Bode is Great!

I'm a bit tired of the Bode-bashing by the press.

He was getting all kinds of good press before the Olympics, but how the tune has changed! From a CBS article dated Jan. 8, 2006 (titled Golden Boy Bode Miller):

Right now, the 28-year-old is the reigning world champion because, last March, he won the World Cup title, the world series of skiing. He is the first American to do that in 22 years.

Bode Miller falls more than any other world champion. Last year, in the process of winning the World Cup, he fell or just didn’t finish a third of his races. And many of the falls are just blood curdling. But when he begins to lose it, don’t count him out. His recoveries can be beyond belief.

But now that he didn't win any medals they are calling him the biggest bust in Olympic history. The reporters seem bothered that Bode is not upset that he didn't win any medals. So what?! He is showing people that it isn't about the winning, it's about being a competitor.

From an article today in the San Francisco Chronicle:

"The expectations were other people's," the biggest bust in U.S. Olympic history said. "I'm comfortable with what I've accomplished, including at the Olympics. I came in here to race as hard as I could. That was my obligation to myself."

I like Bode's attitude, but I don't like the label the reporter gave him. He's been busting his butt in skiing for most of his life, why shouldn't he have a good time at the Olympics?

I was browsing the Bode Miller family pictures on the NBS website and look at the picture I found of him with his parents when he was a kid! Can you guess where this picture was taken?


They are on top of Bald Mountain overlooking Cannon Ski Area, just like Cranky and me in this picture:


Oh, you gotta love New Hampshire!

We're Back!

Bob on Wednesday, Feb 22nd:

Playing at my sister's house in Florida.



Bob today:

Back at home. A bit colder but we love the snow!



We're back from Florida and everyone had a great time. In fact, we were originally going to come home on Thursday but we decided to stay one more day. We didn't hit any of the tourist attractions this time. We just hung out, enjoyed the warm weather, went swimming and visited with my family.

We stayed at my mom's house in the Villages, a huge retirement community NW of Orlando. My sister and her husband have a house there also, although they are not really retired, they just love to golf.

As a bonus, I got to see my Aunt Jane and Uncle Jim. They live in CT but my aunt rents a condo in Daytona Beach every winter. Uncle Jim flies back and forth to visit, since he's not much of a Florida person. He's got to be one of the most understanding husbands I know in our family. My Aunt Jane is scared to fly, so he DRIVES her down to FL at the beginning of the winter and goes back down to get her at the end!

We had a cookout at my sister's house on Wednesday night. After dinner they gave me an early birthday cake since we will not see each other before next month when I turn the big 4-0. I had been trying not to think about that!

Today it started to snow just before lunchtime. Yippee! The forecast called for 3-7 inches but we had at least 8 inches by dinnertime and it's still snowing now at 10:30 pm! I hope it doesn't all melt before the next snowstorm!

Off to Florida!

We lost power Friday afternoon until late last night. What a pain in the ass!

The temperature this morning was 1 and with the wind chill factor it was -20. Uggh!

Tomorrow I am taking the kids to Florida for a few days. It's winter break and there is no snow. What's the point of being here? That's right, time to go swimming and hang out in shorts.

Grandma is excited we are coming.

Time to go pack!

Notsocranky+Hydocodone=Play Dough*

I surrendered to my cold and went to the doctor yesterday. I've had a nasty cough w/sore throat for over 2 weeks and I just couldn't take it anymore. No strep throat, but I have a sinus infection and the post-nasal drip has been making me cough. Anyway....the doctor prescribed antibiotics for the infection, and more importantly, an antihistimine with hydrocodone for the cough.

Ahhhhhh.....no coughing....peace at last....

The label on the bottle says:
may cause drowsiness (Yay, sleep!)
alcohol may intensify this effect (Aw, no beer with dinner)
use care when operating a car or dangerous machinery (No problem!)


Flashback #1**:

It's 1996 and we are living in Charleston SC. We have one kid, affectionately referred to as "the girl", formally known as Mary. She is spending most mornings at the daycare on Charleston Air Force Base while mom and dad work. I'm picking up Mary one day and the teacher tells me she loves the play dough they just made. What? You MAKE play dough? Cool! Can I have the recipe?

For those of you who have kids, are expecting kids, or if you ARE a kid, here is the recipe:

1 cup flour
1 cup cold water
1/2 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 tablespoon oil
food coloring

Mix ingredients in medium saucepan. Cook over med-high heat until it is too thick to stir. Remove from pan and knead dough while cooling.


Flashback #2:

It's 2002 and we live in Atlanta. We have 2 kids, "the girl" and "the boy", formally known as Raymond. Cranky and I are now free and clear of the military, working civilian jobs. Raymond goes to a preschool*** 2 mornings a week to play with other kids his age. The preschool teacher has instructed the parents to make the play dough for the class. The recipe is different than mine, and I hear some people are having trouble with it. I give them my recipe and voila! Play dough for all!


Today:

It's 2006 and we live in NH. We have 3 kids, "the girl", "the boy" and "the baby", formally known as Bob. I'm home sick from work and taking some good medicine. It's raining outside and the snow is almost gone. Bob has left the play doh (the store-bought kind) out to dry and the small amount left is an awful brown color. Seems like good time to make play dough.

This stuff is great. Unless you are into the Play-doh smell for nostalgic reasons, you will like this because it is pretty much odorless. It's also more pliable and long lasting. While it is edible, I'm sure your kids (or you) will not like the saltiness.**** Conveniently, one batch fits perfectly in one of those reusable ziplock containers (see picture above). I'm not sure of the official size, but the bottom says 1.75 cup or 14 oz.

Try it out, I think you will like it.

Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Presidents Day!*****


*I don't want the Play Doh people on my ass.
**One of my favorite pictures. I like it in B&W.
***In Atlanta it's called "Mother's morning out", but I thought of it as "Raymond's morning out" since I was flying quite a bit at the time
****Oops, Bob is eating the play dough! Maybe not as bad as I thought?
*****Did you know it is still officially known as Washington's Birthday?

You're My Best Friend

(On Bald Mtn overlooking Cannon Ski Area, Franconia Notch NH)


It's been awhile since I posted. I've been sick as a dog with a terrible cough, sore throat, and congested head. I'm supposed to be at work today but I was in no condition to leave on a 6-day trip this weekend. I didn't even leave the house for the last 3 days. But I got to be home for Valentines Day, which is a nice bonus.


My husband has never been a big fan of Valentines Day. He even boycotted it for a few years. Yes, I agree it's just a commercial ploy to get people to spend their hard-earned money. And since I'm not into diamonds or even jewelry for that matter, the ads on tv telling men to spend-spend-spend annoy me also.

But I still enjoy a nice card. Okay, maybe some candy too.

Today everybody in the family found some delicious treats on the kitchen table. The kids desperately wanted to eat them, but I stuck to my "not before lunch" rule. I found some chocolates, swedish fish, and those necco conversation hearts. Yippee!

The best thing though, was inside my V-day card - a CD with no writing on it. Intriguing.

Cranky put it into the DVD player and up popped the coolest Valentine ever. He had scanned a bunch of pictures from the past 13 years (those that were prior to our digital transformation) and along with some more current pix, put them to the song, "You're My Best Friend" by Queen. Here are the lyrics to that song:


Ooo. you make me live
whatever this world can give to me
It's you, you're all I see
Ooo, you make me live now honey
Ooo, you make me live
You're the best friend
that I ever had
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine
And I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
You're my best friend
Ooo, you make me live
I've been wandering round
But I still come back to you
In rain or shine
You've stood by me girl
I'm happy, happy at home
You're my best friend.
You're the first one
When things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love
The things that you do
You're my best friend
Ooo, you make me live.
I'm happy, happy at home
You're my best friend
You're my best friend
Ooo, you make me live
You, you're my best friend.

It was absolutely great! It's hard to believe how much we've been through during our marriage and he captured it very well in a mere 3 minutes.

I give Cranky an A+!

Have a great day!

100th Day of Kindergarten!

Today was Raymond's 100th day of kindergarten.

Guess how many stickers are on his picture. Did you say 100? You're correct!

He had a great day at school today. They decorated 100 cupcakes to enjoy and share with some other students. They even sang a little song to the elementary school secretary, Mrs. Chandler.

Mrs. Chandler is a wonderful lady. She has been at that school for many many years -- she was there 30 years ago when I was a student! Last year my daughter's 5th grade teacher was Mrs. Duke. Mrs. Duke was my 6th grade teacher in 1978. Pretty cool, huh?

We moved back to my hometown primarily for the school. It's one of the few small towns that isn't part of a regional school district. Everybody knows everybody, which is generally a good thing. Sometimes it's difficult to live in a "fishbowl" as my mother used to say, but the education is awesome. Athletics are big in this town, and everybody can play if they want. I like that.

I'm happy my kids are growing up here.

Momma's little "fweety" pie

Yesterday I was stressed on all fronts -- personally, professionally, and financially.

Today is not much better. And I'm tired.

Luckily, I am hanging out with Bob. For an almost 3 yr.old, he is doing a great job making me smile. He is tickling me and playing belly button peek-a-boo.

He wants to go to the bank so he can get a sticker.

We only need to go to the post office.

He won't mind because he is my little sweety pie.