Today I lost the truest & dearest friend I've ever had...Coti, thank you for 15 years and 3 months of joy and love...I will feel your presence and your absence forever!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Oh, Christmas Tree...
For those of you who don't know Van, here's an important piece of info...he is the master when it comes to picking out a Christmas tree! This is wonderful in the long-run. However, it can be tedious for us girls during the loooong process of finding the perfect tree. (There are zillions of trees to choose from!)
Daddy, what about this one? No? Okay...moving on!
We are not actually allowed to talk to him during this undertaking.Well, we talk, but he doesn't listen or acknowledge us!
Hey, we found a way to entertain ourselves while Daddy hikes 17 miles to find the tree. Winter Olympics, here we come!
At least the scenery is beautiful!
I do believe his radar has finally gone off...
Yes, folks, we have a winner!!!
Hauling home his prize...
It didn't look this big before we cut it down!
Max likes it, what more do you need?!
Hanging our beloved ornaments...it's even more rewarding because the poor tree stood undecorated in our house for a week! (Mommy just wasn't ready yet.)
Ververs family teamwork = work of Christmas art!!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
These Babies Smell Danger!
What's that lady doing talking to us? Maybe we should run away!
Or, maybe we should check her out, instead!!
He's so nervous with me around that he just can't relax at all!! 
Okay, you are boring so we're outta' here!
I hope these gorgeous babies learn to be afraid of wierdos like me before they grow antlers!
Or, maybe we should check her out, instead!!
He's so nervous with me around that he just can't relax at all!! 
Okay, you are boring so we're outta' here!
I hope these gorgeous babies learn to be afraid of wierdos like me before they grow antlers!Saturday, September 01, 2007
Best Damn Saturday in a LONG Time!!
HEADLINES THAT MADE ME SMILE TODAY:
Ohio St. opens with rout of Youngstown St.
No. 16 Rutgers cruises 38-3 (Okay, this was from Thursday, but it still counts!)
Tigers back up No. 2 ranking with 45-0 victory over Bulldogs (LSU played this game on Thursday which Van refused to watch because the brilliant Tigers were making the game 'boring'...he's a party pooper!)
Buffs rally to take OT win Colorado opened the 2007 college football season with a thrilling 31-28 overtime win over Colorado State in today's Rocky Mountain Showdown
Kaheaku-Enhada helps Navy to win in opener: Midshipmen drop Temple 30-19 in Philly (All 3 Ververs' boys have a happy Saturday in September!!)
And the #1 Headline of the Day:
No. 5 Michigan stunned by Appalachian State!!!
(They go on to say, "It was supposed to be a cakewalk. Instead, I-AA Appalachian State stunned Michigan in one of the biggest upsets of all time.)
--I just can't stop smiling :)
Ohio St. opens with rout of Youngstown St.
No. 16 Rutgers cruises 38-3 (Okay, this was from Thursday, but it still counts!)
Tigers back up No. 2 ranking with 45-0 victory over Bulldogs (LSU played this game on Thursday which Van refused to watch because the brilliant Tigers were making the game 'boring'...he's a party pooper!)
Buffs rally to take OT win Colorado opened the 2007 college football season with a thrilling 31-28 overtime win over Colorado State in today's Rocky Mountain Showdown
Kaheaku-Enhada helps Navy to win in opener: Midshipmen drop Temple 30-19 in Philly (All 3 Ververs' boys have a happy Saturday in September!!)
And the #1 Headline of the Day:
No. 5 Michigan stunned by Appalachian State!!!
(They go on to say, "It was supposed to be a cakewalk. Instead, I-AA Appalachian State stunned Michigan in one of the biggest upsets of all time.)
--I just can't stop smiling :)
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Middle School!
Savana again impressed me beyond words! I've said it before and, I'm sure, I'll say it many more times in the future: she is truly the bravest person I know. She faces down dragons on a weekly basis and never wavers in her stance.
This week's challenge? Middle School Orientation! She is switching schools this year and heading into the unknown. It's a bigger school with new classmates, teachers, and choices. She's been at the same school, with the same group of kids, since Kindergarten. She now leaves that all behind and starts anew!
Orientation started out intimidating and escalated! The first task...opening her 1st locker! It didn't go well. Luckily, it didn't go much better for most of the other kids, either. She was allowed to bring the lock home with her and had mastered that bad-boy by bedtime!
Next, picking an elective. She had to decide, in under one hour, whether or not to take band. It was a big decision. If she wanted to take band at all in the next 7 years, she had to take it now. If you miss 6th Grade Band, we were told, it's extremely difficult to catch up later. Poor kid is still intimidated by the whole music process. Unfortunately, her Mom and several teachers were telling her that she should take band but she was leaning more toward swimming.
I went to talk to the music teacher and Savana sat in the bleachers trying to keep it together and not cry. She was mostly successful, with just a few tears escaping and sliding down her cheek! What a sweetie!! I really felt it was important for her to give band a try. Afterall, she could always try something different next year if she couldn't keep up! So, I cheated!!
I sat down next to my brave soldier and threw the biggest stick I could think of: traveling without Mommy! I told her that, if she stayed with band, she'd get a chance in High School to travel to Juneau (or other places) with the band and without me! She cocked her head and gave me that 'yeah, right' look (the one that says she knows I'll chaperone if there is any possibility) and gave me a little smile!
She took the pen from my hand and circled band on the elective sheet! Another dragon goes *poof*!! Now we'll just cross our fingers and hope it's not a disaster!
I can't wait to watch this clarinet slayer blossom :)
This week's challenge? Middle School Orientation! She is switching schools this year and heading into the unknown. It's a bigger school with new classmates, teachers, and choices. She's been at the same school, with the same group of kids, since Kindergarten. She now leaves that all behind and starts anew!
Orientation started out intimidating and escalated! The first task...opening her 1st locker! It didn't go well. Luckily, it didn't go much better for most of the other kids, either. She was allowed to bring the lock home with her and had mastered that bad-boy by bedtime!
Next, picking an elective. She had to decide, in under one hour, whether or not to take band. It was a big decision. If she wanted to take band at all in the next 7 years, she had to take it now. If you miss 6th Grade Band, we were told, it's extremely difficult to catch up later. Poor kid is still intimidated by the whole music process. Unfortunately, her Mom and several teachers were telling her that she should take band but she was leaning more toward swimming.
I went to talk to the music teacher and Savana sat in the bleachers trying to keep it together and not cry. She was mostly successful, with just a few tears escaping and sliding down her cheek! What a sweetie!! I really felt it was important for her to give band a try. Afterall, she could always try something different next year if she couldn't keep up! So, I cheated!!
I sat down next to my brave soldier and threw the biggest stick I could think of: traveling without Mommy! I told her that, if she stayed with band, she'd get a chance in High School to travel to Juneau (or other places) with the band and without me! She cocked her head and gave me that 'yeah, right' look (the one that says she knows I'll chaperone if there is any possibility) and gave me a little smile!
She took the pen from my hand and circled band on the elective sheet! Another dragon goes *poof*!! Now we'll just cross our fingers and hope it's not a disaster!
I can't wait to watch this clarinet slayer blossom :)
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Deadliest Catch Story
How cool is this?! The crab boat Northwestern from Discovery Channel's show Deadliest Catch was docked in Craig today so we headed down to take a look. They were very accommodating to those of us who wanted to gawk for a bit. However, their insurance guys will be pleased to know, they refused to allow us on the boat to take a picture!
We got to meet Matt Bradley and Edgar Hansen. They were extremely nice, very friendly, and (as you can tell by the picture in which they stole Savana & Brynna's sunglasses) a lot of fun!
How cool are Edgar & Matt...they took the girls' sunglasses and wore them for the pictures!!
As I told them, everyone down south always wants to know if I have a Deadliest Catch story...now I do!
We got to meet Matt Bradley and Edgar Hansen. They were extremely nice, very friendly, and (as you can tell by the picture in which they stole Savana & Brynna's sunglasses) a lot of fun!
How cool are Edgar & Matt...they took the girls' sunglasses and wore them for the pictures!!
As I told them, everyone down south always wants to know if I have a Deadliest Catch story...now I do!You can check them out at http://www.fvnorthwestern.com/ .
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
My New Dream Car
Well, the girls and I are home in Alaska...happily soaking up the rain and clouds! Don't get me wrong, I miss my family terribly but I was sick and tired of 90 degree days in the sun and fun! (Not that I would actually leave the cool air-conditioned house on those yucky days...do I look like a beach bunny?!)Anyway, I tried to convince Van that we could afford this beautiful Lotus but he is SUCH the party pooper. "Where would you drive it? Gas is $3.80 a gallon! It's not a good family car." So on and so on...what a pessimist (or, as he says, realist)!!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
Fulfilled & Complete
It took FOUR weeks, but we finally made it into the city (New York City). I feel whole again!! Pictures later...
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Fallen Firefighters
Bryce Donovan has (in my mind) recently earned himself the title "Sabrina's favorite columnist" and I'm sure he's tickled pink! He is very funny and has filled a void in my life since Dave Barry retired. His columns usually make me laugh but this one made me feel something deeper, a sadness tinged with gratefulness. It's about the firefighters who died last week fighting a fire in South Carolina. I hope everyone gets a chance to read it:
http://web.charleston.net/news/2007/jun/21/real_american_heroes/
Real American heroes
By Bryce Donovan (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Thursday, June 21, 2007
The nine courageous men who died Monday will not be forgotten
Sometimes it's easy to forget how lucky we are.
Most of us will get up in the morning, put on our clothes and go to work. Not once will we ever think about the possibility of not coming home. The possibility of not ever seeing our friends or family again. But when you're a firefighter, you know that any given day on the job could be your last.
On Tuesday, when I learned about the nine men who died heroically fighting the blaze at Sofa Super Store in West Ashley, I couldn't help but feel sad — and, to be perfectly honest, lucky.
Lucky in the way most people are ashamed to admit they feel after tragedy. That guilt-ridden sort of "thank God it wasn't me or any of my loved ones" way. But that wasn't the only reason. I also felt lucky because I was one of the privileged few who got to spend time with some of the men who went into that burning building Monday night to save the lives of complete strangers.
Every boy's dream
Over the years, I've gotten to do a lot of cool things for this job. Jump out of airplanes. Drive race cars. Fly helicopters. Heck, I even got to carry the Olympic torch once. But for one day in November 2002, with the tragedy of Sept. 11 still fresh in everyone's mind, I was granted access to do the one thing every little boy dreams of: I got to be a firefighter.
For more than three hours, I trained under the watchful eye of Battalion Chief Ricky Shriver. Everything about that guy screams firefighter. He's got the moustache, the leathery skin and the caring eyes that betray the tough-guy facade.
During my day as a probationary firefighter, Shriver walked me though firefighting basics: putting out small gas fires, performing tight-quarters rescues and even participating in a real live burn in the training facility's five-story building. In other words, for one day, I got to do what Shriver and other real firefighters do all the time.
Trial by fire
Most people have no idea what it's like to be close to, much less in the center of, a real fire.
At 50 feet away, your eyes begin to water. At 25 feet, your uniform starts to smolder. And inside 15 feet, you make a promise to yourself that you'll never skip another Sunday of church again.
Inside a burning building, smoke surrounds you. Visibility is minimal. And the ominous sounds of a structure fighting heat and gravity are haunting.
During our live burn exercise, we were told that somewhere on the bottom two floors were two "victims" — a parent and a child. It was up to us to rescue them. As I walked in the door, an air tank strapped to my back and protective helmet pulled down low, I felt the rush of heat first, then the rush of knowing I had the ability to save the day. It was right at that moment that I got it. I understood why firefighters do this. To help others.
But in less than 15 minutes, everything changed. My air canister ran out, I panicked and right there at the bottom of the stairs, I cried for Shriver like a toddler lost in a mall. In less than five seconds, he had me out the door. Outside, I tore off my face mask and dropped to the ground, gasping for fresh air.
Meanwhile, inside the burning building, left to fend for himself and the two victims, was my partner.
True heroes
It takes a special kind of person to be a firefighter. You have to be strong. Tough. Fearless. But, above all, giving. Because on any given day, you could be asked to give your life in exchange for someone else's.
I can't even begin to imagine what was going through the minds of those men Monday night when the roof started to collapse on them. And I'm not going to pretend like I do. But the one thing I do know is that all those men — Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson, Capt. Mike Benke, Capt. Louis Mulkey, engineer Mark Kelsey, engineer Bradford "Brad" Baity, assistant engineer Michael "Frenchie" French, firefighter James "Earl" Allen Drayton, firefighter Brandon Thompson and firefighter Melvin Champaign — died heroically doing a job that they loved, saving people they didn't know.
Today, when we go home to our loved ones, we should take a moment to think about the ultimate sacrifice these men made.
And to remember just how lucky we are to have people like them looking out for us.
Bryce Donovan is a features columnist for The Post and Courier. Reach him at 937-5938 or bdonovan@postandcourier.com.
Thank you, Bryce, for letting me share this with my friends!
http://web.charleston.net/news/2007/jun/21/real_american_heroes/
Real American heroes
By Bryce Donovan (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Thursday, June 21, 2007
The nine courageous men who died Monday will not be forgotten
Sometimes it's easy to forget how lucky we are.
Most of us will get up in the morning, put on our clothes and go to work. Not once will we ever think about the possibility of not coming home. The possibility of not ever seeing our friends or family again. But when you're a firefighter, you know that any given day on the job could be your last.
On Tuesday, when I learned about the nine men who died heroically fighting the blaze at Sofa Super Store in West Ashley, I couldn't help but feel sad — and, to be perfectly honest, lucky.
Lucky in the way most people are ashamed to admit they feel after tragedy. That guilt-ridden sort of "thank God it wasn't me or any of my loved ones" way. But that wasn't the only reason. I also felt lucky because I was one of the privileged few who got to spend time with some of the men who went into that burning building Monday night to save the lives of complete strangers.
Every boy's dream
Over the years, I've gotten to do a lot of cool things for this job. Jump out of airplanes. Drive race cars. Fly helicopters. Heck, I even got to carry the Olympic torch once. But for one day in November 2002, with the tragedy of Sept. 11 still fresh in everyone's mind, I was granted access to do the one thing every little boy dreams of: I got to be a firefighter.
For more than three hours, I trained under the watchful eye of Battalion Chief Ricky Shriver. Everything about that guy screams firefighter. He's got the moustache, the leathery skin and the caring eyes that betray the tough-guy facade.
During my day as a probationary firefighter, Shriver walked me though firefighting basics: putting out small gas fires, performing tight-quarters rescues and even participating in a real live burn in the training facility's five-story building. In other words, for one day, I got to do what Shriver and other real firefighters do all the time.
Trial by fire
Most people have no idea what it's like to be close to, much less in the center of, a real fire.
At 50 feet away, your eyes begin to water. At 25 feet, your uniform starts to smolder. And inside 15 feet, you make a promise to yourself that you'll never skip another Sunday of church again.
Inside a burning building, smoke surrounds you. Visibility is minimal. And the ominous sounds of a structure fighting heat and gravity are haunting.
During our live burn exercise, we were told that somewhere on the bottom two floors were two "victims" — a parent and a child. It was up to us to rescue them. As I walked in the door, an air tank strapped to my back and protective helmet pulled down low, I felt the rush of heat first, then the rush of knowing I had the ability to save the day. It was right at that moment that I got it. I understood why firefighters do this. To help others.
But in less than 15 minutes, everything changed. My air canister ran out, I panicked and right there at the bottom of the stairs, I cried for Shriver like a toddler lost in a mall. In less than five seconds, he had me out the door. Outside, I tore off my face mask and dropped to the ground, gasping for fresh air.
Meanwhile, inside the burning building, left to fend for himself and the two victims, was my partner.
True heroes
It takes a special kind of person to be a firefighter. You have to be strong. Tough. Fearless. But, above all, giving. Because on any given day, you could be asked to give your life in exchange for someone else's.
I can't even begin to imagine what was going through the minds of those men Monday night when the roof started to collapse on them. And I'm not going to pretend like I do. But the one thing I do know is that all those men — Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson, Capt. Mike Benke, Capt. Louis Mulkey, engineer Mark Kelsey, engineer Bradford "Brad" Baity, assistant engineer Michael "Frenchie" French, firefighter James "Earl" Allen Drayton, firefighter Brandon Thompson and firefighter Melvin Champaign — died heroically doing a job that they loved, saving people they didn't know.
Today, when we go home to our loved ones, we should take a moment to think about the ultimate sacrifice these men made.
And to remember just how lucky we are to have people like them looking out for us.
Bryce Donovan is a features columnist for The Post and Courier. Reach him at 937-5938 or bdonovan@postandcourier.com.
Thank you, Bryce, for letting me share this with my friends!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
16 oz. Single Shot Sugar-Free Hazelnut
I miss my mochas! I had no idea how much I would miss the simple act of stopping in at JT Brown's and getting a cup of coffee. I miss Lynn and Kerry and even Lou! The people here at Starbucks don't care about Van, or my dog, or how the principal is treating me...they can't even make a decent mocha, as far as I can tell!
I truly have the best of both worlds in my life. I am here in the 'big city' enjoying the things that I can not access from home in Alaska and I get to go back to my 'small town' life where my friends and acquaintances really care how my day is going.
I will go home in 3 weeks and my first stop will be Lynn's store where I can sit on the stool and kibitz with her and my neighbors...and get a fabulous mocha!!
I truly have the best of both worlds in my life. I am here in the 'big city' enjoying the things that I can not access from home in Alaska and I get to go back to my 'small town' life where my friends and acquaintances really care how my day is going.
I will go home in 3 weeks and my first stop will be Lynn's store where I can sit on the stool and kibitz with her and my neighbors...and get a fabulous mocha!!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
What a Strange Bird!
One of the things I miss terribly in Alaska is squirrels. This one obviously thinks he's a bird and, therefore, entitled to eat out of the bird feeder on my Mom's deck! He actually chased a dove away before he started snacking.
How far can he lean without falling?! 
I love this picture. I can hear him saying, "What are you lookin' at?! 
How far can he lean without falling?! 
I love this picture. I can hear him saying, "What are you lookin' at?! 
Monday, June 18, 2007
Happy Anniversary!
This is what we looked like 14 years ago when we got married (this picture was taken at Van's brother's wedding...we actually got married in jeans!). I can't believe so much time has passed, it certainly doesn't seem like it's been 14 years. Well, not to me anyway!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The Garden State!
Most people associate New Jersey with the Turnpike and the Parkway, but there's a reason it's called the garden state! People take great pride in their flowers around here...my Mommy included!! Here are just a few pictures to show you the range of colors we see every day here:
Monday, June 11, 2007
The Best Ophthalmologist, Ever!
Savana had her check-up with Dr. Engel http://uceyecenter.com/ who happens to be the best darned eye doctor in the world, not to mention that he is one of the nicest men I have ever met! She has been going to him since she was 3 years old, she was just a baby when she first started sitting in this chair! We found out that she will have to have surgery on her eye next summer but she's not the least bit scared...she's my hero!
Brynna also had her eyes checked and we found out she is a tiny bit near-sighted, just like her mom! She doesn't need glasses yet, but we're hoping soon. She will be cute as a button in glasses. Plus, she thinks she'll look even smarter...my little nerd!!
Brynna also had her eyes checked and we found out she is a tiny bit near-sighted, just like her mom! She doesn't need glasses yet, but we're hoping soon. She will be cute as a button in glasses. Plus, she thinks she'll look even smarter...my little nerd!!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Torturing My Husband!
Yummy, yummy, yummy!!
For those of you who don't know, this is a Mongolian Barbecue place called J P Lee's. It is fantastic! When Savana was little, she used to call it "where the mans cook it" (there are usually two chefs manning the grill, hence the plural use of the word!). We actually still call it that, but not in public!
For those of you who don't know, this is a Mongolian Barbecue place called J P Lee's. It is fantastic! When Savana was little, she used to call it "where the mans cook it" (there are usually two chefs manning the grill, hence the plural use of the word!). We actually still call it that, but not in public!
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