, Michigan, at 5 A.M., flashed a gun, and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked away. [*A 5-STAR STUPIDITY AWARD WINNER]


10. When a man attempted to siphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street, he got much more than he bargained for. Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motor home near spilled sewage. A police spokesman said that the man admitted to trying to steal gasoline and plugged his siphon hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges saying that it was the best laugh he'd ever had.

It is that time of year again

Yes, it's that magical time of year again when the Darwin Awards are bestowed, honoring the least evolved among us.


Here are the glorious top 10 winners:



1. When his 38-caliber revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a hold-up in Long Beach, California, would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked. And now, the honorable mentions:


2. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat-cutting machine and, after a little shopping around, submitted a claim to his insurance company. The company expecting negligence sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and h e also lost a finger. The chef's claim was approved.


3. A man who shoveled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find a woman had taken the space. Understandably, he shot her.


4. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.


5. An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.
6. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer ... $15. [If someone points a gun at you and gives you money, is a crime committed?]


7. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he'd just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So he lifted the cinder block and heaved it over his head at the window. The cinder block bounced back and hit the would-be thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was made of Plexiglass. The whole event was caught on videotape.


8. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and drove back to the store. The thief was t hen taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, 'Yes, officer, that's her. That's the lady I stole the purse from.'


9. The Ann Arbor News crime column reported that a man walked into a Burger King in Ypsilanti, Michigan, at 5 A.M., flashed a gun, and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked away. [*A 5-STAR STUPIDITY AWARD WINNER]


10. When a man attempted to siphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street, he got much more than he bargained for. Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motor home near spilled sewage. A police spokesman said that the man admitted to trying to steal gasoline and plugged his siphon hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges saying that it was the best laugh he'd ever had.