September 11, 2006

I Remember...

For the last four years, I haven't spent much time in memorial or rememberance of this day. I guess because it's so depressing. Out of sight, out of mind. Easy for me to say and do, since I didn't have to lose someone I loved or cared about that day. But it truly was gnawing at me this year, and so I decided to record a lot of the programs that have been airing about 9/11 (documentary style programming) and have spent the last several days watching all of them. I have to say, I am just so humbled. I have cried and cried. The humanity! It's so devastating. Last night, Anton got up from sleeping and came to the living room to find me crying on the couch, watching the remainder of a program I was already almost two hours into. He laid down and put his head on my lap and we snuggled. I told him how much I loved him, how he is my best friend, and how I never want to be without him. I ran my fingers through his hair, and touched his cheek. He just had his eyes closed so peacefully, and I just thanked God for him right then and there. The thought that he could leave the next day and never return put so much fear in my heart and I was filled with love for him and all he is to me.

It has struck me so deeply how much was lost that day. When you hear the stories of these people, and you realize the agony some of those people suffered that day...I mean...it never really occurred to me all the ways people died. For instance, when the planes hit the building they both severed several of the elevator cables. There were 198 elevators running between those two buildings. Some were naturally up towards the top of the buildings when hit, and literally plunged down at rapid speeds covering over a thousand feet, and killing everyone inside. Can you even imagine that? It never even occurred to me all the ways people perished that day. I also watched the movie "Flight 93", which is the movie version of what happened when several passengers of Flight 93 attempted to take over the highjacked flight. It was just humbling, what these people went through, and the agonizing calls they made to their wives, mothers, and loved ones while in the air. I could not fathom facing that with my husband or family.

Today, please take a moment to remember what was lost. Each person had a family, a husband, wife, mother, father, siblings, or friends who loved them. Each one of the almost 3000 people who died five years ago today, had no idea that it was their last day on earth. No idea that they would die violently that day as they kissed their husbands, wives, or loved ones goodbye that morning. Remember them...remember their stories...otherwise, what good did all of their lost lives do?

And don't let another day go by without telling those close to you that you love them and cherish them.

September 9, 2006

Mommies Who Lunch & The Bad Waiter

Why is it, that when you get my favorite group of gals together at a place where the food is great - and we're all in the mood for good conversation - that you have to insert the bad waiter.

I was very happy to see the girls from my Mommies Who Lunch (even though we were missing four - boo hoo) But no sooner had we sat down when Dr. Evil's stupid and neglectful twin approached to take our drink order.

Needless to say, I think we were so distracted by how bad he was - that the food wasn't as good, the conversation was sporadic (because we were too busy deciding how he should be punished!) and I was totally peeved off. Sorry girls if I seemed a little moody - but that guy really ticked me off! And Shelli, thank you for stepping in and defending me over the coke - I'm so glad you did, because I didn't want it. Was he serious?!?!?!

Even though we did not speak to a manager at the time - and boy was I tempted - we did decide to show our "appreciation" for him in another way (wink, girls*) But upon later examination, and after speaking with AB, I decided to write a letter to the management. Not just because of Dr. Evil's twin idiot, but because the last time we had dinner there, we also had a really bad service and I didn't speak to a manager then either...so the letter went off via e-mail last night.

Now that I got that off my chest - here we are - aren't we cute? And for the record, we petitioned a nice waiter to take this shot. Lord knows, our server was never around enough to even ask! (and by the way- I stole this picture from Robyn...that's right...I'm a picture thief!)

Thank God we have plans to meet again soon! The Mommies Who Lunch, that is...I'll see you wonderful women next weekend!

Robyn, thank you for the comedy hour live interpretation of your "Patient Scrap"! It was hilarious!

xo

September 4, 2006

Notice the New Look

Hi all! Just wanted to post and say "I've got a new look". NO - not a new look for myself, although the picture above is mighty fine - I think I was ten and I thought I was "ALL THAT". But as you can see around you - I've been into the color pots...

No, unlike the other gals I blog with, who have super snazzy new looks (Robyn and Jamie and Donna) - I decided to just change my template through Blogger. Now, this is primarily because I knew that if I did what they did, I would lose my previous posts. Or so I think? And I don't want that...so I just decided to pick another template. Well, it appeared I would lose everything that way too...stupid blogger...hmph!

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I thought I would get smart and try to decode the HTML and learn how to change it myself. Now what you are seeing is hours of work, i.e. me trying to figure it out. However, it's not completely done - I'm still trying to work a few kinks out, but I've almost got it. Anyone viewing this site through FireFox (which by the way was a God-send when blogger would no longer let me post pics - it's free, easy, and I never had another problem uploading!) will be able to see the best version, but if you're just viewing through plain ol' Explorer, it may appear a little rough...

Anyway, it totally suits my color palate, because it's been raining all day here (FINALLY!!) and I'm in the mood for Fall. I thought these colors and changes to the font would make me happy - and they do - so here we are!

Hope you like it, I know I do!

September 2, 2006

Challenge Accepted:

OK, I will try to get out of my dull-drums...

Erin, I accept your challenge and here are my results:


Ok - 1. Above is my very first shin-dig, which was when my parents and a bunch of their friends hired six stretched white limos and we went to an amazing dinner and the ballet. It was Christmas, so of course we went to see the Nutcracker, and it was amazing. Even better was that my heartthrob crush, Paul, came as my "date". Now people, I was only thirteen...but I was so innocent - just ask my mom, and I was so thrilled to go with him. Several of the "kids" of these adults, myself included, brought dates and we all rode in one limo by ourselves. I was the youngest, mind you. Most of the kids were highschool. But talk about a night to remember. As far as young love went, this night was a cake topper. Incredible down to the last detail!
(Thank you Dad for such an amazing memory and for always doing things "BIG"!)

2. Above I am now 16 and a Junior in highschool and this is my date Denny, who is now an MD (go Denny!) I think it's his Junior Prom...no, scratch that...maybe it was Homecoming? I can't remember. My mom loves this dress. I do too, I guess. What I really can't remember is ever fitting in anything that small! And that hair...don't say I didn't warn you about my early nineties wall of hair!

3. Ok, now I remember. This above must have been Homecoming, because this is my Junior Prom. I did not wear a fancy schmancy because I went to private school and we didn't have dances, we had "Banquets". LAME! Anyway, I'm 16 and this is Korey, who I had the biggest, fattest crush on. He didn't even go to my school, but to my church. I don't even know how I got the courage to ask him to come? Wish I could remember...I hate getting old!

4. Last but not least, Senior Ball - which was also a banquet...what a rip-off! I loved my school, but this is one thing I would change. Do you recognize my date? Come on people, it's only been like 2 minutes since you last saw him! That's right...my childhood 1st love returned to escort me to my Senior Ball...what a guy! Actually, Paul and I remained very close throughout my highschool years and were together off and on for about five. Finally in our 20's we decided to fish or cut bait...being that I'm married to Anton, I guess I don't have to tell you what we decided. Interestingly enough, his mother passed away a few years back, and I went to the funeral. I'd spent so much time with their family, that his mother was like a second mom to me. When I was at the wake following the service, her twin sister approached me and said "you're Christie, aren't you? I just want you to know that you were the daughter she always wanted and she loved you like a daughter til the day she died." Sniffle, sniffle!!


OK - READY FOR MY RETALIATION CHALLENGE - ERIN, KELLEY, ROBYN, SHELLI, VALERIE, JAMIE and anyone else....time to show us what you looked like in those old school pics...come on, don't be shy. I'll go first, of course...

1. Here I am above, adorable if I do say so myself. I am seven and in 2nd grade. The year is 1981. Man, I'm cute!
This is an all time favorite because you gotta love the split screen picture. How 80's can you get? This is 4th grade and the year is 1983. I was 9 years old. Loved that sweatshirt!!

3. Ok, jumping ahead, or we'll be here all day - this is my Sophomore year of highschool. The year is 1988 and I am 15 years old. I am smiling just like my Dad here. He smiles so big that his eyes become hard to see, like little slits. I do that too sometimes...



4. And last but not least, TADA, VAVAVA-VOOM...HERE SHE IS.....MISS AMERICA....
Ok, well, that's what I thought at the time, and apparently my parents did too, because they got the jumbo version and planted it above the fireplace for all to see. I mean...the JUMBO version. In this beautiful frame and a light over it...so 90's. This is my Senior Portrait, the year is 1992 and I am 17 years old. The interesting thing, aside from the never-ending wall of hair still present, is that I should have put out a disclaimer when handing these out to my fellow male classmates - I don't know - something like "Warning: Parental Discretion is Advised". Can you believe that cleavage?!? In highschool!?! The truth is, I totally used it...not like that...I mean the picture. I only handed this one out to all the cute boys...it was my little way of saying "hurrah" to all the jerks who ignored me. Ahhhh, to be young again...scratch that...I think I'll stay put...they don't make enough hairspray for me to maintain that hairdo!

BATTER UP GIRLS!