Wordless Monday...

Pre-digital camera, pre-home remodel, pre-housecleaner, circa 2003
What could Oprah possibly be saying to my girls?

The winner receives recognition on my blog! Sorry, no prize this time. I still haven't personally delivered the Target Gift Card to my friend Jin who is the winner of last week's contest. Congratulations Jin! Your story was brutally honest and funny, now that's what I call a real winner.

Believe

I've been putting off this post for 2 days now b/c I didn't really want to type the words.
Kevin (vman) passed away on Thursday at about 8:30 am Eastern time.
Here are the 3 pics I took of him last year when we met. In case you have not been following my blog for that long, let me explain how we became friends and how we came to meet.
It started when I saw Kevin's first post on the Colon Club. I left a comment on his blog, Hey just noticed we are the same age and diagnosed the same week with Stage III Colon Cancer. Just wanted to say hi. From there, our friendship really took off. Unfortunately, our cancer journeys were not destined to be similiar. Kevin's surgery wound did not heal and chemo was delayed by several months. In that time, his cancer spread.
Last year, as my cancer journey was coming to a close, Scott told me to pick a vacation spot anywhere (well, let's clarify that; anywhere on American Soil that was warm and within driving distance, so yeah, basically anywhere you want, Michele). I have always wanted to visit the Outer Banks so that's what I chose. When I told Kevin where we were going, he told me we would be passing right by his house on the way to the Outer Banks. So we made plans to stop by.
Scott agreed to this, b/c let's face it, he was spoiling me rotten at that time.
It was an amazing visit. We could have all talked for hours. Unfortunately, the kids were tired and we didn't get to stay long.
So here are the pics I took. Kevin was a little embarrassed that he had the chemo bag strapped on but I didn't care. Emily loved sitting on the bike. That's Caroline the Duck on the bike, we took her with us and posed her on all the tourist spots. That's Kevin's wife Brenda in the last pic, on the left.

Kevin always signed his emails and posts with "Believe". He believed he would be healed here on Earth, but he knew that if that didn't happen, he would receive healing in Heaven.

What do I believe? I believe he is up There right now, riding his bike. Oh, he loved riding! It was really hard for him in the last several months to be unable to ride. I remember when I saw those 3 bikes in his garage, I gasped at their beauty. (He had 3, and I think they were unofficially labeled, His, Hers and His).

I believe Kevin was up There laughing yesterday when I FINALLY won a radio contest and my prize was a free rental at a hall, which I have now decided I will use to host a fundraiser/party to benefit Colon Cancer in some form. When I won, my first thought was This is Divine Intervention. Then I knew it must be Kevin. Let's face it, I've been trying to win something on the radio for YEARS. About 7:30 am Central time, I win BIG. That's exactly 24 hours after he passed away.

I am so Thankful that I met Kevin, both online and in person. He was a true friend. I believe we will meet again someday.

Ride like the wind, vman. You will be greatly missed.

Love,

Michele

Here is Kevin's online obituary

http://westfamilyfuneralservices.com/obituaries.php?page=0&op=view&id=310

Take the Bull by the Horns

If you read this post, you probably have an idea about how marriage works in our household. You could say we've got a good thing goin'. But sometimes this happens...

You might be surprised to know what causes us to lock horns. I'm not talking about fighting over money (or the lack thereof), fighting over division of household chores, or anything as simple as how to discipline the kids. Not us! Our horns lock up when our kids get sick. That's right. The first sign of a sick kid and the horns begin to protrude from our head and we begin stomping and snorting. The issue? Who will stay home with the sick kid.
There's no Policy & Procedure Manual for who stays home. We both begin to rapidly list all the things we have to do at work, how hard it will be to miss, how we will have to rearrange things, the list goes on and on between us. It really comes down to this- Whose job is more important? Some days, my job is more important. Other days, especially in the spring, Scott's job is way more important. But sometimes we have to lock our horns and see who comes out a winner.
Sometimes it's just a matter of logistics. If you are a parent in a multi-child home, here's how the conversation goes: Ok, you take ___, I'll take___, I'll pick ___ up at ___, then come home at ___, and then you can ___ and then I'll ___ until 5 and then you can ___ until 7. Sound familiar?
Now it's your turn to tell me something that causes you to lock horns with someone. It could be your spouse, your child or maybe your own parent! I'll pick the most creative answer and the winner gets a $10 Target gift card!
I can't wait to see your answers!

I did NOT...

I do NOT suspect Megan is faking illness to get out of school. She would NEVER do that. Not my daughter. She did not talk cheerfully on the phone to me and then when I asked how she was feeling, her voice did NOT suddenly deteriorate. She did NOT send me a text that said "Can I have chocolate. It might make my chest feel better".

I did NOT sneak over to Kohls today to see the clearance racks. Upon seeing a cute sweater on clearance for $4, I did not buy 1 in every color- gray, black, brown, green, purple and blue.

Never in a million years would I bribe Emily with french fries. Especially when we had an important meeting at the bank. She did NOT sit on the floor of the bank office, eating fries and suckers. She did NOT take the sucker stick and announce in a sultry voice, "I'm smoking". That would be way too embarrassing.

I did NOT win this plastic goat from my friend Stephanie Saturday night. That would never happen b/c who would buy a plastic goat for a party favor?And who would announce that all the party favors were new except one, and that one was an item she no longer wanted. NOT my friend Stephanie!

Please tell me what you have NOT done lately, just so I'll feel better!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to my parents! 44 years of wedded bliss! Congratulations!

Love,

Michele

Fish Tales

My worst nightmare come true...murder by exercise. Did you see this story?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29791289/from/ET/?gt1=43001
I always knew exercise was dangerous...that's why I've been avoiding it for years.

Here is Emily begging for a pet fish this week....
Here I am, telling her no a thousand times... (before you feel sorry for Emily, please remember we own 5 cats, 1 dog and a lizard)

Picture us at someone's office. Emily says Mommy look at that beautiful fish tank. In fact, it was beautiful and I oohed and awed over it.

Picture Emily saying "Mommy just think of all the positive things that can happen when you own a fish".

I'll be making a trip to Petco this week.

My kids aren't spoiled.

NOT mine.

A Letter to My Beloved Nephew.

Dearest Declan,

In just a few short hours, it will be March 19th, a date that will be forever marked in our hearts as the day you were born.

I will never forget how scared we all were that day, knowing it would take a miracle for you to survive your birth. We got that miracle and for 65 days we all clung to the hope that you would receive complete healing.

I remember Day 64, the moment your mommy called me to say things were bad. I remember Day 65, when we arrived at Children's Mercy and we all realized just how bad things were. Your mommy and daddy were so gracious to let us spend some of those last precious hours with you. I am so grateful that I was able to hold you and tell you how much you were loved. I kissed you and looked at all your tiny fingers and toes. You were so beautiful!

Do you know that I think of you every single day? So many things remind me of you! Every time I hold a baby at work, every time I see a little onesie in the store, every time I hear the word "preemie", I always think of you.

If there is one thing you should know, it is this: You are so loved and your legacy will live forever in the hearts of all who were blessed to know you. You will always be our beloved baby Declan.

Tomorrow we will all quietly celebrate your birthday in our own special ways. Look for some balloons tomorrow afternoon, as we send them up to you. The girls and I will write a special message on each one.

Happy Birthday Declan.

Aunt Mickey Loves You.

Fortune Cookies

Scott and I keep the Chinese food industry in business. We love Chinese! Our local favorite is Chan's but we really love Happy China in St. Louis.
Ok, you know I'm not really writing a post about Chinese food. Because there's something else I love about Chinese food...
The fortune cookies!
Over the years, I've collected some very interesting fortunes. Tucked away in a scrapbook, alongside pictures of the great remodel of '06, is a fortune that says "Home remodeling is in your future". I would have dug it out and taken a picture but unfortunately, d/t our current remodeling project, it is unaccessible.

This one is my favorite. Scott and I were just married and I was thinking of quitting my job. I wanted to be settled in my life but I knew I was a long way off from that. But reading this fortune gave me great comfort...

(I did quit my job by the way and soon after, the company went bankrupt.)

Scott got this one but I like to pretend it was mine...

After all, we've both been very successful in our businesses. I own mine and he owns his. Imagine the laughter we had last week when my fortune said I would soon receive a great promotion at work! For that to happen, I would have to promote myself!

Imagine Scott's delight when he got this one last week...

Now it is your turn to tell me your fortune cookie story. Do you save the good ones? Have any come true? Any funny ones? Do tell!

Finally, tell me what your fortune would have said on the day you were born...get creative... and have fun!

Shawndra Turner

Shawndra Turner passed away today.
http://shawndraturner.blogspot.com

Welcome to the Green Green Grass of Home!

Welcome to my new blog! I will continue to make some changes in the next few weeks but I wanted to introduce the new title. I decided to borrow Porter Wagoner's song for the title since Scott is a landscaper.

*As we speak, my blog is currently being reviewed to determine if it is "Family Friendly". I hope it gets chosen! I think they use some type of software program to scan for bad language, etc.

If you have your own blog, send me the link so I can read it and put it on my blogroll. And don't forget to reset the Favorites button or reset your own blogroll list, so it will reflect my new title. Thanks!

Love,
Michele

A Few Things I Think Are Just Snazzy...

Welcome to another list of a Few Things I Think Are Just Snazzy...

1. Trader Joe's If you haven't been, you should check it out. I can't live without this store! What is Trader Joe's? It's hard to explain but it's a grocery store with lots of healthy foods, organic foods, unique items, etc. It's biggest claim to fame- the low prices. When we take the girls, they busy themselves searching for the hidden squirrel in the store and when they find it, they get a free (healthy) treat. Click on the link to find the stores located near you.

2. Dr. Oz book "You on a Diet" I have never read a diet book in my life. I bought this one b/c it was on clearance. I read it last week and it has changed what I know about food. I learned so much, I urge you to read it. My sister Linda wants me to bring it when I go visit but I don't know if she can tear it away from my hands.

3. Cafepress You can find millions of t-shirts on this site, with just about anything on them. You can type in your job, your political views, your sport, whatever you want, and get thousands of options for design, color, print. Sometimes when I'm bored, I just browse. I have ordered several times and I love their shirts.

4. Listverse My brother-in-law Randy introduced me to this site. It's so much fun to read! Nothing but lists. You know, like the 10 most bizarre inventions, 10 worst products ever made, etc. I am hooked!

Now it's your turn, tell me what you think is just snazzy!

Weekend Getaway...

Can you guess what I'm smiling about?

You'd be smiling too if you were on a 2 day getaway with your husband in Kansas City!

He's smiling too, b/c he had fun visiting the place he grew up. OK, he didn't exactly grow up here, at the top of the World War I memorial, but he did spend most of his childhood living in Kansas City.

For 14 years, I've been hearing about how great Minsky's pizza tastes. Now I understand why he loved it so much. It's delicious!

But what could be better than chocolate that costs $34.99/lb? We splurged and bought 2 pieces!

This was the grandaddy of the whole weekend- Jack Stack's BBQ. Look at the size of that rib!

This is how I felt when we left- like a pig!

A great big THANKS goes out to Kasey, who stayed with the girls while we were gone.

It was the best 48 hours we've had in a long time.

Love,

Michele

I did NOT...

This is NOT my 2nd "did not" post in less than a week...there are never that many crazy things that happen to me...
Megan did NOT tell me she needed a new notebook for school and when I said we have lots of those nickel notebooks from Walmart, she did NOT tell me that her pencils would not write in those cheap notebooks, that the words would not show up on the paper and the whole notebook would literally fall apart within days b/c it did not have a fancy cover on it. My daughter is NOT that spoiled.
I did NOT sit at a stoplight this afternoon and watch a man put his SUV in park and then smack the heck out of his kids in the backseat. I am glad I've never done that!
I did NOT find an awesome salvage grocery store yesterday in Marble Hill. My heart did NOT skip a beat when I spied the bargains.
And finally, today when I went to work, I went in a home and said to the Dad of the house, Hey, were you home when your neighbors house burned. He did NOT say to me with a mouth full of chewing tobacco, Heck yeah I was home, I was poopin' when it happened!