Happy Anniversary

16 years ago today, I met a guy in a bar in Atlanta...

How we ended up so far from that spot is beyond me...

The most remarkable thing is that we have both survived it...

So far...

VOTE

Happy Election Day...

Go VOTE!

10 Months

It's easier, but I still miss her terribly :(

School Pictures

I like how my girls keep changing so much and get cuter every year! I decided to show this year's pics next to last year's so it would be easy to see the difference...I can't wait to see what they look like next year!

Savana:

7th Grade.................6th Grade

Brynna:

5th Grade..................4th Grade

The Ex List

I like this show.

I love the premise!

I think I am going to have to forbid myself to watch it anymore... :)

Four-Eyes

Brynna got her glasses in June and was horrified to find that I had not blogged about it! So sorry for the delay, sweetie, but better late than never!!

So, she's finally taken the final step toward complete nerd-hood!! I have never seen Brynna happier than the day she picked out her new glasses. She read every single sign and advertisement on the way home and she could not stop commenting on the trees. She looks absolutely adorable!!

He's Our Boy Now!!

I have been irritated following this whole Brett Favre scenario...why did he retire, why is he coming back, what does he want, what are the Packers thinking, why, why, why?! I was kinda' disgusted, to be honest. Now, all of a sudden, it's okay! I am happy that he's not done!

He's gonna be a JET!!!

He's headed to Jersey and we will embrace him with open arms!

We'll be kickin' some NFL butt!

As soon as Brett signs off on the deal...

Six Months

Popcorn & movie nights just aren't the same anymore!!

On The Straight And Narrow!

In the waiting room before Savana's eye surgery to correct strabismus, where we arrived an hour early because Savana was too anxious waiting at the house!

She had to have the IV inserted without any sedative beforehand. She was terrified but, like always, she braved it beautifully...with just a few tears!

You can't really tell by the picture but, at this point, she was starting to turn greenish-yellow and her lips were turning white. I thought the sedatives were beginning to work but the nurses laughed and told me there was nothing but saline in the IV. I immediately went and got my mom to help comfort her...Savana didn't complain, but she was going pale with fear!

The nurses reclined her so the blood would go back to her head and Nonna convinced her all would be well.

It's almost time...

I was not allowed to walk her to the O.R. this time so, even though she was terrified, she went off with the nurse! (This was the moment that almost killed me.) She didn't even look back once...she is seriously the bravest person I know!!

In the recovery area, almost ready to wake up. The first time she woke up she asked me, "Am I okay?" then passed back out after I told her she was great. She woke up, briefly, again and asked me, "Is the needle still there?" Even doped up, she was fretting about the I.V.!! The third time she awoke she asked, "Is Nonna coming?" (I was so glad that I was good enough for a short time!!) Nonna showed up 30 seconds later!

Later that night, starting to heal. Now we'll just have to deal with the drops that I have to put in her eyes...always an adventure with this kid!!

Off We Go!

We are in our way to New Jersey! First leg, a 40 minute

drive to Hollis where we will catch the ferry.

Next, a 3 hour boat ride to Ketchikan...

Walking to the mall in KTN for some McDonalds!

Lovin' our Happy Meals!

Waiting for the bus to take us to the airport because

the whiny babies won't walk it with me!

Another boat ride!

This one only takes about 3 minutes. We have to get

over to Gravina Island where the airport is located.

(This is the site of one of the 'bridges to nowhere'.)

Ketchikan International Airport! Big, huh?!

Our plane arrives!!

We are loaded up for the 90 minute flight to Seattle.

Resting up at the hotel before heading back to SeaTac!

4 1/2 hour flight to Newark...getting excited!!

Flying during the day when the weather is decent

allows for some cool views of our country!

We think this is Lake Superior...we are probably wrong!

Beautiful countryside...

Fuel Tanks & smoke stacks...must be getting close!!

A bridge...Goethels, I think...!!

Lower Manhattan!!

35 hours after we left home...

NONNA!!!!

Resting up at a scenic overlook in the Garden State!

So good to be back...

Five Months, Still Painful

Any time now, the ache will start to ease...right?!

How can I miss a damn dog so much?

There Be Whales Here, Captain

The absolute best part of my fishing trip was getting pictures of whales. Here are my best shots:

I hate to brag but, WOW!!

I Caught My First Fish!

For my birthday, my friends Nani & Scott invited me out to their fishing lodge, El Capitan Lodge, for a day of fun-filled fishing! I have lived on this island for 14 years and have never been out fishing. Apparently, that is a degree of sin! I had a fantastic time and, if you like fishing, I recommend you check out their website and come on up!! http://elcapitanlodge.com/index.html

As you can see by the smile on my face, I have no

clue how tiring it is to spend 8 hours on a boat!

Of course, we had gorgeous weather for our expedition...NOT!

(To be honest, it cleared up at noon but that's not as good for the story!)

I can't even begin to tell you how exciting it is to
stand in the back of a boat and wait for a fish!

I am luckier than most, I have a way cute fishing buddy

(who hardly got aggravated with me at all!).

I caught my first fish!! It wasn't an edible fish,

but I was still very proud!

I caught 3 of these blackies and we had them for

dinner on my birthday. They were yummy!!

Beautiful, Stylish Girls!

Yesterday I thought my girls were as beautiful as they could be...boy, was I wrong! They both got haircuts today and they are even more gorgeous than they were before!

I need to say a quick thanks to Debra for being so patient with my camera and my attempts at humor...she was a great sport and still managed to give them beautiful cuts!

Savana's Haircut