Karin posted this. heartbreaking.

this time last year....

 Aaron, my mom and I were hanging on  corners in Venice

Aaron was playing a sort of hopscotch game

Aaron was so inspired he was drawing everywhere (he was leaning his pad of paper against that wall)

Here are some images from Karin's 30th b'day party. We had to drive back to Maine before the party got going but we had a great time.

This is interesting.  Go to the links right above the map to see what the results were in past years. 

I have been a lousy blogger lately.  sorry.  

Chris and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary, went out to our favorite restaurant, The Green Elephant,  then to watch the debate in a bar.  I know that sounds goofy but it was really fun.  

other big birthday news...  Ziggy turned 3 yesterday !! 

Happy Birthday little Z

From the MANITOBA HERALD, Canada


A flood of American liberals sneaking across the border into Canada has intensified in the past week, sparking calls for increased patrols to stop the illegal immigration. The possibility of a McCain/Palin election is prompting the exodus among left-leaning citizens who fear they'll soon be required to hunt, pray, and agree with Bill O'Reilly.

Canadian border farmers say it's not uncommon to see dozens of sociology professors, animal rights activists and Unitarians crossing their fields at night."

I went out to milk the cows the other day, and there was a Hollywood producer huddled in the barn," said Manitoba farmer Red Greenfield, whose acreage borders North Dakota . The producer was cold, exhausted and hungry. He asked me if I could spare a latte and some free-range chicken. When I said I didn't have any, he left. Didn't even get a chance to show him my screenplay, eh?

In an effort to stop the illegal aliens, Greenfield erected higher fences, but the liberals scaled them. So he tried installing speakers that blare Rush Limbaugh across the fields. "Not real effective," he said. "The liberals still got through, and Rush annoyed the cows so much they wouldn't give milk."

Officials are particularly concerned about smugglers who meet liberals near the Canadian border, pack them into Volvo station wagons, drive them across the border and leave them to fend for themselves. "A lot of these people are not prepared for rugged conditions," an Ontario border patrolman said. "I found one carload without a drop of drinking water. "They did have a nice little Napa Valley cabernet, though."

When liberals are caught, they're sent back across the border, often wailing loudly that they fear retribution from conservatives. Rumors have been circulating about the McCain administration establishing re-education camps in which liberals will be forced to shoot wolves from airplanes, deny evolution, and act out drills preparing them for the Rapture.

In recent days, liberals have turned to sometimes-ingenious ways of crossing the border. Some have taken to posing as senior citizens on bus trips to buy cheap Canadian prescription drugs. After catching a half-dozen young vegans disguised in powdered wigs, Canadian immigration authorities began stopping buses and quizzing the supposed senior-citizen passengers on Perry Como and Rosemary Clooney hits to prove they were alive in the '50s."

If they can't identify the accordion player on The Lawrence Welk Show, we get suspicious about their age," an official said.Canadian citizens have complained that the illegal immigrants are creating an organic-broccoli shortage and renting all the good Susan Sarandon movies."I feel sorry for American liberals, but the Canadian economy just can't support them," an Ottawa resident said.

"How many art-history and English majors does one country need, Eh?

an election game

how many stereotypes can you find?

ouch

Happy Birthday Karin!!!!

30

I think that Karin turning 30 is stranger than even Max being 15. I really liked my 30's. It was a good time. Like Good Times.

Totally unrelated but I'm thinking of the theme to Good Times. Here are the lyrics. Sing along with me. To Karin... A new tradition... when you turn 30, people sing you Good Times instead of happy Birthday. 

raffle anyone?

Ari and G are selling raffle tickets. They are $5 a piece or 3 for $10.00. The prizes....

first

- 37" flat screen HD TV

second

- a Wii

third

- an ipod nano

let  me know if you are interested. 

I want to miss the rain

Aidan reminded me this morning about how when he was a little and wanted something to go away, he would tell me that he wanted to miss it. Remembering that along with the fact he woudl proudly tell me naughty things he did not do,  like pee on the curtains make me think  he has a very funny brain. 

We are having a lazy rain day.  zzzzzz........

Something to keep in mind.

finally....

I finally watched the Sex and The City movie. Really liked it. I was surprised since i heard such  tepid reviews from people... maybe my expectations were lowered.  How the relationships ended  seemed right.  Not perfect... but real. 

I want to watch again. 

On another exciting note... Liz lent me a sewing machine. And taught me how to use it. I am thinking I want to make a skirt and duvet covers. I wish I time to start on things right now. Thanks Liz!!

Max finds this and this to be highly amusing. I agree. 

look what  karin is doing!

funny faces

Need I say more....

Last night Max and I went to his open house. I am so very happy he is at PHS. So impressed by the teachers, principal, atmosphere.  Also, he was very helpful... there were so many stairs to climb. ouch. I ended up taking a painkillers before the walk home.  I took drugs in school. 

I am really wanting to make a skirt. by hand. Last time I attempted such a feat Chris ended up with a lopsided pillowcase. I am determined to try though. This is inspired by all those design shows I watched this weekend. Now I must figure out how. 

What a weekend.

My surgery went well. painful but got lot's of help. THANK YOU MOM!!  I think you made a great football grandma. 

Max... not much to say about his shoulder besides he is in pain. On Wednesday he will see an orthopedic specialist. hoping he will not need surgery. 

I think I may have watched more tv during these past 2 days than I have in months. Lot's of project runway, top design and even a lifetime movie about CoCo Chanel. Some movies too. I forget though. Mom? oh... Aidan and I watched The Shining on Friday night. such a good scary movie. 

some pretty crazy stuff going on in the political arena. I am a bit worn down on that front. not sure if I can make it until the election. Did see Tina Fey as Palin. how perfect was that? 

my boy

Aidan is 13 today. 

Yesterday he warned us that as of today, he would become incredibly difficult. and know everything. 

I'll keep ya posted on this but thus far... he is as sweet as ever. 

Here he is

Noah Asher!!